Search Results (520)

Background: The implementation of advanced agronomical strategies, including the use of antitranspirant, in order to mitigate the negative effects of environmental stress, particularly heat stress on plants, has become a focal area of research in the Mediterranean basin. This region is characterized by hot and dry summer that affects plant physiology. Methods: The experiment was carried out in Sicily (South Italy) on 12-year-old avocado cv. Hass grafted onto Walter Hole rootstock. Two subplots each of forty homogenous trees were selected and treated (1) with calcium carbonate (DECCO Shield^®) and (2) with water (control) at the following phenological phases: 711, 712 and 715 BBCH. The climatic parameters were recorded throughout the year. Physiological measurements (leaf transpiration, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, leaf water potential) were measured at 105, 131 and 168 days after full bloom. Fruit growth was monitored, and physico-chemical analyses were carried out at harvest. Results: The antitranspirant increased photosynthesis and stomatal conductance and reduced leaf transpiration (−26.1%). Fruit growth rate increased during summer, although no morphological and qualitative difference was observed at harvest. PCA highlighted the positive effect of the calcium carbonate on overall plant physiology. Conclusions: Antitranspirant foliar application reduced heat stress effects by improving physiological responses of avocado trees. Full article

Avocado (Persea americana), originally from Mesoamerica, has emerged as a focus of intense scientific and industrial interest due to its unique combination of nutritional richness, bioactive potential, and technological versatility. Its pulp, widely consumed across the globe, is notably abundant in monounsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid, which can comprise over two-thirds of its lipid content. In addition, it provides significant levels of dietary fiber, fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K, carotenoids, tocopherols, and phytosterols like β-sitosterol. These constituents are consistently associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, glycemic regulatory, and cardioprotective effects, supported by a growing body of experimental and clinical evidence. This review offers a comprehensive and critical synthesis of the chemical composition and functional properties of avocado, with particular emphasis on its lipid profile, phenolic compounds, and phytosterols. It also explores recent advances in environmentally sustainable extraction techniques, including ultrasound-assisted and microwave-assisted processes, as well as the application of natural deep eutectic solvents. These technologies have demonstrated improved efficiency in recovering bioactives while aligning with the principles of green chemistry. The use of avocado-derived ingredients in nanostructured delivery systems and their incorporation into functional foods, cosmetics, and health-promoting formulations is discussed in detail. Additionally, the potential of native cultivars and the application of precision nutrition strategies are identified as promising avenues for future innovation. Taken together, the findings underscore the avocado’s relevance as a high-value matrix for sustainable development. Future research should focus on optimizing extraction protocols, clarifying pharmacokinetic behavior, and ensuring long-term safety in diverse applications. Full article

In vitro propagation of avocado faces several limitations. To optimize the establishment phase, we evaluated three plant material types: etiolated shoots, 30-day covered field shoots, and uncovered field shoots, collected at two time points. Biochemical and anatomical analyses were conducted to understand material performance during establishment. Across both collection times, etiolated shoots exhibited minimal oxidation, enhanced bud sprouting, reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, increased peroxidase (POD) activity, and improved xylem development, consistently outperforming field-derived materials. Using etiolated shoots, we optimized disinfection and in vitro multiplication protocols. Pre-disinfection with 3 mL L⁻¹ Phyton 27^® and 2% sodium hypochlorite yielded the highest survival rates. In multiplication experiments, varying concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and meta-topolin (MT), supplemented with gibberellic acid (GA₃), did not significantly affect growth variation. However, 8.88 µM BAP with 0.29 µM GA₃ resulted in the greatest number of sprouted buds. Full article

This research analyzes the innovative development of carnauba wax coatings enriched with essential oils (EOs: lemon, orange, grapefruit, clove, oregano, and cinnamon) or fruit by-products (FBPs: avocado, tomato, carrot, orange, lemon, and grapefruit) to improve postharvest preservation of organic oranges and lemons. Six EOs and six FBPs were evaluated for total phenolic content (TPC) and in vitro antifungal activity against Penicillium digitatum. Based on results, grapefruit, oregano, and clove EOs were selected for lemons, while avocado, orange, and grapefruit FBPs were selected for oranges. An in vivo test at 20 °C for 15 days with carnauba wax coatings assessed antifungal performance. Clove EO and avocado FBP showed strong in vitro inhibition and consistent hyphal suppression (~100 and ~82%, respectively). In vivo, coatings with grapefruit EO and avocado FBP significantly reduced fungal decay and sporulation (~75%) in lemons and oranges, respectively. Coated fruits also retained weight losses by ~25% compared to uncoated ones. These findings suggest that phenolic-rich natural extracts, especially from agro-industrial residues like avocado peels, offer a promising and sustainable strategy for postharvest citrus disease control. Further studies should test coating effectiveness in large-scale trials under refrigeration combined with other preservation strategies. Full article

Persea americana (avocado) is a healthy fruit, rich in unsaturated fatty acids, various minerals, and vitamins. As avocado cultivation continues to expand globally, its development is increasingly constrained by concomitant diseases, among which fruit rot and anthracnose have emerged as significant threats to fruit quality. Menglian in Yunnan Province is the largest avocado production area in China. In November 2024, fruit rot was observed on avocado fruits in Yunnan, China, characterized by reddish-brown discoloration, premature ripening, softening, and pericarp decay, with a field infection rate of 22%. Concurrently, anthracnose was detected in avocado fruits, presenting as small dark brown spots that developed into irregular rust-colored lesions, followed by dry rot depressions, ultimately leading to soft rot, peeling, or hardened dry rot, with a field infection rate of 15%. Infected fruit samples were collected, and fungal strains were isolated, purified, and inoculated via spore suspension, followed by re-isolation. The strains were conclusively identified as Diaporthe phaseolorum (SWFU20, SWFU21) and Colletotrichum fructicola (SWFU12, SWFU13) through an integrated approach combining DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing, phylogenetic reconstruction, and morphological characterization. This is the first report of D. phaseolorum causing fruit rot and C. fructicola causing anthracnose on avocado in China. In future research, we will test methods for the control of D. phaseolorum and C. fructicola. The identification of these pathogens provides a foundation for future disease management research, supporting the sustainable development of the avocado industry. Full article

In this study, the association between Neosilba batesi (Diptera: Lonchaeidae) and avocado fruits (Persea americana L.) was investigated. Fruits showing signs of rot and infested with Diptera larvae were collected from commercial orchards in the states of Michoacán and Jalisco, Mexico. N. batesi was identified in association with fruits from both trees and the ground at all sampling sites. Furthermore, a phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene supported the morphological identification, showing >99% identity with records from Veracruz, and revealed distinct genetic lineages within the Neosilba genus. In a study within one Michoacán orchard, infested tree-borne fruits averaged 5.40 cm in length and 3.90 cm in width, with a mean of 9.61 larvae emerging per fruit. Females were observed to lay eggs in openings between the pedicel and the fruit, never piercing the exocarp. In contrast, on fallen fruit, they utilized existing wounds with exposed pulp. Infested avocados exhibit characteristic spots indicating the presence of internal larvae and generally detach from the tree. Larvae can feed on avocados in various stages of decomposition and may either emerge through wounds or pupate within the fruit. These findings support the opportunistic and saprophagous behavior associated with this fly species. Full article

In wet subtropical environments, perennial groundcovers are common in horticultural plantations to protect the soil from erosion. However, there has been little investigation into whether seeding annual cover crops into the perennial groundcovers provides additional soil services including carbon and nutrient cycling in these systems. To investigate this, farmer participatory field trials were conducted in commercial avocado, macadamia, and coffee plantations in the wet Australian subtropics. Cover crops were direct-seeded into existing inter-row groundcovers in winter (cool season cover crops), and into the same plots the following summer (warm season cover crops). Inter-row biomass was quantified at the end of winter and summer in the control (no cover crop) and cover crops treatments. Soil carbon and nutrient cycling parameters including hot water extractable carbon, water soluble carbon, autoclavable citrate-extractable protein and soil enzyme activities were quantified every two months from early spring (September) 2021 to late autumn (May) 2022. Seeded cover crops produced 500 to 800 kg ha⁻¹ more total inter-row biomass over winter at the avocado coffee sites, and 3000 kg ha⁻¹ biomass in summer at the coffee site. However, they had no effect on biomass production in either season at the macadamia site. Soil functional parameters changed with season (i.e., time of sampling), with few significant effects of cover crop treatments on soil function parameters across the three sits. Growing a highly productive annual summer cover crop at the coffee site led to suppression and death of perennial groundcovers, exposing bare soil in the inter-row by 3 weeks after termination of the summer cover crop. Annual cover crops seeded into existing perennial groundcovers in tree crop systems had few significant impacts on soil biological function over the 12-month period, and their integration needs careful management to avoid investment losses and exacerbating the risk of soil erosion on sloping lands in the wet subtropics. Full article

Background: Avocado (Persea americana) peels account for ~20% of the fruit weight and are rich in bioactive compounds, offering significant revalorization potential. This study optimized the extraction parameters of phenolics using ultrasound- (UAE) and microwave-assisted technologies (MAE) with a Central Composite Design (CCD). Methods: The extraction variables included EtOH concentration (0–100%), temperature (13–47 °C for UAE and 55–95 °C for MAE), and time (3–37 min for UAE and 3–27 min for MAE). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total phenolic compounds (TPC) were measured, while individual phenolics were analyzed via HPLC/MS. Results: EtOH concentration was the most influential variable, with optimal conditions involving 94.55% EtOH and moderate temperatures over short times (45 °C for 5 min in UAE and 67 °C for 12 min in MAE). Both techniques yielded comparable results for effective conditions, though MAE required higher temperatures and longer times. In this sense, the data show that UAE extracted higher concentrations of procyanidins (+15%), demonstrating superior performance using a lower time and temperature, making it more efficient. Conclusions: UAE and MAE effectively extract antioxidants, promoting sustainability in the agri-food sector. Full article

This study demonstrates that the ripeness of avocado fruits can be analyzed using frequency-dependent electrical conductivity and permittivity through a non-invasive Magnetic Induction Spectroscopy (MIS) method. Utilizing an MIS system for conductivity and permittivity measurements of a large sample set ($N=60$) of avocado fruits across multiple frequencies from 100 kHz to 3 MHz enables clear observation of their dispersion behavior and the evolution of their spectra over ripening time in a completely non-contact manner. For the entire sample batch, the conductivity spectrum exhibits a general upward shift and spectral flattening over ripening time. To further quantify these features, normalized gradient analysis and equivalent circuit modeling were employed, and statistical analysis confirmed the correlations between electrical parameters and ripening stages. The trend characteristics of the normalized gradient parameter $P_y$ provide a basis for defining the three ripening stages within the 22-day period: early pre-ripe stage (0–5 days), ripe stage (5–15 days), and overripe stage (after 15 days). The equivalent circuit model, which is both physically interpretable and fitted to experimental data, revealed that the ripening process of avocado fruits is characterized by a weakening of capacitive structures and an increase in extracellular solution conductivity, suggesting changes in cellular integrity and extracellular composition, respectively. The results also highlight significant inter-sample variability, which is inherent to biological samples. To further investigate individual conductivity variation trends, Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) clustering and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was conducted for exploratory sample classification and visualization. Through this approach, the sample set was classified into three categories, each corresponding to distinct conductivity variation patterns. Full article

Dry matter (DM) is a critical parameter for avocado quality and commercialization, particularly in the ‘Hass’ cultivar, where it is closely associated with the oil content and flavor. This study evaluated the fatty acid composition and sensory attributes of ‘Hass’ avocados with varying DM levels (19%, 21%, 24%, and 27%) cultivated in the Canary Islands. Additionally, the impact of dehydration methods (oven and microwave) and sample preparation techniques on the oil content and lipid profiles were assessed. Six main fatty acids were identified, with oleic acid (38–43%) and palmitic acid (30–36%) being predominant. Higher DM levels were associated with increased concentrations of palmitoleic and linoleic acids. Drying methods did not significantly alter the fatty acid profile, supporting the crushed microwave-dried (CMW) method as a practical, low-cost approach for preserving lipid integrity. Consumer panelists showed a clear preference for avocados with higher DM contents (24–27%), associating the flavor (86.2%) and texture (59.6%) with the purchase intent. The high monounsaturated fatty acid content, particularly oleic acid, qualifies these avocados for the European nutritional claim ‘high in monounsaturated fat.’ This is the first study to characterize these parameters in ‘Hass’ avocados from the Canary Islands, contributing to both quality assessments and potential marketing strategies based on nutritional and sensory attributes. Full article

Potentially toxic elements such as cadmium (Cd) in agricultural soils represent a global concern due to their toxicity and potential accumulation in the food chain. However, our understanding of cadmium’s complex sources and the mechanisms controlling its spatial distribution across diverse edaphic and geological contexts remains limited, particularly in underexplored agricultural regions. Our study aimed to assess the total accumulated Cd content in soils under avocado cultivation and its association with edaphic, geochemical, and geomorphological variables. To this end, we considered the total concentrations of other metals and explored their associations to gain a better understanding of Cd’s spatial distribution. We analyzed 26 physicochemical properties, the total concentrations of 22 elements (including heavy and trace metals such as As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Tl, V, and Zn and major elements such as Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, and Na), and six geospatial variables in 410 soil samples collected from various avocado-growing regions in Peru in order to identity potential associations that could help explain the spatial patterns of Cd. For data analysis, we applied (1) univariate statistics (skewness, kurtosis); (2) multivariate methods such as Spearman correlations and principal component analysis (PCA); (3) spatial modeling using the Geodetector tool; and (4) non-parametric testing (Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn’s post hoc test). Our results indicated (1) the presence of hotspots with Cd concentrations exceeding 3 mg·kg⁻¹, displaying a leptokurtic distribution (skewness = 7.3); (2) dominant accumulation mechanisms involving co-adsorption and cation competition (Na⁺, Ca²⁺), as well as geogenic co-accumulation with Zn and Pb; and (3) significantly higher Cd concentrations in Leptosols derived from Cretaceous intermediate igneous rocks (diorites/tonalites), averaging 1.33 mg kg⁻¹ compared to 0.20 mg·kg⁻¹ in alluvial soils (p < 0.0001). The factors with the greatest explanatory power (q > 15%, Geodetector) were the Zn content, parent material, geological age, and soil taxonomic classification. These findings provide edaphogenetic insights that can inform soil cadmium (Cd) management strategies, including recommendations to avoid establishing new plantations in areas with a high risk of Cd accumulation. Such approaches can enhance the efficiency of mitigation programs and reduce the risks to export markets. Full article

This study presents a one-step electrospinning method to fabricate polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers embedded with green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for efficient catalytic dye reduction and real-time monitoring. Utilizing avocado seed extract for AgNP synthesis, the resulting composite nanofibers exhibit uniform nanoparticle dispersion and enhanced surface area, significantly improving adsorption and catalytic properties. The membranes demonstrated outstanding catalytic activity, achieving over 95% degradation of methyl orange within 45 min when paired with sodium borohydride, and maintained structural integrity and performance over ten reuse cycles. The integration of a novel 3D-printed support enabled scalability, allowing a 60-fold increase in treatment volume without compromising efficiency. Additionally, the composite’s electrical conductivity changes enabled the real-time monitoring of the dye reduction process, highlighting its dual functionality as both catalyst and sensor. These results encourage the potential of PAN/AgNPs supported on a 3D-printed structure nanofiber membranes for scalable, sustainable wastewater treatment and in situ reaction monitoring. Full article

One of the world’s most sustainable solutions is to replace fossil-based polymers with biopolymers. The production of xanthan gum can be optimized using various renewable and cost-effective raw materials, which is a key focus in industrial biotechnology. Xanthan gum is a bioengineered thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying agent. It has unique properties for use in many industries (food, biotechnology, petrochemicals, agricultural, cosmetics, wastewater treatment) and medical applications. It is tasteless, environmentally safe, non-toxic, and biodegradable. The biotechnological production of xanthan gum depends on several factors: bacterial strain development, culture medium preparation, carbon sources, fermentation parameters and modes, pH, temperature, recovery, purification, and quality control regulations. Bio-innovative strategies have been developed to optimize the production of xanthan gum. A variety of carbon and nitrogen sources, as well as alternative renewable sources, have been used in the production of xanthan gum. The aim of the present study was to optimize the xanthan gum yield using Xanthomonas campestris bacteria and different carbon (D-glucose, D-sorbitol, lactose, sucrose, D-mannitol, D-fructose, erythritol, coconut palm sugar, L-arabinose, unrefined cane sugar), various nitrogen (bacterial peptone, casein peptone, L-glutamic acid, L-arginine, L-methionine, L-tryptophan, malt extract, meat extract, L-phenylalanine, soy peptone) and alternative carbon (orange peels, tangerine peels, lemon peels, avocado peels, melon peels, apple peels, cellulose, xylose, xylitol) sources. The xanthan gum samples were analyzed using antioxidant methods. Our study showed that using L-glutamic acid as the carbon source for 72 h of bacterial fermentation of Xanthomonas campestris resulted in the highest xanthan gum yield: 32.34 g/L. However, using renewable resources, we achieved a very high concentration of xanthan gum in just 24 h of fermentation. According to the reducing power and DPPH methods, the highest antioxidant activities were measured for xanthan gum whose biosynthesis was based on renewable resources. Xanthan gum structures have been verified by FT-IR and ¹H NMR analysis. The sustainable biotechnology study has the advantage of increasing the sustainable production of xanthan gum by using renewable alternative resources compared to other production processes. Xanthan gum continues to be a valuable biopolymer with a wide range of industrial applications while promoting environmentally friendly production practices. Full article

Mexico is the world’s leading producer of avocado (Persea americana); however, its productivity is threatened by various diseases, especially root rot caused by Phytophthora. While P. cinnamomi is the most commonly reported species worldwide, this study identified P. mengei for the first time as a causal agent of root rot and trunk canker in avocado orchards in the state of Michoacán, México. The morphological and molecular characterization of four isolates (three from canker and one from root rot) confirmed their identity: semi-papillate sporangia and plerotic oospores with paragynous antheridia, with sequence identities of 99.87% (ITS) and 100% (COI) with type sequences of P. mengei. Pathogenicity tests demonstrated the ability to infect roots, stems, and fruits, although with a low reisolation percentage in roots (10%), suggesting an opportunistic pathogen behavior. Sensitivity tests to potassium phosphite (EC₅₀ of 3.67 μg/mL⁻¹ a.i.) and metalaxyl-M (0.737 μg/mL⁻¹ a.i.) revealed possible limitations for chemical control. These findings position P. mengei as an emerging pathogen with important implications for integrated crop management. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of P. mengei causing root rot and trunk canker in avocado in Michoacán, Mexico. Full article