Search Results (1,053)

The use of non-biodegradable plastic food packaging materials has become a major environmental concern. These plastics release chemicals and microplastics during degradation, harming wildlife and entering the food chain, posing risks to both environmental and human health. This study aimed to evaluate electrospun poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) mats incorporating natural antibacterial Thymus vulgaris L. extract (TE) and natural crosslinker citric acid (CA) as alternative food packaging materials. Packaging mats with TE and/or CA combinations in PVP were evaluated for their structural, chemical, optical, and shelf-life-enhancing effects on blueberries. The results show that dissolving PVP in TE extract and adding CA in PVP ethanol-water or TE-based solutions significantly affected the viscosity and conductivity of the electrospinning solutions, thereby influencing the morphology of electrospun mats. FTIR analysis confirmed the incorporation of TE into the polymer and indicated CA induced hydrogen bonding, interactions that may reduce the polymer chain mobility and increase the brittleness of the electrospun mat. In tests with blueberries, it was estimated that the commonly used traditional food film minimized blueberry weight loss, whereas the porous electrospun PVP and PVP/TE mats allowed greater moisture release and preserved better visual quality by reducing wrinkling and dehydration. Overall, electrospun PVP-based mats functionalized with TE show promise as sustainable food packaging materials that balance moisture management with product appearance. Full article

Vegetation strongly influences soil formation, yet its effect on Rare Earth Element (REE) distribution and fractionation across treeline ecotones remains insufficiently constrained. The present study investigated how contrasting plant communities, Vaccinium myrtillus heathlands and Picea abies forests, affect pedogenetic pathways and REE behavior in sandstone-derived soils of the Northern Apennines (Italy). Six soil profiles were characterized for bulk geochemistry, selective Fe–Al extractions, particle-size distribution, and REE concentrations. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering identified pedogenetic drivers and horizon groupings. Under Vaccinium myrtillus, thick acidic organic horizons promoted organo-metal complexation and incipient podzolization, whereas Picea abies soils showed thinner organic layers and enhanced mineral weathering, leading to Bw development with higher silt–clay contents and elevated Al/N ratios. These pathways were captured by Fe–Al indicators and the Spodic Index. REE distributions showed vegetation-related differences in surface horizons and Eu–Ce anomalies, but they did not reproduce Fe–Al pedogenetic clusters, reflecting strong parent-material control. The coexistence of podzolic and cambic pathways at the treeline highlights pronounced spatial heterogeneity and vegetation effects. Plant composition may redirect pedogenesis, influencing nutrient cycling and metal mobility. Additionally, these findings emphasize the need to integrate multivariate statistics with established pedogenetic indicators when evaluating geochemical properties in mountain soils. Full article

Blueberries are widely consumed due to their richness in nutrients, yet they are also prone to quality deterioration after being harvested, even at cold temperatures. Non-thermal physical technology is an important auxiliary method worth considering for maintaining the quality of this fruit while refrigerated. In this study, a static magnetic field (SMF) was applied as a complementary pretreatment strategy prior to cold storage of blueberries. The optimal SMF parameters were identified as 5 mT exposure for 12 h, as this significantly retarded decay and softening. The contents of ascorbic acid, total polyphenols, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins were elevated by 20.0%, 17.7%, 23.9%, and 9.1%, respectively. Concurrently, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging capacity, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity markedly improved. Targeted metabolomic analysis revealed that SMF pretreatment significantly regulated polyphenol metabolic pathways and redirected polyphenol biosynthesis toward more stable and functional compounds, including three hydroxycinnamic acids, quercetin, dihydromyricetin, glycosylated hesperetin, and acylated delphinidin derivates. The synergistic effect of these SMF-elevated phenolics and the reinforced antioxidant system preserved the overall cold-storage quality of blueberries. These findings underscore the potential of SMF pretreatment as an effective physical technique for reducing postharvest blueberry losses. Full article

Aluminum (Al) toxicity constrains plant performance in acidic volcanic soils, yet nitrogen (N) fertilization may influence Al availability and plant responses. This study evaluated the effects of N source and rate under contrasting soil liming conditions on vegetative growth, mineral nutrition, and physiological performance of non-bearing northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L. cv. Blue Ribbon^®) plants. A split–split-plot experiment was conducted in southern Chile using urea or potassium nitrate applied at 0, 20, or 40 kg N ha⁻¹ to plants grown in unlimed soil or soil amended with calcium carbonate or magnesium oxide. Vegetative growth, tissue mineral composition, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence, and leaf chlorophyll were monitored during the first season. Growth responded primarily to soil liming rather than N supply, indicating low N demand and substantial soil N mineralization under the experimental conditions. Foliar N increased from 1.36 to 1.70% with increasing N rates. Urea nutrition reduced foliar Al concentration by 12% compared with nitrate. Under unlimed conditions, representing maximal soil Al availability, urea fertilization was associated with 70% higher Al retention in roots relative to nitrate. Chlorophyll content was consistently higher under urea supply, while the maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II remained unaffected. These findings indicate that N form influences plant Al partitioning independently of growth responses. Although the underlying mechanisms were not directly assessed, the observed patterns suggest that urea fertilization may reduce Al translocation to shoots under conditions of high Al availability. Full article

Consumers believe that expired products are unsafe, and, in most cases, misinterpreting the information on food labels often leads to large amounts of food waste. Yogurt is among the most widely eaten dairy products that can still be consumed after its expiration date, even though most consumers throw it away the very day it expires. The aim of this study was to determine whether commercial yogurts currently available on the market remain safe for consumption after their expiration date, with a view to reducing the amount of food waste generated in households. Therefore, the quality, stability, and edible safety of 10 commercial yogurts (two plain with 2% and 4% fat and the others with fruit, such as apricots, strawberries, bananas, blueberries, berries and strawberries, blackberries and raspberries, and cherries) stored at 4 °C before and at the expiration date were investigated. Physicochemical, textural, microbiological, and sensory analyses were performed to evaluate changes in functionality, safety, and acceptability of these yogurts. The results showed that, prior to their expiration date, certain yogurt samples (with apricots, strawberries, and blueberries, as well as plain yogurt with 4% fat) tested positive for total coliform bacteria, with values ranging from 20 to 50 CFU/g, suggesting substandard hygiene practices and insufficient sanitary conditions during and following the production process. No Escherichia coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Enterobacter spp., or Enterococcus spp. were detected in any of the yogurt samples that were within their expiration date. Blueberry, berry, and strawberry yogurts change their physical and chemical properties less than other types of yogurts analyzed after expiration. Yogurts containing berries and strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries remain safe at the expiration date, as they do not show the presence of harmful microorganisms such as coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp., Enterococcus spp., Listeria, or Salmonella. Yogurt with berries and strawberries appears to be the most suitable from a microbiological point of view at expiration, as it has a low total mesophilic bacteria count and lactic acid bacteria exceeding 1 × 10⁶ CFU/g. At the time of expiration, this fruit yogurt type (with berries and strawberries) had a total solids content of 21.29%, 5.22% protein, 2.11% fat, 13.19% carbohydrates, 4.07 pH, 26.79% syneresis, 73.21% water retention capacity, 64.78% total phenolic content, and 10.55% DPPH (inhibition percentage). Nevertheless, at the time of expiration, from a sensory perspective (only appearance and consistency, odor, and color, without taste), the yogurt samples that were most appreciated contained blackberries and raspberries. The obtained results indicate that only certain types of fruit yogurts stored unopened at 4 °C may remain safe and edible after the expiration date, but further studies are needed to help the dairy industry and policymakers promote the reduction in food waste in households. Full article

The instability of pigments and non-quantitative indication limit the application of intelligent labels in food freshness monitoring. Natural anthocyanins face challenges including photodegradation and difficulty in quantifying shrimp freshness. To solve these problems, this study prepared a colorimetric intelligent label with UV-shielding and real-time monitoring functions. Carbon-coated nano-TiO₂ (C-TiO₂) was synthesized by the hydrothermal method and combined with blueberry anthocyanins (BAs) in an agarose (AG)/gellan gum (GG)/glycerol matrix. The label properties were characterized and a remaining shelf-life prediction model was established based on the correlation between label color difference (ΔE) and shrimp total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N). The results demonstrated that C-TiO₂ could enhance compatibility and color stability, and maintain mechanical properties. After 24 h of ultraviolet irradiation, the BA degradation rate was 98.4% in the GAB group and 62.8% in the GABT-0.05 group, representing a reduction of 35.6% compared to the former. This indicates that the addition of C-TiO₂ significantly enhanced photostability. The predictive model demonstrated an error below 10% at both 10 °C and 20 °C conditions, indicating its potential for shelf-life prediction applications. This dual-functional label provides a reliable method for visual and quantitative evaluation of shrimp freshness. Full article

Despite Morocco’s emergence as the world’s fourth-largest berry exporter, no comprehensive review has evaluated the polyphenol composition, antioxidant properties, and health benefits of raspberries (Rubus idaeus), blackberries (Rubus fruticosus), and blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) specifically within the Moroccan cultivation context. This narrative review synthesized evidence from phytochemical analyses, in vitro and in vivo studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), meta-analyses, and epidemiological data sourced from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Blackberries exhibited the highest total polyphenol content (149 μmol GAE/L) and antioxidant capacity, driven primarily by anthocyanin concentration and diversity. Antioxidant mechanisms included free radical scavenging, transition metal chelation, and upregulation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes. Pooled RCT data demonstrated that regular consumption (150–300 g/day) significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (−2.72 mmHg), LDL cholesterol (−0.21 mmol/L), and fasting glucose (−2.70 mg/dL). Additional benefits included neuroprotection via blood-brain barrier crossing and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) elevation, prebiotic modulation of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Akkermansia populations, and anti-cancer activity via nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibition. Processing significantly affected bioactive retention: freezing preserved phenolic compounds effectively, while conventional drying reduced anthocyanin content by up to 49%. These findings support the integration of Moroccan-cultivated berries—particularly from the Gharb, Loukkos, and Souss-Massa regions—into evidence-based dietary and functional food strategies. Priority research gaps include bioavailability assessment, dose-response characterization, and cultivar-specific phytochemical profiling under Moroccan agro-climatic conditions. Full article

We reported the first isolation and characterization of Neopestalotiopsis spp. from symptomatic strawberry plants in Nova Scotia, Canada. Morphological and multilocus sequence analyses confirmed that these isolates were closely related to previously identified aggressive Neopestalotiopsis spp. strains from strawberry and blueberry in the southeastern United States and other countries. Five representative isolates were evaluated for pathogenicity on detached leaves, whole plants, and fruits of multiple strawberry cultivars. The results revealed significant variation in virulence, with isolate NS-1 causing the most severe necrosis across all tissue types. Statistical analysis revealed significant effects of isolate, cultivar, and their interaction on disease severity, indicating differential cultivar responses to the tested isolates. Notably, tissue-specific differences were observed, with some isolates being aggressive on leaves but less virulent on fruit or whole plants, reinforcing the importance of multi-organ phenotyping in resistance screening. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the Nova Scotia isolates within the same clade as Neopestalotiopsis isolate 17–43 L from strawberry and isolates from blueberry, suggesting a potential epidemiological link. The shared nursery propagation system of strawberries and blueberries raises the risk of cross-infection, posing a substantial challenge to disease management strategies in both crops. Collectively, these findings underscore the urgent need for continued surveillance, population-level pathogen analysis, and the development of resistant cultivars to mitigate the spread of this emerging and rapidly evolving pathogen. Full article

This study investigates the development of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based nanocomposite films reinforced with cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and biobased additives derived from blueberry pruning waste for sustainable food packaging applications. The nanocomposites were fabricated via solvent casting and evaluated in terms of their thermal and antimicrobial properties. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG) revealed that the thermal degradation of the nanocomposites occurs through overlapping processes of PVA and CNFs, with maximum degradation temperatures ranging from 273 to 293 °C depending on the formulation. The incorporation of CNFs modified the degradation pathway and promoted the formation of thermally stable carbonaceous residues, while TEMPO-oxidized samples exhibited a decrease in degradation onset (14–24 °C) due to the presence of oxidized surface groups. Remarkably, the nanocomposites exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against both Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria without the incorporation of external antimicrobial agents. Bleached PVA/CNFs films achieved complete growth inhibition (100%), while lignin-containing and additive-modified systems showed selective antibacterial behavior. Zeta potential analysis confirmed a negatively charged CNF surface (−35.3 mV), which may contribute to electrostatic interactions with bacterial membranes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed nanostructured surfaces with exposed fibrillar networks that promote bacterial adhesion and immobilization, supporting a contact-active antimicrobial mechanism. These findings demonstrate that the antimicrobial performance of PVA/CNFs nanocomposites is governed by intrinsic physicochemical and topographical properties rather than by the release of antimicrobial agents. This approach provides a safer and more sustainable strategy for the design of active food packaging materials. Full article

The rhizosphere is a complex microecosystem where soil, roots, and microbes interact to maintain soil ecological functions. Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), an economically important fruit, has a shallow, fibrous root system with few root hairs, limiting its nutrient absorption. It thrives in acidic, high-organic matter soils, restricting its cultivation in many soil types worldwide. Enhancing blueberry productivity and adaptation by leveraging beneficial rhizosphere microbial communities offers a sustainable solution. This review summarizes the composition of blueberry rhizosphere microbial community across different microenvironments and the blueberry rhizosphere core microbiome. We detail the functional roles of beneficial microorganisms in stimulating nutrient bioavailability and secreting phytohormones. Furthermore, factors influencing microbiome assembly, including cultivars, planting age, and metabolites, are evaluated alongside agricultural management practices. Despite extensive taxonomic characterization, a critical gap remains in understanding the functional synergism between blueberry and its rhizosphere microbiome, particularly the ecological mechanisms underlying host adaptation to acidic and nutrient-limited environments. Overall, future research should focus on developing targeted agricultural practices and synthetic microbial communities to reshape the rhizosphere microbiome, thereby establishing productive, resilient rhizosphere-based microbial systems that support eco-friendly and sustainable agricultural ecosystems. Full article

Accurate blueberry ripeness detection is crucial for intelligent harvesting but is challenged by complex orchard environments involving small, dense fruit clusters. This study proposes BBYOLOv12, an improved YOLOv12 model, to address missed detections and ripeness misjudgments. The method integrates a lightweight RepGhost backbone for efficient multi-scale feature extraction, a modified SimAM attention mechanism to enhance feature capture in dense regions, and an improved WIoU loss function to optimize small object localization. Evaluated on a self-built dataset, BBYOLOv12 achieved a mAP@0.5 of 98.97%, mAP@0.5:0.95 of 83.55%, precision of 97.55%, and recall of 97.27%, outperforming baseline and mainstream lightweight models. The model maintains high accuracy with only 2.36 million parameters and 5.59 GFLOPs, reducing complexity relative to the baseline. A practical Graphical User Interface was also developed for real-time detection and statistical analysis. This research provides an effective technical solution for multi-scale, dense perception tasks in agricultural applications. Full article

The rhizosphere is a critical interface linking plants and soil; however, the mechanisms by which parasitic plants affect host growth through rhizosphere microecological changes remain unclear. This study systematically elucidates how Monochasma savatieri, a hemiparasitic plant, promotes blueberry growth by reshaping rhizosphere microecology. Pot experiments showed that parasitism significantly enhanced urease, sucrase, and soil nitrate reductase activities, improving organic matter decomposition and nutrient transformation efficiency. Concurrently, soil total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK), along with alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (AN) and available potassium (AK), decreased, suggesting enhanced nutrient absorption by roots. At the microbial level, parasitism altered community composition and diversity, enriching functional taxa such as Nitrosomonas, OLB5, and Serendipita. Functionally, pathways related to stress resistance (necroptosis and glutamatergic synapses) were activated, whereas those linked to pathogen colonization (Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation and tryptophan metabolism) were suppressed. These modifications reduced harmful microbial competition, optimized nutrient cycling and signaling networks, and established a favorable rhizosphere microenvironment for root health. By integrating soil enzyme activity, nutrient dynamics, and microbial functions, M. savatieri systemically improves the rhizosphere microenvironment, ultimately enhancing blueberry growth. This study provides theoretical support for intercropping and management of parasitic plants with blueberries. Full article

Range limits are often hypothesized to arise from reduced reproductive success at distributional margins, yet direct tests integrating pollination and post-pollination processes remain uncommon. Whether reproductive failure constrains the distylous Gelsemium sempervirens at its western range edge in eastern Texas was investigated by quantifying flowering phenology, floral visitation, pollinator effectiveness, and seed fate over two flowering seasons. Flowering timing differed markedly between years due to freeze events, but flowering effort and morph synchrony remained high. Although multiple floral visitors were recorded, fruit set was overwhelmingly associated with the southeastern blueberry bee (Habropoda laboriosa), which dominated visitation and remained active throughout the flowering period. No evidence of autonomous self-pollination or breakdown of functional distyly was detected. Seed set in unattacked fruits was high and comparable to values reported from central-range populations. In contrast, post-pollination seed loss due to cryptic fruit herbivory substantially reduced seed survival, though herbivory patterns did not differ qualitatively from those documented elsewhere in the species’ range. Together, these results indicate that reproductive failure does not explain the abrupt western range limit of G. sempervirens and instead suggest that ecological transitions associated with the forest–prairie ecotone, rather than pollination or early seed development, may play a more important role in shaping the species’ distribution. Full article

This study developed an active packaging material by incorporating tea tree oil (TTO)-loaded lotus stalk biochar (BC@TTO) into a chitosan (CS) matrix. Biochar was prepared from lotus stalks via pyrolysis at 600 °C and characterized, revealing a mesoporous structure with a specific surface area of 35.9 m²/g. Adsorption studies demonstrated that BC exhibited high affinity for TTO, following pseudo-first-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 295.6 mg/g. Chitosan-based composite membranes with varying BC@TTO contents (1–7 wt%) were fabricated by solution casting. The incorporation of BC@TTO significantly enhanced the tensile strength, elongation at break, barrier properties (water vapor and oxygen), and antioxidant/antibacterial activities of the membranes, with optimal performance observed at 3 wt% loading. However, higher loadings led to filler aggregation, reduced transparency, and compromised mechanical properties. In vitro release studies indicated that TTO release followed the Avrami model, suggesting a diffusion-controlled mechanism. Preservation tests on blueberries showed that the CS-3BC@TTO membrane effectively reduced weight loss and maintained fruit quality during storage. This work presents a promising strategy for designing bioactive packaging materials with sustained release functionality for food preservation applications. Full article

Intensive horticultural and fruit production in Chile relies on pesticides, raising concerns about compliance with residue limits and the continued availability of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs). Recent national monitoring data from Chile indicate frequent detections of HHPs in plant-based foods and repeated exceedances of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). This study analyzed official datasets from Chile’s Ministry of Agriculture, combining food residue monitoring data from 2015 to 2023 with pesticide sales and import statistics as additional indicators of availability. Active ingredients were standardized to ISO names and CAS numbers and classified for HHP status based on FAO/WHO hazard criteria, with cross-referencing to the Pesticide Action Network (PAN). The results present surveillance indicators focusing on detection rates and MRL exceedance proportions. Between 2015 and 2023, residues were identified in 82.8% of the collected samples. The most frequently detected residues overall included fludioxonil, acetamiprid, pyrimethanil, fenhexamid, and boscalid, indicating a detection profile primarily characterized by fungicides with substantial contributions from insecticides. When restricting to HHPs classified residues, the most frequently detected HHPs included tebuconazole, captan, iprodione, spirodiclofen, chlorantraniliprole, and carbendazim, indicating a detection profile primarily characterized by fungicides, with significant contributions from insecticides. Records of exceedances were concentrated within a limited subset of residues, predominantly acetamiprid and dithiocarbonates, and were most frequently associated with apples, table grapes, cherries, blueberries, pears, and certain vegetables, notably leafy vegetables. The active ingredients classified within HHPs included fludioxonil, fenhexamid, tebuconazole, cyprodinil, and lambda-cyhalothrin. The findings support agronomic decision-making by emphasizing GAP/PHI reinforcement, targeted monitoring, and IPM-based substitution options for activities involving recurrent HHP detection. Full article