Search Results (1,241)

Botrytis cinerea is a major phytopathogenic fungus responsible for substantial economic losses in horticultural crops, underscoring the need for sustainable alternatives to synthetic fungicides. This study investigated the influence of physical, chemical and biological culture parameters on the antifungal activity of culture filtrates produced by Trichoderma harzianum BOL-12QD. Culture conditions were sequentially optimised by evaluating light-filter exposure, carbon and nitrogen source composition, potato ecotype selection, co-cultivation with Botrytis cinerea, and volatile-mediated interactions. Antifungal activity was assessed using mycelial growth inhibition assays against Botrytis cinerea. Among the individual factors, violet-filter illumination, a medium containing 5 g L⁻¹ glucose and 250 g L⁻¹ potato extract, the Leke Pek’e potato ecotype, ammonium nitrate as nitrogen source, and co-cultivation with Botrytis cinerea at 10⁴ conidia mL⁻¹ produced the highest inhibitory effects. Sequential integration of these optimised conditions resulted in enhanced antifungal activity, reaching up to 62% inhibition. Volatile organic compounds produced by Trichoderma harzianum BOL-12QD exhibited only minimal antifungal activity under the conditions tested, suggesting that volatile-mediated antagonism plays a limited role in this system. In contrast, culture-dependent modulation of extracellular metabolite profiles was evidenced by comparative ¹H NMR fingerprinting, which revealed condition-specific spectral differences, with the optimised treatment displaying a distinct metabolic signature relative to all other conditions. Cytotoxicity assays in murine peritoneal macrophages showed no significant reduction in cell viability at concentrations up to 200 μg mL⁻¹. In vivo exposure to the optimised culture filtrate (250 mg kg⁻¹ d⁻¹ for 10 days) induced transient treatment-related clinical observations without mortality, indicating a need for further detailed toxicological characterisation. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the antifungal activity of Trichoderma harzianum BOL-12QD is strongly modulated by interacting environmental, nutritional and biological culture parameters. The results support the potential of optimised culture filtrates as a source of bioactive metabolites for biocontrol applications, while highlighting the importance of integrated biochemical and toxicological evaluation. Full article

This study investigates the potential of several sustainable agricultural by-products—including olive stones, cork, and almond shells, which are locally available in Alentejo, Portugal—as low-cost adsorbents for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from synthetic wastewater. The biomass residues were evaluated both in their raw form and after conversion into activated carbons (ACs) through chemical activation with KOH at 973 K. The produced ACs exhibited well-developed surface areas (760–1103.5 m² g⁻¹) and porous structures (0.31–0.51 cm³ g⁻¹). The adsorbents were characterised in terms of their chemical and textural properties. Raw biomass materials presented acidic surface groups, whereas the ACs presented neutral or basic groups. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to assess the effects of adsorbent particle size, solution pH, initial MB concentration, stirring speed, contact time, and temperature on dye removal efficiency. Among all tested materials, the ACs achieved superior MB adsorption capacities, ranging from 244.2 to 317.6 mg g⁻¹, compared to the untreated biomass adsorbents, which showed capacities between 34.1 and 46.4 mg g⁻¹. The adsorption data were best described by the Langmuir isotherm model, while the kinetic data closely followed the pseudo-second-order (PSO) model. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that MB adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic; however, the relatively low enthalpy values indicated that physical interactions contributed significantly, particularly in the case of the raw biomass adsorbents. This suggests that the PSO model may also be applicable when physical adsorption is the dominant mechanism. This work demonstrates the novel use of cork, olive stone, and almond shell biomasses and their derived ACs as sustainable adsorbents, highlighting an integrated approach that simultaneously promotes efficient wastewater treatment, waste valorisation, and circular economy-driven socio-economic development. Full article

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of agro-industrial residues supports the green energy transition by converting organic matter into renewable biogas. Sugar beet pulp is a highly fermentable feedstock, although its process response may vary with chemical composition. This study examined how chemical composition affects mesophilic biogas-production kinetics of sugar beet pulp prepared under laboratory conditions from surplus sugar beet roots. The roots represented ten sugar beet varieties (A–J), and the prepared pulp was characterised for pH, dry matter, organic dry matter, mineral composition, and the relative shares of simple sugars, polysaccharides, protein, and fibre. Batch digestion tests were performed at 39 °C for 30 days. Production curves were analysed using complementary kinetic models (modified Gompertz and a two-fraction first-order model) to capture the lag phase and the contributions of rapidly and slowly degradable substrate pools. Biogas yields ranged from 126 to 141 m³ Mg⁻¹ fresh matter with 50–55% CH₄, corresponding to 64.3–76.1 m³ CH₄ Mg⁻¹ organic dry matter, while organic matter conversion reached 71.2–82.4%. Varieties enriched in simple sugars exhibited a higher share of the fast-degradable fraction and shorter lag phases, indicating faster onset and stronger methane formation. In contrast, higher fibre contents reduced the slow-fraction rate constant and lowered overall conversion, consistent with hydrolysis-limited degradation of the structural carbohydrate matrix. The mineral ion background, particularly K and Na, indicated moderate ionic buffering and stable operation without inhibition. The novelty of this work lies in integrating detailed compositional profiling with dual kinetic modelling to translate chemical fingerprints into tentative process-relevant implications. These implications include feeding strategy, organic loading control and hydraulic retention time selection, and they require further validation in continuous or semi-continuous AD systems. Full article

This study characterises the polyphenol profile (LC–MS), antiglycation (BSA–GLU, BSA–FRU, BSA–MGO), and antioxidant potential (ABTS, DPPH) of A. arguta (‘Scarlet September Kiwi’) and A. kolomikta (‘Lande’) fruit before and after extract purification. A total of 48 polyphenols belonging to 11 chemical groups were identified. Crude Scarlet extract showed higher TPI (1079.51 µg/g dw) than the crude Lande (761.13 µg/g dw), with quercetin glucoside accounting for 71% of TPI. Crude Lande extract was dominated by caffeic acid glucoside (39% TPI). Purification markedly increased TPI values to 4082.13 µg/g dw (Scarlet) and 2550.51 µg/g dw (Lande). The crude extracts more effectively inhibited glucose- and fructose-induced protein glycation (IC₅₀ = 1.81–7.71 mg/mL) than methylglyoxal-mediated glycation (IC₅₀ = 14.33–24.26). Purification significantly enhanced antiglycation efficacy in all models (IC₅₀ = 0.47–1.78), as well as antioxidant capacity (IC₅₀ = 0.10–0.67 mg/mL). Statistical analyses revealed a strong alignment between the glycation-inhibitory activity and the tested antioxidant potential. These findings suggest that targeted purification enhances the functional potential of Actinidia species, making them promising sources of bioactive compounds against oxidative stress and protein glycation-related disorders. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lipoid pneumonia (LP) is a rare and frequently underdiagnosed pulmonary condition with a broad spectrum of radiological manifestations that can closely mimic infectious, inflammatory, and neoplastic lung diseases. Despite its clinical relevance, no standardized imaging-based diagnostic pathway exists. For this reason, this pictorial narrative review aims to provide a structured, imaging-centred synthesis of LP, to characterise the full spectrum of high-resolution CT (HRCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and to propose a pragmatic diagnostic workflow. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from January 1950 to February 2025. Search terms combined “lipoid pneumonia” with imaging-related keywords including “HRCT,” “computed tomography,” “MRI,” and “fat attenuation.” After screening 891 deduplicated records, 60 studies were included in the narrative synthesis. Eight illustrative institutional cases with imaging–pathology correlation were additionally selected to demonstrate key imaging phenotypes. Results: HRCT is the cornerstone modality, demonstrating intralesional fat attenuation (typically −30 to −150 HU) in 40–80% of cases depending on series and disease chronicity. Additional patterns include ground-glass opacity, crazy paving, centrilobular nodules, and mass-like consolidation mimicking malignancy. Fat attenuation is absent in up to 60% of cases when inflammatory exudate or fibrosis masks lipid content. MRI, particularly chemical shift imaging, serves as a problem-solving adjunct in pseudotumoral or densitometrically equivocal presentations. A pragmatic diagnostic workflow is proposed, integrating HRCT findings, exposure history, fat-sensitive MRI in selected cases, BAL cytology, and histopathological confirmation when required. Conclusions: A pattern-based radiological approach, anchored on HRCT and integrated with clinical exposure history, BAL cytology, and selective use of fat-sensitive MRI, enables accurate diagnosis of LP in most cases and can prevent unnecessary invasive procedures including surgical resection performed under suspicion of malignancy. Full article

Brewers’ spent grain (BSG), which accounts for approximately 85% of the by-products generated during beer production, is a valuable source of dietary fibre, proteins and antioxidant compounds. This study aimed to characterise the chemical composition, techno-functional properties, antioxidant capacity and potential prebiotic effect of BSG flour as a sustainable functional ingredient. Dietary fibre composition, mineral content, and extractable and non-extractable (poly)phenol fractions were determined. The prebiotic potential of BSG flour was evaluated using an in vitro fermentation model with human faeces. Microbial metabolic activity was assessed through the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), lactate and ammonium, alongside changes in antioxidant capacity during fermentation, while microbiota composition was analysed by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. BSG flour showed high levels of insoluble fibre, mainly hemicellulose and arabinoxylans, as well as proteins and non-extractable (poly)phenols, particularly hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. In vitro fermentation led to a significant increase in SCFA production, particularly acetate and propionate, indicating active degradation of fibre polysaccharides. These metabolic changes were accompanied by enhanced antioxidant capacity and shifts in microbiota composition, including an increased relative abundance of Bifidobacterium species. Overall, this study suggests that BSG flour could be used as a novel ingredient for the development of dietary-fibre-rich foods with potential gut health benefits. Full article

Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel) is an edible and medicinal plant cultivated worldwide. Owing to its distinctive aroma and diverse biological activities, its essential oils (EOs) have been widely investigated. However, available data predominantly focus on cultivated fennel or commercial EOs, while comprehensive investigations of wild-growing Mediterranean populations—particularly comparisons among different plant parts—remain scarce. In this study, EOs obtained by hydrodistillation from stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits of native Croatian fennel, were chemically characterised using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), while antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the disc diffusion method against four bacterial strains. Additionally, the volatile profiles of fennel hydrolates were determined by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and GC-MS analysis. Fennel flowers gave the highest EO yield (1.95%), followed by mature fruits (1.43%), whereas significantly lower yields were obtained from leaves (0.69%) and stems (0.58%). Trans-anethole was identified as the dominant constituent (from 40.96% in stems to 80.71% in fruits), while α-phellandrene predominated in stem EO (42.77%). Hydrolate volatile profiles were more complex—particularly leaf hydrolate, where 29 compounds were identified. The principal constituents were trans-anethole (39.58–57.40%) and fenchone (16.01–28.80%), while the highest content of estragole was observed in fruit hydrolate (6.56%). The EOs demonstrated moderate antimicrobial activity, showing effectiveness exclusively against Escherichia coli, likely attributable to high phenylpropanoid (primarily trans-anethole) and fenchone contents. Full article

Polysaccharides are the primary bioactive constituents of Ganoderma lucidum. Nevertheless, the industrial potential of this species is constrained by the fact that yields are relatively low. The present study developed a technology and method of extracting polysaccharides from steam-exploded Ganoderma lucidum by enzymatic extraction, with the aim of increasing the yield. The yield of crude polysaccharide is 15.39%, which is 6.96 times that of the traditional water method (2.21%). A purified, homogeneous polysaccharide fraction, designated GLP-L, was isolated with a molecular weight of 5.59 × 10⁶ Da. A detailed analysis of the chemical structure of the substance was conducted, and its immunomodulatory activity was thoroughly researched. A thorough investigation into the structural characteristics of GLP-L was conducted, yielding the following findings: GLP-L is composed of D-mannose (52.76 mol%), D-glucose (36.98 mol%), D-xylose (6.39 mol%), and D-galactose (3.87 mol%). The structure was characterised by methylation, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In the second step of the process, the following sequence of reactions occurs: 2)-β-D-Gal-(1→4)-α-D-Xylp-(1→3,4)-α-D-Manp-(1→6)-β-D-Glcp-(1→4)-β-D-Manp-(1→4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→. The effect of GLP-L on immunomodulatory activity was evaluated through the RAW264.7 macrophage model, with the results showing an enhancement in phagocytic activity, immune-related enzyme activities, nitric oxide production, and cytokine secretion. The enzyme-assisted extraction method was demonstrated to enhance the yield of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides, with the extract displaying noteworthy immunomodulatory activity. This provides a novel strategy for the production of polysaccharide immunomodulators. Full article

In the study, the morphological and structural properties of bunches and berries, as well as the chemical characterisation of three interspecific grapevine cultivars—‘Bronner’, ‘Muscaris’, and ‘Morava’—were studied. Sugars and organic acids in the grapes were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while phenolic compounds were analysed by HPLC–mass spectrometry. ‘Morava’ and ‘Muscaris’ showed higher Hue angle values, indicating a greener skin coloration compared with ‘Bronner’, which exhibited a more yellow skin colour. ‘Muscaris’ and ‘Bronner’ had higher bunch weights than ‘Morava’, while the 100-berry weight did not differ significantly among the varieties. ‘Bronner’ must had the highest titratable acidity, and ‘Muscaris’ had the highest sugar content. Flavanols were the main phenolic compounds in the grapes, accounting for 76–88% of the total phenolic content. The highest concentrations of flavanols and caftaric acid were found in ‘Bronner’ and ‘Muscaris’ berries, while ‘Morava’ had the highest flavonol content. All studied varieties achieved good grape and must quality and are therefore recommended for wine production. ‘Bronner’ and ‘Muscaris’ stood out for their high bunch weight and high concentrations of flavanols and total phenolics, which contribute significantly to wine taste and overall quality. ‘Muscaris’ berries had a high sugar content, making this variety suitable for producing wines with higher alcohol content. In contrast, ‘Bronner’ is recommended for wines requiring higher acidity levels. Full article

Milk is a globally important food valued for its nutritional content and accessibility, with extended-shelf-life products such as ultra-high-temperature (UHT) milk increasing market reach but often altering flavour and impacting consumer acceptance. Despite the central role of aroma in determining flavour, analytical approaches in dairy research are frequently applied in isolation, limiting mechanistic insight into how processing-driven changes in volatile compounds influence sensory perception. This review critically examines analytical strategies for characterising aroma in bovine drinking milk, with emphasis on sample preparation, volatile extraction, chromatographic profiling, and sensory methodologies. Across the literature, inconsistent experimental design, limited consideration of aroma-active compounds, and the separation of chemical and sensory analyses emerge as key constraints. Evidence indicates that no single analytical approach is universally optimal, with method performance dependent on matrix composition and analytical objectives; however, multidimensional chromatography and integrated sensory–instrumental approaches provide clear advantages for resolving complex flavour systems. This review highlights the need for standardised, matrix-appropriate methodologies and demonstrates that improved integration of chemical and sensory data is essential for advancing mechanistic, consumer-relevant flavour characterisation in milk. Full article

Research has demonstrated that the presence of synthetic preservatives tends to disrupt the balance of the gut microbiota, thereby posing a significant threat to food safety and human health. The present study investigates the antibacterial activity of a novel bacteriocin-like produced by Latilactobacillus sakei (L. sakei) against Escherichia coli (E. coli), as well as its mechanism of action. This study aims to validate the significant antibacterial effect of bacteriocin-like YY-1 produced by L. sakei W-1 through dialysis combined with Tricine-SDS-PAGE analysis, and to determine its molecular weight. The results of the study indicate that the molecular weight of the bacteriocin-like is less than 2.7 kDa. Moreover, this bacteriocin-like YY-1 exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, demonstrating antibacterial activity against E. coli, S. Typhimurium, A. baumannii, P. mirabilis, S. aureus, L. monocytogenes. Furthermore, bacteriocin-like YY-1 exhibits optimal antibacterial activity at a pH of 4.0, with its activity gradually diminishing as pH increases. It is completely inactivated by trypsin treatment, while papain and proteinase K treatments significantly reduce its antibacterial activity. Additionally, this bacteriocin-like YY-1 has been demonstrated to inhibit the growth of E. coli and disrupt its normal development. The Viable/Necrotic Cell Stain and SEM observations confirmed that the bacteriocin-like compound induces cell death by forming distinct pores through the disruption of the cell membrane’s structural integrity. In summary, YY-1—a bacteriocin-like substance characterised by its low molecular weight (<2.7 kDa), broad-spectrum activity, and pore-forming mechanism—is a highly promising natural alternative to synthetic preservatives, capable of mitigating the damage caused by chemical additives to the gut microbiota. Full article

High-phenolic extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a chemically dynamic bioactive matrix in which cultivar, ripening stage, processing, storage, and digestion shape the final profile of phenolic alcohols and secoiridoids. In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), chronic intestinal inflammation is associated with barrier dysfunction, dysbiosis, systemic immune activation, endothelial injury, platelet hyperreactivity, and increased cardiovascular risk. This narrative review evaluates whether EVOO phenolics may intersect the gut–endothelium–platelet axis linking IBD to vascular and thromboinflammatory complications. The review focuses on hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleuropein- and ligstroside-derived secoiridoids, oleocanthal, and oleacein, with emphasis on their biosynthetic origin, processing-driven transformations, bioavailability, metabolism, and biological targets. Current evidence supports plausible effects on epithelial barrier integrity, TLR4/NF-κB signalling, Nrf2-mediated antioxidant defence, oxidised LDL formation, endothelial activation, and platelet-related pathways. Nevertheless, direct clinical evidence in IBD patients remains limited, and most cardiovascular-relevant findings are extrapolated from non-IBD human trials, animal studies, or in vitro models. Chemically characterised, biomarker-anchored intervention trials are needed before high-phenolic EVOO can be considered a validated strategy for modifying cardiovascular risk in IBD. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health concern driven by bacterial biofilm formation, which increases tolerance to treatments. Developing surface-based strategies to limit biofilm formation is therefore critical. Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) are 2D brucite-like nanomaterials with tuneable physicochemical properties that may reduce bacterial colonisation. Their ease of synthesis, with scalability potential for industrial production, alongside their characteristic and tunable physicochemical properties, makes them a promising nanostructured coating for antimicrobial applications. This study evaluates LDH thin-film coatings as intrinsic antimicrobial surfaces, focusing on the combined effects of chemical composition, nanotopography, and wettability on biofilm formation in Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Four aluminium-based LDHs (ZnAl-NO₃, ZnAl-Cl₂, MgAl-NO₃, MgAl-Cl₂) were synthesised via coprecipitation or in situ growth on aluminium substrates. Materials were characterised by XRD, SEM, EDS, and contact angle measurements. Antimicrobial performance was assessed by quantifying colony-forming units (CFU mL⁻¹) after bacterial exposure. ZnAl-LDH surfaces showed significant antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, while MgAl-LDHs showed no effect and occasionally increased bacterial growth. None of the LDH surfaces tested exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa strain. The antimicrobial performance of ZnAl-LDH can be attributed to the concurrent effect of the surface chemistry, wettability, and sharp platelet-like nanotopography. The results obtained demonstrate that ZnAl-LDH-based coatings are promising antimicrobial materials with potential relevance for translational research in clinical antimicrobial surface development. Full article

The degradation of works of art constitutes a significant problem for the preservation of cultural heritage. In the case of paintings, the observed alterations can be physical, chemical, or visual, affecting both the integrity and appearance of the artworks. Degradation compromises the authenticity, aesthetic legibility, and historical value of paintings, making the early monitoring of such issues, as well as the development of appropriate conservation and restoration strategies, essential. For an effective approach, the characterisation of the materials and techniques used by the artist, as well as the degradation processes inherent in the materials used, proves to be crucial. In this context, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a non-invasive solution capable of detecting and predicting degradation in works of art. This bibliographic review aims to explore existing studies in this field in depth, with special attention to contemporary paintings considered as case studies. The methodology involved a systematic review of peer-reviewed studies, theses, and interdisciplinary databases, using keywords related to the topic under investigation (e.g., “degradation detection,” “artificial intelligence,” “craquelure segmentation”). The results indicate that artificial intelligence enables the early detection of degradations that may not yet be visible to the naked eye while also improving objectivity and consistency in the analysis of complex and irregular patterns typical of paintings. It became evident that there is a significant gap in the literature, regarding studies addressing the potential of AI for degradation detection specific to contemporary paintings. However, these could be a valuable case study given their potential material and technical heterogeneity, as well as their differences from traditional easel paintings. Full article

Erythrosine B (ER) dye is widely used and increasingly detected in wastewater, necessitating effective removal. This study compares chitosan beads (CB) and chemically crosslinked beads, namely chitosan–tripolyphosphate (CT) and chitosan–sulphite (CS), for ER removal via batch adsorption studies. Characterisation confirmed successful crosslinking of the modified beads. Under optimised conditions, CB, CT, and CS achieved removal efficiencies of 75.27%, 91.69%, and 98.73%, respectively, at an initial concentration of 100 mg/L within 50–60 min. Kinetic analysis suggested that the rate-controlling step was not solely governed by intraparticle diffusion but also involved physisorption and chemisorption. While the Langmuir isotherm adequately described the adsorption process of CB and CT, with maximum adsorption capacities of 71.80 mg/g and 89.33 mg/g, respectively, a better fit was observed for the Freundlich and Redlich–Peterson isotherms, indicating multilayer adsorption. In contrast, CS showed moderate agreement with all isotherms, suggesting a complex removal process. CS demonstrated the highest adsorption capacity, with 120.30 mg/g, highlighting sodium metabisulphite (SM) as a promising crosslinking agent for improved dye removal. Density functional theory (DFT) analysis proposed that at the molecular level, interactions between the ionised oxygenated groups of ER and protonated amine groups of chitosan facilitated the adsorption process. Full article