Search Results (49)

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of time (20–50 min) and temperature (160–220 °C) of roasting on the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) stones and to select extraction solvents (water and 50% and 80% methanol) to obtain reliable results. To maintain the highest content of bioactive compounds with a high level of antioxidant properties, roasting at a temperature of 160–180 °C for 30–40 min should be considered optimal. Incorrect selection of roasting parameters (>40 min and >200 °C) causes a significant reduction in the bioactive properties of roasted stones. Regression analysis showed a different nature of changes in the determined features during the roasting process at 160 °C than at other temperatures. The use of methanol, especially at a high concentration (80%), to assess the content of bioactive compounds in roasted cornelian cherry stones provides more reliable results. Full article

Biodegradable composite materials enhanced with food waste for tribological applications are proposed in this article. Polymer materials used as matrices included polypropylene and polylactic acid, which, according to the manufacturers’ claims, were made entirely or partially from biodegradable raw materials. Additionally, the matrices were enhanced with three types of waste materials: powders derived from cherry and plum stones, and pomace extracted from flax seeds. The composites differed in the percentage content of filler (15 or 25 wt.%) and particle size (d < 400 µm or d > 400 µm). Thirty-minute block-on-ring friction tests were performed to determine frictional behaviour (when pairing with steel), and the wear mechanisms were analysed using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, supplemented with Raman spectroscopy. A notable effect of cherry and plum stone fillers was observed as a reduction in motion resistance, as measured by the friction coefficient. This reduction was evident across all material configurations in polypropylene-based composites and was significant at the lowest concentrations and granulation in polylactic acid composites. The effect of flaxseed pomace filler was ambiguous for both composite bases. Full article

The metallurgical industry has been constantly changing over the past decades. On the one hand, there has been the modernization and improvement of production efficiency, and on the other hand, we have seen a reduction in the negative impact on the environment. The possibility of using alternative materials and the circular economy is significant in this area. In the present work, research was carried out to determine the usefulness of biomass in the form of fruit seeds for the recycling processes of metal-bearing raw materials, including slags from copper production processes, which are characterized by a much higher metal content than ores of this metal. The main carbon-bearing material/reducer used in the process is metallurgical coke. The transformation of the European metal industry has been observed in recent years. To carry out the physicochemical characterization of the tested material, a research methodology was adopted using tools to determine the stability of behavior at high temperatures, chemical composition, and volatile components. Thermodynamic analysis was carried out, indicating the theoretical course of reactions of individual system components and thermal effects, allowing a determination of whether the assumed reactions are endothermic or exothermic. The planned research ends with the reduction process in conditions similar to those carried out in industrial conditions. Enforced by the guidelines for reducing CO₂ emissions, it contributes to a significant reduction in the demand for coke. This paper addresses the issue of determining the feasibility of using selected bioreducers, including cherry stones, to verify their suitability in the process of reducing copper oxides. The study used copper slag with a composition similar to slags generated at the copper production stage in a flash furnace. The results obtained in reducing copper content above 98 wt. % indicate the great potential of this type of bioreducer. It should be noted that, unlike conventional fossil fuels, the use of cherry stones to reduce copper slag can be considered an environmentally neutral method of carbon offset. The resulting secondary slag is a waste product that can be stored and disposed of without harmful environmental effects due to its low lead content. An additional advantage is the relatively wide availability of cherry stones. Full article

Viral infections in stone fruit crops cause substantial economic losses across all sectors of production. Despite their significance, viruses affecting stone fruits remain under-investigated in Kazakhstan. Among these, plum pox virus (PPV, genus Potyvirus, family Potyviridae), commonly known as Sharka, is the most critical viral pathogen worldwide, severely threatening the sustainable cultivation of stone fruits and posing risks to food security. This study aimed to evaluate virus management strategies in stone fruit crops to facilitate the production of healthy planting material from valuable genotypes. Field surveys were conducted in plum and apricot orchards located in the Almaty region (Southeast Kazakhstan) and the Saryagash region (Southern Kazakhstan). Plant samples were tested for the presence of the following viruses: apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), apple mosaic virus (ApMV), PPV, prune dwarf virus (PDV), prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV), cherry green ring mottle virus (CGRMV), and myrobalan latent ringspot virus (MLRSV). Real-time RT-PCR diagnostics confirmed the presence of PPV in the ‘Stanley’ and ‘Ansar’ cultivars and Prunus armeniaca genotypes, while both PPV and ACLSV were detected in the ‘Ayana’ variety. Chemotherapy (Ribavirin), thermotherapy, cryotherapy, and shoot apical meristem (SAM) culture, both individually and in combination, were used to eliminate viruses and regenerate virus-free plants. Successful virus eradication was achieved for PPV and ACLSV. However, the ‘Stanley’ and ‘Ansar’ cultivars did not survive the treatment process, likely due to high thermo- or cryo-sensitivity. As a result of this research, an in vitro collection of virus-free plants was established, comprising eight rootstocks, six plum cultivars, and three apricot genotypes. Full article

Peaches (Prunus persica L. Batsch) and nectarines (Prunus persica L. Batsch var. nectarina [Ait.] Maxim) are economically important stone fruits consumed worldwide, both fresh and processed. Viruses and viroids significantly constrain the cultivation and productivity of peach orchards. Climate change may alter vector populations and lead to shifts in agricultural practices, influencing the spread of these viruses and viroids. Additionally, market globalization further intensifies the pressure on peach crops by facilitating the movement of pathogens, increasing the incidence of virus-induced diseases. In this study, we identified the viral and viroid communities in five peach cultivars from Bulgaria and assessed their impact on symptom development. RNA sequencing of symptomatic leaf samples revealed the presence of common peach viruses, such as plum pox virus and prunus necrotic ringspot virus. Notably, we identified peach latent mosaic viroid and cherry green ring mottle virus in Bulgarian peach orchards for the first time. Furthermore, bioassays of indicator plants, ELISA, and Sanger sequencing were performed for each peach tree to complement the RNA sequencing data. These findings provide valuable insights into the composition of viral and viroid pathogens affecting peaches in Bulgaria and will support the development of targeted strategies for monitoring and managing these pathogens, contributing to the sustainable production of peaches in the region. Full article

This study presents an innovative approach to the sustainable valorization of industrial sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) waste from the Vignola Region, Italy, transforming what is typically discarded into a high-value bioactive resource. Unlike conventional extractions, our hydroethanolic extract (VCE) was obtained from the entire cherry waste, including the pericarp, pulp, and stone, as generated by industrial processing. This full-fruit extraction strategy represents a novel and efficient use of agricultural by-products, aligning with circular bioeconomy principles. Sweet cherries are known for their phenolic richness, and spectrophotometric assays (TPC, TFC, reducing power, DPPH, and ABTS) confirmed the extract’s antioxidant capacity. In vitro studies using RAW 264.7 macrophages revealed no cytotoxic effects (MTT assay), along with significant anti-inflammatory activity, evidenced by reduced ROS and NO production and downregulation of iNOS and COX-2. Western blotting showed inhibition of NF-κB nuclear translocation and MAPK pathway signaling. Additionally, agarose gel electrophoresis showed protection against oxidative DNA damage. UPLC-MS/MS analysis identified sakuranetin, aequinetin, and dihydrowogonin as the most representative compounds in VCE. Molecular docking simulations revealed strong and specific binding affinities of these compounds to NF-κB p65 and key MAPK targets. These findings highlight whole sweet cherry waste—including the pit—as a potent and sustainable source of bioactive compounds with promising nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. Full article

A novel primer (FaSt-R) targeting the Prunus-specific Falling Stone (FaSt) non-autonomous transposon was combined with start-codon-targeted (SCoT) primers to assess genetic diversity in 12 cultivars from six Prunus species and 28 cultivars of European plum. Compared to SCoT-only analyses, the SCoT–FaSt combination produced fewer total bands but a higher percentage of polymorphic bands, while maintaining comparable values for polymorphism information content, resolving power, gene diversity, and Shannon’s index. SCoT–FaSt markers generated bands across a broader size range, which made gel patterns less dense, enabling the more accurate detection of differentially amplified fragments. Neighbor-joining and principal component analyses confirmed that SCoT–FaSt markers provided sufficient phylogenetic resolution at both interspecific and intraspecific levels. The sequencing of 32 SCoT–FaSt amplicons revealed FaSt elements in 26 fragments, with SCoT primers preferentially annealing to GC-rich exonic and intergenic regions. Seventeen protein-coding and one RNA-coding gene were partially identified, with FaSt elements localized in UTRs and introns of genes with key physiological functions. Comparative analysis indicated a biased distribution of FaSt elements between the Cerasus and Prunus subgenera. In silico findings suggest that FaSt elements are more fragmented in cherry species, potentially contributing to subgeneric divergence. Overall, the SCoT–FaSt marker system is effective for evaluating Prunus genetic diversity, reconstructing phylogenetic relationships, and elucidating the genomic impact of an active Mutator-like transposon. Full article

Poor seed germination obtained in sour cherry breeding programs results in a limited number of seedlings. This makes breeding inefficient: the resulting hybridization is low in relation to human labor input. That is why a study was conducted to investigate the influence of different methods of treating seeds of three sour cherry cultivars—‘Wanda’, ‘Wroble’, and ‘Lutowka’—on their germination and the growth of the obtained seedlings under greenhouse conditions. The tested methods of seed treatment included different durations of the stratification period at 5 °C, and several variants of removing the sources of germination inhibitors present in the stones (endocarps), seed coats, and endosperm, and in the cotyledons of embryos. The highest number of germinated seeds/embryos was obtained by removing the seed coat attached to the endosperm and subjecting the exposed embryos to a temperature of 20 °C after stratifying them for a period of 90 days. The percentage of germinated seeds/embryos obtained by this method was as high as 80%–90%, and their germination occurred within 10–15 days, whereas with the traditional stratification of seeds in endocarps at 5 °C, a large number of seeds did not germinate, even after 150 days of stratification. This method produced 20–25 cm tall seedlings within five months. By contrast, the final germination percentage of the seeds in the Control Treatment was from 16.4% to 54.4%, and a large proportion of seeds had still not germinated after five months. Seedlings obtained from seeds stratified for 90 days grew better than those obtained from seeds stratified for a shorter time. The developed method makes it possible to obtain a larger number of sour cherry seedlings, thus increasing the efficiency of creative breeding. Moreover, obtaining a higher germination percentage over a shorter period shortens the breeding cycle, which contributes to reducing the costs of sour cherry breeding. Full article

Cherries, as high-value horticultural products, have long faced preservation challenges due to their perishable nature and limited postharvest longevity. During storage and transportation, these stone fruits are particularly susceptible to quality deterioration and pathological decay, significantly impacting commercial viability and consumer acceptance. Modified atmosphere preservation (MAP) technology has emerged as the predominant preservation method for cherry storage, recognized for its operational safety, environmental controllability, and technical reliability. This review systematically examines the physiological degradation mechanisms of cherries during storage, identifies critical environmental factors influencing decay patterns, and synthesizes recent advancements in MAP applications. The analysis encompasses technological principles and efficacy evaluations of atmospheric modification, with particular emphasis on how regulated temperature, humidity, and gas composition parameters affect the bioactive compound retention, organoleptic properties, and overall eating quality—crucial factors for enhancing consumer satisfaction and market value. Furthermore, this paper critically addresses current technological limitations, including implementation costs, operational complexity, and environmental sustainability concerns. Finally, it proposes innovative optimization strategies and outlines future development trajectories to advance technological refinement and promote sustainable innovation in terms of cherry preservation methodologies. Full article

A new green hydrogel consisting of cherry stone (CS) powder and sodium alginate (SA) was synthesized through physical crosslinking. The product had a mean diameter of 3.95 mm, a moisture content of 92.28%, a bulk density of 0.58 g/cm³, and a swelling ratio of 45.10%. The analyses of its morphological structure and functional groups by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed the successful entrapping of the CS in the SA polymeric matrix. The viability of the prepared hydrogel as adsorbent was tested towards Orange II (OII) anionic dye. The influence of the pH, adsorbent amount, contact time, and initial dye concentration was evaluated. Then, the impact of three accelerating factors (stirring speed, ultrasound exposure duration, and temperature) on the OII retention was investigated. The highest recorded removal efficiency and adsorption capacity were 82.20% and 6.84 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption followed Elovich and pseudo-second-order kinetics, was adequately described by Freundlich and Khan isotherms, and can be defined as spontaneous, endothermic, and random. The experiments confirmed that the obtained hydrogel can be used acceptably for at least two consecutive cycles, sustaining its effectiveness in water decontamination. Full article

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is an economically important and profitable stone fruit species grown in the temperate and subtropical climates, bearing fruits with unique flavour and nutritional benefits. There is also a long tradition of sweet cherry breeding in the Czech Republic. We report here the evaluation of economically important fruit and vegetative characters in 27 sweet cherry cultivars grown in the Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology (RBIP) in the genebank plantation. The cultivars were evaluated phenotypically using standard descriptors for sweet cherries. Established cultivars ‘Burlat’ (early ripening) and ‘Kordia’ (late ripening) were included in the study as commercial standards. The cultivar ‘Früheste der Mark’ was used as the earliest cultivar of the sweet cherry season. The results presented in this study demonstrate the high diversity of the analyzed sweet cherry germplasm. The cultivars ‘Horka’, ‘Justyna’, and ‘Sandra’ stood out in terms of fruit size and taste quality. The evaluated newly bred Czech sweet cherry cultivars are broadly described at the end of the presented paper. Full article

A primary cell culture derived from the gill tissues of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) was successfully established and characterized, providing a physiologically relevant model for virological research. Gill tissues were enzymatically dissociated, and their cells were cultured in M199 supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum at 25 °C, yielding optimal growth. Viral replication within these primary cells was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, and further qRT-PCR demonstrated the upregulation of antiviral genes (IFN1, Mx1, ISG15, and Viperin). These primary gill cells of spindle-like morphology exhibited significantly higher susceptibility to Micropterus salmoides rhabdovirus (MSRV) compared to established cell lines, as evidenced by higher viral titers, thus establishing their suitability for studying host–virus interactions. Furthermore, these cells were amenable to genetic manipulation, with the successful transfection of an mCherry reporter gene using commercially available reagents. These findings highlight the utility of the largemouth bass gill-derived primary cell culture as an alternative in vitro system for investigating MSRV pathogenesis and host immune responses, which serves as a stepping stone for improved antiviral strategies in largemouth bass aquaculture. Full article

Postharvest diseases cause considerable losses of fruits and vegetables during transportation and storage, and synthetic fungicides are the first option for their prevention. However, promising alternatives to chemical fungicides are currently available, and several post-harvest diseases can be controlled using microbial antagonists. This study utilised a comprehensive methodology to assess the antagonistic and synergistic interactions between four yeasts and two bacteria in conjunction with sodium bicarbonate (SB) during the treatment of sweet cherries and plums. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of microbial antagonists and sodium bicarbonate on fruits. The in situ treatments showed a protective effect exerted by the antagonists P. guillermondii and H. uvarum, and their combination with SB. However, in vivo studies did not indicate enhanced efficacy when combined with this compound. In conclusion, the use of microbial antagonists in conjunction with SB has been successful in preventing post-harvest rot of cherries and plums. Tests conducted on live organisms have shown that microbial antagonists are viable alternatives to synthetic fungicides for the control of stone fruit rot. Full article

Wastewaters generated by the textile industry often contain significant amounts of harmful (carcinogenic and mutagenic) cationic dyes, whose efficient removal is of crucial importance. This study investigates the laccase immobilization on biochar obtained from sour cherry stones (SCS-B), as a cost effective adsorbent, and evaluates its application for brilliant green (BG) degradation. The successful immobilization of laccase on biochar was achieved via adsorption and confirmed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). An immobilization efficiency of 66% was achieved using 0.274 U/mL of laccase at pH 5 and a temperature of 40 °C. The adsorption kinetics of laccase followed a pseudo-second-order model, indicating that chemical adsorption plays a significant role in the immobilization process. The BG degradation by immobilized system was further optimized by evaluating effects of pH, temperature, dye concentration, and contact time. More than 92% of BG (50 mg/L) was removed within 4 h at pH 5 and temperature of 30 °C. These findings suggest that SCS-B can effectively be used as an enzyme carrier and be further utilized for the removal of emerging pollutants, positioning it as a sustainable solution for wastewater treatment. Full article

American plum line pattern virus (APLPV) is the most infrequently reported Ilarvirus infecting stone fruit trees and is of sufficient severity to be classified as an EPPO quarantine A1 pathogen. In late spring, yellow line pattern symptoms were observed on leaves in a few flowering cherries (Prunus serrulata Lindl.) grown in a public garden in Northwest Italy. RNA extracts from twenty flowering cherries were submitted to Ilarvirus multiplex and APLPV-specific RT-PCR assays already reported or developed in this study. One flowering cherry (T22) with mixed prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) and prune dwarf virus (PDV) infection also showed infection with APLPV. Blastn analysis of PCR products of the full coat protein (CP) and movement protein (MP) genes obtained from flowering cherry T22 showed 98.23% and 98.34% nucleotide identity with reference APLPV isolate NC_003453.1 from the USA. Then, a LAMP-specific assay was designed to facilitate the fast and low-cost identification of this virus either in the laboratory or directly in the field. The developed assay allowed not only the confirmation of APLPV (PSer22IT isolate) infection in the T22 flowering cherry but also the identification of APLPV in an asymptomatic flowering cherry tree (TL1). The LAMP assay successfully worked with crude flowering cherry extracts, obtained after manually shaking a single plant extract in the ELISA extraction buffer for 3–5 min. The developed rapid, specific and economic LAMP assay was able to detect APLPV using crude plant extracts rather that RNA preparation in less than 20 min, making it suitable for in-field detection. Moreover, the LAMP assay proved to be more sensitive in APLPV detection in flowering cherry compared to the specific one-step RT-PCR assay. The new LAMP assay will permit the estimation of APLPV geographic spread in the territory, paying particular attention to surrounding gardens and propagated flowering cherries in ornamental nurseries. Full article