Search Results (74)

The artificially modified Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) protein can target lepidopteran pests, and planting genetically modified crops with insect-resistant traits is environmentally friendly. However, it is still uncertain whether the exogenous insect-resistant proteins in genetically modified crops will affect the soil rhizosphere microorganisms. This study utilized 16S rDNA sequencing technology to analyze the rhizosphere soil of insect-resistant genetically modified corn LD05 and its control variety Zheng58 at five developmental stages: before sowing, seedling stage, jointing stage, silk emergence stage, and maturity stage. Each sample was taken with six biological replicates, resulting in a total of 60 sequencing samples, with an average of 4368 OTUs obtained per sample. Both alpha and beta analyses showed that LD05 and Zheng58 did not have a significant impact on the soil rhizosphere microbial community. The developmental stage rather than the variety was the main factor causing differences in the bacterial community. Overall, there was no significant difference in the bacterial diversity between the insect-resistant genetically modified corn LD05 and its control variety Zheng58. The results provide useful information for understanding the impact of genetically modified crops on soil microbial communities and also provide a theoretical basis for the safety evaluation of LD05. Full article

This work sought to explore a new method for using corn silk polysaccharide (CSP) and peanut protein isolate (PPI) to stabilize high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). An ultrasound-assisted hydrothermal technique was used to make the PPI-CSP covalent complexes and HIPEs. Particle size analysis, rheological studies, and multiple light scattering techniques were used to analyze the stability and attributes of the emulsion. Microscopic studies reveal that the PPI-CSP complex encapsulates oil droplets at the interface, forming a typical oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion. The stability of the HIPEs is notably improved by the inclusion of CSP; the smallest particle size was recorded at a 2:1 PPI to CSP ratio (12.91 ± 0.13 μm). According to rheological evaluations, all HIPEs behave in a shear-thinning manner and have solid-like properties. Furthermore, this emulsion exhibits excellent stability during thermal treatment, changes in ion concentration, different pH values, and storage. Full article

Purple corn (Zea mays L.) is a nutraceutical crop of increasing economic importance in Peru, yet its productivity is highly influenced by genotype × environment (G × E) interactions across heterogeneous agro-ecological zones. Therefore, selecting suitable genotypes for specific environments is essential to optimize variety deployment and maximize site-specific yield. Five purple-maize genotypes (INIA-601, INIA-615, Canteño, PMV-581, and Sintético-MM) were evaluated in four contrasting Peruvian sites using a randomized complete-block design. Grain yield, field weight, anthesis–silking interval (ASI), plant height, and ear-rot incidence were analyzed with combined analysis of variance (ANOVA), the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI), genotype and genotype-by-environment (GGE) biplots, Weighted Average of Absolute Scores (WAAS), weighted average of absolute scores and best yield index (WAASBY), and Y × WAAS indices. Environment accounted for 90.1% of field-weight variation (p < 0.0001) and 50.2% of grain-yield variation (p < 0.001), while significant G × E interactions (3.93% and 18.14%, respectively) justified bilinear modeling. AMMI1 and GGE “which-won-where” biplots identified INIA-615 and PMV-581 as broadly adapted, with INIA-615 achieving the highest WAASBY and positioning in quadrant IV of Y × WAAS (high yield, high stability). INIA-601 and Sintético-MM exhibited exceptional stability (low ASV) but moderate productivity; Canteño showed limited adaptability. Chumbibamba emerged as a key discriminating, high-productivity location. From an agronomic perspective, INIA-615 is recommended for high-productivity valleys such as Sulluscocha and Santa Rita, where its yield potential and stability are maximized. These findings underscore the potential of integrating multivariate stability metrics with physiological and disease-resistance traits to guide the selection of superior purple corn cultivars. Overall, INIA-615 represents a robust candidate for enhancing yield stability, supporting sustainable intensification, and expanding the nutraceutical value chain of purple corn in the Andean highlands. Full article

Corn processing generates substantial volumes of agricultural by-products, collectively referred to as corn stover, comprising husks, cobs, stalks, leaves, and silks. Although rich in bioactive compounds, these by-products are still predominantly destined for low-value uses such as landfilling and open-field burning. They contain valuable biomolecules such as lignocellulosic fibers, starch, pectin, proteins, and polyphenols, all of which hold significant potential for applications in agricultural and food industries. These compounds offer opportunities as sustainable alternatives to conventional ingredients and as novel functional additives. However, utilization of corn stover remains focused on biofuel production, limiting the development of applications in broader, high-value fields such as functional food ingredients. This review aims to highlight the opportunities that corn stover presents for developing solutions for food production, which is becoming increasingly important as the global population continues to grow and food demand rises, particularly in regions where access to sufficient and nutritious food remains limited. It also considers the challenges to be solved in order to incorporate corn stover in circular economies, like the impact of pesticide presence on derived products and gaps of emerging strategies for scaling up production in alignment with circular economy goals and the high-value utilization of corn stover. Full article

Objective: Postprandial hyperglycemia is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase can attenuate postprandial glycemic response (PPGR). This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of mulberry leaf and corn silk on these enzymes in vitro and their impact on postprandial glucose (PG) levels in prediabetic individuals using milk-based matrices. Research Design and Methods: In vitro, enzyme inhibition was assessed using the DNS method (α-amylase) and pNPG method (α-glucosidase). A randomized crossover trial was conducted in 11 prediabetic individuals with four interventions: pure milk; lactose-hydrolyzed milk; lactose-hydrolyzed milk with mulberry leaf, corn silk, and resistant dextrin; and GOS milk with mulberry leaf and corn silk. PPGR was assessed by area under the glucose curve, 1 and 2 h PG, maximum PG, and 2 h glucose excursion. Paired Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for comparisons. Results: Mulberry leaf and corn silk extracts inhibited both enzymes dose-dependently, with synergistic effects. No significant differences in PPGR indices were observed across interventions in the overall prediabetic individuals. However, in the overweight subgroup, the combination of GOS milk supplemented with mulberry leaf and corn silk significantly reduced 1 h PG (median difference [P25, P75]: −0.84 mmol/L [−1.05, −0.49]), maximum PG (−0.54 mmol/L [−0.75, −0.25]), and glucose excursion (−0.62 mmol/L [−0.75, −0.24]) compared to pure milk. Conclusions: Mulberry leaf and corn silk extracts inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase in vitro and may attenuate postprandial glucose excursions in overweight prediabetic individuals when delivered in a GOS milk matrix. Full article

Traditional sample preparation for terpene analysis includes distillation, solvent extraction, and solid phase extraction and is followed by using gas chromatography with a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) to complete identification and quantification. The preparations rely on the volatility and low polarity of terpenes which exist in free form. However, terpenes in bound form are still largely retained in the extracted residues because, by binding with sugar moiety, they have high polarity and water solubility and low volatility. In this study, distributions and profiles of free and bound form terpenes in different fruit and crop byproducts were evaluated by using different extraction media followed by acid hydrolysis. The acid hydrolysis significantly broke down the binding between terpene and sugar moiety and freed the bound terpene. The concentration of bound terpenes in fruit peel or corn silk was much higher than that of originally existing free terpenes. For example, the terpene concentration in watermelon peel increased from 47.0 to 101 μg/g after hydrolysis. The profile of bound terpenes was also more diverse than that of free terpenes. Among the three extraction media, water, ethanol, and acetone, acetone was the best media to extract bound terpenes with over one and a half times higher total bound terpene extraction yield than ethanol or water extract. The findings of this study explored the bound form terpenes in agricultural products which are usually underexplored in current terpene research. It also demonstrated an effective sample preparation and approach for determining bound terpenes in plants. This study could be an initiating effort and work to assist in exploring rarely mindful bound terpenes in foods and plants. The odorless nature and high stability and water solubility of bound terpenes could provide them a great advantage over free terpenes in various applications requiring neutral scent. Full article

Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte, 1868 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), known as the western corn rootworm, is one of the most important alien insect pests affecting maize crops globally. It causes significant economic losses by feeding on the roots, which affects plant stability and nutrient absorption, as well as by attacking essential aerial organs (leaves, silk, pollen). Since its accidental introduction into Europe, the species has expanded its range across maize-growing regions, raising concerns about future distribution under climate change. This study aimed to estimate the risk of pest establishment across Europe over three future time frames (2034, 2054, 2074) based on geographic coordinates, climate data, and maize distribution. Spatial simulations were performed in QGIS using national centroid datasets, risk classification criteria, and temperature anomaly maps derived from Copernicus and ECA&D databases for 1992–2024. The results indicate consistently high risk in southern and southeastern regions, with projected expansion toward central and western areas by 2074. Risk zones showed clear spatial aggregation and directional spread correlated with warming trends and maize availability. The pest’s high reproductive potential, thermal tolerance, and capacity for human-assisted dispersal further support these predictions. The model emphasizes the need for expanded surveillance in at-risk zones and targeted policies in areas where D. v. virgifera has not yet established. Future work should refine spatial predictions using field validation, genetic monitoring, and dispersal modeling. The results contribute to anticipatory pest management planning and can support sustainable maize production across changing agroclimatic zones in Europe. Full article

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)), which invaded China in 2018, has caused severe corn yield losses and increased pesticide application frequency. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-based genetically modified corn represents an environmentally friendly and effective strategy for managing S. frugiperda. The transgenic corn LD05 harbors the m2cryAb-vip3A insect-resistant fusion gene, which has demonstrated potent inhibitory effects against fall armyworm and is currently in the phase of applying for safety certification. Here, we evaluated the inhibitory efficacy of LD05 against S. frugiperda through laboratory and field experiments during 2022–2024. The LC₅₀ and LC₉₅ of M2CryAb-VIP3A against fall armyworm were 0.024 μg/cm² and 0.508 μg/cm², respectively; and the GLC₅₀ and GLC₉₅ were 0.142 μg cm⁻² and 0.556 μg cm⁻², respectively. M2CryAb-VIP3A expression of LD05 varied significantly across tissues, and remained stable between generations. Bioassays revealed significant tissue-specific differences in fall armyworm larval mortality for LD05 corn tissues, ranked as V5-stage leaves > R3-stage kernels > R1-stage silks. Field trials demonstrated that LD05 corn significantly reduced fall armyworm larval populations, leaf damage incidence, and plant damage incidence compared to non-Bt control Zheng58. Agronomic trait analysis showed no significant differences between LD05 and Zheng58. These results indicate that LD05 has a significant inhibitory effect on fall armyworm, which is an effective strategy for the comprehensive management of fall armyworm in China. Full article

Natural proteins present a sustainable and biocompatible alternative to conventional fossil fuel-derived plastics, with versatile applications in fields ranging from medicine to food packaging. Extending our previous research on silk–corn zein composites, this study utilizes soy protein—another plant protein extensively employed within biomedical applications—in conjunction with silk fibroin proteins extracted from a variety of domestic (Mori and Thai) and wild (Muga, Tussah, and Eri) silkworm species. By combining these proteins in varying ratios (0%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 90%, and 100%), silk–soy films were successfully fabricated with high miscibility. The structural and thermal stability of these films was confirmed through various characterization techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Structural refinements were then achieved through post-water annealing treatments. After annealing, it was observed that when soy protein was introduced into both types of silk, the silks exhibited a greater amount of intermolecular and intramolecular β-sheet content. This phenomenon can be attributed to soy’s intrinsic ability to self-assemble into β-sheets through electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, which also improved the overall thermal stability and morphology of the composite films. The unique self-assembling properties of soy and its ability to promote β-sheet formation facilitate the customization of the silk source and the soy-to-silk ratio. This adaptability establishes protein-based thin films as a versatile and sustainable option for diverse applications in fields such as medicine, tissue engineering, food packaging, and beyond. Full article

In this study, we compared different parameters in the ultrasound-assisted extraction of polyphenolic acids from seven parts of Zea mays (kernels, leaves, stems, corn silks, roots, the whole plant, and the whole fermented plant) to identify its richest natural sources. Additionally, the correlation between extraction parameters and polyphenol yield was investigated. The extraction was performed using ultrasound at varying powers (480 or 240 W) and frequencies (80 or 37 kHz). Total phenolic content (TPC) was determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu assay, while radical scavenging activity (RSA) was assessed via the DPPH assay. The TPC values ranged from 0.69 ± 0.00008 mg GAE/g to 4.07 ± 0.0004 mg GAE/g in corn. RSA analysis revealed the highest scavenging activity in corn silk (80.06% ± 1.01) and the lowest in kernels (2.77% ± 0.90). High-performance liquid chromatography identified up to 22 different phenolic acids per sample, with the 5 most abundant being chlorogenic acid, protocatechuic acid ethyl ester, quercetin, sinapic acid, and trans-cinnamic acid. The study found small effects of power and frequency on the extraction efficiency. This suggests a practical advantage for industrial-scale applications, as using 240 W instead of 480 W under the same conditions can reduce energy consumption without compromising yield. Full article

Biocompatible materials fabricated from natural protein polymers are an attractive alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. They offer a green, sustainable fabrication method while also opening new applications in biomedical sciences. Available from several sources in the wild and on domestic farms, silk is a widely used biopolymer and one of the strongest natural materials. This study aims to compare five different types of silk (Mori, Thai, Muga, Tussah, and Eri) fabricated into thin composite films in conjunction with plant-based proteins. To offer a wider range of morphologies, corn zein, another widely available protein material, was introduced into the silk protein networks to form blended polymers with various ratios of silk to zein. This resulted in the successful alloying of protein from an animal source with protein from a plant source. The material properties were confirmed through structural, morphological, and thermal analyses. FTIR analysis revealed the dominance of intramolecular beta-sheet structures in wild silks, while the domestic silks and zein favored random coil and alpha-helical structures, respectively. Post-treatments using water annealing further refined the structure and morphology of the films, resulting in stable composites with both inter- and intramolecular beta-sheet structures in wild silks. While in domestic silks, the random coils were converted into intermolecular beta-sheets with enhanced beta-sheet crystallinity. This improvement significantly enhanced the thermal and structural properties of the materials. By deciding on the source, ratio, and treatment of these biopolymers, it is possible to tailor protein blends for a wide range of applications in medicine, tissue engineering, food packaging, drug delivery, and bio-optics. Full article

Developing simple and efficient multi-gene expression systems is crucial for multi-trait improvement or bioproduction in transgenic plants. In previous research, an IGG6-based bicistronic system from the nonpathogenic fungus Glarea lozoyensis efficiently expressed multiple enzyme proteins in yeast and maize, and the heterologous enzymes successfully performed their catalytic activity to reconstruct the biosynthetic pathway in the host organism. Unlike enzyme proteins, some heterologous functional proteins (such as insecticidal proteins) are dose-dependent and they need to express sufficient levels to perform their biological functions. It remains unclear whether the IGG6-based bicistronic system can achieve high expression of the functional proteins for practical applications in crops. In this study, two Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal genes, vip3Aa and cry1Ab, were linked via IGG6 to form a bicistron, while two glyphosate resistance genes, gr79epsps and gat, served as monocistronic selectable marker genes. Regenerated maize plants were produced through genetic transformation. RNA and immunoblot analyses revealed that the vip3Aa-IGG6-cry1Ab bicistron was transcribed as a single transcript, which was then translated into two separate proteins. Notably, the transcription and translation of cry1Ab were significantly positively correlated with those of vip3Aa. Through ELISA and leaf bioassay, we identified two transgenic maize lines, VICGG-15 and VICGG-20, that exhibited high insecticidal activity against fall armyworm (FAW; Spodoptera frugiperda) and Asian corn borer (ACB; Ostrinia furnacalis), both of which had high expression of Vip3Aa and Cry1Ab proteins. Subsequent evaluations, including silk, ear, and field bioassays, as well as glyphosate tolerance assessments, indicated that the VICGG-15 plants displayed high resistance to FAW and ACB, and could tolerate up to 3600 g acid equivalent (a.e.) glyphosate per hectare without adversely affecting phenotype or yield. Our finding established that the IGG6-based bicistronic system can achieve high expression of functional proteins in maize, and it is a potential candidate for multi-gene assembly and expression in plants. Full article

The style is the female reproductive channel in flowers, receiving pollen and transmitting male gametes through elongating pollen tubes to the ovules during fertilization. In maize/corn, the styles are known as silks. Fertilization-stage silks contain diverse bacteria, possibly originating from pollen. Bacteria were cultured and individually sequenced from the tip and base portions of healthy, fertilization-stage silks of 14 North American maize genotypes, resulting in 350 isolates, spanning 48 genera and 221 OTUs. The objective of this study was to taxonomically analyze these bacteria in the context of the maize host tissue and genotype, taking advantage of long-read (V1–V9) 16S Sanger sequencing. The results suggest that the maize genotype and heterotic breeding group may impact the bacterial diversity of healthy, fertilization-stage silks. Some taxa were relatively conserved across maize genotypes and silk tip/base locations, including Pantoea, which may represent part of the core microbiome or form stable, symbiotic relationships with healthy, pollinated silks. We also observed similarities between the silk microbiomes of maize genotypes that were related by plant pedigree; these preliminary results suggest inheritance or the ability of related genotypes to recruit common bacterial taxa. Overall, this study demonstrates that healthy maize silks represent a valuable resource for learning about relationships between plant reproductive microbiomes. Full article

Understanding the intricate relationship between drought stress and corn yield is crucial for ensuring food security and sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change. This study investigates the subtle effects of drought stress on corn physiological, morphological, and spectral characteristics at different growth stages, in order to construct a new drought index to characterize drought characteristics, so as to provide valuable insights for maize recovery mechanism and yield prediction. Specific conclusions are as follows. Firstly, the impact of drought stress on corn growth and development shows a gradient effect, with the most significant effects observed during the elongation stage and tasseling stage. Notably, Soil and Plant Analyzer Development (SPAD) and Leaf Area Index (LAI) are significantly affected during the silking stage, while plant height and stem width remain relatively unaffected. Secondly, spectral feature analysis reveals that, from the elongation stage to the silking stage, canopy reflectance exhibits peak–valley variations. Drought severity correlates positively with reflectance in the visible and shortwave infrared bands and negatively with reflectance in the near-infrared band. Canopy spectra during the silking stage are more affected by moderate and severe drought stress. Thirdly, LAI shows a significant positive correlation with yield, indicating its reliability in explaining yield variations. Finally, the yield-related drought index (YI) constructed based on Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Random Forest (RF) and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) methods has a good effect on revealing drought characteristics (R = 0.9332, p < 0.001). This study underscores the importance of understanding corn responses to drought stress at various growth stages for effective yield prediction and agricultural management strategies. Full article

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating fungal disease caused by Fusarium graminearum. Pectin lyase, a pectinase, acts on the α-1,4-glycosidic linkage of galacturonic acid primarily by β-elimination. In this study, three pectin lyase genes (FgPel1, 2, 3) in F. graminearum were selected, and deletion mutants (ΔFgPel1, 2, 3) were constructed by homologous recombination for functional characterization. The gene deletions affected the morphology and growth rate of F. graminearum on pectin medium at various concentrations, with the growth rate of ΔFgPel1 being more significant. The growth of ΔFgPel1 colonies slowed at pH 4, with optimal growth at pH 6.5, whereas ΔFgPel2 and ΔFgPel3 exhibited greater inhibition at pH 8. Colony morphology and diameter of the deletion mutants showed no significant differences compared to the wild-type strain PH-1, and there was no effect on conidial production or germination rate. Pathogenicity assays demonstrated that gene deletion significantly reduced the ability of F. graminearum to infest corn silks and wheat ears, and that ΔFgPel2 showed a more pronounced reduction in pathogenicity on wheat spikes. In summary, the pectin lyase genes (FgPel1, 2, 3) are involved in pectin utilization and are influenced by external pH conditions, which attenuate the pathogenicity of F. graminearum without affecting its vegetative growth or asexual spore formation. These findings elucidate the roles of these genes and provide a basis for controlling FHB. Full article