Search Results (89)

A novel, sensitive, and robust LC-MS/MS method was developed and fully validated for the simultaneous determination of fumonisins (FB₁, FB₂, FB₃) and their hydrolyzed metabolites (HFB₁, HFB₂, HFB₃) in donkey plasma, urine, and feces—three critical matrices for toxicokinetic studies. Sample preparation was optimized for each matrix: salting-out assisted liquid–liquid extraction (SALLE) with perchloric acidification for urine and feces, and a dilute–evaporate–shoot (DES) approach for plasma. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a BEH C₁₈ column with water-ACN containing 0.5% formic acid. The method demonstrated excellent linearity (R² ≥ 0.99), acceptable accuracy (mean recoveries: 73.3–111.5%), and good precision (intra- and inter-day RSDs < 20%). The limits of quantification (LOQ) for FBs and HFBs were 0.1–0.15 μg/L in plasma, 1.0 μg/L in urine, and 60 μg/kg in feces. To our knowledge, this is the first reported method capable of quantifying this comprehensive panel of analytes across multiple biological matrices in donkeys, providing an essential tool for future exposure assessments and pharmacokinetic research in this species. Full article

Plasma-activated water (PAW) has gained attention across agricultural, medical, cosmetic, and sterilization fields due to its production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS). Although PAW has been primarily explored for seed germination and sterilization in agriculture, its role as a nutrient source and physiological regulator remains less understood. In this study, PAW generated by a surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) system contained approximately 1000 ppm nitrate (NO₃⁻) and was designated as PAW1000. Diluted PAW solutions were applied to sprout crops—wheat (Triticum aestivum), barley (Hordeum vulgare), radish (Raphanus sativus), and broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)—grown under hydroponic and soil-based conditions. PAW100 and PAW200 treatments enhanced growth, increasing fresh biomass by up to 26%, shoot length by 22%, and root length by 18%, depending on the species. In silico analysis identified nitrogen-responsive transcripts among several autophagy-related genes. Consistent with this, fluorescence microscopy of Arabidopsis thaliana GFP-StATG8 lines revealed increased autophagosome formation following PAW treatment. The growth-promoting effect of PAW was diminished in atg4 mutants, indicating that autophagy contributes to plant responses to PAW-derived ROS and RNS. Together, these findings demonstrate that diluted PAW generated by SDBD enhances biomass accumulation in sprout crops, and that autophagy plays a regulatory role in mediating PAW-induced physiological responses. Full article

Although purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) have been studied as good biofertilizers, their direct effects on maize seed vigor remain unclear. Additionally, the seedling stage is a vital factor for the later growth of maize. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of potassium-solubilizing PNSB (K-PNSB) in enhancing the vigor of hybrid maize seeds. A completely randomized design was employed, incorporating single strains, Luteovulum sphaeroides M-Sl-09, Rhodopseudomonas thermotolerans M-So-11, and Rhodopseudomonas palustris M-So-14, as well as a mixture of all three strains. Each was tested at bacterial suspension dilution ratios with sterile distilled water of 1:2000; 1:2250; 1:2500; 1:2750; and 1:3000 (v/v), with three replications per treatment. Each replicate consisted of a Petri dish containing 10 hybrid maize seeds of each hybrid of LVN 10, C.P. 511, and NK7328 Gt/BT, and was incubated for five days. The results showed that K-PNSB significantly enhanced root and shoot development compared to the control (p < 0.05). The 1:2500 dilution of the individual strains and the mixture notably improved germination rate, root length, shoot length, and seedling vigor index compared to the control. At the 1:2500 dilution, the improved vigor index increased by 73.5% for L. sphaeroides, 48.7% for R. thermotolerans, 47.4% for R. palustris, and 78.5% for the mixed inoculum in the LVN 10 hybrid. Similar trends were observed for C.P. 511 and NK7328 hybrids, confirming strain- and hybrid-specific responses. The findings highlight that K-PNSB can serve as effective bio-priming agents to enhance maize seed vigor through mechanisms related to potassium solubilization and phytohormone production. Field-scale validation is recommended to assess their long-term agronomic potential. Full article

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, frequently present in food and representing significant health hazards. Exposure occurs through the consumption of contaminated foods or animal-derived products from livestock fed with contaminated feed. This study evaluated internal exposure to twelve mycotoxins in 492 first-morning urine samples from adults, aged 18–65 years, in the Valencian Community, Spain. Samples were analysed using a “dilute-and-shoot” approach followed by UHPLC-MS/MS. Aflatoxins (AFs) were the most frequently detected, with a geometric mean (GM) of 1.17 ng/mL and a 95th percentile (P95) of 6.04 ng/mL. Alternariol (AOH), present in 63% of samples, showed high concentrations (GM: 0.98 ng/mL; P95: 4.74 ng/mL). Emerging mycotoxins such as alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), citrinin (CIT), and sterigmatocystin (STER) were also considered due to their potential health impacts. Exposure levels correlated with variables including sex, age, annual income, smoking status, and recent consumption of meat and cereals. Probable daily intakes (PDIs) were estimated from urinary concentrations to support risk assessment. Hazard Quotients (HQs), Margins of Exposure (MOEs), the Hazard Index (HI) and the total Margin of Exposure (MOET) were calculated to evaluate the risk associated with mycotoxin exposure. Findings suggest that potential health risks cannot be excluded. Full article

Exploring microbial resources from coastal environments is crucial for enhancing food security; however, current knowledge remains limited. This study aimed to isolate and molecularly characterize bacteria associated with maize and groundnut, and to evaluate their potential as plant growth-promoting (PGP) agents. Rhizobacteria were isolated from rhizospheric soil, and endophytic bacteria were obtained from surface-sterilized and macerated plant roots. One gram of each sample was suspended in sterile distilled water in test tubes, serially diluted, and plated on nutrient agar. After incubation, distinct colonies were sub-cultured to obtain pure cultures for biochemical tests, screening for PGP traits, assessment of pH and salt tolerance, optimal growth conditions, bioinoculation potential, and molecular analysis. Out of sixty isolated bacteria, five potent strains, BS1-BS5, were identified. BS3 showed the highest mannanase activity, with a 2.3 cm zone of clearance, while BS2 exhibited high indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and phosphate solubilization activities of 10.92 µg/mL and 10.78 mg/L. BS1 and BS4 demonstrated high drought tolerance, 0.94 and 0.98 at 10% PEG, with BS1 also showing maximum salt tolerance of 0.76. At 6.0 g and 2.0 g supplementation, BS1 and BS2 utilized 100% lactose and fructose. BS3 exhibited the highest percentage of antifungal activity, with a 30.12% inhibition rate. BS4 and BS5 promoted shoot lengths of 55.00 cm and 49.80 cm, respectively. Although the bacterial species isolated are generally considered pathogenic, their positive effects contributed significantly to maize growth. Full article

Soil salinity severely impairs crop productivity by inducing osmotic stress, ionic toxicity, and oxidative damage. This study investigated the mechanisms by which foliar-applied wood vinegar (WV), a biomass pyrolysis byproduct rich in organic acids and minerals, alleviates salt stress (100 mM NaCl) in hydroponically grown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Three WV dilutions (100×, 300×, 500×) were tested to evaluate their effects on growth, antioxidant systems, chlorophyll metabolism, and ion homeostasis. The results demonstrated that 300×-diluted WV (WV3) most effectively mitigated salt stress, increasing shoot biomass by 81% and root length by 75% compared to salt-stressed controls. WV3 restored antioxidant enzyme activities to non-stressed levels, reduced lipid peroxidation, and normalized chlorophyll overaccumulation induced by salinity. Elemental profiling revealed that WV3 enhanced shoot K⁺ and Ca²⁺ uptake while reducing Na⁺ accumulation, thereby improving ion homeostasis. Additionally, WV3 promoted Fe translocation to shoots, supporting chlorophyll synthesis. However, 100× WV (WV1) exhibited phytotoxicity due to excessive organic acids, while 500× (WV5) showed limited efficacy. These findings highlight a 300-fold diluted solution of WV as an optimal dilution for enhancing wheat salt tolerance through coordinated ROS scavenging, photosynthetic protection, and ion regulation. This study provides a scientific basis for integrating WV into sustainable strategies to combat salinity in wheat cultivation. Full article

Nicotine is a highly used addictive substance that has recently also become available through electronic cigarettes. Here we present a study of nicotine from e-cigarette liquids through reversed-phase (RP) and hydrophilic interaction (HILIC) liquid chromatography. Multiple aqueous mobile-phase additives are considered for the RP mechanism, focusing on chaotropic agents, mobile-phase concentrations and mixing ratios, and column temperature. Sample preparation was conducted by toluene liquid–liquid extraction of e-cigarette liquids diluted with aqueous 25 mM NaHCO₃/Na₂CO₃. Optimal RP results for retention and peak symmetry were obtained using aqueous 0.1% formic acid and 20 mM ammonium hexafluorophosphate with 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile, using a gradient profile with a C18 column, exploited at 40 °C and a 1.5 mL/min flow rate. A dilute-and-shoot alternative with automated flow reversal after isocratic elution is presented. For HILIC, aqueous 100 mM ammonium formate and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile were used as mobile-phase components, using a gradient profile, on a Thermo Scientific™ Acclaim™ Mixed-Mode HILIC-1 column, operated at 25 °C with a 1 mL/min flow rate. UV detection was at 260 nm. Absolute limits of quantitation in the 1 μg/mL range were obtained for all tested alternatives, with 1 μL injection volumes. Full article

Micromeria graeca (L.) Benth. ex Rchb. (Lamiaceae) is a promising medicinal plant valued for its antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hypertensive, antimicrobial, and anti-aflatoxigenic properties. It is rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds, supporting its traditional use for digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, and dermatological conditions. Plant tissue culture facilitates controlled in vitro propagation to study plant growth and bioactive properties. The effects of activated charcoal and varying subculture intervals on multiplication and biomass production in M. graeca shoot cultures were investigated. The phenolic composition of methanolic extracts from in vitro-grown plants was characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), identifying rosmarinic, caffeic, and syringic acids as the primary phenolic compounds. Antimicrobial activity against selected microbial strains was evaluated using a micro-well dilution assay. Anticancer activity of selected extracts was assessed in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2, with flow cytometry (Annexin-V/PI staining) used to analyze cell death mechanisms, and compared to pure rosmarinic acid (RA). Activated charcoal showed no beneficial effects on multiplication or biomass production, but significantly increased phenolic acid content (up to 4-fold). RA dominated the phenolic profiles, with other phenolic acids present in lower amounts. Methanolic extracts exhibited negligible antimicrobial activity compared to reference antibiotics and fungicide. Extracts from 4-week-old shoot cultures displayed modest anti-hepatoma activity (IC50 values of CV assay ranging from 193 to 274 µg mL⁻¹), inducing HepG2 cell apoptosis via oxidative stress, independent of RA. Our results suggest that the metabolic output of M. graeca shoot cultures and consequently their biological activity can be modulated by varying in vitro culture conditions. These findings underscore the potential of their methanolic extracts for biotechnological production and therapeutic applications. Full article

This study evaluated the chemical properties of phosphocompost extracts and their effectiveness in inducing tomato seedlings resistance to Meloidogyne javanica. Phosphocomposts: Sugar beet phosphocompost (PC-SB: CP2), green waste phosphocompost (PC-GW: CP3), and olive mill waste phosphocompost (PC-OMW: CP4), were utilized to produce compost water extracts at concentrations of 1:5, 1:10, 1:20, and 1:100 g:mL and then applied as soil drenches for tomato seedlings one-week post-inoculation. The CP2 extract applied at a 1:5 dilution led to marked improvements in growth parameters, with plant height increasing by over 52.2%, shoot fresh biomass rising by approximately 52.44%, and shoot dry biomass showing a gain of 62.21%. Root biomass also rose by 33%. Chlorophyll a increased with CP4 at 1:5 and 1:100 (41.05% and 37.32%), chlorophyll b increased with CP3 at 1:5 and 1:10 (22.34% and 7.59%), while carotenes showed no variation. Polyphenols rose by 86.45–91.01% with CP2 from 1:5 to 1:20, and flavonoids increased by 64.90% with CP4 at 1:10. CP2 diminished the ultimate M. javanica population and reproduction factor by 171.43%, while CP4 at 1:20 decreased egg masses by 151.94%. The root gall index showed no variation. The chemical composition of phosphocomposts revealed that the strategic incorporation of diverse organic improvers (10%) in phosphocomposts yielded distinct nutrient signatures, with sugar beet waste enhancing PO₄³⁻ (12.91 mg/L) and secondary macronutrients, green waste optimizing NO₃⁻ (69.91 mg/L) and SO₄²⁻ (62.70 mg/L) availability, and olive mill waste producing superior micronutrient concentrations alongside dominant Ca (24.21 mg/L), K (392.50 mg/L), and P (9.17 mg/L) levels. Overall, the results underscore the potential of phosphocompost extracts as a viable, low-cost, and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic nematicides, offering a sustainable and resilient approach to M. javanica control while enhancing tomato plant growth. Full article

Background/Objectives: Globally, antibiotic contamination has become an emerging issue in agricultural lands. The presence of antibiotic residues in farmlands, especially through the application of manure fertilizers containing veterinary antibiotics, e.g., tetracycline (TC), can cause severe toxicity, which inhibits crop growth and performance, subsequently threatening human health via consumption of contaminated products. This study was conducted to evaluate the phytotoxicity of TC on Kimchi cabbage (Brassica campestris L.) during seed germination, seedling, and vegetative growth stages, along with its physiological responses and bioaccumulation under TC stress. Methods: The responses of cabbage plants to TC stress were assessed through a germination test and a pot experiment, conducted for three days and six weeks, respectively, under different doses of TC (0, 5, 10, 25, and 50 mg/L). Results: As a result of the germination test, higher TC doses (25 and 50 mg/L) tended to delay seed germination, but all treatments achieved a 100% germination percentage by Day 3 after sowing. Eight days after sowing, the length of shoots and roots of seedlings exhibited a TC dose-dependent decline, specifically under 50 mg TC/L, showing a considerable decrease of 24% and 77%, respectively, compared to control. Similar results were observed in the plants transitioning from the seedling to vegetative stages in the pot experiment. Four and six weeks after sowing, the 50 mg TC/L dose showed the strongest phytotoxicity in cabbage plants with physiological parameters, such as the maximum photosystem II quantum yield (F_v/F_m), pigment content (chlorophyll and carotenoid), biomass, and leaf number, significantly reduced by 26 to 60% compared to control. Interestingly, at lower TC doses (5 and 10 mg/L), a hormesis effect was observed in the phenotype and biomass of the plants. In addition, the degree of TC accumulation in the plants was highly dose-dependent at Week 4 and Week 6, but a temporal decline in TC accumulation was noted between these time points in all TC treatments. This phenomenon might affect the value of the bio-concentration factor (BCF) as an indicator of the plant’s tendency to uptake TC. That is, in Week 6, the dose-dependent reduction in BCF for TC in the plants was likely attributed to a dilution effect caused by plant biomass increase or a degradation mechanism within the plant. Conclusions: Overall, our findings suggest that tetracycline toxicity induces seed germination delay and influences seedling elongation and photosynthetic functions, ultimately impairing crop growth and performance. Also, the antibiotic dynamics related to accumulation and degradation in plants were identified. These results will not only suggest the toxicity threshold of TC for cabbage but also provide insights into effective soil management strategies for food production safety and agroecosystem sustainability in antibiotic-contaminated soils. Full article

A certified reference material (CRM) for aflatoxins (AFTB1, AFTB2, AFTG1, AFTG2) and zearalenone (ZEN) in corn/peanut blended vegetable oil (GBW(E)100863) was developed to address the critical need for matrix-specific reference materials in mycotoxin analysis. The CRM was prepared by blending naturally contaminated corn and peanut oils, followed by homogenization, sterilization, and sub-packing. Homogeneity and stability studies were conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography isotope-dilution tandem mass spectrometry with a dilute-and-shoot pretreatment process. The CRM demonstrated excellent homogeneity and stability, with no significant degradation observed under either short-term (65 °C for 14 days) or long-term (25 °C for 12 months) storage conditions. An inter-laboratory comparison involving six authoritative laboratories confirmed the CRM’s accuracy and reliability, with recovery rates ranging from 90.3% to 97.3% and low relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 3.79% to 7.99%. The CRM provided a robust metrological tool for mycotoxin analysis in complex oil matrices. This study not only enriches the national reference materials library but also supports food safety initiatives by facilitating accurate and reliable mycotoxin detection in vegetable oils, thereby enhancing regulatory compliance and public health protection. Full article

This study investigated the physiological responses of Actinidia eriantha Benth. cv. ‘Zaoxu’ to water-soluble fertilizer (OWS) and microbial fertilizer (MF) under field conditions from 2022 to 2023. Utilizing a randomized block design, four sequential applications of OWS (T1, T2, and T3) and MF (T4 and T5) were applied at distinct dilution ratios during the shoot elongation phase. A multivariate analytical framework was employed to assess treatment effects on growth dynamics and fruit quality. Experimental data revealed that OWS applied at 1000× dilution significantly enhanced the growth of mother-bearing shoots and the bearing branch group. During the fruit development stage, both the longitudinal and transverse diameters exhibited differential expansion patterns, with the maximal dimensional increases observed under the 1000× and 1500× dilution OWS treatments. The 1000× dilution OWS treatment demonstrated a superior single-fruit weight, achieving a mean single-fruit weight of 57.07 g—a 32.23% increase relative to the control. Fruit quality analyses further indicated elevated concentrations of sugar components, ascorbic acid, and total phenols in the 1000× dilution OWS treatment group. Principal component analysis (PCA) generated a composite quality index (Z-value) yielding the following treatment ranking: T2 > T3 > T5 > T1 > T4 > control. These findings collectively indicate that the 1000× dilution OWS application demonstrated superior efficiency in enhancing both plant growth and fruit quality in ‘Zaoxu’, providing empirical support for optimized fertilization protocols in commercial cultivation systems. Full article

Indoor vertical farms (IVFs) provide the conditions for producing seedlings of good quality. However, their effectiveness depends on the daily light integral (DLI) and nutrient management. This study examined the effects of DLI and nutrient solution electrical conductivity (EC) on tomato and bell pepper seedlings produced in an IVF or a greenhouse. Seedlings in the greenhouse were harvested 45 (tomato) and 55 (bell pepper) days after sowing, while those in the IVF were harvested after 30 and 40 days, respectively. The optimal EC was 2.0 for tomato and 2.4 dS m⁻¹ for bell pepper. Tomato seedlings showed a decreased shoot-to-root ratio in the IVF. Tomatoes in the IVF reached 241% higher total biomass than greenhouse seedlings at 31.7 mol m⁻² d⁻¹, while bell peppers had an increase of 333% at 39.6 mol m⁻² d⁻¹; however, a DLI of 23.7 mol m⁻² d⁻¹ was enough to cause an increase of 153% and 264%, respectively. Nutrient concentration decreased in IVF seedlings, which was attributed to a dilution effect; in contrast, the nutrient content of tomato and bell pepper were highest when grown in the IVF when irrigated with solutions at 2.0 dS m⁻¹ and a DLI of 31.7 mol m⁻² d⁻¹. Full article

The precision estimation of N fertilizer application according to the nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) multi-spectral measurements remains to be tested in different rice cultivars and planting areas. Therefore, two field experiments were conducted using varied N rates (0, 60, 120, 160, and 200 kg N ha⁻¹) on two rice cultivars, Yunjing37 (YJ-37, Oryza sativa subsp. Japonica Kato., the Institute of Food Crops at the Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Kunming, China) and Jiyou6135 (JY-6135, Oryza sativa subsp. indica Kato., Hunan Longping Gaoke Nongping seed industry Co., Ltd., Changsha, China), in southwest China. The rice canopy spectral images were measured by the UAV’s multi-spectral remote sensing at three growing stages. The NNI was calculated based on the critical N (Nc) dilution curve. A random forest model integrating multi-vegetation indices established the NNI inversion, facilitating precise N topdressing through a linear platform of NNI-Relative Yield and the remote sensing NNI-based N balance approaches. The Nc dilution curve calibrated with aboveground dry matter demonstrated the highest accuracy (R² = 0.93, 0.97 for shoot components in cultivars YJ-37 and JY-6135), outperforming stem (R² = 0.70, 0.76) and leaf (R² = 0.80, 0.89) based models. The RF combined with six vegetation index combinations was found to be the best predictor of NNI at each growing period (YJ-37: R² is 0.70–0.97, RMSE is 0.02~0.04; JY-6135: R² is 0.71–0.92, RMSE is 0.04~0.05). The RF surpassed BPNN/PLSR by 6.14–10.10% in R² and 13.71–33.65% in error reduction across the critical rice growth stages. The topdressing amounts of YJ-37 and JY-6135 were 111–124 kg ha⁻¹ and 80–133 kg ha⁻¹, with low errors of 2.50~8.73 kg ha⁻¹ for YJ-37 and 2.52~5.53 kg ha⁻¹ for JY-6135 in the jointing (JT) and heading (HD) stages. These results are promising for the precise topdressing of rice using a remote sensing NNI-based N balance method. The combination of UAV multi-spectral imaging with the NNI-nitrogen balance method was tested for the first time in southwest China, demonstrating its feasibility and offering a regional approach for precise rice topdressing. Full article

With growing importance in sustainable agriculture and environmental protection, the use of liquid organic fertilizers (LOFs) as a replacement for or supplement to chemical fertilizers has grown in popularity. The effectiveness of LOFs depends on the content of elemental nutrients as well as plant growth regulators. Three types of materials, i.e., brassica vegetables, mushrooms, and soybeans, were fermented for 60 days to produce LOFs. The soybean-based fertilizer (SOF) contained the highest concentrations of mineral nutrients (0.99% N, 0.11% P), organic carbon (6.75%), and IAA (24 µg/mL), followed by the mushroom-based fertilizer (MOF) and brassica-based fertilizer (BOF). During fermentation, polyamines (PAs) in LOFs dramatically increased with time, with MOF and SOF containing higher concentrations of PAs than BOF. Greenhouse-grown rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants at 21 d old were sprayed with diluted (1:75) solutions of LOFs or chemical fertilizers (CF) before being treated for 7 and 14 days with 100 mM NaCl. For both non-stress and salt-stress groups, the root and shoot dry weights, chlorophyll contents, net photosynthesis rates, and endogenous PAs of the LOF- and CF-treated plants were significantly higher than those of the plants receiving no fertilizers. The SOF was the most effective and enhanced growth and photosynthesis at a similar level as the chemical fertilizer and had good potential to be employed as an eco-friendly substitute for chemical fertilizer. Full article