Search Results (7,601)

Monogenean parasite infestation in fish leads to economic losses in aquaculture, representing a veterinary challenge and an environmental concern. The common administration procedures of anthelmintics to treat monogeneans in fish have low efficiency and diverse drawbacks. In this study, we produced a nanoparticle using chitosan and alginate, biodegradable and biocompatible polysaccharides, as an oral drug delivery material of albendazole anthelmintic for parasite-infected fingerlings of Nile tilapia. The molecular interaction between the biopolymers was optimized and characterized by titration calorimetry. Freeze-drying of nanoparticles resulted in a fine powder with a particle size in the order of 400 nm. The nanoparticles provided 98% encapsulation of albendazole and sustained delivery with predominantly Fickian diffusion. The palatability of the nanopar-ticle formulation facilitated the oral administration of albendazole. The treatment of 100% prevalence of monogeneans was effective with a six-day dosage providing a total of 915 mg/kg b.w. of drug, resulting in total parasite clearance after 10 days from the treatment beginning, evidenced by microscopy analysis, and no mortality occurred. Therefore, molecular interactions between biofriendly polyelectrolytes yielded albendazole-carrying nanoparticles for high-efficiency parasite treatment in fish farming. Full article

This study investigated the effects of alkaline pretreatment and drying methods on the physicochemical properties of Gelidium amansii and the quality of the resulting agar jelly. Seaweeds with or without alkaline pretreatment were subjected to either sun-drying or shortwave infrared (SWIR) lamp-drying for three or seven cycles to evaluate whether SWIR drying could replace conventional sun-drying by reducing drying time and whether alkaline pretreatment could enhance gel hardness. The results showed that both drying methods effectively reduced moisture content, while the alkaline pretreatment significantly increased the ash content, likely due to the removal of water-soluble components. Marked color improvement was observed after seven cycles of sun-drying or following alkaline pretreatment, with the appearance changing from purplish red to bright golden yellow, which is closer to traditional quality expectations. Although SWIR lamp-drying was more energy-efficient, it resulted in limited color improvement. Volatile compound analysis revealed that deviations from the fresh control increased with the number of sun-drying cycles, whereas alkaline pretreatment and infrared-drying induced more pronounced changes in volatile profiles. Among all of the treatments, Gelidium subjected to seven sun-drying cycles produced jellies with the most favorable texture, indicating enhanced agar gel formation through repeated washing and drying. In contrast, the combination of alkaline pretreatment and infrared-drying restricted agar extraction, likely due to tissue hardening and insufficient light intensity, resulting in weak or negligible gel formation. Overall, both the drying method and alkaline pretreatment significantly influenced the Gelidium quality and agar gel properties; despite being labor-intensive, traditional washing and sun-drying processes remain critical for achieving desirable product quality. Full article

A two-factor experiment was conducted using the cultivar ‘Xin you No. 2’ (Citrullus lanatus) to identify an efficient and green production model for drip-irrigated watermelon under plastic mulch in Southern Xinjiang. A basal organic fertilizer was applied at 2250 kg·ha⁻¹. The experimental design comprised three irrigation levels, maintaining soil moisture at 60–70% (W1), 70–80% (W2), and 80–90% (W3) of field capacity, and three nitrogen application rates: 180 (N1), 240 (N2), and 300 (N3) kg·ha⁻¹. This study systematically investigated the effects of water–nitrogen coupling on watermelon yield, quality, water use efficiency, and nitrogen partial factor productivity. The W2N2 treatment achieved the highest yield of 64,617.59 kg·ha⁻¹. Vine length, stem diameter, and dry matter accumulation increased with increasing nitrogen application under the W1 and W2 irrigation levels, but exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease under the W3 condition. Water restriction combined with increased nitrogen application significantly enhanced the central sugar content, with the W1N3 treatment increasing it by 15.69% compared to CK. Conversely, the W1N1 treatment was most conducive to vitamin C accumulation, showing a 49.88% increase over CK. The total water consumption across the different treatments ranged from 362.12 to 493.92 mm. Both water use efficiency and irrigation water use efficiency reached their maximum values under the W1N3 treatment, at 21.94 kg·m⁻³ and 35.05 kg·m⁻³, respectively. In contrast, the highest partial factor productivity of nitrogen (NPFP) was observed under W3N1, reaching 239.33 kg·kg⁻¹. A comprehensive multi-index evaluation using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method indicated that the W1N3 treatment achieved the highest relative closeness (0.669), identifying it as the optimal water–nitrogen combination. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate in situ ruminal nutrient degradation, fractional disappearance rate, and effective ruminal degradation of hydroponically sprouted barley, wheat, and triticale. Two ruminally canulated lactating cows were used in a complete randomized block design with four treatments and nine incubation times (0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 240 h). Treatments were corn silage (control), and sprouted barley, triticale, and wheat. Quadruplicate samples (5 g each) were placed in Dacron bags and incubated in the rumen. Then, bags were rinsed and spun, dried (48 h × 55 °C; 3 h × 105 °C), and weighed to determine residual dry matter (DM). Data were analyzed using mixed models (MIXED, SAS 9.4) with treatment, time, and their interaction as fixed effects, and cow and replicate (cow) as random effects. Denominator degrees of freedom were adjusted using the Kenward–Roger method, and means were separated by Tukey–Kramer. Significance was declared at p ≤ 0.05 and tendencies at 0.05 < p ≤ 0.10. Sprouted triticale and wheat treatments had a greater rapidly soluble fraction for DM (p < 0.01), the greatest fractional disappearance rate for DM (p < 0.01) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF; p < 0.01), and greater effective ruminal degradability (ERD) for DM (p < 0.01) and crude protein (CP; p < 0.01). Sprouted wheat also had the greatest ERD for NDF (p < 0.01). In contrast, sprouted barley had the lowest rapidly soluble fractions for DM (p < 0.01), NDF (p < 0.01), and CP (p < 0.01), lower fractional disappearance rate for DM (p < 0.01) and NDF (p < 0.01) than sprouted triticale and wheat, and the lowest ERD for DM (p < 0.01) and CP (p < 0.01). Overall, sprouted triticale and wheat had greater in situ ruminal nutrient degradation, effective ruminal degradation, and nutrient degradation kinetics, indicating their potential for inclusion in dairy cattle diets to improve nutrient degradability. Full article

Soil salinity is a major constraint to wheat production worldwide. Efficient screening of salt-tolerant cultivars is essential for breeding programs, yet a rapid and reliable evaluation system based on full-life-cycle salt stress treatment is lacking. To address this, we conducted a hydroponic experiment encompassing the entire growth cycle of 37 wheat cultivars under control and salt stress (85.5 mM NaCl). Using principal component and stepwise regression analyses on 15 agronomic and yield-related traits, we identified five key indicators—total dry weight, root dry weight, plant height, thousand-grain weight, and number of grains per spike—that effectively represent overall salt tolerance. Based on a comprehensive evaluation value (D-value), the cultivars were classified into five distinct categories: highly salt-tolerant, salt-tolerant, moderately salt-tolerant, weakly salt-tolerant, and salt-sensitive. Notably, the highly salt-tolerant cultivar ‘Yangfumai 8′ and the salt-sensitive cultivar ‘Yangmai 22’ were selected as representative extremes. A subsequent pot experiment confirmed significant physiological differences between them in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, CAT) and proline accumulation under salt stress. This study establishes a practical and efficient screening framework, providing breeders with a simplified index set for high-throughput evaluation and offering ideal contrasting materials for in-depth physiological research on salt tolerance mechanisms in wheat. Full article

In the current context of climate change, special attention should be paid to assuring the security of food and fruits. Lemon trees struggle to keep their physiological traits stable in the context of all the cumulated challenges originating from climate stress. Therefore, our aim was to assess two seed priming methods’ long-term effects on some physiological parameters of young lemon trees. The relative chlorophyll content reveals that hydropriming shows 26% increases from E1 to E6, similar to the control, while osmopriming has a 31% higher value at the beginning and after three years. Leaf stomatal density has 80% lower values due to osmopriming compared to the control, while hydropriming show 15% lower values. Leaf area development was slightly similar between treatments, with more leaves being developed after hydropriming treatments. Guard cell width has similar values for priming, with both being with 40% higher than that of the control. Lemon trees grown after osmotic stress have the highest mass percentages of magnesium and potassium in the leaves. Hydropriming promotes calcium oxalate accumulation and a high mass percentage of phosphorus. The percentage allocation of carbon as dry matter is 32% for osmopriming, significantly higher than for the other treatments. The quantum yield of photosynthetic electron transport is the only significant photosynthetic parameter for osmoprimed lemon young trees. Physiological techniques successfully enhanced the overall growth of three-year-old lemon trees, especially osmopriming treatment. Full article

This study investigated the effects of different additives on the fermentation quality and bacterial community of silage prepared from Giant Juncao grass (Cenchrus fungigraminus) grown in saline–alkali soil. Four treatments were compared: a control group (CK), wheat bran (WB), fermented Juncao grass juice (FJGJ), and a combined wheat bran + fermented Juncao grass juice treatment (WB + FJGJ). Dynamic changes in physicochemical characteristics—including dry matter (DM), pH, lactic acid (LA), acetic acid (AA), propionic acid (PA), and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA)—were monitored together with shifts in bacterial community structure. Quantitative results showed that FJGJ and WB + FJGJ significantly improved fermentation performance. Compared with the control, the WB + FJGJ treatment reduced the final pH to 3.61 (p < 0.05) and increased lactic acid concentration to 48 g/kg DM. Concentrations of acetic acid and TVFA were also higher in additive-treated silages than in the control. Redundancy analysis indicated that pH and lactic acid were the main environmental factors associated with changes in bacterial community composition, whereas ether extract and acetic acid showed weaker but detectable effects. Bacterial community profiling revealed that genera such as Secundilactobacillus and Lacticaseibacillus dominated in the additive-treated groups, and that the additives significantly altered microbial community structure compared with the control. Overall, the combined application of wheat bran and fermented Juncao grass juice improved the fermentation quality of Giant Juncao grass silage grown on saline–alkali soil and promoted a bacterial community dominated by beneficial lactic acid–producing taxa. Full article

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone and therapeutic agent for Type II diabetes mellitus. However, recombinant production in E. coli yields insufficient quantities, increasing manufacturing costs and limiting patient access. Improving yield and productivity is crucial to make GLP-1 treatments more affordable. An optimized bioprocess was developed to enhance the yield of recombinant GLP-1 (rGLP-1) analogues. Expression constructs encoding monomeric and concatemeric GLP-1 fused to GST were designed. Batch fermentations of these clones at varying pre-induction specific growth rates guided the fed-batch strategy for yield enhancement. The specific yield of monomer construct exhibited higher yields than the concatemer. Process optimization achieved a specific yield (Yp/x) of 116.7 mg/g, a dry cell weight of 88.9 g/L, and a volumetric yield of 10.3 g/L. The specific productivity of soluble rGLP-1 reached 0.4 g/L/h. Purification via affinity chromatography and enterokinase cleavage yielded authentic GLP-1 peptide confirmed by Western blot and mass spectrometry. The developed high-yield fermentation process significantly enhances rGLP-1 productivity in E. coli, potentially reducing upstream production costs by 20–30% and enabling wider accessibility to affordable GLP-1 therapies. Full article

Rapid urbanization in China has driven annual food waste production to 130 million tons, posing severe environmental challenges for anaerobic digestate management. To resolve trade-offs among drying efficiency, resource recovery (fertilizer/fuel), and carbon neutrality by optimizing the biodried product (BDP) recycling ratio (0–15%), six BDP treatments were tested in 60 L bioreactors. Metrics included drying kinetics, product properties, and environmental–economic trade-offs. The results showed that 12% BDP achieved a peak temperature integral (514.13 °C·d), an optimal biodrying index (3.67), and shortened the cycle to 12 days. Furthermore, 12% BDP yielded total nutrients (N + P₂O₅ + K₂O) of 4.19%, meeting the NY 525-2021 standard in China, while ≤3% BDP maximized fuel suitability with LHV > 5000 kJ·kg⁻¹, compliant with CEN/TC 343 RDF standards. BDP recycling reduced global warming potential by 27.3% and eliminated leachate generation, mitigating groundwater contamination risks. The RDF pathway (12% BDP) achieved the highest NPV (USD 716,725), whereas organic fertilizer required farmland subsidies (28.57/ton) to offset its low market value. A 12% BDP recycling ratio optimally balances technical feasibility, environmental safety, and economic returns, offering a closed-loop solution for global food waste valorization. Full article

Background/Objectives: Essential oils (EOs) from plants of the genus Cinnamomum have been widely used based on their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, their elevated volatility and limited aqueous solubility restrict their use in pharmaceutical and food formulations. Cyclodextrins (CDs) have emerged as a promising strategy to overcome these limitations through the formation of inclusion complexes. Methods: In this study, inclusion complexes of essential oil from C. camphora L. (EOCNM) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) were developed using physical mixing (PM), ultrasonic treatment (US), and freeze-drying (FD). The inclusion complexes were physicochemically characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate their physicochemical interactions and complexation efficiency. Results: Our results demonstrated successful complex formation, with the FD and US methods showing greater amorphization and stronger inclusion characteristics compared to the PM method. Thermal analysis confirmed improved physicochemical stability of the essential oil when complexed with β-CD. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity assay of the complexes was assessed using the MTT assay and J774 macrophage cells. The complexes exhibited low cytotoxicity, indicating their potential biocompatibility for biomedical and food applications. Conclusions: Overall, β-CD encapsulation effectively enhanced the physicochemical stability and safety profile of C. camphora essential oil, providing a promising strategy for its controlled delivery and protection against degradation. Full article

Background and Objectives: Tear film instability and corneal surface irregularity are important sources of variability in keratometric and corneal topographic measurements, particularly affecting astigmatic magnitude and axis. Accurate preoperative biometry is crucial for optimal refractive outcomes in cataract surgery. Dry eye disease (DED) may compromise the reproducibility of keratometric parameters, leading to errors in intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of DED on the reproducibility of keratometric measurements and to assess the effect of a four-week treatment with lipid-containing artificial tears on these parameters in cataract patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 116 patients scheduled for cataract surgery, of whom 65 (56.0%) had DED and 51 (44.0%) served as controls. All patients underwent two preoperative keratometric measurements 10–20 min apart (IOL1 and IOL2). The control group proceeded to surgery the next day, while surgery in the DED group was postponed. Patients with DED received preoperative therapy with lipid-containing artificial tears. Follow-up assessments occurred one month after therapy (keratometric measurement named IOL3) and eight weeks postoperatively. Clinical evaluation included slit-lamp examination, dry eye testing according to Dry eye Workshop II (DEWS II) criteria: Ocular surface Disease Index (OSDI), Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT), Schirmer I, Oxford staining, and meibomian gland assessment), ocular biometry, and postoperative spherical equivalent measurement using an auto ref-keratometer. Nonparametric statistical analyses were applied to evaluate associations between parameters. Results: In the DED group, corneal astigmatism showed a significant difference between IOL1 and IOL2 (Wilcoxon signed-rank test {Z = 2.43; p = 0.015}). Significant changes in predicted IOL power were observed between pretreatment and posttreatment values (t = 2.57; p = 0.013) and between IOL2 and IOL3 (t = 2.23; p = 0.029), indicating improved keratometric stability following tear film therapy. No additional significant correlations were identified. Conclusions: DED adversely affects the reproducibility of keratometric measurements and may compromise IOL power selection. Preoperative identification and treatment of DED, followed by repeated biometry after tear film stabilization, are strongly recommended to enhance refractive accuracy and optimize surgical outcomes in cataract patients. Full article

This study explored the patterns and mechanisms influencing changes in silage quality, mycotoxin accumulation, and microbial community structure in oat silage after lodging. Upright oat forage (control, CK), lodging oat forage (upper layer (UL), lower layer (LL), and mixed layers (MLs) were harvested at 0, 7, 25, and 45 days after lodging and ensiled for 60 days. The results showed that the dry matter (DM) and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content decreased significantly (p < 0.05), whereas crude protein (CP) and fiber content increased significantly compared to upright oats (p < 0.05). The WSC and CP content in silage decreased with increasing lodging duration. The fiber content increased in late harvest after lodging. The risk of mycotoxin infection increased after lodging, with aflatoxin levels exceeding EU limits. The mycotoxins in UL silage were the lowest when lodging lasted for seven days. Lodging oat silage was dominated by Lactobacillus, and the Pseudomonas in the lodging group was less than 4%. The fungi in lodging oat silage was lower, and the UL (upper layer) treatment was the lowest when lodging for 7 days. Overall, the transfer of microorganisms, especially Plectosphaerella, Fusarium, Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Botryotrichum, from soil to silage following oat collapse is of interest. The results suggest the soil–plant microbial interactions and their effects on silage fermentation and mycotoxins in lodging oats. Full article

Solanum betaceum (tamarillo) is Andean fruit rich in secondary metabolites with increasing relevance in food, nutraceutical, and biotechnological research. Despite growing scientific interest, the available evidence remains fragmented and methodologically heterogeneous. This systematic review consolidates and critically analyzes recent studies on the bioactive composition of S. betaceum, the effects of conventional and emerging processing technologies, and the functional activities reported for fresh fruits, by-products, and processed matrices. A comprehensive search of Lens.org, Scopus, and PubMed was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. From 1049 records identified, 65 studies published between 2020 and 2025 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. The literature reveals substantial variability in polyphenols, anthocyanins, carotenoids, vitamin C, and other metabolites, driven by cultivar, maturity stage, edaphoclimatic conditions, and analytical approaches. Emerging technologies such as ultrasound-assisted extraction, high-pressure homogenization, and spray drying generally improved the recovery and stability of bioactive compounds, whereas intensive thermal treatments were associated with degradation of thermolabile constituents. Functional evidence supports antioxidant, antimicrobial, metabolic modulatory, and cytotoxic activities; however, interpretation is limited by inconsistent reporting practices, limited bioaccessibility assessment, and the predominance of in vitro models. Overall, S. betaceum shows considerable functional and technological potential, but further standardized methodologies, mechanistic studies, and human-relevant models are required to support translational and industrial validation. Full article

The growing generation of organic solid waste from small-scale agriculture poses major environmental challenges in developing countries like Ecuador, where rural areas often lack waste management infrastructure. Residues from livestock rearing and traditional brewing such as poultry manure (PM), bovine manure (BM), and barley by-product (BB) are often discarded untreated. This study evaluated the bioconversion potential of Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), using a local Ecuadorian strain reared on these substrates under natural conditions and three feeding rates (50, 100, and 150 mg·larva⁻¹·day⁻¹). Larval growth and process efficiency were analyzed on a dry-matter basis. Both substrate and feeding rate significantly influenced performance (p < 0.05). PM and BB produced the highest larval dry weights (37.4 and 35.9 mg, respectively) at 100 mg·larva⁻¹·day⁻¹, with development completed in 35 days. BM-fed larvae reached only 17.6 mg and required up to 91 days. Bioconversion peaked at 4.6% (PM100) and 4.2% (BB50), while all BM treatments showed very low efficiency (<0.8%). Waste reduction was highest in BB100 (52.9%) and PM100 (43.5%). These results demonstrate the potential of BSFL as a biological treatment option for rural organic waste streams; however, performance strongly depended on substrate quality and feeding rate, indicating that not all locally available residues are equally suitable for larval bioconversion. Full article

Opportunities to capture anticipated niche markets for diverse populations continue to rise. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), considered a high-value crop, is rich in nutritional and medicinal properties; however, fresh okra is highly perishable. This study examined the effects of thermal pre-treatments and drying processes in combination on the nutritional quality of dried okra. The experiment consisted of two thermal treatments (steam-blanched and hot water-blanched, and the control) and three drying treatments (freeze-dried, hot air-dried, and infrared-dried). Okra was grown in black plastic mulch, harvested twice per week, and processed three times throughout the growing season. The study analyzed moisture content, water activity, phytonutrients, ascorbic acid, β-carotene, and antioxidant activities. No significant differences were observed in moisture content and water activity among the treatments. Significant differences were observed among treatments and harvest time for total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity. Notable differences in β-carotene content were observed across all treatments. Based on the findings, the steam-blanched freeze-dried treatment was the most effective preservation technique for maintaining the nutritional and functional quality of dried okra. Hot water-blanching, hot air-drying, and infrared-drying were the least effective for the development of a high-value, nutrient-dense dried okra value-added product. Full article