Search Results (738)

Modern agriculture faces increasing pressure to maintain productivity while reducing soil degradation, chemical inputs, and ecological footprint, making biologically based soil-improvement strategies highly relevant. This study examined whether microbial inoculation, combined with conservation tillage practices (loosening and no-tillage), can enhance soil physical quality during pea (Pisum sativum) cultivation in an agroecological market garden in Hungary. A 2 × 2 factorial field experiment was established, testing tillage (loosening vs. no-tillage) and microbial inoculation (with vs. without) in a randomized design with three replications per treatment (12 plots total). A single microbial application was performed prior to planting using a consortium of Rhizobium spp., Ensifer spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Bacillus spp. The research focused on (I) soil penetration resistance, (II) soil moisture dynamics, and (III) infiltration capacity, with most parameters measured before and after planting. Microbial inoculation significantly reduced penetration resistance under both tillage systems and influenced soil moisture behavior, indicating improved soil structure and water retention. Infiltration rate did not change significantly within the study period. Overall, the results demonstrate that microbial amendments can rapidly improve key soil physical properties, offering a practical, nature-based strategy for resilient, low-input farming systems. Full article

Saline irrigation water is increasingly used in arid and coastal regions, posing serious constraints to soil health and wheat yield, particularly in saline–sodic soils. A two-season field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of compost, biofertilizers (Azospirillum brasilense and Azotobacter chroococcum), and their combinations on soil physicochemical properties, microbial activity, wheat growth, yield, and physiological traits under two irrigation water salinity levels (3 and 6 dS m⁻¹). Two wheat varieties differing in salt tolerance (Miser 4 and Sakha 95) were tested. Salinity significantly increased soil EC and ESP and reduced plant growth, yield, and nutrient content, while integrated bio-organic treatments markedly alleviated these adverse effects. Compost combined with Azotobacter chroococcum markedly improved soil physical conditions, enhanced microbial biomass carbon, reduced sodicity indicators, and promoted wheat productivity across both seasons. Multivariate analyses including principal component analysis (PCA), redundancy analysis (RDA), and self-organizing maps (SOMs) revealed a strong positive association between yield traits, microbial activity, and soil fertility, and negative correlations with salinity stress indicators. The results demonstrate that combining compost with biofertilizers induces both immediate and residual improvements in saline–sodic soils, enhances wheat resilience to salinity stress, and offers a sustainable approach for improving cereal production under salt-affected environments. Full article

Similar to other municipal facilities, landfills are a substantial source of emissions of various biological pollutants. Numerous sustainability challenges result from the extremely high variability of emissions of harmful biological agents, which necessitates precise detection of microbiological emissions from these municipal facilities. This study aimed to assess whether a municipal waste landfill impacts indicator microorganisms and bacterial endotoxins occurring in soils within the landfill’s zone of influence. The research was conducted directly at the landfill site and in the surrounding area. Soil samples were collected monthly from eight sites over three years. Microbiological analyses included determination of total Salmonella counts and bacteria of the coliform group, Clostridium spp., Clostridium perfringens, and bacterial endotoxin concentrations. Results revealed a significant effect of the landfill on soil sanitary quality, indicating that adverse impacts depended mainly on the distance from the active waste sector of the landfill. The results also confirmed the usefulness of bacterial endotoxins as indicators of soil contamination with microorganisms within the municipal landfill and surroundings. Parametric statistical analyses effectively characterised contamination levels, and the Newman–Keuls multiple comparison test proved to be a rapid and reliable tool for assessing exceedances of established sanitary standards. Findings indicate that fresh waste is a critical source of microbiological contamination in soils, and they emphasise the value of combined microbial and endotoxin monitoring for sustainable landfill environmental assessment and management. While the current study focuses on soil contamination, future research should evaluate the impact of landfill on indicator microorganisms and bacterial endotoxins in air and water. Full article

The adaptive nature of bacteria and their increasing resistance to conventional therapies demand alternative strategies to effectively control wound infections. At the wound site, dynamic biological processes are easily disrupted by microbial colonization, compromising normal healing. In this study, Zn-based nanoparticles composed of zinc oxide (ZnO) and zinc phosphate (Zn₃(PO₄)₂) were synthesized via a green route using coconut milk and coconut water as biological media. Although ZnO formation via zinc hydroxide intermediates was initially targeted, structural analyses revealed a multiphase Zn-based system resulting from interactions between Zn²⁺ ions and naturally occurring phosphate species in the coconut-derived sources. The resulting material was incorporated into sodium alginate/poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel dressings, further enhanced with spirulina and aronia powders. Physicochemical characterization (XRD, SEM, EDS, FTIR), along with swelling and degradation studies, confirmed structural stability and appropriate hydrogel behavior. Antimicrobial testing against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli demonstrated a dominant antibiofilm effect of the Zn-based nanoparticles, while botanical additives exhibited moderate, time-dependent activity. Biological evaluation demonstrated good cytocompatibility toward human keratinocytes and murine macrophages, with botanical additives mitigating mild nanoparticle-induced cellular responses. Full article

Sustainable alternatives to synthetic polymer-based sanitary napkins are essential to reduce the environmental impact and health concerns. This study presents a method for using water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), an invasive aquatic weed, as biomass to produce biodegradable absorbent material for sanitary pads. Water hyacinth fibers were treated with an alkaline solution and incorporated into the absorbent core. Morphological, chemical, structural, functional, microbiological, and biodegradability evaluations were then conducted systematically. Scanning electron microscopy showed that non-cellulosic components were successfully removed, producing a rougher surface topology and enhanced fiber interactions. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed structural changes in cellulose after treatment. Additionally, X-ray diffraction showed that the crystallinity index increased from 53.21% in untreated fibers to 62.56% in treated fibers, indicating improved order and stability. The developed absorbent sanitary pad showed rapid fluid uptake, absorbing 10 mL within three seconds while maintaining a skin-compatible neutral pH of 6.87, as specified in Indian Standard IS 5405:1980. Microbial contamination remained low, with a total bacterial count of 360 CFU/g, no yeast or mold at ≤1 CFU/g, and no presence of Staphylococcus aureus. Soil burial tests showed 70% biodegradability at 40 days and approximately 95% at 60 days, indicating high biodegradability. These findings demonstrate the potential of water hyacinth as an inexpensive and environmentally friendly material for manufacturing hygienic sanitary pads, highlighting the sustainability benefits of valorizing invasive biomass and reducing reliance on synthetic polymers. Full article

The primary shelf life (PSL) of fresh vegan spinach gnocchi packaged under a modified atmosphere (MAP) was investigated. Microbiological, physicochemical, and sensory properties were monitored during storage at three temperatures (4, 8, and 12 °C). The microbial load remained below the limit considered safe (3 log CFU g⁻¹) in all samples during storage at all tested temperatures. Storage time significantly increased the hardness of uncooked gnocchi (p < 0.05) and the water absorption index (p < 0.05). Moreover, at higher storage temperatures, the kinetic rate of hardness decreased in uncooked gnocchi (0.29 N day⁻¹ at 12 °C vs. 0.35 N day⁻¹ at 4 °C). Conversely, in cooked gnocchi, as the storage temperature increased, the rate of hardness acceleration increased. The sensory analysis results varied according to storage temperature, and the Overall Quality Index (OQI), combined with principal component analysis (PCA), was used to determine PSL values. The Arrhenius relationship successfully described the temperature dependence of reaction rate constants, and the calculated Q₁₀ value (3.0) confirmed hardness as the quality attribute most affected by temperature. OQI showed a strong correlation with cooked-gnocchi hardness, and a sensory cutoff of 6.5 was established and confirmed by the sensory panel. The corresponding hardness rejection value was 12.1 N. The PSL was estimated based on sensory and texture criteria, as microbial quality was not a limiting factor. Under non-isothermal cold-chain conditions, PSL was predicted using the time–temperature tolerance (TTT) approach, yielding a value of 42 ± 3 days. Full article

The Water-Level-Fluctuation Zones (WLFZ) of the Lower Jinsha River, as a typical transition areas between land and water, show crucial ecological functions. However, the relationship between soil nutrients and microbial communities in different plant communities of the WLFZ is poorly understand. Therefore, we chose four typical plant communities, including Parthenium hysterophorus (P. hysterophorus), Ziziphus mauritiana (Z. mauritiana), Cynodon dactylon (C. dactylon), Zea mays (Z. mays), as a long-term plant communities experiment-monitoring site in a WLFZ of the Lower Jinsha River. By using high-throughput sequences, Mantel test and Mediation model, we explored the changing characteristics of soil nutrients and microbial communities, especially bacteria and fungi, and their driving role in the microbial stability in four typical plant communities. The results indicated that soil properties and enzyme activities noticeably changed among four types of different plant communities in the WLFZ, of which their P. hysterophorus and Z. mauritiana treatments were eventually higher than their of Z. mays and C. dactylon treatments. In the bacteria and fungi communities, the OTU number of P. hysterophorus and Z. mauritiana treatments were higher than their of C. dactylon and Z. mays treatments, which showed that the bacterial biomarkers only explained with the order, but the fungal biomarkers could explain with species. The bacterial and fungal diversity among four types of different plant communities in the WLFZ significantly changed such that the bacterial and fungal explanations of principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) was at 42.45% and 28.17%, respectively, and the anosim analysis of bacteria and fungi showed the p was 0.001 and the R was at 0.6995 and 0.7491. The bacterial and fungal co-occurrence network patterns presented that the bacterial community structure of the C. dactylon and P. hysterophorus treatments were the most complicated under the Z. mauritiana and Z. mays treatments, whereas the communities stability of C. dactylon and P. hysterophorus treatments were notably lower than that of their Z. mauritiana and Z. mays treatments. Lastly, the CCA, mantel test and intermediary analysis indicated pH served as the primary direct driver in the Z. mauritiana community, soil moisture exerted dominant effects in Z. mays and P. hysterophorus, while in C. dactylon, bacterial stability was indirectly modulated by pH mediated through SMC changes. This study highlights the major role of soil nutrients and enzyme activities in driving ecosystem stability of bacterial and fungal communities in four different plant communities in the WLFZ. Full article

Environmental surveillance is important to monitor and mitigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In this context, sewage and its marine outfalls remain a hot spot for spreading AMR among pathogens. This study investigated the presence of drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in sewage effluent and marine sewage outfalls in Saudi Arabia. Water samples were collected from Jeddah’s southern and central marine outfalls and non-impacted sites. The isolates (n = 120) were identified through biochemical tests and MALDI-TOF. Resistance to antibiotics in the isolates was initially screened through phenotypic methods. Species-specific markers and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were amplified through PCR. The presence of ARGs was also quantified in the isolates and in the environment through qPCR. The data indicated a higher prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in sewage effluent (63.3%) compared to marine water (50%). Sewage-borne MRSA exhibited higher resistance to various antibiotics. PCR detection confirmed the presence of mecA in MRSA isolates. Virulence genes encoding microbial surface components and recognizing adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMMs) were more prevalent in sewage isolates. Particularly, genes responsible for biofilm formation were more prevalent in the isolates from sewage samples. qPCR revealed a higher abundance of mecA, fnbB and bbp in sewage-derived isolates. Statistical analysis confirmed the strong influence of the sewage environment on the prevalence of drug-resistant isolates. Screening of environmental DNA further validated sewage as a reservoir of resistance and virulence determinants. These findings highlight the role of sewage outfalls in disseminating ARGs and virulent S. aureus strains, emphasizing the need to improve wastewater treatment and environmental surveillance strategies. Full article

Research on heterotrophic bioflocs is extensive, whereas investigations into autotrophic bioflocs remain limited. This study established an in situ autotrophic biofloc (ABF) system for intensive Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) farming, aiming for zero water exchange and optimized water quality. A 120-day indoor experiment tested three stocking densities (300 (T1), 250 (T2), and 200 shrimp per m³ (T3)) with no water exchange. Water quality was monitored every two days, and bacterial communities were analyzed on days 10 and 70. The results indicated that ABF maturation was achieved by day 70 across all treatments, marked by three key indicators: (1) synchronous declines in nitrite and nitrate concentrations; (2) concurrent decreases in pH and total alkalinity approaching maturation; and (3) sustained high nitrogen removal efficiency (nitrite < 0.7 mg/L, ammonia < 0.6 mg/L). All density groups displayed similar patterns in both water quality dynamics and microbial community evolution. Bacterial analysis revealed that dominant genera such as Ruegeria, Bacillus, Muricauda, SM1A02, and Nitrospira played critical roles in toxic nitrogen removal, while pathogenic Klebsiella and Vibrio significantly decreased post-maturation. Heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification microorganisms (HNADMs) were identified as potentially responsible for nitrite accumulation. Nitrite accumulation was found in all groups. T2 and T3 achieved satisfactory breeding performance despite pre-maturation nitrate peaks exceeding 40 mg/L, whereas T1 suffered a low survival rate (27.47%) due to severe nitrite accumulation (>50 mg/L). A biofloc volume (BFV) of 4–8 mL/L effectively managed daily feed inputs of 75–110 g/m³. These findings lay a theoretical and technical foundation for the application of in situ ABF cultivation in intensive farming and enhance the sustainability of aquaculture. Full article

The intensifying global challenges of water scarcity and widespread microbial contamination underscore the urgent need for the development of efficient, chemical-free disinfection technologies. Here, we developed a compact boron-doped diamond (BDD)-based electrochemical water treatment system that generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) in situ and evaluated its antimicrobial performance using ROS-on/off controls. Bactericidal efficacy was assessed against representative Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli), Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), a clinically relevant Gram-negative pathogen with biofilm-forming and stress-resistant properties. Under ROS-on operation, viable counts were reduced from ~10⁶ CFU/mL to near the detection limit, corresponding to 5–6 log10 reductions across all tested species, whereas ROS-off treatment showed negligible effects. The system retained strong disinfection activity in complex real water matrices, including hand-washing water, laboratory wastewater, and pond wastewater. ROS-treated water also disrupted pre-formed mono-species biofilms in a time-dependent manner, as assessed by crystal violet staining and semi-quantitative biomass analysis. A preliminary mouse exposure assessment did not reveal obvious histopathological abnormalities or hematological changes under the tested conditions. These results demonstrate that BDD-enabled electrochemical ROS water provides a rapid, reagent-free approach for bacterial inactivation and biofilm control, with potential applicability across diverse water-related settings, while acknowledging that further studies on complex natural microbial communities are warranted. Full article

The increasing demand for sustainable agriculture necessitates the development of eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides. This study reports the design and characterization of biodegradable fibrous mats for the delivery of Bacillus subtilis, a plant-beneficial biocontrol agent, using cellulose acetate (CA) scaffolds functionalized with chitooligosaccharides (COS). Electrospun CA fibers were coated by electrospraying with COS or COS/B. subtilis suspensions in a single-step process to produce open, porous biohybrid scaffolds. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed uniform fiber formation and successful deposition of COS and bacterial layers, while ATR-FTIR spectroscopy verified the chemical composition of the fibrous mats. Water contact angle measurements indicated a shift from hydrophobic to highly hydrophilic surfaces, enhancing microbial adhesion and moisture-mediated activation. Mechanical testing demonstrated that thin COS coatings slightly improved tensile strength without compromising flexibility. Viability assays confirmed that encapsulated B. subtilis remained viable and capable of sporulation, and dual-culture assays demonstrated effective inhibition of Alternaria solani, Fusarium avenaceum, and Rhizoctonia solani. These results indicate that the electrospun/electrosprayed CA/COS platform provides a protective, sustainable, and effective delivery system for biocontrol agents. This approach offers a promising strategy for reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides while maintaining crop protection efficacy. Full article

Background: Bacteriophages and phage-derived lytic enzymes are increasingly considered to be targeted antimicrobial tools in aquaculture; however, their compatibility with non-target microbial communities under hatchery-relevant conditions remains insufficiently characterized. Objectives This study evaluates the impact of a lytic phage (CH20) and a phage-derived lysin (LysVp1), applied under previously validated conditions for rapid Vibrio control, on the microbiota associated with seawater, rotifers, and zebrafish larvae challenged with Vibrio alginolyticus GV09. Methods: Treatments were independently applied to each biological matrix using short exposure times representative of hatchery practices, intentionally capturing the critical window during which microbial transfer from live feed to larvae occurs. Microbial communities were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, with DNA- and RNA-derived datasets evaluated separately. Results: Alpha diversity indices were compared using appropriate statistical tests, while beta diversity was assessed using Aitchison distance, PERMANOVA, and dispersion analyses, and differential abundance was evaluated using ANCOM-BC2. Alpha diversity metrics showed no significant differences among treatments across all matrices, indicating the preservation of microbial richness and diversity. Beta diversity patterns differed according to the nucleic acid source, with RNA-based analyses revealing treatment-associated shifts in rotifer and water microbiota that were not consistently detected at the DNA level. In zebrafish larvae, neither phage nor lysin treatment significantly altered overall community structure, although dispersion effects reflected limitations related to sample size. Conclusions: Overall, these results indicate that phage CH20 and lysin LysVp1 exert minimal impact on alpha diversity and limited, context-dependent effects on microbial community structure, supporting their microbiota-safe potential for aquaculture applications. Full article

Water kefir is a non-dairy fermented water drink which includes lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria and yeasts which provide probiotic as well as antioxidant properties. Prunus armeniaca (apricot) is a promising raw material to develop a functional beverage because it is rich in carotenoids, vitamins, and phenolics. Coconut water is a natural hydrating substance and plant-based substrate. The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize apricot-coconut water kefir beverage, (ACWB) a fermented beverage having 20 g (w/v) dried apricot, 8 g (w/v) brown sugar, and 8 g (w/v) water kefir grains fermented together in 100 mL coconut water and compare its physicochemical, microbial, and antioxidant properties with a control sample excluded with dried apricot but having same concentration of rest of the ingredients. After fermentation, total soluble solids (TSS), pH, titratable acidity (TA), water activity (aw), total bacterial count (TBC), DPPH radical-scavenging activity, and total phenolic contents (TPC) were measured. ACWB exhibited significantly higher values (p < 0.05) in terms of TSS (10.07 ± 0.01 °Brix), TA (0.298 ± 0.01%), and TBC (1.92 × 10⁷ CFU/mL), with lower pH (3.98 ± 0.07) and aw (0.94 ± 0.02) compared to the control. Enhanced antioxidant activity (DPPH = 62.7 ± 0.86%) and TPC (19.92 ± 0.32 mg CE/100 mL) confirmed its superior bioactive potential. Sensory evaluation of ACWB also found it to be more preferred, with statistically significant difference in majority of the tested attributes. The apricot supplement enhanced the fermentation activity, microbial growth, as well as the antioxidant capacity of the end product, creating a stable, tangy, and nutritionally enriched non-dairy functional beverage that could be consumed by healthy and lactose intolerant consumers. Full article

Weathering steel (WS), a class of low-alloy steel, which often outperforms traditional carbon steels in bridge applications, develops a stable and adherent patina that enhances resistance to atmospheric corrosion. The patinas develop through complex electrochemical and physicochemical reactions between steel alloying elements and environmental constituents such as pollutants, oxygen, moisture, chlorides, and sulfur compounds. However, real-life field exposure tests to evaluate the performance of weathering steel in rural, urban, industrial, and marine environments are costly, time-consuming, and inconsistent, prompting the need for accelerated laboratory-based corrosion tests. This paper compiles and thoroughly examines the effectiveness of widely used accelerated corrosion testing techniques, such as ISO 16539 (Synthetic Ocean Water), Cebelcor, Prohesion (ASTM G85), Salt Spray (ISO 9227), Kesternich, and others, in simulating the weathering behavior of weathering steel. Findings show that some accelerated cyclic tests can partially replicate protective patina formation in polluted or sulfate-rich environments, whereas others, such as continuous salt spray, tend to overestimate corrosion due to the absence of key environmental factors such as wet/dry cycles, microbial activity, UV radiation, and wind-driven rain. Existing tests do not adequately replicate real-world steel–environment interactions. This review proposes a multidisciplinary approach combining localized wet/dry cycles, advanced environmental chambers, and microstructural and oxide layer analysis with AI (artificial intelligence)/ML (machine learning) for predictive models to improve test relevance and long-term performance forecasting of weathering steels. Full article

Preparations containing appropriate microorganisms stimulate plant growth and are increasingly used to alleviate plant stress, including water deficit stress. Despite the growing interest in PGPR, little is known about the post-emergence efficacy of formulations based on native strains under water stress. In this study, we tested the post-emergence efficacy of preparations based on Bacillus velezensis_KT27 and Bacillus subtilis + Pseudomonas simiae + Bacillus velezensis_S103 at doses of half a liter and one liter × 200 L × ha⁻¹ in culture fluid or oil dispersion each at a final microbial cell concentration of 5 × 10⁸ (CFU/mL) for the tested strains. Our hypothesis was that the different biostimulants may positively affect plants’ tolerance to water stress. To this end, analyses of plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, chlorophyll, flavonol and anthocyanin content, and chlorophyll fluorescence were conducted under greenhouse conditions for winter wheat, winter barley, and winter oilseed rape. The preparations promoted the growth and water-stress tolerance of the selected plants, with effectiveness depending on strain, plant, dose, and formulation. B. velezensis_KT27 (0.5 L in oil dispersion) increased the dry weight of winter wheat by 17% (optimal) and 14% (water deficit stress) and of winter barley by 17% and 28%. Bacillus spp. + Pseudomonas spp. (0.5 L in oil dispersion) increased winter oilseed rape dry weight by 13% in both conditions. These findings highlight the potential of Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. for post-emergence biostimulation under variable soil levels of moisture. Full article