Search Results (254)

Magenta Cherry or Eugenia (Syzygium paniculatum Gaertn) is an underutilized berry species with an interesting source of functional components. This study aimed to evaluate these berries’ morphometric, nutritional, and phytochemical characteristics at two ripening stages, CM: consumer maturity (CM) and OM: over-maturity. Morphometric analysis revealed size and weight parameters comparable to commercial berries such as blueberries. Fresh fruits were processed into pulverized material, and in this, a proximate analysis was evaluated, showing high moisture content (88.9%), dietary fiber (3.56%), and protein (0.63%), with negligible fat, indicating suitability for low-calorie diets. Phytochemical screening by HPLC identified gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, ferulic acid, quercetin, rutin, and condensed tannins. Ethanol extracts showed stronger bioactive profiles than aqueous extracts, with significant antioxidant capacity (up to 803.40 µmol _Trolox/g via Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP assay). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopic analyses established structural transformations of hydroxyl, carbonyl, and aromatic groups associated with ripening. These changes were supported by observed variations in anthocyanin and flavonoid contents, both higher at the CM stage. A notable pigment loss in OM fruits could be attributed to pH changes, oxidative degradation, enzymatic activity loss, and biotic stressors. Antioxidant assays (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) confirmed higher radical scavenging activity in CM-stage berries. Elemental analysis identified minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc, although in moderate concentrations. In summary, Syzygium paniculatum Gaertn fruit demonstrates considerable potential as a source of natural antioxidants and bioactive compounds. These findings advocate for greater exploration and sustainable use of this native berry species in functional food systems. Full article

The Tuztaşı low-sulfidation epithermal Au–Ag deposit (Biga Peninsula, Türkiye) records a multi-stage hydrothermal history that can be interpreted through the trace and rare-earth-element (REE) chemistry of quartz. High-precision LA-ICP-MS analyses of five representative quartz samples (23 ablation spots; 10 analytically robust) reveal two fluid stages. Early fluids were cold, dilute meteoric waters (δ¹⁸O₍H₂O₎ ≈ −6.8 to +0.7‰), whereas later fluids circulated deeper, interacted with felsic basement rocks, and evolved in composition. Mineralized quartz displays marked enrichment in As (raw mean = 2854 ± 6821 ppm; filtered mean = 70 ± 93 ppm; one spot 16,775 ppm), K (498 ± 179 ppm), and Sb (57.8 ± 113 ppm), coupled with low Ti/Al (<0.005) and elevated Ge/Si (0.14–0.65 µmol mol⁻¹). Chondrite-normalized REE patterns show pronounced but variable LREE enrichment ((La/Yb)_n ≤ 45.3; ΣLREE/ΣHREE up to 10.8) and strongly positive Eu anomalies (δEu ≤ 9.3) with slightly negative Ce anomalies (δCe ≈ 0.29); negligible Ce–Eu covariance (r² ≈ 0.05) indicates discrete redox pulses. These signatures indicate chemically evolved, reducing fluids conducive to Au–Ag deposition. By contrast, barren quartz is characterized by lower pathfinder-element contents, less fractionated REE profiles, higher Ti/Al, and weaker Eu anomalies. A composite exploration toolkit emerges: As > 700 ppm, As/Sb > 25, Ti/Al < 0.005, Ge/Si > 0.15 µmol mol⁻¹, and δEu ≫ 1 reliably identify ore-bearing zones when integrated with δ¹⁸O data and fluid-inclusion microthermometry from earlier studies on the same vein system. This study provides one of the first systematic applications of integrated trace-element and REE analysis of quartz to a Turkish low-sulfidation epithermal system, offering an applicable model for vectoring mineralization in analogous settings worldwide. Full article

Alkaline carbonatite complexes are formed by magmatic, hydrothermal, and weathering geological events, which modify the minerals present in the rocks, resulting in ores with varied metallurgical behavior. To better spatially distinguish ores with distinct plant responses, creating a 3D geometallurgical block model was necessary. To establish the clusters, four different algorithms were tested: K-Means, Hierarchical Agglomerative Clustering, dual-space clustering (DSC), and clustering by autocorrelation statistics. The chosen method was DSC, which can consider the multivariate and spatial aspects of data simultaneously. To better understand each cluster’s mineralogy, an XRD analysis was conducted, shedding light on why each cluster performs differently in the plant: cluster 0 contains high magnetite content, explaining its strong magnetic yield; cluster 3 has low pyrochlore, resulting in reduced flotation yield; cluster 2 shows high pyrochlore and low gangue minerals, leading to the best overall performance; cluster 1 contains significant quartz and monazite, indicating relevance for rare earth elements. A hierarchical indicator kriging workflow incorporating a stochastic partial differential equation (SPDE) trend model was applied to spatially map these domains. This improved the deposit’s circular geometry reproduction and better represented the lithological distribution. The elaborated model allowed the identification of four geometallurgical zones with distinct mineralogical profiles and processing behaviors, leading to a more robust model for operational decision-making. Full article

Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Bupleurum in the Apiaceae family. Also known as red Bupleurum, it is mainly distributed in Northeast China, North China and other regions and is a commonly used medicinal plant. It is difficult for the wild plant resources of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. to meet the market demand. In artificial cultivation, there are problems such as a low yield per plant, low quality, weakened stress resistance and variety degradation. The contents of bioactive components and metabolites in traditional Chinese medicinal materials vary significantly across different growth years. The growth duration directly impacts their quality and clinical efficacy. Therefore, determining the optimal growth period is one of the crucial factors in ensuring the quality of traditional Chinese medicinal materials. In this study, Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were comprehensively applied to analyze the metabolically differential substances in different parts of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. By comparing the compositions and content differences of chemical components in different growth years and different parts, the chemical components with significant differences were accurately screened out. In order to further explore the dynamic change characteristics and internal laws of metabolites, a metabolic network was constructed for a visual analysis and, finally, to see the optimal growth years of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. This result showed that with the accumulation of the growth cycle, the height, root width, fresh mass and saikosaponins content of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. increased year by year. Except for sodium and calcium elements in the main shoot, the other elements were significantly reduced. In addition, 59 primary metabolites were identified by GC-MS, with the accumulation of the growth cycle, the contents of organic acids, sugars, alcohols and amino acids gradually decreased, while the contents of alkyl, glycosides and other substances gradually increased. There were 53 positive correlations and 18 negative correlations in the triennial Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. grid, all of which were positively correlated with saikosaponins. Therefore, the triennial Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. was considered to be the suitable growth year. It not only provided a new idea and method for the quality evaluation of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd., but also provided a scientific basis for the quality control of Chinese herbs. Full article

Increased market demand for plant herbs has prompted growers to ensure a continuous and assured supply of superior nutritional quality over the years. Apart from the nutritional value, culinary herbs contain phytochemical benefits that can improve human health. However, a significant amount of research has focused on enhancing yield, frequently overlooking the impact of production practices on the antioxidant and phytonutritional content of the produce. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the yield, phytonutrients, and essential mineral profiling in selected aromatic herbs and their intricate role in nutritional quality when grown under different production systems. Five selected aromatic herbs (coriander, rocket, fennel, basil, and moss-curled parsley) were evaluated at harvest when grown under three production systems: in a gravel-film technique (GFT) hydroponic system and in soil, both under the 40% white shade-net structure, as well as in a soilless medium using sawdust under a non-temperature-controlled plastic tunnel (NTC). The phytonutritional quality properties (total phenolic, flavonoids, β-carotene-linoleic acid, and condensed tannins contents) as well as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were assessed using spectrophotometry, while vitamin C and β-carotene were analyzed using HPLC-PDA, and leaf mineral content was evaluated using ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry). The results show that the health benefits vary greatly owing to the particular culinary herb. The fresh leaf mass (yield) of coriander, parsley, and rocket was not significantly affected by the production system, whereas basil was high in soil cultivation, followed by GFT. Fennel had a high yield in the GFT system compared to in-soil and in-soilless cultivation. The highest levels of vitamin C were found in basil leaves grown in GFT and in soil compared to the soilless medium. The amount of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds, β-carotene, β-carotene-linoleic acid, and DPPH, were considerably high in soil cultivation, except on condensed tannins compared to the GFT and soilless medium, which could be a result of Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) values (683 μmol/m²/s) and not favoring the accumulation of tannins. Overall, the mineral content was greatly influenced by the production system. Leaf calcium and magnesium contents were highly accumulated in rockets grown in the soilless medium and the GFT hydroponic system. The results have highlighted that growing environmental conditions significantly impact the accumulation of health-promoting phytonutrients in aromatic herbs. Some have positive ramifications, while others have negative ramifications. As a result, growers should prioritize in-soil production systems over GFT (under the shade-net) and soilless cultivation (under NTC) to produce aromatic herbs to improve the functional benefits and customer health. Full article

Background/Objectives: Degenerative joint diseases (DJDs) involve intricate molecular disruptions within bone, cartilage, and synovial tissues, often preceding overt radiographic changes. These tissues exhibit complex biomolecular architectures and their degeneration leads to microstructural disorganization and inflammation that are challenging to detect with conventional imaging techniques. This review aims to synthesize recent advances in imaging, computational modeling, and sequencing technologies that enable high-resolution, non-invasive characterization of joint tissue health. Methods: We examined advanced modalities including high-resolution MRI (e.g., T1ρ, sodium MRI), quantitative and dual-energy CT (qCT, DECT), and ultrasound elastography, integrating them with radiomics, deep learning, and multi-scale modeling approaches. We also evaluated RNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, and mass spectrometry-based proteomics for omics-guided imaging biomarker discovery. Results: Emerging technologies now permit detailed visualization of proteoglycan content, collagen integrity, mineralization patterns, and inflammatory microenvironments. Computational frameworks ranging from convolutional neural networks to finite element and agent-based models enhance diagnostic granularity. Multi-omics integration links imaging phenotypes to gene and protein expression, enabling predictive modeling of tissue remodeling, risk stratification, and personalized therapy planning. Conclusions: The convergence of imaging, AI, and molecular profiling is transforming musculoskeletal diagnostics. These synergistic platforms enable early detection, multi-parametric tissue assessment, and targeted intervention. Widespread clinical integration requires robust data infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and physician education, but offers a pathway toward precision musculoskeletal care. Full article

This study investigates the weathering crust composite of serpentine, pyroxenite and granite in the Niangniangmiao area, the weathering crusts inside and outside the mining area were compared respectively, systematically revealing the distribution patterns, migration pathways, and ecological element activity characteristics of high-background elements (e.g., chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni)) through precise sampling, the Tessier five-step sequential extraction method, and a migration coefficient model. Key findings include: (1) Element distribution and controlling mechanisms: The average Cr and Ni contents in the serpentinite profile are significantly higher than those in pyroxenite. However, the semi-weathered pyroxenite layer exhibits an inverted Cr enrichment ratio in relation to serpentinite, 1.8× and 1.2×, respectively, indicating that mineral metasomatic sequences driven by hydrothermal alteration dominate element differentiation; the phenomenon of inverted enrichment of high-background elements occurs in the weathering crust profiles of the two basic rocks. (2) Dual impacts of mining activities on heavy metal enrichment: Direct mining increases topsoil Cr content in serpentinite by 40% by disrupting parent material homology, while indirect activities introduce exogenous Zn and Cd (Spearman correlation coefficients with Cr/Ni are from ρ = 0.58 to ρ = 0.72). Consequently, the bioavailable fraction ratio value of Ni outside the mining area (21.14%) is significantly higher than that within the area (14.30%). (3) Element speciation and ecological element activity: Over 98% of Cr in serpentine exists in residual fractions, whereas the Fe-Mn oxide-bound fraction (F3) of Cr in extra-mining pyroxenite increases to 5.15%. The element activity in ecological systems ranking of Ni in soil active fractions (F1 + F2 = 15%) follows the order: granite > pyroxenite > serpentine. Based on these insights, a scientific foundation for targeted remediation in high-background areas (e.g., prioritizing the treatment of semi-weathered pyroxenite layers) can be provided. Full article

Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) foliar application offers a promising strategy for enhancing lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) resilience under temperature extremes, salinity, and drought stress. This study investigated the effects of SiO₂ treatment on three lettuce cultivars exposed to varying temperature, salinity, and drought conditions in a controlled growth chamber environment. Silicon treatment (3.66 mM) significantly enhanced plant biomass under suboptimal (15 °C), optimal (20 °C), and salinity stress conditions. Notably, the SiO₂ effect was most positive under severe salinity stress (100 mM NaCl), where its application increased plant weight together with chlorophyll and anthocyanin content. When increasing SiO₂ concentrations from 0 to 29.30 mM were tested, optimal results to alleviate severe salinity stress were consistently observed at 3.66 mM, with peak performance in fresh weight, plant diameter, chlorophyll, and anthocyanin content. Higher SiO₂ concentrations progressively diminished these beneficial effects, with 29.30 mM treatment leading to reduced growth and increased leaf chlorosis. Comprehensive mineral composition analysis revealed complex interactions between silicon treatment and elemental profiles at 100 mM salinity stress. At 3.66 mM SiO₂, plants accumulated the highest levels of both K (20,406 mg/kg dry weight, DW) and Na (16,185 mg/kg DW) while maintaining the highest K/Na ratio (1.26). This suggests that Si enhances cellular ion compartmentalization rather than exclusion mechanisms, allowing plants to manage higher total ion content better while minimizing cytoplasmic damage. Drought stress conditions unexpectedly revealed negative impacts from 3.66 mM SiO₂ application, with decreased plant fresh weight at moderate (50% soil water content, SWC) and severe (30% SWC) water limitations, though results were statistically significant only under severe drought stress. The study highlights silicon’s potential as a stress mitigation agent, particularly under salinity stress, while emphasizing the need for concentration-specific and stress-specific approaches. These findings suggest that foliar SiO₂ application could be a valuable tool for enhancing lettuce crop productivity under both optimal and challenging environmental conditions, with future research warranting field validation and full market maturity assessments. Full article

Donkey milk is well known for its beneficial properties for human health, making it a valuable ingredient in the production of value-added cheese. Rolled cheese, a type of pasta filata cheese, is traditionally produced in the northern part of Serbia. In this study, we produced rolled cheese by adding a certain amount of donkey’s milk from the Balkan and Banat breeds to cow’s milk. The rolled cheese samples were analyzed for their microbiological quality, chemical composition, content of essential and trace elements, as well as sensory characteristics. Adding 10% and 20% donkey’s milk had no effect on the microbiological quality or hedonic scale of rolled cheeses compared with rolled cheese made from raw cow’s milk. However, the addition of donkey’s milk partially affected the chemical composition and mineral profile of the cheeses. The fat, fat in dry matter, calcium contents, and the ratio of calcium and phosphorus significantly (p < 0.05) decreased with the addition of donkey’s milk, while the ash, salt, sodium, and potassium contents significantly (p < 0.05) increased. The assessors successfully distinguished the rolled cheeses containing donkey’s milk from those made with cow’s milk, encouraging the future production of value-added cheese. Full article

This study presents an innovative approach to differentiate Southern Greek yellow prickly pear samples according to geographical origin based on physicochemical parameters, mineral composition, and bioactive compounds using advanced chemometrics. A total of 56 yellow prickly pear samples were collected from four distinct Greek regions (Crete, Paros, Symi, Peloponnese) during the 2019 and 2020 harvest seasons. A multi-platform analytical strategy was employed, combining classical physicochemical analyses and UV spectrophotometry for total antioxidant activity with cutting-edge techniques such as UPLC-MS/MS for precise quantification of vitamins and antioxidants, and ICP-MS for mineral profiling. In total, thirteen physicochemical parameters, nineteen macro-, micro-, and trace elements, nine vitamins, and seven antioxidants were identified and quantified. Application of MANOVA and Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) revealed that eight physicochemical parameters, ten mineral elements, and sixteen bioactive compounds played a crucial role in sample geographical differentiation. The classification success rates using the cross-validation method were 82.1% for physicochemical parameters, 75.0% for minerals, and an impressive 96.4% for vitamins and antioxidants highlighting the robust tool for the geographical differentiation of Southern Greek yellow prickly pears. Full article

The loengo (Anisophyllea boehmii Engl.) is a wild fruit originating from the Miombo forest. It is very popular in Angola and has great potential for local development. However, as it has received little attention from researchers, its composition is not well known. Against this backdrop, the proposed study aimed to characterize different samples of the fruit in order to better assess its nutritional and organoleptic value. First, a field survey was conducted to gather information on the harvesting period, prices, and consumption patterns. Then, four samples of several kilograms of fruit each were collected from three different areas in 2 consecutive years. The proximate composition and the polyphenolic, carotenoid, and aroma compound profiles of their pulp were compared. The study showed that the fruit is widely consumed for 8 months of the year. It is difficult to keep fresh and is often processed into drinks. The pulp was found to be rich in sugars, with a pH of around 3.2. Loengo is a good source of fiber, minerals, polyphenols (such as cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and flavonol glycosides), and carotenoids (such as β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene). Its aroma is associated with around 50 aroma compounds, primarily esters. This fruit therefore has interesting nutritional quality and technological potential. Certain compositional elements correlated with the area and the year of harvest. Further study of the processing of the fruit into pasteurized beverages is warranted for local added value. Full article

Mineral elements are essential for human health. Our previous study identified distinct clusters of health-related mineral elements in surface soil among different regions and demonstrated an association between these clusters and health profiles in the USA. The present study further explores the relationship between these mineral clusters and mortality from detailed specific types of cancers and cardiovascular diseases by using county-level data from 3080 counties across the USA. Utilizing multivariate regression models with adjustment for socio-demographic and geographical factors, our analysis of county-level data revealed that residents in the regions of ‘infertile’ cluster have higher mortality rates for most types of cancers (18/29) and cardiovascular conditions (4/10) compared with people who live elsewhere. Notably, this relationship is pronounced for several specific leading causes of death such as tracheal, bronchus, lung cancer (regression coefficient (99.5% CIs), 6.29 (4.46, 8.13)), prostate cancer (1.06 (0.53, 1.6)), cerebrovascular disease (3.15 (1.74, 4.55)), and hypertensive heart disease (1.23 (0.23, 2.23)). Our findings highlight the critical role of soil minerals in human health and underscore the need for integrating geochemical data in public health strategies and environmental management policies. Full article

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), a globally consumed, nutrient-dense vegetable, contains diverse vitamins and minerals. However, elevated temperatures can constrain yield by interrupting leaf development and photosynthetic efficiency. The mitochondrial transcription termination factor (mTERF) family, which regulates organellar gene expression, plays crucial roles in plant growth and photosynthetic regulation. Thus, characterization of the spinach mTERF (SomTERF) family is critical for elucidating thermotolerance mechanisms in this crop. In this study, we systematically identified 31 SomTERF genes from the spinach genome, which are distributed across five chromosomes and nine unassembled genomic scaffolds. Subcellular localization predictions indicated that these proteins predominantly target chloroplasts and mitochondria. Conserved domain analyses confirmed that all SomTERF proteins possess canonical mTERF domains and ten conserved motifs. Phylogenetic clustering segregated these proteins into nine distinct subgroups (I–IX), with significant divergence observed in gene copy numbers among subgroups. Cis-element screening identified an abundance of heat-, cold-, and hormone-responsive motifs within SomTERF promoter regions. Notably, seven members (including SomTERF5) exhibited pronounced enrichment of heat shock elements (HSEs). Organ-specific expression profiling revealed preferential leaf expression of these seven genes. Comparative RT-qPCR in heat-sensitive (Sp73) and heat-tolerant (Sp75) cultivars under thermal stress demonstrated genotype-dependent expression dynamics. Functional validation of SomTERF5 was achieved through cloning, and transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing SomTERF5 showed significantly enhanced thermotolerance, as evidenced by improved survival rates following heat treatment. Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assays further revealed physical interaction between SomTERF5 and SopTAC2. This study provides a comprehensive foundation for understanding mTERF-mediated developmental regulation and advanced molecular breeding strategies for developing heat-resilient spinach varieties. Full article

The Mamuju region in West Sulawesi, Indonesia, is a High Background Natural Radiation Area (HBNRA) characterized by a significant enrichment of high field strength elements (HFSEs) and rare earth elements (REEs) within its lateritic deposits. This study investigates the geochemical behavior, mineralogical distribution, and enrichment processes of HFSEs and REEs in lateritic profiles of drill cores and surface samples derived from alkaline volcanic rocks. The mineralogy and geochemical content of HFSEs and REEs in the alkaline bedrocks indicate its potential to become a source of lateritic enrichment. An intense lateritic weathering process leads to the residual accumulation of HFSEs and REEs, particularly in B-horizon soils, where clay minerals and Fe–Al oxides are crucial in element precipitation. Moreover, groundwater redox conditions are a key factor for uranium precipitation in the lateritic profile. The findings provide insight into the potential of lateritic weathering as a natural mechanism for HFSE and REE concentration, contributing to the broader understanding of critical metal resources in Indonesia. These insights have implications for sustainable resource exploration and environmental management in areas with high natural radiation exposure. Full article

Red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is a nutritionally rich root vegetable. It is a potential alternative raw material for pestil, a traditional fruit-based snack. This study aimed to develop a healthy beetroot-based pestil using traditional boiling (95 °C) and novel pretreatment methods, including thermosonication and microwave processing, with and without additional concentration steps. The effects of these methods on heat treatment period, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) formation, and the physicochemical, sensorial, nutritional, and chemometric profiles of pestils were evaluated. The beetroot-based snack formulated in this study was hedonically acceptable (≥5/9) and rich in essential minerals (Ca, K, Na, P, Mg) and trace elements (Zn, Fe, Mn), as determined by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Total antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) ranged from 113.11 to 870.78 mg Trolox^® equivalent/100 g dry matter (DM). Total phenolic, flavonoid, and betalain contents varied between 220.6–313.8 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g DM, 365.08–517.46 mg rutin equivalent/100 g DM, and 314.40–488.66 mg/kg, respectively. Major flavonoids identified and quantified included epicatechin, rutin, isoquercitrin, taxifolin, and quercetin, while major phenolic acids identified were chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, o-salicylic acid, p-coumaric acid, and vanillin, using liquid chromatography–electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Reducing the soluble solids content of the pestil pulp from 40 to 20 Brix degrees, in combination with thermosonication and microwave treatments, significantly shortened the processing time by 10–67%. This approach also reduced the HMF content to the limit of quantification (LOQ). Pretreatment methods significantly (p < 0.05) affected the levels of minerals and bioactive compounds in the pestils. These findings highlight the importance of process optimization to improve overall safety and the nutritional quality of the pestil. Full article