Search Results (2,505)

Natural enemies commonly probe larval bodies and frass with their antennae for prey hunting. However, the attractants to natural enemies emitted directly from hosts and host-associated tissues remained largely unknown. Here, we used two generalist noctuid species, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith), along with the larval endoparasitoid Microplitis mediator (Haliday) to address the question. Extracts of larval frass of both the noctuid species were strongly attractive to M. mediator females when hosts were fed either maize, cotton, soybean leaves, or an artificial diet without leaf tissues. By using a combination of electrophysiological measurements and behavioral tests, we found that the attractiveness of frass mainly relied on a volatile compound ethyl palmitate. The compound was likely to be a by-product of host digestion involving gut bacteria because an antibiotic supplement in diets reduced the production of the compound in frass and led to the decreased attractiveness of frass to the parasitoids. In contrast, extracts of the larval bodies of both the noctuid species appeared to be less attractive to the parasitoids than their respective fecal extracts, independently of types of food supplied to the larvae. Altogether, larval frass of the two noctuid species was likely to be more important than their bodies in attracting the endoparasitoid species, and the main attractant of frass was probably one of the common metabolites of digestion involving gut microbes, and its emission is likely to be independent of host plant species. Full article

The modern livestock industry incorporates widely used antibiotic growth promoters into animal feed at sub-therapeutic levels to enhance growth performance and feed efficiency. However, this practice contributes to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in livestock, which may be transmitted to humans through the food chain, thereby diminishing the efficacy of antibiotics in treating bacterial infections. Current research explores the potential of essential oils from derived medicinal plants as alternative phytobiotics. This review examines modern encapsulation strategies that incorporate essential oils into natural-origin matrices to improve their stability and control their release both in vitro and in vivo. We discuss a range of encapsulation approaches utilizing polysaccharides, gums, proteins, and lipid-based carriers. This review highlights the increasing demand for antibiotic alternatives in animal nutrition driven by regulatory restrictions, and the potential benefits of essential oils in enhancing feed palatability and stabilizing the intestinal microbiome in monogastric animals and ruminants. Additionally, we address the economic viability and encapsulation efficiency of different matrix formulations. Full article

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a crucial global food crop. The intensive crop farming, monoculture cultivation, and impact of climate change affect the susceptibility of wheat cultivars to biotic stresses, mainly caused by soil fungal pathogens, especially those belonging to the genus Fusarium. This situation threatens yield and grain quality through root and crown rot. While conventional chemical fungicides face resistance issues and environmental concerns, biological alternatives like seed priming with natural metabolites are gaining attention. Polyamines, including putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, are attractive priming agents influencing plant development and abiotic stress responses. Spermine in particular shows potential for in vitro antifungal activity against Fusarium. Optimising spermine concentration for seed priming is crucial to maximising protection against Fusarium infection while ensuring robust plant growth. In this research, we explored the potential of the polyamine spermine as a seed treatment to enhance wheat resilience, aiming to identify a sustainable alternative to synthetic fungicides. Our findings revealed that a six-hour seed soak in spermine solutions ranging from 0.5 to 5 mM did not delay germination or seedling growth. In fact, the 5 mM concentration significantly stimulated root weight and length. In complementary in vitro assays, we evaluated the antifungal activity of spermine (0.5–5 mM) against three Fusarium species. The results demonstrated complete inhibition of Fusarium culmorum growth at 5 mM spermine. A less significant effect on Fusarium graminearum and little to no impact on Fusarium oxysporum were found. The performed analysis revealed that the spermine had a fungistatic effect against the pathogen, retarding the mycelium growth of F. culmorum inoculated on the seed surface. A pot experiment with Bulgarian soft wheat cv. Sadovo-1 was carried out to estimate the effect of seed priming with spermine against infection with isolates of pathogenic fungus F. culmorum on plant growth and disease severity. Our results demonstrated that spermine resulted in a reduced distribution of F. culmorum and improved plant performance, as evidenced by the higher fresh weight and height of plants pre-treated with spermine. This research describes the efficacy of spermine seed priming as a novel strategy for managing Fusarium root and crown rot in wheat. Full article

The artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus) is an endemic perennial plant of the Mediterranean area commonly consumed as food. It is known since ancient times for its beneficial properties for human health, among which its antioxidant activity due to polyphenolics stands out. In the frame of our ongoing studies aiming to highlight the biodiversity and the chemodiversity of natural resources, we investigated the phenolic and saponin content of the cultivar “Carciofo di Procida” collected at Procida, an island of the Gulf of Naples (Italy). Along with the edible part of the immature flower, we included in our analyses the stem and the external bracts, generally discarded for food consuming or industrial preparations. The LCMS quali-quantitative profiling of polyphenols (including anthocyanins) and cynarasaponins of this cultivar is reported for the first time. In addition to antioxidant properties, we observed a significant cytotoxic activity due to extracts from external bracts against human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell lines with 43% of cell viability, after 24 h from the treatment (50 μg/mL), and less potent but appreciable effects also against human colorectal adenocarcinoma CaCo-2 cells. This suggests that the different metabolite composition may be responsible for the bioactivity of extracts obtained from specific parts of artichoke and foresees a possible exploitation of the discarded material as a source of beneficial compounds. Full article

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important food crops in the world, ranking fourth after rice, maize, and wheat. Potatoes are exposed to biotic and abiotic environmental factors, which lead to economic losses and increase the possibility of food security threats in many countries. Traditional potato breeding faces several challenges, primarily due to its genetic complexity and the time-consuming nature of the process. Therefore, gene editing—CRISPR-Cas technology—allows for more precise and rapid changes to the potato genome, which can speed up the breeding process and lead to more effective varieties. In this review, we consider CRISPR-Cas technology as a potential tool for plant breeding strategies to ensure global food security. This review summarizes in detail current and potential technological breakthroughs that open new opportunities for the use of CRISPR-Cas technology for potato breeding, as well as for increasing resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses, and improving potato tuber quality. In addition, the review discusses the challenges and future perspectives of the CRISPR-Cas system in the prospects of the development of potato production and the regulation of gene-edited crops in different countries around the world. Full article

Cultured meat is emerging as a sustainable alternative to conventional animal agriculture, with scaffolds playing a central role in supporting cellular attachment, growth, and tissue maturation. This review focuses on the development of gel-based hybrid biomaterials that meet the dual requirements of biocompatibility and food safety. We explore recent advances in the use of naturally derived gel-forming polymers such as gelatin, chitosan, cellulose, alginate, and plant-based proteins as the structural backbone for edible scaffolds. Particular attention is given to the integration of food-grade functional additives into hydrogel-based scaffolds. These include nanocellulose, dietary fibers, modified starches, polyphenols, and enzymatic crosslinkers such as transglutaminase, which enhance mechanical stability, rheological properties, and cell-guidance capabilities. Rather than focusing on fabrication methods or individual case studies, this review emphasizes the material-centric design strategies for building scalable, printable, and digestible gel scaffolds suitable for cultured meat production. By systemically evaluating the role of each component in structural reinforcement and biological interaction, this work provides a comprehensive frame work for designing next-generation edible scaffold systems. Nonetheless, the field continues to face challenges, including structural optimization, regulatory validation, and scale-up, which are critical for future implementation. Ultimately, hybrid gel-based scaffolds are positioned as a foundational technology for advancing the functionality, manufacturability, and consumer readiness of cultured meat products, distinguishing this work from previous reviews. Unlike previous reviews that have focused primarily on fabrication techniques or tissue engineering applications, this review provides a uniquely food-centric perspective by systematically evaluating the compositional design of hybrid hydrogel-based scaffolds with edibility, scalability, and consumer acceptance in mind. Through a comparative analysis of food-safe additives and naturally derived biopolymers, this review establishes a framework that bridges biomaterials science and food engineering to advance the practical realization of cultured meat products. Full article

The plant-based oil industry contributes significantly to food waste/by-products in the form of underutilized biomass, including oil pomace, cake/meal, seeds, peels, wastewater, etc. These waste/by-products contain a significant quantity of nutritious and bioactive compounds (phenolics, lignans, flavonoids, dietary fiber, proteins, and essential minerals) with proven health-promoting effects. The utilization of them as natural, cost-effective, and food-grade functional ingredients in novel food formulations holds considerable potential. This review highlights the potential of waste/by-products generated during plant-based oil processing as a promising source of bioactive compounds and covers systematic research, including recent studies focusing on innovative extraction and processing techniques. It also sheds light on their promising potential for valorization as food ingredients, with a focus on specific examples of food fortification. Furthermore, the potential for value creation in the food industry is emphasized, taking into account associated challenges and limitations, as well as future perspectives. Overall, the current information suggests that the valorization of plant-based oil industry waste and by-products for use in the food industry could substantially reduce malnutrition and poverty, generate favorable health outcomes, mitigate environmental concerns, and enhance economic profit in a sustainable way by developing health-promoting, environmentally sustainable food systems. Full article

Background: Developments in biology, genetics, soil science, plant breeding, engineering, and agricultural microbiology are driving advances in soil microbiology and microbial biotechnology. Material and methods: The literature for this review was collected by searching leading scientific databases such as Embase, Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Results: Recent advances in soil microbiology and biotechnology are discussed, emphasizing the role of microorganisms in sustainable agriculture. It has been shown that soil and plant microbiomes significantly contribute to improving soil fertility and plant and soil health. Microbes promote plant growth through various mechanisms, including potassium, phosphorus, and zinc solubilization, biological nitrogen fixation, production of ammonia, HCN, siderophores, and other secondary metabolites with antagonistic effects. The diversity of microbiomes related to crops, plant protection, and the environment is analyzed, as well as their role in improving food quality, especially under stress conditions. Particular attention was paid to the diversity of microbiomes and their mechanisms supporting plant growth and soil fertility. Conclusions: The key role of soil microorganisms in sustainable agriculture was highlighted. They can support the production of natural substances used as plant protection products, as well as biopesticides, bioregulators, or biofertilizers. Microbial biotechnology also offers potential in the production of sustainable chemicals, such as biofuels or biodegradable plastics (PHA) from plant sugars, and in the production of pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, hormones, or enzymes. Full article

The development of active food packaging has evolved rapidly in recent years, offering innovative solutions to enhance food preservation and safety while addressing sustainability challenges. This review compiles and analyzes recent advancements (2019–2024) in release-type active packaging, focusing on essential oils, natural extracts, and phenolic compounds as active agents. Primarily plant-derived, these compounds exhibit significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, extending shelf life and enhancing food quality. Technological strategies such as encapsulation and polymer blending have been increasingly adopted to overcome challenges related to volatility, solubility, and sensory impact. Integrating bio-based polymers, including chitosan, starch, and polylactic acid, further supports the development of environmentally friendly packaging systems. This review also highlights trends in compound-specific research, release mechanisms, and commercial applications, including a detailed analysis of patents and case studies across various food matrices. These developments have already been translated into practical applications, such as antimicrobial sachets for meat and essential oil-based pads for fresh produce. Moreover, by promoting the valorization of agro-industrial by-products and the use of biodegradable materials, emission-type active packaging contributes to the principles of the circular economy. This comprehensive overview underscores the potential of natural bioactive compounds in advancing sustainable and functional food packaging technologies. Full article

Functional foods like flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) are rich sources of specialized metabolites that contribute to their nutritional and health-promoting properties. Understanding the biosynthesis of these compounds is essential for improving their quality and potential applications. However, dissecting complex metabolic networks in plants remains challenging due to the dynamic nature and interconnectedness of biosynthetic pathways. In this study, we present a synergistic approach combining stable isotopic labeling (SIL), Candidate Substrate–Product Pair (CSPP) networks, and a time-course study with high temporal resolution to reveal the biosynthetic fluxes shaping phenylpropanoid metabolism in young flax seedlings. By feeding the seedlings with ¹³C₃-p-coumaric acid and isolating isotopically labeled metabolization products prior to the construction of CSPP networks, the biochemical validity of the connections in the network was supported by SIL, independent of spectral similarity or abundance correlation. This method, in combination with multistage mass spectrometry (MSⁿ), allowed confident structural proposals of lignans, neolignans, and hydroxycinnamic acid conjugates, including the presence of newly identified chicoric acid and related tartaric acid esters in flax. High-resolution time-course analyses revealed successive waves of metabolite formation, providing insights into distinct biosynthetic fluxes toward lignans and early lignification intermediates. No evidence was found here for the involvement of chlorogenic or caftaric acid intermediates in chicoric acid biosynthesis in flax, as has been described in other species. Instead, our findings suggest that in flax seedlings, chicoric acid is synthesized through successive hydroxylation steps of p-coumaroyl tartaric acid esters. This work demonstrates the power of combining SIL and CSPP strategies to uncover novel metabolic routes and highlights the nutritional potential of flax sprouts rich in chicoric acid. Full article

Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), the first isolated iminosugar, is a natural alkaloid acting as a potent inhibitor of α-glucosidase with high nutritional value. It naturally occurs in plants (especially Morus spp.), microbes, and insects or can be synthesized. Diverse biological activities, such as antihyperglycemic, lipid-lowering, antitumor, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory, have been recognized for this compound. However, DNJ has not been approved as a food supplement until now. Several studies, also in clinics, are carried out on Morus spp. containing DNJ. Among Morus spp., Morus alba L. (white mulberry), Morus nigra L. (black mulberry), and Morus rubra L. (red mulberry) are the three main species that grow all over the world. Some spurious studies have been conducted on Reducose^® and Glubloc™, two products that contain DNJ and Morus alba, respectively. However, mulberry allergy, including respiratory allergy, airborne contact urticaria, anaphylaxis, oral allergy syndrome, and food induced urticaria, may be observed. This review aims to explore a crucial and timely question: how DNJ exerts its biological effects and what role it may play in therapeutic applications. We provide a comprehensive summary of the current understanding of DNJ’s pharmacological potential and the methods used for its production. We also report recent developments in clinical studies on Morus alba, Reducose^® and Glubloc™. Full article

Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth. is a species of annual plant that has been gaining importance in recent years. Initially, it was treated as an ornamental plant and valuable only to bees. Over the years, this species has become more widely known, and many more of its advantages have been discovered. The aim of this study was to learn about the contemporary economic importance of Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth. The extraordinary, rapid increase in the plant’s biomass means that it is valued as a fodder plant and at the same time is included in the group of leaders among catch crops. It is characterized by low requirements for soil quality. The main advantage of this plant is its high resistance to drought and frost. A great advantage of this plant is its high drought resistance. It is recommended for sowing both in monoculture and in mixtures with other species. In the light of current standards and assumptions, it fits perfectly into the framework of sustainable development. It is a valuable link in the biodiversity chain, as well as support for a number of ecosystem services such as CO₂ sequestration, retention of nutrients in the soil or protection of its structure. Phacelia is seen as having great potential as a plant that provides food for a number of pollinators. The latest research also focuses on assessing the possibility of using it for energy purposes (biogas). Efforts are being made to introduce phacelia on a wider scale to eliminate crop monocultures and significantly strengthen biodiversity in a given area. Phacelia plays an important role in various agronomic systems and effectively supports the protection of the natural environment. The contribution of this species to the development of ecosystem services to date is undeniable. It should be assumed that this plant will continue to significantly support a number of activities for sustainable development. Full article

Climate change is jeopardizing global food security, with at least 713 million people facing hunger. To face this challenge, legumes as common beans could offer a nature-based solution, sourcing nutrients and dietary fiber, especially for rural communities in Latin America and Africa. However, since common beans are generally heat and drought susceptible, it is imperative to speed up their molecular introgressive adaptive breeding so that they can be cultivated in regions affected by extreme weather. Therefore, this study aimed to couple an advanced panel of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) × tolerant Tepary bean (P. acutifolius A. Gray) interspecific lines with Bayesian regression algorithms to forecast adaptation to the humid and dry sub-regions at the Caribbean coast of Colombia, where the common bean typically exhibits maladaptation to extreme heat waves. A total of 87 advanced lines with hybrid ancestries were successfully bred, surpassing the interspecific incompatibilities. This hybrid panel was genotyped by sequencing (GBS), leading to the discovery of 15,645 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Three yield components (yield per plant, and number of seeds and pods) and two biomass variables (vegetative and seed biomass) were recorded for each genotype and inputted in several Bayesian regression models to identify the top genotypes with the best genetic breeding values across three localities on the Colombian coast. We comparatively analyzed several regression approaches, and the model with the best performance for all traits and localities was BayesC. Also, we compared the utilization of all markers and only those determined as associated by a priori genome-wide association studies (GWAS) models. Better prediction ability with the complete SNP set was indicative of missing heritability as part of GWAS reconstructions. Furthermore, optimal SNP sets per trait and locality were determined as per the top 500 most explicative markers according to their β regression effects. These 500 SNPs, on average, overlapped in 5.24% across localities, which reinforced the locality-dependent nature of polygenic adaptation. Finally, we retrieved the genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) and selected the top 10 genotypes for each trait and locality as part of a recommendation scheme targeting narrow adaption in the Caribbean. After validation in field conditions and for screening stability, candidate genotypes and SNPs may be used in further introgressive breeding cycles for adaptation. Full article

The rubber industry is facing major socio-economic and environmental constraints. Rubber-based agroforestry systems represent a more sustainable solution through the diversification of income and the provision of greater ecosystem services than monoculture plantations. Participative approaches are known for their ability to co-construct solutions with stakeholders and to promote a positive impact on smallholders. This study therefore implemented a participatory research process with stakeholders in the natural rubber sector for the purpose of improving inclusion, relevance and impact. Facilitation training sessions were first organised with academic actors to prepare participatory workshops. A working group of stakeholder representatives was set up and participated in these workshops to share a common representation of the value chain and to identify problems and solutions for the sector in Indonesia. By fostering collective intelligence and systems thinking, the process is aimed at enabling the development of adaptive technical solutions and building capacity across the sector for future government replanting programmes. The resulting adaptive technical packages were then detailed and objectified by the academic consortium and are part of a participatory plant breeding approach adapted to the natural rubber industry. On-station and on-farm experimental plans have been set up to facilitate the drafting of projects for setting up field trials based on these outcomes. Research played a dual role as both knowledge provider and facilitator, guiding a co-learning process rooted in social inclusion, equity and ecological resilience. The initiative highlighted the potential of rubber cultivation to contribute to climate change mitigation and food sovereignty, provided that it can adapt through sustainable practices like agroforestry. Continued political and financial support is essential to sustain and scale these innovations. Full article

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a group of metabolic defects that include hypertension, insulin resistance, visceral obesity, fatty liver disease, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). The first step in controlling the progression of MetS is lifestyle changes, including dietary modification. Regular consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other plant foods negatively correlates with the risk of developing chronic diseases. Green leafy vegetables (GLVs) are a key element of healthy eating habits and an important source of vitamins C and E, carotenoids—mainly β-carotene and lutein—and minerals. This review discusses and summarizes the current knowledge on the health benefits of consuming GLVs in the prevention and treatment of MetS to provide a compendium for other researchers investigating new natural products. Full article