Search Results (701)

Platycladus orientalis exhibits significant potential as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hair growth-promoting ingredient, while the low bioavailability of raw Platycladus orientalis leaves extracts limits their further application. In this study, yeast fermentation was employed to prepare Platycladus orientalis Leaves Yeast Fermented Solution (PYFS). Its performance on human dermal papilla cells (HDPCs) was systematically investigated. The optimal fermentation strain was screened using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, and Saccharomycopsis fibuligera RTNY119002 (SF) was identified as the most suitable strain for fermentation. The effects of PYFS on the cell cycle distribution, growth factors, inflammatory factors of HDPCs, as well as its hair growth-promoting mechanism, were investigated. Experiments revealed that after fermentation, the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase decreased by 11.09%, while the proportion of cells in the S phase increased by 35.44%. Additionally, the level of the growth factor VEGF increased by 42.34%, while the level of the inflammatory factor TGF-β1 decreased by 23.81%. Moreover, the fermentation process correlates with altered mRNA expression of Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related genes by upregulating the mRNA expression levels of β-catenin, DVL1, and LEF1, and downregulating the mRNA expression level of DKK-1. Finally, non-targeted metabolomics technology was used to analyze the metabolite changes after fermentation. The most significant differential metabolites mainly include flavonoids, amino acids and their derivatives, and organic acids and their derivatives. This study utilized microbial fermentation technology to prepare the yeast fermentation solution, selected the optimal fermentation strain, and demonstrated that its fermentation product significantly promotes HDPC metabolic activity, supports hair follicle health by regulating the balance of growth factors, alters expression patterns of Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related genes, and substantially alters the metabolite composition of Platycladus orientalis leaves extract through fermentation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emerging as non-invasive biomarkers of metabolic and disease-related processes, yet their reliable detection from complex biological matrices such as urine remains analytically challenging. This study aimed to establish a robust, non-targeted headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS–SPME GC–MS) workflow optimized for very small-volume urinary samples. Methods: We systematically evaluated the effects of pH adjustment and NaCl addition on VOC extraction efficiency using a 75 µm CAR/PDMS fiber and a sample volume of only 0.75 mL. Method performance was further assessed using concentration-dependent experiments with representative VOC standards and by application to real human urine samples analyzed in technical triplicates. Results: Acidification to pH 3 markedly improved extraction performance, increasing both total signal intensity and the number of detectable VOCs, whereas alkaline conditions and additional NaCl produced only minor effects. Representative VOC standards showed compound-specific linear dynamic ranges with minimal carry-over within the relevant analytical range. Application to real urine samples confirmed high analytical reproducibility, with triplicates clustering tightly in principal component analysis and most metabolites exhibiting relative standard deviations below 25%. Conclusions: The optimized HS–SPME GC–MS method enables comprehensive, non-targeted urinary VOC profiling from limited sample volumes. This workflow provides a robust analytical foundation for exploratory volatilomics studies under sample-limited conditions and supports subsequent targeted method refinement once specific compounds or chemical classes have been prioritized. Full article

The worldwide population is anticipated to reach 10.12 billion by the year 2100, thereby amplifying the necessity for sustainable agricultural methodologies to secure food availability while reducing ecological consequences. Conventional synthetic pesticides, while capable of increasing crop yields by as much as 50%, present considerable hazards such as toxicity, the emergence of resistance, and environmental pollution. This review examines biopesticides, originating from microbial (e.g., Bacillus thuringiensis, Trichoderma spp.), plant, or animal sources, as environmentally sustainable alternatives which address pest control through mechanisms including antibiosis, hyperparasitism, and competition. Biopesticides provide advantages such as biodegradability, minimal toxicity to non-target organisms, and a lower likelihood of resistance development. The global market for biopesticides is projected to be valued between USD 8 and 10 billion by 2025, accounting for 3–4% of the overall pesticide sector, and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12–16%. To mitigate production costs, agro-industrial byproducts such as rice husk and starch wastewater can be utilized as economical substrates in both solid-state and submerged fermentation processes, which may lead to a reduction in expenses ranging from 35% to 59%. Strategies for process intensification, such as the implementation of intensified bioreactors, continuous cultivation methods, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven monitoring systems, significantly improve the upstream stages (including strain development and fermentation), downstream processes (such as purification and drying), and formulation phases. These advancements result in enhanced productivity, reduced energy consumption, and greater product stability. Patent activity, exemplified by 2371 documents from 1982 to 2021, highlights advancements in formulations and microbial strains. The integration of circular economy principles in biopesticide production through process intensification enhances the safety, quality, and sustainability of food systems. Projections suggest that by the 2040s to 2050s, biopesticides may achieve market parity with synthetic alternatives. Obstacles encompass the alignment of regulations and the ability to scale in order to completely achieve these benefits. Full article

The repellent activities (Periplaneta americana) of lone and binary mixtures of terpenoids—geranial, trans-anethole, and trans-cinnamaldehyde—against adult American cockroaches were evaluated in this study. The respective efficacies of these mixtures were compared with that of 12% (w/w) DEET. Safety bioassays for all formulations on non-target species, namely, earthworms (Eudrilus eugeniae) and guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata), were conducted to identify natural compounds with repellent efficacy equal to or surpassing that of DEET while ensuring ecological safety for non-target organisms such as fish and earthworms. All mixtures (RC₅₀ of 0.3 to 1.6 µL/cm³) were more effective than all lone terpenoids (RC₅₀ of 6.2 to 9.1 µL/cm³) and DEET (RC₅₀ of 3.0 µL/cm³), demonstrating strong synergy, with an increased repellent value (IV) of 79 to 96%. The strongest repellency, 98.0% at 72 h and an RC₅₀ of 0.3 µL/cm³, was achieved using geranial + trans-cinnamaldehyde (1:1). This mixture was 5.9 to 10 times more effective as a repellent than DEET. The toxicity of every lone terpenoid and terpenoid mixture to non-target species was low; hence, these mixtures can be considered safe, whereas DEET was highly toxic to non-target species (100% mortality). The terpenoid mixture geranial + trans-cinnamaldehyde showed strong repellency against P. americana. Full article

Niclosamide has been the primary molluscicide for schistosomiasis control for over 50 years, but its chronic effects on inter-organ interactions in non-target mollusks remain poorly understood. Cipangopaludina cathayensis, a dominant species in East Asian schistosomiasis-endemic regions, was chronically exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of niclosamide to assess its toxic effects. Digestive glands accumulated more niclosamide than the foot tissues. Prolonged exposure was associated with metabolic impairment of the digestive glands, characterized by tubular atrophy, inflammatory reactions, and depletion of nutrient components. Foot tissues exhibited epithelial lesions and muscle fiber atrophy. Alterations in foot structure were associated with changes in digestive gland nutrient status. Niclosamide exposure may weaken the metabolic coupling between these organs, thereby impairing locomotor function. At the population level, persistent niclosamide exposure may destabilize mollusk trophic-level populations, ultimately leading to ecological consequences. Our findings demonstrate the toxicological risks of niclosamide to freshwater mollusks. Full article

Berry crops such as strawberry Fragaria × ananassa (Weston), raspberry Rubus idaeus L., blackberry Rubus ulmifolius Schott, 1818, and blueberry Vaccinium myrtillus L. are economically and nutritionally valuable worldwide. However, the intensive use of synthetic pesticides for pest management in these crops has led to ecological imbalance, pest resistance, and negative effects on non-target organisms and human health. The integration of biological control agents into sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) systems represents an alternative. This review compiles and evaluates current advances in the application of baculoviruses (BVs), entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs), nematodes (EPNs), predatory mites (PMs), and parasitoid wasps (PWs) for pest suppression in berry crops. Emphasis was placed on their ecological interactions, host specificity, and compatibility within IPM frameworks. The combined use of micro- and macrobiological control agents effectively reduces key pest populations. However, field efficacy remains influenced by abiotic stressors such as UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, and chemical incompatibility. The integration of native micro- and macrobiological control agents of through conservation biological control (CBC) strategies can enhance sustainability in berry production systems. Future efforts should focus on formulation improvements, adaptive management under field conditions, and synergistic interactions among microbial and arthropod natural enemies. Full article

Essential oils (EOs) have been extensively studied as potential alternatives for insect pest management. In recent years, research on these natural compounds has increased substantially. However, despite numerous studies demonstrating the insecticidal properties of EOs under laboratory conditions, their practical application remains limited. This discrepancy highlights a significant gap between experimental findings and the development of commercially viable products. Several factors have been proposed as the basis for this gap, including the absence of positive controls to compare their effectiveness (i), the imperative need to develop new formulations (ii), and the potential toxicity of many to non-target organisms (iii). This work focuses on why the information obtained in the laboratory has not translated into the biopesticide market. A key issue is the difficulty of applying laboratory knowledge in adapting to field-like scenarios, such as spray quality (droplet size and volume), the nature of the application solvent used in the sprayer tank, and the way the insect is exposed to the insecticide (i.e., the type of laboratory bioassay selected). This challenge is primarily due to researchers’ limited understanding of the application techniques used in field settings to manage specific insect pests. Many laboratory bioassays designed to measure effectiveness do not accurately reflect field conditions; instead, they often create scenarios that artificially enhance effectiveness. This results in an unrealistically high effectiveness estimate of the true potential of EOs in controlling the targeted insects. Full article

Organic micropollutants in agricultural soils pose significant ecological and health risks. This study conducted the first large-scale, integrated non-targeted screening and targeted analysis across China’s major food-producing regions. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, 498 micropollutants were identified, including pesticides, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, food additives, natural products, and emerging contaminants. Spatial analysis revealed strong correlations in pesticide detections between Henan and Hebei, as well as between Hebei and Shandong, indicating pronounced regional similarities in pesticide occurrence patterns. Concentrations of 50 quantified micropollutants showed clear spatial variability, which was associated with precipitation, water use, and agricultural output, reflecting climate–agriculture–socioeconomic synergies. Greenhouse soils accumulated higher micropollutant levels than open fields, driven by intensive agrochemical inputs, plastic-film confinement, and reduced phototransformation. Co-occurrence patterns indicated similar pathways for personal care products, industrial chemicals, and pesticides, whereas natural products and pharmaceuticals showed lower levels of co-occurrence due to crop-specific exudates, fertilization, and rainfall-driven leaching. Among cropping systems, orchard soils had the highest micropollutant accumulation, followed by paddy and vegetable soils, consistent with frequent pesticide use and minimal tillage. Risk quotients indicated moderate-to-high ecological risks at over half of the sites. These results reveal complex soil pollution patterns and highlight the need for dynamic inventories and spatially differentiated, crop- and system-specific mitigation strategies. Full article

An essential first step to implement a control strategy against herbivorous insects is the monitoring of their populations. The efficacy of pheromone-based traps in capturing herbivorous insects can be enhanced by adding adjuvants and using slow-release dispensers to ensure long-lasting attractiveness. Here, we present datasets from a two-year field monitoring campaign of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), using clear sticky traps baited with its aggregation pheromone and a synergist, tested towards different dispensers and adjuvants. Bycatch data for native stink bugs (all Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and leaf-footed bugs (Hemiptera: Coreidae) are also presented. The R code provided was used to organize data and generate weekly captures or weekly density of both H. halys and non-target species. The information provided in this article may contribute to the optimization of pest control strategies in agriculture. Full article

Neonicotinoid insecticides were initially hailed as safer alternatives to organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides due to their perceived lower toxicity to non-target organisms. However, it has been recently discovered that sublethal exposure to neonicotinoids negatively affects beneficial arthropods that are essential for a functional ecosystem. These beneficial arthropods include pollinators, biological control agents, and decomposers. This review synthesizes current research on the physiological, behavioral, and reproductive consequences of neonicotinoids on non-target arthropods and their broader ecological impact. The chemical and physical properties of neonicotinoids raise concerns about long-term ecological consequences of neonicotinoid use because these chemicals are persistent in plants and soil, which contributes to prolonged exposure risks for organisms. Sublethal doses of neonicotinoids can disrupt the ecological services provided by these organisms by impairing essential biological processes including motor function, odor detection, development, and reproduction in insects, while also altering behavior such as foraging, mating, and nesting. Furthermore, neonicotinoid exposure can alter community structure, disrupting trophic interactions and food web stability. Recognizing the sublethal impacts of neonicotinoids is critical for the development of more sustainable pest management strategies. It is imperative that future research investigates the underlying mechanisms of sublethal toxicity and identifies safer, more effective approaches to neonicotinoid-based pest control to mitigate adverse ecological effects. Incorporating this knowledge into future environmental risk assessments will be essential for protecting biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem functionality. Full article

Rice production experiences significant losses due to fungal diseases, particularly rice sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Despite the intensive and continuous use of synthetic fungicides, diseases severity has not reduced and control has become increasingly challenging; therefore, the search for environmentally friendly and sustainable products has intensified. Here, we conducted a chemical characterization of Xylopia frutescens and using in silico analysis evaluated the interaction of their two major compounds with lectin protein site of R. solani. In vitro tests using increasing concentrations of essential oil against R. solani were performed. Subsequently, in four varieties of rice, five concentrations of X. frutescens essential oils were applied and evaluated the phytotoxicity effect as well the potential of Xylopia frutescens essential oil for controlling, both preventively and curatively, rice sheath blight. We further investigate the selectivity of this essential oil towards the non-target organism, Trichoderma asperellum. Our analysis revealed that trans-pinocarveol and myrtenal are the main compounds of X. frutescens essential oil and interact with the lectin of R. solani, supporting the antifungal properties of X. frutescens essential oil. In in vitro conditions, the highest tested concentrations of X. frutescens essential oil inhibited the pathogen’s sclerotia and mycelial growth. Under greenhouse conditions, the treatments caused low phytotoxicity and effectively reduced disease severity when applied, both preventively and curatively. Furthermore, the biocontrol agent T. asperellum exhibited tolerance to X. frutescens essential oil. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the potential of X. frutescens essential oil for the development of botanical fungicides capable of controlling R. solani without harming beneficial non-target organisms such as T. asperellum. Full article

Pesticides remain indispensable for modern agriculture, yet their persistence in soil poses serious ecological and human-health risks through bioaccumulation, groundwater contamination, and impacts on non-target organisms. Although extensive research exists on pesticide degradation, most reviews separate biochemical pathways, environmental controls, and applied bioremediation strategies, limiting the ability to predict real-world field performance. This review integrates mechanistic enzymology, soil ecological responses, quantitative degradation kinetics, and emerging synthetic biology innovations into one unified framework. Soil bacteria including Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Rhodococcus, and Arthrobacter degrade organophosphates, carbamates, triazines, neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, and organochlorines through hydrolysis, oxidation, nitroreduction, and ring-cleavage pathways, often supported by plasmid-encoded genes and horizontal gene transfer. Bioaugmented systems typically achieve 70 to 95 percent removal within 10 to 30 days, with highly efficient cases such as Pseudomonas putida KT2440 removing 96 percent chlorpyrifos in 5 days, Rhodococcus koreensis mineralizing 98 percent endosulfan in 7 days, and Arthrobacter sp. AD26 degrading 95 percent atrazine in 72 h. Field-scale Azotobacter–Pseudomonas consortia have reduced chlorpyrifos from 25 mg kg⁻¹ to less than 1 mg kg⁻¹ within 30 days. Environmental conditions strongly influence degradation efficiency. Acidic soils increase pyrethroid half-lives by two to three times, anaerobic conditions can extend pesticide persistence from months to years, and drought or low organic matter reduces microbial activity by 60 to 80 percent, increasing neonicotinoid DT₅₀ to more than 1000 days. Advances in omics, metagenomics, kinetic assays, and synthetic biology now enable engineered strains and synthetic consortia capable of more than 90 percent mineralization within 7 to 21 days. By linking molecular mechanisms, ecological constraints, quantitative outcomes, and emerging biotechnologies, this review provides a predictive roadmap for climate-resilient, scalable, and sustainable bioremediation strategies. Full article

The widespread use of anticancer drugs (ACDs) in human therapies determines the occurrence of these potent cytotoxic chemicals into aquatic ecosystems. Nowadays, ACDs are ubiquitous contaminants in wastewater effluents and freshwater compartments, raising urgent questions about their environmental impact. Designed to disrupt cellular proliferation, these compounds are inherently bioactive and can exert toxic effects on non-target organisms even at trace concentrations. Conventional fate and toxicity tests provide important initial data but are limited in ecological realism, often focusing on single-specie and single-endpoint under controlled conditions and overlooking complex interactions, trophic dynamics, and long-term chronic exposures. Knowledge of all these aspects is needed for proper monitoring, assessment, and regulation of ACDs. Simulated ecosystem experiments, such as mesocosms, provide intermediate-scale, semi-controlled platforms for investigating real-world exposure scenarios, assessing ACD fate, and identifying both direct and indirect ecological effects. They offer distinct advantages for evaluating the chronic toxicity of persistent pollutants by enabling realistic long-term contamination simulations and supporting the simultaneous collection of comprehensive hazard and exposure endpoints. This perspective underscores the growing concern surrounding the contamination of ACDs, examines the limitations of traditional assessment approaches, and advocates for mesocosm-based studies as a critical bridge between laboratory research and ecosystem-level understanding. By integrating mesocosm experiments into environmental fate and risk evaluation, we can better predict the behavior and ecological consequences of anticancer pharmaceuticals, guiding strategies to mitigate their impact on aquatic life. Full article

Pesticides have been extensively used in agriculture, forestry, and veterinary medicine under intensive production systems. Unfortunately, pesticide pollution resulted in a significant decline in non-target organisms, for instance, in detritivores such as necrophagous insects. Even formulations proposed as less harmful alternatives, such as neonicotinoids like imidacloprid (IMI), have been demonstrated to permeate the trophic chain and trigger severe consequences on non-target species. Here, the intra- and inter-generational effects of a sublethal dose of IMI were explored in the necrophagous greenbottle fly, Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). This is because it has been demonstrated that the carcasses of domestic and wild animals can be contaminated with levels of these neonicotinoids. Transgenerational effects, extending up to three generations after a focal application of the pesticide on laboratory-cultivated F₁ flies, were investigated in this study. Morphological, demographic, and phenological features were evaluated through various analyses, including general linear mixed models (GLMM) and Haldane units analyses. Although GLMM showed no significant differences between treatments for the multiple traits observed, a significant directional microevolutionary trend of increased average imago and pupal size was identified for the IMI treatment through Haldane unit analysis. This microevolutionary change falls within the threshold of transgenerational phenotypic plasticity, a crucial mechanism for adaptive responses to environmental stressors. Among the possible explanations for this pattern, it is proposed that this is a likely consequence of the triggering of an epigenetic hormetic transgenerational change. This may contribute to explaining the development of adaptation and resistance towards pesticide formulations in a few generations after focal exposure. In addition to this idea, other possible mechanisms and consequences that explain the observed pattern are discussed. Overall, this experiment highlights the concerns of pesticide spillover consequences, even from sublethal doses of these formulations. Full article

Azole compounds are extensively utilized in plant protection products for managing pests and diseases in both agriculture and horticulture. Moreover, azoles are the most extensively used class of fungicides worldwide. In addition to being effective against human pathogenic fungi, they are used in the food and agricultural industries to prevent and control fungal infections in crops. Unfortunately, the extensive use of azoles and subsequent overexposure have led to undesirable effects on ecosystems and non-target aquatic and terrestrial organisms. In the last decade alone, the European Union (EU) has prohibited numerous pesticides, many of which are based on azoles. Numerous azoles, especially triazoles, pyrazoles, imidazoles, and oxazoles, are still approved as active ingredients in plant protection products in the EU due to their excellent activity and minimal environmental and health impacts. However, for some, the expiry date is as close as March 2026. A computational approach for estimating their effectiveness against harmful and non-target organisms in soil, as well as detailed research into the molecular mechanism of action, is used for further evaluation of the compounds. This review provides an overview of azole pesticides and a summary of recent knowledge addressing their toxicity, future prospects, methods, and strategies to overcome their limitations. Full article