Search Results (1,505)

High temperature stress severely compromises plant growth and productivity by triggering chlorophyll loss. Plant protochlorophyllide-dependent translocon component of 52 kDa (PTC52) has been proven to be involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis, yet its functional role in plant high-temperature stress response remains uncharacterized. In our study, PlPTC52 was isolated and characterized from herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.), an economically important ornamental species susceptible to high temperature stress. The PlPTC52 gene comprised a 1647 bp coding sequence that translates into a 548-amino-acid protein. Subcellular localization confirmed its chloroplast localization, consistent with its putative role in chlorophyll biosynthesis. Functional analyses showed that silencing of PlPTC52 in P. lactiflora accelerated chlorophyll loss, increased reactive oxygen species accumulation, and impaired photosystem II efficiency and membrane integrity under high temperature stress. Conversely, overexpression of PlPTC52 in Nicotiana tabacum decelerated chlorophyll loss, decreased reactive oxygen species accumulation, and improved photosystem II efficiency and membrane integrity under high temperature stress. Collectively, this study provides the first functional evidence implicating PTC52 in plant responses to high temperature stress and identifies PlPTC52 as a potential genetic resource for enhancing thermotolerance in horticultural crops. Full article

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) is a protease that degrades incretin and inhibits the secretion of insulin. Consequently, DPP-4 inhibition promotes insulin secretion and prevents the onset of type 2 diabetes. Given the growing interest in food-derived DPP-4 inhibitory peptides as potential functional ingredients, buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) represents a promising source; however, few studies have investigated the bioactivity of peptides derived from buckwheat flour hydrolysates. In this study, two DPP-4 inhibitory peptides, Ile-Pro-Trp and Ile-Pro-Leu, were identified through purification of buckwheat flour hydrolysate and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis. In a rat oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), a fraction of buckwheat flour hydrolysate, crudely purified by reverse-phase column chromatography, showed a non-significant trend toward reducing increases in blood glucose. To our knowledge, this study is the first to show that Ile-Pro-Trp isolated from food protein hydrolysates exhibits considerable DPP-4 inhibitory activity. Moreover, this is the first study identifying Ile-Pro-Ile as a DPP-4 inhibitor from a plant source. Full article

Root rot disease severely threatens tropical fruit production, leading to plant mortality and reduced yields; however, the mechanisms of host defense responses and pathogen infection remain poorly understood. In this study, Fusarium acutatum was isolated from diseased Annona squamosa roots and identified through morphological features and ITS phylogeny (99.8% identity). Infection triggered a marked activation of antioxidant defenses, with elevated POD, SOD, PAL, PPO, and CAT activities. Transcriptomic and TMT-based quantitative proteomic analyses identified 23,791 and 74,403 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 367 and 609 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in root at 5 and 10 days post inoculation, respectively, relative to the control. These DEGs and DEPs were consistently enriched in pathways involving redox regulation, protein synthesis and processing, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, phenylpropanoid and flavonoid metabolism, cell wall remodeling, plant–pathogen interaction and MAPK signaling. Integrated transcriptomic–proteomic correlation analysis showed clear positive associations between key defense-related genes and proteins, suggesting that phenylpropanoid metabolism and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging play central roles in resistance. Key genes such as CHI2, CHS, and CYP were strongly induced and validated by qPCR, supporting coordinated activation of the defense systems. Furthermore, F. acutatum exhibited upregulation of 50 pathogenic-related proteins, including 4 cell wall-degrading enzymes (e.g., CBH1, pectate lyase), 5 metabolic regulation or signal transduction enzymes (e.g., gabD, TPI, and ENO) and 3 potential effectors, suggesting coordinated pathogen strategies for host colonization. Collectively, this study provides comprehensive multi-omics insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying A. squamosa defense against F. acutatum and offers candidate targets supported by omics evidence, serving as a theoretical reference for the management of root rot. Full article

Heavy metal contamination is a serious environmental problem worldwide, with substantial negative ecological and economic effects. Serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) is a key metabolic and photorespiratory enzyme in plant cells, and it is also involved in stress responses. In this study, LcSHMT4 was isolated from sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel) after transcriptome sequence analysis. The transcript levels of LcSHMT4 in sheepgrass seedlings increased under Cd and Mn stresses, and subcellular localization analysis in tobacco leaves revealed that its encoded protein localizes at the mitochondria. Transgenic yeast and rice lines overexpressing LcSHMT4 showed increased tolerance to Cd and Mn, compared with that of their controls. In addition, compared with the control, transgenic rice overexpressing LcSHMT4 accumulated more Cd and Mn in brown rice grains. The transcript levels of genes encoding Cd or Mn transporters were increased in the LcSHMT4-overexpressing transgenic rice lines. We speculate that LcSHMT4 may enhance Cd and Mn tolerance by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the glutathione content and increase heavy metal accumulation by inducing the expression of genes encoding transporters. These results highlight useful genetic resources and provide a theoretical basis for further research on heavy metal tolerance and the phytoremediation of heavy-metal-contaminated soil. Full article

The supplementary feeding of bee colonies under conditions of limited natural food sources is essential for maintaining their health and productivity. Pollen is a major source of protein for bees, collected during plant flowering. Its absence negatively affects the secretory activity of the hypopharyngeal glands (HPGs) in young nurse bees. This study aimed to assess the effect of different protein sources provided during the spring period on the development of HPGs in worker bees. An experiment was conducted with 28 bee colonies divided into seven groups of four colonies each—one control and six experimental. The colonies were fed soy isolate (Glycine max), brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), pea protein (Pisum sativum), and bee pollen (a mixture of pollens from various plant species). The results confirmed the critical role of pollen, as 40% of bees in the pollen-fed group exhibited HPGs at grade 4. The group supplemented with spirulina showed similar results (35.8%), indicating its potential as an alternative protein source. These findings highlight the importance of proper protein supplementation and suggest that spirulina could serve as a promising substitute for pollen in early spring feeding to support colony development. Full article

This study investigates the use of a homopolysaccharide (HoPS)-producing Latilactobacillus sakei strain for the production of protein-enriched plant-based yoghurt analogues based on coconut milk. Formulations varied in added sucrose (2.5% or 5.0% w/w), pea protein isolate (PPI; 0–5.0% w/w), and tapioca starch (0%, 1.5% w/w), and were fermented with either a HoPS-producing strain (L. sakei 1.411), or a non-exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing control strain (L. sakei 1.2037) with very similar acidification kinetics. Microbial growth and pH were monitored, HoPS content was determined via HPLC, and both firmness and syneresis were assessed during 5 days of storage at 4 °C. EPS yields were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in samples with 5.0% w/w added sucrose compared to those with 2.5% w/w. Fermentation with L. sakei 1.411 generally resulted in firmer gels (p < 0.05) and reduced syneresis (p < 0.05) compared to L. sakei 1.2307 and the enhanced viscosity (sample thickness) was also observed in a sensory analysis. Samples containing starch and 5.0% w/w PPI showed the highest firmness-related values. These findings demonstrate the potential of in situ HoPS production to improve the texture and stability of protein-enriched coconut-based yoghurt analogues. It highlights the importance of matrix formulation, strain selection and process control, which all contribute to the final product quality. Full article

Maize, as the global highest-yield grain crop, can impact social stability and security based on its annual yield. Given that maize viruses have caused up to 91% yield reductions, investigating maize virus diseases is of the utmost importance. In July 2020, a suspected maize yellow mosaic virus (MaYMV) was discovered in a maize field, and a MaYMV detection protocol was established. The MaYMV isolate MA70, discovered in a maize plant from Wuri District, Taiwan, in November 2022, was shown to infect both maize 42 days post-inoculation (dpi) and wheat (35 dpi), causing mosaic symptoms, through aphid transmission with corn leaf aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis). To determine the whole genome sequence of MA70, a 5642 bp sequence was obtained using RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing. Sequencing results indicated a 94.8–96.8% nucleotide sequence similarity with 54 MaYMV isolates from GenBank and with amino acid sequence identities exceeding 90% for all MaYMV proteins. Phylogenetic analysis showed the relationship of MA70 is closest to the Chinese isolate. The nucleotide sequence identity was lower among isolates of more distinct geographical clusters. Between October 2023 and January 2024, survey results indicated that MaYMV prevalence in corn fields across six areas in Taichung reached 17.5% (130/743 plants) and was present in all the sampled fields. MaYMV was present in all sampled fields affirming its ubiquitous presence. This study establishes the first documented case of MaYMV in Taiwan; however, survey findings hint at a potential pre-existing presence in Taiwanese maize fields. Therefore, this research also develops a practical diagnostic tool for field monitoring of MaYMV prevalence, which is crucial for informing future disease management strategies, including the critical need for cross-strait between Taiwan and China collaboration on viral disease surveillance. Full article

Peptides are short amino acid chains that can be released from proteins through hydrolysis or fermentation, exhibiting various biological activities, including antioxidant, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Generally, these compounds are extracted from food products. However, to maximize resource utilization under the premise of sustainability in favor of a circular economy, there is an interesting approach to obtaining peptides from sub-utilized parts and non-food products of food production and processing, based on the grade at which they can be valued. These by-products may contain large quantities of protein that can be utilized. Although some may have a low protein content, they stand out for the quality and proportion of their amino acids, which provide properties with functional applications. This revision approaches some of the most recent reports on isolated peptides from residues, by-products, or underutilized parts from plant, animal, or sea origin; the conventional methods and alternative technologies to isolate them from the origin matrixes; the methods to purify and identify them, the biological activities they perform, as well as a brief description of the application fields of these compounds and the challenges that their application faces in biomedicine and the food industry. Full article

This study focused on the preparation of microcapsules that simulate adipose tissue cells via complex coacervation, followed by the formation of block-like fat analogue products through gelation. The results indicated that microcapsules obtained by encapsulating coconut oil with soy protein isolate (SPI) and sodium alginate (SA) through a complex coacervation process could serve as effective fat substitutes in meat products. When the mass ratio of SPI to SA was 3:1, the core-to-wall mass ratio was 1:1, and the total wall material concentration was 3% (w/v), the oil loading rate of the microcapsules reached 39.17%. The particle size of the oil-loaded microcapsules was mainly distributed between 40–180 μm, which was comparable to the size of fat cells in animal adipose tissue. Microcapsules (50%, w/w) were mixed with a 5% (w/v) curdlan dispersion and heated at 95 °C for 60 min to form fat analogues. The fat analogues demonstrated significantly reduced cooking loss, enhanced textural rigidity, and superior chew resistance, achieving performance metrics comparable to those of natural adipose tissue. This dual-phase strategy—combining interfacial engineering of lipid microcapsules with polysaccharide-mediated gelation—provides a promising approach for developing sustainable, plant-based fat alternatives in meat product reformulation. The methodology not only addresses texture and flavour challenges in fat replacement but also enables precise control over lipid content, supporting applications in healthier food systems. Full article

This review highlights Artemisia annua, a medicinal plant which grows in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, known for its abundant therapeutic properties. A. annua serves as a rich source of various bioactive compounds, including sesquiterpenoid lactones, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and coumarins. Among these, artemisinin and its derivatives are most extensively studied due to their potent antimalarial properties. Extracts and isolates of A. annua have demonstrated a range of therapeutic effects, such as antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antimalarial, and antiviral properties. Given its significant antiviral activity, A. annua could be investigated for the development of new nutraceutical bioactive compounds to combat SARS-CoV-2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can assist in drug discovery by optimizing the selection of more effective and safer natural bioactives, including artemisinin. It can also predict potential clinical outcomes through in silico modeling of protein–ligand interactions. In silico studies have reported that artemisinin and its derivatives possess a strong ability to bind with the Lys353 and Lys31 hotspots of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, demonstrating their effective antiviral effects against COVID-19. This integrated approach may accelerate the identification of effective and safer natural antiviral agents against COVID-19. Full article

During their natural growth, plants encounter adverse environmental conditions, such as chilling injury, freezing injury, drought, and salt damage, collectively known as abiotic stresses. Several studies have shown that WRKY proteins regulate various abiotic stress responses and plant developmental processes. However, researchers have rarely investigated WRKY genes associated with the stress response in apples. Within this research, Malus baccata (L.) Borkh as the experimental material. We isolated and cloned MbWRKY63 and investigated its function in low-temperature stress tolerance. Subcellular localization analysis shows that MbWRKY63 localizes to the cell nucleus. Tissue-specific expression analysis revealed that MbWRKY63 is relatively highly expressed in the young leaves and root tissues of apples. Under low-temperature treatment at 4 °C, Arabidopsis thaliana plants that overexpressed MbWRKY63 showed greater cold stress resistance than the wild type (WT) and the empty vector (UL) control. In transgenic plants, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) were significantly enhanced; meanwhile, the contents of proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), and chlorophyll also changed significantly. In addition, by regulating the expression levels of AtKIN1, AtCBF1, AtCBF2, AtCBF3, AtCOR47, and AtCOR15a, MbWRKY63 enhanced the low-temperature stress tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis. The results suggest that MbWRKY63 in apples may be involved in the response to low-temperature stress, laying a foundation for understanding the role of WRKY transcription factors (TFs) in abiotic stress responses. Full article

Plant-based meat analogs, particularly those produced by high-moisture extrusion, are prone to quality deterioration during frozen storage due to poor freeze–thaw stability. This study aimed to develop a synergistic stabilization strategy for soy protein isolate (SPI)-based extrudates using glucose oxidase (GO), phytase (PA), and tamarind gum (TG). The effects of individual additives (GO, PA, TG) and their combination (GO + TG) were systematically evaluated over seven freeze–thaw cycles, with a pure soybean-protein meat analog (PSM) as a control. The results showed that repeated freeze–thaw cycles severely degraded the control groups, leading to reduced water-holding capacity (WHC), increased hardness, and color darkening. While all additives mitigated these changes, the GO + TG combination exhibited the most pronounced protective effect, maintaining the highest WHC (0.993 ± 0.000), optimal texture (hardness 66.0 ± 0.0 N, elasticity 3.7 ± 0.0 mm), and minimal color variation. Structural analyses revealed that GO + TG effectively suppressed protein oxidation, minimized sulfhydryl loss, preserved protein secondary and tertiary structures, and inhibited the conversion of immobilized water to free water. The synergistic mechanism is attributed to the formation of a dual-network structure, wherein GO enhances covalent cross-linking and TG provides steric stabilization. This study offers a practical and effective approach for enhancing the freeze–thaw stability of extruded plant-based meat products, with potential industrial applications. Full article

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PEVs) have emerged as a promising area of research in biotechnology with enormous potential in drug delivery, skincare, and functional foods. Currently, PEVs are obtained primarily from fresh and dried materials through soaking and extraction; however, little is known about the differences in their contents. Using Portulaca oleracea L. as the research object, this study firstly employed a method that combined differential and ultracentrifugation with membrane filtration to separate and purify exosome-like nanoparticles from dried material (D-PELNs) and fresh material (F-PELNs). Then, multi-omics analysis compared the small-molecule metabolites, lipid profiles, and protein expression patterns. Both D-PELNs and F-PELNs showed typical cup-shaped morphology, with mean particle sizes of 139 nm and 186 nm, and mean zeta potentials of −16.015 ± 0.335 mV and −6.29 ± 0.19 mV, respectively. Both types contained diverse small-molecule metabolites. Among them, terpenoids (e.g., caesaldekarin e) were more abundant in F-PELNs, whereas carboxylic acids and their derivatives (e.g., citric acid) were predominantly found in D-PELNs. Both types had abundant lipids. D-PELNs exhibited greater lipid diversity than F-PELNs, with notable enrichment in phosphatidylcholine (18.48%) and ceramide (17.02%). F-PELNs mainly consisted of functional neutral lipids, such as monoglycerides and triglycerides. Proteins involved in plant morphogenesis and secondary-metabolite biosynthesis were also identified. Proteins from both Portulaca oleracea L.-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PELNs) were localized to intracellular structures, including the cytoplasm and mitochondria of the cells. D-PELNs had a higher protein content related to carbon metabolism, whereas F-PELNs were more enriched in proteins related to secondary metabolite synthesis. In summary, D-PELNs and F-PELNs were successfully isolated and characterized, and their compositions were analyzed and compared using multi-omics approaches. These findings identify the specific chemical components of PELNs and offer new insights for comparing the compositional differences between exosome-like nanoparticles derived from dried and fresh plant states. Full article

Endophytic fungi are increasingly recognized as pivotal contributors to plant secondary metabolism, often synthesizing bioactive compounds like those produced by their hosts. We report the first complete genome sequence for Pithoascus kurdistanensis, a novel endophyte isolated from Papaver bracteatum that produces morphinan alkaloids independently from its host plant. High-quality genomic DNA from P. kurdistanensis was subjected to a hybrid sequencing strategy using both Oxford Nanopore long-read and Illumina short-read platforms, yielding a 34.0 Mbp assembly composed of nine chromosomal contigs and four additional minor contigs. This assembly was 97.3% complete as determined by BUSCO and revealed that 6.37% of the genome consists of repetitive elements. A total of 8292 protein-coding genes, including 63 candidate genes potentially involved in isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis, have been identified. Phylogenetic analysis based on conserved single-copy orthologs positioned P. kurdistanensis within a basal lineage of the Microascaceae. Overall, these results provide foundational insight into the genetic potential of P. kurdistanensis as a novel microbial source of morphinan alkaloids, while emphasizing the need for continued functional studies to resolve the underlying biosynthetic pathways. Full article

Pasuchaca (Geranium dielsianum Knuth), a traditional Peruvian medicinal plant from the Geraniaceae family used for diabetes management, was investigated for its antiglycative properties. This study aimed to screen, isolate, and identify the active antiglycative compounds from its aerial parts. By coupling a methylglyoxal (MGO)-HPLC screening assay with high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC), seven dihydroflavonol derivatives were separated and identified from the 80% methanol extract. The compounds were identified as 2,3-dihydromyricetin 3-O-α-rhamnopyranoside (1), (+)-taxifolin 3-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (2), astilbin (6), isoastilbin (8), 3″-acetyl astilbin (9), and 2″-acetyl astilbin (11). Astilbin was identified as the major constituent, with remarkably high contents of 252.41 mg/g in the 80% methanol extract and 541.04 mg/g in the partitioned upper layer fraction. Astilbin demonstrated potent antiglycation activity across all stages of protein glycation (early, middle, late, and whole stages), significantly surpassing the positive control aminoguanidine. Furthermore, the formation of MGO-astilbin adducts was confirmed by LC-ESI-MS, validating its role as an effective MGO scavenger. This report is the first to isolate these phytochemicals from Pasuchaca. The findings establish astilbin as the key antiglycative component of Pasuchaca, substantiating its traditional use and highlighting its potential as a source of functional food ingredients or natural therapeutics for mitigating glycative stress. Full article