Search Results (61)

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) is an important food and energy crop. Soil salinization is a major abiotic stress that limits agricultural productivity and severely reduces yield of crops. Protein hydrolysates, as a class of natural biostimulants, have gained increasing attention for their potential to improve crop yield, quality and stress tolerance. This study investigated the effects of peptides from swine blood (PSB) on high salinity stress tolerance in sweet potato. Application of PSB promoted the growth of both aerial and underground parts of sweet potato under normal and high-salinity conditions. Further analysis revealed that, under high salinity stress, exogenous PSB up-regulated the expression of genes associated with stress responses, increased the accumulation of organic osmotic adjustment compounds such as free amino acids, promoted K⁺ uptake to elevate the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, and enhanced the activity of key antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) involved in the reactive oxygen species-scavenging system. These biochemical responses contributed to maintaining cellular osmotic balance and redox homeostasis, protecting the cell membrane from damage while preserving its structural integrity and normal physiological functions, and improving photosynthetic efficiency, thereby enhancing high salinity stress tolerance in sweet potato. Thus, PSB holds significant potential as an effective natural biostimulant for sweet potato cultivation in saline soils. Full article

Phytochelatin synthase (PCS) is crucial for synthesizing phytochelatins, cysteine-rich peptides vital for heavy metal detoxification in plants. Potato, a key staple crop in China, faces risks from soil heavy metal contamination, yet the genes involved in its detoxification, particularly PCS genes, remain underexplored. This study systematically identified and characterized the StPCS gene family in potato using genomic databases, uncovering five StPCS members distributed across three of the 12 potato chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis classified StPCS proteins into three clades, while gene structure and motif analyses revealed high conservation in domain organization. Promoter region investigations identified stress-responsive elements in nearly all StPCS genes. Under cadmium (Cd) stress conditions, qPCR analysis indicated a significant upregulation of StPCS1 (5.73-fold) and StPCS2 (1.61-fold) transcript levels after 21 days compared to the control, whereas no obvious differences were observed at 7 days post-stress. Subsequent functional verification in yeast revealed that StPCS1 overexpression markedly improved Cd tolerance in transgenic yeast. In addition, analysis of cis-acting elements in the StPCS gene promoter combined with qPCR verification under MeJA and ABA stress conditions suggested that StPCS1 might be involved in Cd stress responses in potato through certain hormone signaling pathways. This study represents the first comprehensive analysis of the StPCS gene family in potato, clarifying its structural characteristics and characterizing the function of StPCS1 as a long-term Cd stress-responsive gene, which lays a solid foundation for investigating its role in heavy metal detoxification. Full article

The starch content of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) rhizomes is a key determinant of their taste and overall quality. In our previous work, a candidate transcription factor, NnAP2, was identified and its coding-region single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were significantly associated with rhizome enlargement and carbohydrate-related traits. Owing to limitations in stable genetic transformation systems in lotus, potato (Solanum tuberosum) was employed as a heterologous model to investigate the regulatory role of NnAP2 in starch and soluble sugar metabolism. Overexpression of two allelic variants of the NnAP2 transcription factor (CC and TT) in potato resulted in pronounced differences between CC- and TT-overexpressing lines (NnAP2^CC-OE and NnAP2^TT-OE) in microtuber carbohydrate composition and proteome dynamics, accompanied by divergence in transgene copy number and substantial variation in transgene expression levels among independent lines. Six months after planting transgenic lines NnAP2^CC-OE and NnAP2^TT-OE, the NnAP2^CC-OE micro-tubers exhibited significantly higher starch content and lower soluble sugar levels compared with NnAP2^TT-OE. To uncover the underlying molecular basis, profiling of proteoforms was conducted on leaves, stems and tubers of both genotypes through a label-free proteomic strategy. A total of 51,299 peptides matched to 7292 proteins. Principal component analysis demonstrated clear separation of treatment groups, indicating robust differential accumulation of proteoforms. In total, 1715 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified across tissues (fold change ≥ 1.5 or ≤0.67, p  <  0.05), of which 1516 (88.4%) were tissue-specific. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that in leaves, DEPs were enriched for amino sugar metabolism, protein transporter activity and cell-wall macromolecule modification; in stems, enrichment included response to biotic stimulus, defense response and transporter activity; in tubers, DEPs were strongly enriched for carbohydrate metabolic processes, starch and sucrose metabolism, the TCA cycle and nucleotide sugar biosynthesis. Key starch-biosynthetic enzymes (e.g., ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, UDP-glucose-4-epimerase) were up-regulated in NnAP2^CC-OE tubers relative to NnAP2^TT-OE, while soluble sugar synthesis pathways (e.g., trehalose-6-phosphate synthase) were down-regulated. Together, these data suggest that elevated NnAP2^CC expression in transgenic potato is associated with allele-dependent shifts in central carbon allocation between starch and soluble sugar pathways, as revealed by comparative analyses between NnAP2^CC-OE and NnAP2^TT-OE. This study provides a comprehensive proteoform framework for allelic variation in an AP2 transcription factor involved in source–sink carbon partitioning and tuber starch accumulation in potato. Full article

Tocosh, a traditional Peruvian fermented potato product, is known for its health-promoting properties, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, probiotic, and antibiotic effects, which have popularized its consumption, particularly in rural areas. To gain a better understanding of its antimicrobial properties, this study aimed to perform a comprehensive whole-genome analysis and functional assessment of the Bacillus velezensis TCSH0001 strain isolated from tocosh. The isolate was identified through whole-genome sequencing using the MinION nanopore platform. AntiSMASH analysis revealed nine biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) potentially responsible for producing secondary metabolites with antibiotic potential. Notably, seven BGCs showed a 100% similarity to known clusters involved in the biosynthesis of polyketide synthases (PKSs) and non-ribosomal peptides (NRPSs), including difficidin, bacillibactin, bacilysin, macrolactin H, bacillaene, fengycin, and bacillomycin D. In vitro analysis revealed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus strains. In addition, RT-qPCR indicated that the expression of the baeJ (bacillaene), bmyA (bacillomycin D), and pks2A (macrolactin H) occurs predominantly during the exponential growth phase. Our results suggest that this B. velezensis strain has the capacity to produce a diverse array of bioactive compounds, supporting the traditional use of tocosh as a natural antimicrobial agent, and revealing the potential of the strain as a high NRPS producer. Full article

Sweet potato leaves (SPL) are increasingly recognized as a significant source of nutritionally and pharmacologically important bioactive compounds. This systematic review critically synthesizes current in vitro, in vivo, and preclinical data to evaluate the cancer preventive properties of SPL, with emphasis on their phytochemical composition, molecular mechanisms, and therapeutic relevance. A comprehensive literature search across major scientific databases (2015–2025), guided by PRISMA methodology, initially identified 29,416 records. After applying pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria and screening titles, abstracts, and full-texts, 38 eligible studies were included. The compiled evidence demonstrates that SPL contains high concentrations of phenolic acids, flavonoids, peptides, carotenoids, and dietary fiber, all of which contribute to diverse anticancer activities. Reported mechanisms include apoptosis induction, cell-cycle arrest, limitation of tumor propagation and metastatic activity, regulation of oncogenic pathways (PI3K/Akt, MAPK, NF-κB), modulation of inflammatory mediators, and suppression of angiogenesis. These effects were observed across multiple cancer models, including liver, colon, breast, lung, and prostate cancers. In addition, SPL represents a promising natural source of anticancer agents, significant gaps remain, particularly regarding standardized extraction procedures, phytochemical characterization, bioavailability, and human clinical validation. Overall, this review underscores SPL as a sustainable and underutilized plant resource with potential applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and adjunctive cancer therapy, while highlighting the need for mechanistic studies, pharmacokinetic investigations, and well-designed clinical trials to support future translational development. Full article

Plant peptides represent a novel molecular tool in crop science due to their essential regulatory roles in plant growth, development, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Although numerous bioactive plant peptides have been identified, a major gap remains in translating these discoveries into practical strategies for crop protection. Synthetic peptides are increasingly recognized as promising biological agents for enhancing crop productivity and protection in an environmentally sustainable manner. In this study, we demonstrate that the potato elicitor peptide StPep1, applied as a foliar spray at nanomolar concentrations (10–100 nM), strongly enhances resistance to the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans in Solanum tuberosum cv. Gala under controlled climate chamber conditions. Preventive treatment 24 h prior to inoculation markedly reduced disease symptoms, with treated plants exhibiting a phenotype comparable to uninoculated controls. These findings highlight the potential of low-dose StPep1 as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective bioprotective agent, providing a foundation for future translational research and small-scale agricultural applications. Full article

This study investigated the emulsifying and antioxidant properties of potato protein hydrolysates (PPHs) obtained through enzymatic hydrolysis with trypsin, aiming to utilize them as natural emulsifiers in 5 wt% fish-oil-in-water emulsions. Unfractionated and fractionated PPH fractions (>10 kDa, 5–10 kDa, 0.8–5 kDa, and <0.8 kDa) in combination with surfactants (Tween 20 or DATEM) were evaluated. Unfractionated PPH alone resulted in unstable emulsions; however, combining it with 67 wt% DATEM or Tween 20 improved physical stability. Smaller PPH fractions (<10 kDa) produced smaller droplet sizes (0.352–0.764 μm) with DATEM, whereas for Tween 20-stabilized emulsions, the smallest droplet size was observed with unfractionated PPH (1.051 ± 0.015 µm). Notably, the 5–10 kDa fraction exhibited the best oxidative stability when combined with Tween 20, likely due to its antioxidant properties. While further refinement is necessary to improve PPHs’ effectiveness as standalone emulsifiers, their potential is evident. Full article

Enzymatic browning poses a formidable obstacle to the commercial sustainability of fresh-cut potatoes. Although the synergistic effects of bio-inductive technologies with natural compounds in anti-browning strategies have been observed, their full potential remains underexplored. To fulfill the demand for synergistic approaches in real-world applications, this research elucidates the complementary effects of short-term high-oxygen (HO, 80%) treatment of whole tubers in conjunction with cod peptides (CP, 0.1%) applied to fresh-cut potato slices in mitigating browning. The results demonstrated that the combined treatment (HO + CP) showed superior anti-browning efficacy compared to single treatments (HO or CP) and the untreated group (control). Specifically, peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities were suppressed by 55.7% and 35.1%, respectively, under the synergistic treatment compared with the control after 8 days of storage. Meanwhile, increases in the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), along with an approximately 117% increase in total phenolic content, were noted with synergistic treatment. Furthermore, the combined treatment reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation by 17.5% on day 8. This effect may be attributed to enhanced antioxidant capacity and the preservation of membrane integrity. In summary, this novel strategy provides a practical synergistic solution for the control of enzymatic browning in fresh-cut potatoes. Full article

Observational studies have shown that human digestive function declines naturally with age. Oral enzyme supplementation is a candidate strategy to enhance macronutrient digestion in older adults. The objective of this study was to test the effects of a mixture of six microbial enzyme preparations (ENZ) on nutrient bioaccessibility from a mixed meal in an in vitro model of digestive senescence. The mixed meal included chicken meat, peas, and potatoes. The INFOGEST 2.0 static simulation of oro-gastric digestion was used to model human digestive physiology along with a consensus protocol to model aging. Analytical testing of gastric digesta included measurements of free amino nitrogen (FAN), amino acid (AA), fatty acid (FA), glycerol, maltose, and glucose concentrations. Peptide distribution profiles were evaluated by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and gel electrophoresis. After simulating digestion of the mixed meal, all nutrient bioaccessibility outcomes compared to pepsin-only controls, except glycerol, were further enhanced by ENZ in the aging condition compared to the standard condition (FAN: 77.1 vs. 39.3%; essential AA: 100.4 vs. 57.6%; total FA: 12.8- vs. 8.0-fold; maltose: 142.1 vs. 0.7%). SEC confirmed ENZ’s proteolytic capacity to generate more lower molecular weight peptides and free AAs in standard and aging conditions compared to pepsin alone. Gel electrophoresis confirmed proteolytic enhancement with ENZ. These data showcase ENZ’s hydrolytic activity toward macronutrients and suggest ENZ’s capacity to compensate for reduced pepsin activity in an aging-adapted oro-gastric digestion simulation. Full article

Nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase (PKS) play crucial roles in the development and pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. However, they are among the few biosynthetic gene clusters with unknown functions in B. bassiana. To investigate the role of the hybrid PKS–NRPS synthetase gene BBA_09856 in B. bassiana, we constructed a mutant strain, ∆BBA09856-WT, by deleting the BBA_09856 gene through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. We then analyzed the biological characteristics of the mutant strain and the virulence of the mutant strain toward Ostrinia furnacalis larvae, as well as its antagonistic effects against the phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea. We found that the average growth rate of the three mutant strains, ∆BBA09856-WT, was significantly higher compared to the wild-type (WT) strain on the 15th day of culture on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates (7.01 cm vs. 6.30 cm, p < 0.01). Additionally, the average spore production(3.16 × 10⁷/cm² vs. 9.95 × 10⁶/cm², p < 0.001) and germination rate (82.50% vs. 54.72%, 12 h, p < 0.001) were significantly different between the three mutant strains, ∆BBA09856-WT, and the WT strain. The average survival rates of O. furnacalis infected with the WT strain and the three mutant strains, ∆BBA09856-WT, after 8 days were 61.66%, and 30.00%, respectively, indicating that the pathogenicity of the tested mutant strains was significantly greater than that of the WT strain. The results of the dual culture test indicated that the inhibitory rates of the WT and ∆BBA09856-WT strains against B. cinerea were 40.25% and 47.65%, respectively (p < 0.001). Similarly, in the dual culture test, the WT strain reduced the growth of B. cinerea by 9.90%, while the ∆BBA09856-WT exhibited a significantly greater inhibition rate of 28.29% (p < 0.05). The diameters of disease spots, measured 6 d after inoculation with B. cinerea in the tomato treatment groups, revealed significant differences in endophytic colonization between the WT and ∆BBA09856-WT strains in the WT+Bc and ∆BBA09856-WT+Bc treatment groups (15.26 mm vs. 12.16 mm, p < 0.01). Notably, ∆BBA09856-WT exhibited enhanced virulence toward O. furnacalis larvae and increased antagonistic activity against B. cinerea. Our results indicate that the gene BBA_09856 may have a negative correlation with the development and virulence of B. bassiana toward the insect pest O. furnacalis larvae, as well as its antagonism against B. cinerea. These findings suggest that molecular techniques, such as gene editing, could be employed to develop superior strains of B. bassiana for the biological control of plant diseases and insect pests. Full article

Plants require adequate water for growth, development, and reproduction. Peptides play a key role in plant growth and development and act in a similar manner to plant hormones. However, only a few peptides have been identified to play a role in abiotic stress tolerance in potato. In this study, we identified fourteen members of the epidermal patterning factor (EPF) family in potato, which were designated as StEPF1-14 according to their chromosomal locations. We also conducted a comprehensive analysis of their chromosomal distribution, gene structures, physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, and tissue-specific expression patterns. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that the StEPF4 gene is significantly induced by drought stress, suggesting its potential role as a negative regulator in the plant’s response to drought. Furthermore, multiple cis-regulatory elements associated with drought-responsive regulation were identified within the promoter region of the StEPF genes. Here, we isolated an EPF secreted Cys-rich small peptide StEPF4 from ‘Atlantic’ and explored its mechanism in plant response to drought stress. We found that StEPF4 was greatly induced by dehydration treatment in potato. To investigate its potential biological functions, StEPF4 was knocked down in potato. The StEPF4 knocked down lines (KdStEPF4) significantly decreased stomatal density, resulting in a decrease in the transpiration rate. KdStEPF4 lines maintained a higher photosynthetic rate and lowered the water loss rate of leaves compared with the control, resulting in increased drought resistance. Taken together, this study provides detailed information about StEPFs, and our findings also show that StEPF4 plays an essential role in regulating drought resistance by reducing stomatal density in potato. Full article

The production of recombinant enzymes, primarily used for obtaining pure and functional target molecules, holds significant importance in modern biotechnology. This study aimed to obtain and characterize recombinant, extracellularly expressed α-amylases (Amy3500 and Amy1974), derived from B. amyloliquefaciens MDC1974 and B. subtilis MDC3500, respectively, using the pBE-S shuttle vector. Both α-amylase genes were molecularly cloned into the E. coli/B. subtilis pBE-S shuttle vector, both with (Amy1974sig and Amy3500sig) and without their signal peptides (Amy1974 and Amy3500), along with a signal peptide originating from the plasmid, and tested in flask fermentations. For recombinant Amy3500, the amylase variants resulted in similar levels of volumetric activity (700–750 U/mL). In contrast, the expression of Amy1974 nearly doubled compared to Amy1974sig with double signal peptides, reaching 2000 U/mL. SDS-PAGE estimated the molecular weight of Amy1974 α-amylase to be 54.6 kDa, which is consistent with the theoretical molecular mass calculations. However, the estimated molecular weight of Amy3500 α-amylase was significantly lower upon exiting the producer cells. Ca²⁺ ions exhibit a modest activating effect on the activities of Amy1974 and Amy3500 amylases, likely due to their tight binding to the protein scaffold. Both enzymes exhibited broad activity peaks between 45 and 70 °C, with a maximum at 65 °C. The Amy1974 and Amy3500 α-amylases demonstrated broad pH optima and pH-dependent thermostability, with optimum pH values at 6.5 and 5.8, and thermal stability peaks at pH 7.6 and 5.9, respectively. Both α-amylases displayed high relative activity against various starches, including corn amylopectin and potato amylose, while showing comparatively lower activity towards α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrins. The Amy1974 amylase is effective in converting starch into dextrins of varying lengths, while Amy3500 primarily converts starch into glucose. These characteristics make them promising candidate enzymes for industrial applications. Full article

This study investigates the production of protein hydrolysates with dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory activity from agro-industrial by-products, namely olive seed, sunflower seed, rapeseed, and lupin meals, as well as from two plant protein isolates such as pea and potato. Furthermore, the effect of simulated gastrointestinal digestion on the DPP-IV inhibitory activity of all the hydrolysates was evaluated. Overall, the lowest values of IC₅₀ (1.02 ± 0.09 – 1.24 ± 0.19 mg protein/mL) were observed for the hydrolysates with a high proportion of short-chain [< 1 kDa] peptides (i.e., olive seed, sunflower seed, and lupin) or high content of proline (i.e., rapeseed). Contrarily, the IC₅₀ of the pea and potato hydrolysates was significantly higher (1.50 ± 0.13 – 1.93 ± 0.13 mg protein/mL). In vitro digestion led to an increase in peptides <1 kDa for almost all hydrolysates (except olive and sunflower seed meals), which was noticeable for rapeseed, pea, and potato hydrolysates. Digestion did not significantly modify the DPP-IV inhibitory activity of olive, sunflower, rapeseed, and potato hydrolysates, whereas a significant decrease in IC₅₀ value was obtained for pea hydrolysate and a significant increase in IC₅₀ was obtained for lupin hydrolysate. Thus, this work shows the potential of agro-industrial by-products for the production of protein hydrolysates exhibiting DPP-IV inhibition. Full article

Plant proteins are increasingly seen as critical nutrient sources for both amateur and professional athletes. The aim of the presented study was to review the inventions and experimental articles referring to the application of plant-based proteins, peptides and amino acids in food products dedicated to sportspeople and published in the period 2014–2023. The literature search was conducted according to PRISMA statementsacross several key databases, including Scopus and ISI Web of Science. Altogether, 106 patents and 35 original articles were found. The survey of patents and inventions described in the articles showed the use of 52 taxa (mainly annual herbaceous plants), creating edible seeds and representing mainly the families Fabaceae and Poaceae. The majority of inventions were developed by research teams numbering from two to five scientists, affiliated in China, The United States of America and Japan. The greatest number of inventions applied plant-based proteins (especially protein isolates), declared the nutritional activity and were prepared in liquid or solid consistency. According to the reviewed studies, the intake of soybean and potato proteins might provide better results than animal-based protein (excluding resistance training), whereas the consumption of pea and rice protein does not possess any unique anabolic properties over whey protein. The analysis of other investigations demonstrated the varied acceptability and consumption of food products, while the high rating of the tested food products presented in four articles seems to be an effect of their sensual values, as well as other elements, such as production method, health benefits and cost-effectiveness. Considering the great potential of useful plant species, it might be concluded that future investigations focusing on searching for novel plant protein sources, suitable for the preparation of food products dedicated to amateur and professional sportspeople, remain of interest. Full article

This study investigated the effects of glucose (GLU), tapioca starch (TS), gelatinized tapioca starch (GTS), potato starch (PS) and gelatinized potato starch (GPS) on growth and physiological responses in juvenile largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. After 8 weeks, fish fed with starch diets had better weight gain and growth rates. Counts of red blood cells and monocytes were increased in the PS and GPS groups, compared to GLU group. Contents of serum triglyceride and total cholesterol were markedly elevated in the TS, PS and GPS groups. There were lower levels of serum glucose, insulin and cholecystokinin, and higher agouti-related peptide contents in the PS group compared to GLU group. PS and GPS could enhance glycolysis and TCA cycle by increasing their enzyme activities and transcriptional levels. Additionally, starch sources markedly heightened mRNA levels of key genes involved in the respiratory electron transport chain. Additionally, elevated mRNA levels of key antioxidant genes were shown in the TS and GTS groups. Moreover, TS and PS could promote immunity by upregulating transcriptional levels of the complement system, lysozyme and hepcidin. Taken together, starch exhibited better growth via increasing glycolysis and TCA cycle compared with GLU, and PS could improve antioxidant and immune capacities in largemouth bass. Full article