Search Results (743)

Moringa oleifera has been recognized for its adaptability, nutritional richness, and multipurpose potential, particularly in resource-limited regions. While most research has focused on its leaves, moringa seeds remain underutilized despite their broad applicability in the environmental, agricultural, and food sectors. This review systematically and critically examines recent scientific literature on the use of M. oleifera seeds across these fields, emphasizing their functional value, applications, and challenges for sustainable use. The review follows the SALSA methodology (Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, and Analysis), a structured and iterative framework designed to identify, evaluate, and integrate scientific evidence from diverse sources. The analysis encompasses three main areas: (i) water treatment, where moringa seed extracts have achieved turbidity removal efficiencies above 90% and effective adsorption of dyes and potentially toxic elements; (ii) agriculture, where seed-derived fertilizers improve soil fertility, nutrient availability, and crop yield compared to conventional inputs; and (iii) the food industry, where moringa seed derivatives enhance the nutritional, functional, and antioxidant properties of bakery, beverage, and oil-based products. Overall, M. oleifera seeds emerge as a versatile and sustainable resource with proven potential as a natural coagulant, biofertilizer, and nutraceutical ingredient. By integrating findings from both English and Spanish language studies, this work highlights their contribution to sustainable water management, agricultural productivity, and food innovation, while emphasizing the need for further safety evaluation and process optimization to support large-scale application. Full article

Habitat fragmentation profoundly alters ecological processes such as seed predation and dispersal. Ants play a central role as seed removers and dispersers, yet the effects of fragmentation on seed-carrying ant assemblages in dry tropical forests remain insufficiently studied. In this work, we examined the influence of forest fragmentation on seed-carrying ants in the Chaco forests of central Argentina. Ants were sampled across nine forest fragments of varying sizes and two continuous forests within an agroecosystem landscape, and species richness, composition, and occurrence were analyzed. Our results revealed that species richness did not vary significantly with fragment size; however, fragmentation caused pronounced shifts in species composition, with clear distinctions between continuous forests and fragments. Large-bodied specialist harvester ants declined in fragments, whereas small- to medium-sized generalist species from genera such as Pheidole and Solenopsis persisted. These compositional changes suggest that although overall seed removal rates may remain stable, the functional quality of seed dispersal likely diminishes. This study highlights the sensitivity of seed-carrying ant assemblages to habitat fragmentation and underscores the need for further research that integrates behavioral and landscape-scale approaches to better assess impacts on seed removal, dispersal, and forest regeneration in fragmented dry forests. Full article

The Botanical Garden of Southern Federal University (SFedU Botanical Garden) is the first botanical garden in the steppe zone of southern Russia, founded in 1927. The priority task of the SFedU Botanical Garden was the introduction of woody plants for greenery and forestry. It has been shown that the introduction of woody plants was the root cause of their invasion in the region. A total of 24 species of invasive trees and shrubs have been identified in the Priazovsky district of the Rostov region. Using species with high seed reproductive capacity and resistance to climatic factors to expand the range of woody plants used for greenery in urban areas poses a real threat of invasion. Thus, 83 species spread spontaneously from the SFedU Botanical Garden collections across its territory, 50 of which are not currently found in the regional culture. An important step in the management of invasive woody plants is for municipalities to adopt basic assortment lists for greening purposes. The SFedU Botanical Garden’s collection policy for woody plants should focus on reducing the number of species in living plant collections by removing species that self-seed and currently have no scientific, educational, or practical use. These species can be stored in a seed bank for future use. The introduction policy of the SFedU Botanical Garden should be aimed at mobilizing and introducing species that are not only highly resilient and effective in providing ecosystem services, but also possess properties that limit their invasion. Full article

Cnidium monnieri is a valuable functional plant with significant potential for green pest control. However, its large-scale application is limited by its low and uneven seed germination in fields. To determine the factors that affect the germination of C. monnieri seeds, we examined its seed viability, germination percentage and germination speed index (GSI) after seed-coat treatments, water permeability, and the types and activity of endogenous inhibitory substances in C. monnieri seeds. The results indicated that the seed viability of C. monnieri is 95%, but the germination percentage was relatively low (12.60%). Seed coat removal significantly enhanced both the germination percentage and the GSI, but had no significant effect on water absorption rate. Moreover, ethyl acetate extracts completely inhibited the seed germination of the control non-dormant Brassica rapa subsp. rapa, while diethyl ether extracts showed moderate suppression, and petroleum ether extracts exhibited the weakest effect. And the three endogenous inhibitory substances, i.e., dibutyl phthalate, 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol significantly reduced the seed germination, seedling height and root length of B. rapa, indicating their high inhibitory efficiency on seed germination. Our study demonstrates that the mechanical barrier of the seed coat and the presence of potent endogenous germination inhibitory substances are the key factors influencing the germination of C. monnieri seeds. These findings provide a theoretical basis for promoting seed germination of C. monnieri, which enhance its application value as functional plant for green pest control. Full article

Quantifying low-molecular-mass (LMM) flavanols in wines is relevant because these compounds, though typically minor, reflect flavanol structural composition (seed vs. skin contributions) and relate to cultivar and winemaking technique. Their determination is challenging because oligomeric and polymeric tannins interfere with standard spectrophotometric assays. This study introduces a coupled procedure that isolates and selectively quantifies LMM flavan-3-ols by combining the well-established methylcellulose precipitation assay (MCP) to remove oligomers and polymers with dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (DMAC) determination of the MCP supernatant. The sequential workflow uses DMAC specificity and sensitivity and minimizes interference caused by higher-mass flavanols. Additionally, samples are quantified following dilution in the highly stable MCP supernatant medium. A Small Flavanol Index (SFI, %) is also introduced, expressing the LMM fraction relative to methylcellulose-precipitable tannins and providing a descriptor of flavanol composition. The method was validated in terms of linearity, limits of detection and quantification (LOQ in the supernatant, 1.58 mg L⁻¹), precision, and recovery. Applicability is demonstrated in Marselan and Tannat (Vitis vinifera), resolving compositional differences by cultivar, grape tissue (skins vs. seeds), and maceration technique. Compatible with microplate formats and simple instrumentation, this robust analysis enables tandem determination of LMM flavanols and condensed tannins and represents an analytically valuable tool for commercial wineries and research. Full article

Hemp (Cannabis sativa) seed oil is recognized as a valuable oil due to its beneficial fatty acid profile, which includes a favorable balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, making it highly desirable for edible and bioproduct applications. Crude hempseed oil contains high concentrations of chlorophyll, carotenoids, and other amphiphilic compounds that can negatively affect its appearance, stability, and downstream processing. Therefore, bleaching is a crucial step in removing these pigments after the degumming and neutralization processes. To optimize the bleaching process, a Box–Behnken response surface methodology was employed, focusing on three factors: time (15, 30, 45 min), temperature (100, 120, 140 °C), and bleaching earth concentration (2.5, 5, and 7.5% w/w). The key response variables were β-carotene, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant activity. For chlorophyll removal, bleaching earth concentration accounted for 83.82% and 81.84% of the variation in the solvent-extracted and mechanically extracted oils, respectively. For β-carotene, the bleaching earth concentration accounted for over 93% of the variation in both types of oil. The optimal bleaching earth concentrations were determined to be 4.87% and 5.36% for the solvent-extracted and mechanically extracted oils, respectively, to achieve the target chlorophyll level of ≤150 ppb. Mechanically extracted oil had lower antioxidant activity after bleaching compared to solvent-extracted oil. The addition of bleaching earth, up to 5%, removed polar antioxidants, further lowering the oil’s antioxidant capacity. These findings suggest that optimizing bleaching conditions can significantly affect both pigment removal and the antioxidant profile of the final product. Full article

In this work, the adsorption of imidazolium-based ionic liquids containing the bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide anion (NTf₂⁻) from aqueous phase was evaluated using different activated carbons (ACs). Three commercial Acs and two Acs prepared from grape seeds (one produced by pyrolysis and the other by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), both activated with potassium hydroxide) were tested, assessing the adsorption of both the cation and the anion. For commercial ACs, similar adsorption performances were observed, with maximum adsorption capacities ranging from 0.85 to 1.08 mmol g⁻¹. These values increased under acidic conditions (pH 4), reaching 1.74 mmol g⁻¹ for the 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium cation (Bmim⁺) and 1.87 mmol g⁻¹ for NTf₂⁻. Among the prepared ACs, the HTC-derived AC showed slightly higher capacities than the commercial samples, while the pyrolysis-derived AC exhibited the highest adsorption capacity for BmimNTf₂ (3.36 mmol g⁻¹ at pH 4). In terms of reusability, the pyrolysis-derived AC maintained 84% of its initial adsorption capacity between the third and fifth regeneration cycles. These results highlight the high adsorption performance and recyclability of grape-seed-derived activated carbons, demonstrating their potential for the removal of ionic liquids from aqueous environments. Full article

Seed germination and early seedling development represent critical stages for turfgrass establishment under increasingly frequent drought and salinity constraints. This study evaluated the germination performance of three cultivars of Lolium perenne L. and three cultivars of Poa pratensis L. exposed to iso-osmotic drought stress simulated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and salt stress induced by NaCl. Germination percentage, mean germination time, germination index, seedling vigor index, and radicle and plumule elongation were quantified, and post-stress recovery tests assessed the reversibility of stress effects. Osmotic restriction imposed by PEG caused stronger inhibition of germination and seedling growth than NaCl at equivalent water potentials. L. perenne showed higher overall tolerance, maintaining faster emergence and greater seedling vigor across treatments, while P. pratensis was more sensitive but exhibited substantial germination recovery after stress removal. Cultivar-dependent variation was evident in both species, and multivariate analyses consistently differentiated tolerant and sensitive genotypes. The contrasting germination strategies, with rapid activation in L. perenne and delayed, recovery-oriented germination in P. pratensis, highlight species-specific adaptive responses to water and salt stress. These findings provide a physiological basis for selecting resilient turfgrass cultivars suited to drought- and salinity-prone environments, contributing to sustainable turfgrass establishment and management. Full article

Eutrophication caused by excessive nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs threatens aquatic ecosystems and requires sustainable solutions. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a fast-growing forage crop with potential for removing nutrients in eutrophic waters; however, a comprehensive understanding of its physiological responses across a wide gradient of concurrent N and P levels is still developing. To investigate this, a 7-day hydroponic experiment was conducted: six N + P enrichment levels, control (0), 70 + 7, 140 + 14, 280 + 28, 560 + 56, and 1120 + 112 mg·L^–1 of total N and P (TN:TP fixed at 10:1), were prepared in hydroponic culture and their effect on seed germination, growth, nutritional quality, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant activity, and nutrient removal efficiency were studied. Results showed that early germination was inhibited under nutrients and enriched conditions, but this recovered by day 3. A moderate nutrient supply (NP 70 + 7) promoted seedling growth, resulting in maximum plant height, fresh weight, crude protein (6.6%), ether extract (6.1%), and chlorophyll a (10.9%) compared to the control. Root growth was best in control, while high nutrient stress (NP 1120 + 112) led to the highest mortality (23.5%). This mortality was linked to a severe suppression of the enzymatic antioxidant system (SOD, POD, and CAT), indicating a collapse of primary oxidative defense under extreme stress. Nutritional quality improved under NP 140 + 14, which yielded the lowest NDF and ADF and the highest chlorophyll b (15%) and glutathione content (14.9%). Antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, and CAT) were most active in the control and declined with increasing N + P levels, while glutathione peaked under NP 140 + 14. This indicates a potential shift in the plant’s defense strategy, where glutathione plays a key role in mediating tolerance to moderate eutrophic stress. Nutrient removal analysis showed that N removal efficiency was highest under NP 70 + 7 (53.4%), whereas P removal decreased consistently with rising concentrations. Overall, barley grass seedlings tolerated N + P levels up to NP 280 + 28 while maintaining growth and nutrient uptake, a resilience facilitated by its dynamic antioxidant response, suggesting their potential role in phytoremediation of eutrophic waters. Full article

The absence of domestic wastewater (DWW) treatment in impoverished rural communities of the global south remains a pressing challenge for both public health and environmental sustainability. This study presents a simplified and decentralized treatment chain at laboratory-scale designed under the principles of nature-based solutions (NBS) and the circular economy (CE), emphasizing the integration of the macrophyte Eichhornia crassipes (EC) and bioproducts derived from aloe vera waste (AVW) and soursop seed waste (SSW). The system comprises three sequential stages: (1) coagulation using AVW, which achieved up to 39.9% turbidity reduction; (2) a horizontal flow biofilter system (HFB) employing the aquatic macrophyte EC, which removed 97.9% of fecal coliforms, 82.4% of Escherichia coli, and 99.9% of heterotrophic bacteria; and (3) a tertiary treatment step employing adsorbent derived from SSW, which attained 99.7% methylene blue removal in preliminary tests and an average 97.5% turbidity reduction in DWW. The integrated configuration demonstrates a practical, effective, and replicable approach for decentralized domestic wastewater treatment, fostering local waste valorization, reducing reliance on commercial chemicals, and enhancing water quality in resource-limited rural areas, with potential for scaling to pilot applications in rural communities. Full article

Biochar activation is achieved by removing tar formed in the pores during the thermal treatment of biomass, thereby increasing pore volume. This process typically involves entraining tar with steam at elevated temperatures for extended durations. In this study, a reduction in lignin content in grape seeds through partial solubilization, prior to thermal treatment, is proposed. Initially, grape seeds were treated with a basic sodium sulfide solution, followed by conditioning with either phosphoric acid or zinc chloride and then drying and calcination. The synthesized adsorbents were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), textural analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and evaluation of toluene adsorption capacity. Textural analysis indicated that conditioning with phosphoric acid or zinc chloride increased the specific surface area of biochar by over 20%, with a higher increase observed for phosphoric acid treatment. The toluene adsorption capacity of the adsorbents was assessed in a continuous fixed-bed system. Biochar pretreated with ZnCl₂ exhibited an adsorption capacity of 0.11 cm³ of toluene per gram, while biochar pretreated with phosphoric acid demonstrated a capacity of 0.14 cm³ per gram. These results indicate that preliminary delignification of grape seed biomass maintains its adsorption capacity of toluene at levels comparable to other adsorbents, despite a lower activation temperature. Full article

Botanical gardens promote the conservation of native species of the sites where they are located, showing the importance of preserving native flora. It is common to find invasive alien species (IAS) established intentionally or accidentally in these sites. In a patch of native vegetation within the Cadereyta de Montes Regional Botanical Garden, the removal of the invasive alien Asphodelus fistulosus was carried out and during a subsequent 108-month period. The repopulation of the species was supervised by removing new individuals at each visit. More than 1000 individual plants of A. fistulosus were removed during the entire monitoring period, and through subsequent visits, no new individuals have been spotted. The monetary cost associated with the removal, monitoring and control of A. fistulosus was calculated over MXN 15,000.00. The removal and post-removal monitoring of species at sites of interest provide valuable information about control time and economic costs to consider in the control of IAS. Additionally, the germination experiments carried out with seeds from different years of collection showed a higher germination percentage that was not affected by the age of the seeds. Full article

Leachate from the Magtaa Kheira landfill exhibits complex physicochemical characteristics that restrict the efficacy of single-treatment processes. This study assessed a sustainable two-stage treatment strategy combining coagulation–flocculation and adsorption. During the initial stage of the study, both aluminum sulfate (AS) and a bio-based coagulant derived from Moringa oleifera seeds (MOS) were evaluated for their effectiveness in the pretreatment of leachate. Box–Behnken Design combined with Response Surface Methodology was used to optimize the coagulation process using aluminum sulfate (AS). The highest removal efficiencies were 91% for turbidity and 85% for chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, achieved at an AS concentration of 1.44 g·L⁻¹ and an initial pH of 8. In parallel, the performance of MOS extract was investigated as an eco-friendly alternative to AS. An FTIR analysis revealed the presence of protein-associated hydroxyl (3288 cm⁻¹) and carboxyl and amine groups (1647 cm⁻¹), which are integral to destabilization via hydrogen bonding, while SEM confirmed a surface morphology conducive to effective floc formation. MOS demonstrated comparable turbidity removal to AS, significantly reducing both sludge generation and chemical consumption. Following the coagulation stage, treated leachates were passed through a granular activated carbon (GAC) column, enhancing overall COD removal to over 94% to reach acceptable discharge and reuse levels. The coagulation–adsorption sequence, incorporating both chemical and bio-based coagulants, provides an efficient and sustainable approach for the treatment of complex leachate, addressing both performance and environmental considerations. Full article

Biopurification systems are designed for the treatment of pesticide-containing agricultural wastewater; their biologically active matrix, the biomixture, can be modified to enhance the pesticide removal capacity. Two approaches, fungal bioaugmentation with Trametes versicolor and amendment with biochar, were applied for the potential improvement of biomixtures’ capacity to remediate myclobutanil-contaminated wastewater. The conventional biomixture (B) and its modifications, either bioaugmented with Trametes versicolor (biomixture BT) or supplemented with pineapple biochar (5% v/v) (biomixture BB), were spiked with myclobutanil at a very high concentration (10,000 mg/kg) to simulate extreme on-farm events such as the disposal or leakage of commercial formulations. The dissipation followed a bi-phasic behavior in every case. Both modifications of the conventional biomixture increased the dissipation rates, resulting in estimated DT₅₀ values of 61.9 (BB) and >90 days (BT) compared to biomixture B (DT₅₀ = 474 days). The assessment of biomixtures’ detoxification was carried out with two different bioindicators: a seed germination test in Lactuca sativa and an algal growth inhibition test. Some degree of detoxification was achieved for all biomixtures in both indicators, with the exception of the biochar-containing biomixture, which, despite showing the fastest myclobutanil dissipation, was unable to maintain a steady detoxification trend towards the algae over the course of the treatment, probably due to biochar adverse effects. This approach seems promising for removing persistent myclobutanil from agricultural wastewater and demonstrates the dissipation capacity of biomixtures at extremely high pesticide concentrations likely to take place at an on-farm level. Full article

Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors facilitate compact, multiplexed, and electromagnetic interference-immune monitoring in embedded and harsh environments. The removal of the polymer jacket, a measure taken to withstand elevated temperatures or facilitate integration, exposes the fragile glass. This underscores the necessity of functional coatings, which are critical for enhancing durability, calibrating sensitivity, and improving compatibility with host materials. This review methodically compares coating materials and deposition routes for FBGs, encompassing a range of techniques including top-down physical-vapor deposition (sputtering, thermal/e-beam evaporation, cathodic arc), bottom-up chemical vapor deposition (CVD)/atomic layer deposition (ALD), wet-chemical methods (sensitization/activation, electroless plating (EL), electrodeposition (ED)), fusion-based processes (casting and melt coating), and hybrid stacks (e.g., physical vapor deposition (PVD) seed → electrodeposition; gradient interlayers). The consolidation of surface-preparation best practices and quantitative trends reveals a comprehensive understanding of the interrelationships between coating material/stack, thickness/microstructure, adhesion, and sensitivity across a range of temperatures, extending from approximately 300 K to cryogenic regimes. Practical process windows and design rules are distilled to guide method selection and reliable operation across cryogenic and high-temperature regimes. Full article