Search Results (3,163)

Low-light (LL) stress is a major abiotic limiting factor in protected cherry tomato production, adversely affecting vegetative growth, inducing oxidative damage, and disrupting fruit sugar metabolism. To clarify the regulatory role of exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) in mitigating LL stress, we examined the effects of varying ABA concentrations on plant growth, antioxidant capacity, and fruit sugar metabolism in cherry tomatoes under low-light conditions. A two-factor randomized complete block design, with two light regimes—normal light (NL, 100% natural sunlight) and low light (LL, 25% natural sunlight)—and three ABA concentrations (CK: 0 mg·L⁻¹, T1: 10 mg·L⁻¹, T2: 20 mg·L⁻¹). Fruits were sampled at three typical ripening stages (green mature, breaker, and red ripe) to evaluate vegetative and reproductive physiological responses. The results showed that exogenous ABA application effectively suppressed LL-induced excessive stem elongation and alleviated LL-caused reductions in stem diameter and biomass accumulation. ABA treatment significantly increased peroxidase (POD) activity and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation, thereby relieving LL-triggered oxidative damage. In addition, ABA regulated key sugar-metabolizing enzymes (soluble acid invertase (SAI), sucrose synthase (SS), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), and amylase (Amy)) and the transcript levels of related functional genes (HXK1, SPS, SS, AI), thereby mediating stage-dependent fruit sugar metabolism under LL stress. In conclusion, exogenous ABA effectively modulates vegetative growth, antioxidant homeostasis, and stage-specific fruit sugar metabolism, ultimately alleviating low-light stress damage in cherry tomato. Among the tested treatments, 20 mg·L⁻¹ ABA exhibited the most pronounced mitigation effects, which can be recommended as an optimal foliar application concentration for cherry tomato cultivation in low-light protected facilities. Full article

The mezcal industry in Mexico generates substantial volumes of vinasse, a waste product rich in organic material and bioactive compounds, yet its environmental impact and potential valorization in the food and biotechnological field remain underexplored. This study presents a comprehensive physicochemical and functional characterization of mezcal vinasse derived from mezcal production, including antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity assessment. Proximate analysis revealed high moisture content (96%) and a carbohydrate-rich profile (87.58% dry basis), with notable fiber fractions predominantly composed of insoluble dietary fiber (9.10% dry basis). Low-molecular-weight carbohydrate analysis identified fructose (60.46%) and glucose (10.48%) as the major components, and the hydrolyzed sample showed a monomeric profile with arabinose (31.98%) and glucose (24.14%) as the predominant sugars. Vinasse was found to provide antioxidant activity, as assessed by DPPH (296.3 µmol TE/g) and ABTS (465.3 µmol TE/g) colorimetric assays. Undesirable and antinutritional compounds such as tannins (15.3 mg catechin/g), oxalates (14.6 mg sodium oxalate/g), hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) (3830.0 mg/L), and furfural (160.0 mg/L) were also quantified, highlighting potential environmental and nutritional concerns due to its mutagenic character at high concentrations. Despite these challenges, vinasse exhibited no cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells at tested concentrations (25 to 100 mg/mL of phenolic extract), suggesting feasibility for further biotechnological applications. Full article

Soybean molasses, a by-product of alcohol-based soy protein concentrate production, is rich in stachyose and other functional oligosaccharides, but its high sucrose content and other fermentable non-target sugars hinder the efficient purification of stachyose. In this study, the sugar-utilization patterns of four commonly used microbial chassis or production strains, Escherichia coli W, E. coli BL21, Saccharomyces pastorianus Weihenstephan 34/70, and Komagataella phaffii (formerly Pichia pastoris) GS115, were systematically compared to identify a suitable host for selective stachyose enrichment. Among them, E. coli W showed the best performance in rapidly consuming non-target sugars while retaining stachyose. Based on this strain, a CRISPR–Cas9 engineering strategy was applied by deleting the endogenous α-galactosidase gene melA and overexpressing the sucrose permease gene cscB. The resulting strain selectively and nearly completely removed sucrose and other non-target sugars from soybean molasses, increasing the proportion of stachyose from <30% to >90% of total soluble solids. Further optimization of nitrogen source level, inoculum size, and initial °Brix improved fermentation performance. These results demonstrate an effective biological pre-purification strategy for selective stachyose enrichment from soybean molasses. Full article

Ertugliflozin is a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor that has demonstrated promise as a treatment for hyperinsulinaemia in horses. Despite the frequent use of ertugliflozin in equine clinical practice, the pharmacokinetics of this drug in horses has not been established. The aim of the present study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of one supratherapeutic dose (0.25 mg/kg) of ertugliflozin in eight horses. Horses were defined as being healthy by physical examination, haematological, blood biochemical and oral sugar test (OST) results. Plasma concentrations of ertugliflozin were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 18, 24, 30, 36, 48, 60, 72, 96, and 120 h after drug administration enterally. Non-compartmental analysis led to determination of key pharmacokinetic variables, including mean ± SD time to maximum concentration (T_max) of 0.91 ± 0.13 h, maximum measured concentration (C_max) of 267.52 ± 25.37 ng/mL, terminal elimination half-life (T_1/2) of 17.65 ± 3.15 h and apparent oral clearance (CL/F) of 106.95 ± 27.53 mL/h/kg. No clinical signs of adverse effects or blood biochemical abnormalities occurred after drug administration. The results of this study suggest that a single supratherapeutic dose of ertugliflozin in healthy horses is safe. The pharmacokinetics of enterally administered ertugliflozin in horses are similar to pharmacokinetics of the drug in humans and the long T_1/2 makes ertugliflozin suitable for once daily dosing in horses. It is proposed that a starting dose for ertugliflozin in horses be in the range 0.05–0.1 mg/kg. Further pharmacokinetic studies are required to optimise the dose regimen for treating horses with hyperinsulinaemia. Full article

Air pollution with fine particulates is a recent global concern as it has been identified as a risk factor for several health problems. The molecular mechanism linking PM exposure to adverse health effects has not yet been fully elucidated but was found to be linked with inflammatory responses across many investigated exposure settings. In particular, children and juveniles turned out to be highly vulnerable in this regard, with exposure potentially leading to long-term effects on development. We therefore investigated how air pollution in an area where local exposure is traditionally linked with sugar cane production, a potential source of high PM-levels, is affecting the immunologic profile of a pediatric population. Samples were collected from pediatric populations residing in various study sites, including sites with identified sources of high PM emission like sugar cane harvest and thermoelectrical activities and sites with no identified emission sources as control non-exposed population. Significantly elevated TSLP concentrations were observed in serum samples of the pediatric population exposed to particulate matter, along with a distinctive cytokine profile characterized by increased rations of IL-2, IL-4, INF-γ, and IL-6, suggesting alterations in Th2 response. In the present study, no chemical characterization of PM was carried out; however, it was observed by air quality monitoring PM_2.5 concentrations exceeded permissible limits, suggesting potential exposure of the pediatric population to PM from agricultural activities. These findings underscore the intricate relationship between environmental factors and immune response in vulnerable pediatric populations and explore TSLP response to PM exposition. Full article

Honey quality and authenticity assessment require rapid and reliable analytical tools capable of supporting both laboratory and on-site applications. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy represents a non-destructive and cost-effective approach; however, its performance depends on instrument characteristics and chemometric strategies. This study compared one benchtop and two portable NIR-based systems for predicting key physicochemical parameters (moisture, electrical conductivity, glucose, fructose, reducing sugars, pH, hydroxymethylfurfural, and diastatic activity) and for discriminating botanical origin in 80 Italian honey samples. Spectral data were processed using multiple pre-processing techniques and algorithms (PLS, k-NN, Random Forest, SVM), with and without wavelength selection (siPLS and CARS-PLS), under cross-validation schemes. The benchtop system achieved the highest regression performance (R² up to 0.91 for glucose and electrical conductivity) and the most reliable botanical classification (balanced accuracy = 0.90). Portable systems showed moderate predictive ability for bulk compositional parameters (R² up to 0.86 for glucose) but limited classification performance. Wavelength selection resulted in only marginal improvements. Hydroxymethylfurfural and diastatic activity were poorly predicted (R² up to 0.49), likely due to their low concentrations. Summarising, the main outcomes suggested that tested portable NIR settings are also suitable for rapid quantitative screening of chemical traits, whereas the benchtop system provide higher precision for botanical qualitative authentication. Full article

Background/Objectives: Coffea canephora (robusta) and Coffea liberica var. dewevrei (excelsa) cultivated in the Comoros islands represent understudied coffee varieties grown in a unique volcanic terroir. Despite their agricultural significance and potential bioactive value, no comprehensive biochemical or nutritional characterization of these Comorian coffees had previously been conducted. This study therefore aimed to provide the first integrated biochemical and nutritional characterization of both varieties and to evaluate the influence of the islands’ specific edaphoclimatic conditions on their chemical composition. Methods: An integrated analytical approach was employed, combining UV-Vis spectrophotometry, HPLC, ionomics, and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy to quantify polyphenols, flavonoids, caffeine, soluble sugars, antioxidant activity, mineral profiles, and macromolecular composition of green coffee beans from both species. Results: Robusta exhibited significantly higher levels of total polyphenols (121.79 ± 2.73 mg GAE/g), total flavonoids (29.43 ± 2.20 mg QE/g), caffeine (1.52% w/w), total soluble sugars (60.47 ± 3.37 mg GE/g), and antioxidant activity (64.97 ± 6.25 mM Trolox eq/g). Conversely, excelsa demonstrated a distinct mineral profile, with significantly higher concentrations of magnesium, calcium, sodium, zinc, and copper. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed distinct vibrational fingerprints between the two species, particularly in lipid and carbohydrate signatures. Conclusions: These findings position Comorian robusta as a potent source of antioxidants and stimulants, while excelsa offers a nutritionally balanced profile with nutraceutical potential, providing a scientific basis for valorizing both varieties as high-value niche products and contributing to the preservation of coffee agro-biodiversity. Full article

(1) Background: Carvedilol is a poorly water-soluble drug, which limits its therapeutic performance. Deep eutectic solvents (DES) and cyclodextrins (CD) are emerging solubilizing agents that can improve drug bioavailability. (2) Methods: Twenty-one DES were prepared using choline chloride and polyols or sugars (xylitol, sorbitol, glucose, and fructose) at different molar ratios with water. α and β cyclodextrins (CD) were added (0.5–2 mM) using two incorporation strategies: (Method 1) addition to the aqueous phase before DES formation; (Method 2) direct addition to the preformed DES. (3) Results: Carvedilol solubility markedly increased with DES–CD combinations. In Method 1, xylitol-based DES provided up to a 16-fold enhancement, especially with β-CD at low concentrations, while glucose and sorbitol systems showed modest effects. Fructose-based mixtures improved mainly at a 2:1:35 ratio without CDs. In Method 2, α-CD with xylitol or sorbitol yielded the highest increases (up to 38.9-fold). (4) Conclusions: The solubilization efficiency depends on DES composition, CD type, and concentration. α-CD combined with xylitol-based DES showed the best results, highlighting this approach as a promising strategy to enhance carvedilol solubility for pharmaceutical applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: The escalating crisis of antibiotic resistance and the inherent limitations of conventional antibiotics necessitate the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. Targeted drug delivery (TDD) offers a powerful approach to enhance efficacy, minimize systemic toxicity, and circumvent bacterial resistance. This systematic review aims to evaluate the potential of unique bacterial transport systems (BTSs), surface specific receptors and intracellular enzymes as platforms for TDD via the “Trojan Horse” strategy (THS). Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, focusing on studies that investigated the specificity and mechanisms of BTSs responsible for the uptake of metabolites that are essential for and unique to bacteria. This includes an analysis of transport systems for siderophores, bacteria-specific sugars, cell wall components, D-amino acids, and vitamins. We assessed preclinical and clinical examples of drug conjugates utilizing these pathways, as well as emerging platforms such as bacteriophage-derived proteins, antibody–antibiotic conjugates, and bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs). Results: BTSs demonstrate high specificity for their cognate substrates, providing effective molecular gateways for TDD of drugs photosensitizers and diagnostic probes in form of conjugates. The siderophore–cephalosporin conjugate cefiderocol represents a clinically validated example, having received FDA approval. Preclinical studies further reveal that conjugates utilizing sugars (e.g., maltose, trehalose) and vitamins (e.g., B12) can significantly enhance antibiotic uptake and activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, including drug-resistant strains. Emerging platforms like bacteriophage endolysins and engineered EVs show promise for overcoming biological barriers such as bacterial outer membranes and intracellular host niches. Conclusions: The THS leveraging BTSs represents a clinically viable and promising avenue for next-generation antibacterial therapies. Advantages of BTS include overcoming bacterial resistance, such as reduced membrane permeability and efflux pumps, enabling the “revival” of antibiotics that are poorly permeable or toxic, increasing their local concentration at the target site and reducing side effects on host cells. While significant progress has been made, a striking disconnect persists between the hundreds of conjugates demonstrating potent in vitro activity and the limited agent that has achieved clinical use. This in vitro–in vivo gap reflects, in large part, the early stage of this field rather than a fundamental failure. Further research is critically needed not only to identify novel BTSs and optimize drug-linker chemistry, but also to systematically address the translational barriers—including poor pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and unexpected toxicity—that have prevented most promising candidates from advancing beyond preclinical evaluation. Full article

This study aimed to develop a biotechnological process for producing a lactic-fermented tomato ingredient (Solanum lycopersicum) capable of acting as a natural reddish colorant and enhancing microbiological stability in fresh pork sausage, reducing dependence on cochineal carmine, whose market price has fluctuated substantially. The bioprocess was conducted at industrial scale using a 10% tomato flour solution subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis with pectinases to release lycopene, followed by co-culture fermentation with Lacticaseibacillus paracasei ATCC 25302 and Pediococcus acidilactici ATCC 8042 to convert sugars into lactic acid. The antimicrobial potential of the ingredient was assessed through minimum inhibitory concentration assays using the Computational Microbial Density Scanning method against microbiota isolated from fresh pork sausage. A dose-dependent inhibitory effect was observed, with significant growth reduction from 2%. The fermented ingredient was then applied at 2% (w/w) in fresh pork sausage, partially or fully replacing cochineal carmine. Instrumental color analysis showed that 2% enabled a 50% reduction in cochineal carmine without compromising color. Microbiological stability evaluated using the MicroLab_ShelfLife method revealed a substantial reduction in microbial growth rates in treated groups. Overall, lactic-fermented tomato can partially replace cochineal carmine while preserving sensory color and providing an antimicrobial function, thereby enhancing product stability and shelf-life. Full article

Abiotic stresses, including heavy metal contamination, can severely impair plant growth and antioxidative defense. However, their adverse effects may be mitigated through sustainable strategies such as biostimulant application. This study investigated the effects of humic substances (HSs), alone or combined with mycorrhizal inoculation (M), on oxidative stress and antioxidative responses in Cannabis sativa, Sorghum sudanense × bicolor, and Miscanthus × giganteus grown under field conditions on metal-contaminated agricultural soil exceeding regulatory thresholds for Zn, Pb, and Cd. Plant growth, lipid peroxidation, stress-related metabolites (proline, sugars), antioxidative enzyme activities (catalase, CAT; ascorbate peroxidase, APX; guaiacol peroxidase, GOPX; glutathione reductase, GR, and superoxide dismutase, SOD), and leaf metal concentrations were analyzed. Biostimulants increased proline and sugars in Sorghum (by up to 55% and 80%, respectively), accompanied by reduced oxidative stress indicators and improved biomass (by 26%). In Cannabis, higher Cd and Pb concentrations following biostimulant treatments were associated with increased SOD, APX, and GR activities (by 33–267%), without affecting growth. In Miscanthus, increased lipid peroxidation (by 37–60%) occurred alongside enhanced GR and APX activities. These results indicate strong species-specific responses and absence of consistent synergistic effects of HSs and M, highlighting distinct physiological strategies of stress adaptation and antioxidative defense on metal-contaminated soils. Future research should address physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying these responses. Full article

Spoilage date palm fruits are produced in large quantities and represent an underutilized agrowaste resource. Their high sugar content and balanced nutrient composition make them promising candidates for microbial bioprocessing. This study explored their potential as a low-cost substrate for Talaromyces atroroseus QA2602 (PZ091940) to simultaneously produce biodiesel grade lipids, natural pigments, and fungal chitosan within an integrated biorefinery approach. Spoiled date fruits were chemically characterized and applied at varying concentrations to cultivate T. atroroseus QA2602 (PZ091940). Thermal and thermo-chemical pretreatments were tested to enhance sugar availability. Lipid accumulation, fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) profiles, pigment production, and pigment stability were assessed. Biodiesel quality was estimated from FAME composition. De-oiled fungal biomass wastes were further processed to extract and characterize chitosan, and pigment–chitosan composites were evaluated for antioxidant activity. Optimal lipid and pigment production by T. atroroseus occurred at moderate concentration of spoiled date fruit substrate used in the culture medium, while dilute acid pretreatment of spoiled date fruits at high temperature resulted in the highest reducing sugar release from the substrate, which subsequently enhanced fungal biomass formation. The resulting C16–C18 rich oil displayed fuel properties consistent with high quality biodiesel. Pigments exhibited strong pH and thermal stability, along with potent antioxidant activity. De-oiled biomass produced chitosan with a high degree of deacetylation, and the pigment–chitosan composite showed enhanced antioxidant capacity. Rotted date fruits provide an effective, sustainable feedstock enabling the co-production of biodiesel, pigments, and chitosan by Talaromyces atroroseus QA2602 (PZ091940), supporting their integration into circular bioeconomy frameworks. Full article

Palm kernel cake (PKC), a byproduct of palm kernel oil extraction, is processed into palm kernel meal (PKM), which contains hemicellulose rich in mannose, a versatile sugar with applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries. However, its association within the lignin–cellulose matrix is a challenge for industrial extraction. This study proposes an optimized enzymatic hydrolysis method utilizing mannanase to maximize the mannose content from PKM powder to produce palm kernel mannose syrup. A 3³ Box–Behnken design within a response surface methodology coupled with a desirability function method was used to optimize hydrolysis parameters to maximize mannose and solids content while minimizing enzyme concentration and hydrolysis time. The optimal conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis were established as a reaction time of 16 h, 5% (w/v) solids, and 5% (w/w) enzyme, resulting in 4.325 g/L of mannose and a mannose yield of 24.33 ± 0.5%. The palm kernel mannose syrup was evaluated, resulting in a moisture content of 15.85 ± 0.07%, water activity of 0.6918 ± 0.003, and a pH of 4.05 ± 0.282, demonstrating shelf-life stability. These findings demonstrate the technical feasibility of valorizing PKC and PKM into a stable, mannose-rich syrup, offering a sustainable and scalable pathway for converting agro-industrial waste into high-value ingredients for multiple value-added applications. Full article

The Mediterranean Basin faces increasing risks from extreme weather events, particularly heat stress, which severely threatens the productivity of sensitive crops, like processing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). This study evaluated the agronomic, physiological, quality, and economic performance of using Mater-Bi^®-based biodegradable mulch films—varying in color (black and White/Black) and thickness (12 µm and 15 µm)—in two distinct Southern Italian pedoclimatic sites: Sicily and Campania. The aim was to define site-specific optimization strategies by comparing three biodegradable mulch film treatments, 12 µm (BDM12), 15 µm (BDM15), and Black/White (BDBW), against bare soil (BS). The results confirmed that biodegradable mulching enhances plant physiological status, such as chlorophyll and nitrogen balance index (NBI), and marketable yield compared to BS. The effectiveness of the films depended significantly on the environment. In Sicily, the BDBW (White/Black) film provided the maximum marketable yield (804.7 q ha⁻¹), confirming its crucial role in mitigating high soil temperatures through radiation reflection. Conversely, in the more favorable Campanian environment, the thicker black film (BDN15) achieved the highest yield (867.3 q ha⁻¹), indicating that microclimate stability is prioritized over heat mitigation under optimal conditions. Quality analysis showed high variability; while the Sicilian site generally favored color and antioxidant capacity, total soluble solids (°Brix) exhibited a trade-off. BDBW achieved the highest °Brix (6.1) in Sicily, while BS yielded the highest (6.03) in Campania, suggesting that slight water stress can concentrate sugars at the expense of total yield. The economic analysis demonstrated that the °Brix increase achieved with biodegradable films provided a net additional economic return superior to BS in both sites (up to +52.92% with BDBW). These findings suggest that the adoption of biodegradable mulching represents a key strategy for the sustainable intensification of processing tomato. Future cultivation strategies must mandatorily integrate the personalized selection of film color and thickness as a key element to synergistically maximize yield, quality, and economic return, tailored to the specific pedoclimatic conditions of each production site. Full article

(1) Background: Soil fertility in organic systems depends on interactions between physicochemical properties and biological processes that regulate nutrient availability along the soil profile. However, information on their vertical distribution remains limited, particularly for root crops such as sugar beet. This study evaluated depth-related patterns in soils from three organic farms growing sugar beet. (2) Methods: Soil profiles (0–120 cm) were sampled and analyzed for physicochemical properties, mineral nitrogen (N) forms, and biological indicators, including the QBS-ar index, microbial abundance, and functional genes involved in N and carbon cycling. (3) Results: Nitrate-N and total mineral N were mainly concentrated in the 0–40 cm layer and declined markedly with depth. Microbial abundance and most N-cycling functional genes were similarly enriched in the topsoil, showing clear vertical stratification. Statistical analyses suggested that functional gene composition was associated with mineral N gradients after accounting for soil depth. (4) Conclusions: These findings provide an exploratory indication of relationships between mineral N forms and microbial indicators in an organically managed sugar beet system. Given the limited number of sampling units, results should be interpreted cautiously. However, these results highlight the value of soil profile approaches for understanding N redistribution and improving nutrient management strategies. Full article