Search Results (3,276)

To evaluate lignite degradation efficiency and the enhancement of biogas production by different microbial treatments, lignite was pre-treated with Streptomyces viridosporus (actinomycete), Phanerochaete chrysosporium (fungus), and Pseudomonas sp. (bacterium), followed by biogasification experiments. Among the three, Phanerochaete chrysosporium exhibited the highest lignite degradation rate. All microbial treatments improved both cumulative biogas yield and methane conversion, with Phanerochaete chrysosporium again demonstrating the most significant enhancement. Ultimate analysis after degradation showed the following consistent trends across all treatments: increases in carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen contents, and reductions in sulfur and oxygen contents. A linear correlation was observed between the H/C atomic ratio and total biogas yield. Functional group analysis revealed the greatest reductions in key functional groups with Phanerochaete chrysosporium, followed by moderate changes with Pseudomonas and Streptomyces viridosporus. Pore structure characterization indicated that all microorganisms influenced lignite porosity, particularly in mesopore and micropore regions. Increases in pore volume and connectivity were associated with improved biogas production efficiency. Full article

Single-factor and orthogonal experiments were conducted to investigate the biological characteristics of Dichomitus squalens strains isolated from wild fruiting bodies collected in Tekes County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Building upon the optimal mycelial culture conditions identified, domestication cultivation studies were performed, including experiments to induce fruiting body formation. Liquid strains were inoculated into substrates to monitor developmental stages from primordia formation to mature fruiting bodies, with macroscopic characteristics recorded throughout the cultivation process. Crude polysaccharides were extracted from the cultivated fruiting bodies using the water extraction and ethanol precipitation method. The scavenging rates of these polysaccharides against hydroxyl radicals (OH⁻) and superoxide anion radicals (O₂⁻) were measured to evaluate their in vitro antioxidant activity. Results demonstrated that the optimal growth conditions for D. squalens were as follows: sucrose as the preferred carbon source, yeast extract powder as the optimal nitrogen source, a pH of 5.0, and a temperature of 30 °C. Among these factors, pH exerted the most significant influence on the mycelial growth rate, followed by nitrogen source, carbon source, and temperature. Mature fruiting bodies developed approximately 57 days after inoculation with liquid strains. The crude polysaccharide extraction yield from the cultivated fruiting bodies reached 7.07%, with a total polysaccharide content of 24.69% in the extract. The crude polysaccharides exhibited potent radical scavenging activity: at a concentration of 5.0 mg/mL, the hydroxyl radical scavenging rate was 56.74%, while the superoxide anion radical scavenging rate reached 78.3%. These findings indicate that D. squalens possesses significant antioxidant potential. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of lasalocid sodium (LASA) and essential oils on the fermentation and nutritional quality of total mixed ration (TMR) silages. A 4 × 2 factorial design tested four additives—a control (distilled water), LASA (375 mg/kg DM), limonene essential oil (LEO), and a blend of cinnamaldehyde and carvacrol (EOB), both at 400 mg/kg DM—during summer and autumn. The TMRs were formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of lactating cows producing 20 kg of milk per day. After 110 days of ensiling, silages were analyzed for fermentation losses, pH, short-chain fatty acids, ammoniacal nitrogen (NH₃-N), aerobic stability (AS), and chemical composition. The additives significantly improved dry matter recovery (DMR), especially LASA and EOB in autumn. EOB showed the lowest effluent losses and highest AS, with higher acetic acid and lower NH₃-N contents. LEO and EOB increased lactic acid, while LASA reduced ethanol and butyric acid levels in summer. Crude protein increased with LEO in autumn, and LASA and LEO improved total digestible nutrients (TDNs) in summer. EOB-treated silages had higher fiber fractions in autumn, without compromising feed value. Therefore, LASA, LEO, and particularly EOB enhanced silage fermentation and nutrient preservation, with EOB showing the most consistent results across seasons. Full article

This study presents a four-year evaluation (2020–2024) of an integrated climate mitigation project on a pig farm in Ávila, Spain, at an elevation of over 1100 m above sea level with continental climate conditions. The project aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and nitrogen pollution by implementing solid–liquid filtration followed by biological treatment in a 625 m³ Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) operating under a nitrification–denitrification (N-DN) regime. The SBR carried out four daily cycles, alternating aerobic and anoxic phases, with 5 and 8 m³ inlets. Aeration intensity and redox potential were continuously monitored to optimize bacterial activity. Analytical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, solids content, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) were measured using ISO methods and tracked frequently. Annual emission reductions were 75% for N₂O, up to 97% for NH₃, and 80% for N₂. In the summer months, we observed higher efficiency reduction for N₂, NH₃, and NO₂. Additionally, there was a 75% average reduction for COD and up to 92% for total GHG emissions. This real-world case study highlights the effectiveness of SBR-based N-DN systems for nutrient removal and emission reduction in high-altitude, climate-sensitive regions, contributing to EU nitrate directive compliance and circular economy practices. Full article

The utilization of organic fertilizers for the cultivation of wild edible and medicinal plants offers agronomic and ecological benefits, given their suitability to low-input and sustainable production systems. Under such conditions, these species may also benefit from targeted foliar applications of micronutrients to enhance their nutritional quality. This study examined the effects of a vinasse-based organic fertilizer and conventional fertilization regime, in combination with foliar applications of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), on the biomass, leaf photochemistry, and plant stress-related responses of Sideritis cypria and Origanum dubium. In S. cypria, organic fertilization resulted in a similar yield compared to conventional fertilization, while O. dubium showed a significant decrease in yield when using organic fertilizers. The impact of spraying with Zn on S. cypria dry matter content was related to the availability of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, while in O. dubium Zn spraying induced a decrease in dry matter. The total phenols content and antioxidant activity of S. cypria were elevated by conventional fertilization and foliar application of Fe, while the combination of organic fertilization and foliar application of Fe and Zn reduced lipid peroxidation. In O. dubium, foliar application of Fe and Zn led to a reduction in total phenols content, antioxidant capacity, and hydrogen peroxide content under adequate nutrition. In general, foliar spraying with Zn tended to improve water use efficiency under specific fertilization practices on both species, while the positive effect of conventional fertilization on nutrient use efficiency still requires further validation. Ultimately, the efficiency of organic fertilization was related to the examined species, inducing variations in leaf chlorophyll content. In addition, foliar application of Fe and Zn affected the antioxidant capacity and mineral content of the examined species. Thus, appropriate fertilization management is vital to fully realize the specific benefits of foliar micronutrient addition. Full article

Municipal wastewater with a low carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio presents challenges for conventional nitrogen removal processes, often requiring costly external carbon sources. This study investigated the enhancement of nitrogen removal in a simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) system by incorporating heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification (HN-AD) bacterial agents (Klebsiella variicola L3, Acinetobacter beijerinckii W4, and Acinetobacter sp. Z1) with modified basalt fiber carriers. Three reactors were compared: mixed HN-AD strains (M), mixed strains with activated sludge (A+M), and activated sludge alone (A). Results demonstrated that the A+M reactor achieved superior performance, with median removal efficiencies of 82.2% for NH₄⁺-N, 52.9% for total nitrogen (TN), and 51.6% for COD, outperforming the M reactor (75.2%, 43.6%, and 51.6%) and the A reactor (63.2%, 29.3%, and 44.8%). The A+M reactor also exhibited a 40% reduction in COD consumption per unit TN removed (2.55 ± 1.75) compared to the control reactor A (4.25 ± 3.99). Microbial analysis revealed Acinetobacter sp. Z1 (6.1%) and K. variicola L3 (1.1%) as dominant species, with the A+M reactor showing higher microbial diversity (56.4% Proteobacteria, 10.2% Bacteroidota) and biological viability (VSS/SS ratio of 0.70 ± 0.01). Extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) content in A+M reached 242.26 ± 15.52 mg/g-VSS, with a protein-to-polysaccharide ratio of 2.77 ± 0.00, indicating robust biofilm activity. These findings highlight the potential of HN-AD bacterial agents to enhance nitrogen removal in low C/N wastewater treatment, offering a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional methods by reducing reliance on external carbon sources and improving system efficiency. Full article

Shale pore architecture governs gas storage capacity, permeability, and production potential in reservoirs. Therefore, this study systematically investigates the pore structure features and influencing factors of the Niutitang Formation shale from the QX1 well in northern Guizhou using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high-pressure mercury intrusion (HPMI), low-temperature nitrogen adsorption (LTNA), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. The results show that ① The pore size of the QX1 well’s Niutitang Formation shale is primarily in the nanometer range, with pore types including intragranular pores, intergranular pores, organic matter pores, and microfractures, with the former two types constituting the primary pore network. ② Pore shapes are plate-shaped intersecting conical microfractures or plate-shaped intersecting ink bottles, ellipsoidal, and beaded pores. ③ The pore size distribution showed a multi-peak distribution, predominantly mesopores, followed by micropores, with the fewest macropores. ④ The fractal dimension D₁ > D₂ indicates that the shale pore system is characterized by a rough surface and some connectivity of the pore network. ⑤ Carbonate mineral abundances are the main controlling factors affecting the pore structure of shales in the study area, and total organic carbon (TOC) content also has some influence, while clay mineral content shows negligible statistical correlation. Full article

Partial organic substitution (POS) is a promising strategy to enhance soil fertility and agricultural sustainability. However, the mechanisms by which varying organic substitution ratios affect soil quality and latex yields in rubber plantations remain unclear. We conducted a two-year field experiment in a rubber plantation with six treatments: no fertilizer (CK), 100% synthetic fertilizer (NPK), and synthetic nitrogen fertilizer substituted with 25% (25 M), 50% (50 M), 75% (75 M), and 100% (100 M) manure. The results indicated that POS treatments significantly increased pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), NH₄⁺-N, enzyme activity, and leaf nutrient (C, N, and P) content compared to NPK. Compared with NPK, the soil quality (evaluated through the soil quality index, SQI) increased by 15.30–43.42% under POS across both years, with maximal values observed at 50 M (2020) and 75 M (2021); similarly, the latex yield increased by 2.10–18.60%. SOC, NO₃⁻-N,C:P ratio, TN, and pH are the key factors that influence soil quality and latex yield. Structural equation modeling indicated that fertilization and soil factors collectively explained 82% of the variation in latex yield. These results demonstrated that POS effectively alleviated soil acidity, enhanced soil quality, and improved latex productivity, with 50% manure substitution treatment (50M) identified as the optimal short-term substitution strategy in rubber plantations. Full article

The cultivation of sweet cherry takes place in various climatic zones, where the plant may be exposed to different types of environmental stress during the growing season, which can significantly affect yield and fruit quality. The role of various physiologically active compounds is crucial for plant resistance to stressful environmental conditions. The aim of this study is to determine how the foliar application of different physiologically active substances affects the mineral composition of sweet cherry leaves. Research was performed in 2022 and 2023 at two locations (Ninski Stanovi and Murvica) in Zadar County with the Regina variety. The trials included five foliar treatments (T0—water only, T1—Ca nutritional supplement, T2—biostimulant (Ascophyllum nodosum L.), T3—proline solution, T4—salicylic acid solution). Leaf samples were collected for the analysis of the following macro-elements: total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P). On average, significantly higher TN content in leaves was found only in T2 (15% higher than T0). Ca, Mg, and K contents in leaf dry matter in all variants were higher by 20–29%, 13–20%, and 12–14%, respectively, compared to the control variant. The significant correlations were found between Ca and Mg, Ca and P, as well as Ca and K contents. This study shows a significant impact of the applied compounds on sweet cherry leaf mineral composition, and considering the year and locality effects, further testing of these treatments in different environments could be suggested. Full article

Crotalaria juncea L. (Fabaceae: Faboideae), traditionally used as green manure due to its nitrogen-fixing capacity, also exhibits therapeutic potential for conditions such as anemia and psoriasis. However, its cosmetic applications remain largely unexplored. This study examined the phytochemical profiles and biological activities of ethanolic extracts from the root, flower, and leaf of C. juncea, focusing on their potential use in cosmetic formulations. Soxhlet extraction with 95% ethanol was employed. Among the extracts, the leaf showed the highest total flavonoid content, while the root contained the highest total phenolic content. The root extract demonstrated the strongest antioxidant activity, as assessed by DPPH, FRAP, and lipid peroxidation assays, along with significant anti-tyrosinase and anti-aging effects via collagenase and elastase inhibition. LC-MS/QTOF analysis identified genistein and kaempferol as the major bioactive constituents in the root extract. Molecular docking confirmed their strong interactions with enzymes associated with skin aging. Additionally, the root extract exhibited notable anti-inflammatory activity. These results suggest that C. juncea root extract is a promising multifunctional natural ingredient for cosmetic applications due to its antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties. Full article

Lycium barbarum L. (goji berry), a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, depends heavily on nitrogen input to maintain productivity. Nitrogen application also profoundly influences rhizosphere microbial dynamics, which are critical for soil health and plant performance. This study aimed to investigate how the rhizosphere fungal community responds to nitrogen input and explore the potential role of beneficial fungi (e.g., Chaetomium) in goji berry rhizosphere enrichment. A field experiment with four nitrogen levels (0, 53.82, 67.62, and 80.73 g·N m⁻²·year⁻¹, designated as N0, N1, N2, and N3) was conducted to analyze the fungal community structure in the rhizosphere of goji berry using ITS rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The results showed that nitrogen input significantly altered the rhizosphere fungal community composition and diversity. Redundancy analysis (RDA) and Mantel tests indicated that soil electrical conductivity, total phosphorus, available phosphorus, and nitrate nitrogen were key environmental factors driving the fungal communities’ shifts. Notably, specific fungal genera, including Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Gibberella, Fusarium, Pyxidiophora, Acaulium, and Lophotrichus, exhibited differential enrichment across nitrogen levels. In particular, Chaetomium was significantly enriched under the conventional nitrogen treatment (N2), a strain of Chaetomium sp. LC101 was successfully isolated from the goji berry rhizosphere, and its functional roles were verified via pot experiments. Inoculation with Chaetomium sp. LC101 significantly promoted goji berry growth, with the most pronounced effects observed under N0 treatments, root fresh weight, root vitality, and leaf chlorophyll content increased by up to 55.10%, 15.69%, and 43.27%, respectively, compared to non-inoculated controls. Additionally, Chaetomium sp. LC101 regulated rhizosphere nitrogen transformation by enhancing urease, nitrite reductase, and polyphenol oxidase activities while inhibiting nitrate reductase activity. These findings demonstrate that Chaetomium responds sensitively to nitrogen input, with enrichment under moderate nitrogen levels, and acts as a beneficial rhizosphere fungus by promoting plant growth and regulating nitrogen cycling. This study provides novel insights for nitrogen management in the goji berry industry, where synergistic regulation via “nitrogen reduction combined with microbial inoculation” can reduce nitrogen loss, improve yield and quality through functional fungi, and contribute to ecological sustainability. Full article

The present study aims to investigate the impact of long-term apple production and orchard management practices on soil quality in gneiss mountainous regions. The microbial community (as measured by phospholipid fatty acid analysis) and soil physicochemical properties (bulk density, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) were determined in soil samples collected from apple plantations of various ages (0-, 8-, 22-, 29-, and 36-year) in Gangdi Village, Xingtai, China. The soil samples were collected from depths of 0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm. The findings of the present study demonstrate that with increasing duration of apple cultivation, the soil bulk density and porosity decreased and increased, respectively. Initially, the content of soil nutrients such as organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus increased, eventually stabilizing, accompanied by a decline in pH. The soil microbial biomass significantly increased, accompanied by discernible alterations in the composition of the microbial community. Organic matter was found to be the primary factor influencing the structure and diversity of microbial communities. It is evident from forward analysis that the soil Gram-negative and actinomycete communities were predominantly influenced by soil pH, bulk density, and total phosphorus. In contrast, the Gram-positive and eukaryote communities were less affected by soil environmental factors. Notably, the soil bacterial community presented a greater degree of sensitivity to the duration of apple cultivation than did the fungal community. A marked vertical difference in the soil quality indicators was evident, with the increase in surface soil quality exceeding that of deeper soil depths. Full article

In addition to being governed by genetic factors, environmental factors also play a crucial role in influencing the fragrance of rice. In this research, the high-quality rice variety Dalixiang was selected as the experimental material to investigate the impacts of soil nutrients in Guiyang and Meitan on its fragrance. The results indicated that the levels of ammonium nitrogen, organic matter, total nitrogen, available nitrogen, and the pH value in the soil of Meitan were lower compared to those in Guiyang. Conversely, the contents of total potassium, available phosphorus, and available potassium were higher in Meitan. Specifically, the concentrations of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP) in the leaves of Dalixiang at the heading stage and in the grains at the maturity stage at the Meitan planting site were 0.13 mg/kg and 0.56 mg/kg, respectively. These values were significantly lower than the 0.17 mg/kg and 0.64 mg/kg measured at the Guiyang planting site. This phenomenon is associated with the higher expression levels of the betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (OsBadh2) gene, enhanced enzyme activities, and a greater content of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the leaves of Dalixiang at the Meitan planting site. In contrast, the expression levels of genes related to triose phosphate isomerase (OsTPI), proline dehydrogenase (OsProDH), ornithine aminotransferase (OsOAT), and Delta1-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid synthetase (OsP5CS), along with their corresponding enzyme activities, as well as the contents of methylglyoxal, proline, and ornithine, were lower. In conclusion, due to the influence of the Guiyang environment, the biosynthesis of Dalixiang 2AP was promoted, which made the Dalixiang planted in Guiyang stronger than that planted in Meitan. This study provides a theoretical basis for the selection of the best planting area of Dalixiang and the improvement of Dalixiang flavor through agronomic cultivation techniques. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with winged bean tuber (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) fermented using ruminal Candida tropicalis KKU20 on gas kinetics, ruminal fermentation, and degradability using the in vitro gas production technique. A 3 × 4 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design was used. Factor A included three roughage-to-concentrate (R:C) ratios: 60:40, 50:50, and 40:60. Factor B consisted of four levels of SBM replacement with yeast-fermented winged bean tuber (YFWBT): 0%, 33%, 66%, and 100%. Fermentation with C. tropicalis KKU20 increased the crude protein content of winged bean tuber by 13.32%. No significant interaction was found between the R:C ratio and YFWBT level for cumulative gas production at 24, 48, or 96 h (p > 0.05). Cumulative gas production at 96 h was not affected by either factor. However, at 24 and 48 h, gas production increased with higher proportions of concentrate (p < 0.05). Both the R:C ratio and YFWBT level significantly influenced pH and ammonia–nitrogen (NH₃-N) concentrations (p < 0.01). After 24 h, NH₃-N ranged from 7.66 to 13.76 mg/dL, rising to 16.44–16.63 mg/dL after 48 h. A significant interaction (p < 0.01) was observed for in vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD) and in vitro organic matter degradability (IVOMD). Increasing concentrate levels along with YFWBT inclusion improved degradability at both incubation times. The highest IVDMD (64.49%) and IVOMD (65.81%) were recorded at 48 h in the 40:60 R:C ratio with 33% YFWBT. At 48 h, a significant interaction effect (p < 0.05) was also found for total volatile fatty acid (VFA) and propionic acid (C3) concentrations. Total VFA peaked in the 40:60 group with 33% YFWBT (104.31 mM), while the highest C3 concentration (26.22%) was observed in the same R:C group with 66% YFWBT. At 24 h, total VFA was significantly affected by the R:C ratio (p < 0.05), with the lowest values in the 60:40 group and increasing in response to higher concentrate and YFWBT levels. Incorporating YFWBT at 33% in diets with an R:C ratio of 40:60 optimized degradability, indicating its potential as a sustainable alternative to SBM in ruminant nutrition. Full article

Urban wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, carbon sequestration, and water purification. Sediments are key carriers for wetlands to store elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the aquatic environment. This study analyzed different sediment layers of seven wetlands in Yangzhou, aiming to explore the relationship between physicochemical factors and microbial communities in wetland sediments, as well as to predict the functions of microbial communities. Functional prediction of microbial communities was conducted based on amplicon sequencing analysis, and the neutral community model was used to determine the formation and evolution process of microbial communities. The results showed that in three wetlands, namely Zhuyu Bay (ZYW), Luyang Lake (LYH), and Runyang Wetland (RYSD), the contents of carbon components (total carbon, total soluble carbon, microbial biomass carbon) in the 0–20 cm sediment layer were higher, while the carbon component contents in Baoying Lake (BYH) showed the opposite trend. Among them, the contents of total nitrogen, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, total phosphorus, available phosphorus, total potassium, and available potassium in the 0–20 cm sediment layer of Runyang Wetland (RYSD) were significantly the highest. This indicates that in Runyang Wetland (RYSD), the 0–20 cm layer has more abundant carbon components and mineral nutrients compared to the 20–40 cm layer. Among the seven wetlands, it was found that the content of total potassium was all greater than 10 g/kg, which was much higher than the contents of total phosphorus and total nitrogen. Analysis of microbial communities revealed that the dominant archaeal phyla were Thaumarchaeota and Euryarchaeota, and the dominant bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria. The distribution of functional genes was mainly concentrated in Zhuyu Bay (ZYW) and Luyang Lake (LYH). Zhuyu Bay Wetland (ZYW) had potential advantages in light utilization function, and Luyang Lake (LYH) had potential advantages in carbon and nitrogen cycle functions. The assembly process of the archaeal community was mainly affected by stochastic processes, while the bacterial community was mainly affected by deterministic processes. However, water content, total phosphorus, and available potassium all had strong correlations with both archaeal and bacterial communities. The research results preliminarily reveal the connections between the physicochemical properties of sediments, microbial communities, and their potential functions in Yangzhou urban wetlands, providing an important scientific basis for the protection and management of wetland ecosystems. Full article