Search Results (4,068)

Calcium ameliorates salt-related growth defects in plants. The objective of this study was to determine whether supplying calcium through a seed enrichment technique enhances the germinability and early growth of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) under saline conditions. For seed enrichment, timothy seeds were soaked in CaCl₂ solutions at concentrations of 50 mM or 100 mM for 24 h at room temperature. Seeds treated with distilled water served as the control. Under distilled water conditions, germination rates among the seeds showed minimal variation, approximately 95% on average. However, in a 200 mM NaCl environment, the germination rate of the control seeds significantly decreased to 25%, while the germination rates of the Ca-enriched seeds remained high, exceeding 86%. Additionally, the Ca-enriched seeds germinated more quickly than the control seeds. When plants were grown with distilled water, the total dry matter weights did not differ significantly among the treatment types. However, under salt stress with 100 mM NaCl, the plants derived from Ca-enriched seeds thrived and exhibited higher dry matter weights compared to the control plants. The Ca-enriched seeds contained more soluble sugars and demonstrated higher catalase activity than the control seeds, and their corresponding plants accumulated less sodium under salt stress compared to the control plants. Seed enrichment is an effective technique for supplying calcium to timothy, and a concentration of 50 mM of CaCl₂ in the treatment solution is sufficient to achieve salt tolerance. Full article

This study examines the impact of hydrothermal pretreatment operation time (10, 20, and 30 min) on the following four lignocellulosic feedstocks with different lignin content: sugar beet pulp (SBP), brewers spent grain (BSG), orange peel (OP), and rice husk (RH). The objective of pretreatment is twofold, as follows: (1) to enhance the organic matter solubilization and the release of value-added bioproducts, such as total reducing sugars (TRS), total proteins (PR), and volatile fatty acids (VFAs); and (2) to improve VFA and hydrogen production during a subsequent stage of acidogenic anaerobic digestion (Dark Fermentation, DF). In this context, OP reported the highest overall yields across all pretreatment durations. Specifically, at 30 min, it achieved a maximum solubilization of 57.3 gO₂/L in terms of soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD), 19.1 gTRS/L and 20.6 gPR/L. Regarding VFA and hydrogen production via dark fermentation, the best results were obtained with SBP pretreated for 20 and 30 min, yielding 15.1 g H-Ac/L and 97.5 mL H₂ (n.c.)/g (d.m.), respectively. BSG displayed an intermediate performance, whereas RH consistently showed the lowest yields across all evaluated parameters, primarily due to its high lignin content. These findings highlight the pivotal role of pretreatment duration in the valorization of lignocellulosic biomasses, primarily aimed at the recovery of high-value-added biochemicals and biofuels, such as hydrogen, thereby supporting the development of integrated biorefinery systems. Full article

The work presents a comprehensive analysis and costing of sugar beet cultivation in 2020–2022, for individual farms of the Lublin region. About 120 farms were analyzed. Based on this analysis, the criteria for a model farm were determined and adopted for the calculation of sugar beet production costs. ARIMA process modeling was performed, based on which forecasts were determined for several selected parameters. Customs tariffs introduced by the USA have a drastic impact on the economy. The effects of the COVID19 pandemic may also have a significant impact on the current market situation. Forecasting in the current geopolitical situation is very difficult because of the lack of stationarity of parameters. The financial result obtained by growers is mainly influenced by indirect costs absorbing 61.31% of total costs in 2020. In 2021 and 2022, indirect costs were 61.16% and 59.61% of production income, respectively. Among this group of costs, the largest share is accounted for by the costs of sowing services, sugar beet harvesting, and soil liming amounting from 14.27% to 15.92%. During the analyzed period, sugar beet cultivation remained profitable, with a production profitability index of 1.31 in 2020 and 2021, and 1.10 in 2022. The unit cost of production increased every year. In 2020, it was 14.27% and in 2021, it increased to 15.19%. The unit cost of production in 2022 was the highest, at 23.41%. Sugar beet cultivation is one of the profitable activities in agricultural production, but it is characterized by high production costs, which increased during the years analyzed (2020 to 2022), topping out at 90.87% of total revenue. The information and data presented in this study will be used in the development of a farmer-oriented application and will support the creation of an expert system for sugar beet growers. Cost forecasting will enable farmers to plan their production more effectively. Full article

Chemical fertilizers pose significant risks to both human health and the environment. To investigate the effect of substituting nitrogen fertilizer with vermicompost tea on wheat yield, shoot chemical constituents, and grain quality under clay-loam soil conditions, two field experiments were conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt, during the winter seasons of 2021–2022 and 2022–2023. A split-plot design in randomized complete blocks with three replications was employed. Vermicompost tea was assigned to the main plots, while wheat cultivars were assigned to the subplots. The cultivars were evaluated under four treatments involving partial substitution of mineral nitrogen (recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN%, 190 kg N ha⁻¹): a control (90% of RDN + 25 kg vermicompost tea), 80% of RDN + 37.5 kg vermicompost tea, and 70% of RDN + 50 kg vermicompost tea. Nitrogen fertilizer (RDN%) was applied at rates of 190 (control), 170 (90%), 150 (80%), and 130 (70%) kg N ha⁻¹. The results indicated that partially substituting mineral nitrogen with vermicompost tea significantly increased grain weight/Ha, chlorophyll A, chlorophyll B, carotenoids, nitrogen, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content in shoots, as well as ash, crude protein, crude fiber, total sugar, and N, P, and K content in wheat grains. The grain weight/Ha of the Sakha-95, Giza-171, and Sads-14 cultivars increased by 38.6%, 33.5%, and 39.3%, respectively, when treated with 70% RDN + 50 kg vermicompost tea. The combination of the Sads-14 cultivar and 70% RDN + 50 kg vermicompost tea resulted in the highest values for grain weight/ha (9.43 tons ha⁻¹), chlorophyll A (1.39 mg/g), chlorophyll B (1.04 mg/g), N (5.08%), P (1.63%), and P (2.43%) content in shoots. The same combination also improved ash (2.89%), crude fiber (2.84%), and K (6.05%) content in grains. In conclusion, the application of vermicompost tea in conjunction with chemical fertilizers offers a viable alternative to using chemical fertilizers alone, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving wheat production. It is recommended that mineral nitrogen fertilizer be partially replaced with vermicompost tea to enhance both the productivity and grain quality of wheat while minimizing environmental pollution. Full article

Goji berries (Lycium barbarum L.) are considered a functional food due to their high content of bioactive compounds with demonstrated health benefits. This study evaluated four cultivars (G3, G4, G5, and G7) grown under Mediterranean climate conditions, focusing on their physicochemical properties (total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and pH), bioactive compound (sugars and organic acids, total and individual phenolic and carotenoid compounds, and antioxidant activities (DPPH and CUPRAC assay)), and aromatic profiles (by GC-MS) to assess their suitability for fresh consumption or incorporation into food products. G4 exhibited the most favorable physicochemical characteristics, with the highest total soluble solids (20.2 °Brix) and sugar content (92.8 g 100 g⁻¹ dw). G5 stood out for its lower titratable acidity (0.34%) and highest ripening index (54.8), indicating desirable flavor attributes. Concerning bioactive compounds, G3 and G4 showed the highest total phenolic content (17.9 and 19.1 mg GAE g⁻¹ dw, respectively), with neochlorogenic acid being predominant. G4 was notable for its high carotenoid content, particularly zeaxanthin (1722.6 μg g⁻¹ dw). These compounds significantly contributed to antioxidant activity. Volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles revealed alcohols and aldehydes as the dominant chemical families, with hexanal being the most abundant. G5 and G7 exhibited the highest total VOC concentrations. Principal component analysis grouped G3 and G4 based on their high sugar and phenolic content, while G5 and G7 were characterized by their complex aromatic profiles. Therefore, G3 and G4 are promising candidates for fresh consumption and potential functional applications, while G5 and G7 are particularly suitable for new product development due to their nutraceutical and aromatic value. Full article

Background/Objectives: Studies have reported that female athletes often exhibit low levels of nutritional knowledge and inadequate dietary intake to meet their nutritional needs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a nutritional education intervention on nutrition knowledge, dietary intake, and body composition in female handball players (n = 45; age, 17.6 ± 2.1 years). Methods: A quasi-experimental intervention design was implemented, consisting of a 3-week educational program delivered through six in-person sessions led by a registered dietitian. Nutrition knowledge, dietary intake, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and anthropometric and body composition measurements were assessed. Results: Nutrition knowledge levels were significantly higher both immediately post-intervention and three months later compared to baseline (p < 0.05, ES > 0.8). A total of 36 participants completed a 3-day dietary record at baseline and at follow-up. Initial assessments revealed insufficient energy (31 kcal/kg/day) and carbohydrate intake (3.0 g/kg/day) and a high intake of total fats (1.4 g/kg/day). During follow-up, a significant decrease in the consumption of foods rich in sugar was observed (p = 0.0272). A total of 82.2% of the players needed to improve their adherence to the Mediterranean diet. No significant changes were found in Mediterranean diet adherence or body composition following the intervention. Conclusions: The nutritional education intervention significantly improved athletes’ nutritional knowledge and significantly decreased their consumption of sugary foods; however, further studies are needed to evaluate its impact on dietary intake and body composition, considering the study’s limitations. Full article

Disease resistance is one of the most important target traits for sugarcane genetic improvement. Sugarcane brown stripe (SBS) caused by Helminthosporium stenospilum is one of the most destructive foliar diseases, which not only reduces harvest cane yield but also sugar content. This study aimed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) and candidate genes associated with SBS resistance. Here, the phenotypic investigation in six field habitats showed a continuous normal distribution, revealing that the SBS resistance trait is a quantitative trait. Two high-density linkage maps based on the single-dose markers calling from the Axiom Sugarcane100K SNP chip were constructed for the dominant sugarcane cultivars YT93-159 (SBS-resistant) and ROC22 (SBS-susceptible) with a density of 2.53 cM and 2.54 cM per SNP marker, and mapped on 87 linkage groups (LGs) and 80 LGs covering 3069.45 cM and 1490.34 cM of genetic distance, respectively. A total of 32 QTL associated with SBS resistance were detected by QTL mapping, which explained 3.73–11.64% of the phenotypic variation, and the total phenotypic variance explained (PVE) in YT93-159 and ROC22 was 107.44% and 79.09%, respectively. Among these QTL, four repeatedly detected QTL (qSBS-Y38-1, qSBS-Y38-2, qSBS-R8, and qSBS-R46) were considered stable QTL. Meanwhile, two major QTL, qSBS-Y38 and qSBS-R46, could account for 11.47% and 11.64% of the PVE, respectively. Twenty-five disease resistance candidate genes were screened by searching these four stable QTL regions in their corresponding intervals, of which Soffic.01G0010840-3C (PR3) and Soffic.09G0017520-1P (DND2) were significantly up-regulated in YT93-159 by qRT-PCR, while Soffic.01G0040620-1P (EDR2) was significantly up-regulated in ROC22. These results will provide valuable insights for future studies on sugarcane breeding in combating this disease. Full article

Climate change has a significant negative impact on agriculture and food production. This trend requires technological development and the adaptation of new technologies in both the grapevine production and winemaking sectors. High temperatures and heat accumulation during the growing season result in faster ripening and a higher sugar content, leading to a higher alcohol content during fermentation. The negative consequences are an imbalanced wine character and consumer reluctance, as lower alcoholic beverages are now in high demand. Over the last decade, several methods have been developed to handle this impact and reduce the alcohol content of wines. In this study, we used the MASTERMIND^® REMOVE membrane-based dealcoholization system to reduce the alcohol concentration in of Pinot gris wines from 12.02% v/v to 10.69% v/v and to investigate the effect on analytical parameters in three steps (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% reductions) along the treatment. To evaluate the impact of the partial alcohol reduction and identify correlations between the wine chemical parameters, data were analyzed with ANOVA, PCA, multivariate linear regression and cluster analysis. The results showed that except for the extract, sugar content and proline content, the treatment had a significant effect on the chemical parameters. Both free and total SO₂ levels were significantly reduced as well as volatile acid, glycerol and succinic acid levels. It must be highlighted that some parameters were not differing significantly between the untreated and the final wine, while the change was statistically verified in the intermediate steps of the partial alcohol reduction. This was the case for example for n-Propanol, i-Amylalcohol, Acetaldehyde, and Ethyl acetate. The multivariate linear regression model explained 18.84% of the total variance, indicating a modest but meaningful relationship between the alcohol content and the investigated analytical parameters. Our results showed that even if the applied instrument significantly modified some of the wine chemical parameters, those changes would not influence significantly the wine sensory attributes. Full article

The incorporation of Cannabis sativa L. seeds into barley wort was investigated to enhance the functional profile of beer. Hemp seeds (cv. Henola) were malted via controlled steeping, germination, and kilning, then added to barley malt at 10% and 30% (w/w) in both malted and unmalted forms. Standard congress mashing produced worts whose physicochemical parameters (pH, extract, colour, turbidity, filtration and saccharification times) were assessed, alongside profiles of fermentable sugars, polyphenols, B-group vitamins, and cannabinoids. Addition of hemp seeds reduced extract yield without impairing saccharification or filtration and slightly elevated mash pH and turbidity. Maltose and glucose levels declined significantly at higher hemp dosages, whereas sucrose remained stable. Wort enriched with 30% unmalted seeds exhibited the highest levels of trans-ferulic (20.61 µg/g), gallic (5.66 µg/g), trans-p-coumaric (3.68 µg/g), quercetin (6.07 µg/g), and trans-cinnamic (4.07 µg/g) acids. Malted hemp addition enhanced thiamine (up to 0.302 mg/mL) and riboflavin (up to 178.8 µg/mL) concentrations. Cannabinoids (THCA-A, THCV, CBDV, CBG, CBN) were successfully extracted at µg/mL levels, with the total cannabinoid content peaking at 14.59 µg/mL in the 30% malted treatment. These findings demonstrate that hemp seeds, particularly in malted form, can enrich barley wort with bioactive polyphenols, vitamins, and non-psychoactive cannabinoids under standard mashing conditions, without compromising key brewing performance metrics. Further work on fermentation, sensory evaluation, stability, and bioavailability is warranted to realise hemp-enriched functional beers. Full article

Hyaloserositis, also known as the icing sugar phenomenon, may be commonly observed during autopsies; however, it is not a well-documented topic with varying nomenclature and etiology, which can be generally defined as an organ being covered with a shiny, fibrous hyaline membrane. In our work, we present the case of a 71-year-old female patient with alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis and subsequent ascites and recurrent peritonitis. During the autopsy, a cirrhotic liver and an enlarged spleen were observed, both exhibiting features consistent with hyaloserositis, accompanied by acute fibrinopurulent peritonitis. Histological examination revealed the classical manifestation of hyaloserositis, further proven by Crossmon staining. The cause of death was concluded as hepatic encephalopathy. During our literature review, a total of seven cases were found. It must be emphasized that no publication describing hyaloserositis from the perspective of a pathologist was discovered. Regarding etiology, abdominal presentations were most commonly caused by serohepatic tuberculosis, while pleural manifestation was observed following trauma. Hyaloserositis may prove to be a diagnostic difficulty in imaging findings, as it can mimic malignancy; therefore, a scientific synthesis is necessary. Full article

Developing a more efficient, cleaner, and energy-saving pretreatment process is the primary goal for lignocellulosic biofuels production. This study demonstrated the feasibility of circulating high-concentration acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE) obtained via in situ product recovery (ISPR) as a pretreatment liquor. Taking ABE solvent separated from pervaporation (PV) and gas stripping (GS) as examples, results indicated that under dilute alkaline (1% NaOH) catalysis, the highly recalcitrant lignocellulosic matrices can be efficiently depolymerized, thereby improving fermentable sugars recovery in saccharification stage and ABE yield in subsequent fermentation stage. Results also revealed delignification of 91.5% (stream from PV) and 94.3% (stream from GS), with total monosaccharides recovery rates of 56.5% and 57.1%, respectively, can be realized when using corn stover as feedstock. Coupled with ABE fermentation, mass balance indicated a maximal 106.6 g of ABE (65.8 g butanol) can be produced from 1 kg of dry corn stover by circulating the GS condensate in pretreatment (the optimized pretreatment conditions were 1% w/v alkali and 160 °C for 1 h). Additionally, technical lignin with low molecular weight and narrow distribution was isolated, which enabled further side-stream valorisation. Therefore, integrating ISPR product circulation with lignocellulosic biobutanol shows strong potential for application under the concept of biorefinery. Full article

Understanding the metabolic characteristics of pineapple varieties is crucial for market expansion and diversity. This study performed comparative metabolomic analysis on the “Comte de Paris” (BL) and three Taiwan-introduced varieties: “Tainong No. 11” (XS), “Tainong No. 23” (MG), and “Tainong No. 13” (DM). A total of 551 metabolites were identified across the four varieties, with 231 metabolites exhibiting no significant differences between all varieties. This included major sugars such as sucrose, glucose, and fructose, as well as key acids like citric, malic, and quinic acids, indicating that the in-season maturing fruits of different pineapple varieties can all achieve good sugar–acid accumulation under suitable conditions. The differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) that were identified among the four varieties all primarily belonged to several major subclasses, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, amino acids and derivatives, and alkaloids, but the preferentially accumulated metabolites in each variety varied greatly. Specifically, branched-chain amino acids (L-leucine, L-isoleucine, and L-valine) and many DAMs in the flavonoid, phenolic acid, lignan, and coumarin categories were most abundant in MG, which might contribute to its distinct and enriched flavor and nutritional value. XS, meanwhile, exhibited a notable accumulation of aromatic amino acids (L-phenylalanine, L-tryptophan), various phenolic acids, and many lignans and coumarins, which may be related to its unique flavor profile. In DM, the dominant accumulation of jasmonic acid might contribute to its greater adaptability to low temperatures during autumn and winter, allowing off-season fruits to maintain good quality. The main cultivar BL exhibited the highest accumulation of L-ascorbic acid and many relatively abundant flavonoids, making it a good choice for antioxidant benefits. These findings offer valuable insights for promoting different varieties and advancing metabolome-based pineapple improvement programs. Full article

The southern conifer Agathis australis (D.Don) Lindl. is a large and long-lived species endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand. It is threatened due to past logging activities, pathogen attack and potentially climate change, with increasing severity and frequency of drought and heatwaves across its distribution. Like many large tree species, little is known about the carbon dynamics of this ecologically and culturally significant species. We explored seasonal variations in non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) and growth in trees ranging from 20 to 175 cm diameter at breast height (DBH). NSCs were seasonally stable with no measurable pattern across seasons. However, we found growth rates standardised to basal area and sapwood area (growth efficiency) declined with tree age and stem NSC concentrations (including total NSCs, sugars and starch) all increased as trees aged. Total NSC concentrations were 0.3%–0.6% dry mass for small trees and 0.8%–1.8% dry mass for larger trees, with strong relationships between DBH and total NSC, sugar and starch in stems but not roots. Cumulative growth efficiency across the two-year study period declined as tree size increased. Furthermore, there was an inverse relationship between growth efficiency across the two-year study period and NSC concentrations of stems. This relationship was driven by differences in carbon dynamics in trees of different sizes, with trees progressing to a more conservative carbon strategy as they aged. Simultaneously declining growth efficiency and increasing NSC concentrations as trees age could be evidence for active NSC accumulation to buffer against carbon starvation in larger trees. Our study provides new insights into changing carbon dynamics as trees age and may be evidence for active carbon accumulation in older trees. This may provide the key for understanding the role of carbon processes in tree longevity. Full article

Introduction: Oxidative stress is a key factor in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases, especially in postmenopausal women. Xylitol, a sugar alcohol with potential antioxidant properties, may affect oxidative balance when used as a sugar substitute. Aim: This pilot study aimed to assess the effect of replacing sucrose with xylitol on serum antioxidant capacity in postmenopausal women. Methods: This study included 34 women aged 50 to 65 years who successively consumed 5 g/d, 10 g/d, and 15 g/d of xylitol. The dietary intervention lasted a total of 6 weeks, with each phase covering a 2-week period. Diet was assessed twice based on a 7-day dietary interview (Diet 6.0, NIZP–PZH, Warsaw). The material for this study was venous blood. Antioxidant capacity was determined using the DPPH radical scavenging method and the ABTS cation radical scavenging method. Results: In both methods, a significant increase in serum antioxidant potential was observed after replacing sugar with xylitol (p < 0.0001). An increase in the ability to neutralize free radicals was observed in almost all women studied. Additional analysis of the effect of selected nutrients on the obtained effects of the nutritional intervention showed that the most significant effect could potentially be exerted by manganese, maltose, sucrose, and mercury, and the strongest positive correlation was exerted by vitamin A, retinol, and vitamin E. Although the values obtained in the constructed models were not statistically significant, the large effect indicates potentially significant relationships that could have a significant impact on serum antioxidant potential in the studied group of women. Conclusions: The results suggest a potential role of xylitol in enhancing antioxidant defense mechanisms in menopausal women. Although the sample size was relatively small, this study was powered at approximately 80% to detect large effects, supporting the reliability of the observed results. Nevertheless, given the pilot nature of this study, further research with larger cohorts is warranted to confirm these preliminary observations and to clarify the clinical significance of xylitol supplementation in populations exposed to oxidative stress. Full article

Urban expansion fragments once-contiguous forest patches, generating pronounced edge gradients that modulate soil physicochemical properties and biodiversity. We quantified how fragmentation reshaped the soil microbiome continuum and its implications for soil carbon storage in a temperate urban mixed deciduous forest. A total of 18 plots were considered in this study, with six plots for each fragment type. Intact interior forest (F), internal forest path fragment (IF), and external forest path fragment (EF) soils were sampled at 0–15, 15–30, and 30–45 cm depths and profiled through phospholipid-derived fatty acid (PLFA) chemotyping and amino sugar proxies for living microbiome and microbial-derived necromass assessment, respectively. Carbon fractionation was performed through the chemical oxidation method. Diversity indices (Shannon–Wiener, Pielou evenness, Margalef richness, and Simpson dominance) were calculated based on the determined fatty acids derived from the phospholipid fraction. The microbial biomass ranged from 85.1 to 214.6 nmol g⁻¹ dry soil, with the surface layers of F exhibiting the highest values (p < 0.01). Shannon diversity declined systematically from F > IF > EF. The microbial necromass varied from 11.3 to 23.2 g⋅kg⁻¹. Fragmentation intensified the stratification of carbon pools, with organic carbon decreasing by approximately 14% from F to EF. Our results show that EFs possess a declining microbiome continuum that weakens their carbon sequestration capacity in urban forests. Full article