Search Results (111)

Since the onset of industrialization, the safety of arable land has become a pressing global concern, with soil salinization emerging as a critical threat to agricultural productivity and food security. To address this challenge, the cultivation of economically valuable salt-tolerant plants has been proposed as a viable strategy. In the study, we investigated the physiological and molecular responses of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. to varying NaCl concentrations. Results revealed a concentration-dependent dual effect: low NaCl levels significantly promoted seed germination, while high concentrations exerted strong inhibitory effects. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying these divergent responses, a combined analysis of metabolomics and transcriptomics was applied to identify key metabolic pathways and genes. Notably, salt stress enhanced photosynthetic efficiency through coordinated modulation of ribulose 5-phosphate and erythrose-4-phosphate levels, coupled with the upregulation of critical genes encoding RPIA (Ribose 5-phosphate isomerase A) and RuBisCO (Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase). Under low salt stress, L. ruthenicum maintained intact cellular membrane structures and minimized oxidative damage, thereby supporting germination and early growth. In contrast, high salinity severely disrupted PS I (Photosynthesis system I) functionality, blocking energy flow into this pathway while simultaneously inducing membrane lipid peroxidation and triggering pronounced cellular degradation. This ultimately suppressed seed germination rates and impaired root elongation. These findings suggested a mechanistic framework for understanding L. ruthenicum adaptation under salt stress and pointed out a new way for breeding salt-tolerant crops and understanding the mechanism. Full article

Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. sinensis is extensively found in China, where the annual precipitation ranges from 400 to 800 mm. It is the most dominant species in natural sea buckthorn forests and the primary cultivar for artificial ecological plantations. Additionally, it exhibits significant nutritional and medicinal value, making it a renowned eco-economic tree species. Despite extensive research into its ecological functions and health benefits, the mitochondrial genome of this widespread species has not yet been published, and knowledge of the mitochondrial genome is crucial for understanding plant environmental adaptation, evolution, and maternal inheritance. Therefore, the complete mitochondrial genome was successfully assembled by aligning third-generation sequencing data to the reference genome sequence using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform and Nanopore Prometh ION technologies. Additionally, the gene structure, composition, repeat sequences, codon usage bias, homologous fragments, and phylogeny-related indicators were also analyzed. The results showed that the length of the mitochondrial genome is 454,489 bp, containing 30 tRNA genes, three rRNA genes, 40 PCGs, and two pseudogenes. A total of 411 C-to-U RNA editing sites were identified in 33 protein-coding genes (PCGs), with higher frequencies observed in ccmFn, ccmB, nad5, ccmC, nad2, and nad7 genes. Moreover, 31 chloroplast-derived fragments were detected, accounting for 11.86% of the mitochondrial genome length. The ccmB, nad4L, and nad7 genes related to energy metabolism exhibited positive selection pressure. The mitochondrial genome sequence similarity between H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis and H. tibetana or H. salicifolia was 99.34% and 99.40%, respectively. Fifteen shared gene clusters were identified between H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis and H. tibetana. Phylogenetically, the Rosales order showed close relationships with Fagales, Fabales, Malpighiales, and Celastrales. These findings provide fundamental data for exploring the widespread distribution of H. rhamnoides subsp. sinensis and offer theoretical support for understanding the evolutionary mechanisms within the Hippophae genus and the selection of molecular breeding targets. Full article

Hyperuricemia (HUA), a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated serum uric acid (UA) levels, often leads to renal and hepatic complications. This study evaluated the synergistic effects of Pediococcus acidilactici GQ01, a probiotic strain isolated from naturally fermented wolfberry, in combination with a complex (T) composed of buckwheat-fermented postbiotics, collagen peptide and multiple medicinal food blends in a murine HUA model. The combination therapy (T + GQ01) not only significantly reduced serum UA levels more effectively than T or GQ01 alone but also demonstrated superior inhibition of XOD activity and enhanced ADA activity, both of which are key regulators of purine metabolism. Additionally, T + GQ01 ameliorated kidney injury, as evidenced by reduced serum CRE and BUN levels, and improved liver function, indicated by decreased ALT and AST activities. Histopathological analysis further confirmed the protective effects of T + GQ01 on renal and hepatic tissues. Moreover, T + GQ01 modulated intestinal flora composition, promoted beneficial genera such as Weissella and Bacteroides, and enhanced the production of SCFAs, particularly propionic and butyric acids, which play critical roles in maintaining intestinal health. These findings suggest that the cocktail-like microecological regulator combining P. acidilactici GQ01, buckwheat-fermented postbiotics, collagen peptide and multiple medicinal food blends represents a promising therapeutic strategy for HUA by targeting multiple metabolic pathways, underscoring its potential as a novel intervention for HUA and its complications. Full article

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a metabolic disorder characterized by excessive uric acid (UA) production and impaired excretion. Goji, as a representative medicinal food, holds significant research and development value, while probiotic fermentation technology is finding increasingly widespread applications in the functional food sector. This study developed a novel goji fermented with three probiotic strains (Lactoplantibacillus plantarum CGMCC8198, Lactococcus lactis LTJ28, and Lactocaseibacillus casei YR2-2) and investigated its anti-HUA effects. Optimal fermentation conditions (7.913 material–liquid ratio, 3.92% inoculation, 7.49 h at 37 °C with 1:1:2 strain ratio) yielded a beverage with enhanced flavor profiles (19 aroma compounds) and high viable counts. In HUA cell models, the 15% fermented goji juice significantly reduced UA levels by 56% (p < 0.01). In potassium oxonate-induced HUA mice, the beverage effectively lowered serum UA, xanthine oxidase activity, and renal function markers (blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, p < 0.0001) while improving hepatic parameters (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate Aminotransferase). The goji-fermented juice significantly reduced the expression of renal UA transporters GLUT9 and URAT1 (p < 0.0001) while improving gut microbiota composition, as evidenced by increased beneficial SCFAs (acetic acid, butyric acid, p < 0.0001) and elevated Lactobacillus abundance 2.14-fold. Our findings demonstrate that this triple-probiotic-fermented goji beverage represents an effective dietary strategy for HUA management by simultaneously inhibiting UA production, enhancing excretion, and restoring gut microbiota homeostasis, providing a scientific basis for developing probiotic-based functional foods against HUA. Full article

To improve the object recognition and localization capabilities of wolfberry harvesting robots, this study introduces an object feature-based image segmentation algorithm designed for the segmentation and localization of wolfberry fruits and branches in unstructured lighting environments. Firstly, based on the a-channel of the Lab color space and the I-channel of the YIQ color space, a feature fusion algorithm combined with wavelet transformation is proposed to achieve pixel-level fusion of the two feature images, significantly enhancing the image segmentation effect. Experimental results show that this method achieved a 78% segmentation accuracy for wolfberry fruits in 500 test image samples under complex lighting and occlusion conditions, demonstrating good robustness. Secondly, addressing the issue of branch colors being similar to the background, a K-means clustering segmentation algorithm based on the Lab color space is proposed, combined with morphological processing and length filtering strategies, effectively achieving precise segmentation of branches and localization of gripping point coordinates. Experiments validated the high accuracy of the improved algorithm in branch localization. The results indicate that the algorithm proposed in this paper can effectively address illumination changes and occlusion issues in complex harvesting environments. Compared with traditional segmentation methods, it significantly improves the segmentation accuracy of wolfberry fruits and the localization accuracy of branches, providing technical support for the vision system of field-based wolfberry harvesting robots and offering theoretical basis and a practical reference for research on agricultural automated harvesting operations. Full article

The vibration of the belt drive system in fresh wolfberry sorting machines significantly impacts the sorting efficiency of wolfberries. To analyze the vibration changes induced by the belt drive, a simulation model was developed using multi-body dynamics software, Recur Dyn. The lateral vibration characteristics of the grading device’s belt were examined under varying initial tensions, speeds, and deflection angles. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to determine the relative influence of these factors on the belt’s vibration characteristics. The analysis indicated the order of influence, from greatest to least, as initial tension, deflection angle, and speed. Aiming to minimize the vibration amplitude at the belt’s midpoint, the optimal parameter combination was determined. The operating conditions yielding the minimum amplitude were found to be an initial tension of 520 N/mm, a drive speed of 60 rpm, and a belt deflection angle of 5°. Concurrently, a transverse vibration modal analysis was conducted to study the system’s natural frequencies and corresponding mode shapes, aiding in the identification of potential resonance issues. Finally, under optimal operating conditions, guided by the results of the belt simulation test, a 10 mm fillet was introduced at the edge of the pulley, effectively mitigating wear and vibration. Specifically, when the effective length of the transmission mechanism is set to 2200 mm and the total length of the fixed device is configured as 1600 mm, the amplitude attenuation rate achieves its peak value. This study demonstrates that the integration of theoretical analysis with simulation techniques provides a robust approach for optimizing the structural design of the grading device. Full article

Lycium barbarum, a nutrient-rich fruit known for its resilience to drought and high salinity, presents an opportunity to explore stress tolerance at the molecular level. This study explores the molecular mechanisms underlying stress tolerance and fruit development in L. barbarum by characterizing its Dof transcription factor family. Through genomic analysis, 39 LbDof genes were identified, with their structural, phylogenetic, and physicochemical properties systematically examined. Cis-acting regulatory element analysis revealed motifs associated with growth, stress, light, and hormone responses, while expression profiling demonstrated organ-specific patterns and significant upregulation under drought and saline–alkaline stress. Additionally, dynamic expression changes were observed across fruit development stages, suggesting regulatory roles in maturation. Phylogenetic classification grouped LbDof genes into ten subgroups, with chromosomal mapping indicating segmental duplications as a key evolutionary driver. Furthermore, the study offers a comprehensive genomic and functional analysis of LbDof genes, highlighting their potential roles in stress adaptation and fruit maturation. The findings provide a theoretical basis for breeding stress-resistant crops and insights into enhancing plant resilience. Full article

Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) is a valued traditional medicinal plant and dietary supplement in China. The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor (TF) family is a multifunctional group of regulatory proteins critical to plant biology, orchestrating processes such as growth and development, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and stress responses to abiotic conditions. Despite its significance, limited information about this gene family in wolfberry is available. In this study, a total of 66 LbabZIP genes were identified, exhibiting a non-uniform distribution across all 12 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis divided these genes into 13 subgroups based on comparison with Arabidopsis bZIP proteins. Analysis of gene structures and conserved motifs revealed high similarities within individual subgroups. Gene duplication analysis indicated that dispersed duplication (DSD) and whole-genome duplication (WGD) events were the primary drivers of LbabZIP gene family expansion, with all duplicated genes subject to purifying selection. Cis-regulatory element (CRE) analysis of LbabZIP promoter regions identified numerous elements associated with plant growth and development, hormone signaling, and abiotic stress responses. Gene Ontology (GO) annotation further indicated that the LbabZIP genes are involved in transcriptional regulation, metabolism, and other biological processes. Transcriptome data and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis demonstrated tissue-specific expression patterns for several LbabZIP genes. Notably, LbaZIP21/40/49/65 showed significant involvement in wolfberry fruit development. Subcellular localization assays confirmed that these four proteins are nucleus-localized. This comprehensive analysis provides a theoretical foundation for future studies investigating the biological functions of LbabZIP genes, especially their role in wolfberry fruit development. Full article

The geographical origin identification of wolfberry is key to ensuring its medicinal and edible quality. To accurately identify the geographical origin, the Stacking-Orthogonal Linear Discriminant Analysis (OLDA) algorithm was proposed by combining OLDA with the Stacking ensemble learning framework. In this study, Savitzky–Golay (SG) + Multiplicative Scatter Correction (MSC) served as the optimal preprocessing method. Four classifiers—K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Naive Bayes—were used to explore 12 stacked combinations on 400 samples from five regions in Gansu: Zhangye, Yumen, Wuwei, Baiyin, and Dunhuang. When Principal Component Analysis (PCA), PCA + Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and OLDA were used for feature extraction, Stacking-OLDA achieved the highest average identification accuracy of 99%. The overall accuracy of stacked combinations was generally higher than that of single-classifier models. This study also assessed the role of different classifiers in different combinations, finding that Stacking-OLDA combined with KNN as the meta-classifier achieved the highest accuracy. Experimental results demonstrate that Stacking-OLDA has excellent classification performance, providing an effective approach for the accurate classification of wolfberry origins and offering an innovative solution for quality control in the food industry. Full article

An HPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of 32 polyphenolic compounds in berries was established. For method validation, the berry samples were extracted with 80% ethanol, purified on an HLB column, and separated on a C18 column via gradient elution with an acetonitrile–water mobile phase system before mass spectrometry detection with electrospray ionization in negative mode and multiple reaction monitoring. The results revealed that the 32 polyphenolic compounds had a good linear relationship in the concentration range of 1–500 μg/L, with R² > 0.99, limits of detection, limits of quantitation, and recoveries of 0.2–0.6 μg/kg, 0.3–1.0 μg/kg, and 82.8–104.8%, respectively, and RSDs < 5.8%. The contents of polyphenolic compounds in the berries were determined, with 23 polyphenolic compounds in sea buckthorn, 18 in mulberry, 17 in black wolfberry, and 12 in red wolfberry. Eight polyphenolic compounds were found in all 4 kinds of berries, including 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, erucic acid, rutin, hypericin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, and daffinoside. Additionally, six polyphenolic compounds, catechin, syringic acid, isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, cinnamic acid, and isorhamnetin, were detected only in sea buckthorn. Full article

The Solanaceae family, which includes key crops such as tomato, pepper, eggplant, wolfberry, and groundcherry, is distinguished by its diversity of fruit types. However, the conservation of gene expression regulatory networks across different species remains poorly understood. This study utilizes comparative transcriptomics to analyze 293 transcriptome samples from 22 Solanaceae species, focusing on the expression profiles of reproductive organ (flower and fruit)-specific genes. Our results reveal evolutionary conservation in the expression patterns of these genes, particularly within regulatory pathways essential for plant reproduction. A detailed comparative analysis of gene expression patterns between tomato and pepper reveals common regulatory networks governing fruit development. Furthermore, through co-expression network analysis, we identified functional partners of YABBY in flower/fruit development and found that YABBY genes coordinate fruit development through spatiotemporal dynamic expression, shaping its regulatory role. These findings provide valuable insights that can guide future research on fruit development genes in Solanaceae species. Full article

The CYP78A gene family, a plant-specific subfamily of cytochrome P450 enzymes, plays pivotal roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. Although the CYP78A genes in many plants have been widely studied, little is known about them in Lycium. In this study, we identified six CYP78A genes in both Lycium barbarum and Lycium ruthenicum through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. These genes exhibited high conservation in protein structure, gene organization, and conserved motifs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed they are close in terms of homology to CYP78A genes in Arabidopsis, tomato, and eggplant. Cis-acting element analysis of the promoter regions indicated that CYP78A genes are involved in light, hormone, and stress responses, with tissue-specific expression patterns observed across different developmental stages. Subcellular localization experiments confirmed that LrCYP78A5 is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum. Overexpression of LrCYP78A5 in L. ruthenicum resulted in a significant increase in chlorophyll content, indicating the former’s potential role in plant growth. These findings provide valuable insights into the functional roles of the CYP78A gene family in goji, highlighting their potential involvement in growth regulation and metabolic processes. Full article

Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.), as a kind of combination of medicine and food, is rich in antioxidant components. However, the deep-processed products of wolfberry need to be developed to improve its added value. This study aimed to investigate the nutrients, active antioxidant ingredients, and liver-protective mechanism of mixed-culture fermented wolfberry vinegar (MFV). The results showed that MFV had significantly higher protein and significantly lower fat content than wolfberry juice before fermentation, indicating that MFV was a healthy product. The active ingredient content, which included total phenolics, total flavonoids, polysaccharides, betaine, and antioxidant activities, was significantly increased in MFV after mixed-culture fermentation. Moreover, MFV improved histopathological changes and reduced liver biochemical indicators in alcohol-treated mice, indicating the improvement of liver function. In addition, MFV effectively alleviated alcohol-induced liver injury by increasing the expression of alcohol metabolizing enzymes and inhibiting CYP2E1 activity. MFV regulated the equilibrium between pro-oxidant and antioxidant levels by downregulating pro-oxidant markers and upregulating antioxidant markers. Furthermore, MFV reduced the levels of inflammatory indexes by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway. These results suggest that MFV is a healthy food for liver protection, which provides a strategy for deep-processed products of wolfberry. Full article

The rising antifungal resistance in Nakaseomyces glabratus, especially to azole drugs like fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole, presents a significant clinical challenge. Plant-derived compounds with synergistic antifungal effects offer a promising solution. Fruitless wolfberry bud tea, rich in flavonoids from a Lycium barbarum L. hybrid, shows potential but is underexplored in antifungal therapies. This study assessed FWE’s antifungal efficacy alone and with azoles against resistant N. glabratus isolates, exploring mechanisms like efflux pump inhibition and gene expression changes. A total of 52 clinical isolates were tested. Fruitless wolfberry bud tea was methanol-extracted (FWE) and lyophilized. Antifungal susceptibility was evaluated using broth microdilution, and synergistic effects were analyzed with checkerboard assays. Growth inhibition, rhodamine 6G efflux, and qRT-PCR for resistance-related genes were conducted. FWE demonstrated inhibitory activity with MICs ranging from 16 to 32 μg/mL. When combined with ITR or VRC, synergistic or additive effects were observed, reducing MICs by 2–8-fold. FWE + VRC exhibited synergy (FICI ≤ 0.5) in 50% of isolates, while FWE + ITR showed synergy in 37.5%. Efflux pump activity, measured by rhodamine 6G, significantly decreased in combination groups (11.4–14.6%) compared to monotherapy (17.3–17.5%). qRT-PCR indicated downregulation of CgCDR1, CgERG11, and CgPDR1 in FWE-treated Cg 1 isolate, with greater suppression in combination groups. FWE might boost the bacteriostatic impact of azole antifungal drugs by blocking efflux pumps and altering the expression of resistance genes. This study identifies FWE as a potent adjuvant to overcome cross-resistance, supporting its inclusion in antifungal strategies. Further research to identify bioactive compounds in FWE and in vivo validation is necessary for clinical application. Full article

The residual black wolfberry fruit (RBWF), rich in nutrients and active substances, has the potential to serve as an antibiotic alternative. This study evaluated the concentration-dependent effects of RBWF on serum biochemistry, immunity, antioxidant capacity, and meat quality of fattening sheep. Forty 3-month-old sheep were randomly assigned into four groups with 10 replicates in each group and fed experimental RBWF-supplemented diets (0%, 2%, 5%, and 8%). The results showed that RBWF supplementation significantly increased the serum levels of TP, BUN, ALT, AST, IgA, IgM, T-AOC, SOD, and GSH-Px in sheep (p < 0.05), while significantly decreasing the levels of LDH, TG, LDL-c, IgG, and MDA (p < 0.05). Furthermore, dietary RBWF significantly increased the VB1 and IMP levels in the longissimus dorsi muscle of sheep (p < 0.05) and significantly decreased the contents of fat and cholesterol (p < 0.05). Finally, RBWF increased the contents of C20:4 and Glu (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with RBWF can improve the immune and antioxidant capacity of sheep and has a certain effect on improving the flavor of meat, of which 5% is the best. Full article