Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture最新文献

Background

Rose flowers contain active ingredients such as flavonoids and volatile oils and are acknowledged to be good natural resources owing to their anti-aging and antioxidant properties. In this study, we develop four new rose varieties (named Ever-rose) that are fragrant, pest resistant, and easy to grow. Subsequently, we evaluate the properties of Ever-rose and its potential for use in anti-aging products.

Methods

The chemical composition of Ever-rose was determined using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography triple time-of-flight mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. The antioxidant activity of the Ever-rose extract was evaluated using various assays, including superoxide dismutase activity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging capacity, and xanthine oxidase activity. The variations in proteolytic matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression, collagen content after ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and reactive-oxygen-species (ROS) levels after infrared A (IRA) treatment were evaluated. The variations in cell elasticity were assessed via atomic force microscopy.

Results

The petal extracts of Ever-rose (named ER004(P), ER011(P), ER012(P), and ER015(P)) showed good antioxidant activity. They effectively inhibited UV irradiation-induced MMP-1 expression and IRA irradiation-induced increase in mitochondrial ROS levels. Additionally, they inhibited variations in cell shape and elasticity as aging progressed. In particular, ER011(P) demonstrated the best anti-aging and antioxidant effects.

Conclusion

The newly developed Ever-rose showed excellent antioxidant and anti-aging effects. In particular, ER011(P) demonstrated the best properties owing to its high antioxidant content. Hence, it exhibits significant potential as a functional cosmetic ingredient.

Graphical Abstract

Background

The complex composition of essential oils (EOs) derived from plants offers potential therapeutic approaches for treating various medical conditions, including neurological disorders and infectious diseases. This research aimed to comprehensively analyze the phytochemical composition of Iris haynei EO and evaluate its pharmacological properties, specifically its cytotoxicity, antimicrobial activity, and modulation of AMPA receptors.

Results

The analysis of I. haynei EO, conducted using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy, identified diethyl phthalate, α-terpineol, and benzyl acetate as the main components. Cytotoxicity experiments on several cancer cell lines revealed a dose-dependent impact. Electrophysiological recordings on HEK293T cells expressing AMPARs showed varying levels of inhibition across different subunits, with receptors encoding GluA2 exhibiting the most significant effects. The EO also demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungi.

Conclusions

The findings of this study underscore the potential therapeutic benefits of I. haynei EO, particularly in treating neurological conditions associated with AMPA receptor dysfunction and exhibiting antimicrobial activity against infectious agents. The promising results warrant further investigation into the pharmacological effects of the EO, suggesting a novel approach for addressing cerebral ischemia and related neurological diseases.

Graphical Abstract

In this work, microcapsules were developed by the complex coacervation of sodium caseinate and pectin as a carrier for saffron extract. Parameters such as Zeta potential, dynamic light scattering, and microscopic techniques were investigated for their influence on the formation of these complexes. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis confirmed the reaction mechanism between the protein and tannic acid or saffron extract. The study revealed that core/shell and protein/polysaccharide (Pr/Ps) ratios play a role in the encapsulation efficiency (EE) and loading capacity (LC) of saffron extract, with EE and LC ranging from 48.36 to 89.38% and 1.14 to 5.55%, respectively. Thermal gravimetric analysis revealed that the degradation temperature of saffron increased significantly with microencapsulation. The use of tannic acid for hardening the microcapsules led to an increase in size from 13 μm to 27 μm. Rheological findings indicated that shear-thinning behavior in the coacervates, with cross-linking, has a minor effect on the interconnected elastic gel structures. However, cross-linking improved the microcapsules' thermal and structural properties. The increase in polymer chain length due to cross-linking and the presence of the guest molecule (saffron extract) resulted in higher rheological moduli, reflecting enhanced entanglements and correlating well with the thermal, structural, and microstructural properties of the coacervates. Kinetic release studies showed a slower release in the gastric phase compared to the intestinal phase, with the Ritger–Peppas model effectively describing saffron extract release, highlighting a dominant swelling and dissolution release mechanism. Therefore, the NaCas/HMP coacervate wall materials made saffron stable in the gastric stage and sustainably release. It in the intestinal stage, promoting excellent absorption of saffron in simulated digestion.

Graphical Abstract

In recent years, microbial inoculants have showed a great potential to replace chemical fertilizers as a new generation of soil amendment agents, however, the understanding of their effects on nutrient cycling within plants and rhizosphere microbial diversity are still limited. In this study, the rhizosphere growth-promoting bacteria MQB12 was used to inoculate Vigna radiata to evaluate the effects of external inoculants on plant transcriptomics and rhizosphere soil microbial diversity. Enrichment analysis using GO and KEGG revealed significant enrichment in DNA-binding transcription factor activity, transcriptional regulatory factor activity, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis among the differentially expressed genes. MQB12 inoculation positively responded to phosphorus starvation response, increased the expression of phosphorus starvation response genes (PHT/PAP), enhanced the synthesis of ethylene and salicylic acid to cope with external stress, and improved the expression of plant disease resistance genes to strengthen the disease resistance of plants to pathogens. At the same time, microbial diversity analysis further revealed the positive effect of MQB12 inoculum. MQB12 inoculum enriched beneficial flora, improved flora abundance, changed the structure and diversity of V. radiata rhizosphere microbial community, enhanced the interconnections between the flora, and positively promoted growth. MQB12 was found to adjust the microflora of the rhizosphere, which subsequently changed the environment for plant colonization. This change led to the enrichment of beneficial bacteria and removal of pathogenic bacteria, which positively affected the internal pathways of plants. Additionally, changes in gene expression levels of plants resulted in the formation of different phenotypes and various metabolites, further influencing the formation of rhizosphere microbial communities through close contact between roots and soil. This study provides new insights into the effects of microbial agents on plant growth and root environment construction and is conducive to the further development and application of microbial agents.

Graphical Abstract

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential micronutrient required for plant growth but is prone to leaching from neutral and alkaline soils. The use of slow-release Mo sources could potentially reduce leaching losses from soils and increase crop yields. In this study, we assessed mechanochemistry as a green method to produce slow-release Mo sources. Molybdenum compounds (MoO3 or (NH4)6Mo7O24·4H2O) were mechanochemically (MC) treated with ZnO to synthesize compounds with a Mo content of 1–36%. Reduced Mo solubility after MC treatment, compared to the initial Mo source, was obtained with the MoO3 source and these composites were used for co-compaction with macronutrient fertilizers. Macronutrient pellets with 0.2% Mo were compacted using the 4% Mo and 36% Mo (characterized as ZnMoO4) compounds. A column dissolution test showed that the 4% Mo compound in a macronutrient carrier (DAP and MAP) only released around 40% of the total Mo compared to 80% for a non-MC treated control over 72 h. Column leaching using two soils revealed that the release behavior of Mo was strongly related to the pH of the leachate, which was affected by both the soil pH and the macronutrient carrier. More Mo was released when the MC-treated compound was co-compacted with diammonium phosphate (DAP) compared to monoammonium phosphate (MAP). The MC-treated compound with 4% Mo showed significantly less leaching than the control without ball milling when co-compacted with both MAP and DAP. In a pot trial with simulated leaching, the uptake of Mo was greater for the MC-treated 4% Mo compound co-compacted into DAP than for the other Mo sources. Overall, our results indicate that MC-treated MoO3–ZnO could be used as a slow-release Mo source in high-rainfall areas.

Graphical Abstract

Background

Sugarcane red rot is a soil-borne disease caused by Colletotrichum falcatum. It can reduce the yield of sugarcane and the purity of sugarcane juice, which seriously restricts the development of sucrose industry. Biocontrol bacteria can control diseases by regulating rhizosphere microecology. In this study, the effects of biocontrol bacteria on sugarcane rhizosphere microecology were studied by metagenomics and metabolomics, and the control effects of biocontrol bacteria and rhizosphere dominant bacteria on sugarcane red rot were further explored by pot experiment.

Results

The results of metagenomic sequencing showed that inoculation with B. velezensis YC89 and pathogens could significantly change the microbial diversity of the sugarcane rhizosphere. The relative abundance of beneficial strains such as Streptomyces, Burkholderia, Sphingomonas, and Rhizobium increased significantly in the rhizosphere of sugarcane in the YC treatment group. Pseudomonas was significantly enriched in the rhizosphere of sugarcane in the C treatment group. The results of metabolome sequencing showed that the content of amino acids in sugarcane root exudates increased after inoculation with B. velezensis YC89, and the contents of phenolic acids and flavonoids decreased. Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between differential metabolites and rhizosphere microorganisms. The results of pot experiment showed that YC89 strain and three rhizosphere microorganisms could significantly reduce the disease index of red rot and promote the growth of sugarcane plants. In addition, these strains can also significantly increase the JA and SA content of sugarcane leaves and induce plant system resistance-related enzyme activities. Among them, the synthetic community treatment group had the best biocontrol effect on red rot, and its relative control effect was 67.50%.

Conclusions

Therefore, we conclude that B. velezensis YC89 could recruit beneficial rhizosphere microorganisms to enrich the rhizosphere and change the content of some phenolic acids and flavonoids in the root exudates. In addition, the isolated rhizosphere dominant bacteria and YC89 strain can resist red rot by inducing plant systemic resistance and promote the growth of sugarcane plants. This study provides a theoretical basis for the use of biocontrol bacteria to regulate rhizosphere bacteria to jointly control plant soil-borne diseases.

Graphical Abstract

Satureja rechingeri Jamzad (known as “Jatra” in Persian), which belongs to the Lamiaceae family, is a rich source of essential oil particularly carvacrol, and rosmarinic acid. Drought stress has a detrimental impact on the physiological and biochemical parameters of plants, leading to a decline in plant productivity. Melatonin (MT), a new plant growth regulator found abundantly in plants, has been found to enhance the plant's internal resistance to various environmental stresses. The present study aimed to examine the impact of exogenously applied MT on the agro-morphological, physio-biochemical, and phytochemical traits of S. rechingeri plants cultivated under different levels of drought stress. The results indicated that plants treated with 200 µM MT obtained the highest plant height, length and width of leaf, fresh, dry and drug weight under different drought stress levels. The highest values of relative water content (RWC) (93.5%) and chlorophyll content (15.4 mg/g FW) were recorded by MT 200 µM and 100 µM, respectively, in 100% FC. Drought stress treatments (40, 60, and 80% FC) without foliar spray of MT significantly enhanced the H₂O₂ content, electrolyte leakage, and malondialdehyde content in leaves, whereas MT treatment under drought stress significantly decreased the above parameters. The lowest H₂O₂ content (11.5 nmol/g), electrolyte leakage (3.08%), and malondialdehyde content (0.78 µM/g) were obtained by 200 µM MT at 100% FC. In contrast, drought stress treatment increased the total phenol content (TPC), rosmarinic acid (RA), essential oils (EOs) content and yield, and carvacrol. The maximum values of TPC (28.1 mg GAE/g DW), EOs content (3.63%) and yield (0.96%), and carvacrol (95.66%) were achieved by 200 µM MT at 40% FC. The highest RA content (7.43 mg GAE/g DW) was recorded in 100 µM MT at 40% FC. Thus, foliar spray MT has the potential to enhance plant growth through the mitigation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative harm, as well as the augmentation of photosynthesis pigments, secondary metabolites such as phenolics, EOs levels, overall antioxidant scavenging capacity, and the preservation of RWC during periods of drought stress.

Graphical Abstract

Background

This experimental study used peanut shell biochar and fermented cow manure as the main raw materials forming a substrate for tomato plants.

Results

Substrates were created from peanut shell biochar, fermented cow manure, slag, and vermiculite mixed in volume ratios of 6:0:1:2, 5:1:1:2, 4:2:1:2, and 3:3:1:2, respectively. Comparisons were made to a control substrate composed of peat, slag, and vermiculite in a volume ratio of 6:1:2, respectively. As the proportion of biochar in the substrate increased, the bulk density showed a downward trend while the total porosity, aeration porosity, and water holding capacity showed upward trends. As the proportion of cow manure increased, the total N, available K, Ca, and Mg in the substrate increased. Tomatoes demonstrated similar or better growth than the control at experimental substrate composition ratios of 6:0:1:2 and 5:1:1:2. This was reflected in seedling strength index, seedling growth, chlorophyll content, root growth, plant carbohydrates, purine metabolism, caffeine metabolism, galactose metabolism, and starch and sucrose metabolism. The results of this study indicate the experimental substrate composition ratios of 6:0:1:2 and 5:1:1:2 were the most beneficial in terms of supporting the growth of tomato plants.

Conclusions

The study confirms biochar in composite substrate promotes plant growth by improving the root environment and plant metabolism. This investigation provides new information to moderate the use of peat and support efforts to achieve carbon neutrality through the creative utilization of agricultural waste.

Graphical abstract

Indoor hydroponic farming is an advanced cultivation technique with diverse sustainability benefits, such as facilitating local produce, minimizing transportation costs and emissions, and enabling year-round crop cultivation. To optimize crop growth for enhanced yield, improved crop quality, and reduced environmental footprint, precise monitoring and replenishment of essential nutrients within hydroponic systems is crucial. Current methods employed in most commercial farms for online nutrient supply monitoring is limited to pH and conductivity measurements. These techniques can only offer an indication of the overall change in the complex nutrient mixture and lack the capability to precisely identify the specific nutrient or quantify the nutrient content. Most of the existing techniques for measuring individual nutrient levels are expensive and invasive, necessitating sample preparation, frequent recalibration, and skilled personnel for operation. In this context, we propose and demonstrate a real-time, on-site monitoring system for the precise analysis of hydroponic nutrient supply based on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). We also discuss the system design considerations, parametric optimizations, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of key nutrient components such as potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg), using the proposed approach. The detection range of the developed LIBS-based monitoring system can encompass the typical concentration range observed in hydroponic nutrient solutions used at agricultural farms. This technique offers rapid online monitoring of individual nutrient components, providing precise, real-time analysis and the potential to enable comprehensive automation capabilities for current and future hydroponic farms.

Graphical abstract

Background

Although potato virus Y (PVY) is the most serious virus-infecting potato plants worldwide, the losses concurred by it remain unmanageable due to the lack of efficient anti-PVY agents. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the antiviral properties of secondary metabolite compounds obtained from culture filtrates of four Trichoderma spp. isolates. The assessment was conducted using computational methods, including molecular docking, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) analysis, as well as molecular dynamics simulations. The aim was to develop novel and effective agents for combating PVY.

Results

The GC–MS analysis of the studied Trichoderma spp. secondary metabolites revealed 24 compounds with relative amounts exceeding 10%. Molecular docking was then performed using MOE software to evaluate the activity of these compounds against the PVY protein coat (PDB-ID: 6HXX). Ningnanmycin and ribavirin, known plant virus inhibitors, were employed as reference ligands for comparison. Among the compounds tested, C9, C10, C13, and C19 exhibited superior docking scores, root mean square deviation (RMSD) values, and binding modes compared to the reference ligands. In addition, these compounds successfully passed the ADMET analysis. Further investigation focused on compounds C13 and C19, which underwent in-depth analysis through MDs for 100 ns. The MDs trajectories demonstrated that both complexes exhibited favorable stability, compactness, and binding modes throughout the simulation period. However, the C19/PVY-CP complex outperformed the C13 complex in all calculated parameters such as RMSD, root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), radius of gyration (RoG), solvent-accessible surface area (SASA), and intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Interestingly, these findings aligned with the results obtained from the docking analysis, indicating that C9 and C10 possess high potential against PVY, as they exhibited binding modes like that of C19.

Conclusion

These promising outcomes provide a solid foundation for considering the potential use of compounds C9, C10, C13, and C19 as antiviral agents. Further experimental validation and in-depth studies are warranted to assess the efficacy and safety of these compounds and their potential as antiviral therapeutics. To our knowledge, this is the first report to study the biological activities of the Trichoderma-based bioactive compounds against PVY using computational techniques.

Graphical abstract