ACS agricultural science & technology最新文献

This study focused on incorporating total carotenoids (TC) into Pink Lady apples using vacuum-impregnation with carrot juice at 20, 30, 40, and 50°Brix and then assessing the shelf life of the impregnated apples after freeze-drying. The highest TC (12.30 ± 0.48 mg β-carotene/100 g) and minimal shrinkage were achieved using 20°Brix juice (20CJ). The freeze-drying of vacuum-impregnated apples with 20CJ reduced the time to reach equilibrium conditions compared with fresh apples. The shelf life of the freeze-dried impregnated samples was determined using time-to-fail models (TTF) at different conditions of package permeability (P = 2.17 × 10^–15 and 1.04 × 10^–6 g/s × Pa × m), temperature (T = 15, 25, and 35 °C), and relative humidity (RH = 0, 35, and 75%). TTF predictions indicate a T-independent shelf life, exceeding 105 days for P evaluated at RH < 35%. Sensory evaluation indicates that consumers preferred impregnated freeze-dried apples with intermediate hardness textures (above 18.14 N) and TC > 0.81 mg β-carotene/100 g in dried apples stored at RH = 35% and T = 15 °C.

Saclipins A and B, which accumulate in the edible cyanobacterial strain Aphanothece sacrum in response to desiccation stress, are natural compounds with absorption maxima in the ultraviolet (UV)-A and UV-B regions. Saclipins are promising natural products for use in skincare cosmetics and oral supplements, but their chemical properties and biological activities remain largely unknown. In this study, we found that saclipins were highly stable compounds when treated with light and heat and that they have important biological activities in terms of skin antiaging and whitening. Furthermore, we revealed that saclipin-containing extracts prepared from dried A. sacrum exhibited the same or enhanced activity compared with purified saclipins. Specifically, purified saclipins and saclipin-containing extracts showed remarkable activity in inhibiting elastase activity and promoting collagen and hyaluronic acid production in human fibroblasts. Our findings will be useful for the formulation of saclipins in skincare cosmetics and oral supplements.

This study presents on predicting the shelf life of’Khasi mandarin’ oranges stored under specific conditions through the analysis of their respiration rate and ripeness levels. By employing a finely tuned deep convolutional neural network (CNN) trained on 1284 images of’Khasi mandarin’ oranges, the research classifies the fruit into four ripeness categories: unripe, partially ripe, ripe, and over-ripe. Stored at temperature (26.39 ± 3.07 °C) and humidity level between 60 and 80%, the CO₂ respiration rate (RR_CO2) was calculated based on enzyme kinetics principles to correlate with these ripeness levels, indicating a shift toward anaerobic respiration as the fruit undergoes ripening and metabolic changes. Moreover, ethylene release, initially at 0.43 ± 0.017 mL/kg/h on day 0, precipitously increased to 6.943 ± 0.0296 mL/kg/h by day 17, reflecting the ripening process. A support vector regression model predicts shelf life and ripeness levels, creating an AI-based soft sensor applicable to various fruits. This approach enables dynamic decision-making in pricing, logistics, and storage conditions, reducing fruit waste and economic losses. Integrating AI-driven solutions into postharvest handling enhances efficiency and sustainability in fruit distribution and storage, benefiting agricultural and retail industries.

Plant synthetic biology is an emerging and pioneering field for designing and manipulating genome information to modify metabolic pathways. Prime Editing (PE) has the advantage of being able to insert DNA segments into the genome. However, the low efficiency of PE in dicot plants has hindered its development and application. To address this issue, we have developed a method called Repeated High-Temperature Treatment (RHTT), which combines a repeated short period of heat stress with longer recovery periods in a cyclical manner. This approach maintains a balance between the contradictory effects of heat stress and efficiency enhancement. RHTT increased knockout efficiency (equivalent to cleavage ability of Cas9) 1.26 to 2.57-fold and precise PE efficiency 1.85 to 16.30-fold in Nicotiana benthamiana (Nb). When applied to Arabidopsis thaliana (At) for small segment insertion, RHTT improved PE efficiency by up to 15.67-fold.

The fabrication of eco-friendly, nano cellulose particle (NCP)-based take away bowls using agro wastes has hardly been investigated in the literature. In this study, NCP was prepared from Palmyra fruit waste, wood apple shell, and pepper spikes using a combination of physiochemical treatments. After each treatment, the morphology and purity of NCP were confirmed using electron microscopic techniques and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The average diameter of prepared NCP was 1–10 nm. Palmyra NCP had the highest yield (53 ± 0.51%) and crystallinity (96%) and hence was selected for further studies. Then, NCP-Bioplastic pellets with different combinations of NCP, polylactic acid (PLA), and thermoplastic starch (TPS) were developed via compounding, extrusion, and injection molding. NCP-Bioplastic strips with 60% NCP, 30% PLA, and 10% TPS had enhanced mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation properties and reduced oxygen and water vapor transmission rates compared to neat PLA. The developed NCP-Bioplastic strips had a contact angle of >93°; hence, it is also suggested for packing wet food products. Therefore, the present investigation has verified the potential for substituting synthetic plastic with nano cellulose-based bioplastic in the production of take away bowls.

Pesticides are chemicals used in agriculture and forestry to control and kill plant pests. However, due to the excessive usage of pesticides, groundwater pollution, changes in soil composition, poisoning of aquatic organisms, and other ecological pollution have occurred. These pollutions ultimately pose a persistent threat to human health. According to previous studies, adsorbents can achieve higher removal efficiency. This review summarizes the application of porous organic frame materials in agriculture, especially in removing pesticide pollutants. It includes the advantages of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and supramolecular macrocycles based on MOFs and COFs in pesticide removal, such as high porosity and adjustable pore size, and discusses the related challenges of these three organic frame materials, such as production cost. The agricultural application of porous organic frame materials may overcome the limitations of traditional methods and provide new solutions for pesticide pollutant adsorption removal. This study shows that organic porous frame materials can achieve the efficient and healthy application of pesticides, thereby reducing environmental and human harm.

This review explores the development of chitosan-based nanofilms reinforced with agricultural waste fillers, offering a promising approach to sustainable food packaging. By integrating chitosan’s natural properties─biocompatibility, biodegradability, and antimicrobial activity─with mechanical improvements gained from agricultural waste fillers, these nanofilms provide a substantial enhancement over conventional plastic packaging. The incorporation of natural fillers (e.g., cellulose, starch, and lignin) derived from agricultural byproducts not only strengthens the films but also promotes waste valorization, contributing to a circular economy. These nanofilms effectively address key challenges in the packaging industry by improving moisture and oxygen barriers, enhancing durability, and offering antimicrobial protection, all of which are essential for extending shelf life and preserving the freshness of perishable goods. Unlike traditional plastics, which pose significant environmental risks due to their long-term persistence, chitosan-based films naturally biodegrade, reducing their ecological footprint. The review highlights advancements in the synthesis and functional optimization of these nanofilms, showing their capability to meet the stringent requirements of food packaging. Moreover, the use of agricultural waste in production aligns with global sustainability efforts, offering the dual benefit of enhancing packaging properties while reducing agricultural waste. Nevertheless, the review acknowledges several challenges to commercialization, such as the need for cost-effective large-scale production methods and ensuring regulatory compliance with food safety standards. Overall, the potential of chitosan-based nanofilms to replace conventional plastics in packaging is clear, as they offer a sustainable, high-performance alternative with both environmental and practical advantages.

Traditional pest management strategies, such as indiscriminate pesticide use, have adverse environmental and human health implications. As a sustainable alternative, this research focuses on employing nanosensors for the detection of semiochemicals, including pheromones and defensive compounds, released by stink bugs. These nanosensors feature a nanohybrid layer of polyaniline and silver (PANI.Ag) and a nanocomposite of polyaniline and graphene oxide (PANI/GO). The study explores the detection of synthetic semiochemicals, including cis and trans bisabolene epoxides, (E)-2-hexanal, (E)-2-decenal, (E)-2-octenyl acetate, and (E)-2-octenal semiochemicals emitted by Nezara viridula (Southern green stink bug) in the real environment. The sensing layer characterization showed differences in hydrophilicity and surface roughness between the PANI.Ag and PANI/GO layers. When exposed to synthetic compounds like cis and trans bisabolene epoxides, (E)-2-hexanal, and (E)-2-decenal, the nanosensors demonstrated distinct responses, with PANI/GO exhibiting higher sensitivity. The resonance frequency shifts correlated with the concentration of the compounds, underscoring the potential of these sensors in detecting low concentrations with limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) lower than 0.44 and 1.15 ng/mL, respectively. Real environment testing with soybean plants indicated that the nanosensors effectively detected semiochemicals emitted by N. viridula adults, especially in the presence of male–female couples, underscoring their potential for agricultural pest monitoring. The findings support the use of these nanosensors for the early detection of pest activity, offering a proactive approach to integrated pest management.

Botrytis gray mold (BGM) caused by Botrytis cinerea or B. fabae is a destructive foliar fungal disease of temperate legumes such as chickpea, lentil, and fava bean. With little to no robust host resistance, fast, accurate, and quantifiable diagnosis would help to prevent disease establishment and costly overspraying. For this, gold nanoparticle-based PCR-free assays, comprising inexpensive, portable screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) and species-specific biotinylated capture probes, were developed to detect, discriminate, and quantify the causal organisms. Initially, probe specificities and sensitivities were determined (100 fg/μL ∼2 genome copies/μL) in pure fungal backgrounds using multiplexed quantitative PCR, detecting as few as 100 spores on artificially infected legume leaves. Subsequently, electrocatalytic (EC) assays were developed using functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and assessed on three lentil cultivars under quasi-field conditions. Using biotinylated capture probes, the charge densities were correlated with pathogen quantity. The limits of detection (LOD) were 10 fg for both species, 10 times more sensitive than qPCR and able to detect a single spore in a plant background. The new diagnostic tools were subsequently validated on naturally infected field material and offer substantial advances for application in advanced informed BGM management.

The integrity of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) quality markers can be compromised owing to deceptive marketing practices, such as misleading geographical origin claims or counterfeit certification labels, i.e., protected designations of origin (PDO). Therefore, it is imperative to introduce ecofriendly, rapid, and economical analytical methods for authenticating EVOO, such as near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Unlike traditional techniques such as chromatography, NIR spectra contain unresolved bands; hence, chemometric tools such as principal component analysis (PCA) are essential for extracting valuable information from them. Herein, PCA was employed to reduce the high dimensionality of the NIR spectra. The PCA factors were then integrated as explanatory variables in machine-learning classification models, enabling the classification of EVOO based on its geographical origin or PDO. Furthermore, the classification models were improved by incorporating agro-climatic data, resulting in a noticeable improvement in the accuracy and reliability of the results. These results were cross-validated by changing the calibration and validation subsamples in successive iterations and averaging the obtained ratios. The results were robust when the olive varieties differed. Consequently, our findings highlight the potential benefits of incorporating agro-climatic information with NIR spectral data in classification models.