The expansion of mechanized agriculture has accelerated the adoption of double-cropping systems in dryland regions, leading to a decline in the traditional three‑crop rotation system in the hilly arid areas of Sichuan. In its place, two‑crop rotations-specifically winter wheat–summer corn and winter rapeseed-summer corn-have gradually become more prevalent, resulting in a coexistence of both three-crop and two‑crop systems. Understanding the nutrient utilization patterns associated with these typical cropping systems in Sichuan’s hilly arid zones can offer a theoretical foundation for optimizing crop rotation and optimizing cropping structures in the hilly regions of southwestern China. This study was based on a three‑year field experiment conducted from 2021 to 2024, in which five cropping systems were established: winter wheat-spring corn-sweet potato (T1), winter wheat-spring corn-soybean (T2), potato-spring corn-soybean (T3), winter wheat-summer corn (T4), and winter rapeseed-summer corn (T5). For each cropping system, we measured crop biomass, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) uptake, soil nutrient dynamics, and partial factor productivity of fertilizer (PFPF). The results showed that the three‑crop rotation systems exhibited significantly higher average annual biomass and N, P, and K uptake than the two-crop systems, with the winter wheat-spring corn-sweet potato rotation producing the highest average annual biomass among all treatments. In the three‑crop systems, fertilizer-to-productivity ratios increased, whereas soil N, P, and K levels declined, and partial factor productivity of fertilizer efficiency improved. These findings indicate that the three‑crop rotation system enhances nutrient acquisition and utilization, thereby laying a foundation for yield improvement. Compared with two-crop rotations, the three‑crop system exhibited greater soil nutrient uptake (including N, P, and K), higher biomass accumulation, and improved partial factor productivity of fertilizer. Among the five cropping patterns tested, the winter wheat-spring corn-sweet potato rotation performed the best and is therefore recommended for adoption in the hilly arid regions of the study area.
Intestinal inflammatory dysfunction characterized by persistent mucosal inflammation and impaired epithelial barrier integrity causes substantial economic losses in livestock production. Nutritional interventions that modulate the gut microbiota–innate immune axis represent a promising adjunct to pharmaceutical treatments, yet the complete mechanistic cascade underlying the protective effects of plant-derived feed additives remains poorly defined. This study employed rabbits with diarrhea as a transformation model and fed them alfalfa leaf meal (ALM) rich in bioactive plant proteins. Utilising 16S rRNA sequencing, non-targeted metabolomics, and fecal microbiota transplantation techniques, we investigated whether ALM could alleviate Intestinal inflammatory. Results revealed that ALM supplementation was associated with improved growth performance, reduced intestinal damage, altered microbiota composition (reduced potentially harmful taxa, increased beneficial bacterial ratios), and elevated colonic lanosterol levels. In vitro experiments demonstrated that lanosterol suppressed TLR4 expression and promoted an anti-inflammatory macrophage phenotype under LPS challenge. Diarrhoeic rabbits transplanted with fecal microbiota from ALM-fed donor rabbits experienced reduced diarrhoea severity. Notably, LPS-treated macrophages exhibited a pro-inflammatory phenotype, which shifted toward an anti-inflammatory M2-like phenotype upon lanosterol supplementation in vitro. Concurrently, lanosterol suppressed TLR4 expression in macrophages and attenuated LPS-mediated pro-inflammatory responses. Molecular docking predicted a potential interaction between lanosterol and TLR4. The Caco2-macrophage co-culture model demonstrated that lanosterol enhances intestinal barrier function and alleviates LPS-induced Caco2 stress responses by inhibiting TLR4, downregulating the M1-like marker CD11C, and upregulating the M2-like marker CD206. This work identifies a tentative nutrition-regulated, microbe-mediated anti-inflammatory cascade: the ALM–microbiota–lanosterol axis provides a feed-applicable preclinical strategy to alleviate weaning-associated intestinal dysfunction in rabbits by restraining TLR4 signaling, balancing macrophage activation states, and reinforcing intestinal epithelial barriers.
Low fertilizer utilization efficiency, water scarcity, and the non-degradability of synthetic polymer matrices necessitate sustainable alternatives in agriculture. This study proposes a fully biomass-based, dual-crosslinked chitosan/oxidized starch (CS/OS) hydrogel for controllable degradation and efficient water-fertilizer management. CS/OS hydrogels were constructed via a Schiff base reaction and borate coordination, followed by urea loading. A multi-scale approach integrating FT-IR, XPS, and SEM was employed to elucidate the degradation mechanism. The optimized CS/OS (1:1) hydrogel exhibited a water absorption capacity of 2278
Goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.) contains diverse bioactive compounds with reported anti-obesity potential. Microbial bioconverted by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can enhance the functional properties of plant extracts through enzymatic modification. However, studies investigating the improvement of goji berry extract (GBE) via LAB-mediated bioconversion remain limited. This study evaluated the in vitro anti-adipogenic effects and aroma-related volatile profile changes of GBE following bioconversion using Pediococcus acidilactici HW01 and Leuconostoc citreum HW02. Bioconverted GBE significantly inhibited 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation, reducing lipid accumulation by 43
Due to the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in their work, agricultural workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals that can have harmful effects on human health. These substances can act as endocrine disruptors and have mutagenic and carcinogenic effects, capable of causing metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and ALS). Current legislation (Directive 2009/128/EC, implemented in Italy by Legislative Decree No. 150 of August 14, 2012, for plant protection products, and by Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 for fertilizers) governs the use of these products. Directive 2009/128/EC ensures the sustainable use of pesticides, promotes integrated pest management strategies and alternative techniques that reduce the need to use such products, with the aim of protecting the environment and ensuring the safety and health of agricultural workers. Quantica R D employs innovative, patented technology to develop sustainable products for use in agriculture as alternatives to conventional pesticides and fertilizers. This technology is currently applied in various sectors—including agriculture—in the context of using substances with low environmental impact. It acts on the physicochemical properties of the biological systems with which it comes into contact, particularly those of water. In this study, Quantica R D’s products—L57 Water Dry and L57 Water Dry Plus—were evaluated for their potential use as alternatives to conventional pesticides and fertilizers by analyzing various plant physiological and growth parameters. Both products proved effective in reducing the quantity of pesticides required for crop cultivation and protection. Furthermore, during cultivation, a reduction in irrigation water consumption, increased plant resistance to pathogens and adverse conditions, a significant rise in plant nutrient levels, and cost savings were observed. The data obtained are highly encouraging; however, further studies are needed to confirm these results, given that the tested products appear to offer an alternative to conventional farming methods, supporting sustainable agriculture that protects the environment as well as the health and safety of agricultural workers.
To address tetracycline resistance genes (TRGs) contamination in silage, a primary ruminant feed source, we conducted systematic analysis of TRGs distribution patterns and their relationships with bacterial communities, followed by strategic inoculation with low-intrinsic-TRG LAB candidates. Metagenomic analysis revealed that TRGs were abundant, with tet(W/32/O), tetB(58), tetA(58), tetB(60), tetA(60), tet(O/W), tet(T), tetA(46), and tetB(46) being the dominant TRGs in stylo silage. These TRGs were positively correlated (p < 0.001) with the main bacterial communities, particularly Lactiplantibacillus and Lacticaseibacillus. To mitigate TRGs in silage, three lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains, PP1, PP2 (Pediococcus pentosaceus) and LC1 (Loigolactobacillus coryniformis) without 11 TRGs were screened and inoculated. These strains significantly reduced (p < 0.05) pH, ammonia-N content and coliform bacteria counts, while increasing (p < 0.05) lactic acid content of stylo silage. Among 61 identified TRGs, more than 40 were downregulated by PP1 and PP2. Both strains significantly increased the relative abundance of Pediococcus(p < 0.05), while suppressing Lactiplantibacillus (p < 0.05). PP1 and PP2 not only improved fermentation quality but also reduced TRGs by reducing Lactiplantibacillus and Lacticaseibacillus, the potential hosts of TRGs in silage. This strategy provides a practical and economical biotechnological solution to reduce ARGs, highlighting the potential of low-intrinsic-TRG LAB as functional additives to promote safe feed production and sustainable livestock health.
While nitrogen (N) fertilizer is critical for rice productivity, its effects on grain yield and quality and the associated transcriptional responses under field conditions remain incompletely characterized. In this study, we investigated the effects of different N management strategies, including varying N application rates and ratios, on rice yield, grain quality, and the transcriptional profiles of leaves at heading stage, using the high-quality japonica rice cultivar Liaojing 419. In 2023, a field experiment with four N application rates (0, 135, 225, and 315 kg ha−1) showed that increasing N levels significantly enhanced grain yield by increasing panicle number and grain number per panicle, while the highest N rate (315 kg ha−1) further improved milling quality but was accompanied by greater chalkiness and lower eating quality. These grain-quality changes coincided with increased protein content. Comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed that differential N application was associated with changes in the expression of genes related to amino acid metabolism and photosynthesis. In 2024, we further examined three N allocation ratios—basal:tiller:panicle ratios of 6:3:1 (S1), 5:3:2 (S2), and 4:3:3 (S3)-under a fixed total N rate of 225 kg ha−1. N allocation ratios had relatively limited effects on agronomic and processing-quality traits. S3 increased chalkiness and total protein, particularly albumin, but did not significantly alter taste value, amylose content, or the levels of any of the 17 measured free amino acids. Transcriptomic analysis showed that S1 was associated with changes in photosynthesis-related genes, whereas S3 was associated with GO terms related to response to stimulus, without sufficient evidence to establish these responses as direct physiological stress effects. Moreover, N rates and, to a lesser extent, N allocation ratios altered the activities of several enzymes involved in starch and nitrogen metabolism during early grain filling. Overall, this study provides agronomic evidence and transcriptomic insights into how N management is associated with changes in rice grain yield and quality.
Anethum graveolens L. (dill) is an economically important aromatic plant cultivated for its seeds and essential oil. Dill straw is commonly treated as an agricultural by-product, despite its potential as an alternative source of essential oil. Water deficit stress and the boron (B) foliar application, represent key factors influencing the plant growth, yield, and essential oil composition. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the boron application at different rates on the growth, seed yield, straw yield, and the essential oil content and composition of dill under varying irrigation regimes, and to assess the biological activities of the obtained essential oils. Field experiments were carried out to study the effect of boron (B) fertilization (0, 150 and 300 ppm) on the seed yield, and volatile oil of dill under water deficit stress conditions. The oil was obtained by hydro-distillation extraction method using Clevenger apparatus. Chemical analysis of the oil was done by using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The biological activities of the seed essential oil were evaluated. Irrigation at 100
Insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) from Actinidia arguta is a valuable functional food ingredient, but its inherent dense structure severely limits its functional properties and industrial application potential. In this study, IDF obtained via enzymatic extraction was used as the raw material to investigate the improvement effects of physical modification technologies on its comprehensive performance. Four physical modification methods, including microwave, ultrasound, high-pressure moist heat, and high hydrostatic pressure treatments, were applied. All treatments effectively disrupted the tight compact structure of unmodified IDF and promoted the exposure of internal active groups, thus significantly enhancing the structural and functional properties of the fiber (p < 0.05). Among the modified samples, microwave-modified IDF (WIDF) exhibited a well-developed honeycomb network structure and the best overall performance. Its water-holding, oil-holding, and swelling capacities increased approximately 1.5– to 2.1-fold compared with the unmodified IDF. The antioxidant activities were also considerably improved, with the hydroxyl radical scavenging rate showing the highest increase of 2.4-fold. In terms of adsorption capacity, WIDF showed a 4.7-fold increase in sodium cholate adsorption, and also exhibited enhanced binding capacities for cholesterol, glucose, nitrite, and heavy metals in a pH-dependent manner. Microwave-modified IDF holds promising potential as a multifunctional food ingredient. This study provides a feasible approach for the high-value valorization of fruit processing by-products, which is conducive to promoting the sustainable development of the food processing industry.
Oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, and medicinal plant polysaccharides (MPPs) are promising natural antioxidants. However, the substantial structural heterogeneity of MPPs complicates the establishment of reliable structure–activity relationships, thereby limiting their rational screening and development. This study aimed to establish a multi-algorithm, data-driven quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) framework for predicting the antioxidant activities of MPPs. A literature-derived dataset was collected, standardized, and harmonized. Multiple linear regression (MLR), K-means clustering, and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to examine the relationship between polysaccharide molecular weight (MW) and antioxidant activity. MLR showed no clear linear relationship between MW and radical-scavenging activity, suggesting that the association may be nonlinear or driven by multiple structural factors. Clustering analysis further revealed distinct MW-associated distribution patterns, yet antioxidant activity varied widely among polysaccharides with different MW characteristics. Gradient boosting decision tree regression, support vector regression, and random forest (RF) were then used to model the relationship between monosaccharide composition and antioxidant activity. Among the three algorithms, RF performed best, although its generalization capacity remained moderate. Feature-importance and Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analyses identified several monosaccharides linked to DPPH· and ·OH scavenging activities; these associations were interpreted as predictive rather than causal. External validation with 10 structurally diverse polysaccharides and 8 independent batches of Radix isatidis polysaccharides supported the model-derived relationships. Representative polysaccharides were further evaluated in an H2O2-induced zebrafish oxidative stress model, and the observed antioxidant effects provided complementary biological support for the model-based screening results. These findings suggest that MW and monosaccharide composition carry useful information for predicting the antioxidant activities of MPPs, although neither descriptor alone fully explains their antioxidant behavior. Combining data-driven modeling, external experimental validation, in vitro assays, and in vivo zebrafish evaluation offers a preliminary framework for exploring structure–antioxidant relationships in MPPs and prioritizing candidates for further study. Larger standardized datasets, more comprehensive structural descriptors, and independent validation are still needed to improve the framework's predictive accuracy, interpretability, and generalizability.
Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) derived from lignocellulosic biomass are promising materials for sustainable controlled release systems due to their renewability and tunable surface chemistry. However, their intrinsic hydrophilicity limits their interaction with hydrophobic compounds. This study aims to overcome this limitation by introducing amphiphilic character into TEMPO-oxidized CNF via octylamine-mediated amidation, enabling modulation of surface properties and release behavior in aerogel-based delivery systems. CNF obtained from wheat straw biorefinery were successfully functionalized, achieving a degree of modification of 29
Petroselinic acid (PeA), a rare monounsaturated fatty acid (C18:1Δ6), has garnered scientific interest due to its unique cis-Δ6 double bond configuration and limited botanical distribution. Predominantly found in the Apiaceae family (e.g., parsley, coriander, dill), PeA exhibits distinct physicochemical traits such as enhanced oxidative stability, polymorphic control favoring β′ crystals, and amphiphilic interfacial behavior. These properties render it valuable in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and oleochemical industries. This review comprehensively explores PeA’s biosynthesis, emphasizing acyl-ACP pathways and metabolic engineering strategies to enhance accumulation in plants and microbes. Various extraction methods, including green alternatives such as ultrasound-assisted and supercritical CO₂ extraction, are evaluated for efficiency and sustainability. PeA undergoes selective chemical transformations (e.g., epoxidation, ozonolysis) and enzymatic modifications, facilitating its application in surfactants, polymers, and bio-based lubricants. Functionally, PeA supports structured emulsions, improves product stability, and promotes health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and metabolic regulatory effects. Challenges in biosynthetic yield, industrial scalability, and bioavailability are also discussed. Ultimately, PeA emerges as a promising bioactive lipid, with future potential dependent on integrated efforts in green chemistry, biotechnology, and health research. The unique Δ6-double bond gives PeA a distinct structure and functional properties. PeA-rich oils show strong oxidative stability and β′-crystal polymorphism. Green extractions optimize PeA yield with minimal environmental impact. PeA exhibits anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and metabolic health benefits. Bioengineering advances enhance PeA production in plants and microbes.
The activity of native sulphur-oxidizing microorganisms is a key determinant of the success of elemental sulphur (S°)-mediated reclamation strategies for sodic soils. Enhancing sulphur oxidation through effective microbial inoculants can improve soil chemical properties and crop productivity under sodic conditions. This study evaluated the S° oxidation and crop performance of rice and wheat under sodic soils amended with S° and Pseudomonas veronii strain 43UP1, isolated from barren sodic soils. The P. veronii strain 43UP1 exhibited appreciable production of ammonia and indole-3-acetic acid, and P and Zn solubilization. For the first time, this isolate with S° oxidation activity was reported from sodic soils. It tested negative for hemolytic, DNase, and gelatinase activities. The P. veronii strain 43UP1 inoculation caused a 23–33
Due to changing climate conditions, drought stress is increasing, leading to significant reductions in agricultural productivity and posing a serious threat to global food security. One of the main reasons for plant growth disruption is drought stress. In recent years, the use of sustainable and eco-friendly compounds to mitigate drought-induced damage has gained attention. Dopamine, a catecholamine neurotransmitter, has emerged as a potential regulator of plant stress responses. This study aimed to investigate the effects of exogenous dopamine on drought stress tolerance in green kale, examining morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses. A factorial experiment was carried out in the form of a completely randomized design with three replications. Two factors were examined: (a) three drought stress levels (100
Climate warming enables cropping intensification in cool regions, but the long-term biogeochemical consequences particularly how soil carbon dynamics mediates environmental outcomes remain unknown. This limits biologically-based strategies for sustainable intensification. Through 31-year long-term experiments on China’s Loess Plateau, we tracked soil organic carbon (SOC), productivity, carbon footprints based on yield (CFY) and economic profit (CFE), and water footprints based on yield (WFY) and economic profit (WFE) after converting wheat-fallow to wheat–maize double cropping under three fertilization regimes: NP, NPK, and partial manure substitution (MNPK; 70
The rapid deterioration of ready-to-eat pomegranate arils during cold storage remains a major challenge limiting their commercial distribution and consumer acceptance. This study evaluated the effectiveness of psyllium (PSY) and kojic acid (KA), applied individually or in combination (PSY + KA), as natural coating agents for preserving quality, extending storage life, and suppressing microbial growth in minimally processed pomegranate arils during cold storage. Pomegranate arils coated with PSY + KA and stored at 4 ± 1 °C and 90–95
The Maillard reaction is ubiquitous in food processing, imparting desirable color and flavor. However, excessive protein glycation leads to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and protein cross‑linking, causing nutritional loss and potential hazards. This study aimed to evaluate the anti‑glycation effect and mechanism of the natural thiol compound ergothioneine (EGT, 0.02–0.5 mg/mL) using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model and glucose, fructose, or methylglyoxal as inducers, with aminoguanidine as the positive control. EGT dose‑dependently inhibited the production of early (fructosamine), middle (reactive dicarbonyls), and late (total fluorescent AGEs, pentosidine) glycation products across all three glycation systems. It also reduced protein oxidative modification and cross‑linked aggregation, as shown by thioflavin T fluorescence, SDS‑PAGE, and measurements of formylkynurenine, kynurenine, and tyrosine. EGT exhibited strong radical scavenging activity against DPPH and ABTS, with scavenging rates of 66.3
Phytopathogenic fungi, particularly Bipolaris sorokiniana, pose severe threats to global agricultural production and food security. Microbial secondary metabolites, especially those from endophytic fungi, represent promising sources for novel antifungal agents. This study systematically investigated the secondary metabolites of the endophytic fungus Diaporthe hubeiensis ZMU-49-3, isolated from the leaves of Acacia confusa Merr. An investigation of D. hubeiensis ZMU-49-3 led to the isolation of fifteen secondary metabolites (1–15), including four new tetrahydrochromone derivatives diaporthanones A–D (1–4), two new polyketide derivatives diaporthenoic acid A (6) and diaporthenolide A (7), and a new dibenzoxepane derivative diaporthoxepane A (8). Their structures and absolute configurations were determined via comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, and DP4⁺ probability analyses. Subsequent in vitro antifungal screening revealed that compound 4 exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against B. sorokiniana, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 10 μg/mL. The MICs of compounds 2 and 5 were 40 and 60 μg/mL, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that compound 4 disrupted the mycelial structure. These findings increase the chemical diversity of Diaporthe species and suggest that the tetrahydrochromone scaffold represents a promising template for the development of potential antifungal agents. Fifteen metabolites were isolated from Diaporthe hubeiensis ZMU-49-3, including seven new compounds. Structures and absolute configurations were determined by spectroscopy, ECD calculations, NMR-based DP4+ analysis. New compound 4 showed potent antifungal activity against Bipolaris sorokiniana with an MIC of 10 μg/mL. SEM analysis revealed that compound 4 disrupts the mycelial structure.
Wheat stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), poses a significant threat to global wheat production. Long-term suboptimal pesticide use has fueled pathogen resistance and agroecosystem degradation, while rapid pathogen race evolution erodes varietal resistance durability. This necessitates the urgent development of sustainable control strategies and biocontrol agents with consistent efficacy, ecological safety, and well-defined modes of action. This study aimed to evaluate the biocontrol potential of endophytic bacteria against this devastating disease. Strain TKS G-1, isolated from healthy wheat roots, was identified as Kosakonia cowanii through polyphasic taxonomy (morphological, physiological, and phylogenetic analysis of 16 S rDNA and rpoB sequences). The (Fermented liquid with Bacterial cell) FLBC of TKS G-1 inhibited Pst urediospore germination by 88.89
Green waste substrate utilization is severely restricted by inherent phytotoxicity, and efficient rapid detoxification strategies are urgently needed. This study proposed a urea-mediated moderate-temperature incubation method, evaluated the detoxification efficiency of different urea application rates (0–2.4
