Microalgae remain scientifically compelling biofuel feedstocks because they can convert light and carbon into chemically diverse biomass without an intrinsic requirement for fertile agricultural land, while some production systems can also use saline water, wastewater nutrients and concentrated carbon dioxide streams. Yet the field has not translated laboratory demonstrations into routine production of competitively priced, low-carbon commodity fuels. This critical narrative review evaluates why that gap persists and how the research agenda has changed. Literature published from 1 January 2015 to 22 June 2026 was examined, with earlier seminal studies retained where necessary to establish mechanisms, process benchmarks and the evolution of sustainability arguments. Evidence was synthesised across strain physiology and engineering, cultivation, harvesting and dewatering, lipid-based biodiesel, hydrothermal liquefaction, pyrolysis, anaerobic digestion, carbohydrate-derived fuels, wastewater and carbon integration, techno-economics and life-cycle assessment. The central finding is that microalgal fuel performance is governed by cross-stage interactions rather than by a single favourable trait such as lipid content. Stress-induced lipid accumulation can reduce biomass productivity; controlled photobioreactors can improve culture performance while increasing capital and energy burdens; and downstream choices determine whether dilute wet biomass becomes an energetic liability or a useful feedstock. Hydrothermal liquefaction is particularly compatible with wet whole biomass, whereas conventional biodiesel benefits from mature chemistry but is constrained by selective lipid recovery and drying or extraction requirements. Wastewater, nutrient recycling, carbon utilisation and coproduct valorisation can improve system performance, but benefits are strongly context dependent and may be overstated when environmental-service credits or high-value coproduct revenues are assumed without scale-consistent markets. Pilot-informed life-cycle studies continue to show substantial sensitivity to electricity supply, infrastructure, productivity, nutrient source, dewatering and allocation choices. The most defensible near-term direction is therefore not a universal algal-fuel process, but location-specific, integrated biorefineries in which fuel production is co-designed with nutrient recovery, carbon management and realistic coproduct pathways. Progress towards commercial relevance requires continuous outdoor validation, harmonised assessment, wet-processing strategies and evidence that integrated gains persist at scale.
Precision agriculture is increasingly described as the convergence of two originally separate technological programmes: engineered nanomaterials that act at the plant and soil interface, and computational learning systems that convert agronomic data into management decisions. The claim that these programmes already constitute a single integrated capability has become common in recent literature, yet the evidential basis for that integration has rarely been examined with the scepticism it warrants. This critical narrative review evaluates the strength, consistency and methodological quality of the evidence linking artificial intelligence to plant nanotechnology, and asks where the coupling is demonstrated, where it is merely plausible and where it is rhetorical. Literature was identified through Crossref Metadata Search, PubMed, the Directory of Open Access Journals and targeted searching of publisher and institutional pages, supplemented by backward and forward citation tracing, with all bibliographic records verified through digital object identifier resolution. Four coupling modes are distinguished: nanoscale sensing that generates machine-readable plant signals, data-driven prediction and design of nanomaterial behaviour, stimuli-responsive delivery that actuates algorithmic decisions, and decision integration at field scale. Evidence quality differs sharply among these modes. Supervised models of nanoparticle uptake and plant response now rest on curated datasets and interpretable learning methods, but they inherit descriptor limitations from nano quantitative structure and activity relationship modelling, rely on small and heterogeneous laboratory datasets, and have seldom been validated prospectively. Nanosensors detect defined stress signalling molecules in living tissue with high temporal resolution, yet reports of calibration stability, cross-species transferability and field durability remain scarce. Nano-enabled fertilisers and pesticides show efficiency gains in controlled conditions that are frequently attenuated or unverified in field systems, and comparisons with conventional analogues are often methodologically weak. Environmental fate, soil microbiome effects and life-cycle burdens remain insufficiently characterised to support confident safe-by-design claims. The dominant limitation is not conceptual but infrastructural: the coupling of artificial intelligence to plant nanotechnology is constrained by data scarcity, non-standardised reporting and an unresolved gap between glasshouse demonstration and agronomic deployment. Research priorities are proposed that address prospective validation, standardised nano-agronomic datasets, field-durable sensing and governance of data asymmetry.
Background: Dof (DNA-binding with one finger) transcription factors are plant-specific zinc-finger proteins that regulate growth, development, hormone signalling, and stress responses. However, the structural features and hormone-response patterns of most cucumber Dof members remain unclear. Our previous RNA-seq screening identified two powdery mildew-responsive candidate genes, CsDof3 and CsDof36. Objective: To systematically characterise the molecular structures, tissue-specific expression patterns, and hormone responses of CsDof3 and CsDof36, thereby providing an important theoretical basis and genetic resources for further analysis of the molecular mechanisms by which they may regulate disease resistance through hormone signalling and for the molecular breeding of disease-resistant cucumber. Research Design: An approach combining bioinformatic prediction and gene-expression profiling was used to systematically characterise CsDof3 and CsDof36. Methods: ProtParam, ProtScale, SOPMA, PlantCARE, and STRING were used to predict the physicochemical properties, secondary structures, protein-interaction networks, chromosomal locations, and promoter cis-acting elements of the CsDof3 and CsDof36 genes and their encoded proteins. RT-qPCR was used to assess differences in the tissue expression of the two genes in cucumber roots, stems, cotyledons, and true leaves, as well as dynamic changes in transcript levels after treatment with SA, ABA, GA, and MeJA. Detailed concentrations and sampling times are provided in the Materials and Methods section. Results: CsDof3 and CsDof36 were predicted to be hydrophilic and unstable proteins, with random coils as their predominant secondary structures, and were located on chromosomes 1 and 6, respectively. Their promoters contained common MeJA- and GA-responsive cis-acting elements, whereas the CsDof3 promoter additionally contained ABA- and SA-responsive elements. CsDof3 expression was highest in cotyledons, whereas CsDof36 expression was highest in true leaves. Under hormone treatments, CsDof3 was consistently repressed by ABA, GA, and MeJA but was insensitive to SA. By contrast, CsDof36 was insensitive to MeJA, transiently repressed by SA, and induced by ABA and GA, indicating divergent regulatory response patterns.
Aims: The recovery of agricultural waste is regarded as a strategy for reducing its environmental impact while generating high value-added products. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of acetic acid bacteria isolated from fermented beverages to biotransform unsold mangoes and cashew apples for their valorisation through the production of organic acids. Methodology: For this purpose, the technological properties of Acetobacter pasteurianus and Acetobacter oryzoeni strains isolated from traditional beverages (tchapalo and palm wine) were evaluated by assessing their growth at different temperatures (30, 37, and 44°C) and ethanol concentrations (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, and 20%, v/v). Furthermore, the ability of these acetic acid bacteria to acidify cashew apple juice (the pseudofruit of Anacardium occidentale L.) and mango juice (Mangifera indica cv. Kent) was investigated in the presence and absence of ethanol. Results: The results showed that Acetobacter pasteurianus and Acetobacter oryzoeni exhibited optimal growth at 30°C and 37°C. Organic acid production was higher at 37°C, where titratable acidity increased from 0.42 to 0.96% for A. pasteurianus and from 0.33 to 1.13% for A. oryzoeni. Ethanol concentrations of 4% and 6% promoted substantial organic acid production. In fermented juices without ethanol supplementation, titratable acidity was higher in cashew apple juice than in mango juice. However, in the presence of ethanol, titratable acidity was higher in mango juice. Conclusion: A. pasteurianus and A. oryzoeni demonstrated strong technological potential for the biotransformation of mango and cashew apple juices. The findings suggest that cashew apple juice may preferentially support gluconic acid production, whereas mango juice may be more favourable for acetic acid production by acetic acid bacteria. However, these interpretations are based on indirect physicochemical indicators (pH, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids), and further studies involving direct quantification of organic acids are needed to confirm the metabolic pathways involved.
Indigenous and underutilised crops such as sorghum, the millets, teff, fonio, cowpea, Bambara groundnut and the Andean pseudocereals combine dense micronutrient profiles with substantial phytate, tannin and protease-inhibitor loads that constrain their nutritional performance in unprocessed form. Fermentation is among the oldest and most widely practised interventions used to reconcile this tension, yet the literature addressing its effects remains fragmented across single-crop studies, single-outcome assays and disciplinary silos that rarely intersect with food product development. This review synthesises evidence on three interconnected outcome domains, namely protein digestibility and amino acid availability, glycaemic and starch-digestibility response, and mineral and vitamin bioavailability, and evaluates the extent to which fermentation-derived improvements in these domains can be translated into indigenous-crop snack foods. Evidence was drawn from peer-reviewed journal articles and institutional sources identified through structured searches of publicly accessible bibliographic platforms. Across crops and fermentation modalities, spontaneous and lactic-acid-bacteria-mediated fermentation consistently reduced phytate and condensed tannin concentrations and improved in vitro protein digestibility, with reported gains that varied considerably by substrate, microbial consortium and fermentation duration. Effects on glycaemic response were less uniform, reflecting a balance between organic-acid-mediated suppression of starch hydrolysis and matrix disruption that can accelerate it. Mineral bioaccessibility gains, expressed principally through reductions in phytate-to-mineral molar ratios, were the most consistently reported benefit, although evidence remains concentrated in a small number of crop-microbe combinations and in vitro assay systems. Extrusion and other snack-relevant processing steps interact with fermentation in ways that are only beginning to be characterised, and few studies have evaluated fermented indigenous-crop snacks under conditions resembling commercial manufacture. The review identifies methodological heterogeneity, limited in vivo confirmation, and a scarcity of studies that integrate all three outcome domains within a single product-development framework as the principal constraints on translating this evidence base into viable snack food innovation.
Background: Agrochemicals, while vital for enhancing agricultural productivity, are increasingly recognized as environmental pollutants, impacting soil health and microbial ecosystems. Aim: This study examined the microbial biomass carbon (MB-C), nitrogen (MB-N), phosphorus (MB-P), soil enzyme activities, and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) composition of an agrochemical-contaminated farm soil in Ogume, Kwale, Delta State, Nigeria. Methodology: Soil samples were collected from a farm with a history of intensive agrochemical application and a control site. Microbial biomass carbon (MB-C), nitrogen (MB-N), phosphorus (MB-P), soil enzyme activities, phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined using standard procedures. Results: Results revealed that microbial biomass C, N, and P were significantly lower in contaminated soil (17.86mg/kg, 312.06 mg/kg, and 87.14 mg/kg) compared to the control (15.8mg/kg, 523.47 mg/kg, and 205.32 mg/kg). Similarly, enzyme activities were reduced in the contaminated soil; with β-glucosidase (0.562 µg PNP kg⁻¹ h⁻¹), urease (0.56 mg N NH₄ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹), and phosphatase (25.46 mg PNP kg⁻¹ h⁻¹) values lower than those in the control (0.680 µg PNP kg⁻¹ h⁻¹, 0.63 mg N NH₄ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹, and 29.80 mg PNP kg⁻¹ h⁻¹). Dehydrogenase activity was marginally higher in contaminated soil (6.80 µg PNP kg⁻¹ h⁻¹) than in control soil (6.44 µg PNP kg⁻¹ h⁻¹), suggesting microbial stress adaptation. The total phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) content in the contaminated soil (10.24 µmol g⁻¹) was notably lower than that of the control (12.46 µmol g⁻¹), reflecting a reduction in viable microbial biomass and potential shifts in community structure associated with agrochemical exposure. No detectable PAHs in both soil samples, implying that microbial and enzymatic alterations were primarily due to agrochemical residues rather than pyrogenic pollution. Conclusion: This investigation contributes to a better understanding of the ecological consequences of agrochemical pollution on soil microbial communities in tropical agricultural settings, offering valuable insights for sustainable land management and bioremediation strategies.
Background: Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium L. Schott) is an important staple crop for food security worldwide. However, its cultivation faces several constraints, including the limited availability of planting material in both quantity and quality, as well as pests, diseases (root rot) and the inaccessibility of synthetic agricultural inputs. Aims: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of bio stimulants derived from natural plants on the growth and protection of cocoyam planting material. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Laboratory of Phytoprotection and Valorization of Genetic Resources of the Centre for Biotechnology, and the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Plant Physiology of Higher Teacher’s Training College, University of Yaounde 1, between March and June 2023. Methodology: A randomized block design was applied in both environments, consisting of six treatments: four bio stimulants derived from natural plant sources (BS1, BS2, BS3, BS4), a chemical fertilizer (NPK 20.10.10) as a positive control, and water as a negative control. Red and white cocoyam planting materials were watered with bio stimulants at 25% from pre-emergence in the greenhouse to emergence under shade conditions, then their effects were evaluated and correlated with agromorphological parameters, as well as growth and defense biomarkers. Statistical analyses included ANOVA with Tukey’s test (5% significance), multi-factor analysis for growth parameters, and Pearson correlation tests. Results: bio stimulants very significantly stimulated (P< 0.0001) seedling pre-emergence and emergence in terms of agromorphological parameters (number of shoots, stem diameter and height, number of leaves and leaf area) and the accumulation of growth- and defense-related biomarkers (total chlorophylls, total sugars, total phenols, flavonoids, total proteins, PAL, POX and PPO) compared with the positive (C+) and negative (C−) controls. In both varieties, bio stimulants increased the number of shoots by 56.75-92.71%, stem diameter by 77.92-93.33%, stem height by 65.73-96.02%, number of leaves by 72.50-90%, and leaf area by 36.05-82.52%. Biomarker contents ranged between 0.022 and 227.917 mg/g FM, while defense-related enzyme activities ranged between 0.036 and 0.407 µmol/min/mL compared with the controls. BS2 was the most effective treatment across all responses in both red and white cocoyam. Conclusion: These results suggest that bio stimulants may stimulate plant metabolism and biological processes, while also improving nutrient uptake. They could therefore constitute an effective tool for the biofortification, the promotion of environmentally sustainable agriculture and poverty alleviation.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen mainly responsible for many nosocomial infections. The pathogen has the ability to produce a diverse range of virulence factors to establish infection in the host. Keeping these points in mind, the present study aims to isolate P. aeruginosa from the hospital environment to characterise its virulence and determine its antibiotic susceptibility pattern. The study selectively isolated P. aeruginosa using cetrimide agar and conducted phenotypic, biochemical, and virulence characterisation along with antibiotic susceptibility pattern testing. P. aeruginosa was found to be prevalent in the hospital environment. Approximately 92% of the isolates recovered exhibited a mucoid phenotype often associated with biofilm formation and persistence in P. aeruginosa, suggesting a pathogenic nature. The degree of siderophore production varied amongst the isolates, ranging from a 1.5-12 mm zone diameter. For phospholipase C production, 20% of isolates were strong producers, followed by 30% were moderate producers, and 50% were weak producers. All isolates recovered from the air sample in the outpatient Department (OPD) and water sample from the hospital canteen tested positive for hemolysin production. In contrast, isolates recovered from air samples at the hospital main gate and the Hospital Canteen did not produce hemolysin. All isolates exhibited cell-surface hydrophobicity ranging from 20% to 80%. Additionally, 70% of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin. Norfloxacin, imipenem, and gentamicin were effective against all isolates. The isolates showed variable susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol. The current study revealed that P. aeruginosa possesses a diverse array of virulence factors, enabling it to cause a wide range of infections even after exposure to multiple antimicrobial agents.
Senna alata is a medicinal plant in the family Fabaceae and is widely used in traditional medicine for the management of several conditions. Although the plant is commonly used, information on its haematological and biochemical effects remains limited. This study assessed the effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Senna alata on body weight, haematological parameters, serum metabolites and serum enzyme activity in albino rats. Fresh leaves were collected from Mubi town, Mubi North Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria, authenticated, air-dried for 14 days, powdered and extracted with absolute ethanol. Twenty albino rats were divided into four groups of five animals each. Group 1 served as the normal control and received feed and water only, while Groups 2, 3 and 4 received the ethanolic leaf extract orally at 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight, respectively, for 14 days. Blood samples were collected for haematological and biochemical analyses, and data were expressed as mean ± SEM and analysed using one-way ANOVA. The extract did not produce a serious effect on body weight, as percentage weight variation ranged from 3.01 to 4.70. Red blood cell count, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were not significantly different from the control. White blood cell count increased significantly in Group 2, while platelet values decreased significantly in Groups 2 and 4. Albumin, globulin, urea and total protein showed no significant differences, whereas glucose decreased in all treated groups. ALT increased in Group 2 and ALP increased in Group 3. Overall, the extract showed no serious adverse effect at the tested doses.
A serious and growing food hypersensitivity, shellfish allergy is mainly brought on by allergenic proteins like arginine kinase and tropomyosin. As of right now, allergy avoidance and symptomatic therapy are the main therapeutic approaches because there is no proven cure. Although quercetin, a naturally found flavonoid with anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory qualities, has demonstrated promise in regulating allergic reactions, its precise effectiveness against crab allergens is yet unknown. The current work used in vitro experimental methods to assess quercetin's inhibitory effects on crab allergenicity. The results showed that crab has a significant probability for causing allergies. Important allergy mediators, including as β-hexosaminidase release, immunoglobulin E (IgE), histamine levels, histidine decarboxylase (HDC) activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-4, were significantly reduced after quercetin treatment. These results demonstrate that quercetin effectively lowers allergic responses associated with crab allergens, indicating its potential as a naturally occurring bioactive molecule for reducing allergenic hazards. This study finds intriguing applications for enhancing food safety and developing allergy-reducing functional meals. Further studies are necessary to verify these findings in vivo and explore the broader uses of quercetin in the management of food allergies. Graphical abstract showing allergenicity of crab and quercetins anti-allergic effect against crab proteins by in vitro study:
Background & Aims: Plantains are consumed all over the world and are mainly grown extensively due to the unavailability of seeds in sufficient quantity and quality, disease and the high cost of agricultural inputs. Recent studies have highlighted the positive effect of biostimulants on seedlings growth promotion and protection in the greenhouse and the nursery such as plantains, cocoa, vegetables etc. The aim of our study is to confirm this positive effect of biostimulants on the agronomic performance of plants in the field, as well as their effect on the quality of fruit. Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Phytoprotection and Valorization of Genetic Resources of the Centre for Biotechnology, and the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Plant Physiology of Higher Teacher’s Training College, University of Yaounde 1, between November 2022 and January 2026. Methodology: The plants were watered with the biostimulant (BS), the positive control (NPK) and water (W) as negative control throughout their growth in the field until the fruit was obtained. We evaluated the agro-morphological parameters of the plants and the fruit treated. Results: The results obtained show that the biostimulant (BS) significantly improves the agronomic performance of plants and fruits compared to the positive control (NPK) and water (W). Indeed, it increases the diameter and the number of leaves of plants 2.2 and 1.1 times respectively compared to the controls (NPK) and (W). The accumulation of total phenols and total proteins in the leaves of plantain banana was 2 times more important in the leaves treated with biostimulant compare to the one treated with water, while it was 2.5 times more important for total sugars. Similarly, it improved flowering time, ripening time, total plant growth time, bunch weight, total number of fingers on hand 1, hand 1 weight and hand 2 weight 42.6 days, 23.1 days, 59.6 days, 4.3kg, 1.6, 1.2 and 0.5 times respectively compared with the controls (NPK) and (W). Conclusion: The biostimulant is thus an effective tool for promoting eco-responsible agriculture, a healthy, balanced organic plant feeding, good quality plantain fruit and the fight against poverty.
Background: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) stress responses are strongly regulated by jasmonic acid signaling—especially via MYB transcription factors—yet key regulators like SlMYB83 in JA-deficient spr2 mutants remain largely uncharacterized. Aims: Based on the tomato SlMYB83 gene previously identified through transcriptome screening, this study aims to elucidate its protein structural characteristics, tissue‑specific expression patterns, and responsive relationship to jasmonic acid (JA) signaling, thereby providing a foundation for subsequent functional studies. Study Design: A research design integrating bioinformatics prediction with gene expression analysis was adopted to systematically characterize the protein properties of SlMYB83 and its expression changes in a mutant and under exogenous hormone treatment. Methods: Bioinformatics analyses were performed using tools such as ProtParam, SignalP-5.0, TMHMM, SOPMA, SWISS-MODEL, Plant-mPLoc, PLANTCARE, and STRING. Quantitative real‑time PCR (qRT‑PCR) was used to examine tissue‑specific expression as well as expression differences in the spr2 mutant and under MeJA treatment. Results: SlMYB83 was characterized as a hydrophilic protein lacking signal peptide and transmembrane domains, localized to the nucleus, and containing a SANT domain. Its promoter harbored stress‑responsive elements including MeJA and ABA. The gene exhibited the highest expression in leaves and the lowest in fruits. SlMYB83 expression was significantly upregulated in the spr2 mutant but markedly downregulated following exogenous MeJA treatment. Conclusions: This study elucidated the fundamental characteristics of the SlMYB83 protein and revealed that JA negatively regulates its expression, thereby laying a foundation for subsequent functional research.
Background: In Burkina Faso, bovine hide, constitutes an important component of the diet and represents a valued source of animal protein. However, the slaughtering, processing, and marketing practices associated with this product often occur under inadequate hygienic conditions, thereby exposing it to significant microbiological contamination. Aims: This study aimed to identify and characterize Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) strains isolated from cattle hides sold in markets in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Study Design: This is a prospective descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: Study was performed at Laboratory of Applied Biological Sciences, New Dawn University and Molecular Biology Laboratory based at Muraz Center affiliated to Higher Institute of Health Sciences (INSSA), Nazi Boni University, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso in 2025. Methodology: Samples of beef hides were collected, and E. coli strains were isolated and identified using standard bacteriological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to the CASFM/EUCAST guidelines. Subsequently, genomic DNA was extracted using the Chelex method, and PCR amplification was carried out to detect the 16S rRNA gene, the intimin gene (eaeA), and virulence genes (stx1 and stx2). Results: A total of twenty E. coli strains were isolated. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed high resistance to cefoxitin (85%) and amoxicillin–clavulanic acid (70%), while significant susceptibility was observed with meropenem (95%), kanamycin (75%), and ciprofloxacin (65%). Molecular analyses showed a prevalence of 17.6% for eaeA and 5.9% for both stx1 and stx2. Conclusion: These findings highlight the presence of multi-resistant pathogenic E. coli strains on beef hides, emphasizing the need to strengthen microbiological surveillance, promote rational antibiotic use, and improve hygiene practices throughout the production and marketing chain.
Backgrounds: Heavy metals like lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are toxic environmental pollutants that cause serious health effects, particularly neurotoxicity, organ damage, and carcinogenic risks. Their combined exposure can enhance toxicity through synergistic interactions, increasing overall health hazards. Aims: To assess technology-assisted neurobehavioral and histomorphometry of chronic lead and cadmium exposure in an animal study Study Design: A qualitative study design was used. Place and Duration of Study: Departments of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, State University of Medical and Applied Health Sciences, Igbo-Eno, Nigeria, between July and September, 2025. Methodology: This study used twenty Wistar rats. The control group (I) received only feed and water. Group II received 40 mg/kg) of Cd, while groups III and IV received 50 mg/kg of Pb and 40 mg/kg of Cd plus 50 mg/kg of Pb, respectively, for 4 weeks. After the rats were euthanized under anesthesia, the hippocampal tissue was removed for histological analysis. Neurobehavioral assessments were performed employing standardized, technology-enhanced beam walk, rotarod, and Barnes maze paradigms; latency and error metrics were recorded via computer-assisted timing and video-tracking systems. Results: The results demonstrated that, compared to the control group, simultaneous exposure to lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) resulted in deficits in neurobehavioral function, memory, and spatial learning, as assessed through technology-based neurobehavioral assays, thus amplifying neurotoxicity within the experimental groups. Moreover, the rats' locomotor activity was diminished by exposure to either Pb or Cd, with the combined exposure exacerbating this effect. Histopathological examinations, employing digitally assisted histomorphometric evaluation, disclosed significant brain damage, marked by inflammation, shrinkage, and degeneration of molecular, pyramidal, and multiform cell layers. Conclusion: This study offers a crucial theoretical foundation for the toxicity linked to mixed heavy metal exposure and underscores the value of technology-supported behavioral and histological platforms in experimental neurotoxicology.
The current study assessed the impact of microbial inoculation on vegetative growth, flowering traits, fruit physical properties, yield, and oil percentage of olive trees grown in saline soil at olive collection farm located in the Al-Moghra area of Matrouh Governorate, Egypt. conditions during two successive years (2024-2025). The treatments were Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus cereus, Trichorums sp, and mycorrhizal fungi, and the control was untreated trees. Microbial inoculation significantly increased vegetative factors such as leaf number, leaf surface area, and chlorophyll content, which cumulatively led to increased photosynthesis. Better vegetative growth led to better reproductive growth, as indicated by longer inflorescences, increased number of flowers, increased percentage of perfect flowers, and flowering density. As a result, fruit growth was positively influenced, as microbial inoculation increased fruit weight, length, and width compared to the control. In addition, microbial inoculation showed a reduction in salinity stress, as indicated by the reduction in proline content and the reduction in markers of oxidative stress, such as total phenols, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase activity. These increases cumulatively led to increase per-tree oil yield and oil percentage, with mycorrhizal fungi and Trichorums sp showing the highest values. Microbial inoculation significantly increased soil microbial activity, as indicated by dehydrogenase enzyme activity, and increased indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) concentration in the rhizosphere, as the treated areas had higher values than the control. This increased microbial activity and auxin production led to better nutrient uptake, which in turn positively influenced olive tree growth, fruit development, and oil production. The results of this study emphasize the importance of the integrative function of microbial inoculants in improving growth, reproductive performance, and economic properties of olive trees under stress conditions, as indicated by the effectiveness of mycorrhizal fungi and Trichorums sp.
Biopesticides are natural products used in agriculture to reduce the incidence or to eliminate crop pests. They represent an ecological and sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides, the excessive use of which has serious impacts on human health and the environment. This work evaluates the efficacy of four plant based biopesticides against various plant pests, including insects (Aphidoidea, Zonocerus variegatus, Cosmopolites sordidus), fungi (Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium spp.), bacteria (Pseudomonas spp., Ralstonia solanacearum) and nematodes (Radopholus similis). Laboratory of Phytoprotection and Valorization of Genetic Resources of the Centre for Biotechnology, University of Yaounde 1, between March and June 2025. Four plant based biopesticides (BP1, BP2, BP3 and BP4) were prepared, and their effects were tested in vitro on target organisms. The results of the in vitro tests revealed significant repellent and lethal effects on insects, with repellent and mortality rates reaching over 70% after 48 h of exposure. Similarly, the biopesticides also showed marked antifungal (90-98%), antibacterial (64-93%) and nematicidal (100%) activities, inhibiting the growth of the target organisms and enzymatic synthesis (amylase and cellulase) in the tested fungi. These performances demonstrate that the four plant-based biopesticides (BP1, BP2, BP3 and BP4) possess strong insecticidal, antifungal, antibacterial and nematicidal potential that can be utilized in integrated pest management and sustainable agricultural production programs. Also, they reinforce the interest in biopesticides as sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides, the use of which is increasingly restricted due to their toxicity to the environment and human health.
Crude oil pollution remains a persistent environmental challenge in Ubeji, a suburb of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria located adjacent to the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC). Continuous contamination necessitates regular assessment and sustainable remediation strategies. This study evaluated petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in crude oil–impacted soils from Ubeji and assessed the intrinsic biodegradation potential of autochthonous soil microorganisms under ex situ conditions. Petroleum hydrocarbon fractions were quantified using Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID). Contaminated soils were incubated for six months at ambient temperature without nutrient amendment to determine the natural attenuation capacity of native microbial communities. Initial polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations ranged from <0.001 mg/kg to 86 mg/kg. After six months of incubation, PAH levels decreased by over 90%, reaching <0.001 mg/kg to 2.75 mg/kg. Total aliphatic hydrocarbons (TAH) initially ranged from 3.86 mg/kg to 3662.11 mg/kg and were reduced to <0.001 mg/kg to 22.20 mg/kg, representing more than 95% degradation. Similarly, total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) declined by over 95%, from 3.83 mg/kg–3740.40 mg/kg to <0.001 mg/kg–24.42 mg/kg. The substantial reduction in petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations demonstrates that indigenous microorganisms in the Niger Delta wetlands possess significant intrinsic biodegradation capability under favourable abiotic conditions. These findings support the potential application of natural attenuation as a cost effective remediation strategy for crude oil contaminated soils in the region.
Aim: Globimetula cupulata, a parasitic shrub that grows widely in Nigeria, is commonly used in ethnomedicine to treat fever, malaria, high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus. This plant was investigated for probable activity against Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae as there is currently no such report. Study Design: The methanol extracts of G. cupulata leaf, stem and flower were separately tested against Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae. The most active extract was partitioned in order to identify the most active fraction from which the active compound could be isolated. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria; between November 2023 and August 2024. Methodology: The leaf, stem and flower of G. cupulata growing on Leucaena leucocephala were collected from the university’s research farm. It was authenticated and deposited under reference number FPI 2513. They were air dried separately, weighed and macerated in methanol for 72 hours, filtered, concentrated in vacuo at 35°C and tested against the fourth instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus according to WHO, 2005 guidelines. The most active extract was reconstituted in water and successively partitioned into n-hexane and ethylacetate. Each fraction was tested for activity. The methanol extract of Nicotiana tabacum leaf and Tween 80 in water (0.2%v/v) were the positive and negative controls respectively. Results: After 48 hours of exposure, the flower extract was the most active, followed by the leaf while the stem was the least active. Also, throughout the period of exposure, the hexane and the ethylacetate fractions had comparable activities while the aqueous fraction was inactive. Conclusion: The methanol extract of G. cupulata flower has activity against the fourth instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus. This activity is concentrated in the n-hexane and ethylacetate fractions. Globimetula cupulata therefore is a potential source of larvicidal compounds.
Background: The larval color patterns of the wild silkworm Antheraea pernyi (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) exhibit high diversity. However, the molecular basis underlying larval pigmentation in this species remains poorly understood and little pigment-related genes has been characterized so far. Aims: The aim of this study is to determine the role of BBP2 in the differentiation of body color in the larvae of Antheraea pernyi. Study Design: The F2 generation larvae obtained from the cross between A. pernyi strains Xuanda (green) and Shenhuang No. 1 (yellow) were analyzed to evaluate the inheritance pattern of larval coloration and the expression profile of BBP2. Place: College of Bioscience and Biotechnology. Methodology: Hemocyte, fat body, midgut, silk gland, and integument were obtained from 5-6 green and yellow 5th larvae of F2 generation, respectively. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to determine the relative expression levels of BBP2 across different tissues. Results: The inheritance of green and yellow body color follows Mendelian segregation. However, no significant differences in BBP2 expression were detected between green and yellow larvae in more of the tissues analyzed. Conclusions: BBP2 may not play key roles in regulating the formation of green and yellow body coloration in A. pernyi larvae.
Background: The rapid emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli isolates have become a major global public health concern, limiting the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics and increasing treatment failure rates. Consequently, medicinal plants such as Ocimum gratissimum are being explored as potential alternative antimicrobial agents due to their reported antimicrobial properties. Objective: This study investigated the in vitro antimicrobial activity of ethanolic and methanolic leaf extracts of O. gratissimum against clinical multidrug-resistant E. coli isolates recovered from patients in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Methods: Fifty clinical isolates of E. coli were re-characterized and confirmed using standard microbiological and biochemical identification techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. Leaf extracts of O. gratissimum were prepared using ethanol and methanol by cold maceration extraction. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the agar well diffusion technique, while minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by the broth dilution method. Data were analyzed using Student’s t-test at p < 0.05. Results: Among the 50 isolates, resistance was highest to ampicillin (44%) and lowest to ofloxacin (20%). Ten MDR isolates resistant to at least three antibiotic classes were selected for extract susceptibility testing. Ethanolic leaf extracts demonstrated significantly greater antibacterial activity, producing inhibition zones ranging from 7–20 mm, compared with methanolic extracts, which produced inhibition zones of 7–12 mm (p < 0.05; Cohen’s d = 0.85). Similarly, ethanolic extracts exhibited significantly lower MIC values (6.25–25 mg/mL) than methanolic extracts (12.5–50 mg/mL) (p < 0.05; Cohen’s d = 0.92), indicating superior antimicrobial potency against MDR E. coli isolates. Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate notable in vitro antibacterial activity of Ocimum gratissimum against multidrug-resistant E. coli isolates, with ethanolic extracts showing superior efficacy compared with methanolic extracts. The strong inhibitory activity observed suggests potential for further development as a source of antimicrobial compounds against resistant bacteria.
