Sisal (Agave sisalana) is an economically important fiber crop severely affected by red rot disease caused by Aspergillus welwitschiae. This study evaluated the biocontrol potential of Trichoderma sp. strain 117 isolated from herbicide-contaminated agricultural soil. In vitro assays demonstrated strong antagonistic activity against A. welwitschiae, with mycelial growth inhibition rates of 68.6% in dual culture, 71.2% mediated by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and 79.2% using cell-free supernatants. Headspace GC–MS analysis revealed several bioactive VOCs, including methyl palmitate, 1-tetradecanol, and 2-hydroxy-cyclopentadecanone, compounds previously associated with antifungal activity. Co-cultivation with A. welwitschiae induced the production of interaction-specific metabolites such as styrene, benzoic acid methyl ester and diethyl phthalate, suggesting stress-related metabolic reprogramming during fungal interaction. Genome mining using antiSMASH identified diverse biosynthetic gene clusters related to polyketides, nonribosomal peptides, terpenes, and other secondary metabolites with antifungal potential. The genomic data support the metabolic versatility of the strain. Overall, Trichoderma sp. 117 exhibited a multifactorial biocontrol mechanism involving volatile and non-volatile metabolites, highlighting its potential for sustainable management of sisal red rot disease.

The widespread use of aromatic herbicides such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) has led to persistent environmental contamination, requiring efficient and sustainable biodegradation strategies. In this study, we isolated and characterized a novel actinobacterial strain, Streptomyces sp. SCPE-10, from contaminated coastal soil, capable of using 2,4-D as its sole carbon source. Phenotypic assays revealed robust growth on aromatic substrates, while whole-genome sequencing (Submission no. SUB15461668) followed by multilocus sequence analysis (16 S rRNA, recA, rpoB, atpD, gyrB, and trpB) revealed that SCPE-10 is closely related to Streptomyces phaeoluteichromatogenes. Functional genome annotation revealed a high abundance of genes involved in aromatic compound degradation, including cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, ring-cleaving dioxygenases, and dehalogenases. KEGG and antiSMASH analyses identified multiple metabolic pathways and 28 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), including clusters for polyketides, nonribosomal peptides, terpenes, siderophores, and ectoine. Notably, SCPE-10 harbors key genes related to the degradation of benzoate, naphthalene, toluene, xylene, and 2,4-D, indicating broad-spectrum catabolic potential. These findings suggest that Streptomyces sp. SCPE-10 is a promising candidate for the bioremediation of herbicide-contaminated environments and the exploration of novel secondary metabolites.

Streptomyces strain AM6-12 was isolated from Restinga de Marambaia soil and is able to completely inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here we report on its genome sequence, with 7,958,853 bp and a 71.89% G+C content.

Brazil maintains a leading position in agricultural exports and stands as the world's foremost producer and user of bioinputs in agriculture. These bioinputs generate annual savings of billions of dollars that would otherwise be allocated to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The nation's regulatory framework enables bioinput agriculture and serves as a model for countries transitioning toward regenerative agriculture. Brazilian legislation categorizes bioinputs into: 1) biofertilizers (extracts); 2) biostimulants (plant growth-promoting and biocontrol agents); and 3) inoculants (active ingredient comprises one or more living microorganisms). The inoculation of soybeans with Bradyrhizobium strains provides approximately 90% of the nitrogen accumulated by this crop. Brazil has registered over six hundred inoculants, with at least 60% specifically designated for soybean cultivation. The annual sales of inoculants in Brazil reach approximately 120 million doses. Although beans (Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna unguiculata) represent an essential food crop in Brazil's staple diet and benefit from inoculation, inoculant supply remains insufficient. Regarding biocontrol, soy, corn, sugarcane, and coffee rank among the most protected crops, employing biocontrol agents against bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and insects. Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, Rhizobium, Azotobacter, and Paenibacillus strains were predominantly cited in the 5,000+ bioproduct patents filed between 2022 and 2024. Among fungal genera, Trichoderma, and Penicillium received the most citations. EMBRAPA's biobanks maintain over 10,000 strains of bacteria, fungi, and viruses for biocontrol, and 14,000 strains of nutrient-fixing and plant-growth promoters. Production challenges include quality control, particularly as on-farm production of inoculants becomes prevalent on larger farms, alongside product availability and supply limitations. Brazilian farmers maintain global competitiveness partly through reduced chemical fertilizer and pesticide costs enabled by bioinput usage. As components of regenerative agriculture, bioinputs enhance soil quality, decrease carbon footprints, and support Sustainable Development Goals. Brazil's leadership in microbial bioinput utilization stems from its extensive agricultural sector, rich microbial biodiversity, and progressive regulatory framework.

In this review, we discuss the status of Brazilian mangroves in light of the urgent need to conserve blue carbon ecosystems. We begin with a geographical overview of Brazil's mangrove distribution, highlighting that urbanization has been the primary driver of deforestation in the South and Southeast regions; areas that have seen substantial successful restoration efforts. In contrast, the Northern region, hosting approximately 80 % of Brazil's mangrove cover, remains mostly well-preserved due to great number of conservation units and limited human interference. Meanwhile, mangroves in the Northeast face unique challenges, including land-use changes caused by shrimp farming and pressures associated with the semi-arid climate. Brazilian mangroves have been legally protected since 2000. Nevertheless, threats from urban development and aquaculture persist. Community-driven restoration initiatives have been effective in rehabilitating deteriorated areas. However, pollution, especially from oil contamination and urban waste, continues to pose significant risks, with Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro serving as a case study for long-term restoration efforts. The carbon sequestration potential of mangroves is increasingly acknowledged as a vital component in climate change mitigation and is becoming a central focus of scientific research. Preserving genetic diversity and applying omics technologies are advised to help conservation strategies and policy-making. Furthermore, microbial biotechnologies are an emerging approach that offers innovative alternatives for restoring mangrove ecosystems. Despite ongoing challenges, Brazil's coastal communities, non-governmental organizations, and research institutions play a crucial role in mangrove conservation and restoration, helping to secure both ecological integrity and socioeconomic benefits for future generations.

In recent years, the textile industry has experienced significant growth with the popularization of the fast fashion model. However, this growth has been accompanied by increased environmental impacts associated with the sector, particularly regarding the choice of raw materials used in fabric production. The most widely available fibers in the textile market are cotton and polyester, which generate serious ecological issues during their processing. At the same time, environmental disasters, the growing number of environmentally conscious consumers, and sustainability debates have encouraged many companies to adopt circular economy practices. Several industries discard large amounts of protein-rich waste, which possess structural properties suitable for conversion into textile fibers. Utilizing these proteins in the textile industry could improve the sector's ecological profile, enabling the production of sustainable, biodegradable, and low-cost fabrics. Therefore, this review explores and analyzes the processing of regenerated protein fibers derived from these waste materials, comparing them with those already available in the textile market, such as wool and silk. Additionally, it seeks to investigate the challenges faced during the production of these fibers, such as the need for treatments with toxic substances to enhance their mechanical properties and the issues associated with protein extraction from waste materials.

The expanding beer market and the need for innovation in the sector has driven scientific research to find novel, non-conventional aromatic yeast strains. In this context, Saccharomyces cariocanus UFRJ 50816T, isolated from remnants of the Atlantic Forest in Rio de Janeiro, was later found to be able to ferment sugars present in beer wort, producing a beverage with unique aromas. As a result of sequential propagation in beer wort, several derived strains (G01, S01 and D01) were obtained by spontaneous adaptation. Saccharomyces cariocanus G01 is a derivative strain that ferments maltose better than its parental strain. Here, we present the first whole-genome sequence for the species S. cariocanus. Phylogenetic identification was performed via multilocus sequence analysis, using five genomic regions: ITS, SSU, LSU, TEF1 and RPB2. The strain’s maltose fermentation ability was confirmed through Durham tube fermentation assays, and supported by the identification of key MAL genes in its genome. Additionally, genes related to the production of aroma and flavor compounds were identified, including ATF1, ATF2 and IAH1, associated with a banana-like aroma, and PAD1 and FDC1, which contribute to a clove-like aroma. Although based solely on genomic inference, these findings are consistent with the banana and clove-like aromas perceived in a brewed pilot batch produced with S. cariocanus G01. Given these characteristics, S. cariocanus G01 shows strong potential for the development of beers as well as Brazilian cachaças.

Plesiomonas shigelloides is a common opportunistic pathogen of fish that may result in significant economic losses during outbreak periods. The infection is revealed by several clinical signs, including pericarditis, multifocal necrosis, hepatic atrophy, ulcerative lesions and other pathological changes, which may result in a reduction in the number of economically viable animals on fish farms. In humans, P. shigelloides infections are associated with diarrheic cases resulting from the consumption of contaminated food. These facts justify further study of the species pathogenicity, which is not yet well-established owing to the recent taxonomic classification. Considering the aforementioned information, the main goal of this research was to characterize the virulence and antimicrobial resistance factors present in four P. shigelloides strains isolated from aquatic organisms in Brazil. To gain a deeper understanding of the genomic characteristics of the subjects, the following methodology was employed: the genomic similarity of the strains was evaluated through the pyANI method; the phylogenomic evaluation was performed by OrthoFinder; GIPSy software was used for genomic island search; and PanViTa was employed to search for virulence and resistance factors. The results suggest the presence of multiple virulence factors (51) and antimicrobial resistance genes (12) in the genomes of the main isolates. This is the first genomic study of P. shigelloides exploring the potential pathogenicity in Nile tilapia in the northeast Brazil.

Advances in omics technologies have enabled the in-depth study of microbial communities and their metabolic profiles from all environments. Here metagenomes were sampled from piranha (Serrasalmus rhombeus) and from river water from the Rio São Benedito (Amazon Basin). Shotgun metagenome sequencing was used to explore diversity and to test whether fish microbiomes are a good proxy for river microbiome studies. The results showed that the fish microbiomes were not significantly different from the river water microbiomes at higher taxonomic ranks. However, at the genus level, fish microbiome alpha diversity decreased, and beta diversity increased. This result repeated for functional gene abundances associated with specific metabolic categories (SEED level 3). A clear delineation between water and fish was seen for beta diversity. The piranha microbiome provides a good and representative subset of its river water microbiome. Variations seen in beta biodiversity were expected and can be explained by temporal variations in the fish microbiome in response to stronger selective forces on its biodiversity. Metagenome assembled genomes construction was better from the fish samples. This study has revealed that the microbiome of a piranha tells us a lot about its river water microbiome and function.

Conventional methods for pathogen detection in water rely on time-consuming enrichment steps followed by biochemical identification strategies, which require assay times ranging from 24 hours to a week. However, in recent years, significant efforts have been made to develop biosensing technologies enabling rapid and close-to-real-time detection of waterborne pathogens. In previous studies, we developed a plastic optical fiber (POF) immunosensor using an optoelectronic configuration consisting of a U-Shape probe connected to an LED and a photodetector. Bacterial detection was evaluated with the immunosensor immersed in a bacterial suspension in water with a known concentration. Here, we report on the sensitivity of a new optoelectronic configuration consisting of two POF U-shaped probes, one as the reference and the other as the immunosensor, for the detection of Escherichia coli. In addition, another methos of detection was tested where the sensors were calibrated in the air, before being immersed in a bacterial suspension and then read in the air. This modification improved sensor sensitivity and resulted in a faster detection time. After the immunocapture, the sensors were DAPI-stained and submitted to confocal microscopy. The histograms obtained confirmed that the responses of the immunosensors were due to the bacteria. This new sensor detected the presence of E. coli at 104 CFU/mL in less than 20 min. Currently, sub-20 min is faster than previous studies using fiber-optic based biosensors. We report on an inexpensive and faster detection technology when compared with conventional methods.

Microalgae are regarded as a promising source of biodiesel. In contrast with conventional crops currently used to produce commercial biodiesel, microalgae can be cultivated on non-arable land, besides having a higher growth rate and productivity. However, microalgal biodiesel is not yet regarded as economically competitive, compared to fossil fuels and crop-based biodiesel; therefore, it is not commercially produced. This review provides an overall perspective on technologies with the potential to increase efficiency and reduce the general costs of biodiesel production from microalgae. Opportunities and challenges for large-scale production are discussed. We present the current scenario of Brazilian research in the field and show a successful case in the research and development of microalgal biodiesel in open ponds by Petrobras. This publicly held Brazilian corporation has been investing in research in this sector for over a decade.

Improvements in agricultural productivity are required to meet the demand of a growing world population. Phytopathogens, weeds, and insects are challenges to agricultural production. The toxicity and widespread application of persistent synthetic pesticides poses a major threat to human and ecosystem health. Therefore, sustainable strategies to control pests are essential for agricultural systems to enhance productivity within a green paradigm. Allelochemicals are a less persistent, safer, and friendly alternative to efficient pest management, as they tend to be less toxic to non-target organisms and more easily degradable. Microalgae produce a great variety of allelopathic substances whose biocontrol potential against weeds, insects, and phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria has received much attention. This review provides up-to-date information and a critical perspective on allelochemicals from microalgae and their potential as biopesticides.

Growing varieties with higher water-use efficiency is crucial to address water limitation in agriculture. Breeding programs often resort to model plants, and Setaria viridis has been consolidating its position as a model for C4 grasses. However, we lack a detailed analysis of drought-induced metabolic changes in S. viridis. To partially redress this, we assessed the primary metabolic profile of roots, leaves, and panicles in response to three watering levels. Five-day-old seedlings were submitted to water-limiting conditions for 25 days when samples were harvested. GC-MS-based analysis revealed that each plant organ had a specific metabolic profile, with TCA intermediates altered in above- and underground parts. The sPLS-DA analysis allowed clear separation of the water regimes for the three organs. Of the 36 most important metabolites, only four (sucrose, glycerol-3P, gluconate and adenine) were shared by all plant organs. A subset of 12 metabolites, including proline, were further evaluated as drought bioindicator candidates, with galactinol and gluconate emerging for vegetative parts while alanine seems informative of aerial part water status. In general, water limitation decreased the content of nitrogen compounds in aboveground tissues and increased the amounts of carbohydrates, especially in the sink organs. This study adds to our understanding of the metabolic responses of grasses to water limitation and identified potential bioindicators for drought in different plant organs.

The symbiotic relationships between crop species and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are crucial for plant health, productivity, and environmental sustainability. The roles of AMF in reducing crop stress caused by cadmium (Cd) toxicity and in the remediation of Cd-contaminated soil are not fully understood. Here we report on a meta-analysis that sought to identify the functions of AMF in cereals under Cd stress. A total of 54 articles published between January 1992 and September 2022 were used to create the dataset, which provided 7216 data sets on mycorrhizal cereals under Cd stress examined. AMF effects on colonization rate, biomass, physiological level, nutritional level, and plant Cd level were measured using the logarithmic response ratio (Ln R). The results showed that AMF overall greatly reduced 5.14 - 33.6 % Cd stress on cereals in greenhouse experiments under controlled conditions. AMF colonization significantly stimulated crop biomass by 65.7 %, boosted the formation of photosynthetic pigments (23.2 %), and greatly increased plant nitrogen (24.8 %) and phosphorus (58.4 %) uptake. The dilution effect of mycorrhizal plants made the Cd concentration decline by 25.2 % in AMF plants compared to non-mycorrhizal ones. AMF also alleviated Cd stress by improving osmotic regulators (soluble protein, sugar, and total proline, from 14.8 to 36.0 %) and lowering the membrane lipid peroxidation product (MDA, 12.9 %). Importantly, the results from the random forest and model selection analysis demonstrated that crop type, soil characteristics, chemical form, and Cd levels were the main factors determining the function of AMF in alleviating Cd stress. Additionally, there was a significant interaction between AMF colonization rate and Cd addition, but their interactive effect was less than the colonization rate alone. This meta-analysis demon-strated that AMF inoculation could be considered as a promising strategy for mitigation of Cd stress in cereals.

Brucella intermedia / Ochrobactrum intermedium strain DF13 was isolated from Brazilian soil and is able to degrade 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Here, we report on its genome sequence, with 4,570,268 bp and a 57.8% G+C content.

Enterobacter hormaechei strain MG02 was isolated from a mixed culture collected from soil with a history of pesticide application. This strain degrades 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Here, we report on its genome, which has 4,923,875 bp and 55.4% G+C content.

Multidrug-resistant bacteria are of critical importance and a problem for human health and food preservation; the discovery of new antimicrobial substances to control their proliferation is part of the solution. This work reports on 57 antagonistic Aeromonas strains, of which 38 strains were antagonistic towards problematic human pathogens. The genome of the most antagonistic strain was sequenced and identified as Aeromonas allosaccharophila. Its genome was fully annotated and mined for genes that might explain that activity. Strain AE59-TE was antagonistic toward clinically relevant gram-negative and gram-positive multidrug-resistant bacteria, including Klebsiella pneumoniae KPC, Escherichia coli ESBL, Salmonella typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus MRSA. Strain AE59-TE2 was identified by multilocus sequence analysis. Genome mining identified four genes homologous to the bacteriocin, zoocin A from Streptococcus equi and a gene 98% similar to cvpA linked to colicin V production. A. allosaccharophila strain AE59-TE2 produced antimicrobial activity against a broad range of bacteria, including important gram-negative bacteria, not typically targeted by bacteriocins. Herewere described novel zoocin genes that are promising for industrial applications in the food and health sectors. Interesting and important antagonistic activity is described combined with the first detailed genomic analysis of the species Aeromonas allosaccharophila.

Soil available phosphorus (P) is one of the main factors limiting plant growth and yield. This study aimed to determine the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in P-use efficiency in two maize genotypes with contrasting root systems in response to low P stress. Maize genotypes small-rooted Shengrui 999 and large-rooted Zhongke 11 were grown in rhizoboxes that were inoculated with or without AMF (Funneliformis mosseae) under low P (no added P) or optimal P (200 mg kg−1) for 53 days. Low P stress significantly inhibited shoot and root growth, photosynthesis, tissue P content, and root P concentration in both genotypes. Shengrui 999 was more tolerant to P stress with less reduction of these traits compared to Zhongke 11. Shengrui 999 had a higher AMF infection rate than Zhongke 11 at both P levels. Under P deficit, inoculation with AMF significantly promoted plant growth and P uptake in both genotypes with more profound effects seen in Zhongke 11, whilst Shengrui 999 was more dependent on AMF under optimal P. Low P stress inhibited the growth and physiological attributes of both genotypes. The small-rooted Shengrui 999 was more tolerant to low P than Zhongke 11. Inoculation with AMF alleviates low P stress in both genotypes with a more profound effect on Zhongke 11 at low P and on Shengrui 999 at high P conditions.

Pseudomonas sp. strain LAP_36 was isolated from rhizosphere soil from Deschampsia antarctica on King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Here, we report on its draft genome sequence, which consists of 8,794,771 bp with 60.0% GC content and 8,011 protein-coding genes.