Camellia drupifera, an understudied tea-oil camellia species, is valued for its seeds, which contain abundant bioactive compounds. To elucidate the dynamics of these compounds during seed maturation, an integrated analysis was conducted by combining metabolomic, transcriptomic, and physiological analyses at five developmental stages. A total of 1,559 metabolites and 5,971 differentially expressed genes were identified, with flavonoids, phenolic acids, and amino acid derivatives being the predominant metabolite classes. Physiological indicators, including flavonoid, vitamin E, carotenoid, and polysaccharide contents, demonstrated strong correlations with other bioactive metabolites and antioxidant capacity. Key pathways, such as flavonoid biosynthesis, fructose and mannose metabolism, carotenoid biosynthesis, and α-linolenic acid metabolism, exhibited distinct stage-specific metabolic shifts. Notably, the fructose and mannose metabolism pathways appeared to transition from supplying sugar donors for flavonoid glycosylation to potentially supporting lipid biosynthesis. Furthermore, co-expression analysis revealed several hub genes involved in sugar, lipid, and carotenoid metabolism, indicating coordinated cross-pathway regulatory mechanisms. Collectively, these findings provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the mechanisms underlying carbon allocation during seed development in C. drupifera.

Drought stress induces excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in crops, severely impairing wheat growth and threatening food security. This study developed a symbiotic nanozyme system composed of nanoscale Fe2O3 nanomaterials anchored on the CeO2 carrier and encapsulated with polyacrylic acid (PAA@Ce-Fe NMs). Uniquely, PAA@Ce-Fe NMs feature superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) dual enzyme-mimicking activities, targeting stomatal, to mitigate oxidative damage. Under drought conditions, roots application of 100 mg/L PAA@Ce-Fe NMs of soil cultivation and hydroponics experiment significantly improved wheat growth phenotypes, including biomass andphotosynthetic rate. Importantly, thesignificantly improved wheat growth phenotypes, including biomass and photosynthetic rate. Importantly, the oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and superoxide anion (O2•-) markedly decreased by 40.0%, 44.0%, and 46.0%, respectively. While the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and catalase (CAT) enhanced by 16.8% and 18.7%, respectively. It downregulating proline (15.5%) and glutathione (15.4%) content, response to stress relief. Multi-omics analyses revealed that PAA@Ce-Fe NMs significantly upregulate photosynthesis related genes (PsbA), tricarboxylic acid cycle (GGT, IDH1/2) and enhanced glutathione metabolism in roots. Furthermore, it achieves drought resistance by regulating the ABC transporter protein and the betaine synthesis pathway, inhibiting the Rboh gene of NADPH oxidase (Rboh), reducing the level of ROS, and regulating amino acid metabolites. These findings indicated that the nanoplatforms equipped with symbiotic nanozyme have significant potential in alleviating plant oxidative stress, which not only regulates crop growth but also significantly enhances yield and quality, opening up a new era for agricultural nanotechnology.

Durian (Dirio zibethinus Murr), a prized topical fruit native to Southeast Asis known for its unique texture and sweet-bitter aroma. To understand the primary and secondary metabolites influencing durian's texture and aroma, an integrative approach combining electronic nose and tongue analyses, transcriptomics, and metabolomics was first applied to three popular durian varieties: Musang King (MK), Monthong (MT), and Kan Yau (KY). The study identified 82 non-volatile and 95 volatile differentially expressed metabolites, with MK containing higher levels of terpenoids and sulfur compounds, while MT exhibited elevated esters and lipid-derived volatiles, contributing to its distinctive sweetness and aroma intensity. In contrast, KY was enriched in phenolic acids and amino acid derivatives, which may influence its bitterness and umami taste. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 12 927 differentially expressed genes, with key metabolic pathways including carbon metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and lipid metabolism playing significant roles in distinguishing these varieties. Furthermore, network pharmacology analysis pinpointed 45 key non-volatile metabolites with potential health benefits, including flavonoids, lipids, and alkaloids, which were linked to anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular-protective, and neuroprotective properties. Notably, MK and KY contained bioactive compounds with potential anticancer effects, while MT was associated with metabolites beneficial for metabolic regulation. This study enhances our understanding of the genetic and metabolic basis underlying durian's texture, aroma, and functional properties, providing a foundation for future breeding and functional food development. 2026 The authors. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

[Objective]To investigate the effects of two microbial fertilizers on the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of Camellia oleifera seedlings,and to provide some practical references and theoretical support for the nutrient management of Camellia oleifera.[Method]The growth indexes,gas exchange parameters,chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and antioxidant enzyme activities of Camellia oleifera seedlings were measured after applying two kinds of microbial fertilizers,and combined with the principal component and subordinate function analysis to comprehensively evaluate the effects of different treatments and screen the optimal fertilizers and application rates.[Result]The application of microbial fertilizer significantly promoted the growth and photosynthetic characteristics of Camellia oleifera.Compared with the control group(CK),A4 and L2 treatments increased plant height by 71.74％and 67.94％,respectively;A2 and L2 treatments increased ground diameter by 60.00％and 45.40％,respectively.Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were significantly increased by A3 and L3 treatments,where the increase in chlorophyll a,chlorophyll b,total chlorophyll and carotenoids were 147.64％,90.62％,122.08％,213.43％and 130.27％,121.03％,126.85％and 280.07％,respectively.The A2 treatment increased the net photosynthetic rate(Pn)compared to the 93.03％and 66.66％in the control(CK)and nitrogen fertilizer treatment(N),respectively.qP and ETR of A2-treated leaves were 31.03％and 35.95％higher than that of CK,and 46.15％and 33.75％higher than that of N group,respectively.In addition,superoxide dismutase(SOD)activities of A4 and L2 treatments were significantly higher than CK and N by 24.69％,28.57％and 51.82％,56.54％,respectively,while peroxidase(POD)and catalase(CAT)activities were enhanced.The comprehensive evaluation of principal component analysis and affiliation function indicated that the growth,photosynthetic characteristics and antioxidant enzyme activities of Camellia oleifera performed best under A2 treatment.[Conclusion]The microbial fertilizer and Randidobond significantly promoted the growth of Camellia oleifera seedlings,and enhanced the antioxidant enzyme activities by increasing the chlorophyll content,gas exchange parameters,chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of the leaves,effectively enhanced the photosynthesis of the plants,and provided a strong support for the high-efficiency cultivation of Camellia oleifera.

Investigating genetic diversity is a prerequisite for the management and utilization of germplasm resources. This study assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of 103 olive (Olea europaea) varieties in the Liangshan region, Sichuan Province, China, based on fruit phenotypic traits and 48 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. There were high positive correlations between various fruit phenotypic indicators, while a few indicators showed negative correlations (e.g., stone longitudinal diameter was significantly negatively correlated with the fruit shape index and kernel shape index). Fresh fruit oil content was significantly negatively correlated with fruit longitudinal diameter, stone transverse diameter, stone longitudinal diameter, and fruit volume. The number of allelic variations at SSR loci in the population ranged from 2 to 22, with an average of 10.7. The mean Shannon’s information index (I), observed heterozygosity (Ho), and expected heterozygosity (He) of the 103 varieties were 1.529, 0.54, and 0.685, respectively, indicating relatively high genetic diversity between these olive varieties. Structure analysis, PCA, and PCoA consistently classified the varieties into two ancestral populations, with mean fixation index (FST) = 0.052 and gene flow (Nm) = 4.544, suggesting moderate genetic differentiation and extensive gene flow between the populations. Based on phenotypic clustering and phylogenetic analysis, eight varieties exhibiting synonymy or homonymy were successfully identified. Furthermore, molecular fingerprint profiles were established using seven pairs of SSR primers, which could effectively identify all varieties. This study provides a valuable reference for the management and breeding of olive germplasm resources in the Liangshan region.

While Alismatis Rhizoma polysaccharides demonstrated promising anti-obesity potential, several research gaps remain, including extraction methods, chemical composition, and gut microbiota interactions. Herein, a new method termed the salt concentration saturation Oil Red O staining method (SCS-ORO) was developed to screen 7 salts capable of forming biphasic systems with ethanol from a pool of 28 salts, of which the K2HPO4/ethanol system was suitable for extracting A. Rhizoma crude polysaccharides (ARP). Meanwhile, ARP obtained from the K2HPO4/ethanol system alleviated lipid accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans, and was primarily composed of glucan and arabinogalactan, among which arabinogalactan has anti-digestive potential. In vitro fermentation of gut microbiota from obese patients revealed that ARP enriched the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, resulting in the upregulation of indole derivatives, including tryptamine, 3-indoleacetic acid, and 3-indoleacrylic acid. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for ARP to combat obesity by mediating gut microbiota.

Lethariella cladonioides (Nyl.) Krog (EE) proved to be a prolific source of polyphenols. UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was used to identify 38 polyphenolic compounds in L. cladonioides and determined the fragmentation pathways of its unique compounds (Vermicularin). The chosen polyphenols were utilized in the COSMO-RS method to tailor the most appropriate deep eutectic solvent (DES) for L. cladonioides. The Materials Studio program was used to construct virtual cluster molecules from 34 types of DESs and the 8 chosen polyphenols. The 17 DESs were configured and used to extract the polyphenols. The results indicated that choline chloride-ethanol amine exhibited outstanding dissolution effects. Furthermore, ultrasound-assisted DES extraction process parameters were optimized using response surface methodology, including ultrasound time, ultrasound power, and temperature and the optimization significantly increased the total phenol content to 41.17 ± 0.24 mg GAE/g. In the study, 38 polyphenol components in L. cladonioides were analyzed by mass spectrometry and ChCl-Eth was successfully screened out as the optimal extraction solvent based on the modeling, providing new ideas for the application of molecular simulation in the field of polyphenol extraction.

Camellia oleifera leaves, a by-product of the pruning process in cultivation, are rich in various bioactive components. Extracting active ingredients efficiently and sustainably from by-products has garnered widespread attention in the oilseed industry. This study utilized 11 combinations of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) to extract polysaccharides from C. oleifera leaves (CLPs). Betaine - Lactic acid (Bet-LA) deep eutectic solvent achieved the highest polysaccharide extraction yield, reaching 19.01 % under optimal conditions, a 2.5-fold increase compared to conventional hot water extraction. The physicochemical composition and preliminary structural features of CLPs were also characterized. The polysaccharide extracted using DES (CLPD) exhibited a similar monosaccharide profile and chemical composition to that extracted with hot water (CLPW). Still, it possessed a significantly lower molecular weight (96.56 kDa compared to 775.76 kDa) and a smaller particle size. Moreover, CLPs demonstrated better thermal stability, emulsifying stability, and in vitro antioxidant activities, achieving a DPPH radical scavenging rate of 91.7 % at 0.5 mg/mL. These findings highlight the potential of DES-extracted CLPs as natural antioxidants or functional emulsifiers for use in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries, providing a sustainable and efficient strategy for the green exploitation and utilization of C. oleifera by-products.

Ginger leaves are often discarded in agriculture, exacerbating continuous cropping obstacles. Polysaccharide, due to their low toxicity and diverse bioactivities, have garnered considerable interest. To isolate ginger leaf polysaccharide (GLP), we compared three extraction methods: hot water extraction, ultrasonic-assisted hot water extraction, and ultrasonic-assisted aqueous two-phase system extraction. Response surface methodology optimization revealed ultrasonic-assisted hot water extraction as the most efficient method, achieving a yield of 9.31 % under a liquid-solid ratio of 30 mL/g and an ultrasonic power of 150 W at 65 degrees C for 22 min. Polysaccharide from different extraction methods showed difference in monosaccharide composition and molecular weight. The ginger leaf polysaccharide demonstrated strong antioxidant in vitro and hypolipidemic activities in Caenorhabditis elegans, and that from the ultrasonic-assisted hot water method showed the highest bioactivity. These findings highlight ultrasonic-assisted hot water extraction as the optimal method for efficient extraction of GLP and discover GLP's potential for pharmaceutical and functional food applications.

IntroductionTea-oil Camellia species play a crucial economic and ecological role worldwide, yet their mitochondrial genomes remain largely unexplored.MethodsIn this study, we assembled and analyzed the complete mitochondrial genomes of Camellia oleifera and C. meiocarpa, revealing multi-branch structures that deviate from the typical circular mitochondrial genome observed in most plants. The assembled mitogenomes span 953,690 bp (C. oleifera) and 923,117 bp (C. meiocarpa), containing 74 and 76 annotated mitochondrial genes, respectively.ResultsComparative genomic analyses indicated that C. oleifera and C. meiocarpa share a closer genetic relationship, whereas C. drupifera is more distantly related. Codon usage analysis revealed that natural selection plays a dominant role in shaping codon bias in these mitochondrial genomes. Additionally, extensive gene transfer events were detected among the three species, highlighting the dynamic nature of mitochondrial genome evolution in Tea-oil Camellia. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on mitochondrial genes exhibited incongruence with chloroplast phylogenies, suggesting potential discordance due to hybridization events, incomplete lineage sorting (ILS), or horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Furthermore, we identified species-specific mitochondrial markers, which provide valuable molecular tools for distinguishing Tea-oil Camellia species.DiscussionOur findings enhance the understanding of mitochondrial genome evolution and genetic diversity in Tea-oil Camellia, offering essential genomic resources for phylogenetics, species identification, and evolutionary research in woody plants.

Camellia oleifera Abel. is a unique and important edible oil crop in China. The quality and high yield of C. oleifera are closely related to cultivation, management and back-end processing and storage. However, studies on the growth and development, drying treatment and back-end storage of C. oleifera are not comprehensive enough. Therefore, the phenotypic characteristics of C.oleifera fruits during growth and ripening were studied and the effects of four different drying methods including room temperature drying (SW), hot air drying (RF, 65 degrees C), vacuum drying (ZG, 50 degrees C, 0.6 Mpa) and freeze drying (LD) on the oil content of C.oleifera seeds (COS) were discussed. At the same time, the changes of the main components and nutrients of C.oleifera kernel oil (COKO) under room temperature storage (SG) and 4 degrees C frozen storage (LC) were also investigated. The results of the study showed that C. oleifera cultivar 'Changlin40' exhibited an S-shaped curve in fruit growth and development. In addition, the oil content initially increased and then remained stable, and the soluble protein and starch contents increased with increasing fruit maturity, but the soluble sugar content increased rapidly at the early stage of fruit development and gradually decreased at the later stage. The maximum content of squalene in the oil obtained by vacuum drying was 80.578 mu g/g. The oil content of COS treated by RF was 55.31%, significantly higher than the other treatments. In addition, it was also found that with increasing duration of SG, the acid and peroxide values of COKO increased significantly and the nutrients such as tocopherol, squalene and sterol decreased significantly, which was exactly the opposite of LC, indicating that LC could reduce the loss of nutrients during storage. This study can provide a theoretical basis for field management, screening of drying methods and subsequent storage of C. oleifera.

Investigating the population structure and demographic history is crucial for elucidating the evolutionary imprints of a species and laying a foundation for effective utilization of its germplasm. Camellia oleifera Abel., a traditional woody oil-producing species, is widely distributed in south of the Yangtze River in China. However, the phylogeography and genetic diversity of wild population remain poorly understood. Data for 20 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and two chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) fragments was generated to assess the genetic variation and differentiation across 33 natural populations. The integrated Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) and ecological niche modeling (ENM) were utilized to analyze the demographic and evolutionary history. The analysis revealed high genetic diversity at the species level and significant genetic variation within populations for both SSR and cpDNA datasets. The genetic evidence based on cpDNA indicated no noteworthy genetic divergence and phylogeographical structure. Haplotype phylogenetic analyses suggest that the temporal pattern of species diversification is likely associated with the abrupt uplift of Hengduan Mountains and adjacent regions (HMR) during the late Miocene to late Pliocene. In contrast, the genetic structure in SSR data revealed a discernible geographic pattern: 33 populations were divided into two lineage regions, namely HMR and Central-East China. The identification of two potential refugia for C. oleifera during the LGM, namely the HMR and southeastern China, was achieved through a comprehensive analysis combining ENM and population structure analysis. The presence of distinct genetic patterns observed in cpDNA and SSR makers may account for the divergent hereditary characteristics between the nuclear and chloroplast genomes, resulting in disparate phylogeographic patterns. The Nanling mountain range was regarded as a dispersal conduit that facilitated effective gene flow between the two refugia, leading to the extensive distribution and stable evolutionary trajectory of C. oleifera. These methods and findings can provide a reference for uncovering the demographic history of perennial woody oil crops and facilitate the utilization of wild C. oleifera genetic resources for the genetic breeding.

Introduction:Dracaena cambodiana, a vulnerable species widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas, has been recognized as a model plant for studying island conservation biology due to its fragmented habitat, slow growth, and ecological sensitivity. However, its organelle genome evolution and population divergence across different island environments remain poorly understood. Method:In this study, we de novo assembled and annotated the complete chloroplast (cp) and mitochondrial (mt) genomes of two geographically distinct individuals of D. cambodiana from Hainan Island, China: a coastal area (SY) and a mountainous forest area (DF). Results:Both genomes showed conserved circular structures, but comparative analyses revealed key differences. The chloroplast genomes exhibited intergenic hotspot regions such as trnC-GCA-petN, trnL-UAA-trnF-GAA, and psaI-ycf4, which may serve as potential markers for taxonomy, population genetics, phylogeography and conservation biology of D. cambodiana. In the mitochondrial genomes, three genes (nad1, nad5, and rps11) showed the non-synonymous to synonymous substitution rate ratio (Ka/Ks) >1, indicating potential positive selection linked to environmental stress in the coastal population. Over 580 RNA editing sites were identified in each mitochondrial genome, with minor differences between DF and SY. These results suggest that while organelle genome structures are conserved, subtle molecular variations could potentially be associated with environmental differences between populations, although further investigation is needed to confirm adaptive significance. Conclusion:This study provides foundational genomic resources for understanding the adaptive evolution of D. cambodiana and supports conservation strategies in island ecosystems.

As a unique woody oil crop in China, Camellia oleifera Abel. germplasm resources show significant genetic diversity in Ya'an City. This study measured 60 phenotypic traits (32 quantitative, 28 qualitative) of 302 accessions to analyze phenotypic variation, establish a classification system, and screen high-yield, high-oil germplasms. The phenotypic diversity index for fruit (H' = 1.36-1.44) was significantly higher than for leaf (H' = 1.31) and flower (H' < 1), indicating genetic diversity concentrated in reproductive traits, suggesting potential genetic variability in these traits. Fruit quantitative traits (e.g., single fruit weight CV = 35.37%, fresh seed weight CV = 38.93%) showed high genetic dispersion. Principal component analysis confirmed the fruit factor and economic factor as main phenotypic differentiation drivers. Quantitative traits were classified morphologically, and correlation analysis integrated them into 13 key indicators classified using LSD and range methods. Finally, TOPSIS evaluation selected 10 excellent germplasms like TQ122 and TQ49, with fruit weight, fresh seed yield, and kernel oil content significantly exceeding the population average. This study provides data for C. oleifera DUS test guidelines and proposes a multi-trait breeding strategy, supporting high-yield variety selection and germplasm resource protection.

Exogenous biological stimulants (EBS) have made some progress in alleviating non-biological stress. However, the specific mechanism of EBS on Camellia oleifera seedlings under alkaline stress (AS) remains unclear. This study aims to explore the effect of EBS on the physiological responses of C. oleifera seedlings under AS and reveal its possible mechanism of action. In the AS treatment group, the photosynthetic pigments, photosynthetic parameters and fluorescence parameters of C. oleifera seedlings decreased significantly. It is also worth noting that the MT3 group increased the soluble sugar and soluble protein contents of C. oleifera seedlings, while reducing the contents of malondialdehyde, proline and electrical conductivity. Through correlation analysis, principal component analysis and comprehensive evaluation of membership functions, it was concluded that the comprehensive score of the CK group was the highest, followed by the MT3 group, and the score of the AS treatment group was the lowest. Based on this, we conducted transcriptomic analysis on these 3 groups to further explore their differences. GO enrichment analysis was performed on DEGs (174) at the intersection of the CK-vsAS and AS-vs-MT3 treatment groups. According to the results of the significant enrichment bubble plot, it can be known that the cross DEGs in the CK-vs-AS and AS-vs-MT3 comparison groups was significantly enriched in the two functional items of tetrapyrrole binding and heme binding. Meanwhile, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of DEGs revealed enrichment in the sesquiterpenoids and triterpenoid biosynthesis, glutathione metabolism, isoflavone biosynthesis, phenylpropene biosynthesis, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites (BSM) pathways. Notably, the DEGs such as PRS2, SALR and the CYP family in the BSM pathway were significantly downregulated in the MT3 group. This study enhances our understanding of the role of EBS in AS by revealing how C. oleifera increases resistance through EBS spraying in the presence of AS.

Excessive accumulation of cadmium （Cd） impairs crop growth by inducing oxidative damage through the generation of reactive oxygen species （ROS）.In this study,a biocompatible ferruginated carbon quantum dots （Fe-CQDs） nanozyme is developed to target ROS,thereby reducing oxidative damage and improving the absorption and transfer of Cd ions in wheat.Notably,Fe-CQDs exhibit multi-enzyme activities mimicking peroxidase （POD）,catalase （CAT）,and superoxide dismutase （SOD）,enabling effective neutralization of active species such as hydroxyl radicals （·OH）,hydrogen peroxide （H 2 O 2 ）,and superoxide anions（O 2 · - ）.Importantly,root application of 10 mg L -1 Fe-CQDs alleviates Cd stress and promotes wheat growth in both hydroponic and soil cultures.Specifically,the levels of O 2 · - ,H 2 O 2 ,and malondialdehyde（MDA） in leaf tissues decrease,whereas the non-enzyme antioxidant,reduced glutathione （GSH）,increases.Cell wall thickness in the Fe-CQDs-treated group is reduced by 42.4%compared with the Cd group.Moreover,Fe-CQDs enhance the expression of genes related to antioxidants,stress resistance,Cd detoxification,and nutrient transport.Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses show that Fe-CQDs stimulate the production of flavonoids and regulate the activity of metal transporter genes（YSL,ABC,ZIP） to maintain ROS homeostasis.These findings highlight the potential of Fe-CQDs nanozyme platforms in mitigating oxidative damage and enhancing crop growth,offering new insights into the application of nanobiotechnology in agriculture.