Green mold, caused by Penicillium digitatum, is the most damaging postharvest citrus fruit disease. Conventionally, it is managed with synthetic fungicides. This study evaluated a cell-free, non-viable, lactic acid bacteria (LAB)-activated lemon peel-derived formulation (LM + LAB), produced by fermenting a lemon peel-based medium with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum N3B2, under two application scenarios. LM + LAB was compared with imazalil (standard synthetic fungicide), the yeast Candida oleophila strain O, a potassium phosphite-based formulation, phosphorous acid, and an untreated control., Sweet orange fruit were treated either before inoculation or 4 h after inoculation with P. digitatum. Fruit were stored for 7 days at 6 °C and then at 18 °C until 14 days post-inoculation. Disease incidence was assessed at 7, 10, and 14 days, sporulation reduction at 14 days, and fruit quality throughout storage. Imazalil provided the most effective control. LM + LAB significantly reduced disease incidence under both application scenarios. At 14 days, incidence was reduced from 78% to 38% when LM + LAB was applied before inoculation and from 79% to 15% when it was applied 4 h after inoculation. Sporulation was reduced by 43% and 64%, respectively. When applied post-inoculation, LM + LAB was as effective as imazalil and C. oleophila in reducing disease incidence and suppressed sporulation more effectively than the yeast. Potassium phosphite and phosphorous acid were the least effective substances. None of the treatments caused weight loss or significantly affected firmness, total soluble solids, juice pH, or titratable acidity of fruit. Results show LM + LAB is a promising natural product for management of citrus green mold.

A novel dual-colored mold, pink at the margins and blue in the center, was observed on sour orange fruits (Citrus aurantium L.) in Algiers, during the winter of 2021 and 2022. Two fungi were isolated from symptomatic fruits and identified, based on morphological and molecular analyses, as Penicillium italicum and Trichothecium roseum. Pathogenicity tests were carried out by wound-inoculating these fungi on four citrus cultivars, singly or in combination. T. roseum alone caused limited external lesions and cultivar-dependent internal decay, whereas P. italicum induced typical blue mold with surface and internal soft rot, particularly in lemon and sour orange. Co-inoculation reproduced the dual-colored mold and led to host-dependent changes in disease severity: external lesions were significantly larger only in co-inoculated sweet oranges, while in sour orange and tangerine severity was similar to P. italicum alone and in lemon it was slightly reduced, indicating that P. italicum is the main driver of rot progression. To investigate the role of pH, tissue pH was monitored in flavedo, albedo and endocarp. Penicillium italicum maintained or further acidified infected tissues, whereas T. roseum progressively alkalinized them, with co-inoculated fruits showing intermediate pH values. In vitro dual-culture assays at different pH values confirmed that the interaction between the two pathogens is pH-dependent. This study provides the first report of T. roseum on sour orange and of mixed infections by P. italicum and T. roseum on citrus, and shows that pH modulation by acidifying and alkalizing pathogens contributes to the outcome of co-infections in citrus fruits.

Soft rot of olive drupes caused by Phytophthora oleae is an emerging disease first reported in Italy. In this study, RNA-seq analysis was used to investigate the transcriptional responses of olive drupes to P. oleae. Two biological pre-treatments were also evaluated, consisting of the culture filtrate of the antagonistic filamentous fungus Trichoderma atroviride and a cell suspension of the antagonistic yeast Candida oleophila. Both treatments were applied 24 h before pathogen inoculation. Although complete protection was not achieved, both pre-treatments significantly reduced rot severity in inoculated drupes. Severity of Phytophthora rot was assessed at 24, 72, and 168 hours post inoculation (hpi) using an empirical rating scale. Both biological pre-treatments significantly reduced rot severity, with comparable reductions of 56% for T. atroviride culture filtrate and 52% for C. oleophila cells. At 72 hpi, clear differences in lesion size were observed, and this time point was therefore selected for RNA-seq analysis. A total of 2,307, 1,714, and 1,816 genes were differentially expressed in drupes inoculated with P. oleae alone, pre-treated with T. atroviride culture filtrate and subsequently inoculated with P. oleae, or pre-treated with C. oleophila and subsequently inoculated with P. oleae, respectively, compared with wounded control drupes. Selected RNA-seq-responsive genes were further validated by RT-qPCR at 24, 72, and 168 hpi. The combined RNA-seq and RT-qPCR results indicate that both biological pre-treatments were associated with marked modulation of defense- and stress-related transcriptional responses in olive drupes, while also revealing partially distinct regulatory signatures during P. oleae infection.

Postharvest diseases caused by fungal and oomycete pathogens represent a major threat to fruit preservation, especially in the absence of effective and sustainable alternatives to synthetic fungicides. This study evaluated the antimicrobial potential of ten chitosan-based formulations, each containing a different essential oil (EO), for the control of a broad spectrum of fungal and oomycete plant pathogens. In vitro assays, including agar diffusion, MIC/MFC determination, and volatile organic compound (VOC) inhibition tests, identified the two formulations ID-F-03 (containing Origanum vulgare EO) and ID-F-06 (containing Cinnamomum verum EO) as the most effectives. These formulations were further characterized by GC-MS analysis and tested in vivo on artificially inoculated apples and oranges. The results showed that both formulations significantly reduced disease incidence in both fruit, with ID-F-03 being particularly effective in limiting bitter rot development in apples and ID-F-06 in reducing green mold symptoms in oranges. GC-MS analysis identified carvacrol (ID-F-03) and (E)-cinnamalde-hyde/eugenol (ID-F-06) as the major volatiles. Sensory evaluation indicated a good overall acceptability of treated fruit, with formulation-fruit combinations showing specific sensory responses; specifically, ID-F-06 maintained higher hedonic scores in apples, whereas ID-F-03 was better accepted in oranges. The study confirms the potential of chitosan-EO combinations as promising tools for the management of postharvest diseases of apples and oranges, with their application as active components in packaging materials offering a viable strategy to balance antimicrobial efficacy and sensory quality.

Trichoderma spp. produce a diverse repertoire of metabolites with specific activities that contribute to biocontrol through direct antagonism, ecological signalling, and modulation of plant responses. However, current knowledge remains uneven: many metabolites are chemically described, whereas fewer are supported by robust gene-metabolite associations, experimentally validated ecological functions, and realistic translational evidence. Progress in this field will depend less on expanding compound catalogues than on integrating mechanistic, ecological, and translational evidence. This review examines the specialized metabolism of Trichoderma with emphasis on biosynthetic gene clusters, regulatory networks, ecological roles, and biosafety constraints relevant to biocontrol. Major metabolite classes, including polyketides, terpenoids, peptaibols, siderophores, diketopiperazines, and volatile organic compounds, are discussed together with representative case studies for which genetic and functional evidence is available. We further propose a translational framework to distinguish metabolites with mainly descriptive support from those approaching application readiness, based on four criteria: gene-level validation, demonstrated ecological role, manageable biosafety profile, and feasible delivery/stability. This perspective helps explain why metabolite inventories continue to expand faster than field translation. Recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, genome editing, and formulation science are reshaping how Trichoderma metabolites are prioritized for future development.

Pomegranate is a high-value crop severely affected by diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi, especially those caused by Alternaria alternata. This pathogen is responsible for two major diseases, black heart rot and black spot disease. Heart rot begins as a latent infection in the flower stigma, leading to internal aril necrosis, whereas black spot manifests as external necrotic lesions. While this review focuses on Alternaria diseases, it distinguishes these symptoms from internal rots caused by other fungi like Colletotrichum spp. and Fusarium spp. and surface lesions caused by Pseudocercospora spp. and Curvularia spp. We examined current knowledge on Alternaria epidemiology and the influence of physiological factors like fruit pH and calcium on susceptibility. Although disease control remains challenging due to limited fungicides and pathogen latency, some promising solutions include biological control with Bacillus species, antifungal extracts, and detection via X-ray and AI-based imaging. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of these diseases and improvement of management strategies are essential to sustain global pomegranate yield and quality.

Citrus Black Spot (CBS), caused by the fungus Phyllosticta citricarpa, is a disease of major diagnostic relevance in the citrus industry, as its causative agent is a regulated quarantine organism subjected to surveillance in the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) Region. To develop a rapid molecular assay for pathogen detection, a real-time fluorescence recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay targeting a 134 bp region of tef1 was developed through sequence alignment and in-silico specificity analysis. The assay showed analytical specificity for P. citricarpa, with no amplification from diagnostically relevant non-target citrus-associated pathogens, including Phyllosticta capitalensis and P. citriasiana. Analytical sensitivity, evaluated on plasmid and purified genomic DNA, enabled detection down to 1.0 & times; 10- 7 ng/mu L of plasmid (-100 copies per reaction) and 3.5 & times; 10-3 ng of genomic DNA per reaction (-113 genome copies). The workflow was further validated on crude citrus peel macerates spiked with P. citricarpa mycelium, with reliable detection to 1.0 mg/mL across matrices from Citrus sinensis, C. limon, and C. reticulata. Performance benchmarking against the EPPO-recommended TaqMan qPCR showed comparable sensitivity together with operational simplicity and tolerance to amplification inhibitors. The ability to detect P. citricarpa directly in crude citrus peel macerates, combined with rapid real-time fluorescent readout at low temperature and minimal equipment requirements, lays the foundation for the use of this assay as a simple and rapid molecular detection approach for citrusassociated plant matrices.

Citrus fruit is highly susceptible to postharvest decay caused by fungal and oomycete pathogens, emphasising the need for non-destructive early detection tools operating directly on packaged fruit and headspace. In this study, a smartphone-read fluorescent sensor array was evaluated as a portable cross-reactive platform for detecting citrus postharvest pathogens and capturing infection-associated chemical fingerprints through chemometric pattern analysis. An array of 17 cross-reactive fluorescent probes was spotted on polyamide filters and imaged under 365 nm illumination. Spore suspensions of Penicillium digitatum, P. italicum, Alternaria alternata, Phytophthora citrophthora and Ph. nicotianae (102-106 propagules mL-1) were analysed. Partial least squares (PLS) calibration for both Penicillium species showed linear trends, with R2 = 0.9999 and 0.9987, supporting quantitative estimation of propagules in aqueous suspensions. PLS-discriminant analysis of array responses yielded three wellseparated clusters corresponding to Alternaria, Penicillium and Phytophthora. In vivo assays on oranges inoculated with P. digitatum showed that the array captured changes in headspace composition, distinguishing infection from a physiological wound response. While healthy wounded oranges followed a consistent trajectory, inoculated oranges showed a clear divergence as early as 24-48 h post-inoculation, prior to visible symptom onset. A dedicated model for infected oranges yielded a linear relationship between storage time and predicted value over 0-4 days. These findings indicate that smartphone-read cross-reactive fluorescent arrays can provide early, non-destructive screening of citrus postharvest decay and support risk-oriented prioritization of lots for subsequent targeted confirmatory analyses, including pathogen-associated metabolites of food safety relevance.

Pomegranate heart rot (black heart) was observed in several pomegranate-growing areas of Algeria. From 2022 to 2025, surveys were conducted across 15 provinces (20 localities), and a total of 85 fruits (symptomatic and asymptomatic) were collected. Fruits were cut transversely to assess internal symptoms, ranging from early aril browning to dry black rot. Thirty Alternaria isolates were obtained and grouped into four morphotypes based on colony and conidial morphological traits. A subset of 18 isolates was analysed by multilocus phylogeny (ITS, EF-1α, GAPDH and OPA10-2); all analysed isolates clustered within the Alternaria alternata species complex, in the clade including the ex-type strain CBS 916.96. Fruit pathogenicity tests with Algerian isolate GA reproduced typical internal heart rot symptoms, and the pathogen was consistently re-isolated from symptomatic tissues. In fruit inoculations with isolate GA, cultivars differed in susceptibility, with mean disease severities of 94%, 62% and 9.5% in ‘Taferrante’, ‘Ikhessène’ and ‘Kares’, respectively, expressed as the percentage of the fruit section presenting rot symptoms. Detached leaf assays indicated isolate-dependent differences in aggressiveness, and ‘Kares’ showed the lowest susceptibility. Overall, the results confirm that A. alternata is the causal agent of pomegranate heart rot in Algeria and provide baseline information for disease diagnosis and management.

Stilbocrea banihashemiana Bolboli, Tavakolian & Mostowf. is an emerging pathogen causing canker and dieback in a broad range of fruit and ornamental trees in Iran, and its distribution is expanding across the country. Extensive surveys conducted over five consecutive years (2019-2023) yielded 88 isolates of S. banihashemiana from multiple hosts, including different fig (Ficus caricae L.) cultivars, as well as loquat (Eryobotria japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.), pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), and walnut (Juglans regia L.) trees, across eight distinct regions of southern Iran. Species identification was performed morphologically and molecularly by employing the S. banihashemiana-specific primer pair TEF-Sb1 and TEF-Sb3. The genetic diversity of the S. banihashemiana population of isolates was assessed using eight inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) markers. The UPGMA dendrogram demonstrated broad genetic variability among the isolates, with similarity coefficient values spanning from 0.46 to 1.00. This wide range indicates the presence of multiple divergent genotypes within the population, rather than a single dominant lineage. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) grouped the 88 isolates into three distinct genetic clusters that partially corresponded to geographic origin and host species. Pathogenicity assessment of 53 selected isolates from various hosts and geographic origins on detached fig shoots demonstrated highly significant variability in aggressiveness among isolates originating from different host species and geographically distinct regions. Multivariate analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) combined with heatmap-based clustering of the aggressiveness dataset clearly separated the isolates into four distinct groups, ranging from highly to less aggressive. A susceptibility assessment of 10 fig cultivars using the ex-type-isolate of S. banihashemiana revealed that the pathogen caused internal lesions and wood discoloration in all cultivars. Based on statistical analysis, the cultivars were classified into three groups: susceptible (cv. 'Siah'), moderately susceptible ('Brown Turkey', 'C8-M', 'C8-F', 'Dehdez', 'Gilasi', 'Payves', 'Shah-Anjeer' and 'Sabz'), and less susceptible ('Matti'). High genetic variability, multiple-host association, and partial geographic structure indicate that in Fars Province S. banihashemiana's population structure and epidemiology are complex, with high adaptive potential. This complexity may influence disease spread, management strategies, and long-term evolutionary trajectories.

Phytophthora is one of the most destructive genera of plant pathogens, comprising more than 260 described species, with numerous cryptic and undescribed taxa that remain undetected. These oomycetes cause severe diseases in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and natural ecosystems resulting in major economic losses, altered forest dynamics and biodiversity decline. The Mediterranean Basin is particularly vulnerable to these pathogens, due to high crop diversity, rich endemic flora, intensive plant trade networks, and climatic conditions that favour pathogen establishment and spread. Most damaging Phytophthora species are exotic, introduced primarily through infected nursery stock, contaminated soil or irrigation and river water. Their impacts are also affected by environmental stresses, climate change, intensive cultivation and interactions and connectivity among agricultural, forest and natural landscapes. New diagnostic tools and global surveys have revealed significant and previously undiscovered diversity and ongoing biosecurity risks for these pathogens. Effective management and mitigation require harmonised surveillance systems, robust early detection tools, production of pathogen-free planting material, improved hygiene and cultivation practices, and breeding for host tolerance. These approaches must be integrated within broad landscape-level strategies, to safeguard biodiversity and enhance ecosystem resilience across the Mediterranean Basin ecosystems.

Shrimp waste powder (SWP) and its mildly thermally treated derivative obtained at 200 °C in air (TT-SWP) were investigated as low-cost biosorbents for the removal of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) from aqueous solution. The aim was to determine whether a simple reagent-free thermal treatment could improve the adsorption behavior of raw SW without harsh activation procedures. SWP and TT-SWP were characterized by SEM, EDX, FTIR, XRD, and ζ-potential analysis, and their adsorption performance was evaluated as a function of sorbent dose, pH, contact time, initial dye concentration, and temperature. Thermal treatment modified the surface morphology and near-surface properties of the material, producing a rougher and more fissured surface and improving adsorption behavior, particularly for MO. Adsorption was strongly pH-dependent, with MB favored at neutral to alkaline pH and MO under acidic conditions. Kinetic data were best described by the pseudo-second-order model, whereas equilibrium data were most consistently fitted by the Langmuir model, supporting a predominantly monolayer adsorption regime with limited heterogeneity. At 298 K, the Langmuir maximum adsorption capacities were 101.02 and 115.05 mg g−1 for SWP toward MB and MO, respectively, and 94.18 and 123.85 mg g−1 for TT-SWP. Thermodynamic analysis indicated endothermic MB adsorption and exothermic MO adsorption, with relatively low enthalpy values supporting adsorption dominated by physical interactions. Desorption and regeneration tests showed feasible reuse of both sorbents, although with progressive performance loss over repeated cycles. These findings support mild thermal treatment as a simple upgrading strategy for SW derived sorbents.

Phytoalexins are antimicrobial compounds of diverse chemical classes whose production is triggered in plants in response to pathogen infection. This study demonstrated that spraying with a celery flavonoid-rich extract (CFRE) or a spinach flavonoid-rich extract (SFRE) enhanced the production of phytoalexins in cucumber leaves artificially infected with powdery mildew incited by Podosphaera fusca. High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis revealed a noticeable increase in the content of phenolic acids, including caffeic acid, ellagic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, and syringic acid, as well as the flavonoid rutin in both non-inoculated and inoculated leaves of cucumber seedlings treated with CFRE and SFRE, compared to healthy untreated leaves used as a control. Fluorescence microscopy revealed the accumulation of phenolic acid compounds in chloroplasts and at the periphery of epidermal cells. Overall, results suggest the reduced severity of P. fusca infection following the application of CFRE and SFRE in cucumber leaves could be due, at least in part, to the production of phytoalexins of polyphenolic nature. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms of systemic resistance induced by CFRE and SFRE. Moreover, they confirm these two natural flavonoid-rich products could be promising alternatives to synthetic chemical fungicides for the safe and ecofriendly control of cucumber powdery mildew.

This study reports, for the first time, Phacidium calderae as the causal agent of necrotic lesions on Citrus limon leaves in Algeria. Symptomatic leaves showed white leathery patches with reddish margins and lenticular pustules. Fungal isolates obtained from lesions were morphologically and molecularly identified as P. calderae. Pathogenicity tests confirmed its ability to induce necrotic lesions on lemon leaves, although only in wounded tissues, suggesting low aggressiveness on citrus. However, P. calderae caused severe rot in artificially inoculated apple and pear fruit, revealing a broader host range. This finding is particularly relevant given that Phacidium lacerum was previously identified as a postharvest pathogen of apples and pears. The ability of P. calderae to infect multiple hosts raises concerns about its epidemiology and potential impact on fruit production. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. calderae on citrus. Further research is needed to clarify its ecology, epidemiology, and interactions with other citrus pathogens.

Tree endotherapy has risen to prominence in the field of precision agriculture as an innovative and sustainable method of tree care, being respectful of both environmental protection and consumer health needs. A comprehensive review of the state of the art of research in this field has made it possible to spotlight the main advantages of tree infusion, which has undergone significant progress in step with technological innovation and an increased understanding of tree anatomy and physiology. The major criticalities associated with this technique, as well as the biological and technical–operational obstacles that still hinder its wider use, are also highlighted. What emerges is an innovative and rapidly expanding technique in tree care, in both the cultivation and phytosanitary management of fruit and ornamental trees. Some of the strengths of the endotherapy technique, such as the next-to-no water consumption, the strong reduction in the use of fertilizers and pesticides, the possibility of using biological control agents (BCAs) or other products of natural origin, the precision administration of the product inside the xylem of the tree, and the efficacy (20–90%) and persistence (1–2 years) of treatments, make it one of the cornerstones of sustainable tree protection at present. With a very low consumption of the “active ingredient”, endotherapy has a negligible impact on the external environment, minimizing the drift and dispersal of the active ingredient and thus limiting the exposure of non-target organisms such as beneficial insects, birds, and wildlife. The large-scale application of the technique would therefore also help to achieve an important goal in “climate-smart agriculture”, the saving of water resources, significantly contributing to climate change mitigation, especially in those areas of the planet where water is a precious resource.

Citruses are one of the major fruit crops globally. Among Mediterranean citrus producers, Sicily (southern Italy) is renowned for its high-quality fresh fruit production. Phytophthora diseases are a serious issue for citrus production worldwide and Phytophthora nicotianae is a prevalent causal agent of root rot in most citrus growing areas globally and particularly in the Mediterranean region. This study reports the occurrence of Phytophthora inundata as a root pathogen of declining mature citrus trees in eastern Sicily in association with P. nicotianae. This is the first record of P. inundata on citrus in Europe and the Mediterranean region. The species was identified on the basis of a morphology and multi-gene phylogenetic analysis, which included the internal transcribed spacer, β-tubulin and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1. Pathogenicity tests on citrus saplings showed P. inundata was a less aggressive pathogen than P. nicotianae. However, the co-inoculation of both species produced more severe symptoms than inoculation with a single species, indicating an additive effect of these two pathogens and suggesting that opportunistic secondary pathogens like P. inundata may have a crucial role in complex diseases.

In the context of escalating global food demand and the associated threat to food security, the use of synthetic chemicals in agriculture has raised concerns about environmental impact and human health risks. This chapter explores the application of Trichoderma species and their metabolites as a sustainable alternative for controlling plant diseases and fungal contaminants in agriculture. Trichoderma, a versatile genus of filamentous fungi, has gained prominence as an effective biocontrol agent (BCA) due to its adaptability, symbiotic relationships with crops, and diverse metabolite production. The metabolites produced by Trichoderma species play a crucial role in their antagonistic activity against a broad spectrum of fungal and oomycete plant pathogens. This antagonism involves the production of enzymes, such as chitinases and glucanases, which degrade fungal cell walls, highlighting their direct impact on pathogen control. The application of Trichoderma species as BCAs offers a sustainable alternative to synthetic fungicides, mitigating environmental pollution and reducing the risk of pathogen resistance. Moreover, Trichoderma metabolites contribute to plant growth promotion and induce plant defence mechanisms, presenting a multifaceted approach to agricultural challenges. These metabolites also exhibit anti-mycotoxigenic and detoxification potential, further enhancing their utility. The chapter emphasizes the diverse applications of Trichoderma metabolites in agriculture, ranging from antifungal bioproducts to biofertilizers and biostimulants. The ability of Trichoderma species to enhance nutrient uptake, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, addresses critical challenges in modern agriculture related to sustainable nutrient management. In summary, this chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the nature and diversity of metabolites produced by Trichoderma species, with a special focus on their applications in sustainable agriculture.

Phytophthora is a long-established, well-known, and globally important genus of plant pathogens. Phylogenetic evidence has shown that the biologically distinct, obligate biotrophic downy mildews evolved from Phytophthora at least twice. Because, cladistically, this renders Phytophthora "paraphyletic," it has been proposed that Phytophthora evolutionary clades be split into multiple genera (Crous et al. 2021; Runge et al. 2011; Thines 2023, 2024). In this letter, we review arguments for the retention of the generic name Phytophthora with a broad circumscription made by Brasier et al. (2022) and by many delegates at an open workshop organized by The American Phytopathological Society. We present our well-considered responses to the genus splitting proposals, both in general terms and in terms of the specific proposals for new genera, alongside new information regarding the biological properties and mode of origin of the Phytophthora clades. We consider that the proposals are mostly non-rigorous and not supported by the scientific evidence. Further, given (i) the apparent lack of any distinguishing biological characteristics (synapomorphies) between the Phytophthora clades; (ii) the fundamental monophyly of Phytophthora in the original Haeckelian sense (Haeckel 1877); (iii) the fact that paraphyly is not a justification for taxonomic splitting; and (iv) the considerable likely damage to effective scientific communication and disease management from an unnecessary breakup of the genus, we report that workshop delegates voted unanimously in favor of preserving the current generic concept and for seeking endorsement of this view by a working group of the International Commission on the Taxonomy of Fungi. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Bitter Lupinus albus genotypes, traditionally excluded from food use due to high alkaloid levels, are reassessed as underutilized sources of bioactive phytochemicals. This study conducted a comparative agro-morphological and biochemical analysis of bitter and sweet genotypes. Targeted GC-MS profiling revealed that bitter types exhibited accelerated phenological development and significantly higher levels of stearic, behenic, and α-linolenic acids. They also demonstrated enhanced antioxidant capacity (DPPH IC₅₀: 23.4 ± 2.1 vs. 41.2 ± 3.7 μg/mL) and stronger lipoxygenase-inhibitory activity. Lupanine was the dominant alkaloid in bitter seeds, while erucic acid remained within acceptable dietary limits. Sweet genotypes maintained low alkaloid content and favourable fatty acid ratios. Antifungal assays indicated stronger inhibition of Colletotrichum acutatum by bitter types. Principal component analysis highlighted clear genotype-dependent clustering based on phenological, biochemical, and functional traits. These results support the valorisation of bitter L. albus for functional food applications and breeding strategies aimed at enhancing nutritional properties.