Genome-wide identification and characterization of DTX family genes highlighting their locations, functions, and regulatory factors in banana (Musa acuminata).

The detoxification efflux carriers (DTX) are a significant group of multidrug efflux transporter family members that play diverse functions in all kingdoms of living organisms. However, genome-wide identification and characterization of DTX family transporters have not yet been performed in banana, despite its importance as an economic fruit plant. Therefore, a detailed genome-wide analysis of DTX family transporters in banana (Musa acuminata) was conducted using integrated bioinformatics and systems biology approaches. In this study, a total of 37 DTX transporters were identified in the banana genome and divided into four groups (I, II, III, and IV) based on phylogenetic analysis. The gene structures, as well as their proteins' domains and motifs, were found to be significantly conserved. Gene ontology (GO) annotation revealed that the predicted DTX genes might play a vital role in protecting cells and membrane-bound organelles through detoxification mechanisms and the removal of drug molecules from banana cells. Gene regulatory analyses identified key transcription factors (TFs), cis-acting elements, and post-transcriptional regulators (miRNAs) of DTX genes, suggesting their potential roles in banana. Furthermore, the changes in gene expression levels due to pathogenic infections and non-living factor indicate that banana DTX genes play a role in responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses. The results of this study could serve as valuable tools to improve banana quality by protecting them from a range of environmental stresses.

The banana tree circle as a nature-based solution for sustainable greywater management: A new design model.

The banana tree circle (BTC) is a low-cost system for local greywater management, using a natural treatment and disposal process, providing additional resource recovery benefits. However, there are no standard design criteria for BTC that would allow for quality control of its efficiency and sustainability, and little is currently known about the full-scale performance of BTC. Based on the scoping literature review of 31 documents in the scientific database and eight documents from grey literature, a standard design model was proposed for the BTC technology based on the concept of water balance, greywater flows, rain, infiltration, and evapotranspiration. The first two steps of the BTC design were determining the areas required for infiltration and evapotranspiration. A cylindrical form trench, the soil percolation rate, and the hydraulic loading rate were considered for the infiltration area. The banana trees' evapotranspiration rate was taken into consideration for the evapotranspiration area. The proposed model was applied in a case study where we used a trench with 0.8 m depth and 1.5 m diameter. This study proposes a standard design criterion for the BTC based on environmental factors, and the scoping of the literature provides the basis for future studies to evaluate its environmental sustainability.

Collecting and managing in situ banana genetic resources information (Musa spp.) using online resources and citizen science.

The Musa Germplasm Information System (MGIS) stands as a pivotal database for managing global banana genetic resources information. In our latest effort, we have expanded MGIS to incorporate in situ observations. We thus incorporated more than 3000 in situ observations from 133 countries primarily sourced from iNaturalist, GBIF, Flickr, Pl@ntNet, Google Street view and expert curation of the literature. This addition provides a more comprehensive and detailed view of banana diversity and its distribution. Additional graphical interfaces, supported by new Drupal modules, were developed, allowing users to compare banana accessions and explore them based on various filters including taxonomy and geographic location. The integrated maps present a unified view, showcasing both in situ observations and the collecting locations of accessions held in germplasm collections. This enhancement not only broadens the scope of MGIS but also promotes a collaborative and open approach in documenting banana diversity, to allow more effective conservation and use of banana germplasm. Furthermore, this work documents a citizen-science approach that could be relevant for other communities. Database URL: https://www.crop-diversity.org/mgis/musa-in-situ.

Pradimicin U, a promising antimicrobial agent isolated from a newly found Nonomuraea composti sp. nov.

Pradimicin U is a new dihydrobenzo[a]naphthacenequinone compound found to be active on a screen designed to investigate compounds with antimicrobial activity, produced by the actinomycete designated strain FMUSA5-5T. The strain was isolated from a bio-fertilizer of Musa spp. collected from Suphanburi province, Thailand. The chemotaxonomic characteristics and 16S rRNA gene analysis revealed that strain FMUSA5-5T is a member of the genus Nonomuraea. Low genome-based taxonomic criteria, average nucleotide identity (ANI) (82.8-88.3%), average amino-acid identity (AAI) (79.4-87.3%), and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) (29.5-38.5%) values and several phenotypic differences between strain FMUSA5-5T and its closest type strains of the genus Nonomuraea indicated that strain FMUSA5-5T represents a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea and the name Nonomuraea composti sp. nov. is proposed for the strain. The crude extract from the culture broth of strain FMUSA5-5T displayed promising antimicrobial activity against several pathogens and led to the isolation of a novel secondary metabolite, pradimicin U. Interestingly, this compound displayed a broad spectrum of biological activities such as antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum K1 (IC50 value = 3.65 µg/mL), anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra (MIC value = 25.0 µg/mL), anti-Alternaria brassicicola BCC 42724 (MIC value = 25.0 µg/mL), anti-Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778 and anti-Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 (MIC values = 6.25 and 1.56 µg/mL, respectively). Moreover, the compound possessed strong anti-human small cell lung cancer (NCI-H187) activity with IC50 value of 5.69 µg/mL, while cytotoxicity against human breast cancer (MCF-7) and Vero cells was very weak (IC50 values of 52.49 and 21.84 µg/mL, respectively).

Secreted in Xylem (SIX) genes in Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) unravels the potential biomarkers for early detection of Fusarium wilt disease.

Secreted in Xylem (SIX) are small effector proteins released by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) into the plant's xylem sap disrupting the host's defence responses causing Fusarium wilt disease resulting in a significant decline in banana crop yields and economic losses. Notably, different races of Foc possess unique sets of SIX genes responsible for their virulence, however, these genes remain underutilized, despite their potential as biomarkers for early disease detection. Herein, we identified seven SIX genes i.e. SIX1, SIX2, SIX4, SIX6, SIX8a, SIX9a and SIX13 present in Foc Tropical Race 4 (FocTR4), while only SIX9b in Foc Race 1 (Foc1). Analysis of SIX gene expression in infected banana roots revealed differential patterns during infection providing valuable insights into host-pathogen interactions, virulence level, and early detection time points. Additionally, a comprehensive analysis of virulent Foc1_C2HIR and FocTR4_C1HIR isolates yielded informative genomic insights. Hence, these discoveries contribute to our comprehension of potential disease control targets in these plants, as well as enhancing plant diagnostics and breeding programs.

Green banana (Musa ssp.) mixed pulp and peel flour: A new ingredient with interesting bioactive, nutritional, and technological properties for food applications.

This study aimed to characterize and evaluate the in vitro bioactive properties of green banana pulp (GBPF), peel (GBPeF), and mixed pulp/peel flours M1 (90/10) and M2 (80/20). Lipid concentration was higher in GBPeF (7.53%), as were the levels of free and bound phenolics (577 and 653.1 mg GAE/100 g, respectively), whereas the resistant starch content was higher in GBPF (44.11%). Incorporating up to 20% GBPeF into the mixed flour had a minor effect on the starch pasting properties of GBPF. GBPeF featured rutin and trans-ferulic acid as the predominant free and bound phenolic compounds, respectively. GBPF presented different major free phenolics, though it had similar bound phenolics to GBPeF. Both M1 and M2 demonstrated a reduction in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Consequently, this study validates the potential of green banana mixed flour, containing up to 20% GBPeF, for developing healthy foods and reducing post-harvest losses.

Sustainable seedling pots: Development and characterisation of banana waste and natural fibre-reinforced composites for horticultural applications.

Plastic pots used in horticultural nurseries generate substantial waste, causing environmental pollution. This study aimed to develop biodegradable composites from banana pseudo-stem reinforced with agricultural residues like pineapple leaves, taro and water hyacinth as eco-friendly substitutes. The aim of this study is to develop optimised banana biocomposite formulations with suitable reinforcements that balance mechanical durability, biodegradation, and seedling growth promotion properties to serve as viable eco-friendly alternatives to plastic seedling pots. This study was carried out by fabricating banana fibre mats through pulping, drying and hot pressing. Composite sheets were reinforced with 50 % pineapple, taro or water hyacinth fibres. The mechanical properties (tensile, yield strength, elongation, bursting strength), hydrophilicity (contact angle, water absorption), biodegradability (soil burial test), and seedling growth promotion were evaluated through appropriate testing methods. The results show that banana-taro composites exhibited suitable tensile strength (25 MPa), elongation (27 %), water uptake (41 %) and 82 % biodegradation in 60 days. It was observed that biodegradable seedling trays fabricated from banana-taro composite showed 95 % tomato seed germination and a 125 cm plant height increase in 30 days, superior to plastic trays. The finding shows that the study demonstrates the potential of banana-taro biocomposites as alternatives to plastic nursery pots, enabling healthy seedling growth while eliminating plastic waste pollution through biodegradation.

Non-destructive strategy to extract sustainable helix and high-strength Musa core fibers for rapid water conduction and evaporation.

The reuse and development of natural waste resources is a hotspots and challenges in the research of new fiber materials and the resolution of environmental concern globally. Herein, this study aimed to develop a simple and direct manual extraction process to extract Musa core fibers (MCFs) for rapid water conduction and evaporation. Through simple processes such as ring cutting and stretching, this green and non-destructive inside-out extraction strategy enabled Musa fibers to be naturally and harmlessly degummed from natural Musa stems, with good maintenance of the fiber structure and highly helical morphology. The extracted fibers are composed of regularly and closely arranged cellulose nanofibrils in the shape of ribbon spirally arranged multi-filaments, and the single filament is about 2.65 µm. The high-purity fibers exhibit ultra-high tensile strength under a non-destructive extraction process, and the ultimate tensile strength in dry state is as high as 742.95 MPa. The tensile strength is affected by the number of fiber bundles, which shows that tensile strength and tensile modulus is higher than those of vascular bundle fibers in dry or wet condition. In addition, the MCFs membrane indicates good water conductivity, with a water absorption height of 50 mm for the sample in only 60 s. Moreover, the water evaporation rate of MCFs reaches 1.37 kg m-2 h-1 in 30 min, which shows that MCFs have excellent water conductivity and evaporation rate compared with ordinary cotton fibers. These results indicate that MCFs have great potential in replacing the use of chemical methods to extract fibers from vascular bundles, providing an effective way to achieve sustainability in quick-drying applications, as well as in the sustainable development of natural waste resources.

Multifunctional konjac glucomannan/xanthan gum self-healing coating for bananas preservation.

Damage to the integrity of the preservation coating on the fruit surface will seriously affect the shelf life of the fruit. In this work, the strong hydrogen bond interaction between xanthan gum (XG) and konjac glucomannan (KGM) could form hydrogel films with self-healing properties. The introduction of gallic acid (GA) was beneficial to further improve the antioxidant activity and UV shielding performance of the composite films. Surprisingly, the mechanical properties and gas (water vapor, O2 and CO2) barrier properties of the KGM film crosslinked by XG were significantly improved. The experiment of banana preservation showed that the composite coating could effectively delay the water loss and browning of bananas, slow down the decomposition of pectin and starch in the flesh, and extend the shelf life of bananas for >6 days. Therefore, this multifunctional coating is an excellent packaging material and has a very broad application prospect in the field of food preservation.

Genetic diversity of the banana Fusarium wilt pathogen in Cuba and across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Fusarium wilt of bananas (FWB) is a severe plant disease that leads to substantial losses in banana production worldwide. It remains a major concern for Cuban banana cultivation. The disease is caused by members of the soil-borne Fusarium oxysporum species complex. However, the genetic diversity among Fusarium species infecting bananas in Cuba has remained largely unexplored. In our comprehensive survey, we examined symptomatic banana plants across all production zones in the country, collecting 170 Fusarium isolates. Leveraging genotyping-by-sequencing and whole-genome comparisons, we investigated the genetic diversity within these isolates and compared it with a global Fusarium panel. Notably, typical FWB symptoms were observed in Bluggoe cooking bananas and Pisang Awak subgroups across 14 provinces. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that F. purpurascens, F. phialophorum, and F. tardichlamydosporum are responsible for FWB in Cuba, with F. tardichlamydosporum dominating the population. Furthermore, we identified between five and seven distinct genetic clusters, with F. tardichlamydosporum isolates forming at least two subgroups. This finding underscores the high genetic diversity of Fusarium spp. contributing to FWB in the Americas. Our study sheds light on the population genetic structure and diversity of the FWB pathogen in Cuba and the broader Latin American and Caribbean regions.

A multifunctional biogenic films and coatings from synergistic aqueous dispersion of wood-derived suberin and cellulose nanofibers.

Here, biogenic and multifunctional active food coatings and packaging with UV shielding and antimicrobial properties were structured from the aqueous dispersion of an industrial byproduct, suberin, which was stabilized with amphiphilic cellulose nanofibers (CNF). The dual-functioning CNF, synthesized in a deep eutectic solvent, functioned as an efficient suberin dispersant and reinforcing agent in the packaging design. The nanofibrillar percolation network of CNF provided a steric hindrance against the coalescence of the suberin particles. The low CNF dosage of 0.5 wt% resulted in dispersion with optimal viscosity (208.70 Pa.s), enhanced stability (instability index of <0.001), and reduced particle size (9.37 ± 2.43 µm). The dispersion of suberin and CNF was further converted into self-standing films with superior UV-blocking capability, good thermal stability, improved hydrophobicity (increase in water contact angle from 61° ± 0.15 to 83° ± 5.11), and antimicrobial properties against gram-negative bacteria. Finally, the synergistic bicomponent dispersions were demonstrated as fruit coatings for bananas and packaging for strawberries to promote their self-life. The coatings and packaging considerably mitigated fruit deterioration and improved their freshness by preventing moisture loss and microbial attack. This sustainable approach is expected to pave the way toward advanced, biogenic, and active food packaging based on widely available bioresources.

Expressing banana transcription factor MaERFVII3 in Arabidopsis confers enhanced waterlogging tolerance and root growth.

Background: Waterlogging poses a significant threat to plant growth and yield worldwide. Identifying the genes responsible for mitigating waterlogging stress is crucial. Ethylene-responsive factors (ERFs) are transcriptional regulators that respond to various biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. However, their roles and involvement in responding to waterlogging stress remain largely unexplored. Hence, this study aimed to elucidate the role of ERFs in enhancing banana plant resilience to waterlogging. Methods: We hypothesized that introducing a group VII ERF transcription factor in Arabidopsis could enhance waterlogging stress tolerance. To test this hypothesis, we isolated MaERFVII3 from banana roots, where it exhibited a significant induction in response to waterlogging stress. The isolated MaERFVII3 was introduced into Arabidopsis plants for functional gene studies. Results: Compared with wild-type plants, the MaERFVII3-expressing Arabidopsis showed increased survival and biomass under waterlogging stress. Furthermore, the abundance of transcripts related to waterlogging and hypoxia response showed an elevation in transgenic plants but a decrease in wild-type and empty vector plants when exposed to waterlogging stress. Our results demonstrate the significant contribution of MaERFVII3 to waterlogging tolerance in Arabidopsis, providing baseline data for further exploration and potentially contributing to crop improvement programs.

3D printed cinnamon essential oil/banana peel carbon dots loaded corn starch/gelatin bilayer film with enhanced functionality for food packaging application.

Using 3D printing technology, a gelatin-polyvinyl alcohol­carbon dots (GPC) layer+corn starch-polyvinyl alcohol-cinnamon essential oil (CPC) layer active bilayer film with an external barrier function and an internal controlled-release effect was successfully produced for food preservation. The GPC film was provided with potent antioxidant and UV blocking properties by the banana peel carbon dots (CDs). The cinnamon essential oil (CEO) had the strongest interaction with the film matrix at 3% (w/w), causing the CPC film having the lowest surface wettability, good integrity, and lowest crystallinity. The CEO's stability and releasing effectiveness were greatly enhanced by the creation of a bilayer film. At 60% filling rate of the CPC layer, the bilayer film showed the highest CEO retention after drying and the best CEO release performance. Finally, the created active bilayer film was found to significantly improve the sensory quality stability of the spicy essential oil microcapsule powders. It also successfully extended the mangoes' shelf life by delaying browning and rot.

Economic analysis of banana peel and sweet potato vines in diets for rabbits.

This study aimed to evaluate the costs of using banana peel (BP) and sweet potato vine (SPV) in rabbit diets. BP and SPV were chosen to replace maize and alfalfa hay, because, in addition to the ingredients having similar nutritional characteristics, they are among the most expensive ingredients in rabbit diets. Data were obtained through a biological assay carried out in the Cuniculture Laboratory of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Fifty New Zealand white rabbits, weaned at 35 days of age, were fed during the growth phase (35 to 84 days) with increasing levels of BP and SPV, replacing maize and alfalfa hay (T0, T25, T50, T75 and T100% replacement). A diet containing 100% replacement (T100) had the lowest cost per kilogram, which was R$ 1.18/kg, while the controlled diet was 57% more expensive, costing R$ 2.08/kg. The total operating cost to produce a rabbit with control treatment was R$10.93/head and at T100, it was R$6.51/head. The animal income for a live rabbit was R$ 24.08 and R$ 23.95 in treatments T0 and T100, respectively. Regarding the gain margin per animal (GMA), in TO it was R$ 13.16 while in T100 it was R$ 17.44, therefore the GMA was 32.55% higher when using the T100 diet. In conclusion, it is more economical and feasible to feed rabbits with diets containing 100% BP and SPV, replacing maize and alfalfa hay.

Discovery of gene regulation mechanisms associated with uniconazole-induced cold tolerance in banana using integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis.

BACKGROUND: The gibberellic acid (GA) inhibitor, uniconazole, is a plant growth regulator commonly used in banana cultivation to promote dwarfing but also enhances the cold resistance in plants. However, the mechanism of this induced cold resistance remains unclear. RESULTS: We confirmed that uniconazole induced cold tolerance in bananas and that the activities of Superoxide dismutase and Peroxidase were increased in the uniconazole-treated bananas under cold stress when compared with the control groups. The transcriptome and metabolome of bananas treated with or without uniconazole were analyzed at different time points under cold stress. Compared to the control group, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between adjacent time points in each uniconazole-treated group were enriched in plant-pathogen interactions, MAPK signaling pathway, and plant hormone signal transduction, which were closely related to stimulus-functional responses. Furthermore, the differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs) between adjacent time points were enriched in flavone and flavonol biosynthesis and linoleic acid metabolism pathways in the uniconazole-treated group than those in the control group. Temporal analysis of DEGs and DAMs in uniconazole-treated and control groups during cold stress showed that the different expression patterns in the two groups were enriched in the linoleic acid metabolism pathway. In addition to strengthening the antioxidant system and complex hormonal changes caused by GA inhibition, an enhanced linoleic acid metabolism can protect cell membrane stability, which may also be an important part of the cold resistance mechanism of uniconazole treatment in banana plants. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides information for understanding the mechanisms underlying inducible cold resistance in banana, which will benefit the production of this economically important crop.

Adding value to banana farming: Antibody production in post-harvest leaves.

Banana, a globally popular fruit, is widely cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical regions. After fruit harvest, remaining banana plant materials are low-value byproducts, mostly composted or used as fibre or for food packaging. As an aim to potentially increase farmer income, this study explored underutilised banana biomass as a novel plant tissue for production of a high-value product. Protein scFvTG130 used in this study, is an anti-toxoplasma single chain variable fragment antibody that can be used in diagnostics and neutralising the Toxoplasma gondii pathogen. Using detached banana leaves, we investigated the factors influencing the efficacy of a transient expression system using reporter genes and recombinant protein, scFvTG130. Transient expression was optimal at 2 days after detached banana leaves were vacuum infiltrated at 0.08 MPa vacuum pressure for a duration of 3 min with 0.01% (v/v) Tween20 using Agrobacterium strain GV3101 harbouring disarmed virus-based vector pIR-GFPscFvTG130. The highest concentration of anti-toxoplasma scFvTG130 antibody obtained using detached banana leaves was 22.8 µg/g fresh leaf tissue. This first study using detached banana leaf tissue for the transient expression of a recombinant protein, successfully demonstrated anti-toxoplasma scFvTG130 antibody expression, supporting the potential application for other related proteins using an underutilised detached banana leaf tissue.

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Unripe Musa Paradisiaca Linn on Parameters Affecting Reproduction in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: Aqueous extract of unripe Musa paradisiaca fruit is commonly used for the treatment of ulcers in eastern Nigeria. This study aimed to assess the acute and subacute effects of an aqueous extract of unripe fruit on male and female fertility in rats. METHODS: Aqueous extracts obtained by maceration were analyzed for acute and subacute toxicity and for the presence of phytochemical constituents using standard procedures. The extract (100, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) was administered daily to rats of both sexes for 28 d. Blood samples collected on days 0 and 28 were assessed for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Testes and ovaries were harvested for histopathological analysis. Sperm were also collected to determine the sperm count and motility. RESULTS: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, and resins. After an oral dose of up to 5000 mg/kg, there were no deaths in the acute toxicity test. The extract (500 mg/kg) significantly (P < .05) enhanced sperm count and motility relative to the untreated control; significantly (P < .05) reduced SOD, CAT, and glutathione levels, while significantly (P < .05) elevated LH, FSH, and MDA levels in male and female rats. Histological examination revealed significant structural damage to the ovaries. CONCLUSION: Unripe Musa paradisiaca fruit exhibited an adverse toxicological profile following prolonged administration and caused oxidative stress in rodents.

Identification of Induced Copy Number Variation from Low Coverage Sequence Data.

Induced mutations have been an important tool for plant breeding and functional genomics for more than 80 years. Novel mutations can be induced by treating seed or other plant cells with chemical mutagens or ionizing radiation. The majority of released mutant crop varieties were developed using ionizing radiation. This has been shown to create a variety of different DNA lesions including large (e.g., >=10,000 bps) copy number variations (CNV). Detection of induced DNA lesions from whole genome sequence data is useful for choosing a mutagen dosage prior to committing resources to develop a large mutant population for forward or reverse-genetic screening. Here I provide a method for detecting large induced CNV from mutant plants that utilizes a new tool to streamline the process of obtaining read coverage directly from BAM files, comparing non-mutagenized controls and mutagenized samples, and plotting the results for visual evaluation. Example data is provided from low coverage sequence data from gamma-irradiated vegetatively propagated triploid banana.

Energy metabolism and respirometry of lambs fed sun or shade dried hays of banana crop residues.

We aimed to evaluate the effects of different drying methods for banana residues on the energy metabolism and respirometry of growing lambs. Twenty Santa Inês x Dorper lambs were fed five experimental diets: Tifton 85 grass hay (Control), shade-dried banana leaf hay (LH Shade), shade-dried pseudostem banana hay (PH Shade), sun-dried banana leaf hay (LH Sun), and sun-dried banana pseudostem hay (PH Sun). Nutrient intake and digestibility were assessed in metabolic cages, whereas O2 consumption and CO2, methane, and heat production were measured in a respirometry chamber with animals fed at maintenance and ad libitum levels. Nutrient and energy intake was not influenced by diet. Pseudostem hay had higher apparent digestibility of dry matter (71.5%), organic matter (72.4%), and neutral detergent fiber (58.0%). However, this led to greater energy loss in the form of methane (12.1%). The banana residue hays and drying methods did not alter oxygen consumption, CO2 production, or heat production of animals fed ad libitum or during maintenance. On the other hand, the use of leaf hay resulted in a reduction of 24.7% in enteric methane production of animals fed ad libitum. The inclusion of pseudostem hay is recommended in sheep feedlot diet. This residue provided greater use of DM, however promoted a greater loss of energy in the form of methane, resulting in similar energy consumption. The drying methods did not reduce the availability of nutrients and the sun drying method is recommended, since it is a faster drying method.