Comparative analysis of nutrient composition and antioxidant activity in three dragon fruit cultivars.

Dragon fruit has significant economic value in many countries due to has excellent nutritional content, health advantages, and adaptability to different climates, making it an important crop in the global fruit industry. This study aimed to gather comprehensive nutritional data on three dragon fruit cultivars by analysing the levels of micronutrients, fibre, carbohydrates, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in their pulps. Uniform dragon fruit samples underwent thorough analysis for proximate composition, mineral content, pigments, antioxidants, and vitamin C, with statistical methods used to assess significant differences among the parameters studied. The proximate composition analysis revealed significant differences among the three dragon fruit cultivars. Among the proximate components, protein (0.40 ± 0.02 g/100 g), moisture (91.33 ± 0.88%), crude fibre (0.32 ± 0.07 g/100 g), and ash (1.27 ± 0.09 g/100 g) were more abundant in Hylocereus costaricensis than in Hylocereus undatus and Hylocereus megalanthus. On the other hand, Hylocereus undatus had higher carbohydrate (17.02 ± 0.63 g/100 g) and energy (69.74 ± 2.44 kcal/100 g) contents. K (7.23 ± 0.35 mg/100 g), Ca (1.61 ± 0.13 mg/100 g), Fe (1.84 ± 0.05 mg/100 g), and Zn (0.37 ± 0.034 mg/100 g) are highly abundant in H. costaricensis. Additionally, Hylocereus costaricensis had the highest anthocyanin content (120.15 ± 3.29 mg/g FW) and total carotenoid content (72.51 ± 1.62 mg/g FW), along with the highest vitamin C content (8.92 ± 0.13 mg/g FW) and total soluble phenolic content (572.48 ± 20.77 mg/100 g). Its remarkable antioxidant activity was further highlighted by the lowest SC50 value (13.50 ± 0.4 mg/mL) for its DPPH radical scavenging capacity. The total soluble sugar content was highest in Hylocereus megalanthus (8.72 ± 0.30 g/100 g FW). Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed distinct trait and genotype associations; among the studied cultivars, Hylocereus costaricensis demonstrated superior performance across multiple traits. Correlation analysis indicated significant positive correlations among several traits, while principal component analysis highlighted the contribution of each trait to overall variance, with PC1 explaining 73.95% of the total variance. This study highlights the nutritional variations among dragon fruit cultivars, with Hylocereus costaricensis showing superior performance, guiding dietary planning and functional food development.

Exploring pectin from ripe and unripe Banana Peel: A novel functional fat replacers in muffins.

The study addresses global fruit waste concerns in the food industry by extracting pectin from both ripe and unripe banana peels at varying pH levels and time intervals using hydrochloric acid. The best results were observed for unripe banana peel pectin at pH 1.5 and 250 min exhibiting a yield of 16.46% and favorable characteristics. In muffin development, seven treatments (M0, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 and M6) are prepared and analyzed for morphology, nutritional content, and sensory parameters. The M4 treatment, utilizing pectin from unripe banana peel at pH 1.5 and 250 min, displays superior qualities with reduced peroxide value, free fatty acids, percent moisture loss, and hardness. Sensory evaluations indicate high acceptability due to lower fat content. In conclusion, the extraction of pectin from unripe banana peels proves promising as a fat replacer in bakery items, maintaining muffin quality while addressing fruit waste challenges in the food industry.

Can site-specific nutrient management improve the productivity and resource use efficiency of climate-resilient finger millet in calcareous soils in India?

Finger millet, an important 'Nutri-Cereal' and climate-resilient crop, is cultivated as a marginal crop in calcareous soils. Calcareous soils have low organic carbon content, high pH levels, and poor structure. Such a situation leads to poor productivity of the crop. Site-specific nutrient management (SSNM), which focuses on supplying optimum nutrients when a crop is needed, can ensure optimum production and improve the nutrient and energy use efficiency of crops. Moreover, developing an appropriate SSNM technique for this crop could offer new insights into nutrient management practices, particularly for calcareous soils. A field experiment was conducted during the rainy seasons of 2020 and 2021 in calcareous soil at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, India. The experiment consisted of 8 treatments, viz. control, nitrogen (N)/phosphorus (P)/potassium (K)-omission, 75 %, 100 %, and 125 % recommended fertilizer dose (RFD), and 100 % recommended P and K + 30 kg ha-1 N as basal + rest N as per GreenSeeker readings. From this study, it was observed that the GreenSeeker-based SSNM resulted in the maximum grain yield (2873 kg ha-1), net output energy (96.3 GJ ha-1), and agronomic efficiency of N (30.6 kg kg-1), P (68.9 kg kg-1), and K (68.9 kg kg-1). The application of 125 % RFD resulted in ∼7 % lower yield than that under GreenSeeker-based nutrient management. Approximately 12 % greater energy use efficiency and 21-36 % greater nutrient use efficiency were recorded under GreenSeeker-based nutrient management than under 125 % RDF. The indigenous supplies of N, P, and K were found to be 14.31, 3.00, and 18.51 kg ha-1, respectively. Thus, 100 % of the recommended P and K + 30 kg ha-1 N as basal + rest N according to GreenSeeker readings can improve the yield, nutrient use efficiency, and energy balance of finger millet in calcareous soils.

Unveiling soil animal community dynamics beneath dominant shrub species in natural desert environment: Implications for ecosystem management and conservation.

The Taklimakan Desert, known for extreme aridity and unique ecological challenges, maintains a delicate life balance beneath its harsh surface. This study investigates intricate dynamics of soil animal communities within this desert ecosystem, with a particular focus on vertical profile variations beneath four dominant shrub species (AS-Alhagi sparsifolia, KC-Karelinia caspia, TR- Tamarix ramosissima, CC- Calligonum caput-medusae). Utilizing comprehensive soil sampling and metagenomics techniques, we reveal the diversity and distribution patterns of soil animal communities from the soil surface down to deeper layers (0-100 cm). Our research outcomes have unveiled that Nematoda and Arthropoda emerge as the most predominant classes of soil animals across all studied shrubs. Specifically, Nematoda exhibited notably high abundance in the KC area, while Arthropoda thrived predominantly in the TR region. We also observed a linear decrease in Nematoda populations as soil depth increased, consistent among all shrub species. Moreover, the highest Shannon diversity within soil animal communities was recorded in the KC area, underscoring a trend of declining alpha diversity in the AS region and an increase in other shrub areas as soil depth increased. Notably, the zones dominated by CC and TR displayed the highest levels of beta diversity. Our correlation analysis of soil animals and environmental factors has pinpointed soil water content, available phosphorus, and available potassium as the most influential drivers of variations in the top-classified soil animal communities. This study provides insights into soil animals in deserts, supporting future research to preserve these fragile deserts and enhance our understanding of life below the surface in challenging ecosystems.

FUS3: Orchestrating soybean plant development and boosting stress tolerance through metabolic pathway regulation.

Soybean research has gained immense attention due to its extensive use in food, feedstock, and various industrial applications, such as the production of lubricants and engine oils. In oil crops, the process of seed development and storage substances accumulation is intricate and regulated by multiple transcription factors (TFs). In this study, FUSCA3 (GmFUS3) was characterized for its roles in plant development, lipid metabolism, and stress regulation. Expressing GmFUS3 in atfus3 plants restored normal characteristics observed in wild-type plants, including cotyledon morphology, seed shape, leaf structure, and flower development. Additionally, its expression led to a significant increase of 25% triacylglycerols (TAG) and 33% in protein levels. Transcriptomic analysis further supported the involvement of GmFUS3 in various phases of plant development, lipid biosynthesis, lipid trafficking, and flavonoid biosynthesis. To assess the impact of stress on GmFUS3 expression, soybean plants were subjected to different stress conditions, and the its expression was assessed. Transcriptomic data revealed significant alterations in the expression levels of approximately 80 genes linked to reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling and 40 genes associated with both abiotic and biotic stresses. Additionally, GmFUS3 was found to regulate abscisic acid synthesis and interact with nucleoside diphosphate kinase 1, which is responsible for plant cellular processes, development, and stress response. Overall, this research sheds light on the multifaceted functions of GmFUS3 and its potential applications in enhancing crop productivity and stress tolerance.

A randomized controlled trial of sweet basil leaf powder-enriched cookies for anemia management in adolescent girls.

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of sweet basil leaf powder as a natural source of iron for the treatment of anemia in adolescent girls. Purposive sampling technique of two-stage sampling; part of the nonprobability sampling approach. Out of 2400 approached adolescent girls, 1645 agreed to participate and their nutritional status was assessed. Of these, 89.95% had clinical signs and symptoms of anemia, and 59.79% were found to be anemic based on Hb levels. From the anemic group, 65.18% were randomly selected to receive either B0 (Control), B1 (12.699 g FeSO4.7H2O/100 g), and B3 (16 g SBLP/100 g) cookies for 4 months. At the end of the intervention, the assessment of nutritional status, complete blood count, serum iron, serum ferritin, serum total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and transferrin saturation was explored. Hematological parameters such as Hb, Hct, TIBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, serum iron, and serum ferritin were significant (p ≤ .05). The result showed that the serum Fe was highest in group B3 while a significant decline was noted for group B0. Serum ferritin for B1 was better than B3. The entire treatment for transferrin saturation showed a highly significant increasing trend in B3 and B1, regardless of the control. TIBC levels raised in the control group while in all other treatments, it declined. The study demonstrated that SBLP-fortified cookies can be an effective treatment option for anemia, as evidenced by significant improvements in key hematological parameters.

Whole-genome sequencing of marine water-derived Curvularia verruculosa KHW-7: a pioneering study.

Marine microorganisms are renowned for being a rich source of new secondary metabolites that are significant to humans. The fungi strain KHW-7 was isolated from the seawater collected from the Gulf of Khambhat, India, and identified as Curvularia verruculosa KHW-7. On a next-generation sequencing platform, C. verruculosa KHW-7's whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and gene annotation were carried out using several bioinformatic methods. The 31.59 MB genome size, 52.3% GC, and 158 bp mean read length were discovered using WGS. This genome also contained 9,745 protein-coding genes, including 852 secreted proteins and 2048 transmembrane proteins. The antiSMASH algorithm used to analyze genomes found 25 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that are abundant in terpene, non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS), and polyketides type 1 (T1PKS). To our knowledge, this is the first whole-genome sequence report of C. verruculosa. The WGS analysis of C. verruculosa KHW-7 indicated that this marine-derived fungus could be an efficient generator of bioactive secondary metabolites and an important industrial enzyme, both of which demand further investigation and development.

Combined effect of gallic acid and zinc ferrite nanoparticles on wheat growth and yield under salinity stress.

Salinity stress significantly impacts crops, disrupting their water balance and nutrient uptake, reducing growth, yield, and overall plant health. High salinity in soil can adversely affect plants by disrupting their water balance. Excessive salt levels can lead to dehydration, hinder nutrient absorption, and damage plant cells, ultimately impairing growth and reducing crop yields. Gallic acid (GA) and zinc ferrite (ZnFNP) can effectively overcome this problem. GA can promote root growth, boost photosynthesis, and help plants absorb nutrients efficiently. However, their combined application as an amendment against drought still needs scientific justification. Zinc ferrite nanoparticles possess many beneficial properties for soil remediation and medical applications. That's why the current study used a combination of GA and ZnFNP as amendments to wheat. There were 4 treatments, i.e., 0, 10 µM GA, 15 µM GA, and 20 µM GA, without and with 5 µM ZnFNP applied in 4 replications following a completely randomized design. Results exhibited that 20 µM GA + 5 µM ZnFNP caused significant improvement in wheat shoot length (28.62%), shoot fresh weight (16.52%), shoot dry weight (11.38%), root length (3.64%), root fresh weight (14.72%), and root dry weight (9.71%) in contrast to the control. Significant enrichment in wheat chlorophyll a (19.76%), chlorophyll b (25.16%), total chlorophyll (21.35%), photosynthetic rate (12.72%), transpiration rate (10.09%), and stomatal conductance (15.25%) over the control validate the potential of 20 µM GA + 5 µM ZnFNP. Furthermore, improvement in N, P, and K concentration in grain and shoot verified the effective functioning of 20 µM GA + 5 µM ZnFNP compared to control. In conclusion, 20 µM GA + 5 µM ZnFNP can potentially improve the growth, chlorophyll contents and gas exchange attributes of wheat cultivated in salinity stress. More investigations are suggested to declare 20 µM GA + 5 µM ZnFNP as the best amendment for alleviating salinity stress in different cereal crops.

Synergistic effects of boron and saponin in mitigating salinity stress to enhance sweet potato growth.

Salinity stress significantly hinders plant growth by disrupting osmotic balance and inhibiting nutrient uptake, leading to reduced biomass and stunted development. Using saponin (SAP) and boron (B) can effectively overcome this issue. Boron decreases salinity stress by stabilizing cell walls and membranes, regulating ion balance, activating antioxidant enzymes, and enhancing water uptake. SAP are bioactive compounds that have the potential to alleviate salinity stress by improving nutrient uptake, modulating plant hormone levels, promoting root growth, and stimulating antioxidant activity. That's why the current study was planned to use a combination of SAP and boron as amendments to mitigate salinity stress in sweet potatoes. Four levels of SAP (0%, 0.1%, 0.15%, and 0.20%) and B (control, 5, 10, and 20 mg/L B) were applied in 4 replications following a completely randomized design. Results illustrated that 0.15% SAP with 20 mg/L B caused significant enhancement in sweet potato vine length (13.12%), vine weight (12.86%), root weight (8.31%), over control under salinity stress. A significant improvement in sweet potato chlorophyll a (9.84%), chlorophyll b (20.20%), total chlorophyll (13.94%), photosynthetic rate (17.69%), transpiration rate (16.03%), and stomatal conductance (17.59%) contrast to control under salinity stress prove the effectiveness of 0.15% SAP + 20 mg/L B treatment. In conclusion, 0.15% SAP + 20 mg/L B is recommended to mitigate salinity stress in sweet potatoes.

Exploring Trichoderma Species in Industrial Wastewater: Morphological and Molecular Insights from Isolates.

The genus Trichoderma holds economic significance due to its widespread distribution and diverse applications, including biological control, enzyme production, and various biotechnological uses. The accurate identification of Trichoderma species is crucial given their close association with human activities. Despite previous efforts in classification, a comprehensive analysis combining morphological and molecular approaches is necessary. This study focuses on the isolation of four Trichoderma species from industrial wastewater in Pakistan, expanding on the known diversity in the region; isolation involved collecting samples from industrial wastewater effluents at specific sites in Punjab, Pakistan. Trichoderma strains were cultured and purified on solid media, with subsequent biomass production for bisorptional activity. Morphological characterization included colony features and microscopic examinations. DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region were conducted for molecular analysis. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the Maximum Likelihood Algorithm. The study identified three Trichoderma species, viz. T. citrinoviride, T. erinaceum, and T. longibrachiatum. Each species was characterized morphologically and supported by molecular-phylogenetic analysis. Illustrations of microscopic features and a phylogenetic tree based on the ITS-nrDNA region were recorded. T. citrinoviride and T. longibrachiatum, isolated from steel mill and tanneries wastewater, respectively, were differentiated based on morphological characteristics such as phialides and conidia. The combination of morphological and molecular techniques enhances the accuracy of species identification. The study highlights the significance of Trichoderma in industrial wastewater environments and underscores the need for continued research in this area. Future research should focus on exploring the ecological roles and potential applications of the newly identified Trichoderma species. Additionally, further investigations into the biotechnological potential of these species, including enzyme production and bioremediation capabilities, would contribute to their practical applications.

Enhanced Citric Acid Production through Aspergillus niger: Insights from Fermentation Studies Using Sugarcane Molasses.

The production of citric acid, a vital agricultural commodity utilized across various industries such as food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, detergents, and cosmetics, predominantly relies on microbial fermentation, with Aspergillus niger accounting for approximately 90% of global production. In this study, we aimed to optimize the key factors influencing citric acid production, with a focus on strains, fermentation techniques, and carbon sources, particularly sugarcane molasses. A. niger, sourced from the Botany department/Biotechnology laboratories at Govt. College of Science, Lahore, was employed for citric acid production. The process involved inoculum preparation through spore collection from 3 to 5 days of cultured PDA slants. The fermentation medium, comprising cane molasses with a 15% sugar concentration, was meticulously prepared and optimized for various factors, including magnesium sulfate, potassium ferrocyanide, time of addition of potassium ferrocyanide, ammonium oxalate, and calcium chloride. Our optimization results shed light on the significant impact of different factors on citric acid production. For instance, the addition of 0.4 g/L magnesium sulfate led to a maximum yield of 75%, while 2 g/L potassium ferrocyanide, added at 24 h, achieved a yield of 78%. Remarkably, ammonium oxalate, at a concentration of 10 g/L, resulted in a notable 77% yield. Conversely, the addition of calcium chloride exhibited negligible effects on citric acid production, with the control group yielding more at 78%. Our study underscores the potential for optimizing factors to enhance citric acid production by A. niger in submerged fermentation. These findings highlight the pivotal role of magnesium sulfate, potassium ferrocyanide, and ammonium oxalate in augmenting citric acid yields while emphasizing the minimal impact of calcium chloride. Ultimately, these insights contribute to advancing our understanding of microbial citric acid biosynthesis, providing valuable implications for industrial applications and future research endeavors.

Elicitors directed in vitro growth and production of stevioside and other secondary metabolites in Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni.

Stevia rebaudiana (stevia) is a plant in the Asteraceae that contains several biologically active compounds including the antidiabetic diterpene glycosides (e.g. stevioside, rebaudioside and dulcoside) that can serve as zero-calorie sugar alternatives. In this study, an elicitation strategy was applied using 5% polyethylene glycol (PEG), sodium chloride (NaCl; 50 and 100 mM) and gibberellic acid (2.0 and 4.0 mg/L GA3) to investigate their effect on shoot morphogenesis, and the production of phenolics, flavonoids, total soluble sugars, proline and stevioside, as well as antioxidant activity, in shoot cultures of S. rebaudiana. Herewith, the media supplemented with 2 mg/L and 4 mg/L GA3 exhibited the highest shooting response (87% and 80%). The augmentation of lower concentrations of GA3 (2 mg/L) in combination with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) resulted in the maximum mean shoot length (11.1 cm). The addition of 100 mM NaCl salts to the media led to the highest observed total phenolics content (TPC; 4.11 mg/g-DW compared to the control 0.52 mg/g-DW), total flavonoids content (TFC; 1.26 mg/g-DW) and polyphenolics concentration (5.39 mg/g-DW) in shoots cultured. However, the maximum antioxidant activity (81.8%) was observed in shoots raised in media treated with 50 mM NaCl. The application of 2 mg/L of GA3 resulted in the highest accumulation of proline (0.99 µg/mL) as compared to controls (0.37 µg/mL). Maximum stevioside content (71 µL/mL) was observed in cultures supplemented with 100 mM NaCl and 5% PEG, followed by the 4 mg/L GA3 treatment (70 µL/mL) as compared to control (60 µL/mL). Positive correlation was observed between GA3 and stevioside content. Notably, these two compounds are derived from a shared biochemical pathway. These results suggest that elicitation is an effective option to enhance the accumulation of steviosides and other metabolites and provides the groundwork for future industrial scale production using bioreactors.

Mitigation of drought stress in chili plants (Capsicum annuum L.) using mango fruit waste biochar, fulvic acid and cobalt.

Drought stress can have negative impacts on crop productivity. It triggers the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, which causes oxidative stress. Limited water and nutrient uptake under drought stress also decreases plant growth. Using cobalt and fulvic acid with biochar in such scenarios can effectively promote plant growth. Cobalt (Co) is a component of various enzymes and co-enzymes. It can increase the concentration of flavonoids, total phenols, antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase, catalase, and polyphenol oxidase) and proline. Fulvic acid (FA), a constituent of soil organic matter, increases the accessibility of nutrients to plants. Biochar (BC) can enhance soil moisture retention, nutrient uptake, and plant productivity during drought stress. That's why the current study explored the influence of Co, FA and BC on chili plants under drought stress. This study involved 8 treatments, i.e., control, 4 g/L fulvic acid (4FA), 20 mg/L cobalt sulfate (20CoSO4), 4FA + 20CoSO4, 0.50%MFWBC (0.50 MFWBC), 4FA + 0.50MFWBC, 20CoSO4 + 0.50MFWBC, 4FA + 20CoSO4 + 0.50MFWBC. Results showed that 4 g/L FA + 20CoSO4 with 0.50MFWBC caused an increase in chili plant height (23.29%), plant dry weight (28.85%), fruit length (20.17%), fruit girth (21.41%) and fruit yield (25.13%) compared to control. The effectiveness of 4 g/L FA + 20CoSO4 with 0.50MFWBC was also confirmed by a significant increase in total chlorophyll contents, as well as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in leaves over control. In conclusion4g/L, FA + 20CoSO4 with 0.50MFWBC can potentially improve the growth of chili cultivated in drought stress. It is suggested that 4 g/L FA + 20CoSO4 with 0.50MFWBC be used to alleviate drought stress in chili plants.

Halogenated Secondary Metabolites from Higher Plants: Potent Drug Candidates for Chikungunya Using in silico Approaches.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causes a debilitating fever and joint pain, with no specific antiviral treatment available. Halogenated secondary metabolites from plants are a promising new class of drug candidates against chikungunya, with unique properties that make them effective against the virus. Plants produce these compounds to defend themselves against pests and pathogens, and they are effective against a wide range of viruses, including chikungunya. This study investigated the interactions of halogenated secondary metabolites with nsP2pro, a therapeutic target for CHIKV. A library of sixty-six halogenated plant metabolites screened previously for ADME properties was used. Metabolites without violation of Lipinski's rule were docked with nsP2pro using AutoDock Vina. To find the stability of the pipoxide chlorohydrin-nsP2pro complex, the GROMACS suite was used for MD simulation. The binding free energy of the ligand-protein complex was computed using MMPBSA. Molecular docking studies revealed that halogenated metabolites interact with nsP2pro, suggesting they are possible inhibitors. Pipoxide chlorohydrin showed the greatest affinity to the target. This was further confirmed by the MD simulations, surface accessible area, and MMPBSA studies. Pipoxide chlorohydrin, a halogenated metabolite, was the most potent against nsP2pro in the survey.

Environmentally relevant concentrations of nickel and imidacloprid induce reproductive toxicity in earthworm (Eisenia fetida fetida).

The current research investigates individual and combined toxicity effects of nickel (Ni) and imidacloprid (IMI) on earthworm species Eisenia fetida fetida. Employing standardized toxicity parameters, we assessed the impact of environmentally relevant concentrations (ERC) of Ni, IMI, and their mixtures on key biomarkers and reproductive fitness of earthworms. Our findings reveal concentration-dependent responses with discernible adverse effects on physiological parameters. The ERC obtained for Ni was 0.095 ppm, and for imidacloprid was 0.01 ppm. Two concentrations (ERC and 1/5th) of both toxicants (individually and in combinations) were further given for 14 days, and parameters like avoidance behaviour, antioxidants, histology, and metabolomic profile were observed. The behaviour of earthworms was noted, where at 24-48 h, it was found to be in control soil, while later, at 72-96 h, they migrated to toxicants-treated soil. Levels of antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, ascorbic acid), lipid peroxidation, and lactate dehydrogenase were elevated in the testis, spermatheca, ovary, and prostate gland in a high concentration of Ni + IMI. Histological studies showed more vacuolization and disruption of epithelium that was increased in the prostate gland of the Ni + IMI high group, decreased number of spermatids, and damaged cell architecture was noted in testis and spermatheca of the Ni + IMI high group. The highest number of metabolites was found in Ni exposed group (181), followed by IMI (131) and Control (125). Thus, this study sheds light on the ecotoxicological effects of combinational exposure of these contaminants on an essential soil-dwelling organism, where IMI was more toxic than Ni, and both toxicants decreased earthworm reproductive fecundity.

Enhancing germination and growth of canola (Brassica napus L.) through hydropriming and NaCl priming.

The excessive accumulation of sodium chloride (NaCl) in soil can result in soil salinity, which poses a significant challenge to plant growth and crop production due to impaired water and nutrient uptake. On the other hand, hydropriming (WP) and low level of NaCl priming can improve the germination of seeds, chlorophyll contents, oil and seed yield in plants. That's why this study investigates the impact of hydro and different levels of NaCl (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%) priming, as pre-treatment techniques on canola seeds germination, growth and yield of two varieties Punjab and Faisal Canola. Results showed that, WP performed significant best for increase in germination (~ 20 and ~ 22%) and shoot length (~ 6 and ~ 10%) over non-priming (NP) in Punjab Canola and Faisal Canola respectively. A significant increase in plant height (~ 6 and ~ 7%), root length (~ 1 and ~ 7%), shoot fresh weight (~ 5 and ~ 7%), root fresh weight (~ 6 and ~ 7%) in Punjab Canola and Faisal Canola respectively. It was also observed that plants under WP and 0.5%NaCl priming were also better in production of seed yield per plant, oil contents, silique per plant, seeds per silique, and branches per plant chlorophyll contents and leaf relative water contents over NP. In conclusion, WP and 0.5%NaCl has potential to improve the germination, growth, yield and oil attributes of canola compared to non-priming, 1.0%NaCl priming, 1.5%NaCl priming and 2.0%NaCl priming.

Biosafety measures for Alicyclobacillus spp. strains across various levels of biohazard.

Alicyclobacillus bacteria are important contaminants in the beverage industry because their spores remain in the product after usual pasteurization. At the same time, their impact on human health has yet to be characterized, as it is generally assumed to be low or non-existent. However, these bacteria are causing quality concerns mainly due to odor and taste changes of the product. Since potential health effects are not precisely known, an experimental assessment was performed, including a biosafety assessment of six viable and non-viable vegetative and spore forms of Alicyclobacillus spp. strains using cell cultures and rodent study. The monolayer of Caco-2 (Cancer coli-2) cells was investigated for its adsorption effect on the epithelium of the small intestine of mice. Lactate dehydrogenase leakage (LDH) and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) tests were used to ensure the integrity of the cell membrane and tight junctions. The methylthiazole tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay examined in vitro cytotoxicity in Caco-2 and HepG2 cell lines. The hemolysis of erythrocytes was spectrophotometrically measured. The results showed negligible cytotoxicity or non-toxic response in mice. In conclusion, Alicyclobacillus spp. exhibited biocompatibility with negligible cytotoxicity and minimal safety concerns.

Minimization of heavy metal toxicity in radish (Raphanus sativus) by strigolactone and biochar.

Due to the high solubility of Cd in water, it is considered a potential toxin which can cause cancer in humans. In plants, it is associated with the development of oxidative stress due to the generation of reactive oxygen species. To overcome this issue, the roles of different plant hormones are vital. Strigolactones, one of such natural plant hormones, show promise in alleviating cadmium toxicity by mitigating its harmful effects. Acidified biochar (AB) can also effectively mitigate cadmium toxicity via ion adsorption and pH buffering. However, the combined effects of strigolactone and AB still need in-depth investigations in the context of existing literature. This study aimed to assess the individual and combined impacts of SLs (0 and 25 µM) and AB (0 and 0.75% w/w) on radish growth under Cd toxicity, i.e., 0 and 20 mg Cd/kg soil. Using a fully randomized design (CRD), each treatment was administered in four replicates. In comparison to the control under 20 mg Cd/kg soil contamination, the results showed that 25 µM strigolactone + 0.75% AB significantly improved the following: radish shoot length (~ 17%), root length (~ 47%), plant fresh weight (~ 28%), plant dry weight (~ 96%), chlorophyll a (~ 43%), chlorophyll b (~ 31%), and total chlorophyll (~ 37%). It was also noted that 0.75% AB was more pronounced in decreasing antioxidant activities than 25 µM strigolactone under 20 mg Cd/ kg soil toxicity. However, performing 25 µM strigolactone + 0.75% AB was far better than the sole application of 25 µM strigolactone and 0.75% AB in decreasing antioxidant activities in radish plants. In conclusion, by regulating antioxidant activities, 25 µM strigolactone + 0.75% AB can increase radish growth in cadmium-contaminated soils.

Effect of methyl jasmonate and GA3 on canola (Brassica napus L.) growth, antioxidants activity, and nutrient concentration cultivated in salt-affected soils.

Salinity stress is a significant challenge in agricultural production. When soil contains high salts, it can adversely affect plant growth and productivity due to the high concentration of soluble salts in the soil water. To overcome this issue, foliar applications of methyl jasmonate (MJ) and gibberellic acid (GA3) can be productive amendments. Both can potentially improve the plant's growth attributes and flowering, which are imperative in improving growth and yield. However, limited literature is available on their combined use in canola to mitigate salinity stress. That's why the current study investigates the impact of different levels of MJ (at concentrations of 0.8, 1.6, and 3.2 mM MJ) and GA3 (0GA3 and 5 mg/L GA3) on canola cultivated in salt-affected soils. Applying all the treatments in four replicates. Results indicate that the application of 0.8 mM MJ with 5 mg/L GA3 significantly enhances shoot length (23.29%), shoot dry weight (24.77%), number of leaves per plant (24.93%), number of flowering branches (26.11%), chlorophyll a (31.44%), chlorophyll b (20.28%) and total chlorophyll (27.66%) and shoot total soluble carbohydrates (22.53%) over control. Treatment with 0.8 mM MJ and 5 mg/L GA3 resulted in a decrease in shoot proline (48.17%), MDA (81.41%), SOD (50.59%), POD (14.81%) while increase in N (10.38%), P (15.22%), and K (8.05%) compared to control in canola under salinity stress. In conclusion, 0.8 mM MJ + 5 mg/L GA3 can improve canola growth under salinity stress. More investigations are recommended at the field level to declare 0.8 mM MJ + 5 mg/L GA3 as the best amendment for alleviating salinity stress in different crops.