Organic Accumulation Research Articles

Genome-wide identification and functional analysis of CYP450 genes in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) with a focus on anthocyanin accumlation

BackgroundIn plants, Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) constitutes the largest family of metabolic enzymes and plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, including plant growth and development. Eggplants are well-known for their peel’s high concentration of anthocyanin compounds that provide significant health benefits to humans. The accumulation of anthocyanins in eggplant peels is an important process during growth and development. Therefore, it is essential to identify the CYP450 genes in eggplant (SmCYPs) and analyze their expression profiles during the period of anthocyanin accumulation in the peel.ResultsA total of 180 SmCYPs were identified in the eggplant genome and classified into eight subfamilies based on phylogenetic analysis. These SmCYPs exhibited highly conserved gene structure (exon/intron) and protein motifs, especially within their respective subgroup. Sixteen pairs of genes with collinearity were identified through gene duplication analysis. Promoter cis-acting element analysis revealed that SmCYPs are involved in various responses, including growth and development, stress responsiveness, and light responsiveness. Transcriptome data analysis revealed that all SmCYPs were expressed in various eggplant tissues, such as roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits; with diverse expression patterns among members. The expression patterns of SmCYPs in eggplant peel also exhibited diversity during different stages of anthocyanin accumulation. qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated similar expression patterns for 15 selected SmCYPs as observed in the transcriptome data. Metabolomics analysis further suggested that SmCYPs are involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and metabolic pathways related to flavonoid and flavone/flavonol biosynthesis. Notably, three specific SmCYPs (SmCYP73A1/75A/98A1) play a significant role in flavonoid biosynthesis, particularly in anthocyanin synthesis in eggplant.ConclusionGenome-wide identification, phylogenetic analysis, expression profile analysis, and exploration of metabolic pathways related to SmCYPs provide valuable insights into the roles of these genes in anthocyanin accumulation in various tissues and organs, including eggplant peel. The findings from this study lay a foundation for the functional analysis of SmCYPs involvement in anthocyanin accumulation in eggplant peel, providing a molecular basis for breeders to cultivate novel varieties of eggplants with high levels of anthocyanin content.

Nitrogen addition promotes soil organic phosphorus accumulation through increasing microbial biomass phosphorus in a temperate forest

Nitrogen addition promotes soil organic phosphorus accumulation through increasing microbial biomass phosphorus in a temperate forest

Natural-based solutions to mitigate dietary microplastics side effects in fish

Dietary microplastics (MPs) can be consumed by fish, crossing through the gastrointestinal tract. MPs smaller than 20 μm can easily translocate to other organs, such as liver, commonly triggering oxidative stress in fish. Given the current unlikelihood of their short-term elimination, strategies to mitigate MPs-related issues on fish are of considerable interest to the scientific community. In the present study, to reduce both the dietary MPs-induced oxidative stress and the accumulation of MPs, the effectiveness of microencapsulated astaxanthin (ASX) was evaluated in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Specifically, zebrafish were reared from larvae to adults (6 months) and fed diets containing MPs different in range-size (polymer A: 1-5 μm; polymer B: 40-47 μm) at different concentrations (50 or 500 mg/kg). After this period, fish from each experimental group were divided in two sub-groups that were fed, for an additional month, with the previous diets or with the same diets containing implemented with microencapsulated ASX (7 g /kg), respectively. Results showed that microencapsulated ASX was able to counteract the negative effects caused by MPs different in size. Particularly, in zebrafish fed diets containing polymer B microbeads, microencapsulated astaxanthin was able to restore the intestinal epithelium, affected by the abrasive role of MPs during gut transit. Differently, in zebrafish fed diets containing polymer A microbeads, absorbed at intestinal level and translocated mainly to the liver, the microencapsulated ASX decreased the oxidative stress response and reduced the MPs accumulation in target organs due to the antioxidant and the coagulant properties of the ASX and microcapsules wall, respectively. Taken together, the results highlighted that the aquafeeds’ implementation with microencapsulated astaxanthin is a prospective tool to prevent MPs-related issues in fish.

Effects of biological activity and feed water characteristics on the flux stabilization of gravity-driven membrane: Perspectives from biocake structure and mass balance

Gravity-driven membrane (GDM) filtration could be operated without any cleanings, has captured increasing attentions in decentralized drinking water treatment. However, the mechanism of flux stabilization during GDM long-term filtration was not comprehensively understood. This study aimed at elucidating the mechanism of flux stabilization in GDM process from the perspective of biocake layer structure and organic mass balance. The results revealed that bacteria played the fundamental role in flux stabilization and level of GDM by both engineering a rough and heterogeneous structure of biocake layer, and also hydrolyzing the organic matters on the membrane surface to maintain the dynamic balance of total organics in biocake layer. Furthermore, protozoa & metazoa would not influence the flux stabilization of GDM, but benefited to improving the stable flux level (from 4.51 L m−2h−1 to 8.68 L m−2h−1) by engineering a more porous and permeable biocake layer through the bio-predation. Regarding non-biodegradable organics (e.g., humic substance), it could be hydrolyzed into low-molecular organics to penetrate the membrane to reduce organics accumulation in the biocake layer, and achieved the mass balance, resulting in flux stabilization (7.54 L m−2h−1). However, easily biodegradable organic (e.g., sodium acetate) would promote excessive microbial growth and EPS secretion, leading to a relatively lower stable flux of GDM system (5.75 L m−2h−1). Therefore, the flux stabilization of GDM process was determined by the biological action-based dynamic balance of both the structural properties and organic mass in the biocake layer. Overall, these findings will be beneficial to promote GDM extensive application in the complex decentralized water supply.

Nanomedicine in Cancer Treatment: Mechanisms, Applications, and Future Directions

Nanomedicine, an emerging field at the intersection of nanotechnology and medicine, holds significant promise for revolutionizing cancer treatment. By utilizing materials at the nanoscale, ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers, nanomedicine offers a versatile platform for targeting tumors, improving drug delivery, and minimizing side effects. This paper explores the design and preparation of nanoparticles, including common materials like liposomes, polymers, metals, and quantum dots, as well as their mechanisms of targeted delivery through both passive and active methods. Key applications of nanomedicine are discussed, particularly in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and imaging. Clinical progress is highlighted through examples such as FDA-approved drugs like Onivyde for pancreatic cancer and experimental treatments like BIND-014 for metastatic prostate cancer. Despite rapid advancements, significant challenges remain, particularly in scaling up production and ensuring batch consistency. Safety concerns, such as nanoparticle toxicity and unintended accumulation in organs, must be addressed through rigorous testing and design improvements. Ethical considerations and regulatory hurdles also pose obstacles to the widespread clinical adoption of nanomedicine. Looking forward, multifunctionalization and personalized nanomedicine represent key areas of future growth, offering the potential for highly individualized treatments that combine therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities. Continued research and collaboration across scientific disciplines will be crucial in overcoming current limitations and unlocking the full potential of nanomedicine for cancer treatment.

Nanoparticles to Target Asthma.

Asthma is a heterogenous chronic lung disease that affects nearly 340 million people globally. Airway hyperresponsiveness, remodeling (thickening, fibrosis), and mucus hypersecretion are some hallmarks of asthma. With several current treatments having serious side effects from long-term use, and a proportion of patients with uncontrolled asthma, there is urgent need for new therapies. With increasing understanding of asthma pathophysiology, there is a recognized need to target therapies to specific cell types of the airway which necessitates identification of delivery systems that can overcome increased mucus and thickened airways. Nanoparticles (NPs) that are highly customizable (material, size, charge, surface modification) are a potential solution for delivery systems of a wide variety of cargoes (nucleic acids, proteins, and/or small molecules), as well as sole therapeutics for asthma. However, there is need to consider the safety of the NPs in terms of potential for inflammation, toxicity, non-specific targets, and accumulation in organs. Ongoing clinical trials using NPs, some FDA-approved for therapeutics in other diseases, provide confidence regarding potential safety and efficacy of NPs in asthma treatment. This review highlights the current state of the use of NPs in asthma, identifying opportunities for further improvements in NP design and utilization for targeting this chronic lung disease.

Transcriptome and metabolome reveal the role of different nitrogen treatments for volatile organic compounds accumulation in tomato leaf

Transcriptome and metabolome reveal the role of different nitrogen treatments for volatile organic compounds accumulation in tomato leaf

Self-Shielding Enhanced Organics Synthesis in an Early Reduced Earth's Atmosphere.

Earth is expected to have acquired a reduced proto-atmosphere enriched in H2 and CH4 through the accretion of building blocks that contain metallic Fe and/or the gravitational trapping of surrounding nebula gas. Such an early, wet, reduced atmosphere that covers a proto-ocean would then ultimately evolve toward oxidized chemical compositions through photochemical processes that involve reactions with H2O-derived oxidant radicals and the selective escape of hydrogen to space. During this time, atmospheric CH4 could be photochemically reprocessed to generate not only C-bearing oxides but also organics. However, the branching ratio between organic matter formation and oxidation remains unknown despite its significance on the abiotic chemical evolution of early Earth. Here, we show via numerical analyses that UV absorptions by gaseous hydrocarbons such as C2H2 and C3H4 significantly suppress H2O photolysis and subsequent CH4 oxidation during the photochemical evolution of a wet proto-atmosphere enriched in H2 and CH4. As a result, nearly half of the initial CH4 converted to heavier organics along with the deposition of prebiotically essential molecules such as HCN and H2CO on the surface of a primordial ocean for a geological timescale order of 10-100 Myr. Our results suggest that the accumulation of organics and prebiotically important molecules in the proto-ocean could produce a soup enriched in various organics, which might have eventually led to the emergence of living organisms.

Geological and geochemical aspects of modeling of hydrocarbon systems

Forecasting the phase-genetic types of hydrocarbons is the most important stage in modelling geological hydrocarbon systems. This is because accurate qualitative and quantitative assessment of potential reserves is necessary for making informed investment decisions in exploration activities. Improving the precision of qualitative and quantitative oil and gas forecast can help reduce geological risks in asset development and increase investment efficiency. Therefore, technologies that allow modelling of hydrocarbon systems are becoming ever more important. This study aims to explore the key geological and geochemical aspects of hydrocarbon system modelling. Hydrocarbon systems refer to interconnected elements and geological processes influencing hydrocarbon formation in sedimentary basins. The study emphasizes that the "oil window" concept, or the theory of hydrocarbon formation phases, provides the theoretical basis for hydrocarbon systems. This concept consistently encompasses the entire history of sedimentary basin development, the evolution of thermal and thermobaric regimes in sedimentary deposits, the transformation of organic matter, hydrocarbon generation, migration, accumulation, and preservation processes. Using the results of modelling of hydrocarbon systems to evaluate geological risks and the economic impact of exploration activities can be a powerful instrument for companies that make investment decisions in geological exploration.

The Effect of Synbiotics and Probiotics on Ochratoxin Concentrations in Blood and Tissues, Health Status, and Gastrointestinal Function in Turkeys Fed Diets Contaminated with Ochratoxin A.

The aim of this study was to evaluate carcass quality and analyze gastrointestinal functional status, ochratoxin A (OTA) accumulation in tissues and organs, and the health status of turkeys fed diets contaminated with OTA and supplemented with synbiotic preparations in comparison with commercial probiotic feed additives. The research involved 120 female BIG 6 turkeys, divided into six treatment groups (five replicates, four birds per replicate). Wheat naturally contaminated with OTA (662.03 μg/kg) was used in turkey diets. Turkeys in group 1 received an OTA-contaminated diet without additives. Groups 2 and 3 received 0.4 g/kg of probiotic preparation BioPlus 2B or Cylactin. Groups 4, 5, and 6 received 0.5 g/kg of synbiotics S1, S2, or S3. The following parameters were monitored: growth performance, carcass quality, gastrointestinal tract structure and digesta pH, health status, and concentrations of OTA in the blood and tissues of turkeys. The study found no significant differences in the growth performance and carcass quality of turkey. However, the introduction of probiotics or synbiotics into OTA-contaminated feed mixtures resulted in a reduced pH of the digesta in certain sections of the turkey digestive tract (p < 0.05). Additionally, the tested synbiotic additives significantly reduced liver weight in turkeys at weeks 6 and 15 (p < 0.05). The addition of probiotic and synbiotic preparations based on lactic acid bacteria strains, inulin, and S. cerevisiae yeasts to OTA-contaminated diets in commercial turkey farming may improve health status (p < 0.05) and reduce mycotoxin accumulation in organs and tissues of poultry (p < 0.05).

Structural Engineering of Cationic Block Copolymer Architectures for Selective Breaching of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Biological Species.

Positively charged antimicrobial polymers are known to cause severe damage to biological systems, and thus synthetic strategies are urgently required to design next-generation nontoxic cationic macromolecular architectures for healthcare applications. Here, we report a structural-engineering strategy to build cationic linear and star-block copolymer nanoarchitectures having identical chemical composition, molar mass, nanoparticle size, and positive surface charge, yet they differ distinctly in their biological action in breaching prokaryotic species such as E. coli (Gram-negative bacteria) without affecting eukaryotic species like red-blood and mammalian cells. For this purpose, linear and star-block structures are built on a polycaprolactone biodegradable platform having an imidazolium positive handle. Under physiological conditions, the linear architecture exhibits toxicity indiscriminately to all biological species, whereas its star counterpart is remarkably selective in membrane breaching action toward bacteria while maintaining inertness toward eukaryotic species. Confocal microscopy analysis of HPTS fluorescent dye-loaded star-polymer nanoparticles substantiated their antimicrobial action in E. coli. Tissue-penetrable near-infrared fluorescent dye (IR-780) loaded NP aided the in vivo biodistribution analysis and ex vivo quantification of cationic species' accumulations in vital organs in mice. Azithromycin, a clinical water-insoluble macrolide, is delivered from the star platform to accomplish synergistic antimicrobial activity by the combination of bactericidal-bacteriostatic action of the polymer carrier and drug together in a single system.

Aging by autodigestion.

The mechanism that triggers the progressive dysregulation of cell functions, inflammation, and breakdown of tissues during aging is currently unknown. We propose here a previously unknown mechanism due to tissue autodigestion by the digestive enzymes. After synthesis in the pancreas, these powerful enzymes are activated and transported inside the lumen of the small intestine to which they are compartmentalized by the mucin/epithelial barrier. We hypothesize that this barrier leaks active digestive enzymes (e.g. during meals) and leads to their accumulation in tissues outside the gastrointestinal tract. Using immune-histochemistry we provide evidence in young (4 months) and old (24 months) rats for significant accumulation of pancreatic trypsin, elastase, lipase, and amylase in peripheral organs, including liver, lung, heart, kidney, brain, and skin. The mucin layer density on the small intestine barrier is attenuated in the old and trypsin leaks across the tip region of intestinal villi with depleted mucin. The accumulation of digestive enzymes is accompanied in the same tissues of the old by damage to collagen, as detected with collagen fragment hybridizing peptides. We provide evidence that the hyperglycemia in the old is accompanied by proteolytic cleavage of the extracellular domain of the insulin receptor. Blockade of pancreatic trypsin in the old by a two-week oral treatment with a serine protease inhibitor (tranexamic acid) serves to significantly reduce trypsin accumulation in organs outside the intestine, collagen damage, as well as hyperglycemia and insulin receptor cleavage. These results support the hypothesis that the breakdown of tissues in aging is due to autodigestion and a side-effect of the fundamental requirement for digestion.

Early-life exposure to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics disrupts metabolic homeostasis and gut microbiota in juvenile mice with a size-dependent manner

Early-life exposure to different sizes of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) affects biotoxicity, which is related not only to the dose but also directly to particle size. In this study, pregnant ICR mice received drinking water containing 5 μm polystyrene microplastics (5 μm PS-MPs) or 0.05 μm polystyrene nanoplastics (0.05 μm PS-NPs) from pregnancy to the end of lactation. Histopathological and molecular biological detection, 16s rRNA sequencing for intestinal flora analysis, and targeted metabolomics analysis were used to look into how early-life exposure to MNPs of various sizes affects young mice's growth and development, gut flora, and metabolism. The outcomes showed that 0.05 μm and 5 μm PS-MNPs can pass through the placental and mammary barriers, and MNPs accumulating in various organs were size-dependent: the greater the accumulation in organs, the smaller the particle size. Further studies found that the larger 5 μm PS-MPs caused only small accumulation in organs, with the main health hazard being the disruption of intestinal barrier and liver function, indirectly causing gut dysbiosis and metabolic disorders. In contrast, the smaller 0.05 μm PS-NPs caused excessive accumulation in organs, not only impaired the function of the intestine and liver, but also caused direct mechanical damage to physical tissues, and ultimately resulted in more severe intestinal and metabolic disorders. Our findings underline the size-dependent risks associated with micro- and nanoplastics exposure early in life and highlight the necessity for tailored approaches to address health damages from early MNPs exposure.

Non-Structural Carbohydrates Accumulation in Seedlings Improved Flowering Quality of Tree Peony under Forcing Culture Conditions, with Roots Playing a Crucial Role.

(1) Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews) is a woody ornamental plant originating from China, and beloved by people worldwide. Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) play a crucial role in regulating the flowering quality of tree peonies in both field and potted conditions. However, the effects of NSCs accumulation and allocation in various organs during the vegetative growth stage on the flowering quality of tree peony under forcing culture remains unclear. (2) Two-year-old grafted seedlings of tree peony cv. 'Luoyanghong' were subjected to orthogonal treatments to investigate the role of NSCs accumulation in plants' developmental process. We measured leaf photosynthetic capacity, NSCs accumulation in the organs of seedlings, observed key ornamental characteristics of flowering quality under forcing culture conditions, and evaluated the qualities of seedlings and flowers using the seedling index (SI) and flowering index (FI), respectively. (3) There was a significant positive correlation between leaf photosynthetic capacity and NSCs accumulation in both the whole plant and roots of potted tree peony. Roots were identified as the primary organs for NSCs accumulation in potted tree peonies. Sufficient NSCs accumulation in the plant, particularly in the roots during the defoliation period, was essential not only for enhancing the seedling quality of potted tree peonies but also for improving the flowering quality under forcing culture conditions. Both the seedling index (SI) and flowering index (FI) exhibited a significant dose-response with increasing root NSCs accumulation at defoliation. The T3 group, which involved slight root pruning (by 25%), combined with a high-concentration rooting agent (750 mg·L-1) and Metarhizium anisopliae (20 million U·mL-1), resulted in the highest photosynthetic capacity, SI, FI and NSCs accumulation status (NSCAR), making it the optimal treatment combination. (4) This finding indicates that increasing NSCs accumulation in the roots of potted tree peonies is a crucial biological foundation for producing high-quality potted flowers under forcing culture conditions, which provide new insights into the importance of NSCs in tree peony flowering and may improve the production technology for high-quality potted tree peony flowers under forcing culture conditions.

Agronomic potential of Hermetia illucens frass in the cultivation of ryegrass in distinct soils

Abstract Cropping systems are strongly dependent on mineral fertilisers, which are effective in achieving high crop productivities. However, these chemical inputs end up compromising soil quality in the long-term. Frass from black soldier fly (BSF) larvae is a novel organic fertiliser that is rich in organic matter and advocated as a material that can sustain crop productivity while increasing soil quality. This study aimed at evaluating distinct fertilisation regimes in the cultivation of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. or annual ryegrass) in soils of different types (sandy, loamy and clay) and fertility levels. In a 7-month pot experiment conducted in a glass greenhouse, plants were cultivated with exclusive mineral (MT) or organic (OT) fertilisation, in addition to combinations between both (mineral and organic, MOTs) in different proportions (25:50; 50:50 and 75:25), considering a 140 kg per hectare N demand. Crop yield was favoured by the combination of organic and mineral fertilisers in all soils, which also had its fertility increased, especially regarding organic matter build-up and nutrient accumulation. In addition, the presence of frass in the sandy soil stimulated microbial activity, which was measured by the enzyme dehydrogenase. Frass derived from BSF larvae can be considered an adequate organic fertiliser in the cultivation of ryegrass in distinct soil types, when applied in partial (25% to 75%) replacement of mineral fertilisers, enabling high crop productivity and nutritional quality of the crop, while increasing soil fertility.

B-277 Detectable Levels of Toxic Metals in Children's Playgrounds

Abstract Background Metal-contaminated soil poses significant health risks to kids because they are more sensitive to heavy metal exposure in the environment. Studies have shown that continuous exposure to metals can increase the risk of metal accumulation in blood and various body organs. This study determines the levels of some toxic metals in various playgrounds in our community. Methods We determined the levels of lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu) in six playgrounds (parks) (T-RP, T-GP, T-TX, L-HH, L-WH, L-SPLX) using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GF-AAS) technique. Soil samples were collected at least one foot below the soil surface, and metal was extracted using ultra-pure nitric before analysis using GF-AAS. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results The results showed significant detectable levels of the metals in all playgrounds evaluated in this study. L-WH Park in League City has the highest detectable levels of Pb (12.43 ± 46 mg/Kg, P&amp;lt;0.05) compared to other children playgrounds examined in this study (T-RP (3.93 ± 3.97 mg/Kg), T-GP (7.09 ± 2.79 mg/Kg), T-TX (6.05 ± 1.92 mg/Kg), L-HH (4.68 ± 0.76 mg/Kg), L-SPLX (2.64 ± 1.63 mg/Kg). The concentration of detectable cadmium in T-RP park (0.16 ± 0.11 mg/Kg) was significantly higher than all the other five children's playgrounds studied L-WH (0.02 ± 0.01 ), T-GP (0.05 ± 0.04 mg/Kg), T-TX (0.02 ± 0.01 mg/Kg), L-HH (0.04 ± 0.01 mg/Kg), L-SPLX (0.09 ± 0.04 mg/Kg) (P&amp;lt;0.05). Conclusions The playgrounds contain detectable toxic metals that might pose health risks to children in the community. Though the lead levels are below the CDC-recommended lead soil concentration in urban areas, they still pose health risks to children in the environment when continuously exposed to the playground. The concentrations of Cu and Cr were not statistically different among the playgrounds. The detection of Pb and Cd highlights the potential health risks to children. Overall, this study shows that metal levels in playgrounds should be public information available to parents.

Identification of Key Genes Controlling Sugar and Organic Acid Accumulation in Wampee Fruit (Clausena lansium) via Genome Assembly and Genome-wide Association Analysis.

Wampee (Clausena lansium) is an economically significant subtropical fruit tree widely cultivated in Southern China. To provide high-quality genomic resources for C. lansium, we report a chromosome-level genome sequence for the "JinFeng" cultivar. The 297.1 Mb C. lansium genome contained nine chromosomes with a scaffold N50 of 29.2 Mb and encoded 23,468 protein-coding genes. Selective sweep analysis between sweet and sour C. lansium varieties and genome-wide association analysis identified 14 candidate genes putatively involved in sugar and acid accumulation. ClERF061, encoding an ethylene response factor, and ClSWEET7, encoding a Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporters (SWEET) family protein, were proposed as key regulators of the sweet and sour tastes of the wampee fruit. ClERF061 and ClSWEET7 overexpression in tomatoes increased the total sugar and acid content in fruits. ClSWEET7 promoter activation by ClERF061 was confirmed via Nicotiana benthamiana transient expression. Our study provides valuable genomic resources for C. lansium genetics and breeding.

24-Epibrassinolide promoted growth and organic compounds accumulation in Dunaliella parva by enhancing photosynthesis

As a commonly used type of the sixth class of phytohormones brassinosteroids (BRs), 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) plays the important roles in plant growth and development. Dunaliella parva (D. parva) is an important lipid-producing microalga, and its growth and accumulation of organic compounds need to be further improved for higher application value. However, the effects of EBL on D. parva are still unclear now. In this study, D. parva was treated with different concentrations of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) to evaluate its influence. Cell density of 0.5 mg/L EBL treated group was 1.28-fold of control at 18 d. The contents of chlorophyll, carotenoid, carbohydrate, starch, protein of 0.5 mg/L EBL treated group were 1.31-, 1.18-, 1.49-, 1.35-, and 1.54-fold of control. The highest mRNA levels of rbcS, rbcL, RuPE, PRK, TPI, FBPA, FBPase, SBPase, DpME, CA in EBL treated group were 1.94-, 2.43-, 2.14-, 1.76-, 1.97-, 2.21-, 1.48-, 1.96-, 2.06-, and 1.89-fold of control. The highest enzymatic activities of ME, CA and RuBisCO in EBL-treated group were 1.27-, 1.23-, and 1.37-fold of control. Lipid content of 0.4 mg/L EBL treated group was 1.44-fold of control. This study demonstrated the great potential of EBL to obtain higher biomass and organic compounds accumulation. Our study indicates that EBL treatment is valuable for the subsequent commercial production of biofuel and other high-value metabolites using microalgal biomass as raw material.

Features of seasonal biogeochemical element migration in the "soil-plant" system: A case study of Bambusoideae in the Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park (Central Vietnam)

The article presents unique research conducted in Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park, Vietnam, focusing on the biogeochemical element migration in soil and plants. The study aimed to identify element content changes, biological accumulation, and biogeochemical mobility during wet and dry seasons across different landscape conditions. The research revealed the active elements involved in migration and accumulation, assessed mobility and accumulation in bamboo organs, and highlighted the peculiarities within the "soil-plant" system. The study found that the uptake of certain microelements by plants is influenced by landscape facies and moisture conditions. For example, Zn, Cu, and Co were introduced through plant litter during the wet season and accumulated, while Mo accumulation was more pronounced in the dry season. Furthermore, the research observed variations in biological uptake by bamboo organs, with different landscape conditions and seasons playing a role. The biogeochemical mobility of elements in bamboo organs increased significantly with soil moisture during the wet season. Overall, the research provided insights into element accumulation and biogeochemical migration. Notably, the accumulation of element B was found to increase with soil moisture, while its reduction was associated with slope process activation during the wet season.

Changes in composition and concentration of differential metabolites in root exudates are associated with aluminum-tolerance of Ricinus communis under a high CO2 environment

Root exudates are the most direct performance for plants responding to adverse environments, and are also important media for materials exchange, energy transmission and information communication between the roots and rhizosphere. However, how plant roots and exudates respond to aluminum (Al) stress under elevated CO2 concentration (eCO2) is still unclear. Ricinus communis is a famous oilseed crop throughout the world, which has strong tolerance to metal contaminated soil. In the present study, root physiological changes and the exudates of this species under aluminum stress and eCO2 based on metabolomic were investigated. The results showed that high Al concentration stress significantly increased aluminum, MDA, proline, and soluble sugar contents, and decreased the dry weights and soluble protein concentration. Furthermore, eCO2 alleviated the inhibition of root growth under high Al stress by increasing the dry weights, antioxidant enzyme activities and decreasing the MDA content. Collectively, a total of 511 metabolites were detected in the castor exudates of which lipids, organic acids, and organic oxygen compounds occupied 40.82%, 17.78% and 12.54%, respectively. There were 83, 15, and 100 differential metabolites for high Al stress, eCO2 and the interaction of the two factors compared with the control. 12 differential metabolites were found under eCO2 and Al stress compared with Al stress alone. Under Al stress, TCA cycle, organic acids, and lipids metabolisms were inhibited; coumarins and carbohydrates conjugates were significantly up-regulated, which may help castor adapt to aluminum-contaminated conditions. Moreover, eCO2 increased the secretion of organic acids, fatty acyls, and carbohydrates to enhance the antioxidant capacity and root growth of castor under Al stress; eCO2 enhanced the TCA cycle, organic acids accumulation, lipids metabolism, biosynthesis of amino acids, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, and inhibited DNA oxidative stress of castor roots under Al stress. The present study provides new insights into the crucial role of root exudates in improving Al-tolerance of castor under eCO2.