Citrus Research Articles

Determination of Vitamin C Concentration in Various Fresh Orange and Lemon Samples from Janzour Region Using Volumetric Titration

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient crucial for human health, playing a vital role in numerous physiological processes, including immune system support and collagen synthesis. Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, are recognized as rich sources of this vitamin. The primary purpose of this study is to determine the vitamin C concentration in various fresh orange and lemon juices. The samples were randomly collected from the local market in Janzour. The study included 18 samples representing 6 different citrus varieties (3 samples per variety). Vitamin C concentration was statistically estimated using a titrimetric method with a standardized solution of 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCPIP) as the titrant. The obtained results revealed some kind of variations in vitamin C content among different citrus varieties and even within samples of the same variety. Abu Surah orange samples exhibited the highest vitamin C concentration (mean range: 38.9-41.6 mg/dl), while sweet orange samples had the lowest (mean range: 5.1- 8.5 mg/dl). Vitamin C concentrations in other varieties ranged as follows: Sour orange: 9.22-24.9 mg/dl, Mandarin: 9.0 -16.2 mg/dl, Tarocco: 28.2-33.3 mg/dl, and Lemon: 14.5-15.8 mg/dl. These results showed evidently that vitamin C levels were varied even within the same sample type. Such variations would draw attention to the importance of choosing varieties when searching for food sources of this vital nutrient.

Various Cultivars of Citrus Fruits: Effects of Construction on Gas Diffusion Resistance and Internal Gas Concentration of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide

Various cultivars of citrus fruits have unique constructions, such as thick outer skin. These constructions generate gas diffusion resistance between the atmosphere and the fruit, which can limit the gas exchange of O2 and CO2.This has not been sufficiently investigated. This study on seven cultivars of citrus fruit firstly aimed to investigate gas diffusion resistance utilizing the ethane efflux method; secondly, this study aimed to investigate the internal gas concentration of O2 and CO2. As a result, a cultivar of citrus fruit with slimmer outer skin thickness had lower resistance. For the internal gas, a high CO2 concentration in comparison with the atmosphere was observed even in the fruits with the minimum resistance, and no considerable difference was observed among all cultivars, regardless of the gas diffusion resistance value. However, when the fruits were stored at 25 °C for 2 weeks, CO2 gas concentration tended to increase and O2 gas concentration tended to decrease, with an increase in the resistance value. Therefore, when the respiration of citrus fruits is activated at ambient temperature, the self-control system of internal gas concentration can be driven to suppress the respiration which was induced by gas diffusion resistance generated from their construction.

D-limonene suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and promotes osteoblast activity in-vitro.

Treatments for osteoporosis are typically given post-fracture. Therefore, identifying safe prophylactic interventions to reduce fracture risk would be beneficial. One approach is to utilise the bioactive properties of natural compounds to modify osteoclast and osteoblast activity. D-limonene a well-tolerated, anti-inflammatory monoterpene found in citrus fruits holds promise due to its suppressive effect on NFκB, a key regulator of bone cell activity. We found that limonene promoted osteoblast differentiation and bone nodule formation and inhibited RANKL-indued osteoclast formation and bone resorption in-vitro. Limonene also reduced the pro-resorptive signal provided by osteoblast, augmenting markers of osteoblast differentiation (alkaline phosphatase, osterix and osteocalcin) and significantly decreased osteoclastogenic cytokine production (PTHrP, IL-1β and TNF-α). Therefore, limonene supplementation represents a potential route in combination with current interventions to optimise bone cell activity to maintain or enhance bone mass.

Distribution of Dietary Phospholipids in Selected Agri-Foods: Versatile Nutraceutical Ingredients

Phospholipids (PLs) play a crucial role in the nutraceutical field due to their various health benefits, including supporting acetylcholine production, enhancing cell membrane fluidity, and promoting cognitive functions. This study aimed to investigate the PL composition of selected agri-foods, including grains, vegetables, and fruits, and assess the effects of cooking methods. The major PLs identified in most agri-foods were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC). Additionally, lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine and lyso-phosphatidylcholine were found in rice, grains, and wheat, while N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine was detected in grains, wheat, and some vegetables. Phosphatidylinositol was present in fruits and vegetables, and phosphatidylserine was exclusively found in mushrooms. The PL composition was influenced by cooking methods, with boiling, steaming, blanching, and roasting increasing the PL content, while salting tended to decrease it. Although most agri-foods contained higher levels of PC than PE, citrus fruits under long-term low-temperature storage had significantly more PE than PC. This study established a PL database for the selected agri- and processed/cooked foods, providing insights into changes in PL composition and content based on cooking methods. Given the important health functions of each PL, consuming various agri-foods and incorporating different cooking methods for optimal health benefits is advisable.

Genomic analysis provides insights into the origin and divergence of fruit flavor and flesh color of pummelo.

Pummelo (Citrus maxima) is one of the most important citrus crops and have genetically contributed sweet orange, lemon and most citrus cultivars. It has been cultivated for c. 4000 years in China and is also distributed in many Southeast Asian countries. Nevertheless, the origin and dispersal of pummelo remain elusive. We conducted whole-genome sequencing for 290 pummelo accessions from China and Southeast Asia (SEA). Our findings indicated that pummelo was originated in Yunnan province. The divergence of the China-SEA accessions occurred c. 2000 years ago and the divergence was likely facilitated through the Maritime Silk Road. We detected the divergence of genomic regions associated with fruit flavor and color, indicating different selection by human activities in different regions. A gene encoding lycopene cyclase 2 (LCYB2) exhibited a high degree of divergence in expression and sequence between red-flesh and white-flesh pummelos. A SNP in the coding region of LCYB2 resulted in a reduction in lycopene β-cyclizing enzyme activity, leading to the accumulation of lycopene and the development of the red-flesh trait. This study reveals the origin and evolutionary history of pummelo and provides insights into the genomic basis for the divergence of fruit flavor and color.

Metabolic Profile Evolution of Citrus sinensis ‘Navelina’ Under Different Cultivation Techniques and Water-Saving Strategies

Citrus trees, particularly oranges, are a highly significant plant genus due to their consumption as fresh produce and the multiple compounds derived from them, which are extensively used in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Despite recent advancements, the understanding of metabolic processes in the Citrus genus remains limited, especially in the context of variable agricultural practices. This study aimed to investigate the metabolomic evolution in leaves of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) cultivated under different conditions over two key developmental periods: pre-winter (t1) and spring sprouting and flowering (t2). Using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR) spectroscopy, this research identified 27 key metabolites across five distinct cultivation treatments (T0, T1, T2, T3, T4), including amino acids, organic acids, and sugars, and their variation over time. T0 represents the traditional crop of the control plot, while T1, T2, T3, and T4 incorporate different strategies aimed at water-saving, such as the use of weed control mesh and subsurface drainage systems, all designed to improve profitability and crop efficiency under the same soil and climatic conditions. The treatments were evaluated for their impact on plant growth parameters such as height, trunk diameter, and flower production, with a focus on reducing water usage without compromising crop performance. The results indicate that the use of weed control mesh significantly improves plant growth, increases flower production, and stabilizes key metabolite levels, contributing to a concept termed “plant metabolomic homeostasis.” These findings are particularly relevant in regions like southeastern Spain, where water scarcity is a major concern. The study provides compelling evidence that the implementation of weed control mesh in orange cultivation can enhance water efficiency, promote healthier plant development, and maintain metabolic stability under variable growing conditions. These results suggest that such agricultural practices could be recommended for broader commercial application in citrus cultivation to improve sustainability and crop profitability.

Pre-Grafting Exposure to Root-Promoting Compounds Improves Top-Grafting Performance of Citrus Trees

Top grafting is an efficient and practical technique for the renewal and rejuvenation of citrus trees in old orchards. However, root death after top grafting restricts plant growth and canopy reconstruction. Thus, applications of rooting promotion substances before citrus top grafting may increase the amount and activity of roots, thereby enhancing top-grafted plant performance. To test this assumption, four rooting promotion substances, i.e., rooting promotion powder, biochar, organic fertilizer, and potassium fulvic acid, were applied before top grafting, and the effects on biometric and physiological parameters were analyzed after top grafting. The results showed that the application of all rooting promotion substances before top grafting has a positive effect on growth and mineral nutrient acquisition, as well as on foliar C and N assimilates and the activity of anti-oxidative enzymes of top-grafted plants. Rooting promotion powder and biochar had the best effect on top-grafted tree performance in the short term. In conclusion, pre-grafting root promotion reduced root damage, enhanced nutrient acquisition, and improved the physiological performance of top-grafted plants. Therefore, this approach can play a crucial role in accelerating canopy reconstruction in old citrus orchards and in improving citrus plant development.

Nanoconjugate Carrying pH-Responsive Transferrin Receptor-Targeted Hesperetin Triggers Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Death through Oxidative Attack and Assemblage of Pro-Apoptotic Proteins.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is recognized as a major aggressive subtype of breast cancer due to its expeditious worsening growth, extensive metastatic capability, and recalcitrance to standard current treatments. Hesperetin (HSP), a natural bioflavonoid from citrus fruits, demonstrates pronounced anticancer efficacy, but its hydrophobicity limits its clinical development. The present study reports the fabrication of a biocompatible and pH-responsive transferrin (TF) receptor-targeted HSP-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanobioconjugate (PLGA-HSP-TF NPs) and the exploration of its in vitro and in vivo antineoplastic potential. PLGA nanoparticles (NPs), PLGA-HSP NPs, and PLGA-HSP-TF NPs were synthesized and characterized by DLS, FTIR, FE-SEM, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The stability and in vitro release profile of nanoparticles were inspected, and anticancer efficacy was scrutinized in terms of in vitro cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and apoptosis biomarkers, and cell cycle arrest. In vivo tumor regression and host survival studies were executed in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell-bearing Swiss albino mice. The drug uptake of highly stable PLGA-HSP-TF NPs was accomplished effectively in MDA-MB-231 cells and showed the pH-dependent intracellular release of HSP, which generated excessive intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) that led to oxidative assault to the TNBC cells. This elevated ROS dropped the mitochondrial membrane potential and triggered apoptosis-mediated cell death by arresting the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. Furthermore, PLGA-HSP-TF NPs unveiled significant in vivo Ehrlich ascites carcinoma regression and host survival compared to free HSP with minimum toxicity at a minimum dose of 20 mg/kg body weight. The study divulges that PLGA-HSP-TF NPs may be an astounding anticancer nanocandidate for aggressive triple-negative breast cancer therapy.

Evaluation of the Suitability of Horticultural Crops under Prevailing Environmental Conditions - A Case Study of Punjab

Alternate land use options such as horticultural crops help in ensuring efficient land resource utilization. Thus, it is essential to evaluate the agri-environmental conditions for economically viable and sustainable horticultural production. A study was carried out for land use planning of Rajpura block in Patiala district of Punjab. Under this study, soil-site suitability of horticultural crops were evaluated by considering key soil parameters such as texture, depth, slope, EC, pH, organic carbon content, erosion, drainage, and climate factors viz., rainfall and temperature, etc. The soils of the block were interpreted to assess their suitability for various horticultural crops viz., mango, grapes, banana, sapota, guava, pomegranate and citrus fruits. The mango cultivation was found suitable for almost 50% area and moderately suitable for 34% area. Soil-site suitability characteristics evaluation for grape cultivation revealed that around 34% area of the block is suitable while 50% area is moderately suitable. The banana and sapota crop cultivation was found to be highly suitable for approximately 45% area, whereas moderately suitable for 40% area. In context of guava and pomegranate, nearly 34% area was covered under suitable class and 50% area was covered under moderately suitable class, respectively. The citrus crops are highly suitable for this block which covers the maximum area of the block about 61% and moderately suitable for almost 23% area, respectively. The small fraction of the block, only 1.68% (476 ha) exhibits marginal suitability for the cultivation all fruit crops. The horticultural crop suitability maps were generated by using remote sensing and GIS tools. Hence, it can be concluded, the Rajpura block has vast dimensions for the horticultural farming which will lead to land resource management, sustainable land use planning and livelihood security of farmers of the block. This study will also help policy makers and stake holders for the horticultural developmental planning of this block.

Chemical Profile of Kumquat (Citrus japonica var. margarita) Essential Oil, In Vitro Digestion, and Biological Activity

Kumquat is one of the smallest citrus fruits (from the Rutaceae family), and its essential oil’s biological effects have not yet been sufficiently researched, in contrast to the essential oils of its relatives. Therefore, the aim of this large-scale study was to investigate the chemical profile of kumquat essential oils (KEOs) isolated by microwave-assisted distillation (MAD) and Clevenger hydrodistillation using GC-MS analysis. To test the bioaccessibility of their bioactive components, in vitro digestion with commercially available enzymes was performed. The final step of this research was to test their cytotoxic activity against a cervical cancer cell line (HeLa), a human colon cancer cell line (HCT116), a human osteosarcoma cell line (U2OS), and a healthy cell line (RPE1). Two methods were used to test the antioxidant activity: DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity). The antibacterial activity was tested in relation to the growth and adhesion of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus on a polystyrene surface. The GC-MS analysis showed that the major compound in both kumquat essential oils was limonene, which was stable before and after in vitro digestion (>90%). The results showed that the cytotoxic activity of the KEOs in all three cancer cell lines tested was IC50 1–2 mg/mL, and in the healthy cell line (RPE1), the IC50 value was above 4 mg/mL. The antibacterial activity of the KEOs obtained after MAD and Clevenger hydrodistillation was 4 mg/mL against E. coli and 1 mg/mL against S. aureus. The KEOs after MAD and Clevenger hydrodistillation reduced the adhesion of E. coli by more than 1 log, while there was no statistically significant effect on the adhesion of S. aureus to the polystyrene surface. Both KEOs exhibited comparable levels of antioxidant activity using both methods tested, with IC50 values of 855.25 ± 26.02 μg/mL (after MAD) and 929.41 ± 101.57 μg/mL (after Clevenger hydrodistillation) for DPPH activity and 4839.09 ± 91.99 μmol TE/g of EO (after MAD) and 4928.78 ± 275.67 μmol TE/g of EO (after Clevenger hydrodistillation) for ORAC. The results obtained show possible future applications in various fields (e.g., in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and agricultural industries).

Groundcover improves nutrition and growth of citrus trees and reduces water runoff, soil erosion and nutrient loss on sloping farmland

IntroductionGroundcover management plays a crucial role in improving water retention and soil nutrition in orchard systems, thereby preventing environmental constrains by non-point source pollution. However, effectiveness of groundcover management in citrus orchards developed on sloping farmland with eroded purple soil has not been studied in detail. In particular, information on the soil nutrient losses, e.g., nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), through interflow and its effects on growth and nutrition of citrus plants has not been reported.MethodsThe present study evaluated the effects of different cover crops, i.e., Lolium perenne L. (Lolium), Vicia villosa Roth (Vicia) and Orychophragmus violaceus (Ory), on nutrition and growth of citrus trees as well as water, soil and nutrient retention in an orchard developed in sloping farmland during two consecutive years.Results and discussionThe results show that the groundcover species Lolium and Vicia mediated nursing effects on nutrition and growth of citrus trees. These nursing effects included enhanced foliar levels of carbon(C), N and P as well as increased tree height, stem diameter, and crown width. Groundcover management generally reduced the annual surface runoff, interflow, soil loss, total N loss and total P loss. Among the cover crop species studied, Lolium and Vicia were overall more efficient than Ory in this context. Lolium reduced the average annual total loss of N and P by 42.53% and 49.23%, respectively, compared with clean tillage. The estimated annual reduction potentials of soil, N and P losses in Southwestern China were 16.3, 3.4 and 8.5 million tons yr-1, respectively. Obviously, Lolium and Vicia provide highly beneficial ground coverage on sloping farmland and, thus, can be used for future sustainable development of citrus orchards.

Optimal performance design of bat algorithm: An adaptive multi‐stage structure

AbstractThe bat algorithm (BA) is a metaheuristic algorithm for global optimisation that simulates the echolocation behaviour of bats with varying pulse rates of emission and loudness, which can be used to find the globally optimal solutions for various optimisation problems. Knowing the recent criticises of the originality of equations, the principle of BA is concise and easy to implement, and its mathematical structure can be seen as a hybrid particle swarm with simulated annealing. In this research, the authors focus on the performance optimisation of BA as a solver rather than discussing its originality issues. In terms of operation effect, BA has an acceptable convergence speed. However, due to the low proportion of time used to explore the search space, it is easy to converge prematurely and fall into the local optima. The authors propose an adaptive multi‐stage bat algorithm (AMSBA). By tuning the algorithm's focus at three different stages of the search process, AMSBA can achieve a better balance between exploration and exploitation and improve its exploration ability by enhancing its performance in escaping local optima as well as maintaining a certain convergence speed. Therefore, AMSBA can achieve solutions with better quality. A convergence analysis was conducted to demonstrate the global convergence of AMSBA. The authors also perform simulation experiments on 30 benchmark functions from IEEE CEC 2017 as the objective functions and compare AMSBA with some original and improved swarm‐based algorithms. The results verify the effectiveness and superiority of AMSBA. AMSBA is also compared with eight representative optimisation algorithms on 10 benchmark functions derived from IEEE CEC 2020, while this experiment is carried out on five different dimensions of the objective functions respectively. A balance and diversity analysis was performed on AMSBA to demonstrate its improvement over the original BA in terms of balance. AMSBA was also applied to the multi‐threshold image segmentation of Citrus Macular disease, which is a bacterial infection that causes lesions on citrus trees. The segmentation results were analysed by comparing each comparative algorithm's peak signal‐to‐noise ratio, structural similarity index and feature similarity index. The results show that the proposed BA‐based algorithm has apparent advantages, and it can effectively segment the disease spots from citrus leaves when the segmentation threshold is at a low level. Based on a comprehensive study, the authors think the proposed optimiser has mitigated the main drawbacks of the BA, and it can be utilised as an effective optimisation tool.

The cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between fruit intake and cognitive performance: the Chinese Healthy Dance Study

ObjectiveTo analyse the association between fruit consumption and cognitive performance in middle-aged and older adults in China. MethodsParticipants were drawn from the Chinese Square Dance Cohort. The cross-sectional dataset included 4316 individuals, with their first visit from August 2020 to August 2023. The longitudinal dataset included 1465 participants, with their first visit from August 2020 to December 2021 and follow-up visits from August 2022 to December 2023. Fruit consumption was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Standardised neuropsychological assessments were used to measure composite z-scores of cognitive performance, and prevalent and incident mild cognitive impairment. ResultsIn the cross-sectional analysis, higher quartiles of citrus fruit, drupe, berry, and tropical fruit consumption were associated with higher composite z-scores for cognitive performance and lower odds of prevalent mild cognitive impairment. In the longitudinal analysis, there was a positive association between higher quartiles of citrus fruit intake and the annual rate of change in the composite z-scores for cognitive performance; standardised regression coefficient (95 % confidence interval) for the highest compared with the lowest quartile was 0.05 (0.02–0.08). Moreover, an association between higher quartiles of citrus fruit intake and a lower risk of incident mild cognitive impairment was detected; in the comparison of the highest with the lowest quartile, the risk ratio (95 % confidence interval) was 0.56 (0.36–0.88). ConclusionsThe relationship between fruit consumption and cognition varies across the different categories of fruit. Cognitive benefits of citrus fruit consumption were found for middle-aged and older adults. Ascertaining this association might enhance comprehensive dietary recommendations for fruit consumption.

Use of ResNets for HLB Disease Detection on Orange Leaves Using Terrestrial Multispectral Images

Abstract. Huanglongbing (HLB) is a bacterial disease transmitted by different vectors of sap-sucking insects. It affects all crops of citrus trees, decreasing the values of those fruits in the market and eventually the decay of orchards. In Brazil, the world's leading orange producer, citriculture faces severe issues with HLB and substantial economic loss. Technical means of scanning the orchards with high-throughput becomes essential for the sustainability of this industry. In this study, we propose to investigate an operational strategy consisting of scanning large portions of foliage (the canopy of one tree or more) in which there can few early foliage symptoms. It is proposed to investigate deep learning tools to solve this complex binary classification problem. The study is based on a dataset comprising 1,297 terrestrial multispectral (14 channels) images captured at high spatial resolution in a commercial orange orchard in Brazil. It is proposed to adapt and retrain standard neural network architectures, namely ResNets18 and ResNets34, to process such images. Our analysis reveals promising results, with both models demonstrating convergence and achieving stable performance. Notably, ResNet18 outperformed ResNet34, achieving an accuracy of 76.45% compared to 66.79% from ResNet34. These findings suggest that deep neural network methods can effectively manage non-radiometrically calibrated data and accurately distinguish images with HLB symptoms from healthy plants . However, with reduced datasets and limited possibilities for transfer learning and fine-tuning, it seems that only reasonable sized networks can be trained. Thus, more advanced state-of-the-art tools of the are still challenging to deploy for agricultural multi- or hyperspectral data.

Logistics Structure Analysis for Selayar Tangerine Supply Chain Mapping

Citrus fruits are in demand not only for their freshness, but also for their fiber content as nutrients and vitamins, especially vitamin C and vitamin A, which are beneficial for health. Selayar Islands Regency is a citrus development area in South Sulawesi Province. The citrus crop developed in Selayar Islands Regency is the tangerine variety. Along with the development of the citrus plant area, the population of citrus plants in Selayar Islands Regency increases every year. This study aims to describe the mapping of the Selayar tangerine supply chain structure through logistics cost analysis to map the distribution of income between supply chains. The number of respondents in this study was 45 people. This research uses descriptive analysis with convenience and snowball sampling methods to get an objective picture. This research uses logistics cost analysis using the Activity Based Costing method. The results showed that the levels involved in the supply chain are farmers, collectors, wholesalers, small traders, and consumers. The results of the logistics cost calculation show material handling costs as the highest cost of the entire Selayar tangerine supply chain cost.

Sinensetin inhibits the movement ability and tumor immune microenvironment of non-small cell lung cancer through the inactivation of AKT/β-catenin axis.

Although current treatment strategies have improved clinical outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, side effect and prognosis remain a hindrance. Thus, safer and more effective therapeutical drugs are needed for NSCLC. Sinensetin (Sin) is a flavonoid from citrus fruits, which exhibits antitumor effect on diverse cancers. However, the effect and mechanism of Sin on NSCLC remain unknown. In this study, NSCLC cell lines, and tumor-bearing mice were treated with Sin. The effect and mechanism of Sin were addressed using cell counting kit-8, transwell, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemistry, and western blot analysis assays in both cell and animal models. Sin reduced the cell viability of A549 and H1299, with the IC50 of 81.46 µM and 93.15 µM, respectively. Sin decreased invaded cell numbers, the expression of N-cadherin and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), while increased the E-cadherin level, the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells, and the concentration of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, Sin declined the expression of protein kinase B (AKT)/β-catenin pathway, which was restored with the application of SC79, an activator of AKT. The inhibitory role of Sin in NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and immune escape was reversed by the management of SC79. In vivo, Sin reduced tumor size and weight, and the expression of N-cadherin, VEGFA, and AKT/β-catenin pathway, but enhanced the level of E-cadherin and IFN-γ. Taken together, Sin suppressed cell growth, invasion, EMT and immune escape via AKT/β-catenin pathway in NSCLC.

Building a protective shield: The role of wound healing in reducing postharvest decay and preserving quality of citrus fruit1

Postharvest citrus fruit is susceptible to pathogenic infestation and quality reduction through wounds, leading to tremendous commercial losses. Herein, wound healing of citrus fruit was obviously at 25°C for five days to form a barrier effective against the development of infectious diseases and water dissipation. Combined with the results of transcriptional and metabolic levels, wound healing activated the expression of CsKCS4, CsKCS11, CsCYP704B1, CsFAH1, CsGPAT3 and CsGPAT9 genes in suberin biosynthesis pathway, and CsPMEI7, CsCesA-D3, CsXTH2, CsXTH6, CsXTH22, CsXTH23, CsXTH24, CsC4H and CsCAD genes in cell wall metabolism pathway, leading to the accumulation of suberin monomers and cell wall components. The results of microscopic observations proved wound healing promoted suberin deposition and cell wall strengthening. Meanwhile, wound healing required the provision of energy and precursor substances by carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid metabolism. We provide new insights into the regulatory mechanism of wound healing on improving disease resistance and maintaining the quality of citrus fruit.

Neohesperidin protects against colitis-associated colorectal cancer in mice via suppression of the NF-κB/p65 and MAPK pathways.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of developing colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). Neohesperidin (NHP), a flavanone glycoside derived from citrus fruits, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer potential. However, the function of NHP on tumorigenesis has not been well understood. To investigate the potential chemopreventive effects of NHP on CAC development, an in vivo azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse model was used and NHP was administered by daily gavage for 10 weeks throughout the model period. In this study, we found that NHP effectively ameliorated AOM/DSS-induced pathological symptoms of colitis and thus inhibited colon tumorigenesis in mice. NHP treatment attenuated tumor proliferation, induced apoptosis, and inhibited angiogenesis during CAC development. In addition, NHP inhibited macrophage infiltration and reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and COX-2 at both mRNA and protein levels, and the higher the concentration of NHP, the better the inhibition. It is worth noting that the positive therapeutic agent mesalazine (100 mg/kg) had a therapeutic effect comparable to that of a low concentration of NHP (50 mg/kg), but less effective than the same concentration of NHP (100 mg/kg). In addition, NHP may exert anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects by inhibiting the NF-κB/p65 and ERK/p38 MAPK pathways. Our findings highlight the potential of NHP as a potential therapeutic candidate for IBD and CAC.

Metabolic and Physiological Effects of Antibiotic-Induced Dysbiosis in Citrus

Streptomycin (Str) and oxytetracycline (Otc) are widely used antibiotics to manage bacterial diseases in citrus and other crops. However, their impacts on the rhizosphere bacterial assembly and plant physiology are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Str and Otc on the physiology (assimilation, transpiration rate, intracellular CO2, and stomatal conductance to water vapor), rhizosphere bacterial assemblages (16S rRNA gene high-throughput amplicon sequencing), and rhizosphere metabolite profiles in healthy Citrus reticulata trees. The results indicated a reduction in photosynthesis after Str and Otc treatments, whereas CO2 outflow stayed constant. Both antibiotics decreased the culturable numbers of bacteria. Analysis of the microbiome showed changes in relative abundance of bacterial groups, specifically Pseudomonas, Agrobacterium, and Streptomyces, in response to the antibiotics. Metabolite profiles changed in streptomycin- and oxytetracycline-treated citrus plants suggesting response to microbe targets or induction of stress responses. This study advances knowledge of antibiotic-driven effects on the rhizosphere microbiome, rhizosphere metabolome, and plant physiology, which is essential for managing plant diseases while safeguarding rhizosphere ecology and long-term plant health.

A sustainable pathway for the photodegradation of Rhodamine B dye using Mn-doped CaFe2O4 anchored on citrus fruit peel-derived biochar matrix

This report details the synthesis of Mn-doped CaFe2O4 nanoparticles supported on biochar. We evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the resulting nanocomposite towards the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye, a well-known environmental pollutant. Doping CaFe2O4 with Mn and subsequently incorporating it onto biochar results in enhanced visible light absorption and diminished photoluminescence (PL) intensity. The photocatalyst Mn-doped CaFe2O4/Biochar was synthesized via a hydrothermal method. The morphology and photocatalytic characteristics of the synthesized catalyst were comprehensively scrutinized through powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS), and photoluminescence (PL) investigations. The photocatalytic properties of the catalyst were further assessed through the degradation of RhB dye, revealing a degradation efficiency of 97.31% within a 70-minute timeframe. The photocatalyst exhibits reusability for up to five cycles while maintaining a photocatalytic efficiency of more than 80%.