Mung Bean Research Articles

Exploring the flavor changes in mung bean flour through Lactobacillus fermentation: insights from volatile compounds and non-targeted metabolomics analysis.

Mung beans are highly nutritious but their leguminous flavor limits their development. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation can decrease unwanted bean flavors in legumes and enhance their flavor. This study examined the influence of Lactobacillus fermentation on the flavor characteristics of mung bean flour (MBF) using volatile compounds and non-targeted metabolomics. Lactobacillus plantarum LP90, Lactobacillus casei LC89, and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA85 eliminated 61.37%, 48.29%, and 43.73%, respectively, of the primary bean odor aldehydes from MBF. The relative odor activity value (ROAV) results showed that fermented mung bean flour (FMBF) included volatile chemicals that contributed to fruity, flowery, and milky aromas. These compounds included ethyl acetate, hexyl formate, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, and 2,3-butanedione. The levels of amino acids with a fresh sweet flavor increased significantly by 93.89, 49.40, and 35.27% in LP90, LC89, and LA85, respectively. A total of 49 up-regulated and 13 down-regulated significantly differential metabolites were annotated, and ten metabolic pathways were screened for contributing to the flavor. The correlation between important volatile compounds and non-volatile substances relies on two primary metabolic pathways: the citric acid cycle pathway and the amino acid metabolic system. The flavor of MBF was enhanced strongly by the process of Lactobacillus fermentation, with LP90 having the most notable impact. These results serve as a reference for identifying the flavor of FMBF. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Elevated osmolytes accumulation helps in combating NaCl stress causing negative impacts on growth and metabolism of Vigna radiata (L.)

Salinity stress is one of the main abiotic stresses that have a negative impact on the growth performance of green gram. The current study was carried out as a result to find out growth, and morpho-biochemical changes in Vigna radiata CO7 variety cultivated under NaCl stress treatments. The V. radiata CO7 variety was selected and the experiment was carried out in pot culture under varying NaCl concentrations viz., 0, 50, 75, 100, and 125 mM respectively to assess maximum tolerance range of the CO7 variety. The salt stress was given on 15th days after sowing and sampling was done after 10 days of treatment on the 25th, 35th, and 45th day respectively. Salt stress results in a steep decline in shoot length, biomass, chlorophyll contents a and b, and soluble protein contents with increased NaCl treatments on all sampling days. However, carotenoid contents, and compatible solutes including proline, Glycine-betaine, Amino acids and total soluble sugars contents were found to be upregulated under varying NaCl concentrations in V. radiata CO7 variety on all sampling days. Thus, increased carotenoid contents, and osmolytes, provide stress tolerance to V. radiata CO7 variety by maintaining the turgor pressure of cells and preventing further water loss under varying NaCl concentrations. Hence, this variety shows maximum surveillance at 75 mM and beyond this plant performance is restricted and further study is needed to access CO7 variety for a breeding program to enhance salt stress tolerance.

Floating MIL-88A(Fe)@expanded perlites catalyst for continuous photo-Fenton degradation toward tetracyclines under artificial light and real solar light

In this work, MIL-88A(Fe) was immobilized onto the expanded perlites to fabricate the floating MIL-88A(Fe)@expanded perlites (M@EP) catalyst via high throughput batch synthesis method under room temperature. The as-prepared M@EP could efficiently activate H2O2 to achieve 100% tetracycline antibiotics (TCs) removal under both artificial low power UV light (UVL) and real sunlight (SL) irradiation. The toxicological evaluation, growth experiment of mung beans and antimicrobial estimation revealed the decreasing aquatic toxicity of the TCs intermediates compared to those of the pristine TCs. A self-designed continuous bed reactor was employed to investigate the long-term operation of the M@EP. The findings demonstrated that the antibiotics mixture can be continuously degraded up to 7 days under UVL and 5 daytimes under SL irradiation, respectively. More importantly, ca. 76.9% and 81.6% of total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiencies were accomplished in continuous bed reactor under UVL and SL irradiation, respectively. This work advances the immobilized MOFs on floating supports for their practical application in large-scale wastewater purification through advanced oxidation processes. Environmental implicationThis work presented the high throughput production and photo-Fenton degradation application of floating MIL-88A(Fe)@expanded perlites (M@EP). Three tetracycline antibiotics (TCs) were selected as model pollutants to test the degradation ability of M@EP in batch experiment and continuous operation under artificial light and solar light. The complete TCs degradation could be accomplished in self-designed device up to 7 d under UV light and 5 d under real solar light. This work tapped a new door to push MOFs-based functional materials in the real water purification.

Evaluating Little Millet (Panicum sumatrense L.) Based Intercropping System on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Status of Soil under Rainfed Condition

Aims: To determine the suitable component crop and its row pattern for enhancing growth and yield of little millet under intercropping system. Study Design: Randomized complete Block Design (RBD). Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was carried out during the rabi season from October 2023 – January 2024 at Instructional north farm in Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Methodology: This field experiment consists of 3 replications with eleven treatments viz., T1 – Little millet sole crop, T2 – Little millet + black gram (4:1), T3 – Little millet + black gram (6:1), T4 – Little millet + green gram (4:1), T5 – Little millet + green gram (6:1), T6 – Little millet + redgram (4:1), T7 – Little millet + redgram (6:1), T8 – Little millet + cowpea (4:1), T9 – Little millet + cowpea (6:1), T10 – Little millet + bengal gram (4:1), T11 – Little millet + bengal gram (6:1). Results: The results of the experiment showed that T2 little millet + black gram (4:1) recorded the higher growth parameters like plant height (127.6 and 133.6 cm at 60 DAS and at harvest stage) and LAI of 5.23 and 4.84 at 60 DAS and at harvest stage, respectively and also produced higher yield parameters like no.of tillers plant-1 (9) and no.of productive tillers (8) with higher grain and stover yield of 1326 and 4109 kg ha-1 and it is statistically parallel with T4 little millet + green gram (4:1). And also, nutrient uptake was highest (N – 40.8, P – 5.7 and K – 33.5 kg ha-1) in little millet + black gram (6:1). Regarding the post harvest soil fertility status, little millet + cowpea (4:1) registered the highest available NPK (339, 47.6 and 197 kg ha-1). Therefore, intercropping of black gram or green gram with little millet under rainfed condition would be the ideal recommendation.

Distribution Characteristics of Low-Molecular-Weight Organic Acids in Reclaimed Soil Filled with Fly Ash: A Study.

This study aims to assess the contents of different kinds of low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) in reclaimed soil filled with fly ash in the Huainan mining area in China using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Using a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% phosphoric acid and acetonitrile in a volume ratio of 98:2, the detection was performed at a wavelength of 210 nm for 15 min. In addition, a cluster analysis was performed on the detected LMWOAs in the reclaimed soil. The correlations between the LMWOA and nutrient contents in the reclaimed soil were also analyzed. In total, eight and seven LMWOAs were detected in the reclaimed soil and filled fly ash, respectively. In contrast, no LMWOAs were detected in the fresh fly ash from a thermal power plant. The order of total LMWOA contents at different sampling points followed the order of farmland control soil > 1# (Triticum aestivum) > 4# (Phragmites australis) > 5# (Vigna radiata) > 2# (Sorghum bicolor) > 3# (Tamarix ramosissima) > fly ash-filled soil. The farmland control soil and fly ash-filled soil exhibited the highest and lowest LMWOA contents of 648.22 and 85.09 μg·g-1, respectively. The LMWOA contents in the reclaimed soil followed the order of oxalic acid > tartaric acid > malonic acid > lactic acid > acetic acid > citric acid > propionic acid > succinic acid. Indeed, oxalic acids exhibited the highest total amount of 1445.79 μg·g-1 and succinic acids exhibited the lowest total amount of 6.50 μg·g-1. The LMWOA contents in the reclaimed soil decreased with increasing soil depth, showing statistically significant differences between the 0-10 and 10-40 cm soil layers (p < 0.05). According to the obtained clustering results, the detected LMWOAs can be divided into two categories. The first category consisted of oxalic acid, while the second category included the remaining LMWOAs. The soil LMWOA contents of 4# (Phragmites australis) and 5# (Vigna radiata) were significantly different from those at the other sampling points. According to the Pearson correlation analysis results, the occurrence and characteristics of the soil LMWOAs can be controlled by regulating the pH values and available nutrient contents in the soil, thereby improving the eco-environmental conditions of the reclaimed rhizosphere.

Direct nitrous oxide emissions from a crop rotation of maize and mung bean after different long-term fertilizer applications in Thailand

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a greenhouse gas primarily released by fertilizers used in crop cultivation. In Thailand, cropland occupies the majority of the arable land but studies on N2O emissions from cropland remain scarce. The present study aimed to evaluate the N2O emissions, soil characteristics, and crop productivity resulting from different long-term fertilizer applications in a crop rotation of maize and mung bean. A long-term experimental field managed through crop residue incorporation combined with different fertilizer applications over 45 years was utilized in this study. It consisted of four distinct treatments: no fertilizer (CON), 134 kg N ha−1 from organic fertilizer (ORG), 188 kg N ha−1 from chemical fertilizer (CHE), and 322 kg N ha−1 from a combination of organic and chemical fertilizers (OAC). Long-term application of chemical fertilizer induced soil acidification, whereas the use of organic fertilizer maintained soil pH and enhanced soil carbon accumulation. Results showed that the OAC, CHE, and ORG practices significantly (p < 0.05) increased direct N2O emissions from the soil, particularly during the maize cultivation period. Annual cumulative N2O emissions were enhanced on average by 204 % (3.22 kg N2O ha−1) in OAC, 181 % (2.98 kg N2O ha−1) in CHE, and 79.4 % (1.90 kg N2O ha−1) in ORG compared with CON (1.06 kg N2O ha−1), indicating that larger N input rates induced larger N2O emissions. Chemical fertilizer induced significantly (p < 0.05) larger and faster N2O emissions than organic fertilizer. When considering N2O emissions per N application rate in all treatments as the emission factor, the use of N fertilizers combined with crop residues in the soil over two years averaged 0.61 % (± 0.13 %). This value was approximately 39 % lower than the default value recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which is currently used in Thailand. The consecutive addition of fertilizers significantly (p < 0.05) increased maize grain yield compared with the CON. However, no significant differences were observed among the various fertilizer treatments. Despite all fertilizer applications induced larger N2O emissions, they also produced greater crop yields. Consequently, this study recommended the practice of ORG as a means to mitigate emissions without compromising crop yield and soil quality.

Nano-imaging by atomic force microscopy, thermogravimetric characteristics, and bioactive compounds of thermally treated and fermented mash beans

The novel processing of black mash bean flour through the synergistic combination of gelatinization and fermentation via Saccharomyces cerevisiae MK-157 and Lactobacillus sp. E14 was explored. The results of the atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicated significant structural transformative changes in the nanomorphological features. Specifically, the average particle size has been decreased to 122.65 nm for raw mash bean flour (RMBF) and 66 nm for gelatinized and fermented flour (GMBF) via S. cerevisiae MK-157. The enhanced beta-glucan distribution of fermented samples was highlighted by fluorescence microscopy, exhibiting health-promoting qualities. The RMBF fermented by S. cerevisiae MK-157 showed the strongest FRAP-IC50 (18.58 mg/mL) and DPPH inhibition-IC50 (54.62 mg/mL). Additionally, fermentation elevated the total phenol content (TPC) which resulted in 2.68% increase for GMBF fermented by Lactobacillus E14. Similarly, the largest increase (5.02 %) in total flavonoid content (TFC) was observed for GMBF fermented by S. cerevisiae MK-157. Certain metabolites, such as lactic acid, which contribute to the antioxidant capacity were identified by 1H NMR. Thermogravimetric analysis showed remarkable thermal stability regarding residual masses of 27.54% for GMBF fermented by S. cerevisiae MK-157 and 32.18% for RMBF fermented by Lactobacillus E14 at 500 °C. Thus, the current study may contribute to the development of the legume processing.

EDUKASI GIZI DAN MINUMAN KACANG HIJAU SEBAGAI PREVENTIF ANEMIA DALAM KEHAMILAN

In developing countries, the most common pregnancy complication in pregnant women is anemia. The prevalence of anemia in pregnancy in Indonesia is still quite high, including in the East Java region. The problem of pregnant women at the Polindes Kaliwining in the Puskesmas Rambipuji Jember is that anemia status is not detected in each trimester of pregnancy. Mung beans contain iron which helps the formation of erythrocytes to increase hemoglobin levels. This community service aims to provide nutritional education and the use of mung beans in preventing anemia in pregnancy. The implementation of this service uses an outreach method using a video media approach. Apart from that, blood hemoglobin levels are also checked in pregnant women as an early detection of anemia. Iron supplementation is given in the form of blood supplement tablets to pregnant women. Furthermore, giving mung beans drinks as a complement to iron supplementation to prevent anemia in pregnancy. The educational approach via video has proven effective in increasing pregnant women's knowledge by 25% regarding anemia and the benefits of mung beans. Based on the results of examinations during this service activity, blood hemoglobin levels showed that 2 respondents experienced anemia in the third trimester of pregnancy. Regular Hb checks are very important during pregnancy. The combination of consuming blood supplement tablets and mung beans can reduce the incidence of anemia in pregnancy.

Synthesis of modified Schiff base triazole appended silatrane: Elucidating the in vitro and in silico plant growth potential

In the current investigation, modified Schiff base triazole appended silatrane (MSBTAS) has been synthesized using a facile, copper(I) catalyzed alkyne azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) approach. The presence of three plant growth regulating moieties i.e. Schiff base, triazole and silatrane make MSBTAS a unique and an uncommon plant growth regulator (PGR). The effects of different concentrations of MSBTAS (25, 50, 100, and 200 µmol L−1) and three control set-ups on the root and shoot length of two staple crops i.e. Zea mays (corn) and Vigna radiata (mung bean) have been studied. MSBTAS did not show a dose-dependent relationship with the root and shoot length enhancement of the crops. The concentrations 50 µmol L−1 and 100 µmol L−1 were statistically different and better than the control groups for the increase in root and shoot length of Z. mays. For V. radiata, the concentrations 25 µmol L−1 for root length along with 25 µmol L−1 and 50 µmol L−1 for shoot length were statistically different and better than the relative control groups. The in-silico studies have been performed using molecular docking to understand the interaction between MSBTAS and the plant growth protein, resulting in a good binding energy of -7.07 kcal/mol. The docking results obtained with MSBTAS have been validated by comparing the docking results obtained with commercially available PGR, paclobutrazol.

Assessment of de-toxicity of treated dye solution via seed germination test: Photocatalytic treatment by Morinda citrifolia leaf extract mediated ZnO:Mo/g-C3N4 nanocomposite

Molybdenum doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Mo) nanoparticles and ZnO:Mo/g-C3N4nanocomposites were prepared via green synthesis by using Morinda citrifolia (M. citrifolia) extract as the reducing agent. Another set of ZnO:Mo and ZnO:Mo/g-C3N4 nanomaterials were prepared using NaOH as the reducing agent and their photocatalytic efficiencies against methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) were evaluated and compared with those of their green synthesized counterparts. The degrading efficiency of green synthesized ZnO:Mo/g-C3N4 was 99 and 96 % against MB and MO of dyes, respectively, whereas the respective values in the case of chemical synthesis are only 95 and 90 %. The mechanism lies behind the photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite was elaborated. The enhanced charge carrier concentration caused by Mo doping and the synergistic advantages of the composite partners, like band gap reduction and reduced recombination rate are discussed with relevant references. The water samples photocatalytically treated by the nanomaterials were applied to green gram seeds and the growth process is evaluated and compared. The powder XRD, field emission SEM, TEM, FTIR and EDAX results and the related analyses are presented as corroborative evidences for the composite formation and enhanced photocatalytic activity. The prepared green synthesized ZnO:Mo/g-C3N4 nanocomposite will be a promising material for de-toxification of dye effluents to make it conducive for seed germination and plant growth.

Dissecting the role of salicylic acid in mediating stress response in mungbean cultivars concurrently exposed to Macrophomina phaseolina infection and drought stress

The combined stress studies provide fundamental knowledge that could assist in producing multiple stress resilient crops. The fungal phytopathogen, Macrophomina phaseolina is a major limiting factor in the productivity of the crop, Vigna radiata (mungbean). This fungal species tends to flourish under hot and dry conditions. Therefore, in this study the salicylic acid (SA) mediated stress responses in contrasting mungbean cultivars (Shikha and RMG-975) exposed to combined M. phaseolina infection (F) and drought stress (D) have been elucidated. The combined stress was applied to ten days seedlings in three orders i.e. drought followed by fungal infection (DF), drought followed by fungal infection with extended water deficit (DFD) and fungal infection followed by drought stress (FD). The severity of infection was analyzed using ImageJ analysis. Besides, the concentration of SA has been correlated with the phenylpropanoid pathway products, expression of pathogenesis-related proteins (β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase) and the specific activity of certain related enzymes (phenylalanine ammonia lyase, lipoxygenase and glutathione-S-transferase). The data revealed that the cultivar RMG-975 was relatively more tolerant than Shikha under individual stresses. However, the former became more susceptible to the infection under DFD treatment while the latter showed tolerance. Otherwise, the crown rot severity was reduced in both the cultivars under other combined treatments. The stress response analysis suggested that enhanced chitinase expression is vital for tolerance against both, the pathogen and drought stress. Also, it was noted that plants treat each stress combination differently and the role of SA was more prominently visible under individual stress conditions.

Irrigation Scheduling and Nutrient Management in Green Gram Cultivation: An Evaluation of Yield and Water Productivity, Soil Water-Nutrient Dynamics, Energy Budgeting and Profitability

Irrigation Scheduling and Nutrient Management in Green Gram Cultivation: An Evaluation of Yield and Water Productivity, Soil Water-Nutrient Dynamics, Energy Budgeting and Profitability

Multifunctional N, Fe dual active site hydrothermal biochar for efficiently degrading paclobutrazol and promoting crop growth

The development of a low-cost, highly catalytic, and soil fertility-improving biochar material is of significant importance for the sustained remediation of organic pollutants in the environment. In this study, multifunctional N, Fe dual active site biochar (NF-BC) was successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method using cotton straw, urea, and FeCl3 as raw materials. Compared to the original biochar, NF-BC exhibits high graphitic-N content and abundant Fe2+, enabling efficient activation of Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the removal of Paclobutrazol (PBZ) in water and soil. EPR and quenching experiments confirm that the free radical pathway (•OH) and the non-free radical pathway (1O2) act together in PBZ degradation. The DFT results illustrate the benzene and pyridine rings of PBZ are electron-rich regions, which can be attacked by reactive oxygen species. Then three possible degradation pathways are provided by combining them with the LC/MS test. After remediation by the NF-BC/PMS system, the soil fertility index and plant growth are significantly improved. Compared to CK, the pH value and SOM content of the soil remained unchanged after remediation with the NF-BC/PMS system, while the content of available K and hydrolyzed N increased by 27.18 and 2.27 times, respectively. The pot experiments showed that the NF-BC/PMS system not only alleviates the stress of PBZ on mung bean seedlings, but also promotes an increase in leaf area, accumulation of dry biomass, and root growth. This work provides a new idea for the preparation of low-cost and multifunctional biochar for the efficient removal of pesticides in soil and water environments.

Multi-indicator analytical study of 18 trace elements and fat in 5 beans based on entropy analysis (EA) and gray pattern recognition (GPR)

ABSTRACT Five varieties of beans from Laibin, Guangxi, China, including mung beans, soybeans, black beans, red beans, and adzuki beans, were chosen as study subjects for multi-index determination and full assessment. Data on the fat, ash, crude fiber, trace element, thermogravimetric analysis and combustion heat of five different types of beans were gathered. The results showed that the order of combustion heat of the 5 kinds of beans was black beans>soybeans>mung beans>adzuki beans>red beans, the order of combustion stability was soybeans>mung beans>black beans>red beans>adzuki beans, the order of fat content was soybeans>red beans>adzuki beans>black beans>mung beans, the order of ash content was black beans>soybeans>adzuki beans>mung beans>red beans, the order of crude fiber content was red beans>soybeans>adzuki beans, and the order of multi-index stoichiometric analysis was soybeans>red beans>black beans>mung beans>adzuki beans. The quality of the food was assessed and classified using the stoichiometric approach, while the food nutrition was assessed from the perspectives of fat, ash, crude fiber, trace elements, thermogravimetric analysis and combustion heat. This work provides a solid scientific foundation for the assessment and investigation of the thermo gravimetric analysis of food combustion stability. This study’s multi-index comprehensive evaluation approach offers a novel concept for food nutrition.

Production of novel mung bean peptides-based zinc supplement: Process optimization, chelation mechanism, and stability assessment in vitro

To realize the add value of protein resources from mung bean processing by-products, mung bean peptides-zinc chelate (MBP-Zn), a novel zinc supplement, was synthesized in the present study. Under the optimized process conditions (MBP concentration of 6%, pH 5.0, mass ratio of MBP to zinc salt of 2:1, temperature of 60 °C and time of 80 min), the zinc chelation rate of MBP-Zn reached up to 98.15%. Integrating the results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and amino acid profiles, it is inferred that zinc ions may bind to MBP via carboxy oxygen, amino nitrogen, and sulfhydryl sulfur atoms. The incorporation of zinc ions dramatically changed the structure of the chelate, as evidenced by the blue shift and attenuation of the original UV and fluorescence spectra. The morphological analysis revealed that Zn2+ induced cross-linking of peptides, forming enlarged nanoparticles that fragmented the original smooth surface of MBP. Surprisingly, the superior stability of MBP-Zn over the conventional zinc supplement ZnSO4 was confirmed, regardless of pH and temperature variations, or simulated gastrointestinal digestion circumstances. These findings pave the way for the large-scale production of mung bean peptide-based zinc supplements as nutraceuticals in the food industry.

Potassium augments growth, yield, nutrient content, and drought tolerance in mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek.)

Uneven rainfall and high temperature cause drought in tropical and subtropical regions which is a major challenge to cultivating summer mung bean. Potassium (K), a major essential nutrient of plants can alleviate water stress (WS) tolerance in plants. A field trial was executed under a rainout shelter with additional K fertilization including recommended K fertilizer (RKF) for relieving the harmful impact of drought in response to water use efficiency (WUE), growth, yield attributes, nutrient content, and yield of mung bean at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Ishwardi, Pabna in two successive summer season of 2018 and 2019. Drought-tolerant genotype BMX-08010-2 (G1) and drought-susceptible cultivar BARI Mung-1 (G2) were grown by applying seven K fertilizer levels (KL) using a split-plot design with three replications, where mung bean genotypes were allotted in the main plots, and KL were assigned randomly in the sub-plots. A considerable variation was observed in the measured variables. Depending on the different applied KL and seed yield of mung bean, the water use efficiency (WUE) varied from 4.73 to 8.14 kg ha−1 mm−1. The treatment applying 125% more K with RKF (KL7) under WS gave the maximum WUE (8.14 kg ha−1 mm−1) obtaining a seed yield of 1093.60 kg ha−1. The treatment receiving only RKF under WS (KL2) provided the minimum WUE (4.73 kg ha−1 mm−1) attaining a seed yield of 825.17 kg ha−1. Results showed that various characteristics including nutrients (N, P, K, and S) content in stover and seed, total dry matter (TDM) in different growth stages, leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), root volume (RV), root density (RD), plant height, pod plant−1, pod length, seeds pod−1, seed weight, and seed yield in all pickings increased with increasing K levels, particularly noted with KL7. The highest grain yield (32.52%) was also obtained from KL7 compared to lower K with RKF. Overall, yield varied from 1410.37 kg ha−1 using 281 mm water (KL1; well-watered condition with RKF) to 825.17 kg ha−1 using 175 mm water (KL2). The results exhibited that the application of additional K improves the performance of all traits under WS conditions. Therefore, mung beans cultivating under WS requires additional K to diminish the negative effect of drought, and adequate use of K contributes to accomplishing sustainable productivity.

Spectroscopic Characterization of the Biochemical Profile of Mung Seedlings Following Treatment by Copper Oxide Nanoparticles

The present study aims to assess the physiological and biochemical changes in the mung plants (Vigna radiata L) due to the impact of copper oxide nanoparticles using laser-induced fluorescence, ultraviolet-visible and confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy. The mung seedlings were treated with copper oxide nanoparticles with concentrations of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 mM. The growth parameters of the mung seedlings show considerable decreases at higher concentrations of nanoparticles. The laser-induced fluorescence measurements showed a decrease in photosynthetic activity as indicated by the increase in the intensity ratio (I685/I732) with the nanoparticle concentration. Further, the ultraviolet-visible measurements show a decrease in the plant pigments chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids with the concentration of nanoparticles. Except for 0.2 mM, the Raman spectral signatures obtained from the leaves of mung-treated copper oxide nanoparticles reveal that the cell wall component proteins, lignin, pectin, carbohydrates, aliphatics and carotenoids declined with the treatment of nanoparticles. The decreasing intensity of carotenoids from the Raman measurements and the decreasing chlorophyll and carotenoid content in laser-induced fluorescence and ultraviolet-visible measurements suggest that copper oxide nanoparticles are toxic to mung plants. The spectroscopic techniques along with discriminatory and data processing approaches such as principal component analysis (PCA) are demonstrated to provide noninvasive, nondestructive, sensitive, rapid and effective screening of plants under various stresses.

Bioinspired magnetically generated bilayer aerogel with vertically aligned pores: Efficient solar evaporation and water purification for crop production

Facing the challenge of freshwater scarcity, solar evaporation technology with interfacial heating is considered to be a technology that uses solar energy to sustainably obtain fresh water through evaporation and condensation processes. However, the construction of a solar-driven evaporation system capable of consistently, efficiently, and steadily producing pure water under sunlight is pivotal yet challenging. In this work, inspired by mushrooms, a magnetic-generated double‑layered solar evaporator is designed for efficient water evaporation. With the thermal management of the aerogel and the vertical arrangement of the water channels, this evaporator overcomes the trade-off between water delivery and heat management that has long plagued traditional evaporators. In addition, the presence of cold evaporation breaks the long-existing photothermal efficiency of traditional solar evaporation cannot exceed the limit of 100 %. With this structure, an evaporation rate of 1.966 kg m−2 h−1 and a solar-to-vapor energy efficiency of 120.6 % are achieved under irradiation of 1 sun. The mung beans are irrigated with pure water obtained by evaporation to germination. The work provides a new direction for manufacturing evaporators and key insights into addressing water scarcity and the use of water.

Superabsorbent quaternary ammonium guar gum hydrogel with controlled release of humic acid for soil improvement and plant growth

Growing plants in karst areas tends to be difficult due to the easy loss of water and soil. To enhance soil agglomeration, water retention, and soil fertility, this study developed a physically and chemically crosslinked hydrogel prepared from quaternary ammonium guar gum and humic acid. The results showed that non-covalent dynamic bonds between the two components delayed humic acid release into the soil, with a release rate of only 35 % after 240 h. The presence of four hydrophilic groups (quaternary ammonium, hydroxyl, carboxyl, and carbonyl) in the hydrogel more than doubled the soil's water retention capacity. The interaction between hydrogel and soil minerals (especially carbonate and silica) promoted hydrogel-soil and soil‑carbonate adhesion, and the adhesion strength between soil particles was enhanced by 650 %. Moreover, compared with direct fertilization, this degradable hydrogel not only increased the germination rate (100 %) and growth status of mung beans but also reduced the negative effects of excessive fertilization on plant roots. The study provides an eco-friendly, low-cost, and intelligent system for soil improvement in karst areas. It further proves the considerable application potential of hydrogels in agriculture.

Effect of Plant-Based Mung Bean Products on Digestibility and Gut Microbiome Profiling Using In Vitro Fecal Fermentation.

The concept of plant-based protein consumption has been increasing recently because of the growing health consciousness among people. Mung bean is one of the most consumed legumes with a dense nutrient profile. Hence, current research is aimed to study the effect of mung bean protein-based products including mung bean snack (MBS) and textured vegetable protein (TVP) for treatment groups against the control groups, commercial ingredients group consisting of mung bean powder (MBP) and pea powder (PP) and commercial products group include commercial pea texture (cPT) and commercial textured vegetable protein (cTVP) for their proximate composition, digestibility, gut microbial profile and fatty acid metabolite profiling. The MBS and TVP samples had significantly higher digestibility of 74.43% and 73.24% than the commercial products. The protein content of TVP was 0.8 times higher than its commercial control. Gut microbiome profiling showed that all the samples shared around 162 similar genera. Post-fermentation analysis provided promising results by reflecting the growth of beneficial bacteria (Parabacteroides, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus) and the suppression of pathogens (Escherichia-Shigella, Dorea and Klebsiella). The dual relationship between gut microbiota and nutrient interaction proved the production of abundant short- and branched-chain fatty acids. The MBS sample was able to produce SCFAs (41.27 mM)significantly and BCFAs (2.02 mM) than the TVP sample (27.58 mM and 2.14 mM, respectively). Hence, our research outcomes proved that the mung bean protein-based products might infer numerous health benefits to the host due to enriched probiotics in the gut and the production of their corresponding metabolites.