High Production Research Articles

Tetraphenylborate enhanced enzymatic production of γ-cyclodextrin: System construction and its mechanism

γ-Cyclodextrin (γ-CD) is an attractive material among the natural cyclodextrins owing to its excellent properties. γ-CD is primarily produced from starch by γ-cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (γ-CGTase) in a controlled system. However, difficulty in separation and low conversion rate leads to high production costs for γ-CD. In this study, γ-CGTase from Bacillus sp. G-825-6 STB17 was used in γ-CD production from cassava starch. With the introduction of sodium tetraphenylborate (NaBPh4), the total conversion rate was promoted from an initial 18.07 % to 50.49 % and the γ-CD ratio reached 78.81 % with a yield of 39.79 g/L. Furthermore, the mechanism was conducted via the determination of binding constant, which indicated that γ-CD exhibited much stronger binding strength with NaBPh4 than β-CD. The reformation of water molecules and the chaotropic effect might be the main driving forces for the interaction. Additionally, the conformations of CD complexes were depicted by NMR and molecular docking. The results further verified different binding patterns between CDs and tetraphenylborate ions, which might be the primary reason for the specific binding. This system not only guides γ-CD production with an efficient and easy-to-remove production aid but also offers a new perspective on the selection of complexing agents in CD production.

The Effect of Land Area and Labor on Production of Coffee in Indonesia

Indonesia is an agricultural country where most of the population works in the agricultural sector. Therefore, the agricultural sector contributes significantly to its economic growth. This study aims to determine the effect of land area and labor production of coffee in Indonesia. The study uses secondary data. Data analysis technique in this study is multiple linear regression with data panels in 32 provinces of high production coffee in Indonesia from 2017 until 2021. Dependent variable is coffee production and the independent variables are land and labor. Results show that land area has a positive and significant effect on coffee production. It means that raising the land area significantly increases the coffee production. However, labor has a positive but not significant effect on coffee production. This study is expected to help Indonesian policy-makers for drafting policies to increase coffee production in Indonesia. Keywords: coffee production, land area, labor, panel

Unraveling the forage productivity puzzle: Comparing fast and slow-growing grasses.

Functional traits are powerful tools for distinguishing between plants with different resource acquisition strategies. Fast-growing plants normally dominate resource-rich habitats and present trait values associated with high productivity, such as high specific leaf area (SLA), short leaf lifespan, and rapid leaf elongation rate (LER). In contrast, slow-growing species have a higher leaf weight ratio (LWR), leaf lifespan (LLS), and phyllochron, which are useful traits for survival in stressful and unfertile environments, but are normally thought to be incompatible with high productivity, even under fertile conditions. We tested the hypothesis that slow-growing forage grasses have demographic parameters (tiller population density and canopy density) that offset their slow individual traits, making them as productive as fast-growing species when grown in fertile soil. Species with contrasting growth strategies (Arrhenatherum elatius L. and Festuca arundinacea Schreb cv. Quantum II, fast and slow-growing species, respectively) were cultivated in 45 m2 field plots and subjected to the same cutting regime and nitrogen supply level. Functional traits and canopy attributes were continuously measured during 8 growing cycles after the establishment of the swards. A. elatius had higher SLA, LER, leaf senescence, and leaf appearance rates, whereas F. arundinacea had higher LLS and LWR values. Conversely, there were no differences in relative growth rate or forage accumulation. F. arundinacea was able to offset their plant functional traits, typically associated with slow-growing grasses, with some demographic parameter like higher tiller population density, allowing it to be as productive as the fast-growing A. elatius when both were grown in fertile soil. Therefore, we suggest cautionary use of traditional plant functional traits to explain and predict the annual productivity of slow-growing grasses.

Optimizing virus filtration for continuous processing using serial filtration at high area ratio.

Compared to batch operation, continuous bioprocessing can offer numerous advantages, including increased productivity, improved process control, reduced footprint, and increased flexibility. However, integration of traditional batch operations into a connected process can be challenging. In contrast to batch operations run at constant pressure or high flux, virus filtration in continuous processes may be operated at very low flux. This change in operating conditions may reduce the viral retention performance of the filter which has inhibited adoption of truly continuous virus filtration. To overcome this limitation, a novel approach is described that utilizes serial virus filtration, with a high area ratio between first to second stage filters, to achieve virus retention targets. In this study, virus filters were operated continuously (except for planned process interruptions) for 200 h in a serial configuration at a first to second stage filter area ratio of 13:1 and at a first stage flux of 5 L/m2/h. While the minute virus of mice (MVM) retention performance of the first stage filter was about 4 log reduction value (LRV), there was no virus detected in the second stage filtrate, translating to an MVM LRV across the filtration train of ≥6.7. The second stage filter was the dominant flow resistance at the start of the run but, as it was protected from foulants by the first stage filter, it suffered minimal fouling and the life of the filter train was controlled by the first stage. A theoretical case study projected that continuous virus filtration using serial configuration at high area ratio would have about 30% longer filter changeout time, 14% higher productivity, and virus retention nearly sixLRV greater than single stage operation. The findings of this research are expected to provide valuable insights into optimizing virus filtration in continuous bioprocessing.

PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL FROM MICROALGAE CULTIVATED WITH VINASSE

Purpose: The objective of this work was to carry out the cultivation of the microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana with diluted vinasse, verifying its potential for remediation of nutrients and increase of its lipid fraction, to produce biodiesel according to the current regulation. Theoretical Framework: The quest to reduce fossil fuels, which are responsible for negative environmental impacts, has boosted the demand for biofuels in recent years. Biodiesel has been gaining prominence as a promising alternative to replace petroleum derivatives since it can be produced from various raw materials, such as microalgae. Design/Methodology/Approach: Different vinasse dilutions were studied for the cultivation of Chlorella sorokiniana CTT 7727, being 5, 10 and 15% (v v-1) and N:P:K (20:5:20) 1% (v v-1) medium as a comparative standard. Biodiesel was produced by direct transesterification and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to a flame ionization detector, enabling the identification and quantification of the fatty acid profile. Findings: The results obtained indicated that vinasse 10% (v v-1) proved to be promising for application as a culture medium for this microalgae species, as it guaranteed a good cell growth rate, high biomass productivity and lipid yield. Considering the biodiesel produced, it fits the regulatory standards analyzed by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP). Research, Practical & Social Implications: The research demonstrates the feasibility of cultivating the microalga Chlorella sorokiniana with diluted vinasse, highlighting the 10% concentration as promising for optimizing cell growth and lipid yield. The results ensure compliance with ANP regulations for biodiesel production, indicating immediate and sustainable applicability on an industrial scale. Socially, it contributes to the pursuit of biofuels, reducing dependence on fossil sources and promoting more sustainable practices in the bioenergy industry. Originality/Value: The study's originality lies in the unique combination of Chlorella sorokiniana CTT 7727, diluted vinasse, and biodiesel production in accordance with ANP regulations. It stands out for identifying the optimal vinasse concentration (10%) for cultivation, presenting an economical and effective approach. The strategic value is in the use of an alternative raw material cultivated with an industrial residue, promoting the diversification of the energy matrix and mitigating environmental impacts associated with conventional fuels.

MANUFACTURING AND TESTING HIGH VOLTAGE FILTER CAPACITORS

This paper presents the manufacturing and testing methods of 30kV and 33nF high voltage filter capacitors. One of the biggest advantages of small companies is that they are able to produce a high diversity of capacitors in small quantities. One of the prices of this flexibility is a higher level of manual manufacturing process in production. But this higher level of manual manufacturing does not mean lower quality in the final product. For high quality products in the high voltage industry, it is necessary to do routine tests in all of the products. For high voltage capacitors the following three tests must be done to ensure quality: voltage strength test, partial discharge test, capacitance and dissipation factor test. The capacitance and dissipation factor test have to be done at different voltage levels. The voltage strength test has to be done at least 20% higher than the rated voltage. This kind of test gives us information not only about the quality of the product itself, but about distribution of the capacitance for example, or about the strength of the production process, and about the quality management system of the company.

Quantifying particulate organic matter: source composition and fluxes at the river-estuary interface

Particulate organic matter (POM) characteristics and variability have been widely studied along the land-ocean aquatic continuum, yet, gaps remain in quantifying its source composition, fluxes, and dynamics at the river-estuary interface. POM in rivers consists of a complex mixture of sources, derived both from locally produced (i.e. phytoplankton) and from adjacent ecosystems (e.g. terrestrial POM). Each source differ in its trophic and biogeochemical characteristics, hence impacting its integration into local food webs, its transfer to estuaries and sea, and its contribution to biogeochemical processes. In this study, we use a robust approach based on in situ POM to characterize river POM end-members, to quantify POM composition and dynamics, and to identify the related key drivers. This study was performed at the River-Estuary interface of one of the main rivers in Western Europe (the Loire River, France). For 3 years, we conducted bimonthly measurements of carbon and nitrogen isotopic (δ13C, δ15N) and elemental (C/N) ratios to quantify the contribution of two sources (phytoplankton and terrestrial POM) to the POM mixture and calculated annual fluxes of particulate organic carbon (POC) and nitrogen (PN) sources. Throughout the year, POM consisted of ~65% phytoplankton and 35% terrestrial POM. The mean annual export fluxes were 40.6 tPOC/year and 2.45 tPN/year over the studied period, with half of it originating from phytoplankton (53 and 55% for POC and PN, respectively). We observed a clear seasonal pattern in POM composition: phytoplankton predominated from March to October, in relation to high primary production, while terrestrial contributions were the highest from November to February, driven by greater autumn-winter hydrodynamics. Our study illustrate the interest of such an approach to quantify POM composition in aquatic system and estimate source fluxes, and provide fundamental results for estimating seasonal baselines in food webs, establishing biogeochemical budgets, and quantifying POM exports to estuarine and marine environments. Applying this methodology across a broad spectrum of aquatic systems should enhance our understanding of biogeochemical processes and organic matter transformation along the land-ocean continuum and illustrates the contribution of these ecosystems to global biogeochemical cycles.

Steady nutrient upwelling around a biological hotspot of the confluence between the quasi-stationary jet and the Oyashio in the western North Pacific

The quasi-stationary jet, a branch of the Kuroshio Extension, transports warm saline water in the mixed water region of the western North Pacific. Around the subarctic front between the quasi-stationary jet and Oyashio and its downstream area is a biologically productive area including small pelagic fishes. However, how nutrient is supplied to the euphotic zone in this region remains elusive, especially into the quasi-stationary jet. Using high-resolution hydrography sections across the jet, we showed that Oyashio water isopycnally intrudes under the jet around 26.5–26.8 σθ and forms nutrient-rich intermediate water. Upwelling associated with ageostrophic secondary circulation across the front, caused by confluence, uplifts the intermediate water. A local nitrate maximum was also identified inside the jet by the hydrographic observation. Upwelling has been suggested as a precondition for nutrient supply from nutrient-rich intermediate water to the jet through water mixing which potentially sustains high biological production in the downstream.

A Straightforward Approach of Wet‐Spinning Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):Polystyrene Sulfate Fibers for Use in All Conducting Polymer‐Based Textile Actuators

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), an inherently electrically conductive or conjugated polymer (CP), exhibits the potential to play a significant role in the development of innovative fiber materials for use in smart textiles, such as wearables. Furthermore, these fibers can function as artificial muscles in the emerging field of interactive fiber rubber composites. This study introduces a straightforward and efficient method for creating PEDOT‐based, biomimetic, fiber‐shaped, linearly contracting ionic electroactive polymer actuators. To achieve this, a wet‐spinning technique is presented, which enables a continuous production of PEDOT:polystyrene sulfate (PSS) fibers at high production rates of 34 m h−1, an additional fiber washing step and a sulfuric acid posttreatment step to increase the fibers conductivity. The fibers provide a high conductivity of 1028 S cm−1, maximum tensile strength reaching 182 MPa, and a maximum elongation of 24%. When utilized as CP actuators in an aqueous sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate electrolyte medium, the fibers demonstrate a repeatable maximum isometric contractile force of 1.64 mN and repeatable linear contractile strain up to 0.56%. Furthermore, a high level of cyclic long‐term actuation stability can be demonstrated. Notably, these contractile strains are, to the best of knowledge, the highest reported values for pristine PEDOT:PSS fibers.

Ameliorative action of eugenol on nitrate induced reproductive toxicity in male rats

There is a great concern for studies to prevent nitrate (NO3) induced male reproductive toxicity as it might lead to infertility. Therefore, the study was aimed to investigate the ameliorative effects of eugenol on NO3 induced male reproductive toxicity in wistar rats. Adult male rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=5). The first group was served as control, the second and third group of rats were treated with 100 mg/kg bw of sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and NO3 contaminated ground water respectively. The fourth and fifth group of rats were orally intubated with eugenol (100 mg/kg bw) and then exposed to NaNO3 and NO3 contaminated ground water respectively. The treatment was continued for 52 days. Nitrate exposure significantly decreased the sperm motility, testicular 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity, serum concentration of testosterone, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in testis and spermatozoa and different categories of germ cells in stage VII of spermatogenesis. Further, there was significant increase in sperm abnormality and levels of nitrite (NO2) and malondialdehyde in testis and spermatozoa of NO3 treated rats. In addition, NO3 exposure distorted the histological architecture of seminiferous tubules of testis. It was established that NO3 induced high production of NO2 affected spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis and sperm motility. However, in the present study, pretreatment of eugenol prevented NO3 induced reproductive alterations by decreasing the level of NO2. These findings clearly showed the protective action of eugenol against NO3 induced oxidative stress in male reproductive system.

Pengaruh Dosis Phospor Dan Pupuk Cair Pada Tanaman Bunga Kol (Brassica Oleracea Var. Botrytis L)

Cauliflower is a vegetable that has commercial value and excellent prospects for public consumption. According to the Central Statistics Agency of the Republic of Indonesia, cauliflower production has decreased from 2019 to 2021, therefore it is necessary to improve maintenance, one of which is by providing Phosphorus fertilizer to increase productivity. This will increase the rate of photosynthesis to produce high productivity and the correct dose of liquid organic fertilizer (POC) to maximize growth in the vegetative and generative phases thereby increasing the yield of cauliflower plants. This research aims to determine the effect of giving various doses of Phosphorus and POC fertilizers on the growth and yield of cauliflower plants. The research was carried out in the village, Girilayu, Matesih, Karanganyar from February to May 2024. Using the Complete Randomized Block Design (RAKL) method consisting of 2 treatment factors and 3 replications. The first factor is the dosage of Phosphorus (P) fertilizer P1: 100 kg/ha, P2: 150 kg/ha, P3: 200 kg/ha. The second factor is the dose of POC (C), C1: 4 cc/L, C2: 8 cc/L, C3: 12 cc/L. The results research showed (1) Giving various doses of Phospor fertilizer had a very real effect on fresh stover, dry stover, plant diameter, plant weight per plant, and crop weight per plot. However, it does not have a real effect on plant height and number of leaves. (2) Giving various doses of POC had a very real influence on fresh stover, dry stover, plant diameter, and plant weight per plant had a real influence on crop weight per plot and had no real influence on plant height and number of leaves. (3) The interaction between treatments had a very real influence on fresh stover, dry stover, and plant weight per plant, and had no real influence on plant height, number of leaves, plant diameter, and weight per plant plot. (4) The highest results were obtained in the branch pruning treatment 3 weeks after planting with an NPK fertilizer dose of 200 kg/ha, namely a plant weight of 11,997.4 grams per plot (26,644 kg/ha).

Leaf width as a marker trait of high productivity of sweet sorghum green mass

Leaf width as a marker trait of high productivity of sweet sorghum green mass

A review on development of enzymatic biosensors for industrial applications

Enzymatic biosensors are vital tools across various industries due to their high specificity, sensitivity, and rapid response times. They are extensively used in medical diagnostics for monitoring biomarkers like glucose and lactate, environmental monitoring to detect pollutants, food safety and quality assurance, bioprocess control in industrial fermentation, pharmaceutical drug development and quality control, soil health and agrochemical detection in agriculture, and for identifying biological warfare agents. However, several challenges limit their broader adoption and effectiveness in industrial settings. Key challenges include enzyme stability, as enzymes can denature under extreme environmental conditions, reducing sensor lifespan and performance. Variability in enzyme activity and immobilization techniques also leads to inconsistencies, affecting sensor reproducibility and reliability. Complex sample matrices, such as those in environmental and food samples, introduce interference that can affect sensor accuracy. Integrating biosensors into existing industrial processes is another significant challenge, requiring compatibility with automated systems and real-time data processing capabilities. Additionally, high production costs and scalability issues hinder widespread adoption. Regulatory and standardization barriers further complicate the development and deployment of enzymatic biosensors. Despite these limitations, advancements in materials science, nanotechnology, and bioengineering are paving the way for more robust and reliable biosensors. Innovations such as nanomaterial-based enzyme immobilization, synthetic biology for enzyme engineering, and advanced data analytics integration hold promise for overcoming current limitations. Collaborative efforts among researchers, industry stakeholders, and regulatory bodies are essential to accelerate the development and application of enzymatic biosensors in industrial settings. While enzymatic biosensors offer significant potential, addressing these challenges through ongoing research and technological advancements is crucial for their widespread implementation and optimization.

Energy efficiency of solar illuminated vertical farms with different illumination strategies

Energy efficiency of a solar illuminated vertical farm is investigated considering different illumination scenarios. The analysis considers the energy consumed by a typical vertical farming facility for heating, cooling and lighting with and without ventilation. Different illumination scenarios consider utilizing fluorescent reflectors converting green light, which is reflected by green leaved produce, to red to increase photosynthetic production, IR filters preventing solar wavelengths, which do not contribute to photosynthetic growth, to enter the facility to reduce cooling load, and light emitting diodes used as a means of complementary/main lighting. Through analyzing 5 different scenarios where these technologies are used in different combinations, the contribution of each technology is identified for 22o, 41o and 60o latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. It was found that using IR filters is the most effective means of increasing energy efficiency, whereas the impact of using fluorescent coating to energy efficiency is limited in presence of supplementary light emitting diodes illumination. Relying solely on light emitting diodes yield a significant increase in energy consumed to grow per kg of crop. High production rate can be achieved using solar illumination with IR filters, fluorescent coatings and supplementary LED lighting with ventilation that can lead to energy savings of 22 %, 28 %, 29 % with respect to solely relying on LED illumination for 22°N, 41°N, 60°N, respectively. Whereas the corresponding savings, when no ventilation is used are 19 %, 18 %, 13.6 %, for 22°N, 41°N, 60°N, respectively.

Prospects for cordycepin biosynthesis in microbial cell factories

Cordycepin, an adenosine analog, exhibits diverse bioactivities and holds significant potential for applications in healthcare and agriculture. Fungi of the genus Cordyceps, such as Cordyceps militaris, can naturally produce cordycepin. Current sources of cordycepin primarily involve extraction from fruiting bodies or isolation from liquid fermentation using C. militaris, presenting challenges such as low production intensity, complex separation and purification systems, and high production costs, limiting industrial feasibility. Recent advancements have witnessed the utilization of various fungal chassis cells to successfully engineer heterologous biosynthetic platforms for cordycepin, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and unconventional yeasts, offering advantages of high yield, short fermentation cycles, and a broad substrate spectrum. This mini review summarizes the biosynthetic pathways of cordycepin and focused on the comparison of the characteristics, advantages, current performance and prospects for the microbial cell factories, analyzing potential targets for metabolic pathway modification and giving strategies in both genetic engineering and process engineering to enhance production intensity. The mini review particularly emphasizes the crucial role of chassis cell stress tolerance to the toxic product in determining cordycepin yield and highlights the urgent need for high-throughput screening methods for high-yield strains.

Comparative RNA-Seq of Ten Phaeodactylum tricornutum Accessions: Unravelling Criteria for Robust Strain Selection from a Bioproduction Point of View

The production of biologics in mammalian cells is hindered by some limitations including high production costs, prompting the exploration of other alternative expression systems that are cheaper and sustainable like microalgae. Successful productions of biologics such as monoclonal antibodies have already been demonstrated in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum; however, limited production yields still remain compared to mammalian cells. Therefore, efforts are needed to make this microalga more competitive as a cell biofactory. Among the seventeen reported accessions of P. tricornutum, ten have been mainly studied so far. Among them, some have already been used to produce high-value-added molecules such as biologics. The use of “omics” is increasingly being described as useful for the improvement of both upstream and downstream steps in bioprocesses using mammalian cells. Therefore, in this context, we performed an RNA-Seq analysis of the ten most used P. tricornutum accessions (Pt1 to Pt10) and deciphered the differential gene expression in pathways that could affect bioproduction of biologics in P. tricornutum. Our results highlighted the benefits of certain accessions such as Pt9 or Pt4 for the production of biologics. Indeed, these accessions seem to be more advantageous. Moreover, these results contribute to a better understanding of the molecular and cellular biology of P. tricornutum.

The Simpler the Better: One‐Pot Production of γ‐Valerolactone from Biomass Conversion through All‐In‐One Sc(OTf)3 Catalyzed Cascade Reaction

Abstractγ‐Valerolactone (GVL) derived from non‐edible biomass resources has attracted much intense attention from both academia and industry, due to its excellent properties as green solvent and ideal renewable feedstock for production of bioenergy and biorefinery. However, the practical application of current synthetic technologies is restricted by complicated catalyst system and high production cost so far. Here we report a simple but highly efficient method to realize one‐pot synthesis of bio‐derived GVL by a series of Lewis acidic triflates (M(OTf)3 (M=Sc3+, Ln3+)) under mild condition, achieving up to 78 % GVL yield from furfural (FUR) without any additives or pretreatments. Systematic mechanistic studies, including reaction monitoring, identification of key intermediates and deuterium control experiments disclose the nature of such one‐pot conversion by all‐in‐one Sc(OTf)3. This system exhibits several excellent features such as commercially available and inexpensive catalyst, 100 % carbon atom‐economy, environmentally friend, simple preparation and separation procedures. This method could also be applied to the upstream raw materials, including xylose, hemicellulose and even corncob, achieving GVL in 36 %, 35 % and 21 % yields in one‐pot manner, respectively.

Impact of irrigation systems on water saving and yield of greenhouse and open field cucumber production in Saudi Arabia

Water resources worldwide are limited, especially in desert areas like Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the rational and sustainable management of irrigation water supply is an imperative requirement. This research aimed to assess how different irrigation systems, such as partial root-zone drying (PRD) and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI), would affect the growth of cucumber crops. The study specifically focused on comparing the impact of these irrigation techniques when implemented with surface (S) and subsurface (SB) drip irrigation methods. The research was conducted in both controlled environments and open-field settings in central Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the study aimed to promote the adoption of RDI and PRD irrigation systems among Saudi farmers as a means to conserve essential irrigation water resources. The treatments consisted of two groups: the drip irrigation group with a single line (RDI), which includes full irrigation and deficit irrigation, and the group with the (PRD) for the root zone with two lines with the same irrigation ratios as the first group. The productivity of the RDI-S regular drip irrigation treatment was considered 100 % as the control on which the results of all treatments are measured. The results showed that in terms of irrigation technique, the PRD-SB technique had the highest productivity during the winter season in a greenhouse, with an average of 13.8 kg m−2 for all irrigation levels, while the RDI-SB technique had the highest productivity during the summer season, with an average of 16.1 kg m−2. Regarding irrigation level results, the study showed that an irrigation level of 100 % is the highest yield in all irrigation techniques, with a general average of 14.9 kg m−2 for all irrigation techniques during the winter season and 16.4 kg m−2 during the summer. The study showed that irrigation with the PRD-SB system was the most productive in the open field at all irrigation levels, with an average of 7.3 kg m−2. It could be concluded that using PRD and RDI systems for indoor and outdoor cucumber production can save irrigation water in arid regions.

New okra genotypes for the management of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the diverse ecological landscapes of Central Africa.

Various aphid species, including Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), are considered important pests of okra and other vegetables. Previous studies under 1 environment in Cameroon, Central Africa, had found multiple okra genotypes with resistance to A. gossypii. However, the stability and yield performance of the "resistant" genotypes across different environments were unknown. Ten previously identified aphid-resistant okra genotypes along with 1 commercial variety and a local landrace (specific to a given location) were compared during 2 seasons in replicated trials in 4 agro-ecological zones of Cameroon that also represent large areas of Central Africa. Aphid populations and okra yield parameters were evaluated. Breeding values were predicted using a linear mixed model for all data, and genotypes by location interactions were identified. The area under the infestation pressure curve (AUIPC) was calculated using aphid count data and subjected to resistance analysis. The Local-the most susceptible with the highest breeding value (+2.33)-and VI060794-one of the moderately resistant-genotypes had the highest yield per hectare. The only resistant genotype VI036213 had the lowest breeding value (-2.20). Genotype × location interactions were significant for yield, pod width, and plant height, while location variance was significant for all parameters evaluated. When considering that higher aphid densities could lead to greater pesticide use and, therefore higher production and environmental costs, the high-yielding VI060794-with moderate aphid resistance across multiple environments-presents an alternative or substitute for local landraces across multiple agro-ecologies of Cameroon and (by extension) Central Africa.

Whole genome sequencing and analysis of Bacillus sp. TTMP2, a tetramethylpyrazine-producing bacterium.

Tetramethylpyrazine has been extensively studied as an anticancer substance and a flavor substance in the fields of medicine and food industry. A strain with high tetramethylpyrazine production was screened from the fermented grains of Danquan winery. Genome sequencing can reveal the potential roles of bacteria by thoroughly examining the connection between genes and phenotypes from a genomic perspective. In this study, whole genome of this strain was sequenced and analyzed. This paper summarized the genomic characteristics of strain TTMP2 and analyzed genes related to the synthesis of tetramethylpyrazine. Bacillus sp. TTMP2 has a complete metabolic pathway for acetoin and tetramethylpyrazine metabolism. Gene function was analyzed by COG annotation, GO annotation, KEGG annotation and functional annotations for lipoproteins, carbohydrate-active enzymes, and pathogen-host interactions. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Bacillus velezensis had the high homology with Bacillus sp. TTMP2. Genomes of 16 Bacillus species cover all genes of Bacillus, suggesting that genus Bacillus has an open pan-genome and can survive in diverse environments. The analysis of genome sequencing data from Bacillus sp. TTMP2 showed that its metabolic characteristics could be deeply understood, indicating that this bacterium had a particular role in tetramethylpyrazine synthesis.