Enhanced shelf life of trout fillets using an edible coating containing the polysaccharide extracted from Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) seed

Background: The foraging preference of Atta mexicana for leaves of three plant species was analyzed under laboratory conditions. Physicochemical characterizations, bioassays with leaf material and crude extracts, and tests on the effect on the mutualistic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus were conducted. Question: Does the interaction between A. mexicana and its mutualistic fungus influence the selection of Palicourea padifolia leaves over Platanus mexicana and Eriobotrya japonica? Species study: Atta mexicana, Leucoagaricus gongylophorus, Palicourea padifolia, Platanus mexicana, Eriobotrya japonica. Study site and date: Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, 2023. Methods: Foraging preferences were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Leaves were physically and chemically characterized. Insecticidal and antifungal tests with methanolic extracts were performed, and specialized metabolites were detected through qualitative assays. Results: A. mexicana preferred leaves of P. padifolia. Less selected species exhibited trichomes, higher toughness, and elevated levels of phenols, flavonoids, and tannins. In contrast, P. padifolia had glabrous leaves, high moisture, and low metabolite content, favoring its acceptance. Methanolic extracts showed no insecticidal activity. The extract of P. padifolia promoted the growth of L. gongylophorus, while those of P. mexicana and E. japonica moderately inhibited it. Conclusions: Atta mexicana preferred P. padifolia leaves due to their characteristics, and the extract promoted mutualistic fungus growth. Leaf toughness and trichomes were barriers to foraging. Trichome-removing behavior of A. mexicana is reported for the first time.

Biologically-inspired jumping robots have demonstrated remarkable adaptability in complex environments, making them increasingly valuable across various fields. However, effective path planning in obstacle-dense environments for large-scale jumping robots remains a significant challenge. Inspired by independent decision-making in the efficient collaborative behavior of locust swarms, we propose a two-stage curriculum reinforcement learning (TS-CRL) framework for locust-inspired jumping robots. This framework enables individual robots to autonomously determine actions based on local environmental observations during group crossing tasks. TS-CRL incorporates a population-invariant encoder with an attention mechanism, allowing it to efficiently handle an increased number of training robots. Moreover, it employs an actor-critic network architecture based on Kolmogorov-Arnold networks to enhance training performance. To further improve the training efficiency, we divided the policy training process into two stages with gradually increasing environmental complexity. The effectiveness and scalability of TS-CRL were validated through a locust-inspired jumping robot platform in challenging simulation scenarios. Notably, TS-CRL can generate efficient, collision-free paths to guide multiple jumping robots. Compared with typical reinforcement learning algorithms, TS-CRL reduced the average path cost by 13.7% and markedly improved the success rate of robots in reaching the target areas. Finally, we constructed a multi-robot system consisting of locust-inspired jumping robots for experiments in the real world.

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.), a subtropical fruit tree native to Asia, is not only known to be nutritive but also beneficial for the treatment of diabetes in southern China (Wu et al. 2021). In May 2022, fruit rot symptoms were observed on loquat trees in three commercial orchards in Zhejiang Province, China. Soft, dark brown to black lesions with white mycelium were observed on immature and mature loquat fruit. Spotting affected 10 to 30% of loquat fruit on individual trees. To identify the causative agent, 20 symptomatic loquat fruit samples were collected and diseased portions of the fruit were cut into small pieces (4 mm×4 mm) and surface sterilized with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite for 2 min, 75% ethanol for 30 s, and rinsed three times with sterilized distilled water. The samples were plated on potato dextrose agar plates containing chloromycetin (50 mg/liter) and incubated at 25 ± 1°C in the dark for 7 days. Twenty-three identical fungal isolates were obtained from all symptomatic tissues. The isolates produced mycelium and grew rapidly, initially white, and then became gray to black after 5 d. A representative isolate DEJ-1 was purified and characterized. Conidiogenous cells were smooth, hyaline and cylindrical. Conidia were oval, dark brown with one central septum, measuring 24.4×13.2 μm on average (n=50). The culture and conidial morphology matched the description of Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae (Alves et al. 2008). To confirm this identification, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), β-tubulin gene (TUB) and translation elongation factor-1 alpha (TEF-1α) regions of isolate DEJ-1 were PCR-amplified and sequenced using the primer pairs ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), Bt2a/Bt2b (Glass and Donaldson 1995) and EF1-728F/986R (Carbone and Kohn 1999), respectively. BLASTn analysis revealed the ITS sequence (ON624125) of DEJ-1 exhibited 100% similarity (521/521 bp) with L. pseudotheobromae YBUJr54 (OP412374), the TUB sequence (ON640626) had 100% identify (436/436 bp) with L. pseudotheobromae 17-003 (LC314724), and TEF-1α sequence (PX098039) showed 100% similarity (529/529 bp) with L. pseudotheobromae 17-004 (LC270869). Phylogenetic analysis based on concatenated ITS, TUB, and TEF-1α sequences grouped DEJ-1 within the clade of L. pseudotheobromae. To confirm pathogenicity, mycelium plugs of a 3-day-old colony of strain DEJ-1 were placed onto the surface of wounded mature loquat fruits (ten replicates). Wounded but not inoculated fruits were used as negative controls. The inoculated fruits were stored in a constant temperature incubator under the conditions of 25°C, 90% relative humidity, and incubated in a 12 h light/12 h dark cycle for 7 d. The symptoms on all inoculated fruit as dark brown necrotic lesions developed after 4 d, and subsequently covered the entire fruit. Symptoms were similar to those observed in the orchards, while no symptoms were observed on the negative controls. The same fungus was re-isolated from symptomatic loquat fruit and identified (three replicates), fulfilling Koch's postulates. Therefore, L. pseudotheobromae was confirmed as the causal agent of the disease. L. pseudotheobromae has been previously reported to cause disease in litchi in China (Wei et al. 2025), but this is the first report of loquat fruit rot caused by L. pseudotheobromae in China. These results provide important information for studying the epidemiology of this disease and may contribute to future studies involving disease management in loquat.

Triploid breeding is a promising avenue for generating seedless varieties with enhanced vigor, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms, particularly the relative contributions of hybridity, ploidy level, and parent-of-origin effects (POE), remain largely elusive in perennial fruit crops. This study focuses on loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), a highly heterozygous woody perennial, to explore the molecular mechanism of triploid seedling vigor heterosis. RNA-seq across a series of reciprocal diploid (2x), triploid (3x) and tetraploid (4x) hybrids with clear genetic background revealed POE as the predominant driver of triploid heterosis at the transcriptomic level. Specifically, 784 POE-responsive differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between paternal-excess [3x(p)] and maternal-excess [3x(m)] triploids, exceeding the effects of ploidy (218–652 DEGs) and hybridity (8–90 DEGs). For an in-depth investigation, reciprocal crosses between L2 and L4 were further selected for an integrated transcriptome, allele-specific expression (ASE), and allele-specific methylation (ASM) analysis. Our findings demonstrate that POE orchestrates multilayered regulation, including (i) coordinated upregulation of vigor-related pathways (i.e., photosynthesis, starch metabolism, plant circadian rhythm) in 3x(p); (ii) a dual ASE pattern with maternal bias in gene quantity but paternal enhancement in levels, including five paternally expressed imprinted genes (PEGs); (iii) non-classical epigenetic regulation where paternal gene body hypermethylation (mCG) paradoxically enhances transcription, especially in circadian clock genes. Finally, qRT-PCR-based diurnal expression across all crosses validated that POE-dependent reprogramming of key circadian oscillator genes (EjCCA1, EjLHY, EjGI, EjTOC1), suggesting optimized metabolic efficiency through circadian clock modulation might contribute to enhanced vigor in 3x(p) hybrids. This study provides fundamental insights into the dosage-sensitive gene networks and epigenetic regulation underlying POE-driven heterosis in woody perennials, advancing polyploid heterosis theory and offering novel targets for genetic improvement.

Transcription factor EjMYBF1 positively regulates flavonol biosynthesis in loquat (Eriobotrya japonica).

Biochemometric approaches, which integrate bioactivity data with spectroscopic or spectrometric data, offer significant potential to streamline the discovery of bioactive compounds in targeted isolation strategies. However, the complexity of natural extracts and the presence of structurally similar analogs make this process time-consuming and resource intensive. This study introduces a 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based heterocovariance analysis (HetCA) workflow to identify chemical features that correlate positively or negatively with bioactivity in complex mixtures. As a proof-of-concept, the workflow was established using artificially mixed samples of pentacyclic triterpenes which were screened for modulatory activities of the retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gamma (RORγ) and the G protein-coupled bile acid receptor (TGR5). The validated concept was then exemplified using a triterpene-rich Eriobotrya japonica leaf extract. The applied workflow enabled the targeted and accurate identification of bioactive constituents from E. japonica that modulate RORγ and/or TGR5 using this newly developed biochemometric 2D NMR HetCA approach.

Deep learning-based object detection models have emerged as powerful tools for real-time pest monitoring in agriculture. Locust swarms pose a severe threat to crops, necessitating prompt and accurate detection. This study evaluates the performance of two state-of-the-art object detection models, YOLOv5 and YOLOv8, for locust detection in smart farming. After training and testing these models on a custom dataset, their accuracy, precision, recall, mean average precision (mAP), and F1 score are compared. The results demonstrate that YOLOv8 slightly outperforms YOLOv5 in terms of accuracy and recall, while YOLOv5 is faster and requires fewer resources. In addition to baseline testing, data augmentation techniques are applied, leading to improved model performance and accuracy. YOLOv8 achieved an accuracy of 79.80% after data enhancement, highlighting its potential for real-time locust detection. This comparative analysis provides valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each model, which can contribute to smart farming initiatives, aiding in the selection of the most suitable tool for sustainable agriculture and food security, such as pest monitoring and management.

Triploid breeding is a promising approach for developing seedless varieties, but the long juvenile phase of perennial fruit trees necessitates efficient early selection. In loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), a fruit crop with high demand for seedlessness, the relative contributions of hybridity, ploidy level, and parent-of-origin effects (POEs) to triploid seedling vigor remain elusive. To dissect these factors, we established a comprehensive experimental system comprising reciprocal diploid (2x), triploid (3x), and tetraploid (4x) hybrids from two genetically distinct cultivars. The ploidy, hybridity and genetic architecture of hybrid and parental groups were verified using flow cytometry, chromosome counting, newly developed InDel markers and genome-wide SNP analysis. Phenotypic evaluation of eight vigor-related traits revealed that plant height and soluble starch content were the most robust indicators of triploid heterosis in loquat. Notably, paternal-excess triploids [3x(p)] consistently outperformed all other groups. Quantitative analysis revealed POE as the main positive driver of triploid heterosis (+10.37% for plant height), far exceeding the negative impacts of hybridity (−12.75%) and ploidy level (−20.87%). These findings demonstrate that POE predominantly drives seedling vigor heterosis in triploid loquat. We propose a practical breeding strategy that combines prioritizing paternal-excess crosses with novel InDel markers for rapid verification of superior seedless progeny.

Eriobotrya japonica, a Rosaceae family plant, is cultivated in East Asia and possesses various biological activities. It has a long history of use in traditional medicine practices. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urological issue in aging men. Although its exact etiology remains unidentified, it is believed to be caused by a combination of factors such as aging, inflammation, and hormonal imbalance. This study examined the effects of E. japonica leaf 50% ethanol extracts (EJE) on human prostate epithelial BPH-1 cells and a BPH rat model developed via testosterone propionate (TP) injection. In BPH-1 cells, EJE treatment suppressed the proliferation of the cells in a dose-response relationship. In addition, mRNA expression levels of androgen receptor (AR), steroid 5 alpha-reductase type 2 (SRD5A2), and Bcl-2 were decreased, and Bax expression and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio were increased by EJE treatment. In the invivo experiment, castrated Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were orally administered EJE at the following doses: 50-200 mg/kg of body mass. EJE administration reduced prostate weight, prostate ratio, serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels, and serum testosterone levels. It also decreased intraprostatic DHT levels and 5α-reductase 2 expression. Histological analysis revealed a reduced epithelial thickness and increased lumen area in the EJE treatment group. Furthermore, the expression of AR, Bcl-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6, IL-1β, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in prostate tissues was lowered by EJE administration. In conclusion, EJE effectively alleviated benign prostatic hyperplasia, both in cells and in animal models, by regulating inflammation, suggesting it is a potential candidate as a functional ingredient for alleviating BPH.

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is an important subtropical evergreen fruit tree of the Rosaceae family that possesses significant edible and economic value. The NAC transcription factor family, as plant-specific regulatory factors, not only participated in plant growth and development but also played crucial roles in fruit quality formation. Through genome-wide analysis, this study identified 117 NAC family members in loquat, which were phylogenetically classified into 14 distinct subfamilies. Chromosomal localization revealed that 114 genes were unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes, while the remaining 3 were located in genomic scaffold regions. Collinearity analysis indicated that loquat NAC genes primarily underwent purifying selection and showed high homology with NAC genes from other Rosaceae species. Cis-acting element prediction analysis suggested these genes were extensively involved in various biological processes, including abiotic stress responses, hormone signal transduction, and growth regulation. Expression pattern analysis based on transcriptome data further uncovered differential expression characteristics of NAC genes across different loquat cultivars and fruit developmental stages. Notably, correlation analysis identified several NAC candidate genes that were significantly associated with fruit sugar-acid content. This study provided the first comprehensive and systematic characterization of the NAC gene family in loquat, establishing an important foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which NAC transcription factors regulate loquat fruit flavor quality.

Recent research reported inhibitory effects of Eriobotrya japonica leaf extracts on DPPH free radicals and α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase, and lipase enzymes. These enzymes were linked to the etiology of diabetes mellitus, obesity, and oxidative stress. The current study is aimed at determining the phytocontents of E. japonica aqueous extract leaves and exploring their potential antioxidant, anti‐α‐amylase, anti‐α‐glucosidase, and antilipase activity using reference phytochemical and biochemical assays. The phytochemical tests on the E. japonica aqueous extract confirmed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, phytosteroids, carbohydrates, and phenols. The total phenol and tannin contents of the E. japonica aqueous extract were 21.64 ± 0.89 mg of GAE/g and 1.72 ± 1 mg of CAE/g, respectively. E. japonica aqueous extract had inhibitory effects on DPPH free radicals (IC50 of 7.7 ± 3.11 μg/mL) and α‐amylase (IC50 = 141 ± 0.35 μg/mL) compared with Trolox and acarbose (6.3 ± 0.12 and 28.18 ± 1.22 μg/mL, respectively). Moreover, E. japonica aqueous extract inhibited α‐glucosidase (IC50 = 39.81 ± 0.74 vs. 37.15 ± 0.33 μg/mL inhibition by acarbose) and lipase (IC50 = 316.2 ± 0.87 vs. 12.3 ± 0.33 μg/mL inhibition by orlistat). In conclusion, the current results suggest that E. japonica aqueous extract possesses strong antioxidant, anti‐α‐glucosidase, anti‐α‐amylase, and antilipase activities with potential applications in the treatment and prevention of obesity, diabetes mellitus, and oxidative stress.

In recent years, high temperature and drought have severely impacted the growth and development of loquat [Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.] plants. Although dopamine can improve the stress resistance of plants, its role in combined stress requires further exploration. This study investigated the alleviative effect and mechanism of exogenous dopamine on loquat seedlings subjected to the combined stress of high temperature and drought. The combined stress significantly reduced root viability, photosynthetic pigment content, and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) while markedly increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) content, and electrolyte leakage (EL). The seedlings exhibited pronounced wilting symptoms, along with markedly reduced root surface area and volume. Dopamine treatment significantly alleviated combined stress-induced damage. This mitigation was manifested through substantially enhanced root viability, photosynthetic pigment content, Pn, antioxidant enzyme activities, and osmotic adjustment substances concomitantly with marked reductions in ROS, TBARS content, and EL. Dopamine significantly reduced seedling wilting severity and improved root morphological parameters. This study demonstrates that dopamine enhances loquat seedlings' tolerance to combined stress through coordinated mechanisms: maintaining photosynthetic pigments and improving stomatal conductance to sustain photosynthetic efficiency, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity and ROS scavenging capacity to mitigate oxidative damage, and promoting osmotic solute accumulation for osmotic potential regulation.

ELSOA: Enhanced Locust Swarm Optimization for IoT Task Scheduling in Cloud–Fog Systems

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) fruits are popular for their distinctive flavor and numerous health benefits. However, their short shelf life limits commercial viability. In this study, we sought to evaluate the effect of p-coumaric acid (p-CA) treatment at a concentration of 300mg·L-1 on the quality of loquat fruits during storage. The results indicated that the p-CA treatment reduced fruit chilling injury, prevented fruit rot, and retarded the decomposition of soluble sugar, titratable acid, and phenolic substances. It also reduced accumulation of malondialdehyde, lignin, and other substances to maintain fruit quality. Additionally, p-CA treatment improved antioxidant activity of the fruit by promoting the synthesis of enzymatic antioxidants and activities of antioxidant enzymes. In summary, p-CA application preserved the quality and enhanced the antioxidant capacity of post-harvest loquat fruits.

Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. leaves are rich in polyphenolic compounds, yet their toxicological effects in aquatic models remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the impact of a hydroethanolic E. japonica leaf extract on zebrafish embryos through the use of morphological, behavioral, and biochemical parameters. The 96 h LC50 was determined as 189.8 ± 4.5 mg/L, classifying the extract as practically non-toxic, according to OECD guidelines. Thereby, embryos were exposed for 90 h to 75 and 150 mg/L concentrations of the E. japonica leaf extract. While no significant effects were noted at the lowest concentration of 150 mg/L, significant developmental effects were observed, including reduced survival, delayed hatching, underdevelopment of the swim bladder, and retention of the yolk sac. These malformations were accompanied by marked behavioral impairments. Biochemical analysis revealed a concentration-dependent increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, suggesting the activation of antioxidant defenses, despite no significant change in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. This indicates a potential compensatory redox response to a pro-oxidant signal. Additionally, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was significantly reduced at the highest concentration, which may have contributed to the observed neurobehavioral changes. While AChE inhibition is commonly associated with neurotoxicity, it is also a known therapeutic target in neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting concentration-dependent dual effects. In summary, the E. japonica leaf extract induced concentration-dependent developmental and behavioral effects in zebrafish embryos, while activating antioxidant responses without triggering oxidative damage. These findings highlight the extract's potential bioactivity and underscore the need for further studies to explore its safety and therapeutic relevance.

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) flowers are a rich source of bioactive flavonoids, but their nutraceutical potential depends on post-harvest processing. This study evaluated the impact of heat-drying (HD) and freeze-drying (FD) on flavonoid retention in loquat flowers and their hot-water powdered extracts using UPLC-MS/MS metabolomics and antioxidant assays. Freeze-drying significantly preserved thermolabile compounds, with cyanidin showing a 6.62-fold increase (Log2FC 2.73) in FD compared to HD, while delphinidin 3-O-beta-D-sambubioside surged 49.85-fold (Log2FC 5.64). In contrast, heat-drying degraded many flavonoids but selectively enhanced others, such as 6-hydroxyluteolin (27.36-fold increase, Log2FC 4.77), and methyl hesperidin showed highlest percentage abundance (10.03%). Freeze-dried powder (FDP) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (608.83 μg TE/g), linked to elevated levels of key metabolites like eriodictyol chalcone (18.62-fold increase, Log2FC 4.22). Multivariate analyses confirmed distinct clustering, with FD samples closely grouped, indicating stable metabolite preservation. Heat-dried samples showed greater variability, reflecting thermal degradation and pathway activation. The results demonstrate that freeze-drying optimizes flavonoid retention, making it ideal for high-quality nutraceuticals, while heat-drying may suit cost-effective production of select heat-stable compounds. These insights guide the development of standardized loquat flower products, balancing bioactive preservation with processing efficiency for functional food and herbal medicine applications.

Production regularity of exosomes and the characteristics of miRNA in exosomes from Eriobotrya Japonica L. suspension cells

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to examine a three‐dimensional mathematical model for heat and mass transfer during hot‐air convective drying of Eriobotrya japonica slices. The thermophysical, transport, and shrinkage properties of the slices were treated as variables, and an estimate of the effective moisture diffusivity (Deff) was made, considering the Arrhenius‐type relationship with temperature. Therefore, the obtained data showed that the modified Page was the best model that described the drying kinetic characteristics of Tunisian E. japonica fruits. Also, the simulated model was solved using the finite‐element method, which was programmed by COMSOL Multiphysics. The selected model was validated by comparing it with experimental data, focusing on an air velocity of 1 m/s and temperatures of 50°C, 60°C, and 70°C, using the correlation coefficient (R2) and RMSE for analysis. In addition, the obtained results revealed that the moisture diffusivity (Deff) ranged from 9.63 × 10−9 to 1.65 × 10−8 m2/s, which is dependent on the moisture ratio and dehydration temperature. The chosen model, which yielded concordance coefficients > 0.99 for the moisture ratio and temperature, accurately predicted the experimental data. The model accurately described the heat and mass transfer processes during convective hot air drying, making it suitable for food drying applications.

AP2/ERF transcription factors (TFs) are involved in various regulatory pathways related to plant growth, development, and stress responses. The growth of Eriobotrya japonica, a popular fruit and medicinal plant, is affected by salt stress. Currently, the functions of E. japonica AP2/ERF in response to salt stress and its role in alleviating salt stress caused by exogenous melatonin (MT) remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, a bioinformatics approach was used to analyze the AP2/ERF TF family of E. japonica and its expression patterns under exogenous MT-regulated salt stress. A total of 187 AP2/ERF TFs on 18 chromosomes were identified in E. japonica, and phylogenetic analyses classified them into four subfamilies: AP2, ERF, DREB, and RAV. Each subfamily contains a relatively large number of biotic or abiotic stresses and hormone related cis-acting elements. There are 61 DEGs of EjAP2/ERF involved in the regulation of NaCl stress by exogenous melatonin. Among these genes,, seven DEGs were involved in the response to ethylene and defense signals under salt stress. These genes are involved in the regulation of NaCl-stressed E. japonica by exogenous MT by activating or repressing the transcription of downstream target genes. Notably, EjERF11, EjERF73, and EjERF86 may have functions similar to those of their homologous genes and may serve as vital genes for salt tolerance. This study is the first to investigate the functions of EjAP2/ERF genes in exogenous MT-regulated salt stress, and provides a theoretical foundation for exploring more features of AP2/ERF genes and a basis for breeding E. japonica with salt stress resistance.