Low Content Research Articles

EFFECT OF THREE QUINOA VARIETIES AND EDIBLE FLOWERS ON ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF ALE BEER

Fermentation experiments were conducted with a top-fermenting brewing yeast strain and wort enriched with three varieties of quinoa (with white, red and black grain color), as well as edible flowers (marigold and dandelion) to study their influence on the antioxidant properties of ale beer. Plant additives led to a slight increase in pH and a lower alcohol content of the beer. By itself, quinoa did not improve the functional properties of the beverage, but the combination of black quinoa and edible flowers resulted in an increased content of polyphenols in beer; marigold showed a 48.7 % increase in this parameter compared to the control, and dandelion - 51.2 %. The content of flavonoids in beer was not affected by the addition of plant additives to the wort. A slight increase in anthocyanins (0.7 - 4.4 %) was reported for black quinoa beer as well as black quinoa with flowers. A significant increase in antioxidant activity was reported for the variants with flowers (54 % for marigold and 56.6 % for dandelion). The increased antioxidant capacity combined with the reduced alcohol content of the beers with black quinoa and flowers suggests that a beverage with improved functional properties was obtained. Black quinoa, combined with edible flowers, was more favorable for increasing the antioxidant capacity of beer than other pseudo-cereals (amaranth and chia).

Nondestructive evaluation of microstructure and mechanical property of post-processing annealed selective laser melted 316L stainless steel by laser ultrasonics

By using the laser ultrasonics nondestructive technology, combined with the microstructure and mechanical property of post-processing annealed selective laser melted 316L stainless steel characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD), and mechanical property testing, selective laser melted 316L stainless steel after post-processing annealing was evaluated. The results show that the frequency domain attenuation coefficient of ultrasonic waves is positively correlated with the average grain size; the time domain attenuation coefficient of ultrasonic waves is negatively correlated with the low angle boundary content. The tensile strength has a good correlation with the time domain attenuation coefficient and wave speed, the correlation coefficients R2 are 0.95 and 0.89 respectively; the yield strength correlates with the time domain attenuation coefficient, the correlation coefficient R2 is 0.76; the elongation has a good correlation with the frequency domain attenuation coefficient and wave speed, the correlation coefficient R2 is 0.90 and 0.86 respectively.

Evaluating metagenomics and targeted approaches for diagnosis and surveillance of viruses

BackgroundMetagenomics is a powerful approach for the detection of unknown and novel pathogens. Workflows based on Illumina short-read sequencing are becoming established in diagnostic laboratories. However, high sequencing depth requirements, long turnaround times, and limited sensitivity hinder broader adoption. We investigated whether we could overcome these limitations using protocols based on untargeted sequencing with Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), which offers real-time data acquisition and analysis, or a targeted panel approach, which allows the selective sequencing of known pathogens and could improve sensitivity.MethodsWe evaluated detection of viruses with readily available untargeted metagenomic workflows using Illumina and ONT, and an Illumina-based enrichment approach using the Twist Bioscience Comprehensive Viral Research Panel (CVRP), which targets 3153 viruses. We tested samples consisting of a dilution series of a six-virus mock community in a human DNA/RNA background, designed to resemble clinical specimens with low microbial abundance and high host content. Protocols were designed to retain the host transcriptome, since this could help confirm the absence of infectious agents. We further compared the performance of commonly used taxonomic classifiers.ResultsCapture with the Twist CVRP increased sensitivity by at least 10–100-fold over untargeted sequencing, making it suitable for the detection of low viral loads (60 genome copies per ml (gc/ml)), but additional methods may be needed in a diagnostic setting to detect untargeted organisms. While untargeted ONT had good sensitivity at high viral loads (60,000 gc/ml), at lower viral loads (600–6000 gc/ml), longer and more costly sequencing runs would be required to achieve sensitivities comparable to the untargeted Illumina protocol. Untargeted ONT provided better specificity than untargeted Illumina sequencing. However, the application of robust thresholds standardized results between taxonomic classifiers. Host gene expression analysis is optimal with untargeted Illumina sequencing but possible with both the CVRP and ONT.ConclusionsMetagenomics has the potential to become standard-of-care in diagnostics and is a powerful tool for the discovery of emerging pathogens. Untargeted Illumina and ONT metagenomics and capture with the Twist CVRP have different advantages with respect to sensitivity, specificity, turnaround time and cost, and the optimal method will depend on the clinical context.

Morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses of three different soybean (Glycine max L.) varieties under salinity stress conditions

Salinity is one of the most detrimental factors for the growth performance and productivity of crops worldwide. Therefore, understanding crop responses or growth potentials and their effectiveness in salinity mitigation is highly important for the selection of salinity-tolerant plant varieties. In this study, the effects of salinity at various stress levels (0 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM, and 150 mM NaCl) on the morphological, physiological, and biochemical parameters of three soybean varieties (‘Afigat’, ‘Gishama’, and ‘Pawi-2’) were investigated. The results showed that salinity significantly reduced morphological traits including plant height, number of leaves per plant, stem thickness, shoot and root length, and fresh and dry weight. This reduction was more prominent in the ‘Afigat’ variety for all of these traits except shoot and root length. The concentrations of chlorophyll a and b decreased with increasing salinity. In addition, salinity significantly increased leaf electrolyte leakage (EL), lipid peroxidation, proline accumulation, and phenol and flavonoid content. The ‘Pawi-2’ variety was more tolerant than the other studied varieties in terms of membrane stability (less EL and a low malondialdehyde content) and proline, phenol, and flavonoid accumulation. Therefore, ‘Pawi-2’ may be considered as the most salt-tolerant variety in comparison with the other studied soybean varieties. Further complementary studies in field conditions including anatomical parameters are needed to confirm these findings.

MOLECULAR MECHANISM OF PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL IMPROVEMENT IN GRAPHENE/GRAPHENE OXIDE-EPOXY COMPOSITE MATERIALS.

The performance provided by graphene (Gr) and graphene oxide (GO) additives can be improved by achieving strong adhesion and uniform dispersion in the epoxy resin matrix. In this study, molecular modeling and simulation of DGEBA/DETA based epoxy nanocomposites containing Gr and GO additives were performed. Density functional theory and molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate interfacial interaction energies and Young's Modulus. Improvement in the interaction energies was studied by controlling the epoxy:hardener ratio, type and the number of oxygen-containing functional groups on the GO, the mass percentage of Gr/GO filler in the epoxy matrix, size and dispersion of GO in the cell. It was demonstrated that functional groups with up to 10% oxygen content in GO significantly increase interfacial interaction energy for large size Gr/GO. Increasing DETA type amine ratio in the preparation of epoxy polymers increases the interaction energy for high oxygen content while decreasing the interaction energy for low oxygen content in GO for small size GO with edge functional groups. The performance of material dramatically decreased even at high DETA hardener and high GO mass percentages when the aggregation factor of Gr/GO was included in simulations that explain lower Gr/GO percentages in the experimental studies.

A Starch- and Sucrose-Reduced Diet Has Similar Efficiency as Low FODMAP in IBS-A Randomized Non-Inferiority Study.

A diet with low content of fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) is established treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with well-documented efficiency. A starch- and sucrose-reduced diet (SSRD) has shown similar promising effects. The primary aim of this randomized, non-inferiority study was to test SSRD against low FODMAP and compare the responder rates (RR = ∆Total IBS-SSS ≥ -50) to a 4-week dietary intervention of either diet. Secondary aims were to estimate responders of ≥100 score and 50% reduction; effects on extraintestinal symptoms; saturation; sugar craving; anthropometric parameters; and blood pressure. 155 IBS patients were randomized to SSRD (n = 77) or low FODMAP (n = 78) for 4 weeks, with a follow-up 5 months later without food restrictions. The questionnaires Rome IV, IBS-severity scoring system (IBS-SSS), and visual analog scale for IBS (VAS-IBS) were completed at baseline and after 2 and 4 weeks and 6 months. Weight, height, waist circumference, and blood pressures were measured. Comparisons were made within the groups and between changes in the two groups. There were no differences between groups at baseline. The responder rate of SSRD was non-inferior compared with low FODMAPs at week 2 (79.2% vs. 73.1%; p = 0.661;95% confidence interval (CI) = -20-7.2) and week 4 (79.2% vs. 78.2%; p = 1.000;95%CI = -14-12). Responder rate was still high when defined stricter. All gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms were equally improved (p < 0.001 in most variables). SSRD rendered greater reductions in weight (p = 0.006), body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.005), and sugar craving (p = 0.05), whereas waist circumference and blood pressure were equally decreased. Weight and BMI were regained at follow-up. In the SSRD group, responders at 6 months still had lowered weight (-0.7 (-2.5-0.1) vs. 0.2 (-0.7-2.2) kg; p = 0.005) and BMI (-0.25 (-0.85-0.03) vs. 0.07 (-0.35-0.77) kg/m2; p = 0.009) compared with baseline in contrast to non-responders. Those who had tested both diets preferred SSRD (p = 0.032). In conclusion, a 4-week SSRD intervention was non-inferior to low FODMAP regarding responder rates of gastrointestinal IBS symptoms. Furthermore, strong reductions of extraintestinal symptoms were found in both groups, whereas reductions in weight, BMI, and sugar craving were most pronounced following SSRD.

Sustainable Jam with Apple Pomace: Gelling, Rheology, and Composition Analysis

Fruit juice processing can generate significant waste, but efficiently repurposing some of its byproducts not only reduces environmental impact but also adds value, thereby enhancing sustainability in the food industry. This work assesses the use of hydrocolloids in jam preparation and the influence of time and temperature on gelation in the presence of apple pomace. The effects of different processing conditions were analyzed using response surface methodology. Viscosity, elastic modulus (G′), viscous modulus (G″), and firmness were measured. Results indicated that both time and temperature significantly improved rheological and textural properties. The optimal conditions (35.6 min and 84.2 °C) yielded a viscosity of 3.66 × 10⁴ ± 4.49 × 102 Pa.s and a G′ at 1 Hz of 2596 ± 128 Pa. The final product exhibited the desirable texture, was free of added sugars, had low lipid content, and retained its bioactive compounds. Applying apple pomace in the formulation allows a more efficient hydrocolloid system, promotes a circular economy, and combats food waste.

Impact of Ultrasound Pre-Treatment on the Drying Kinetics and Quality of Chicken Breast-A Comparative Study of Convective and Freeze-Drying Methods.

Fresh meat has a limited shelf life and is prone to spoilage. Drying serves as a common method for food preservation. Non-thermal techniques such as ultrasound treatment (US) can positively affect the drying processes and alter the final product. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of US pre-treatment on the hot air (HA) and freeze-drying (FD) of chicken breast meat and the quality of the dried products. US pre-treatment had a varied impact depending on the drying method used. The contact US method extended the HA drying time (about 50%) but improved water removal during FD (about 30%) compared to the untreated samples. Both methods resulted in low water content (<8.3%) and low water activity (<0.44). While rehydration properties (RR) and hygroscopicity (H) were not significantly affected by US pre-treatment in HA drying (about 1.35% and about 1.1, respectively), FD noticed differences due to shrinkage and porosity variations (RR: 2.4-3.2%, H: 1.19-1.25). The HA-dried samples exhibited notably greater tissue shrinkage and a darker surface color than the FD meat. Ultrasonic processing holds substantial potential in creating dried meat products with tailored characteristics. Hence, meticulous consideration of processing methods and parameters is of utmost importance.

The Impact of Water on Polylactide – Polybutylene Adipinate Terephthalate Blends

Mixing in the melt followed by pressing, blends of polylactide — polybutylene adipate terephthalate of various compositions were obtained. The content of polybutylene adipate terephthalate in blends was 10, 20 and 30 wt. %. The effect of water on film samples at a temperature of 22 ± 2°C for 270 days was studied. After exposure to water, a change in morphology was detected: turbidity of the samples and the appearance of defects. The thermophysical characteristics before and after hydrolytic degradation were determined by differential scanning calorimetry. A decrease in the cold crystallization temperature in pure polylactide and with a low content of polybutylene adipate terephthalate, and the disappearance of the cold crystallization peak at a content of 20 and 30 wt. % of polybutylene adipate terephthalate were shown. The degree of crystallinity of polylactide after exposure to water tended to increase. Changes in the chemical structure of mixed samples were monitored by IR spectroscopy.

Advanced soil-gas geochemical exploration methods for orogenic gold deposits: A case study of Chalapu deposit, Xizang

Orogenic gold deposits play a significant role in the world’s gold reserves, and their distinctive characteristics pose challenges for exploration. The low sulfide content and narrow, fault-controlled sulfide-quartz veins hinder the use of traditional mineral exploration methods to locate deeply buried ore bodies, particularly in regolith-covered areas. Enhanced methods are required to detect deposits at greater depths. Soil gas composition shows promising potential for mineral exploration by conveying information about sulfur-rich and carbon-rich gases related to deep-seated mineralization into surface soils. However, the prospects of this method for gold deposits remain uncertain. In this study, a novel method was introduced to perform an integrated H2S, SO2, CH4, and CO2 soil-gas geochemical survey on gold ore bodies of different scales at the Chalapu deposit in Tibet. The results unveiled notable gas geochemical anomalies of H2S, SO2, CH4, and CO2 above the multi-layered or thick gold ore bodies. For instance, on exploration line 16 at point A1607, H2S reached the regional maximum value of 1.064 ppm, coinciding with the surface exposure of the thickest gold ore body, measuring 19.81 m. While the presence of CH4 and CO2 anomalies alone may not signify potential mineralized zones, the combined presence of anomalous H2S and SO2 values along with CH4 and CO2 concentrations appears to be effective in identifying mineralization. These combinations of geochemical anomalies not only uncover concealed ore bodies, but also delineate the trend and extension direction in strike and dip of ore bodies. Gas intensity may provide insights into the scale of the ore bodies, with stronger gas anomalies observed in areas with thicker ore bodies at similar depths. Thus, the study reveals that soil-gas exploration shows great promise as an exploration technique for orogenic gold deposits, especially in areas with regolith cover hindering traditional methods from detecting mineralized zones for gold exploration.

Chitosan-graft-poly(vinyl acetate) for wood-adhesive applications

Poly(vinyl acetate), PVAc, adhesives are commonly used for wood bonding; however, they are fossil-based and the final products usually do not have a sufficient water resistance for more durable applications. In this study we prepared an adhesive formulation by grafting VAc from chitosan using emulsion polymerization, chitosan-graft-PVAc. Thereby, we could decrease the fossil-based content of the adhesive and at the same time significantly improve the water resistance. Chitosan by itself has very good bonding properties as a wood adhesive, especially regarding water resistance; however, very low solid contents of the adhesive formulation can be achieved due to a very high viscosity of chitosan adhesives. In our chitosan-graft-PVAc adhesives, we explored two chitosan samples with different molecular weights, by using as-received chitosan and hydrolyzing it to a lower molecular weight. The chitosan fractions in the adhesives prepared with a higher molecular weight chitosan were 15, 20 and 25 wt%. However, due to the high viscosity, a solid content higher than 17 wt% could not be achieved for these adhesives. Sufficient bond strengths were achieved when the adhesive was applied in 122 g/m2 solid spread rate. In order to decrease the viscosity, we used hydrolyzed chitosan, with a lower molecular weight, to allow for a higher adhesive solid content, 34 wt%, and for a higher chitosan fraction, 40 wt%. In the adhesive with 40 wt% chitosan and 17 wt% solid content, all VAc was grafted from chitosan. This decreased the molecular mobility of the chains, leading to a lower susceptibility to plastic creep in the adhesive which contributes to the final bond strength. The dry and wet strengths of the specimens bonded with adhesives containing chitosan were higher than the strength of the specimens bonded with the reference PVAc adhesive.

Soilless Production of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in the Atacama Desert Using Fog Water: Water Quality and Produce Mineral Composition

Soilless vegetable production in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile is spreading since it is perceived as an alternative that requires much less water than open field soil production. However, strong competition between mining and urban use for human population consumption exists, forcing growers to use alternative water sources. Fog is commonly present in the coastal areas of Northern Chile; however, little information exists with regards to its chemical composition and the effect on nutrient quality of the produce. To address this knowledge gap, a set of experiments was carried out in Chañaral, a small town located in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile. There, a 200 m2 greenhouse equipped with twenty deep flow pools was used in two consecutive growing cycles. Water for the mixing of the nutrient solution was collected from the fog using fog-catchers and later stored in 2000-L tanks. Fog water quality (electrical conductivity, pH and mineral content) was monitored directly from the storage tanks. Two types of lettuce, green butterhead and red oak leaf, were compared on their yield and accumulation of nutrients and heavy metals. The results indicate that fog water is of good quality for soilless production, with an electrical conductivity value of 0.65 ± 0.18 and low content of heavy metals. Plants’ heavy metal accumulation is below the recommendation of Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization. Fog water presents as a viable water source for soilless production in Northern Chile.

Upgrading the Bioactive Potential of Hazelnut Oil Cake by Aspergillus oryzae under Solid-State Fermentation.

Hazelnut oil cake (HOC) has the potential to be bioactive component source. Therefore, HOC was processed with a solid-state fermentation (SSF) by Aspergillus oryzae with two steps optimization: Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken design. The variables were the initial moisture content (X1: 30-50%), incubation temperature (X2: 26-37 °C), and time (X3: 3-5 days), and the response was total peptide content (TPC). The fermented HOC (FHOC) was darker with higher protein, oil, and ash but lower carbohydrate content than HOC. The FHOC had 6.1% more essential amino acid and benzaldehyde comprised 48.8% of determined volatile compounds. Fermentation provided 14 times higher TPC (462.37 mg tryptone/g) and higher phenolic content as 3.5, 48, and 7 times in aqueous, methanolic, and 80% aqueous methanolic extract in FHOC, respectively. FHOC showed higher antioxidant as ABTS+ (75.61 µmol Trolox/g), DPPH (14.09 µmol Trolox/g), and OH (265 mg ascorbic acid/g) radical scavenging, and α-glucosidase inhibition, whereas HOC had more angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition. HOC showed better water absorption while FHOC had better oil absorption activity. Both cakes had similar foaming and emulsifying activity; however, FHOC produced more stable foams and emulsions. SSF at lab-scale yielded more bioactive component with better functionality in FHOC.

Vanillin, ferulic acid and their 1:1 combination inhibit lipid accumulation in 3T3 L1 adipocytes and 3D spheroids

BackgroundObesity is poised to be a major healthcare crisis worldwide. Genetic predisposition, inadequate activity, changing lifestyle and dietary patterns are cited as major causes for obesity. Even as a number of anti-obesity medications hit the market, there is still an ongoing quest to explore natural compounds, which are perceived as safer alternatives, for their anti-obesity activity. This study explores the anti-obesity potential of dietary polyphenols vanillin, ferulic acid and their combination using 3T3 L1 adipocytes and their 3D spheroids. MethodsStudies were conducted on differentiated 3T3 L1 adipocytes and their 3D spheroids. Assays conducted on 3T3 L1 adipocytes include Oil red O, fluorescent Nile Red staining and triglyceride quantification to assess effect on lipid droplet accumulation. 2 NBDG was used to assess glucose uptake following drug treatment. 3D spheroid cultures were generated and triglyceride content was quantified. Effect of drug treatment on gene expression was analysed using qRT-PCR. Results of monolayer culture were compared with 3D spheroid models. ResultsVanillin, ferulic acid and their combination lower intracellular triglyceride content and lipid droplet accumulation, inhibiting glucose uptake and conversion to triglycerides in 3T3 L1 adipocytes and their 3D spheroids. Compounds and their combination downregulated mRNA expression of C/EBP α and PPAR ɣ, FAS, ACC1, GLUT4, LPL, aP2. Vanillin treatment upregulated leptin mRNA expression. ConclusionVanillin, ferulic acid and their combination lower lipid accumulation and glucose uptake in 3T3 L1 adipocytes and 3D spheroids.

Development of a microfluidic SNP assay for lineage discrimination in the endangered hazel dormouse

AbstractThe application of Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) approaches is often restricted in wildlife monitoring and conservation genetics, as those fields often rely on noninvasively collected samples with low DNA content. Here we selected a subset of informative single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from genome-wide data for lineage discrimination of a locally endangered Eurasian rodent, the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius), and designed a microfluidic 96 SNP genotyping assay suitable for noninvasively collected samples. Analyses of 43 samples from different European countries confirmed successful discrimination of the Eastern and Western lineage and local substructure within those lineages, proving the suitability of the developed panel for identifying evolutionary significant units and conservation units. Application with 94 hair and scat samples collected in a recent monitoring study on the hazel dormouse in Southern Germany resulted in &gt; 99.5% amplification success showing the applicability of the new tool in genetic wildlife monitoring and conservation studies.

Effect of oxidizer on the energy release during the initial detonation stage of aluminized explosives

ABSTRACT The addition of an oxidizer to aluminized explosives can promote the reaction of the aluminum particles to release more energy, significantly increasing the energy of the explosion. In this study, metal plate acceleration tests of CL-20-based explosives under strong constraints were performed, and the metal plate velocity was measured by laser interferometry, then the metal plate acceleration processes were simulated. By combining experiment and numerical simulation, the metal acceleration characteristics of the initial detonation stage were obtained, and the energy release and aluminum reaction law of oxidizer-containing cast cured aluminized explosives were investigated. The results showed that, in the initial stage of the detonation product expansion, the energy released from the aluminum reaction in the explosives with an oxidizer was slower than that in the explosives without an oxidizer. As the oxidizer content increased, the acceleration ability decreased, and the energy utilization rate of the explosive decreased. This may be because of the relatively low CL-20 content and high oxidizer content, where the oxidizer does not participate in the initial reaction and absorbs a large amount of the heat released by the CL-20 reaction, resulting in weak acceleration ability in the initial detonation stage of aluminized explosives.

Application of soil amendments to reduce the transfer of trace metal elements from contaminated soils of Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of the Congo) to vegetables

The extraction of copper and cobalt from mines has led to the contamination of agricultural soils by trace metal elements (TMEs) (e.g. Cu: 204 to 1355 mg/kg). The mining industry is one of the sources of metal discharges into the environment, contributing to water, soil, and air contamination and causing metabolic disorders in the inhabitants of the city of Lubumbashi (R.D. Congo). This study assessed the effectiveness of organocalcareous soil improvers applied to TME-contaminated soils to reduce their transfer to plants. Following a factorial design, increasing doses of organic soil improvers (chicken droppings and sawdust) and agricultural lime were applied to the soils of three market gardens (high, medium, and low Cu contamination). The experiment was monitored for 60 days. Soil physicochemical properties (pH, TOC, and total and available copper, cobalt, lead, cadmium, and zinc (mg/kg)) were determined for the three gardens and in the vegetable biomass. The daily consumption index of the vegetables was determined based on total TME content. The results show that organocalcareous soil improvers did not promote plant growth and survival on soils with high and medium levels of copper contamination. However, on soils with low copper content, organocalcareous soil improvers improved germination and plant survival and reduced the transfer of metals from the soil to the plants. The best germination and plant survival rates were obtained with the lightly contaminated market garden. In addition, the organo-limestone amendments applied to the soils slightly increased the soil pH from acidic to slightly acidic, with pH values ranging from (5.43 ± 0.07 to 7.26 ± 0.33). The daily vegetable consumption index obtained for cobalt in the low-contaminated garden ranged from (0.029 to 0.465 mg/60 kg/day), i.e. from 0.5 to 8.45 times higher than the FAO/WHO limit, unlike the other trace metals (Cd, Cu and Pb) for which the daily consumption index found was lower than the FAO/WHO limit. Organocalcareous soil improvers can only be applied to soils with low levels of TME contamination, but for soils with medium to high levels of metal contamination, new soilless production techniques such as hydroponics or bioponics are needed.

MRI and HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy to correlate structural characteristics and the metabolome of Fiano and Pallagrello grapes with the action of field spray preparation 500 and the soil spatial microvariability

BackgroundA number of Italian grape berry varieties, such as Fiano (F) and Pallagrello Nero (P), represent National strategic products. Therefore, it is important to identify soil conditions emphasizing their peculiar characteristics as well as find innovative and sustainable treatments improving their compositional and nutraceutical quality. The field spray preparation 500 is a biodynamic product that is presumed to serve as biostimulant on the vine. However, so far, the scientific results probing its effectiveness are still lacking. Moreover, it is necessary to establish a reliable relationship between the grape quality and the spatial microvariability of the vineyard’s soil. On this basis, the main objective of this work consisted in correlating structural and morphological characteristics (via MRI), the primary metabolome (via semi-solid state HRMAS NMR) and important nutraceutical parameters (total phenols and antioxidants via DPPH assay) of F and P grapes with both the action of preparation 500 biostimulant and the vineyard soil microvariability, based on soil apparent electrical conductivity.ResultsHRMAS enabled the identification of the primary metabolome of F and P. The elaboration of 1H NMR spectra through chemometrics revealed significant changes in F and P grapes, accounting for both soil microvariability and the application of field spray (the latter also confirmed by PLS-DA and Heat-map clustering). Interestingly, for both F and P it was observed a significantly lower content of carbohydrates after biostimulant treatment while MRI revealed diagnostic structural and internal details of intact grapes. The combined use of proton parametric indices, such as relaxation times and diffusion coefficients, indicated alterations induced in grapes by both the spatial microvariability of the soil and the effects of investigated biostimulant. Interestingly, a tight correlation was found between MRI transverse relaxation time and the contents in total phenols and antioxidants.ConclusionsOur results have proven that both soil spatial microvariability and the application of field spray preparation 500 significantly affect the structural, metabolomic and nutraceutical characteristics of grapes. Moreover, the preparation 500 treatment has increased the nutraceutical value of grapes. Importantly, these data may be potentially used to promote and protect biodynamic grape and predict the quality of the resulting wines.Graphical

Evaluation of Elevated CO2 on Nutritional Quality of Green Gram for the Management of Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) during Storage

An experiment was conducted to study the assessment of nutritional quality parameters of green gram treated with elevated levels of carbon dioxide to manage Callosobruchus infestation during 2020-21 at Seed Entomology Laboratory, Seed Research and Technology Centre, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India. Nutritional quality of Callosobruchus chinensis infested green gram seeds exposed to four different concentrations of CO2 viz., 20, 40, 60 and 80 per cent was studied. The results revealed that the 80 per cent CO2 concentration maintained high carbohydrate content (62.93 per cent) and crude fat (4.51 per cent) besides less protein (25.26 per cent) content after two months of storage. The 80per cent CO2 treatment was consistently found to be the best treatment when it was retested in bulk quantity (25 kg of seed) after two months of storage period. High carbohydrate, crude fat content and low protein content were observed in all the CO2 treatments (20, 40, 60 and 80 per cent) when compared to untreated control. These findings suggest that using elevated CO2 levels could be a viable alternative to synthetic pesticides chemical fumigants for preserving green gram during storage.

The superior adsorption capacity of biogenic α-Mn2O3 in comparison to chemogenic α-Mn2O3 for five divalent heavy metal cations and the adsorption mechanism of biogenic α-Mn2O3: Experimental and DFT investigations

Manganese oxides play a crucial role in the adsorption of heavy metals in the environment. However, there is currently a lack of information regarding the comparative adsorption efficiency of heavy metals between biogenic and chemogenic manganese oxides. In this work, we compared the adsorption performance of biogenic and chemogenic α-Mn2O3 towards Pb(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II). Mineral characterization analyses revealed that biogenic α-Mn2O3 exhibited a polycrystalline nature, whereas chemogenic α-Mn2O3 displayed a monocrystalline nature with a lower impurity content compared to biogenic α-Mn2O3. Under acidic conditions, biogenic α-Mn2O3 demonstrated a significantly higher adsorption capacity, ranging from 3 to 6 times greater than its chemogenic counterpart, within an initial heavy metal concentration range of 0.2–1.0 mM. This superiority can be attributed to the presence of more abundant functional groups and a greater content of hydroxyl O species on the surface of biogenic α-Mn2O3 in comparison to chemogenic α-Mn2O3. During the adsorption process of biogenic α-Mn2O3, there were observed ionic exchanges between Mn(II) and these cations. More importantly, biogenic α-Mn2O3 bound with these cations probably through the formation of -O/OH/S complexes. The adsorption selectivity of biogenic α-Mn2O3 towards the five heavy metals was experimentally determined to follow the order of Ni(II) > Pb(II) > Cu(II) > Zn(II) > Cd(II). The electronic interaction between biogenic α-Mn2O3 and these cations indicated that Ni(II), Pb(II) and Cu(II) were more likely to share electrons with O atoms on the surface of biogenic α-Mn2O3 compared to Zn(II) and Cd(II).