Food Sources Research Articles

Novel foodborne source of Xerochrysium xerophilum (Pitt) Pitt, raw peanuts stored at low moisture and high CO2

Peanut seed is ideally stored at low water activity (aw) and low temperature, since common mycotoxigenic fungi cannot survive below 0.8 aw, and the life cycle of seed-infesting insects is interrupted below 15 °C. Hermetic storage bags at 0.77 aw, room temperature, and ≥ 9000 mg/m3 CO2, were tested for their potential use in countries where temperature control is unaffordable. Despite these inhospitable conditions, peanuts displayed an unusual white powder that we identified as the xerophilic fungus Xerochrysium xerophilum (syn. Chrysosporium xerophilum), and sequenced its genome. Previously, only 19 sequences shorter than 1700 nt were available. For six decades, only three food sources of X. xerophilum were known: dry prunes, chocolate, and dry coconut. Here we report peanut as a novel food source of this extremophile and make one isolate available at the USDA culture collection. Given the slow growth of this fungus in culture, we developed a robust PCR to sequence and identify X. xerophilum on contaminated peanut seed without performing DNA extraction. The broad range of oxygen, aw and temperatures that support growth of X. xerophilum will significantly affect the decisions made regarding the conditions to safely store peanuts.

Multiplex PCR-based genotyping of Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium from food sources and assessment of their antimicrobial resistance profiles in Egypt.

Salmonellosis is a widespread zoonotic disease that poses a significant threat to livestock and public health. This study aimed to serotype 20 Salmonella isolates obtained from sixty retail chicken meats, assess Salmonella contamination from eggs, and evaluate antibiotic resistance profiles. Twenty eggs were randomly collected in the new Borg El Arab market. Bacterial isolation was carried out utilizing both traditional culture, biochemical, and PCR methods. Among the twenty eggs analyzed, three (15%) tested positive for Salmonella, while the remaining seventeen (85%) were confirmed as negative. Genotyping through multiplex PCR revealed the presence of two S. Enteritidis and other serovar, with the use of three specific gene sets: a random sequence for Salmonella spp., sdfI gene for S. Enteritidis, and flagellin (fliC gene) for S. Typhimurium. Out of the 20 isolates obtained from chicken meat, five (25%) were identified as S. Typhimurium, and three (15%) were classified as S. Enteritidis. All isolates sourced from chicken meat exhibited resistance to Rifampicin and Amoxicillin, with 90% displaying sensitivity to cefotaxime, gemifloxacin, and Erythromycin. Importantly, S. Blegdam, identified via serological methods, displayed resistance to all tested antibiotics. For the three isolates obtained from eggs, 66.6% showed sensitivity to cefotaxime, erythromycin, cefuraxime, and cefaclor, while displaying complete resistance (100%) to Amoxicillin, rifampicin, clarithromycin, and cefadroxil. Notably, one serovar exhibited absolute resistance to all tested drugs. Stakeholders must implement strict control measures and rationalize antibiotic use in veterinary and human medicine due to the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains.

Regulation of winter river input on the nutrient structure of typical tropical bays around Leizhou Peninsula, South China

Elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of terrestrial input on bay nutrients is essential for comprehending the ecological stability of bays. This paper investigates nutrients' structure, transport, and transformation processes in typical tropical bays of the Leizhou Peninsula during river input, utilizing fixed-site observation data from five distinct bay locations during November 2022. The results show that the average concentrations of TN, TP, DIN and DIP in the rivers of Leizhou Peninsula were 5.162 mg L−1 (2.263–13.610 mg L−1), 0.092 mg L−1 (0.026–0.288 mg L−1), 2.195 mg L−1 (0.897–4.081 mg L−1), 0.042 mg L−1 (0.002–0.147 mg L−1). The average concentrations of TN, TP, DIN and DIP in the bay were 0.491 mg L−1 (0.282–0.843 mg L−1), 0.041 mg L−1 (0.018–0.073 mg L−1), 0.245 mg L−1 (0.019–0.614 mg L−1), 0.021 mg L-1 (0.005–0.045 mg L−1). The ratio of TN/TP in the bay averaged 29 (17–48), and the ratio of DIN/DIP averaged 35.1 (8–298). The mean Chl-a concentration in the bay was 7.131 mg L−1 (0.927–25.076 mg L−1). The bays along the Leizhou Peninsula are still heavily influenced by rivers during winter. There are higher concentrations of nutrients in the bays, and there is higher nutrient input flux from rivers. The significant negative correlation between nutrient concentration and salinity in the bay indicates that river input is an important source of nutrients in the bay. As water transports from the river to offshore, the ratio of dissolved inorganic nitrate to dissolved inorganic phosphorus shifts from phosphorus limitation to nitrogen limitation. Leizhou Bay and Jianjiang Bay are heavily influenced by riverine inputs and coastal activities and are potentially at risk of eutrophication. Anpu Bay is subject to both riverine and other sources of inputs but has a better self-purification capacity. The results suggest that nutrient transport in Leizhou Peninsula rivers is regulated by both physical and biogeochemical processes. It is recommended that the monitoring of nutrient discharges from rivers be strengthened, total land-based pollution should be controlled, and industrial structures along the rivers should be adjusted and the control of total land-based pollution, and to adjust the industrial structure along the rivers to reduce the risk of water quality deterioration.

Evaluation of fluoride exposure using disability-adjusted life years and health risk assessment in south-western Iran: A novel Monte Carlo simulation

Consumption of fluoride-contaminated water is a worldwide concern, especially in developing countries, including Iran. However, there are restricted studies of non-single-value health risk assessment and the disease burden regarding fluoride intake nationwide. Prolonged exposure to excessive fluoride has been linked to adverse health effects such as dental and skeletal fluorosis. This can lead to under-mineralization of hard tissues, causing aesthetic concerns for teeth and changes in bone structure, increasing the risk of fractures. As such, we aimed to implement probability-based frameworks using Monte Carlo methods to explore the potential adverse effects of fluoride via the ingestion route. This platform consists of two sectors: 1) health risk assessment of various age categories coupled with a variance decomposition technique to measure the contributions of predictor variables in the outcome of the health risk model, and 2) implementing Monte Carlo methods in dose-response curves to explore the fluoride-induced burden of diseases of dental fluorosis and skeletal fractures in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). For this purpose, total water samples of 8053 (N=8053) from 57 sites were analyzed in Fars and Bushehr Provinces. The mean fluoride concentrations were 0.75 mg/L and 1.09 mg/L, with maximum fluoride contents of 6.5 mg/L and 3.22 mg/L for the Fars and Bushehr provinces, respectively. The hazard quotient of the 95th percentile (HQ>1) revealed that all infants and children in the study area were potentially vulnerable to over-receiving fluoride. Sobol’ sensitivity analysis indices, including first-order, second-order, and total order, disclosed that fluoride concentration (Cw), ingestion rate (IRw), and their mutual interactions were the most influential factors in the health risk model. DALYs rate of dental fluorosis was as high as 981.45 (uncertainty interval: UI 95 % 353.23–1618.40) in Lamerd, and maximum DALYs of skeletal fractures occurred in Mohr 71.61(49.75–92.71), in Fars Province, indicated severe dental fluorosis but mild hazard regarding fractures. Residents of the Tang-e Eram in Bushehr Province with a DALYs rate of 3609.40 (1296.68–5993.73) for dental fluorosis and a DALYs rate of 284.67 (199.11–367.99) for skeletal fractures were the most potentially endangered population. By evaluating the outputs of the DALYs model, the gap in scenarios of central tendency exposure and reasonable maximum exposure highlights the role of food source intake in over-receiving fluoride. This research insists on implementing defluoridation programs in fluoride-endemic zones to combat the undesirable effects of fluoride. The global measures presented in this research aim to address the root causes of contamination and help policymakers and authorities mitigate fluoride's harmful impacts on the environment and public health.

The potential application of Czenspinskia transversostriata in biological control.

Phytoseiid predatory mites are one of the most important groups of biocontrol agents, commonly used in biological control. The ability to produce these predatory mites economically, at high density on cheap factitious food sources, is a major contributor to their success. Astigmatid mites are the most widely used factitious food for this purpose. In this study, we investigated the potential application of the leaf-dwelling astigmatid mite Czenspinskia transversostriata (Oudemans) (Acari: Winterschmidtiidae) as a prey mite in biological control. We tested whether C. transversostriata is a suitable food source for the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae), both in the laboratory and on cucumber plants. Based on a reproduction trial, C. transversostriata proved to be an equally good food source compared to both pollen of Typha angustifolia L. (Poales: Typhaceae) and a frequently used prey mite Carpoglyphus lactis L. (Acari: Carpoglyphidae). In a pre-establishment trial on cucumber plants, populations of A. swirskii reached equally high densities when supplemented with C. transversostriata, compared to C. lactis. Lastly, we show that C. transversostriata is capable of feeding and reproducing on powdery mildew growing on cucumber plants, thereby slowing down the development of the pathogenic fungus. Results derived from this study show that C. transversostriata may have multiple potential applications in biological control programs.

Evaluation of spent coffee grounds as a nutrient source for turfgrass systems

The growing popularity of cold-brewed coffee has resulted in large amounts of localized spent coffee grounds (SCG) generated from production plants. Spent coffee grounds offer many favorable agronomic properties, but also contain caffeine, tannins and phenolic compounds that may be deleterious to plant growth. There is a growing body of research examining the effects of SCG on plants, but little of which pertains to use in turfgrass systems. The objective of this two-year field study was to evaluate the feasibility of using SCG as an agronomic source of nutrients for turfgrass. Field studies were conducted over two years to characterize performance of ‘Riley’s Super Sport’ (Celebration®) bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) receiving multiple nutrient source treatments including fresh and composted SCG, as well as synthetic, natural organic, and bridge fertilizers, some which included SCG. Soils were analyzed at the conclusion of the study to determine whether SGC provided long-term effects of on soil pH and/or nutrient concentrations. Our results demonstrated that although SCG possesses between 2.3-2.9% N and a favorable C:N ratio, direct SCG applications over two seasons did not produce responses typical of a fertilizer when applied as a topdressing. However, when combined with poultry litter, the SCG-containing organic fertilizer GeoJava produced improved turf quality relative to other organic and synthetic commercial fertilizers in our study, including Milorganite, ammonium sulfate, and URI-PEL S.R. Further, despite the acidic nature of SCG, their repeated application over multiple years did not result in any long-term changes to soil pH. Although early on, SCG treatments caused mild and transient phytotoxicity, these effects were not observed when it was applied in combination with the manure used in GeoJava.

Uses of Citrus Peels for Encouraging Food Nutrition: A Review

Orange peel (Citrus sinensis) belong to the family Rutaceae and it is well known promising source of multiple beneficial nutrients for human being. Global orange production is about 51 million metric tons. In India, area under citrus is 9.23 lakh hector which produces 86.08 lakh tones of fruits. Maharashtra is second largest state after Andhra Pradesh in the country and contributes to about 18.9 per cent to the total production of citrus in country. Orange peel obtains new healthy fruit products because peel friction has interesting and not very well known nutritional components such as Phenolic compound, Flavonoids, Dietary fiber. Part of orange such as peel and rind are used in food preparations. The peel of orange is use to make herbal tea, candied fruits peel and marmalade. Peels are regarded as waste material and is usually dried and ground to make citrus meal, a substitute cattle feed. Orange peels are also used as flavoring liqueurs, orange peel flavors is most desirable natural flavors. They are used in beverage, confectionery, bakery, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and perfumery industries. The citrus fruit residues, which are generally discarded as waste in the environment, can act as potential nutraceutical resources. Due to their low cost and easy availability such wastes are capable of offering significant low-cost nutritional dietary supplements in the form of orange peel powder in cookies. the orange peel powder waste used in various proportion viz, 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 per cent levels for incorporation in cookies by replacing the Maida in the basis of overall sensory attributes, cookies prepared with 10 per cent orange peel powder were recorded higher acceptability as compared to other samples. It is calculated that orange peel powder and Maida can be substituted up to 10 per cent in Maida to prepared orange peel powder without adversely affecting attributes.

Expanding our food supply: underutilized resources and resilient processing technologies.

Many underutilized food resources have been traditionally used by regional and poor communities. The history of their consumption makes them potential new food sources for incorporation into the wider food supply. The ability to tap the potential of undervalued and underutilized food sources will reduce the world's reliance on a limited number of food sources and improve food security and sustainability. The expansion of the food diversity of the food supply to include underutilized food resources will require overcoming challenges in the efficient and profitable production of the raw material, application of suitable postharvest handling procedures to maintain the quality of perishable produce, and the use of appropriate traditional and emerging food processing technologies for conversion of the raw material into safe, nutritious and consumer-acceptable foods. Improvement of food processing technologies, particularly resource-efficient resilient food processes, are required to ensure the safety, quality and functionality of the whole food or extracts, and to develop ingredient formulations containing new foods for manufacture of consumer food products. Factors that help facilitate the social acceptance of new underutilized foods include increasing consumer knowledge and understanding of the contribution of new underutilized food resources to diet diversity for good nutrition, confidence in the safety and value of new foods, and their low environmental impact and importance for future sustainable food. The introduction of new underutilized food resources will increasingly require collaboration along the whole food value chain, including support from government and industry. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Multiple antibiotic resistance and herbicide catabolic profiles of bacteria isolated from Lake Villarrica surface sediments (Chile)

Antibiotics and herbicides are contaminants of emerging concern in aquatic environments. Lake Villarrica is a relevant freshwater body in Chile and was recently designated a ‘saturated nutrient zone’. Here, we investigated the occurrence of multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) and herbicide catabolic profiles among bacteria present in the surface sediments of Lake Villarrica. The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs; blaTEM, catA and tetM) and herbicide-catabolic genes (HCGs; phnJ and atzA) was investigated by qPCR. Subsequently, the presence of culturable bacteria with multiple resistance to amoxicillin (AMX), chloramphenicol (CHL) and oxytetracycline (OXT) was studied. Forty-six culturable MAR (AMX+CHL+OXT) strains were isolated and characterized with respect to their resistance to 11 antibiotics by using a disc diffusion assay and testing their ability to use herbicides as a nutrient source. qPCR analyses revealed that ARGs and HCGs were present in all sediment samples (101 to 103 gene copies g–1), with significant (P ≤ 0.05) higher values in sites near Villarrica city and cattle pastures. The plate method was used to recover MAR isolates from sediment (103 to 106 CFU g–1), and most of the 46 isolates also showed resistance to oxacillin (100%), cefotaxime (83%), erythromycin (96%) and vancomycin (93%). Additionally, 54 and 57% of the MAR isolates were able to grow on agar supplemented (50 mg L–1) with atrazine and glyphosate as nutrient sources, respectively. Most of the MAR isolates were taxonomically close to Pseudomonas (76.1%) and Pantoea (17.4%), particularly those isolated from urbanized sites (Pucón city). This study shows the presence of MAR bacteria with herbicide catabolic activity in sediments, which is valuable for conservation strategies and risk assessments of Lake Villarrica. However, major integrative studies on sediments as reservoirs or on the fate of MAR strains and traces of antibiotics and herbicides as a result of anthropic pressure are still needed.

Induction of insulin resistance in female mice due to prolonged phenanthrene exposure: unveiling the low-dose effect and potential mechanisms

Phenanthrene (Phe) is a commonly occurring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) found in various food sources and drinking water. Previous studies have shown that long-term exposure to Phe in male mice leads to insulin resistance in a dose-dependent manner. However, the effect of Phe on glucose homeostasis in female mice remains unknown. To address this knowledge gap, female Kunming mice were exposed to Phe through their drinking water at concentrations of 0.05, 0.5, and 5 ng/mL. After 270 d of exposure, we surprisingly discovered a low-dose effect of Phe on insulin resistance in female mice, which differed from the effect observed in male mice and showed sexual dimorphism. Specifically, insulin resistance was only observed in the 0.05 ng/mL treatment, and this low-dose effect was also reflected in the concentration of Phe in white adipose tissue (WAT). Differences in metabolic enzyme activities in the liver may potentially explain this effect. The observed sexual dimorphism in Phe exposure could be attributed to variations in estrogen (E2) level and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) expression in WAT. These findings highlight the association between environmental factors and the development of insulin resistance, emphasizing the pathogenic effect of even low doses of Phe. Moreover, sex dependent-effect should be given more attention when studying the toxic effects of environmental pollutants.

Assessing microbiological and heavy metal pollution in surface waters associated with potential human health risk assessment at fish ingestion exposure

Fish represent a significant source of nutrients but also cause negative health effects due to their bioaccumulation capacity for pollutants. The aim of this study was to examine the transfer of metals from the water of several rivers (Somes, Tisa, Sasar, Lapus, Lăpusel) to fish (Caras sp) tissue (subcutaneous fat, muscles, liver, intestines, kidneys, gills, brain, and eyes) and to identify and assess the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks of Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Manganese (Mn), Cooper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr) and Zinc (Zn) through the ingestion of fish (muscles and subcutaneous fat tissues). The obtained results indicated that a diet consisting of fish is particularly vulnerable, particularly in children compared to adults. The risk assessment results were below the threshold limit, although the fish samples contained heavy metals, with values exceeding the permitted limits of Fe (4.41-1604mg/kg), Cr (727-4155µg/kg), Zn (4.72-147mg/kg), and Ni (333-2194µg/kg). The studied surface waters are characterized by low and high degrees of pollution with heavy metals, as indicated by the heavy metal pollution index scores (HPI: 12.4-86.4) and the heavy metal evaluation index scores (HEI: 1.06-17.6). The considerable pollution levels are attributed to the high Mn content (0.61-49.7µg/kg), which exceeded the limit up to fifty times. A consistent set of physico-chemical analysis (pH, electrical conductivity, total hardness, turbidity, chloride, sulphate, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, Ca, Mg, Na, K) was analysed in water samples as well. Considering the water quality index scores (WQI: 16.0-25.2), the surface waters exhibited good quality. Microbiological results indicated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes and atypical colonies of coagulase-positive staphylococcus in fish. In contrast, the surface waters from which fish samples were collected were positive for Escherichia coli, and coliform bacteria intestinal Enterococci. Based on the study’s results, it is recommended to exercise caution in the case of children related to the consumption of fish and using the waters for drinking purposes. This study provides important data of considerable novelty to the riparian population, researchers, and even policy makers on the quality status and potential levels of contamination of river waters, fish and the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish that may cause adverse effects on human health if consumed, and similarly the heavy metal pollution degree of waters and the non-carcinogenic risk of heavy metals through ingestion and skin absorption of water in children and adults (the study area is a significant source of fisheries).

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Quinoa Induce Ferroptosis of Colon Cancer by Suppressing Stemness.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential nutrients for the human body, playing crucial roles in reducing blood lipids, anti-inflammatory responses, and anticancer effect. Quinoa is a nutritionally sound food source, rich in PUFAs. This study investigates the role of quinoa polyunsaturated fatty acids (QPAs) on quelling drug resistance in colorectal cancer. The results reveal that QPA downregulates the expression of drug-resistant proteins P-gp, MRP1, and BCRP, thereby enhancing the sensitivity of colorectal cancer drug-resistant cells to the chemotherapy drug. QPA also inhibits the stemness of drug-resistant colorectal cancer cells by reducing the expression of the stemness marker CD44. Consequently, it suppresses the downstream protein SLC7A11 and leads to ferroptosis. Additionally, QPA makes the expression of ferritin lower and increases the concentration of free iron ions within cells, leading to ferroptosis. Overall, QPA has the dual-function reversing drug resistance in colorectal cancer by simultaneously inhibiting stemness and inducing ferroptosis. This study provides a new option for chemotherapy sensitizers and establishes a theoretical foundation for the development and utilization of quinoa.

Enhancing anthocyanin extraction efficiency in vegetables and fruits: a high-speed shear homogenization technology.

To extract anthocyanins with high efficiency, a hypothesis for high-speed shear homogenization extraction (HSHE) method was established through a combination of solvent and ultrasonic-assisted extractions. The efficacy of this hypothesis was demonstrated by performing qualitative and quantitative analyses of 16 anthocyanins extracted from five northern vegetables, and five berry fruits using ultra-high-performance Q-Exactive Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry. Single-factor experiments were conducted by varying ethanol concentration, temperature, pH and extraction cycles to determine the optimal conditions for this method. Optimal extraction conditions (ethanol 70-80%, 40-50 °C, pH 3-4, performed twice) were determined using an HSHE (5 min, 10 000 rpm, 25 °C) assisted shaker (60 min) and ultrasonication (40 kHz, 160 W cm-2, 30 min, 25 °C) procedure. Compared to the traditional non-HSHE method, the total anthocyanin content obtained through HSHE extraction showed a significant increase, ranging from 1.0 to 3.9 times higher, with purple cabbage exhibiting the most pronounced enhancement in content. More types of anthocyanins were detected in blueberry (9), black bean (7) and raspberry (5), of which malvidin was the major anthocyanin (0.426 g kg-1) in blueberry, having an amount five times than previously obtained. The established HSHE method has been proven to be a superior technique for anthocyanin extraction, with higher extraction efficiency and concentrations. This technique also provides a new avenue for extracting bioactive compounds from diverse food sources, with potential applications in improving the functional properties of food products. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Aquatic food resources in tropical Africa: a comprehensive analysis

Aquatic food production holds great promise as a viable solution to tackle the pressing issue of meeting the protein requirements of the African populace. It plays a crucial role in food security and economic growth, especially in tropical Africa. With a fast-expanding population, there is a growing need for aquatic food sources to provide inexpensive protein and essential nutrients. Despite Africa’s vast aquatic food source supplies and the importance of aquatic food in healthy and sustainable diets, several challenges hinder its full exploitation in the tropical African environment. This study, therefore, aims to assess the existing state of aquatic food resources in Africa, examine the nutritional advantages associated with these foods, and identify the problems that hinder their maximal utilization. The findings highlight the differences in aquatic protein consumption across various countries, emphasizing the importance of considering local factors when formulating nutritional interventions and policies. The comparison between the supply of protein from aquatic sources and land animals across African nations revealed a consistent trend of lower availability of aquatic protein. Africa, in particular, had relatively lower per capita consumption values of animal protein. The continent’s average quantity of land animal food significantly surpassed the average aquatic food supply. This suggests a predominant reliance on land animal sources in African countries to meet dietary protein needs. This finding holds significant importance for policymakers, nutritionists, and stakeholders, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to improve protein accessibility in African countries. Moreover, it calls for attention to address any existing imbalances between the utilization of land and aquatic protein sources in the region.

Multimedia Nitrogen and Phosphorus Migration and Source Control Using Multivariate Analysis and XGBoost: The Case Study in a Typical Agricultural Basin, Danjiangkou Reservoir

Preventing eutrophication requires a deep understanding of nutrient sources and migration processes. The Guanshan River in the Danjiangkou Reservoir was selected as a typical agricultural basin. River water, sediment, and soil samples were collected to determine nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents and forms. Multivariate statistical analysis, buffer analysis, and extreme gradient boosting regression (XGBoost) were used to investigate the nutrient sources, the sources’ scale effects, and migration. The results showed that the exogenous sources of river nutrients were fertilizer (provided phosphate (PO4-P) and ammonium (NH4-N)), domestic wastewater (provided nitrate (NO3-N) and organic nitrogen), and natural soil and rock leaching (provided PO4-P and organic phosphorus). Fertilization within 300–1200 m and domestic wastewater discharge within 150 m of the river affected the contents of the river nutrients significantly (with R ranging between 0.40 and 0.73, p ≤ 0.01). The sediment was the N source and P sink of the overlying water. With NH4-N/PO4-P compound fertilization, the NO3-N and calcium-bound phosphorus (Ca-P) exhibited co-enrichment. Appropriately increasing NH4-N application could stimulate P biological uptake, thus inhibiting P emigration from agricultural soil under N-limited states. In conclusion, this study effectively recognized river nutrient sources and their scale impacts and also explored more effective fertilization strategies, which are beneficial for the optimized management of agricultural activities.

Multimedia Nitrogen and Phosphorus Migration and Source Control Using Multivariate Analysis and XGBoost: The Case Study in a Typical Agricultural Basin, Danjiangkou Reservoir

Preventing eutrophication requires a deep understanding of nutrient sources and migration processes. The Guanshan River in the Danjiangkou Reservoir was selected as a typical agricultural basin. River water, sediment, and soil samples were collected to determine nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents and forms. Multivariate statistical analysis, buffer analysis, and extreme gradient boosting regression (XGBoost) were used to investigate the nutrient sources, the sources’ scale effects, and migration. The results showed that the exogenous sources of river nutrients were fertilizer (provided phosphate (PO4-P) and ammonium (NH4-N)), domestic wastewater (provided nitrate (NO3-N) and organic nitrogen), and natural soil and rock leaching (provided PO4-P and organic phosphorus). Fertilization within 300–1200 m and domestic wastewater discharge within 150 m of the river affected the contents of the river nutrients significantly (with R ranging between 0.40 and 0.73, p ≤ 0.01). The sediment was the N source and P sink of the overlying water. With NH4-N/PO4-P compound fertilization, the NO3-N and calcium-bound phosphorus (Ca-P) exhibited co-enrichment. Appropriately increasing NH4-N application could stimulate P biological uptake, thus inhibiting P emigration from agricultural soil under N-limited states. In conclusion, this study effectively recognized river nutrient sources and their scale impacts and also explored more effective fertilization strategies, which are beneficial for the optimized management of agricultural activities.

Identification of orb-web spider species and their food source through environmental DNA analysis

Identification of orb-web spider species and their food source through environmental DNA analysis

Identification of orb-web spider species and their food source through environmental DNA analysis

Identification of orb-web spider species and their food source through environmental DNA analysis

Behavioral and physiological responses of Girardia tigrina exposed to polyethylene microplastics.

Microplastic particles appear in great abundance and variety in freshwater ecosystems across the globe, spanning lakes and rivers, with increasingly frequent exposure of aquatic organisms. Studies on the mechanisms of any effects of plastic particles are still scarce, particularly in relation to the regenerative capacity of biota, for which there is no established model organism; however, planaria have shown sensitivity for assessing these risks to the aquatic environment. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the behavioral and regeneration responses of the freshwater planaria Girardia tigrina exposed to polyethylene (PE) microplastics (MPs) incorporated into their food source. The greatest effect was observed on planarian regeneration, which was manifested at 10μg/mg liver. Planaria reproduction and fertility were affected at 50μg/mg liver; however, planaria locomotion was not affected at the concentrations evaluated. Mid-infrared absorption spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to identify the constituent polymers, and ingestion of the polyethylene microplastic by the planaria was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. The results highlight the potential adverse effects of exposure to polyethylene microplastic and show that the reproductive behavior and regeneration of a freshwater organism can be indicators of toxicity resulting from environmental pollution.

Combined Metabolomic and NIRS Analyses Reveal Biochemical and Metabolite Changes in Goat Milk Kefir under Different Heat Treatments and Fermentation Times

Dairy products are an important source of protein and other nutrients in the Mediterranean diet. In these countries, the most common sources of milk for producing dairy products are cow, goat, sheep, and buffalo. Andalusia is traditionally the largest producer of goat milk in Spain. Kefir is a fermented product made from bacteria and yeasts and has health benefits beyond its nutritional properties. There is a lack of knowledge about the molecular mechanisms and metabolites that bring about these benefits. In this work, the combination of analytical techniques (GC-FID, UHPLC-MS-QToF, GC-QqQ-MS, and GC-ToF-MS) resulted in the detection of 105 metabolites in kefir produced with goat milk from two different thermal treatments (raw and pasteurized) fermented at four time points (12, 24, 36, and 48 h, using 0 h as the control). Of these, 27 metabolites differed between kefir produced with raw and pasteurized milk. These changes could possibly be caused by the effect of pasteurization on the microbial population in the starting milk. Some interesting molecules were identified, such as shikimic acid, dehydroabietic acid, GABA, and tyramine, which could be related to antibacterial properties, strengthening of the immune system, and arterial pressure. Moreover, a viability assay of the NIRS technique was performed to evaluate its use in monitoring the fermentation and classification of samples, which resulted in a 90% accuracy in comparison to correctly classified samples according to their fermentation time. This study represents the most comprehensive metabolomic analysis of goat milk kefir so far, revealing the intricate changes in metabolites during fermentation and the impact of milk treatment.