Determination of energy values in pistachio shell powder and soybean hulls fed to gestating and lactating sows.

Pistachio shell powder is a high-fiber co-product from the pistachio nut industry that may provide energy and nutrients in animal diets, but no data have been reported for the nutritional value of pistachio shell powder when fed to pigs. Two experiments were, therefore, conducted to test the hypothesis that apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE), dry matter (DM), and total dietary fiber (TDF) and concentration of digestible energy (DE) in pistachio shell powder are not different from those in soybean hulls when fed to gestating or lactating sows. In experiment 1, 24 gestating sows were housed in metabolism crates and fed a corn-based basal diet or 2 diets that contained corn and 20% pistachio shell powder or corn and 20% soybean hulls. Sows were fed experimental diets for 13 d with feces and urine being quantitatively collected for 4 d after 6 d of adaptation. In experiment 2, 24 lactating sows were housed in farrowing crates and fed a diet based on corn and soybean meal (SBM) or 2 diets that contained corn, SBM, and 20% of either pistachio shell powder or soybean hulls, and feces were collected for 6 d after 7 d of adaptation to the diets. Results indicated that for gestating sows, the diet containing soybean hulls had greater (P < 0.05) ATTD of DM, GE, and TDF than the diet containing pistachio shell powder. The DE and metabolizable energy (ME) in the pistachio shell powder diet were less (P < 0.05) than in the basal diet and the diet containing soybean hulls. The ME in pistachio shells (2,606 kcal/kg DM) was less (P < 0.05) than in soybean hulls (3,645 kcal/kg DM). When fed to lactating sows, ATTD of DM, GE, and TDF in the diet containing pistachio shell powder was less (P < 0.05) than in the diet containing soybean hulls or in the basal diet. The DE in the diet containing pistachio shell powder was also less (P < 0.05) than in the soybean hulls diet. The DE in pistachio shell powder (1,664 kcal/kg DM) was less (P < 0.05) than in soybean hulls (2,795 kcal/kg DM). In conclusion, the ATTD of DM and GE and the DE in pistachio shell powder were less than in soybean hulls, and inclusion in lactation diets, therefore, needs to be limited.

Could Pistachio (Pistacia vera) Be a Suitable Alternative Crop for Olive-Growing Mediterranean Areas Affected by Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca ST53?

In the olive-growing areas of Apulia (southern Italy) where Xylella fastidiosa has caused enormous damage, there is a need to identify alternative crops. These could include pistachio (Pistacia vera L.), but it is critical to define the impact of the bacterium on this crop and what are the main phytosanitary threats for this species in the areas where the bacterium is now endemic. Therefore, we started evaluating infections caused by X. fastidiosa, the fungus Neofusicoccum mediterraneum, and other pathogens on four pistachio cultivars ('Kerman', 'Aegina', 'Lost Hills', and 'Napoletana') grown in areas where X. fastidiosa has been present for a long time. X. fastidiosa was detected only in one orchard (incidence: 18% 'Napoletana' and 55% 'Kerman') out of six surveyed orchards, with low bacterium concentration (1.67 to 5.98 × 103 CFU ml-1) and no symptoms. N. mediterraneum was retrieved in three orchards just on the cultivar Kerman but with high incidence (up to 30%) and infection level quantified as molecular severity (6.82 to 7.43); no other pathogens were detected. The N. mediterraneum representative isolates characterized in this study showed similarity with Spanish and Portuguese isolates. A confocal microscope analysis for this host-pathogen association suggested no differences in plant response to fungal aggression between the cultivars Kerman and Aegina, but just lack of latent inoculum in 'Aegina' plants, pointing to a possible nursery origin of the infection. Waiting for additional targeted experiments to clearly define host response of pistachio cultivars to Xylella spp., this study also points at N. mediterraneum as a potential threat to this tree crop new for the area.

Protective effects of pistachio hydroalcoholic extract on morphine-induced analgesic tolerance and dependence: investigating the impact of oxidative stress.

Background and purpose: Chronic consumption of morphine (Mor) induces tolerance and dependence. This study aimed to survey the effects of pistachio extract (PX) on the induction and expression of Mor analgesic tolerance and physical dependency in mice. Experimental approach: Animals were randomly separated into six groups (n = 7): control, DMSO, Mor (10 mg/kg), Mor + saline, Mor + PX (10 mg/kg), and Mor + PX (100 mg/kg). Mor was injected (10 mg/kg, twice a day, s.c.) for 7 days to induce tolerance. PX was administered (10 and 100 mg/kg, orally) during the examination period. On each day and 20 min after Mor administration, a tail-flick test was done to measure the analgesic response and induction of tolerance. On day 7, naloxone (5 mg/kg, s.c.) was injected into the Mor-dependent animals to evaluate dependence, and animals were monitored for 30 min for jumping. Also, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were assessed in the brain tissue. Findings/Results: Our results indicated that co-administration of PX with Mor for 7 days diminished the induction of Mor tolerance. PX administration for 7 days alongside Mor reduced the frequency of withdrawal signs in naloxone-injected animals during dependence induction. Also, Mor increased the level of MDA and decreased the activities of SOD and GPx. Treatment with PX (100 mg/kg) restored all of the mentioned abnormalities. Conclusion and implications: According to the results presented in this study, chronic administration of PX forbade the induction of Mor analgesic tolerance and dependency in mice.

Productivity and nitrogen metabolism of lactating cows fed pistachio hull with soybean meal partially replaced by slow-release urea.

Pistachio hull (PH), a rich source of tannin, may interact with nitrogen (N) and affect N metabolism in dairy cows. This investigation aimed to assess the effects of feeding PH and two N sources (soybean meal: SBM or slow-release urea: SRU) on milk production, digestibility, and N metabolism in lactating dairy cows. The study utilized a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 12 Holstein dairy cows (body weight = 611 ± 39 kg; 84 ± 14 days in milk; 45.6 ± 5.3 kg/d milk), with treatments arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial configuration. The main factors were (1) the tannin source [without or with dried PH included at 76.5 g/kg of diet DM] and (2) two N sources [SBM vs. SRU]. Crude protein and total phenolic and tannin contents were greater, but NDF was lower in PH than in sugar beet pulp. Feeding diets containing 7.65% PH resulted in reductions in milk yield, milk urea N, and milk efficiency but milk fat and protein concentration increased. Milk yield was similar between SBM and SRU. Feeding PH in replacement to sugar beet pulp did not interact with N sources, except for feed intake, as the PH + SRU diet tended to decrease feed intake (P = 0.09). Feeding PH was also associated with decreased dry matter, crude protein, and NDF digestibility. Dry matter digestibility decreased when a portion of SBM was replaced by SRU. Feeding PH in replacement to sugar beet pulp lowered ruminal ammonia-N concentration and increased acetate-to-propionate proportion. Feeding PH vs. sugar beet pulp had no effect on N intake and N excretion in urine and milk, but it increased the amount of N excretion in feces and decreased apparent N efficiency (milk N/N intake). Alanine aminotransferase was lower in cows fed SRU only in PH- but not sugar beet pulp-containing diets. Blood creatinine was lower when SRU was included in the PH-containing diet, but the opposite was observed in diets containing sugar beet pulp. Feeding PH instead of sugar beet pulp did not affect blood urea-N but resulted in lower glucose and aspartate aminotransferase concentrations. Overall, cows fed PH in replacement to sugar beet pulp were less efficient in converting feed nutrients into milk production, likely because of its negative effect on nutrient digestion. Partial replacement of SBM with SRU had no influence on lactation productivity and urea-N concentration in milk and blood. This may imply the suitability of SRU in providing a sustained supply of N in the rumen, likely qualifying it as a viable source of N to replace a portion of SBM in dairy diets.

Development and characterization of gelatin-based biodegradable films incorporated with pistachio shell hemicellulose.

This study aimed to incorporate pistachio shell hemicellulose into a film of gelatin and glycerol for the production of biodegradable films. The gelatin and glycerol are chosen because of their functional properties, which make it extensively used in food industry. The film composition was defined after a statistical optimization by central composite face-centered design and response surface methodology. The hemicellulose/gelatin ratio of 35.93% and the glycerol ratio of 18.02% were the optimum conditions to obtain lower film water solubility, higher tensile strength, and elongation at break values. The physical, structural, mechanical, and barrier properties of the developed hemicellulose-gelatin film were analyzed and compared with those of the gelatin film. Tensile strength and film water solubility values were reduced significantly with hemicellulose incorporation from 20.41 to 16.64 MPa and 49.57 to 39.21%, respectively, while EB was enhanced by 4.34 times. In addition, hemicellulose incorporation enhanced the water vapor permeability and the film degradation in the soil. The films were also examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The novelty of this study is to use pistcahio shell hemicellulose in the production of an edible film for the first time. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-024-05968-4.

Design of a hybrid nanoscaled skin photoprotector by boosting the antioxidant properties of food waste-derived lignin through molecular combination with TiO2 nanoparticles.

TiO2 nanoparticles loaded with pistachio shell lignin (8 % and 29 % w/w) were prepared by a hydrothermal wet chemistry approach. The efficient interaction at the molecular level of the biomacromolecule and inorganic component was demonstrated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Visible (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis. The synergistic combination of lignin and TiO2 nanoparticles played a key role in the functional properties of the hybrid material, which exhibited boosted features compared to the separate organic and inorganic phase. In particular, the hybrid TiO2-lignin nanoparticles showed a broader UV-Vis protection range and remarkable antioxidant performance in aqueous media. They could also better protect human skin explants from the DNA damaging effect of UV radiations compared to TiO2 as indicated by lower levels of p-H2A.X, a marker of DNA damage, at 6 h from exposure. In addition, the samples could protect the skin against the structural damage occurring 24 h post UV radiations by preventing the loss of keratin 10. These results open new perspectives in the exploitation of food-waste derived phenolic polymers for the design of efficient antioxidant materials for skin photoprotection in a circular economy perspective.

Optimization and Validation of a Cheaper, Safer, and More Sustainable Methodology for Aflatoxins Determination in Rich-Lipidic Matrices (Pistachio Nuts) Using Deep Eutectic Solvent Extraction and UHPLC-FLD Analysis.

Aflatoxins pose a major health concern and require strict monitoring in food products. Existing methods rely on hazardous organic solvents for extraction, prompting the development of a greener alternative. This study explores deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for aflatoxin extraction from pistachios, a valuable food product prone to aflatoxin contamination. The proposed method utilizes DES extraction followed by solid-phase extraction cleanup and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detector analysis. Recovery rates ranged from 85.5 to 99.1% for pistachios spiked with 1-8 ng/g aflatoxins, in compliance with EU regulations, with coefficients of variation less than 2.94%. The method demonstrates good sensitivity with limits of detection and quantification in the range of 0.02-0.22 ng/g and 0.05-0.72 ng/g, respectively. Greenness assessment using AGREEPrep and White Analytical Chemistry metrics confirms its environmental sustainability. This approach offers a promising, safer, and more eco-friendly alternative for aflatoxin extraction from complex food matrices like pistachios.

Hydrophilic extract of Pistacia vera pericarp protects against phenylhydrazine-induced hepatotoxicity and hemolytic anemia.

Objective: Pistacia vera is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat various disorders. This study aims to investigate the anti-anemia and hepatoprotective effects of Pistacia vera pericarp extract (PVPE) in a rat model of phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced anemia. Materials and Methods: PVPE was prepared using the maceration method. The extract was administered at doses of 20, 80, and 160 mg/kg for 28 days to normal and PHZ-treated rats. The effects of PVPE were evaluated in terms of changes in biochemical, histological, hematological, and molecular biomarkers in the liver and blood. Results: Administration of PVPE to the anemic animals significantly restored these deleterious effects on hematological parameters compared to the anemic group. Kupffer cell activation was seen in the liver tissue of the anemic rats. Administration of PVPE mitigated these deleterious effects. Conclusion: PVPE has potent antioxidant activity and may represent a promising treatment for anemia and liver protection in clinical settings.

Development and Evaluation of a Fermented Pistachio-Based Beverage Obtained by Colloidal Mill.

The aim of the present study was to develop a fermented pistachio beverage as a plant-based alternative to milk-based drinks. For this purpose, a colloidal mill was used to finely grind and homogenize the pistachios to obtain a homogeneous consistency and prevent sedimentation. In addition, lactic acid bacteria fermentation was used to develop unique flavours and characteristics in the final product and to achieve microbiological stability for up to 30 days of storage a 4 °C. The formulated beverages were evaluated for chemical-physical characteristics (pH, organic acid production, and fructose, sucrose, and glucose content), nutritional profile (proximate composition, amino acid and GABA content), and volatile organic composition by HS-SPME-GC/MS analysis. The pistachio-based beverages were characterized by a good source of protein, fat, fiber, and minerals (mainly K and P). The colloidal mill contributed to creating a homogeneous texture and to making the nutrients readily available to the starter microorganisms, which reached concentrations above 108 ufc/mL in the final products. The beverages were characterized by pronounced acidity and some by the presence of acetoin and 2,3-butanedione, volatile components associated with a yogurt- or kefir-like aroma. This innovative approach provides an alternative to traditional milk-based beverages and highlights the role of LAB in the development of nutritious and attractive plant-based beverages.

Characterizing the antioxidant and antifungal properties of nano-encapsulated pistachio hull extract in fenugreek seed gum to maintain the quality and safety of fresh pistachio.

The quality of pistachio, one of the export products of Iran, will be decreased during storage as a result of mold spoilage, toxins production, and oil oxidation. This study aimed to investigate the capability of pistachio hull extract (PHE) loaded in fenugreek seed gum (FSG):whey protein isolate (WPI) nanoemulsion to control oil oxidation, and fungi growth in fresh pistachio nut during storage at 4°C. The total anthocyanin and total phenolic content of the PHE were 125.44 µg/g and 675.18 mg/g, respectively. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of PHE at 100 ppm was higher than that of tert-butylhydroquinon (TBHQ). In comparison with other concentrations, 50 ppm showed the strongest antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, and Aspergillus nomius. All nanoemulsions have a mean size lower than 265 nm. The polydispersity index (PDI) of different nanoemulsions was lower than 0.3, and a negative zeta potential was observed. The encapsulation efficiency was higher than 67.0% and all nanoemulsions had spherical morphology. The pistachio nuts were coated with different coating solutions containing 0 and 100 ppm of PHE and stored at 4°C for 8 weeks. The results showed that the pistachio sample coated with a composite coating of WPI and FSG containing 100 ppm of PHE has a higher moisture content and lower changes in L*, a*, and b* indexes, oil oxidation, fungi development, and total mold and yeast count. This treatment exhibited higher overall acceptance than other samples at the end of storage time. The results of this study suggest the use of biodegradable coatings enriched with natural extracts that have high antioxidant and antifungal activities.

Year around study of tubular solar still with green almond shells biowaste as energy storage material: energy, economic, and environmental analysis.

Solar-based desalination is one of the prominent contributors to overcoming the water scarcity problems in desert areas and a major alternative to fossil fuel-based desalination methods. The present study focuses on utilizing green almond shells (green almond shells) as energy storage materials in tubular solar still (TSS) to enhance water productivity, energy efficiency, and economic and environmental analyses. Further, this study discusses the yearly water output, annual energy efficiency, and economic and environmental analyses. Two different TSS were utilized which consists of conventional TSS (CTSS) without any storage materials and modified TSS with the inclusion of green almond shells (MTSS) in the climatic conditions of Chennai, India. The yearly distilled water output from the CTSS and MTSS was evaluated as 512 and 691.2 kg/m2, respectively. The yearly distilled water output from the MTSS is 26% higher when compared to the CTSS. Furthermore, the maximum monthly energy efficiency of the CTSS and MTSS was 14.4 and 19.44%, respectively. The annual energy efficiency of the CTSS and MTSS is 12.6 and 17.02%, respectively. The economic analysis of the system is also carried out, and the findings show that better economic feasibility is achieved in MTSS considering the INR 5 (Indian Rupees) cost of water. The payback period for MTSS was 12 months, while for CTSS it is calculated to be 20 months. Furthermore, CO2 emission and mitigation have also been evaluated, and the results indicate that the utilization of porous material has increased the emission for MTSS, while CO2 mitigation has been significantly higher as compared to the CTSS system.

Pistacia vera L. as natural source against antimicrobial and antiviral resistance.

Increased global research is focused on the development of novel therapeutics to combat antimicrobial and antiviral resistance. Pistachio nuts represent a good source of protein, fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals (carotenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids and anthocyanins). The phytochemicals found in pistachios are structurally diverse compounds with antimicrobial and antiviral potential, demonstrated as individual compounds, extracts and complexed into nanoparticles. Synergistic effects have also been reported in combination with existing drugs. Here we report an overview of the antimicrobial and antiviral potential of pistachio nuts: studies show that Gram-positive bacterial strains, such as Staphylococcus aureus, are the most susceptible amongst bacteria, whereas antiviral effect has been reported against herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). Amongst the known pistachio compounds, zeaxanthin has been shown to affect both HSV-1 attachment penetration of human cells and viral DNA synthesis. These data suggest that pistachio extracts and derivatives could be used for the topical treatment of S. aureus skin infections and ocular herpes infections.

Formulation of functional gummy candies containing natural antioxidants and stevia.

The research aimed to enhance the nutritional value of gummy candies by incorporating pistachio green hull extract (PGHE), stevia, and starch into the formulations. The gummy candies formulations were optimized using PGHE (1-5 %), stevia (0.013-0.040 %) and gelatin-to-starch ratio (9:1, 2:8, and 3:7) by response surface methodology (RSM), central composite design (CCD), with six center points. The physicochemical and textural properties of the gummy candies were assessed. Three optimal formulations were determined, which were preferred by the majority of panelists. One of them was selected for testing total phenolic content (680.31 ± 0.6 mg GAE/100g gummy candy), antioxidant activity (IC50 = 277 µg/mL), FTIR analysis, morphology examination, and storage stability. This study resulted in the development of gummy candies that not only offer a reduced-sugar product (50 %; equal to 12 % of sucrose) with high antioxidant activity but also eliminate the need for artificial flavors and synthetic colorants in the formulation.

Exploring Terebinth Cross-Sensitivity in Individuals with Pistachio Sensitivity.

INTRODUCTION: Terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus) belongs to the same botanical family as pistachio (Pistacia vera) and cashew (Anacardium occidentale). Although it is known that there is cross-sensitivity between pistachio and cashew, the cross-sensitivity of terebinth with pistachio or cashew has not been investigated. The objective of our study was to evaluate the sensitivity to terebinth in children with pistachio sensitivity. METHODS: This study was conducted between September 2021 and June 2022 at Adiyaman University Faculty of Medicine Hospital. It analyzed the results of children who underwent skin prick testing (SPT) for food allergy. Of the 712 food skin prick tests reviewed, 27 children were identified with pistachio sensitivity. Prick tests with commercial extract for cashew and prick-to-prick tests for terebinth were applied to these children. RESULTS: The median age was two, and 78% were male. Of the children with pistachio sensitivity, 96% demonstrated cross-sensitivity to terebinth and 100% to cashew. There was a strong correlation between the size of SPT responses in pistachio, cashew, and terebinth. Only four children had previously consumed terebinth, and two of these children had allergic reactions. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates a high cross-sensitivity between terebinth, pistachio, and cashew. We recommend that individuals with pistachio or cashew allergy/sensitivity avoid terebinth until tests confirm it is safe to consume. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the clinical significance of this cross-sensitivity and identify the major allergen involved.

Development of bioactive and environmentally friendly chitosan-based film using waste of pistachio dehulling process as a novel promising food packaging material.

Chitosan films containing different amounts of pistachio hull methanol extract (PHE) (2 %, 4 %, 8 % w/v) were produced. LC-MS/MS analysis demonstrated that tannic acid (207.74 mg/g PHE), gallic acid (46.63 mg/g PHE), protocatechuic acid (27.79 mg/g PHE), quinic acid (16.41 mg/g PHE), isoquercitrin (15.2 mg/g PHE) were the most abundant phenolic compounds in PHE. The biological activity test results indicated that PHE enhanced the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of chitosan films. Chitosan-based films with 8 % PHE showed significant antimicrobial activity on all microorganisms tested. Chitosan films containing even the lowest concentration of PHE effectively inhibited DPPH free radicals, indicating a significant antioxidant activity. The increase in the amount of PHE caused a decrease in the L* value and an increase in the a* and b* values. It was found that the tensile strength and elongation at break of the films containing PHE were higher than those of the control film. Chitosan film with 4 % PHE exhibited the highest values of tensile strength (10.72 ± 1.06 MPa) and elongation at break (198.57 ± 10.34 %). FTIR analysis showed that PHE modified the intermolecular interactions in the film matrix, leading to the expansion of the CC bond and an increase in the intensity of the CO bands. Thermal analysis displayed that chitosan films incorporating PHE exhibited higher thermal stability compared to control films. PHE can be used as a bioactive supportive material in food packaging.

A Novel Bis-Trifluoromethylated Compound Demonstrates High Efficacy as a Nematicide Against Root-Knot Nematodes on Pistachio, Supported by Docking Studies.

Three novel trifluoromethylated compounds were designed and synthesized by reacting trifluoroacetimidoyl chloride derivatives with acetamidine hydrochloride or thiourea in the presence of potassium carbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate as a base. In vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated the efficacy of the tested compounds in controlling root-knot nematode disease on pistachio rootstocks caused by Meloidogyne incognita. Bis-trifluoromethylated derivatives, namely N,N''-thiocarbonylbis(N'-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroacetimidamide) (compound A1), showed high efficacy as novel and promising nematicides, achieving up to 78.28% control at a concentration of 0.042 mg/liter. This effect is attributed to four methyl and two trifluoromethyl groups. In the pre-inoculation application of compound A1, all three concentrations (0.033, 0.037, and 0.042 mg/liter, and Velum) exhibited a higher level of control, with 83.79, 87.46, and 80.73% control, respectively. In the microplot trials, compound A1 effectively reduced population levels of M. incognita and enhanced plant growth at a concentration of 0.037 mg/liter. This suggests that compound A1 has the potential to inhibit hedgehog protein and could be utilized to prevent the progression of root-knot disease. Furthermore, the molecular docking results revealed that compounds A1 and A3 interact with specific amino acid residues (Gln60, Asp530, Glu70, Arg520, and Thr510) located in the active site of hedgehog protein. Based on the experimental findings of this study, compound A1 shows promise as a lead compound for future investigations.

Pan-genome survey of Septoria pistaciarum, causal agent of Septoria leaf spot of pistachios, across three Aegean sub-regions of Greece.

Septoria pistaciarum, a causal agent of Septoria leaf spot disease of pistachio, is a fungal pathogen that causes substantial losses in the cultivation, worldwide. This study describes the first pan-genome-based survey of this phytopathogen-comprising a total of 27 isolates, with 9 isolates each from 3 regional units of Greece (Pieria, Larissa and Fthiotida). The reference isolate (SPF8) assembled into a total of 43.1 Mb, with 38.6% contained within AT-rich regions of approximately 37.5% G:C. The genomes of the 27 isolates exhibited on average 42% gene-coding and 20% repetitive regions. The genomes of isolates from the southern Fthiotida region appeared to more diverged from each other than the other regions based on SNP-derived trees, and also contained isolates similar to both the Pieria and Larissa regions. In contrast, isolates of the Pieria and Larissa were less diverse and distinct from one another. Asexual reproduction appeared to be typical, with no MAT1-2 locus detected in any isolate. Genome-based prediction of infection mode indicated hemibiotrophic and saprotrophic adaptations, consistent with its long latent phase. Gene prediction and orthology clustering generated a pan-genome-wide gene set of 21,174 loci. A total of 59 ortholog groups were predicted to contain candidate effector proteins, with 36 (61%) of these either having homologs to known effectors from other species or could be assigned predicted functions from matches to conserved domains. Overall, effector prediction suggests that S. pistaciarum employs a combination of defensive effectors with roles in suppression of host defenses, and offensive effectors with a range of cytotoxic activities. Some effector-like ortholog groups presented as divergent versions of the same protein, suggesting region-specific adaptations may have occurred. These findings provide insights and future research directions in uncovering the pathogenesis and population dynamics of S. pistaciarum toward the efficient management of Septoria leaf spot of pistachio.

Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) consumption improves cognitive performance and mood in overweight young adults: A pilot study.

This pilot study evaluated the impact of pistachio consumption on cognitive performance and mood in overweight young adults. Pistachios were characterized (chemical and nutraceutical), and a baseline-final, uncontrolled nutritional intervention was performed (28 g of pistachio/28 days). Psychometric tests were applied to estimate cognitive performance and mood; anthropometric evaluation, biochemical analysis, and plasma antioxidant activity were included. The main component of nuts was lipids (48.1%). Pistachios consumption significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced waist circumference (-1.47 cm), total cholesterol (-10.21 mg/dL), LDL (-6.57 mg/dL), and triglycerides (-21.07 mg/dL), and increased plasma antioxidant activity. Pistachio supplementation improved risk tolerance (p ≤ 0.006) and decision-making strategy (p ≤ 0.002; BART-task), executive functions (BCST-task; p ≤ 0.006), and selective and sustained attention (Go/No-Go-test; p ≤ 0.016). The mood state was positively modulated (p ≤ 0.05) for anxiety, anger-hostility, and sadness-depression. These results show for the first time the benefits of pistachio consumption on cognitive performance and mood in overweight young adults.

Pistachio green hull and pomegranate peel extracts as two natural antiglycation agents.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed in the final step of the nonenzymatic Maillard reaction, which can contribute to various health problems such as diabetes mellitus, renal failure, and chronic inflammation. Bioactive compounds with antiglycation properties have the potential to inhibit AGE-related diseases. This study investigated the antiglycation potential of pistachio green hull (PGH) and pomegranate peel (PP) extracts, which are polyphenol-rich agro-residues, against fluorescent AGE formation and compared the results with pyridoxine (vitamin B6), metformin, and EDTA (as usual chemical antiglycation agents). The results showed that PGH and PP effectively inhibited the formation of AGEs in bovine serum albumin-glucose (BSA-Glu) and BSA-fructose (BSA-Fru) with antiglycation activities ranging from 92% to 97%. PP extract (with an IC50 of 94 mg ml-1) had a greater antiglycation ability than PGH extract (with an IC50 of 142 mg ml-1). Also, results indicated that the antiglycation activities of the extracts were comparable to that of pyridoxine, and higher than metformin and EDTA. These findings suggest that the two studied extracts can be used for sustainable production of high-added-value food products with a positive effect on consumers' health.

Effects of Pistacia genus on gastrointestinal tract disorders: A systematic and comprehensive review.

Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders characterized by persistent and recurrence gastrointestinal symptoms are prevalent. The genus Pistacia is widely emphasized as the relief of gastrointestinal diseases in traditional medicine. This review aimed to investigate the latest evidence on the effect of the Pistacia genus on GI tract disorders. The systematic search was performed following to PRISMA guidelines. The databases PubMed and Scopus were searched from 1980 to 2022 with restrictions to the original studies. Electronic databases were searched in title/abstract, using the keywords relevant to GI tract disorders. Forty-eight studies were included in this review following the inclusion criteria. Fifteen and 22 studies were clinical and animal studies, respectively, of which 6 clinical and 13 animal studies were on Inflammatory Bowel diseases. Seven clinical studies were on functional GI disorders. The most pieces of evidence from animal and clinical studies were on the intestinal inflammation and peptic ulcer affecting the inflammation as well as oxidative stress through different mechanistic pathways. The most referred active phytochemicals seem to be terpenoid compounds. Various in vitro studies have also shown the inhibitory activity of the different plant parts of Pistacia herbs on several GI tract cancer cells. Available scientific evidence supports the effects of various components of Pistacia genus plants in the field of GI tract diseases, especially digestive inflammations. Further studies are required to systematically evaluate the natural products of the genus Pistacia, particularly in the context of digestive disorders.