Impacts of Combining Steinernema carpocapsae and Bracon hebetor Parasitism on Galleria mellonella Larvae.

The greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, is a significant pest in apiculture and a well-established model organism for immunological and ecotoxicological studies. This investigation explores the individual and combined effects of the ectoparasite Bracon hebetor (B.h.) and the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae (S.c.) on G. mellonella larvae. We evaluated the activity of oxidative stress enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, cytochrome P450 activity, cell viability using Annexin V-FITC, DNA damage via comet assay, and larval morphology through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Control larvae exhibited higher GPx and GST activities compared to those treated with B.h., S.c., or the B.h. + S.c. combination. Conversely, MDA levels displayed the opposite trend. SOD activity was reduced in the B.h. and S.c. groups but significantly higher in the combined treatment. Cytochrome P450 activity increased in response to parasitism by B. hebetor. The Annexin V-FITC assay revealed decreased cell viability in parasitized groups (B.h. 79.4%, S.c. 77.3%, B.h. + S.c. 70.1%) compared to controls. DNA damage analysis demonstrated significant differences between groups, and SEM observations confirmed severe cuticle abnormalities or malformations in G. mellonella larvae. These findings highlight the complex interactions between B. hebetor, S. carpocapsae, and their host, G. mellonella. Additionally, they illuminate the intricate physiological responses triggered within the host larvae.

Synergistic impact of Serendipita indica and Zhihengliuella sp. ISTPL4 on the mitigation of arsenic stress in rice.

Arsenic (As) is a highly toxic metal that interferes with plant growth and disrupts various biochemical and molecular processes in plants. In this study, the harmful effects of As on rice were mitigated using combined inoculation of a root endophyte Serendipita indica and an actinobacterium Zhihengliuella sp. ISTPL4. A randomized experiment was conducted, in which rice plants were grown under controlled conditions and As-stressed conditions. The control and treatment groups consisted of untreated and non-stressed plants (C1), treated and non-stressed plants (C2), stressed and untreated plants (T1), and stressed and treated plants (T2). Various phenotypic characteristics such as shoot length (SL), root length (RL), shoot fresh weight (SFW), root fresh weight (RFW), shoot dry weight (SDW), and root dry weight (RDW) and biochemical parameters such as chlorophyll content, protein content, and antioxidant enzymatic activities were evaluated. The activity of various antioxidant enzymes was increased in T2 followed by T1 plants. Furthermore, high concentrations of phytohormones such as ethylene (ET), gibberellic acid (GA), and cytokinin (CK) were found at 4.11 µmol mg-1, 2.53 µmol mg-1, and 3.62 µmol mg-1 of FW of plant, respectively. The results of AAS indicated an increased As accumulation in roots of T2 plants (131.5 mg kg-1) than in roots of T1 plants (120 mg kg-1). It showed that there was an increased As accumulation and sequestration in roots of microbial-treated plants (T2) than in uninoculated plants (T1). Our data suggest that this microbial combination can be used to reduce the toxic effects of As in plants by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, PAL, PPO and POD. Furthermore, rice plants can withstand As stress owing to the active synthesis of phytohormones in the presence of microbial combinations.

Exposure to Oxidized Multi-Walled CNTs Can Lead to Oxidative Stress in the Asian Freshwater Clam Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774).

The increasing attention that carbon-based nanomaterials have attracted due to their distinctive properties makes them one of the most widely used nanomaterials for industrial purposes. However, their toxicity and environmental effects must be carefully studied, particularly regarding aquatic biota. The implications of these carbon-based nanomaterials on aquatic ecosystems, due to their potential entry or accidental release during manufacturing and treatment processes, need to be studied because their impacts upon living organisms are not fully understood. In this research work, the toxicity of oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Ox-MWCNTs) was measured using the freshwater bivalve (Corbicula fluminea) after exposure to different concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 mg·L-1 Ox-MWCNTs) for 14 days. The oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes were analyzed (pH, Raman microscopy, high-resolution electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering), showing their properties and behavior (size, aggregation state, and structure) in water media. The antioxidant defenses in the organism's digestive gland and gills were evaluated through measuring oxidative stress enzymes (glutathione-S-transferase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase), lipid peroxidation, and total ubiquitin. The results showed a concentration-dependent response of antioxidant enzymes (CAT and GST) in both tissues (gills and digestive glands) for all exposure periods in bivalves exposed to the different concentrations of oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Lipid peroxidation (MDA content) showed a variable response with the increase in oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes in the gills after 7 and 14 exposure days. Overall, after 14 days, there was an increase in total Ub compared to controls. Overall, the oxidative stress observed after the exposure of Corbicula fluminea to oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes indicates that the discharge of these nanomaterials into aquatic ecosystems can affect the biota as well as potentially accumulate in the trophic chain, and may even put human health at risk if they ingest contaminated animals.

Characterization, dose dependent assessment of hepatorenal oxidative stress, hematological parameters and histopathological divulging of the hepatic damages induced by Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) in adult male Sprague Dawley rats.

Nanoparticles are beneficial in many aspects to human life but their excessive use can cause various abnormalities. They dispose in the environment through transport, industrial and agricultural usage and enter in living body through dermal, respiratory route or ingested with the lipsticks and there higher concentration produces toxicity. Therefore, current study characterized ZnO-NPs to evaluate toxic ability by X-rays diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques and showed 29.83 and 35 nm size, respectively with hexagonal crystalline structure. LC50 value of ZnO-NPs was also evaluated as 72.48 ±â€¯10.33 mg/kg BW. Male Sprague Dawley (Post weaning) rats were divided into five groups with five rats in each group. Control (C) group received no treatment, placebo (S) group received normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) intraperitoneally and three treated groups received different levels of ZnO- NPs intraperitoneally at the dose of either 10 or 20 or 30 mg/kg for 21 days on alternate days and named as 1G1, 1G2 and 1G3, respectively for the assessment of toxicity for better understanding of precautionary measures in future. Oxidative stress enzymes of liver and kidney, hepatorenal function enzymes and hematological parameters along with hepatic histology were measured at the end of the experiment. Results showed highly significant variations in all parameters in a dose dependent manner as compared to control group while groups receiving 10 or 20 mg/kg of ZnO-NPs showed low to moderate pathological changes in both organs. Liver histological analysis showed congestion, necrosis, hemorrhage, RBC's accumulations; inflammatory cells infiltration and severe abnormalities in high dose group while medium, low dose group showed moderate and least effects, respectively. It is concluded that ZnO-NPs are highly toxic at more concentration so their careful usage is needed in daily routine.

Feeding Yellow Worms to Meagre: Effects on Whole-Body Fatty Acid Profile and Hepatic and Intestine Oxidative Status.

This study aimed to determine the effects of dietary inclusion of Tenebrio molitor larvae (yellow worms) meal (TM) on meagre fish (Argyrosomus regius) whole-body fatty acids (FA) profile and hepatic and intestine oxidative status. For that purpose, fish were fed for 9 weeks a fishmeal-based diet (control) or diets including 10%, 20%, or 30% TM. With the increase in dietary TM level, whole-body oleic acid, linoleic acid, monounsaturated FA, and n-6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) increased while saturated FA (SFA), n-3 PUFA, n-3 long chain-PUFA, SFA:PUFA ratio, n3:n6 ratio, and FA retention decreased. Hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities increased and catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities decreased with dietary TM inclusion. Hepatic total and reduced glutathione were lower in fish fed 20% TM. Intestinal CAT activity and oxidized glutathione increased and GPX activity decreased with dietary TM inclusion. Intestine SOD, G6PDH, and GR activities increased and malondialdehyde concentration decreased in fish fed the diets with lower TM inclusion levels. Liver and intestine oxidative stress index and liver malondialdehyde concentration were unaffected by dietary TM. In conclusion, to avoid major whole-body FA changes or antioxidant status imbalances, it is recommended to limit TM to 10% inclusion in meagre diets.

Oxidative Stress Response of Meagre to Dietary Black Soldier Fly Meal.

This study aimed to assess the effect of Hermetia illucens meal (HM) dietary inclusion on meagre oxidative status. Thus, fish were fed a fishmeal-based diet (CTR diet) and three other diets with increasing levels of HM inclusion, namely 10%, 20%, and 30% (diets HM10, HM20, and HM30, respectively). At the end of the trial, hepatic and intestine superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities and malondialdehyde concentration were unaffected by the diet composition. Liver glutathione peroxidase activity was higher in the fish fed the HM20 diet than in the fish fed the CTR and HM30 diets, and glutathione reductase activity linearly increased with the dietary HM level. The hepatic total glutathione and reduced glutathione contents were significantly lower in fish fed the HM20 diet than in fish fed the CTR and HM10 diets. In the intestine, the oxidized glutathione (GSSG) content and oxidative stress index linearly increased with the increase in dietary HM level, with the GSSG content of fish fed the HM20 diet being significantly higher than of fish fed the CTR diet. In conclusion, 30% HM might be included in meagre diets without negatively affecting hepatic and intestine oxidative status.

Effects of high-strength landfill leachate effluent on stress-induced microalgae lipid production and post-treatment micropollutant degradation.

This research investigates the effects of landfill leachate effluent concentrations from moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) on stress-induced Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus armatus lipid production and post-treatment micropollutant degradation. The effluent concentrations were varied between 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% (v/v). The landfill leachate influent was treated using two-stage moving bed biofilm reactor under 24 h and 18 h hydraulic retention time (HRT). The results indicated that the effluent concentration was positively correlated with the stress-induced microalgae lipid production in the post-treatment of residual micropollutants. C. vulgaris and S. armatus completely remove residual micropollutants in the effluent. The superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activity were positively correlated with the cellular lipid content. The lipid content of C. vulgaris and S. armatus cultivated in the 18 h HRT effluent were 31-51% and 51-64%, while those in the 24 h HRT effluent were 15-16% and 5-19%. The optimal condition of microalgae cultivation for the post-treatment of residual micropollutants was 50-75% (v/v) effluent concentrations under 18 h HRT, achieving the highest lipid production of 113-116 mg/L for C. vulgaris and 74-75 mg/L for S. armatus. Essentially, the MBBR landfill leachate effluent holds promising potential as a substrate for microalgae lipid production.

Taurine and/or inorganic potassium as dietary osmolyte counter the stress and enhance the growth of GIFT reared in ion imbalanced low saline water.

The effects of dietary osmolytes for alleviating osmotic stress and enhancing growth are not well elucidated in fish reared in inland saline water. The present study evaluated the effects of dietary taurine or potassium (K+) individually or in combination on growth, ionic homeostasis, and stress response of GIFT tilapia reared in potassium deficient low saline water (PDLSW, 10 ppt salinity) mimicking inland saline water. Isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets supplemented with five potassium concentrations (0, 0.3, 0.45, 0.6 and 0.75 %), two taurine (T) concentrations (0.5 and 1.0 %) and two combinations of both (K+ 0.1 % + T 0.5 % and K+ 0.2 % + T 0.5 %) were fed to GIFT juveniles (4.4 ± 0.02 g body weight) and reared in PDLSW for 45 days. The fish fed on the diet fortifying with K+ 0.2 % + T 0.5 % showed the highest growth performance among the controls and other treatment groups. Dietary supplementation had no effects on PDLSW induced increase in osmoregulatory endpoints. The optimum dietary potassium requirement of GIFT reared in PDLSW was 0.57 and 0.599 g/100 g diet. Dietary K+ down-regulated the PDLSW induced expression of NKAa1, AQP1, and ClC2, whereas inhibited taurine-induced up-regulation of AQP1 and CLC2, which is the first report in tilapia. In addition, dietary K+ and taurine modulated antioxidant and metabolic enzyme activities for easing stress and balancing energy requirements. Thus, blending of potassium (0.2 %) and taurine (0.5 %) in the diet appears best to mitigate stress and enhance GIFT growth reared in inland saline water.

Effects of Long-Term Lead Exposure on Antioxidant Enzyme Defense System in Organs of Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas) as a Bioindicator of Environmental Pollution in Croatia.

In Croatia, Podravina is a well-known lead-polluted region due to the intensive exploitation of natural gas, a highly developed agricultural industry, and a traffic hub with several heavily traveled roads. It represents a natural environment with a great variety of wildlife, especially hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas), which may serve as an indicator for environmental quality assessment. This study was conducted to estimate the bioaccumulation of lead in hare liver, kidney, muscle, and brain during long-term exposure and its impact on the oxidative status of the organism and to investigate a possible lead exchange ionic mechanism in the brain. In the organs of two hare groups (experimental from polluted area and control from the island of Krk), Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, lead concentrations, and antioxidant enzyme defense system were analyzed. The accumulation of lead was highest in the brain (3.7-fold higher compared to the control group) and lowest in the liver (1.6-fold higher compared to the control group). Kendall-Tau and multiple regression analysis showed that the increased lead content caused a stronger exchange of Ca and Na ions in the brain. We proposed that lead either mobilizes intracellular cation stores or causes competitive displacement of Ca from the binding site in intoxicated cells. A linear predictive model for cell intoxication by lead was proposed, where GPx and SOD were predominantly influenced by long-term lead exposure. The presented results showed that long-term lead exposure in hares negatively affected their oxidative status and caused the strongest toxicity in the brain and muscles, making their survival and/or population vulnerable.

Paphiopedilum insigne Morphological and Physiological Features during In Vitro Rooting and Ex Vitro Acclimatization Depending on the Types of Auxin and Substrate.

To obtain healthy and good quality plants from in vitro cultivation, it is necessary to produce plantlets with well-developed rooting systems because they must undergo acclimatization, a final and a very difficult stage of micropropagation. In the present research, the effect of auxins NAA, IAA and IBA in concentrations of 0.5; 1; 2.5 and 5 mg·dm-3 on the Paphiopediluminsigne in vitro rooting was studied, and it was noted that 1 mg·dm-3 of IAA or IBA enabled the obtaining of a lot of rooted and good quality plantlets. The subsequent influence of the two most advantageous auxins on the acclimatization of plantlets in different substrates (sphagnum moss, sphagnum moss + substrate for orchids, substrate for orchids, substrate for orchids + acid peat) was tested, in the means of morphological features of plants and their physiological parameters, i.e., chlorophyll fluorescence (FV, Fm, Fv/Fm), stress enzyme activity (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase), and water balance. Considering all the tested features, it might be stated that the best results were obtained when explants were rooted in vitro in the presence of 1 mg·dm-3 of IAA and then planted ex vitro in substrate for orchids.

Acute toxicity of organophosphate pesticide profenofos, pyrethroid pesticide λ cyhalothrin and biopesticide azadirachtin and their sublethal effects on growth and oxidative stress enzymes in benthic oligochaete worm, Tubifex tubifex.

The present study was aimed to assess the acute toxicity of organophosphate pesticide, profenofos; synthetic pyrethroid pesticide, λ cyhalothrin and biopesticide, azadirachtin and their sublethal effects on growth rate and oxidative stress biomarkers in Tubifex tubifex in vivo. The results showed that 96 h LC50 value of profenofos, λ cyhalothrin and azadirachtin to Tubifex tubifex are 0.59, 0.13 and 82.15 mg L-1 respectively. Pesticide treated worms showed several behavioral abnormalities including increased mucus secretion, erratic movements, wrinkling activity and decreased clumping tendency during acute exposure. The percentage of autotomy increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the increasing concentration of the pesticides at 96 h of exposure. Sublethal concentrations of profenofos (0.059 and 0.118 mg L-1), λ cyhalothrin (0.013 and 0.026 mg L-1) and azadirachtin (8.2 and 16.4 mg L-1) caused significant alterations in growth rate and oxidative stress enzymes in T. tubifex during 14 days exposure period. The growth rate of the pesticide exposed worms decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in a concentration and duration-dependent manner. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) demonstrated a noteworthy (p < 0.05) initial induction followed by a subsequent reduction, while catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) exhibited noteworthy induction (p < 0.05) all through the exposure time. Through principal component analysis, correlation matrix, and integrated biomarker response, the effects of profenofos, λ cyhalothrin and azadirachtin on T. tubifex were distinguished. These results indicate that exposure to profenofos, λ cyhalothrin and azadirachtin affect survivability, change the behavioral responses, reduce the growth rate and induce oxidative stress enzymes in T. tubifex.

Modifying effects of leaf litter extracts from invasive versus native tree species on copper-induced responses in Lemna minor.

Invasive plant species tend to migrate from their native habitats under favourable climatic conditions; therefore, trophic and other relationships in ecosystems are changing. To investigate the effect of natural organic matter derived from native Alnus glutinosa tree species and from invasive in Lithuania Acer negundo tree species on copper toxicity in Lemna minor, we analysed the dynamics of Cu binding in aqueous leaf litter extracts (LLE) and plant accumulation, morphophysiological parameters, and antioxidative response. The results revealed that A. glutinosa LLE contained polyphenols (49 mg pyrogallol acid equivalent (PAE)/g DM) and tannins (7.5 mg PAE/g DM), while A. negundo LLE contained only polyphenols (23 mg PAE/g DM). The ability of LLE to bind Cu increased rapidly over 1.5-3 h to 61% and 49% of the total Cu concentration (6.0 ± 0.9 mg/L), respectively for A. glutinosa (AG) and A. negundo (AN), then remained relatively stable until 48 h. At the same time, L. minor accumulated 384, 241 or 188 µg Cu/g FW when plants were exposed to Cu (100 µM CuSO4), Cu with 100 mg/L dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from either AG LLE or AN LLE, accordingly. Catalase (CAT) and guaiacol peroxidase (POD) played a dominant role in hydrogen peroxide scavenging when plants were exposed to Cu and 10 or 100 mg/L DOCAG mixtures in both the first (up to 6h) and the second (6-48 h) response phases. Due to functioning of oxidative stress enzymes, the levels of the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) reduced in concentration-dependent manner, compared to Cu treatment. When combining Cu and DOCAN treatments, the most sensitive enzymes were POD, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase. Their activities collectively with CAT were sufficient to reduce MDA levels to Cu-induced in the initial, but not the second response phase. These data suggest that leaf litter extracts of different phenolic compositions elicited different antioxidant response profiles resulting in different reductions of Cu stress, thus effecting L. minor frond and root development observed after seven days. The complex data from this study may be useful in modelling the response of the aquatic ecosystem to a changing environment.

Improvement of nutrient elements and allicin content in green onion (Allium fistulosum) plants exposed to CuO nanoparticles.

With the exponential growth of nanomaterial production in the last years, nano copper (Cu)-based compounds are gaining more consideration in agriculture since they can work as pesticides or fertilizers. Chinese scallions (Allium fistulosum), which are characterized by their high content of the antioxidant allicin, were the chosen plants for this study. Spectroscopic and microscopic techniques were used to evaluate the nutrient element, allicin content, and enzyme antioxidant properties of scallion plants. Plants were harvested after growing for 80 days at greenhouse conditions in soil amended with CuO particles [nano (nCuO) and bulk (bCuO)] and CuSO4 at 75-600 mg/kg]. Two-photon microscopy images demonstrated the particulate Cu uptake in nCuO and bCuO treated roots. In plants exposed to 150 mg/kg of the Cu-based compounds, root Cu content was higher in plants treated with nCuO compared with bCuO, CuSO4, and control (p ≤ 0.05). At 150 mg/kg, nCuO increased root Ca (86%), root Fe (71%), bulb Ca (74%), and bulb Mg (108%) content, compared with control (p ≤ 0.05). At the same concentration, bCuO reduced root Ca (67%) and root Mg (33%), compared with control (p ≤ 0.05). At all concentrations, nCuO and CuSO4 increased leaf allicin (56-187% and 42-90%, respectively), compared with control (p ≤ 0.05). The antioxidant enzymes were differentially affected by the Cu-based treatments. Overall, the data showed that nCuO enhances nutrient and allicin contents in scallion, which suggests they might be used as a nanofertilizer for onion production.

Sustainable production of biomass and industrially important secondary metabolites in cell cultures of selfheal (Prunella vulgaris L.) elicited by silver and gold nanoparticles.

Elicited artificial in vitro cultures are gaining more interest due to their uniform biosynthesis of industrially valuable secondary metabolites. In this study, a unique methodology was applied, in which different ratios of gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) were supplemented to submerge cultures to investigate sustainable production of biomass and antioxidant secondary metabolites. Cell suspension cultures were exposed to Ag and AuNPs alone or different ratios of AgAuNPs (1:2; 1:3; 2:1; 3:1) in combination with NAA. The combination of AgAuNPs (3:1) with NAA enhanced fresh (9.25 g/100 ml) and dry biomass (0.64 g/100 ml) of suspended cells than control (6.67; 0.233 g/100 ml). AuNPs with NAA-augmented media enhanced biomass accumulation in lag, log and stationary phases in a period of 49 days. Furthermore, AgAu (3:1) and AgAuNPs (2:1; 1:2) with NAA enhanced protein contents, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase enzymes. However, maximum phenolics (TPC; 10.61 mg/g-DW) and flavonoids (7.62 mg/g-DW) were observed in cell cultures exposed to a combination of AgAuNPs (1:3) and NAA than control (6.27, 5.49 mg/g-DW). The combination of AgAuNPs (2:1) with NAA enhanced antioxidant activity (87.85%) in cell cultures. This study will help in illuminating the impact of NPs on cultures development and production of natural antioxidants.

Physiological adaptation and spectral annotation of Arsenic and Cadmium heavy metal-resistant and susceptible strain Pseudomonas taiwanensis.

In the present study, the 16S-rRNA sequencing of heavy metal-resistant and susceptible bacterial strains isolated from the industrial and agriculture soil showed resemblance with Pseudomonas taiwanensis. Based on the growth rate, two bacterial strains SJPS_KUD54 and KUD-MBBT4 exhibited 10 ppm tolerance to Arsenic and Cadmium. These two heavy metals caused, a significant increase in stress enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities in SJPS_KUD54 when compared to KUD-MBBT4. Following heavy metal treatment, the atomic-force-microscopy observations showed no change in the cell-wall of SJPS_KUD54, whereas the cell-wall of KUD-MBBT4 got ruptured. Moreover, the protein-profile of SJPS_KUD54 treated with heavy metals exhibited varied patterns in comparison with untreated control. In addition, the accumulation of hydroxyl, thiol and amides were found in the SJPS_KUD54 relative to its control. Furthermore, the resistant SJPS_KUD54 strain showed a remarkable bioaccumulation properties to both Arsenic and Cadmium. Thus, it is inferred that the growth rate, stress enzymes and functional-groups play a significant role in the physiological-adaption of SJPS_KUD54 during stress conditions, which is positively involved in the prevention or repair mechanism for reducing the risks caused by heavy metal stress.

Exogenous melatonin trigger biomass accumulation and production of stress enzymes during callogenesis in medicinally important Prunella vulgaris L. (Selfheal).

The objective of the current study was to monitor the variations caused by the application of exogenous melatonin on growth kinetics and production of stress enzymes in Prunella vulgaris. Leaf and petiole explants were used for callogenesis. These explants were inoculated on Murashige and Skoog media containing various concentrations of melatonin alone or in combination with 2.0 mg/l naphthalene acetic acid. Herein, a maximum of 3.18-g/100 ml fresh biomass accumulation was observed on day 35 during log phase of growth kinetics at 1.0 mg/l melatonin concentration from leaf explants. While 0.5 and 1.0 mg/l melatonin enhanced the biomass accumulation from petiole explants. Moreover, the synergistic combination of melatonin and naphthalene acetic acid also promoted growth from leaf and petiole explants. Leaf derived callus cultures treated with 1.0 mg/l melatonin induced the production of total protein content (90.47 µg BSAE/mg FW) and protease activity (4.77 U/g FW). While the calli obtained from petiole explants have shown highest content of total protein (160.8 µg BSAE/mg FW) and protease activity (5.35 U/g FW) on media containing 0.5 mg/l melatonin. Similarly, 0.5 mg/l melatonin enhanced superoxide dismutase (3.011 nM/min/mg FW) and peroxidase (1.73 nM/min/mg FW) enzymes from leaf derived callus cultures. The combination of 1.0 and 1.5 mg/l naphthalene acetic acid enhanced content of total protein and protease activity in leaf and petiole derived cultures. These results suggested that the application of melatonin play a positive role in biomass accumulation and production of stress enzymes in P. vulgaris.

Novel Trichoderma strains isolated from tree barks as potential biocontrol agents and biofertilizers for direct seeded rice.

This study is the first time report of utilization of Trichoderma spp. isolated from different tree bark from Odisha state of India for rice crop health management and higher productivity. Six isolates of Trichoderma spp. were identified based on the morphological characteristics and species determination was performed by molecular assays. One of the isolated strains determined as Trichoderma erinaceum outperformed others. Trichoderma erinaceum controlled three soil borne plant pathogens i.e. Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii and Sclerotium oryzae effectively under controlled condition and R. solani and Helminthosporium oryzae under filed condition. Seed treatments with the formulated isolates improved the germination rate of rice and enhanced vigour. These parameters along with higher chlorophyll content could be related to higher yield observed in two rice varieties; Karuna and Sahabhagidhan. Among the six isolates tested, Trichoderma erinaceum treatment recorded highest yield. Significantly higher expression of some stress related enzymes was observed in Trichoderma treated plants which helped in better crop growth both under biotic and abiotic stresses. These isolates helped both the varieties to accumulate more nutrients. This study proves that Trichoderma erinaceum obtained from tree bark may be incorporated in integrated rice crop management both as biocontrol agent and biofertilizer.

Poplar and diclofenac pollution: A focus on physiology, oxidative stress and uptake in plant organs.

Poplar plants may have an important role in the removal of pharmaceuticals from contaminated waters. In this context, plant uptake of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac, as well as physiological response in terms of growth traits and stress enzymes activity was assessed in Populus alba Villafranca clone, in order to establish the effectiveness of this species against pharmaceutical active compounds pollution. This evaluation was conducted in mesocosms with 1 mg L-1 of this pharmaceutical for a maximum period of 28 days. Root appears to be the organ with clear uptake of diclofenac (14.76 ±â€¯2.42 ng g-1 fresh weight after 1 day of treatment), and presence of products derived from its metabolism. Indeed, 4-OH-diclofenac metabolite was detected in root tissues, indicating diclofenac uptake and metabolism inside the plants, already after 1 day of treatment. Regarding enzyme activities, glutathione-S-transferases increased in roots after long-term exposure to diclofenac, while an increase in activity of ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase was detected in short and medium-term exposure, as a result of abiotic stress caused by diclofenac. Results suggest the ability of poplar to actively participate in the removal of diclofenac from water when used for phytoremediation purpose.

Triclocarban: UV photolysis, wastewater disinfection, and ecotoxicity assessment using molecular biomarkers.

Triclocarban (TCC) is an antibacterial agent found in pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP). It is potentially bioaccumulative and an endocrine disruptor, being classified as a contaminant of emerging concern (CEC). In normal uses, approximately 96% of the used TCC can be washed down the drain going into the sewer system and eventually enter in the aquatic environment. UV photolysis can be used to photodegrade TCC and ecotoxicity assays could indicate the photodegradation efficiency, since the enormous structural diversity of photoproducts and their low concentrations do not always allow to identify and quantify them. In this work, the TCC was efficiently degraded by UVC direct photolysis and the ecotoxicity of the UV-treated mixtures was investigated. Bioassays indicates that Daphnia similis (48 h EC50 = 0.044 µM) was more sensitive to TCC than Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (72 h IC50 = 1.01 µM). TCC and its photoproducts caused significant effects on Eisenia andrei biochemical responses (catalase and glutathione-S-transferase); 48 h was a critical exposure time, since GST reached the highest activity values. UVC reduced the TCC toxic effect after 120 min. Furthermore, TCC was photodegraded in domestic wastewater which was simultaneously disinfected for total coliform bacterial (TCB) (360 min) and Escherichia coli (60 min). Graphical abstract TCC degradation and ecotoxicological assessment.

Short-term starvation and realimentation helps stave off Edwardsiella tarda infection in red sea bream (Pagrus major).

Dietary regime modifications have been an integral part of health and healing practices throughout the animal kingdom. Thus, to assess the effects of periodic starvation and refeeding schedule on the physiological and immunological perturbations in Edwardsiella tarda infected red sea bream, we conducted a 20day experiment using 4 treatment groups, namely, pre-fed placebo (PFP); pre-starved placebo (PSP); pre-fed infected (PFI); and pre-starved infected (PSI), wherein a 5h E. tarda infection was done on the 11th day. In the present investigation, the pre-starved groups showed significant (P<0.05) alterations in the liver Hexokinase and Glucose-6-phosphatase activity. The pre-starved fish also exhibited significant (P<0.05) increment in the hepatosomatic index, along with increased hepatic glycogen content, in a time dependent fashion. The PPAR (peroxisome proliferator activated receptors)α transcription in the pre-starved group decreased significantly (P<0.05) by 10dai, while the PPARγ showcased a reverse pattern. The transcription of Hepcidin1 and Transferrin (iron homeostasis related genes), and Cathepsin D and Ubiquitin (programmed cell death related genes) portrayed a time responsive decrease and increase in PSI and PFI groups, respectively. Additionally, in comparison to the PFI group, the PSI fish demonstrated substantially reduced oxidative stress level. Fluorescent Immunohistochemistry showed significant (P<0.05) increase in p63 positive cells in the 10dai PFI fish in relation to the PSI group. Therefore, these findings provide new insight into the beneficial role of alternating starvation and refeeding schedule, preferably short-term starvation prior to an infection, in order to obtain better capability to battle against E. tarda infection in red sea bream.