Dual Activation of Peroxymonosulfate Using MnFe2O4/g-C3N4 and Visible Light for the Efficient Degradation of Steroid Hormones: Performance, Mechanisms, and Environmental Impacts.

Single activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) in a homogeneous system is sometimes insufficient for producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) for water treatment applications. In this work, manganese spinel ferrite and graphitic carbon nitride (MnFe2O4/g-C3N4; MnF) were successfully used as an activator for PMS under visible light irradiation to remove the four-most-detected-hormone-contaminated water under different environmental conditions. The incorporation of g-C3N4 in the nanocomposites led to material enhancements, including increased crystallinity, reduced particle agglomeration, amplified magnetism, improved recyclability, and increased active surface area, thereby facilitating the PMS activation and electron transfer processes. The dominant active radical species included singlet oxygen (1O2) and superoxide anions (O2•-), which were more susceptible to the estrogen molecular structure than testosterone due to the higher electron-rich moieties. The self-scavenging effect occurred at high PMS concentrations, whereas elevated constituent ion concentrations can be both inhibitors and promoters due to the generation of secondary radicals. The MnF/PMS/vis system degradation byproducts and possible pathways of 17ß-estradiol and 17α-methyltestosterone were identified. The impact of hormone-treated water on Oryza sativa L. seed germination, shoot length, and root length was found to be lower than that of untreated water. However, the viability of both ELT3 and Sertoli TM4 cells was affected only at higher water compositions. Our results confirmed that MnF and visible light could be potential PMS activators due to their superior degradation performance and ability to produce safer treated water.

Adsorptive-Photocatalytic Performance for Antibiotic and Personal Care Product Using Cu0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4.

The amount of antibiotics and personal care products entering local sewage systems and ultimately natural waters is increasing and raising concerns about long-term human health effects. We developed an adsorptive photocatalyst, Cu0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles, utilizing co-precipitation and calcination with melamine, and quantified its efficacy in removing paraben and oxytetracycline (OTC). During melamine calcination, Cu0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 recrystallized, improving material crystallinity and purity for the adsorptive-photocatalytic reaction. Kinetic experiments showed that all four parabens and OTC were removed within 120 and 45 min. We found that contaminant adsorption and reaction with active radicals occurred almost simultaneously with the photocatalyst. OTC adsorption could be adequately described by the Brouers-Sotolongo kinetic and Freundlich isotherm models. OTC photocatalytic degradation started with a series of reactions at different carbon locations (i.e., decarboxamidation, deamination, dehydroxylation, demethylation, and tautomerization). Further toxicity testing showed that Zea mays L. and Vigna radiata L. shoot indexes were less affected by treated water than root indexes. The Zea mays L. endodermis thickness and area decreased considerably after exposure to the 25% (v/v)-treated water. Overall, Cu0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles exhibit a remarkable adsorptive-photocatalytic performance for the degradation of tested antibiotics and personal care products.

Enhanced degradation of herbicides in groundwater using sulfur-containing reductants and spinel zinc ferrite activated persulfate.

A challenge to successfully implementing an injection-based remedial treatment in aquifers is to ensure that the oxidative reaction is efficient and lasts long enough to contact the contaminated plume. Our objective was to determine the efficacy of zinc ferrite nanocomposites (ZnFe2O4) and sulfur-containing reductants (SCR) (i.e., dithionite; DTN and bisulfite; BS) to co-activate persulfate (S2O82-; PS) and treat herbicide-contaminated water. We also evaluated the ecotoxicity of the treated water. While both SCRs delivered excellent PS activation in a 1:0.4 ratio (PS:SCR), the reaction was relatively short-lived. By including ZnFe2O4 in the PS/BS or PS/DTN activations, herbicide degradation rates dramatically increased by factors of 2.5 to 11.3. This was due to the SO4- and OH reactive radical species that formed. Radical scavenging experiments and ZnFe2O4 XPS spectra results revealed that SO4- was the dominant reactive species that originated from S(IV)/PS activation in solution and from the Fe(II)/PS activation that occurred on the ZnFe2O4 surface. Based on liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS), atrazine and alachlor degradation pathways are proposed that involve both dehydration and hydroxylation. In 1-D column experiments, five different treatment scenarios were run using 14C-labeled and unlabeled atrazine, and 3H2O to quantify changes in breakthrough curves. Our results confirmed that ZnFe2O4 successfully prolonged the PS oxidative treatment despite the SCR being completely dissociated. Toxicity testing showed treated 14C-atrazine was more biodegradable than the parent compound in soil microcosms. Post-treatment water (25 %, v/v) also had less impact on both Zea Mays L. and Vigna radiata L. seedling growth, but more impact on root anatomies, while ≤4 % of the treated water started to exert cytotoxicity (<80 % viability) on ELT3 cell lines. Overall, the findings confirm that ZnFe2O4/SCR/PS reaction is efficient and relatively longer lasting in treating herbicide-contaminated groundwater.

Flour on Gluten-Free Muffins from Different Edible Cassava Varieties in Thailand.

In Thailand new edible cassava varieties have been developed to be used in the food industry. The aim of this research was to analyze the difference between flour from three cassava varieties and to evaluate the suitability and quality of flour for gluten-free muffins. The physico-chemical properties of flour from three varieties were studied. The results showed the moisture content of flour was between 10.65 ± 0.01 and 10.85 ± 0.45%. Total protein content was highly significant with a difference of 1.97 ± 0.00%, 2.15 ± 0.01%, and 2.18 ± 0.01%, respectively. Moreover, ash and fat in each flour were highly significant. Amylose content was 19.93 ± 0.47%, and the viscosity was 6286.00 ± 1.52 mPa.s. The color of flour values of L* a* b* value was not statistically different in each variety of flour. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was used for the biochemical change in flour. The PCA and cluster analysis results revealed that cassava flour from Pirun 6 was different from Pirun 2 and Pirun 4. After that, the test using selected cassava flour from Pirun 6 to test the physical properties and sensory attributes of gluten-free muffins compared with wheat flour found that gluten-free muffins were overall better than basic muffins.

Resistance Induction by Salicylic Acid Formulation in Cassava Plant against Fusarium solani.

Fusarium root rot caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium solani is one of the most important fungal diseases of cassava in Thailand, resulting in high yield losses of more than 80%. This study aimed to investigate if the exogenous application of salicylic acid formulations (Zacha) can induce resistance in cassava against Fusarium root rot and observe the biochemical changes in induced cassava leaf tissues through synchrotron radiation based on Fourier-transform infrared (SR-FTIR) microspectroscopy. We demonstrated that the application of Zacha11 prototype formulations could induce resistance against Fusarium root rot in cassava. The in vitro experimental results showed that Zacha11 prototype formulations inhibited the growth of F. solani at approximately 34.83%. Furthermore, a significant reduction in the disease severity of Fusarium root rot disease at 60 days after challenge inoculation was observed in cassava plants treated with Zacha11 at a concentration of 500 ppm (9.0%). Population densities of F. solani were determined at 7 days after inoculation. Treatment of the Zacha11 at a concentration of 500 ppm resulted in reduced populations compared with the distilled water control and differences among treatment means at each assay date. Moreover, the SR-FTIR spectral changes of Zacha11-treated epidermal tissues of leaves had higher integral areas of lipids, lignins, and pectins (1,770-1,700/cm), amide I (1,700-1,600/cm), amide II (1,600-1,500/cm), hemicellulose, lignin (1,300-1,200/cm), and cellulose (1,155/cm). Therefore, alteration in defensive carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins contributed to generate barriers against Fusarium invasion in cassava roots, leading to lower the root rot disease severity.

Identification of a Chitooligosaccharide Mechanism against Bacterial Leaf Blight on Rice by In Vitro and In Silico Studies.

This study focuses on a commercial plant elicitor based on chitooligosaccharides (BIG®), which aids in rice plant growth and disease resistance to bacterial leaf blight (BLB). When the pathogen (Xoo) vigorously attacks rice that has suffered yield losses, it can cause damage in up to 20% of the plant. Furthermore, Xoo is a seed-borne pathogen that can survive in rice seeds for an extended period. In this study, when rice seeds were soaked and sprayed with BIG®, there was a significant increase in shoot and root length, as well as plant biomass. Furthermore, BIG®-treated rice plants showed a significant reduction in BLB severity of more than 33%. Synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared (SR-FTIR) analysis was used to characterize BIG®'s mechanism in the chemical structure of rice leaves. The SR-FTIR results at 1650, 1735, and 1114 cm-1 indicated changes in biochemical components such as pectins, lignins, proteins, and celluloses. These findings demonstrated that commercial BIG® not only increased rice growth but also induced resistance to BLB. The drug's target enzyme, Xoo 1075 from Xanthomonas oryzae (PDB ID: 5CY8), was analyzed for its interactions with polymer ingredients, specifically chitooligosaccharides, to gain molecular insights down to the atomic level. The results are intriguing, with a strong binding of the chitooligosaccharide polymer with the drug target, revealing 10 hydrogen bonds between the protein and polymer. Overall, the computational analysis supported the experimentally demonstrated strong binding of chitooligosaccharides to the drug target.

Effect of Salicylic AcidFormulations on Induced Plant Defense against Cassava Anthracnose Disease.

This study was to investigate defense mechanisms on cassava induced by salicylic acid formulation (SA) against anthracnose disease. Our results indicated that the SA could reduce anthracnose severity in cassava plants up to 33.3% under the greenhouse condition. The ß-1,3-glucanase and chitinase enzyme activities were significantly increased at 24 hours after inoculation (HAI) and decrease at 48 HAI after Colletotrichum gloeosporioides challenge inoculation, respectively, for cassava treated with SA formulation. Synchrotron radiation-based Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy spectra revealed changes of the C=H stretching vibration (3,000-2,800 cm-1), pectin (1,740-1,700 cm-1), amide I protein (1,700-1,600 cm-1), amide II protein (1,600-1,500 cm-1), lignin (1,515 cm-1) as well as mainly C-O-C of polysaccharides (1,300-1,100 cm-1) in the leaf epidermal and mesophyll tissues treated with SA formulations, compared to those treated with fungicide carbendazim and distilled water after the challenged inoculation with C. gloeosporioides. The results indicate that biochemical changes in cassava leaf treated with SA played an important role in the enhancement of structural and chemical defense mechanisms leading to reduced anthracnose severity.

Monitoring wheat mitochondrial compositional and respiratory changes using Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy in response to agrochemical treatments.

Fungicides and plant growth regulators can impact plant growth outside of their effects on fungal pathogens. Although many of these chemicals are inhibitors of mitochondrial oxygen uptake, information remains limited as to whether they are able to modify other mitochondrial constituents. Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy (FT-mIR) offers a high sample throughput method to comparatively and qualitatively evaluate the effects of exogenously added compounds on mitochondrial components. Therefore the objective of this study was to determine the ability of FT-mIR to detect effects mitochondrial fractions isolated from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings in response to several agrochemical treatments, with an emphasis on fungicides. The accessed need was to develop FT-mIR analytical and statistical routines as an effective approach to differentiate spectra obtained from chemically-treated or untreated mitochondria. An NADH-dependent oxygen uptake approach was initially used as a comparative method to determine whether the fungicides (azoxystrobin, boscalid, cyazofamid, fluazinam, isopyrazam, and pyraclostrobin) and the plant growth regulator, (trinexapac-ethyl) reduced respiration inhibition on isolated mitochondria. Pyraclostrobin was the most effective inhibitor, whereas amisulbrom did not impact oxygen uptake. However, hierarchical clustering of FT-mIR spectra of isolated mitochondria treated with these different compounds separated into clades consistent with each of their expected mode of action. Analysis of the FT-mIR amide protein region indicated that amisulbrom and pyraclostrobin interacted with the isolated wheat mitochondria. Both chemicals were statistically different from the control signifying that respiration was indeed influenced by these treatments. Moreover, the entire FT-mIR region showed differences in various biological bands thereby providing additional information on mitochondria responses to agrochemicals, if so warranted.

Multi-Population Selective Genotyping to Identify Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] Seed Protein and Oil QTLs.

Plant breeders continually generate ever-higher yielding cultivars, but also want to improve seed constituent value, which is mainly protein and oil, in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Identification of genetic loci governing those two traits would facilitate that effort. Though genome-wide association offers one such approach, selective genotyping of multiple biparental populations offers a complementary alternative, and was evaluated here, using 48 F2:3 populations (n = âˆ¼224 plants) created by mating 48 high protein germplasm accessions to cultivars of similar maturity, but with normal seed protein content. All F2:3 progeny were phenotyped for seed protein and oil, but only 22 high and 22 low extreme progeny in each F2:3 phenotypic distribution were genotyped with a 1536-SNP chip (ca 450 bimorphic SNPs detected per mating). A significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) on one or more chromosomes was detected for protein in 35 (73%), and for oil in 25 (52%), of the 48 matings, and these QTL exhibited additive effects of ≥ 4 g kg(-1) and R(2) values of 0.07 or more. These results demonstrated that a multiple-population selective genotyping strategy, when focused on matings between parental phenotype extremes, can be used successfully to identify germplasm accessions possessing large-effect QTL alleles. Such accessions would be of interest to breeders to serve as parental donors of those alleles in cultivar development programs, though 17 of the 48 accessions were not unique in terms of SNP genotype, indicating that diversity among high protein accessions in the germplasm collection is less than what might ordinarily be assumed.

Genetic and molecular characterization of submergence response identifies Subtol6 as a major submergence tolerance locus in maize.

Maize is highly sensitive to short term flooding and submergence. Early season flooding reduces germination, survival and growth rate of maize seedlings. We aimed to discover genetic variation for submergence tolerance in maize and elucidate the genetic basis of submergence tolerance through transcriptional profiling and linkage analysis of contrasting genotypes. A diverse set of maize nested association mapping (NAM) founder lines were screened, and two highly tolerant (Mo18W and M162W) and sensitive (B97 and B73) genotypes were identified. Tolerant lines exhibited delayed senescence and lower oxidative stress levels compared to sensitive lines. Transcriptome analysis was performed on these inbreds to provide genome level insights into the molecular responses to submergence. Tolerant lines had higher transcript abundance of several fermentation-related genes and an unannotated Pyrophosphate-Dependent Fructose-6-Phosphate 1-Phosphotransferase gene during submergence. A coexpression network enriched for CBF (C-REPEAT/DRE BINDING FACTOR: C-REPEAT/DRE BINDING FACTOR) genes, was induced by submergence in all four inbreds, but was more activated in the tolerant Mo18W. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from Mo18W and B73 was screened for submergence tolerance. A major QTL named Subtol6 was mapped to chromosome 6 that explains 22% of the phenotypic variation within the RIL population. We identified two candidate genes (HEMOGLOBIN2 and RAV1) underlying Subtol6 based on contrasting expression patterns observed in B73 and Mo18W. Sources of tolerance identified in this study (Subtol6) can be useful to increase survival rate during flooding events that are predicted to increase in frequency with climate change.