The Biosynthesis, Accumulation of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Response in Lactuca sativa L. Plants Inoculated with a Biofertilizer Based on Soil Yeast and Iron Nanoparticles.

Lettuce is a vegetable that contributes vitamins, minerals, fibre, phenolic compounds and antioxidants to the human diet. In the search for improving production conditions and crop health, the use of microorganisms with plant growth-promoting capabilities, such as soil yeasts (PGPY), in conjunction with nanotechnology could offer sustainable development of agroecosystems. This study evaluated the synthesis of health-promoting bioactive compounds in lettuce under the application of soil yeast and an iron nanoparticle (NP-Fe2O3) encapsulated in alginate beads. Two yeast strains, Candida guillermondii and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, and a consortium of both yeasts were used in the presence and absence of Fe2O3-NPs. Phenolic compounds were identified and quantified via HPLC-ESI-Q-ToF and antioxidant activity. Ten phenolic compounds were identified, highlighting the chicoric acid isomer and two quercetin glycosides with high concentrations of up to 100 µg g-1 in treatments with C. guillermondii. Treatments with R. mucilaginosa and NPs-Fe2O3 presented an increase in antioxidant activity, mainly in TEAC, CUPRAC and DPPH activities in leaves, with significant differences between treatments. Therefore, the use of encapsulated soil yeasts is a viable alternative for application in vegetables to improve the biosynthesis and accumulation of phenolic compounds in lettuce and other crops.

Enhancing Water Status and Nutrient Uptake in Drought-Stressed Lettuce Plants (Lactuca sativa L.) via Inoculation with Different Bacillus spp. Isolated from the Atacama Desert.

Drought is a major challenge for agriculture worldwide, being one of the main causes of losses in plant production. Various studies reported that some soil's bacteria can improve plant tolerance to environmental stresses by the enhancement of water and nutrient uptake by plants. The Atacama Desert in Chile, the driest place on earth, harbors a largely unexplored microbial richness. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of various Bacillus sp. from the hyper arid Atacama Desert in the improvement in tolerance to drought stress in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata, cv. "Super Milanesa") plants. Seven strains of Bacillus spp. were isolated from the rhizosphere of the Chilean endemic plants Metharme lanata and Nolana jaffuelii, and then identified using the 16s rRNA gene. Indole acetic acid (IAA) production, phosphate solubilization, nitrogen fixation, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity were assessed. Lettuce plants were inoculated with Bacillus spp. strains and subjected to two different irrigation conditions (95% and 45% of field capacity) and their biomass, net photosynthesis, relative water content, photosynthetic pigments, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake, oxidative damage, proline production, and phenolic compounds were evaluated. The results indicated that plants inoculated with B. atrophaeus, B. ginsengihumi, and B. tequilensis demonstrated the highest growth under drought conditions compared to non-inoculated plants. Treatments increased biomass production and were strongly associated with enhanced N-uptake, water status, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic activity. Our results show that specific Bacillus species from the Atacama Desert enhance drought stress tolerance in lettuce plants by promoting several beneficial plant traits that facilitate water absorption and nutrient uptake, which support the use of this unexplored and unexploited natural resource as potent bioinoculants to improve plant production under increasing drought conditions.

Beneficial Interactive Effects Provided by an Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Yeast on the Growth of Oenothera picensis Established on Cu Mine Tailings.

Phytoremediation, an environmentally friendly and sustainable approach for addressing Cu-contaminated environments, remains underutilized in mine tailings. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a vital role in reducing Cu levels in plants through various mechanisms, including glomalin stabilization, immobilization within fungal structures, and enhancing plant tolerance to oxidative stress. Yeasts also contribute to plant growth and metal tolerance by producing phytohormones, solubilizing phosphates, generating exopolysaccharides, and facilitating AMF colonization. This study aimed to assess the impact of AMF and yeast inoculation on the growth and antioxidant response of Oenothera picensis plants growing in Cu mine tailings amended with compost. Plants were either non-inoculated (NY) or inoculated with Meyerozyma guilliermondii (MG), Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (RM), or a combination of both (MIX). Plants were also inoculated with Claroideoglomus claroideum (CC), while others remained non-AMF inoculated (NM). The results indicated significantly higher shoot biomass in the MG-NM treatment, showing a 3.4-fold increase compared to the NY-NM treatment. The MG-CC treatment exhibited the most substantial increase in root biomass, reaching 5-fold that in the NY-NM treatment. Co-inoculation of AMF and yeast influenced antioxidant activity, particularly catalase and ascorbate peroxidase. Furthermore, AMF and yeast inoculation individually led to a 2-fold decrease in total phenols in the roots. Yeast inoculation notably reduced non-enzymatic antioxidant activity in the ABTS and CUPRAC assays. Both AMF and yeast inoculation promoted the production of photosynthetic pigments, further emphasizing their importance in phytoremediation programs for mine tailings.

Antioxidant Response, Phenolic Compounds and Yield of Solanum tuberosum Tubers Inoculated with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Growing under Water Stress.

Solanum tuberosum (potato) is one of the most common crops worldwide; however, it is sensitive to water stress, which necessitates the identification of alternative tools to improve their production. Here, we evaluated the inoculation of two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) strains, Claroideoglomus claroideum (CC), Claroideoglomus lamellosum (HMC26), and the MIX (CC + HMC26) in yield and phenolic and antioxidant response using chromatographic and spectroscopic methods in potato crops, at increasing levels of water stress, namely, with 100% (0), 70% (S1), and 40% (S2) soil humidity. Two caffeoylquinic acid isomers were detected and their levels showed a tendency to increase under stress together with the AMF inoculation, reaching up to 19.2 mg kg-1 of 5-caffeoylquinic acid and 7.4 mg kg-1 of caffeoylquinic acid isomer when CC was inoculated, and potato plants grew at the highest water starvation condition (S2). Regarding antioxidant activities, a differentiated response was detected depending on the AMF strain, highlighting the effect of HMC26 on Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) method and CC in cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) method, reaching up to 1.5 µmol g-1 of TEAC in plants inoculated with HMC26 and 0.9 µmol g-1 of CUPRAC in plants inoculated with CC, both in potato tubers of plants growing under the S2 stress condition. Meanwhile, the use of AMF did not influence the number and biomass of the tubers, but significant changes in the biochemical properties of tubers were observed. The results suggest that specific AMF adaptations to water stress must be considered when inoculation procedures are planned to improve the yield and quality of tubers in potato crops.

Biochemical, Catabolic, and PGP Activity of Microbial Communities and Bacterial Strains from the Root Zone of Baccharis linearis in a Mediterranean Mine Tailing.

The management of mine tailings (MT) is commonly workload heavy, intrusive, and expensive. Phytostabilization offers a promising approach for MT management; however, it poses challenges due to the unfavorable physicochemical properties of these wastes. Nevertheless, native microorganisms capable of supporting plant growth and development could enhance the efficacy of phytostabilization. This study assesses the biological activity of microbial communities from the root zone of Baccharis linearis, which is naturally present in MT, in order to evaluate their biotechnological potential for phytostabilization. The root zone and bulk samples were collected from B. linearis plants located within a MT in the Mediterranean zone of Chile. Enzyme activities related to the cycling of C, N, and P were assessed. The community-level physiological profile was evaluated using the MicroRespTM system. Bacterial plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits and colony forming units (CFU) were evaluated through qualitative and microbiological methods, respectively. CFU, enzyme activities, and CLPP were higher in the root zone compared with the bulk samples. Five bacterial strains from the root zone exhibited PGP traits such as P solubilization and N acquisition, among others. The presence of microbial communities in the root zone of B. linearis with PGP traits suggests their potential to enhance the ecological management of MT through phytostabilization programs.

Inoculation with Actinobacteria spp. Isolated from a Hyper-Arid Environment Enhances Tolerance to Salinity in Lettuce Plants (Lactuca sativa L.).

Irrigated agriculture is responsible for a third of global agricultural production, but the overuse of water resources and intensification of farming practices threaten its sustainability. The use of saline water in irrigation has become an alternative in areas subjected to frequent drought, but this practice affects plant growth due to osmotic impact and excess of ions. Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can mitigate the negative impacts of salinity and other abiotic factors on crop yields. Actinobacteria from the hyper-arid Atacama Desert could increase the plant tolerance to salinity, allowing their use as biofertilizers for lettuce crops using waters with high salt contents. In this work, rhizosphere samples of halophytic Metharme lanata were obtained from Atacama Desert, and actinobacteria were isolated and identified by 16S gene sequencing. The PGPR activities of phosphate solubilization, nitrogen fixation, and the production of siderophore and auxin were assessed at increasing concentrations of NaCl, as well as the enhancement of salt tolerance in lettuce plants irrigated with 100 mM of NaCl. Photosynthesis activity and chlorophyll content, proline content, lipid peroxidation, cation and P concentration, and the identification and quantification of phenolic compounds were assessed. The strains S. niveoruber ATMLC132021 and S. lienomycini ATMLC122021 were positive for nitrogen fixation and P solubilization activities and produced auxin up to 200 mM NaCl. In lettuce plants, both strains were able to improve salt stress tolerance by increasing proline contents, carotenoids, chlorophyll, water use efficiency (WUE), stomatal conductance (gs), and net photosynthesis (A), concomitantly with the overproduction of the phenolic compound dicaffeoylquinic acid. All these traits were positively correlated with the biomass production under saltwater irrigation, suggesting its possible use as bioinoculants for the agriculture in areas where the water resources are scarce and usually with high salt concentrations.

The Impact of 2-Ketones Released from Solid Lipid Nanoparticles on Growth Modulation and Antioxidant System of Lactuca sativa.

2-Ketones are signal molecules reported as plant growth stimulators, but their applications in vegetables have yet to be achieved. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) emerge as a relevant nanocarrier to develop formulations for the controlled release of 2-ketones. In this sense, seedlings of Lactuca sativa exposed to 125, 375, and 500 µL L-1 of encapsulated 2-nonanone and 2-tridecanone into SLNs were evaluated under controlled conditions. SLNs evidenced a spherical shape with a size of 230 nm. A controlled release of encapsulated doses of 2-nonanone and 2-tridecanone was observed, where a greater release was observed as the encapsulated dose of the compound increased. Root development was strongly stimulated mainly by 2-tridecanone and leaf area (25-32%) by 2-nonanone. Chlorophyll content increased by 15.8% with exposure to 500 µL L-1 of 2-nonanone, and carotenoid concentration was maintained with 2-nonanone. Antioxidant capacity decreased (13-62.7%) in L. sativa treated with 2-ketones, but the total phenol concentration strongly increased in seedlings exposed to some doses of 2-ketones. 2-Tridecanone strongly modulates the enzymatic activities associated with the scavenging of H2O2 at intra- and extracellular levels. In conclusion, 2-ketones released from SLNs modulated the growth and the antioxidant system of L. sativa, depending on the dose released.

Evaluation of the Antifungal Potential of Grape Cane and Flesh-Coloured Potato Extracts against Rhizoctonia sp. in Solanum tuberosum Crops.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is one of the most important food crops worldwide, and Rhizoctonia solani infection is one of the most common diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of Vitis vinifera byproducts (VIDES) and flesh-coloured potato (FCP) extracts against Rhizoctonia sp. in potato crops. Photosynthetic traits, phenolic profiles, and antioxidant and enzymatic activities were determined. The VIDES extract showed a 151.4% improvement in stomatal conductance and a 258.5% improvement in the photosynthetic rate compared to the plants without infection. Regarding the enzymatic antioxidant activity, the best response was found in the FCP treatments with 30 min of application, with increases of 25%, 161%, and 450% in ascorbate peroxidase, catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities, respectively, compared to plants without infection. For the VIDES extract, a 15 min application produced an 83% increase in CAT activity, whereas a 181% increase in GR activity compared to plants without infection was produced after a 30 min application. A similar behaviour was observed for antioxidant compounds, where FCP had a higher concentration of compounds and antioxidant activity. This finding suggests that FCP and VIDES promote the synthesis of plant-defence compounds against Rhizoctonia sp. in potato crops, in which the application time is a determining factor.

MALDI-TOF MS: A Quick Method to Detect the Susceptibility of Fusarium spp. Clinical Isolates to Amphotericin B.

Disseminated fusariosis is treated with amphotericin B and voriconazole. To determine adequate therapy, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) is used. However, MIC analysis is based on visual observation and requires a long period of fungal incubation. The measure of the minimal profile change concentration (MPCC) using MALDI-TOF MS is a quick spectral method that has presented good results in determining the antimicrobial resistance of yeasts. However, there is a lack of information on filamentous fungi. In the present work, 13 Fusarium spp. clinical isolates and two reference strains were used. MIC was obtained according to the M38-A2 protocol of the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute, while MPPC was obtained following the initial steps of the M38-A2 protocol. Both Biotyper and the Rstudio environment were used to analyze mass spectra. For some fungal strains, the data obtained from the software MALDI Biotyper Compass 4.1 led to fuzzy heatmaps resulting in difficult interpretation, while heatmaps obtained using Rstudio tools generated better MPCC resolutions. Herein, 86.6% of the AMB MPCC values were highly correlated with the gold-standard AMB MIC. MALDI-TOF MS is a prominent tool used to determine MPCCs quicker, cost-effectively, and more accurately for Fusarium spp. strains. However, better statistical analyses could help measure the technique's limit detection.

Eco-Efficient Systems Based on Nanocarriers for the Controlled Release of Fertilizers and Pesticides: Toward Smart Agriculture.

The excessive application of pesticides and fertilizers has generated losses in biological diversity, environmental pollution, and harmful effects on human health. Under this context, nanotechnology constitutes an innovative tool to alleviate these problems. Notably, applying nanocarriers as controlled release systems (CRSs) for agrochemicals can overcome the limitations of conventional products. A CRS for agrochemicals is an eco-friendly strategy for the ecosystem and human health. Nanopesticides based on synthetic and natural polymers, nanoemulsions, lipid nanoparticles, and nanofibers reduce phytopathogens and plant diseases. Nanoproducts designed with an environmentally responsive, controlled release offer great potential to create formulations that respond to specific environmental stimuli. The formulation of nanofertilizers is focused on enhancing the action of nutrients and growth stimulators, which show an improved nutrient release with site-specific action using nanohydroxyapatite, nanoclays, chitosan nanoparticles, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, and amorphous calcium phosphate. However, despite the noticeable results for nanopesticides and nanofertilizers, research still needs to be improved. Here, we review the relevant antecedents in this topic and discuss limitations and future challenges.

Usefulness and limitations of convergent cross sorting and continuity scaling methods for their application in simulated and real-world time series.

Causality detection methods are valuable tools for detecting causal links in complex systems. The efficiency of continuity scaling (CS) and the convergent cross sorting (CSS) methods to detect causality was analysed. Usefulness and limitations of both methods in their application to simulated and real-world time series was explored under different scenarios. We find that CS is more robust and efficient than the CSS method for all simulated systems, even when increasing noise levels were considered. Both methods were not able to infer causality when time series with a marked difference in their main frequencies were analysed. Minimum time-series length required for the detection of a causal link depends on intrinsic system dynamics and on the method selected to detect it. Using simulated time series, only the CS method was capable to detect bidirectional causality. Causality detection, using the CS method, should at least include: (i) causality strength convergence analysis, (ii) statistical tests of significance, (iii) time-series standardization, and (iv) causality strength ratios as a strength indicator of relative causality between systems. Causality cannot be detected by either method in simulated time series that exhibit generalized synchronization.

Co-application of citric acid and Nocardiopsis sp. strain RA07 enhances phytoremediation potentiality of Sorghum bicolor L.

This study investigated the combined effects of citric acid (CA) and Nocardiopsis sp. RA07 on the phytoremediation potential of lead (Pb)- and copper (Cu)-contaminated soils by Sorghum bicolor L. The strain RA07 was able to tolerate Pb and Cu, and exhibited plant growth-promoting features like siderophore production, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) synthesis, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity and phosphate solubilization. The combined application of CA and strain RA07 significantly increased S. bicolor growth, chlorophyll content and antioxidant enzymatic activity, and decreased oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde content) under Pb and Cu stress circumstances as compared to individual treatments (i.e., CA and strain RA07). Furthermore, the combined application of CA and RA07 significantly enhanced S. bicolor ability to accumulate Pb and Cu by 64.41% and 60.71% in the root and 188.39% and 125.56% in the shoot, respectively, as compared to the corresponding uninoculated plants. Our results indicate that inoculation of Nocardiopsis sp. together with CA could be a useful practical approach to mitigate Pb and Cu stress on plant growth and increase the effectiveness of phytoremediation in Pb- and Cu-polluted soils.

Contribution of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal and Endophytic Fungi to Drought Tolerance in Araucaria araucana Seedlings.

In its natural distribution, Araucaria araucana is a plant species usually exposed to extreme environmental constraints such as wind, volcanism, fires, and low rainfall. This plant is subjected to long periods of drought, accentuated by the current climate emergency, causing plant death, especially in its early growth stages. Understanding the benefits that both arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and endophytic fungi (EF) could provide plants under different water regimes would generate inputs to address the above-mentioned issues. Here, the effect of AMF and EF inoculation (individually and combined) on the morphophysiological variables of A. araucana seedlings subjected to different water regimes was evaluated. Both the AMF and EF inocula were obtained from A. araucana roots growing in natural conditions. The inoculated seedlings were kept for 5 months under standard greenhouse conditions and subsequently subjected to three different irrigation levels for 2 months: 100, 75, and 25% of field capacity (FC). Morphophysiological variables were evaluated over time. Applying AMF and EF + AMF yielded a noticeable survival rate in the most extreme drought conditions (25% FC). Moreover, both the AMF and the EF + AMF treatments promoted an increase in height growth between 6.1 and 16.1%, in the production of aerial biomass between 54.3 and 62.6%, and in root biomass between 42.5 and 65.4%. These treatments also kept the maximum quantum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm 0.71 for AMF and 0.64 for EF + AMF) stable, as well as high foliar water content (>60%) and stable CO2 assimilation under drought stress. In addition, the EF + AMF treatment at 25% FC increased the total chlorophyll content. In conclusion, using indigenous strains of AMF, alone or in combination with EF, is a beneficial strategy to produce A. araucana seedlings with an enhanced ability to tolerate prolonged drought periods, which could be of great relevance for the survival of these native species under the current climate change.

Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in the Fruit of Rosehip (Rosa canina L. and Rosa rubiginosa L.).

Rosehips (Rosa spp., Rosaceae) are wild rose bushes with more than 100 species. Its fruits vary in colour and size, depending on the species, and are recognised for their nutritional characteristics. Ten samples of Rosa canina L. and Rosa rubiginosa L. fruits were collected at different geographical points from Southern Chile. Nutrients such as crude protein and minerals and functional properties such as phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, and also antioxidant activities were evaluated by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. The results revealed a high content of bioactive compounds, primarily ascorbic acid (6.0 to 8.2 mg g-1 fresh weight (FW)), flavonols (427.9 ± 0.4 µg g-1 FW) and antioxidant activity. We established a relationship between the antioxidant activity using Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and 2,2-diphenyl radical (DPPH) methods and the concentration of uncoloured compounds, such as flavonols and catechin. This antioxidant activity was primarily associated with the samples from Gorbea, Lonquimay, Loncoche, and Villarrica localities, and all of them were of the species Rosa rubiginosa L. The results here obtained represent novel information of rosehip fruits. In this sense, the reported information about compounds and antioxidant activities in rosehip fruits allowed us to continue new lines of research in relation to the potential formulation of new functional foods and also in the treatment and/or prevention of some diseases.

Phytostabilization of trace elements and 13C isotope composition of Atriplex atacamensis Phil. cultivated in mine tailings treated with organic amendments.

Mining generates large quantities of mineral processing wastes that are typically stored in mine tailings (MT) ponds. Long-term exposure of the surrounding areas to the material from the tailings ponds has been reported to have adverse effects on both human health and the environment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of Atriplex atacamensis Phil. to phytostabilize metals (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) and sulfur (S) when grown directly on mine tailings with and without compost (C) and humic substance (HS). The stress status of A. atacamensis Phil. was also evaluated through the 13C isotopic composition of bulk leaves. A 120-day greenhouse experiment was conducted and three treatments were evaluated: (i) MT without any amendments (control), (ii) MT + C (dose: 89 ton ha-1), and (iii) MT + HS (0.72 ton ha-1). Mine tailings material exhibited low salinity, alkaline pH, high extractable S-SO4 concentrations, and low fertility; total Fe, Mn, and Zn concentrations were within the reference range for mine tailings, but total Cu concentrations were high at 1860 ± 236 mg kg-1. The HS had higher pH, EC, CEC, and available concentrations of N, P, and K than compost, while S-SO4 concentrations were similar in both amendments. 13C NMR analysis showed that the HS contained more alkyl, aromatic, and phenolic groups, while the compost was dominated by O-alkyl and carboxyl groups. At the end of the experiment, the MT + C treatment achieved a significant decrease in Cu, Fe, and Mn concentrations in the roots and aboveground parts of A. atacamensis Phil. and an increase in Zn values in both tissues. Both amendments increased the sulfur content in the aboveground parts, while metal concentrations under the HS treatment proved similar to control. Furthermore, the δ13CV-PDB values obtained in this study indicate that the organic amendments did not cause additional physiological stress to the plants compared to the MT treatment. Overall, A. atacamensis Phil. was shown to have the ability to phytostabilize metals and sulfur, making it a potential candidate species for in situ evaluation of the phytostabilization process on mine tailings.

Assessing the environmental impact of resource recovery from dairy manure.

Manure management is a major contributor to environmental impacts from large-scale dairy production. In this study, technologies for recovering energy, nutrients, and water from dairy manure were evaluated using life cycle assessment (LCA) and compared to conventional practices on California dairy farms. Six scenarios were evaluated: conventional manure management practices, anaerobic digestion (AD) for biogas recovery, and four scenarios for nutrients, energy, and water integrated recovery, called NEWIR. The NEWIR system consists of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) for energy recovery via hydrochar, algae cultivation in the HTC aqueous product for nutrient recovery and production of protein-rich cattle feed, and water recovery from algae pond effluent via membrane distillation. Four NEWIR scenarios were evaluated, each with a different species of algae. Based on the results of the LCA, AD improves GHG emissions relative to conventional practices by 82%, but has similar eutrophication impacts, posing similar concerns for nutrient management as current practices. Results for the NEWIR system are highly dependent on the algae species used. Three of the four species evaluated (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Chlorella vulgaris, and Scenedesmus obliquus) improve GHG emissions by 420-500 kg CO2-eq. per functional unit, while net water consumption is increased by approximately 75% over AD and conventional practices Spirulina maxima requires more water and chemical inputs for cultivation than the other species, resulting in higher water use (21 times higher than baseline), though GHG emissions are still reduced by 85 kg CO2-eq. per functional unit relative to conventional practices. All NEWIR scenarios improve eutrophication impacts relative to AD and conventional practices by 16-46% for marine eutrophication and 18-99% for freshwater eutrophication, depending on the algae species used. The results suggest integrated resource recovery through NEWIR is a promising treatment method for manure to mitigate GHG emissions and improve nutrient management on large-scale farms. In addition, carbon and nutrient trading policies are discussed in relation to resource recovery technologies and their potential to incentivize producers to recover products from dairy manure.

Scenedesmus sp. strain SD07 cultivation in municipal wastewater for pollutant removal and production of lipid and exopolysaccharides.

In this study, an efficient microalgal strain SD07 was isolated from pond wastewater and identified as Scenedesmus sp. using the 18S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The strain SD07 was grown in a variety of concentrations (25-100%) of municipal wastewater. Scenedesmus sp. strain SD07 grown in 75% diluted wastewater produced a higher amount of biomass (1.93 ± 0.10 g L-1), and removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonium (NH4+), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphate (TP) by 91.36%, 88.41%, 93.26% and 96.32%, respectively from wastewater. The harvested strain SD07 biomass has protein, carbohydrate and lipid contents of 35%, 20.4% and 33%, respectively. Fatty acid profiles revealed that the strain SD07 lipids mainly consist of palmitic acid (40.5%), palmitoleic acid (19%), linoleic acid (17%) and oleic acid (13.2%). Furthermore, strain SD07 cultured in 75% diluted wastewater produced 378 mg L-1 of exopolysaccharides (EPS). The EPS was utilized as a biostimulant in the cultivation of Solanum lycopersicum under salinity stress. In summary, these findings suggest that this Scenedesmus sp. strain SD07 can be employed for wastewater treatment as well as the production of valuable biomass, high-quality algal oil and EPS.

Antifungal Potential of Capsaicinoids and Capsinoids from the Capsicum Genus for the Safeguarding of Agrifood Production: Advantages and Limitations for Environmental Health.

Opportunistic pathogenic fungi arise in agricultural crops as well as in surrounding human daily life. The recent increase in antifungal-resistant strains has created the need for new effective antifungals, particularly those based on plant secondary metabolites, such as capsaicinoids and capsinoids produced by Capsicum species. The use of such natural compounds is well-aligned with the One Health approach, which tries to find an equilibrium among people, animals, and the environment. Considering this, the main objective of the present work is to review the antifungal potential of capsaicinoids and capsinoids, and to evaluate the environmental and health impacts of biofungicides based on these compounds. Overall, capsaicinoids and their analogues can be used to control pathogenic fungi growth in plant crops, as eco-friendly alternatives to pest management, and assist in the conservation and long-term storage of agrifood products. Their application in different stages of the agricultural and food production chains improves food safety, nutritional value, and overcomes antimicrobial resistance, with a lower associated risk to humans, animals, and the environment than that of synthetic fungicides and pesticides. Nevertheless, research on the effect of these compounds on bee-like beneficial insects and the development of new preservatives and packaging materials is still necessary.

Physiological and Metabolic Effects of the Inoculation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Solanum tuberosum Crops under Water Stress.

Solanum tuberosum is one of the most important crops in the world; however, drought has caused significant losses in its production. One solution is the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). In this study, the phenolic profiles and antioxidant activity of the leaves of two potato genotypes (VR808 and CB2011-104) were evaluated over time in crops inoculated with two strains of AMF, as well as a consortium, in combination with a commercial fungicide. In addition, three usable humidity levels were established after the beginning of tuberization. The phenolic compounds found during the first sampling time in the VR808 genotype reached a maximum of 3348 mg kg-1, and in the CB2011-104 genotype, they reached a maximum of 2982 mg kg-1. Seven phenolic compounds were detected in the VR808 genotype, and eleven were detected in the CB2011-104 genotype, reaching the highest concentration at the last sampling time. The antioxidant activity in the first sampling was greater than the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and in the third sampling, the cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) predominated. The association of AMF with the plant by PCA demonstrated that these fungi assist in protecting the plants against water stress, since in the last harvest, the results were favorable with both mycorrhizae.