Obtaining and characterization of natural extracts from mango (Mangifera Indica) peel and its effect on the rheological behavior in new mango kernel starch hydrogels.

Hydrogels based on natural polymers have aroused interest from the scientific community. The aim of this investigation was to obtain natural extracts from mango peels and to evaluate their addition (1, 3, and 5%) on the rheological behavior of mango starch hydrogels. The total phenolic content, antioxidant activities, and phenolic acid profile of the natural extracts were evaluated. The viscoelastic and thixotropic behavior of hydrogels with the addition of natural extracts was evaluated. The total phenol content and antioxidant activity of the extracts increased significantly (p<0.05) with the variation of the ethanol-water ratio; the phenolic acid profile showed the contain of p-coumaric, ellagic, ferulic, chlorogenic acids, epicatechein, catechin, querecetin, and mangiferin. The viscoelastic behavior of the hydrogels showed that the storage modulus G' is larger than the loss modulus G'' indicating a viscoelastic solid behavior. The addition of extract improved the thermal stability of the hydrogels. 1% of the extracts increase viscoelastic and thixotropic properties, while concentrations of 3 to 5% decreased. The recovery percentage (%Re) decreases at concentrations from 0% to 1% of natural extracts, however, at concentrations from 3% to 5% increased.

Maximizing polyphenol yield: ultrasound-assisted extraction and antimicrobial potential of mango peel.

This study investigated the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) techniques used to enhance the polyphenols and antioxidants of mango peel extract (MPE). Additionally, it explored the bacteriostatic activity of MPE against various microorganisms. The UAE method was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) at different times, temperatures, and ratios, with optimal conditions found to be 35 minutes, 45 °C, and a 1:35 ratio. The optimized yield results for total polyphenol content (TPC) were 17.33 ± 1.57 mg GAE/g, total flavonoid content (TFC) was 12.14 ± 0.29 mg QE/g, and radical scavenging activity (RSA) was 72.11 ± 2.19%. These response models were extremely significant with p-values less than 0.05. MPE showed selective effectiveness against Bacillus cereus, Geobacillus stearothermophilus, and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The results highlight the potential of mango peel as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds, contributing to waste reduction in the food industry and the development of natural antimicrobial agents. This study contributes to further research on the application of MPE in processed foods.

Functional characterization of MiFTs implicated in early flowering and stress resistances of mango.

Phosphatidylethanolamine binding protein (PEBP) family plays important roles in multiple developmental processes in plants. In this study, a total of 11 PEBP gene family members were identified from the mango (Mangifera indica L.) genome, and these proteins were divided into three subfamilies based on their phylogenetic relationships: TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (TFL1)-like, MOTHER OF FT AND TFL (MFT)-like, and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT)-like. Expression analysis revealed that MiFT1a, MiFT1b and MiFT2 were expressed mainly in leaves, whereas MiFT3 and MiFT4 were expressed mainly in embryos. The overexpression of MiFTs significantly promoted early flowering under both long- and short-day conditions. Interestingly, it still significantly promoted early flowering at 16 °C and 28 °C, with MiFT1a exhibiting the most significant, followed by MiFT1b and MiFT2. Additionally, the expression level of MiFT3 is related to the embryonic development of mango. Further studies revealed that overexpression of MiFT3 inhibited seed germination in transgenic Arabidopsis lines. In addition, the MiFT1a and MiFT1b transgenic lines did not respond to abiotic stress, while MiFT2, MiFT3 and MiFT4 enhanced resistance to salt or drought stress in Arabidopsis. Yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays revealed that MiFTs can interact with flower related and multiple stress proteins, such as bZIP protein (MiFD), 14-3-3 protein, zinc finger protein (MiZFP4), RING zinc-finger protein (MiRZFP34), and phosphatase 2C (MiPP2C25A and MiPP2C25B). These results indicate that FT subfamily not only regulates flowering but also participates in stress response, but there are differences in the function among these genes.

Developing Machine Vision in Tree-Fruit Applications-Fruit Count, Fruit Size and Branch Avoidance in Automated Harvesting.

Recent developments in affordable depth imaging hardware and the use of 2D Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) in object detection and segmentation have accelerated the adoption of machine vision in a range of applications, with mainstream models often out-performing previous application-specific architectures. The need for the release of training and test datasets with any work reporting model development is emphasized to enable the re-evaluation of published work. An additional reporting need is the documentation of the performance of the re-training of a given model, quantifying the impact of stochastic processes in training. Three mango orchard applications were considered: the (i) fruit count, (ii) fruit size and (iii) branch avoidance in automated harvesting. All training and test datasets used in this work are available publicly. The mAP 'coefficient of variation' (Standard Deviation, SD, divided by mean of predictions using models of repeated trainings × 100) was approximately 0.2% for the fruit detection model and 1 and 2% for the fruit and branch segmentation models, respectively. A YOLOv8m model achieved a mAP50 of 99.3%, outperforming the previous benchmark, the purpose-designed 'MangoYOLO', for the application of the real-time detection of mango fruit on images of tree canopies using an edge computing device as a viable use case. YOLOv8 and v9 models outperformed the benchmark MaskR-CNN model in terms of their accuracy and inference time, achieving up to a 98.8% mAP50 on fruit predictions and 66.2% on branches in a leafy canopy. For fruit sizing, the accuracy of YOLOv8m-seg was like that achieved using Mask R-CNN, but the inference time was much shorter, again an enabler for the field adoption of this technology. A branch avoidance algorithm was proposed, where the implementation of this algorithm in real-time on an edge computing device was enabled by the short inference time of a YOLOv8-seg model for branches and fruit. This capability contributes to the development of automated fruit harvesting.

Enhancement of zein-based films for mango preservation using high-intensity ultrasound and castor oil plasticization.

Zein-based films exhibit high efficiency in ethylene adsorption. However, its brittleness limits the practical applications. To address this issue, this study synergizes the plasticizing effects of high-intensity ultrasound (HIU) and castor oil (CO) to reduce the brittleness of zein-based films. The plasticizing mechanism was demonstrated through the formation of new intermolecular hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions, as evidenced by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and zeta potential measurements. The tensile strength of 6 % CO-zein film increased eightfold. Additionally, the freshness of mangoes stored with 6 % CO-zein film significantly improved, extending their shelf life from 5 days to 15 days. Therefore, this study investigated the synergistic plasticization of zein-based films through the addition of CO, based on HIU. It also provides a theoretical basis for fruit packaging.

Statistical-Based Optimization of Modified Mangifera indica Fruit Starch as Substituent for Pharmaceutical Tableting Excipient.

This study aimed to optimize modified starch from Mangifera indica (mango) fruit using acid hydrolysis and pre-gelatinization via computer-assisted techniques as a substituent for pharmaceutical tableting excipients. The hydrolysis and microwave-assisted pre-gelatinization time and temperature were optimized using a three-level factorial design. The modified starches were characterized for flowability, compressibility, and swelling properties. It was found that all parameters fit a quadratic model, which can be used to predict the properties of the modified starch. The optimized hydrolysis reaction was 3.8 h at 56.4 °C, while the pre-gelatinization reaction was 3 min at 150 °C. Structural changes were found, ascertaining that starch modification was successful. The optimized hydrolyzed starch showed superior properties in relative to unmodified M. indica fruit starch and comparable characteristics to conventional excipients. The optimized pre-gelatinized starch presented an excellent enhancement in the flow and compression properties, with %swelling greatly augmented 3.95-fold and 1.24-fold compared to unmodified starch and SSG, respectively. Additionally, the pre-gelatinized starch presented comparable binding effect, while the hydrolyzed powder had reduced binding capacity due to shorter chains. The findings revealed that the use of software-assisted design of experiment facilitated a data-driven approach to optimize the modifications. The optimized modified mango starch demonstrated potential as a multifunctional excipient, capable of functioning as binder, disintegrant, and diluent.

Efficient Plantlet Regeneration from Branches in Mangifera indica L.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the most significant tropical and subtropical fruit species, with high ecological and economic value. However, research on the in vitro culture of mangoes is relatively weak, so establishing an efficient and stable mango plant regeneration system is of great significance. In this study, a preliminary mango regeneration system was established with Mangifera indica L. cv. Keitt from young branches as the starting explants. The results showed that the optimal plant growth regulator (PGR) formula for direct adventitious shoot induction on the branches was 1 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) + 0.1 mg/L a-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), with an adventitious shoot induction rate of 73.63% and an average of 6.76 adventitious shoots. The optimal basal medium for adventitious shoot induction was wood plant medium (WPM), with an adventitious shoot induction rate of 63.87% and an average of 5.21 adventitious shoots. The optimal culture medium for adventitious shoot elongation was WPM + 1 mg/L 6-BA + 0.5 mg/L NAA, with an adventitious shoot elongation rate of 89.33% and an average length of 5.17 cm. The optimal formula for the induction of mango rooting was Douglas fir cotyledon revised medium (DCR) + 3 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), with a maximum rooting rate of 66.13% and an average rooting quantity of 6.43. The genetic fidelity of the in vitro-regenerated plants was evaluated using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) molecular markers. There was no difference between the in vitro-regenerated plants and the parent plant. This study provides an efficient and stable propagation system for Mangifera indica L., laying the foundation for its rapid propagation and genetic improvement.

Internal Disorders of Mango Fruit and Their Management-Physiology, Biochemistry, and Role of Mineral Nutrients.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a popular fruit grown in tropical and subtropical regions. Mango has a distinctive aroma, flavour, and nutritional properties. Annual global mango production is >50 million tonnes. Major producers of mango include India, Bangladesh, China, Mexico, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, Thailand, and the Philippines, and it is shipped worldwide. Harvested mango fruit are highly perishable, with a short shelf life. Physiological disorders are among the major factors limiting their postharvest quality and shelf life, including when fruit need phytosanitary treatments, such as hot water treatment, vapour heat treatment, and irradiation. This review focuses on problematic physiological disorders of mango flesh, including physiology and biochemistry. It considers factors contributing to the development and/or exacerbation of internal disorders. Improved production practices, including pruning, nutrient application, and irrigation, along with monitoring and managing environmental conditions (viz., temperature, humidity, and vapour pressure deficit), can potentially maintain fruit robustness to better tolerate otherwise stressful postharvest operations. As demand for mangoes on international markets is compromised by internal quality, robust fruit is crucial to maintaining existing and gaining new domestic and export consumer markets. Considering mango quality, a dynamic system, a more holistic approach encompassing pre-, at-, and post-harvest conditions as a continuum is needed to determine fruit predisposition and subsequent management of internal disorders.

Field efficacy of insecticides for suppressing white mango scale insect (Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in southwest Ethiopia.

White mango scale (WMS) Aulacaspis tubercularis Newstead (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) is a polyphagous armored scale insect which is considered one of the key pests of mango (Mangifera indica L.) around the world. Mango is widely grown in Ethiopia whereas its production is challenged by WMS in the last decade. Effective formulations that could help manage the scale as part of IPM practice were sought from field experiments at Seka mango farm, Ethiopia in 2019 and 2020 seasons. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of some formulations against WMS on mango trees. Randomized complete block designs with three replications were used for the experiments and each tree served as a plot. Allocation of each treatment within each replication was done randomly. The treatments were applied sequentially three times at 14 days interval using motorized Knapsack sprayer coinciding with peak period of natural infestation. Scale numbers before and after each spray were counted using a microscope with LCD. Sum of live crawler, female and male was registered as WMS count data. Results showed that dimethoate, diazinon, imidacloprid & λ-cyhalothrin sprayed alone; dimethoate rotated with imidacloprid & λ-cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos-ethyl rotated with paraffin, and diazinon rotated with azadirachtin, caused total mortality of the scales. The results also showed that, chlorpyrifos-ethyl, deltamethrin, paraffin oil and λ-cyhalothrin sprayed alone caused percent reduction with range 83-95 % in both seasons. Hence, the study revealed that dimethoate, diazinon, imidacloprid & λ-cyhalothrin applied individually, dimethoate rotated with imidacloprid & λ-cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos-ethyl rotated with paraffin and diazinon rotated with azadirachtin fully protect mango trees from WMS and significantly superior to other treatments. Therefore, chemical control of A. tubercularis may consider the use of these materials as foliar application and can be used as components for integrated pest management plans for WMS. However, application in the form of rotation is preferred to the alone spray as the former could substantially reduce the likelihood of inducing pesticide resistance. Cost implications and effects of the products on the natural enemy and residual toxicity in fruits need to be studied.

A one-pot isothermal Fluorogenic Mango II arrays-based assay for label-free detection of miRNA.

The capability to detect a small number of miRNAs in clinical samples with simplicity, selectivity, and sensitivity is immensely valuable, yet it remains a daunting task. Here, we described a novel Mango II aptamers-based sensor for the one-pot, sensitive and specific detection of miRNAs. Target miRNA-initiated mediated catalyzed hairpin assembly (CHA) would allow for the production of plenty of DNA duplexes and the formation of the complete T7 promoter, motivating the rolling circle transcription (RCT). Then, the subsequent RCT process efficiently generates a huge number of repeating RNA Mango II aptamers, brightened by the incorporation of fluorescent dye TO1-B for miRNA quantification, realizing label-free and high signal-to-background ratio. Moreover, this assay possesses a remarkable ability to confer high selectivity, enabling the distinction of miRNAs among family members with mere 1- or 2- nucleotide (nt) differences. By employing the proposed assay, we have successfully achieved a sensitive evaluation of miR-21 content in diverse cell lines and clinical serum samples. This offers a versatile approach for the sensitive assay of miRNA biomarkers in molecular diagnosis.

Transcriptome analysis reveals the potential mechanism of methyl jasmonate alleviated ripening disorder in mango fruit at low temperature.

High susceptibility of mangoes to low temperature leads to ripening failure that restricts the marketability of products. This study investigated the effect of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on ripening disorder and mechanism involved in mangoes during refrigeration. Results showed that 50 µM MeJA ameliorated ripening disorder, as indicated by accelerated advancement of ripening-related parameters. Transcriptome analysis revealed that 17,414 significantly differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in ethylene synthesis, cell wall degradation, starch degradation and sugar transport. Moreover, 8 AP2/ERF transcription factors and 12 ripening-related genes were characterized via qRT-PCR. Afterwards, through the analysis of transcription factor binding sites and cis-acting elements, a regulatory network of ERFs mediated alleviation of ripening disorder conferred by MeJA was constructed. Finally, the interactions between MiERFs and the promoters of target genes were verified by yeast one-hybrid assay. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for improving cold tolerance via counteracting ripening disorder in mangoes.

Effect of film-forming solution pH on the mechanical, barrier, and biological characteristics of chitosan/Piper betel L. leaf extract coating film for mango preservation.

The present work aimed to investigate the effect of film-forming solution pH on characteristics of chitosan (CH) - Piper betel L. leaf extract (PBe) coating films and their potential applications in mango preservation. The coating films were fabricated from CH-PBe solutions in the pH range of 3-5 using a solvent evaporation technique. The analysis results (DSC and FTIR) demonstrate higher miscibility, better compatibility, and tighter intermolecular interactions between CH and active compounds in the film matrix prepared at low pH. The mechanical and barrier properties of the CH-PBe film significantly decreased with increasing pH value. Varying the film-forming pH insignificantly affected the antioxidant activity and antibacterial inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) of the resultant films. However, Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) was less vulnerable to the blend film prepared at the higher pH medium. The coating solution at pH 4 proved suitable for preserving 'Tu Quy' mangoes, according to the observation of color changes, accumulated decay rate, respiration rate, ripening index, and other related factors. The findings of this work reveal the importance of pH control in producing CH-PBe coating films for mango preservation and provide more insights into pH-affected interactions between CH matrix and polyphenols in PBe.

Physiological and molecular insights into the alternate bearing in mango (Mangifera indica L.) using next-generation sequencing approaches.

India's mango productivity is hindered by many factors but more importantly due to limited understanding of the genomic complexities behind regular bearing habit. This study is the first to quantify carbohydrate fractions, protein content, and macro and micronutrient storage pools, their transportation, and contributions to regular 'Totapuri' and alternate bearer 'Bombay Green' mango varieties during the 'off' year. Deep RNA sequencing was used to assess gene expression dynamics between buds and flowers of these varieties. Differential pathway analysis showed the greatest number of differentially expressed genes in metabolic processes (1377), followed by oxido-reductase (879), hormone (80), oxidative stress (77), starvation (39), alternate bearing (8), flowering (3), meristem (3), and cellular component (2) pathways. In silico analysis showed that among 15 genes, twelve genes up-regulated in Totapuri and three in Bombay Green, confirmed by qRT-PCR. Additionally, 202 SNPs were identified in 32 alternate bearing-related genes. The study confirmed the reproductive bud's strong ability to import sugars, protein, and starch in the regular bearer variety, enhancing flowering and fruiting during off years. The mineral nutrients and biochemical constituent of the bud and leaf tissue in contrasting genotypes, showed the potential role for regular bearing in mango.

Investigating intermittent immersion during osmotic dehydration of mango (Mangifera indica L. Moench). Part A: Determination of optimal conditions for mango (Mangifera indica L. Moench) dehydration impregnation by immersion (D2I) and intermittent immersion (D3I).

This work aimed to determine the optimum conditions for dehydration impregnation by immersion (D2I) and by intermittent immersion (D3I) of mango (Mangifera indica) slices measuring 4 × 1 × 1 cm3. To this end, the Doehlert response surface plan was used, with the following factors for D2I: the volume of D2I solution/fruit mass ratio (6/1-13/1 mL/g), the process time (120-360 min) and the Brix degree of the solution (45-65 °Brix) and with the following factors for D3I: immersion time (20-60 min), process time (60-300 min) and de-immersion time (7-25 min). The temperature was fixed according to literature at 35 °C. The optimum responses obtained for the D2I process were (47.63 ± 1.79) g/100 g (w-b) for water loss, and (6.67 ± 1.04) g/100 g (w-b) for solute gain, for optimum operating conditions of 6/1 mL/g; 245 min and 61.6°Brix respectively for the immersion ratio, process time and solute concentration of the hypertonic solution. The optimum responses obtained for D3I process were (47.98 ± 2.12) g/100 g (w-b) for water loss, and (4.31 ± 0.052) g/100 g (w-b) for solute gain (SG), for operating conditions of 21; 270; and 9 min, respectively for immersion time, process time and de-immersion time. The Student's t-test on the predicted and experimental optima of WL and SG revealed valuable insights for comparing these two processes. The present study will undoubtedly introduce a new dynamic to the osmotic dehydration systems for fruits and vegetables.

Synthesis, characterization and As(III) scavenging behaviours of mango peel waste loaded with Zr(IV) ion from contaminated water.

Raw mango peel (RMP) was first saponified to yield saponified mango peel (SMP), which was then loaded with Zr(IV) ions to form a biosorbent for As(III) scavenging.The biosorption behaviors and mechanisms of As(III) scavenging using RMP and Zr(IV)-loaded saponified mango peel (Zr(IV)-SMP) were investigated batchwise. The As(III) scavenging efficiency of RMP increased from 20.13 % to 87.32 % after Zr(IV) loading. Optimum contact time of 6 h has been investigated for As(III) scavenging by Zr(IV)-SMP, and the data on kinetics is well fitted to the pseudo-second-order (PSO) model. Similarly, isotherm data of Zr(IV)-SMP fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm model with the maximum As(III) scavenging potential of 45.52 mg/g. Chloride (Cl-) and nitrate (NO3 -) have negligible influence on As(III) scavenging, but sulphate (SO4 2-) interferes significantly. The exhausted Zr(IV)-SMP could be easily regenerated by treating with 2MNaOH. A mechanistic study indicates that As(III) scavenging is primarily contributed to electrostatic interaction and ligand exchange, which is confirmed from both instrumental and chemical characterizations techniques. Tubewell underground water polluted with a trace amount of arsenic (98.63 µg/L) could be successfully lowered down to the WHO standard (10 µg/L) by applying a small amount of Zr(IV)-SMP. Therefore, the Zr(IV)-SMP investigated in this work can be a low-cost, environmentally benign, and promising alternative for scavenging trace levels of arsenic from contaminated water.

Effects of Partial Replacement of Corn Grains With Mango Seed Kernel on Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Metabolites and Rumen Parameters of Growing Calves.

Fruit by-products are a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional grain feed for livestock. One of the most important by-products is mango seed kernel (MSK), which can be used as a valuable energy source for feeding growing calves in the tropical and subtropical productive regions of the world. This study investigated the effect of replacing corn grains (CGs) with MSK on intake, nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites and rumen parameters. Eighteen growing male Friesian calves (200 ± 6.55 kg of body weight and 9-11 months old) were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. Three concentrate feed mixtures were formulated such that MSK replaced CG at 0%, 25% and 50%. Dry matter intake was unaffected, whereas dry matter, organic matter and fibre digestibility increased linearly (p < 0.05) with increased inclusion of MSK. Ruminal pH (p = 0.053) and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration (p = 0.041) increased linearly. There was a linear decrease in cholesterol (p = 0.029) and AST (p = 0.028) levels in the blood of calves. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the positive effect of replacing 50% of CG with MSK on rumen parameters, including a higher ruminal pH and total VFA concentration, alongside higher nutrient digestibility. The dietary inclusion of mango seed can serve as a valuable and sustainable dietary component for growing calves.

Overexpression of two DELLA subfamily genes MiSLR1 and MiSLR2 from mango promotes early flowering and enhances abiotic stress tolerance in Arabidopsis.

Gibberellic acids (GAs) are a group of endogenous phytohormones that play important roles in plant growth and development. SLENDER RICE (SLR) serves as a vital component of the DELLA gene family, which plays an irreplaceable role in regulating plant flowering and height, as well as stress responses. SLR gene has not been reported in mango, and its function is unknown. In present study, two DELLA subfamily genes MiSLR1 and MiSLR2 were identified from mango. MiSLR1 and MiSLR2 were highly expressed in the stems of the juvenile stage, but were expressed at a low level in flower buds and flowers. Gibberellin treatment could up-regulate the expression of MiSLR1 and MiSLR2 genes, but gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor prohexadione-calcium (Pro-Ca) and paclobutrazol (PAC) treatments significantly down-regulated the expression of MiSLR1, while MiSLR2 was up-regulated. The expression levels of MiSLR1 and MiSLR2 were up-regulated under both salt and drought treatments. Overexpression of MiSLR1 and MiSLR2 genes significantly resulted early flowering in transgenic Arabidopsis and significantly up-regulated the expression levels of endogenous flower-related genes, such as SUPPRESSOR OF CONSTANS1 (SOC1), APETALA1 (AP1), and FRUITFULL (FUL). Interestingly, MiSLR1 significantly reduced the height of transgenic plants, while MiSLR2 gene increased. Overexpression of MiSLR1 and MiSLR2 increased seed germination rate, root length and survival rate of transgenic plants under salt and drought stress. Physiological and biochemical detection showed that the contents of proline (Pro) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly increased, while the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2 were significantly decreased. Additionally, protein interaction analysis revealed that MiSLR1 and MiSLR2 interacted with several flowering-related and GA-related proteins. The interaction between MiSLR with MiGF14 and MiSOC1 proteins was found for the first time. Taken together, the data showed that MiSLR1 and MiSLR2 in transgenic Arabidopsis both regulated the flowering time and plant height, while also acting as positive regulators of abiotic stress responses.

Multifunctional engineering of Mangifera indica L. peel extract-modified bacterial cellulose hydrogel: Unveiling novel strategies for enhanced heavy metal sequestration and cytotoxicity evaluation.

The escalating interest in bacterial cellulose (BC) confronts a substantial obstacle due to its biologically inert properties. Hence, BC was modified with ethanolic mango peel extract (EEMP) for various industrial and medical applications of the novel nanocomposite (BC/EEMP). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) delineated the phenolic composition of EEMP, revealing a repertoire of polyphenolic compounds, notably chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, catechin, and ellagic acid. EEMP exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus, with MIC of 0.018 mg/mL and 0.009 mg/mL, respectively. The removal mechanism of Pb2+ and Ni2+ by BC/EEMP nanocomposite membrane via SEM, EDX, FT-IR, and XRD was characterized, indicating deposition and aggregation of heavy metals with diminished porosity. Heavy metal removal optimization using the Box-Behnken design achieved maximal removal of 95.5 % and 90 % for Pb2+ and Ni2+, respectively. Moreover, BC/EEMP nanocomposite demonstrated selective dose-dependent anticancer activity toward hepatoma (HepG-2, IC50 of 208.8 µg/mL), skin carcinoma (A431, IC50 of 216.7 µg/mL), and breast carcinoma (MDA, IC50 of 197.5 µg/mL), attributed to the enhanced availability of biologically active polyphenolic compounds and physical characteristics of BC. This study underscores the remarkable potential of BC/EEMP nanocomposite for multifaceted industrial and biomedical applications, marking a pioneering contribution to the field.

Alginate Beads with Encapsulated Bioactive Substances from Mangifera indica Peels as Promising Peroral Delivery Systems.

Since various bioactive substances are unstable and can degrade in the gastrointestinal tract, their stabilization is crucial. This study aimed to encapsulate mango peel extract (MPE) into edible alginate beads using the ionotropic gelation method for the potential oral delivery of bioactive substances. Mango peels, generally discarded and environmentally harmful, are rich in health-promoting bioactive substances. The alginate beads were examined for entrapment efficiency, particle size, morphology, thermal stability, physiochemical interactions, release profile under gastrointestinal conditions, and antibacterial efficacy. The study demonstrated the successful encapsulation of MPE with an efficiency of 63.1%. The in vitro release study showed the stability of the alginate beads in simulated gastric fluid with a maximum release of 45.0%, and sustained, almost complete release (99.4%) in simulated intestinal fluid, indicating successful absorption into the human body. In both fluids, the MPE release followed first-order kinetics. Encapsulation successfully maintained the antibacterial properties of MPE, with significant inhibitory activity against pathogenic intestinal bacteria. This is the first study on MPE encapsulation in alginate beads, presenting a promising oral delivery system for high-added-value applications in the food industry for dietary supplements, functional foods, or food additives. Their production is sustainable and economical, utilizing waste material and reducing environmental pollution.

Glucanases and Chitinases in Mangifera indica: Identification, Classification, Phylogeny, and Expression Analysis of Defense Genes against Colletotrichum spp.

Plant glucanases and chitinases are defense proteins that participate in pathogenesis; however, very little is known about the glucanase (GLUC) and chitinase (CHIT) gene families in mango. Some mango cultivars are of great economic importance and can be affected by anthracnose, a postharvest disease caused by fungi of the genus Colletotrichum spp. This study identified and characterized 23 putative glucanases and 16 chitinases in the mango genome cv. Tommy Atkins. We used phylogenetic analyses to classify the glucanases into three subclasses (A, B, and C) and the chitinases into four classes (I, II, IV, and V). Information on the salicylic, jasmonic acid, and ethylene pathways was obtained by analyzing the cis-elements of the GLUC and CHIT class I and IV gene promoters. The expression profile of GLUC, CHIT class I, and CHIT class IV genes in mango cv. Ataulfo inoculated with two Colletotrichum spp. revealed different profile expression related to these fungi's level of virulence. In general, this study provides the basis for the functional validation of these target genes with which the regulatory mechanisms used by glucanases and chitinases as defense proteins in mango can be elucidated.