Fluorite (CaF2) leaching and weathering (30 days) were conducted to measure fluoride dissolution in semiarid endemic soil and controlled synthetic solutions, and determining the main chemical species involved in these processes via atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS). Ecological health response in this system was assessed exposing Allium cepa bulbs to 10, 50, 100, 450, 550 and 950 mg CaF2 kg-1 soil to determine genotoxic damage, protein and systemic fluorine concentrations. Results indicated 3 cycles of passive-active fluorite dissolution enabling fluoride concentrations up to 164 mg L-1 under endemic conditions; however, highest fluoride dissolution was 780 mg L-1 for synthetic sulfates solution. Cyclic behavior was associated with the formation of ultrafine-sized calcite (CaCO3)-like compounds. Fluorine concentrations ranged from 5 to 300 mg kg-1 in vegetable tissue. The electrophoretic profiles revealed changes in the protein expression after 7, 15 and 25 days of exposure. Genotoxic damage rate was 50, 82 and 42% for these exposures (950 mg CaF2 kg-1 soil). The dose-response curves of the normalized total protein content revealed the kinetics vegetable health damage rates for only 7 and 25 days. This behavior was best adjusted for only 7 days. These findings exhibited characteristics for initial damage and adaptation-recovery stage after 15 days. Environmental implications of these findings were further discussed.

Silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) have emerged as multifunctional tools in sustainable agriculture, demonstrating significant efficacy in promoting crop growth and enhancing plant resilience against diverse biotic and abiotic stresses. Although their ability to strengthen antioxidant defense systems and activate systemic immune responses is well documented, the fundamental mechanisms driving these benefits remain unclear. This review synthesizes emerging evidence to propose an innovative paradigm: SiNPs remodel plant redox signaling networks and stress adaptation mechanisms by forming protein coronas through apoplastic protein adsorption. We hypothesize that extracellular SiNPs may elevate apoplastic reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by adsorbing and inhibiting antioxidant enzymes, thereby enhancing intracellular redox buffering capacity and activating salicylic acid (SA)-dependent defense pathways. Conversely, smaller SiNPs infiltrating symplastic compartments risk oxidative damage due to direct suppression of cytoplasmic antioxidant systems. Additionally, SiNPs may indirectly influence heavy metal transporter activity through redox state regulation and broadly modulate plant physiological functions via transcription factor regulatory networks. Critical knowledge gaps persist regarding the dynamic composition of protein coronas under varying environmental conditions and their transgenerational impacts. By integrating existing mechanisms of SiNPs, this review provides insights and potential strategies for developing novel agrochemicals and stress-resistant crops.

Drought and soil salinization significantly constrain agricultural productivity, driving the need for molecular breeding strategies to enhance stress resistance. Zinc finger proteins play a critical role in plant response to abiotic stress. In this study, a gene encoding a C2H2-type zinc finger protein (AfZFP5) was cloned from Amorpha fruticosa, a species known for its strong adaptability. qRT-PCR analysis revealed that AfZFP5 expression is regulated by sorbitol, H2O2, NaCl, and NaHCO3. And all four treatments can cause upregulation of AFZFP5 expression in the roots or leaves of Amorpha fruticosa within 48 h. Transgenic tobacco lines overexpressing AfZFP5 demonstrated enhanced tolerance to drought and salt-alkali stress at germination, seedling, and vegetative stages. Compared to wild-type plants, transgenic lines exhibited significantly higher germination rates, root lengths, and fresh weights when treated with sorbitol, NaCl, and NaHCO3. Under natural drought and salt-alkali stress conditions, transgenic plants showed elevated activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD), and upregulated expression of oxidative stress-related kinase genes (NtSOD, NtPOD) during the vegetative stage. Additionally, transgenic tobacco displayed lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content and reduced staining levels with 3,3 ' diaminobenzidine (DAB) and Nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT), indicating enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity by AfZFP5 upon salt-alkali stress. Under simulated drought with PEG6000 and salt-alkali stress, chlorophyll fluorescence intensity and Fv/Fm values in transgenic tobacco were significantly higher than in wild-type plants during the vegetative stage, suggesting that AfZFP5 mitigates stress-induced damage to the photosynthetic system. This study highlights the role of AfZFP5 in conferring drought and salt-alkali stress tolerance, providing genetic resources and a theoretical foundation for breeding stress-resistance crops.

Heavy metal pollution and soil salinization harm human health and the environment. Phytoremediation is a widely accepted soil decontamination method, with woody plants being particularly effective due to their large biomass and extensive root systems. In this study, we identified and cloned PsnMLP328 from Populus simonii x P. nigra and demonstrated its role in mitigating salt and cadmium stress. PsnMLP328 expression was up-regulated under both stress conditions, and its overexpression in tobacco enhanced resistance to these stresses, albeit through distinct mechanisms. Transgenic plants exhibited increased Cd2+ uptake and a higher biomass, alleviating Cd2+-induced growth inhibition. Additionally, PsnMLP328 boosted proline content, chlorophyll levels, and antioxidative enzyme activities (POD, SOD) under Cd2+ stress, likely by protecting cells from oxidative damage. Expression analysis revealed that PsnMLP328 down-regulated the cadmium transporter Nramp2 while up-regulating YSL2 (another cadmium transporter) and potassium channels (AKT1 and AKT2/3), suggesting its role in modulating K+ and Cd2+ homeostasis. These findings indicate that PsnMLP328 enhances tobacco resistance to salt and cadmium stress, particularly the latter. This study is the first to elucidate the function of poplar MLP family genes under salt and cadmium stress, advancing our understanding of MLP gene roles in heavy metal stress and offering new insights for remediating salinized and heavy metal-contaminated soils.

Nanoparticles can easily reach soil,water and foodstuffs. The zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnONP), which is a type of nanoparticle with known antiviral/microbial properties used frequently in cosmetic UV protection products, can damage the cell membrane/wall complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae after exposure. However, the capacity of hsp150, an o-mannosylated heat shock protein needed for the strength of the S. cerevisiae cell wall, to prevent ZnONP toxicity/genotoxicity has not been investigated before. In this study, HSP150 gene of S. cerevisiae cells was deleted and the effects on the toxicity caused by ZnONPs were investigated by MTT, cell wall/membrane damage analyses and zymolyase susceptibility test. In addition, the level of oxidative DNA damage was determined by 8-OHdG test in the HSP150 deficient cells (hsp150 Delta). IC50 values observed in hsp150 Delta cells were lower than the wild type cells. In addition, the lowest dose of ZnONPs (250 mu g/mL) was significant enough to damage the cellular integrity in hsp150 Delta cells and DNA damage levels observed in the hsp150 Delta cells exposed to the lowest dose of the nanoparticles were nearly 2.5 times higher than the wild type cells. Therefore, it can be concluded that the HSP150 gene is needed for the cellular protection against ZnONP toxicity and genotoxicity.

PurposeAcanthamoeba species are eucaryotic protozoa found predominantly in soil and water. They cause ulceration and vision loss in the cornea (Acanthamoeba keratitis) and central nervous system (CNS) infection involving the lungs (granulomatous amoebic encephalitis). Antiparasitic drugs currently used in the treatment of infections caused by Acanthamoeba species are not effective at the desired level in some anatomical regions such as the eye and CNS. The existence of an agent effective against both cysts and trophozoites has not yet been proven. Drugs used for treatment of Acanthamoeba infrections are still limited.MethodThe present study investigates amoebicidal activites of various concentrations of ethanolic fruit extract of E. umbellata (EU) (40, 20, 10, 5, 2.5, 1.25, 0.625 mM/mL), silver nanoparticles (AgNP) that are synthesized from EU and confirmed with characterization tests (20, 10, 5, 1, 0.5 mM/mL), and lauric acid (LA) in EU detected with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) against A. castellanii trophozoites. In addition, DNA-preserving activities of EU, AgNP and LA were studied on pBR322 plasmid DNA, following damage induced with hydroxyl radical (-OH). Cytotoxicity of EU over HeLa cells was examined with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Furthermore, the effects over the expression of SOD and CAT genes, which are coding oxidative stress enzymes in trophozoites, and expression of genes responsible for pseudocyst and cyst formation (CSII and CSP21, respectively) were investigated following methanol-induced stress, with reverse-transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).ResultsAt highest concentrations, EU, AgNP and LA showed lethal effects against majority of trophozites at 24 th h and against all trophozoites at 48th hour. EU at 5 mg/mL concentration and LA at 1, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4 mM/mL concentrations prevented DNA damage. A dose-dependent decrease in cell viability was observed, EU was found to be non-cytotoxic for 53.82% of HeLa cells at 72 nd h even at 40 mg/mL concentration. Greatest inhibitory effects were found with EU, AgNP and LA on CSII, EU on CAT, LA on CSP21, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on SOD genes.ConclusionThe findings of this study show that EU, LA and AgNPs can be used in a controlled manner to combat A. castellanii infections by reducing or blocking the activity of the parasite's antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT), without giving the parasite a chance to initiate the process of pseudocyst or proper cyst formation.

Antimony (Sb) is a potential threat to living organisms, but very little is known on strategies manage its toxicity in plants. This study aimed to clarify the role of Fe on alleviation Sb toxicity in a metallicolous population of Salvia spinose and its mechanisms. With regard to the toxicity of Sb in plants and the importance of Fe potential in alleviation of Sb toxicity, S. spinosa was treated with 0 and 27 mg l- 1 Sb (III or V) along with 0, 50 and 300 mu M FeEDTA in a hydroponic system. The plants exposure to iron minimized the uptake of both Sb species by Salvia roots. The limitation of H2O2 generation in response to co-application of Fe with Sb was followed by counterbalancing the antioxidant enzymes (e.g. catalase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase), phenols, flavonoids, lipid membrane preservation, and increase of the carbohydrates and proteins contents, which altogether improved growth in Sb-stressed plants. The Sb (III) toxicity to plants was much higher than Sb (V), but 300 mu M Fe was significantly efficient in reducing Sb damages to Salvia. Altogether, application of Fe could efficiently alleviate the physiological and morphological functions in Sb-stressed Salvia.

Main conclusionRhizobacteria and silicon fertilization synergism suppress leaf and panicle Blast, and mitigates biotic stress in rice plants.AbstractAssociation of bioagents and silicon is synergistic for mitigating leaf and panicle blast and low phosphorus (P) levels in upland rice, under greenhouse conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of the bioagents and silicon interaction on blast disease severity suppression in upland rice plants, under field low P conditions. The experiment was conducted during two growing seasons (E1 and E2), in randomized block design with four replications, and consisted of five treatments, combining a mix of three rhizobacteria, BRM 32114 and BRM62523 (Serratia marcescens), and BRM32110 (Bacillus toyonensis), and three application methods (seed treatment, drenching, spraying). Calcium and magnesium silicate (2 t/ha) was applied over a low soil P, 30 days before sowing. Leaf blast (LBS) and panicle blast (PBS), area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), activity of enzymes related to oxidative stress, pathogenesis-related (PR), biochemical indicators such as hydrogen peroxide, chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, and grain yield (GY), were assessed. Bioagents and silicon suppressed LBS by 77.93 and PBS by 62.37%, reduced AUDPC by 77.3 (LBS) and 60.6% (PBS). The yield in E1 was 25% higher than in E2. The treatments statistically differ only in E2, the yield with bioagents and silicon (2435.72 kg ha-1) was 71.95% higher compared to the absolute control. All enzymatic activities related to oxidative stress and PR proteins were modulated by bioagents and silicon association. The association of rhizobacteria and silicon exhibited a synergistic effect, and represents a bioprotective combination to reduce the effects of different stresses and indirectly reduces the use of chemical inputs.

The growing demand for environmentally sustainable and biodegradable materials has intensified interest in alternative solutions for thermal insulation. This study explores the development of composite materials using mango seed shell biochar (MSSB) and soy protein isolate (SPI) as a biodegradable matrix-filler system. Mango seed shells, an abundant agro-industrial waste, were subjected to pyrolysis at 500 degrees C for 2 hours to produce biochar. The resulting MSSB was incorporated into SPI with glycerol as a plasticizer to fabricate composite sheets containing 10%, 20%, and 30% biochar by weight Thermal conductivity tests showed that increasing MSSB content led to a notable reduction in thermal conductivity, with the 30% MSSB composite achieving a value of 0.035 W/mK-comparable to commercial synthetic foams such as expanded polystyrene. Mechanical analysis revealed a tradeoff between tensile and compressive properties. While tensile strength decreased from 1.8 MPa for pure SPI to 0.7 MPa at 30% MSSB, compressive strength improved with increasing biochar content, peaking at 1.5 MPa.Biodegradability was evaluated through an 8-week soil burial test, which demonstrated accelerated degradation in composites with higher MSSB content, reaching up to 55% weight loss at 30% loading. These findings highlight the potential of MSSB-SPI composites as eco-friendly insulation materials suitable for green building and packaging applications. Future work will focus on mechanical property enhancement to expand the material's structural utility.

Biodegradable and renewable bioplastics have the potential to play a crucial role in the bioeconomy. In this study, we extract protein from tofu dregs and use formaldehyde (HCHO) as a strengthening agent. We employ the casting method to manufacture the bioplastics. These bioplastics are then characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) to analyze crystal structure, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify chemical bonding of functional groups, tensile strength tests to determine mechanical properties, and degradation tests in seawater and in soil to assess biodegradability. The results show that biodegradation by composting in soil was 81.25 % and 90.91 % for sample I (unfiltered pulp) and sample II (filtered pulp), respectively, and for seawater degradation by 0.46 cm2 and 1.15 cm2. These findings underscore the potential of tofu dregs protein-based bioplastics as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to conventional materials, thereby playing a significant role in the global effort to reduce plastic waste and inspiring further research and innovation in this field.