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Primary sludge (PS) from the wastewater treatment plants is constituted of organic matter and other nutrients that could be reused as soil fertilizers. However, primary sludge amendment is hampered due to the presence of pathogens that could be responsible for several infections in various ways depending on the prevalence of the human sources. This study investigates helminth eggs (HE) removal and inactivation efficiency by co-composting. So, PS was mixed with date palm waste as a bulking material at a 1:1 volume ratio. The C/N ratio decreased from 25:1 to 12:1 and temperatures above 50ºC were observed since 33 days. The initial concentration of HE eggs in the PS is 135.9 per 10 g DR. Microscopic examination of the PS, according to the Bailenger method, showed the presence of nematodes and Cestodes represented by: Ascaris lombricoïde, Ancylostomes duodenale, Trichuris trichiura, Capilaria spp, Hymenolepis nana, Taenia saginata, and Ascaris lombricoïde. After 60 days of co-composting, the charge of parasites was reduced to 18 eggs per 10 g per DR. The viability of ascaris eggs was examined using a light microscope and the percentage of the embryonated eggs was determined. No viable eggs were observed in the final compost. The result corroborates the WHO guidelines for the application of the composted sewage sludge safely for agriculture purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a promising opportunity crop for arid regions of Africa due to its high tolerance to drought and heat stresses. Screening for genetic variability in photosynthetic regulation under salt stress can help to identify target trait combinations essential for sorghum genetic improvement. The primary objective of this study was to identify reliable indicators of photosynthetic performance under salt stress for forage yield within a panel of 18 sorghum varieties from stage 1 (leaf 3) to stage 7 (late flowering to early silage maturity). We dissected the genetic diversity and variability in five stress-sensitive photosynthetic parameters: nonphotochemical chlorophyll fluorescence quenching (NPQ), the electron transport rate (ETR), the maximum potential quantum efficiency of photosystem II (FV/FM), the CO2 assimilation rate (A), and the photosynthetic performance based on absorption (PIABS). Further, we investigated potential genes for target phenotypes using a combined approach of bioinformatics, transcriptional analysis, and homologous overexpression. Results: The panel revealed polymorphism, two admixed subpopulations, and significant molecular variability between and within population. During the investigated development stages, the PIABS varied dramatically and consistently amongst varieties. Under higher saline conditions, PIABS also showed a significant positive connection with A and dry matter gain. Because PIABS is a measure of plants' overall photosynthetic performance, it was applied to predict the salinity performance index (SPI). The SPI correlated positively with dry matter gain, demonstrating that PIABS could be used as a reliable salt stress performance marker for forage sorghum. Eight rubisco large subunit genes were identified in-silico and validated using qPCR with variable expression across the varieties under saline conditions. Overexpression of Rubisco Large Subunit 8 increased PIABS, altered the OJIP, and growth with an insignificant effect on A. Conclusions: These findings provide insights into strategies for enhancing the photosynthetic performance of sorghum under saline conditions for improved photosynthetic performance and potential dry matter yield. The integration of molecular approaches, guided by the identified genetic variability, holds promise for genetically breeding sorghum tailored to thrive in arid and saline environments, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring plant resilience to drought and phosphorus (P) stresses is crucial to support global food security. The phytobiome, shaped by selective pressures, harbors stress-adapted microorganisms that confer host benefits like enhanced growth and stress tolerance. Intercropping systems also offer benefits through facilitative interactions, improving plant growth in water- and P-deficient soils. Application of microbial consortia can boost the benefits of intercropping, although questions remain about the establishment, persistence, and legacy effects within resident soil microbiomes. Understanding microbe- and plant-microbe dynamics in drought-prone soils is key. This review highlights the beneficial effects of rhizobacterial consortia-based inoculants in legume-cereal intercropping systems, discusses challenges, proposes a roadmap for development of P-solubilizing drought-adapted consortia, and identifies research gaps in crop-microbe interactions. This review discusses the intricate interactions between rhizobacterial consortia-based inoculants, cropping systems, and soil abiotic stresses, focusing specifically on drought and phosphorous deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinity adversely limits crop and soil health, and this can be reversed by cropping systems where species exclude salts and activate microbial nutrient cycling. A randomized complete block design experiment was established in Laayoune–Morocco to evaluate the influence of irrigated grass pea and barley monocrops or combined together in 50–50% and 70–30% mixtures against soil salinity and CO2-C flux in sites with varying salinity. Site by treatment interaction significantly influenced (p < 0.05) soil salinity and CO2-C flux. Salinity reduced by 37 to 68 dS m−1 in highly saline soils across season regardless of treatment and barley monocrop retained the least salinity (15 dS m−1). Same applied to sites with low (1 to 2 dS m−1) and medium (2 to 5 dS m−1) salinity although less pronounced. The 70–30% grass pea, barley mixture maintained the greatest CO2-C flux in soils with low salinity and marginally enhancing soil active carbon (130 to 229 mg kg−1 soil) in different sites. Increasingly saline water filled pore space devastated CO2-C flux, although this process recovered under barley at extreme salinity. Overall, barley in mixture with grass pea can alleviate salinity and accelerate microbial carbon sequestration if irrigation is modulated in shallow desertic soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants are the main source of bioactive compounds that can be used for the formulation of cosmetic products. Plant extracts have numerous proven health benefits, among which are anti-ageing and skin-care properties. However, with the increased demand for plant-derived cosmetic products, there is a crucial prerequisite for establishing alternative approaches to conventional methods to ensure sufficient biomass for sustainable production. Plant tissue culture techniques, such as in vitro root cultures, micropropagation, or callogenesis, offer the possibility to produce considerable amounts of bioactive compounds independent of external factors that may influence their production. This production can also be significantly increased with the implementation of other biotechnological approaches such as elicitation, metabolic engineering, precursor and/or nutrient feeding, immobilization, and permeabilization. This work aimed to evaluate the potential of biotechnological tools for producing bioactive compounds, with a focus on bioactive compounds with anti-ageing properties, which can be used for the development of green-label cosmeceutical products. In addition, some examples demonstrating the use of plant tissue culture techniques to produce high-value bioactive ingredients for cosmeceutical applications are also addressed, showing the importance of these tools and approaches for the sustainable production of plant-derived cosmetic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare the influence of extraction methods on the pharmaceutical and cosmetic properties of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). For this purpose, the dried plant materials were extracted using advanced (microwave (MAE), ultrasonic (UAE), and homogenizer (HAE) assisted extractions) and conventional techniques (maceration, percolation, decoction, infusion, and Soxhlet). The tyrosinase, elastase, α-amylase, butyryl, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition were tested by using L-3,4 dihydroxy-phenylalanine, N-Succinyl-Ala-Ala-p-nitroanilide, butyryl, and acetylcholine as respective substrates. Antioxidant activities were studied by ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP. In terms of extraction yield, advanced extraction techniques showed the highest values (MAE > UAE > HAE). Chemical profiles were dependent on the phenolic compounds tested, whereas the antioxidant activities were always higher, mainly in infusion and decoction as a conventional technique. In relation to the pharmaceutical and cosmetic properties, the highest inhibitory activities against α-amylase and acetylcholinesterase were observed for Soxhlet and macerated extracts, whereas the highest activity against tyrosinase was obtained with MAE > maceration > Soxhlet. Elastase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities were in the order of Soxhlet > maceration > percolation, with no activities recorded for the other tested methods. In conclusion, advanced methods afford an extract with high yield, while conventional methods might be an adequate approach for minimal changes in the biological properties of the extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Cow and poultry manures were used as co-substrates to promote methane production and digestate quality. • Codigestion and the pretreatment method increased the methane production and improved the digestate quality. • Codigestion of the aerial part of water hyacinth resulted in the highest methane production at 25% poultry waste. • A low concentration of KOH pre-treatment (1.5%) improves break down of lignocellulosic materials and reduces retention times. • The Alkali-thermal pretreatment increased the concentration of calcium and the assimilable (P 2 O 5) and reduces heavy metals in the digestate. The purpose of this research study is to determine the effects of co-digestion of water hyacinth weed plant harvested from Lake Tana in Ethiopia and manures collected from two local farms, with Alkali-thermal pre-treatment on methane production and the value of the resulting digestates as fertilizer. In codigestion tests, the aerial part of water hyacinth resulted in the highest methane production of 159 NmL.gVS-1 at 25% poultry waste followed by the whole water hyacinth at 25% poultry waste with 147.73 NmL.gVS-1. The aerial part and the whole water hyacinth mixed with cow manure at 60:40 registered 120 and 114.47 NmL.gVS-1, respectively. Alkali-thermal pretreatment using (KOH at 50 °C for 5 h) at different concentrations of 1.5, 2 and 3% showed that 1.5% recorded the highest methane production. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the (1.5% KOH, 50 °C, 5 h) pretreatment in improving mixtures solubilization, biodegradability, and methane production compared to the untreated ones. Alkali-thermal pretreatment reduces retention times compared to the untreated water hyacinth. The shortest retention time has been achieved for pretreated aerial part of water hyacinth at 25% poultry waste (8 days) and at 40% cow manure mixture (9 days) compared to the longest retention time of the whole untreated water hyacinth at 40% cow manure mixture (26 days). The gas chromatography (GC) analysis of biogas revealed that the highest percentage of CH 4 (80%) was found for the whole pretreated water hyacinth at 25% poultry waste, followed by the untreated aerial part of water hyacinth at 25% poultry waste (60%). The application of the pretreatment method increased the concentration of calcium in the liquid digestate, making it more beneficial for soil use. The solid fraction, which comprises less than 10% of the digestate, exhibited a high phosphorus content compared to the liquid fraction. The use of Alkali-thermal pretreatment led to an increase in assimilable (P 2 O 5) levels, and a significant reduction in the concentrations of Zn and Cu heavy metals in all pretreated mixtures. The levels of iron, zinc, and copper in the liquid digestate were within the acceptable range for soil fertilizer application in both untreated and pretreated mixtures. This work presents a novel technique for producing methane and appropriate digestate for soil application from water hyacinth, highlighting the potential for further research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lyn kinase, a member of the Src family of protein tyrosine kinases, is mainly expressed by various hematopoietic cells, neural and adipose tissues. Abnormal Lyn kinase regulation causes various diseases such as cancers. Thus, Lyn represents, a potential target to develop new antitumor drugs. In the present study, using 176 molecules (123 training set molecules and 53 test set molecules) known by their inhibitory activities (IC50) against Lyn kinase, we constructed predictive models by linking their physico-chemical parameters (descriptors) to their biological activity. The models were derived using two different methods: the generalized linear model (GLM) and the artificial neural network (ANN). The ANN Model provided the best prediction precisions with a Square Correlation coefficient R2 = 0.92 and a Root of the Mean Square Error RMSE = 0.29. It was able to extrapolate to the test set successfully (R2 = 0.91 and RMSE = 0.33). In a second step, we have analyzed the used descriptors within the models as well as the structural features of the molecules in the training set. This analysis resulted in a transparent and informative SAR map that can be very useful for medicinal chemists to design new Lyn kinase inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercropping is an adapted farming system to optimize resource-use efficiency and crop yield, particularly in low input agricultural systems. Due to the beneficial eco-agricultural effects of grain legumes, their integration in mixed cropping systems such as intercropping systems can be more beneficial to soil fertility, soil functioning, and nutrient cycling. About 16–22% of the world's food is provided by cropping systems. On smallholder farms in Eastern and Southern Africa, the integration of legumes has the potential to increase maize (Zea mays) production up to 35% (e.g., Maize-pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) intercropping). Legume-based intercropping systems can also promote rhizobacterial community diversity and soil health by enhancing symbiotic and non-symbiotic beneficial population. In the rhizosphere, the bacterial community is required to improve the growth and health of both intercrops due to several "direct and indirect" mechanisms involving plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). This review aims to highlight the importance of both legume-based intercropping and root-associated microorganisms particular emphasis on rhizobacteria; since the whole "crop-crop-microorganism" system has the potential to improve crop agro-physiological performance. This study also discusses the key role of legumes as intercrops being fully synergistic with PGPR contributing to crop yield stability under stressful conditions, notably drought and nutrient deficiency. Thus, intercropping can be used as an agroecological practice to ensure the sustainability of production. [Display omitted] • The incorporation of legumes in cropping systems improves the physico-chemico-biological properties, soil fertility and ameliorate the resource use efficiency. • The intercropping based legumes enhance the chemotaxis and the behavior of beneficial root-associated bacteria in the rhizosphere. • The intercropping legume positively influences the interactive mechanisms between legumes and non-legumes and rhizobial strains in favor of both crops. • Adoption of legume-based intercropping systems and PGPR will sustainably improve crop agro-physiological performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing interest in low-input agriculture in recent years has focused the use of microbial biofertilizers to improve plant growth and yield through a better mobilization of indigenous source of key nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium etc. In this context, soil microorganisms especially Actinobacteria might play an important role. With their multifunctional activities, they are involved in nutrient cycling, soil quality and crop productivity as well as plant health which make them not only the eco-friendly alternative for agriculture but also for humankind. Bearing this in mind, it is primordial to further explore the special link between these microorganisms and soil -plant ecosystems. Therefore, this review discusses the importance of Actinobacteria as microbial biofertilizers and highlights the future needs and challenges for using them for sustaining crop. The patents and scientific literature analysis from 2000 to 2020 show that 16 patents claiming Actinobacteria as biocontrol or biofertilizer in agriculture and 949 indexed research articles related to Actinobacteria effect on plant growth and phosphate solubilization have been published. Furthermore, Actinobacteria ability to increase growth and yield of staple crops such as wheat maize, tomato, rice, and chickpea plant have been highlighted. Much more effort and progress are expected in the industrial development of actinobacterial bioinoculants as areas such as synthetic biology and nano-biotechnology advance. • Actinobacteria are ubiquitous, filamentous spore-forming bacteria capable of surviving in very competitive environments. • Actinobacteria are highly diversified microorganisms exhibiting a wide range of plant growth promoting traits. • Actinobacteria are a microbial factory to produce secondary metabolites with high agronomic value. • The different mechanisms engaged by Actinobacteria to solubilize Phosphorus and Potassium rocks. • Focusing on Actinobacteria in agricultural research is a dire need to develop more efficient biofertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementation of a lignin-based biorefinery into one of the existing kraft pulp mills calls for increased consumption of resources such as steam (by up to 21.5%), water (by up to 3%), carbon dioxide (by up to 16.2%), and sulphuric acid (by up to 11.3%). To compensate for these extra demands on resources, an advanced process integration method was used to identify steam, water, and chemicals savings options and resource recovery opportunities within the kraft process. Given the importance of the lignin-based biorefinery, an economic viability assessment was carried out toward four scenarios, namely: a reference case relating to a stand-alone kraft pulp mill without a pulp production increase but with/without advanced process integration (scenarios #1 and #2) as well as to an integrated biorefinery with a pulp production increase by 5, 10 and 15% (scenarios #3 and #4). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar drying and liming are commonly used for sludge treatment, but little is known about their efficiency on antibiotics and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) removal. This study aimed to investigate the removal of antibiotics and PAHs during solar drying of Limed Sludge (LS) and Non-Limed Sludge (NLS). Thus, organic matter fractionation and 3D fluorescence were used to assess the accessibility and the complexity of organic matter. 2 experiments have been conducted using LS and NLS for 45 days of drying in a pilot scale tunnel. Physicochemical results indicated significant decrease of water content (90%) for both sludge samples within 15 days of drying. For both treatments, the removal of total organic carbon and total nitrogen was low and similar for both treatments. Through this study, it has been confirmed that liming and drying contributed to a strong modification of the organic matter quality with an increase of its accessibility. On the other hand, drying alone increased the less accessible compartments, while the presence of lime affected the interconnexion between the organic matter pools. 3D fluorescence confirmed the obtained results and indicated that LS leads to obtaining more simple molecules in the most accessible compartments, while NLS leads to obtaining more complex molecules in the less accessible compartments. In addition, solar radiations and leaching may contribute to the significant removal (p < 0.01) of roxithromycin, benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, and benzo(g, h, i) perylene in the presence of lime. Furthermore, the evolution of organic matter pools in terms of accessibility and complexity may drive the bioavailability of these pollutants, leading to their significant removal. [Display omitted] • The lime addition leads to increase the accessibility of sludge organic matter. • Significant removal of some antibiotics and PAHs was obtained after liming. • The persistence of antibiotics and PAHs needs to be well considered. • Fractionation leads to better understand the fate of antibiotics and PAHs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to assess actinobacterial diversity in five Moroccan extreme habitats and to evaluate their plant growth-promoting (PGP) activities. The soil samples were collected from different locations, including soils contaminated with heavy metals, from a high altitude site, from the desert, and from a marine environment. In total, 23 actinobacteria were isolated, 8 from Merzouga sand soil; 5 from Cannabis sativa rhizospheric soil; 5 from Toubkal mountain; 4 from a Draa sfar mining site; and 1 from marine soil. Based on their genotypic classification using 16S rRNA gene sequences, 19 of all belonged to the genus Streptomyces (82%) while the rest are the members of the genera Nocardioides (4.5%), Saccharomonospora (4.5%), Actinomadura (4.5%), and Prauserella (4.5%). Isolates Streptomyces sp. TNC-1 and Streptomyces sp. MNC-1 showed the highest level of phosphorus solubilization activity with 12.39 and 8.56 mg/mL, respectively. All 23 isolates were able to solubilize potassium, and 91% of them could grow under nitrogen-free conditions. The ability of the isolated actinobacteria to form indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) ranged from 6.70 to 75.54 μg/mL with Streptomyces sp. MNC-1 being the best IAA producer. In addition, all of the actinobacteria could produce siderophores, with Saccharomonospora sp. LNS-1 synthesizing the greatest amount (138.92 μg/mL). Principal coordinate analysis revealed that Streptomyces spp. MNC-1, MNT-1, MNB-2, and KNC-5; Saccharomonospora sp. LNS-1; and Nocardioides sp. KNC-3 each showed a variety of high-level plant growth-promoting activities. The extreme environments in Morocco are rich with bioactive actinobacteria that possess a variety of plant growth-promoting potentials that can further benefit green and sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]