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Lamb meat has become very popular with consumers in recent years due to its nutritional benefits. As a lean red meat, lamb is an important natural source of polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids, which can be modified by adjustments in livestock feed. This study used proteomic and metabolic analyses to compare a basal ration supplemented with either mulberry silage or corn silage. Supplementation with mulberry silage led to a reduction in subcutaneous carcass fatness compared with corn silage. Additionally, changes in the proteome associated with fatty acid metabolism and oxidation resulted in decreased levels of saturated and trans fatty acids, while significantly increasing the levels of α-linolenic acid (ALA) and oleic acid and reducing linoleic acid content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mulberry perishes easily due to its high water content and thin skin. It is important to extend the shelf life of mulberry by proper processing methods. In the present study, the influence of three drying techniques, including hot air drying (HAD), vacuum drying (VD), and vacuum freeze-drying (VFD) on the quality maintenance of mulberry was comprehensively evaluated. Bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and the sensory and volatile flavor compounds of mulberry have been researched. The results showed that VFD treatment maintained the highest anthocyanins (6.99 mg/g), total flavones (3.18 mg/g), and soluble sugars (2.94 mg/g), and exhibited the best DPPH· (81.2%) and ABTS+· (79.9%) scavenging ability. Mulberry also presented the lowest hardness and the greatest brittleness after VFD. Additionally, VFD maintained the optimal color and presented the best sensory attributes. Furthermore, 30, 20, and 32 kinds of volatile flavor compounds were detected in HAD, VD, and VFD, respectively, among which aldehydes, esters, and ketones were the most abundant compounds. This study indicated the potential application value of VFD for the drying of fruit and vegetable foodstuffs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study highlights the importance of intersexual differentiation in dioecious plant speciation and maintenance. Using Morus alba plants, we identified 1543 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between male and female individuals. Notably, 333 genes were exclusively expressed in male inflorescences, while 66 were unique to female inflorescences. Through comparative transcriptomics, 841 genes with significantly higher expression in males were linked to defense-related pathways, and 702 genes with female-biased expression were related to growth and development pathways. Signals of selection were detected in both male- and female-biased genes, indicating their role in evolution. These findings advance our understanding of the molecular basis of intersexual differentiation and shed light on sex evolution in M. alba plants. Intersexual differentiation is crucial for the speciation and maintenance of dioecious plants, but the underlying mechanisms, including the genes involved, are still poorly understood. Here, we focused on a typical dioicous plant Morus alba, to explore the molecular footprints relevant to sex evolution by revealing the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between two sexes and the testing signals of selection for these DEGs. From the results, we found a total of 1543 DEGs. Interestingly, 333 and 66 genes expression were detected only in male and female inflorescences, respectively. Using comparative transcriptomics, the expression of 841 genes were found to be significantly higher in male than in female inflorescences and were mainly enriched in defense-related pathways including the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids, cutin, suberine and waxes. Meanwhile, the expression of 702 genes was female-biased and largely enriched in pathways related to growth and development, such as carbohydrate metabolism, auxin signaling and cellular responses. In addition, 16.7% and 17.6% signals of selection were significantly detected in female- and male-biased genes, respectively, suggesting their non-negligible role in evolution. Our findings expanded the understanding of the molecular basis of intersexual differentiation and contribute to further research on sex evolution in dioecious plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering that sericulture is an important branch of animal husbandry, not only for the production of silk but also as a valuable source of protein, it is necessary to constantly study the possibilities for its improvement as a branch of this domain. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to assess the nutritional value and digestibility of mulberry leaves from the Kokuso 21 and Eforie varieties, as consumed by silkworms (Bombyx mori L., Bombicidae Family, Lepidoptera Order) during a summer study, in 2021. The Japanese variety (Kokuso 21) and the Romanian variety (Eforie) were used as food sources for the Triumf hybrid, developed in Romania; the larvae were divided in two batches of 300 larvae and each set was subdivided into six groups of 50 larvae, which were raised in paper trays based on their age and size. The research indicated that mulberry leaves have an average digestibility value of 54.46%; the aging process of the leaves altered their chemical composition, with most nutrients showing a decreasing trend in digestibility throughout the larval growth period, except for crude fiber, which remained unchanged in the early larval stages and increased to 26.78% towards the end of the experiment. Overall, the Kokuso 21 variety demonstrated superior nutrient digestibility compared to Eforie. An important finding from this study is the need for future research to determine the degree of nutrient metabolism and conversion into silk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiotic stress, especially drought stress, poses a significant threat to terrestrial plant growth, development, and productivity. Although mulberry has great genetic diversity and extensive stress-tolerant traits in agroforestry systems, only a few reports offer preliminary insight into the biochemical responses of mulberry leaves under drought conditions. In this study, we performed a comparative metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis on the "drooping mulberry" (Morus alba var. pendula Dippel) under PEG-6000-simulated drought stress. Our research revealed that drought stress significantly enhanced flavonoid accumulation and upregulated the expression of phenylpropanoid biosynthetic genes. Furthermore, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were elevated. In vitro enzyme assays and fermentation tests indicated the involvement of flavonol synthase/flavanone 3-hydroxylase (XM_010098126.2) and anthocyanidin 3-O-glucosyltransferase 5 (XM_010101521.2) in the biosynthesis of flavonol aglycones and glycosides, respectively. The recombinant MaF3GT5 protein was found to recognize kaempferol, quercetin, and UDP-glucose as substrates but not 3-/7-O-glucosylated flavonols and UDP-rhamnose. MaF3GT5 is capable of forming 3-O- and 7-O-monoglucoside, but not di-O-glucosides, from kaempferol. This implies its role as a flavonol 3, 7-O-glucosyltransferase. The findings from this study provided insights into the biosynthesis of flavonoids and could have substantial implications for the future diversified utilization of mulberry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) is a crucial oxidoreductase enzyme that plays a significant role in plant defense mechanisms. In this study, a specific cytochrome P450 gene (MnCYP710A11) was discovered in mulberry (Morus notabilis). Bioinformatic analysis and expression pattern analysis were conducted to elucidate the involvement of MnCYP710A11 in combating Botrytis cinerea infection. After the infection of B. cinerea, there was a notable increase in the expression of MnCYP710A11. MnCYP710A11 is overexpressed in Arabidopsis and mulberry and strongly reacts to B. cinerea. The overexpression of the MnCYP710A11 gene in Arabidopsis and mulberry led to a substantial enhancement in resistance against B. cinerea, elevated catalase (CAT) activity, increased proline content, and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. At the same time, H2O2 and O2− levels in MnCYP710A11 transgenic Arabidopsis were decreased, which reduced the damage of ROS accumulation to plants. Furthermore, our research indicates the potential involvement of MnCYP710A11 in B. cinerea resistance through the modulation of other resistance-related genes. These findings establish a crucial foundation for gaining deeper insights into the role of cytochrome P450 in mulberry plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mulberry sclerotiniose is a devastating fungal disease of mulberry fruit and has been a limitation for the utility of mulberry fruits and the diversified development of sericulture. In the present study, we presented a workflow for screening candidate sclerotiniose-resistance genes and small secreted peptides (SSPs) based on a genome-wide annotation of SSPs and comparative transcriptome analysis of different mulberry varieties. A total of 1088 SSPs with expression evidence were identified and annotated in mulberry. A comprehensive analysis of the sclerotiniose-related RNA sequencing datasets showed that photosynthesis, plant hormone signaling, and metabolic pathways were the main pathways involved in the response to sclerotiniose. Fifty-two candidate sclerotiniose-response genes (SRGs), including 15 SSPs, were identified based on comparative transcriptome analysis. These SRGs are mainly involved in the hormone signaling pathway and cell wall biogenesis. Transient overexpression in tobacco and the knock-down of five SRGs affected the resistance against Ciboria shiraiana. MaMYB29, MaMES17, and MaSSP15 were primarily determined as negative regulators of plant resistance to C. shiraiana infection. Our results provide a foundation for controlling sclerotiniose in mulberry using genetic engineering and biological approaches such as spraying antifungal peptides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this experiment, we explored the chemical composition and community structure of Mulberry "Wuhedashi" (Morus alba L., hereinafter referred to as WHDS) in different stages and obtained data support for its resource utilisation. Five ripening stages were established: S1, deep-red stage; S2, red with black stage; S3, black with red stage; S4, black stage; S5, overripe stage. The results showed that there were significant differences in the indicators of WHDS in the different stages. Immature WHDS contains high levels of amino acids (2.14 ± 0.15 mg/g), organic acids (43.10 ± 0.75 mg/g), K (3019.52 ± 78.00 mg/L), and Ca (1617.86 ± 24.45 mg/L) and is an important source of amino acid and mineral supplementation for the body. Total phenolic compounds (26.15 ± 0.43 g/L), total flavonoids (2.46 ± 0.03 g/L), total anthocyanins (587.60 ± 7.38 mg/L), the ABTS radical scavenging rate (94.20 ± 2.18%), the DPPH radical scavenging rate (95.13 ± 1.44%), and total flavour compounds (1279.09 ± 33.50 mg/L) peaked at S4, which is the optimal stage for the consumption and processing of WHDS. High-throughput sequencing identified 10 dominant genera, including Bacillus, Brevibacterium, Pseudomonas, and Tatumella. Nesterenkonia was the most highly associated micro-organism. Bacterial genera such as Pantoea and Pseudomonas were significantly positively correlated with esters, enhancing the floral and fruity flavours of wine. The results of the study revealed the characteristics of WHDS in different stages, which can help to target the development of nutritious mulberry derivatives and provide a reference for enhancing the added value of mulberry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutamine synthetase (GS) is a key enzyme involved in nitrogen metabolism. GS can be divided into cytosolic and plastidic subtypes and has been reported to respond to various biotic and abiotic stresses. However, little research has been reported on the function of GS in mulberry. In this study, the full length of MaGS2 was cloned, resulting in 1302 bp encoding 433 amino acid residues. MaGS2 carried the typical GS2 motifs and clustered with plastidic-subtype GSs in the phylogenetic analysis. MaGS2 localized in chloroplasts, demonstrating that MaGS2 is a plastidic GS. The expression profile showed that MaGS2 is highly expressed in sclerotiniose pathogen-infected fruit and sclerotiniose-resistant fruit, demonstrating that MaGS2 is associated with the response to sclerotiniose in mulberry. Furthermore, the overexpression of MaGS2 in tobacco decreased the resistance against Ciboria shiraiana, and the knockdown of MaGS2 in mulberry by VIGS increased the resistance against C. shiraiana, demonstrating the role of MaGS2 as a negative regulator of mulberry resistance to C. shiraiana infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the aroma effects of key volatile compounds in a new type of mulberry leaf Fu brick teas (MTs) and traditional Fu brick teas (FTs). Headspace solid–phase microextraction (HS-SPME), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), sensory evaluation, and chemometrics were used to determine the differences in key flavour qualities between the two. The results showed that a total of 139 volatile components were identified, with aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols dominating. Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) combined with the odour activity value (OAV) showed that seven aroma compounds had an OAV > 10, including 2-(4-methylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl) propan-2-ol with floral and fruity aroma and green attributes, 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one, (E)-6,10-dimethyl-5,9-Undecadien-2-one, (3E,5E)-octa-3,5-dien-2-one, Benzaldehyde, and (E)-3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadec-2-en-1-ol, which were more abundant in MTs than FTs; Cedrol with sweet aroma attributes was more consistent in MTs than FTs, and we suggest that these odour compounds are important aroma contributors to MTs. Taken together, these findings will provide new insights into the mechanism of formation of the characteristic attributes of aroma in MTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthy, nutritious, and delicious mulberry wine is loved by everyone, but there is no specific yeast for mulberry wine. To screen for yeasts with low-yield higher alcohols for the fermentation of mulberry wine, we tested five commonly used commercial yeasts available on the market to ferment mulberry wine. All five yeasts were able to meet the requirements in terms of yeast fermentation capacity, speed, and physical and chemical markers of mulberry wine. The national standards were met by the fermentation requirements and the fermented mulberry wine. We identified yeast DV10 as a yeast with low-yield higher alcohols suitable for mulberry wine fermentation. The total higher alcohol content in fermented mulberry wine was 298 mg/L, which was 41.9% lower than that of fermented mulberry wine with yeast EC118. The contents of 17 free amino acids and five sugars in mulberry juice and five yeast-fermented mulberry wines were tested. The results showed that the higher the amino acid and sugar content in yeast-fermented mulberry wine, the higher the content of higher alcohols produced by fermentation. A correlation analysis performed on each higher alcohol produced when yeast DV10 fermented the mulberry wine indicated decreased sugar and related amino acids. The findings demonstrated a substantial negative correlation among the levels of increased alcohol, decreased sugar, and matching amino acid content. Considering the correlation values among increased alcohol, decreased sugar, and related amino acids, the very slight difference suggests that both sugar anabolism and amino acid catabolism pathways have an equivalent impact on the synthesis of higher alcohols during the fermentation of mulberry wine. These results provide a theoretical basis for reducing the content of higher alcohols in mulberry wines, given the history and foundation for producing mulberry wine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress significantly contributes to ageing and disease, with antioxidants holding promise in mitigating its effects. Functional foods rich in flavonoids offer a potential strategy to mitigate oxidative damage by free radicals. We investigated the protective effects of mulberry leaf flavonoids (MLF) against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells. It assessed the inhibitory effect of MLF (62.5–500 μg/mL) on H2O2-induced oxidative damage by analyzing cellular morphology and oxidative stress markers, including ROS production, mitochondrial membrane potential, antioxidant enzyme levels, MDA, and apoptosis-related proteins. The results demonstrated that MLF prevented spiny cell formation triggered by 750 μM H2O2 and significantly reduced ROS levels, restored mitochondrial membrane potential, decreased lactate dehydrogenase and alanine transaminase leakage, and reduced MDA content induced by H2O2. MLF also modulated antioxidant enzymes and attenuated oxidative damage to HepG2 cell DNA, as confirmed by staining techniques. These findings indicate the potential of MLF as a hepatoprotective agent against oxidative damage in HepG2 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morus sp. (mulberry) has a long tradition of use as a medicinal treatment, including for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, being shown to have antioxidant properties and to promote wound healing. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are sub-micron, membrane-enclosed particles that were first identified in mammalian bodily fluids. EV-like particles have been described in plants (PDVs) and shown to have similar characteristics to mammalian EVs. We hypothesised that some of the health benefits previously attributed to the fruit of Morus sp. could be due to the release of PDVs. We isolated PDVs from Morus nigra and Morus alba via ultracentrifugation and incubated THP-1 monocytes, differentiated THP-1 macrophages, or HMEC-1 endothelial cells with pro-oxidant compounds DMNQ (THP-1) and glucose oxidase (HMEC-1) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence of different fractions of mulberry EVs. Mulberry EVs augmented ROS production with DMNQ in THP-1 and caused the downregulation of ROS in HMEC-1. Mulberry EVs increased LPS-induced IL-1β secretion but reduced CCL2 and TGF-β secretion in THP-1 macrophages. In scratch wound assays, mulberry EVs inhibited HMEC-1 migration but increased proliferation in both low and high serum conditions, suggesting that they have opposing effects in these two important aspects of wound healing. One of the limitations of plant-derived therapeutics has been overcoming the low bioavailability of isolated compounds. We propose that PDVs could provide the link between physiological dose and therapeutic benefit by protecting plant active compounds in the GIT as well as potentially delivering genetic material or proteins that contribute to previously observed health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term aging has traditionally been associated with issues such as color fading and oxidation; therefore, it limits grape wine production. Here, we analyzed 90 bottles of mulberry wine aged for various periods (up to 12 years) and observed unique trends in color, flavor, and aroma compounds during prolonged aging. Results from Somers and methylcellulose precipitation (MCP) assays indicated that the tannin and anthocyanin concentrations in newly fermented mulberry wines were 167 to 216 mg/L and 1.04 to 1.37 g/L, respectively. The total phenolics, tannins, and anthocyanin contents exhibited significant negative correlations with aging years, while the non-bleachable pigment content and hue showed positive correlations with aging times. High-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) analysis further revealed a positive correlation between the content of pyranoanthocyanins (including cyanidin-3-O-glucoside-pyruvic acid, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside-acetaldehyde, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside-4-vinocatechol, and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside-4-vinophenol) and aging times, whereas the impacts of aging on the polymeric pigment (cyanidin-3-O-glucoside-epicatechin) were not observed. This suggests that the anthocyanins in mulberry wine primarily transformed into pyranoanthocyanins rather than polymeric pigments during aging. The aging-induced reductions in protein, polysaccharide, and key aroma compounds (contributing to the fruity, sweet and floral odors) remained unaffected by prolonged aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People of all age groups consume cookies every day. Consumers' preferences for cookies supplemented with functional plant raw materials have recently increased. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the influence of a mulberry leaf additive on the proximate and mineral compositions, total phenolic and total chlorophyll content, antioxidant activity, and the hardness and color properties of butter cookies. Wheat and rice flour butter cookies were prepared by replacing the flour with mulberry leaf powder at 0, 4, 8, and 12% (w/w). The results revealed that the investigated chemical and physical characteristics of butter cookies depend on the flour used (rice or wheat) and the addition of mulberry leaf powder. Wheat and rice flour cookies with 12% mulberry leaf powder had the significantly highest contents of fiber (20.34 and 20.23%, respectively), ash (1.73 and 1.75%, respectively), K (170.22 and 160.22 mg 100 g−1, respectively), and Ca (170.45 and 160.68 mg 100 g−1, respectively). The rice flour cookies enriched with 12% leaf powder had the greatest amounts of total phenolics (1.48 mg 100 g−1), Zn (12.25 mg kg−1), Mn (6.28 mg kg−1), Cu (1.95 mg kg−1), and antioxidant activity (67.98%). However, the wheat cookies without mulberry leaf powder contained the most B (9.12 mg kg−1), while the no-added rice cookies contained the most Fe (14.30 mg kg−1). Replacing flour with leaf powder increased the cookies' hardness and decreased their lightness. In conclusion, enriching butter cookies with freeze-dried mulberry leaves can improve their nutritional value and antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mulberry is a rapidly growing plant that thrives in diverse climatic, topographical, and soil types, spanning temperature and temperate countries. Mulberry plants are valued as functional foods for their abundant chemical composition, serving as a significant reservoir of bioactive compounds like proteins, polysaccharides, phenolics, and flavonoids. Moreover, these compounds displayed potent antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals, inhibiting reactive oxygen species generation, and restoring elevated nitric oxide production induced by LPS stimulation through the downregulation of inducible NO synthase expression. Active components like oxyresveratrol found in Morus demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting leukocyte migration through the MEK/ERK signaling pathway. Gallic and chlorogenic acids in mulberry leaves (ML) powder-modulated TNF, IL-6, and IRS1 proteins, improving various inflammatory conditions by immune system modulation. As we delve deeper into understanding its anti-inflammatory potential and how it works therapeutically, it is crucial to refine the extraction process to enhance the effectiveness of its bioactive elements. Recent advancements in extraction techniques, such as solid–liquid extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, superficial fluid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and ultrasonic-assisted extraction, are being explored. Among the extraction methods tested, including Soxhlet extraction, maceration, and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), UAE demonstrated superior efficiency in extracting bioactive compounds from mulberry leaves. Overall, this comprehensive review sheds light on the potential of mulberry as a natural immunomodulatory agent and provides insights into its mechanisms of action for future research and therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on mitigating the decrease in the quality of mulberry after harvest and increasing the value of mulberry products through microwave vacuum drying. The effects of mulberry moisture content on texture properties were investigated, and the test method was optimized through the membership function model and the central composite technique. The influences of the material surface temperature, vacuum degree, and microwave power on the quality of instant mulberry were analyzed comprehensively. A regression model was established to analyze the relationship between each test factor and quality index. The results show that, with increases in the moisture content, both the hardness and chewiness of mulberry present a decreasing trend; when elasticity increases gradually, adhesivity is presented in an inverted V-shaped variation trend, and the cohesiveness remains basically constant. Moreover, the moisture content of mulberry had significant correlations with elasticity, glueyness, chewiness, and hardness (R2 > 0.9). When the moisture content of the samples reached ≤44.07%, the total plate count reached a minimum and changed gradually; thus, the moisture content (44.07%) of mulberry was determined for the technological optimization test. The combination of optimal technological parameters was as follows: material surface temperature = 51.0 °C, vacuum degree = 0.07 MPa, and microwave power = 370 W. Under these optimal technological parameters, the soluble solid content was 42.37%, chewiness was 9.08, and the Vc content was 0.725 mg·(100 g)−1. The average error between the test results and software optimization parameters was 5.88%. The optimized microwave vacuum drying technological parameters improved the drying quality of mulberry significantly. The results can provide theoretical support for the microwave vacuum drying of berries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the anti-hypertensive properties of mulberry products by modulating the renin–angiotensin system (RAS). Comparative analysis showed that the ethyl acetate fractions, particularly from the Cheongil and Daeshim cultivars, contained the highest levels of polyphenols and flavonoids, with concentrations reaching 110 mg gallic acid equivalent (GE)/g and 471 mg catechin equivalent (CE)/g of extract, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction showed superior angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, mainly because of the presence of the prenylated flavonoids kuwanon G and H. UPLC/Q-TOF-MS analysis identified kuwanon G and H as the primary active components, which significantly contributed to the pharmacological efficacy of the extract. In vivo testing of mice fed a high-salt diet showed that the ethyl acetate fraction substantially reduced the heart weight and lowered the serum renin and angiotensinogen levels by 34% and 25%, respectively, highlighting its potential to modulate the RAS. These results suggested that the ethyl acetate fraction of mulberry root bark is a promising candidate for the development of natural ACE inhibitors. This finding has significant implications for the management of hypertension through RAS regulation and the promotion of cardiovascular health in the functional food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitin, a ubiquitous biopolymer, holds paramount scientific and economic significance. Historically, it has been primarily isolated from marine crustaceans. However, the surge in demand for chitin and the burgeoning interest in biopolymers have necessitated the exploration of alternative sources. Among these methods, the mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori) has emerged as a particularly intriguing prospect. To isolate chitin from Bombyx mori, a chemical extraction methodology was employed. This process involved a series of meticulously orchestrated steps, including Folch extraction, demineralization, deproteinization, and decolorization. The resultant chitin was subjected to comprehensive analysis utilizing techniques such as attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). The obtained results allow us to conclude that the Bombyx mori represents an attractive alternative source of α-chitin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The silkworm has fascinated people all around the world for centuries due to numerous applications of by-products resulting from its metamorphosis. A decline has been noticed due to industrialization and some disease concerns; however, several reasons strengthen compelling arguments for keeping up this species. The most prevalent nutrients identified along silkworm rearing, from mulberry leaves up to larvae, pupae, and silk, are proteins. The biological value of protein is based on amino acids. The presence of other nutrients, especially fatty acids (n-3 family), vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols, along with the profile in amino acids, which are taken from mulberry leaves and metabolized by larvae and then transferred to pupae, strengthen the conviction according to which silkworm by-products have a great nutritional potential that is either comparable with fish meal or better than other aquaculture-specific feedstuffs. This paper aims to present deep knowledge about amino acids (classification, metabolism, occurrence, mechanisms, and potential functions) for silkworms and fish to further understand these species. The silkworm Bombyx mori, the second most varied group of insects, is a fascinating insect that belongs to the Lepidoptera species. We aimed to deepen our knowledge about the composition and significance of amino acids (AA) from the sericulture chain to fish. AAs are the most prevalent molecules throughout the growth process of silkworms. We described AAs classification, occurrence, metabolism, and functions. Online datasets revealed that the essential AAs (EAA) level in fish meal and silkworm pupae (SWP) is comparable. SWP have a high content of methionine and lysine, which are the principal limiting AAs in fish diets, indicating that SWP have nutritional potential to be added to fish diets. Additionally, an overview of the data analyzed displays that SWP have a higher protein efficiency ratio than fish meal, the classical protein-rich source (>1.19 times), and compared to soybean meal, the second-most preferred source of protein in aquaculture (>2.08 times), indicating that SWP can be considered effective for animal feeding. In this study, we provide an overview of the current knowledge concerning AAs, paying special emphasis to EAAs and explaining, to some extent, certain mechanisms and functions of these compounds, from mulberry leaves to larvae–pupae and fish diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium (Mg) deficiency is a major factor limiting the growth and development of plants. Mulberry (Morus alba L.) is an important fruit tree crop that requires Mg for optimal growth and yield, especially in acid soils. However, the molecular mechanism of Mg stress tolerance in mulberry plants remains unknown. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing technology and biochemical analysis to profile the transcriptome and physiological changes of mulberry leaves under different Mg treatments (deficiency: 0 mM, low: 1 mM, moderate low: 2 mM, sufficiency: 3 mM, toxicity: 6 mM, higher toxicity: 9 mM) as T1, T2, T3, CK, T4, T5 treatments, respectively, for 20 days. The results showed that Mg imbalance altered the antioxidant enzymatic activities, such as catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and non-enzymatic, including soluble protein, soluble sugar, malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline (PRO), contents of the plant. The Mg imbalances disrupted the ultrastructures of the vital components of chloroplast and mitochondria relative to the control. The transcriptome data reveal that 11,030 genes were differentially expressed (DEGs). Genes related to the photosynthetic processes (CAB40, CAB7, CAB6A, CAB-151, CAP10A) and chlorophyll degradation (PAO, CHLASE1, SGR) were altered. Antioxidant genes such as PER42, PER21, and PER47 were downregulated, but DFR was upregulated. The carbohydrate metabolism pathway was significantly altered, while those involved in energy metabolism processes were perturbed under high Mg treatment compared with control. We also identified several candidate genes associated with magnesium homeostasis via RT-qPCR validation analysis, which provided valuable information for further functional characterization studies such as promoter activity assay or gene overexpression experiments using transient expression systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses the potential of providing good curative effects with no side effects for the effective management of slow transit constipation (STC), an intestinal disease characterized by colonic dyskinesia. Mulberry leaves (Morus alba L.) and black sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), referred to as SH, are processed and conditioned as per standardized protocols. SH has applications as food and medicine. Accordingly, we investigated the therapeutic potential of SH in alleviating STC. The analysis of SH composition identified a total of 504 compounds. The intervention with SH significantly improved intestinal motility, reduced the time for the first black stool, increased antioxidant activity, and enhanced water content, thereby effectively alleviating colon damage caused by STC. Transcriptome analysis revealed the SH in the treatment of STC related to SOD1, MUC2, and AQP1. The analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated notable differences in the abundance of 10 bacteria between the SH and model. Metabolomic analysis further revealed that SH supplementation increased the levels of nine metabolites associated with STC. Integrative analysis revealed that SH modulated amino acid metabolism, balanced intestinal flora, and targeted key genes (i.e., SOD1, MUC2, AQP1) to exert its effects. SH also inhibited the AQP1 expression and promoted SOD1 and MUC2 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Regulating the lipid nutritional profile of meat by balancing intramuscular fat and backfat is a difficult problem in pork production. In this study, we found that feed supplementation with mulberry leaves increased intramuscular fat while simultaneously reducing backfat. The results of our study suggest that nutritional supplementation with mulberry leaves may be used in pork production to improve the lipid nutrition of meat. Mulberry leaves, a common traditional Chinese medicine, represent a potential nutritional strategy to improve the fat profile, also known as the lipo-nutrition, of pork. However, the effects of mulberry leaves on pork lipo-nutrition and the microorganisms and metabolites in the porcine gut remain unclear. In this study, multi-omics analysis was employed in a Yuxi black pig animal model to explore the possible regulatory mechanism of mulberry leaves on pork quality. Sixty Yuxi black pigs were divided into two groups: the control group (n = 15) was fed a standard diet, and the experimental group (n = 45) was fed a diet supplemented with 8% mulberry leaves. Experiments were performed in three replicates (n = 15 per replicate); the two diets were ensured to be nutritionally balanced, and the feeding period was 120 days. The results showed that pigs receiving the diet supplemented with mulberry leaves had significantly reduced backfat thickness (p < 0.05) and increased intramuscular fat (IMF) content (p < 0.05) compared with pigs receiving the standard diet. Lipidomics analysis showed that mulberry leaves improved the lipid profile composition and increased the proportion of triglycerides (TGs). Interestingly, the IMF content was positively correlated with acyl C18:2 and negatively correlated with C18:1 of differential TGs. In addition, the cecal microbiological analysis showed that mulberry leaves could increase the abundance of bacteria such as UCG-005, Muribaculaceae_norank, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, and Limosilactobacillus. Simultaneously, the relative levels of L-tyrosine-ethyl ester, oleic acid methyl ester, 21-deoxycortisol, N-acetyldihydrosphingosine, and mulberrin were increased. Furthermore, we found that mulberry leaf supplementation significantly increased the mRNA expression of lipoprotein lipase, fatty acid-binding protein 4, and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ in muscle (p < 0.01). Mulberry leaf supplementation significantly increased the mRNA expression of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (p < 0.05) while significantly decreasing the expression of acetyl CoA carboxylase in backfat (p < 0.05). Furthermore, mulberry leaf supplementation significantly upregulated the mRNA expression of hormone-sensitive triglyceride lipase and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (p < 0.05) in backfat. In addition, mulberry leaf supplementation led to increased serum leptin and adiponectin (p < 0.01). Collectively, this omic profile is consistent with an increased ratio of IMF to backfat in the pig model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sanghuangporus sanghuang is a rare fungus growing on mulberry trees that has immense medicinal value. This study aimed to optimize the liquid-fermentation-media formulation and culture conditions for large-scale culturing of S. sanghuang by performing one-way testing and response surface methodology. The antioxidant and anticancer activities of the extracellular polysaccharides from S. sanghuang were also analyzed. The optimal formulation and growth conditions for S. sanghuang were as follows: glucose, 30.2 ± 0.37 g/L; yeast extract, 14.60 ± 0.05 g/L; dandelion powder, 1.24 ± 0.01 g/L; shaker speed, 150 r/min; and temperature, 25 °C. We obtained 13.99 ± 0.42 g/L of mycelium biomass by culturing S. sanghuang for 15 days with the optimized formulation. This was 2-fold higher than the mycelial mass obtained with the sub-optimal formulation. The extracellular fungal polysaccharides showed significant antioxidant activity against ABTS and DPPH free radicals, and significantly reduced the in vitro growth and survival of several cancer cell lines. The anticancer activity of the extracellular fungal polysaccharides was significantly higher in the human glioma cells than in other cancer cell lines. In summary, this study optimized the liquid media formulation and conditions for the large-scale culturing of S. sanghuang. Furthermore, the extracellular polysaccharides from S. sanghuang showed significant antioxidant and anticancer activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, studies have reported a correlation that individuals with diabetes show an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Mulberry leaves, serving as both a traditional medicinal herb and a food source, exhibit significant hypoglycemic and antioxidative properties. The flavonoid compounds in mulberry leaf offer therapeutic effects for relieving diabetic symptoms and providing neuroprotection. However, the mechanisms of this effect have not been fully elucidated. This investigation aimed to investigate the combined effects of specific mulberry leaf flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, rhamnocitrin, tetramethoxyluteolin, and norartocarpetin) on both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and AD. Additionally, the role of the gut microbiota in these two diseases' treatment was studied. Using network pharmacology, we investigated the potential mechanisms of flavonoids in mulberry leaves, combined with gut microbiota, in combating AD and T2DM. In addition, we identified protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) as a key target for kaempferol in these two diseases. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations showed that kaempferol has the potential to inhibit PTP1B for indirect treatment of AD, which was proven by measuring the IC50 of kaempferol (279.23 μM). The cell experiment also confirmed the dose-dependent effect of kaempferol on the phosphorylation of total cellular protein in HepG2 cells. This research supports the concept of food–medicine homology and broadens the range of medical treatments for diabetes and AD, highlighting the prospect of integrating traditional herbal remedies with modern medical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity is one of the most serious threats to sustainable agriculture. The Salt Overly Sensitive (SOS) signaling pathway plays an important role in salinity tolerance in plants, and the SOS2 gene plays a critical role in this pathway. Mulberry not only has important economic value but also is an important ecological tree species; however, the roles of the SOS2 gene associated with salt stress have not been reported in mulberry. To gain insight into the response of mulberry to salt stress, SOS2 (designated MulSOS2) was cloned from mulberry (Morus atropurpurea Roxb), and sequence analysis of the amino acids of MulSOS2 showed that it shares some conserved domains with its homologs from other plant species. Our data showed that the MulSOS2 gene was expressed at different levels in different tissues of mulberry, and its expression was induced substantially not only by NaCl but also by ABA. In addition, MulSOS2 was exogenously expressed in Arabidopsis, and the results showed that under salt stress, transgenic MulSOS2 plants accumulated more proline and less malondialdehyde than the wild-type plants and exhibited increased tolerance to salt stress. Moreover, the MulSOS2 gene was transiently overexpressed in mulberry leaves and stably overexpressed in the hairy roots, and similar results were obtained for resistance to salt stress in transgenic mulberry plants. Taken together, the results of this study are helpful to further explore the function of the MulSOS2 gene, which provides a valuable gene for the genetic breeding of salt tolerance in mulberry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mulberry leaves are rich in nutrients but contain anti-nutrient factors that hinder their digestion and absorption. Feeding animals with mulberry leaves directly could harm their health. The microbial fermentation of mulberry leaves could reduce their anti-nutritional factors' content and improve their nutritional value. Sequencing and analyzing mulberry leaves before and after fermentation showed that fermentation increased the relative abundance of Pediococcus, Bradyrhizobium, Hydrotalea, and Rhodanobacteria, and decreased that of Enterobacter. Fermentation improved the quality of mulberry leaves by rebuilding the bacterial community. Finishing pigs were raised on fermented mulberry leaves (FML), and their carcass performance, meat quality, economic benefits, and gut microbiome were evaluated. FML had no negative impact on pig carcass performance, meat quality, and antioxidant capacity, and could somewhat improve the economic benefits. FML decreased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria in the colon and Streptococcus in the feces, and increased that of Actinobacteria (cecum, colon, feces) and Prevotella (colon). The gut core microorganisms in the FML group were mainly enriched with Actinobacteria, Bifidobacterium, Bifidobacteriaceae, Bifidobacteriales, and other beneficial microorganisms. Dietary FML reduced ammonia, indole, and skatole contents in the feces. In conclusion, FML reshaped the gut microbiota without negatively affecting pig product performance, produced cleaner waste, and improved environmental protection and sustainability, making it an attractive prospective feed for pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different strains and wheat bran on the fermentation quality, antioxidant activity, and bacterial community of mulberry leaf silage. Mulberry leaves were ensiled with Pediococcus acidilactici and Pediococcus pentosaceus (A), Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformi (DK), and Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus licheniformi (AK). Each treatment was supplemented with 10% wheat bran (fresh matter basis), and the strains were added in equal proportions for 7 days. The results indicated that the DK and AK groups exhibited higher dry matter (DM) content compared to the A group (p < 0.05). The A group (37.25 mg/g DM) and AK group (34.47 mg/g DM) demonstrated higher lactic acid content and lower pH (<4.40). Furthermore, the DK group had a significantly higher acetic acid content compared to the AK group (p < 0.05). Additionally, both the A and AK groups exhibited lower levels of ammonia-N content than the DK group (p < 0.05). The number of yeasts, molds, and coliform bacteria were low in mulberry leaf silage. Moreover, the antioxidant activity in the fermentation groups increased, with higher relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, Lactococcus and Lactobacillus, in the AK group. In summary, the AK group was observed to enhance fermentation quality and antioxidant capacity, leading to the establishment of a favorable microbial community composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwaves have the advantages of faster heating speed, shorter fixation time, and less pollution in tea fixation. However, there are few studies on the microwave fixation of mulberry leaf tea, which is not conducive to the promotion of mulberry leaf tea production. In order to study the fixation of mulberry leaf tea, the coaxial probe method is used to measure the dielectric constant of mulberry leaves, and the relationship connecting the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constant and the moisture content is obtained through fitting. Based on this, a multiphysics model for mulberry leaf fixation in a six-port microwave cavity is established, which combines the characteristics of mulberry leaves, multiport heating, and mobile heating techniques. The impact of some important parameters, such as the layout and position of input ports and the thickness of mulberry leaves on the fixation process, are studied. The results show that the mutual energy coupling between ports can be reduced by using the noncoherent polarization of electromagnetic waves when the position of the ports in their working planes and the thickness of the mulberry leaves are set to (−0. 14 m, −0.15 m), (0.25 m, −0.15 m), (0.25 m, 0.15 m), (0.14 m, 0.15 m), (0.11 m, 0.0 m), (0.25 m, 0.15 m), (−0.14 m, 0.15 m), (0.11 m, 0.0 m), (0.11 m, 0.0 m), and 0.015 m when good fixation of mulberry leaves can be obtained. The study established a continuous microwave fixation experimental system for mulberry leaf tea. The experimental results indicate that the thickness of the tea affects its temperature uniformity in the microwave fixation system, which in turn affects the final quality of the tea. This study provides a reference for the industrialization of the microwave fixation of mulberry leaf tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavonoids and alkaloids are the major active ingredients in mulberry leaves that have outstanding medicinal value. Bacillus subtilis can effectively activate the plants defense response and regulate the plant secondary metabolism. In this study, we explored the effects of soil application of B. subtilis on the content of flavonoids and the most important alkaloids (1-deoxynojirimycin, DNJ) in mulberry leaves. Significant decreases in flavonoid content were observed in tender leaves and mature leaves after treatment with B. subtilis; at the same time, significant increases in DNJ content were observed in tender leaves. Based on widely targeted LC-MS/MS and high-throughput approaches, we screened out 904 differentially synthesized metabolites (DSMs) and 9715 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). KEGG analyses showed that these DSMs and DEGs were both significantly enriched in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, flavonoid synthesis and plant hormone signal transduction. Further correlation analysis of DEMs and DEGs showed that 40 key genes were involved in flavonoid biosynthesis, with 6 key genes involved in DNJ biosynthesis. The expression of CHS, CHI, F3H, F3′H, FLS, UGT and AOC significantly responded to B. subtilis soil application. This study broadens our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the accumulation of flavonoids and alkaloids in mulberry leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mulberry (Morus alba L.), a significant fruit tree crop, requires magnesium (Mg) for its optimal growth and productivity. Nonetheless, our understanding of the molecular basis underlying magnesium stress tolerance in mulberry plants remains unexplored. In our previous study, we identified several differential candidate genes associated with Mg homeostasis via transcriptome analysis, including the xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH) gene family. The XTH gene family is crucial for plant cell wall reconstruction and stress responses. These genes have been identified and thoroughly investigated in various plant species. However, there is no research pertaining to XTH genes within the M. alba plant. This research systematically examined the M. alba XTH (MaXTH) gene family at the genomic level using a bioinformatic approach. In total, 22 MaXTH genes were discovered and contained the Glyco_hydro_16 and XET_C conserved domains. The MaXTHs were categorized into five distinct groups by their phylogenetic relationships. The gene structure possesses four exons and three introns. Furthermore, the MaXTH gene promoter analysis reveals a plethora of cis-regulatory elements, mainly stress responsiveness, phytohormone responsiveness, and growth and development. GO analysis indicated that MaXTHs encode proteins that exhibit xyloglucan xyloglucosyl transferase and hydrolase activities in addition to cell wall biogenesis as well as xyloglucan and carbohydrate metabolic processes. Moreover, a synteny analysis unveiled an evolutionary relationship between the XTH genes in M. alba and those in three other species: A. thaliana, P. trichocarpa, and Zea mays. Expression profiles from RNA-Seq data displayed distinct expression patterns of XTH genes in M. alba leaf tissue during Mg treatments. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis confirmed the expression of the MaXTH genes in Mg stress response. Overall, this research enhances our understanding of the characteristics of MaXTH gene family members and lays the foundation for future functional genomic study in M. alba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoplasma disease is one of the most serious infectious diseases that affects the growth and development of mulberry. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in plants' defense systems; however, the contribution of lncRNAs in the response to phytoplasma infection in mulberry is still largely unknown. Herein, strand-specific RNA sequencing was performed to profile the mRNAs and lncRNAs involved in the response to phytoplasma infection in mulberry, and a total of 4169 genes were found to be differentially expressed (DE) between healthy and phytoplasma-infected leaves. Moreover, 1794 lncRNAs were identified, of which 742 lncRNAs were DE between healthy and infected leaves. Target prediction showed that there were 68 and 44 DE lncRNAs which may function as cis and trans-regulators, targeting 54 and 44 DE genes, respectively. These DE target genes are associated with biological processes such as metabolism, signaling, development, transcriptional regulation, etc. In addition, it was found that the expression of the antisense lncRNA (MuLRR-RLK-AS) of the leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein kinase gene (MuLRR-RLK) was decreased in the phytoplasma-infected leaves. Interestingly, it was found that overexpression of MuLRR-RLK-AS can inhibit the expression of MuLRR-RLK. Moreover, it was found that the expression levels of PTI-related and MAPK genes in the transgenic MuLRR-RLK Arabidopsis plants were significantly higher than those in the wild-type plants when inoculated with pathogens, and the transgenic plants were conferred with strong disease resistance. Our results demonstrate that MuLRR-RLK-AS, as a trans-regulatory factor, can inhibit the expression of the MuLRR-RLK gene and is a negative regulatory factor for mulberry resistance. The information provided is particularly useful for understanding the functions and mechanisms of lncRNAs in the response to phytoplasma infection in mulberry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian water plantain, Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep, is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant. The dried tubers of the Alisma orientale, commonly referred to as Alismatis rhizome (AR), have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of diseases. Soil properties and the soil microbial composition are known to affect the quality and bioactivity of plants. Here, we sought to identify variations in soil fungal communities and soil properties to determine which would be optimal for cultivation of A. orietale. Soil properties, heavy metal content, and pesticide residues were determined from soils derived from four different agricultural regions around Shaowu City, Fujian, China, that had previously been cultivated with various crops, namely, Shui Dao Tu (SDT, rice), Guo Shu Tu (GST, pecan), Cha Shu Tu (CST, tea trees), and Sang Shen Tu (SST, mulberry). As fungi can either positively or negatively impact plant growth, the fungal communities in the different soils were characterized using long-read PacBio sequencing. Finally, we examined the quality of A. orientale grown in the different soils. Our results show that fungal community diversity of the GST soil was the highest with saprotrophs the main functional modes in these and SDT soils. Our data show that GST and SDT soils were most suitable for A. orientale growth, with the quality of the AR tubers harvested from GST soil being the highest. These data provide a systematic approach at soil properties of agricultural lands in need of replacement and/or rotating crops. Based on our findings, GST was identified as the optimal soil for planting A. orientale, providing a new resource for local farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tussah silk is one of the most widely used wild silks. It is usually dyed with acid dyes, despite the shortcoming of poor wet fastness. Reactive dyeing is a good solution to this problem. In our work, sulfatoethylsulfone (SES), sulfatoethylsulfone/monochlorotriazine (SES/MCT), monochlorotriazine (MCT), and bis(monochlorotriazine) (Bis(MCT)) dyes were used to dye tussah silk. All of these dyes showed lower exhaustion and fixation on tussah silk than on mulberry silk under alkaline conditions. Among them, SES dyes were more applicable, with a fixation of 70–85% (at 4%owf dye) at 90 °C when using sodium bicarbonate as an alkali. SES dyes also showed a rapid fixation speed. The dyeing of tussah silk required lower sodium bicarbonate dosage, the use of more neutral electrolytes, and a higher dye quantity to achieve deep effects compared to mulberry silk. Dyed tussah silk displayed lower apparent color depth and brilliance than dyed mulberry silk. The neutral boiling dyeing of tussah silk with SES dyes exhibited higher exhaustion, higher fixation (82–92% at 4%owf dye), and a slower fixation speed compared with alkaline dyeing. Furthermore, in this dyeing method, SES dyes showed higher and more efficient fixation on tussah silk than on mulberry silk. All dyed tussah silk had excellent color fastness to soaping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both morphological and molecular markers have been extensively used to evaluate genetic diversity; however, molecular markers are considered more reliable and can lead to improved reproductive efficiency. This study utilized inter-primer binding site (iPBS) markers to examine the genetic diversity and population structure of thirty mulberry accessions from the districts of Sahiwal and Faisalabad, Pakistan. These mulberry accessions belonged to three species: Morus nigra (n = 13), Morus alba (n = 12), and Morus rubra (n = 5). The use of nine iPBS primers in this study provided a comprehensive understanding of genetic diversity among the selected mulberry accessions. Nine iPBS primers were used in the study and generated 431 bands with allelic frequencies ranging from 21 to 75 and band sizes from 200 to 1500 base pairs. The primer 2230 showed the highest polymorphic information content (PIC) value of 0.47 and the highest Shannon's information index (I = 0.53). The Morus nigra accessions had the highest levels of expected heterozygosity (He = 0.30), unbiased expected heterozygosity (µHe = 0.33), and Shannon's information index (I = 0.45). The molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) revealed a high degree of genetic variation, as estimated by the pairwise PhiPT value of 0.21, which was significant at the p < 0.001 *** level. The neighbor joining tree, principal coordinate analysis, and structure analysis grouped the 30 mulberry accessions into four main clusters. The distinct grouping of accessions SWLS14, SWLS6, FSDS30, and SWLS7 validated their notable genetic distinctiveness. Overall, these findings contribute valuable insights into the genetic landscape of mulberry accessions, which are essential for conservation and breeding strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The iminosugar 1-deoxynojirimicyn (DNJ) contained in mulberry leaves has displayed systemic beneficial effects against disorders of carbohydrate metabolism. Nevertheless, its effect is impaired by the short half-life. Alginate-based carriers were developed to encapsulate a DNJ-rich mulberry extract: Ca-alginate beads, obtained by external gelation, and spray-dried alginate microparticles (SDMs). Mean size and distribution, morphology, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, experimental yield, and release characteristics were determined for the two formulations. Ca-alginate beads and SDMs exhibited an encapsulation efficiency of about 54% and 98%, respectively, and a DNJ loading in the range of 0.43–0.63 μg/mg. The in vitro release study demonstrated the carriers' capability in controlling the DNJ release in acid and basic conditions (<50% in 5 h), due to electrostatic interactions, which were demonstrated by 1H-NMR relaxometry studies. Thus, alginate-based particles proved to be promising strategies for producing food supplements containing mulberry leaf extracts for the management of hyperglycemic state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial wilt is a significant soil-borne disease that poses a threat to mulberry production yield and quality of agricultural production worldwide. However, the disease resistance mechanisms dependent on root exudates are not well understood. In this present study, we investigated the antibacterial mechanisms of the main active substances (erucamide, oleamide, and camphor bromide) present in mulberry root exudates (MRE) against Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum (Rp), the causal agent of bacterial wilt. Our findings revealed that these three active substances inhibited the growth activity of Rp by affecting the cell morphology and extracellular polysaccharide content, as well as triggering a burst of reactive oxygen species. The active substances induced oxidative stress, leading to a decrease in Rp growth. Additionally, the expression levels of key genes in the hrp gene cluster (hrpB, hrpX, and hrpF) and other virulence-related genes (such as ripAW, ripAE, Rs5-4819, Rs5-4374, ace, egl3, and pehB) were significantly reduced upon treatment with the active substances. Further pathogenicity experiments demonstrated that root exudates (at a concentration of 1.5 mg·mL−1) delayed or slowed down the occurrence of bacterial wilt in mulberry. These findings provide valuable insight into the antimicrobial mechanisms of MRE against Rp and lay a theoretical foundation for the development and application of biocontrol agents to control mulberry bacterial wilt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Paper mulberry (PM) is an unconventional protein feed material, and silage is its main processing method. The present study aimed to investigate the health benefits and meat quality of supplementing Yangzhou geese with paper mulberry silage. Results indicated that paper mulberry silage supplementation had a promotional effect on the growth of Yangzhou geese, the sensory quality of the breast muscles improved, and the nutritional quality enhanced. Untargeted metabolomics analysis demonstrated that PM treatment enhanced guanidinoacetic acid levels in breast muscles and facilitated the metabolism of amino acids and the role of substances in lipid antioxidant pathways. Consequently, paper mulberry could be considered to be a novel protein feed option capable for geese. There have been few investigations into the health benefits and meat quality of supplementing Yangzhou geese with paper mulberry silage. One hundred and twenty 28-day-old Yangzhou geese were selected for the experiment and randomly divided into two groups: a control group (CON) and a paper mulberry silage group (PM), with six replicates in each group. The experiment lasted for a total of 6 weeks. The experiment found that compared with CON, PM had a promoting effect on the average daily weight gain of Yangzhou geese (p = 0.056). Sensory and nutritional analysis of breast muscles revealed a decrease in a* value (p < 0.05) and an increase in protein content (p < 0.05) following PM treatment. Through untargeted metabolomics analysis of breast muscle samples, it was found that 11 different metabolites, including guanidinoacetic acid and other substances, had a positive effect on amino acid metabolism and lipid antioxidant pathways of PM treatment. Overall, the strategy of feeding Yangzhou geese with paper mulberry silage is feasible, which can improve the sensory quality and nutritional value of goose meat. The experiment provides basic data for the application form of goose breeding, so exploring the impact of substances within paper mulberry on goose meat should be focused on in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diet plays a crucial role in shaping the gut microbiota and overall health of animals. Traditionally, silkworms are fed fresh mulberry leaves, and artificial diets do not support good health. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the dietary transition from artificial diets to mulberry leaves and the effects on the gut microbiota and physiological changes in silkworms as a model organism. With the transition from artificial diets to mulberry leaves, the diversity of the silkworm gut microbiota increased, and the proportion of Enterococcus and Weissella, the dominant gut bacterial species in silkworms reared on artificial diets, decreased, whereas the abundance of Achromobacter and Rhodococcus increased. Dietary transition at different times, including the third or fifth instar larval stages, resulted in significant differences in the growth and development, immune resistance, and silk production capacity of silkworms. These changes might have been associated with the rapid adaptation of the intestinal microbiota of silkworms to dietary transition. This study preliminarily established a dietary transition–gut microbial model in silkworms based on the conversion from artificial diets to mulberry leaves, thus providing an important reference for future studies on the mechanisms through which habitual dietary changes affect host physiology through the gut microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides an overview of the field of epigenetics and its applications in horticulture. It explains that epigenetics refers to heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the DNA sequence. The document discusses various studies on epigenetic mechanisms in horticultural plants, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs. It also explores breeding applications in horticulture, emphasizing the importance of understanding plant adaptation, genetic regulation, and stress responses for crop improvement. The research presented in this document offers valuable insights into plant epigenetics and its potential for enhancing crop resilience, yield, and quality. Additionally, the document summarizes a collection of research articles on plant epigenetics and horticultural science, covering topics such as the effects of cultivation methods on mulberry fruits, gene regulatory networks in walnuts, and gene expression in nitrogen metabolism pathways in potatoes. The research highlights the connection between genetic understanding and practical breeding applications, offering innovative approaches for developing superior horticultural varieties. The document concludes by emphasizing the importance of integrating epigenetic understanding and breeding techniques to revolutionize horticultural practices and crop improvement strategies. [Extracted from the article]

As one of the common mulberry tree species, Morus notabilis C. K. Schneid plays a significant role in various industries such as silkworm rearing, papermaking, and medicine due to its valuable mulberry leaves, fruits, and wood. This study utilizes the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model to predict the potential distribution of M. notabilis in China under future environmental changes. By integrating the relative percentage contribution score of environmental factors with jackknife test analysis, important variables influencing the distribution of M. notabilis were identified along with their optimal values. The results indicate that Annual Precipitation (bio12), Precipitation of Driest Month (bio14), Min Temperature of Coldest Month (bio6), Temperature Annual Range (bio5–bio6) (bio7), Precipitation of Warmest Quarter (bio18), and Precipitation of Coldest Quarter (bio19) are the primary environmental variables affecting its potential distribution. Currently, M. notabilis exhibits high suitability over an area spanning 11,568 km2, while medium suitability covers 34,244 km2. Both current and future suitable areas for M. notabilis are predominantly concentrated in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou provinces, as well as Chongqing city in southwest China. Under the SSP5-8.5 scenario representing high greenhouse gas concentrations by 2050s and 2090s, there is an increase in high suitability area by 2952 km2 and 3440 km2, with growth rates reaching 25.52% and 29.74%, respectively. Notably, these two scenarios exhibit substantial expansion in suitable habitats for this species compared to others analyzed within this study period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, changes in volatile compounds co-fermented by different Pichia kluyveri with Saccharomyces cerevisiae were analyzed using GC-IMS and compared with S. cerevisiae fermentation, to investigate the production of aroma in mulberry wine during the fermentation process. A total of 61 compounds were accurately identified, including 21 esters, 10 alcohols, 8 aldehydes, 6 ketones, and 19 other volatiles. Compared with the single strain fermentation (S. cerevisiae), the content of 2-methylpropyl acetate, allyl Isothiocyanate, ethyl crotonate, isobutyl propanoate, and butyl 2-methylbutanoate, co-fermentation groups (S. cerevisiae with different P. kluyveri) showed a significant decrease. Alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and organic acid were lower in both the F(S-P1) and F(S-P2) groups than in the F(S) group throughout fermentation. The 2-methylpentanoic acid only was contained in the F(S) group. The co-fermentation with different P. kluyveri could also be well distinguished. The content of Benzaldehyde and 4-methylphenol in the F(S-P1) group was significantly lower than that in the F(S-P2) group. The PCA results revealed effective differentiation of mulberry wine fermented by different fermentation strains from GC-IMS. The result showed that P. kluyveri could establish a new flavor system for mulberry wine, which plays a crucial role in enhancing the flavor of fruit wine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic product accumulation exhibited variations among mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves (MLs) at distinct growth stages, and this assessment was conducted using a combination of analytical techniques including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Multivariate analysis was applied to the data, and the findings were correlated with antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects in vitro. Statistical analyses divided the 27 batches of MLs at different growth stages into three distinct groups. In vitro assays for antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibition revealed that IC50 values were highest at the Y23 stage, which corresponds to the 'Frost Descends' solar term. In summary, the results of this study indicate that MLs at different growth stages throughout the year can be categorized into three primary growth stages using traditional Chinese solar terms as reference points, based on the observed variations in metabolite content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Edible trees and shrubs have been evaluated to improve animal nutrition and mitigate the emission of greenhouse gasses from ruminants. In the present study, researchers visited some farmers and identified eight potentially edible Brazilian trees. Nutritional value and gas (and methane) production from these edible trees were evaluated. The leaves of Aroeira, Candeia, and Jatobá had limited nutritional value. Samples of Santa Bárbara trees, Mulberry, and Tithonia showed an improved nutritional value. Furthermore, Tithonia decreased methane emissions and is a potentially edible tree for multifunctional redesigned ruminant production systems. The present study aims to evaluate the nutritional value of different tree and shrub leaves in Brazilian ruminant production systems. Eight potentially edible trees and shrubs were identified from interviews with 30 ruminant producers: Aroeira (ARO; Lithraea molleoides), Black Mulberry (BMU; Morus nigra), Candeia (CAN; Eremanthus erythropappus), Jatobá (JAT; Hymenaea courbaril), Gliricídia (GLI; Gliricidia sepium), Santa Bárbara tree (SBT; Mélia azedarach), Tithonia (TIT; Tithonia diversifolia), and White Mulberry (WMU; Morus alba). Four leaf samples of each edible tree were sampled, and chemical analyses and in vitro assays were performed. Edible trees (except CAN and JAT) had lower neutral detergent fiber content than Mombasa grass. In addition, SBT, BMU, WMU, and TIT had lower fiber content than the other evaluated edible trees. Consequently, SBT, TIT, BMU, and WMU had improved dry matter degradation. Among the edible trees and shrubs, SMW and WMU increased the potential for gas production (a parameter). On the other hand, CAN decreased the estimated gas production 48 h after incubation. Furthermore, TIT decreased methane production up to 24 h after in vitro fermentation. Thus, except ARO, CAN, and JAT, the edible trees evaluated in the present study are potential feeds in moderate- to high-producing animals. Additionally, TIT fermentation reduces in vitro methane production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mulberry plants (Morus alba) have leaf shapes, ranging from unlobed to lobed, which are crucial for yield, growth, and adaptability, indicating their ability to adapt to their environment. Competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) constitute a web of RNAs within the organism's transcriptional regulatory system, including protein-coding genes (mRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and others. In this study, samples for ceRNA sequencing were categorized into two groups: whole leaves and lobed leaves, each group with three replicates. In addition, we isolated, cloned, and characterized the precursor miRNA (miR156x) from the leaves of M. alba. miR156x precursor had a length of 107 base pairs and a minimum folding free energy of 50.27 kcal/mol. We constructed a pCAMBIA-35S-GUS-miR156x dual overexpression vector and established a transient transformation system for mulberry. At an optimal transformation solution (OD600 = 0.7), the GUS gene showed a higher expression in the leaves of transiently transformed mulberry with miR156x overexpression, four days after transformation, while the target genes of miR156x had decreased expression in the same leaves. Investigations into the transgenic mulberry plants uncovered various modifications to physio-chemical parameters including POD, SOD, PRO, MDA, soluble proteins and sugars, and chlorophyl content. miRNAs in the plants were found to act as negative regulators of gene expression in response to changes in leaf shape regulation, which was confirmed in vitro using dual-luciferase reporter assays. Subsequently, we cloned Maspl3 in vitro and conducted GST-Pull down assays, obtaining multiple proteins that interacted with the Maspl3 gene. This indicates that the miR156x/Maspl3/MSTRG.25812.1 regulatory module contributes to the differences in mulberry leaf shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mulberry fruits are rich in bioactive components renowned for their antioxidant properties and potential health benefits. This study thoroughly investigated the impact of cultivation modes on the phenological stages, yield, bioactive components, and antioxidant activity of two mulberry cultivars, Yueshen Dashi (YS-DS) and Xinjiang Baisang (XJ-BS). Notably, greenhouse cultivation led to earlier phenology and shorter fruit development maturation durations compared to field cultivation. Despite a decrease in fruit production and firmness, the greenhouse-grown mulberries exhibited higher individual fruit fresh weight. The content of bioactive components, encompassing anthocyanins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C, and of antioxidant activity (measured in the FRAP and DPPH radical scavenging assays) was found to be lower in the greenhouse-grown mulberries than in those cultivated in the field. The contents of total polyphenols and flavonoids showed robust positive correlations in the FRAP and DPPH radical scavenging assays, which suggests that the antioxidant activity of mulberry fruit might be primarily attributable to the bioactive components of total polyphenols and flavonoids. Interestingly, the sugar content and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (HRSA) displayed an inverse relationship between the two cultivars in the greenhouse versus field conditions. The multivariate analysis highlighted distinct patterns for different cultivars under varying cultivation modes. This study underscores the potential to enhance bioactive components and antioxidant activity through effective manipulation of climate conditions, thereby unlocking the full nutritional potential of mulberry fruits on a large scale in greenhouse environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the initial stages of restoring rocky desertification, the proliferation of nutrients strongly influences plant survival. The carbon–nitrogen doctrine in plants argues that a lower leaf carbon–nitrogen (C:N) ratio enhances the growth of plant nutrients. However, the mechanisms by which inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can influence plants during the restoration of rocky desertification are not thoroughly understood. This study used mulberry as a suitable example of a mycorrhizal plant in desertification areas to examine changes in growth, leaf carbon, nitrogen accumulation, and the carbon–nitrogen ratio post inoculation using AMF. The correlation between leaf carbon–nitrogen ratio and root morphology following AMF inoculation was also examined. The results demonstrated that inoculating mulberry with the dominant strains Funneliformis mosseae (Fm) and Rhizophagus intraradices (Ri) not only enhanced above-ground growth and improved carbon and nitrogen nutrient absorption but also had a more pronounced effect on leaf nitrogen accumulation than on carbon accumulation, resulting in a potential decrease in the leaf C:N ratio by 42.13%. It also significantly improved root morphology by exponentially increasing the number of connections and crossings by 120.5% and 109.8%, respectively. Further analysis revealed a negative correlation between leaf C:N ratio and root morphology, as well as between root length and the number of connections. Plants with more developed root systems exhibited greater competitiveness for nitrogen, resulting in a lower leaf C:N ratio. This study suggests that the inoculation of AMF could enhance leaf nitrogen accumulation and reduce the leaf C:N ratio by expanding the spatial absorption range of the root through positive changes in root morphology, thereby promoting plant nutrient growth. This study forms a fundamental scientific basis for the successful management of desertification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper mulberry is a commonly found tree species with a long history of cultivation. It also serves as a crucial case study for understanding how woody plants adapt to low temperatures. Under cold treatment, we observed a substantial number of alternative splicing (AS) genes, showcasing the intricate landscape of AS events. We have detected all seven types of AS events, with the alternative 3′ splice site (A3) having the most. We observed that many genes that underwent differential AS were significantly enriched in starch and sucrose metabolism and circadian rhythm pathways. Moreover, a considerable proportion of differentially spliced genes (DSGs) also showed differential expression, with 20.38% and 25.65% under 12 h and 24 h cold treatments, respectively. This suggests a coordinated regulation between gene AS and expression, playing a pivotal role in the paper mulberry's adaptation to cold stress. We further investigated the regulatory mechanisms of AS, identifying 41 serine/arginine-rich (SR) splicing factors, among which 11 showed differential expression under cold treatment, while 29 underwent alternative splicing. Additionally, genes undergoing AS displayed significantly higher DNA methylation levels under cold stress, while normal splicing (non-AS) genes exhibited relatively lower methylation levels. These findings suggest that methylation may play an important role in governing gene AS. Finally, our research will provide useful information on the role of AS in the cold acclimation tolerance of the paper mulberry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of adding probiotics, prebiotics, and different types of jelly agents on a few key quality attributes of potentially functional mulberry jellies throughout a 10-day storage period at 4 °C. Mullbery juice was separately fermented at 37 °C for 24 h using Lactiplantibacillus plantarum O21; it was a favorable matrix for the proliferation of probiotics. Lactic acid fermentation positively affected the total anthocyanin concentration of investigated products. Also, antioxidant capacities of mulberry juices were improved by L. plantarum O21 fermentation. The results showed that the applied prebiotic–inulin addition and agar–agar addition, as a gelling agent in recipes of potentially functional mulberry jellies, were proved to be beneficial technological solutions, both in fresh and stored products, and obtained an appropriate, high number of LAB bacteria, good sensory quality, and beneficial antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this study, we ask whether the invasive paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) has a competitive advantage over neighbor trees in a native area. We determined the competitive capacity of paper mulberry in three deciduous broad-leaved forests using structural indices including the mixing index, the tree–tree interval index, and the diameter/height differentiation index. It was found that the reference paper mulberry had a slight competitive advantage over neighboring trees in both the horizontal and vertical planes. Such a competitive ability may play a significant role in the ecological invasion of paper mulberry. Our findings not only help to reveal the invasion mechanism of paper mulberry, but also provide an important reference for the management and utilization of paper mulberry in invaded areas. Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) is currently an invasive species on several continents. However, little is known about whether paper mulberry has a competitive advantage over its surrounding trees in its native distribution range, subtropical regions of China. Here, we determined the relative intraspecific and interspecific competitive capacity of paper mulberry in three subtropical deciduous broad-leaved forests using the indices of structural diversity including the mixing index, the tree–tree interval index, and the diameter/height differentiation index. It was found that more than 80% of mingling index values were not greater than 0.25, suggesting a stronger competitiveness of paper mulberry relative to other tree species. The tree–tree interval index values ranged between 1 m and 2 m, suggesting a strong competition between paper mulberry and its neighbors. Moreover, more than 60% of the height differentiation index and diameter differentiation index values were positive, suggesting that the reference paper mulberry had a slight competitive advantage over neighboring trees in both the horizontal and vertical planes. These collectively suggest a competitive advantage over other tree species in the native distribution range, which may play a significant role in the ecological invasion of paper mulberry. Our findings not only help to reveal the invasion mechanism of paper mulberry, but also provide an important reference for the management and utilization of paper mulberry in invaded areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]