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Cyanobacteria can form complex interactions with heterotrophic microorganisms, but this relationship is susceptible to nutrient concentrations. Disentangling the cyanobacteria–bacteria interactions in relation to nutrient supply is essential to understanding their roles in geochemical cycles under global change. We hypothesize that enhanced nutrient supply in oligotrophic oceans can promote interactions among cyanobacteria and bacteria. Therefore, we investigated the planktonic bacteria and their interactions with cyanobacteria in relation to elevated nutrients caused by enhanced upwelling around a shallow and a deep seamount in the tropical western Pacific Ocean. We found obviously higher complexity of network occurred with significantly more cyanobacteria in the deep chlorophyll maximum layer of the shallow seamount when compared with that of the deep seamount. Cyanobacteria can shape bacterial interaction and community evenness in response to relatively high nutrient concentrations. The effects of the nutrients on cyanobacteria-related networks were further estimated based on the Tara Oceans data. Statistical analyses further showed a facilitative effect of nitrate concentrations on cyanobacteria–bacteria mutualistic interactions in the global oligotrophic ocean. By analysing the Tara Ocean macrogenomic data, we detected functional genes related to cyanobacteria–bacteria interactions in all samples, indicating the existence of a mutualistic relationship. Our results reveal cyanobacteria–bacteria interaction in response to nutrient elevation in oligotrophic ocean and highlight the potentially negative effects of global change on the bacterial community from the view of the bio-interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of subglacial abrasion in sustaining subglacial microbiomes is an area of growing interest. It is likely that subglacial abrasion produces a range of bioutilisable compounds, some released from fluid inclusions in the confines of the mineral matrix and some produced via the surface free radicals that crushing produces in a variety of different minerals. As yet, the geochemical reactions which are initiated by abrasion remain poorly understood. This is largely because of the multiple potential sources and sinks of free radicals that occur in even the most simple of multi-mineralic system during crushing and subsequent wetting of the mixture. We illustrate this assertion by conducting a series of laboratory experiments where common, "simple" silicate minerals, such as quartz and feldspar, are abraded and incubated with ultra-pure water. Gaseous reaction products included CH4, H2 and CO2. The concentrations of major ions (including Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+), dissolved silicate, dissolved iron and pH of the solution during incubation are reported. These results were used to calculate HCO3- in solution and the saturation index with respect to various minerals using PHREEQCi. We found that abrasion of silicates produces bio-available gases and has the potential to increase the concentration of various weathering products in solution. Further, we found that even trace amounts of carbonates, an impurity in many natural rocks and minerals, may significantly affect the reaction products, making it challenging to concretize the reactions taking place. These results highlight the importance of conducting abrasion experiments utilising natural samples to better understand how apparently negligeable changes in mineralogy might affect the reaction products of abrasion and crushing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging is a complex process and a significant risk factor for chronic diseases. Menopause, a component of aging in women, is associated with several important cardiometabolic conditions including metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular diseases. Menopausal women could benefit from preventative strategies that may decrease morbidity and mortality and improve their quality of life. Vitamins D and K are essential nutrients required for bone health, immune function, and reducing cardiovascular risks, yet their synergistic effect is less understood in aging women. This is the first comprehensive review to summarize the evidence found in randomized clinical trials of the beneficial effects of vitamin D and K co-treatment in postmenopausal women. In our literature search across key electronic databases such as Cochrane, PubMed, and Ovid, we identified 31 pertinent studies. Overall, significant findings indicate that the combined intake of vitamins D and K may positively affect cardiovascular and bone health in postmenopausal women, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fermented dairy products. Given the challenges in obtaining all necessary nutrients solely through the diet, vitamin D and K supplements are recommended for postmenopausal women to promote healthy aging and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite decades of messaging, most Americans still consume excess fats and sugars, but inadequate fiber, potassium, and calcium. Nutrient-rich foods (NRFs) have a high density of favorable nutrients related to calories. Choosing NRFs could lower risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases and aid in their control. We hypothesized that having greater knowledge of NRFs, the presence of a nutrition-related chronic disease or risk factor, and positive Health Belief Model (HBM) views would be predictive of the likelihood of eating NRFs. Through a national online survey panel, 976 adults aged 18–80 completed demographic, health, NRF knowledge, attitudes, and HBM construct questions. Participants were 77% White, 52% women, and 55% had a nutrition-related disease or risk factor. Multivariable HBM scales were generated by theory, principal components, and reliability analysis. NRF knowledge was significantly higher for women, Whites, households without children, and persons without a nutrition-related disease (all p ≤ 0.015). 'Likelihood of eating NRFs' was significantly higher for persons with a nutrition-related disease, Whites, married participants, main food shoppers, and households with children (all p ≤ 0.022). Regressing demographic and HBM constructs on the 'likelihood of eating NRFs' resulted in R2 of 0.435. Nutrition-related disease and HBM constructs of self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and cues to action were predictive of the likelihood of eating NRFs, but higher NRF knowledge was negatively associated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to comprehensively assess the relationship of specific dietary patterns and various nutrients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its progression. Methods: The observational study data were from the NHANES 2005–2020. We calculated four dietary pattern scores (healthy eating index 2020 (HEI-2020), dietary inflammatory index (DII), alternative mediterranean diet (aMed), and dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH)) and the intakes of various nutrients and defined CKD, CKD—very high risk, and kidney dialysis. Associations between dietary patterns and nutrients and disease were assessed by means of two logistic regression models. Two-sample MR was performed with various food and nutrients as the exposure and CKD, kidney dialysis as the outcome. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to verify the reliability of the results. Results: A total of 25,167 participants were included in the analyses, of whom 4161 had CKD. HEI-2020, aMed, and DASH were significantly negatively associated with CKD and CKD—very high risk at higher quartiles, while DII was significantly positively associated. A higher intake of vitamins and minerals may reduce the incidence and progression of CKD to varying degrees. The MR results, corrected for false discovery rates, showed that a higher sodium intake was associated with a higher prevalence of CKD (OR: 3.91, 95%CI: 2.55, 5.99). Conclusions: Adhering to the three dietary patterns of HEI-2020, aMed, and DASH and supplementing with vitamins and minerals benefits kidney health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imbalanced dietary intake is associated with the development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and is often observed during the active phases of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Cumulative data also suggest the potential for dietary manipulation in avoiding IBD relapse. However, there is a paucity of dietary data from patients in clinical remission to guide such an approach. Our study aimed to characterize the dietary pattern and adequacy of patients with IBD in clinical remission. Data on dietary intake (three alternate 24 h food records) were collected from 40 patients with IBD (20 CD and 20 UC) and 45 gender-matched healthy controls (HC). Statistical comparisons between patients and controls employed Student's t-test, Mann–Whitney U, chi-squared, and Fisher's exact tests. The adequacy of dietary intake of IBD patients was further studied by assessing the nutrient inadequacy prevalence, estimated using the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) framework and the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) parameter. We observed significant dietary imbalances among patients with IBD compared to the HC group, marked by disparities in both macronutrient and micronutrient intakes. Inadequacies with frequencies >80% were observed for the ingestion of total fiber and 13 micronutrients in IBD patients. Our preliminary findings suggest that imbalanced dietary intake is also characteristic among individuals with IBD during clinical remission, corroborating the need for dietary interventions in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrients, including polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamins, etc., are the fundamental substances for maintaining critical physiological functions in the body, such as energy metabolism, growth and development, and immune regulation. However, the absorption and digestion of various exogenous nutrients are often affected by environmental factors like pH, temperature, and microorganisms, which always result in an extremely low bioactivity and bioavailability of the nutrients. Due to their diverse gelling agents and preparation processes, food gels possess significant flexibility. To cope with the complex digestive environment of the body, various gel systems that have been selectively designed would be of positive significance for the targeted release and stability maintenance of nutrients. However, although numerous research results have been achieved in applying food gel for nutrient delivery, a comprehensive and systematic summary focused on this field is still deficient. In the present paper, research relating to delivering nutrients with food gels has been reviewed domestically and internationally, and we mainly focus on the features and delivery mechanisms when the various types of gels were employed in constructing the nutrient delivery system. Based on this, the potential of a gel delivery system for nutrient delivery was envisioned, which would contribute to offering some insights and inspiration for the targeted design and development of functional food gels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit splitting is a prevalent physiological disorder that has a significant impact on Daisy mandarin fruit production, posing challenges to farmers in terms of productivity and economic viability. Despite its impact, no prior research on fruit splitting in Daisy mandarin has been conducted. This study aimed to assess the effect of fruit splitting on quality, morphological characteristics, biochemical composition and nutrient content in Daisy mandarin. In 2022, a comprehensive analysis was conducted on both split and healthy Daisy mandarin fruits, budded on Rough lemon rootstock, to investigate their morphological characteristics, biochemical characteristics, mineral content and cell wall components. Additionally, the study examined the activity of cell wall-degrading enzymes, such as peroxidase (POD), cellulase (Cx) and polygalacturonase (PG). The Results indicated that split fruits exhibited larger fruit size and weight and increased water content in both the fruits and peel compared to healthy fruits. However, split fruits had thinner peel thickness and lower peel content. The peels of split fruits also contained higher level of total soluble sugars, amino acids, and proline content. Furthermore, the peels of split fruits displayed much higher activity of cell wall-degrading enzymes than those of healthy fruits. The nutrient analysis of the split fruits revealed a decrease in boron, calcium and potassium content in the peel compared to healthy fruits. The study provides crucial insights into the mechanisms underlying fruit splitting, identifying biochemical and physiological differences between split and healthy fruits. These findings offer valuable information for developing strategies to mitigate fruit splitting, enhancing fruit quality and reducing economic losses for citrus growers. Future research should explore the genetic and environmental factors contributing to fruit splitting and investigate potential interventions to improve nutrient management and fruit integrity in Daisy mandarin cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sesame is an important oilseed crop that provides invaluable nutrients in food products. Due to the fact that it is neglected, little is known on how sprouting days affect its nutritional quality. This study aimed to determine the effect of sprouting durations on the nutritional composition of two sesame varieties grown in Ghana. The experimental design was a 2x5 factorial design in Completely Randomized Design with three replications. Factor one was sesame varieties at two levels (Grey and Brown) and factor two was sprouting durations at five levels (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 day). The study revealed that highest carbohydrate (30.64%), protein (35.77%) and moisture (87.79%) contents were produced by the grey variety which was sprouted for 8 durations. Moreover, the best crude fibre (25.88%) content was produced by the brown variety which was not sprouted, whiles highest fat content was produced by the grey variety which was sprouted for 2 durations. Highest calcium (2.37mg/kg), phosphorus (1.49mg/kg) and potassium (1.39mg/kg) content was produced by the grey variety which was sprouted for 8 durations whiles highest magnesium content (0.79mg/kg) was produced by the brown variety which was sprouted for 2 durations. Sprouting durations and the varieties did not significantly influence sodium content of sprouted seeds. Highest nutrients from sesame seeds can be obtained by sprouting the grey variety for 8 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents research on the development and optimization of technology for producing powdered dairy products from mare's milk using the freeze-drying method. The main objective of the study was to determine the optimal freeze-drying conditions to preserve the nutritional and biologically active components of the milk. The experiments included a detailed analysis of the physicochemical properties of mare's milk, including protein, fat, lactose, and mineral salt content. Various freeze-drying temperature regimes were studied to determine their impact on the yield and quality of the powdered milk. The results showed that the optimal drying temperature is approximately 35°C, at which maximum powdered milk yield is achieved with minimal nutrient loss. The powdered milk yield was 67.14 grams from 600 grams of liquid milk. The obtained data were compared with existing literature, confirming the effectiveness of the selected method. The article also discusses the technological parameters of freeze-drying and their impact on the quality of the final product. Based on the results, recommendations for optimizing the process of freeze-drying mare's milk were developed. Further research will focus on improving technological processes and increasing the yield of the finished product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aim was to optimise the C/N ratio, improve the compost quality, reduce pathogenic bacteria load in the compost, and improve guava yield. Vegetable wastes were mixed with cow dung, grasses, and food wastes in ratios of 4:3:2:1 (w/w) for achieving a C/N ratio of approximately 37. Cocomposting is an important strategy because the mixture of bulking agents can help achieve optimal composting conditions. Experimental results were obtained from a pilot-scale rotary drum reactor with forced aeration. In the reactor, the temperature increased during the thermophilic phase (58±2 °C) and decreased after 10 days (54±2 °C). The pH values moderately increased, then decreased, and were near to neutral after maturation. The results indicated that co-composting of bio-wastes at a C/N ratio of 37.6%±1.02% could be effectively decomposed to reduce the residuals to just 13.6%±1.05% after 28 days. The microbial population increased in both mesophilic and thermophilic stages and decreased at the end of the composting, reflecting stability. The stable compost was applied to the growth of guava plant, and the yield was calculated. The organic compost improved plant growth, fruit yield, and enriched phytochemical compounds in the fruit and peels. The phytochemical compounds improved antioxidant activity in the guava fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minor millets regarded as storehouse of proteins, dietary fibres, minerals, vitamins, fatty acids and phytochemicals have nutrigenomic role in human health. Determination of such components is an essential approach to choose highly efficient millet grains. Hence, this study has estimated and compared the mineral composition, proximates, functional properties, phytochemical and in vitro pharmacological properties of the seed grains of Setaria italica (Foxtail millet), Echinochloa frumentacea (Barnyard millet) , Paspalum scrobiculatum (Kodo millet) , and Panicum sumatrense (Little millet) cultivated in Kolli hills of Tamil Nadu, India. Mineral analysis revealed the presence of calcium, copper, magnesium, manganese, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. Occurrence of high content of protein, carbohydrate and vitamin E were also ascertained. The proximate composition (moisture, ash, crude lipid, and crude fibre) and functional features (water and oil absorbing capacity, bulk density, foaming and emulsifying property) of these millet flours have demonstrated their potential in food product formulation, particularly weaning foods. Total phenolic content was ranged between 53.28±0.71 and 110.42 ± 1.42 mg GAE g−1 of dried extract; and total flavonoid content was in the range of 23.80±1.09 to 65.1 ± 1.23 mg QE g−1 of dried extract in the studied millets. Significant free radical scavenging and enzyme inhibition activity was observed in P. sumatrense (IC 50 of 128.92±1.18 µg mL−1 in DPPH assay), E. frumentacea (IC 50 of 120.89±1.46 µg mL−1 in ABTS assay and 126.52±0.78 µg mL−1 in tyrosinase inhibition assay), S. italica (IC 50 of 119.94±1.40 µg mL−1 in SO radical scavenging assay) and P. scrobiculatum (IC 50 of 101.59±1.27 µg mL−1 in α-amylase enzyme inhibition assay and 94.63±0.78 µg mL−1 in α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition assay). The findings highlight the nutraceutical ability of these minor millets which can be employed as a valuable ingredient in food product preparation. [Display omitted] • Four minor millets cultivated by the tribal communities were studied for nutritional and pharmacological profiling. • Nutritional analysis revealed all the studied millets recorded the presence of minerals. • Significant free radical scavenging and enzyme inhibition activity was observed in P. sumatrense. • P. scrobiculatum was recorded with notable α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition effect. • The recorded phytochemicals were highly correlated with antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A low FODMAP diet (LFD) is an established dietary treatment for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, knowledge on the extended effects of the restriction phase regarding nutrient intake, symptom severity, and quality of life (QoL) is sparse. Therefore, our objectives were to evaluate the safety of a dietitian‐led 12‐week strict LFD on measures of blood biochemistry, nutritional status, symptom severity, and QoL. Methods: In this open‐label dietitian‐led 12‐week strict LFD intervention for IBS patients with predominantly diarrhea or mixed stool pattern (IBS‐D/−M), we collected data on diet intake (3‐day dietary record), overnight fasting routine blood samples, body weight, IBS symptoms (IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS‐SSS)), and IBS‐related QoL (IBS‐QoL) at baseline and after 12 weeks. Key Results: Thirty‐six participants completed the 12‐week follow‐up (mean age: 37 years, 67% women, IBS‐SSS: 242 (101)). All blood parameters measured were within established reference values at both time points. We found no change in intake of macro‐ or micronutrients, but several micronutrients were below the recommendations both before and after 12 weeks. BMI slightly decreased, primarily driven by participants with BMI >25 (p < 0.005). QoL improved among most subdomains (p ≤ 0.002), except food avoidance and social reaction. Conclusion: An extended dietitian‐guided LFD (12 weeks) is not inferior to the participants' baseline diet, since no clinically meaningful changes in nutritionally related blood samples and no changes in macro‐ or micronutrient intake were observed. However, the intake of several nutrients was below the recommendations at both time points indicating low diet quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute respiratory infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. Dietary and nutritional interventions, including minerals and vitamin supplementation, have been explored as potential treatments for these infections. However, the evidence on their efficacy is limited and inconclusive. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aim to provide a comprehensive summary of the available evidence on the effectiveness of dietary and nutritional interventions for treating acute respiratory tract infections in children. A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines in April 2022 and updated in April 2023. Clinical trials focusing on dietary or nutritional interventions, including supplementations, in children with acute respiratory tract infections were included. The selection of interventions and outcomes was based on biological plausibility. Data were extracted using a standardized form, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Meta‐analysis was performed using random‐effect models. A total of 50 studies were included in the review. Four trials were conducted in low, 32 in lower‐middle, 12 in upper‐middle, and only two in high‐income countries. The studies evaluated various dietary interventions, including zinc, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, and probiotics. The results of individual studies on the efficacy of these interventions were mixed, with some showing positive effects on clinical outcomes such as duration of symptoms, while others showed no significant impact. Meta‐analysis was conducted for zinc supplementation in children with pneumonia, and the pooled results suggested a potential limited benefit in terms of reduced hospital length of stay but not time to recovery. Meta‐analyses on vitamin D did not show any effect in children with pneumonia. This systematic review fills a critical gap in the literature by synthesizing the available evidence on the efficacy and safety of nutritional or dietary interventions for acute respiratory tract infections in children. The findings indicate no dietary or nutritional intervention can currently be recommended for the routine treatment of respiratory tract infections in children based on single supplement studies. The metanalysis suggests that zinc supplementation might have a beneficial effect on length of hospitalization in children with pneumonia. New studies are needed to establish more conclusive evidence for pediatric acute respiratory diseases especially for children living in a context of high‐income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Browntop millet has gained popularity in recent years owing to its nutritional superiority and health benefits. However, the usage of browntop millet flours as ingredients in composite flours and functional foods is constrained due to a lack of information regarding the grain composition and its flour functionality. Therefore, the distribution of nutrients, anti‐nutrients in browntop millet milled fractions and their flour functionality was evaluated in comparison to whole grain flour. RESULTS: Bran fraction comprised the highest protein (13.7%) and fat contents (27%) among other fractions. Pearling of dehulled grains considerably reduced phytic acid, saponins and flatulence‐causing oligosaccharides in pearled grain flours. Besides, this led to the enrichment of soluble fibre, minerals, phenolics and trypsin inhibitors in bran fraction. Milling also impacted flour functionality. Despite its lower water holding ability, dehulled grain flour exhibited significantly higher oil absorption capacity than whole grain flour due to the removal of fibre‐rich hull fraction. Although emulsion (45.2%) and foaming capacities (12.5%) were superior in bran flour, foam stability was greater in pearled grain flours. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the potential utilisation of browntop millet milled flours as ingredients in the development of distinct food formulations and as partial substitutes to wheat flour in confectionary and bakery products. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regulation of the circadian clock plays an important role in influencing physiological conditions. While it is reported that the timing and quantity of energy intake impact circadian regulation, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the impact of dietary protein intake on peripheral clocks. Firstly, transcriptomic analysis was conducted to investigate molecular targets of low-protein intake. Secondly, mPer2::Luc knock-in mice, fed with either a low-protein, normal, or high-protein diet for 6 weeks, were analyzed for the oscillation of PER2 expression in peripheral tissues and for the expression profiles of circadian and metabolic genes. Lastly, the candidate pathway identified by the in vivo analysis was validated using AML12 cells. As a result, using transcriptomic analysis, we found that the low-protein diet hardly altered the circadian rhythm in the central clock. In animal experiments, expression levels and period lengths of PER2 were different in peripheral tissues depending on dietary protein intake; moreover, mRNA levels of clock-controlled genes and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress genes were affected by dietary protein intake. Induction of ER stress in AML12 cells caused an increased amplitude of Clock and Bmal1 and an advanced peak phase of Per2. This result shows that the intake of different dietary protein ratios causes an alteration of the circadian rhythm, especially in the peripheral clock of mice. Dietary protein intake modifies the oscillation of ER stress genes, which may play key roles in the regulation of the circadian clock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical mangroves are subjected to extreme environmental conditions yet remain highly productive ecosystems. The Mandovi and Zuari estuaries of Goa on the western coast of India are lined by mangroves and are a rich source of fisheries that supports the coastal livelihood. Despite their ecological and economic significance, the nutrient and organic matter dynamics in tropical mangrove ecosystems remain poorly studied. The hydrographic conditions in the mangrove and adjacent estuarine waters are dictated by monsoonal precipitation, freshwater input, tides, and influx of seawater, resulting in subsequent changes in their physicochemical parameters and organic matter concentrations. The impact of these changes on the phytoplankton biomass and primary productivity in estuarine waters was investigated during the pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Dissolved inorganic nutrients, such as nitrite, nitrate, ammonia, phosphate and silicate, displayed wide seasonal variability and were higher during the low tide than those in high tide. Isotopic and elemental ratios of carbon and nitrogen revealed that primary productivity in the estuaries was enhanced by the outwelling of mangrove-derived organic matter. The highest chlorophyll a and primary productivity were observed during the pre-monsoon season, with Zuari exhibiting higher levels compared with Mandovi. Multivariate statistical analyses confirmed that primary productivity was influenced mainly by temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and organic matter. Results from our study emphasizes the role of outwelling of organic matter from mangroves and their influence on primary productivity in adjacent estuarine waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feed residues and fish waste from floating net cage activities in Kedung Ombo Reservoir are the main issues in decreasing water quality, impacting the abundance of phytoplankton as primary producers. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of nutrients and turbidity with phytoplankton abundance. This study used a field survey method with a purposive sampling technique. Samples were collected 3 times at intervals of 1 month at 3 different stations. Samples of water and phytoplankton were taken on the surface. Data analysis using multiple linear regression. The results showed that the nitrate concentration was 0.2–0.7 mg/L; phosphate 0.1–0.87 mg/L; and turbidity of 3.52–20.18 NTU. The phytoplankton abundance was 17,882–90,280 cells/L with a low diversity index (1.127–1.849), a high uniformity index (0.406–0.701), and a low dominance index (0.243–0.557). There is a strong correlation between nutrients, turbidity, and phytoplankton abundance, with a value of r = 0.800. The coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.640 indicates that phytoplankton abundance is influenced by nutrients and turbidity by 64%, while other factors influence the remaining 36%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is exposing subarctic ecosystems to higher temperatures, increased nutrient availability, and increasing cloud cover. In this study, we assessed how these factors affect the fluxes of greenhouse gases (GHGs) (i.e., methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2)), and biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) in a subarctic mesic heath subjected to 34 years of climate change related manipulations of temperature, nutrient availability, and light. GHGs were sampled from static chambers and gases analyzed with gas chromatograph. BVOCs were measured using the push‐pull method and gases analyzed with chromatography–mass spectrometry. The soil temperature and moisture content in the warmed and shaded plots did not differ significantly from that in the controls during GHG and BVOC measurements. Also, the enclosure temperatures during BVOC measurements in the warmed and shaded plots did not differ significantly from temperatures in the controls. Hence, this allowed for assessment of long‐term effects of the climate treatment manipulations without interference of temperature and moisture differences at the time of measurements. Warming enhanced CH4 uptake and the emissions of CO2, N2O, and isoprene. Increased nutrient availability increased the emissions of CO2 and N2O but caused no significant changes in the fluxes of CH4 and BVOCs. Shading (simulating increased cloudiness) enhanced CH4 uptake but caused no significant changes in the fluxes of other gases compared to the controls. The results show that climate warming and increased cloudiness will enhance CH4 sink strength of subarctic mesic heath ecosystems, providing negative climate feedback, while climate warming and enhanced nutrient availability will provide positive climate feedback through increased emissions of CO2 and N2O. Climate warming will also indirectly, through vegetation changes, increase the amount of carbon lost as isoprene from subarctic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the release of NH4-N and PO4-P from polymer-coated fertilisers in the soil environment, and to analyse their impact on pH and conductivity of the soil leachates. In this investigation mineral NPK(S) 6-20-30(7) fertiliser (as a starting material), commercial, controlled-release OsmocoteTM fertiliser (as a reference material) and four polymer-coated fertilisers have been used. Biodegradable polybutylene(succinate-codilinoleate), polyethylene(succinate-co-terepftalate) and chitosan have been used as coating materials. The experiments were conducted in the laboratory conditions, in PVC columns filled with air-dry soil. The nutrients release from the investigated materials was explained based on the diffusion mechanism and it was interpreted with the use of the Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model. Two mechanisms dominate in the release process of nutrients: the mechanism based on quasi-Fickian diffusion and non-Fickian (anomalous case) mechanism. The largest changes of pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of soil leachates occurred in the initial period of research for all tested fertilisers (pH: 9.5-20.3% - loamy sand (S1) 7.9-20.6% - sandy loam (S2); EC: 438-1667% - S1, 771-1509% - S2). The polymer coating significantly reduces the nutrient release from the fertiliser core. The size of these changes depends on the type and thickness of the polymer layer and the physicochemical properties of the soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of probiotics in shrimp farms has expanded as an alternative to antibiotics, improving shrimp health, growth, disease control and water quality. However, the efficacy of probiotics in intensive systems using biofloc remains uncertain. This study investigated bioremediation and biocontrol of commercial probiotics using biofloc, analysing water quality and bacterial groups influencing shrimp performance. Thirteen microbial colonies were observed in the biofloc samples, and their evolutionary history was inferred using the neighbour-joining method. Analysis using MEGA6 software revealed 99.6% similarity between colony 1P1 and Virgibacillus sp. and 99.8% similarity between colony 2P2 and Bacillus kochii. The study analysed the biochemical and amino acid content of shrimp cultured using biofloc technology for 85 days. The study found that biofloc-cultured L. Vannamei flesh had higher levels of moisture (31%), ash (15.2%), protein (34%) and lipid (12.6%). No seasonal variations were observed between biofloc samples in winter and summer seasons. Protein levels were found to be appropriate for shrimp growth in both ex situ and in situ biofloc systems. The average growth rate (kg/m2) of biofloc-cultured shrimp was significantly greater than in normal pond shrimp in both samples. The feed conversion ratio in the biofloc tank was lower than in the usual pond-cultured shrimp, possibly due to lower growth rate, lower feeding frequency (2 times per day) and higher density. The growth of L. vannamei shrimp is influenced by stocking density, with higher stocking density affecting the average weight. The study also examined the growth biochemical and amino acid content of shrimp cultured using biofloc technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jasminum sambac is an excellent ornamental species that is renowned worldwide for its pure white flowers and strong fragrance. However, its intolerance to low temperatures limits its cultivation range. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA), an essential plant growth regulator, plays a significant role in assisting plants to resist various stresses. Hence, this study was carried out to decipher the capabilities of diverse concentrations of MeJA in helping J. sambac to resist cold stress by measuring different physiological indexes. A normal temperature (15 °C/10 °C) and low temperature (7 °C/2 °C) were applied to J. sambac seedlings, and a one-way analysis of variance followed by a Duncan's multiple range test was adopted to compare the differences between the indicators under 5 μmol·L−1, 10 μmol·L−1 and 20 μmol·L−1 of MeJA treatments. The results showed that cold stress significantly decreased the contents of soluble sugar and soluble protein, while the application of MeJA at 10 μmol·L−1 and 20 μmol·L−1 resulted in a partial recovery. In addition, cold stress dramatically hindered the accumulation of total chlorophyll in leaves. Exogenous MeJA elevated the total chlorophyll content during the whole sampling period. The hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels generally increased in response to low temperatures, and they caused adverse effects on J. sambac, whereas this was effectively alleviated through the application of MeJA. MeJA was also able to improve the resistance of J. sambac by boosting the activity of antioxidant enzymes to remove the excess of reactive oxygen species. In conclusion, we highlighted that exogenous MeJA could attenuate the negative consequences of cold stress for J. sambac, and 10 μmol·L−1 of MeJA treatment could be a feasible strategy for enhancing the resistance of J. sambac to low temperatures and promoting its growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The study provides a unique opportunity to assess the impact of tourism pressure on the water quality of lakes. • Physicochemical and microbiological parameters of water during and after COVID-19 lockdown period have done. • The rapid increase in the number of coliforms and E. coli in the first weekend after the lockdown was observed. This study provides a unique opportunity to realistically assess the impact of tourism pressure on the water quality of lakes. A quantitative analysis of the physicochemical and microbiological parameters of water during and after the COVID-19 lockdown period was made. The study covered Sztynorckie Lake located in the Great Masurian Lakes System (GMLS) (northeastern Poland), which is a holiday destination for hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers, and serves as a pillar of the local economy. Significant improvement in the microbiological water quality was observed only during the drastic reduction of human activity due to the pandemic-enforced lockdown. This was confirmed by the results of PCA (X-axis explains 88 % of the variability of the analyzed samples; statistical significance of p <0.05). The rapid increase in the number of coliforms and Escherichia coli (613.1 MPN/100 mL) in the first weekend after the lockdown (June 2020) indicates a point discharge of sewage (including fecal pollution). Illegal discharge of sewage and wastewater is a highly reprehensible offense, and radical legal steps should be taken to prevent it and to protect the water quality. No significant relationship was found between the lockdown and the lake water's physicochemical conditions. In the spring, increased primary production was evidenced by the high concentration of chlorophyll a (52.5 to 70.5 μg/L), suspended particulate matter (20.4 to 21.0 mg/L) and total organic carbon (20.7 to 22.7 mg/L). This is a warning that a nutrient-rich lacustrine ecosystem cannot be restored quickly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to analyze the influence of germination on the chemical composition and concentration of bioactive compounds in oilseeds and starchy seeds. The kinetic study of the germination process revealed a gradual increase in seed moisture content. The protein content of chickpea and lentil seeds decreased with germination time, whereas sunflower and flaxseed showed an increase in protein content. Throughout germination stages, the lipid concentration was significantly higher for sunflower and flaxseed seeds, as these seeds naturally have high levels of this nutrient. The total sugar concentration increased with germination time, possibly due to starch degradation into simple carbohydrates. Regarding bioactive compounds, the phenolic compound content accumulated in plant tissues with germination time, improving the composition of seed secondary metabolites. Conversely, tannin concentration significantly decreased, possibly linked to the elimination of antinutritional factors from the seeds. The germination process demonstrated that as the total phenolic content increased, it directly enhanced the seeds' antioxidant activity. Therefore, germination can be safely applied to nutritionally modulate chickpea, lentil, sunflower, and flaxseed seeds, aiding in the development of natural foods that are nutritionally safe for consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest ecosystems depend on throughfall and stemflow fluxes for both water and nutrient input. Spatial and temporal variability of throughfall and stemflow fluxes are large and differ between tree species. The nutrient fluxes that accompany throughfall and stemflow are affected by climate, precipitation intensity, the seasonality of dry deposition, and canopy exchange processes. The interdependence of these factors makes it challenging to quantify changes in throughfall and stemflow amounts as well as their nutrient content. Here, we provide observation‐based evidence from 3.5 years of data collection with 222 rainfall events, of the seasonal variability of throughfall and stemflow magnitude and ion concentrations under a beech (Fagus silvatica) and spruce (Picea abies) tree. Interception and canopy cover were seasonally variable, average annual interception was 53% below beech, 61% below spruce and 68% below young spruce canopies. Further, we assess seasonality of ionic nutrients such as NH4 and NO3 as well as Mg, Ca and K and their dependence on both dry deposition and canopy exchange. Throughfall and stemflow were enriched compared to precipitation, with large differences between ions and different months. Antecedent precipitation was a main control on throughfall and stemflow enrichment. We developed a conceptual model of the potential drivers of throughfall and stemflow enrichment based on our observations. While NH4 and NO3 enrichment are likely dominated by dry deposition and dew and fog accumulation, Mg, Ca and K were additionally affected by canopy exchange. Observation based studies such as this one are needed to understand precipitation and nutrient partitioning across forests, which enables the prediction of how changes in climate and forest composition will affect local hydrology and nutrient inputs into forest ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most species can be coinfected by multiple pathogens that may interact through shared resources (i.e., resource competition) or the host immune system (i.e., apparent competition). Community theory developed for free‐living organisms suggests that coinfecting pathogens can persist if they satisfy the mutual invasion criterion of coexistence, establishing infections in hosts that are already infected. Furthermore, the likelihood of coexistence may depend on host nutrition which can affect shared resources and host immunity. Here, we apply the novel approach of combining a dynamical model and experimental mutual invasibility trials to explore the effects of host nutrient supply on the coexistence of two viral plant pathogens. We focus on among‐pathogen interactions mediated by shared resources. First, we used a model to generate hypotheses about how nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) supply rates affect the ability of two plant viruses to invade established infections of the other virus. Then, we experimentally manipulated the N and P supplied to oats (Avena sativa) in a growth chamber experiment and tested mutual invasion of two RNA viral pathogens, BYDV‐PAV and CYDV‐RPV. Nutrient supplies ranged from rates that barely kept hosts alive up to high, but sub‐toxic, rates. Model simulations suggested that the viruses were more likely to invade established infections either when they could replicate at lower N and P concentrations or when plant N and P concentrations increased due to a combination of nutrient supply rates and resident virus nutrient use. In the experiment, each virus successfully invaded hosts infected by the other and had consistent growth rates across N and P supply rates. Our results suggest that BYDV‐PAV and CYDV‐RPV can coexist across a wide range environmental nutrient supply, which is consistent with the high levels of co‐occurrence of these two viruses in field populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to control the eutrophication of rivers or lakes by dredging, a large amount of sediment has been generated, making the treatment of dredged sediment a challenging issue. In response to this problem, we have successfully synthesized an innovative composite amendment for reusing dredged sediment, which included Fe-loaded biochar (Fe@BC), clinoptilolite, wheat straw, and 3,4-dimethylepyrazole phosphate (DMPP). Tests for adsorption and characterization showed that Fe@BC and clinoptilolite, as the main components of the amendment, have excellent adsorption performance for orthophosphate (Ortho-P) and ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N)/potassium ions (K+), respectively. The results of column leaching experiment demonstrated that the addition of 4%-5% amendment of the sediment mass could not only significantly reduce the leaching of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), but also effectively slowed down the movement of N, P, and K in the sediment profile. Moreover, the bulk density, moisture retention, and particle size of sediment were simultaneously improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of lignite mining on vegetation constitutes a key issue due to the role of plants in restoring and maintaining the ecological balance of ecosystems. In this context, the identification of its impact on the functioning of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) as a species often colonizing disturbed habitats takes on particular importance. Therefore, we aimed to determine the changes in nutrient content in silver birch overgrowing a spoil heap and in the vicinity of a fly ash settling pond and power plant. For this purpose, plant tissues (fine and coarse roots, stemwood, bark, coarse and fine branches, leaves) and soil samples (0–10, 10–20, 20–40, 20–40 cm deep) were examined. The basic soil characteristics were determined, along with the N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn contents of the soil and plant samples. The soils varied in terms of soil pH and were poor in total organic carbon and other elements. The plant nutrient content varied strongly across the analyzed tissues, with the leaves usually containing the most and the stemwood the least nutrients. Statistical analysis indicated significant differences between the control vs spoil heap (particularly in Mn, S, and Mg) and the stand close to the settling pond (particularly in Ca, Mn, P, K, and S). We found that the chemical properties of the spoil heap and fly ash originating from the lignite mining operations are likely factors influencing nutrient accumulation in silver birch trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Tetraselmis chuii offer several attractive attributes as aquaculture feed. Biomass production of C. vulgaris and T. chuii is relatively expensive because it requires high operation and substrate cost. Use of food industry waste is one of the promising solutions to reduce the substrate cost. In this research the impact of diverse concentration was filtered and centrifuged, food wastewater (FWW) was scrutinized as an alternative intermediate for microalgal bioremediation, lipid yield and cell growth. C. vulgaris had superior lipid accumulation and cell growth at 75% level and T. chuii had enhanced lipid accumulation and cell growth at 75% with the most explicit growth rate (0.27 d− 1) and maximum biomass formation rate (0.1–0.18 gL− 1 d− 1) and lipid content (33.80 ± 0.88% and 35.04 ± 2.05%) respectively. The microalgae cells not only improved with FWW feeding and the level of COD (80.97–66.17%), BOD (81.13–66.81%), TN (55.88–22.06%) and certain heavy metals like zinc (99.72–99.52%) manganese (72.09–65.17%) nickel (50.68–34.41%), NO3N (50.68–42.59%) ferric (57.14–65.71%) cadmium (83.51–86.64%) lead (48.83–97.21%) and arsenic (55.13–55.00%) were efficiently removed from FWW at different dilution concentrations. C18:0/C18:1 were the major fatty acids in lipids which show a vast potential of microalgae for biodiesel fabrication and instantaneous bioremediation procedure using FWW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Marano and Grado Lagoon (Adriatic Sea, Italy) is an important transitional environment that furnishes numerous ecosystem services and is under protection as Site of Community Importance. It suffers from an excess of nutrients, especially nitrate (NO3−), and has been designated as a nitrate vulnerable zone. In this work, sixteen water bodies were seasonally monitored for physicochemical parameters and nutrients, to elucidate the trophic state of the lagoon and to check the occurrence of significant temporal trends in a time series from 2011 to 2021. Steep gradients of spatial and seasonal distribution were observed for all parameters with elevated concentration of N-NO3− (up to 360 µM) in the western sector. The whole lagoon was in phosphorous limitation (P-PO43− mean ± s.d. = 0.15 ± 0.22 µM) with a mean Redfield ratio of 1130. The concentration of nutrients was significantly correlated with the degree of both freshwater inputs and precipitation. The calculation of trophic indices shows that the lagoon is in an oligotrophic to hypertrophic condition (i.e., TRIX 1.9–6.8). The analysis of the temporal series showed that despite some significant trends, the time span considered is too short to detect significant changes in the trophic state of this dynamic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinoa, a globally cultivated "golden grain" belonging to Chenopodium in the Amaranthaceae family, is recognized for being gluten-free, with a balanced amino acid profile and multiple bioactive components, including peptides, polysaccharides, polyphenols, and saponins. The bioactive compounds extracted from quinoa offer multifaceted health benefits, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardiovascular disease (CVD) improvement, gut microbiota regulation, and anti-cancer effects. This review aims to intricately outline quinoa's nutritional value, functional components, and physiological benefits. Importantly, we comprehensively provide conclusions on the effects and mechanisms of these quinoa-derived bioactive components on multiple cancer types, revealing the potential of quinoa seeds as promising and effective anti-cancer agents. Furthermore, the health-promoting role of quinoa in modulating gut microbiota, maintaining gut homeostasis, and protecting intestinal integrity was specifically emphasized. Finally, we provided a forward-looking description of the opportunities and challenges for the future exploration of quinoa. However, in-depth studies of molecular targets and clinical trials are warranted to fully understand the bioavailability and therapeutic application of quinoa-derived compounds, especially in cancer treatment and gut microbiota regulation. This review sheds light on the prospect of developing dietary quinoa into functional foods or drugs to prevent and manage human diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A properly designed crop rotation contributes to the equilibrium of the agro-ecosystem and the volume and quality of the yield. The cultivation of spelt in crop rotations enriches its biodiversity and provides grains with many different types of nutritional value. The aim of this current study was to investigate how the distribution of winter spelt in different positions and after different forecrops in four-field crop rotations would affect the technological quality of the grain, the nutrient content of the grain, and the grain yield. A 6-year field experiment, designed in a randomised block, was conducted from 2012 to 2018 in north-eastern Poland (53°35′47″ N, 19°51′20″ E). This study provides the results from a 6-year (2013–2018) field experiment. The spelt was cultivated in four crop rotations: CR1—winter rape + catch crop (blue tansy), spring barley, field pea and winter spelt; CR2,—winter rape, winter spelt + catch crop (blue tansy), field pea and winter spelt; CR3—winter rape + catch crop (blue tansy), field pea, winter spelt and winter spelt; and CR4—winter rape, winter spelt + catch crop (blue tansy), spring barley and winter spelt. This study evaluated grain yield and the following grain parameters: the total protein, wet gluten and starch contents, the Zeleny index, the falling number, the weight of 1000 grains, the N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn contents, and the grain yield. The results were assessed at the significance level p < 0.05. It was demonstrated that the cultivation of spelt in all four crop rotations after winter rape and after field pea was characterised by higher protein and wet gluten contents, Zeleny index value and falling number, a greater weight of 1000 grains, higher N, P, Fe and Zn contents, and greater grain yield than those harvested from the crop rotations CR3 and CR4 after spelt and after barley. It was demonstrated that the cultivation of spelt in crop rotations CR3 and CR4, in succession after spelt and after barley, caused deterioration in grain quality (lower protein and gluten contents, a lower Zeleny index value, a lower falling number, and a smaller weight of 1000 grains, and the N, P, Fe and Zn contents). In addition, a smaller grain yield was obtained from these crop rotation fields. Regardless of the type of crop rotation, the cultivation of spelt after winter rape and after pea produced a high yield and a good quality yield of this cereal. Due to the lower yield of grain and its lower quality, it is not recommended that winter spelt is grown after each other or after spring barley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article explores the impact of boron contamination on spinach plants and the potential mitigating effects of silicon and NPK fertilizer. The study found that increasing levels of boron in the soil led to a decrease in plant growth and various physiological parameters. However, the addition of silicon and fertilizer helped alleviate the negative effects of boron toxicity and improved plant growth. The research suggests that silicon and NPK application can be effective in reducing boron toxicity in spinach plants. [Extracted from the article]

The sea ice spring bloom is crucial for sustaining Arctic marine food webs, with sea ice algae serving as primary carbon sources for higher trophic levels. Despite the prevailing dominance of diatom species in sea ice spring blooms, our study highlights a notable deviation, showcasing a bloom driven by dinoflagellates. Through field sampling of first-year sea ice cores and subsequent analysis of physical and biogeochemical parameters, combined with amplicon sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene, we investigated the occurrence and implications of this significant dinoflagellate bloom, with a particular focus on Polarella glacialis. Our findings reveal that high irradiances at the top of the ice core, coupled with elevated nutrient availability and warm ice conditions, are key drivers of this phenomenon, as elucidated by redundancy analysis. Moreover, our results suggest a potential climate-driven decline in snow cover on sea ice, increased open leads, and thinner sea ice, which may favor the proliferation of dinoflagellates over diatoms. This alternative dinoflagellate-dominated bloom could have profound ecological consequences, given the enriched omega-3 fatty acid content of dinoflagellates, thereby influencing energy transfer within the Arctic marine food web. Furthermore, our study identifies the presence of not only Polarella glacialis but also Chytridinium, an ectoparasite on copepod eggs, and the green algae Ulothrix in relatively high abundances within the sea ice. These findings shed light on the intricate interplay between environmental factors and microbial community dynamics within Arctic sea ice ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leguminous crop Tephrosia candida has high biomass production and contains a substantial quantity of nutrients within its biomass. Starting in 2019, a long-term study was done to find the best Tephrosia candida dose for mulching in guava orchards. The study had four treatments: T1 = 3.0 kg dry biomass m−2 of the plant basin, T2 = 2.0 kg, T3 = 1.0 kg, and T4 = control (no mulch). Every year, the treatments imposed in the month of August. The third year (2021–2022) results indicated that mulching with 3 kg of biomass m−2 increased trunk diameter, fruit yield, fruit weight, specific leaf area, total leaf chlorophyll, and leaf macro- and micro-nutrients. At 3.0 kg m−2, mulching improved soil properties such as EC, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, DTPA extractable micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn), total organic carbon (Ctoc), soil organic carbon (Csoc), organic carbon fractions, and microbial biomass carbon between 0–0.15 m and 0.15–0.30 m. There was an increasing trend in dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and fluorescein diacetate (FDA). The Tephrosia leaf litter exhibited decay constants of 1.27 year−1, and the carbon content was 40.11%. Therefore, applying Tephrosia biomass mulching at a rate of 3.0 kg m−2 is a viable long-term solution for enhancing soil fertility and sequestering carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is one of the main challenges, and it poses a tough challenge to the agriculture industry globally. Additionally, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are the main contributor to climate change; however, croplands are a prominent source of GHG emissions. Yet this complex challenge can be mitigated through climate-smart agricultural practices. Conservation tillage is commonly known to preserve soil and mitigate environmental change by reducing GHG emissions. Nonetheless, there is still a paucity of information on the influences of conservation tillage on wheat yield, soil properties, and GHG flux, particularly in the semi-arid Dingxi belt. Hence, in order to fill this gap, different tillage systems, namely conventional tillage (CT) control, straw incorporation with conventional tillage (CTS), no-tillage (NT), and stubble return with no-tillage (NTS), were laid at Dingxi, Gansu province of China, under a randomized complete block design with three replications to examine their impacts on yield, soil properties, and GHG fluxes. Results depicted that different conservative tillage systems (CTS, NTS, and NT) significantly (p < 0.05) increased the plant height, number of spikes per plant, seed number per meter square, root yield, aboveground biomass yield, thousand-grain weight, grain yield, and dry matter yield compared with CT. Moreover, these conservation tillage systems notably improved the soil properties (soil gravimetric water content, water-filled pore space, water storage, porosity, aggregates, saturated hydraulic conductivity, organic carbon, light fraction organic carbon, carbon storage, microbial biomass carbon, total nitrogen, available nitrogen storage, microbial biomass nitrogen, total phosphorous, available phosphorous, total potassium, available potassium, microbial counts, urease, alkaline phosphatase, invertase, cellulase, and catalase) while decreasing the soil temperature and bulk density over CT. However, CTS, NTS, and NT had non-significant effects on ECe, pH, and stoichiometric properties (C:N ratio, C:P ratio, and N:P ratio). Additionally, conservation-based tillage regimes NTS, NT, and CTS significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the emission and net global warming potential of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) by 23.44, 19.57, and 16.54%, respectively, and decreased the greenhouse gas intensity by 23.20, 29.96, and 18.72%, respectively, over CT. We conclude that NTS is the best approach to increasing yield, soil and water conservation, resilience, and mitigation of agroecosystem capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus recovery from wastewater is receiving more attention due to its non-renewable property. As copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) usually occur in livestock wastewater, this study focused on metal sorption in struvite from swine wastewater and the release properties of granular struvite in solution with varying pH conditions (2, 4, 7). The results demonstrated pH values presented a slightly decreasing trend with increasing Cu/Zn ratio, and Zn exhibited higher sorption performance on struvite crystals than that of Cu. Under the high content of metals in the wastewater, Cu/Zn ratios in the wastewater contributed to varying metal binding forms and mechanisms, resulting in the difference in the leaching properties of nutrients and metal. For the granular struvite manufactured with the adhesion of alginate, the P release percentage achieved 30.3–40.5% after 96 h in the wastewater of pH 2, whereas they were only 5.63–8.92% and 1.05–1.50% in the wastewater of pH 4 and 7, respectively. Acid wastewater contributed to the release of two metals, and the release amount of Zn was higher than that of Cu, which is associated with their sorption capacity in crystals. During the latter soil leaching test of adding granular struvite, the NH4+-N and PO43−-P concentration in the effluent ranged from 0.34 to 1.26 and 0.62 to 2.56 mg/L after 96 h, respectively. However, the Cu and Zn could not be measured due to lower than the detection limit under varying treatments. Struvite might be accompanied by quicker metal leaching and slower nutrient leaching when surface sorption dominates in wastewater with lower metal concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A degradation mechanism of polystyrene (PS) in mealworms reared on expanded PS (EPS) was investigated by its decrease in molecular weight and change in chemical structure. A 33% decrease in molecular weight was observed for the digested PS in the frass after 1 week of feeding to mealworms. The FT-IR and py-GC/MS spectra of the digested PS showed radical oxidative reactions taking place in the mealworm body. The presence of hydroperoxide, alcohol and phenol groups was confirmed, and dimer fragments of styrene with quinone and phenol groups were obtained. The decrease in molecular weight and the alternation of benzene rings indicated that autoxidation and quinonization via phenolic intermediates occurred simultaneously in the mealworm body. The survival rate of mealworms reared on EPS was higher than that of starved worms, indicating that EPS was a nutrient source. However, no weight gain was observed in mealworms fed EPS alone. Comparison with the mixed diets with bran or urethane foams (PU) indicated that protein, phosphorus and magnesium components absent from EPS were required for mealworm growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are obvious differences in quality between different varieties of the same plant, and it is not clear whether they can be effectively distinguished from each other from a bacterial point of view. In this study, 44 tea tree varieties (Camellia sinensis) were used to analyze the rhizosphere soil bacterial community using high-throughput sequencing technology, and five types of machine deep learning were used for modeling to obtain characteristic microorganisms that can effectively differentiate different varieties, and validation was performed. The relationship between characteristic microorganisms, soil nutrient transformation, and tea quality formation was further analyzed. It was found that 44 tea tree varieties were classified into two groups (group A and group B) and the characteristic bacteria that distinguished them came from 23 genera. Secondly, the content of rhizosphere soil available nutrients (available nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium) and tea quality indexes (tea polyphenols, theanine, and caffeine) was significantly higher in group A than in group B. The classification result based on both was consistent with the above bacteria. This study provides a new insight and research methodology into the main reasons for the formation of quality differences among different varieties of the same plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eutrophication, driven by excessive nutrient enrichment from sources like agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and urbanisation, has severely impacted the Black Sea since the 1980s. This study aimed to assess eutrophication dynamics in the Romanian Exclusive Economic Zone from 2020 to 2022 using the Black Sea Eutrophication Assessment Tool (BEAST), an integrated approach to the causes and effects of eutrophication. Data were collected from 68 stations during five oceanographic expeditions, analysing 617 water samples for nutrients, chlorophyll a, zooplankton species Noctiluca scintillans, and dissolved oxygen. Additionally, 179 zoobenthic and 251 phytobenthic community samples were collected. The results indicate that coastal waters exhibit higher nutrient levels and algal blooms compared to offshore waters, necessitating significant reductions in nutrient concentrations to achieve good environmental status. In transitional waters, within the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, a 55% reduction in inorganic phosphorus and a 43% reduction in inorganic nitrogen concentrations are required, while coastal waters need reductions of 38% and 37%, respectively. The study highlights the need for improved wastewater treatment, stricter agricultural runoff controls, and continuous monitoring. Effective ecosystem-based management strategies, integrated coastal zone management, and international cooperation are essential to mitigate eutrophication and promote the long-term health of the Black Sea ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed nutrients and microbial contamination in water and soil samples from Chileka Township, Blantyre City, Malawi. Elevated total and fecal coliforms (1300 cfu/100 mL and 290 cfu/100 mL) in groundwater (GW), and (34,000 cfu/100 mL and 8000 cfu/100 mL) in surface water (SW) were found, representing a risk of exposure to water-borne disease. While the criteria in the Malawi Standard for raw groundwater was mostly met, water from only 20% of the boreholes complied with the WHO requirements. Nitrate (NO3─) and Cl─ (47.8 mg/L and 263 mg/L) exceeded the WHO limits in GW. Cadmium (Cd) occurred in a few cases at concentrations up to 0.217 mg/L and 0.138 mg/L in GW and SW. Lead (Pb) and Cr were below detection limits, while Mn (0.319 mg/L and 0.640 mg/L) in GW and SW, and Fe (6.92 mg/L) in SW compromised taste. Though bacteriologically unfit for raw consumption by humans, both GW and SW chemically met FAO-acceptable limits for irrigation, and standards for livestock watering. The NO3─ and PO43─ maximum concentrations in soil were 58.9 mg/kg and 506 mg/kg, respectively. Lead (Pb) and Cd were not detected whereas Cr, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe in soil were 27.7 mg/kg, 190 mg/kg, 60.4 mg/kg, 1307 mg/kg and 6552 mg/kg, respectively. Magnesium (Mg), Ca, Na and K were 20,523 mg/kg, 22,334 mg/kg, 544 mg/kg and 5758 mg/kg, respectively in soil. The human health risk assessment results, on the other hand, showed that at least 30% (6 out of 20) of the GW samples and 60% (3 out 8) of the SW samples had HI > 1 for adults, children and infants, indicating existence of non-carcinogenic risk. Similarly, at least 15% (3 out 20) of the GW samples and 18% (1 out of 8) of the SW samples had CR > 0.001 for adults, children and infants, suggesting a risk of developing cancer during a lifetime due to Cd exposure. Though both GW and SW are generally of good chemical quality, chronic exposure to nitrate and cadmium is a health risk in the area. The current trace metal levels are not worrisome, but soil nitrate and phosphate may need regular monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystem functions greatly depend on trophic interactions between consumers and their resources. Resource consumption depends on ingestion, digestion, and allocation processes. Mechanical constraints are expected to influence ingestion, while metabolic and nutritional constraints are expected to influence allocation. Leaf litter are resources presenting a high mechanical and nutritional heterogeneity that depends on plant identity and on physical and microbial processing over the course of decomposition. Litter consumption by detritivores is known to depend on metabolic and nutritional constraints but the importance of mechanical constraints is yet unknown. After accounting for metabolic constraints on consumption rate, we tested the relative importance of mechanical and nutritional constraints in explaining litter consumption rates by detritivores. For this, we exposed 16 leaf treatments (eight leaf species either just leached or leached and microbially conditioned) to four aquatic and five terrestrial detritivore taxa in laboratory no‐choice consumption experiments. We investigated two mechanical constraints: grabbing and fragmenting the resource, by measuring suitable couples of mechanical traits for both litter and detritivores. We also investigated four nutritional constraints related to N, P, K and Ca contents in both detritivores and litter. For each constraint, we also tested if trait matching significantly contribute to explain consumption. Our analysis revealed that both mechanical and nutritional constraints are influencing mass‐independent consumption rate but that mechanical constraints predominate over nutritional constraints. Litter fragmentation, studied through litter toughness and detritivore biting force, was especially important to explain consumption rate. Nutritional constraints were dominated by P constraints. Trait‐matching had very weak importance and was significant only for P constraints. Our findings highlight the importance of mechanical constraints for litter consumption by detritivores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrate, the form of nitrogen often associated with kelp growth, is typically low in summer during periods of high macroalgal growth. More ephemeral, regenerated forms of nitrogen, such as ammonium and urea, are much less studied as sources of nitrogen for kelps, despite the relatively high concentrations of regenerated nitrogen found in the Southern California Bight, where kelps are common. To assess how nitrogen uptake by kelps varies by species and nitrogen form in southern California, USA, we measured uptake rates of nitrate, ammonium, and urea by Macrocystis pyrifera and Eisenia arborea individuals from four regions characterized by differences in nitrogen availability—Orange County, San Pedro, eastern Santa Catalina Island, and western Santa Catalina Island—during the summers of 2021 and 2022. Seawater samples collected at each location showed that overall nitrogen availability was low, but ammonium and urea were often more abundant than nitrate. We also quantified the internal %nitrogen of each kelp blade collected, which was positively associated with ambient environmental nitrogen concentrations at the time of collection. We observed that both kelp species readily took up nitrate, ammonium, and urea, with M. pyrifera taking up nitrate and ammonium more efficiently than E. arborea. Urea uptake efficiency for both species increased as internal percent nitrogen decreased. Our results indicate that lesser‐studied, more ephemeral forms of nitrogen can readily be taken up by these kelps, with possible upregulation of urea uptake as nitrogen availability declines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seaweed aquaculture, particularly kelp farming, is a popular topic as a potential solution for mitigating anthropogenic pollutants and enhancing coastal drawdown of carbon and nitrogen. Using a common garden approach, this study evaluated nutrient drawdown capacities of Alaria marginata (ribbon kelp) and Saccharina latissima (sugar kelp) across four commercial kelp farms in Southeast and Southcentral Alaska. Our findings show that A. marginata exhibited ~30% more carbon and 21% more nitrogen content compared to S. latissima. These results demonstrate the potential for A. marginata to serve as a more efficient species for nutrient drawdown into farmed kelp tissues (per unit biomass) for consideration of potential mitigative actions. The efficacy of this drawdown is likely to be driven by the careful pairing of kelp species with farming environment. Temporally, there was a noted increase in carbon content and a decline in nitrogen content from March to May for both species, consistent with known seasonal nutrient dynamics in coastal waters. Notably, differences in the carbon stable isotope signatures (δ13C) between the kelps may hint at variations in metabolic pathways and nutrient sourcing, particularly concerning the preferential assimilation of CO2 versus HCO3−, and highlight the need for further work on this topic for applied macroalgal research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its valuable nutritional qualities and unique capacity to withstand heat and drought, the cowpea (CWP; Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is an important legume crop that is grown extensively throughout the globe and in increasing quantities also in semi-arid areas in Romania. Moreover, a drought-tolerant crop like CWP can provide several benefits to poultry in regions affected by water scarcity or drought conditions. Compared to other legumes, such as peas or soybeans, CWP has been the least researched and are the least used in poultry nutrition. The seed's mean protein content is 25.5%, which is comparable to soybeans, winged beans, and gram. In addition, carbohydrates, fibers, minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals are abundant in CWP seeds. The amino acid composition is characterized by a balanced profile, making it a valuable source of essential and non-essential amino acids. Additionally, CWP seeds are very rich in nutraceuticals like polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The major PUFAs were linoleic (20.8–40.3%) and linolenic acids (9.6–32.1%). It also contains anti-nutritional factors like enzyme inhibitors that reduce nutrient absorption. However, various processing methods are employed to diminish or eliminate the negative effects of anti-nutritional components. CWP in their raw unprocessed form can be used as replacement for soybean meal in poultry diets, at inclusion levels up to 200 g/kg. However, the optimal inclusion rate of CWP in poultry feed will depend on different factors such as age and the processing method used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic products are gaining popularity due to their positive impact on human health and the environment. While hydroponics is commonly used in vegetable production, it relies on mineral fertilizers derived from limited and non-renewable resources. As a result, farmers are actively seeking sustainable farming solutions. This study comprehensively evaluated the effectiveness of vermi-liquids (organic nutrient solutions) as a replacement for conventional inorganic nutrient solutions in promoting growth and nutrient acquisition in Diplotaxis muralis plants in a controlled environment. The results showed that plant biomass and SPAD values of D. muralis grown in Hoagland solution and enhanced vermitea (vermitea having relatively low pH and high EC) were higher compared to standard vermitea (high pH and low EC). The findings also revealed improved nutrient assimilation of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, copper, and zinc in the enhanced vermitea plants. The heavy metal contents in D. muralis leaves were evaluated, too, and they were found to fall significantly below the safe threshold, rendering them safe for human consumption. However, the standard vermitea, with its high pH and low EC, performed poorly as a hydroponic solution. This research suggests that enhanced vermitea can completely replace chemical nutrient solutions in hydroponic agriculture. This substitution could lead to reduced production costs and improved product quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial variations of the nutrient concentration along the northwestward stream from the Bering Sea to the Chukchi Sea are considered for dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) based on data from two surveys conducted in early September 2010 and 2020. The water mass from the Bering Sea has higher DIP than Chukchi Sea water, but in the upper layer its phosphorus is gradually lost due to both mixing with local water and consumption for photosynthesis. In the subsurface layer, the decrease in DIP is prevented by its recycling from degraded organic matter. The fluxes of phosphorus are estimated separately using the balance model with TS analysis, previously used in estuarial studies. Successive DIP utilization along the stream is traced, which forms in the Chukchi Sea two zones of high productivity divided by a wide low-productive zone. Nutrients from the upper layer are utilized within the southwestern Chukchi Sea, resulting in primary production 0.1–0.2 gC m–3 day–1, but the main stock of allochthonous nutrients from the subsurface layer is utilized further downstream (at Wrangel Island or in the northern Chukchi Sea) and results in production of 0.3–0.4 gC m–3 day–1. Localization of high-productive zones is determined by density stratification, which possibly depends on the stream strength: the stronger the advection through Bering Strait, the farther from the strait both zones are located. The recent tendency of strengthening of the stream tends to remove the zones of utilization the nutrients of Pacific origin from the southwestern Chukchi Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of hydrochemical studies of waterbodies with varying degrees of development of anaerobic conditions (up to the appearance of meromixia with sulfide anoxia) in the Porya Guba Bay (Kandalaksha Bay, White Sea, Kandalaksha State Nature Reserve). It is shown that these waterbodies, which are at different stages of isolation from the sea, have a unique hydrological and hydrochemical structure, formed at a certain stage of their evolution. The vertical stratification of water, with the development of all phenomena accompanying stagnation, is more pronounced in the most distant parts of their water area from the sea, where elevated contents of hydrogen sulfide (up to 16.5 mg/L), phosphates, silicon, nitrite, and ammonium nitrogen are noted in bottom anaerobic water. However, the concentrations of all major ions are comparable to those in seawater and hardly chance at all vertically. Analysis of the distribution of the hydrochemical parameters of the distant reaches of Ozerki Lagoon made it possible to conclude that, due to changes that have occurred with this waterbody over the past 90 years, it can now most likely be classified as meromictic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing paddy crop produces large quantities of parboiled rice mill wastewater (PRMWW), which contains several organic and inorganic compounds and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphate). Discharges of the rice industry's wastewater pose a substantial threat to aquatic bodies and the surrounding environment, so an eco-friendly treatment plan is necessary. Parboiling stands out among grain-processing methods due to its numerous nutritional and physical advantages. Fewer literatures have only mentioned about the severity of the organic rich liquid effluents generated after parboiling process. Generating renewable energy from anaerobic digestion (AD) is one of the most environmentally friendly technologies to address the growing energy demands. This study is intended to give a systematic and critical review of the parboiling process, solid and liquid fractions of wastes generated, and various treatment options, with special emphasis on scope of application of AD for treating PRMWW along with energy recovery. The study explains various glitches in the AD processes of PRMWW for biogas generation and also recommends co-digesting PBMWW with other carbonaceous organic substrates for improved digestibility, and to reduce the inhibitions caused by lack of alkalinity, acid accumulation, and pH imbalance. To this end, this literature review seeks to provide a broad overview of knowledge to laypeople, entrepreneurs, and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]