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This study aimed to investigate the response of Populus nigra L. × Populus maximowiczii to the addition of selected metals in soil. Rooted cuttings were planted in pots containing soil enriched with equimolar concentrations of Pb, Zn, Al, Ni, and Cu (500 mL of 4 mM solutions of single metal salts: (Pb(NO3)2; Zn(NO3)2 × 6H2O; Al(NO3)3 × 9H2O; Ni(NO3)2 × 6H2O; or Cu(NO3)2 × 3H2O). Growth parameters, metal accumulation, and physiological and biochemical parameters were assessed after four weeks of cultivation, simulating early response conditions. The results showed diverse metal accumulation in poplar organs, along with an increase in biomass and minor changes in gas exchange parameters or chlorophyll fluorescence. Among low-molecular-weight organic acids, citric and succinic acids were dominant in the rhizosphere, and roots with malonic acid were also present in the shoots. Only p-coumaric acid was found in the phenolic profile of the roots. The shoots contained both phenolic acids and flavonoids, and their profile was diversely modified by particular metals. Sucrose and fructose content increased in shoots that underwent metal treatments, with glucose increasing only in Cu and Al treatments. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed variations induced by metal treatments across all parameters. Responses to Pb and Zn were partially similar, while Cu, Ni, or Al triggered distinct reactions. The results indicate the adaptation of P. nigra L. × P. maximowiczii to soil containing elevated levels of metals, along with potential for soil remediation and metal removal. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of differences in early responses to particular metals on plant conditions from a long-term perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) pervade various ecosystems, including urban landscapes. The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of MPs in atmospheric deposition samples is related to land use. For this purpose, atmospheric deposition was collected from 15 to 25 March 2021 at seven research sites in the city of Pristina (Kosovo). Each research site was characterized by different land use. Collected atmospheric deposition samples were analyzed in the laboratory, and then the filtered samples were assessed using a light microscope. The type and size of microplastics in the samples were defined and statistically analyzed. The highest number of total MPs was noted on the highway, while the lowest one was near to the park. A positive relationship was observed between the number of total MPs and the proportion of areas classified as "roads and associated areas" in the land use of the analyzed research sites. Furthermore, a negative relationship was found between the number of total MPs and the proportion of areas classified as "green urban areas". Based on our preliminary research, it can be observed that the type of land use may have a key role in MPs' atmospheric deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White rot fungi (WRF) are known to have the ability to degrade organic pollutants with a structure similar to lignin. Because of this, the degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) congeners no. 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180 by substrate before fruiting (substrate) and/or after fruiting (SMS) from cultivated mushrooms Pleurotus ostreatus, Lentinula edodes and Agaricus bisporus was examined. The experiment was carried out in four replications for each treatment using a mixture of substrate/SMS and sandy soil with PCBs at a concentration of each congener at 50 and 100 μg kg−1 soil DW. The results indicate that degradation was dependent on substrate/SMS addition, the concentration of PCBs and time of incubation. The efficiency of PCB degradation was generally reduced with the number of chlorine atoms in the structure of congeners: 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 or 180. In all combinations, degradation increased with incubation time. Degradation by SMS was lower in comparison to degradation by a substrate of the same mushroom. The degree of degradation of a single PCB after 12 weeks of incubation for A. bisporus ranged from 31.32 ± 1.52 to 83.91 ± 1.07%, while for P. ostreatus it was between 37.88 ± 2.54 and 78.29 ± 1.41%; for L. edodes it ranged from 17.38 ± 1.06 to 75.30 ± 1.46%. The best average degradation was confirmed for 20% SMS of A. bisporus at 50 μg kg−1 PCB.

Various fruits are involved in food models, including fresh‐cut fruit, fruit salad, and juices. Toxigenic fungi in horticulture have attracted interest in order to the food safety requirements and their illnesses relation. This study aimed to apply grape by‐products (Gbps) that contain bioactive compounds to reduce mycotoxin and limit toxigenic fungal‐activity in fresh‐cut fruit and juice. The Gbps were collected and extracted using ultra‐sonication. Phenolic, flavonoids, antioxidants, and antifungal activities of extracts were evaluated. Grape stem and leaf extracts were micro capsulated to apply as bio‐preservatives in food. The stems extract showed higher contents of p‐coumaric and Ferulic acids. Leaves extract showed higher contents of epicatechin, quercetin, while rutin was high in both extracts. Stems extract showed high phenolic contents and more antifungal activity than leaves extract. Microcapsules of stem extract provided a greater ochratoxin reduction than that achieved by leaves microcapsules when they applied to juices or fruit salads. Practical Applications: This work aims to extend shelf life and increase the safety of some horticultural products that relatively consumed quickly, such as fresh‐cut fruits, fruit salad, and juices. Those products traded in supermarkets as slides or kept deep in solutions. Results showed that; utilization of grape by‐product extracts as bioactive capsules; formed a film on the product; had potency in the reduction of contamination and mycotoxin possibility, in horticultural products. This application will increase horticultural time availability in markets and facilitate their handling without the risk of contamination increases. In addition, it assists reducing mycotoxins if it was available in raw materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to determine the response of Salix purpurea × viminalis L. growing on Pleurotus ostreatus spent mushroom substrate (SMS) with different copper (Cu) addition. The content of Cu in roots, leaves and shoots was reduced by SMS addition. A decrease of biomass was observed with simultaneous Cu concentration increase. SMS induced leaf and root elongation of Cu-treated plants. Variation in the profile of low molecular weight organic acids with the domination of oxalic and acetic acids was observed. The total phenolic content significantly increased for plants cultivated with SMS, while the biosynthesis of salicylic acid was considerably weakened. The content of sugars was generally reduced by SMS. Alteration in the level of the stress-related molecules suggests mitigation of the harmful effect of Cu on Salix hybrid metabolism by SMS addition. This pointed to the possibility of using SMS in contaminated soil to reduce the toxic effect of metals on plants used in phytoextraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Asparagus officinalis L. is often infected by fungi from the Fusarium genus which also contaminate the plant tissues with highly toxic secondary metabolites. To elucidate the plant-pathogen interactions between asparagus and Fusarium oxysporum or F. proliferatum, a fungal mycotoxins profile was assessed together with an impact of the infection on all forms of salicylic acid content. Methodology: Fungal isolates were identified by their morphological features, species-specific PCR and transcription elongation factor 1a (TEF-1a) sequencing. Mycotoxins were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The salicylic acid and its derivatives content was analyzed by the HPLC method combined with fluorometric detection. The levels of free radicals were measured by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Results: After infection both Fusarium pathogens formed fumonisin B1 and moniliformin. Infection altered salicylic acid biosynthesis and conjugation rates both in the roots and stems when compared with non-inoculated plants. Samples with higher free radical concentrations in stems showed higher concentrations of all forms of salicylic acid. Conclusions: We postulate that infection by both Fusarium pathogens produces mycotoxins, which may be transported to the upper part of plant. Pathogen attack initiated a plant defense reaction involving increased salicylic acid levels and resulting in increase in free radical levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to assess the degradation rate of selected PAHs (fluoranthene, anthracene, phenanthrene and pyrene) with a refuse from a large-scale production of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). In a 12-week experiment two kinds of substrates were used, i.e. substrate overgrown with mycelium and spent mushroom compost collected after fruiting. Substrates were added at 5, 10 and 20% to the soil artificially contaminated with 2000, 5000 and 10000 μg kg-1 DW. The time of incubation, PAHs concentration and the percentage of the substrate/compost significantly differentiated the degradation rate of the PAHs. The increase of PAH concentration led to reduction in degradation rate, in particular between 5000 and 10000 μg kg-1 and at 5% of substrate (or compost). However, application of 10 and 20% substrate (or compost) positively influenced the PAHs degradation at the lowest concentration of PAHs. The strongest increase was observed between 5 and 10% of added substrate (or compost). The degradation of PAHs with compost was slightly weaker than with substrate. The best degradable PAH was phenanthrene (25 and 59%), while pyrene was the weakest degradable (12 and 48%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]