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This study investigates the growth tolerance mechanisms of Chlorella pyrenoidosa to 3-fluorophenol and its removal efficiency by algal cells. Our results indicate that C. pyrenoidosa can tolerate up to 100 mg/L of 3-fluorophenol, exhibiting a significant hormesis effect characterized by initial inhibition followed by promotion of growth. In C. pyrenoidosa cells, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), as well as the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), were higher than or comparable to the control group. Metabolic analysis revealed that the 3-fluorophenol treatment activated pathways, such as glycerol phospholipid metabolism, autophagy, glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein biosynthesis, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, contributed to the stabilization of cell membrane structures and enhanced cell repair capacity. After 240 h of treatment, over 50% of 3-fluorophenol was removed by algal cells, primarily through adsorption. Thus, C. pyrenoidosa shows potential as an effective biosorbent for the bioremediation of 3-fluorophenol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Harvested 'Yujinxiang' melon ( Cucumis melo L.) fruits were treated with 0, 0.25, 0.5 or 1.0 µL/L 1-methylcycopropene (1-MCP) for 24 h at 20 ± 1C and then stored at 10 ± 1C, 70-80% RH. Results showed that 1.0 µL/L 1-MCP was the most effective treatment in delaying decline of the melon firmness during storage for 20 days. Decay development and ethylene production of the fruit were suppressed by 1-MCP during storage for 24 days. Fructose and glucose contents and the sweetness index increased in the 1-MCP-treated melon. The 1-MCP treatment increased activities of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase; stimulated a rapid accumulation of glutathione; and lowered hydrogen peroxide level in the melon. These beneficial effects of 1-MCP on delaying ripening and softening of the melon may be because of its action on inhibiting ethylene as well as increasing antioxidant potential during storage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The cantaloupe melons are very easy to ripen and soften and are susceptible to pathogenic infections after harvest. 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), the competitive ethylene inhibitor, could delay the progress of ripening and softening of the 'Yujinxiang' melon fruit, and 1.0 µL/L 1-MCP was proved to be optimal for the application. The 1-MCP treatment could decrease decay but improve the edible quality of the melon during storage. The 1-MCP gas is easily released by dissolving the commercial SmartFresh™ powder into water and can be rapidly diffused into the melon tissue without any complicated facilities. Thus, the application of 1-MCP fumigation would provide a practical approach for reducing postharvest losses, maintaining the edible quality and extending the postharvest life of the cantaloupe melon during storage, handling, transportation and processing. In addition, this method would offer an alternative to conventional protection of melons using artificial synthetic fungicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flurochloridone (FLC), a selective herbicide used on a global scale, has been reported to have male reproductive toxicity which underlying mechanism is still largely unknown. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of FLC on Sertoli cell and explore its mechanism by using normal mouse Sertoli (TM4) cell line. Our data indicate that FLC suppressed proliferation of TM4 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Further studies confirmed that FLC induced apoptosis in TM4 cells, accompanied by reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, intracellular calcium increase, opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore, depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and decrease of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level. Meanwhile, changes of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family proteins expression, release of cytochrome c and the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 were also confirmed. These results indicate that FLC induces TM4 cells apoptosis through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. In addition, pretreatment with ROS scavenger N-acetyl- L -cysteine (NAC), could significantly alleviate FLC-induced TM4 cells apoptosis and MMP depolarization. In conclusion, our results suggested that FLC induced TM4 cells apoptosis and it was regulated by mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stresses. [Display omitted] • Flurochloridone has obvious cytotoxicity to TM4 cells and leads to apoptosis. • Mitochondrial apoptotic pathway is involved in the apoptosis. • Reactive oxygen species plays an important role in the process of the apoptosis. • The TM4 cell model is reliable to explore the toxicity of flurochloridone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]