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Ancient dental calculus represents one of the most recent and innovative sources of archaeobotanical record. Exploring this matrix, diet, past ecology, and ethnobotanical practices of antique communities may be elucidated. In the present case-study, the tartar of an Imperial Roman man, likely a salt worker, found in the necropolis of Castel Malnome (Rome, Latium, Italy) and affected by bilateral temporo-mandibular joint ankylosis, was investigated. Despite his rare and extremely disabling affection, this male individual reached adulthood thanks to the forced removal of the anterior teeth, which allowed him to eat. Starches of Poeae and Triticeae tribe were detected, although the largest amount of the granules appeared gelatinized, suggesting that maybe the inhumate consumed well-cooked and semi-liquid stuff, due to his non-functional masticatory activity. Urticaceae and clover pollen grains documented unintentional aspiration or voluntary use of these plants as ingredients for meals and therapeutic decoctions. Indeed, since Roman times, written sources have documented nettle as an anti-inflammatory remedy to treat joint and muscle pains. Finally, the identification of secondary metabolites ascribable to the Brassicaceae family, Artemisia L., and Ephedra L. genera, paves the way for hypothesizing the consumption of these Mediterranean species with several nutritional and nutraceutical properties. All this evidence opens a picture window onto the life of this man, which should be well integrated into his community and natural environment despite the functional impairment.

Space experiments are a technically challenging but a scientifically important part of astrobiology and astrochemistry research. The International Space Station (ISS) is an excellent example of a highly successful and long-lasting research platform for experiments in space, that has provided a wealth of scientific data over the last two decades. However, future space platforms present new opportunities to conduct experiments with the potential to address key topics in astrobiology and astrochemistry. In this perspective, the European Space Agency (ESA) Topical Team Astrobiology and Astrochemistry (with feedback from the wider scientific community) identifies a number of key topics and summarizes the 2021 “ESA SciSpacE Science Community White Paper” for astrobiology and astrochemistry. We highlight recommendations for the development and implementation of future experiments, discuss types of in situ measurements, experimental parameters, exposure scenarios and orbits, and identify knowledge gaps and how to advance scientific utilization of future space-exposure platforms that are either currently under development or in an advanced planning stage. In addition to the ISS, these platforms include CubeSats and SmallSats, as well as larger platforms such as the Lunar Orbital Gateway. We also provide an outlook for in situ experiments on the Moon and Mars, and welcome new possibilities to support the search for exoplanets and potential biosignatures within and beyond our solar system.

Cyanobacteria are gaining considerable interest as a method of supporting the long-term presence of humans on the Moon and settlements on Mars due to their ability to produce oxygen and their potential as bio-factories for space biotechnology/synthetic biology and other applications. Since many unknowns remain in our knowledge to bridge the gap and move cyanobacterial bioprocesses from Earth to space, we investigated cell division resumption on the rehydration of dried Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 029 accumulated DNA damage while exposed to space vacuum, Mars-like conditions, and Fe-ion radiation. Upon rehydration, the monitoring of the ftsZ gene showed that cell division was arrested until DNA damage was repaired, which took 48 h under laboratory conditions. During the recovery, a progressive DNA repair lasting 48 h of rehydration was revealed by PCR-stop assay. This was followed by overexpression of the ftsZ gene, ranging from 7.5- to 9-fold compared to the non-hydrated samples. Knowing the time required for DNA repair and cell division resumption is mandatory for deep-space experiments that are designed to unravel the effects of reduced/microgravity on this process. It is also necessary to meet mission requirements for dried-sample implementation and real-time monitoring upon recovery. Future experiments as part of the lunar exploration mission Artemis and the lunar gateway station will undoubtedly help to move cyanobacterial bioprocesses beyond low Earth orbit. From an astrobiological perspective, these experiments will further our understanding of microbial responses to deep-space conditions.

Oaks (Quercus sp.) are among the most ecologically and economically important woody Angiosperms of the northern hemisphere. Nowadays, the reduction of Quercus biodiversity is becoming a matter of global concern, and several oak species have been included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Consequently, characterization and preservation strategies for the oak germplasm are largely promoted. Thus, in this work, the genetic diversity existing among 87 different Quercus species was assessed using the RAPD markers, in order to better typify these specimens, to show the amazing DNA variability of this plant genus, and to confirm or infer new putative molecular correlations. Our data were discussed taking into consideration the phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships previously proposed by the literature. In general, the obtained results corroborated that the evolutionary pattern of Quercus genus has been extremely intricate and continues to change rapidly, making it difficult to be fully resolved. The evidence collected in the present investigation would confirm the complex evolution of the oaks, due to their high migration capacity, divergence rate, and hybridization propensity. This research, performed on a so large series of species, represents a positive contribution for highlighting the genetic diversity within collections of Quercus germplasm and favouring ex-situ conservation programmes.

Literature has proposed the existence of a cross kingdom regulation (CRK) between human and plants. In this context, microRNAs present in edible plants would be acquired through diet by the consumer’s organism and transported via bloodstream to tissues, where they would modulate gene expression. However, the validity of this phenomenon is strongly debated; indeed, some scholars have discussed both the methodologies and the results obtained in previous works. To date, only one study has performed a bioinformatics analysis on small RNA-sequencing data for checking the presence of plant miRNAs (pmiRNAs) in human plasma. For that investigation, the lack of reliable controls, which led to the misidentification of human RNAs as pmiRNAs, has been deeply criticized. Thus, in the present contribution, we aim to demonstrate the existence of pmiRNAs in human blood, adopting a bioinformatics approach characterized by more stringent conditions and filtering. The information obtained from 380 experiments produced in 5 different next generation sequencing (NGS) projects was examined, revealing the presence of 350 circulating pmiRNAs across the analysed data set. Although one of the NGS projects shows results likely to be attributed to sample contamination, the others appear to provide reliable support for the acquisition of pmiRNAs through diet. To infer the potential biological activity of the identified pmiRNAs, we predicted their putative human mRNA targets, finding with great surprise that they appear to be mainly involved in neurogenesis and nervous system development. Unfortunately, no consensus was identified within the sequences of detected pmiRNAs, in order to justify their stability or capability to be preserved in human plasma. We believe that the issue regarding CKR still needs further clarifications, even if the present findings would offer a solid support that this hypothesis is not impossible.

At the site of Grotta Mora Cavorso (Lazio, Italy), an unusual archaeological find, made of two coarse pottery vessels, was recovered from burial levels radiocarbon dated to 6,405–6,275 bp. These artefacts were analysed using several methods, for interpretation of the cultural practices of the earliest inhabitants in central Italy. This first molecular evidence about the potential processing and storage of poppy-based products in Neolithic pottery was obtained by detecting ancient DNA (aDNA) and chemical compounds. This study represents the second evidence from the Mediterranean area of the use of Papaver L. (poppies), although the actual use(s) of these plants then, for example as sedatives, drugs, or food, remains uncertain. Also, the employment of Olea europaea L. (olive) derivatives in foods or for other purposes was suggested, in agreement with the recovery of fruit stones at the site. The results of the present archaeobotanical investigation show the environmental knowledge of the first prehistoric communities living in central Italy, who might have shared their ethnobotanical practices.

Looking for a biological fingerprint relative to new aspects of the relationship between humans and natural environment during prehistoric times is challenging. Although many issues still need to be addressed in terms of authentication and identification, microparticles hidden in ancient dental calculus can provide interesting information for bridging this gap of knowledge. Here, we show evidence about the role of edible plants for the early Neolithic individuals in the central Apennines of the Italian peninsula and relative cultural landscape. Dental calculi from human and animal specimens exhumed at Grotta Mora Cavorso (Lazio), one of the largest prehistoric burial deposits, have returned an archaeobotanical record made up of several types of palaeoecological proxies. The organic fraction of this matrix was investigated by a multidisciplinary approach, whose novelty consisted in the application of next generation sequencing to ancient plant DNA fragments, specifically codifying for maturase K barcode gene. Panicoideae and Triticeae starches, together with genetic indicators of Rosaceae fruits, figs, and Lamiaceae herbs, suggested subsistence practices most likely still based on wild plant resources. On the other hand, pollen, and non-pollen palynomorphs allowed us to outline a general vegetational framework dominated by woodland patches alternated with meadows, where semi-permanent settlements could have been established.

A balanced diet is critical for human health, and edible plants play an important role in providing essential micronutrients as well as specific microRNAs (miRNAs) that can regulate human gene expression. Here we present the effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) miRNAs (mol-miRs) on lipid metabolism. Through in silico studies we identified the potential genes involved in lipid metabolism targeted by mol-miRs. To this end, we tested the efficacy of an aqueous extract of MO seeds (MOES), as suggested in traditional African ethnomedicine, or its purified miRNAs. The biological properties of MO preparations were investigated using a human derived hepatoma cell line (HepG2) as a model. MOES treatment decreased intracellular lipid accumulation and induced apoptosis in HepG2. In the same cell line, transfection with mol-miRs showed similar effects to MOES. Moreover, the effect of the mol-miR pool was investigated in a pre-obese mouse model, in which treatment with mol-miRs was able to prevent dysregulation of lipid metabolism.

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide; hence there is an increasing focus on developing physiologically relevant in vitro cardiovascular tissue models suitable for studying personalized medicine and pre-clinical tests. Despite recent advances, models that reproduce both tissue complexity and maturation are still limited. We have established a scaffold-free protocol to generate multicellular, beating human cardiac microtissues in vitro from hiPSCs—namely human organotypic cardiac microtissues (hOCMTs)—that show some degree of self-organization and can be cultured for long term. This is achieved by the differentiation of hiPSC in 2D monolayer culture towards cardiovascular lineage, followed by further aggregation on low-attachment culture dishes in 3D. The generated hOCMTs contain multiple cell types that physiologically compose the heart and beat without external stimuli for more than 100 days. We have shown that 3D hOCMTs display improved cardiac specification, survival and metabolic maturation as compared to standard monolayer cardiac differentiation. We also confirmed the functionality of hOCMTs by their response to cardioactive drugs in long-term culture. Furthermore, we demonstrated that they could be used to study chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. Due to showing a tendency for self-organization, cellular heterogeneity, and functionality in our 3D microtissues over extended culture time, we could also confirm these constructs as human cardiac organoids (hCOs). This study could help to develop more physiologically-relevant cardiac tissue models, and represent a powerful platform for future translational research in cardiovascular biology.

The potentially biodeteriogenic, subaerial green alga Trentepohlia umbrina is widely distributed on shaded substrates with northern aspects. This preference for low light was confirmed by a recent survey in Lazio, Italy. However, the same survey revealed an isolated occurrence of extensive growths of T. umbrina-dominated biofilms on surfaces with diverse aspects that ranged from highly exposed to shaded. Prior studies of Trentepohlia photosynthesis have been restricted to single sites, so this multi-aspect site was particularly interesting to understand the photoacclimation potential of Trentepohlia. Photosynthetic pigment concentrations and chlorophyll fluorescence (in situ and ex situ) were used to assess the photosynthetic response to changes in light exposure and humidity. Pigment contents and photoinhibition decreased, while the maximum photosynthetic rate and the level of light that saturated photosynthesis increased with an increasing light exposure duration (ranging from c. 5 to 300 min d–1 of exposure to sunlight). Laboratory tests of relative humidity (RH) on biofilm photosynthesis showed no recorded activity up to 32% RH, only 26% of the maximum activity at 77% RH, and full activity at 92% RH. When T. umbrina was in the desiccated state a lowering of basal of chlorophyll a fluorescence emission and a loss of variable fluorescence occurred. This suppression of fluorescence when cells are desiccated is known to result in photoprotection of reaction centres from continuing high irradiances, as the enhanced thermal dissipation replaces slower and potentially damaging energy transfer to the functional reaction centres. It was concluded that T. umbrina has a much wider environmental range than previously thought, but its growth is very slow and may be overlooked during cultural heritage surveillance, leading to inconspicuous chronic degradation of outdoor stone substrata.

Martian regolithic soil is considered an inhospitable environment to life as we know it with low availability of nutrients and the presence of powerful oxidants, namely perchlorate salts. Extreme microorganisms such as cyanobacteria of the genus Chroococcidiopsis dominate rock-dwelling communities in extreme deserts resembling the actual Martian environment. The strain Chroococcidiopsis 029, extremely tolerant to desiccation, ionizing, and UV radiation, can thrive in Mars-like conditions in a dried state. In the present work, we investigated the response of Chroococcidiopsis 029 when grown for a 3-week period using Martian regolith simulant containing 2.4 mM perchlorate anions. The growth either in the planktonic cells or biofilm life style was monitored following the in chlorophyll a content. The cellular and molecular responses to 2.4 mM perchlorate anions was studied following cell viability according to: i) PCR-PMA assay, ii) changes in gene expression of three SOD-coding genes (soda 2.1, soda.2, and sodC), and iii) production of intracellular ROS as revealed by CLSM. Results suggested that perchlorate did not compromise cell viability and that a significant over-expression of three SOD isoforms occurred after the one-week exposure with a greater expression of the membrane-bound MnSOD (sodA 2.1) in comparison to the cytoplasmic isoforms MnSOD (sodA 2.2) and Cu/ZnSOD (sodC). The accumulation of ROS within the cells was observed after 1-day exposure to perchlorate. Future investigations on the effect of Mars-like conditions in hydrated biofilms with 2.4 mM ClO4- and Martian regolith simulant will be carried out supported by the Europlanet scholarship 2024. These results are relevant for the habitability of Mars and the development of In-situ Resource Utilization.

Deserts represent extreme habitats where photosynthetic life is restricted to the lithic niche. The ability of rock-inhabiting cyanobacteria to modify their photosynthetic apparatus and harvest far-red light (near-infrared) was investigated in 10 strains of the genus Chroococcidiopsis, previously isolated from diverse endolithic and hypolithic desert communities. The analysis of their growth capacity, photosynthetic pigments, and apcE2-gene presence revealed that only Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 010 was capable of far-red light photoacclimation (FaRLiP). A total of 15 FaRLiP genes were identified, encoding paralogous subunits of photosystem I, photosystem II, and the phycobilisome, along with three regulatory elements. CCMEE 010 is unique among known FaRLiP strains by undergoing this acclimation process with a significantly reduced cluster, which lacks major photosystem I paralogs psaA and psaB. The identification of an endolithic, extremotolerant cyanobacterium capable of FaRLiP not only contributes to our appreciation of this phenotype’s distribution in nature but also has implications for the possibility of oxygenic photosynthesis on exoplanets.

In the last decades, Mars has been widely studied with on-site missions and observations, showing a planet that could have hosted life in the past. For this reason, the recent and future space missions on the red planet will search for traces of past and, possibly, present life. As a basis for these missions, Space Agencies, such as the European Space Agency, have conducted many experiments on living organisms, studying their behavior in extraterrestrial conditions, learning to recognize their biosignatures with techniques remotely controllable such as Raman spectroscopy. Among these organisms, the radioresistant cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis was irradiated during the STARLIFE campaign with strong radiative insults. In this article we have investigated this cyanobacterium using Raman spectroscopy and extended the characterization of its biosignatures and its response to the radiative stress to the mid- Infrared and Terahertz spectral region using the Fourier Transform InfraRed (FT-IR) and Terahertz Time Domain spectroscopy (THz- TDs), which demonstrates the compatibility and suitability of these techniques for future space missions.

Saffron is widely used for its medicinal and culinary properties. Its stigmas are the most expensive part comparing with the flowers that are discarded during production. For that, the objective of this work was to determine the phytocomplex of stigma and flower material (except stigma) of saffron from Algeria. Crocin, picrocrocin and safranal contents were quantified to classify its quality according to ISO/TS 3632 standards. The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of extracts were also investigated. Crocins, total phenolic content, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and anthocyanins were detected and quantified by HPLC-DAD and spectrophotometric analyses. The antioxidant potential was evaluated by 4 in vitro assays. The antimicrobial activity against seven bacteria and two strains of Candida albicans was also evaluated. The results revealed that the chromatographic analysis showed the presence of 20 phenolic acids and flavonoids in the plant samples, with the highest concentrations in stigmas. Crocin derivatives were found only in stigmas, except that trans-crocetin (β-D-gentiobiosyl) which was present also in flower material. The highest total phenolic, total flavonoid and total flavonol contents were observed in stigmas and the highest level of anthocyanins and hydrolysable and condensed tannins in flowers. This extract showed a stronger protection effect from β-carotene bleaching and a higher TAC. The both extracts had some antimicrobial effect. These results point out that flower material could be considered as natural bioresource of polyphenolic compounds, with higher biological activities which remain to be exploited.

One aspect of heritage science is to examine and, if possible, reduce the chemical and physical interactions between the restoration products and artworks’ constituent materials. This research aims to identify an alternative process to minimize the impact on materials and health risk for users when hypochlorite is used as biocide on stone materials. In this study, we tested a hydrogel comprised of sodium alginate as an inert matrix and hypochlorite ions as biocide agents for the removal of biological patinas from calcarenite Lecce samples. These biofilms resulted formed mainly by filamentous cyanobacteria and green microalgae. We carried out 1H-NMR T2 relaxation measurements to check the hydrogel’s cleaning efficacy on artificially bio-deteriorated samples through a portable NMR equipment. Simultaneously, optical microscopy and colorimetric measurements allowed the establishment of color differences induced by treatments. Our biocide hydrogel proved to be effective in removing microbial colonization from the surface of Lecce stone specimens and from a section of an altar rail in the rupestrian Church of San Pietro Barisano, located in the “Sassi of Matera”.

Salt stress represents one of the most problematic abiotic stress affecting plants worldwide. In saline soils, plants try to counteract the consequences of salt stress by physiological changes, lea...

Plant microRNAs have shown the capacity to regulate mammalian systems. The potential bioactivity of miR171vr, an isoform of the plant miR171, on human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells was investigated. Bioinformatics simulations revealed that human G protein subunit alpha 12 (GNA12) transcript could represent an excellent target for miR171vr. To confirm this prediction, in vitro experiments were performed using a synthetic microRNA designed on miR171vr sequence. MiR-treated cells showed a significant decrease of GNA12 mRNA and protein levels, confirming the putative cross-kingdom interaction. In addition, miR171vr determined the modulation of GNA12 downstream signaling factors, including mTOR, as expected. Finally, the effect of the plant miRNA on HEK293 cell growth and its stability in presence of several stressors, such as those miming digestive processes and procedures for preparing food, were evaluated. All this preliminary evidence would suggest that miR171vr, introduced by diet or as supplement in gene therapies, could potentially influence human gene expression, especially for treating disorders where GNA12 is over-expressed (i.e. oral cancer, breast and prostate adenocarcinoma) or mTOR kinase is down-regulated (e.g. obesity, type 2 diabetes, neurodegeneration).

Diatom algae are increasingly explored as an alternative sustainable source for functional biomolecules likes fucoxanthin, and eicosapentaenoic acid. But biomolecule quantity and quantity are influenced by growth conditions. So, effect of differential silica concentration (0-120 mg L

The structural characteristics of diatom cell walls (frustules) has led to their widespread use in diverse biotechnological applications, some of which can be further improved by surface chemical modification (functionalization). The use of coating agents can significantly increase surface binding capacity for target compounds. Frustules of the diatom Staurosirella pinnata used here were a by-product after applying a cascade-extraction process (for other products) to mass cultures. The protocol for the cleaning and functionalization of raw frustules using 3-Mercaptopropyl-trimethoxysilane and 3-Aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane was optimized and reported. Functionalization efficacy was observed using Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Optimally functionalized frustules were evaluated for nickel removal from aqueous solutions. Incubations of 10 min, using 1 g/L of frustules, gave almost complete Ni removal with functionalized frustules compared to 3% removal by raw frustules. The proposed protocol represents a reproducible and efficient alternative for Ni removal from contaminated water.

Despite the increasing interest in using microbial-based technologies to support human space exploration, many unknowns remain not only on bioprocesses but also on microbial survivability and genetic stability under non-Earth conditions. Here the desert cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 029 was investigated for robustness of the repair capability of DNA lesions accumulated under Mars-like conditions (UV radiation and atmosphere) simulated in low Earth orbit using the EXPOSE-R2 facility installed outside the International Space Station. Genomic alterations were determined in a space-derivate of Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 029 obtained upon reactivation on Earth of the space-exposed cells. Comparative analysis of whole-genome sequences showed no increased variant numbers in the space-derivate compared to triplicates of the reference strain maintained on the ground. This result advanced cyanobacteria-based technologies to support human space exploration.

The Pastena cave is located in central Italy, and its best-preserved sector is Grotticella W2, which is dated radiometrically to the Early-Middle Bronze Age. The aim of this paper is to explore human diet, animal husbandry, and plant management, analysing the findings there discovered. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis was carried out on 40 charred seeds, six faunal remains, and four human individuals, investigating the whole bio-archaeological material available. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first papers presenting stable isotope analysis on carpological remains dated to the Italian Early-Middle Bronze Age. The obtained results are consistent with a diet based on terrestrial protein, mainly on plants, and secondly on animal products. The data suggest that plants, especially broad beans, were partially subjected to human management, while livestock was managed through different husbandry strategies. The cooperation between archaeological studies and molecular analysis allows us to contribute to clarifying the economic strategies for a Central Italian community in a scenario that is still poor in published data.

If life ever appeared on Mars and if it did refuge into sub-superficial environments when surface conditions turned too hostile, then it should have been periodically revived from the frozen, dormant state in order to repair the accumulated damage and reset the survival clock to zero for the next dormant phase. Thus, unravelling how long Earth dormant microorganisms can cope with high-LET radiation mimicking long-term irradiation is fundamental to get insights into the long-term resilience of a dormant microbial life in the Martian subsurface over geological timescales that might have taken advantage of periodically clement conditions that allowed the repair of the accumulated DNA damage. The exposure of dried cells of the radioresistant cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 029 to 2 kGy of heavy-ion radiation (Fe ions) did not significantly reduce its survival, although DNA damage was accumulated. Upon rehydration, DNA lesions were repaired as suggested by the over-expression of genes involved in the repair of double strand breaks (DSBs), oxidized bases and apurinic-apyrimidinic sites. Indeed, the monitoring of repair genes upon rehydration suggested a key role of the RecF homologous recombination in repairing DSBs. While the fact that out of the eight genes of the BER system, only one was up-regulated, suggested the absence of DNA lesions generally induced by UV radiation. In conclusion, the non-significantly reduced survival of dried Chroococcidiopsis exposed to 2 kGy of Fe-ion radiation further expanded our appreciation of the resilience of a putative dormant life in the Martian subsurface. Moreover, it is also relevant when searching life on Europa and Enceladus where the radiation environment might critically affect the long-term survival of dormant, frozen life forms.

BACKGROUND Beyond nutrition, fruits and vegetables can be considered as natural sources of bioactive molecules, for which beneficial effects on human health are widely recognised. To improve food quality, soilless growing systems could represent a good strategy for promoting a sustainable food production chain, although the nutritional and nutraceutical properties of their products should be investigated in depth. The main quality traits and the volatile and non-volatile secondary metabolites of Solanum lycopersicum L., Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss and Ocimun basilicum L. grown in an aquaponics system and in organic farming were quantified and compared. RESULTS On a fresh basis, soil-grown P. crispum and O. basilicum showed significantly higher total phenolics and antioxidant activity compared to aquaponic crops, whereas, on a dry basis, both plants showed opposite results. Soil-grown S. lycopersicum was significantly richer in total phenolics, whereas the aquaponic type showed a higher antioxidant activity. Aquaponics induced the accumulation of resveratrol in P. crispum, rosmarinic acid and myricetin in O. basilicum, and lycopene in S. lycopersicum. Among the volatile compounds, in O. basilicum, linalool was the main constituent in both treatments, whereas τ-cadinol represented the second constituent in aquaponic crops. The volatile profiles of P. crispum did not differ significantly between the two cultivation methods. CONCLUSION The overall quality of organic and aquaponics cultures appeared to be comparable. The results showed that aquaponic farming method can be an innovative, rapid and sustainable way of producing quality food. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Forager focus on wild cereal plants has been documented in the core zone of domestication in southwestern Asia, while evidence for forager use of wild grass grains remains sporadic elsewhere. In this paper, we present starch grain and phytolith analyses of dental calculus from 60 Mesolithic and Early Neolithic individuals from five sites in the Danube Gorges of the central Balkans. This zone was inhabited by likely complex Holocene foragers for several millennia before the appearance of the first farmers ~6200 cal BC. We also analyzed forager ground stone tools (GSTs) for evidence of plant processing. Our results based on the study of dental calculus show that certain species of Poaceae (species of the genus Aegilops) were used since the Early Mesolithic, while GSTs exhibit traces of a developed grass grain processing technology. The adoption of domesticated plants in this region after ~6500 cal BC might have been eased by the existing familiarity with wild cereals., eLife digest Before humans invented agriculture and the first farmers appeared in southwestern Asia, other ancient foragers (also known as hunter-gatherers) in southeastern Europe had already developed a taste for consuming wild plants. There is evidence to suggest that these foragers were intensely gathering wild cereal grains before the arrival of agriculture. However, until now, the only place outside southwestern Asia this has been shown to have occurred is in Greece, and is dated around 20,000 years ago. In the past, researchers proposed that forager societies in the Balkans also consumed wild cereals before transitioning to agriculture. But this has been difficult to prove because plant foods are less likely to preserve than animal bones and teeth, making them harder to detect in prehistoric contexts. To overcome this, Cristiani et al. studied teeth from 60 individuals found in archaeological sites between Serbia and Romania, which are attributed to the Mesolithic and Early Neolithic periods. Food particles extracted from crusty deposits on the teeth (called the dental calculus) were found to contain structures typically found in plants. In addition, Cristiani et al. discovered similar plant food residues on ground stone tools which also contained traces of wear associated with the processing of wild cereals. These findings suggest that foragers in the central Balkans were already consuming certain species of wild cereal grains 11,500 years ago, before agriculture arrived in Europe. It is possible that sharing knowledge about plant resources may have helped introduce domesticated plant species in to this region as early as 6500 BC. This work challenges the deep-rooted idea that the diet of hunter-gatherers during the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic periods primarily consisted of animal proteins. In addition, it highlights the active role the eating habits of foragers might have played in introducing certain domesticated plant species that have become primary staples of our diet today.

Two rover missions to Mars aim to detect biomolecules as a sign of extinct or extant life with, among other instruments, Raman spectrometers. However, there are many unknowns about the stability of Raman-detectable biomolecules in the martian environment, clouding the interpretation of the results. To quantify Raman-detectable biomolecule stability, we exposed seven biomolecules for 469 days to a simulated martian environment outside the International Space Station. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) strongly changed the Raman spectra signals, but only minor change was observed when samples were shielded from UVR. These findings provide support for Mars mission operations searching for biosignatures in the subsurface. This experiment demonstrates the detectability of biomolecules by Raman spectroscopy in Mars regolith analogs after space exposure and lays the groundwork for a consolidated space-proven database of spectroscopy biosignatures in targeted environments.

Background: A reliable and science-based taxonomic determination of Papaver somniferum L. (opium poppy), the illegal species of the genus Papaver, may have practical and legal implications for law enforcement. P. somniferum is a controlled plant because of its narcotic substances, such as morphine and codeine. As poppy plants have rather similar morphological features, both chemical and genetic analysis are required in order to achieve an accurate characterization of such species. The chemical structures of alkaloids are extremely variable even within the same species, which is why the genetic approach may lead to a more scientific Papaver sp. differentiation. The aim of our study was the taxonomic identification of poppy capsules seized by the Italian Police Forces being considered as potential P. somniferum derivatives. Methods: The alkaloids detected using gas chromatography/mass-spectrometry (GC/MS) were morphine, codeine, thebaine, noscapine, meconin, hydrocotarnine, and traces of papaverine. Further genetic analysis was carried out simultaneously using three plastid DNA barcoding regions (matK, trnH-psbA, and rbcL) for the samples’ identification. Results: The Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method showed that the analysed samples were genetically identical. Conclusions: The morphological, toxicological, and genetic profile of the samples revealed that they belonged to P. somniferum species. Furthermore, the alkaloid content of dried poppy capsules might be used to investigate and track their origin.