Article
Environmental Sciences
Enock Mpofu, Amirah Alias, Keisuke Tomita, Chiho Suzuki-Minakuchi, Kenji Tomita, Joydeep Chakraborty, Michal Malon, Yusuke Ogura, Hirosato Takikawa, Kazunori Okada, Toshiaki Kimura, Hideaki Nojiri
Summary: This article reports the ability of Bacillus licheniformis strain TAB7 to degrade azoxystrobin through a novel degradation pathway, and identifies azoxystrobin amine as a less toxic metabolite compared to the parent compound. Additionally, the study reveals enzymatic isomerization of (E)-AZ to (Z)-AZ by TAB7.
Article
Agronomy
Sarah Budde-Rodriguez, Julie S. Pasche, Ipsita Mallik, Neil C. Gudmestad
Summary: Early blight and brown leaf spot are common potato diseases in the Midwest, caused by Alternaria solani and various Alternaria species. These fungi have developed reduced sensitivity to certain fungicides, leading to the need for further research on their impact on disease control. Incorporating fungicides like fludioxonil and cyprodinil into rotation programs may help manage resistance and control leaf spot diseases.
Article
Microbiology
Conrad Chibunna Achilonu, Marieka Gryzenhout, Soumya Ghosh, Gert Johannes Marais
Summary: Black spot disease in South African pecan trees is caused by Alternaria alternata and inhibits tree development and nut production. This study investigated the in vitro effect of six fungicides on the mycelial growth of A. alternata isolates from black spot symptoms. Tilt and Bumper 250 EC containing propiconazole were the most effective in inhibiting mycelial growth, while other fungicides showed 75-85% inhibition. The EC50 values for each fungicide on the six isolates ranged from 1.53-1.90 μg/mL. This screening suggests propiconazole as the most effective fungicide for future field trials and controlling black spot disease.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yunyan Deng, Tao Wang, Ying Du, Lulu Zhang, Jiaxin Wang, Zhiqiu Qi, Mingshan Ji
Summary: Fludioxonil is an effective fungicide for controlling cucumber corynespora leaf spot, although there is a moderate risk of resistance. Cucumber corynespora isolates were sensitive to fludioxonil, but laboratory-created mutants showed cross-resistance to other fungicides. The resistant mutants had differences in glycerol accumulation and sensitivity to osmotic stress, as well as mutated histidine kinase genes.
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Maria Anastassiadou, Giulia Bellisai, Giovanni Bernasconi, Alba Brancato, Luis Carrasco Cabrera, Lucien Ferreira, Luna Greco, Samira Jarrah, Aija Kazocina, Renata Leuschner, Jose Oriol Magrans, Ileana Miron, Stefanie Nave, Ragnor Pedersen, Hermine Reich, Alejandro Rojas, Miguel Santos, Alessia Pia Scarlato, Anne Theobald, Benedicte Vagenende, Alessia Verani
Summary: According to EU Regulation, the maximum residue levels for the active substance fludioxonil in blueberries, gooseberries, currants and cranberries were modified based on data submitted by Syngenta Agro GmbH in Germany. The risk assessment concluded that long-term intake of residues from fludioxonil in these fruits is unlikely to pose a risk to consumer health.
Article
Plant Sciences
F. Zhou, H. Y. Hu, D. X. Li, L. G. Tan, Q. Zhang, H. T. Gao, H. L. Sun, X. L. Tian, M. W. Shi, F. L. Zhang, C. W. Li
Summary: The study found significant fitness costs associated with fludioxonil resistance in laboratory mutants of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, leading to reduced mycelial growth, sclerotia formation, and pathogenicity. The mutants also showed increased sensitivity to osmotic stress and mutations in genes related to the HOG1-MAPK pathway. Additionally, positive cross-resistance was observed between fludioxonil and dimethachlone and procymidone, highlighting the potential for integrated pest management to mitigate fludioxonil resistance in field populations of S. sclerotiorum.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katharina Kraxberger, Livio Antonielli, Tanja Kosti, Thomas Reichenauer, Angela Sessitsch
Summary: Concerns about pesticide residues and the need for bioremediation using microorganisms has increased globally. This study focused on isolating and characterizing bacterial strains with the potential to degrade the fungicide azoxystrobin. The best degrading strains were identified as Bacillus subtilis strain MK101, Pseudomonas kermanshahensis strain MK113 and Rhodococcus fascians strain MK144. Genome analysis revealed their potential involvement in pesticide degradation and plant growth promotion.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yasmeen A. A. Hassan, Miriam F. Ayad, Lobna A. Hussein, Nermine Fares
Summary: A new HPLC/DAD method has been developed for fast determination of five fungicides in oranges. The method was successful in measuring fungicide residues in different markets and organic orange samples.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yaqi Xu, Bing Li, Kaixuan Hou, Zhongkun Du, Samuel C. Allen, Lusheng Zhu, Wenxiu Li, Lei Zhu, Jinhua Wang, Jun Wang
Summary: Azoxystrobin, a widely used fungicide, was found to exhibit higher toxicity in natural soil compared to artificial soil when assessing its ecological risk on earthworm populations. The traditional artificial soil testing method may underestimate the ecotoxicity of azoxystrobin in a real agricultural environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Binglian Yang, Wuping Xue, Baoqing Yu, Huailin Pang, Le Yu, Qingling Wang, Dianhu Zhu
Summary: A novel method for the synthesis of Azoxystrobin using trimethylamine as a catalyst is reported in this study. The catalytic system offers several advantages including low cost, excellent reactivity, easy recovery, and minimal environmental impact. Mechanistic studies and DFT calculations suggest that the involvement of a highly active quaternary ammonium salt intermediate is responsible for the efficient catalysis.
ORGANIC PROCESS RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ziyue Wen, Jingrui Wang, Chen Jiao, Wenyong Shao, Zhonghua Ma
Summary: Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by F. graminearum, is a destructive disease for cereal crops, particularly wheat. Fludioxonil, a phenylpyrrole fungicide, has been registered for FHB control in China due to its excellent activity against F. graminearum. In this study, six fludioxonil-resistant isolates were identified from wheat fields in three provinces of China. These resistant isolates exhibited fitness defects and reduced glycerol accumulation compared to sensitive isolates. Importantly, there was no cross-resistance observed between fludioxonil and other fungicides. The mutations in different domains of FgOS1, FgOS2, or FgOS4 were found in the resistant isolates. This study provides valuable insights into the biological and molecular characteristics of field isolates of fludioxonil-resistant F. graminearum, which can contribute to the development of effective strategies for FHB control.
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Md Emran Ali, Mackenzie Gunn, Tammy Stackhouse, Sumyya Waliullah, Baozhu Guo, Albert Culbreath, Timothy Brenneman
Summary: Aspergillus flavus infects peanuts and produces carcinogenic aflatoxin. In 2020, peanut seeds in Georgia had low germination due to contamination. Aspergillus isolates showed resistance to azoxystrobin, necessitating the development of new seed treatment fungicides.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daoud Ali, Khalid E. Ibrahim, Seik Altaf Hussain, Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim
Summary: The research found that AZ fungicide can induce oxidative stress, apoptosis, histological, and genotoxic changes in the freshwater snail L. luteola, showing the potential toxicity of AZ fungicide.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Adriano Francis Dorigan, Silvino Intra Moreira, Paulo Cezar Ceresini, Edson Ampelio Pozza, Leonidas Leoni Belan, Patricia Ricardino da Silveira, Eduardo Alves
Summary: This study found that the QoI-resistant PoTl isolate group exhibited significantly higher fitness and competitive advantage compared to the sensitive isolate group. The highest fitness was observed when resistant strains were predominant in the isolate's mixtures, and there was no fungicide pressure. The resistance to QoI fungicides facilitated a higher fitness in PoTl, contradicting the evolutionary theory of fitness cost associated with fungicide resistance.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
T. Thomidis, I Prodromou, A. Farmakis, A. Zambounis
Summary: Geotrichum candidum was identified as a pathogen causing postharvest tomato fruit rot for the first time in Greece. The optimal temperature for its growth was found to be 25 degrees C, with activity also observed between 15 and 30 degrees C. Propiconazole showed effectiveness in inhibiting the growth of the fungus on tomatoes.
TROPICAL PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Loandi Richter, Erika M. du Plessis, Stacey Duvenage, Lise Korsten
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Soil Science
Magalane Pheladi Gqozo, Malick Bill, Nazareth Siyoum, Nico Labuschagne, Lise Korsten
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Serge Savary, Sonia Akter, Conny Almekinders, Jody Harris, Lise Korsten, Reimund Roetter, Stephen Waddington, Derrill Watson
Article
Soil Science
Malick Bill, Lizyben Chidamba, Jarishma K. Gokul, Nico Labuschagne, Lise Korsten
Summary: This study found differences in soil bacterial community structure between conventional and organic cropping systems, with organic systems rich in carbon cycling bacteria and conventional systems dominated by nitrogen cycling bacteria. Organic cropping systems are more conducive to the degradation of complex organic compounds. These findings provide potential beneficial information for soil management.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Loandi Richter, Erika Du Plesis, Stacey Duvenage, Lise Korsten
Summary: The study revealed potential consumer health risks associated with fresh produce, as most vegetable samples had E. coli counts within international standards, with isolated E. coli showing high levels of multidrug resistance.
JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Birgit Wassermann, Lise Korsten, Gabriele Berg
Summary: Understanding the plant microbiome's response to sound vibration may improve plant health and wine quality. Exposing grapevines to classical music altered the core microbiome of leaves, potentially enhancing plant resilience and sensory characteristics of wines. Further mechanistic studies are needed to fully grasp the impact of this innovative technique on plant health and wine terroir.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tintswalo Baloyi, Stacey Duvenage, Erika Du Plessis, German Villamizar-Rodriguez, Lise Korsten
Summary: The majority of E. coli isolates from informally sold fresh produce in South Africa were multi-drug resistant, with high prevalence of resistance to Aminoglycoside, Cephalosporin, Penicillin, and Chloramphenicol antibiotics. Various antibiotic resistance genes were detected, with some isolates also carrying virulence factors. E. coli isolates were grouped into different phylogenetic groups, indicating a significant human health risk.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maike Loots, Lizyben Chidamba, Lise Korsten
Summary: The study evaluated the potential impact of environmental factors and harvesting practices on the microbial load of macadamia nuts in South Africa. Results showed that E. coli, Salmonella spp., and other microbial contaminants were affected by these factors, highlighting the importance of proper management practices to ensure the safety and quality of macadamia nuts.
JOURNAL OF FOOD PROTECTION
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Muneiwa T. Ratshilingano, Erika M. du Plessis, Stacey Duvenage, Lise Korsten
Summary: This study revealed the presence of multidrug-resistant E. coli in commercially produced lettuce and spinach, with a potential link between irrigation water sources and the contamination of leafy green vegetables. The findings highlight the risk of antibiotic resistance and the potential transfer of E. coli in the supply chain.
JOURNAL OF FOOD PROTECTION
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Loandi Richter, Erika M. du Plessis, Stacey Duvenage, Lise Korsten
Summary: The study investigated the presence of multidrug-resistant E. coli in spinach production systems, highlighting the importance of irrigation water compliance with standardized microbiological safety guidelines for vegetable consumed raw. The similarity of multi-drug resistant E. coli isolates from irrigation water and spinach underscores the need for increased surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in fresh produce and the development of mitigation strategies.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Serge Savary, Stephen Waddington, Sonia Akter, Conny J. M. Almekinders, Jody Harris, Lise Korsten, Reimund P. Roetter, Goedele van den Broeck
Summary: The review of articles published in Food Security in 2021 reveals a diverse range of topics related to food, nutrition, production, and scales of food security. The themes covered include food supply and demand, food security in households, food production, value chains and food systems, the evolution of the concept of food security, and global nutrition. The article also discusses the importance of interdisciplinary research, the role of social sciences in ensuring food security as a collective good, the balance between the Global South and the Global North in addressing food security, and the potential neglect of urgent global challenges due to the current public health emergency.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Birgit Wassermann, Ahmed Abdelfattah, Henry Muller, Lise Korsten, Gabriele Berg
Summary: The study revealed that apples harbor a diverse range of antimicrobial resistance genes, even though their abundance is relatively low. Post-harvest and intercontinental transport significantly altered the apple microbiome and resistome, with an increase in multidrug resistance-associated genes and changes in microbial composition. Storage and transport were identified as potential factors in distributing antimicrobial resistance globally, emphasizing the importance of surveillance in complex food chains.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Malick Bill, Jarishma Keriuscia Gokul, Francois Viljoen, Lise Korsten
Summary: The aim of this study was to characterize the microbial population of avocado carposphere and understand the shifts in community structure during postharvest stages. The results showed significant differences in fungal richness on the avocado surface and pulp between postharvest stages, with a decline observed after prochloraz dip treatment. The presence of beneficial and pathogenic fungi was identified, with fungicide use resulting in a reduction of pathogenic fungi.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Thabang Msimango, Stacey Duvenage, Erika M. Du Plessis, Lise Korsten
Summary: This study assessed the microbiological quality of fresh produce supplied to South African schools. The results showed that more than half of the samples exceeded the microbiological guidelines for ready-to-eat food, with over 80% exceeding coliform and E. coli criteria. Additionally, some bacterial strains displayed multidrug resistance and may pose potential health risks to students.
FOOD SCIENCE & NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stacey Duvenage, Werner Rossouw, German Villamizar-Rodriguez, Erika M. du Plessis, Lise Korsten
Summary: The study revealed that freshly harvested and packed ready-to-eat mushrooms as well as handlers' hands could be sources of diverse Staphylococcus spp., with most isolates resistant to penicillin and some being multidrug resistant strains. The presence of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus spp. on mushrooms and handlers' hands poses a potential public health risk.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Zeyang Bao, Qihang Zhou, Yan Yu, Wei Chen, Zhenfeng Yang, Shifeng Cao, Liyu Shi
Summary: Exogenous melatonin treatment can alleviate the chilling-induced browning in cold-stored peaches by upregulating gene expression and affecting DNA methylation levels to increase phenolic accumulation.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Guolong Li, Zhishu Tang, Zhongxing Song, Xinbo Shi, Changle Liu, Qiang Chen, Hongbo Liu
Summary: This study investigated the accumulation of flavonoids in Chinese sour jujube fruits from five different harvest times using a combined metabolomics and transcriptomics approach. A total of 1539 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) and 11592 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. The biosynthetic pathways for flavonoids, flavones, and flavanols were significantly enriched. A regulatory network for flavonoids biosynthesis was built and key genes related to flavonoid biosynthesis were identified.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Xuejiao Zhang, Xiaoyuan Zheng, Ruirui Yang, Qihui Wang, Lu Bai, Di Gong, Ye Han, Dov Prusky, Yang Bi
Summary: UV-C radiation promotes flavonoid synthesis in potato tuber wounds during early healing by upregulating the expression and activities of key enzymes and transcription factors involved in the flavonoid synthesis pathway, as well as increasing ABA levels and signaling.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Jiaqi Xiao, Yunyun Xie, Xiangjin Kong, Kuan Peng, Hong Zhu, Yueming Jiang, Hongxia Qu
Summary: The study reveals the positive role of Ca2+ ATPase in litchi energy metabolism and senescence. Higher expression of LcACAs is associated with better storability in litchi cultivars. Additionally, LcACA2 is identified as a target of LcmiR482e and ATP application can downregulate the expression of LcmiR482e, contributing to delayed senescence in litchi.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Asunta Mukami, Bicko Steve Juma, Cecilia Mweu, Richard Oduor, Wilton Mbinda
Summary: This study employed the CRISPR-Cas9 system to mutate genes in cassava, resulting in an extended shelf life of cassava roots and improved yield stability and farmers' income.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Paulo Sergio Gularte, Samara Martins Zanella, Cristiano Andre Steffens, Marceli Buss, Janaiana Catarina da Silva, Willian Coser, Aquidauana Miqueloto, Cassandro Vidal Talamini do Amarante
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of nitric oxide application on fruit quality and anaerobic metabolism products. The results showed that nitric oxide at appropriate concentrations can reduce respiration and ethylene evolution rates, preserve firmness, and reduce metabolite production and decay incidence.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Yiting Li, Sicong You, Shasha Wu, Mengyao Wang, Jin Song, Weijie Lan, Kang Tu, Leiqing Pan
Summary: This study aimed to compare the discrimination ability and detection limit of visible and short-wave near-infrared hyperspectral imaging features and spectral information on early implicit bruised pears. Physical characteristics were more sensitive than chemical parameters for bruised pears during postharvest storage. The changes in spectral variations at specific wavelengths could explain the bruising changes in pears. Discrimination models based on selected spectral variables could effectively identify bruised pear areas, and the combination of imaging features and spectral variables achieved higher discrimination rates.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Yu Du, Mengyue Wang, Mengting Tong, Dengyun Wu, Jianzhou Chu, Xiaoqin Yao
Summary: This study investigated the effects of sucrose, brassinolide (BR), and their combination on the storage quality of kale sprouts. The results showed that the combined treatment improved the growth and development of sprouts, reduced oxidative stress, and inhibited nutrient loss. Furthermore, the combination treatment maintained the antioxidant capacity and nutrient content of kale sprouts.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Zhiwen Hu, Jing Wei, Weimin Zhang, Long Wu, Di Gong, Yue Xiang, Jialiang Liu, Zhengke Zhang
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated the effect of melatonin (Mel) on the phytotoxicity and residues of the fungicide prochloraz (Pcz) in mango fruit during storage. The results showed that pretreatment with Mel reduced Pcz residues and alleviated phytotoxicity in the fruit. Mel also suppressed Pcz-induced oxidative stress and enhanced the detoxification capacity of the fruit.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Bin Duan, Okwong Oketch Reymick, Zhaoguo Liu, Yun Zhou, Xin Wang, Zhao Feng, Nengguo Tao
Summary: The monoterpene citral can enhance disease resistance and reduce fruit decay in postharvest citrus fruit. It increases the activity of certain enzymes and the content of specific compounds, as well as triggers the accumulation of plant hormones and metabolites. Gene expression analysis reveals that citral upregulates genes involved in the jasmonic acid pathway and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Meiqi Li, Xinhua Zhang, Jiaoqi Li, Maratab Ali, Yuting Wang, Xiuling Liu, Fujun Li, Xiaoan Li
Summary: This research aimed to investigate the potential action mechanism of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in controlling Botrytis cinerea (B. cinerea) in tomato fruit. The findings showed that GABA treatment effectively reduced the disease incidence and lesion diameter of tomato fruit caused by B. cinerea. GABA triggered defense responses and up-regulated the expression of pathogenesis-related genes, while also inhibiting the expression of ethylene synthesis genes.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Heeduk Oh, Marti Pottorff, Lara Giongo, Charles M. Mainland, Massimo Iorizzo, Penelope Perkins-Veazie
Summary: This study evaluated a large set of blueberry cultivars to understand the relationship between mechanical texture and appearance characteristics at harvest and after storage, and tested multiple statistical models to predict shelf-life. The results showed that fruit characteristics measured at harvest or two weeks post-harvest can predict weight loss, texture change, and fruit wrinkling. These findings provide empirical data that blueberry breeders can use to select cultivars with extended shelf-life.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Haitao Yu, Liuli Song, Jingjing Han, Xiaoyu Yu, Yuzhen Wu, Zhifang Yu
Summary: This study found that H2S treatment can delay the senescence process of postharvest pakchoi by regulating antioxidant system, endogenous H2S and NO metabolism. H2S increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes by up-regulating the expression of enzyme genes, reducing the accumulation of harmful substances. Furthermore, H2S increased the content of cysteine and nitrate in pakchoi by regulating the expression of related genes and enzyme activities, thus slowing down the senescence of pakchoi.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Jasna Mastilovic, Zarko Kevresan, Dragan Kukolj, Renata Kovac, Dragana Ubiparip Samek, Stevan Stankovski, Gordana Ostojic, Marina Deric
Summary: This study analyzes the patent portfolio and trends of sensors in postharvest of fresh produce, providing insights into the development of sensing technologies in this area. China is the leading country in patent applications, and the patent themes include produce sorting and packaging, produce storage, and the development and application of sensors. The findings highlight the significant impact of these technologies on postharvest processes, particularly in quality and safety monitoring. Moreover, they are expected to facilitate the integration of artificial intelligence into postharvest processes, enhancing the coherence and efficiency of supply chains.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Gal Nomberg, Gulab Chand Arya, Ekaterina Manasherova, Ofir Marinov, Oded Yarden, Hagai Cohen
Summary: Certain fleshy fruit species form a polyphenolic suberized peridermal skin to seal wounded skin and prevent invasion by pathogenic fungi.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2024)