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Topic Review
Cell Lines from Strawberry Fruits
Fleshy fruits are crucial in a healthy human diet but highly perishable due to their delicate texture at full ripe stage. Tomato and strawberry are leading crops which belongs to this fleshy fruit category, as well as models for ripening of climacteric and non-climateric fruits, respectively. In this regard, cell cultures derived from strawberry fruit at different developmental stages have been obtained to evaluate their potential use to study different aspects of strawberry ripening. Callus from leaf and cortical tissue of unripe-green, white, and mature-red strawberry fruits were induced in a medium supplemented with 11.3 M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) under darkness. This 2,4-D chemical reagent is an herbicide which mimics the action of the natural plant hormone auxin, widely used in plant cell culture. The transfer of the established callus from darkness to light induced the production of anthocyanin. The replacement of 2,4-D by abscisic acid (ABA) noticeably increased anthocyanin accumulation in green-fruit callus. Cell walls were isolated from the different fruit cell lines and from fruit receptacles at equivalent developmental stages and sequentially fractionated to obtain fractions enriched in soluble pectins, ester bound pectins, xyloglucans (XG), and matrix glycans tightly associated with cellulose microfibrils. These fractions were analyzed by cell wall carbohydrate microarrays. In fruit receptacle samples, pectins were abundant in all fractions, including those enriched in matrix glycans. The amount of pectin increased from green to white stage, and later these carbohydrates were solubilized in red fruit. Apparently, XG content was similar in white and red fruit, but the proportion of galactosylated XG increased in red fruit. Cell wall fractions from callus cultures were enriched in extensin and displayed a minor amount of pectins. Stronger signals of extensin antibodies were detected in sodium carbonate fraction, suggesting that these proteins could be linked to pectins. Overall, the results obtained suggest that fruit cell lines could be used to analyze hormonal regulation of color development in strawberry but that the cell wall remodelling process associated with fruit softening might be masked by the high presence of extensin in callus cultures.
  • 2.7K
  • 24 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Coffee and Yeasts
Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world, and its popularity has prompted the necessity to constantly increase the variety and improve the characteristics of coffee as a general commodity. The popularity of coffee as a staple drink has also brought undesired side effects, coffee production, processing and consumption are all accompanied by impressive quantities of coffee-related wastes which can be a threat to the environment. In this review, we integrated the main studies on fermentative yeasts used in coffee-related industries with an emphasis on two different directions: (1) the role of yeast strains in the postharvest processing of coffee, the possibilities to use them as starting cultures for controlled fermentation and their impact on the sensorial quality of processed coffee, and (2) the potential to use yeasts to capitalize on coffee wastes - especially spent coffee grounds—in the form of eco-friendly biomass, biofuel or fine chemical production.
  • 2.6K
  • 07 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Mass Spectrometry-Based Single Cell Analysis
Cell-to-cell variation exists within a population of the same cell type due to stochastic gene and protein expression and environmental factors. Studying such cellular heterogeneity is the key to understanding the underlying mechanisms of fundamental biology and complex diseases, highly demanding developments in advanced technologies for molecular profiling at the single-cell level.
  • 2.6K
  • 14 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases
The rise of antimicrobial resistance, particularly from extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E), poses a significant global health challenge as it frequently causes the failure of empirical antibiotic therapy, leading to morbidity and mortality. The E. coli- and K. pneumoniae-derived CTX-M genotype is one of the major types of ESBL. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) are involved in spreading ESBL genes among the bacterial population. Due to the rapidly evolving nature of ESBL-E, there is a lack of specific standard examination methods. Carbapenem has been considered the drug of first choice against ESBL-E. 
  • 2.5K
  • 07 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Fungal Pellets Towards Heavy Metals
The biosorption on fungal pellets is getting attention as an attractive water remediation technique, as it offers an enhanced biomass separation and a high resilience in severe environmental conditions. In this entry, biosorption capacity of fungal pellets towards heavy metals was reviewed. Available data about the adsorption capacity of pellets, their removal efficiency, and the operational conditions used were collected and synthesized. It was found that the biosorption of complex mixtures of pollutants on fungal pellets is scarcely studied, as well as the interfering effect of anions commonly found in water and wastewater. Furthermore, there is a lack of research with real wastewater and at pilot and large scale. These topics need to be further explored to take full advantage of fungal pellets on improving the quality of aquatic systems.
  • 2.5K
  • 04 May 2021
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Arbuscular mycorrhizal Fungi as Inspiration for Sustainable Technology
This review illuminates established knowledge of root–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)–plant mutualism to study the uptake of phosphorus (P) as a critical element for plant nutrition. We focus on P cycling, underscoring the role of AMF in enhancing P acquisition and plant resilience in the rhizosphere. The role(s) of plant roots, root exudates, and biomolecules in relevant soil processes is emphasized in this manuscript. Enhancing P uptake efficiency through AMF interaction presents a promising avenue for sustainable agriculture, with future research opportunities focusing on understanding underlying mechanisms and developing innovative technologies as a need to transition from the use of AMF as a biofertilizer or as an inoculation alternative for seeds to being an inspiration for the development of technology adapted to different crops. This is important to promote responsible agricultural practices and improve crop yields. We provide definitions of key terms and concepts for one of the best-known natural sustainable phosphorus systems. This manuscript illuminates and aims to inspire technology development to overcome the challenge of plant nutrition under P scarcity conditions.
  • 2.5K
  • 31 Jul 2024
Topic Review
The Marine Actinomycetes
The phylum Actinomycetota (Actinobacteria) is one of the main branches or lineages of bacteria gifted with antibiotic producing capabilities. Marine actinomycetes are emerging as a promising candidate for bioactive metabolites, encompassing very complex compounds with pharmacological activities. Genomic insights of marine actinomycetes further revealed their immense biosynthetic potential. Cultivation and fermentation of marine actinomycetes requires expertise on their physiological characteristics and optimum growth conditions or requirements. 
  • 2.5K
  • 19 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Responses and Mechanisms of Plants against Drought Stress
Drought is an important abiotic stress factor limiting crop productivity worldwide and its impact is increasing with climate change. Regardless of the plant growth period, drought has a deadly and yield-reducing effect on the plant at every stage of development. As with many environmental stressors, drought-exposed plants trigger a series of molecular, biochemical, and physiological responses to overcome the effect of drought stress. Currently, researchers are trying to determine the complex functioning of drought stress response in plants with different approaches. Plants are more sensitive to drought stress during certain critical stages like germination, seedling formation, flowering, fertilization, and grain formation periods. Plants have high success in reducing the effects of drought stress in vegetative development periods with the activity of tolerance mechanisms. On the other hand, drought stress during the generative period can cause irreversible losses in yield. 
  • 2.5K
  • 04 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Marine Microalgae for lutein
Marine microalgae are a group of microscopic photosynthetic organisms with a much faster growth rate compared to land plants. They represent a significant reservoir of bioactive compounds, nutritional ingredients, and commercial commodities for the benefit of mankind. One such bioactive compound is the carotenoid lutein, which marine microalgae biosynthesises as their accessory light-harvesting pigment. Lutein is one of the dietary requirements for humans that provides several health benefits including aiding in the prevention of macular degenerative disease, reducing the risk of stroke, heart attack, and mitigation against other metabolic syndromes. Lutein is particularly known to help to maintain the normal visual function by absorbing and attenuating the blue lights that strike the retina in our eyes. Therefore, lutein is becoming a popular bioactive compound as a dietary supplement especially nowadays due to the excessive use of electronic devices and also due to insufficient dietary lutein consumption through our normal diet. Marigold flowers are currently the predominant natural source of lutein, while marine microalgae can be a competitive sustainable alternative. Moreover, microalgae have more free lutein than marigold flowers, which is preferable since it is easily absorbed compared to the esterified forms found in marigold. Although carotenoids astaxanthin and β-carotene are currently commercially produced from specific microalgae, marine microalgae are still waiting for their commercial exploration for the production of lutein.
  • 2.5K
  • 20 Oct 2020
Topic Review
L-Citrulline
L-citrulline (CIT) is an organic compound and a non-essential amino acid, and the body can synthesize it endogenously. Diet is a poor source of CIT and endogenous synthesis the its main source in the body. Watermelon is the principal source of that amino acid in the diet; the name citrulline comes from Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.), the scientific name for watermelon. CIT concentration in watermelon depends on the type of cultivir and usually ranges between 0.7 and 3.6 g/kg of fresh weight. CIT is present in both the flesh and in the ring.
  • 2.5K
  • 06 May 2021
Topic Review
Fluorescence Polarization-Based Bioassays
Fluorescence polarization holds considerable promise for bioanalytical systems because it allows the detection of selective interactions in real time and a choice of fluorophores, the detection of which the biosample matrix does not influence; thus, their choice simplifies and accelerates the preparation of samples. For decades, these possibilities were successfully applied in fluorescence polarization immunoassays based on differences in the polarization of fluorophore emissions excited by plane-polarized light, whether in a free state or as part of an immune complex. However, the results of recent studies demonstrate the efficacy of fluorescence polarization as a detected signal in many bioanalytical methods.
  • 2.5K
  • 17 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. (Fabaceae)
Trees are vital resources for economic, environmental, and industrial growth, supporting human life directly or indirectly through a wide variety of therapeutic compounds, commodities, and ecological services. Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. (Fabaceae) is one of the most valuable multipurpose forest trees in India and Sri Lanka, as it is cultivated for quality wood as well as pharmaceutically bioactive compounds, especially from the stem bark and heartwood. However, propagation of the tree in natural conditions is difficult due to the low percentage of seed germination coupled with overexploitation of this species for its excellent multipurpose properties. This overexploitation has ultimately led to the inclusion of P. marsupium on the list of endangered plant species. However, recent developments in plant biotechnology may offer a solution to the overuse of such valuable species if such advances are accompanied by technology transfer in the developing world. Specifically, techniques in micropropagation, genetic manipulation, DNA barcoding, drug extraction, delivery, and targeting as well as standardization, are of substantial concern. To date, there are no comprehensive and detailed reviews of P. marsupium in terms of biotechnological research developments, specifically pharmacognosy, pharmacology, tissue culture, authentication of genuine species, and basic gene transfer studies.
  • 2.5K
  • 23 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Postbiotics in Skin Conditions
The skin microbiome is composed of a complex association of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The maintenance of skin commensal microbes is essential for preventing the overgrowth of pathogenic microorganisms or already present opportunistic pathogens. Thus, the development of bioactive compounds capable of modulating skin microbiome has become an important topic for both researchers and the cosmetic industry. Increasingly, scientific evidence highlights that metabolites derived from probiotics have a great potential to prevent diseases affecting the skin. These compounds have recently been called postbiotics and are defined as a “preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host”. Postbiotics are obtained from fermentations performed almost exclusively by lactic acid bacteria and yeast. Short-chain fatty acids, bacteriocins, and organic acids are some examples of postbiotics. These compounds exhibit antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. In addition, postbiotic production possesses technological advantages, including high stability and increased safety, compared to viable probiotics.
  • 2.5K
  • 22 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Biosensors for Malaria Biomarkers
This entry discusses recent advances in the development of biosensors for the purposes of malaria diagnostics. It underscore relevant challenges that have defined the gap between biosensor development and their successful utilization in routine clinical practice within resource-limitted settings. It proposes a way to think about developing biosensors that are suitable for biomedical diagnostics applications.
  • 2.4K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Mutagens Applied to Microalgae for Random Mutagenesis
Microalgal biomass and metabolites can be used as a renewable source of nutrition, pharmaceuticals and energy to maintain or improve the quality of human life. Microalgae’s high volumetric productivity and low impact on the environment make them a promising raw material in terms of both ecology and economics. To optimize biotechnological processes with microalgae, improving the productivity and robustness of the cell factories is a major step towards economically viable bioprocesses. The success of a random mutagenesis approach using microalgae is determined by multiple factors involving the treatment of the cells before, during and after the mutagenesis procedure. Using photosynthetic microalgae, the supply of light quality and quantity, as well as the supply of carbon and nitrogen, are the most important factors. Besides the environmental conditions, the type of mutagen, its concentration and exposure time are among the main factors affecting the mutation result.
  • 2.4K
  • 01 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Probiotics in Aquaculture
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) define probiotics as “Live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”. Possible action modes of probiotics in aquaculture include the regulation of amino and fatty acid metabolisms, the excretion of digestive enzymes and vitamins or cofactors, the production of antagonistic compounds that inhibit bacteria, the enhancement of immune responses, the disruption of the quorum-sensing processes of pathogenic organisms, stress improvement, and heavy-metal detoxification.
  • 2.4K
  • 13 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Fungal Pigments in Textile Dyeing
Synthetic pigments/non-renewable coloring sources used normally in the textile industry release toxic substances into the environment, causing perilous ecological challenges. To be safer from such challenges of synthetic colorants, academia and industries have explored the use of natural colorants such as microbial pigments. Such explorations have created a fervent interest among textile stakeholders to undertake the dyeing of textile fabrics, especially with fungal pigments. The biodegradable and sustainable production of natural colorants from fungal sources stand as being comparatively advantageous to synthetic dyes. 
  • 2.4K
  • 10 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Nanotechnology in the Food Industry
The efficient progress in nanotechnology has transformed many aspects of food science and the food industry with enhanced investment and market share. Recent advances in nanomaterials and nanodevices such as nanosensors, nano-emulsions, nanopesticides or nanocapsules are intended to bring about innovative applications in the food industry. In this entry, the current applications of nanotechnology for packaging, processing, and the enhancement of the nutritional value and shelf life of foods are targeted. In addition, the functionality and applicability of food-related nanotechnologies are also highlighted and critically discussed in order to provide an insight into the development and evaluation of the safety of nanotechnology in the food industry.
  • 2.4K
  • 13 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Hemorheology
Hemorheology, the study of cell deformation and blood flow, has been more focused on red blood cells (RBCs) rheology, relating the deformation and aggregation of RBCs, since erythrocytes comprise the major components in blood. Blood rheology can be used as an important clinical assay, correlating various aspects of blood rheology and associated changes in cell behavior and morphology to a wide range of diseases and health conditions.
  • 2.4K
  • 05 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Smart Electro-Clothing Systems
This entry presents an overview of the smart electro-clothing systems (SeCSs) targeted at health monitoring, sports benefits, fitness tracking, and social activities. Technical features of the available SeCSs, covering both textile and electronic components, are thoroughly discussed and their applications in the industry and research purposes are highlighted. In addition, it also presents the developments in the associated areas of wearable sensor systems and textile-based dry sensors. As became evident during the literature research, such a review on SeCSs covering all relevant issues has not been presented before. This entry will be particularly helpful for new generation researchers who are and will be investigating the design, development, function, and comforts of the sensor integrated clothing materials.
  • 2.4K
  • 01 Nov 2020
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