{"title":"Efficient Heavy Metals Detection in Plants: A Microfluidic Approach Combined with Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy.","authors":"Haotian Yang,Shijie Zhang,Chengxiang Duan,Yuanxin Wan,Yujie Shi,Xiaochan Wang,Gang Liu,Guo Zhao,Xiande Zhao","doi":"10.1021/acs.jafc.5c08130","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c08130","url":null,"abstract":"The detection of heavy metals (HMs) in plants is essential for ensuring the health of both plants and humans. Nevertheless, existing detection techniques are limited by high costs and their potential to damage plant samples. In this paper, a wearable paper-based microfluidic sap enrichment (PMSE) device combined with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is presented. Colorimetric analysis was employed to optimize critical parameters of the HM-enrichment filter paper, including its diameter and pore size, ensuring efficient and uniform HM accumulation. The CuNPs-modified filter paper effectively enriched HMs and enhanced LIBS signals, enabling the detection of Cd(II) and Pb(II) in cucumber plants across a concentration range of 0-150 ppb. The method achieved detection limits of 3 ppb for Cd(II) and 5 ppb for Pb(II). This study provides a theoretical basis and technical support for the rapid detection of heavy metals in plants.","PeriodicalId":41,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry","volume":"78 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145209299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Targeted Proteomics Confirms Bovine Milk Peptide Signatures for Differentiating Healthy from Subclinical Mastitic Milk Infected with Streptococcus uberis and Staphylococcus aureus.","authors":"Arpita Das,Kuldeep Giri,Sudipa Maity,Kiran Ambatipudi","doi":"10.1021/acs.jafc.5c05984","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c05984","url":null,"abstract":"Bovine subclinical mastitis (SCM), an asymptomatic mammary inflammation, can lead to milk spoilage, premature culling of animals, and compromised milk quality. Our study aimed to identify and establish the functionality of milk proteins as potential markers for SCM state utilizing multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (MRM-MS). In our study, 464 protein groups were confidently identified, of which 215 protein groups showed relatively different expression between healthy (H) and SCM. The MRM assay was used to quantify peptides NLQI and SLFS (lactophorin), EITQ (serum-amyloid-A), WEEA (leukotriene-A4-hydrolase), and LISD (kininogen) on a cohort of 30 animals in each animal group for evaluating their diagnostic potential and discriminating performances. Compared to one protein's effectiveness as an individualistic marker, the synergistic pattern of multiple peptides achieved better discriminating power toward SCM from healthy individuals with sensitivity (>0.90) and specificity (>0.90). The study's results established peptide signatures in milk, distinguishing the SCM from the H group.","PeriodicalId":41,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry","volume":"75 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145209300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Functional Characterization of a Fatty Acyl Reductase Identified from the Female Pheromone Gland of Mythimna loreyi (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).","authors":"Liuyang Wang,Pei Guo,Xiaofang Zhang,Jianqing Guo,Runjie Meng,Jun Ning,Tao Zhang","doi":"10.1021/acs.jafc.5c08131","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c08131","url":null,"abstract":"Sex pheromones, which play a critical role in mediating sexual communication of Lepidoptera, are biosynthesized by a variety of particular enzymes in specialized pheromone glands (PGs). Among these enzymes, fatty acyl-CoA reductases (FARs) catalyze the reduction of fatty acyl precursors to their corresponding alcohols. In this study, we identified 32 FARs from the genome of Mythimna loreyi, an important agricultural pest. Among all MlorFARs identified, only MlorFAR1 showed a PG expression pattern and exhibited a positive response to pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) injection. Silencing MlorFAR1 reduced pheromone titers by 70.4-88.9% and significantly reduced mating rates at the 48-72 h postinjection time point. Heterologous expression in yeast confirmed that MlorFAR1 preferentially converted medium-chain fatty acid methyl esters to alcohols. These findings establish MlorFAR1 as a pivotal enzyme in the biosynthesis of sex pheromones in M. loreyi, providing a framework for the development of innovative pest management strategies.","PeriodicalId":41,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145203934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Type B Trichothecenes in Grain-Based Foods: Method Validation and Analysis of Convenience Survey Samples.","authors":"Kai Zhang,Brenna M Flannery,Selena Jiang","doi":"10.1021/acs.jafc.5c09422","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c09422","url":null,"abstract":"The FDA monitors deoxynivalenol in the food supply, with an advisory level of 1,000 ng/g established for finished wheat products. To better understand the presence of deoxynivalenol and related type B trichothecenes─nivalenol, 3- and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, and deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside─in food products available in the United States market, we developed and validated a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for their determination. Using this method, we analyzed a convenience sampling of 61 infant/toddler products and 35 grain-based food products. The overall detection rate for the five type B trichothecenes was 24% (23/96), with deoxynivalenol being the most frequently detected mycotoxin (15-312 ng/g) in 14 infant/toddler and 8 grain-based food products. Neither 3- nor 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol was detected in any samples. Co-occurrence of deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside and deoxynivalenol was found in 8 of the 14 infant/toddler products with positive detects, with concentration ratios ranging from 0.1 to 0.7.","PeriodicalId":41,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145203927","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Resistance Evolution and Fitness of Fusarium asiaticum from Fields to Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitor Pydiflumetofen in China.","authors":"Zhili Yuan,Huina Ma,Niu Ma,Qi Wu,Zelong Peng,Chunjuan Yan,Yiping Hou","doi":"10.1021/acs.jafc.5c07082","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c07082","url":null,"abstract":"Pydiflumetofen, a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI), has been widely used to control Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium asiaticum since 2020. Resistance monitoring across different provinces in China from 2020 to 2023 detected no pydiflumetofen-tolerant or resistant F. asiaticum isolates. In 2024, 58 out of 539 F. asiaticum isolates (10.8%) collected from fields in China were identified as pydiflumetofen-tolerant (Pyd-TR), with their sensitivity distribution displaying a continuous rightward shift as EC50 values increased from 0.0168 to 0.0225 μg/mL and MIC values increased from 0.500 to 5.00 μg/mL. Pyd-TR exhibited growth, reproduction, and pathogenicity comparable to those of sensitive isolates. Cross-resistance was observed between pydiflumetofen and fluopyram but not with non-SDHI. No mutations were detected in SdhB/C1/C2/D of Pyd-TR. However, the expression of SdhC1 in Pyd-TR was significantly higher than in sensitive isolates after pydiflumetofen treatment. This study provides the first evidence of the early resistance evolution of F. asiaticum to pydiflumetofen in fields, which is associated with SdhC1 overexpression.","PeriodicalId":41,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry","volume":"94 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145203929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hanluo Li,Linda Liu,Jiaxin Liu,Hang Zheng,Jing Long,Jingyi Wang,Seockmo Ku,Meilin Weng,Sini Kang
{"title":"Enhancement of Intestinal Barrier Function by Butyryl-Fructooligosaccharides via Microbiota-Host Interactions in Colonic Organoid Models.","authors":"Hanluo Li,Linda Liu,Jiaxin Liu,Hang Zheng,Jing Long,Jingyi Wang,Seockmo Ku,Meilin Weng,Sini Kang","doi":"10.1021/acs.jafc.5c09432","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c09432","url":null,"abstract":"Butyryl-fructooligosaccharides (B-FOSs) are prebiotic derivatives synthesized by ester-linked conjugation of fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) with butyrate, exhibiting enhanced prebiotic capabilities over conventional FOSs. However, their therapeutic mechanisms remain incompletely characterized. Our in vitro analyses revealed that B-FOSs resist gastrointestinal digestion and undergo fecal microbial fermentation, indicating their capacity to deliver butyrate to the colon. By integrating in vitro fecal fermentation with 3D colonoids derived from Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells, we systematically explored B-FOS-mediated microbiota-metabolite interactions. Organoid proliferation and viability were enhanced by B-FOS metabolites and a reshaped gut microbiota, which also counteracted liposaccharide (LPS)-induced epithelial disruption by upregulating ZO-1 and MUC2 expression. Notably, B-FOS-fermented supernatants demonstrated superior barrier-protective efficacy than was achieved using equivalent doses of butyrate, suggesting effects of other microbiota-derived metabolites. The B-FOS-modulated microbiota outperformed bacterial controls in terms of MUC2 and ZO-1 production, with Weissella identified as a critical degrader driving B-FOS metabolism and mucin biosynthesis.","PeriodicalId":41,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145203928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Qizhen Zhang,Xin Shi,Rongjia Zhou,Wanzhen Deng,Tuqiang Gao,Mingming Yin,Pengfei Liu
{"title":"Porous Microspheres Promote Rice Growth and Restore the Health of Contaminated Soil by Activating Beneficial Soil Microorganisms.","authors":"Qizhen Zhang,Xin Shi,Rongjia Zhou,Wanzhen Deng,Tuqiang Gao,Mingming Yin,Pengfei Liu","doi":"10.1021/acs.jafc.5c07079","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c07079","url":null,"abstract":"Heavy metals and pesticides are persistent and toxic contaminants that are frequently present in agricultural soils. In this study, we developed porous microspheres (MS) using sodium alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose as composite carriers. Compared with untreated contaminated soils (copper, Cu; hymexazol, HML), MS treatment (MS-Cu, MS-HML) significantly improved soil pH (by up to 2.21%), electrical conductivity (reduction up to 35.12%), and increased nitrogen and phosphorus contents (nitrate nitrogen by 7.19-41.79%, available phosphorus by 4.42-24.58%). Urease and sucrase activities were enhanced by 6.74-27.10% from weeks 2 to 7. Moreover, the relative abundance of soil fungal communities increased with enrichment of beneficial fungi associated with heavy metal sequestration and plant growth promotion. MS addition reduced the accumulation of copper and HML in rice roots by 18.46% and 18.67%, respectively, thereby alleviating adverse effects on seed germination and seedling growth. These findings offer a promising strategy for the sustainable remediation of contaminated soils.","PeriodicalId":41,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry","volume":"78 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145203930","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Characterization and Monitoring of Isomalto/Malto-Polysaccharide Formation by Different 4,6-α-Glucanotransferases.","authors":"Nele Brand,Oliver Müller,Daniel Wefers","doi":"10.1021/acs.jafc.5c07954","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c07954","url":null,"abstract":"GtfB type I enzymes, a subfamily of 4,6-α-glucanotransferases, are enzymes which convert starch into isomalto/malto-polysaccharides (IMMPs) by synthesizing α-1,6-linked chains. The structure of IMMPs highly depends on the enzyme and the substrate used. In this study, the IMMP formation of eight GtfB type I enzymes was investigated in detail by using different substrates and conditions. 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to analyze the structural composition (including the portion of released glucose) and revealed little impact of pH and temperature on the product composition for the investigated enzymes. However, enzymatic fingerprinting analysis revealed enzyme-dependent differences in the length distribution of the 1,6-linked sections of the IMMPs. A detailed reaction monitoring by HPAEC-PAD and NMR spectroscopy showed that larger oligosaccharides are initially used for IMMP synthesis and that branched malto-oligosaccharides are also converted. Overall, detailed information on the reaction time course and the structural composition of the products were obtained.","PeriodicalId":41,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145209015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Methoxyfenozide and Lufenuron Enhanced Insecticidal Activity via 20E Biosynthesis-Immunity Dual Disruption in Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae).","authors":"Zhixian Zhang,Dan Wang,Yajie Ma,Yongpan Shan,Xianpeng Song,Hongyan Hu,Changcai Wu,Yan Ma,Xiangliang Ren","doi":"10.1021/acs.jafc.5c10854","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c10854","url":null,"abstract":"Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) poses significant threats to global agriculture, necessitating the management of resistance through sustainable alternatives such as Insect growth regulators (IGRs), including Methoxyfenozide (MET) and Lufenuron (LUF). This study elucidates the potential regulatory mechanisms between 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and immune signaling under IGR exposure. Sublethal doses of MET, LUF, and their mixture (MML) significantly downregulated the 20E titer by upregulating SeShd and SeCYP18A1. Silencing SeShd decreased 20E, whereas knockdown SeCYP18A1 increased 20E; both delayed development and increased susceptibility to IGRs. Furthermore, IGRs activated immune pathways (Toll/IMD), elevating SeDif and SePGRP-LB (SePLB) expression while simultaneously suppressing 20E. Silencing SeDif and SePLB stimulated 20E biosynthesis and heightened susceptibility to IGRs. These findings offer novel insights into the intricate interplay between 20E biosynthesis and the immune response to IGRs. Our work enhances the understanding of the IGRs' molecular mechanism and offers actionable strategies for combating resistance in S. exigua.","PeriodicalId":41,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry","volume":"3 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145209014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Juan Wang,Wenjun Ying,Peiyao Wen,Hong Liao,Junhua Zhang
{"title":"A Novel Tartaric Acid/Sodium Tartrate Buffer System for Xylo-Oligosaccharide Production from Moso Bamboo.","authors":"Juan Wang,Wenjun Ying,Peiyao Wen,Hong Liao,Junhua Zhang","doi":"10.1021/acs.jafc.5c08783","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c08783","url":null,"abstract":"This study introduces a novel and recyclable tartaric acid/sodium tartrate (TA/ST) buffer system to address challenges in xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS) production from bamboo biomass: minimizing xylose byproducts and enabling TA reuse. Under optimized conditions (60 mM TA/ST, molar ratio 8.0, 170 °C, 30 min), the TA/ST system achieved 50.0% XOS yield, surpassing TA-only hydrolysis by enhancing XOS production 43.6% and reducing xylose production by 8.5%. Additionally, 78.6% tartaric acid was recovered via bipolar membrane electrodialysis. Finally, a high glucose yield of 97.7% was obtained from the delignified bamboo residue by cellulase hydrolysis. This approach provides an efficient, sustainable pathway for XOS production, advancing eco-friendly biorefinery practices.","PeriodicalId":41,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry","volume":"6 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145203910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}