Applied Biological Chemistry最新文献

{"title":"Effect of long-term organic fertilization on soil chemical, biological properties and labile organic carbon fractions under maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation","authors":"Yeon-Ho Kim,&nbsp;Sang-Min Lee,&nbsp;Nan-Hee An,&nbsp;Cho-Rong Lee,&nbsp;Hyun-Young Hwang","doi":"10.1186/s13765-026-01085-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13765-026-01085-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Organic fertilization has been known to improve soil health by accelerating microbial activity, which mainly regulated the formation and decomposition of labile organic carbon (LOC). The objectives of this study were to: (1) analyze the effects of different fertilization on soil microbial activity; β-glucosidase, dehydrogenase, phosphatase, urease and soil respiration (RES) and LOC; particulate organic carbon (POC), permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and (2) evaluate the potential of LOC pool as a soil health indicator through correlation analysis. Treatments included chemical fertilizer (NPK), cattle manure compost (COM), green manure crops (GM), and an unfertilized control (NF). Soil chemical properties and microbial activity were higher in organic resource treatments (COM, GM) than in NPK. The COM treatment showed the highest values for pH, total nitrogen (T-N), soil organic matter, available phosphorus, and exchangeable cations. Also, microbial enzyme activities (β-glucosidase, dehydrogenase, phosphatase, urease) and RES were higher in organic fertilization, compared to NPK. In particular, COM treatment increased urease activity and respiration by 35% and 60%, respectively, relative to NPK. Significant positive correlations were observed between soil microbial activity and the LOC fractions, in particular, POC showed the strongest correlation (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01). Particulate organic C could be suggested as a reliable indicator for soil health. Additionally, maize yield of the organic treatments was comparable to those of NPK, confirming organic fertilization could be an effective management for both soil health and crop yield.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":467,"journal":{"name":"Applied Biological Chemistry","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13765-026-01085-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147937881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Autocrine motility factor peptide enhances curcumin/tetrahydrocurcumin activity against colorectal cancer cells in association with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase downregulation and oxidative stress","authors":"Kyunghee Lee,&nbsp;Yuhan Cho,&nbsp;Dong-Won Bae,&nbsp;Kim-Ngan Thi Nguyen,&nbsp;Changyul Kim,&nbsp;Phil-Ok Koh,&nbsp;Hee Sung Park","doi":"10.1186/s13765-026-01093-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13765-026-01093-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Current therapeutic approaches for colorectal cancer (CRC) face significant limitations, including drug resistance, adverse effects, and high costs. Autocrine motility factor (AMF), the extracellular form of glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, exhibits paradoxical dual functionality as both a growth activator and inhibitor. This study examined the inhibitory effects of tetradecapeptides derived from AMF variants on the proliferation of HT-29 and SW620 CRC cells. Among six AMF peptides tested (AAP, HGP, HTP, SKP, AKP, and KAP), KAP showed the strongest growth inhibition, associated with downregulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Notably, combining KAP with curcumin (CUR) or its derivative tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) markedly reduced the viability of CRC cells that showed limited sensitivity to CUR and THC monotherapy. Furthermore, KAP elevated intracellular accumulation of fluorescent CUR, suggesting possible modulation of membrane transporter activity involved in xenobiotic efflux. These findings suggest that the combination of human-origin AMF peptides and plant-origin CUR/THC may represent a promising natural strategy for CRC treatment, warranting further preclinical investigation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":467,"journal":{"name":"Applied Biological Chemistry","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13765-026-01093-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147796428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"16S rRNA gene copy number variation and sink biomass shape source contributions in community-wide microbial source tracking","authors":"Geon Choi,&nbsp;Tatsuya Unno","doi":"10.1186/s13765-026-01095-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13765-026-01095-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Community-wide microbial source tracking (MST) based on 16 S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing is widely used to track fecal contamination, yet its outputs are influenced by technical and ecological factors that complicate interpretation. Here, we tested how 16 S rRNA gene copy number variation (16 S GCN) and sink microbial load shape inferred fecal source contributions using a spike–dilution experiment. River water was diluted to generate three background microbial load levels and then spiked with cow or pig fecal slurry across a concentration gradient. Total bacterial load was quantified by flow cytometry, and 16 S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing data were processed with and without 16 S GCN correction. Source contributions were computed using FEAST. Estimated fecal-source contributions increased with fecal input and were higher under lower background microbial load, indicating that proportional source estimates can vary with sink biomass even under comparable spike-in levels. Copy number correction consistently reduced inferred fecal source contributions and decreased the relative abundance of several feces-derived genera with high predicted 16 S GCN values. Moreover, the magnitude of correction-induced changes in host-source contributions was significantly associated with the community’s GCN profile, including feces-weighted GCN. Together, these results indicate that 16 S-based community-wide MST is sensitive to both background microbial biomass and variation in 16 S GCN across community members, highlighting the need to interpret proportional source fractions along with independent measurements of sink microbial load and careful consideration of 16 S GCN variation. This study provides practical considerations for improving the robustness and comparability of fecal source apportionment in environmental contamination monitoring.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":467,"journal":{"name":"Applied Biological Chemistry","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13765-026-01095-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147796427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Incorporation of ultrasound-assisted olive leaf extract into mozzarella cheese: effects on physicochemical, functional, and textural properties","authors":"Kanza Imran,&nbsp;Syeda Afnan Mujahid,&nbsp;Khadijah Fayyaz,&nbsp;Komal Javed,&nbsp;Nauman Khalid","doi":"10.1186/s13765-026-01094-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13765-026-01094-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Mozzarella cheese is one of the most commonly consumed and popular dairy products globally. Its characteristics and internal matrix structure make it ideal for containing bioactives like polyphenols, plant extracts, and functional lipids. Olive leaves are the byproduct of olive cultivation and processing, and these are rich in phenolic compounds like oleuropein. The objective of the current study was to formulate and characterize mozzarella cheese encapsulated with olive leaf powder extract (OLE). Mozzarella cheese was prepared through ultrasonication of milk at different levels of OLE. The different treatments of mozzarella cheese were then subjected to antioxidant, physiochemical, textural, and sensory analysis. The inclusion of OLE significantly enhanced (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) the antioxidant capacity of the treated mozzarella cheese when compared to the control. The influence of OLE inclusion on the moisture, fat, and ash content (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) and on pH was significant. In colorimetric analysis, the a* and b* values increased, while there was a significant (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) decrease in L* value with increasing OLE concentration in treatments. The microencapsulation of OLE led to a significant (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05) reduction in the stretchability and an increase in the meltability of the mozzarella cheese treatments. Moreover, the OLE treatment had a significant effect on the textural properties of the cheese, such as cohesiveness, springiness, chewiness, and gumminess. However, the parameter of hardness remained the same. Sensory evaluation did not show any significant difference (<i>p</i> &gt; 0.05) among the treatments. It was concluded that the incorporation of encapsulated OLE into the mozzarella cheese resulted in an improved antioxidant capacity, with a negligible influence on the cheese’s textural and sensory properties.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture><span>The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.</span></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":467,"journal":{"name":"Applied Biological Chemistry","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13765-026-01094-1.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147738599","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of a species-specific real-time PCR assay for identifying the medicinal plant Artemisia princeps and the toxic plant Corydalis speciosa","authors":"Ui Cheol Park,&nbsp;Cheol Seong Jang","doi":"10.1186/s13765-026-01091-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13765-026-01091-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The medicinal herb <i>Artemisia princeps</i> and the poisonous plant <i>Corydalis speciosa</i> have a high degree of morphological similarity, which may contribute to unintentional contamination. Indeed, cases of acute toxicity have been reported in which <i>C. speciosa</i> was mistakenly ingested in place of <i>A. princeps</i>. To ensure accurate identification, a species-specific quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay was developed using six primer pairs targeting single-nucleotide polymorphisms or insertion/deletion regions within chloroplast genes. The respective limits of detection were validated, and a contamination-based cutoff Cq value (0.1%) was established for assessing authenticity. All six primer pairs showed excellent performance, with correlation coefficients &gt; 0.99, slopes of -3.12 to -3.28, and efficiencies of 101.82%–109.47%. The developed qPCR assay was verified based on blind and commercial tests for reproducibility and specificity, respectively. This qPCR assay represents a sensitive and reliable method for distinguishing similar medicinal and toxic plants, thereby contributing to improved product quality and safety.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":467,"journal":{"name":"Applied Biological Chemistry","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13765-026-01091-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147737889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Protein quality of flour from different species of edible winged termites and the effect of termite flour-supplemented diets on hematological plus biochemical indices of rats","authors":"Babirye Khadijah,&nbsp;Ammar Ahmad Khan,&nbsp;Shahrul Razid Sarbini,&nbsp;Aqsa Abid","doi":"10.1186/s13765-026-01090-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13765-026-01090-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Edible insects are lately a research niche due to their promising nutrition and sustainability benefits. Protein profiling of a food at laboratory scale or <i>invitro</i> tests require validation through <i>invivo</i> assays to guide regulatory food standards and human nutrition intervention programmes, especially where such a protein food contains antinutritional compounds at laboratory analysis. The present study thus aimed at comparing protein quality in flour from four species of edible winged termites through a rat model, and investigating the effects of termite flour-supplemented diets on hematological plus biochemical indices. A total of 36 weanling male albino rats were distributed across 4 termite-supplemented diets (different termite species in each diet), a casein (control) diet, and a basal diet, with 6 rats in each group, and were fed on these diets for 28 days. Rats fed on <i>Macrotermes bellicosus</i>,<i> Pseudocanthotermes spriniger</i>, and <i>Odontotermes lateritius</i> diets produced the significantly highest weight gain (18.92 to 19.21 g), biological value (87.22 to 88.09%), relative kidney weight (0.91 to 0.97 g/100 g) and liver weight (5.50 to 5.84 g/100 g). Exceptionally, rats fed on the <i>M. bellicosus</i> diet produced the significantly highest protein efficiency ratio (1.97), net protein ratio (3.72), and hemoglobin level (14.31 g/dL). The true digestibility, total plasma protein, and packed cell volume for rats fed on <i>M. bellicosus</i> diet and casein diet were comparable. Similarly, rats fed on the casein diet produced statistically similar white blood cell count with those fed on the <i>O. lateritius</i> diet, yet their (casein-fed rats) biological value and aspartate transaminase activity were comparable to that of rats fed on <i>Macrotermes subhyalinus</i> diet. Present findings revealed that <i>M. bellicosus</i> and <i>P. spriniger</i>-supplemented diets produce high protein quality whereas the casein diet generally outcompetes the <i>M. subhyalinus</i>-supplemented diet. Results of the present study could find applications in development of high quality protein-rich foods from edible winged termites, for use during nutrition-intervention programmes/campaigns.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":467,"journal":{"name":"Applied Biological Chemistry","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13765-026-01090-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147642632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Environmental behavior and the degradation of tire-rubber-related pollutant 6PPD-quinone in soils","authors":"Min-Young Kim,&nbsp;Ji-Young An,&nbsp;Deuk-Yeong Lee,&nbsp;Seong-Hoon Jeong,&nbsp;Jong-Hwan Kim","doi":"10.1186/s13765-025-01064-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13765-025-01064-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine-quinone (6PPD-Q), a transformation product of the tire rubber antioxidant N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, has recently been identified as a contaminant of emerging concern due to its acute aquatic toxicity and widespread occurrence. However, its behavior in terrestrial environments remains insufficiently understood. To address this gap, this study investigates the environmental degradation and behavior of 6PPD-Q in three soils with contrasting physicochemical properties through photodegradation, leaching, and adsorption–desorption experiments. Under simulated sunlight, 6PPD-Q exhibited varying degradation kinetics, with sandy soils showing the most rapid photodegradation. Organic- and clay-rich soils demonstrated slower breakdown and greater degradation driven by microbial activity under dark conditions. The soil column leaching test revealed extremely limited vertical mobility, with more than 90% of 6PPD-Q retained within the top 6 cm of soil after artificial rainfall treatment, suggesting a low potential for groundwater contamination. Adsorption–desorption experiments confirmed strong binding to soil organic matter and clay fractions, with less than 10% of the initially sorbed 6PPD-Q desorbed after 48 h. Collectively, these results demonstrate that 6PPD-Q persists primarily in surface soils, where its fate is governed by the interplay between photolytic processes and sorption-driven stabilization. From an applied perspective, the prolonged surface retention of 6PPD-Q raises ecological and agronomic concerns, including chronic exposure risks for soil invertebrates, potential plant uptake, and secondary mobilization during rainfall. This study provides critical mechanistic insights into the environmental fate of 6PPD-Q and highlights the importance of soil-specific assessments for the robust ecological risk evaluation of tire-derived pollutants.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":467,"journal":{"name":"Applied Biological Chemistry","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13765-025-01064-z.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147607178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Zero valent iron-assisted methane production from anaerobic digestion of microalgae Tetradesmus obliquus","authors":"Seo-Yeon Yang,&nbsp;Won-Seok Kim,&nbsp;Se-Hoon Kim,&nbsp;Jiyoung Choi,&nbsp;Ji-Hoon Kim,&nbsp;Michael J. Sadowsky,&nbsp;Ji-Hoon Lee","doi":"10.1186/s13765-026-01089-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13765-026-01089-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Anaerobic digestion (AD) of microalgae presents a promising strategy for renewable methane production while contributing to atmospheric CO₂ reduction. Methane production potential from two strains of the microalga <i>Tetradesmus obliquus</i> (AG60 and AG10) was investigated. To enhance biomass hydrolysis, zero-valent iron (ZVI, Fe0) was added as an in-situ facilitator. Methane yields from microalgae treatments significantly exceeded those of the control (accumulative methane of 93.2 mL/g volatile solid (VS) from seed sludge only), with AG60 and AG10 producing 139.7 mL/g VS (algae only, <i>p</i> = 5.0 × 10^− 5) and 261.7 mL/g VS (algae only, <i>p</i> = 2.0 × 10^{<i>−</i> 6}), respectively. Quantitative PCR analyses done targeting 16 S rRNA and the methanogen-specific <i>mcr</i>A genes revealed an increased abundance of methanogens. Microbial community analysis supported the increase in hydrogenotrophic taxa such as <i>Methanobacterium</i>, suggesting a shift toward hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis in the AD. This analysis also showed an increase in the relative abundance of cellulolytic bacteria, supporting more efficient degradation of algal biomass. Despite complex microbial interactions, the addition of microalgae resulted in a stable and functionally enriched microbial community that facilitated efficient methane production. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using microalgal biomass as a viable substrate for AD without extensive pretreatment and highlight its potential role in the development of sustainable biogas systems and climate change mitigation strategies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":467,"journal":{"name":"Applied Biological Chemistry","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13765-026-01089-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147559885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Artesunate suppresses nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression by directly targeting MMP2","authors":"Xiaoyan Wang,&nbsp;Wenhao Huang,&nbsp;Shibin Huang","doi":"10.1186/s13765-026-01087-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13765-026-01087-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by its aggressive behavior and a pronounced tendency for metastasis. Artesunate (ART), an antimalarial drug, has demonstrated anticancer properties; yet, the underlying mechanisms of its action in NPC are poorly defined.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>The anti-tumor effects of ART on NPC cells (proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis) were assessed in vitro. An integrated approach combining network pharmacology (using NPC-related DEGs from dataset GSE118719 and predicted ART targets) and molecular docking identified potential targets. Key findings were validated through qRT-PCR, WB, gelatin zymography, loss/gain-of-function assays, and an in vivo xenograft model.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>ART significantly inhibited NPC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis, while inducing apoptosis. Network pharmacology identified MMP2 as a core target, and molecular docking confirmed high-affinity binding between ART and MMP2. MMP2 was upregulated in NPC tissues and cells. Knockdown of MMP2 suppressed malignant phenotypes, while its overexpression reversed ART-induced inhibition. In vivo, ART treatment reduced tumor growth and downregulated the expression of MMP2 and Ki67.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>ART exerts potent anti-NPC effects by directly targeting and inhibiting MMP2, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for NPC.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":467,"journal":{"name":"Applied Biological Chemistry","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13765-026-01087-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147441459","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of botanical extracts and molecular docking approaches for sustainable management of rice blast disease in Mushk Budji rice","authors":"Zakir Amin,&nbsp;Fayaz A. Mohiddin,&nbsp;Suhail Ashraf,&nbsp;Shugufta Parveen,&nbsp;Tauseef A. Bhat,&nbsp;Sajad Un Nabi,&nbsp;Fehim Jeelani Wani,&nbsp;Asif. B. Shikari,&nbsp;Heena Altaf,&nbsp;Fazil Fayaz Wani,&nbsp;Vishal Gupta,&nbsp;Tariq A. Raja,&nbsp;Arif Bashir,&nbsp;Aasiya Qadir,&nbsp;Rajapandiyan Krishnamoorthy","doi":"10.1186/s13765-026-01084-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13765-026-01084-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>A study was carried out to explore and address the challenges posed by rice blast disease (<i>Magnaporthe oryzae</i> B. C. Couch.). Keeping in view the unique qualities and cultural importance of this variety, the research introduces an innovative approach by integrating plant extracts into disease management practices through in-depth analyses and field experiments. Three concentrations of ethanol-based extracts each of the twenty-one were evaluated in vitro against the control. The percentage of mycelial inhibition was recorded and based on their effectiveness; six efficient botanicals were further evaluated in the field. The field experiments were carried out on the susceptible Mushk Budji cultivar of rice for two successive years. The results demonstrated that certain botanicals, especially extracts of <i>Syzygium aromaticum</i> and <i>Podophyllum hexandrum</i>, significantly reduced disease incidence and severity, and improved grain and straw yields, performing on par with the chemical control, Tricyclazole. Additionally, molecular docking was conducted to identify active compounds responsible for antifungal effects. The ligands for docking studiesquercetin, podophyllotoxin, and eugenolwere chosen based on literature mining for their reported antifungal activity. These phytochemicals displayed strong binding affinities ( -5.5 to − -3.8 kcal/mol) to the ToxB-like effector protein of <i>M. oryzae</i>, suggesting interference with fungal pathogenicity mechanisms. Among these, quercetin and podophyllotoxin were the most promising ligands. The integration of wet-lab assays and in silico analysis strengthens the case for deploying bioactive botanicals in integrated disease management. Our findings advocate the use of eco-friendly, plant-based fungicides as a viable strategy for blast disease control, promoting organic farming and preservation of indigenous rice varieties. The findings highlight the importance of developing eco-friendly, plant-based alternatives to chemical fungicides, aligning with the goals of sustainable agriculture and organic farming. Future research should focus on developing stable formulations of these botanicals, evaluating their synergistic potential with biocontrol agents, and validating their effectiveness through multi-location field trials. Additionally, further investigation into the molecular mechanisms of action and the long-term ecological and economic impacts of botanical fungicides is warranted.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":467,"journal":{"name":"Applied Biological Chemistry","volume":"69 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13765-026-01084-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147441178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}