Individual Shrink Wrapping of Zucchini Fruit Improves Postharvest Chilling Tolerance Associated with a Reduction in Ethylene Production and Oxidative Stress Metabolites

We have studied the effect of individual shrink wrapping (ISW) on the postharvest performance of refrigerated fruit from two zucchini cultivars that differ in their sensitivity to cold storage: Sinatra (more sensitive) and Natura (more tolerant). The fruit was individually shrink wrapped before storing at 4°C for 0, 7 and 14 days. Quality parameters, ethylene and CO2 productions, ethylene gene expression, and oxidative stress metabolites were assessed in shrink wrapped and non-wrapped fruit after conditioning the fruit for 6 hours at 20°C. ISW decreased significantly the postharvest deterioration of chilled zucchini in both cultivars. Weight loss was reduced to less than 1%, pitting symptoms were completely absent in ISW fruit at 7 days, and were less than 25% those of control fruits at 14 days of cold storage, and firmness loss was significantly reduced in the cultivar Sinatra. These enhancements in quality of ISW fruit were associated with a significant reduction in cold-induced ethylene production, in the respiration rate, and in the level of oxidative stress metabolites such as hydrogen peroxide and malonyldialdehyde (MDA). A detailed expression analysis of ethylene biosynthesis, perception and signaling genes demonstrated a downregulation of CpACS1 and CpACO1 genes in response to ISW, two genes that are upregulated by cold storage. However, the expression patterns of six other ethylene biosynthesis genes (CpACS2 to CpACS7) and five ethylene signal transduction pathway genes (CpCTR1, CpETR1, CpERS1, CpEIN3.1 and CpEN3.2), suggest that they do not play a major role in response to cold storage and ISW packaging. In conclusion, ISW zucchini packaging resulted in improved tolerance to chilling concomitantly with a reduction in oxidative stress, respiration rate and ethylene production, as well as in the expression of ethylene biosynthesis genes, but not of those involved in ethylene perception and sensitivity.This work was supported by grants AGL2011-30568-C02/ALI from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, and AGR1423 from the Consejería de Economía, Innovación y Ciencia, Junta de Andalucía, Spain. Z.M. acknowledges FPU program scholarships from MEC, Spain. S.M. is funded by grant PTA2011-479-I from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation

Potential of Neuraminidase from Pasteurella multocida for Inhibiting Avian Influenza Virus Subtype H9N2 Replication In Ovo

In recent decades, neuraminidase/sialidase-based antivirals have been produced to suppress respiratory viral infections, including avian influenza, which relies on sialic acid as the entry point for viruses into cells. While neuraminidase has been extensively studied as an antiviral agent, numerous neuraminidases still have not been evaluated for their antiviral activities. Among these is NanB neuraminidase derived from Pasteurella multocida, which has received limited research attention. This study aimed to assess the potential of NanB neuraminidase in inhibiting H9N2 avian influenza virus infection in ovo. The research commenced with the molecular re-identification of the H9N2 A/Layer/Indonesia/WestJava-04/17 virus isolate, followed by determining the EID50 through Rapid HA test results. The toxicity of NanB neuraminidase was assessed by administering various doses to embryonated chicken eggs (ECE). The antiviral activity of NanB neuraminidase on ECE was evaluated through challenge tests, including treatment before, during, and after the challenge. The assessment involved monitoring the time of embryo death, virus titer through HA test, and viral copy number via RT-qPCR. The results indicated that the H9N2 virus titers capable of infecting 50% of ECE amounted to 108.83 EID50/mL. A dose of 0.258 U/mL of NanB neuraminidase was found to be toxic, leading to embryo mortality after 48 hours of incubation at 37 ℃, while a non-toxic dose was determined to be 0.129 U/mL. The post-challenge treatment group exhibited the most significant reduction in virus titer in ECE. Notably, NanB neuraminidase derived from P. multocida demonstrated the ability to inhibit H9N2 avian influenza virus infection in the ovo model, with the optimal dosage of 0.129 U/mL. The observed decrease in virus titers in the hemagglutination assay and viral copy number assays suggests that NanB neuraminidase holds promise as a potential antiviral candidate for therapeutic approach

Magnesium- and intermetallic alloys-based hydrides for energy storage: Modelling, synthesis and properties

Hydrides based on magnesium and intermetallic compounds provide a viable solution to the challenge of energy storage from renewable sources, thanks to their ability to absorb and desorb hydrogen in a reversible way with a proper tuning of pressure and temperature conditions. Therefore, they are expected to play an important role in the clean energy transition and in the deployment of hydrogen as an efficient energy vector. This review, by experts of Task 40 'Energy Storage and Conversion based on Hydrogen' of the Hydrogen Technology Collaboration Programme of the International Energy Agency, reports on the latest activities of the working group 'Magnesium- and Intermetallic alloys-based Hydrides for Energy Storage'. The following topics are covered by the review: multiscale modelling of hydrides and hydrogen sorption mechanisms; synthesis and processing techniques; catalysts for hydrogen sorption in Mg; Mg-based nanostructures and new compounds; hydrides based on intermetallic TiFe alloys, high entropy alloys, Laves phases, and Pd-containing alloys. Finally, an outlook is presented on current worldwide investments and future research directions for hydrogen-based energy storage

Role of glutathione in tolerance to arsenite in Salvinia molesta, an aquatic fern

ABSTRACT In many plant species, tolerance to toxic metals is highly dependent on glutathione, an essential metabolite for cellular detoxification. We evaluated the responses of glutathione metabolism to arsenite (AsIII) in Salvinia molesta, an aquatic fern that has unexplored phytoremediation potential. Plants were exposed to different AsIII concentrations in nutrient solution for 24 h. AsIII caused cell membrane damage to submerged leaves, indicating oxidative stress. There was an increase in the glutathione content and ϒ-glutamylcysteine synthetase enzyme activity in the submerged and floating leaves. The glutathione peroxidase and glutathione sulfotransferase enzymes also showed increased activity in both plant parts, whereas glutathione reductase only showed increased activity in the submerged leaves. These findings suggest an important role for glutathione in the protection of S. molesta against the toxic effects of AsIII, with more effective tolerance responses in the floating leaves