Volume 21 Issue 2

Lycium ruthenicum polysaccharides (LRP) are known to possess antioxidant effects. However, a systematic evaluation across chemical, cellular, and in vivo models have been lacking. The underlying metabolomic mechanisms also remain unexplored. This study systematically evaluated the antioxidant effects of LRP through in vitro assays, H₂O₂-induced AML12 hepatocytes, and liver tissue from mice, supplemented by untargeted metabolomic analysis of cell extracts to explore LRP’s antioxidant mechanisms. Results showed that LRP possessed significant oxygen radical absorbance capacity and potent scavenging activity against ABTS•⁺, DPPH•, and •OH radicals in vitro. In AML12 cells, LRP increased activities of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reductase (GSH-Px), while effectively reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (P<0.05). In mouse liver tissues, LRP may have slightly improved SOD and CAT levels while decreasing MDA levels (P>0.05). Furthermore, untargeted metabolomics revealed that LRP attenuated oxidative damage by modulating metabolic pathways, particularly glutathione metabolism, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and amino acid metabolism. These findings confirm the significant antioxidant potential of LRP, supporting its promise as a functional food ingredient.

Cotton is a vital fiber crop and major agricultural product worldwide. It was genetically engineered with Cry genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), producing insecticidal proteins called Cry (Bt) toxins. Bt cotton efficacy depends on the expression level of these toxins, which abiotic stress negatively affects. This study examined how salinity and drought stress influence Cry1Ac endotoxin levels in transgenic Bt cotton. Initially, Cry1Ac transgene presence was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunostrip assays. Genotypes were then subjected to varying levels of salinity and drought stress under controlled conditions. Bt toxin levels were quantified using a commercial ELISA kit. Results showed that increasing drought and salt stress led to a decline in Bt protein expression. Toxin concentrations in genotypes MNH-886 and Bt-121 varied across different exposure durations (days three and six) during salinity treatment. FH-113 and 3701 genotypes exhibited variable Bt protein expression in response to drought. Specifically, genotype FH-113 exhibited higher toxin levels under drought conditions (20% PEG) compared to genotype 3701. These findings indicate that genetic background influenced Bt toxin expression under drought stress. In conclusion, increasing salinity and drought result in decreasing Cry1Ac toxin levels, which may negatively impact insect resistance efficacy of Bt cotton.

Discarded tobacco leaves, a substantial agricultural by-product, represent an underutilized reservoir of bioactive phytochemicals. This study investigated the application of Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) using CO₂ as a green technology for the recovery of tobacco oleoresin and α-tocopherol (Vitamin E). A Box-Behnken Design (BBD) integrated with Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize critical process variables: extraction pressure, temperature, and time. Statistical analysis identified the model-predicted optimum conditions as 21.3 MPa, 45.8 °C, and 63.4 min, yielding a maximum oleoresin recovery of 1.36%. This empirical result exhibited high concordance with the model prediction, validating the robustness of the optimization. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis demonstrated the tunable selectivity of the SFE process. The relative content of the high-value antioxidant Vitamin E was preferentially enriched to 19.1% under density-controlled conditions (25 MPa and 40 °C), minimizing the co-extraction of impurities. These findings established SFE as a superior, eco-friendly strategy for the valorization of tobacco residues, offering a sustainable pathway for the production of functional ingredients for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.

The effects of alkali treatment were studied relative to the physical, mechanical, and morphological properties of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) and banana fibers to evaluate their potential as insulation materials. Both fibers were subjected to several concentrations of sodium hydroxide (3, 6, and 9 wt%). The impact of altered fibers was assessed using image analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), tensile testing, and thermal characterisation. The diameters of both fibers were decreased post-treatment, along with reductions in lignin and hemicellulose contents inside the fibers. Tensile strength was enhanced by 29% to 177% with 3% alkaline treatments for both fibers, while 6% alkali treatment yielded superior results for both fibers. The NaOH-treated OPEFB and BF exhibited increased residual content after thermogravimetric analysis and enhanced thermal stability. SEM analysis revealed that 3% alkali treatment eliminated silica bodies from OPEFB fiber, but 6% alkali treatment consistently filled the porosity of BF. The results implied that alkali treatment of OPEFB fiber significantly enhanced compatibility and mechanical properties, whereas treated BF had improved thermal stability for the manufacture of composite materials. Thus, alkali treatment effectively enhanced OPEFB and banana fibers, making them promising candidates for insulation material applications.

Ancient trees represent a significant ecological niche, constituting a vital habitat for a variety of species. Moreover, they serve as a cultural heritage and are worthy of preservation. The systematic analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the wood of 11 species of ancient trees in Sichuan Province was performed using headspace gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The results revealed significant compositional variations were demonstrated across different species of ancient trees. This finding indicates species-specific chemical defense mechanisms that have evolved in response to environmental adaptation. For instance, Magnolia sargentiana exhibited a preference for terpene-based preservation, whereas Acer grosseri demonstrated a preference for lipid-derived aldehydes. Terpenoids, which are the dominant constituents (e.g., α-cedrene and β-cedrene in Magnolia sargentiana and hexanal in Acer grosseri), demonstrate antimicrobial, insect-repellent and ecological signaling functions. These findings contribute to the advancement of knowledge regarding the role of VOCs in woods in ecological interactions and lay the foundation for the development of natural antimicrobial, flavorant, and medicinal products.

The fabrication and mechanical properties of pineapple leaf fiber (PALF)–reinforced epoxy composites were evaluated with fiber loadings of 0, 5, 10, 20, and 30 wt%. Tensile and flexural properties were experimentally evaluated and validated using a finite element based Representative Volume Element (RVE) modelling approach. The results demonstrate that PALF incorporation significantly enhanced the mechanical performance of the epoxy matrix, with the 30 wt% PALF composite exhibiting maximum improvements in tensile strength (167%), Young’s modulus (24%), and flexural strength (143%) relative to neat epoxy. The RVE model successfully predicted the elastic modulus, showing close agreement with experimental results and classical micromechanical models, including the Rule of Mixtures and Mori–Tanaka formulations. In addition, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) predictions of tensile and flexural strengths deviated by less than 10% from experimental values, confirming the robustness of the numerical framework. The integrated experimental–numerical methodology presented in this work provides a reliable basis for the design and assessment of sustainable PALF–epoxy composites for lightweight structural applications.

Heritage trees link natural ecosystems and cultural heritage, offering essential ecosystem services and embodying historical and community identity. This study investigated 318 heritage trees in Anqing City, southwest Anhui Province, China—a historically significant area undergoing rapid urbanization—through field surveys (June 2023 to October 2025), historical records, and spatial analysis. The trees comprise 50 species from 27 families, dominated by Liquidambar formosana, followed by Camphora officinarum and Pterocarya stenoptera. Species richness was highest in Yixiu District, while Daguan District showed the greatest diversity and evenness despite lowest abundance. Trees exhibited clustered distribution around temples, traditional villages, historical gardens, and institutional sites, reflecting cultural preferences and historical land use. Population structure skewed toward younger (74.5% aged 100 to 175 years) and moderate-sized trees, attributable to historical disturbances, recent protection policies, and urbanization impacts. Key threats include urban expansion, infrastructure damage, fragmented governance, inadequate maintenance, and climate change. The findings reveal the combined influence of ecological adaptability, cultural traditions, and anthropogenic factors on tree composition and distribution. Strengthened legal frameworks, scientific management, urban planning integration, community engagement, sustainable funding, and climate adaptation are needed. This work provides evidence-based recommendations for heritage tree protection in Anqing and insights for similar urbanizing regions in China.

The preferred structural elements for taller timber buildings include cross-laminated timber (CLT), the performance of which significantly depends on the adhesive bond (AB) quality that may be influenced by manufacturing or factors within the service life. Both may contribute to a delamination, which represents a serious structural damage of the CLT. The study utilised both experimental and numerical modal analyses to assess the influence of damaged AB on CLT vibrational behavior. Both approaches confirmed that the CLT stiffness and eigenfrequencies decreased with AB damage, and both found agreement on certain modal shapes. FEA showed ideal patterns also in terms of localization of the damaged AB using modal shape damage index. Meanwhile, experiments showed its limits due to natural variability of wood, CLT, and measurement setup. The obtained results show a potential for in situ grading and inspection. However, the effect of variability of material properties of CLT should be studied further.

Fruit vinegar samples obtained from six different fruits (hawthorn, strawberry, mulberry, kiwi, grape, and rosehip) were evaluated in terms of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), and selected phenolic and organic acid profiles. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents were observed in kiwi vinegar, measuring 676 mg GAE L⁻¹ and 694 mg QE L⁻¹, respectively. Regarding DPPH antioxidant activity, the highest values were recorded for kiwi, strawberry, and mulberry fruit vinegars (93%, 92%, and 92%, respectively). Among phenolic acids, mulberry fruit vinegar was rich in protocatechuic acid, rosehip fruit vinegar contained high levels of gentisic acid, and ellagic acid was abundant in both grape and kiwi fruit vinegars. Concerning organic acids, rosehip fruit vinegar exhibited remarkable levels of acetic and tartaric acids. These results demonstrate significant biochemical differences among the studied fruit vinegars and highlight kiwi, strawberry, and rosehip fruit vinegars as particularly valuable sources of phenolic and flavonoid compounds and antioxidant activity.

Although carbon quantum dot (CQDs) films exhibit excellent optical, mechanical, and water resistance properties, they have received less attention in terms of thermal stability. Attention to the thermal decomposition behavior is of significant importance to the heat treatment process. Different models were used to calculate the pyrolysis kinetic parameters of the films, including the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa method, the modified Coats-Redfern method, the Kissinger method, the Friedman method, and the Gaussian fitting method. The results showed that half of the mass loss of the film occurred at 300 °C, and 80% of the mass loss occurred in the next 200 °C. The apparent activation energy of the films ranged between 110 and 150 kJ/mol. The addition of CQDs and nanocellulose did not improve the apparent activation energy of the films, but it slowed down the rate of mass loss of the films. The thermal decomposition behavior is useful to understand the properties of the films during the blending, heat treatment and to guide the processes such as heat treatment.