Related Publications

NPJ Syst Biol Appl. 2026 Mar 19. doi: 10.1038/s41540-026-00688-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), a major legume crop valued for its high oil content, displays complex genotypic-phenotypic interactions shaped by environmental influences, yet these relationships remain poorly understood. We present a high-throughput phenotyping framework that captures the geometry of peanut pods using digital microscopy or smartphone imaging integrated with manifold-learning for large-scale analysis and visualization. Using over 6500 pods collected across China, we identify a geographically distinct morphological signature and demonstrate accurate cultivar discrimination. This scalable approach establishes the foundation for a Large Geometric Model capable of predicting phenotypic traits and accelerating precision agriculture. Our pipeline offers a transformative tool for peanut breeding and sustainable crop improvement.

PMID:41857070 | DOI:10.1038/s41540-026-00688-1

BMC Plant Biol. 2026 Mar 18. doi: 10.1186/s12870-026-08590-y. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41851645 | DOI:10.1186/s12870-026-08590-y

Sci Rep. 2026 Mar 17. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-44087-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Two field experiments were conducted during the 2023 and 2024 summer seasons to evaluate the effects of commercial biostimulants on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) productivity and soil health under arid sandy soil conditions along the Alexandria Desert Road, Egypt. A randomized complete block design with four treatments control, Humic King (humic acid), Biofertile (microbial inoculant; Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus megaterium), and Kelpak (seaweed extract) was implemented with three replicates. Biostimulant applications enhanced several agronomic and quality parameters compared with the control. Total dry weight increased by up to 10.2%, while pod yield improved from 1.93 to 1.99 t ha⁻¹ in the control to a maximum of 3.41 t ha⁻¹ under humic acid treatment. Harvest index increased significantly from approximately 30% in untreated plants to 35.7% under humic acid application (p ≤ 0.05). Seed oil content reached 43.2% under humic acid compared with 41.4% in the control, whereas seaweed extract increased seed protein content by up to 14.4%. Post-harvest soil analyses indicated improvements in organic matter, available nitrogen, and reductions in salinity-related parameters, particularly under humic acid and microbial treatments. Overall, Humic King demonstrated the most consistent agronomic and soil benefits, supporting its recommendation for peanut cultivation in nutrient-deficient sandy soils under arid conditions.

PMID:41844764 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-44087-2

Water Environ Res. 2026 Mar;98(3):e70341. doi: 10.1002/wer.70341.

ABSTRACT

Advanced treatment methods for removing antibiotics are cost-intensive. Subsequently, the goal of environmental and economic sustainability has switched attention towards bio-adsorbents. This study evaluated the effectiveness of raw and alkali-modified peanut shell powder as a cost-effective, novel adsorbent for removing azithromycin, one of the most widely used drugs worldwide. Prepared adsorbents were characterized by FTIR and SEM equipped with EDX. Experiments designed using a Taguchi-based approach were performed with a synthetic azithromycin solution to optimize initial concentrations, adsorbent dose, pH, and time. The results showed 63% removal with raw adsorbent at pH 11, an initial concentration of 20 mg/L, a time of 45 min, and an adsorbent dose of 0.4 g/L. With the modified adsorbent, an attractive 85% (maximum) removal was achieved at pH 11, an initial concentration of 30 mg/L, a time of 60 min, and an adsorbent dose of 0.4 g/L. Based on analysis of variance (ANOVA), pH and initial concentration are identified as the most influential factors for azithromycin removal. The improved adsorption performance of modified peanut shells (q_max = 192.1 mg/g compared to 159.2 mg/g for raw PS) was due to increased surface heterogeneity, enhanced electrostatic interactions, and greater accessibility of oxygen-containing functional groups, as confirmed by kinetic, isotherm, and surface analysis.

PMID:41834577 | PMC:PMC12989784 | DOI:10.1002/wer.70341

Commun Biol. 2026 Mar 15. doi: 10.1038/s42003-026-09850-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Blanchability, the ease of seed coat removal after roasting, is a critical post-harvest trait in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) that directly influences processing efficiency and product quality. Despite its economic value, limited genetic understanding restricts breeding efforts for customized blanchability in groundnut. Here, we integrate whole-genome resequencing of 184 diverse groundnut genotypes with multi-season phenotyping to dissect the haplotype-level genomic architecture of blanchability. Genome-wide association studies identify 26 significant single-nucleotide polymorphism-trait associations across multiple chromosomes, six of which are further validated using KASP markers, with two successfully validating the expected allelic effects across breeding lines and genotypes. Haplo-pheno analyses identify distinct subspecies-specific signatures for the major associations on chromosomes Ah01, Ah05, Ah06, and Ah17. Superior high-blanchability haplotypes (Ah01HapBL4, Ah05HapBL3, Ah06HapBL5, Ah06HapBL10, and Ah17HapBL6) are predominantly found in the fastigiata subspecies from South Asia and South America. In contrast, the low-blanchability haplotypes (Ah01HapBL2, Ah05HapBL6, Ah06HapBL3, Ah17HapBL2) are enriched in the hypogaea subspecies, mainly from Africa. These contrasting haplotypes offer the flexibility to achieve either high or low blanchability tailored to specific end-use applications. The availability of diagnostic markers and donor genotypes harboring multiple favorable haplotypes provides immediate tools for haplotype-based breeding. Collectively, this study introduces blanchability as a novel, customizable breeding target and establishes a translational framework to enhance the processing quality and industrial value of groundnut through haplotype-based breeding.

PMID:41834021 | DOI:10.1038/s42003-026-09850-1

Plants (Basel). 2026 Mar 9;15(5):841. doi: 10.3390/plants15050841.

ABSTRACT

The smut fungus Thecaphora frezzii causes severe yield losses in peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) in Argentina. Previous work established its fully intracellular biotrophic progression through subterranean organs and its exclusive sporulation within the seed coat, yet the ontogeny of teliospore formation in planta remained unresolved. Here, we applied a pragmatic correlative multiscale microscopy approach based on serial paraffin sections examined by stereomicroscopy, light microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, enabling spatial correlation of fungal structures within their tissue context. Using this integrative framework, we characterized the organization and progression of sporogenic structures associated with teliosporogenesis. Teliosporogenesis proved to be tightly synchronized with host tissue context and seed developmental stage, and was consistently preceded by a marked reorganization of sporogenous hyphae into three-dimensional coiled hyphal aggregates embedded in a mucilaginous matrix. These precursors undergo hyphal fragmentation followed by central-peripheral differentiation, whereby a small number of central units enlarge and individualize into teliospore initials while peripheral elements collapse, yielding stable teliospore balls as the final sporogenic product. This developmental sequence defines a distinct ontogenetic pattern not captured by current schemes of sporogenesis, here designated the Teliospore-ball type. Our results clarify the developmental pathways of T. frezzii sporulation in planta and demonstrate how accessible multiscale microscopy can be used to integrate structural information across spatial scales in complex plant-fungus interactions.

PMID:41829871 | PMC:PMC12987317 | DOI:10.3390/plants15050841

Foods. 2026 Mar 2;15(5):825. doi: 10.3390/foods15050825.

ABSTRACT

Food allergies are increasing worldwide, yet the early epithelial mechanisms that initiate allergic sensitization remain incompletely defined. As the intestinal epithelium governs both allergen translocation and epithelial-immune crosstalk, it constitutes a critical but underutilized model for predicting allergenicity. In this study, we used Caco-2 and T84 intestinal epithelial monolayers cultured on Transwell^® inserts to compare barrier properties and responses to peanut protein extract. Phenotypic characterization included biomarker profiling, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements, tight junction integrity assessment, and analysis of cytokine levels as well as oxidative and nitrosative stress. Peanut exposure caused moderate TEER reductions without overt tight junction disruption while allowing translocation of the major allergen, Arachis hypogaea allergen 1 (Ara h 1), likely via transcellular pathways. Peanut protein extracts also induced epithelial stress responses, characterized by increased reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide production, alongside time-dependent secretion of innate and type 2-associated mediators, including IL-1β, TSLP, IL-25, and IL-33, indicating epithelial activation in the absence of complete barrier breakdown. Notably, basolateral supernatants from peanut-exposed epithelial monolayers activated THP-1-derived macrophages and enhanced IL-6 secretion, demonstrating that limited allergen passage across an otherwise intact epithelial barrier is sufficient to elicit early innate immune responses. Collectively, these findings indicate that peanut extract induce subtle functional perturbations in the intestinal epithelium while promoting downstream immune activation, highlighting Caco-2 and T84 cells as complementary in vitro platforms for studying barrier-dependent mechanisms of allergic sensitization.

PMID:41829098 | PMC:PMC12984454 | DOI:10.3390/foods15050825

BMC Plant Biol. 2026 Mar 13. doi: 10.1186/s12870-026-08551-5. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41826871 | DOI:10.1186/s12870-026-08551-5

BMC Plant Biol. 2026 Mar 4. doi: 10.1186/s12870-026-08484-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: S-adenosyl-L-methionine synthetase (SAMS) catalyzes the synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), a universal methyl donor, and regulate plant growth, development, and stress responses. Although SAMS genes have been functionally characterized in several plant species, their roles in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) remain unclear.

RESULTS: Here, we conducted a genome-wide identification and characterization of the SAMS gene family in peanut. Phylogenetic analysis clustered these genes into five groups, revealing close evolutionary relationships with soybean SAMS homologs. Conserved domain and motif analyses indicated that all AhSAMS proteins share highly conserved functional features. Expression profiling revealed tissue-specific patterns, AhFJ1AK4 was highly expressed, while AhRG5YED and AhPNM9T4 were preferentially expressed in reproductive organs. Promoter analysis identified abundant cis-regulatory elements related to stress and hormone responses. Upon Ralstonia solanacearum infection and treatments with salicylic acid (SA), abscisic acid (ABA), and methyl jasmonate (MeJA), AhRG5YED and Ah6Q1KS5 were significantly induced in the resistant cultivar H108. Functional validation demonstrated that overexpression of Ah6Q1KS5 in peanut and tobacco reduced cell death, and significantly inhibited bacterial growth, confirming its role in positively regulating bacterial wilt resistance responses.

CONCLUSIONS: This study presents the first comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the AhSAMS gene family in peanut, providing insights into their functional diversification. In particular, Ah6Q1KS5 is highlighted as a candidate gene contributing to resistance responses, providing a genetic resource and theoretical foundation for future molecular breeding aimed at enhancing disease resistance in peanut.

PMID:41781867 | DOI:10.1186/s12870-026-08484-z

BMC Plant Biol. 2026 Mar 4. doi: 10.1186/s12870-026-08491-0. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41781860 | DOI:10.1186/s12870-026-08491-0

Microbiol Res. 2026 Jun;307:128486. doi: 10.1016/j.micres.2026.128486. Epub 2026 Feb 26.

ABSTRACT

Aspergillus flavus is an opportunistic pathogen with a broad host range that produces highly carcinogenic aflatoxins, posing significant threats to food safety, agriculture, and public health. In this study, RhoD, a key molecular switch in the signal transduction pathway, and its guanine nucleotide exchange factor Bud3 were identified. Loss of rhoD or bud3 led to defective conidia formation, failure to produce sclerotia, impaired aflatoxin biosynthesis, and reduced pathogenicity in peanut and corn. Indicator assays combined with multi-omics analysis confirmed that the deletion of the rhoD gene led to the downregulation of gene expression in the aflatoxin biosynthetic cluster and a reduction in precursor metabolite abundance. Additionally, RhoD is involved in organic acid secretion, reactive oxygen species homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and cell wall integrity in A. flavus. In the ΔrhoD mutant, the complete loss of the septum and outer fibrous layer weakened the ability of A. flavus to respond to external stimuli and increased the exposure of pathogen-associated molecular patterns on the cell wall. Notably, the ΔrhoD mutant exhibited phenotypes similar to those observed following echinocandin caspofungin treatment, including reduced β-1,3-glucan content and compensatory increases in chitin and mannan levels. These findings demonstrate the important role of RhoD in the growth, aflatoxin biosynthesis, and pathogenicity of A. flavus, and provide insights for developing improved strategies to control A. flavus and mitigate aflatoxin contamination.

PMID:41780129 | DOI:10.1016/j.micres.2026.128486

Chem Asian J. 2026 Mar;21(5):e70660. doi: 10.1002/asia.70660.

ABSTRACT

Serotonin, widely recognized as a mammalian pineal hormone, is also present in plants, yet its in vivo dynamics and physiological roles remain poorly understood due to the absence of real-time sensing tools. Herein, we report nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dot (N-CQD) nanosensors (∼5 nm; quantum yield 36%) for the selective detection and visualization of serotonin in plant systems. The sensing mechanism involves static-dominated mixed fluorescence quenching accompanied by a blue shift, corroborated by UV-Vis spectral changes, Stern-Volmer analysis, and fluorescence lifetime decay. The nanosensor exhibits a low detection limit of 0.391 µM and a linear response range of 4.74-75 µM. Using Arachis hypogaea seedlings as a model, stronger and more consistent serotonin-dependent fluorescence responses were observed compared with those in other plant species, enabling reliable in vivo monitoring. Real-time sensing revealed a condition-dependent regulatory role for serotonin, including growth inhibition under non-stress conditions and growth enhancement under stress, indicating a dual function in stress adaptation. Fluorescence microscopy further confirmed the intracellular association of serotonin with N-CQDs, providing direct visual evidence of its localization. This work establishes a nanosensor-based platform for real-time detection of serotonin in plants and advances understanding of serotonin-mediated signalling in plant growth and stress responses.

PMID:41764037 | DOI:10.1002/asia.70660

Food Res Int. 2026 Apr 1;229:118523. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2026.118523. Epub 2026 Jan 26.

ABSTRACT

Detection of sub-lethally injured pathogens is critical for improving food safety, particularly given regulatory recommendations that microbiological method validation include 50-80% injured cells. In food matrices like low moisture foods (LMFs), injured cells can resuscitate and proliferate under favorable conditions, posing significant risks to public health. Furthermore, these cells may retain or even enhance virulence, underscoring the need for timely and accurate detection. This study developed a machine learning-driven nanoparticle-enhanced paper chromogenic array sensor (ML-NP-PCA) approach for detecting and differentiating injured and normal Salmonella in peanut butter (a type of high-fat LMFs) with background microflora (BK). Gold NP, silica NP, and zeolite NP were evaluated for enhancing PCA's performance. Among them, silica NP-PCA showed robust capability for identifying injured and normal Salmonella across a wide concentration range (∼1-6 log CFU/mL) in phosphate-buffered saline and was integrated in the ML-NP-PCA approach development. Results indicated that the ML-NP-PCA approach could accurately and continuously detect and distinguish between injured and normal Salmonella in peanut butter, even in the presence of BK, during a 48-h storage period at room temperature, with an accuracy of over 90%. Both injured and normal Salmonella could be detected as early as 1 h at ∼3-4 log CFU/g, with 92.0 ± 0.9% accuracy. These findings demonstrate the potential of the ML-NP-PCA approach as a non-destructive, enrichment-free, and rapid tool for continuous monitoring of injured Salmonella in foods. This approach also supports regulatory-aligned microbial testing and enhances food safety surveillance across the food supply chain.

PMID:41763837 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2026.118523

J Food Sci. 2026 Mar;91(3):e70943. doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.70943.

ABSTRACT

A trend of consuming sprouted nut butter is emerging due to its nutrient values. However, sprouted nuts have been involved in several enteric disease outbreaks. This study evaluated the inhibitory effect of an aqueous and ethanolic extract of a pomegranate peel against strains of Salmonella Tennessee and Enteritidis in sprouted nut butter. Raw, organic peanut and almond seeds inoculated with one of the Salmonella strains (1.16-1.97 log CFU/g) were sprouted in deionized water containing 10% of the aqueous or ethanolic extract for 24 h at 25°C. Sprouted nuts were rinsed with sterile deionized water and dried at 45°C for 12 h. Dried nuts were then ground with olive oil and sea salt. Salmonella population was determined after each preparation step. Data fit into the general linear model were analyzed using ANOVA. Fisher's LSD test was used to separate the means (α ≤ 0.05). The peanut samples treated with either ethanolic or aqueous extract had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower Salmonella Tennessee populations compared to the controls after sprouting (1.8-2.2 log CFU/g) and rinsing (1.4-1.6 log CFU/g). After drying and seasoning, significant differences in the populations of both Salmonella strains compared to their controls were only observed in sprouted peanut and almond seeds/butter containing ethanolic extract, with reductions reaching up to 3.2 log CFU/g. However, the extract could not eliminate Salmonella from sprouted nut butter. During the 3-week storage, Salmonella populations changed by < 1 log CFU/g across strains and extracts. Thus, additional antimicrobial intervention is needed. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Despite the nutritional values, sprouted nut butter could potentially pose a food safety risk to consumers. The product may have the potential to harbor a higher number of bacterial cells than the initial contamination level on the nut stock. The addition of pomegranate ethanolic extract in nut sprouting water could significantly lower bacterial population, but the use of this natural antimicrobial, plus drying sprouted nuts at 45°C and seasoning the nut homogenates with olive oil and salt, is inadequate in eliminating bacterial cells, as evidenced by the relatively high bacterial populations in nut butter products.

PMID:41762721 | DOI:10.1111/1750-3841.70943

J Food Prot. 2026 Apr;89(4):100737. doi: 10.1016/j.jfp.2026.100737. Epub 2026 Feb 25.

ABSTRACT

Attachment is a critical step for bacterial establishment in low-moisture foods and subsequent survival under desiccation conditions. This study assessed the attachment ability of five knock-off mutants, each of S. Tennessee and S. Enteritidis, along with their wild-type parents, to peanut and almond seeds. Sterilized sandy soil (20 g per sample) containing 10⁶ (lower level) or 10⁷ (higher level) CFU/g of lyophilized cells of wild-type and mutant Salmonella were mixed with sterilized peanut (blanched and unblanched) or almond seeds at room temperature for 1 h with mixing. Seeds were subsequently soaked in 5 ml phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) to release attached Salmonella cells at 4 ˚C for 0 or 24 h. The percentages of cells in contaminated sandy soil attached to the seeds were determined. The cells of Salmonella mutants had a significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower percentage of attachment than those of the wild-types. On average, more S. Tennessee cells attached to blanched than unblanched peanut seeds, especially at the lower inoculation level. Seed soaking time did not significantly affect the release of Salmonella cells from peanut and almond seeds to PBS. The results of the research are useful for developing novel antimicrobial interventions to control Salmonella establishment in low-moisture foods.

PMID:41759588 | DOI:10.1016/j.jfp.2026.100737

Microbiol Resour Announc. 2026 Feb 27:e0141325. doi: 10.1128/mra.01413-25. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We report complete genome sequences of three Bradyrhizobium strains isolated from root nodules of peanut cultivar Tainan Select No. 9 collected in Taiwan. Hybrid assemblies using Nanopore and Illumina reads produced circular chromosome and plasmid contigs, providing high-quality genomic resources for future studies.

PMID:41757896 | DOI:10.1128/mra.01413-25

Nutrients. 2026 Feb 10;18(4):579. doi: 10.3390/nu18040579.

ABSTRACT

Background: Peanuts and tree nuts are nutrient-dense foods associated with improved diet quality and reduced chronic disease risk. Diet quality and sleep are interrelated, but the relationship between nut consumption and sleep quality remains understudied, particularly among young adults. Objective: This study examined peanut and tree nut consumption, diet quality, and sleep quality in undergraduate students. Existing clinical trials on nut intake and sleep outcomes in healthy adults were reviewed. Methods: A pilot study recruited 46 undergraduates to complete three 24 h dietary recalls and self-report sleep quality. Recall days were categorized as containing nuts or no nuts. Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index-2020 (HEI). A literature search of PubMed identified human clinical trials testing nut intake with sleep-related outcomes. Results: Sixteen percent of the 139 recall days contained nuts. Mean HEI scores were greater on days that contained nuts (64.9 ± 2.3) versus nut-free days (45.4 ± 1.1; p < 0.0001). Scores for total fruit, whole fruit, total protein, sea and plant protein, sodium, and refined grains were greater on nut-containing days (p < 0.05 for all). Participants reported better sleep on days following nut consumption (p = 0.04). From the literature search, four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified with results varying by nut type, dosage, timing, and participants. Conclusions: The positive association observed in this pilot study between nut intake and improved diet quality, along with a modest link to better sleep quality, suggests that incorporating nuts regularly into the diet may help enhance overall dietary habits and contribute to improved sleep. The present trials suggest nut intake may improve sleep quality, but significant heterogeneity highlights the need for RCTs with objective sleep outcomes.

PMID:41754096 | PMC:PMC12942696 | DOI:10.3390/nu18040579

Biomolecules. 2026 Feb 9;16(2):270. doi: 10.3390/biom16020270.

ABSTRACT

The Domain of Unknown Function 506 (DUF506) family, part of the PD-(D/E)XK nuclease superfamily, has been shown to play a vital role in plant development and responses to abiotic stresses. However, the function of the DUF506 family in cultivated peanuts remains unknown. This study identified 23 AhDUF506 genes using bioinformatics approaches; these genes are spread across 15 chromosomes and grouped into 4 subfamilies. Additionally, by analyzing gene structure, upstream cis-acting elements, and transcriptional expression changes of AhDUF506 genes in different tissues and under various stress conditions, their expression levels and response mechanisms to abiotic stresses were examined. In mature tissues, the expression levels of seven AhDUF506 genes in flowers were significantly higher than those in other tissues. Under abiotic stress, their expression levels were all up-regulated in the roots of peanut plant seedlings. These findings provide an important foundation for a deeper understanding of the molecular characteristics of the DUF506 family in Arachis hypogaea (peanut), supporting future research on the functional characterization of its genes.

PMID:41750338 | PMC:PMC12937607 | DOI:10.3390/biom16020270

Sci Rep. 2026 Feb 25. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-38775-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Sole application of chemical fertilizers for crop raising has shown a harmful effect on the environment. Integrated nutrient management (INM) is a better option that meets the crop demand as well as improves the soil quality and the residual soil nutrient for the succeeding crop. Based on the preceding rationale, a two-year factorial randomized block design (FRBD with three replications was conducted to evaluate the impact of integrated nutrient management (INM) on the growth, yield, and nutrient acquisition of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), as well as its subsequent residual effects on finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.). The experimental design incorporated two factors: seed inoculation with biofertilizers and nutrient management practices. The seed inoculation factor comprised two levels: S1 (solid carrier-based Rhizobium) and S2 (liquid carrier-based Rhizobium). The nutrient management factor consisted of five levels: N1 (100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) supplied via urea), N2 (75% RDN from urea + 25% RDN from farmyard manure (FYM)), N3 (50% RDN from urea + 50% RDN from FYM), N4 (25% RDN from urea + 75% RDN from FYM), and N5 (100% RDN supplied via FYM). The recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) for groundnut was 20:40:20 kg ha^{- 1} of nitrogen, phosphorus (P₂O₅) and potassium (K₂O). The results showed that seed inoculation did not influence significantly a few growth characters and yield parameters of both groundnut and finger millet, however, seed and grain yield of respective crops and nutrient removal were influenced significantly, and, S₁: solid carrier-based Rhizobium noted the highest value. All the growth, yield parameters, yield and nutrient removal by groundnut and finger millet were significantly influence by treatments of nutrient management. The treatment N₁: 100% RDN (urea) in groundnut and N₅: 100% RDN (FYM) in finger millet indicated significantly the highest growth, productivity and nutrient removal in both years of the experimentation.

PMID:41741516 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-38775-2

Lett Appl Microbiol. 2026 Mar 6;79(3):ovag029. doi: 10.1093/lambio/ovag029.

ABSTRACT

Peanuts (also known as groundnuts; Arachis hypogaea L.) are a globally significant cash crop but are highly susceptible to fungal contamination, particularly by Aspergillus section Flavi, which can contaminate the product with mycotoxins, including aflatoxins. This contamination poses serious food safety concerns, especially in low- and middle-income countries, limiting access to international markets. This study assessed the efficacy of slow-release SO2-bags compared to plastic bags (control) in reducing fungal growth and mycotoxin contamination in stored unshelled peanuts. Naturally contaminated and Aspergillus flavus-inoculated peanuts were stored at water activity (aw) levels of 0.85 and 0.95 for 15 days at 25°C. Fungal populations were monitored, and aflatoxins and cyclopiazonic acid were analysed using LC-MS/MS qTRAP. SO2-releasing bags completely inhibited fungal growth in naturally contaminated peanuts and significantly reduced A. flavus population with effectiveness dependent on water activity. Additionally, SO2-releasing bags suppressed mycotoxin production. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the effectiveness of SO2-releasing bags in preventing fungal spoilage and mycotoxin contamination in postharvest peanuts, offering a promising solution for enhancing peanut safety and quality.

PMID:41739060 | DOI:10.1093/lambio/ovag029