Related Publications

BMC Plant Biol. 2026 Jun 29. doi: 10.1186/s12870-026-09283-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Plant architecture is a key agronomic trait of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), which is closely associated with yield, stress resistance, and suitability for mechanical harvesting. However, research on the genetics and gene mining of peanut plant architecture remains relatively limited, thereby hindering the genetic improvement of peanut plant architecture.

RESULTS: Most cultivated peanut varieties exhibit an erect or semi-prostrate growth habit, whereas wild peanut species predominantly display a trailing growth habit. In the present study, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, designated as the TI population was developed by crossing the female parent Tifrunner with the male parent IpaDur, a synthetic amphidiploid derived from cross of Arachis ipaënsis × Arachis duranensis. Traits related to plant architecture, including lateral branch angle (LBA), lateral branch length (LBL), main stem height (MSH), main stem thickness (MST), lateral branch thickness (LBT), internode length (IL), number of branches (NBS), and biomass (BIO), were evaluated across three environments. Based on a high-density genetic linkage map, 20 QTLs associated with these traits were identified, which explained 6.04%-18.68% of the phenotypic variance (PVE). A locus controlling LBA, LBL, and MST was mapped to an overlapping interval (122.57-137.18 Mb) on chromosome 14. Phenotypic effect analysis revealed that this wild species-derived segment is crucial for controlling the typical morphogenesis of wild-type peanut species. In addition, we identified a set of genotypes derived from cultivated-wild hybrid population, which exhibited the convergence of one or more favorable agronomical traits.

CONCLUSIONS: Using a cultivar-wild hybrid population, 20 QTLs for plant architecture were identified in peanut. A wild-derived genomic segment was found to control typical wild-type morphogenesis. Novel germplasm pyramiding multiple agronomic favorable traits were selected. This study provides key theoretical insights and valuable resources for utilizing wild species in peanut improvement.

PMID:42374207 | DOI:10.1186/s12870-026-09283-2

Plant Dis. 2026 Jun 26. doi: 10.1094/PDIS-03-26-0454-RE. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Venturia effusa, the causal agent of pecan scab, drives the spray program in Georgia's pecan production. Miravis Top (difenoconazole, FRAC 3 + pydiflumetofen, FRAC 7) has been widely adopted for pecan scab management in recent years due to the high efficacy of its SDHI component, pydiflumetofen. In late summer 2025, a severe outbreak occurred in a commercial orchard in South Georgia despite a well-maintained spray program that included Miravis Top. While resistance to demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides and other fungicide classes in V. effusa has been well documented, resistance to pydiflumetofen has not been reported. Symptomatic leaves and nuts were collected from cultivars 'Desirable' and 'Pawnee' located on a commercial farm in Georgia. Thirty-five single-spore isolates were obtained and compared with a historic baseline population (n = 12; 1993-1994) presumed unexposed to SDHIs. In mycelial growth assays, baseline isolates showed a mean EC₅₀ of 0.012 µg/ml pydiflumetofen, whereas values from outbreak isolates ranged from reduced sensitive (0.047-0.091 µg/ml; n = 7) to moderate resistant (0.281-0.895 µg/ml; n = 10) and high resistant (1.17-6.70 µg/ml; n = 18), with resistance factors >500. Sequencing of VesdhB, VesdhC, and VesdhD genes identified six amino acid (aa) substitutions associated with reduced sensitivity: H252R (VeSdhB), K73R; M82I; N84S (VeSdhC), and D150E and D150G (VeSdhD). All moderate to high resistant isolates carried at least one substitution, except for a subset of moderate resistant isolates that exhibited the lowest EC₅₀ values within this group. The most resistant isolate (Ve25-22) carried two mutations, K73R (VeSdhC) and D150G (VeSdhD). Cross-sensitivity assays with fluopyram, isofetamid, and benzovindiflupyr showed incomplete cross-resistance with pydiflumetofen (moderate correlations), but a strong correlation between fluopyram and isofetamid (r = 0.998, P < 0.001). Notably, isolates carrying the M82I substitution in VeSdhC were high resistant to both fluopyram and isofetamid. This study provides the first evidence of reduced sensitivity to pydiflumetofen in V. effusa linked to target-site substitutions in the VeSdhB, VeSdhC, and VeSdhD subunits and highlights the importance of resistance management strategies, including monitoring pathogen populations, rotating fungicide modes of action, using fungicide mixtures, and limiting the number of applications.

PMID:42363620 | DOI:10.1094/PDIS-03-26-0454-RE

Front Plant Sci. 2026 Jun 10;17:1838203. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2026.1838203. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important crop in the world, serving as a key source of edible oil and protein. Comprehensive genomic and phenotypic analyses were conducted on 87 accessions from the U.S. peanut mini-core collection using 217 Gb of high-quality resequencing data to identify the candidate genes and markers that underlie the leaf spot resistance and seed dormancy in peanuts. A total of 87,726 SNPs were identified and mapped across 20 chromosomes, revealing a higher SNP density in the B subgenome (35.55 SNPs/Mb) compared to the A subgenome (33.26 SNPs/Mb). Phylogenetic, population structure, and principal component analyses consistently partitioned the accessions into three distinct gene pools designated as Group 1, 2, and 3. Group 1, comprising primarily Arachis hypogaea, included 28 genotypes; Group 2, mainly fastigiata types, comprised 18 accessions; while Group 3, displaying the highest diversity, contained mixed genotypes from the other groups. Linkage disequilibrium analysis indicated an LD decay distance of approximately 63.1 kb, confirming that the marker density was sufficient for GWAS. Significant SNP associations at a suggestive threshold of p< 1.14 × 10^-1 were identified for leaf spot, seed germination and dormancy agronomic traits. As a result, three candidate genes were identified: Ah11g381400, homologous to Arabidopsis ATE1, was associated with early leaf spot resistance; Ah16g445600, a homolog of ERF34, was linked to late leaf spot resistance; and Ah19g214100, homologous to ICE1, emerged as a central regulator affecting both germination and dormancy. These findings provide actionable targets for marker-assisted selection to enhance disease resilience and seed quality in breeding programs.

PMID:42359412 | PMC:PMC13290452 | DOI:10.3389/fpls.2026.1838203

Plants (Basel). 2026 Jun 18;15(12):1889. doi: 10.3390/plants15121889.

ABSTRACT

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a major oil and economic crop, yet genetic transformation remains inefficient and time-consuming, hindering functional genomics and molecular breeding. In this study, we found that the use of GRF, GIF and WOX genes improved the efficiency of Agrobacterium-mediated peanut hairy-root transformation. Here, we identified multiple peanut Growth-Regulating Factor (GRF) genes, GRF-Interacting Factor (GRF-GIF) fusion genes and WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) genes, constructed high-expression vectors, and delivered them into A. rhizogenes to infect 3-5 cm peanut stem segments cut from 30-day-old seedlings. Statistical analysis of the data showed that, relative to the empty-vector control, expression of these developmental regulators markedly enhanced hairy-root growth: the number of roots per explant increased by 1.3-2.4-fold. Observations using reporter constructs showed that growth factors (besides 2S-PL-GUS and GRF-2A-T-GUS) improved the transformation efficiency of hairy roots, among which the highest transformation efficiency of GRF-2A (396)-GIF-GUS was 85.14 ± 2.94%. Collectively, these findings provide an efficient and rapid platform for the study of peanut gene function.

PMID:42357208 | PMC:PMC13306245 | DOI:10.3390/plants15121889

Plants (Basel). 2026 Jun 11;15(12):1798. doi: 10.3390/plants15121798.

ABSTRACT

Legume-rhizobium symbiosis represents a crucial biological nitrogen fixation system. The AP2/ERF transcription factor ERN1 plays a vital role in nodulation of model legumes; however, its function in peanut (Arachis hypogaea), a typical crack-entry infection legume, remains unclear. To explore this, we performed transcriptome sequencing of peanut roots at 3 days post-inoculation (dpi) with rhizobium. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly enriched in DNA-binding transcription factor activity, plant-pathogen interaction, and plant hormone signal transduction pathways. The most strongly up-regulated gene was AhERN1, which was highly expressed in peanut roots and nodules. Subcellular localization indicated that AhERN1 was a nuclear-localized protein, and yeast transcriptional activation assays confirmed that AhERN1 functions as a transcriptional activator relying on its C-terminal domain. Furthermore, hairy root overexpression of AhERN1 significantly increased the number of peanut nodules. Collectively, these results reveal that AhERN1 acts as a positive regulator to promote rhizobium-induced nodule development in peanut, providing new insights into the regulatory mechanism of nodulation in dalbergoid legumes.

PMID:42357117 | PMC:PMC13306481 | DOI:10.3390/plants15121798

Plants (Basel). 2026 Jun 8;15(12):1768. doi: 10.3390/plants15121768.

ABSTRACT

Global warming-triggered heat stress severely restricts plant growth and crop productivity. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), a vital oilseed and cash crop that is susceptible to high temperatures throughout its growth cycle, exhibits inhibited peg and pod development, growth retardation, and premature leaf senescence under heat stress, which ultimately causes substantial yield losses. Heat shock factors (Hsfs) serve as core regulatory modulators of plant abiotic stress tolerance, among which the HsfB subfamily exerts a critical function in thermotolerance modulation. Nevertheless, the biological functions of peanut HsfB genes remain largely uncharacterized. In the present study, a total of 16 HsfB subfamily members were identified from the peanut genome, possessing highly conserved gene structures and protein motifs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the peanut AhHsfB genes are classified into four distinct subfamilies. Chromosomal localization analysis indicated that these 16 AhHsfB genes are unevenly distributed across nine peanut chromosomes. Transcriptomic profiling demonstrated that the transcript levels of AhHsfB genes were significantly upregulated by 6- to 120-fold upon heat stress exposure. Subcellular localization and transcriptional activity assays further validated that AhHsfB1-5A is a nucleus-localized protein with intrinsic transcriptional activation activity. Ectopic overexpression of AhHsfB1-5A in Arabidopsis thaliana remarkably enhanced seed germination ability and antioxidant capacity under heat stress conditions, with a maximum 18.84% increase in green seedling rate. This study systematically characterizes the HsfB subfamily in peanut and elucidates the positive regulatory role of AhHsfB1-5A in plant thermotolerance. These findings deepen our understanding of the role of HsfB and provide valuable genetic resources for molecular breeding of heat-resistant peanut varieties.

PMID:42357087 | PMC:PMC13307298 | DOI:10.3390/plants15121768

Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao. 2026 May;37(5):1477-1487. doi: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202605.009.

ABSTRACT

We conducted a field experiment to investigate the effects of biochar derived from three feedstocks (pig manure, peanut shell, and maize straw) on the nutrient limitation status of soil microbial communities and the abundance of functional genes involved in organic carbon degradation in a Phyllostachys edulis forest. Each biochar was applied at a rate of 20 t·hm^-2, with soil without biochar amendment as control. We measured soil and microbial properties after two years. The results showed that all biochar types significantly increased soil pH, soil organic carbon, total phosphorus, and available phosphorus contents. Pig manure biochar significantly reduced soil C:P and alleviated the stoichiometric imbalance between microbial biomass and soil resources. All biochar treatments significantly increased β-glucosidase activity (by 46.5%-131.1%) but decreased the activities of β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (by 20.6%-51.1%) and acid phosphatase (by 23.1%-56.4%). Biochar application significantly intensified microbial carbon limitation while reduced phosphorus limitation and decreased microbial carbon use efficiency, with the most pronounced reduction being observed under pig manure biochar. Biochar application significantly increased the abundances of functional genes of starch, hemicellulose, cellulose, pectin and lignin degradation, following the order of pig manure biochar > peanut shell biochar > maize straw biochar. Random forest analysis indicated that soil total phosphorus and available phosphorus contents were the key factors influencing microbial carbon limitation. Partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) indicated that biochar inputs increased microbial carbon limitation by elevating soil pH and alleviating the C:P imbalance, which in turn reduced carbon use efficiency. The degree of microbial carbon limitation exhibited a significant positive effect on the abundance of micro-bial carbon degradation functional genes. In conclusion, biochar from different feedstocks could regulate microbial nutrient limitation by altering soil pH and nutrient stoichiometric balance, thereby affecting microbial carbon metabolic efficiency.

PMID:42350124 | DOI:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202605.009

N Engl J Med. 2026 Jun 25;394(24):2449-2458. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp2314424.

ABSTRACT

Early introduction of peanut protein reduces allergy prevalence by approximately 80%, with efficacy diminishing as introduction is delayed. Appropriate prevention involves ingestion of approximately 2 g of peanut protein weekly for infants at low risk and 4 to 6 g weekly for infants at high risk. Population-level implementation that targets all infants achieves greater reduction in disease burden than approaches that target only high-risk groups, although disparities exist among some ethnic groups and groups with restricted access to care. Peanut immunotherapy initiated in younger children (1 to 3 years of age) shows superior efficacy and higher rates of clinical remission as compared with immunotherapy initiated in older children. The natural history of untreated peanut allergy follows a trajectory of increasing peanut-specific IgE levels and clinical reactivity over time, underscoring the importance of early intervention during this narrow developmental window.

PMID:42341303 | DOI:10.1056/NEJMcp2314424

Front Plant Sci. 2026 Jun 8;17:1850930. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2026.1850930. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study was carried out for two years to determine the performance of different peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars in terms of yield, quality, physiological parameters, and bioactive compounds, and to identify the relationships among these traits using multivariate analysis methods.

METHODS: In the study, the pod yield, oil and protein content, fatty acid composition, leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll content, total phenolic content, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity parameters of 10 different peanut cultivars were examined.

RESULTS: Analysis of variance results indicated that for all parameters examined, the effects of cultivar, year, and the C × Y interaction were statistically significant (p < 0.01). The highest pod yield was obtained from the Osmaniye 2005 (4815.70 kg ha⁻¹) and Sultan (4683.50 kg ha⁻¹) cultivars, while the highest oil content (54.95%) and oleic acid percentage (68.44%) were obtained from the Brantley cultivar. The negative correlation observed between oleic and linoleic acid ratios indicated that cultivars with high oleic acid content exhibited higher oxidative stability. Physiological analyses revealed that chlorophyll content during the pod development stage had a more pronounced positive effect on yield components compared to the flowering stage. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Heat Map results showed that the cultivars were grouped into two main clusters focused on yield and quality. Osmaniye 2005 and Sultan cultivars were identified as the most superior parental candidates for breeding programs in terms of yield, while Brantley was identified as the most superior candidate for high oil quality. Additionally, 3D surface response modeling revealed a strong correlation between yield increase and high photosynthetic capacity and antioxidant activity.

DISCUSSION: Consequently, this study may provide critical selection criteria and genetic materials for the development of new peanut cultivars with both high yield and superior oil quality.

PMID:42339388 | PMC:PMC13283799 | DOI:10.3389/fpls.2026.1850930

Plant Sci. 2026 Jun 19;371:113289. doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113289. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Stem rot, caused by the fungus Athelia rolfsii, severely reduces peanut yields, yet the molecular basis of peanut defense against this pathogen remains poorly defined. Here, we investigated defense responses in two Arachis hypogaea cultivars Qicai(susceptibility) and Silihong(resistance) following infection with A. rolfsii GY using RNA-seq and complementary physiological analyses. At 72 h post-inoculation, transcriptome profiling identified 406 and 7022 DEGs respectively, with 196 common DEGs. In Qicai, DEGs were mainly enriched in the photosynthesis-antenna proteins, DNA replication, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and photosynthesis. Whereas DEGs of Silihong were significantly involved into flavonoid biosynthesis, glutathione metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and the MAPK signaling pathway motor protein activity, cutin/suberin/wax biosynthesis, and photosynthesis-antenna proteins. Together, these results demonstrated that Qicai and Silihong all activated multiple defense pathways upon A. rolfsii challenge, while Silihong showed a more sensitive defensive response than Qicai. This study will provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular factors involved in peanut responses to A. rolfsii infection, offering valuable insights for breeding stem-rot-resistant cultivars.

PMID:42320829 | DOI:10.1016/j.plantsci.2026.113289

Biodegradation. 2026 Jun 15;37(4):102. doi: 10.1007/s10532-026-10322-w.

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the efficient removal of Malachite Green (MG) dye from aqueous solutions using a chemically treated peanut shell (Arachis hypogaea) agro-residue biosorbent (TPS). The biosorbent was prepared via sulfuric acid treatment and comprehensively characterized using N₂ adsorption-desorption, Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), ultimate analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Boehm titration, and pH of point of zero charge (pH_PZC). The specific surface area of TPS was S_BET = 14 m²/g, and pH_PZC was 3.2. The adsorption optimization was conducted using the Box-Behnken Design (BBD) approach and modeled using artificial intelligence via Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithms, including Levenberg-Marquardt (LM), Bayesian Regularization (BR), and Scaled Conjugate Gradient (SCG) models, where the BR model achieved the highest predictive accuracy (R² = 0.9876; RMSE = 0.58). Kinetic analysis revealed that the adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order model, while the equilibrium data were best described by the Freundlich isotherm, indicating multilayer adsorption on a heterogeneous surface. The Langmuir model estimated a maximum adsorption capacity (Qm) of 232 mg/g for TPS. Thermodynamic evaluation confirmed that the process was spontaneous and endothermic (ΔH° = 46.26 kJ/mol). The biosorbent retained strong adsorption performance after three regeneration cycles. Complementary Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations provided molecular-level insights, revealing that MG adsorption onto TPS occurs predominantly through electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, and π-π interactions between MG aromatic rings and lignin and hemicellulose fragments. Overall, the findings highlight peanut shells as a sustainable and low-cost precursor for producing efficient biosorbents for dye removal, contributing to food waste valorization and advancing circular bioeconomy strategies for sustainable wastewater treatment.

PMID:42295479 | DOI:10.1007/s10532-026-10322-w

Front Plant Sci. 2026 May 29;17:1828860. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2026.1828860. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Balancing crop productivity with sustainable soil management is a critical challenge in modern agriculture.

METHODS: We conducted a three-year randomized complete block field experiment (2022-2024) to evaluate the integrated effects of wheat straw incorporation regimes and fertilizer reduction on the plant-soil-microbe nexus in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production. Six treatments were compared: no straw return (CT), conventional straw incorporation (SI), deep straw incorporation with a decomposition accelerator (SD), deep incorporation with accelerator and a 25% fertilizer reduction (SDR), surface mulching (SM), and SM with a 25% fertilizer reduction (SMR).

RESULTS: Relative to CT, deep straw incorporation (SD and SDR) significantly increased the three-year mean peanut yield by 12-25%. Notably, the SDR regime maintained final yields, plant nutrient uptake, and soil aggregate stability statistically equivalent to the fully fertilized SD treatment (P > 0.05), successfully substituting for a 25% reduction in mineral inputs. Mechanistically, deep straw incorporation actively reshaped the rhizosphere microenvironment. Deep straw incorporation actively reshaped the rhizosphere microenvironment, enriching beneficial functional microbial taxa including Bacillus, Sphingomonas, and Trichoderma, which subsequently elevated the activities of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus-cycling extracellular hydrolases and oxidative enzymes by 1.4- to 2.6-fold. This microbially mediated acceleration of nutrient cycling enhanced soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, and available nutrient pools, thereby improving soil nutrient availability and peanut production capacity.

DISCUSSION: Our findings demonstrate that deep straw incorporation with targeted microbial decomposition accelerators, combined with a 25% reduction in mineral fertilizer, provides a practical, low-input strategy to sustain high peanut yields, optimize root-zone functions, and advance climate-smart agricultural systems.

PMID:42293013 | PMC:PMC13259653 | DOI:10.3389/fpls.2026.1828860

BMC Plant Biol. 2026 Jun 13. doi: 10.1186/s12870-026-09138-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a major oilseed crop, and seed quality particularly total oil content, the balance between oleic and linoleic acids, and protein level is a primary target for breeding and health oriented improvement. Recent advances in peanut genomics, including high quality reference genomes, have created new opportunities for precision breeding; however, comprehensive high density linkage maps coupled with functional validation of quality related loci remain limited.

METHODS: In this study, we constructed a high density genetic linkage map comprising 4,746 bin markers spanning 3,328.40 cM, with an average marker interval of 0.70 cM. Using multi environment phenotypic data collected over four years, we identified 48 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling eight seed quality traits, including oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, total oil content, and protein content.

RESULTS: Pleiotropy analysis revealed 20 QTL clusters, highlighting shared genetic control among multiple quality traits. Integrative genomic annotation further identified 20 candidate genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and lipid metabolism. Notably, haplotype analysis of Ahy_A09g042118 (AhFATB1) uncovered a functional non-synonymous SNP associated with significant variation in total oil content and fatty acid composition. The favorable haplotypes showed contrasting effects on oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acid accumulation without affecting protein content, indicating a key role of AhFATB1 in modulating carbon flux within seed lipid biosynthesis.

CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these findings elucidate the genetic architecture underlying peanut seed quality traits and provide valuable molecular targets for marker assisted selection, particularly for the development of high oil and high oleic peanut cultivars.

PMID:42288747 | DOI:10.1186/s12870-026-09138-w

J Chromatogr A. 2026 Aug 30;1783:467179. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2026.467179. Epub 2026 Jun 11.

ABSTRACT

Peanut shells, an abundant agricultural by-product, represent a promising source of the bioactive flavonoid luteolin. This study developed a green and efficient strategy for luteolin recovery by integrating ionic liquid-based microwave-assisted extraction (IL-MAE) with macroporous resin purification. The IL-MAE process was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM), achieving a maximum yield of 3.36 mg/g under optimal conditions: [BMIM][BF₄] concentration of 2 mol/L, liquid-to-solid ratio of 27 mL/g, microwave power of 800 W, and irradiation time of 120 s. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that hydrogen bonding between luteolin and the ionic liquid governs the extraction mechanism. The crude extract was further purified using NKA-9 macroporous resin, which exhibited high adsorption capacity (2.10 mg/g) and desorption efficiency (93.57%). Dynamic adsorption studies established optimal conditions: sample pH 3.0, loading volume of 1.95 bed volumes (BV), flow rate of 2 BV/h, and temperature of 25 °C. Efficient desorption was achieved by sequential elution with water, 50% ethanol, and 70% ethanol (5 BV each), yielding a final luteolin purity of 84.1%. Notably, the ionic liquid was successfully recycled with over 90% of its initial extraction efficiency retained after multiple cycles. This integrated approach offers a sustainable and scalable pathway for valorizing agricultural waste into high-value bioactive compounds within a circular bioeconomy framework.

PMID:42287836 | DOI:10.1016/j.chroma.2026.467179

Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess. 2026 Jul;43(7):1012-1018. doi: 10.1080/19440049.2026.2683667. Epub 2026 Jun 12.

ABSTRACT

Peanuts are among the most clinically important food allergens and may cause severe reactions even at very low exposure levels. This study investigated the presence of peanut residues in packaged baby biscuits marketed on the European side of Istanbul without peanut-containing ingredient declarations. A total of 100 packaged baby biscuit samples labelled as not containing peanut ingredients were collected from retail outlets in Basaksehir (n = 35), Eyup (n = 33), and Avcılar (n = 32) between January and June 2022 and analysed using a commercial ELISA kit (RIDASCREEN® FAST Peanut; analytical range 3.3-20 mg/kg, with a limit of detection of 3.3 mg/kg). The products consisted of plain, whole grain, goat's milk-based, vegetable-based, butter-based, apple-flavoured, and gluten-free baby biscuits. Peanut residues above the kit threshold (3.30 mg/kg) were detected in 15 samples (15%), with quantified values ranging from 3.94 to 4.93 mg/kg, while the remaining 85 samples (85%) were below the detection limit. No statistically significant association was found between product type and the presence of peanut residues. These findings demonstrate a potential risk of unintentional peanut presence in baby biscuits and highlight the need for strengthened allergen management, validated cleaning procedures, and accurate allergen labelling to protect sensitive consumer groups, particularly infants and young children.

PMID:42284479 | DOI:10.1080/19440049.2026.2683667

Int J Mol Sci. 2026 May 29;27(11):4958. doi: 10.3390/ijms27114958.

ABSTRACT

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a globally vital oilseed and cash crop. The LONELY GUY (LOG) gene family acts as a core regulator of cytokinin activation, governing plant meristem maintenance, growth, development, and stress responses. However, the genome-wide characteristics, evolutionary dynamics, and biological functions remain largely uncharacterized in peanut. In this study, 24 AhLOG genes were identified from the cultivated peanut Tifrunner. Phylogenetic analysis, gene structure characterization, and conserved motifs validated the high evolutionary conservation of the AhLOG gene family, and subcellular localization prediction indicated most AhLOG proteins were distributed in the cytoplasm. Promoter cis-element analysis revealed abundant hormone-responsive and stress-responsive cis-elements in the promoter regions of the AhLOG genes. Synteny analysis uncovered highly conserved collinear relationships between cultivated peanut and its diploid progenitors (A. duranensis, A. ipaensis) as well as the wild tetraploid relative (A. monticola), while numerous conserved orthologous syntenic pairs were detected between peanut and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Tissue expression profiles revealed remarkable functional divergence among members: AhLOG3 and AhLOG16 were widely involved in both vegetative and reproductive development, while several other AhLOG genes exhibited strict tissue-specific expression. Furthermore, qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that AhLOG genes were significantly induced by abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellin (GA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), drought and salt treatments, with distinct expression patterns under these abiotic stress conditions. Collectively, this work provides a systematic understanding of the AhLOG gene family and offers key candidate genes along with theoretical support for further functional investigation and molecular breeding of stress-resistant peanut.

PMID:42278485 | PMC:PMC13257298 | DOI:10.3390/ijms27114958

J Sci Food Agric. 2026 Jun 10. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.70783. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an economically important oilseed crop cultivated worldwide for its nutritional and industrial value. However, its productivity and quality are frequently constrained by several challenges, including abiotic and biotic stresses, post-harvest losses, and aflatoxin contamination. In recent years, agro-nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach to address these limitations by improving nutrient delivery, enhancing plant defense responses, and supporting advanced agricultural strategies. Nanoparticles have been reported to improve nodulation and rhizosphere interactions by influencing plant-microbiome dynamics, thereby contributing to enhanced crop growth and stress tolerance. However, direct evidence remains limited, and several observations are derived from related crop systems. Recent advances have highlighted the integration of nanotechnology with CRISPR-Cas genome editing systems, enabling targeted and DNA-free delivery of gene-editing components for crop improvement. It has been proposed that such approaches could contribute to improved oleic acid content, reduced allergenicity, and enhanced disease resistance in groundnut. Nano-remediation strategies have also shown potential in mitigating pesticide residues and heavy metal contamination, thereby reducing the risk of aflatoxin accumulation. Key developments in this field include nano-formulations for precise nutrient management, modulation of plant-microbiome interactions, and nanoparticle-mediated delivery systems for genome editing technologies. Nevertheless, several challenges remain, including regulatory uncertainties, potential environmental risks, nanoparticle toxicity, and the lack of standardized field-scale evaluations. Addressing these limitations through interdisciplinary research, robust risk-assessment frameworks, and crop-specific regulatory policies will be essential for the responsible implementation of agro-nanotechnology. Overall, this review highlights the emerging role of agro-nanotechnology in addressing key constraints in groundnut production, while emphasizing the need for further groundnut-specific validation and field scale applicability. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID:42271576 | DOI:10.1002/jsfa.70783

Funct Integr Genomics. 2026 Jun 11;26(1):132. doi: 10.1007/s10142-026-01916-x.

ABSTRACT

Peanut is a major oilseed crop in the U.S., which ranks third globally in production, with South Carolina ranking sixth nationally. Despite their economic and nutritional value, peanuts are unsuitable for 1-2% of the U.S. population due to allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, making the development of reduced-allergen peanuts a priority. This study aimed to identify peanut lines with reduced Ara h1, h2, h3, and h6 levels and to elucidate their genetic regulation using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Ninety-two accessions from the U.S. peanut mini-core collection were screened using ELISA and SDS-PAGE, and the resulting data were evaluated for association with 5,532 SNP markers. Substantial phenotypic diversity was observed. Twenty-three lines with extreme protein phenotypes were further evaluated by RP-UPLC, and nine by LC-MS. GWAS identified 165 marker-trait associations (MTAs) across raw and log-transformed datasets, with 13 MTAs common to both analyses. These MTAs were grouped into protein quantitative loci (PQLs), revealing six trans-PQLs and cis-PQLs for two of the five Ara h genes. Seed-expressed candidate transcription factors (TFs), including MYB, MYC, ERF, and bZIP, and pleiotropic PQLs were identified. Promoter analysis (1 kb upstream of transcription start site or TSS) of the corresponding Ara h genes revealed binding sites for TFs underlying these PQLs. We hypothesize that these TFs trans-regulate the Ara h genes either directly or through a regulatory cascade. These findings provide initial insights into the regulatory landscape of Ara h genes and will facilitate breeding for reduced allergen content in peanut.

PMID:42271083 | PMC:PMC13253668 | DOI:10.1007/s10142-026-01916-x

J Food Sci. 2026 Jun;91(6):e71145. doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.71145.

ABSTRACT

Peanuts are among the most widely produced nuts globally, generating greater quantities of shell residues than other nut by-products, thereby representing a highly abundant source of lignocellulosic fiber and phenolic compounds. This study examined the effect of peanut shell ground to different sizes (212, 500, and 800 µm) on the physical, chemical, techno-functional, and textural properties of cookies. As the particle size decreased, the dough's hardness increased, while its stickiness and strength decreased (p < 0.05). Adding peanut shell to cookies resulted in approximately a 100-fold increase in crude fiber content, a 1.8-fold increase in total phenolic content, and a 2.4-fold increase in antioxidant activity compared to the control sample (p < 0.05). Moreover, as the particle size of the peanut shell decreased from 800 to 212 µm, starch digestibility declined, and the mineral content increased in the cookies (p < 0.05). Incorporating peanut shell powder into cookies reduced their thickness by 8%-15% but increased the spread ratio by 18%-33% compared to the control cookies (p < 0.05). The cookies' hardness and fracturability decreased by about 27%-47% and 1%-5%, respectively, as the particle size of the peanut shell powder increased (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that peanut shell could serve as an important source of fiber and phenolic compounds for functional cookie production. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Peanut shells, often discarded as processing waste, can be transformed into a valuable ingredient for healthier cookies. Adding peanut shell powder significantly increases fiber, antioxidants, and minerals while reducing starch digestibility. Using peanut shells in bakery products not only supports sustainable waste utilization but also offers an affordable way to create functional foods with added health benefits, an opportunity for both industry innovation and improved public nutrition. The significant increase in dietary fiber and antioxidant activity suggests that its incorporation could support clean-label product development and align with consumer demand for health-oriented food products.

PMID:42263200 | PMC:PMC13249209 | DOI:10.1111/1750-3841.71145

BMC Plant Biol. 2026 Jun 8. doi: 10.1186/s12870-026-09146-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade is a fundamental signaling module that translates environmental stimuli into cellular responses in eukaryotes. Despite its importance, a comprehensive analysis of this family in the allotetraploid peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) remains limited.

RESULTS: In this study, 32 AhMAPK family members (AhMPK1-AhMPK32) were identified in the peanut genome. These genes are non-uniformly distributed across 14 chromosomes and are characterized by a widespread absence of introns. Phylogenetic analysis categorized the AhMPK proteins into four distinct subgroups (Groups I, II, III, and Ⅳ), with high conservation in gene structures and protein motifs within each group. Promoter analysis revealed an abundance of cis-acting elements responsive to light, phytohormones, and abiotic stresses. Transcriptomic profiling across 19 tissues and multiple stress conditions showed that while most AhMPK genes are constitutively expressed, AhMPK3 and AhMPK18 maintain high transcript abundance and are significantly induced by various environmental stimuli. Functional characterization through Agrobacterium-mediated transient and stable expression demonstrated that AhMPK3 and AhMPK18 positively regulate plant basal immunity. Overexpression of these genes significantly enhanced PAMP-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) bursts, up-regulated the defense marker gene FRK1, and conferred increased resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000.

CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our results provide a systematic genomic framework for the peanut AhMAPK family and identify AhMPK3 and AhMPK18 as critical candidates for the genetic improvement of disease resistance and stress resilience in peanut.

PMID:42252416 | DOI:10.1186/s12870-026-09146-w