Related Publications

G3 (Bethesda). 2026 Sep 28:jkag269. doi: 10.1093/g3journal/jkag269. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Polyploidization in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) fixed heterosis but also caused a genetic bottleneck isolating cultivated peanut from its wild diploid relatives. Mechanisms such as homoeologous exchange can partially restore genetic diversity by generating new allelic combinations. Double reduction is a rare polyploid-specific segregation pattern in which a single-dosage locus yields duplex gametes. It requires multivalent formation-associated with homoeologous exchange in allopolyploids-and crossing over between non-sister chromatids. Although peanut mainly exhibits disomic pairing, occasional multivalents theoretically allow low-frequency double reduction. To estimate double reduction and examine its relationship with genetic instability, we constructed a high-density phased linkage map (9,717 markers, 0.22 cM average spacing) from a backcross population between cultivated peanut and the neoallotetraploid [A. magna × A. stenosperma]4x (MagSten). Initial maps showed distinctive double linkage group artifacts, and some progenies displayed abnormal genotyping patterns linked to unbalanced chromosomal compositions, outcomes of homoeologous exchange. Removing these progenies resolved the artifacts, revealing a previously unrecognized mapping artifact in allotetraploid peanut and suggesting a common origin for similar artifacts observed in other linkage maps. Analysis of the phased map detected double reduction in 12% of progenies; one event was confirmed as producing a genomic composition matching theoretical predictions, supporting the hypothesis that double reduction causes unbalanced genomic compositions in allopolyploids as well. These results indicate that double reduction is a rare but recurrent phenomenon in segmental allotetraploid peanut that, together with homoeologous exchange, contributes to genetic instability and generates new allelic combinations in this and likely other allopolyploid genomes.

PMID:42802945 | DOI:10.1093/g3journal/jkag269

J Food Sci. 2026 Oct;91(10):e71509. doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.71509.

ABSTRACT

Cultured meat, produced through the cultivation of animal cells, represents a sustainable and ethical alternative to traditional livestock farming. The cultivation and expansion of animal cells for cultured meat production rely heavily on extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, which are needed for cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. However, common ECM components such as gelatin, collagen, vitronectin, and Matrigel are mainly derived from animal sources, raising ethical concerns and sustainability issues. In this study, we used in silico analysis to identify edible plant-derived proteins containing Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motifs, which can promote cell adhesion and proliferation like ECM proteins. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) were identified as promising candidates. Water-soluble extracts were prepared from the plant seeds and evaluated for their ability to support the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of murine C2C12 and immortalized bovine satellite cells. We found that the extracts predominantly contained low-molecular-weight proteins, and cell culture surfaces coated with either extract supported cell attachment and proliferation at levels comparable to those achieved with animal-derived ECM proteins. Analysis of the most abundant proteins in each plant extract as determined by mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of RGD motif-containing proteins. Subsequently, one RGD-containing protein identified from each extract was produced using a cell-free expression system, and lysates containing the produced proteins were evaluated for their ability to support cell attachment and proliferation. The results indicated enhanced cell attachment and proliferation, indicating a potential role of the proteins. Our findings demonstrate that peanut and quinoa protein extracts are promising and inexpensive animal-free alternatives for surface functionalization in cultured meat applications.

PMID:42801320 | PMC:PMC13616198 | DOI:10.1111/1750-3841.71509

Plants (Basel). 2026 Sep 8;15(18):2749. doi: 10.3390/plants15182749.

ABSTRACT

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a globally vital oil and cash crop. However, frequent cold stress severely compromises its yield stability. To address this challenge, we conducted quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for two cold tolerance-associated traits, namely relative emergence rate (RER) and relative emergence index (REI), across four distinct environments using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the cold-tolerant landrace Silihong and cold-sensitive cultivar Jinonghei 3. Two core QTLs associated with cold tolerance were detected, including qRER6 stable across all environments with PVE of 4.91-5.15% and a co-localized QTL qRER18.1/qREI18.2 on chromosome 18 that governs both target traits with PVE of 14.56-14.71% and 10.34%. Through integrated analysis of QTL mapping and Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), Arahy.657RUG was identified as a candidate cold tolerance gene and designated Ahcold18. Differential expression analysis and heterologous overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana under freezing stress (-9 °C) showed that Ahcold18 enhances plant survival under low-temperature stress, suggesting a general role in cold tolerance that warrants further investigation in the context of peanut chilling tolerance. A gene-based KASP marker (KASP-2374669), developed from variant sites within Ahcold18, showed preliminary association with RER and REI in the RIL population; however, further validation in diverse germplasm is required to confirm its utility for marker-assisted selection. This study provides a critical genetic resource and a precise technical tool for marker-assisted breeding of cultivated peanut with cold tolerance.

PMID:42796780 | PMC:PMC13610598 | DOI:10.3390/plants15182749

Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2026 Aug 24;48(9):858. doi: 10.3390/cimb48090858.

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study is functional characterization of a native plant defensin gene (AhDef1) from Arachis hypogaea (peanut). Further its potential has been evaluated to enhance resistance against Aspergillus flavus infection and reduce aflatoxin accumulation through transgenic intervention. Transgenic peanut lines overexpressing the AhDef1 gene exhibited significantly improved resistance to A. flavus colonization and a marked reduction in aflatoxin B₁ content compared to wild-type (WT) plants. Quantitative real-time PCR confirmed transgene expression, and aflatoxin accumulation was analyzed by a spectrophotometer which revealed a reduction in aflatoxin levels in the transgenic seeds. Alongside its direct antifungal activity, AhDef1 overexpression also triggered the upregulation of genes which are involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites such as resveratrol, ferulic acid and butenedioic acid, myoinositol, octadecanoic acid, suggesting an amplified biochemical defense response. Multivariate analysis further suggested that accumulation of these defense-related metabolites was positively correlated with transgenic lines challenged by A. flavus. In conclusion, the AhDef1 gene functionally validated in this study emerges as a promising candidate for engineering fungal disease resistance and aflatoxin mitigation in peanut and potentially other susceptible crops.

PMID:42793214 | PMC:PMC13605082 | DOI:10.3390/cimb48090858

Biology (Basel). 2026 Sep 19;15(18):1662. doi: 10.3390/biology15181662.

ABSTRACT

Bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, is a devastating soilborne disease often referred to as plant cancer. It threatens hundreds of species of plants and causes losses in yield and a deterioration in the quality of infected plants. Delay of Germination 1 (DOG1) plays vital roles in plant growth, development, and abiotic and biotic stress responses. However, the functions of DOG1 in biotic stress remain unexplored in cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). In this study, we systematically identified and characterized the AhDOG1 gene family in peanut using bioinformatics approaches and used transgenic experiments to functionally investigate AhDOG1-L4 in response to infection with Ralstonia solanacearum. A total of 37 AhDOG1 genes were identified in the peanut genome and classified into six subfamilies based on their phylogenic relationship. Their patterns of expression were studied and showed that AhDOG1-L4 is highly expressed in roots, root tips, rhizomes, nodules, stems, stem tips, cytoledons, leaves, florescences, and pegs. Importantly, among these tissues, the root tips exhibit the highest expression level of AhDOG1-L4. The heterologous overexpression of AhDOG1-L4 significantly reduced the tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana to Ralstonia solanacearum infection. Moreover, AhDOG1-L4 may participate in plant defense against pathogens by modulating the expression of genes associated with defense signaling networks. Functional characterization revealed that heterologous overexpression of AhDOG1-L4 in Arabidopsis significantly increased susceptibility to Ralstonia solanacearum by suppressing the expression of defense-related genes, demonstrating that AhDOG1-L4 functions as a plant negative regulator of bacterial wilt resistance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study into the roles of AhDOG1 genes in the responses to stress in peanut plants.

PMID:42792607 | PMC:PMC13604532 | DOI:10.3390/biology15181662

Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2026 Sep 25;81(4):123. doi: 10.1007/s11130-026-01572-3.

ABSTRACT

The valorization of agro-industrial by-products into bio- and techno-functional ingredients is a key strategy for sustainable food systems, yet peanut oil cake (POC), a protein-rich residue of peanut oil extraction, remains underexploited. Its protein can be recovered as an isolate (PPI) and converted through enzymatic hydrolysis into antioxidant peanut protein hydrolysates (PPH). This study therefore aimed to optimize the enzymatic preparation of PPH from PPI using Alcalase^® 2.4 L to maximize antioxidant activity (AA), and to carry out a comprehensive screening of their polypeptide profile, techno-functional properties, immunoreactivity, and cytotoxic/cytoprotective effects - an integrated assessment not previously reported for POC-derived hydrolysates. Hydrolysis was optimized by response surface methodology; the optimal conditions (49.2 °C, 197 min, enzyme-to-substrate ratio 0.024) yielded a degree of hydrolysis of 19.95 and 44.72% ABTS^•+ scavenging activity. Relative to PPI, PPH exhibited significantly higher AA (ABTS^•+ scavenging, 2.3-fold; ^•OH scavenging, 1.6-fold; and metal-chelating activity, 3.6-fold lower EC₅₀), together with increased solubility (98.8%) and oil-binding capacity, but lower foaming and emulsifying capacities. Immunoreactivity, measured with a peanut-specific polyclonal serum, was reduced ~ 42-fold (to 1.17% of detected protein), and PPH showed no cytotoxicity up to 1000 µg/mL while protecting intestinal cell models, normal rat ileum epithelial cells (IEC-18) and human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2), against menadione-induced oxidative stress. Overall, POC-derived PPH are safe, multifunctional antioxidant ingredients with potential for functional foods and beverages, adding value to an agro-industrial by-product within a sustainable framework.

PMID:42789018 | DOI:10.1007/s11130-026-01572-3

J Integr Plant Biol. 2026 Sep 24. doi: 10.1111/jipb.70405. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A gap-free, 1.29 Gb telomere-to-telomere genome of the wild peanut Arachis batizocoi achieved 98.50% BUSCO completeness and 38,919 annotated genes. Comparative analyses resolved ten centromeres, rust-resistance transcriptomes were analyzed, and the triploid hybrid W2557 was generated for breeding.

PMID:42779480 | DOI:10.1111/jipb.70405

Front Toxicol. 2026 Sep 9;8:1930770. doi: 10.3389/ftox.2026.1930770. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mucuna pruriens contains L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) and other bioactive constituents with potential relevance to motor dysfunction; however, the safety of crude extracts and the behavioural effects of multi-botanical formulations remain insufficiently characterized. This study evaluated the concentration-dependent toxicity of crude M. pruriens seed extract and its locomotor effects, alone and in combination with Cucurbita pepo and Arachis hypogaea, in pesticide-exposed adult male Drosophila melanogaster.

METHODS: For toxicity assessment, flies were exposed for 7 days to diets containing 0.1%-2.0% (w/v) M. pruriens. Each treatment comprised nine vials containing 20 flies per vial, giving 180 flies per treatment. Mortality, survival, hazard ratios, no-observed-effect level (NOEL), lowest-observed-effect level (LOEL), and model-derived median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) were determined. Locomotor impairment was induced using paraquat at 10 or 20 mM or glyphosate at 0.5%, 1.0%, or 2.0% (w/v). Negative geotaxis was evaluated in three independent experimental runs, with four vials per treatment per run and 10 flies per vial, giving 12 vial-level experimental units and 120 flies per treatment. Vial-level area under the climbing-response curve (AUC) was used as the primary locomotor endpoint.

RESULTS: Seven-day mortality increased from 13.9% in negative control to 45.6% at 2.0% M. pruriens. The operational NOEL and LOEL were 0.1% and 0.5%, respectively. Logistic modelling estimated an LC₅₀ of 2.06% (95% CI, approximately 1.71%-2.41%); this estimate was model-dependent and extrapolated because mortality remained below 50%. Paraquat and glyphosate significantly reduced vial-level locomotor AUC relative to the negative control. Treatment with 0.1% M. pruriens, alone or in combination with C. pepo and/or A. hypogaea, produced partial locomotor improvement relative to pesticide-only baselines, but none of the treatments restored performance to the negative-control level.

CONCLUSION: Crude M. pruriens seed extract exhibited concentration-dependent toxicity, while the 0.1% concentration was associated with partial locomotor improvement in pesticide-exposed D. melanogaster. The findings provide preliminary toxicological and behavioural evidence but do not establish direct neuronal protection or a molecular neuroprotective mechanism. Further studies should include appropriate vehicle and solvent controls, higher concentrations to improve LC₅₀ estimation, fixed-total-dose combination formulations, phytochemical standardization, and mechanistic assessment of oxidative stress, mitochondrial integrity, and dopaminergic neurons.

PMID:42775384 | PMC:PMC13597057 | DOI:10.3389/ftox.2026.1930770

Front Plant Sci. 2026 Sep 8;17:1841226. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2026.1841226. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

Living cover crops are increasingly used in orchards, but evidence linking cover-crop identity to earthworm indicators under subtropical conditions remains limited. This cross-sectional field comparison was based on one sampling event in November 2025. We compared perennial peanut (Arachis pintoi) and Indigofera hendecaphylla Jacq. ex Poir. with a weedy control and measured community-level earthworm abundance and fresh biomass, plant-derived inputs, and selected soil properties at 0-10 and 10-20 cm. Mixed-effects models accounting for the randomized block design detected treatment- and depth-associated differences in earthworm abundance and biomass. At 0-10 cm, I. hendecaphylla had the highest earthworm abundance (156.00 ± 40.92 ind. m⁻²) and fresh biomass (2.408 ± 0.365 g m⁻²). Across 0-20 cm, total abundance and fresh biomass were 78.1% and 93.3% higher, respectively, under A. pintoi than under the weedy control, and 208.2% and 218.3% higher under I. hendecaphylla. I. hendecaphylla also had the highest litter standing crop (625.89 ± 32.45 g fresh mass m⁻²) and the highest topsoil organic matter, total nitrogen, and alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen. Correlation and ordination analyses summarized associations with surface litter and nutrient-related variables but did not establish independent drivers or causality. At this single November sampling event, both living covers were associated with higher earthworm abundance and fresh biomass, with the strongest association under I. hendecaphylla. Temporal persistence requires multi-season sampling, dry-mass measurements, and species or ecological-group identification.

PMID:42774399 | PMC:PMC13593875 | DOI:10.3389/fpls.2026.1841226

Plant Physiol. 2026 Sep 22:kiag710. doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiag710. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Peanut is a major global economic crop with its seeds rich in oil and unsaturated fatty acids. However, the genes expression network of seeds development on single-cell resolution is unclear, here we conducted single-nucleus RNA-seq (snRNA-seq) on peanut seeds, classifying 35,082 single-cells into 13 clusters and identifying three major cell-types (coat, cotyledon, embryonic axis). Combining pseudo-time analysis and bulk transcriptome identified the coat serving as the starting point of seed cell differentiation and elucidated the cotyledon and embryonic axis development heterogeneity with different transcription factors interaction network induced pathways. Further snRNA-seq integrated with GWAS oil trait SNP data, a novel nuclear-localized WRINKLED gene AhWRI1-03a was identified to highly expressed in the early seed coat, overexpression of AhWRI1-03a enhanced the oil accumulation in Arabidopsis seed, and the molecular marker was designed based on the AhWRI1-03a haplotypes SNP locus mutation for breeding application. Our study established the single-nucleus transcriptome landscape of peanut seeds, and integrated the snRNA-seq and GWAS to characterize the AhWRI1-03a is a target gene in the next application of high oil content peanut variety breeding.

PMID:42771772 | DOI:10.1093/plphys/kiag710

Plant Biotechnol J. 2026 Sep 22:10.1111/pbi.70760. doi: 10.1111/pbi.70760. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:42770552 | PMC:PMC13595818 | DOI:10.1111/pbi.70760

N Engl J Med. 2026 Sep 17;395(11):1090-1099. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2605659.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Immune responses leading to food allergy may develop early in life, potentially before the introduction of solid foods. Exposures to food allergens in utero and through breast milk have been proposed as a strategy to prevent food allergies in infants, but evidence from randomized trials is lacking.

METHODS: In this multisite, randomized trial, pregnant women whose unborn child had at least two biologic family members with medically diagnosed allergic disease were eligible to participate. Participants were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to follow either a diet high in eggs and peanuts that included at least 6 eggs and 60 peanuts per week (high egg-peanut group) or a standard (control) egg and peanut diet that included no more than 3 eggs and 30 peanuts per week (standard-diet group), from before 23 weeks' gestation until 4 months postnatally during lactation. The primary outcome was IgE-mediated egg or peanut allergy in the infant at 1 year of age.

RESULTS: A total of 1070 participants were assigned to the high egg-peanut group, and 1067 were assigned to the standard-diet group. There was no significant difference in the percentage of infants with IgE-mediated egg or peanut allergy between the maternal high egg-peanut group (83 of 1066, 7.8%) and the standard-diet group (89 of 1064, 8.4%) (relative risk, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.69 to 1.26; P = 0.65). Safety measures were similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The ingestion of high amounts of egg and peanut during pregnancy and lactation did not result in a significantly lower risk of the development of egg or peanut allergy in infants by 1 year of age than ingestion of low amounts of these foods. (Funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and others; PrEggNut Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry number, ACTRN12618000937213.).

PMID:42748429 | DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa2605659

Daru. 2026 Sep 16;34(2):77. doi: 10.1007/s40199-026-00635-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Escitalopram oxalate is a Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) Class II drug with low aqueous solubility and significant first-pass metabolism, limiting its systemic bioavailability and therapeutic efficiency. Intranasal delivery using a nanoemulsion-based thermosensitive in situ gelling system offers a promising strategy to bypass first-pass metabolism, improve drug solubility, prolong nasal residence time, and facilitate nose-to-brain drug delivery.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and optimize a nanoemulsion-based in situ gel for the intranasal delivery of escitalopram oxalate to improve drug delivery and antidepressant efficacy.

METHODS: Escitalopram-loaded nanoemulsions were prepared by high-energy emulsification using a hybrid oil phase of arachis oil and Caproyl 90 (1:1), Tween 80 as the surfactant, and PEG 400 as the cosurfactant. Formulations were optimized using a Central Composite Design (CCD) and characterized for droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, drug content, gelation temperature, pH, viscosity, spray characteristics, in vitro drug release, ex vivo nasal permeation, nasal ciliotoxicity, RPMI 2650 cell viability, and pharmacodynamic activity in Wistar rats.

RESULTS: The optimized formulation exhibited a droplet size of 34.93 nm, PDI of 0.1955, zeta potential of - 38.4 mV, 97% drug content, pH of 6.4 ± 0.93, and a gelation temperature of 34 ± 1 °C. The formulation demonstrated sustained drug release over 8 h, significantly enhanced ex vivo nasal permeation compared with the nanoemulsion alone, uniform spray performance, and an acceptable safety profile in nasal ciliotoxicity and RPMI 2650 cell viability studies. Pharmacodynamic evaluation showed significantly greater reduction in depressive-like behaviours than oral escitalopram solution.

CONCLUSION: The optimized nanoemulsion-based in situ gel demonstrated sustained drug release, enhanced nasal permeation, acceptable safety, and improved antidepressant efficacy. These findings indicate that the developed formulation is a promising non-invasive platform for intranasal delivery of escitalopram oxalate with the potential to enhance nose-to-brain delivery for depression therapy.

PMID:42747746 | PMC:PMC13582788 | DOI:10.1007/s40199-026-00635-9

Sci Rep. 2026 Jul 28;16(1):28735. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-63825-0.

ABSTRACT

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) productivity in Niger remains low despite its potential, mainly due to erratic rainfall, poor soil fertility, and disease and pest pressure. This study aimed to quantify the effects of genotype, environment, and genotype × environment interaction (G × E), evaluate yield performance and stability, and identify superior genotypes and optimal test environments. A total of 21 groundnut varieties were evaluated across four environments (two locations over two years) during the 2021 and 2022 cropping seasons. Genotype plus genotype × environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis was used to assess stability and adaptability. Analysis of variance showed significant genotype × environment interaction for pod yield (p < 0.01), while genotype and environment effects were highly significant (p < 0.001) for most agronomic traits. Mean pod yield ranged from 1915.22 kg/ha for Diankadapé to 2990.10 kg/ha for ICGV 93,305, with a grand mean of 2517.26 kg/ha. The highest-yielding genotype, ICGV 93,305, exceeded the grand mean by 18.78% and the lowest-yielding genotype by 56.12%. Other high-yielding genotypes included ICGV-IS 13,989 (2945.88 kg/ha), ICGV-IS 14,857 (2846.22 kg/ha), Pyr-370 (2774.10 kg/ha), and Rafeet Car (2772.55 kg/ha). The GGE biplot explained 80.85% of the total G + GE variation, with PC1 and PC2 accounting for 58.52% and 22.33%, respectively. The mean-versus-stability view identified ICGV-IS 13,989 and SH470P as the most stable genotypes, while the ideal-genotype ranking indicated Rafeet Car, ICGV 93,305, ICGV-IS 13,989, and ICGV-IS 14,857 as desirable genotypes. Environment E1 was the most discriminating and representative test environment. These findings identify stable and high-performing groundnut varieties for varietal recommendation and future breeding in Niger.

PMID:42744923 | PMC:PMC13578257 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-63825-0

Plants (Basel). 2026 Aug 28;15(17):2640. doi: 10.3390/plants15172640.

ABSTRACT

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yield depends on biological nitrogen fixation, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the combined effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and calcium fertilizer on nodulation remain unclear. Here, we used integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to investigate potential mechanisms in peanut roots. Compared with the non-inoculated control, AMF inoculation alone was associated with a 22.1% higher nodule number per plant. The combined application of AMF and CaO showed a 35.9% higher nodulation than AMF alone, and a 30.9% higher AMF colonization rate than AMF alone was also observed. Mechanistically, AMF colonization was associated with enhanced carbon-nitrogen metabolic profiles and up-regulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism-related pathways, suggesting a potential role in providing energy, carbon skeletons, and signaling molecules for nodule formation. Calcium fertilizer correlated with strengthening of the glyoxylate cycle and pentose phosphate pathway, possibly contributing to the energy supply for nodulation. It also affected genes related to protein secretion and lipid metabolism, with observed changes in membrane lipids and transport metabolites, which may enhance symbiotic interface function. This study reveals the multi-level mechanisms through which AMF and calcium fertilizer collectively promote peanut nodulation, providing a systems-level perspective on plant-microbe-nutrient relationships during symbiosis. Our findings offer new insights for sustainable agriculture by reducing chemical nitrogen inputs and promoting nodulation in legumes.

PMID:42739407 | PMC:PMC13567116 | DOI:10.3390/plants15172640

Mycotoxin Res. 2026 Sep 11;42(4):68. doi: 10.1007/s12550-026-00682-w.

ABSTRACT

Aflatoxin contamination in cereals and oilseeds is highly heterogeneous, making representative laboratory sampling a major challenge. Although laboratory sample mass is recognised as an important determinant of sampling uncertainty, its relationship with the aflatoxin concentration obtained from heterogeneous lots has received limited direct investigation. This study evaluated the association between laboratory sample mass and measured aflatoxin concentration in groundnut and maize lots. Groundnut slurry samples were assessed at laboratory sample masses of 3 and 7 kg, while maize samples were assessed at 1, 5, and 10 kg. Aflatoxins were quantified using VICAM AflaTest immunoaffinity clean-up and fluorometric detection. Across the studied lots, larger laboratory sample masses generally yielded higher measured aflatoxin concentrations than smaller masses, with statistically significant differences in most comparisons. These findings indicate that laboratory sample mass can influence the aflatoxin concentration obtained from heterogeneous lots and should therefore be clearly specified in experimental design, method reporting, and interpretation.

PMID:42728493 | DOI:10.1007/s12550-026-00682-w

Neotrop Entomol. 2026 Sep 11;55(1):85. doi: 10.1007/s13744-026-01435-1.

ABSTRACT

Stegasta bosqueella (Chambers) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a major peanut pest (Arachis hypogeae L.) in Brazil. The evaluation of peanut cultivars is fundamental for characterizing the levels of insect resistance, supporting their use in integrated pest management (IPM). This study evaluated possible sources of antibiosis-type resistance to S. bosqueella in selected peanut cultivars. Five cultivars were evaluated for constitutive resistance levels: IAC Caiapó, IAC Runner 886, IAC OL3, IAC 503, and Granoleico. The development of S. bosqueella was evaluated under laboratory conditions, where neonate larvae were kept in Petri dishes and fed leaves of the peanut cultivars until pupation. The evaluated biological parameters of S. bosqueella were larval and pupal weights; larval, prepupal, and pupal periods; adult longevity; sex ratio; and larval survival. Larvae fed leaves of the IAC 503 cultivar presented prolonged larval periods, lower weights and survival. In addition, larvae fed on this cultivar gave rise to pupae with lower weights, adults with shorter longevity, and those with the lowest fitness index. Thus, IAC 503 was classified as resistant to S. bosqueella through antibiosis, whereas the other cultivars presented different levels of susceptibility. The results obtained herein can support the use of resistant cultivars in IPM for peanut crops since IAC 503 is a commercial cultivar that is readily available for planting by farmers. Additionally, IAC 503 can be useful in peanut breeding programs targeting S. bosqueella resistance, serving as a resistance gene donor.

PMID:42726427 | PMC:PMC13569594 | DOI:10.1007/s13744-026-01435-1

Bioprocess Biosyst Eng. 2026 Sep 7. doi: 10.1007/s00449-026-03419-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Resveratrol is a high-value stilbenoid with diverse pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. However, its microbial production remains limited by insufficient precursor availability and inefficient carbon utilization. In this study, Escherichia coli was sequentially engineered to establish a methanol-assisted platform for resveratrol biosynthesis. The heterologous pathway was reconstructed by co-expressing Populus tomentosa 4-coumarate: CoA ligase (Pt4CL) and Arachis hypogaea stilbene synthase (AhSTS), followed by introduction of the matBC operon from Streptomyces coelicolor to enhance intracellular malonyl-CoA supply. A synthetic methylotrophic pathway comprising methanol dehydrogenase (mdh2) from Bacillus methanolicus together with 3-hexulose-6-phosphate synthase (hxlA) and 6-phospho-3-hexuloisomerase (hxlB) from Bacillus subtilis was subsequently introduced, and CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) targeting frmA was implemented to modulate formaldehyde metabolism and facilitate methanol utilization. Optimization of heterologous protein expression increased resveratrol production from 7.3 ± 0.2 to 14.1 ± 0.3 mg/L, while matBC-mediated precursor engineering further increased the titer to 20.2 ± 0.4 mg/L. Under glucose-methanol co-feeding conditions, the engineered strain produced approximately 23 ± 0.28 mg/L resveratrol in shake-flask cultivation. Scale-up in a 5-L bioreactor yielded 26.42 ± 0.31 mg/L (132.1 ± 2.4 mg/L total resveratrol) with a PCA conversion efficiency exceeding 95%, complete glucose consumption, and approximately 40.3% methanol utilization after 36 h of cultivation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of methanol-assisted resveratrol biosynthesis in engineered E. coli. These results demonstrate the potential of integrating synthetic methylotrophy, precursor engineering, and CRISPRi-mediated carbon redistribution to establish a methanol-assisted platform for microbial resveratrol production. This work provides a proof-of-concept framework for future development of microbial production systems utilizing renewable C₁ feedstocks.

PMID:42704429 | DOI:10.1007/s00449-026-03419-2

Mikrochim Acta. 2026 Sep 7;193(10):663. doi: 10.1007/s00604-026-08382-z.

ABSTRACT

A novel electrochemical sensing platform was developed using copper-modified and alkali-activated peanut shell biochar (CuPS-OH) for the selective and sensitive detection of glufosinate ammonium (GLA) in food and environmental samples. The sensor operates on the basis of solid-state electrochemical signal amplification from in situ-formed CuCl, which is generated via the reaction between surface Cu species and Cl⁻. GLA specifically binds to copper active sites and competitively suppresses the CuCl signal, enabling quantitative detection. Material characterization confirmed that alkaline treatment significantly improved the conductivity and electroactive surface area of the biochar composite. Under optimized conditions, the sensor exhibited a wide linear range of 0.2-200 µM and a low detection limit of 58 nM. It demonstrated outstanding anti-interference capability, stability, and accuracy in real-sample analyses (grape, river water, and soil), with recoveries ranging from 96.0% to 103.6%. This work offers a feasible and efficient strategy for developing high-performance biochar-based electrochemical sensors applicable to food safety and environmental monitoring.

PMID:42702637 | DOI:10.1007/s00604-026-08382-z

Pestic Biochem Physiol. 2026 Sep;223:107307. doi: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2026.107307. Epub 2026 Aug 15.

ABSTRACT

Peanut stem rot, caused by Sclerotium rolfsii, is a soil-borne disease, which severely threatens global peanut production. At present, the control of this disease mainly depends on the application of chemical fungicides. Despite the recent registration of the DMI fungicide prothioconazole in China, field resistance has rapidly emerged. Evaluating 51 field isolates (with mean EC₅₀ = 1.88 ± 6.13 μg/mL), we found that less sensitive isolates incur fitness costs in mycelial growth but exhibit markedly enhanced sclerotial production. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, we systematically investigated target-site and non-target-site factors. Gene expression analysis revealed that prothioconazole exposure triggers a dramatic upregulation of CYP51 in less sensitive isolates. Target-site mutations (despite the identification of an I96V mutation in CYP51), altered nuclear counts, and enhanced efflux pump activity (atrB, atrD, and MFS1) may not be the major resistance drivers. These findings demonstrate that CYP51 overexpression is the primary molecular basis for prothioconazole resistance in S. rolfsii. A significant positive correlation was observed between sensitivity to prothioconazole and the DMI fungicides difenoconazole and tebuconazole. Therefore, it is recommended to use prothioconazole in alternation with fungicides that have different modes of action, such as thifluzamide and isopyrazam.

PMID:42697676 | DOI:10.1016/j.pestbp.2026.107307