Related Publications

Mol Biol Rep. 2026 Oct 16;53(1):1737. doi: 10.1007/s11033-026-12924-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Seed size is an important component of groundnut productivity, market value and end-use quality. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying variation in seed size remain insufficiently characterized in groundnut. The present study aimed to identify putative candidate genes associated with seed-size variation using a comparative genomics approach based on rice seed-size-related genes.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty diverse groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes were evaluated at the Dryland Farm, Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Tirupati, during Kharif 2022. Analysis of variance revealed significant variation for hundred pod weight, hundred kernel weight, kernel length and kernel breadth. Based on seed size, Bheema (TG 47) and TPT 4 (TCGS 30) were selected as contrasting genotypes. Developing kernels collected at 60 and 85 days after sowing (DAS) were subjected to semi-quantitative PCR analysis using primers targeting eight rice seed-size-related genes. All eight genes were amplified and exhibited differential expression between the contrasting genotypes and developmental stages. GW5, GW7, GS3 and GS2 showed comparatively higher expression in the bold-seeded genotype at 60 DAS and were identified as promising candidate genes. In silico analysis using PeanutBase identified 31 putative homologous sequences corresponding to rice seed-size-related genes, while NCBI transcriptome searches identified 32 putative homologous groundnut transcripts.

CONCLUSIONS: The differential expression of GW5, GW7, GS3 and GS2 provides preliminary evidence for their potential involvement in seed-size variation in groundnut. These genes represent promising comparative candidate genes for further validation through sequence characterization, peanut-specific primer development, quantitative expression analysis and genetic association studies.

PMID:42886307 | DOI:10.1007/s11033-026-12924-2

Biodegradation. 2026 Oct 16;37(6):166. doi: 10.1007/s10532-026-10391-x.

ABSTRACT

Driven by global disease challenges, the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) industry has flourished, however, the massive surge in TCM residues has emerged as a major bottleneck to its sustainable development. Semi-permeable membrane aerobic composting provides a key technology for TCM residue valorization, which typically relies on exogenous nitrogen supplementation to optimize the carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) balance. Nevertheless, a systematic understanding of how differentiated nitrogen sources impact this composting process remains lacking. Herein, this study introduced distinct nitrogen sources as co-substrates for semi-permeable membrane aerobic composting to elucidate their modulation of key physicochemical parameters and microecological succession. The results demonstrated that peanut meal exhibited the optimal composting performance compared to alfalfa meal, soybean meal, and urea. Specifically, its thermophilic phase (> 55°C) persisted for over 7 days, and the organic matter content degraded most rapidly and stably, achieving a reduction rate of 49.8%. At maturity, the ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) content and electrical conductivity (EC) dropped to as low as 81 mg/kg and 2606μS/cm, respectively, while the peak total nutrient content reached 5.8%. Meanwhile, the dynamic trend of the ratio of the absorbance at 465 nm to that at 665 nm (E4/E6) aligned with typical aerobic composting patterns, indicating a high degree of humification. Community analysis revealed that Bacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Pseudomonas were the dominant bacterial taxa in the efficient treatments, whereas fungi dominated by Thermomyces, Mycothermus, and Aspergillus were consistently associated with NH₄⁺-N turnover and lignocellulose degradation, these compositional associations suggest a potential contribution of these taxa to compost maturation, which warrants direct functional verification in future studies. Overall, this study provides critical microecological insights and a practical nitrogen optimization strategy for efficient and sustainable TCM residue composting.

PMID:42881280 | DOI:10.1007/s10532-026-10391-x

Plant Physiol. 2026 Oct 14:kiag753. doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiag753. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) contributes importantly to the global food supply, and its yield potential is closely linked to leaf photosynthetic efficiency. However, conventional measurement of leaf net-photosynthetic-rate (Leaf Pn) is time- and labor-intensive, limiting its application to large breeding populations. We established a phenomics-driven framework integrating hyperspectral reflectance and genome-wide association studies for high-throughput evaluation and genetic dissection of Leaf Pn. Machine-learning models were trained on preprocessed spectral data from 1,200 leaf samples collected in four environments. Random forest performed best after Savitzky-Golay (S-G) smoothing and first-derivative transformation (R2 = 0.81, root mean square error [RMSE] = 1.50), outperforming the vegetation index-based model (R2 = 0.66). Applying this model to a panel of 173 peanut genotypes identified two quantitative trait loci, qPn5.1 and qPn13.1, encompassing seven candidate genes. Integrated analyses prioritized Arahy.K5L3ZW, which encodes protein kinase 2B. Silencing this gene increased Leaf Pn, whereas transient overexpression decreased it, indicating that Arahy.K5L3ZW negatively regulates Leaf Pn. This framework enables high-throughput genetic dissection of seedling photosynthetic capacity and identifies a candidate target for improving photosynthetic efficiency in peanut.

PMID:42869437 | DOI:10.1093/plphys/kiag753

Micron. 2026 Oct 9;209:104133. doi: 10.1016/j.micron.2026.104133. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) seed tissues differ in structure and function, yet their surface morphology, internal anatomy, and elemental composition during development have not been examined in a combined microscopy framework. Seeds of three runner-type cultivars, Georgia-06G (G-06), Georgia-12Y (G-12Y), and Georgia-18RU (G-18) were sampled across reproductive stages R3-R8 and analyzed using histology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). SEM and histology revealed hull sclerenchyma, cotyledonary parenchyma, and distinct outer-inner surface variations in both hull and seed coat. Inner cotyledon stomata were classified as anomocytic, anisocytic, and paracytic. Elemental analysis indicated non-uniform calcium (Ca) and silicon (Si) distributions across tissues and stages. Outer hull Si ranged from 2.50 to 9.97 wt concentration percentage (wt%); inner hull Si remained below 0.5 wt%, except for G-06 at R3 (1.86 wt%). Outer hull Ca peaked early and declined with maturity; G-18 reached 4.95 wt% at R3, approximately 3.6- to 3.8-fold higher than other cultivars. Inner hull Ca reached 3.48 wt% in G-12Y at R3. Seed coat Ca and Si were consistently lower, remaining below 0.85 wt% and 0.51 wt%, respectively. EDS data are semi-quantitative and biological replication was not included; results are presented descriptively. These findings support a layered structural and elemental barrier organization in peanut reproductive tissues.

PMID:42863277 | DOI:10.1016/j.micron.2026.104133

J Appl Microbiol. 2026 Oct 9:lxag245. doi: 10.1093/jambio/lxag245. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Intensive agricultural practices have led to severe soil degradation in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Integrating legumes as cover crops is a promising strategy to restore soil fertility via biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Arachis pintoi has been increasingly promoted in Vietnam for adoption as a cover crop but the diversity and efficiency of its native rhizobial partners remain poorly documented. This study assessed the diversity of indigenous rhizobial strains nodulating A. pintoi in the Central Highlands of Vietnam and evaluated their symbiotic efficiency and ability to support plant growth under greenhouse conditions.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Nodule occupancy was analyzed by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism and 16rDNA sequencing was performed for representative strains of each group. Seven distinct profiles were found, all identified as Bradyrhizobium spp. While the diversity of rhizobia was relatively similar across both provinces, nodule occupancy varied markedly between locations. Strains from IGS 04 group dominated in Dak Lak (66.3%), whereas IGS 01 was the most prevalent group in Gia Lai (78.3%). A greenhouse trial was conducted to assess the performance of the different rhizobial groups. Inoculation significantly improved plant growth and nitrogen levels compared to uninoculated treatment. Plants inoculated with IGS 03 and IGS 06 groups exhibited the highest performance, exceeding that of the positive control. Conversely, IGS 01 and IGS 07 strains demonstrated the poorest symbiotic efficiency.

CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the critical need to select high-efficiency native strains for bioinoculants to maximize BNF potential and support the long-term sustainability of perennial agroecosystems in Vietnam.

PMID:42852737 | DOI:10.1093/jambio/lxag245

Gut Microbes. 2026 Dec 31;18(1):2743944. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2026.2743944. Epub 2026 Oct 8.

ABSTRACT

Early life introduction of potentially allergenic foods such as peanuts is important for the prevention of food allergy. We hypothesized that peanut consumption may indirectly influence the immune system via effects on gut microbiota composition and metabolism. In vitro human fecal fermentations with peanuts were performed. Changes in taxa and metabolism were measured using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted metabolomics respectively. Ten Bifidobacterium strains were cultured in vitro in the presence of peanuts and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were used to assess culture supernatant immunomodulatory effects. Fecal samples were sequenced from children at 12 months (n = 343) using whole genome metagenomic sequencing. An online questionnaire was used to collect dietary data. Human fecal bioreactor fermentation of peanut flour, previously subjected to in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion, resulted in significant production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), associated with increased relative abundance of Megasphaera and bifidobacteria. 188 metabolites were significantly altered following peanut fermentation. Bifidobacterium longum subspecies longum strain 160 efficiently metabolized peanut associated with secretion of indole-3-lactic acid (ILA). Following growth on peanuts, bifidobacterial supernatants enhanced IL-10 secretion, but reduced TNF-alpha and IL-5 secretion from stimulated PBMCs. Peanut consumption by 12-month-old children was associated with significant changes in gut microbiota composition including increased levels of Prevotella buccae, Megasphaera micronuciformis and Blautia wexlerae. Peanuts are metabolized by microbes generating immunoregulatory metabolites such as SCFAs and ILA. These metabolites may represent one potential mechanism underlying the allergy-protective effects of early peanut consumption, which requires further validation in high-risk allergy cohorts.

PMID:42845237 | PMC:PMC13652054 | DOI:10.1080/19490976.2026.2743944

aBIOTECH. 2026 Sep 11;7(4):100089. doi: 10.1016/j.abiote.2026.100089. eCollection 2026 Dec.

ABSTRACT

The nightly closure or downward folding of leaves, a process known as sleep movement or nyctinasty, is a widespread phenomenon in legumes that helps optimize photosynthesis, conserve water, and reduce pathogen susceptibility. Although the physical process has been well characterized, the molecular regulation of nyctinasty remains poorly understood. Here, we combined temporal transcriptome profiling, photoperiod manipulation, and tissue-specific gene expression analysis to dissect the regulatory network in peanut (Arachis hypogaea) during nyctinastic leaf movement. Under normal light/dark cycles, leaves displayed distinct nyctinastic behavior, which was suppressed under continuous light, underscoring the importance of photoperiod for this process. Transcriptome analysis identified conserved light- and circadian-related genes exhibiting rhythmic expression patterns. Key candidates included light-responsive SWEET and aquaporin genes with distinct tissue-specific expression patterns, along with a pulvinus-enriched MYB transcription factor gene. Promoter-binding and reporter assays supported transcriptional links between circadian/light-signaling components and these candidate downstream genes. Together, these findings support a working model in which photoreceptors and the circadian clock coordinate the expression of transporter and regulatory genes, which may contribute to nyctinastic leaf movement in peanut. These findings provide a molecular framework for future functional investigations of nyctinasty in legumes.

PMID:42835009 | PMC:PMC13634987 | DOI:10.1016/j.abiote.2026.100089

Microbiol Res. 2027 Jan;314:128746. doi: 10.1016/j.micres.2026.128746. Epub 2026 Oct 2.

ABSTRACT

Plant recognition and responses to neighbors are key mechanisms that regulate interspecific interactions. Although aboveground signaling via volatile organic compounds has received increasing attention, the role of soil-derived signals in belowground interactions remains poorly understood. In this study, a peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)-Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Makino intercropping system was used to investigate how root exudates regulate the recruitment of rhizosphere microbes to neighboring plants, with the aim of providing a theoretical basis for understanding how intercropping promotes plant growth. Intercropping with peanut significantly altered the rhizosphere microbial community structure of P. ternata and markedly enhanced the colonization of Sphingomonas spp. Inoculation experiments revealed that Sphingomonas sp. Y6 significantly increased both plant biomass and bioactive compounds of P. ternata. A belowground segregation experiment supported the role of root exudates as important mediators of interspecific interactions between peanut and P. ternata. Peanut-derived L-proline promoted the recruitment of Sphingomonas sp. Y6, increasing its rhizosphere colonization by 1.96-fold in the split-root experiment. Metabolomic profiling further indicated that exposure to peanut-derived signals was associated with increased accumulation of nucleoside compounds in P. ternata root exudates, which enhanced chemotaxis and biofilm formation by Sphingomonas sp. Y6. Overall, these findings identify a potentially important mechanism linking interspecific plant interactions, metabolite-mediated changes in root exudates, and rhizosphere microbial recruitment, ultimately contributing to increased bioactive compound accumulation in P. ternata, and provide new insights into optimizing plant-microbe interactions to enhance the accumulation of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants.

PMID:42832926 | DOI:10.1016/j.micres.2026.128746

Comput Struct Biotechnol J. 2026 May 11;35(3):0088. doi: 10.34133/csbj.0088. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

Arachis hypogaea 2 (Ara h2), the major peanut allergen responsible for severe allergic reactions in a large proportion of the population, is a key target for the detection of peanut allergenicity. In this study, the ability of gold nanoparticles functionalized with a peptide group to bind Ara h2 was investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. According to the structure of the peanut allergen Ara h2, which binds to a high-affinity IgE receptor, 130 amino acids of IgE have considerable interaction with the Ara h2 allergen. Therefore, a new peptide comprising these amino acids was designed as a functionalization agent for gold nanoparticles. To investigate the role of nanoparticle shape in the dynamics and interactions between Ara h2 and the designed systems, 2 shapes of gold nanoparticles were selected: rod-shaped (NR-Pep) and spherical (NP-Pep). Moreover, given the widespread use of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) in experimental studies to mimic physiological conditions, its influence on the stability and behavior of the complexes was investigated alongside commonly used standard physiological conditions in MD simulations. MD simulations show that buffer conditions enhance the structural stability and compactness of the Ara h2@IgE complex. Based on these results, Ara h2 was substantially affected when interacting with functionalized gold nanoparticles (NP-Pep and NR-Pep). Among the studied nanoparticles, the rod (NR-Pep) forms a more stable complex with Ara h2 than do NP-Pep and IgE, which is the human receptor for the peanut allergen. Multiple analyses confirm that the designed nanoparticles are promising candidates for adsorbing the peanut allergen Ara h2.

PMID:42828077 | PMC:PMC13632937 | DOI:10.34133/csbj.0088

Front Plant Sci. 2026 Sep 18;17:1939285. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2026.1939285. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a widely planted cash and oil crop, and regional and meteorological factors, as the most critical environmental factors, play crucial roles in peanut kernel quality traits. To explore the relationship between peanut quality traits and environmental factors, this study dissected the quality traits and the genotype-by-environment interaction factors using seven varieties across multiple environments.

METHODS: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to partition the variance of kernel quality traits, correlation analysis was used to examine the associations between quality traits and environmental factors, and genotype plus genotype-by-environment (GGE) biplot analysis was used to evaluate the association between genotypes and multiple environments.

RESULTS: ANOVA showed that environmental factors were the largest source of variance among the three quality traits. Correlation analysis showed that long sunshine duration, high accumulated temperature, and large mean daily temperature difference were beneficial to the accumulation of oil and protein. Oil content showed an overall trend of increasing with latitude; protein content performed best in the Huang-Huai-Hai and Yangtze River Basin production areas; and sucrose content showed an overall trend of decreasing with latitude and longitude. GGE analysis further showed that HY33 achieved optimal oil content with strong multi-environment stability, while HY21 had superior protein content and the most stable sucrose performance across multi-environments.

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides theoretical guidance for adjusting planting arrangements in different regions according to different climatic conditions and peanut growing periods, which is of great significance as a guide for improving peanut quality.

PMID:42827956 | PMC:PMC13630982 | DOI:10.3389/fpls.2026.1939285

Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2026 Oct;37(10):e70489. doi: 10.1111/pai.70489.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The natural history of peanut allergy based on oral food challenge (OFC) outcomes has been rarely reported. We investigated the clinical course of peanut allergy up to 12 years of age using OFC results.

METHODS: The participants were children diagnosed with peanut allergy by 3 years of age, defined by peanut sensitization with definitive immediate-type symptoms or a positive OFC. Stepwise OFCs were performed on separate days with total ingestion amounts of 0.5, 3, and 10 g of peanut. Tolerance was assessed through regular OFCs and defined as a negative result on a 10-g OFC or the ability to consume ≥10 g of peanut. We retrospectively analyzed OFC outcomes up to 12 years of age.

RESULTS: We included 42 children (81% male) with a median peanut-specific IgE (sIgE) of 16.8 kU_A/L at age 3; 16 children (38%) had a history of anaphylaxis. Overall, 82 OFCs were performed; four children (10%) discontinued follow-up. Kaplan-Meier-estimated tolerance acquisition rates were 2%, 18%, and 36% at 4, 6, and 12 years of age, respectively. Compared with the non-tolerant group, the tolerant group had lower peanut-sIgE at 3 years of age (median: 3.67 vs. 27.6 kU_A/L; adjusted HR for log-transformed value: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.10-0.96, p = .041), and lower peanut-sIgE at 6 years and Ara h 2-sIgE at 6 and 9 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS: One-third of Japanese children diagnosed with peanut allergy by 3 years of age achieved tolerance by 12 years of age. Lower peanut-sIgE levels at 3 years of age were associated with subsequent tolerance acquisition.

PMID:42827093 | DOI:10.1111/pai.70489

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