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Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Jun 2024In pursuit of sustainable agricultural production, the development of environmentally friendly and effective biopesticides is essential to improve food security and...
In pursuit of sustainable agricultural production, the development of environmentally friendly and effective biopesticides is essential to improve food security and environmental sustainability. Bacteriophages, as emerging biocontrol agents, offer an alternative to conventional antibiotics and synthetic chemical pesticides. The primary challenges in applying phage-based biopesticides in agricultural settings are their inherent fragility and low biocidal efficacy, particularly the susceptibility to sunlight exposure. This study addresses the aforementioned challenges by innovatively encapsulating phages in sporopollenin exine capsules (SECs), which are derived from plant pollen grains. The size of the apertures on SECs could be controlled through a non-thermal and rapid process, combining reinflation and vacuum infusion techniques. This unique feature facilitates the high-efficiency encapsulation and controlled release of phages under various conditions. The proposed SECs could encapsulate over 9 log PFU g of phages and significantly enhance the ultraviolet (UV) resistance of phages, thereby ensuring their enhanced survivability and antimicrobial efficacy. The effectiveness of SECs encapsulated phages (T7@SECs) in preventing and treating bacterial contamination on lettuce leaves is further demonstrated, highlighting the practical applicability of this novel biopesticide in field applications. Overall, this study exploits the potential of SECs in the development of phage-based biopesticides, presenting a promising strategy to enhancing agricultural sustainability.
PubMed: 38940376
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202403465 -
Pest Management Science Jun 2024Succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicides play important roles in the control of plant fungal diseases. However, they are facing serious challenges from issues...
BACKGROUND
Succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicides play important roles in the control of plant fungal diseases. However, they are facing serious challenges from issues with resistance and cross-resistance, primarily attributed to their frequent application and structural similarities. There is an urgent need to design and develop SDHI fungicides with novel structures.
RESULTS
Aiming to discover novel potent SDHI fungicides, 31 innovative pyrazole β-ketonitrile derivatives with diphenyl ether moiety were rationally designed and synthesized, which were guided by a 3D-QSAR model from our previous study. The optimal target compound A23 exhibited not only outstanding in vitro inhibitory activities against Rhizoctonia solani with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC) value of 0.0398 μg mL comparable to that for fluxapyroxad (EC = 0.0375 μg mL), but also a moderate protective efficacy in vivo against rice sheath blight. Porcine succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) enzymatic inhibitory assay revealed that A23 is a potent inhibitor of SDH, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 0.0425 μm. Docking study within R. solani SDH indicated that A23 effectively binds into the ubiquinone site mainly through hydrogen-bonds, and cation-π and π-π interactions.
CONCLUSION
The identified β-ketonitrile compound A23 containing diphenyl ether moiety is a potent SDH inhibitor, which might be a good lead for novel fungicide research and optimization. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
PubMed: 38940289
DOI: 10.1002/ps.8269 -
Epigenomics Jun 2024
PubMed: 38940212
DOI: 10.1080/17501911.2024.2365615 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... May 2024Phosphine resistance in challenges grain storage. This study investigates the impact of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and CYP346 family genes on phosphine resistance in...
BACKGROUND
Phosphine resistance in challenges grain storage. This study investigates the impact of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and CYP346 family genes on phosphine resistance in Indian Tribolium castaneum populations.
METHODS
Seven field populations of were compared with Lab- susceptible population for their resistance to phosphine. The levels of cytochrome P450 enzyme and expression of certain CYP346 family genes were tracked in these populations.
RESULTS
The highly resistant Patiala population showed significantly increased CYP450 activity (11.26 ± 0.14 nmol/min/mg protein, 7.41-fold higher) compared to the lab-susceptible population (1.52 ± 0.09 nmol/min/mg protein) when assayed using 8 mM p-nitroanisole as the substrate. The mRNA expression was measured relative to the standard gene and revealed significant upregulation of and in highly resistant populations Moga and Patiala (: 12.09 ± 2.19 to 21.74 ± 3.82; : 59.097 ± 10.265 to 50.148 ± 8.272). Patiala's exhibited an impressive 685.76-fold change, and Moga's showed a 361.893-fold change compared to lab-susceptible. Linear regression confirmed robust fits for each gene (R2: 0.693 to 0.756). Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated a strong positive correlation between genes expression; and cytochrome P450 activity. Patiala, Moga, and Hapur populations showed conformity, associating higher resistance with increased P450 activity and CYP346 gene expression. Cluster analysis highlighted a potential correlation between , , and and P450 activity, with Patiala and Moga clustering together.
CONCLUSIONS
Variability in and in strong resistance populations may contribute to adaptation and resistance mechanisms. The study provides insights into specific CYP346 family genes associated with phosphine resistance, emphasizing the intricate interaction between CYP450 detoxifying enzymes, CYP346 family genes, and resistance mechanisms. The upregulation of genes suggests a survival advantage for against phosphine, diminishing phosphine's efficacy as a pest control measure.
Topics: Tribolium; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Insecticide Resistance; Phosphines; Insecticides; India; Animals
PubMed: 38940033
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2906203 -
The Analyst Jun 2024Safety problems caused by organophosphorus pesticide (OP) residues are constantly occurring, so the development of new methods for the degradation and detection of OPs...
Safety problems caused by organophosphorus pesticide (OP) residues are constantly occurring, so the development of new methods for the degradation and detection of OPs is of great scientific significance. In the present study, β-sheet peptides and β-hairpin peptides for catalyzing the hydrolysis of OPs were designed and synthesized. The peptide sequences with the highest hydrolytic activity (EHSGGVTVPPLTVEHSAG) were screened by investigating the effect of the location of the active sites of the peptide and the peptide's structure on the degradation of OPs. In addition, the relationship between the peptides' conformation and hydrolytic activity was further analyzed based on density functional theory calculations. The noncovalent interactions of the peptides with the OPs and the electrostatic potential on the molecular surface and molecular docking properties were also investigated. It was found that peptides with approximate active amino acids consisting of the catalytic triad and with the hairpin structure had enhanced hydrolytic activity toward the hydrolysis of OPs. To develop an electrochemical sensor technique to detect OPs, the conductive MXene (TiC) material was first immobilized with a caffeic acid monolayer enediol-metal complex chemistry and then bound with the β-hairpin peptide (EHSGGVTVPPLTVEHSAG) carboxy-amine condensation chemistry between the -COOH of caffeic acid and the -NH of the peptide to prepare a MXene-peptide composite. Then, the prepared composite was modified on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode to construct an electrochemical sensor for the detection of OPs. The developed technique could be used to monitor OPs within 15 min with a two orders of linear working range and with a detection limit of 0.15 μM. Meanwhile, the sensor showed good reliability for the detection of OPs in real vegetables.
PubMed: 38940008
DOI: 10.1039/d4an00674g -
The Journal of Organic Chemistry Jun 2024A photo-induced cascade sulfone alkylation/cyclization of 2-isocyanoaryl thioethers is explored. This visible-light-triggered reaction not only occurs under extremely...
A photo-induced cascade sulfone alkylation/cyclization of 2-isocyanoaryl thioethers is explored. This visible-light-triggered reaction not only occurs under extremely mild reaction conditions but also does not require the presence of a photosensitizer. The photocatalytic process is triggered by the photochemical activity of in situ-generated electron donor-acceptor complexes, arising from the association of 2-isocyanoaryl thioethers and α-iodosulfones. The radical pathway was confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy, radical trapping, Job's plot, and on/off irradiation experiments.
PubMed: 38939958
DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.4c01100 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Elite Edition) Jun 2024Due to the constant and improper use of chemicals, including pesticides, many substances, and their degradation products can accumulate in the soil and negatively affect...
BACKGROUND
Due to the constant and improper use of chemicals, including pesticides, many substances, and their degradation products can accumulate in the soil and negatively affect its organisms.
METHODS
In this study, morphological methods, Gram-staining, and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionzation Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) methods were used to isolate bacteria from agricultural soils, while genetic identification was conducted using 16S rRNA. The density of bacteria was determined using the spectrophotometric method, and the residual amount of cypermethrin was determined and analyzed using Gas chromatograohy-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods.
RESULTS
Nine isolates were obtained from various agricultural soils. Isolate No. 3 showed the greatest effectiveness against cypermethrin and was selected for further research. Isolate No. 3 was identified as the strain PDB-3 and was registered in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database (GenBank: OL587509.1). Using this strain, the influence of various external factors on the degradation of cypermethrin was studied. This bacterium demonstrated 100% degradation of cypermethrin in 20 days under optimal conditions (temperature: 30 °C; optical density (OD) = 0.2; cypermethrin concentration: 80 ± 0.02 mg/kg). In addition, PDB-3 changed the original structure of cypermethrin into various intermediate metabolites, such as 2-hydroxy-3-phenoxy benzeneacetonitrile, 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde, 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde, methyl stearate, anethol, citral, and phenol.
CONCLUSIONS
The results obtained using PDB-3 provide the basis for large-scale field trials on the bioremediation of cypermethrin-contaminated soils.
Topics: Pyrethrins; Ochrobactrum; Pesticides; Biodegradation, Environmental; Soil Microbiology; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
PubMed: 38939915
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbe1602020 -
Chemical & Biomedical Imaging Jun 2024Epicuticular wax is the outmost layer of plant leaves that protects them from desiccation and penetration of harmful reagents. There is an intense industrial effort in...
Epicuticular wax is the outmost layer of plant leaves that protects them from desiccation and penetration of harmful reagents. There is an intense industrial effort in the development of softening agents, adjuvants, that can adjust the permeability of the wax toward pesticides and, thus, play an important role in sustainable agriculture. However, mechanistic understanding of the structure and dynamic properties within the plant wax, particularly upon the application of adjuvants, is currently lacking. In this work, we demonstrate that fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) combined with molecular rotors, fluorescent probes sensitive to viscosity, can directly probe the microviscosity of amorphous and crystalline phases of model plant wax layers. Moreover, this approach is able to quantify the changes in viscosity in both phases upon the addition of water and adjuvant solutions on top of the wax. We show that water permeation mostly perturbs the crystalline phase of the wax, while our chosen adjuvant, Plurafac LF431, mainly softens the amorphous phase of the wax. Our technique provides a facile and quantitative way to monitor dynamic properties within plant waxes with diffraction-limited resolution and reveals the effect of organic substances on wax structure and rigidity, crucial for designing next-generation agents to improve agricultural efficiency.
PubMed: 38939873
DOI: 10.1021/cbmi.4c00005 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024Pesticides are widely used in agricultural activities. Although pesticide use is known to cause damage to the human body, its relationship with thyroid function remains...
BACKGROUND
Pesticides are widely used in agricultural activities. Although pesticide use is known to cause damage to the human body, its relationship with thyroid function remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between pesticide exposure and thyroid function.
METHODS
The Chinese database used included 60 patients with pyrethroid poisoning and 60 participants who underwent health checkups between June 2022 and June 2023. The NHANES database included 1,315 adults enrolled from 2007 to 2012. The assessed pesticide and their metabolites included 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzoic acid (4F3PB), para-nitrophenol (PN), 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3P), and trans-dichlorovinyl-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (TDDC). The evaluated indicators of thyroid function were measured by the blood from the included population. The relationship between pesticide exposure and thyroid function indexes was investigated using linear regression, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), restricted cubic spline (RCS), and weighted quantile sum (WQS) models.
RESULTS
The Chinese data showed that pesticide exposure was negatively correlated with the thyroid function indicators FT4, TT4, TgAb, and TPOAb (all < 0.05). The BKMR model analysis of the NHANES data showed that the metabolic mixture of multiple pesticides was negatively associated with FT4, TSH, and Tg, similar to the Chinese database findings. Additionally, linear regression analysis demonstrated positive correlations between 2,4-D and FT3 ( = 0.041) and 4F3PB and FT4 ( = 0.003), whereas negative associations were observed between 4F3PB and Tg ( = 0.001), 4F3PB and TgAb ( = 0.006), 3P and TgAB ( = 0.006), 3P and TPOAb ( = 0.03), PN and TSH ( = 0.003), PN and TT4 ( = 0.031), and TDDC and TPOAb ( < 0.001). RCS curves highlighted that most pesticide metabolites were negatively correlated with thyroid function indicators. Finally, WQS model analysis revealed significant differences in the weights of different pesticide metabolites on the thyroid function indexes.
CONCLUSION
There is a significant negative correlation between pesticide metabolites and thyroid function indicators, and the influence weights of different pesticide metabolites on thyroid function indicators are significantly different. More research is needed to further validate the association between different pesticide metabolites and thyroid disease.
Topics: Humans; Pesticides; Male; Female; Middle Aged; China; Adult; Thyroid Gland; Nutrition Surveys; Thyroid Function Tests; Environmental Exposure; Databases, Factual; Aged; 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid; East Asian People
PubMed: 38939562
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1378027 -
Chemical Science Jun 2024A palladium-catalyzed asymmetric [4 + 3] cycloaddition of the methylene-trimethylenemethane donor with an azadiene has been developed, affording...
A palladium-catalyzed asymmetric [4 + 3] cycloaddition of the methylene-trimethylenemethane donor with an azadiene has been developed, affording benzofuro[3,2-]azepine-derived exocyclic chiral allene with control of axial and point chirality. The target compounds were generated in good to excellent yields and with high diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities (up to >20 : 1 dr, 99% ee). Furthermore, this cycloaddition reaction could be efficiently scaled-up and several synthetic transformations were accomplished for the construction of useful chiral allenol and chiral spirocyclic derivatives.
PubMed: 38939158
DOI: 10.1039/d4sc01649a