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Annual Review of Plant Biology • 2026

Epitranscriptomics, the study of dynamic and site-specific RNA modifications, has emerged as a crucial layer of gene regulation in plants, paralleling the role of classical epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA and histone modifications. Among these, N   6 -methyladenosine (m 6 A) has been identified as a central mark involved in the control of the delicate gene expression patterns during plant development and stress responses. This review highlights recent advances in characterizing m 6 A distribution, identifying its regulatory components, and deciphering its molecular functions, with an emphasis on insights from Arabidopsis . We further explore its roles in developmental transitions, environmental adaptation, and epigenetic plasticity. By elucidating the multilayered functions of m 6 A, we underscore its application as a target for crop improvement with epitranscriptome-based yield enhancement and programmable gene editing, offering new frontiers for precision agriculture.

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Frontiers in Plant Science • 2026

Seed oil content (SOC) and seed protein content (SPC) are the crucial traits determining the economic importance of soybeans. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the high SOC and low SPC of Northeast China soybeans is still limited. To address this, we elucidated the genetic basis of SOC and SPC in soybean germplasm adapted to Northeast China by employing an integrated genomic analysis. The genome-wide association study (GWAS) detected 105 and 59 significant SNPs associated with the SOC and SPC, respectively across four environments plus combined environment (CE). The haplotype allele number in the 15 identified haplotype blocks varied from 2–4 regulating the SOC and SPC in the range of 16.68-21.15% and 38.63-42.69%, respectively. Five quantitative trait loci (QTLs) among the total 17 identified QTLs were novel that include qSOC1 , qSPC1 , qSOC9 , qSOC_SPC15.1 and qSOC_SPC15.2 associated with SOC or/and SPC. Based on the in-silico , variant annotation and haplotype analysis, the 80 genes were prioritized as potential candidates. The haplotype alleles of these genes varied from 2–8 regulating SOC and SPC in the range of 15.98-21.23% and 37.69%-43.30%, respectively. Twelve of 80 genes showed distinct selection signatures between the two populations, suggesting their key roles in shaping the specific seed quality profiles of soybean germplasm in Northeast China. Hence, the current study provides novel insights on divergent breeding influencing the local adaptation and seed quality difference between different regional soybean populations. Besides, the stable QTLs, superior haplotypes and candidate genes identified can be used for soybean improvement.

The Plant cell • 2025

Arabidopsis thaliana is currently the most-studied plant species on earth, with an unprecedented number of genetic, genomic, and molecular resources having been generated in this plant model. In the era of translating foundational discoveries to crops and beyond, we aimed to highlight the utility and challenges of using Arabidopsis as a reference for applied plant biology research, agricultural innovation, biotechnology, and medicine. We hope that this review will inspire the next generation of plant biologists to continue leveraging Arabidopsis as a robust and convenient experimental system to address fundamental and applied questions in biology. We aim to encourage laboratory and field scientists alike to take advantage of the vast Arabidopsis datasets, annotations, germplasm, constructs, methods, and molecular and computational tools in our pursuit to advance understanding of plant biology and help feed the world's growing population. We envision that the power of Arabidopsis-inspired biotechnologies and foundational discoveries will continue to fuel the development of resilient, high-yielding, nutritious plants for the betterment of plant and animal health and greater environmental sustainability.

Environmental science and pollution research international • 2025

In this study, the feasibility of using hydrochars as anodic doping materials in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) was investigated. The feedstock used for hydrochar synthesis was metal-polluted plant biomass from an abandoned mining site. The hydrochar obtained was activated by pyrolysis at 500 °C in N 2 atmosphere. Under steady state conditions, the current exerted by the MFCs, as well as the cyclic voltammetry and polarization curves, showed that the activated hydrochar-doped anodes exhibited the best performance in terms of power and current density generation, 0.055 mW/cm 2 and 0.15 mA/cm 2 , respectively. These values were approximately 30% higher than those achieved with non-doped or doped with non-activated hydrochar anodes which can be explained by the highly graphitic carbonaceous structures obtained during the hydrochar activation that reduced the internal resistance of the system. These results suggest that the activated hydrochar materials could significantly enhance the electrochemical performance of bioelectrochemical systems. Moreover, this integration will not only enhance the energy generated by MFCs, but also valorize metal polluted plant biomass within the frame of the circular economy.

Journal of hazardous materials • 2025

Gadolinium-based contrast agents used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contribute to increasing gadolinium(III) [Gd(III)] concentrations in aquatic environments, as conventional wastewater treatment plants lack effective removal mechanisms. This study investigated the potential of single-chamber microbial fuel cells (SCMFCs) for Gd(III) removal, focusing on removal efficiency and the physiological responses of electrochemically active biofilms. SCMFCs demonstrated exceptional Gd(III) removal efficiency exceeding 99.75 ± 0.007 % across various initial concentrations (10-60 mg/L). Power output and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency showed dose-dependent responses to Gd(III) stress, with maximum power output decreasing from 479.56 mV to 260.43 mV as Gd(III) increased from 0 to 60 mg/L. COD removal efficiency declined from 96.49 ± 1.2 % to 90.23 ± 1.6 % over the same range. Microbial community analysis revealed selective enrichment of exoelectrogens at lower Gd(III) concentrations, with Geobacter relative abundance decreasing from 11.14 % to 1.82 %. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) analyses demonstrated that elevated Gd(III) concentrations reduced electrochemically active bacterial colonization in anode biofilms. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) identified specific functional groups associated with Gd(III) biosorption, while predictive functional profiling indicated upregulation of metal resistance genes under Gd(III) exposure. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of SCMFCs in Gd(III) removal from wastewater while elucidating microbial adaptation mechanisms to rare earth element exposure, providing insights for developing sustainable treatment solutions for emerging contaminants.

Trends in biochemical sciences • 2025

Methanogenic archaea (or methanogens) produce methane as a by-product of energy metabolism. Strategies for energy conservation differ across methanogens. Some lineages use an electron transport chain (ETC) with an endogenously produced heterodisulfide as an electron acceptor. Of late, culture-independent -omics techniques and genome editing tools have provided new insights into the evolution and function of bioenergetic complexes in methanogen ETCs, which will be the primary focus of this review. We will also discuss how the ETC enhances metabolic flexibility in methanogens and can even permit anaerobic respiration decoupled from methanogenesis. Finally, we expand on how innovations in the ETC might have enabled anaerobic methane oxidation in a closely related group of microorganisms called anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME).

Environmental research • 2025

A microbial peroxide producing cell (MPPC) was developed and systematically optimized through electrochemical performance evaluations, along with profiling of pH and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) dynamics in the catholyte. Following MPPC optimization, the biogenic transformation of poorly-crystalline ferrihydrite was investigated in the presence of an acclimated microbial consortium derived from the anolyte and biofilms. The degradation kinetics and mechanism of simazine (SMZ) were examined via a bioelectro-Fenton process using various iron (Fe) catalysts, including ferrihydrite, goethite, hematite, and Ferric-citrate. Additionally, the degradation pathway of SMZ was elucidated, followed by a toxicological assessment of SMZ and its degradation byproducts. Notably, in situ H 2 O 2 production reached 1,315 μM within 24 h (equivalent to 27.3 mg L -1 h -1 ), accompanied by a gradual increase in pH from 3.8 to 8.2. To enhance the bioelectro-Fenton reaction, the catholyte pH was adjusted to 4, and Fe catalysts were introduced. Principle-based kinetic parameters, including the apparent pseudo-first-order rate constant for H 2 O 2 decomposition, steady-state hydroxyl radicals (•OH) concentration, and the second-order rate constant for SMZ degradation, were systematically determined. The degradation of SMZ proceeded via •OH-mediated reactions, involving dealkylation, hydroxylation, and dechlorination pathways. Phytotoxicity evaluations using Arabidopsis thaliana revealed that SMZ significantly inhibited plant growth and leaf bleaching, whereas its degradation products exhibited markedly reduced toxicity. The extent of toxicity mitigation was directly correlated with the progression of the bioelectro-Fenton process. Overall, the comprehensive analysis of degradation kinetics, reaction mechanisms, and toxicological impacts presented in this study supports the practical application of bioelectro-Fenton systems integrated with optimized MPPC catholytes for effective in situ remediation of persistent organic pollutants.

Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) • 2025

Abnormal concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) are toxic to living cells and may induce a number of diseases. Herein, a self-powered miniaturized biosensor (SPB) based on an enzyme biofuel cell is constructed to monitor H 2 O 2 . This SPB significantly minimized the use of bioenzymes that often experience instability and lead to the high cost of biosensors. More specifically, a composite of polydopamine (PDA)-gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is prepared as an anodic catalyst scaffold to immobilize glucose oxidase to efficiently catalyze the oxidation of glucose (fuel) due to its excellent biocompatibility and electrical conductivity. Upon the incorporation of CuCoP with a polyoxometalate H 3 PW 12 O 40 (PW 12 ), a nanoenzyme of CuCoP-PW 12 composite is realized as a non-biological cathodic catalyst to replace the conventional cathode enzymes for the reduction of H 2 O 2 . The abundant catalytic active sites on CuCoP-PW 12 and high electron transfer rate of PW 12 result in a high catalytic activity toward H 2 O 2 reduction at the cathode. Owing to a good synergy between the bioanode and abiotic-cathode, the prepared SPB exhibits two linear ranges (2-20 and 20-50 µm) and a low detection limit (0.0589 µm) toward H 2 O 2 detection. Upon the use of H 2 O 2 as a model analyte, this work demonstrates that SPB can be effectively applied in biomedical sensing.

Biotechnology letters • 2025

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental pollutants characterized by strong carbon-fluorine bonds, making them resistant to conventional degradation methods. Their widespread detection in soil, water, and living organisms, coupled with significant potential health risks, has necessitated the development of effective remediation strategies. This review provides a detailed overview of recent advances in biotechnological approaches for PFAS degradation, with a focus on microbial and bioelectrochemical systems (BESs). Microbial species such as Pseudomonas and Acidimicrobium strains have demonstrated the ability to degrade PFAS under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Key enzymes, including dehalogenases and oxygenases, play a critical role in catalyzing the breakdown of PFAS. BESs technologies, including microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), offer innovative solutions by combining microbial activity with electrochemical processes to enhance PFAS removal efficiency. Advanced BESs configurations, such as constructed wetland-MFCs, have further demonstrated the potential for enhanced PFAS removal through electrode adsorption and plant uptake. Despite significant progress, challenges remain, including PFAS toxicity, the complexity of environmental matrices, incomplete mineralization, scalability, and public safety concerns. Addressing these issues will require advancements in genetic engineering to develop robust microbial strains, optimization of BESs configurations, and integration with other advanced treatment technologies like advanced oxidation processes. Additionally, refining environmental factors such as pH, temperature, and the presence of humic substances is crucial for maximizing degradation efficiency. Future research should focus on scaling laboratory successes to field-scale applications, developing real-time monitoring tools for degradation processes, and addressing regulatory concerns. Through continuous innovation, biotechnological solutions offer a promising pathway to sustainable and effective PFAS remediation, addressing both environmental and public health concerns.

Bioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands) • 2025

As part of growing energy demands and threats to ecology, there is an immense need for greener energy technologies that are novel, cost-effective, and ecofriendly. This paper presents a scalable strategy that uses biocompatible nanomaterials to modify the surface of a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) to enhance the performance of enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFC). Rosa centifolia flowers, an abundantly available plant extract, was used to green synthesize Ag and Cu nanoparticles and applied to various grades of pencil graphite lead surfaces (2H, HB, 2B) via dip-coating, and covalently immobilized with laccase enzyme. Unlike conventional nanoparticles, green-synthesized nanoparticles retain functional groups from phytochemicals that facilitate stable enzyme immobilization, resulting in effective electron transfer. Among the tested biocathodes 2B grade Lac/AgNP/PGE and Lac/CuNP/PGE demonstrated the highest open circuit potentials of 0.611 V and 0.498 V and current densities 1343.15 μA cm -2 and 1054.17 μA cm -2 respectively resulting in a significant raise of 70.84 % over pristine PGEs. Polarization studies revealed superior power density for Lac/AgNP/PGE-2B (20.629 μW cm -2 at 65.21 μA cm -2 current density) over Lac/CuNP/PGE-2B (17.39 μW cm -2 at 61.9 μA cm -2 current density). SEM confirmed enzyme immobilization, and FTIR and XPS validated the presence of carboxyl functional groups. Considering the stability of the modified electrode, Lac/AgNP/PGE-2B retained 62.93 % of its original current density on Day 20. This approach delivered a performance-enhanced biocathode design using functional nanomaterials and a bio-supportive strategy that displayed remarkable stability, longevity, and efficiency, and could potentially optimize the cost of EBFC design and promote miniaturization.

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Bioelectrochemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands) • 2025

This study examined the effects of microplastics (MPs) on constructed wetland (CW) and constructed wetland microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) with different configurations. Four mixed MP types including polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride were introduced. Planted CW-MFC demonstrated the highest MP removal efficiency of 96.7 % and power density of 14.90 mW m -2 , outperforming both unplanted CW-MFC and conventional CW. MPs had minimal impact on COD removal, but the removal efficiencies of NH 4 + -N and TN were significantly inhibited, with TN removal decreasing by approximately 20 % compared to MP-free conditions. TP removal initially decreased but later increased, remaining slightly lower than pre-MP levels. Reduced chlorophyll content in plant leaves indicated MP-induced stress on plant growth. Microbial analysis revealed dominant phyla including Proteobacteria, Patescibacteria, and Bacteroidota contributed to nitrogen removal. In planted systems, genera such as Denitratisoma, Sulfuritalea, and Endomicrobium contributed to denitrification. In CW-MFCs, Geobacter and Candidatus Falkowbacteria dominated, with Geobacter linked to electricity generation and Candidatus Falkowbacteria associated with carbon and nitrogen cycles. MPs negatively affected denitrification by suppressing key denitrifiers such as Denitratisoma but enhanced electricity generation by enriching electroactive bacteria like Geobacter. These findings reveal complex MP-driven interactions influencing microbial communities and system performance.

Metabolic engineering • 2025

β-caryophyllene, a plant-derived sesquiterpene, serves as a food flavoring, anti-inflammatory agent, antioxidant, and high-energy fuel source. Extraction of β-caryophyllene from plants is a costly and inefficient process. Therefore, microbial cell factories have been employed for the production of β-caryophyllene. However, the limited yield is insufficient for its industrial application. In this study, we balanced the utilization of cellular resources for growth and production by systematically regulating the sterol synthesis pathway to maximize the synthesis of β-caryophyllene. In the competitive pathways concerning sterol and fatty acid synthesis, genes expression was suppressed by substituting the original promoters with a glucose-sensing promoter P HXT1 and a sterol synthesis promoter P ERG7 , respectively. This approach effectively increased the production of β-caryophyllene by 6.8 times, reaching 854.7 mg/L. Engineering glucose-sensing pathway altered the strength of P HXT1 , resulting in an increase in β-caryophyllene production to 1.25 g/L. The cell growth and β-caryophyllene production were further boosted through diploid fusion, resulting in 21.4 g/L β-caryophyllene in fed-batch fermentation. This represents the highest reported production of β-caryophyllene to date. This study provides a valuable reference for the production of sesquiterpenes in microbial cell factories.

Biotechnology for biofuels and bioproducts • 2025

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have emerged as a promising technology to convert biomass and organic waste into electricity, offering an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Recent innovations in nanotechnology have significantly enhanced the performance and efficiency of MFCs by improving electron transfer rates, expanding surface areas, and optimizing the properties of anode and cathode materials. This review provides a detailed assessment of the fundamental and functional components of MFCs. These components include the anode, which facilitates the oxidation of organic matter, and the cathode, where the reduction of oxygen or other electron acceptors occurs. Another critical component is the proton exchange membrane (PEM), which allows the transfer of protons from the anode to the cathode while preventing oxygen from diffusing into the anode chamber. In addition to discussing these key elements, the article explores the role of various microorganisms involved in MFCs. These microorganisms, which include both naturally occurring species and genetically engineered strains, play a vital role in facilitating extracellular electron transfer (EET), a process that enables the conversion of chemical energy stored in organic compounds into electrical energy. We analyze different biomass pretreatment strategies, such as physical, chemical, and biological approaches, that enhance the breakdown of lignocellulosic biomass to improve energy output. Furthermore, the review highlights optimization techniques for improving biomass-powered MFC performance, such as electrode modification, pH control, and organic loading rate management. The application potential of MFCs is extensively discussed, covering bioremediation, wastewater treatment, biosensors, and power generation, with a particular focus on MFC-based biosensors for environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics. Despite their immense potential, challenges such as low power output, biofouling, and high operational costs hinder large-scale commercialization. To address these issues, we propose innovative strategies, including the integration of nanomaterials, electroactive microorganisms, and advanced membrane designs, to enhance the efficiency and reliability of MFCs. We conclude that nanotechnology-enabled MFCs, combined with engineered microbes and optimized system designs, hold immense potential for revolutionizing sustainable energy generation and biosensing applications, paving the way for a cleaner and more efficient future.

Biotechnology advances • 2025

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are sustainable biotechnologies that have garnered global interest in recent decades. Since their inception, these systems have evolved through various configurations and modifications to enhance performance, prominently featuring microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Researchers are addressing the scaling challenges of MFCs with studies on algae-assisted MFCs (algae-MFCs), which simultaneously generate bioelectricity and treat wastewater cost-effectively. Algae-MFCs are carbon-neutral and photosynthesize to sequester CO 2 while producing oxygen (O 2 ) and biomass. O 2 serves as an effective electron acceptor, and biomass is a biofuel feedstock, making the process economical and eco-friendly. This review highlights recent advances in algae-based MFCs, focusing on bioelectricity generation (up to 26,680 mW/m 2 ) and biofuel outputs (200 mL/L/h of biohydrogen, 286 mL/g/VS of biomethane, 3.37 g/L of biobutanol, 73 g/L of bioethanol, and 121,104 kg/ha∙year of biodiesel), along with innovations in biokerosene (bio-jet) technology. The impacts of reactor components and configurations on algae-MFC performance, scaling strategies, real-time applications, and computational studies of algae-based BESs are also examined. Furthermore, this review assesses the technoeconomic viability, challenges, and future prospects of this technology. Overall, the findings suggest that algae-MFCs effectively remove contaminants from wastewater and increase power generation while also outlining directions for future advancements.

Mikrochimica acta • 2025

Self-powered electrochemical biosensors have emerged as a cutting-edge direction in disease biomarker detection due to their miniaturization potential and external power-free characteristics. Enzymatic biofuel cell-based self-powered biosensors (EBFC-SPB), a green energy conversion device that utilizes biological enzymes as catalysts to directly convert bioenergy into electricity, have become a new research hotspot owing to its operational simplicity, biocompatibility, and efficient performance in both plants and animals. However, challenges such as suboptimal catalytic efficiency, limited open-circuit voltage, and low power output have hindered its applications in human health monitoring. In recent years, researchers have developed various sensitization-enhancement strategies (including nanomaterial sensitization, nucleic acid signal amplification, enzyme catalytic enhancement, energy storage/conversion optimization, and synergistic multi-strategy approaches) to improve EBFC-SPB's detection capabilities and expand its practical applications in biofluids (such as blood, sweat, saliva, tears, interstitial fluid, and urine), thereby making significant contributions to real-time tracking and accurate detection of disease biomarkers. This review summarizes the working principles of EBFCs, analyzes the design rationale of multi-strategy synergistic sensitization in EBFC-SPB, examines its applications in human disease biomarker detection, and prospects its future research directions and potential applications.

Lancet (London, England) • 2025

Comprehensive, comparable, and timely estimates of demographic metrics-including life expectancy and age-specific mortality-are essential for evaluating, understanding, and addressing trends in population health. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of timely and all-cause mortality estimates for being able to respond to changing trends in health outcomes, showing a strong need for demographic analysis tools that can produce all-cause mortality estimates more rapidly with more readily available all-age vital registration (VR) data. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) is an ongoing research effort that quantifies human health by estimating a range of epidemiological quantities of interest across time, age, sex, location, cause, and risk. This study-part of the latest GBD release, GBD 2023-aims to provide new and updated estimates of all-cause mortality and life expectancy for 1950 to 2023 using a novel statistical model that accounts for complex correlation structures in demographic data across age and time.

Lancet (London, England) • 2025

Timely and comprehensive analyses of causes of death stratified by age, sex, and location are essential for shaping effective health policies aimed at reducing global mortality. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2023 provides cause-specific mortality estimates measured in counts, rates, and years of life lost (YLLs). GBD 2023 aimed to enhance our understanding of the relationship between age and cause of death by quantifying the probability of dying before age 70 years (70q0) and the mean age at death by cause and sex. This study enables comparisons of the impact of causes of death over time, offering a deeper understanding of how these causes affect global populations.

Water environment research : a research publication of the Water Environment Federation • 2025

In this study, the efficacy of a vertical flow constructed wetland-coupled microbial fuel cell (VFCW-MFC) for addressing textile wastewater was examined. All VFCW-MFC systems maintained consistent design parameters. The VFCW-MFC without any plant species serves as a control. In contrast, other VFCW-MFC systems were planted with Canna indica, Typha latifolia, Eichhornia crassipes, and a mixture of all three species. The study aimed to evaluate how effectively VFCW-MFC could treat wastewater. Five VFCW-MFCs were scrutinized for their ability to remove physicochemical parameters and heavy metals, employing APHA standard techniques, and their treatment efficiency was compared. Results indicated a significant difference in treated water quality from the inlet to the outlet. VFCW-MFC planted with T. latifolia observed total dissolved salts (TDS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), phosphate, and nitrate with a removal efficiency of 94.93%, 96.17%, 88.39%, 97.30%, and 84.24%, respectively. Furthermore, heavy metal concentrations, including iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn), decreased maximally in VFCW-MFC planted with a mixed culture. Overall, this assessment underscores the effectiveness of T. latifolia in significantly reducing pollutants, emphasizing the potential of constructed wetland-coupled microbial fuel cell technology as a primary sustainable technique for the wastewater industry and advocating for its wider adoption.

Bioresource technology • 2025

Constructed wetlands (CWs) effectively remove nitrate from secondary effluents of wastewater treatment plants, but denitrification is significantly limited when water temperatures drop below 15 °C. This study used constructed wetland microbial fuel cells (CWMFCs) to improve denitrification efficiency at low temperatures. At 15 °C, conventional CW achieved only 11.6 ± 3.4 % nitrate (NO 3 - -N) removal efficiency, whereas CWMFC enhanced it to 51.1 ± 1.7 %. Molecular mechanisms analyses revealed that the suppressed electron production, transfer, and utilization, as well as impaired energy utilization, are the key factors limiting denitrification efficiency at low temperatures. CWMFC stimulated extracellular polymeric substances production to protect microorganisms from cold stress and fostered the growth of psychrophilic electroactive bacteria (like Anaerolineaceae and Rhodocyclaceae), thereby restoring electron flow and energy efficiency. This work elucidates the key molecular mechanisms of denitrification in CW at low temperatures and demonstrates the potential of CWMFC to improve nitrogen removal efficiency in cold climates.

Bioorganic chemistry • 2025

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a global health threat due to limited therapeutic options and biofilm-mediated tolerance. Here, we demonstrated that bakuchiol (BAK), a meroterpenoid from Psoralea corylifolia seeds, exerted potent activity against MRSA through a novel membrane-targeting mechanism. MIC and time-kill assays evaluated BAK against clinical MRSA strains. Mechanisms were probed via ATP/ nitric oxide (NO) quantification, membrane lipid peroxidation, ROS detection, and phospholipid supplementation. The results revealed that BAK exhibited potent bactericidal activity against MRSA (MIC 2 μg/mL). Mechanistic studies showed BAK hijacked bacterial metabolism, suppressing ROS generation, but elevating the levels of ATP to fuel NO synthesis, driving oxygen-dependent membrane lipid peroxidation, ultimately causing membrane/functional damage and cell death. Crucially, the antibacterial activity of BAK was attenuated by rotenone, exogenous phospholipids, or under anaerobic conditions. Moreover, BAK maintained efficacy against biofilm MRSA, with distinct mechanistic advantages over conventional antibiotics. Collectively, BAK exploits bacterial metabolism to induce targeted membrane lipid peroxidation, representing a promising anti-infective agent against drug-resistant pathogens.

Bioresource technology • 2025

Isopentenols are a group of five-carbon branched alcohols, comprising positional isomers, isoprenol (3-methyl-3-buten-1-ol) and prenol (3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol). They have emerged as a versatile compound with applications spanning biotherapeutics, advanced biofuels, and nutraceuticals. Their favorable characteristics, including high energy density, fuel-blend compatibility, and demonstrated therapeutic potential, underscore their growing industrial and biomedical significance. Traditionally, isopentenols have been synthesized chemically or extracted from plants, but these methods are limited by environmental and economic constraints. Microbial production using engineered cell factories offers a sustainable alternative by harnessing the natural and/or synthetic routes to generate isoprenoid precursors, isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP), from central metabolism. Diverse prokaryotic chassis, including Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium glutamicum, Vibrio natriegens, and Bacillus subtilis have been extensively engineered to optimize isopentenols production for diverse applications, from biofuel synthesis to nutraceutical development. Advances in metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, and fermentation strategies have significantly enhanced isopentenols yields from these microbial hosts. This review provides a comprehensive overview of microbial isopentenols production, focusing on genetic, transcriptional, and translational modifications, as well as culture condition optimization. Furthermore, innovative strategies involving alternative enzymes and live feedstocks are discussed. Key challenges such as pathway bottlenecks, host toxicity, and cost-effectiveness are critically evaluated to inspire future research in this promising field. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review to comprehensively address all biotechnological aspects of microbial isopentenols production.

Indian journal of microbiology • 2025

Despite the availability of numerous efficient conventional wastewater treatment technologies, over 80 percent of all wastewater produced is discharged into aquatic bodies worldwide without adequate treatment. Traditional wastewater treatment methods are expensive, technologically complex, and energy-intensive; thus, it becomes imperative to explore nature-based solutions that are sustainable and economical. Constructed wetlands (CWs) are ecologically engineered and self-adaptive wastewater treatment and management systems designed to employ the processes taking place in a natural wetland with a greater degree of control. Microbes play a key role in transforming and mineralizing pollutants in CW. Nitrosomonas, Nitrosospira, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, and Bacteroidetes are some of the commonly reported species in wetland systems. Microbes metabolize nutrients and organic pollutants through various processes like nitrification, denitrification, sulfate reduction, and methanogenesis. Bioaugmentation and the incorporation of various other innovative approaches to improve the efficiency and long-term performance of constructed wetlands has received a lot of attention lately. The present work attempts to review the role of microbes in CWs and the influence of microbial augmentation on the performance enhancement of wetland systems. Additionally, the influence of selecting appropriate components (substrate and plants) for the wetland system; optimizing crucial design elements (wetland configuration, loading rate, retention time, flow pattern), and adopting other innovative approaches (like vermifiltration, effluent recirculation, aeration, and integration of microbial fuel cell) on the treatment of constructed wetland system is also reviewed. The stability, sustainability, and implementation of constructed wetland systems can be significantly enhanced by incorporating performance enhancement approaches.

Bioresource technology • 2025

Constructed wetland-microbial fuel cells (CW-MFCs) enable nitrogen removal from wastewater treatment plant secondary effluents. Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) is a common biochemical process in CW-MFCs, but lacks full mechanistic understanding. This study found CW-MFC produced 3.9 ± 1.8 mg/L NH 4 + -N via DNRA, with NH 4 + -N concentration was positively correlated with N-acyl homoserine lactone (C4-HSL, an AHL; p < 0.05). C4-HSL enhanced DNRA by boosting electron availability, extracellular electron transfer, and periplasmic enzyme-encoding gene abundance, supported by DNRA-related microbes (e.g., Geobacter). Despite DNRA, CW-MFC achieved higher total nitrogen TN removal (76.9 ± 6.4 %) than CW (51.1 ± 4.4 %), positively correlated with plant growth (p < 0.05; 131.4 % higher net photosynthesis, 132.3 % higher root activity). This first molecular-level investigation of AHL-mediated DNRA highlights its potential for improving CW-MFC nitrogen elimination.

Biotechnology for biofuels and bioproducts • 2025

The growing demand for sustainable lipid sources has fostered interest in single-cell oils from oleaginous yeasts as renewable alternatives to plant-derived and fossil-based oils, with applications in food, fuel, and material production. The oleaginous yeast Cutaneotrichosporon oleaginosus is of industrial relevance due to its ability to accumulate in excess of 60% (w/w) of its dry cell weight as lipids, while metabolizing a broad range of substrates. However, economic feasibility depends on improving productivity and adapting fatty acid profiles to application requirements.

The Lancet. Child & adolescent health • 2025

Child growth failure (CGF), which includes underweight, wasting, and stunting, is among the factors most strongly associated with mortality and morbidity in children younger than 5 years worldwide. Poor height and bodyweight gain arise from a variety of biological and sociodemographic factors and are associated with increased vulnerability to infectious diseases. We used data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2023 to estimate CGF prevalence, the risk of infectious diseases associated with CGF, and the disease mortality, morbidity, and overall burden associated with CGF.

Biotechnology for biofuels and bioproducts • 2026

Hydrocarbon-based biofuels, known as drop-in fuels, which are chemically similar to petroleum, have gained significant attention. Microorganisms that produce medium-chain alkanes hold promise for the bioproduction of drop-in fuels. Previous studies identified Klebsiella sp. NBRC100048 as having aldehyde-decarbonylating activity, enabling it to convert aldehydes into alkanes. Using a genomic fosmid library from Klebsiella sp. NBRC100048, we identified open reading frame 2991 (orf2991), which catalyzes the conversion of tetradecanal to tridecane. This gene shares high sequence similarity with the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) family in Escherichia coli.

The Lancet. Infectious diseases • 2025

Lower respiratory infections (LRIs) remain the world's leading infectious cause of death. This analysis from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2023 provides global, regional, and national estimates of LRI incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with attribution to 26 pathogens, including 11 newly modelled pathogens, across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2023. With new data and revised modelling techniques, these estimates serve as an update and expansion to GBD 2021. Through these estimates, we also aimed to assess progress towards the 2025 Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (GAPPD) target for pneumonia mortality in children younger than 5 years.

Trends in biotechnology • 2025

Biological processes are widely used technologies for water decontamination, but they are often limited by insufficient bioavailable carbon sources or biorecalcitrant contaminants. The recently developed photocatalytic material-microorganism hybrid (PMH) system combines the light-harvesting capacities of photocatalytic materials with specific enzymatic activities of whole cells, efficiently achieving solar-to-chemical conversion. By integrating the benefits of both photocatalysis and biological processes, the PMH system shows great potential for water decontamination. While recent reviews have focused primarily on its application in green energy development, this review emphasizes the latest advancements in PMH systems for water decontamination, covering various applications, key considerations, and synergistic mechanisms. This review aims to provide a fundamental understanding of the PMH system and explore its broader potential in environmental remediation.

International journal of biological macromolecules • 2025

Microbial exopolysaccharides have been extensively explored due to their distinctive structural features and physiological activities, making them suitable for diverse applications in the food and environmental applications. Current studies mainly focus on the structural and functional characterization of exopolysaccharides from known strains, with limited exploration of novel strains. In this study, a novel exopolysaccharide was produced by Gelidibacter sp. PG-2 with a yield of 874 mg·L -1 . The purified exopolysaccharides, termed as ZPS, had a molecular weight of 45,514 Da and contained numerous hydroxyl and carbonyl groups. ZPS was a heteropolysaccharide composed of mannose, glucosamine, glucuronic acid, galactonic acid, galactosamine, glucose, galactose, and fucose, with a molar ratio of 54.98: 4.05: 6.69: 1.00: 1.46: 2.95: 2.92: 1.55. ZPS linkage comprised Glcp-(1→, Manp-(1→, →2)-Manp-(1→, →4)-Galp-(1→, and →4)-Manp-(1→. The morphology of ZPS presented the smooth surface, spherical nanoparticle, and irregular network structure. ZPS demonstrated thermal stability and emulsification activity. ZPS potently stimulated macrophage phagocytic function and effectively inhibited the migration of cancer cells, thereby enhancing overall immunomodulatory activity. Additionally, ZPS featured cryoprotective activity and flocculation property. Overall, the multiple activity of ZPS hold tremendous potential in the food and pharmaceutical industries, offering new dimensions for novel microbial exopolysaccharides.

Bioresource technology • 2025

Microalgae, particularly Haematococcus pluvialis, produce astaxanthin (AXT), a potent antioxidant with growing potential in the food, pharmaceutical, biocosmetic, and renewable energy sectors. This study proposes an integrated biorefinery model that employs advanced extraction processes, including bio-based ionic liquids, to efficiently recover AXT from H. pluvialis while minimizing environmental impact. The resulting platform strategically repurposes the post-extraction biomass as a biofertilizer, thus contributing to zero-waste objectives. By uniting biocosmetics, solar energy applications, and agriculture within a single framework, this model underscores the synergy between economic feasibility and ecological responsibility, highlighting the transformative role of microbial-derived AXT in sustainable, high-value product development.

ChemSusChem • 2025

Biophotovoltaics (BPV) is a novel biohybrid solution to utilize solar energy potentially at high energy efficiency, by exploiting the water splitting in oxygenic photoautotrophs and electrochemical electron harvest. Unlike model electrogens, known phototrophic microbes benefit from redox mediators for extracting the photosynthetic electrons and transferring them to the external electron sink for further utilization. In this work, three representative mediators, i.e., 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ), [Co(bpy) 3 ] 2+ (CoBP), and ferricyanide, are chosen and systematically evaluated for their impacts on the microbial physiology and electrogenic activity of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. This work aimed to generate a knowledge base to guide future mediator selection and design. The results suggest ferricyanide remains the best option, as being the only mediator that promoted long-term current output. However, both BQ and CoBP produce higher current densities than ferricyanide, albeit only for a short time. Comprehensive analysis of the photosystem using fluorometric methods suggests that BQ strongly increases the PQ/PQH 2 ratio, while CoBP inhibits the electron flow from plastoquinone to photosystem I at high concentrations. Both mediators interrupt the photosynthetic electron flow and consequently cell growth. Eliminating the contribution of storage carbon to the intracellular electron flux demonstrates that all three chemicals can extract electrons originating from water splitting.

Journal of environmental management • 2025

Cyanobacteria and microalgae are sustainable and renewable biocatalysts for solar energy harvesting, recovering nutrients from wastewater, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and enable creation of a sustainable circular bioeconomy. Pure and axenic cultures of photosynthetic microorganisms have been widely studied for synthesizing bio-based products through improving the metabolic pathways via genetic engineering. However, pure cultures suffer from contamination and separation challenges when considered for environmental applications. Mixed microbial communities comprising of photosynthetic organisms and bacteria in the form of either flocs or granules have recently received a lot of attention due to their potential contribution to wastewater treatment, environmental sustainability and circular bioeconomy. The advantages of algal-bacterial granules (ABG) in WWTPs include effective elimination of contaminants and nutrients, reduction in aeration requirement, and production of biomass feedstock for downstream processing. Although ABG are an attractive option for energy positive wastewater treatment, it is not yet matured as technological option for deployment in full-scale WWTPs. Moreover, several aspects of ABG including synergistic metabolism, granulation mechanisms, granular stability, bioreactor operating conditions, cell-cell interactions, extracellular polymeric substances and bio-based products deserve more intense research. This article provides a detailed overview of algal-bacterial communities, their occurrence in natural environments, ABG cultivation in engineered settings, potential biotechnological applications and the recent progress made towards sustainable biological wastewater treatment and circular bioeconomy.

Microbial pathogenesis • 2025

This study contributes to develop and evaluate the biological applications of eco-friendly synthesized silver nanoparticles using Amphilophium paniculatum leaf ethanol extract via. solar irradiation method. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized using UV, FTIR, FESEM and EDS. UV spectrum of silver nanoparticles showed the surface plasma resonance at 431 nm, which confirms the formation of silver nanoparticles. FTIR revealed the presence of functional groups in the extract which helps in the formation of silver nanoparticles. XRD pattern revealed the crystallite nature of nanoparticles. FESEM images showed spherical morphology with average size of 26-28 nm. Biological evaluations of silver nanoparticles exhibited higher antioxidant (IC 50 - 57.76 μg/mL) compared to extract (IC 50 - 100.09 μg/mL). The synthesized silver nanoparticles possess good antibacterial activities against clinical isolates such as Staphylococcus aureus (ZOI- 18 mm) and Klebsiella pneumonia (ZOI- 14 mm). Further, in vitro antidiabetic potential of silver nanoparticles revealed greater alpha amylase inhibition compared with standard drugs. The cytotoxic assessment on A 549  cell lines revealed lower IC 50 value (26.34 μg/mL) for silver nanoparticles, compared to extract (224 μg/mL), suggesting significant cytotoxicity. In silico screening of selected bioactive compounds from Amphilophium paniculatum evaluated for their physicochemical properties, toxicity and docking studies. Molecular docking studies revealed that (+)-lyoniresinol-3-alpha-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and linarin exhibits better binding interactions with 2RIP-DPPIV receptor, suggesting a potent therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the synthesized silver nanoparticles act as multi therapeutic potential based novel drugs to combat multi-drug resistant pathogens, lung cancer, and diabetes mellitus.

Journal of environmental sciences (China) • 2025

Total nitrogen (TN) removal is one of the key issues in improving water quality, while the traditional nitrification-denitrification process with its high energy consumption is unsustainable, due to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. A method using organic-inorganic pellets and selected microalgae that can operate without electricity consumption was designed for TN removal in actual wastewater treatment. The results showed that the TN removal efficiencies with different pellets were 88.2 % ± 2.2 %, 86.6 % ± 3.0 %, 85.4 % ± 4.3 %, and 82.3 % ± 6.5 %, respectively. Microalgae assimilated inorganic nitrogen within cells, resulting in a significant positive relationship with TN (P < 0.05), and effectively removed TN through sedimentation. The pellets adsorbed nitrogen and microorganisms, released organic substances to regulate the ratio of water chemical oxygen demand (COD) to TN, and correspondingly influenced microbial growth. Microalgae and bacteria such as Romboutsia, Proteiniclasticum, and Rhodopseudomonas cooperated to form a mixed aerobic (water) -anaerobic (pellets) environment in the devices, and acted synergistically to remove TN. This study verifies the feasibility of TN removal with only solar energy in a low flow application in large spaces, benefiting carbon neutrality in wastewater treatment.

Food chemistry • 2025

Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, crucially impacts neuronal function, metabolism, immunity, and gut homeostasis. Microbial fermentation is the mainstream method for tryptophan production. The precise production process is essential for ensuring both high quality and optimal yield. This study aims to utilize AI-chemometrics methods to achieve the integrated monitoring of multi-source sensors. First, machine learning methods were applied to build in-line NIR prediction models. Then, a sensor fusion strategy was introduced to established the multivariate statistical process control (MSPC) model based on five in-line sensor data. The results showed that Gaussian process regression models were best for bacterial optical density, residual sugar, and tryptophan concentration. The validation sets RPD were 5.686, 3.297, and 3.130, respectively. MSPC charts synergistic analysis based on feature-level fusion enables real-time simultaneous detection of multi-source anomalies. This study provides an effective quality control strategy for food fermentation process to ensure consistent, stable and controllable product quality.

Bioresource technology • 2025

Cyanobacteria convert CO 2 into valuable compounds using solar energy, making them ideal for sustainable isobutene production, a key precursor for fuels and chemicals. This study aimed to enhance isobutene production in engineered Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 strains: Syn-RnKICD, which produes isobutene from α-ketoisocaproate via Rattus norvegicus α-ketoisocaproate dioxygenase (RnKICD), and Syn-F336V, a mutant RnKICD variant with a phenylalanine to valine substitution at position 336 showing improved isobutene production. We investigated the effects of varying culture conditions, including light intensity, inorganic carbon, and nitrogen on isobutene production. Nitrogen limitation emerged as a critical factor, improving yields to 112 µg L -1  OD 750 -1 by reducing growth and redirecting carbon toward isobutene synthesis. However, prolonged nitrogen limitation ultimately reduced productivity. To address this limitation, we employed a polyvinyl alcohol-sodium alginate (PVA-SA) hydrogel, crosslinked with B(OH) 4 - and Ca 2+ to entrap cells. This approach restricted growth while maintaining cell viability and isobutene productivity. Optimizing crosslinking parameters such as time, pH, and the hydrogel-to-cell mass ratio improved bead stability under bicarbonate and nitrate supply. This strategy extended cell viability and isobutene productivity in Syn-RnKICD and Syn-F336V by nearly a month, increasing yields by 60 % and 80 %, respectively, compared to suspension cells, achieving a maximum yield of 94 mg/g DW at 744 h and reaching a highest production rate of 1 mg/g DW/h at 264 h. This study underscores the importance of optimizing environmental conditions for isobutene production in Synechocystis and highlights the effectiveness of PVA-SA cell entrapment as a biocatalyst platform for sustained chemical production.

Journal of agricultural and food chemistry • 2025

Cadmium (Cd) contamination severely threatens wheat productivity and global food safety. While traditional silicon amendments partially alleviate Cd toxicity, their limited efficacy necessitates more robust solutions. This study developed an innovative strategy integrating foliar-applied nanosilicon (SiNP) with soil-based microbial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) to combat Cd stress in wheat by analyzing physiological responses. The combined treatment dramatically enhanced protein and polysaccharide contents on the root surface and elevated the wheat thiol compound by 26.95-45.45%, inhibited Cd flow by 30.49-78.13%, and strengthened related metabolic functions. Cd content in wheat root and leaves was reduced by 16.12-30.91% and 35.07-56.15%, respectively, and the proportion of Cd sequestered in cell walls was increased. Malondialdehyde (MDA) activity was notably reduced by 9.55-22.41%, and other antioxidant enzymes were significantly enhanced. Meanwhile, the photosynthetic capacity of wheat leaves was enhanced, with the net photosynthetic rate increasing by 4.23-27.87%, protecting the integrity of wheat cells. This study will provide valuable insights for related research.

Structure (London, England : 1993) • 2025

Rhodopsins are light-sensitive membrane proteins capturing solar energy via a retinal cofactor covalently attached to a lysine residue. Several groups of rhodopsins lack the conserved lysine and showed no retinal binding. Recently, flotillin-associated rhodopsins (FArhodopsins or FARs) were identified and suggested to lack the retinal-binding pocket despite preserving the lysine residue in many members of the group. Here, we present cryoelectron microscopic (cryo-EM) structures of paralog FArhodopsin and proteorhodopsin from marine bacterium Pseudothioglobus, both forming pentamers similar to those of other microbial rhodopsins. We demonstrate no binding of retinal to the FArhodopsin despite preservation of the lysine residue and overall similarity of the protein fold and internal organization to those of the retinal-binding paralog. Mutational analysis confirmed that two amino acids, H84 and E120, prevent retinal binding within the FArhodopsin. Our work provides insights into the natural retinal loss in microbial rhodopsins and might contribute to the further understanding of FArhodopsins.

Luminescence : the journal of biological and chemical luminescence • 2025

Nanorods (NRs) have extensive applicability across all scientific disciplines due to their distinctive size, varied shape, and elevated surface-to-volume ratio, which confer distinctive advantages. Nanorod substances are capable of solving nearly any difficulty in sciences. The advancement of nanotechnologies has led to the emergence of metallic or metal oxide nanoparticles as potentially exciting resources. The unique features of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods make them very promising for a variety of tasks, such as gas detectors, diodes with light emission, solar panels, biological medicine, and solar energy generation. This investigation used biologically active substances from Dictyota dichotoma extracts to fabricate and encapsulate ZnO NRs, using zinc acetate dihydrate as the precursor. The novel bio-fabricated ZnO NRs have been tested for structural stability and optical variations using UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, and EDX. Regarding Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and fungal strains, ZnO NRs have shown exceptional germicidal effectiveness. The MTT assay demonstrated the significant apoptotic efficacy of ZnO NRs against the HeLa cancer cell line. The ZnO NRs could eliminate around 90% of the photodecomposition against azo dye. The findings indicate that sustainably fabricated ZnO NRs have significant potential for employing in several fields, including germicidal, apoptotic, and photodecomposition capabilities.

Materials (Basel, Switzerland) • 2025

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are promising alternatives for power generation due to their environmental friendliness, cost effectiveness, and strong performance under diffused light. Conversely, their low spectral response in the ultraviolet (UV) region significantly obliterates their overall performance. The so-called luminescent down-shifting (LDS) presents a practical solution by converting high-energy UV photons into visible light that can be efficiently absorbed by sensitizer dyes. Herein, a conventional solid-state technique was applied for the synthesis of an LDS, europium (II)-doped barium orthosilicate (BaSiO 3 :Eu 2+ ) material. The material exhibited strong UV absorption, with prominent peaks near 400 nm and within the 200-300 nm range, despite a weaker response in the visible region. The estimated optical bandgap was 3.47 eV, making it well-suited for UV absorbers. Analysis of the energy transfer mechanism from the LDS material to the N719 dye sensitizer depicted a strong spectral overlap of 2×1010M-1cm-1nm4, suggesting efficient energy transfer from the donor to the acceptor. The estimated Förster distance was approximately 6.83 nm, which matches the absorption profile of the dye-sensitizer. Our findings demonstrate the potential of BaSiO 3 :Eu 2+ as an effective LDS material for enhancing UV light absorption and improving DSSC performance through increased spectral utilization and reduced UV-induced degradation.