Agriculture and Food

This study compared five solvents - urea, carbonate-bicarbonate, citrate, phosphate, and water - for their ability to extract proteins from beech (BM) ( Hypsizygus marmoreus ) and Swiss brown (SB) ( Agaricus bisporus ) mushrooms. Using mass spectrometry-based proteomics and bioinformatics, we found that urea produced the highest total protein identifications by data-dependent acquisition at 1% false discovery rate (FDR): BM: 1,739, SB: 1,907; and by data-independent acquisition: BM: 1,969, SB: 2,172 proteins, especially enriching cytosolic and ribosomal proteins. Carbonate-bicarbonate favoured the extraction of metabolic and translational proteins, while citrate targeted extracellular and membrane-associated proteins related to cell wall dynamics. Phosphate-enriched catalytically active proteins, and water extracted mainly soluble, simple proteins. Sequence-based enzyme profiling of urea extracts revealed an abundance of oxidoreductases, transferases, ligases, and translocases. Overall, extraction solvent selection strongly influences yield, diversity, and functional potential of mushroom proteomes, establishing a framework for targeted extraction of endogenous enzymes and functionally distinct proteins for food ingredient and nutraceutical formulations. • No single solvent captures the full proteome; each enriches specific proteins. • Solvent chemistry and cell wall structure influence protein extraction outcomes. • Urea yielded most proteins and enhanced oxidoreductase and transferase abundance. • Citrate, carbonate, phosphate, and water enriched distinct protein and enzyme sets. • Combining solvents can deepen and tailor macro-fungal proteome analysis.

Morphing food refers to food structures designed to undergo controlled shape transformations in response to external stimuli such as heat or moisture, enabling innovative approaches to food design, packaging, and sustainability. Building on this concept, this study investigated squid mantle ( Uroteuthis duvaucelii ) as a natural biological material to determine whether precise surface cuts can produce controlled shape changes under thermal processing conditions. Strips of squid mantle were incised using a semi-automated cutting system at defined cut depths (0, 1, and 2 mm) and cut orientations (0°–90° relative to fibre direction) and subsequently subjected to HWI (hot water immersion) at 85 °C or hot-air drying at 75 °C to activate dynamic shape transformations. Thermal analysis confirmed three denaturation transitions consistent with myosin (∼50 °C), collagen (∼57 °C) and actin (∼74 °C). Cutting depth governed morphing magnitude: uncut strips remained flat, 1 mm cuts produced modest bending (∼30–60°), and 2 mm cuts produced uniform bending in loops or helices (>360°). Orientation determined the deformation mode: longitudinal cuts gave near-planar bending (∼360°), oblique cuts at 45–60° generated helical twisting with large angles (>700°), and 90° cuts largely suppressed global curvature (<20°). HWI resulted in slightly greater curvature than drying, reflecting rapid collagen shrinkage and accelerated water expulsion. Drying kinetics showed an early peak followed by a dominant falling-rate period, indicating internal diffusion control; depth effects exceeded orientation effects when cut depth was fixed at 2 mm. Microscopy and micro-CT analysis indicated that cuts disrupt fibre–collagen continuity, increase local porosity and create stiffness differences that direct anisotropic shrinkage into bending or twisting. These results demonstrate a simple, reproducible approach to predict dynamic shape morphing in natural seafood tissues and while doing so reduce storage and shipping volume, promote sustainability, and reimagine how we design, package, and experience future foods. • First study demonstrating controlled shape transformation in squid mantle tissue. • Semi-automated surface cuts enabled precise and reproducible morphing. • Deeper cut depths (2 mm) induced stronger bending under thermal processing. • Oblique cut orientations (45–60°) redirected shrinkage into twisting. • Fibre anisotropy of squid mantle underpins the overall morphing mechanism.

Sesamum indicum L., commonly known as sesame, is a diploid member of the family Pedaliaceae, cultivated widely across tropical regions for its oilseed. Sesamum indicum L. subsp. malabaricum (Burm.) Bedigian is the progenitor of the present day cultivated sesame, and domestication events were reported to have occurred in Indian sub-continent. With reference to sesame wild relatives, a few were endemic to Indian Sub-continent while majority of the wild relatives have their origin from African continent. Molecular markers are useful for assessing genetic diversity estimates, in marker assisted selection for breeding programs, and for efficient management of plant genetic resources. We have tested the cross-species transferability for 100 SSR markers from sesame to its wild relatives (10 species). Of these, 21 SSR markers were found to be cross-species transferable, and 15 of them had exhibited polymorphism. 15 polymorphic SSR markers produced a total of 68 alleles with an average number of 4.53 alleles per locus, and the amplicon size ranged between 140 bp and 300 bp. Higher expected heterozygosity (He = 0.61), than observed heterozygosity (Ho), indicates their predominantly self-pollinated nature. However, the occurrence of heterozygosity underscores the presence of cross-pollination to some extent. Hence, this corroborates with the categorization of sesame as often-cross-pollinated crop. A UPGMA-based dendrogram was constructed which grouped the 14 accessions into two major clusters. Parallelly, scanning electron microscopic image profiles for the seeds of these 10 sesame wild relatives were compared with the clustering pattern derived using SSR markers and found corroborative.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), an important oilseed crop, requires genetic improvement to ensure food security. Exploitation of a small fraction of genetic diversity is a major limiting factor for this crop. ICAR-NBPGR holds a large sesame base collection (6,000 unique accessions), originating from India and other countries. The study aims at the characterization of a sesame germplasm collection and development of working core set representing the variability of entire germplasm collection in the National Genebank. Characterization was carried out in an Augmented Block Design (ABD) under multi-environmental conditions (six locations representing five agro-ecological zones of India) for two consecutive years based on 33 agro-morphological traits, different levels of biotic stress (phyllody, dry root rot), abiotic stress (water logging, drought), and seed quality parameters (oil, protein, lignan, fatty acids). For core set preparation, the coincidence rate (CR%) for range and the variable rate (VR%) for coefficient of variation were maximum. Levene’s test and Newman-Keuls tests were performed to compare the entire and core collection. Diversity between the two (entire and core collection) was compared using Shannon–Weaver diversity index. We developed a sesame core set of 773 accessions, which consists of 12.88% of the entire collection. Developed core set exhibited a Coincidence rate (CR)% of 99.8% and a variable rate (VR%) of CV 103.59%. A multipurpose core set of sesame germplasm was assembled to benefit the plant breeding community (for trait introgression), farmers, and researchers to develop climate-resilient sesame cultivars.

Intact legume cells, a natural source of type 1 resistant starch (RS1), modulate the gut microbiota composition and enhance short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production in vitro . This study aimed to investigate the effects of intact legume cells on intestinal health and their potential blood pressure-lowering properties. A diet containing 30% intact chickpea cells or a matched control diet (containing pea protein isolate, pre-gelled starch, and cellulose to replace the protein, starch, and fibre of the chickpea diet) was fed to C57BL/6 male mice, which were randomised into saline (control) and angiotensin II (hypertensive) groups (n=7-8/group, total n=30). Gut morphology and histology and microbiota (16S rRNA), SCFA levels ( 1 H NMR), and blood pressure (tail-cuff) were studied. Confocal microscopy confirmed that intact chickpea cells retained their structure through the gastrointestinal tract, delivering RS1 to the colon. The chickpea diet significantly elevated SCFA levels, particularly butyrate, and enriched SCFA-producing bacteria, including Roseburia and Faecalibaculum, regardless of Ang II treatment. These microbiota changes were accompanied by improvements in intestinal morphology, such as increased colon length and reduced cecum collagen deposition. Despite these intestinal-related benefits, no significant effects were observed on blood pressure. This study highlights the potential of RS1 and intact legume cells to enhance gut health through microbial fermentation and SCFAs production, while emphasising the need for further research into their systemic physiological effects. • In vivo mouse model confirmed that intact chickpea cells deliver RS1 to the colon. • Intestinal morphology improved by chickpea diet with reduced collagen deposition in the cecum and longer colon length. • The chickpea diet increased SCFA levels in the colon, especially butyrate. • SCFA-producing bacteria such as Roseburia and Faecalibaculum were enriched by the chickpea diet.

Herbicide resistance (HR) has been a major management challenge and ongoing threat in cropping regions over several decades, particularly in the time since the widespread adoption of no-tillage cropping systems. Despite extensive and severe development of resistance in Australian cropping regions, growers have been able to maintain control of new weed populations by introducing new herbicides and non-herbicide practices. These integrated weed management (IWM) practices have helped farming systems maintain productivity and adapt to changing environmental and agronomic conditions. Earlier studies found that the adoption of these alternative practices was associated with a reaction to the initial development of forms of HR on a farm. Practices include those classified as harvest weed seed control (HWSC) that kill potentially herbicide resistant weed seeds and reduce overall weed seedbank populations without increasing HR selection pressure. A largely unexplored aspect of the socioeconomics of HR management is whether the initial ‘reactive’ adoption of IWM has a ‘preventative’ effect on the further spread or proliferation of resistance development to other herbicides and in other weed species. To gain a deeper understanding of the farm-scale factors determining the presence of HR, the adoption of IWM practices, and the relationship between IWM use and HR status, we focus on whether initial reactive adoption of IWM has a preventative effect on further resistance development. Data from 602 broadacre grain growers across 13 agroecological zones of Australia were analyzed using Ordinary Least Squares and Logistic regressions to assess the extent of IWM practice adoption, while Ordered Logit models were used to capture the diversity of IWM practice use, including HWSC strategies. Notably, we found that adoption of IWM (including HWSC) was higher in the Western and Southern regions, most likely where HWSC practices can offer greater control on the most common resistant weed types, such as annual ryegrass. There was no evidence to support the argument that IWM use on farms is associated with reduced herbicide use, but there was considerable evidence to show that early forms of HR development on farms have led to the use of IWM practices, such as HWSC, that have the potential to reduce the seed set of weeds with potential new forms of resistance. The extent of HR was the only consistently highly significant variable to explain IWM use. These results have the capacity to pre-emptively identify sustainable weed management scenarios in various regional farming systems and future contexts, including where earlier ‘reactive’ adoption of resistance management practices may now be offering ‘proactive’ benefits. • Examine farm-scale factors influencing IWM and HWSC in Australian cropping systems. • First nationwide farm-level study links HR presence to proactive adoption of IWM practices. • Analysis of 602 growers' data across 13 AEZ using OLS, logistic, and ordered logit models. • HR presence, farm size, no-till years, and advisory support strongly drive IWM uptake, especially in WA & SA. • Evidence-based guidance for regional policymakers to target HR management and support IWM adoption.

The growth performance of Penaeus monodon is often reduced when fishmeal is extensively replaced with terrestrial ingredients. This study evaluated the efficacy of a marine microbial biomass, NovaqPro™ (NQ), and inorganic mineral premixes in improving the performance of low fishmeal diets. Diets containing soybean meal, soy protein concentrate, and bloodmeal were formulated with fishmeal limited to 6%. Treatments included 10% NQ, an experimental inorganic mineral premix, a commercial mineral premix, and their combinations added to the low fishmeal control. A high fishmeal diet was also assessed as a benchmark of performance. NQ supplementation significantly improved shrimp growth, increasing weight gain by 78.7% compared with the low fishmeal control (2.77 vs. 1.55 g shrimp−1) and numerically improved by 25.3% compared with the high fishmeal diet (2.21 g shrimp−1). Similar responses were observed for FCR where NQ diets (1.47–1.68), as well as the high fishmeal diet (1.59), were superior to that of the control diet (2.02). Growth improvements were associated with increased feed intake and higher retention of protein and gross energy. In contrast, mineral premix supplementation did not improve growth, and weight gain was numerically reduced relative to the low fishmeal control. The NQ diet showed higher apparent digestibility of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium compared with the high fishmeal diet. These results demonstrate that NQ is an effective mitigation strategy to reduce growth limitations associated with low fishmeal diets in P. monodon, without the need for additional inorganic mineral supplementation.