Marrone Bio Innovations (United States)

Clitoria mariana L., a medicinal plant widely distributed in Asia, has long been used in folk medicine. This study investigates the biomedical potential of its methanolic flower extract. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids. The phytoextract elicited significant antioxidant activity, as demonstrated by various assays, and displayed broad-spectrum antibacterial effects, producing the largest zones of inhibition (ZI) against Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi, supported by MIC/MBC (minimum inhibition concentration/minimum bactericidal concentration) values indicative of bactericidal action. Notably, the phytoextract demonstrated marked cytotoxicity against various cancer cell lines, with the highest potency against MCF-7, followed by HeLa, A549, and PC-3, based on IC50 (concentration required to inhibit 50%) values. Its anti-inflammatory properties, comparable to aspirin (reference standard), increased with concentration. Additionally, the phytoextract showed promise in Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment by inhibiting AChE (acetylcholinesterase) and BuChE (butyrylcholinesterase) activities more effectively than galantamine (GA), the standard drug. The zebrafish embryo assay evidenced its excellent biocompatibility. Overall, this study offers the first comprehensive phytochemical and pharmacological evaluation of C. mariana's methanolic extract, underscoring its potential relevance in managing inflammatory conditions.

Reducing food loss and waste has recently gained significant global attention. However, prolonged underinvestment in efforts to tackle food loss and waste, particularly in horticultural crops, now demands accelerated, collaborative action. Neglecting to invest in postharvest initiatives in horticulture exacerbates global nutrition insecurity, diminishes global resilience to climate change impacts, wastes scarce resources, and sustains greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing food loss and waste involves tackling a complex array of issues throughout the food system, from upstream research and policy to downstream handling, and consumption. This complexity can make it challenging to develop effective, scalable interventions that demonstrate clear impacts in the short term. Integrating interdisciplinary perspective ensures that innovations are inclusive, scalable and context specific for sustained and measurable global impact. Locally led postharvest innovations are well suited to maximize vital opportunities for improved livelihoods, particularly for marginalized groups such as women who are heavily involved in postharvest activities globally. Establishing a global consensus on the importance of effective postharvest management is essential for improving access, affordability, and profitability in horticultural value chains. Achieving this requires innovations tailored to regional and local needs, improved postharvest systems, and capacity strengthening that simultaneously promote equity. A supportive policy framework is vital, promoting local expertise and balancing the benefits of export markets with regional consumption. We are calling for a reframing of the approach to reducing postharvest losses in horticulture crops to be an absolute necessity if we are to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and outline our perspective in this article in order to promote a transition in approach.

Abstract How circadian and homeostatic processes interact to shape REM sleep architecture remains unresolved. Here, we empirically confirm the existence of a conserved resonance curve governing REM episode duration, as previously predicted by the wave model of sleep dynamics. This curve emerges from two converging resonance states–homeostatic and circadian–that form a stable framework across conditions. Their relative phase and amplitude determine REM structure, producing bell-shaped, linear, or bimodal profiles. The model reproduces REM dynamics during regular sleep, extension, and post-deprivation recovery. Crucially, REM duration alone provides an experimentally accessible readout: simultaneously revealing circadian phase and quantifying sleep deficit as additional hours needed to restore homeostatic equilibrium. Together, these findings reposition REM duration from a descriptive to a diagnostic marker, and a mechanistic signal, linking sleep architecture to the dynamic interplay of internal regulatory systems.Summary sentenceREM episode duration emerges as a dual readout of circadian phase and sleep deficit, reflecting the interaction of homeostatic and circadian resonance processes.

In article number 1700253, Tingrui Pan and co-workers introduce a novel all-fabric supercapacitive sensing modality for wearable pressure and force sensing based on a novel elastic ionic–electronic interface. Utilizing the electrospun iontronic nanofabric as a sensing element, the supercapacitive iontronic fabric offers an unprecedented sensitivity of 114 nF kPa−1, single-Pascal pressure resolution, and millisecond response time, with a high level of noise immunity and signal stability for emerging wearable and medical applications.

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Recent years have seen the development of many biological control agents and other biopesticides, such as plant extracts, minerals and organic compounds, against Botrytis-incited diseases. This chapter presents significant examples of such commercially available products and reviews our increasing comprehension of mechanisms implicated in biological control, including recent breakthroughs on complex interactions between the biocontrol agent, the host plant and the pathogen. Its highlights progress made in characterizing the determinants of efficacy and documents the growing body of knowledge on natural biological control and the potential for its enhancement. Finally, future prospects and challenges are presented, including issues on the durability of biocontrol methods.

A list of known plant species that serve as hosts of Botrytis spp. is presented. Botrytis species are reported to attack a total of 596 genera of vascular plants (tracheophytes), representing over 1400 plant species, although the host range is most probably much wider since there are limited reports of diseases on wild plants. B. cinerea was found on 586 genera, while the other species have narrower host ranges. Of the 596 genera, the majority (580) belongs to the Spermatophyta, 15 to the Pteridophyta and only 1 to the Lycopodiophyta. In the Spermatophyta, one genus belongs to Cycadophyta (cycads), 18 genera to the Pinophyta (conifers), one genus to the Ginkgophyta (ginkgo), and 562 genera to the Magnoliophyta (also known as flowering plants or Angiospermae). Geographically, Botrytis spp. occur wherever their host plants are grown, ranging from tropical and subtropical areas to cold temperate zones of Northern and Southern globe regions including regions where plants are grown in extreme cold weather or where agriculture is practiced in the desert.