Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and Reclamation Science

The Esox lucius is a high-quality fish species endemic to northern Xinjiang, having developed into a regional specialty industry with significant market value. However, during storage, it is prone to microbial growth that elevates biogenic amine levels, posing potential food safety risks. Therefore, this study systematically evaluated the effects of protamine-extracted from Esox lucius byproducts and used as a natural preservative-on the succession of microbial communities and biogenic amine accumulation in fish muscle under storage conditions of 4 °C, -3 °C, and -18 °C. A detection method for biogenic amines was also established. Results revealed characteristic changes in fish muscle microbial community α-diversity over storage time. Protamine treatment significantly delayed increases in total colony counts and microbial succession processes without altering the final dominant microbial community composition. By optimizing ultrasonic-assisted extraction and derivatization steps, an analytical method suitable for detecting eight biogenic amines in fish muscle matrices was established. Results indicate that protamine effectively inhibits the accumulation of all eight biogenic amines, with the 1% treatment group showing the most significant effect (p < 0.05). This study not only provides basis for the precise application of protamine in seafood preservation but also offers guidance for the resource utilization of aquatic by-products.

In drip-irrigated maize of arid Xinjiang, seedling hardening (withholding irrigation) is used to induce deep rooting, but the conventional practice of banding phosphorus (P) fertilizer without basal application creates a spatial mismatch—roots are forced downward while P remains trapped in drying topsoil. We hypothesized that co-applying superabsorbent polymer (SAP) with banded P fertilizer can form a localized, persistently hydrated P-enriched patch that synchronizes root–resource distribution. A two-year field experiment (2024–2025) was conducted with three treatments: no P (P0), banded monoammonium phosphate (B-MAP, 120 kg P2O5 ha−1), and B-MAP + SAP (15 kg ha−1). Soil properties, root growth, canopy physiology, dry matter accumulation, nutrient uptake, and grain yield were measured. Results: At the V4 stage, B-MAP + SAP increased available P and soil water content in the 0–10 cm layer by 9.4% and 16.1%, respectively, relative to B-MAP. This patch triggered vigorous root proliferation: topsoil root length at V4 rose by 23.9%, and root length density in the 30–40 cm subsoil at V9 and R1 increased by 59.0% and 36.5%. Consequently, B-MAP + SAP sustained the highest leaf area index, net photosynthetic rate, and biomass accumulation. Two-year average grain yield reached 18.2 t ha−1, 9.7% and 20.7% higher than B-MAP and P0. Crucially, P use efficiency (PUE) and water productivity (WP) under B-MAP + SAP improved by 76.2% and 9.8% over B-MAP. Co-applying SAP with banded P fertilizer resolves the spatial mismatch in hardening systems, optimizes root architecture, and synergistically boosts yield, PUE, and WP. This one-time amendment offers a simple, scalable strategy for efficient P management in arid drip-irrigated maize.

Red pigmentation in apple peel significantly contributes to its commercial value, and bagging treatment contributes to enhancing red coloration in fruits. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying bagging-induced coloration remain largely unexplored. Through bagging treatment, this study aimed to investigate the role of DNA methylation in anthocyanin biosynthesis in the ‘Nagafu No. 2’ cultivar and its bud mutation variant, which has enhanced red coloration. We compared bagging and unbagging treatments in both the bud mutant (Mt-Bagging and Mt-NoBagging) and the wild type (Control-Bagging and Control-NoBagging). Our results demonstrated that bagging significantly promoted anthocyanin accumulation while reducing chlorophyll content. At 30 days post-bag removal, anthocyanin content was highest in the Mt-Bagging group, followed by the Mt-NoBagging, Control-Bagging, and Control-NoBagging groups, and the highest level of redness (a* values) was detected in the Mt-Bagging group. Genome-wide methylation analysis revealed that differentially methylated regions predominantly targeted structural genes within the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway, including C4H1, C4H3, C4HL, ANS1, and ANS2. Notably, quantitative PCR analysis confirmed that the upregulation of C4HL, C4H3, and ANS1 in the bagged mutant correlated with its intensified red coloration. These findings offer novel insights into the epigenetic regulation of apple peel pigmentation during bagging cultivation.

Ganoderma tsugae is a typical white-rot fungus capable of decaying both coniferous and broad-leaved trees and is also used in traditional Chinese medicine for its immunomodulatory and anticancer properties. To elucidate the molecular basis of its broad substrate adaptability, we performed integrated genomic and transcriptomic analyses of two G. tsugae strains (collected from Xingjiang on Betula and Jilin on Larix). The high-quality genomes of G. tsugae Wu 2022 from Xinjiang (40.8 Mb, 12,496 genes) and G. tsugae Cui 14110 from Jilin (45.6 Mb, 13,450 genes) were obtained. There are enriched gene families related to carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) in two G. tsugae strains. Notably, specific CAZyme families implicated in hemicellulose (GH16), chitin metabolism (GH18), and ester bond cleavage (CE10) were prominently expanded. Transcriptome analyses under the induction of Betula and Larix sawdust revealed a core adaptive response. A total of 5558 genes were differentially expressed, including 2094 up-regulated and 3464 down-regulated genes. Most differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were annotated as "catalytic activity", "metabolic processes" and specific functions such as nutrient transport ("MFS transporter"), and lipid metabolism ("3-oxoacyl-[acyl-carrier protein] reductase"). In addition, a conserved suite of the eleven shared DEGs were annotated as "Heat shock protein 9/12", "alcohol dehydrogenase", and "Cytochrome p450" related to secondary metabolites biosynthesis, transport, and catabolism. Based on the annotation results, the wood degradation mechanism of G. tsugae can be described as synthesizing and secreting degradation enzyme system to obtain energy, using protective enzyme systems to ensure its own health, and employing a transport enzyme system to recycle metabolic capacity. This progress ensures the environmental adaptability and high degradation efficiency of G. tsugae during wood degradation.

Bovine mastitis is a costly inflammatory condition of the mammary gland that continues to pose a significant threat to the dairy industry and food safety worldwide. This review summarizes our understanding of mastitis; its classification into clinical and subclinical forms; and the predominant bacterial pathogens that cause bovine mastitis, namely Staphylococcus species. The effects of mastitis on milk yield and composition, as well as its significant economic impact, are also examined. Emerging diagnostic biomarkers and the role of melatonin in regulating immune and antioxidant responses during infection are also included in this review. A critical review of control measures highlights the limitations of traditional antibiotic treatments due to increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We investigate alternative methods, including improved herd management, nutrition, vaccinations, essential oil therapy, bacteriophage therapy, and nanotechnology. Finally, the research gaps identified in this review include genetic host susceptibility, the roles of the mammary and gut microbiomes, and the need for standardized clinical trials of novel therapies. This review seeks to assist in identifying a plan for expanded and new research on integrated, environmentally sustainable solutions for the prevention and control of mastitis.

Transposable elements (TEs) play important roles in physiological processes, but their function in tail development remains poorly characterized. To explore their potential regulatory roles, we systematically analyzed the expression patterns of TEs during different fetal developmental stages of the sheep tail. Using RNA-seq data and the TEtranscripts pipeline, we identified differentially expressed TEs. Our key findings are as follows: (i) SINE/MIR, L1, and BovB elements exhibited significant stage-specific expression. (ii) The number of differentially expressed TEs was dynamic, with 2129 identified between stages E40-45 and E55-60, and 5554 between E55-60 and E70-75. (iii) These TEs were primarily located in intergenic regions, introns, and 3'UTRs, and their expression trends were highly consistent with those of adjacent differentially expressed genes. (iv) Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that TEs and their correlated genes between E40-45 and E55-60 were predominantly involved in tail elongation, while the comparison between E55-60 and E70-75 highlighted pathways related to tail fat formation. Furthermore, we identified specific candidate TEs associated with vertebra formation and fat deposition. This study provides novel insights into the role of TEs in shaping tail phenotypes and offers valuable information for sheep breeding programs.