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Solid-state fermentation of spent mushroom substrate through a synergistic fungal consortium for enzymatic cocktail production
No full textThis study aimed to develop a cost-effective and efficient enzymatic cocktail from spent mushroom substrate (SMS) while serving as a model to understand fungal-fermentative communities and characterize microbial diversity stability in SMS valorization. Co-cultivation of Aspergillus fumigatus IMCC2006 and Trichoderma asperellum IMCC2012 was optimized for cellulase production under varying moisture, pH, and fermentation time. Optimal enzyme yields were achieved at 60 % moisture, pH 5, and 96 h of fermentation, producing maximum CMCase (11.5 U g− 1 ) and FPase (4.35 U g− 1 ) activities, while the highest xylanase activity (13.8 U g− 1 ) occurred at 70 % moisture. Scanning electron microscopy and FTIR confirmed the consortium’s cellulolytic capability in SMS degradation. Microbial community analysis revealed Proteobacteria and Firmicutes dominance at the end of fermentation, supporting system stability. The findings provided a plausible solution for valorization of agricultural residues for enhanced enzymatic production from the synergistic consortium, to catalyze biorefinery applications
Individual recognition in guppies does not require large brains
No full textIt is often assumed that group-living animals require larger brains in order to deal with the various social challenges they encounter. One such key challenge is the need to recognize and discriminate between specific group members. Individual recognition is often deemed the most cognitively demanding form of recognition. Hence, one could expect this ability to be facilitated by the evolution of larger brains. So far, this hypothesis remains largely untested. In this study, we investigated the link between relative brain size and individual recognition, using Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata) from artificial selection lines for either increased or decreased relative brain size. In a first experiment, we compared the selection lines in their ability to spontaneously discriminate between a familiar and unfamiliar conspecific. In a second experiment, we actively trained guppies from the selection lines to associate a particular individual with the presence of food. Overall, we found evidence for individual recognition, confirming earlier research on this species. However, individual recognition was independent of brain size selection regime in both experiments. Guppies spontaneously recognized and preferably associated with a familiar individual. In the trained association experiment, however, fish showed no preference for either stimulus fish. Our study suggests that although small fishes like the guppy are capable of individual recognition, larger brains do not necessarily facilitate this ability. Our study demonstrates that to fully understand the link between sociality and cognition, one needs to verify which exact social challenges require the evolution of larger brains.Significance statementLiving in a group is a complex challenge, and is thus said to require relatively large brains. Despite this assumption, there is very little known about which particular aspects of group-living are actually cognitively demanding to a degree that they require a higher investment in brain tissue. Here, we tested the specific hypothesis that the ability to recognize and remember specific individuals, i.e. individual recognition, a keystone of sociality, is cognitively challenging by comparing guppies with known differences in relative brain size in their ability to recognize a familiar shoal-member and learn the difference between two new individuals. Although guppies demonstrated individual recognition, relative brain size did not affect their performance. Our results provide valuable insights in the evolution of sociality and its link with relative brain size
Warming-Induced Effects on Microbial Communities and Nitrogen Cycling Capacity in Tundra Litter Are Modulated by Herb Abundance and Litter Quality
No full textClimate warming is changing tundra vegetation in the Arctic, with implications for plant litter properties. Warming may thus modify bacterial and fungal communities and their nitrogen (N) cycling capacity in the litter layer, which in turn can affect plant N availability. To address potential warming effects, we characterized the responses of bacterial and fungal communities and their genetically encoded capacity for inorganic N-transformations in the litter layer, as well as 15N natural abundance in the underlying soil layer as an integrated measure of N processes in the soil, in 16 long-term alpine and Arctic tundra warming experiments distributed across 12 circumpolar locations. Although abundance, diversity, and composition of microbial communities were structured by the local conditions rather than experimental warming, warming indirectly modified microbial communities and their capacity for N transformations through changes in litter quality. Specifically, experimental warming resulted in stronger connections between the capacity for nitrification, denitrification and N-fixation in the litter and the delta 15N signature in the soil. These warming-induced connections were mainly mediated by increased dominance of herbs but also increased litter mass. These findings suggest accelerated inorganic N cycling in the litter layer with warming, particularly coupled to local abundance of herbs, which can create positive feedback on plant growth as well as ecosystem respiration. Thus, microbial communities in the litter may contribute to an intensification of ongoing vegetation shifts across the tundra biome
Challenges in cleaning and disinfection, and environmental monitoring in Swedish slaughterhouses
No full textBackgroundCleaning and disinfection (C&D) in slaughterhouses and meat processing facilities is essential to avoid cross-contamination of the meat and thereby prevent food-borne illness and decreased shelf-life of the food product. To determine C&D efficacy, environmental monitoring should be performed. The food business operator must decide which activities to apply in their facility, which can be a challenging task. Ten slaughterhouses, six red meat and four poultry, with associated meat processing facilities participated in this interview study. The animals slaughtered in these slaughterhouses represented approximately 32% and 90% of the annual slaughter in Sweden, respectively. Quality assurance managers of the slaughterhouses were asked 27 questions using digital interviews about their C&D procedures and environmental monitoring. Additionally, the managers could freely elaborate on the difficulties and challenges related to C&D.ResultsDaily C&D was performed in all slaughterhouses and nine hired external cleaning companies. The same type of chemicals were used in all ten slaughterhouses, which primarily included alkaline detergents with or without chlorine for cleaning and chlorine-based agents for disinfection. The most common methods used for monitoring C&D efficacy were the sampling of surfaces by dipslides and ATP-bioluminescence, while one slaughterhouse used swabbing. Only half of the slaughterhouses based thresholds to determine if a surface was sufficiently clean on their own risk-analysis. The remaining slaughterhouses did not provide the information, or the respondent did not know. Quality assurance managers expressed difficulties in determining C&D efficacy, identified several surfaces as difficult to clean and noted reliance on externally provided hygiene thresholds. Four thematic challenges emerged in the thematic analysis: microbial composition on surfaces; efficacy of C&D procedures; competence and management; and production and competitiveness.ConclusionsSlaughterhouses face notable challenges in C&D, and environmental monitoring, including procedural deficiencies, knowledge gaps, and limited science-based guidelines. Hygiene outcomes are strongly influenced by personnel competence and management support. Limited collaboration between slaughterhouses further impedes the sharing of effective practices. Strengthened partnerships with the scientific community, improved training, risk-based monitoring, and hygienic facility design are essential to enhance C&D standards and reduce microbial contamination risks at slaughterhouses and meat processing facilities
Comparing statistical ‘phenomic prediction’ models for remote-sensing-based phenotyping of maize susceptibility to common rust
No full textWe investigate the potential of phenomic prediction (PP) in remote-sensing-based phenotyping for genetic studies. Rather than relying on a single vegetation index, we utilize all available data collectively to predict the human-assigned visual score (VS). The conceptual motivation is that when a trained model is available, these predictions may provide a more accurate assessment of disease symptoms than the use of a specific vegetation index (VI). To evaluate the PP approach, we employ the predicted VS in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and consider strength and position of the detected genetic signal. We use two different sets of predictor variables: i) the five basic wavelengths captured by a multispectral and a thermal camera (basic traits model, BT) or ii) all traits (AT), consisting of the five basic wavelengths plus ten vegetation indices. As statistical methods, we compare a) (linear) ordinary least squares regression (OLS), b) (linear) ridge regression (RR), c) (linear) least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) d) an artificial neural network (ANN) and e) a gradient boosted regression tree method (GBRT). Our results indicate that the simple linear OLS regression on the five basic wavelengths (BT-OLS) performs on a level comparable to the best individual vegetation index G. The use of all traits in the OLS regression (AT-OLS) leads to overfitting, which was prevented by the regularization in AT-RR and AT-LASSO. The non-linear ANN approach seems to improve the results further, but the differences between the methods were not statistically significant. The strongest improvement for the purification of the genetic signal was observed when genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) for the different traits (VS, basic wavelengths, vegetation indices) instead of their adjusted phenotypes were used. Across all approaches, the combination of GEBVs with Ridge Regression or the non-linear ANN provided the best results
Sustainability barriers in nordic forestry: A systematic review
No full textNordic forests are important carbon sinks for climate change mitigation, signaled in forest policies aimed at sustainability transitions to deliver multiple ecosystem services. However, the pressures of transitioning can be challenging to many stakeholders, risking efforts to preserve biodiversity and ensure a competitive forest-based value chain. This study aims to review the sustainability challenges that Nordic forests face and determine future solutions according to recent scientific literature. Using a cross-sectional study, we screened publications scoping the period 2019-2024 that focused on the sustainable use and management of forests in Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. A total of 8303 studies from Scopus and Web of Science were systematically reviewed using the PICO and ROSES protocols, of which 151 met our inclusion criteria. The results show a majority of articles on environmental barriers focused on biodiversity conservation. Most economic barriers were found in articles discussing economic development, while the social barriers were found mainly in articles on social relations in forestry. Our analysis suggests future opportunities for improving avenues for the use and management of Nordic forests by (a) prioritizing biodiversity conservation under thriving forest management conditions, (b) reinforcing compliance with sustainability standards that limit unsustainable sourcing of biomass, and (c) encouraging knowledge access and exchange between forest owners and service providers
Dropping out of environmental governance: Why Nepal's community-based forestry program is losing participants
No full textNepal's community forestry program is widely regarded as successful. At its peak, the program enlisted a large share of the rural population as managers of the country's communal forests. However, recent empirical evidence suggests that voluntary participation in the program is in decline. Analyzing the empirical literature, we describe this surprising pattern of decline and discuss potential negative impacts. We also use political-economic reasoning and extant evidence to theorize about the drivers of this decline, arguing that livelihood diversification and profitable out-migration have altered the forest-people relationship in many villages, weakening incentives for participation in community forestry. Finally, we assess the viability of several institutional options for either replacing the program with other management approaches or reforming it to boost incentives for participation in light of the noted socioeconomic changes in rural Nepal. We argue that well-designed payment schemes or reforms that enable local people to commercialize community forests could both support participation by enhancing the associated benefits, and institutional changes related to local meetings and labor requirements could do so by reducing the associated costs. The replacement of community-based approaches with top-down management or privatization, however, appears risky due to a potential lack of government capacity and the possibility that such institutional changes could damage livelihoods or create negative externalities for some households. The consolidation of community forests also presents governance and management challenges. Our analysis suggests the need for greater scholarly attention to how environmental policy tools withstand social and economic change and to environmental policy succession-or how environmental policies are reimagined when they are no longer an appropriate fit for the local context
Impact of dissolved organic carbon on per- and polyfluoroalkyl mobility in activated carbon-amended soils
No full textThe remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) remains a formidable challenge due to their recalcitrance and complex environmental behaviour. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) plays a critical, yet insufficiently understood role, in modulating PFAS fate, transport, and the efficacy of remediation strategies. This study employs dynamic column experiments under environmentally relevant conditions to elucidate the influence of DOC on the sorption and mobility of fourteen PFASs in reference soils and soils treated with colloidal activated carbon (CAC). Results demonstrate that DOC significantly reduces PFAS sorption in CAC-treated soils, leading to increased aqueous phase concentrations of PFAS. The presence of DOC decreased soil-water partitioning coefficients (Kd values) for all PFASs by an order of magnitude, with long-chain PFASs and fluorotelomersulfonic acids (FTSAs) exhibiting the most pronounced decreases, by as much as 40-fold. Mass balance data showed that DOC increased PFAS elution by up to 10-fold in CAC-treated soils. The PFAS breakthrough curves revealed enhanced PFAS mobility in the presence of DOC, particularly in carbon-amended soils. These results underscore the critical role of DOC in facilitating PFAS transport, with significant implications for their persistence, risk assessment, and the optimization of sorbent-based remediation strategies in organic-rich environments
Comparative transcriptomic profiling of field-grown cassava genotypes across season transitions
No full textCassava (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) is a perennial crop cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas. In its cultivation cycle, it encounters environmental stresses related to changes in temperature and water fluctuations during seasonal transitions. We profiled the transcriptomes of four field-grown genotypes to investigate the molecular basis of adaptation to season transitions. 3'mRNA-seq libraries were prepared from samples collected from storage roots to capture gene expression changes associated with shifts from rainy to dry and dry to rainy seasons. Reproducibility and variability within the dataset were evaluated using correlation analysis and principal component analysis, providing confidence in data quality and consistency across samples. The usability of these data was proved by differential expression analysis during the rainy-to-dry and dry-to-rainy transitions, and by functional enrichment analysis. The detailed information of the experimental environmental conditions and of the workflow from planting to final DEGs analysis provided, make this dataset a useful resource for future research on plant responses to environmental fluctuations and to identify candidate genes for crop improvement strategies for climate-resilient varieties
The circadian clock of Populus affects physiological, transcriptional and metabolomic responses to osmotic and ionic components of salt stress
No full textThe circadian oscillator is an innate timing mechanism present in most organisms, including plants. In this study, Populus tremula × P. tremuloides (Populus) trees with reduced expression of circadian clock components were exposed to gradually increases in the osmotic and ionic components of salt stress. Reduced levels of the morning components PttLATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 1 and 2 (PttLHY1,2) or of the evening components PttPSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATOR 7a and b (PttPRR7a,b) and PttGIGANTEA1,2 (PttGI1,2) affected growth adaptation under stress conditions. PttLHY1,2 regulated growth under NaCl treatment via the control of PttCyclin D3 expression. PttPRR7a,b and PttGI1,2 were instrumental in maintaining growth in roots by enabling effective adaptation of the metabolome. Major changes in the root metabolome under prolonged stress included alterations in carbohydrate, amino acids, and fatty acids. This study places the circadian clock at the centre of adaptation to adverse conditions in trees and will help the development of stress-resistant trees