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Faba bean seeds' sustainability correlates with the initial quality of cultivated seeds. The duration of storage is a significant factor that can affect the quality retention of any crop seed. Additionally, the hermetic bags effectively influence the quality of crop seeds during the storage process. This study evaluated two faba bean cultivars, Nubaria 1 and Giza 716, after various storage periods of 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Seeds stored in 3 and 7-layer hermetic bags have shown significantly improved bulk temperature after 12, 18, and 24 months (neither more than ≈ 30 °C nor less than ≈ 15 °C). However, the relative humidity (RH%) increased significantly in both bags and cultivars throughout the storage periods, reaching 61, 59.77% and 59.53, 57.53% at the end of the storage period for Nubaria 1 and Giza 716 inside the 3 and 7-layer bags, respectively. The seeds' germination % decreased significantly (20%) after 24 months at the 3-layers compared with 13.12% at the 7-layer bags for Nubaria 1 with superior germination% of Giza 716 under the same conditions where the decrease in the percentage of germination reached 15.56% and 8.86% reduction for both 3 and 7 layers, respectively. The seedling vigor index exhibited the same trend of germination % with better results of the 7-layer bags for both cultivars. The moisture content (MC%) was substantially elevated by 1% at the end of the storage for both cultivars and bags. After 12 months, beans considerably increased color deterioration, with a loss of 43.16 and 53.60% for Giza 716 and Nubaria 1 stored in 3-layer bags, respectively; however, 7-layer bags were always better than 3-layer bags (with a loss of 32.56 and 45.56%). Furthermore, storage in 7-layer hermetic bags triggered a significant decrease (14.94%) in the total phenolic (TPC) after 24 months for Giza 716 without a substantial difference with Nubaria 1. Additionally, the simulation showed that after 18 months and 24 months of storage, the Nubaria 1 seeds packed in the 7-layer hermetic bags produced total tannins (TTC) 39.1% and 42.5%, respectively, more than those packed in the 3-layer hermetic bags. That TTC had a negative correlation with the testa's darkness. Taken together, the faba bean seeds could be stored for a long period in the 7-layer hermetic bags, preserving seed quality and expanding marketing prospects.

Wheat still suffers from the problem of traditional storage methods, limited storage capacity, and a high percentage of losses in terms of quantity and quality. Hermetic silo bags are economical and alternative technique to the traditional storage methods. Ten horizontal plastic silos with the capacity of 200 tons/silo were tested and evaluated for eight months of wheat storage. The evaluations included grain bulk temperature, CO2 concentration, fungal and microbial count, insect count, grain moisture content, 1000-grain weight, falling number, and protein content. The results showed that the stored wheat quality was maintained without any significant difference during the storage period in terms of 1000-grain weight, grain moisture content, and falling number, while there were slight changes in protein content and kernel hardness with a decrease of 5.5% and 4.6% at the end of the storage period. There were no statistically significant differences at the sampling location along the length of the storage silos, which confirms the homogeneity of the internal conditions of the examined silo. The grain bulk temperature inside the silos was always lower than the surrounding ambient air temperature. The higher concentration of carbon dioxide inside the silos during the storage period led to a decrease in fungal and microbial count and the presence of dead insects at the end of the storage period.

BackgroundSpices are susceptible to surface microbial contamination. Countries’ ban on ethylene oxide fumigation due to possible residual toxicity encouraged the usage of irradiation. Surface sterilization with low doses of ultraviolet radiation has been extensively researched as a safe, eco-friendly, and fast route. This study examines the quality of Apiaceae spices for consumption, including anise, fennel, caraway, and cumin, in response to germicidal ultraviolet radiation using a developed sterilization unit.MethodsThe influence of UV-C (254 nm, 10.5 mW/cm2) on the fungal and microbial count, germination percentage, respiration rate, phenolic content, essential oil, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes was investigated at exposure durations of 0–45 min in increments of 5 min. The treated seeds were packed in polyethylene bags in a naturally aerated storage room for 30 days before the inspection.ResultsThe obtained data showed that UV-C stimulated seeds germination and increased respiration rate for all studied types. The 25 min of exposure exhibited the highest significant values compared to the control, considered a good indicator of seed vigor. In addition, UV-C exposure between 20 and 35 min promoted the accumulation of phenolic compounds and increased the oil content as a defense mechanism against radiation. Conversely, higher exposure to UV-C led to a significant reduction in phenolic and oil contents. Furthermore, the exposure to UV-C radiation enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes in terms of peroxidase and catalase, which progressively increased with increasing exposure durations, reached their peak at 25–30 min, and subsequently declined with extended exposure time was extended. In a similar pattern, exposure to UV-C radiation increased polyphenol oxidase activity to its highest level at 25 min, owing to the development of antioxidant protective mechanisms against oxidative stress.ConclusionUV-C irradiation in the range of 25–30 min is the most appropriate pretreatment to maintain the vitality of the examined seeds.

This research explored the creation of new bio-transfer films composed of Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), sodium caseinate (SC), and purified anthocyanin extract from poinsettia leaves (PAE). The films underwent evaluation to assess their color, physical characteristics, surface texture, crystalline structure, mechanical strength, and thermal stability. Incorporating up to 0.8% of purified anthocyanin extract (PAE) into the film matrix resulted in an opaque red color ( a* = 43.96) and increased the opacity to 3.42 A/mm. This addition also made the films less permeable to water vapor, with a permeability rating of 1.021 (× 10 − 10 g.m − 1 s − 1 pa − 1 ). The film surfaces remained smooth and crack-free at lower concentrations, but became rougher when the PAE concentration reached 1.2%. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis indicated physical interactions between the PAE extract and the Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/sodium caseinate (SC) matrix. These films demonstrated strong thermal stability. Furthermore, the inclusion of PAE effectively stabilized the pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and peroxide value (PV) of minced meat during cold storage compared with polypropylene (PP) and un covered samples (UC), showcasing its potential as an exceptional bio-transfer medium for anthocyanins. It was recommended that the utilization of anthocyanin-based bio-transfer films not only reduce minced meat loss during storage but also promotes sustainability efforts in food preservation.

Polyvinyl alcohol was used as a halochromic carrier material for anthocyanins extracted from bracts of Euphorbia pulcherrima . Including anthocyanins in halochromic carrier improved the thickness, solubility, swelling capacity, water vapor permeability, antioxidant properties, and tensile strength of the films. The high levels of anthocyanins decreased the water contact angle to 60.48°. Adding anthocyanins to films altered the color of halochromic films in response to exposure to ammonia emission or pH changes, allowing for the creation of smart sensors. The artificial biosensors altered the color linked to decreased freshness of the minced meat primarily because of ammonia generation and pH changes as the meat decays. One key point is that halochromic sensors can biodegrade and break down under simulated environmental conditions in just 30 days. In general, the created intelligent biosensors could be utilized as halochromic materials to detect the initial stages of food spoilage.

Water shortage is a major environmental stress that destructively impacts maize production, particularly in arid regions. Therefore, improving irrigation management and increasing productivity per unit of water applied are needed, especially under the rising temperature and precipitation fluctuations induced by climate change. Laboratory and field trials were carried out in the present study, which were aimed at assessing the possibility of promoting maize germination, growth, grain yield and crop water productivity (CWP) using seed priming under different irrigation regimes. Two seed priming treatments, i.e., hydro-priming and hardening versus unprimed seeds, were applied under four irrigation regimes, i.e., 120, 100, 80 and 60% of estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The obtained results indicated that increasing irrigation water from 100% up to 120% ETc did not significantly increase grain yield or contributing traits, while it decreased CWP. Deficit irrigation of 80 and 60% ETc gradually decreased grain yield and all attributed traits. Seed priming significantly ameliorated seedlings’ vigor as indicated by earlier germination, higher germination percentage, longer roots and shoots, and heavier fresh and dry weight than unprimed seeds with the superiority of hardening treatment. Additionally, under field conditions, seed priming significantly increased grain yield, yield contributing traits and CWP compared with unprimed treatment. Interestingly, the results reflect the role of seed priming, particularly hardening, in mitigating negative impacts of drought stress and enhancing maize growth, grain yield and attributed traits as well as CWP under deficit irrigation conditions. This was demonstrated by a significant increase in grain yield and CWP under moderate drought and severe drought conditions compared with unprimed treatment. These results highlight that efficient irrigation management and seed priming can increase maize yield and water productivity in arid environments.

Wheat cultivation in arid environments faces significant challenges, necessitating innovative approaches to enhance productivity under current climate change conditions. Foliar application with bio-stimulants, such as amino acids, yeast extract, and algae extract, offers a sustainable solution to improve wheat growth, yield, and physiological efficiency under these conditions. A field trial was carried out over two winter growing seasons to assess the comparative effects of these bio-stimulants applied at varying concentrations on growth parameters, yield traits, grain quality, and nitrogen-related parameters. Treatments included an untreated control (sprayed with distilled water) and foliar applications at different concentrations: amino acids (1.5 and 3 ml/L), yeast extract (50 and 100 ml/L), and algae extract (5 and 10 ml/L). The results demonstrated that all bio-stimulant treatments significantly enhanced all studied parameters compared to the untreated control. The highest concentrations of each treatment (3 ml/L for amino acids, 10 ml/L for algae extract, and 100 ml/L for yeast extract) produced the greatest improvements, with amino acids at 3 ml/L exhibiting the strongest effects. Specifically, amino acids at 3 ml/L improved plant height by 12.46% and 21.56%, chlorophyll content by 22.32% and 19.12%, and plant dry weight by 63.30% and 70.38% in the first and the second seasons, respectively. Yield traits, including number of spikes, spike length, spike weight, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, and 1,000-grain weight, were also significantly improved, with amino acids at 3 ml/L producing the highest values. Grain yield, straw yield, and biological yield increased by 44.74% and 43.92%, 35.34% and 42.37%, and 36.29% and 43.95%, respectively, in the first and second seasons. Nitrogen content in both grains and straw was higher in treated plants, with amino acids at 3 ml/L enhancing grain nitrogen content by 25.52% and 22.50% and straw nitrogen content by 41.03% and 56.45% in the first and second seasons. The improvement resulted from amino acids at 3 ml/L followed by the application of algae extract at 10 ml/L and yeast extract at 100 ml/L, with all treatments showing significant improvements over the untreated control. Principal component analysis and heatmap analyses confirmed that higher concentrations of amino acids, algae extract, and yeast extract had the most positive effects on wheat growth and nitrogen-related parameters, while the untreated control and lower concentrations showed weaker results. These findings demonstrated that foliar application of amino acids, particularly at 3 ml/L, is a highly effective strategy for improving wheat productivity, grain quality, and nitrogen use efficiency in arid environments.

Background This study examined the morphological characters and molecular analysis of 15 species belonging to eight genera of the family Malvaceae, collected from different localities in Egypt. The study focused on investigating the relations between the species based on evidence of macro- and micro-morphological characters and molecular analysis. Since species identification and classification are highly dependent on morphological traits. Results The macro- and micro-morphology characters were used in analyzing the relationship among the studied species viz., habit, and nature of stem, type of stipule, type of lamina, inflorescence type, staminal tube, stigma type, and pollen grain sculpture. Furthermore, with the SCoT technique, differences in molecular markers were detected. In the start codon targeted SCOT analysis, eight SCoT primers were independently used. The total number of amplified fragments by all primers in the studied species was 100 fragments, including 51 polymorphic fragments with a ratio of 51%. The highest polymorphism among the studied species 72.73% was observed with the SCoT-06 primer. The lowest polymorphism 16.67% was obtained in the SCoT-07 primer. In three SCoT primers, SCoT-01, SCoT-06, and SCoT-10, no unique fragments were detected, while the other five primers yielded one unique band. In addition, the results of the phylogenetic tree constructed based on the similarity coefficient revealed by SCoT analysis confirm the macro and micro-morphological analysis findings. Conclusion Generally, these data of morphological characters and molecular analysis support the resolution and identification of closely related Malvaceae species and offer insight into their phylogenetic relationships. This, in turn, supports previous taxonomic revisions in Malvaceae.

This article is the first to review published reports on the prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative infections in Egypt and gain insights into antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance and susceptibility testing capabilities of Egyptian medical centers. A literature review and online survey were conducted. The online survey and literature review reported high prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (19-85.24% of , and 10-87% of ), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (35-100% of and 13.8-100% of ), carbapenem-resistant (10-100%), and carbapenem-resistant (15-70%) in Egypt. Risk factors for MDR Gram-negative infections were ventilated patients (67.4%), prolonged hospitalization (53.5%) and chronic disease (34.9%). Although antimicrobial surveillance capabilities were deemed at least moderate in most centers, lack of access to rapid AMR diagnostics, lack of use of local epidemiological data in treatment decision-making, lack of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs, and lack of risk prediction tools were commonly reported by respondents. This survey has highlighted the presence of knowledge gaps as well as limitations in the surveillance and monitoring capabilities of AMR in Egypt, with most laboratories lacking rapid diagnostics and molecular testing. Future efforts in Egypt should focus on tackling these issues via nationwide initiatives, including understanding the AMR trends in the country, capacity building of laboratories and their staff to correctly and timely identify AMR, and introducing newer antimicrobials for targeting emerging resistance mechanisms in Gram-negative species.