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Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) populations are of substantial ecological and economic importance. As a keystone species, C. sapidus plays a critical role in maintaining estuarine food webs while also supporting one of the most consumed and economically valuable seafood industries in Delaware and Maryland. This study investigated the presence of Callinectes sapidus reovirus 1 (CsRV1) in C. sapidus collected from Rehoboth Bay, Delaware, USA, using reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and evaluated potential associations between viral occurrence and physicochemical parameters, including temperature, salinity, pH, turbidity, alkalinity, calcium hardness, nitrite, and chlorophyll-a. A total of eighteen traps were deployed across six study sites encompassing oyster aquaculture areas, artificial oyster reefs, and control sites with minimal structural habitat. CsRV1 was detected in blue crabs from Rehoboth Bay, confirming the presence of the virus within the Delaware Inland Bays; however, detections were limited to a small subset of sampled individuals. Among the environmental parameters examined, salinity exhibited the greatest interannual variability, while other physicochemical conditions remained relatively consistent across site types and sampling periods. Overall, environmental conditions during the study period were within ranges considered suitable for C. sapidus, indicating that the population is likely to experience limited environmental stress and minimal disease-related impacts under current conditions.

Seafood plays a vital role in human diets worldwide, serving as an important source of high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals that promote health and prevent various chronic conditions. The health benefits of seafood consumption are well documented, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, improved cognitive function, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the safety of seafood is compromised by multiple hazards that can pose significant health risks. Pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, in addition to microbial metabolites, are prominent causes of the foodborne diseases linked to seafood consumption, necessitating reliable detection and monitoring systems. Molecular biology and digital techniques have emerged as essential tools for the rapid and accurate identification of these foodborne pathogens, enhancing seafood safety protocols. Additionally, the presence of chemical contaminants such as heavy metals (e.g., mercury and lead), microplastics, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in seafood is of increasing concern due to their potential to accumulate in the food chain and adversely affect human health. The biogenic amines formed during the microbial degradation of the proteins and allergens present in certain seafood species also contribute to food safety challenges. This review aims to address the nutritional value and health-promoting effects of seafood while exploring the multifaceted risks associated with microbial contamination, chemical pollutants, and naturally occurring substances. Emphasis is placed on enhanced surveillance, seafood traceability, sustainable aquaculture practices, and regulatory harmonization as effective strategies for controlling the risks associated with seafood consumption and thereby contributing to a safer seafood supply chain.

Due to the rapid global expansion of the aquaculture industry, access to key feedstuffs (fishmeal and fish oil) is becoming increasingly limited because of the finite resources available for wild fish harvesting. This has resulted in other sources of feedstuffs being investigated, namely plant origin substitutes for fishmeal and fish oil for aquafeed. Conventional land-based crops have been favored for some applications as substitutes for a portion of the fishmeal, but they can result in changes in the nutritional quality of the fish produced. Microalgae can be regarded as a promising alternative that can replace fishmeal and fish oil and ensure sustainability standards in aquaculture. They have a potential for use in aquaculture as they are sources of protein, lipid, vitamins, minerals, pigments, etc. This comprehensive review summarizes the most important and recent developments of microalgae use as supplement or feed additive to replace fishmeal and fish oil for use in aquaculture. It also reflects the microalgal nutritional quality and digestibility of microalgae-based aquafeed. Simultaneously, safety and regulatory aspects of microalgae feed applications, major challenges on the use microalgae in aquafeed in commercial production, and future research and development perspective are also presented in a critical manner. This review will serve as a useful guide to present current status of knowledge and highlight key areas for future development of a microalgae-based aquafeed industry and overall development of a sustainable aquaculture industry.

Eastern Oysters ( Crassostrea virginica ) are a keystone species and an important product of the commercial shellfish industry in Delaware. Oysters are known as “environmental engineers” that provide a structured habitat for the ecosystem, thus promoting biodiversity. In order to further investigate the role oysters play in increasing biodiversity, real‐time monitoring and environmental DNA (eDNA) were conducted at different sites around Rehoboth Bay, Delaware, USA. The sites include pilot artificial reefs, private aquaculture farms, and a control site without any oysters or habitat structure. Underwater GoPro Hero 3+ and 8 cameras were deployed every 2 weeks from June to October in 2022 and 2023. Cameras were deployed for approximately 2–3 h at a time, and upon retrieval, cameras were reviewed for any signs of aquatic life, and all documented species were identified and recorded for comparisons between sampling sites. Water samples were collected simultaneously for eDNA analysis to serve as a complementary method for species identification. DNA isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed to amplify gene sequences for targeted species. Using camera technology, 23 different animal species were recorded across the five study sites. The most abundant species included Spot ( Leiostomus xanthurus ), Atlantic Silverside ( Menidia menidia ), Atlantic Menhaden ( Brevoortia tyrannus ), Horseshoe Crab ( Limulus polyphemus ), Blue Crab ( Callinectes sapidus ), and Hermit Crabs ( Pagurus longicarpus ). The eDNA analysis also successfully detected these species, highlighting the effectiveness of eDNA as a tool for species monitoring. Notably, there was considerable overlap between species identified through both real‐time monitoring and eDNA methods. These findings contribute to ongoing oyster restoration initiatives and sustainable aquaculture practices in the Delaware Inland Bays (DIB), while also enhancing our understanding of complementary biodiversity monitoring techniques.

Investigations were carried out to determine antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and total phenol content of three wild species of Ephedra compared with their respective callus cultures. Callus induction was performed in a standard Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with the following hormonal ranges (mg/L) for every species NAA:1.5, Kin:1 for Ephedra strobiliacea, NAA:2, Kin:1 for Ephedra procera and NAA:2, Kin:0.5 for Ephedra pachyclada. These ranges of PGPR (Plant Growth Promote Regulators) were chosen based on callus induction rates, RGR (Relative Growth Rate) and their fresh weights. An antimicrobial test against five Gram negative and two Gram positive bacteria and two fungi was performed using the disc diffusion method. All methanolic extracts showed antimicrobial activity, but the antimicrobial activity of the callus cultures was lower than those of the wild plants. E. strobilacea showed the highest antimicrobial activity, and all methanolic extracts of the wild plants and callus cultures unexpectedly showed the highest antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) test was conducted to evaluate extracts for antioxidant activity. E. strobilacea with 1.61 ± 0.08 mmol eq quercetin/gextract and 0.278 ± 0.02 mmol eq quercetin/gextract for the wild plant and callus, respectively, showed the highest results.The total phenol content of extracts was measured by a Folin Ciocalteau test. All the chosen species displayed phenol contents but E. strobilacea had the highest amount (504.9 ± 41.51 μmol eq catechin/gextracts and 114.61 ± 15.13 μmol eq catechin/gextracts for the wild plants and callus, respectively).

BackgroundPhotoautotrophic microalgae are a promising avenue for sustained biodiesel production, but are compromised by low yields of biomass and lipids at present. We are developing a chemical approach to improve microalgal accumulation of feedstock lipids as well as high-value alpha-linolenic acid which in turn might provide a driving force for biodiesel production.ResultsWe demonstrate the effectiveness of the small bioactive molecule “acetylcholine” on accumulation of biomass, total lipids, and alpha-linolenic acid in Chlorella sorokiniana. The effectiveness exists in different species of Chlorella. Moreover, the precursor and analogs of acetylcholine display increased effectiveness at higher applied doses, with maximal increases by 126, 80, and 60% over controls for biomass, total lipids, and alpha-linolenic acid, respectively. Production of calculated biodiesel was also improved by the precursor and analogs of acetylcholine. The biodiesel quality affected by changes in microalgal fatty acid composition was addressed.ConclusionThe chemical approach described here could improve the lipid yield and biodiesel production of photoautotrophic microalgae if combined with current genetic approaches.

An emerging paradigm in public health focuses on enhancing nutrition in existing food staples to reduce chronic disease at the population scale, rather than relying on individuals to change their behavior. This paradigm leverages plant and animal breeding, production practices, and processing to enhance nutrition, whereby foods consumed by millions can be improved at low incremental cost. This article supports and operationalizes this paradigm, illustrating the potential to improve diets through a case study that increases the arabinoxylan fiber content of commodity wheat through classical plant breeding (a non-GMO technology). The approach described in this article proposes to link agricultural and food science with health system implementation to deliver equitable access, improved healthcare outcomes and cost savings, and improved community health. Based on published dose–response relationships, comparative risk modeling indicates that modest fiber increases achieved by the commodity wheat breeding led to reduced population-level risks of 1–3% for cardiovascular disease, 3–4.5% for type 2 diabetes, and 1–3.5% for colorectal cancer, translating into substantial healthcare cost savings when implemented at a national scale. This article outlines possible low-risk pathways for implementing these nutrition increases at the population scale through commodity supply chains and community-level nutrition improvement efforts and evaluates the ranges of potential population-level impacts.

An experiment was carried out to determine the symbiotic effect of mycorrhiza on the yield and root characteristics of Sorghum vulgare under water stress. The experiment was carried out in a factorial test using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in three replications. Treatments were conducted base on drought stress in four levels and mycorrhiza were applied in two ranges M1 (inoculated by mycorrhiza) and M0 (non-mycorrhiza). The Results showed that, the drought stress had significant influences on dry matter of shoot, length of the root and percentage of the mycorrhiza colonization. It seemed that, the mycorrhiza had significantly increased the biomass of sorghum by influences on the root characteristics, such as: root length, colonization and root/shoot ratio.

Plants are always subjected to biotic and abiotic stresses in the environment which have influences on the growth and development of the plants. Beneficial free-living soil bacteria are usually referred as Plant-Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria or PGPR. Different plant growth-promoting Rhizosphere bacteria, including associative bacteria such as: Azospirillum, Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Enterobacter group have been used for their beneficial influences on plants. Typically, PGPRs are associated with plants root and augment plant productivity and immunity; however, recent works showed that PGPRs not have just induced the systemic tolerance to abiotic stress such as salt and drought, but also they have increased the nutrient uptake from soils, and as a result the hazardous accumulation of nitrates and phosphates in the agricultural soils can be reduced by usage of them.

An experiment was performed to assess the wheat harvest yield using a CROPSYST model in 2008-2009 at Rashmijan zone, the northern part of Fars province, Iran. The experiment was performed in a randomized complete block design and were conducted under treat of four irrigation levels (I1, I2, I3, I4) in three replicates. Irrigation were done by a usual cycle of zone irrigation at 20% tension, 40% tension and without irrigation (dry land farming). Finally, the statistical analysis showed that, the simulation efficiency using CROPSYST model for yield, stalk and biological yield, are 0.91, 0.82 and 0.94, respectively. Notably, the investigations of yield, stalk and biologic yield showed a high correlation among yield, stalk and biologic yield (0.93, 0.95 and 0.95, respectively) which confirmed the highest accuracy of anticipated operation by using CROPSYST model. As a result, this model is evaluated as a desirable model to anticipate the harvest operation in the Marvdasht zone.