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A novel, simple, and inexpensive technique, chemical coprecipitation, was employed to produce CeO2 nanoparticles and CeO2/CuO nanocomposite. It entailed reacting dehydrated metal nitrate salts with an aqueous extract of Ficus religiosa. The CeO2 and CeO2/CuO solids were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR,  and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The diffraction peaks of the CeO2 and CeO2/CuO revealed cubic and monoclinic structures, respectively, with average crystallite sizes of 20.5 and 26.8 nm, based on the XRD data.  TEM examinations show that the mean sizes of CeO2 and CeO2/CuO particles were (39.8 and 66.5 nm, respectively). These results imply negligible agglomeration. This study evaluated the antimicrobial efficacy of CeO2/CuO nanocomposite and CeO₂/CuO NPs against bacterial and fungal pathogens. The nanocomposite exhibited superior activity, producing larger inhibition zones (Bacillus subtilis: 26 mm; Candida albicans: 28 mm) compared to CeO₂ NPs and the standard drugs ciprofloxacin (as antibiotic) and nystatin (as antifungal). MIC and MBC/MFC assays confirmed stronger potency, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria and C. albicans. Time–kill kinetics revealed complete eradication of B. subtilis and K. pneumoniae within 180 min, while partial survival occurred in S. aureus and S. typhi. Both materials were inactive against Aspergillus niger, indicating selective but potent antimicrobial effects.

In recent decades, aquaculture has played a significant role in fulfilling the vast demand for animal protein requirements and consequently in food security. However, environmental contamination and disease prevalence are considered essential challenges for the sector. In this regard, new approaches have been paved in technology to deal effectively with such challenges. Among these, nanotechnology—as a novel and innovative tool—has a broad spectrum of uses and a tremendous potential in aquaculture and seafood preservation. It can provide new technologies for management of drugs as liberation of vaccines and therefore hold the assurance for civilized protection of farmed fish against disease-causing pathogens. This article presents a review of nanotechnology and its applications in aquaculture. Additionally, it gives a brief idea about the fish disease and classical ways of controlling pathogens. On the other hand, this review sheds the light on nanotechnology as a potential novel tool which may possibly enhance the management and the control of disease prevalence. Therefore, the importance of this technology to promote sustainable aquaculture has also been highlighted. Focusing on the role of selenium nanoparticles as an efficient element is discussed also in this article.

Alternative control methods of fungal diseases have been studied with an emphasis on finding new compounds derived from plants, such as essential oils and extracts, which are considered safer for consumers and the environment. Limonene, a cyclic monoterpene widely found in nature, is the main component of essential oils obtained from the peels of citrus fruits such as grapefruit, lemon, lime, and particularly orange. Despite its prevalence and its use as an antifungal agent, especially against fungi that cause diseases in major crops worldwide, studies on its application in greenhouse assays have been limited. The aim of this research was to evaluate the antifungal activity of limonene against cereal-pathogenic Fusarium species and to assess its effectiveness in controlling Fusarium head blight through plant bioassays. Limonene inhibited mycelial growth in vitro for all tested species, showing effective fungistatic action on pathogens. Regarding plant bioassays, the most significant effect was observed when limonene was applied simultaneously with and after the pathogen, indicating that limonene is not acting as a defense-inducing agent in the plant but directly on the pathogen. When limonene was applied before the pathogen, no significant inhibition of incidence was detected. Further studies are necessary to explore the use of limonene in controlling Fusarium head blight in major crops such as Triticum aestivum L. This study presents promising results for controlling this disease using limonene. Se han estudiado métodos alternativos para el control de enfermedades, con énfasis en la búsqueda de nuevos compuestos derivados de plantas, como aceites esenciales y extractos, que se consideran más seguros para los consumidores y el medio ambiente. El limoneno, un monoterpeno cíclico ampliamente encontrado en la naturaleza, es el principal componente de los aceites esenciales obtenidos de las cáscaras de frutas cítricas como pomelo, limón, lima y, en particular, naranja. A pesar de su prevalencia, su uso como antifúngico, especialmente contra hongos que causan enfermedades en cultivos extensivos a nivel mundial, y los estudios sobre su aplicación en ensayos bajo invernadero han sido poco explorados. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la actividad antifúngica del limoneno contra especies de Fusarium patógenas de cereales y evaluar su eficacia mediante bioensayos en plantas. El limoneno inhibió el crecimiento micelial in vitro en todas las especies analizadas, mostrando su eficaz acción fungistática sobre los patógenos. El efecto más significativo se observó cuando el terpeno se aplicó simultáneamente con y después del patógeno. Esto indicaría que el limoneno no estaría ejerciendo una acción como agente inductor de defensa en la planta, sino que su acción es directa sobre el patógeno, dado que en el tratamiento en el que se aplicó limoneno antes del patógeno, no se detectó una inhibición significativa en su incidencia. Se requieren más estudios para explorar el uso del limoneno en el control de la fusariosis de la espiga en cultivos extensivos como Triticum aestivum L. Este trabajo presenta resultados alentadores y prometedores para el control de esta enfermedad mediante el uso del limoneno..

True slime molds (Eumycetozoa) represent a monophyletic clade within the phylum Amoebozoa, comprising the lineages Myxogastria, Dictyostelia, and Protosporangiida. Although historically misclassified as fungi, recent molecular and biochemical studies underscore their distinct evolutionary trajectories and rich metabolomic profiles. In this review, we synthesize current knowledge on Eumycetozoa as a reservoir of bioactive compounds, detailing how secondary metabolites—including polysaccharides, amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, terpenoids, and glycosides—vary across plasmodia, fruiting bodies, and spores. A systematic literature search in major scientific databases accounted for legacy nomenclature and leveraged chemoinformatic tools for compound verification. Our findings reveal 298 distinct metabolites that serve ecological roles in nutrient recycling and interspecies interactions, while also showing promise for controlling agricultural pests and pathogens. Notably, certain glycosides, lectins, and polyketides exhibit antimicrobial or cytotoxic activities, indicating their potential utility in managing these biological challenges. By consolidating current data and emphasizing the wide taxonomic range of Eumycetozoa, this review highlights the critical need for comprehensive biochemical and genomic investigations. Such efforts will not only advance our understanding of slime mold metabolomes and their evolutionary significance but also pave the way for innovative, eco-friendly applications.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of trace metals relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust. REEs are widely dispersed in small concentrations throughout the environment. These elements demonstrate similar physical and chemical properties. REEs have been widely used in various areas of industry, agriculture and medicine. China was the first country to commercially apply REE products as micro-fertilizers or growth simulators in agriculture. Although REEs are not essential for living organisms, they can influence their life processes. Results of recent investigations demonstrate that hormesis commonly occurs in a variety of plants and microorganisms in response to REEs. REEs affect the growth, reproduction and metabolism of microorganisms. Microorganisms are involved in all geochemical cycles of metals. They can produce various organic acids and other substances capable of mobilizing REEs in the soil, thereby promoting their uptake by plants. Metals can be bound by microorganisms through bioadsorption, bioaccumulation, and interactions with metabolic products, which may help in reducing metal leaching and increase their availability to plants. As a result, microorganisms can be used for the revitalization of habitats polluted by metals, primarily water. It was found that REEs can directly and indirectly affect several types of plant pathogens. REEs can control some phytopathogens directly by reducing their growth and virulence in host plants, while also eliciting disease resistance response in plants. The mechanisms by which REEs act against plant diseases result from complex interactions of many biotic and abiotic factors, which indicates the multifaceted nature of this phenomenon. Current evidence confirms that REEs can control pathogens under certain conditions. However, further studies investigating the mechanisms by which REEs control pathogens and performance of individual elements are necessary for their further application.

Bacteriophages represent a promising alternative to antibiotics for controlling bacterial pathogens. However, phage application is often hindered by its narrow host range in preventing diseases caused by multiple unknown pathogens. While broad-host-range phages capable of cross-genus or cross-order infections, offer significant advantages in addressing this challenge, they are rarely isolated. In this study, we isolated two polyvalent lytic phages, SA-P and SA-M, through a multi-host enrichment strategy. These phages exhibited remarkable cross-order infectivity against the co-occurring aquaculture pathogens Shewanella algae and multiple Vibrio species. We confirmed that SA-P executes a complete lytic cycle in these cross-order hosts, indicating exceptional compatibility of its lysis systems across taxonomic orders. Genomic analysis revealed that their broad host recognition ability may stem from their diverse tail fiber and tailspike proteins. Notably, SA-P and SA-M are the first phages reported to infect S. algae , and their combined application exhibited a sustained suppression of pathogen growth. Proteomic phylogenetic analysis suggests these phages represent a novel unclassified viral genus and family, respectively. This study provides two promising polyvalent phages and their cocktails as potential solution for cross-order pathogen control in aquaculture.

Mangroves are ecosystems with unique characteristics due to the high salinity and amount of organic matter that house a rich biodiversity. Fungi have aroused much interest as they are an important natural source for the discovery of new bioactive compounds, with potential biotechnological and pharmacological interest. This review aims to highlight endophytic fungi isolated from mangrove plant species and the isolated bioactive compounds and their bioactivity against protozoa, bacteria and pathogenic viruses. Knowledge about this type of ecosystem is of great relevance for its preservation and as a source of new molecules for the control of pathogens that may be of importance for human, animal and environmental health.

Maize and cowpea are among the staple foods most consumed by most of the African population, and are of significant importance in food security, crop diversification, biodiversity preservation, and livelihoods. In order to satisfy the growing demand for agricultural products, fertilizers and pesticides have been extensively used to increase yields and protect plants against pathogens. However, the excessive use of these chemicals has harmful consequences on the environment and also on public health. These include soil acidification, loss of biodiversity, groundwater pollution, reduced soil fertility, contamination of crops by heavy metals, etc . Therefore, essential to find alternatives to promote sustainable agriculture and ensure the food and well-being of the people. Among these alternatives, agricultural techniques that offer sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions that reduce or eliminate the excessive use of agricultural inputs are increasingly attracting the attention of researchers. One such alternative is the use of beneficial soil microorganisms such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). PGPR provides a variety of ecological services and can play an essential role as crop yield enhancers and biological control agents. They can promote root development in plants, increasing their capacity to absorb water and nutrients from the soil, increase stress tolerance, reduce disease and promote root development. Previous research has highlighted the benefits of using PGPRs to increase agricultural productivity. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms of action of PGPRs and their exploitation as biofertilizers would present a promising prospect for increasing agricultural production, particularly in maize and cowpea, and for ensuring sustainable and prosperous agriculture, while contributing to food security and reducing the impact of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on the environment. Looking ahead, PGPR research should continue to deepen our understanding of these microorganisms and their impact on crops, with a view to constantly improving sustainable agricultural practices. On the other hand, farmers and agricultural industry players need to be made aware of the benefits of PGPRs and encouraged to adopt them to promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a plant pathogenic fungus that causes white mold or stem rot diseases. It affects mostly dicotyledonous crops, resulting in significant economic losses worldwide. Sclerotia formation is a special feature of S. sclerotiorum , allowing its survival in soil for extended periods and facilitates the spread of the pathogen. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of how sclerotia are formed and how virulence is achieved in S. sclerotiorum are not fully understood. Here, we report the identification of a mutant that cannot form sclerotia using a forward genetics approach. Next-generation sequencing of the mutant’s whole genome revealed candidate genes. Through knockout experiments, the causal gene was found to encode a cAMP phosphodiesterase (SsPDE2). From mutant phenotypic examinations, we found that SsPDE2 plays essential roles not only in sclerotia formation, but also in the regulation of oxalic acid accumulation, infection cushion functionality and virulence. Downregulation of SsSMK1 transcripts in Sspde2 mutants revealed that these morphological defects are likely caused by cAMP-dependent inhibition of MAPK signaling. Moreover, when we introduced HIGS construct targeting SsPDE2 in Nicotiana benthamiana , largely compromised virulence was observed against S. sclerotiorum . Taken together, SsPDE2 is indispensable for key biological processes of S. sclerotiorum and can potentially serve as a HIGS target to control stem rot in the field.

Aquaculture is a rapidly growing sector that plays a crucial role in meeting global food demands and providing livelihoods. However, industry faces significant challenges from pathogens like Aeromonas hydrophila , which can lead to severe economic losses. Traditional treatments, such as antibiotics, have become less effective due to the rise of antibiotic resistance, necessitating the exploration of alternative strategies. This review explores the potential of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as an innovative approach to controlling A. hydrophila in aquaculture and evaluates its implications for sustainable practices. We conducted a comprehensive review of the literature on PDT, focusing on its mechanisms, the role of photosensitizers, nanotechnology, pathogen control, photocatalysis, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We also examined the logistical challenges of implementing PDT in aquaculture and the need for optimized treatment protocols. Our findings indicate that PDT presents a promising alternative for pathogen control in aquaculture. It also highlights the potential applications of natural and synthetic photosensitizers, emphasizing their role in sustainable aquaculture practices. We also discussed the current challenges in implementation of PDT in aquaculture, logistical issues, light sources, and treatment timing. Integrating methodologies such as PSs and nanotechnology could enhance the efficacy of PDT in combating A. hydrophila and other pathogens. By addressing current challenges and optimizing protocols, PDT has the potential to contribute significantly to sustainable aquaculture, improving food security, and reducing reliance on antibiotics.