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This study presents a novel synthetic method to synthesize fully bio-based cellulose esters from natural aldehydes in a multi-functional ionic liquid (as a solvent for cellulose and as an esterification and oxidation catalyst) in atmospheric oxygen. The aerobic oxidative esterification of cellulose with high atom economy proceeded under metal-free conditions without any additional catalysts or activators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specifically, the conventional wood adhesive uses polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as colloid to stabilise the polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) emulsion. Green materials are being used as a result of recent study on chemicals and alternative sources. This factor has made the substitution of sustainable biopolymers for petrochemicals considerably more important. An emulsifier, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), was used during the addition polymerization process to produce a hydroxyethyl cellulose-grafted-poly (vinyl acetate) (HEC-g-P(VAc)) emulsion from HEC and VAc. The purpose of the study was to increase the content of renewable materials in the emulsion. The adhesive films glass transition temperatures (Tg) have been identified via Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The performance of the PVAc emulsion-based adhesive in accordance with EN 204 and EN 205 standards was evaluated by measuring the tensile shear strength of wood joints under both dry and wet conditions. The viscosity of the adhesives significantly increased along with the addition of HEC. The application of HEC led to an increase in PVAc film hardness, which was confirmed by the film's glass transition temperature. In an environment that was wet, after 24 h, the tensile strength of the sample containing HEC increased by 54% compared to a pristine sample, as per EN 204 and EN 205. Water resistance significantly increased in sample with HEC, as was found by measuring the water contact angle which is in line with wet strength. The overall study conclusion emphasises the superior water resistance and increased adhesion capabilities of PVAc emulsion-based wood adhesives stabilised by HEC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)/silica hybrid aerogel (CSA) was synthesized from CNC and sodium silicate hybridization using the one-step sol–gel method under atmospheric drying. At a weight ratio of CNC to silica of 1:1, the obtained CSA-1 had a highly porous network, a high specific area of 479 m2 g−1, and a CO2 adsorption capacity of 0.25 mmol g−1. Then, polyethyleneimine (PEI) was impregnated on CSA-1 to improve CO2 adsorption performance. The parameters governing CO2 adsorption performance on CSA-PEI, such as temperatures (70–120 °C) and PEI concentrations (40–60 wt%), were investigated systematically. The optimum adsorbent (CSA-PEI50) exhibited an excellent CO2 adsorption capacity of 2.35 mmol g−1 at 70 °C and a PEI concentration of 50 wt%. The adsorption mechanism of CSA-PEI50 was elucidated by analyzing many adsorption kinetic models. The CO2 adsorption behaviors of CSA-PEI at various temperatures and PEI concentrations had the goodness of fit with the Avrami kinetic model, which can correspond to the multiple adsorption mechanism. The Avrami model also showed fractional reaction orders in a range of 0.352–0.613, and the root mean square error is negligible. Moreover, the rate-limiting kinetic analysis showed that film diffusion and intraparticle diffusion resistance controlled the adsorption speed and dominated the subsequent adsorption stages, respectively. The CSA-PEI50 also exhibited excellent stability after ten adsorption–desorption cycles. This study illustrated that CSA-PEI was a potential adsorbent for CO2 capture from flue gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The straightness of Paeonia lactiflora stems is pivotal for their use in cut flowers, often influenced by cellulose and other cell wall materials. Variances in auxin (IAA) content between straight and bending cultivars have been noted, yet the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we treated the bending cultivar 'Qi Hualushuang' with 150 mg·L−1 IAA across five developmental stages, examining morphological, anatomical, and cellulose metabolism-related changes. The results showed that exogenous IAA significantly improved stem straightness, plant height, and stem diameter. This improvement coincided with the early development of vascular tissue at the early and mid-stage of stem growth. IAA application down-regulated the expression of cellulose synthase genes, altering sucrose synthase and cellulase activities, ultimately resulting in higher cellulose content during the bud-breeding stage. Notably, an early accumulation of cellulose in vascular tissue was observed, characterized by earlier and more orderly arranged cellulose microfibrils, oriented at a smaller angle to the growth direction. This observation suggests that early cellulose development is advantageous for achieving stem straightness. Our study also found that the promotional effect of IAA on stem growth was mainly in the early stages, and other phytohormones may be jointly involved in the regulation. In summary, our study suggests that IAA enhances stem straightness by modulating the development of cell wall cellulose and vascular tissue. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the cultivation and trait improvement of P. lactiflora cut flower cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UiO–66–NH2(Ti/Zr) modified by Ti metal oxide (TiO2) was used to catalyze the hydrolysis of cellulose to prepare 5-HMF. Under the optimal reaction conditions of H2O(NaCl)/THF(1/4 mL), 190 °C, 2 h and 50 mg UNT-3(Ti/Zr) (TiO2 and UiO–66–NH2 with mass of 1.5 and 0.1 g, respectively), the yield of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural reached 59.88%. UiO–66–NH2(Ti/Zr) nanocomposites with different mass ratios were successfully prepared by simple solvent evaporation method. SEM and TEM have shown that the modified UiO–66–NH2(Ti/Zr) are wrapped into sphere by TiO2 densely attached to the surface of UiO–66–NH2, which provides favorable conditions for the uniform dispersion of TiO2 and coordination of the Lewis acidic site of UiO–66–NH2. NH3–TPD results confirmed the existence of super-strong, strong, middle and weak acid sites in UiO–66–NH2(Ti/Zr), and Py-FTIR confirmed the existence of Brønsted and Lewis acids. After four cycles, the yield of 5-HMF and FUR decreased slightly from 59.88 to 51.89% and 9.11 to 7.66%, respectively, and the yield of 5-HMF could still remain above 50%. The results showed that the modified composite treatment of TiO2 with rich Lewis acid/base and UiO–66–NH2 could provide a certain idea for the extensive application of biomass research in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge about how and where proteins interact provides a pillar for cell biology. Protein proximity-labeling has emerged as an important tool to detect protein interactions. Biotin-related proximity labeling approaches are by far the most commonly used but may have labeling-related drawbacks. Here, we use pupylation-based proximity labeling (PUP-IT) as a tool for protein interaction detection in plants. We show that PUP-IT readily confirmed protein interactions for several known protein complexes across different types of plant hosts and that the approach increased detection of specific interactions as compared to biotin-based proximity labeling systems. To further demonstrate the power of PUP-IT, we used the system to identify protein interactions of the protein complex that underpin cellulose synthesis in plants. Apart from known complex components, we identified the ARF-GEF BEN1 (BFA-VISUALIZED ENDOCYTIC TRAFFICKING DEFECTIVE1). We show that BEN1 contributes to cellulose synthesis by regulating both clathrin-dependent and -independent endocytosis of the cellulose synthesis protein complex from the plasma membrane. Our results highlight PUP-IT as a powerful proximity labeling system to identify protein interactions in plant cells. The study used Pupylation-based proximity labelling (PUP-IT) to detect protein-protein interactions (PPIs) in plants, revealing components that regulate cellulose synthesis. The work highlights PUP-IT as a powerful tool to identify plant cell PPIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aims to prepare ferromagnetic iron oxides (magnetite and/or maghemite) using the coprecipitation method of an iron salt in a basic environment stimulated by ultrasound, with cellulose added at the start of the synthesis and after 15 min in order to perform an in situ and partial in situ synthesis. The structures, morphology, and properties of composites are analyzed by IR, XRD, SEM, TEM, TGA, DSC, and magnetic measurements. The cumulative effect of the ultrasonic waves is observed by a reduction in the degree of crystallinity of the native cellulose compared to the composites (from 73.2 to 36.4, respectively 38.3). The vibrating sample magnetic measurement shows a single hysteresis curve characteristic of ferromagnetic materials with superparamagnetic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hexaploid oat (Avena sativa L.) is a commercially important cereal crop due to its soluble dietary fiber β-glucan, a hemicellulose known to prevent cardio-vascular diseases. To maximize health benefits associated with the consumption of oat-based food products, breeding efforts have aimed at increasing the β-glucan content in oat groats. However, progress has been limited. To accelerate oat breeding efforts, we leveraged existing breeding datasets (1,230 breeding lines from South Dakota State University oat breeding program grown in multiple environments between 2015 and 2022) to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to increase our understanding of the genetic control of beta-glucan content in oats and to compare strategies to implement genomic selection (GS) to increase genetic gain for β-glucan content in oat. Results: Large variation for β-glucan content was observed with values ranging between 3.02 and 7.24%. An independent GWAS was performed for each breeding panel in each environment and identified 22 loci distributed over fourteen oat chromosomes significantly associated with β-glucan content. Comparison based on physical position showed that 12 out of 22 loci coincided with previously identified β-glucan QTLs, and three loci are in the vicinity of cellulose synthesis genes, Cellulose synthase-like (Csl). To perform a GWAS analysis across all breeding datasets, the β-glucan content of each breeding line was predicted for each of the 26 environments. The overall GWAS identified 73 loci, of which 15 coincided with loci identified for individual environments and 37 coincided with previously reported β-glucan QTLs not identified when performing the GWAS in single years. In addition, 21 novel loci were identified that were not reported in the previous studies. The proposed approach increased our ability to detect significantly associated markers. The comparison of multiple GS scenarios indicated that using a specific set of markers as a fixed effect in GS models did not increase the prediction accuracy. However, the use of multi-environment data in the training population resulted in an increase in prediction accuracy (0.61–0.72) as compared to single-year (0.28–0.48) data. The use of USDA-SoyWheOatBar-3 K genotyping array data resulted in a similar level of prediction accuracy as did genotyping-by-sequencing data. Conclusion: This study identified and confirmed the location of multiple loci associated with β-glucan content. The proposed genomic strategies significantly increase both our ability to detect significant markers in GWAS and the accuracy of genomic predictions. The findings of this study can be useful to accelerate the genetic improvement of β-glucan content and other traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversification of the cellulose synthase superfamily of glycosyltransferases has provided plants with the ability to synthesize varied cell wall polysaccharides such as xyloglucan, mannans, and the mixed-linkage glucans of cereals. Surprisingly, some but not all members of the cellulose synthase-like M (CslM) gene family have recently been shown to be involved in the glycosylation of the aglycone core of a range of triterpenoid saponins. However, no cell wall activity has yet been attributed to any of the CslM gene family members. Here, evolution of the CslM gene family in eudicots is explored to better understand the differences between the two metabolically distinct classes of CslMs (CslM1 and CslM2) and the very closely related CslGs. To achieve this, a robust tBLASTn approach was developed to identify CslM1, CslM2, and CslG sequences using diagnostic peptides, suitable for complex genomes using unannotated and short-read datasets. To ascertain whether both CslM1 and CslM2 proteins have cell wall functions, in addition to the 'saponin' role of CslM2, tomato CslM1 and CslM2 genes were ectopically expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana by stable transformation and in the transient Nicotiana benthamiana system. Transformed plants were analysed with immunofluorescence, immunogold transmission electron microscopy, and cell wall polysaccharides were extracted for monosaccharide linkage analysis. Our results support a role for both CslM1 and CslM2 in the biosynthesis of type II arabinogalactan linkages, generating new insight into how the diverse functions of CslMs can coexist and providing clear targets for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose tosylate (MCC-Tos) is a key derivative for surface modification and a crucial precursor for cellulose compatibilization in click reactions, enabling its functionalization for advanced applications. Replacing tosyl groups with alkyne groups broadens cellulose's potential in biocompatible reactions, such as thiol-yne click chemistry and protein/enzyme immobilization. To achieve this, we optimized the heterogeneous synthesis of MCC-Tos using a Doehlert matrix statistical design, evaluating the influence and interaction of the reaction conditions. The optimized conditions—144 h reaction time, 10:1 molar ratio, and 30 °C—yielded a degree of substitution for tosyl groups (DStos) of 1.80, determined via elemental analysis and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. The reaction kinetics followed a first-order model. A subsequent reaction with propargylamine produced aminopropargyl cellulose (MCC-PNH), reducing DStos by 65%, which was confirmed via FTIR, and improving thermal stability by a margin of 30 °C (TGA/DTG). 13C CP/MAS NMR confirmed the alkyne group attachment, further validated via coupling an azide-functionalized coumarin through copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC). Fluorescence microscopy and UV spectroscopy were used to estimate a substitution degree of 0.21. This study establishes a feasible route for synthesizing alkyne-functionalized cellulose, paving the way for eco-friendly materials, including protein/enzyme bioconjugates, composites, and advanced materials via thiol-yne and CuAAC reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review provides an overview of the biosynthesis of bacterial cellulose (BC) produced by Komagataeibacter xylinus and its applications. We first discuss the current classification criteria of the species and its physiological aspects, emphasizing the factors related to acetic acid resistance and the proteins involved in the response to stress in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), along with their regulatory mechanisms. The main pathways involved in BC biosynthesis, including the cellulose synthase enzyme complex (bcs) and its core and accessory genes, are also discussed. The importance of culture medium, substrates, and strain parameters for bioprocesses and BC applications are presented. Lastly, we highlight current and potential applications of BC, focusing on food, pharmaceutical, textile, electronic, cosmetic, and biomedical fields. Notably, the application of BC as "green composites" is highlighted as a promising area of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In yeast and mammals, the EXO70 subunit of the exocyst complex plays a key role in mediating the tethering of exocytic vesicles to the plasma membrane (PM). In plants, however, the role of EXO70 in regulating vesicle tethering during exocytosis remains unclear. In land plants, EXO70 has undergone significant evolutionary expansion, resulting in multiple EXO70 paralogues that may allow the exocyst to form various isoforms with specific functions. Previous research in Arabidopsis has shown that generally disrupting exocyst function leads to various defects in cellulose synthase (CESA) complex (CSC) trafficking. In this study, we utilized real-time imaging combined with genetic approaches to explore the role of EXO70A1, a member of the EXO70 family in Arabidopsis, in CSC trafficking. The exo70a1 mutant exhibited a decrease in crystalline cellulose content and a reduced density of functional CSCs in the PM. Moreover, the delivery of tdTomato-CESA6 from the cortex to the PM was compromised in the mutant, leading to the accumulation of CSC vesicles at the cell cortex. However, the velocity of tdTomato-CESA6 in the PM was unaffected in exo70a1. These findings suggest that EXO70A1 has a specific role in tethering CSCs to the PM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the fourth largest staple food crop globally. However, potato cultivation is frequently challenged by various diseases during planting, significantly impacting both crop quality and yield. Pathogenic microorganisms must first breach the plant's cell wall to successfully infect potato plants. Cellulose, a polysaccharide carbohydrate, constitutes a significant component of plant cell walls. Within these walls, cellulose synthase (CesA) plays a pivotal role in cellulose synthesis. Despite its importance, studies on StCesAs (the CesA genes in potato) have been limited. In this study, eight CesA genes were identified and designated as StCesA1-8 , building upon the previous nomenclature (StCesA1-4). Based on their phylogenetic relationship with Arabidopsis thaliana, these genes were categorized into four clusters (CesA I to CesA IV). The genomic distribution of StCesAs spans seven chromosomes. Gene structure analysis revealed that StCesAs consist of 12 to 14 exons. Notably, the putative promoter regions harbor numerous biologically functional cis -acting regulatory elements, suggesting diverse roles for StCesAs in potato growth and development. RNA-seq data further demonstrated distinct expression patterns of StCesAs across different tissues. Additionally, quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR) results indicated significant up-regulation of StCesA5 expression under biotic stresses, implicating its potential involvement in potato disease resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed shattering (SS) functions are a survival mechanism in plants, enabling them to withstand adverse environmental conditions and ensure reproduction. However, this trait limits seed yield. Psathyrostachys juncea, a perennial forage grass with many favorable traits, is constrained by SS, limiting its broader application. To investigate the mechanisms underlying SS, second-generation Illumina sequencing and third-generation PacBio sequencing were conducted on abscission zone tissues of P. juncea at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after heading. GO enrichment analysis identified several significant biological processes, including the "cell wall macromolecule catabolic process", "cell wall polysaccharide catabolic process", "hemicellulose catabolic process", and "xylan catabolic process", all involved in cell wall degradation. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed genes were predominantly enriched in pathways related to "starch and sucrose metabolism", "fructose and mannose metabolism", "phenylpropanoid biosynthesis", "pentose and glucuronate interconversions", and "galactose metabolism", each linked to both the synthesis and degradation of the cell wall. Further analysis of the "starch and sucrose metabolism" pathway revealed genes encoding fructokinase, hexokinase, β-glucosidase, sucrose phosphate synthase, sucrose synthase, and endoglucanase, all of which affected cellulose content. Reduced cellulose content can alter cell wall structure, leading to SS. These findings provide new insights into the regulation of SS in P. juncea and offer valuable references for other species within the Poaceae family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lodging resistance is one of the most important traits of machine-picked cotton. Lodging directly affects the cotton yield, quality and mechanical harvesting effect. However, there are only a few reports on the lodging resistance of cotton. In this study, the morphological and physiological characteristics and transcriptome of two upland cotton varieties with different lodging resistance were compared. The results showed that the stem strength; the contents of lignin, soluble sugar and cellulose; and the activities of several lignin biosynthesis-related enzymes of the lodging-resistant variety M153 were significantly higher than those of the lodging-susceptible variety M5330. Transcriptomic analysis showed that the expression level of several genes related to lignin, cellulose, starch and sucrose synthesis, and photosynthesis were significantly up-regulated in the lodging-resistant variety M153, which was consistent with the content determination results of lignin, cellulose and soluble sugar. Silencing two lignin biosynthesis-related genes (GhPAL and Gh4CL) in cotton via VIGS (Virus-Induced Gene Silencing) resulted in reduced lignin content and decreased lodging resistance in cotton. These results suggested that lignin, cellulose and soluble sugar contents were positively correlated with the lodging resistance of cotton, and lignin, cellulose and soluble sugar biosynthesis-related genes can be used as potential targets for improving the lodging resistance of cotton. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the cultivation of cotton varieties with strong lodging resistance in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a multipurpose crop grown for food, fodder, and bioenergy production. Its cultivated varieties, along with their wild counterparts, contribute to the core genetic pool. Despite the availability of several re-sequenced sorghum genomes, a variable portion of sorghum genomes is not reported during reference genome assembly and annotation. The present analysis used 223 publicly available RNA-seq datasets from seven sweet sorghum cultivars to construct superTranscriptome. This approach yielded 45,864 Representative Transcript Assemblies (RTAs) that showcased intriguing Presence/Absence Variation (PAV) across 15 published sorghum genomes. We found 301 superTranscripts were exclusive to sweet sorghum, including 58 de novo genes encoded core and linker histones, zinc finger domains, glucosyl transferases, cellulose synthase, etc. The superTranscriptome added 2,802 new protein-coding genes to the Sweet Sorghum Reference Genome (SSRG), of which 559 code for different transcription factors (TFs). Our analysis revealed that MULE-like transposases were abundant in the sweet sorghum genome and could play a hidden role in the evolution of sweet sorghum. We observed large deletions in the D locus and terminal deletions in four other NAC encoding loci in the SSRG compared to its wild progenitor (353) suggesting non-functional NAC genes contributed to trait development in sweet sorghum. Moreover, superTranscript-based methods for Differential Exon Usage (DEU) and Differential Gene Expression (DGE) analyses were more accurate than those based on the SSRG. This study demonstrates that the superTranscriptome can enhance our understanding of fundamental sorghum mechanisms, improve genome annotations, and potentially even replace the reference genome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum oxide clusters (AlOCs) possess high surface areas and customizable pore structures, making them applicable in the field of environmental remediation. However, their practical use is hindered by stability issues, aggregation tendencies, and recycling challenges. This study presents an in -situ synthesis of AlOCs on cellulose using a solvent thermal method. The resulting adsorbent's structural and property profiles were thoroughly characterized using multiple analytical techniques. Batch adsorption experiments were performed to assess the adsorbent's capacity and kinetics in removing selected dyes from aqueous solutions. Additionally, both real-environment simulation and regeneration experiments have been conducted to thoroughly assess the adsorbent's reliability, stability, and practical applicability. The aim was to engineer an effective and recyclable adsorbent specifically tailored for dye-contaminated wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are one of the emerging classes of copper metalloenzymes that have received considerable attention due to their ability to boost the enzymatic conversion of intractable polysaccharides such as plant cell walls and chitin polymers. LPMOs catalyze the oxidative cleavage of β‐1,4‐glycosidic bonds using molecular O2 or H2O2 in the presence of an external electron donor. LPMOs have been classified as an auxiliary active (AA) class of enzymes and, further based on substrate specificity, divided into eight families. Until now, multiple LPMOs from AA9 and AA10 families, mostly from microbial sources, have been investigated; the exact mechanism and structure–function are elusive to date, and recently discovered AA families of LPMOs are just scratched. This review highlights the origin and discovery of the enzyme, nomenclature, three‐dimensional protein structure, substrate specificity, copper‐dependent reaction mechanism, and different techniques used to determine the product formation through analytical and biochemical methods. Moreover, the diverse functions of proteins in various biological activities such as plant–pathogen/pest interactions, cell wall remodeling, antibiotic sensitivity of biofilms, and production of nanocellulose along with certain obstacles in deconstructing the complex polysaccharides have also been summarized, while highlighting the innovative and creative ways to overcome the limitations of LPMOs in hydrolyzing the biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fibers are elongated single cells that rapidly accumulate cellulose during secondary cell wall (SCW) thickening, which requires cellulose synthase complex (CSC) activity. Here, we describe the CSC‐interacting factor CASPARIAN STRIP MEMBRANE DOMAIN‐LIKE1 (GhCASPL1), which contributes to SCW thickening by influencing CSC stability on the plasma membrane. GhCASPL1 is preferentially expressed in fiber cells during SCW biosynthesis and encodes a MARVEL domain protein. The ghcaspl1 ghcaspl2 mutant exhibited reduced plant height and produced mature fibers with fewer natural twists, lower tensile strength, and a thinner SCW compared to the wild type. Similarly, the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) caspl1 caspl2 double mutant showed a lower cellulose content and thinner cell walls in the stem vasculature than the wild type but normal plant morphology. Introducing the cotton gene GhCASPL1 successfully restored the reduced cellulose content of the Arabidopsis caspl1 caspl2 mutant. Detergent treatments, ultracentrifugation assays, and enzymatic assays showed that the CSC in the ghcaspl1 ghcaspl2 double mutant showed reduced membrane binding and decreased enzyme activity compared to the wild type. GhCASPL1 binds strongly to phosphatidic acid (PA), which is present in much higher amounts in thickening fiber cells compared to ovules and leaves. Mutating the PA‐binding site in GhCASPL1 resulted in the loss of its colocalization with GhCesA8, and it failed to localize to the plasma membrane. PA may alter membrane structure to facilitate protein–protein interactions, suggesting that GhCASPL1 and PA collaboratively stabilize the CSC. Our findings shed light on CASPL functions and the molecular machinery behind SCW biosynthesis in cotton fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica and its relatives) is an important summer-flowering plant in numerous countries worldwide. However, there are few reports on salt-tolerant (ST) crape myrtle germplasm resources and their morphological and molecular biological foundations for adaptation to salinized soil, one of the main abiotic stresses in plants. This study identified the salt tolerance characteristics of 19 crape myrtle varieties and created four salt-tolerant germplasms through hybridization. Morphological anatomy and transcriptome analyses clarified that the xylem of the ST variety possessed a high number of vessels with a small lumen. Transcriptome research has indicated that under salt stress conditions, Ca2+, abscisic acid (ABA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathways are involved in salt stress responses. One of the candidate genes LiTIP1;1 (encoding a tonoplast intrinsic protein) was overexpressed in Arabidopsis and the resultant overexpression (OE) lines performed better under CK and 100 mmol∙L−1 NaCl salt stress, but not under 200 mmol∙L−1 NaCl salt stress. Corresponding to physiological traits, genes encoding tubulin and fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins (FLAs), which are related to the plasma membrane localization of the cellulose synthase complex, are maintained at higher levels and are induced more by salt. In summary, this research has revealed the morphological, physiological, and molecular bases of ST crape myrtle to a certain extent and has provided a theoretical basis for further screening and breeding of salt-tolerant crape myrtle varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteomic analysis of the NO donor–sodium nitroprusside effect on pea seedlings roots revealed a high degree of induction of the platform propeller protein WD40, PR10, ferritin, and the chitinase-like protein. Less induction was observed for ABR17, the endochitinase-like protein, enzymes of phytoalexins synthesis, and proline iminopeptidase, which releases proline from proline-enriched proteins, and UTP-glucose-1-P-uridylyl transferase involved in the synthesis of cellulose and callose. Some of these defense compounds, such as endochitinase, chitinase-like protein, and phenolic phytoalexins, are transported into the rhizosphere and may influence the rhizosphere microbiome. There are examples of the use of NO defense properties in agrotechnology both for treating plants with NO donors and for creating stress-resistant transgenic plants with a high content of NO or compounds induced by it (ferritin, etc.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Long-term domestication in high-altitude environments has led to unique changes in the gut microbiota of Tibetan Pigs. This study aims to investigate specific alterations in the intestinal flora of Tibetan Pigs compared to Yorkshire pigs. Methods: We employed 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing technologies for comprehensive analysis of the gut microbiota. The data collected allowed us to assess microbial community structures and functional capabilities. Results: Our analysis revealed that Tibetan Pigs raised under a "free-range + supplementary feeding" model exhibited increased abundance of microbial communities associated with short-chain fatty acid synthesis and the digestion of cellulose and hemicellulose. Notably, the characteristic bacterium Rhodococcus , commonly found in high-altitude environments, was enriched in the gut microbiota of Tibetan Pigs, facilitating the efficient utilization of natural compounds and degradation of toxic substances. Additionally, the increased abundance of probiotics in these pigs enhances their immunity, which may involve mechanisms such as disrupting the structure of pathogenic bacteria and detoxifying harmful metabolites. Discussion: These findings underscore the advantages of Tibetan Pigs over common commercial breeds, highlighting their unique gut microbiota adaptations. Furthermore, they open new avenues for screening potential probiotics and developing genetic breeding strategies for improved livestock varieties. Conclusion: Understanding the distinct gut microbiota of Tibetan Pigs provides valuable insights into their health benefits and resilience, contributing to future research on breed improvement and microbiome applications in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Fiber elongation rate is an essential characteristic of cotton fiber in the textile industry, yet it has been largely overlooked in genetic studies. Gibberellins (GAs) and auxin (IAA) are recognized for their role in directing numerous developmental processes in plants by influencing cell differentiation and elongation. However, the degree to which GA–IAA interaction governs cellular elongation in cotton fiber cells remains to be fully understood. In this study, we identified a causal gene, Gibberellic Acid‐Stimulated in Arabidopsis 24 (GhGASA24), that appears to be responsible for fiber elongation rate via regulating fiber cell wall thickness. Subsequent experiments revealed that GhGASA24 influences cell wall formation by promoting the expression of GhCesA8 and GhCesA10. Our findings suggest that Auxin Response Factor 2 (GhARF2) regulates fiber elongation rate by directly binding to the AuxRE elements in GhGASA24 promoter. In addition, we identified Growth Regulation Factor 4 (GhGRF4) as a transcription factor that interacts with GhARF2 to form a heterodimer complex, which also transcriptionally activates GhGASA24. Intriguingly, GhGRF4 regulates GhARF2 expression by directly binding to its promoter, thereby acting as a cascade regulator to enhance the transcriptional levels of GhGASA24. We propose that the GhGRF4/GhARF2‐GhGASA24‐GhCesAs module may contribute to fiber cell wall thickness by modulating cellulose biosynthesis, and provide a theoretical basis for improvement of fiber quality. Significance Statement: The GhGRF4/GhARF2‐GhGASA24‐GhCesAs module may contribute to fiber cell wall thickness by modulating cellulose biosynthesis and provide a theoretical basis for improvement of fiber quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the feasibility of extracting cellulose from tissue paper wastes (TPW's) using several methods: sonication (SC), subcritical (SU), microwave (MC), and microwave with diluted acid (MA). The chemical characterisation and morphological properties of nanocrystal cellulose were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-Ray analysis (SEM-EDX). TPW's have a relatively high crystallinity index (CrI = 61.02%). It was found to be lower than that for cellulose extracted using SU and SC MC, MA methods, where CrI to 65.65%, 68.07%, 69.21% and 73.42%, respectively. The MA method yielded cellulose with the highest CrI and altered surface morphology. This cellulose was selected for cellulose acetate synthesis. After acetylation, the CrI decreased to 61.45%, and the morphological aspect was changed. In conclusion, nanocrystal cellulose was successfully extracted from TPW's and effectively changed to its esterified form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on isolating, optimising and characterising cellulose from Peltophorum pterocarpum pods and synthesising cellulose nanofibres (CNF) using a eutectic solvent (ES). Three methods were evaluated: Soxhlet extraction, formic acid, and autoclave-assisted pre-treatment. The autoclave-assisted method yielded the highest cellulose content, approximately 43.6% w/w, at 121°C for 40 min. CP-MAS13C NMR and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the cellulose's carbon atoms and functional groups, and XRD analysis indicated a high crystallinity index (82.92%) and the transformation from cellulose I to cellulose II. SEM and TGA analyses assessed the morphological and thermal properties. CNFs were synthesised using a green solvent (ChCl/Lactic acid, 1:2) at 80°C, with TEM confirming their nanofibrous structure. The CNF zeta particle size was 262.1 nm, with a potential of −19.0 mV. The use of ES in the CNF synthesis is a novel and eco-friendly process that aligns with 5 of the 12 principles of green chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to prepare new cellulose derivatives that show good feasibility and processability. Accordingly, in this study, we demonstrate Michael addition to hydroxyalkyl acrylates, that is, 2-hydroxyethyl and 4-hydroxybutyl acrylates (HEA and HBA, respectively), to synthesize amorphous cellulose derivatives under alkaline conditions. The reactions were carried out in the presence of LiOH in ionic liquid (1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium chloride)/N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvents at room temperature or 50 °C for 1 h. The Fourier transform infrared and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements of the products supported the progress of Michael addition; however, the degrees of substitution (DS) were not high (0.3–0.6 for HEA and 0.6 for HBA). The powder X-ray diffraction analysis of the products indicated their amorphous nature. The cellulosic Michael adduct from HEA with DS = 0.6 was swollen with high polar organic liquids, such as DMF. In addition to swelling with these liquids, the cellulosic Michael adduct from HBA was soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), leading to its 1H NMR analysis in DMSO-d6. This adduct was found to form a cast film with flexible properties from its DMSO solutions. Furthermore, films containing an ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, showed thermoplasticity. The Michael addition approach to hydroxyalkyl acrylates is quite effective to totally reduce crystallinity, leading to good feasibility and processability in cellulosic materials, even with low DS. In addition, the present thermoplastic films will be applied in practical, bio-based, and eco-friendly fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lodging is one of the major problems in rice production. However, few genes that can explain the culm strength within the temperate japonica subspecies have been identified. In this study, we identified OsRLCK191, which encodes receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase and plays critical roles in culm strength. OsRLCK191 mutants were produced by the CRISPR-Cas9 DNA-editing system. Compared with wild types (WTs), the bending moment of the whole plant (WP), the bending moment at breaking (BM), and the section modulus (SM) were decreased in rlck191 significantly. Although there is no significant decrease in the culm length of rlck191 compared with the WT; in the mutant, except the length of the fourth internode being significantly increased, the lengths of other internodes are significantly shortened. In addition, the yield traits of panicle length, thousand-seed weight, and seed setting rate decreased significantly in rlck191. Moreover, RNA-seq experiments were performed at an early stage of rice panicle differentiation in shoot apex. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are mainly involved in cell wall biogenesis, cell wall polysaccharide metabolic processes, cellar component biogenesis, and DNA-binding transcription factors. Transcriptome analysis of the cell wall biological process pathways showed that major genes that participated in the cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase family, cellulose synthase catalytic subunit genes, and ethylene response factor family transcription factor were related to culm strength. Our research provides an important theoretical basis for analyzing the lodging resistance mechanism and lodging resistance breeding of temperate japonica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the preparation (80 min) of rice husk (RH)-derived cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs) via microwave-irradiation. The unique features of RH-CNWs and the intermediate products were validated with respect to the alteration of morphological structure, particle dimension, crystalline pattern, chemical compositions, functionalities, thermal stability and surface charge. With the integration of microwave heating (MW), the isolation of nano-sized fragments from the matrix of amorphous and non-cellulosic materials has been successfully accomplished, recorded a high conversion yield at 61.5%. The average length and diameter of RH-CNWs were 264.35 nm and 25.26 nm, respectively, recording an average aspect ratio at 10.47. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a crystallinity index of 65.9%, and the diffraction pattern was identical to type-Iβ crystalline cellulose. Further clarifications with respect to the surface functionality, thermal stability and composition analyses have verified the successive esterification of sulfate functional groups over the surface of RH-CNWs, leading to a higher thermal stability and zeta-potential (ζ = − 44.50 mV). Given the explicit characteristics of MW, the synergistic interactions of microwave-chemical actions have offered the additional impact force and dipolar rotation, accelerating the cleavage of hydrogen bonds and complete removal of amorphous domains from the RH surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pinus taeda is a key timber species, and extensive research has been conducted on its wood formation. However, a comprehensive investigation into the biosynthetic pathways of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose in P. taeda is lacking, resulting in an incomplete understanding of secondary cell wall (SCW) formation in this species. In this study, we systematically analyzed transcriptomic data from previously published sources and constructed detailed pathways for lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose biosynthesis. We identified 188 lignin-related genes and 78 genes associated with cellulose and hemicellulose biosynthesis. An RT-qPCR highlighted 15 key lignin biosynthesis genes and 13 crucial genes for cellulose and hemicellulose biosynthesis. A STEM analysis showed that most essential enzyme-coding genes clustered into Profile 14, suggesting their significant role in SCW formation. Additionally, we identified seven NAC and six MYB transcription factors (TFs) from atypical evolutionary clades, with distinct expression patterns from those of the previously characterized NAC and MYB genes, indicating potentially unique functions in SCW formation. This research provides the first comprehensive overview of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose biosynthetic genes in P. taeda and underscores the importance of non-canonical NAC and MYB TFs, laying a genetic foundation for future studies on SCW regulatory mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Fungicide resistance is the natural and inheritable adaptation of pathogens to survive treatment with a phytosanitary product that would normally provide effective control. Plasmopara viticola, the causal agent of Grapevine Downy Mildew (GDM), is an important pathogen in vineyards, in which resistance to Carboxylic Acid Amide (CAA) fungicides has been observed and reported. Behind this resistance, there are two single-point substitutions of the cellulose synthase gene: G1105S and G1105V. In this article, we developed a droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) protocol for the quantification of the mutations conferring the resistance. The ddPCR protocol precisely determined allele frequencies in four fields where P. viticola bulk samples were collected. Plasmopara viticola is the causal agent of Grapevine Downy Mildew (GDM), which is a devastating disease of grapevines in humid temperate regions. The most employed method for protecting grapevines against GDM is the application of chemical fungicides. In Spain, Carboxylic Acid Amides (CAAs) are a fungicide group currently utilized in GDM control. In P. viticola, resistance to CAAs is conferred by G1105S and G1105V mutations in the CesA3 gene. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) is an innovative technique that combines PCR and droplet microfluidics to disperse the sample into thousands of water-in-oil droplets in which an amplification reaction is individually performed. In this study, we set up a ddPCR protocol to quantify S1105 and V1105 mutations conferring resistance to CAAs in P. viticola. The optimal PCR conditions were established, and the sensitivity and precision of the protocol were assessed. Four P. viticola populations coming from commercial vineyards in northern Spain were analyzed, and different allele frequencies were found in the analyzed samples corresponding to the different fungicide management strategies, ranging from 7.72% to 100%. Knowing the level of mutated alleles allows for designing resistance management strategies suited for each location. This suggests that similar ddPCR assays could be developed for studying mutations implicated in fungicide resistance in other fungicide groups and plant pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigation on accumulation of cell wall components over critical growth stages will surely provide a new insight into dry matter accumulation studies in rice. An elevated biomass production provides an alternative strategy of yield improvement, which in turn maneuvers the species concerned as potential dual-purpose crop. On that note, present study was carried on 33 early and 39 medium duration rice genotypes. The average cellulose accumulation was 6.51% and 8.17% in early and medium duration genotypes, respectively, at flowering stage, which later on dipped to 1.43% and 3.46%, respectively, at physiological maturity. The gene specific marker MDgsp-5.a exhibited highest estimate of polymorphic information content (PIC), i.e., 0.685, closely followed by MDgsp-6.a with polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.683. The control genotypes, i.e., Pratap and Mandakini, are grouped under the same cluster, i.e., Cluster-I.A, indicating their inherent genetic divergence from that of potential accumulators pertaining to cellulose accumulation. Pratap and Mandakini failed to produce peaks of conspicuous form at 3342 cm−1 and 1635 cm−1, bearing out by their low performance pertaining to cellulose and lignin accumulation at the later stages of development, respectively. From histochemistry studies, it was observed that the cell walls of sclerenchyma, peripheral vascular bundles, and parenchyma of the culm transections in control genotypes stained lightly than that of prolific accumulator cell walls, thus corroborating the findings of compositional analysis. The variation in cell wall thickening is primarily accounted due to altered carbohydrate accumulation across the growth stages as explored under scanning electron micrograph. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Isoxaben is a pre‐emergent herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds. While the phytotoxic mechanism is not completely understood, isoxaben interferes with cellulose synthesis. Certain mutations in cellulose synthase complex proteins can confer isoxaben tolerance; however, these mutations can cause compromised cellulose synthesis and perturbed plant growth, rendering them unsuitable as herbicide tolerance traits. We conducted a genetic screen to identify new genes associated with isoxaben tolerance by screening a selection of Arabidopsis thaliana T‐DNA mutants. We found that mutations in a FERREDOXIN‐NADP(+) OXIDOREDUCTASE‐LIKE (FNRL) gene enhanced tolerance to isoxaben, exhibited as a reduction in primary root stunting, reactive oxygen species accumulation and ectopic lignification. The fnrl mutant did not exhibit a reduction in cellulose levels following exposure to isoxaben, indicating that FNRL operates upstream of isoxaben‐induced cellulose inhibition. In line with these results, transcriptomic analysis revealed a highly reduced response to isoxaben treatment in fnrl mutant roots. The fnrl mutants displayed constitutively induced mitochondrial retrograde signalling, and the observed isoxaben tolerance is partially dependent on the transcription factor ANAC017, a key regulator of mitochondrial retrograde signalling. Moreover, FNRL is highly conserved across all plant lineages, implying conservation of its function. Notably, fnrl mutants did not show a growth penalty in shoots, making FNRL a promising target for biotechnological applications in breeding isoxaben tolerance in crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton fiber is one of the most important natural fiber sources in the world, and lipid metabolism plays a critical role in its development. However, the specific role of lipid molecules in fiber development and the impact of fatty acid alterations on fiber quality remain largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that the downregulation of GhROD1, a gene encoding phosphatidylcholine diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferase (PDCT), results in an improvement of fiber fineness. We found that GhROD1 downregulation significantly increases the proportion of linoleic acid (18:2) in cotton fibers, which subsequently upregulates genes encoding small heat shock proteins (sHSPs). This, in turn, reduces H2O2 production, thus delaying secondary wall deposition and leading to finer fibers. Our findings reveal how alterations in linoleic acid influence cellulose synthesis and suggest a potential strategy to improve cotton fiber quality by regulating lipid metabolism pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial cellulosic polymers constitute a prevalent class of biofilm matrix exopolysaccharides that are synthesized by several types of bacterial cellulose secretion (Bcs) systems, which include conserved cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP)-dependent cellulose synthase modules together with diverse accessory subunits. In E. coli, the biogenesis of phosphoethanolamine (pEtN)-modified cellulose relies on the BcsRQABEFG macrocomplex, encompassing inner-membrane and cytosolic subunits, and an outer membrane porin, BcsC. Here, we use cryogenic electron microscopy to shed light on the molecular mechanisms of BcsA-dependent recruitment and stabilization of a trimeric BcsG pEtN-transferase for polymer modification, and a dimeric BcsF-dependent recruitment of an otherwise cytosolic BcsE2R2Q2 regulatory complex. We further demonstrate that BcsE, a secondary c-di-GMP sensor, can remain dinucleotide-bound and retain the essential-for-secretion BcsRQ partners onto the synthase even in the absence of direct c-di-GMP-synthase complexation, likely lowering the threshold for c-di-GMP-dependent synthase activation. Such activation-by-proxy mechanism could allow Bcs secretion system activity even in the absence of substantial intracellular c-di-GMP increase, and is reminiscent of other widespread synthase-dependent polysaccharide secretion systems where dinucleotide sensing and/or synthase stabilization are carried out by key co-polymerase subunits. Bacteria can synthesize and secrete cellulosic polymers using membrane-associated multiprotein complexes consisting of cellulose synthases and accessory subunits. Here, Anso et al. use cryogenic electron microscopy to shed light on the mechanisms underlying accessory subunit recruitment and function within the Bcs macrocomplex for phosphoethanolamine-modified cellulose secretion in E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Recent Contributions to Physics is the property of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fibrillated cellulose at nano‐ and microscales was obtained from green coconut fibre. The biomass was subjected to mechanical treatment (comminution and sieving of the fibres) and chemical treatment (washed with water, treated with sodium hydroxide, bleached with sodium chlorite, and subjected to acid hydrolysis). Finally, purification steps included centrifugation, dialysis, and ultrasound. The product obtained by acid hydrolysis, the crude fibre, and the intermediate‐treated samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and characterized by chemical analysis and thermogravimetry (TGA/DTG). The chemical characterization for crude coconut fibre demonstrated 27.99% ± 1.98% for cellulose, 14.11% ± 4.44% for hemicellulose, 25.15% ± 0.04% for lignin, and 19.34% ± 0.02% for ashes. The applied pretreatment used to remove hemicellulose and lignin from the crude coconut fibre permitted obtaining high levels of cellulose, such as 94.94% ± 5.46% for the hardest condition, with NaOH 11% (w/v)/NaClO2. Then, acid hydrolysis was used to obtain the micro‐scale cellulose structures with 50% H2SO4 at 45°C for 90 min in an agitated condition (100 rpm). Following pretreatment with 2% and 11% NaOH/NaClO2, respectively, microfibrillated cellulose was verified at levels of 0.9% and 0.75% by thermogravimetric analysis, while the commercial sample had a verification level of 1.89%. The produced micro cellulose was fibrillated with a diameter equal to 149.39 ± 40.63 nm and a length of 1764.07 ± 1109.18 nm, as determined by SEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an antioxidative isoquinoline quaternary alkaloid, berberine (BR) is derived from certain types of plants, such as Berberis aristate, and despite its ability to inhibit cell proliferation, its poor aqueous solubility has limited its effectiveness in treatments. This study attempted to extract cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from ginger sticks to perform BR delivery and proceeded by characterizing the prepared CNCs and CNCs-BR by the results of DLS, TEM, FESEM, XRD, and FTIR. Moreover, various biophysical methods were used to investigate the interaction of BR-loaded CNCs with human serum holo-transferrin (HTF). The obtained outcomes confirmed the effectiveness of our spherical CNCs in reducing the size of the drug from 403.06 to 203.42 nm in CNCs-BR and consequently improving the solubility of BR. The XRD analysis approved the successful elimination of amorphous regions in cellulose, while the diminution of crystallinity index after the loading of BR indicated the occurrence of their interaction. The induced alterations in the functional groups and hydrophilicity enhancement of CNCs and CNCs-BR were displayed by FTIR. The fluorescence studies indicated the capability of CNCs-BR in interacting with HTF and quenching its fluorescence emission intensity through a static quenching process, which was revealed by the inverse correlation between Ksv values and temperature. In conformity to the results of synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy, CNCs-BR caused more changes in the vicinity of Trp residue in contrast to Tyr, while the FRET analysis determined the energy transfer between HTF and CNCs-BR to be 0.18, and their distance to be 2.41 nm. The drawn conclusion from these observations confirmed the suitability of CNCs as a carrier for BR along with their improved bioavailability caused by the effective interaction between HTF and BR-loaded CNCs. The results also showed that loading BR on CNCs not only improved its water solubility but also led to a sustained release behavior in a simulated gastrointestinal condition of the body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis is the property of Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cellulose is a natural polymer contained in growing fibres, such as pineapple fibres. Cellulose can be modified into cellulose acetate, a modified polymer that can be used in the synthesis of a cellulose acetate/polyethylene glycol (CA/PEG) membrane. The phase inversion method was used in this study to produce CA/PEG membranes. Variations in polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentration with a ratio of 1:1 to cellulose acetate, where variations in PEG concentrations used are 2%, 5% and 8%. Acetone and dimethylformamide are used as organic solvents. Membrane morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and functional group analysis using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer were performed for membrane characterisation. The result of the synthesis of the CA/PEG membrane is in the form of a thin white layer. The characterisation results of the FTIR spectrometer showed the vibration of the carbonyl bond at wavenumber 1729 cm--1 and the vibration of the hydroxyl bond torque at the wave number 648 cm--1, where the vibration intensity decreased with each addition to the concentration. The results of SEM characterisation show that the increase in PEG concentration increases the percentage porosity of the membrane. The membranes with 2%, 5% and 8% PEG have porosity percentages of 51.54%, 68.70% and 73.50%, respectively. As the membrane with 2% PEG has the lowest percent porosity, it has more potential in removing or filtering solutes from a fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant cell walls (PCWs) are intricate structures with complex polysaccharides delivered by distinct trafficking routes. Unravelling the intricate trafficking pathways of polysaccharides and proteins involved in PCW biosynthesis is a crucial first step towards understanding the complexities of plant growth and development. This study investigated the feasibility of employing a multi-modal approach that combines transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with molecular-genetic tagging and antibody labelling techniques to differentiate these pathways at the nanoscale. The genetically encoded electron microscopy (EM) tag APEX2 was fused to Arabidopsis thaliana cellulose synthase 6 (AtCESA6) and Nicotiana alata ARABINAN DEFICIENT LIKE 1 (NaARADL1), and these were transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. APEX2 localization was then combined with immunolabeling using pectin-specific antibodies (JIM5 and JIM7). Our results demonstrate distinct trafficking patterns for AtCESA6 and NaARADL, with AtCESA6 localized primarily to the plasma membrane and vesicles, while NaARADL1 was found in the trans-Golgi network and cytoplasmic vesicles. Pectin epitopes were observed near the plasma membrane, inGolgi-associated vesicles, and in secretory vesicle clusters (SVCs) with both APEX2 constructs. Notably, JIM7 labelling was found in vesicles adjacent to APEX2-AtCESA6 vesicles, suggesting potential co-trafficking. This integrative approach offers a powerful tool for elucidating the dynamic interactions between PCW components at the nanoscale level. The methodology presented here facilitates the precise mapping of protein and polysaccharide trafficking pathways, advancing our understanding of PCW biosynthesis and providing avenues for future research aimed at engineering plant cell walls for various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental stresses, including drought stress, seriously threaten food security. Previous studies reported that wheat F-box protein, TaFBA1, responds to abiotic stresses in tobacco. Here, we generated transgenic wheat with enhanced (overexpression, OE) or suppressed (RNA interference, RNAi) expression of TaFBA1. The TaFBA1-OE seedlings showed enhanced drought tolerance, as measured by survival rate and fresh weight under severe drought stress, whereas the RNAi plants showed the opposite phenotype. Furthermore, the OE plants had stronger antioxidant capacity compared to WT and RNAi plants and maintained stomatal opening, which resulted in higher water loss under drought stress. However, stronger water absorption capacity in OE roots contributed to higher relative water contents in leaves under drought stress. Moreover, the postponed stomatal closure in OE lines helped to maintain photosynthesis machinery to produce more photoassimilate and ultimately larger seed size. Transcriptomic analyses conducted on WT and OE plants showed that genes involved in antioxidant, fatty acid and lipid metabolism and cellulose synthesis were significantly induced by drought stress in the leaves of OE lines. Together, our studies determined that the F-box protein TaFBA1 modulated drought tolerance and affected yield in wheat and the TaFBA1 gene could provide a desirable target for further breeding of wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphoethanolamine (pEtN) cellulose is a naturally occurring modified cellulose produced by several Enterobacteriaceae. The minimal components of the E. coli cellulose synthase complex include the catalytically active BcsA enzyme, a hexameric semicircle of the periplasmic BcsB protein, and the outer membrane (OM)-integrated BcsC subunit containing periplasmic tetratricopeptide repeats (TPR). Additional subunits include BcsG, a membrane-anchored periplasmic pEtN transferase associated with BcsA, and BcsZ, a periplasmic cellulase of unknown biological function. While cellulose synthesis and translocation by BcsA are well described, little is known about its pEtN modification and translocation across the cell envelope. We show that the N-terminal cytosolic domain of BcsA positions three BcsG copies near the nascent cellulose polymer. Further, the semicircle's terminal BcsB subunit tethers the N-terminus of a single BcsC protein in a trans-envelope secretion system. BcsC's TPR motifs bind a putative cello-oligosaccharide near the entrance to its OM pore. Additionally, we show that only the hydrolytic activity of BcsZ but not the subunit itself is necessary for cellulose secretion, suggesting a secretion mechanism based on enzymatic removal of translocation incompetent cellulose. Lastly, protein engineering introduces cellulose pEtN modification in orthogonal cellulose biosynthetic systems. These findings advance our understanding of pEtN cellulose modification and secretion. Enterobacteriaceae modify cellulose with lipid-derived pEtN groups to promote biofilm cohesion. Here, using structural and biochemical analyses, the authors provide further insights into the molecular interactions of BcsA, BcsG, BcsB, and BcsC facilitating pEtN modification and secretion of cellulose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial cellulose synthesis from defined media and waste products has attracted increasing interest in the circular economy context for sustainable productions. In this study, a glucose dehydrogenase-deficient Δgdh K2G30 strain of Komagataeibacter xylinus was obtained from the parental wild type through homologous recombination. Both strains were grown in defined substrates and cheese whey as an agri-food waste to assess the effect of gene silencing on bacterial cellulose synthesis and carbon source metabolism. Wild type K2G30 boasted higher bacterial cellulose yields when grown in ethanol-based medium and cheese whey, although showing an overall higher d-gluconic acid synthesis. Conversely, the mutant Δgdh strain preferred d-fructose, d-mannitol, and glycerol to boost bacterial cellulose production, while displaying higher substrate consumption rates and a lower d-gluconic acid synthesis. This study provides an in-depth investigation of two K. xylinus strains, unravelling their suitability for scale-up BC production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper waste management will reduce several pollutions arising out of burning of different agri-wastes such as stubble burning of rice. The lignocellulose in the dry matter, can be converted into various essential products including biofuel through gasification and pyrolysis. This will help to reduce the cost by minimizing the import of petroleum products. A productive sustainable strategy is the development of energy-efficient rice varieties possessing desirable biomass traits without undermining the yield potential. For this sufficient genetic variability should be available to develop suitable dual-purpose varieties. Considering these points, initially, the molecular diversity in popular varieties for biomass traits was explored using cellulose synthase specific markers. An archeopteryx tree constructed thereof indicated the presence of sufficient diversity among the varieties. Eight potential varieties, having sufficient diversity among each other, were selected as parents for developing dual- purpose hybrids. Some of the superior crosses identified concerning both grain and straw yield per plant were Kanchan/Meher, Kanchan/Pratikshya, Pratikshya/Ankit, Hiranmayee/Chandrama and Kanchan/Meher. The crosses including Kanchan/Pratikshya, Meher/Pratikshya, Meher/Ankit, Pratikshya/Hiranmayee, Hiranmayee/Gobinda, Hiranmayee/Pradeep and Gobinda/Pradeep exhibited both positive significant relative heterosis and heterobeltiosis for the biochemical traits. Non-additive gene action was reported to involve in the inheritance of traits viz., plant height, biochemical traits and grain yield, whereas additive gene action played a crucial role in the inheritance of traits viz., leaf area, seed weight and straw yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gibberellin (GA3) is an important plant hormone involved in many physiological and developmental processes in plants. However, the physiological mechanism of GA3 on the regulation yield and grain shell thickness of Tartary buckwheat is still unclear. In this study, the thick-shelled cultivar "Jinqiao 2" and thin-shelled cultivar "Miku 18" were used to study the effects of different concentrations (0, 50, and 100 mg L−1) of exogenous GA3 and chlorocholine chloride (CCC, GA3 synthesis inhibitor) on the cellulose content, amylase, and sucrose synthase (SS) activity in grain shell and the yield of Tartary buckwheat. The application of exogenous GA3 can improve the cellulose content and the activity of amylase and SS in the grain shell of the two Tartary buckwheat varieties. It can also increase the main stem node number, main stem branch number, grains per plant, and yield. Compared with the control treatment (CK, 0 mg L−1), the 100 mg/L exogenous GA3 treatment increased the number of grains per plant, grain weight per plant, 1000-grain weight, and yield of Jinqiao 2 by 20.1%, 41.9%, 13%, and 34.7%, respectively. These items of Miku 18 were increased by 26%, 15.2%, 10.2%, and 23.8%. The application of CCC reduced the activity of amylase and SS and cellulose content in grain shell. In addition, it decreased the main stem node number, main stem branch number, grains per plant, and yield of Tartary buckwheat. In summary, exogenous GA3 treatment not only improved the yield of Tartary buckwheat but also increased the thickness of grain shell by enhancing the activity of amylase and SS and promoting the synthesis and accumulation of cellulose. The results can provide theoretical references for clarifying the physiological mechanism of the difference in shell thickness between Tartary buckwheat varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is the third largest fruit crop in the world in term of production. However, it is susceptible to several viruses. Watermelon vine decline (WVD), caused by whitefly-transmitted squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV), is a disease that has caused over $60 million in losses in the US and continues to occur regularly in southeastern states. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to SqVYV is important for effective disease management. A time-course transcriptomic analysis was conducted on resistant (392291-VDR) and susceptible (Crimson Sweet) watermelon genotypes inoculated with SqVYV. Significantly higher levels of SqVYV were observed over time in the susceptible compared to the resistant genotype. The plasmodesmata callose binding protein (PDCB) gene, which is responsible for increased callose deposition in the plasmodesmata, was more highly expressed in the resistant genotype than in the susceptible genotype before and after inoculation, suggesting the inhibition of cell-to-cell movement of SqVYV. The potential role of the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway was observed in the resistant genotype based on differential expression of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF), translin, DICER, ribosome inactivating proteins, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDR), and Argonaute (AGO) genes after inoculation. The significant differential expression of hormone-related genes, including those involved in the ethylene, jasmonic acid, auxin, cytokinin, gibberellin, and salicylic acid signaling pathways, was observed, emphasizing their regulatory roles in the defense response. Genes regulating pectin metabolism, cellulose synthesis, cell growth and development, xenobiotic metabolism, and lignin biosynthesis were overexpressed in the susceptible genotype, suggesting that alterations in cell wall integrity and growth processes result in disease symptom development. These findings will be helpful for further functional studies and the development of SqVYV-resistant watermelon cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel fibrous cellulosic substrates impregnated with meta-polybenzimidazole (PBI)-stabilized carbon nanotubes/zinc oxide with different weight content of ZnO and with the use of dimethylacetamide as dispersant media. The pristine ZnO nanoparticle powder was prepared by plant extract-mediated synthesis using Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. The green synthesized ZnO possesses an average crystallite size of 15 nm. The formation of agglomerates from ZnO NPs with size 250 nm–350 nm in the m-PBI@CNTs/ZnO was determined. The prepared materials were investigated by PXRD analysis, XPS, SEM, EDS, AFM, and TEM in order to establish the phase and surface composition, structure, and morphology of the hybrids. The potential of the synthesized hybrid composites to degrade methylene blue (MB) dye as a model contaminant in aqueous solutions under UV illumination was studied. The photocatalytic results show that in the course of the photocatalytic reaction, the m-PBI@CNTs/ZnO 1:3 photocatalyst leads to the highest degree of degradation of the methylene blue dye (67%) in comparison with the other two studied m-PBI@CNTs/ZnO 1:1 and 1:2 composites (48% and 41%). The antibacterial activity of ZnO nanoparticles and the hybrid CNT materials was evaluated by the RMDA and the dynamic contact method, respectively. The profound antibacterial effect of the m-PBI@CNTs/ZnO hybrids was monitored for 120 h of exposition in dark and UV illumination regimes. The photocatalytic property of ZnO nanoparticles significantly shortens the time for bactericidal action of the composites in both regimes. The m-PBI@CNTs/ZnO 1:2 combination achieved complete elimination of 5.105 CFU/mL E. coli cells after 10 min of UV irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phase change microcapsule with n‐octadecane as the phase change core material and melamine formaldehyde resin as the wall material was successfully prepared by in situ polymerization using cellulose nanofibrillar filaments (CNF) as the emulsion stabilizer. The microencapsulation of phase change materials was characterized using scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy x‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The microcapsules had a perfectly spherical morphology with a core‐shell microstructure. The findings revealed that the microcapsules up to the highest efficiency of encapsulation and energy storage of 59.1% and 58.5%, respectively, were achieved when the CNF addition was 0.2 wt%, the core‐to‐wall mass ratio was 3:3.69, and the stirring rate was 1000 r/min. This work uses CNF as an emulsion stabilizer instead of conventional emulsifiers, which reduces the burden on the environment and provides a sustainable method for thermal energy storage and conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]