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The global cultivation of blood oranges is experiencing an increase due to their remarkable nutritional properties. Blood orange by-products, especially the peel, have a high concentration of bioactive compounds with exceptional antioxidant potential, making them an ideal choice for incorporation into various food products. This study aimed to determine the morphological parameters and primary and secondary metabolite content of peel of eight blood orange varieties using 1H NMR and HPLC-ESI-DAD-MSn. “Tarocco Meli” had the highest weight (367.83 g), caliber (94.13 mm and 88.87 mm), peel thickness (6.73 mm), and peel weight (155.0 g). “Tarocco Rosso”, “Sanguinelli”, and “Tarocco Gallo” had the highest levels of total amino acids (25.57 g kg−1 DW), total organic acids (29.99 g kg−1 DW), and total sugars (68.56 g 100 g−1 DW), respectively. The peel of “Moro” had significantly higher concentrations of total anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavones (650.67, 263.33, and 449.85 mg kg−1, respectively) compared to the other varieties. In conclusion, “Tarocco Meli” had the most interesting values for morphological parameters, “Tarocco Rosso”, “Sanguinelli”, and “Tarocco Gallo” for primary metabolites, and “Moro” for secondary metabolites. With the increasing interest in utilizing co-products, these findings could be useful in developing functional food products that meet consumer demands for healthier and more sustainable food choices.

In recent years, in the field of bioanalysis, the use of saliva as a biological fluid for the determination of biomarkers has been proposed. Saliva analysis stands out for its simplicity and non-invasive sampling. This paper proposes a method for the dual determination of ammonium and hydrogen sulfur in saliva using two colorimetric chemosensors. The ammonia reacts with 1,2-Naftoquinone 4 sulphonic acid (NQS) entrapped in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and the hydrogen sulfide with AgNPs retained in a nylon membrane. The color changed from orange to brown in the case of ammonia chemosensors and from yellow to brown in the H2S. The experimental conditions to be tested have been established. Both analytes have been determined from their gaseous form; these are ammonia from ammonium and hydrogen sulfur from hydrogen sulfur. Good figures of merit have been obtained by using both measuring strategies (reflectance diffuse and digitalized images). The acquired results show that both sensors can be used and provide good selectivity and sensitivity for the determination of these biomarkers in saliva. Both measurement strategies have provided satisfactory results for the real saliva samples (n = 15). Recoveries on spiked samples were between 70% and 100%. This methodology can lead to possible in situ diagnosis and monitoring of certain diseases and pathologies related with NH4+ and/or H2S, in a fast, simple, cheap and non-invasive way.

Efficient boron removal from irrigation waters is crucial for sustainable agriculture, as elevated levels of boron can be toxic to many plants, limiting growth and crop productivity. In this context, the present study investigated the sorption equilibrium of boron using zeolites in two types of aqueous matrices: a synthetic solution containing only boron and natural irrigation waters. Through the application of various isothermal sorption models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips, Toth, Jovanovic, Temkin, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Redlich–Peterson), the efficacy of zeolite for boron removal under controlled and real conditions was evaluated. The results indicated a notable difference in sorption behavior between the two matrices, reflecting the complexity and heterogeneity of interactions in the boron–zeolite system. In the synthetic solution, the Freundlich model provided the best fit (R2 = 0.9917), suggesting heterogeneous and multilayer sorption, while the Sips model showed high efficacy in describing the sorption in both matrices, evidencing its capability to capture the complex nature of the interaction between boron and zeolite under different environmental conditions. However, in natural irrigation waters, the Jovanovic model demonstrated the most accurate fit (R2 = 0.999), highlighting the importance of physical interactions in boron sorption. These findings underscore the significant influence of the water matrix on the efficacy of zeolite as a boron removal agent, emphasizing the need to consider the specific composition of irrigation water in the design of removal treatments. Additionally, the results stress the importance of selecting the appropriate isothermal model to predict boron sorption behavior, which is crucial for developing effective and sustainable treatment strategies. This study provides a basis for optimizing boron removal in various agricultural and industrial applications, contributing to the design of more efficient and specific water treatment processes.

Late-season varieties of mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) have a high economic value, so their study, characterization, and comparison among different commercial varieties is of great interest for agriculture. Detailed metabolomic analysis of mandarin leaves can provide valuable information on agronomic characteristics, vegetative development, and tree response to abiotic and biotic stresses. In this study, an analysis of the main metabolites presents in the leaves of three late-season mandarin orange varieties (‘Afourer’, ‘Orri’ and ‘Tango’), cultivated under homogeneous conditions, was carried out using nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and multivariate statistical analysis techniques. The results show that organic acids and sugars are the metabolites with the highest presence in mandarin leaves, especially malate and sucrose. Ten amino acids and other metabolites such as choline and trigonelline were also detected. Metabolites such as asparagine and isoleucine were widely implicated in the metabolic pathways of the detected compounds. The ‘Orri’ variety showed significantly more differences in metabolite concentrations compared to the other two varieties studied. Malate and sucrose were shown to be the metabolites with the greatest significant differences between the varieties compared. From an agronomic point of view, the ‘Orri’ variety differs from the other two varieties because it has concentrations of metabolites that provide good resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses and fruits of higher quality and sweetness.

With a progressively decreasing availability of water for irrigation, the utilization of lower agronomic quality water sources is becoming more prevalent. Compounds such as sodium and boron, due to their impact on crop development and production, are gaining significance in these water sources. Finding novel methods to immobilize these compounds in irrigation water is a top priority in the global agricultural sector. This study focused on exploring the potential of natural zeolite, commonly used as a soil improver and as a sorbent for sodium and boron in natural agricultural waters. The zeolite exhibited favorable properties, including a surface area of 40 m2/g and a cation-exchange capacity of 1.8 mg/g. Using a central composite factorial design, the zeolite’s capacity to remove sodium and boron from irrigation water was investigated. The results demonstrated significant efficiency in boron removal, while sodium removal was limited, with occasional desorption episodes. Response surface analysis revealed optimal conditions for the removal of each cation. Additionally, adsorption kinetics and pH effects were explored, emphasizing the influence on sodium sorption. Kinetic models were applied, and the pseudo-first-order model proved suitable for describing the sorption kinetics. These findings enhance our understanding of zeolite efficacy in irrigation water purification, emphasizing the complexity of cation interactions in “complex” solutions.

The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) attracts attention in studies for its nutritional and medicinal properties. However, a recurring issue in the literature arises due to the multidisciplinary nature of these studies, leading to a mistaken repetition of basic botanical terms. The problem stems from the misapplication of the term “aril” to the pomegranate seed, despite the fruit being exariled, signifying the absence of an aril. This confusion may be attributed to the sarcotesta’s appearance, resembling a complete aril, coupled with a lack of awareness in fields such as medicine, pharmacy, and cosmetics. This study specifically examines the Kingdom-variety pomegranate, due its economic importance in the fruit market. The fruits were evaluated at different developmental stages—initial, intermediate, and commercial. Magnification photography techniques were used to study the development state of the pomegranate fruits. The physiological studies confirm that the pomegranate seed constitutes the complete grain, with the juicy, sweet part surrounding it identified as the testa, not an aril. The findings underscore a persistent error in the existing literature, emphasizing the necessity for dissemination and education in future studies. A thorough grasp of pomegranate anatomy and precise use of terminology are indispensable for ensuring accuracy and rigor in scientific communication.

Mandarins are one of the most important citrus fruits in the world in terms of tons produced. The late-season varieties of mandarin have a great economic value due to their high production in a season with few mandarin varieties. The objective is to carry out a preliminary study of characterization and comparison of the morphological and biochemical properties of the late varieties ‘Afourer’, ‘Tango’, and ‘Orri’. The characterization consisted of physicochemical parameters related to the quality of the fruits, highlighting the total antioxidant activity using ABTS and DPPH, the organic acids and sugars using HPLC and the metabolomics of the juice by 1H-NMR. Afourer’ mandarins were heavier and larger (120.75 g, 67.60 mm) than the other two varieties studied. Mandarins of the ‘Orri’ variety showed a different organic acid profile compared to the other varieties studied, and a higher amount of sugars (13.49 g/100 mL). ‘Tango’ variety mandarins grown on the Forner-Alcaide rootstock stood out for having a larger weight (113.52 g), a more intense color, and a greater amount of phenolic compounds (966.85 mg AGE/L Forner) than the fruits grown on Citrus macrophylla. The metabolomics analysis showed that these mandarin varieties had mainly non-essential amino acids.

Point-of-need analysis is of great interest nowadays. It refers to the timely analysis or detection of a specific parameter or substance at the location or moment it is needed, often with the aim of providing rapid and on-site results for informed decision-making or immediate interventions. This approach has gained interest in various fields but has not been extensively explored in bioanalytical chemistry. In order to contribute in this way, the analysis of ammonium in saliva as a biological fluid is proposed here. For that purpose, a passive solid sensor of 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonic acid sodium salt (NQS) embedded in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) doped with silica nanoparticles and an ionic liquid was proposed. The assay was developed by delivering ammonia from saliva in a confined atmosphere containing the sensor for 20 to 45 min. Measurements were carried out by absorbance from a benchtop diffuse reflectance spectrophotometer and a fiber optic miniaturized portable spectrometer coupled to a smartphone for point-of-need analysis. Another option for this kind of analysis was the use of the color intensity from digitalized images obtained by a smartphone by isolating the intensity in the color planes R (red), G (green), and B (blue). Good figures of merit were obtained for all three types of instruments, bearing in mind the ammonium content in saliva. Results for 30 samples of male and female volunteers (n = 30) demonstrated the usefulness of the assay, values of mg NH4+/mL saliva between 0.02 and 0.27 were found, and no matrix effect was present. Recoveries for spiked samples were around 100% for all methodologies. Selectivity was demonstrated from spectra obtained from benchtop instruments and the fiber optic mini spectrometer. Two applications were applied for directly determining the ammonium concentration in saliva.

Blood oranges have high concentrations of bioactive compounds that are beneficial to health. In Europe, the cultivation of blood oranges is increasing due to their excellent nutritional properties. In Citrus crops, rootstocks play an important role in juice and can increase the content of bioactive compounds. The morphological, qualitative and nutritional parameters were analyzed in cultivars ‘Tarocco Ippolito’, ‘Tarocco Lempso’, ‘Tarocco Tapi’ and ‘Tarocco Fondaconuovo’ grafted onto Citrus macrophylla and Citrus reshni. ‘Tarocco Lempso’ grafted onto Citrus macrophylla obtained the highest values of weight (275.78 g), caliber (81.37 mm and 76.79 mm) and juice content (162.11 g). ‘Tarocco Tapi’ grafted onto Citrus reshni obtained the most interesting qualitative parameters (15.40 °Brix; 12.0 MI). ‘Tarocco Lempso’ grafted onto Citrus reshni obtained the most intense red juice (a* = 9.61). Overall, the highest concentrations of primary metabolites were in proline, aspartate, citric acid, and sucrose. The results showed that ‘Tarocco Ippolito’ juice grafted onto Citrus reshni had the highest levels of total hydroxycinnamic acids (263.33 mg L−1), total flavones (449.74 mg L−1) and total anthocyanins (650.42 mg L−1). To conclude, ‘Tarocco Lempso’ grafted onto Citrus macrophylla obtained the best values of agronomic parameters, and the cultivars grafted onto Citrus reshni obtained significantly higher concentrations in primary and secondary metabolites.

Mandarin production has increased in recent years, especially for fresh consumption, due to its ease of peeling, its aroma, and its content of bioactive compounds. In this sense, aromas play a fundamental role in the sensory quality of this fruit. The selection of the appropriate rootstock is crucial for the success of the crop and its quality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the influence of 9 rootstocks (“Carrizo citrange”, “Swingle citrumelo CPB 4475”, “Macrophylla”, “Volkameriana”, “Forner-Alcaide 5”, “Forner-Alcaide V17”, “C-35”, “Forner-Alcaide 418”, and “Forner-Alcaide 517”) on the volatile composition of “Clemenules” mandarin. For this, the volatile compounds of mandarin juice were measured using headspace solid-phase micro-extraction in a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Seventy-one volatile compounds were identified in the analyzed samples, with limonene being the main compound. The results obtained showed that the rootstock used in the cultivation of mandarins affects the volatile content of the juice, with “Carrizo citrange”, “Forner-Alcaide 5”, “Forner-Alcaide 418”, and “Forner-Alcaide 517” being those that presented the highest concentration.

Lemon is one of the most significant crops globally, with annual production exceeding 20.8 million tons in 2021. Spain leads the production in Europe with over 62% of lemon production (1.17 million tons in 2021). This study evaluated the real impact of cultivation conditions (rootstock and culture medium) on the compositional characteristics of ‘Verna’ lemons (peel and juice) using 1H-MNR metabolomic identification techniques and multivariate analyses. Twenty metabolites were identified in both the peel and juice samples. Arginine, phenylalanine, ethanol, and trigonelline were absent in the peel samples but present in all the juice. On the other hand, the metabolites asparagine, glutamate, formate, and malate were present in the peel samples but absent in the juice. The analysis of the results indicates that the rootstock had a significant impact on the metabolites related to the energy metabolism of the plant, which directly affects the development of fruits and the influence of the culture conditions (rootstock and culture medium) on the plant’s adaptive response and modification of metabolic pathways.

In Europe, the cultivation of blood oranges for fresh consumption is increasing due to their excellent organoleptic and nutraceutical properties, which give this fruit the status of functional food. Blood orange has a higher content of bioactive compounds, which confer additional benefits for human health. The main morphological and qualitative parameters were studied together with the content of primary metabolites by 1H NMR and secondary metabolites by HPLC-ESI-DAD-MSn from eight varieties of blood orange grafted on Citrus macrophylla. Tarocco Dalmuso was the variety with the highest values of weight (350.6 g), caliber (86.4 mm and 88.6 mm) and juice content (214.2 g). Tarocco Gallo obtained the most interesting qualitative parameters (13.95 °Brix; 22.75 MI). The most intense red juice was in Sanguinelli (a* = 9.45) and, in crust, it was in Tarocco Scirè (a* = 40.13). The most abundant primary metabolites were proline, aspartate and asparagine, citric acid and sucrose. The results showed that the juice of the Moro had the highest levels of total flavones and flavanones (90.07 and 592.88 mg L−1, respectively), and Sanguinelli in total anthocyanins (101.06 mg L−1). To conclude, Tarocco Dalmuso obtained the best values of agronomic parameters, and Moro and Sanguinelli in the content of phenolic compounds.

Given an unbounded non-decreasing positive function φ, we studied what the relations are between the growth order of any solution of a complex linear differential–difference equation whose coefficients are entire or meromorphic functions of finite φ-order. Our findings extend some earlier well-known results.

The potential of antioxidants in preventing several diseases has attracted great attention in recent years. Indeed, these products are part of a multi-billion industry. However, there is a lack of scientific information about safety, quality, doses, and changes over time. In the present work, a simple multisample methodology based on chemiluminiscent imaging to determine chlorogenic acid (CHLA) in green coffee samples has been proposed. The multi-chemiluminiscent response was obtained after a luminol-persulfate reaction at pH 10.8 in a multiplate followed by image capture with a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera as a readout system. The chemiluminiscent image was used as an analytical response by measuring the luminescent intensity at 0 °C with the CCD camera. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limit was 20 µM and precision was also adequate with RSD < 12%. The accuracy of the proposed system was evaluated by studying the matrix effect, using a standard addition method. Recoveries of chlorogenic acid ranged from 93–94%. The use of the CCD camera demonstrated advantages such as analysis by image inspection, portability, and easy-handling which is of particular relevance in the application for quality control in industries. Furthermore, multisample analysis was allowed by one single image saving time, energy, and cost. The proposed methodology is a promising sustainable analytical tool for quality control to ensure green coffee safety through dosage control and proper labelling preventing potential frauds.

The increasingly evident threat of depletion of world peat bogs is encouraging the search for and study of alternative agricultural substrates that can fully or partially replace peat, guaranteeing food supply (quality and quantity). On the other hand, the identification of the potential for the reuse of waste from relevant economic activities has increased in recent years, mainly motivated by the change to a sustainable circular economy, as is the case of port sediments. Taking into account that significant volumes of dredged port sediments are generated annually so that ports can maintain their economic activity, it is necessary to find objective, sustainable and safe reuse alternatives. In this sense, the objective of this study was to study the response of the “Purple Queen” pomegranate when grown with dredged port sediment. For this, the fruit production (kg), number of fruits (fruits tree-1), fruit weight (g), and seed yield (%) aiming to verify the correct tree development were evaluated. In addition, a 1H-NMR foliar metabolomic study for the three most relevant phenological phases was performed (flowering, fruit development, and post-harvest) to identify metabolic changes in trees. In total, 29 metabolites were identified; among them, 11 were amino acids, 6 organic acids, 5 sugars, and 7 secondary metabolites. The good agronomical development of the trees and fruits indicated the potential for using the dredged sediment as an agricultural substrate. On the other hand, the results revealed that the greatest variability in the metabolomic study occurred between the phenological phases and a lower variability is explained by the substrates used.

Sustainable and green sensors based on polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) or cellulose polymers, as a case of study of the use of portable instrumentation joined to a smartphone, have been tested. A smartphone camera was used to obtain images and was also coupled to a minispectrometer, without and with an optical fiber probe to register spectra. To study light influence on the analytical signal, light-emitting diode (LED), halogen light and daylight have been assayed. A corrective palette of 24 colors and a set with 45 colors from different color ranges were used as the validation set. The results indicated that halogen light was the best option to obtain the spectra. However, for digital image analysis, it was the LED light that gave a greater approximation of the RGB values of the real colors. Based on these results, the spectra and the RGB components of PDMS solid sensors doped with 1,2-naphtoquinone-4-sulfonate (NQS) for the determination of ammonium in water or urea in urine, PDMS doped with Griess reagent for developing the assay of nitrite in waters and cellulose sensors for the determination of hydrogen sulfide in the atmospheres have been obtained. The results achieved were good in terms of sensitivity and linearity and were comparable to those obtained using a laboratory benchtop instrument. Several rules for selecting the most suitable light source to obtain the spectra and/or images have been established and an image correction method has been introduced.

The increase in maritime trade and its global economic importance have forced port management actors to carry out the periodic dredging of their sediments to maintain an adequate depth for the passage of large ships to maintain their operation and competitiveness. During the dredging process, large volumes of port sediment are generated. Dredged port sediment is currently considered a waste material and its disposal is regulated. Finding ways to safely reuse port sediments is necessary for sustainable development. In this study, a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was applied to identify the environmental impact of port sediments when used as a culture medium for lemon trees. A total of 90 lemon trees (Citrus limon L. Burm var ‘Verna’) were used in the trial. The trees were grown under controlled conditions using three substrates, with different portions of peat and port sediment (25%, 50%, and 75%) to identify the real impacts of the culture media on the growth process. The LCA was calculated and analyzed according to the ISO 14040:2006 standard, using the SimaPro v. 9.3 software (PRé Sustainability B.V, Amersfoort, The Netherlands). The functional unit defined for the three-culture media was 1 kg of lemons. The LCA results showed a significant increase in the environmental impact of lemon cultivation proportional to port sediment content (75%), due to the decrease in fruit production caused by the sediment. However, the least impact was identified for the culture medium at 50% peat and 50% port sediment. The greatest impacts were more related to crop management rather than the port sediment content. The results showed that the use of the port sediment, mixed with other substrates as an agricultural medium amendment, is a viable option for lemon growers.

Due to its high content of bioactive compounds, the lemon is considered one of the most relevant species around the world. Its great economic importance is motivated, in addition to its fresh consumption, by its applications in the medical, pharmaceutical, and food industries, etc. However, the chemical and nutritional composition of lemon is not constant and can be influenced by external factors such as variety, weather conditions, crop management, etc. Determining the compositional variations of the fruit, essential to defining its potential use, was the main objective of this study. The physicochemical characteristics of the ‘Verna’ lemon were studied as a function of two controlled variables, the growing substrate and the rootstock. For this, 90 lemon trees were cultivated in three rootstocks and three different culture media. Lemon trees cultivated with 50% sediment/peat mix substrate presented a higher total production (590 lemons and 90.53 kg) while this production was 80% lower on trees cultivated with 75% marine sediment. Citrus macrophylla and Citrus aurantium/Citrus sinensis rootstocks showed a significantly higher production than the Citrus aurantium. All the fruits presented a predominantly yellow color appropriate for the market (0 < CI < +5). Nutritional and chemical parameters were consistent with data reported for the ‘Verna’ clones. All the obtained lemons were suitable for marketing and consumption both in fresh and processed forms. The results indicated the limited influence that the studied variables have on the quality parameters of lemon fruits, but they also could confirm the potential of marine sediment as a culture substrate.

The elaboration and definition of “metabolic fingerprints” can subsidize both the identification and determination of plant varieties, as well as the increase in knowledge about the responses and adaptations of plants to external and/or internal factors. The lemon tree (Citrus limon Burm.) is one of the most important crops in the Spanish southeast and is often consumed around the world. Although the study and characterization of its fruits are common due to its economic interest, its leaves are limited to specific functionalized studies related to the objective of the work (extraction of essential oils, stabilizing agent, aromatic extracts, etc.). So, this study aimed to identify the primary and secondary metabolites of Citrus limon Burm. (‘Verna’ variety) leaf samples cultivated under different conditions (three rootstocks and three culture media). In total, 19 metabolites were identified for all samples, of which 9 were amino acids, 5 organic acids, 3 sugars and 2 intermediate metabolites. The results pointed to a limited influence, both of the substrate and of the crop rootstock, on the metabolomic differentiation of lemon leaves. Knowledge and foliar metabolomic differentiation can offer important information that supports the application of crop foliar treatments but also helps in the management of diseases and pests.

This research analyzed the phytochemical profile of prickly pear fruits from ‘Orito’ cultivar stored under cold conditions (2 °C, 85–90% RH) and shelf-life conditions at room temperature (stored at 20 °C for three days after cold storage) for 28 days, mimicking the product life cycle. A total of 18 compounds were identified and quantitated through HPLC-DAD-MS/MS (High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic -Diode Array Detector- Mass Spectrometry) analyses. Phenolic acids such as eucomic acid and betalains such as indicaxanthin were the predominant chemical families, and piscidic acid was the most abundant compound. During cold storage, the content of eucomic acid isomer/derivative and syringaresinol increased, and citric acid decreased, which could be caused by the cold activation of the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzymes. However, no significant differences were found in the content of these compounds during shelf-life storage. These results showed that ‘Orito’ fruit marketability would be possible up to 28 days after harvesting, retaining its profile, which is rich in bioactive compounds.

A new approach based on the use of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes doped with Griess reagents for in situ determination of NO2− and NO3−- in real samples is proposed. The influence of some doping compounds, on the properties of the PDMS membranes, such as tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), or/and ionic liquids (OMIM PF6) has been studied. Membrane characterization was performed. To apply the procedure to NO3− determination, dispersed Zn nanoparticles (ZnNPs) were employed. The analytical responses were the absorbance or the RGB components from digital images. Good precision (RSD < 8%) and detection limit of 0.01 and 0.5 mgL−1 for NO2− and NO3−, respectively, were achieved. The approach was satisfactory when applied to the determination of NO2− and NO3− in drinking waters, irrigation and river waters, and waters from canned and fresh vegetables. The results obtained were statistically comparable with those by using nitrate ISE or UV measurement. This approach was transferred satisfactory to 96 wells for multianalysis. This study enables the improvement in the on-site determination of NO2− and NO3− in several matrices. It is a sustainable alternative over the reagent derivatizations in solution and presents several advantages such as being versatile, simplicity, low analysis time, cost, and energy efficiency. The response can be detected visually or by portable instruments such as smartphone.

Although most of the published articles generalize with the fruit of the fig tree (Ficus carica L.), the differentiation between fig and breba is increasingly common in the bibliography. In this regard, keep in mind that the fig tree generally produces two crops a year, the parthenocarpic breba, also called as early fig, and the main non-parthenocarpic crop, the fig proper. In this study, four brebas varieties (‘Colar’, ‘SuperFig1’, ‘Cuello de Dama Negro’ and ‘San Antonio’) were selected in order to identify compositional, nutritional, and chemical diversity. These varieties were chosen for their commercial relevance in Spain. Color (internal and external), fruit and peel weight, size, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), maturity index (MI), sugar, and organic content were determined for all the breba fruits samples. In addition, polyphenolic profile, amino acids, and volatile aromatic compounds were also identified. The varieties ‘Colar’ and ‘SuperFig1’ showed the highest fruit weight and size, while ‘Cuello de Dama Negro’ presented the higher pulp yield. The higher organic acid and sugar contents were determined for ‘SuperFig1’ and ‘Cuello de Dama Negro’, respectively. Although in low concentrations, the phenolic compound quercetin 3-(6-O-acetyl-beta-glucoside) and the amino acid tyrosine were only detected in the ‘’Cuello de Dama Negra’ and ‘SuperFig1’ fruits, respectively. Of the eighty volatile aromatic compounds identified, only eight were common in four varieties. An important knowledge gap was identified in relation to the characterization of the two Ficus carica L. crops, that is, the differentiation and specification in the literature when working with brebas and/or figs.

We propose a portable sensor, obtained by embedding luminol into the tetraethylorthosilicate/trietoxymethylsilane (TEOS/MTEOS) composite, for the quantitative determination of organic amino nitrogen and ammonium in water with the goal of achieving low levels of concentration. The method is based on the reaction between amino nitrogen compounds and hypochlorite to produce chloramino derivatives. Then, the remaining hypochlorite reacts with luminol sensor by producing a luminescence signal, which was measured by using a portable luminometer, being inversely proportional to nitrogen concentration. The liberation of the luminol from sensor is higher than 90% and the sensor is stable for at least a week at room temperature. This portable method was successfully validated and applied to the analysis of several real waters: fountain, river transition, lagoon, and seawater with recovery values between 92% and 112%, which indicated that the matrix effect was absent. The achieved limit of detection was around 10 µg·L−1, expressed as N. This sensor allows in situ monitoring owing to its simplicity, rapidity, and portability.

The development of in situ analytical devices has gained outstanding scientific interest. A solid sensing membrane composed of 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate (NQS) derivatizing reagent embedded into a polymeric polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite was proposed for in situ ammonium (NH4+) and urea (NH2CONH2) analysis in water and urine samples, respectively. Satisfactory strategies were also applied for urease-catalyzed hydrolysis of urea, either in solution or glass-supported urease immobilization. Using diffuse reflectance measurements combined with digital image processing of color intensity (RGB coordinates), qualitative and quantitative analyte detection was assessed after the colorimetric reaction took place inside the sensing membrane. A suitable linear relationship was found between the sensor response and analyte concentration, and the results were validated by a thymol-PDMS-based sensor based on the Berthelot reaction. The suggested sensing device offers advantages such as rapidity, versatility, portability, and employment of non-toxic reagents that facilitate in situ analysis in an energy-efficient manner.

The cultivation of fruit trees in protected environments is a technique that has been developed in recent years for peaches and nectarines, but not for apricots. This study was conducted to investigate the chemical composition of the fruits and their quality indices variations of the variety ‘Mikado’ as a function of its cultivation under a protective net or outdoors. As a practical agronomic assay, a homogeneous experimental plot was used in this study, where half of the apricot trees were cultivated under protective netting, and the other half without it. The data showed that for the total yield, no statistically significant differences were found with respect to ‘Mikado’ trees cultivated with or without a net. The trees cultivated under protective nets showed higher fruit weights. The results showed that the technique of using protective nets for the cultivation of extra-early apricot ‘Mikado’ is a profitable alternative for farmers, and their use does not affect fruit production or quality.

Jujube is a crop very resistant to drought and salinity, making it an interesting growing alternative in southeastern Spain. The characteristics of five different cultivars of the jujube fruit have been evaluated and classified into four different maturation stages according to the color of the peel, ranging from green in its most immature stage, to white, yellow, and red in its last, more mature stage. This is due in part to the amount of carotenoids and chlorophylls studied, which vary as the fruit matures. The cultivars ‘GAL-E’ and ‘GAL-T’ are the largest in size and weight, followed by ‘MSI’, ‘PSI’, and ‘DAT’, which are the smallest cultivars. The content of phenolic compounds was also analyzed. The antioxidant activity, which was studied by different methods, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), showed the highest activity in stages 3 and 4 of jujube fruit. The antioxidant activity studied in the hydrophilic and lipophilic fraction by the ABTS method showed the highest peak in stages 1 and 2. This is an important information to know promising cultivars to be used in future breeding programs. Moreover, the maturation stage is relevant to obtain fruit with a high content of bioactive compounds as well as interesting organoleptic properties.

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) fruit from ‘Orito’ cultivar were stored at 2 °C and 90% RH for 28 days plus three days at 20 °C (shelf life, SL). This research analysed the changes in fruit quality parameters (weight loss, firmness, color, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids), ethylene production, respiration rate, antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds (total phenols and carotenoids) of cactus pear fruit during cold and shelf life storage. Under cold conditions, CO2 production decreased, and ethylene production increased slightly, while under shelf life conditions CO2 production increased and ethylene production increased more sharply. Firmness increased under cold conditions and did not change during shelf life period. The content of total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), pH, total carotenoids, and lipo-antioxidant activity (L-TAA) remained stable under both conservation conditions. However, hydro-antioxidant activity (H-TAA) increased under both cold and shelf life conditions, and total phenols remained stable during cold storage and increased under shelf life conditions. Besides, weight loss was acceptable under both storage conditions, and color changes were more pronounced under shelf life storage. These results show that the marketability of cactus pear fruit from ‘Orito’ cultivar was acceptable until the end of the storage under cold and shelf life conditions.

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. is the Cactaceae plant with the greatest economic relevance in the world. It can be used for medicinal purposes, animal nutrition, production of biofuels and phytoremediation of soils. Due to its high content of bioactive compounds, the prickly pear has antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer properties. The aim of this study was to determine the polyphenolic, fatty acid and amino acid profile and characterize the antioxidant capacity of seeds of seven Spanish prickly pear cultivars. A total of 21 metabolites, mainly phenolic acids and flavonols, were identified using ultraperformance liquid chromatography photodiode detector quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-PDA-Q/TOF-MS). Significant differences were found in the phenolic concentrations of the investigated varieties. The highest amount of phenolic compounds (266.67 mg/kg dry matter) were found in the “Nopal espinoso” variety, while the “Fresa” variety was characterized by the lowest content (34.07 mg/kg DM) of these compounds. In vitro antioxidant capacity was positively correlated with the amount of polyphenols. The amino acid composition of protein contained in prickly pear seeds was influenced by the variety. Glutamic acid was the predominant amino acid followed by arginine, aspartic acid and leucine, independent of prickly pear variety. Overall, 13 different fatty acids were identified and assessed in prickly pear seeds. The dominant fatty acid was linoleic acid, with content varying between 57.72% “Nopal ovalado” and 63.11% “Nopal espinoso”.

The Spanish Mediterranean region concentrates the largest producers of lemons (Citrus limon Burm. f.) at the national level where the 98.4% of the cultivated area of lemons corresponds to the varieties “Verna” and “Fino”. In this study, the morphological and chemical variations of the fruits obtained in five variety/rootstock combinations were investigated in order to determine the influence and impact of the rootstock on the physicochemical properties of the fruits. The assay was carried out using three lemon varieties (“Fino 95”, “Fino 49” and “Verna”) grafted onto two different rootstocks (Citrus macrophylla and Citrus aurantium). The varieties were selected due to be consolidated commercial varieties, while the rootstocks are the most commonly used in the world. Both the morphological characteristics of the fruits (colour, weight, size) as well as their physicochemical characteristics (total soluble solids, titratable acidity, maturity index, antioxidant activity, sugars, and organic acids) were evaluated. Based on the results, the lemons with the best physicochemical and the best compositional characteristics were obtained in the “Fino 95” and “Fino 49” lemons grafted onto C. aurantium rootstock presented the highest quality fruits.

Citrus fruits are one of the main crops produced in the world with oranges, tangerines, lemons and grapefruits being among the most important. Among them, lemons are beneficial for human health because of their antioxidant activity, phenols and vitamin C. This study evaluates three rootstocks obtained in a Spanish breeding program (Valencian Institute for Agricultural Research (IVIA)): Forner-Alcaide 5 citrus rootstock (‘FA 5’), Forner-Alcaide 13 (‘FA 13’) and Forner-Alcaide 517 (‘FA 517’) grafted onto cultivars ‘Eureka´, ‘Verna´, ‘Fino 49’ and ‘Betera´. The results determined that rootstocks have influenced cultivars in terms of a decrease in the fruit size, weight, and thickness of the peel; but has increased the percentage of juice and soluble solids. With respect to phenol content and antioxidant activity, higher values were found with all cultivars studied on rootstocks ‘FA 13’, followed by ‘FA 517’. Cultivars that were most influenced by rootstocks were ’Bétera’ and ’Eureka’ in physical properties, while in chemical properties they were ’Verna’ followed by ’Fino 49’. This investigation demonstrated the interaction of rootstocks on different cultivars in morphological, biochemical and nutraceutical characteristics.

The “Pero de Cehegín” is an ancient local variety of apple grown in Murcia (Spain). In this study, microsatellites markers showed evidence of a unique profile that has never been reported before in other Spanish apple germplasm collections. Five “Pero de Cehegín” clones were evaluated and compared with two commercial apple varieties, “Fuji” and “Golden Delicious”, to assess its marketing potential. For this, the physical (weight, height, and width of the fruit, moisture content, firmness, and color of the fruit, among others), and chemical (total soluble solids, total acidity, and maturity index) properties of the fruits were evaluated. In addition, the content of bioactive compounds such as total polyphenol content, total antioxidant activity using the ABTS+, DPPH•, and FRAP methods, and the sugar profile were analyzed, and their sensory profile was also evaluated. Physico-chemical differences were found within the “Pero de Cehegín” clones and between the commercial varieties. “Pero de Cehegín” had a high firmness, high total soluble solids, very low total acidity, high FRAP antioxidant capacity, and more sucrose content in comparison with “Fuji” and “Golden Delicious”. These distinctive characteristics and the good appearance of the fruit make this variety a marketable product that will increase the offering of traditional, local, but underutilized fruit varieties.

Citrus limon (L.) Burm is an important crop that grows between latitudes 30° North and 30° South, the main producers being China, the USA, Mexico, India, Brazil, and Spain. In Spain, lemon grows mainly in Mediterranean areas such as Murcia, Valencia, and Andalucía. The most cultivated varieties are “Fino” and “Verna”. In this study, five varieties of lemon, “Verna”, “Bétera”, “Eureka”, “Fino 49”, and “Fino 95” were evaluated on different rootstocks: three new Forner-Alcaide (“FA13”, “FA5”, “FA517”), Citrus macrophylla, Wester, and Citrus aurantium L. Hydrodistillation was used to obtain essential oil from fresh peels and then the volatile profile was studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 26 volatile compounds were identified, limonene being the main one followed by β-pinene, γ-terpinene, sabinene, and α-pinene. The results revealed that Forner-Alcaide rootstocks (“FA5” > “FA517” > “FA13”) proved to be the best rootstocks for the aroma quality as they led to high volatile contents, followed by C. aurantium and C. macrophylla. Among the other varieties, the most aromatic one was “Eureka”. The whole trend was as follows (in decreasing order): “Eureka” > “Bétera” > “Fino 95” > “Verna” > “Fino 49”.

Cauchy principal value is a standard method applied in mathematical applications by which an improper, and possibly divergent, integral is measured in a balanced way around singularities or at infinity. On the other hand, entropy prediction of systems behavior from a thermodynamic perspective commonly involves contour integrals. With the aim of facilitating the calculus of such integrals in this entropic scenario, we revisit the generalization of Cauchy principal value to complex contour integral, formalize its definition and—by using residue theory techniques—provide an useful way to evaluate them.

The pomegranate ( Punica granatum L.) attracts attention in studies for its nutritional and medicinal properties. However, a recurring issue in the literature arises due to the multidisciplinary nature of these studies, leading to a mistaken repetition of basic botanical terms. The problem stems from the misapplication of the term "aril" to the pomegranate seed, despite the fruit being exariled, signifying the absence of an aril. This confusion may be attributed to the sarcotesta's appearance, resembling a complete aril, coupled with a lack of awareness in fields such as medicine, pharmacy, and cosmetics. This study specifically examines the Kingdom-variety pomegranate, due its economic importance in the fruit market. The fruits were evaluated at different developmental stages-initial, intermediate, and commercial. Magnification photography techniques were used to study the development state of the pomegranate fruits. The physiological studies confirm that the pomegranate seed constitutes the complete grain, with the juicy, sweet part surrounding it identified as the testa, not an aril. The findings underscore a persistent error in the existing literature, emphasizing the necessity for dissemination and education in future studies. A thorough grasp of pomegranate anatomy and precise use of terminology are indispensable for ensuring accuracy and rigor in scientific communication.

Mandarin production has increased in recent years, especially for fresh consumption, due to its ease of peeling, its aroma, and its content of bioactive compounds. In this sense, aromas play a fundamental role in the sensory quality of this fruit. The selection of the appropriate rootstock is crucial for the success of the crop and its quality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the influence of 9 rootstocks ("Carrizo citrange", "Swingle citrumelo CPB 4475", "Macrophylla", "Volkameriana", "Forner-Alcaide 5", "Forner-Alcaide V17", "C-35", "Forner-Alcaide 418", and "Forner-Alcaide 517") on the volatile composition of "Clemenules" mandarin. For this, the volatile compounds of mandarin juice were measured using headspace solid-phase micro-extraction in a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Seventy-one volatile compounds were identified in the analyzed samples, with limonene being the main compound. The results obtained showed that the rootstock used in the cultivation of mandarins affects the volatile content of the juice, with "Carrizo citrange", "Forner-Alcaide 5", "Forner-Alcaide 418", and "Forner-Alcaide 517" being those that presented the highest concentration.

The increasingly evident threat of depletion of world peat bogs is encouraging the search for and study of alternative agricultural substrates that can fully or partially replace peat, guaranteeing food supply (quality and quantity). On the other hand, the identification of the potential for the reuse of waste from relevant economic activities has increased in recent years, mainly motivated by the change to a sustainable circular economy, as is the case of port sediments. Taking into account that significant volumes of dredged port sediments are generated annually so that ports can maintain their economic activity, it is necessary to find objective, sustainable and safe reuse alternatives. In this sense, the objective of this study was to study the response of the "Purple Queen" pomegranate when grown with dredged port sediment. For this, the fruit production (kg), number of fruits (fruits tree-1), fruit weight (g), and seed yield (%) aiming to verify the correct tree development were evaluated. In addition, a 1H-NMR foliar metabolomic study for the three most relevant phenological phases was performed (flowering, fruit development, and post-harvest) to identify metabolic changes in trees. In total, 29 metabolites were identified; among them, 11 were amino acids, 6 organic acids, 5 sugars, and 7 secondary metabolites. The good agronomical development of the trees and fruits indicated the potential for using the dredged sediment as an agricultural substrate. On the other hand, the results revealed that the greatest variability in the metabolomic study occurred between the phenological phases and a lower variability is explained by the substrates used.

The increase in maritime trade and its global economic importance have forced port management actors to carry out the periodic dredging of their sediments to maintain an adequate depth for the passage of large ships to maintain their operation and competitiveness. During the dredging process, large volumes of port sediment are generated. Dredged port sediment is currently considered a waste material and its disposal is regulated. Finding ways to safely reuse port sediments is necessary for sustainable development. In this study, a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was applied to identify the environmental impact of port sediments when used as a culture medium for lemon trees. A total of 90 lemon trees ( Citrus limon L. Burm var 'Verna') were used in the trial. The trees were grown under controlled conditions using three substrates, with different portions of peat and port sediment (25%, 50%, and 75%) to identify the real impacts of the culture media on the growth process. The LCA was calculated and analyzed according to the ISO 14040:2006 standard, using the SimaPro v. 9.3 software (PRé Sustainability B.V, Amersfoort, The Netherlands). The functional unit defined for the three-culture media was 1 kg of lemons. The LCA results showed a significant increase in the environmental impact of lemon cultivation proportional to port sediment content (75%), due to the decrease in fruit production caused by the sediment. However, the least impact was identified for the culture medium at 50% peat and 50% port sediment. The greatest impacts were more related to crop management rather than the port sediment content. The results showed that the use of the port sediment, mixed with other substrates as an agricultural medium amendment, is a viable option for lemon growers.

Due to its high content of bioactive compounds, the lemon is considered one of the most relevant species around the world. Its great economic importance is motivated, in addition to its fresh consumption, by its applications in the medical, pharmaceutical, and food industries, etc. However, the chemical and nutritional composition of lemon is not constant and can be influenced by external factors such as variety, weather conditions, crop management, etc. Determining the compositional variations of the fruit, essential to defining its potential use, was the main objective of this study. The physicochemical characteristics of the ‘Verna’ lemon were studied as a function of two controlled variables, the growing substrate and the rootstock. For this, 90 lemon trees were cultivated in three rootstocks and three different culture media. Lemon trees cultivated with 50% sediment/peat mix substrate presented a higher total production (590 lemons and 90.53 kg) while this production was 80% lower on trees cultivated with 75% marine sediment. Citrus macrophylla and Citrus aurantium/Citrus sinensis rootstocks showed a significantly higher production than the Citrus aurantium. All the fruits presented a predominantly yellow color appropriate for the market (0 < CI < +5). Nutritional and chemical parameters were consistent with data reported for the ‘Verna’ clones. All the obtained lemons were suitable for marketing and consumption both in fresh and processed forms. The results indicated the limited influence that the studied variables have on the quality parameters of lemon fruits, but they also could confirm the potential of marine sediment as a culture substrate.

This research analyzed the phytochemical profile of prickly pear fruits from 'Orito' cultivar stored under cold conditions (2 °C, 85-90% RH) and shelf-life conditions at room temperature (stored at 20 °C for three days after cold storage) for 28 days, mimicking the product life cycle. A total of 18 compounds were identified and quantitated through HPLC-DAD-MS/MS (High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic -Diode Array Detector- Mass Spectrometry) analyses. Phenolic acids such as eucomic acid and betalains such as indicaxanthin were the predominant chemical families, and piscidic acid was the most abundant compound. During cold storage, the content of eucomic acid isomer/derivative and syringaresinol increased, and citric acid decreased, which could be caused by the cold activation of the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzymes. However, no significant differences were found in the content of these compounds during shelf-life storage. These results showed that 'Orito' fruit marketability would be possible up to 28 days after harvesting, retaining its profile, which is rich in bioactive compounds.

Although most of the published articles generalize with the fruit of the fig tree ( Ficus carica L.), the differentiation between fig and breba is increasingly common in the bibliography. In this regard, keep in mind that the fig tree generally produces two crops a year, the parthenocarpic breba, also called as early fig, and the main non-parthenocarpic crop, the fig proper. In this study, four brebas varieties ('Colar', 'SuperFig1', 'Cuello de Dama Negro' and 'San Antonio') were selected in order to identify compositional, nutritional, and chemical diversity. These varieties were chosen for their commercial relevance in Spain. Color (internal and external), fruit and peel weight, size, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), maturity index (MI), sugar, and organic content were determined for all the breba fruits samples. In addition, polyphenolic profile, amino acids, and volatile aromatic compounds were also identified. The varieties 'Colar' and 'SuperFig1' showed the highest fruit weight and size, while 'Cuello de Dama Negro' presented the higher pulp yield. The higher organic acid and sugar contents were determined for 'SuperFig1' and 'Cuello de Dama Negro', respectively. Although in low concentrations, the phenolic compound quercetin 3-(6-O-acetyl-beta-glucoside) and the amino acid tyrosine were only detected in the ''Cuello de Dama Negra' and 'SuperFig1' fruits, respectively. Of the eighty volatile aromatic compounds identified, only eight were common in four varieties. An important knowledge gap was identified in relation to the characterization of the two Ficus carica L. crops, that is, the differentiation and specification in the literature when working with brebas and/or figs.

The Spanish Mediterranean region concentrates the largest producers of lemons ( Citrus limon Burm. f.) at the national level where the 98.4% of the cultivated area of lemons corresponds to the varieties "Verna" and "Fino". In this study, the morphological and chemical variations of the fruits obtained in five variety/rootstock combinations were investigated in order to determine the influence and impact of the rootstock on the physicochemical properties of the fruits. The assay was carried out using three lemon varieties ("Fino 95", "Fino 49" and "Verna") grafted onto two different rootstocks ( Citrus macrophylla and Citrus aurantium ). The varieties were selected due to be consolidated commercial varieties, while the rootstocks are the most commonly used in the world. Both the morphological characteristics of the fruits (colour, weight, size) as well as their physicochemical characteristics (total soluble solids, titratable acidity, maturity index, antioxidant activity, sugars, and organic acids) were evaluated. Based on the results, the lemons with the best physicochemical and the best compositional characteristics were obtained in the "Fino 95" and "Fino 49" lemons grafted onto C. aurantium rootstock presented the highest quality fruits.

Citrus limon (L.) Burm is an important crop that grows between latitudes 30° North and 30° South, the main producers being China, the USA, Mexico, India, Brazil, and Spain. In Spain, lemon grows mainly in Mediterranean areas such as Murcia, Valencia, and Andalucía. The most cultivated varieties are "Fino" and "Verna". In this study, five varieties of lemon, "Verna", "Bétera", "Eureka", "Fino 49", and "Fino 95" were evaluated on different rootstocks: three new Forner-Alcaide ("FA13", "FA5", "FA517"), Citrus macrophylla, Wester, and Citrus aurantium L. Hydrodistillation was used to obtain essential oil from fresh peels and then the volatile profile was studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 26 volatile compounds were identified, limonene being the main one followed by β-pinene, γ-terpinene, sabinene, and α-pinene. The results revealed that Forner-Alcaide rootstocks ("FA5" > "FA517" > "FA13") proved to be the best rootstocks for the aroma quality as they led to high volatile contents, followed by C. aurantium and C. macrophylla . Among the other varieties, the most aromatic one was "Eureka". The whole trend was as follows (in decreasing order): "Eureka" > "Bétera" > "Fino 95" > "Verna" > "Fino 49".

The aim of the study was to analyze potential health-promoting components of caper flower buds ( Capparis spinosa L.) at six stages of development in two cultivars. Polyphenol compounds (flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavan-3-ols) were identified by Liquid Chromatography- quadrupole Time-of-Flight -Mass Spectrofotometer/Mass Spectrofotometer (LC-qTOF-MS/MS) and quantified by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Photodiode Array-Fluorescence Detector (UPLC-PDA-FL). Moreover, antioxidant properties (ABTS+•, FRAP, and ORAC), anti-diabetic potential (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), and anti-aging activity (acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE)) of the buds were examined. Total phenolic compounds in the investigated caper varied from 10,720 to 3256 mg/100 g dry weight (DW), and depended on a genotype and growing stage of caper flowers. Among six different growing stages, the one named 'nonpareilles' was characterized by significantly higher content of polyphenols than the remaining five stages. The flavonols in caper flowers represented a mixture of different glycosylated quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, and isorhamnetin derivatives, accounting for 38%-67%, 15%-36%, 4%-7%, and 0.8%-3%, respectively, of total flavonols,. Their contents strongly depended on the growth stage. 'Nonpareilles' and 'surfines' were richer in flavonols than 'fines' and 'gruesas'. Of the six investigated growth stages, 'nonpareilles' accumulated the greatest amounts of bioactive compounds that correlated with antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties, and were more potent BuChE than AChE inhibitors.