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Summary: HA composite films were prepared using hyaluronic acid (HA) as a substrate with the addition of curcumin and cellulose nanofibre (CNF), and the application was evaluated by egg preservation tests at 25 °C and 70% humidity. The composite additives increased the thickness of both films. Compared to single HA film, 0.025% curcumin conferred the best antimicrobial properties, while CNF mainly controlled the viscosity, permeability and mechanical properties of the films. A 56‐day egg preservation test showed that the composite film with 0.5% HA addition, 0.025% each of curcumin and CNF, and a coating time of 2 min had the lowest weight loss of 13.88%. The final Haugh unit was 52.08, respectively, which exceeded the corresponding control values around Day 35 and extended the shelf life by at least 14 days. This indicates that the composite film at this concentration has the most significant effect on egg preservation and is important for postharvest food preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and nano-silica (nano-SiO2) are widely used in the field of life science because of their special physical and chemical properties. In this study, the effects of different concentrations of MWCNTs (0 mg·L−1, 200 mg·L−1, 400 mg·L−1, 800 mg·L−1 and 1200 mg·L−1) and nano-SiO2 (0 mg·L−1, 150 mg·L−1, 800 mg·L−1, 1500 mg·L−1 and 2500 mg·L−1) on maize seedling growth and relative mechanisms were explored. The main results are as follows: MWCNTs and nano-SiO2 can promote the growth of maize seedlings, and promote plant height, root length, the dry and fresh weight of seedlings, root–shoot ratio and so on. The ability to accumulate dry matter increased, the relative water content of leaves increased, the electrical conductivity of leaves decreased, the stability of cell membranes improved and the water metabolism ability of maize seedlings increased. The treatment of MWCNTs with 800 mg·L−1 and nano-SiO2 with 1500 mg·L−1 had the best effect on seedling growth. MWCNTs and nano-SiO2 can promote the development of root morphology, increase root length, root surface area, average diameter, root volume and total root tip number and improve root activity, so as to improve the absorption capacity of roots to water and nutrition. After MWCNT and nano-SiO2 treatment, compared with the control, the contents of O2·− and H2O2 decreased, and the damage of reactive oxygen free radicals to cells decreased. MWCNTs and nano-SiO2 can promote the clearance of reactive oxygen species and maintain the complete structure of cells, so as to slow down plant aging. The promoting effect of MWCNTs treated with 800 mg·L−1 and nano-SiO2 treated with 1500 mg·L−1 had the best effect. After treatment with MWCNTs and nano-SiO2, the activities of key photosynthesis enzymes PEPC, Rubisco, NADP-ME, NADP-MDH and PPDK of maize seedlings increased, which promoted the opening of stomata, improved the fixation efficiency of CO2, improved the photosynthetic process of maize plants and promoted plant growth. The promoting effect was the best when the concentration of MWCNTs was 800 mg·L−1 and the concentration of nano-SiO2 was 1500 mg·L−1. MWCNTs and nano-SiO2 can increase the activities of the enzymes GS, GOGAT, GAD and GDH related to nitrogen metabolism in maize leaves and roots, and can increase the content of pyruvate, so as to promote the synthesis of carbohydrates and the utilization of nitrogen and promote plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small farms are the mainstay of maize production in China. Its productivity is relatively low despite large farm inputs and the associated environmental footprints. Here, we studied public–private partnership (PPP) model for sustainable intensification of maize production to achieve co‐benefits of food security and environmental sustainability. The PPP model enabled the development of an effective partnership by bringing complementary skills, knowledge, proprietary products and technologies, and resources of public research community and private enterprises to create a new, operational maize farming system in China. We conducted on‐farm research with farmer participation in four major maize‐growing regions spanning temperate to sub‐tropical zones in China for 2 years. The PPP model achieved 78.7% of maize yield potential compared with 61.8% realized in smallholder farm (SHF) (11.0 Mg ha−1 vs. 8.6 Mg ha−1). Overall, environmental externalities of PPP were up to 32.7% lower than that of SHF, depending on the region studied. PPP significantly reduced reactive nitrogen losses by 31.3%–35.5% compared with SHF in both years. There was no significant difference between PPP and SHF for greenhouse gas emission in 2018, but it was significantly lower in PPP (19%) compared to SHF in 2019. Similarly, PPP significantly reduced soil acidification potential (by 10.1%–42.2%) and eutrophication of waterbodies (21.5%) in comparison to SHF. Overall, the net ecosystem economic budget increased 277 USD ha−1 with PPP. The PPP model provides new insights into improving food security and ecosystem and economic budget. As a logical progression to our research, future work should focus on (a) the reasons for the persistence of inter‐regional yield gap in PPP model and (b) to gain a better understanding of socioeconomic drivers critical for successful PPP in different maize‐growing regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pelletized straw returning is an innovative approach to enhance nutrient cycling in soil-crop systems. However, its impact on the macro- and micronutrients of both soil and grain, along with grain amino acids remains uncertainty. A three-year field experiment was conducted in Northeast China with spring maize monoculture under pelletized straw returning annually with 75 Mg ha−1 (PS75), comparing with chopped straw with 75 Mg ha−1 (CS75) and 15 Mg ha−1 (CS15), as well as no straw returning (CK). Our results indicated that PS75 increased the contents of soil Ca, Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn by 19 %, 14 %, 9 %, 7 %, and 4 % respectively, compared to CS75. Additionally, PS75 enhanced grain Fe, Mn, and Mg by 35 %, 12 % and 6 % than CS75, respectively. The increases in soil fertility and grain mineral elements benefited grain amino acids. Compared with CS75, PS75 increased the grain and total amino acid yields by 7 % and 29 %, respectively. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that pelletized straw returning is a promising practice for improving soil mineral element contents and enhancing grain nutrients level, which is benefit for producing nutrient-rich food through innovating straw returning strategies in regions with low temperature and precipitation. [Display omitted] • Additional advantages in soil Ca, Zn, Ni, Mn, and Cu were for pelletized than chopped straw. • Pelletized straw increased grain Fe, Mn and Mg, as well as amino acids compared to chopped straw. • Grain Mg and Ca associated with soil property, while others related to soil element. • Pelletized straw burying benefited grain quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes) polysaccharide (SMP), an important immunomodulatory substance, is usually hard to be absorbed by the intestinal tract, because of its macromolecule characteristics. The objective of this study was to develop the water-in-oil (W/O) nanoemulsion to improve its absorption efficiency and the biological activity. Based on the results of pseudoternary phase diagram, the formulation of nanoemulsion were optimized as IPM/polysaccharide/Tween80-Span85/anhydrous ethanol = 39/16/33.75/11.25 (v/v/v/v), used as the oil, aqueous phase, surfactant and co-surfactant, respectively. Under this condition, the droplet size of a W/O SMP nanoemulsion was 144.5 nm, with the polydispersity of 0.128 and the great stability. Moreover, the anti-tumor activity of SMP was notably improved after nano-emulsification. The results demonstrated that SMP nanoemulsion has great potential for applying in health food and pharmaceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]