Essential Oils in postharvest management of ‘Dancy’ tangerine
Mirelly Miguel Porcino*, Valdeir de Souza Oliveira, Edcarlos Camilo da Silva, Hilderlande Florêncio da Silva, José Ayron Moraes de Lima, Lucy Gleide da Silva, Robério de Oliveira, Luciana Cordeiro do Nascimento
Postgraduate Program in Agronomy, Federal University of Paraíba, Campus II, Highway, PB-079, Areia, 58739-000, Paraíba, Brazil
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4761-059X
Abstract: Alternative post-harvest management of phytopathogens has proven to be efficient and sustainable. This research aimed to determine the action of essential oils on the behavior of the fungus A. alternata f. sp. citri and postharvest quality changes of 'Dancy' tangerine fruit. The experiment was conducted at the Phytopathology Laboratory of the Federal University of Paraíba. 'Dancy' mandarin fruits were harvested at the C2 ripening stage. The treatments used on the fruits were: essential oils of ginger, copaiba, mint, fennel, and citronella, diluted in sterile water at 1%. Additional controls were the fungicide Thiabendazole (400 mL 100 L-1) and the control (untreated). The experiment was conducted in a controlled environment, the completely randomized design was used, each treatment consisted of 4 replicates of three fruits. It was evaluated: the percentage of in vitro growth inhibition of fungus; disease severity; and the physicochemical analysis: soluble solids content, titratable acidity, SS/AT ratio, pH, ascorbic acid, juice yield, firmness and mass loss. Once the data was available, statistical analysis was performed using the Scott-Knott test at 5% probability. The tested essential oils do not affect the postharvest quality of 'Dancy' tangerine fruits. The essential oils of mint, citronella and fennel at 1% are efficient in the in vitro control of A. alternata f. sp. citri presenting fungistatic action. The oils of copaiba, mint, and 1% fennel are efficient in reducing the severity of A. alternata f. sp. citri in 'Dancy' tangerine fruits. Thus, essential oils have potential in the management of phytopathogens.
Submitted: 16/07/2025 | Revised: 09/10/2025 | Accepted: 03/11/2025
Pages 291-298 | Full Text PDF| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.04.pne75
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Edible vegetable oil production in eastern Africa: Current status and opportunities for improvement
Jane Muthoni*, Hussein Shimelis
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Kenya
African Centre for Crop Improvement, University of KwaZulu-Natal, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9450-1222
Abstract: Plant-derived oil is vital for food, feed and industrial applications. The four most produced and consumed plant-based oils globally are palm oil, soyabean oil, rapeseed and sunflower seed oil. The major producers of soyabeans are China, Argentina, USA and Brazil while rapeseed is produced mainly by China, Canada and Germany. The three major producers of sunflower are Ukraine, Russia and Argentina while palm oil is mainly produced by Indonesia and Malaysia. Africa has suitable agricultural lands and weather conditions for vegetable oil crops production for local and international oil markets. However, oil crop production and productivity in Africa are low, and the continent is a net importer of edible oil. Palm oil is the most imported edible oil to the African continent. This review aims to present an overview of edible oil crops production in eastern Africa and highlights the current status and opportunities for crop production and improvement. The East African region imports palm oil mainly from South-east Asia. To counter the high cost of importation, local production of edible oil crops is being promoted. Major oil crops that are produced in the East African region are sunflower, oil palm, sesame, rapeseed (canola), soyabean, groundnuts and coconut. Oil palm is produced in Tanzania and Uganda. In Ethiopia, the primary oilseed crops are sesame, niger seed (noug), and to a lesser extent, soyabeans. Despite efforts to spur local production of edible vegetable oils, the East African region is still a net importer of the commodity.
Submitted: 28/08/2025 | Revised: 25/11/2025 | Accepted: 19/01/2026
Pages 299-310 | Full Text PDF| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.04.pne118
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Evaluation of the action of Tetradenia riparia essential oil against Staphylococcus spp. isolated from surfaces and instruments in urological procedures
Flávio Augusto Paulatti Frederico, Fernando Eduardo Paulatti Frederico, Caroline Domingues, Jorge Fernandes Azevedo, Francieli Gesleine Capote Bonato, Selma Alves Rodrigues, Halison Murilo da Silva Oliveira, Zilda Cristiane Gazim, Daniela Dib Gonçalves, Lidiane Nunes Barbosa*
Graduate Program in Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines in Basic Health Care, Universidade Paranaense (UNIPAR), Umuarama 87502-210, PR, Brasil
Graduate Program in Animal Science with Emphasis on Bioactive Products, Universidade Paranaense (UNIPAR), Umuarama 87502-210, PR, Brasil
Graduate Program in Biotechnology Applied to Agriculture, Universidade Paranaense (UNIPAR), Umuarama 87502-210, PR, Brasil
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5762-8091
Abstract: Bacterial resistance represents one of the greatest challenges to global public health, particularly in healthcare environments, where the intensive and sometimes inappropriate use of antimicrobials favors the selection of multidrug-resistant strains. In this context, essential oils derived from medicinal plants have attracted growing interest from the scientific community for their potential as natural therapeutic alternatives. Thus, this study evaluated the in vitro antimicrobial activity of essential oil obtained from Tetradenia riparia leaves against 14 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus spp. isolated from surfaces and instruments used in urological procedures. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and its activity was analyzed using the broth microdilution method to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). The bacterial isolates were previously identified and their susceptibility to conventional antibiotics, including oxacillin and vancomycin, was tested. The oil showed inhibitory activity against 100% of the isolates tested, with MICs ranging from 0.6 µg/mL up to 20 µg/mL. Most strains were inhibited by 1.2 µg/mL. Although oxacillin exhibited the lowest mean MIC among the antimicrobials evaluated in this study, the essential oil was effective even against isolates resistant to conventional antimicrobials. Antimicrobial action is attributed to the presence of compounds such as monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, which are capable of promoting the disruption of the bacterial cell membrane and the interruption of essential metabolic processes. These results reinforce the potential of T. riparia essential oil as a natural antimicrobial agent, with promising applicability as an adjuvant in the control of healthcare-associated infections.
Submitted: 02/10/2025 | Revised: 10/11/2025 | Accepted: 20/03/2026
Pages 311-317 | Full Text PDF| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.04.pne144
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Identification of bioindicator species for the herbicide pendimethalin
Leila Lucia Camintia, Dieison Olescowicz, José Fernando Marquez, Lariane Fontana de Freitas, André Augusto Falchetti Volpato, Germano Maso Rissardi, Naiara Guerra, Antonio Mendes de Oliveira Neto
Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC/CAV), Av. Luiz de Camões, 2090, Conta Dinheiro, 88520-000, Lages, SC, Brazil
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Rodovia Ulysses Gaboardi, 3000, 89520-000, Curitibanos, SC, Brazil
Abstract: The new formulation of pendimethalin modifies its physicochemical properties and, consequently, its dynamics in the environment. The behavior of pendimethalin in the soil can be analyzed by means of a bioindicator plant; however, there are few studies on selection of species for this purpose. Therefore, the objective of this work is to determine a bioindicator for pendimethalin through two studies: the first on some important crop species, and the second, using the species selected in the first study and Urochloa plantaginea. The experiments were carried out in a greenhouse in a completely randomized design, with four replications. The variables were phytointoxication and dry weight inhibition on the basis of pendimethalin doses (0, 625.63, 1,251.25, 1,876.88, 2,502.50, and 3,128.13 g ai ha-1). The data were normalized to the control value and used to determine the C50 and GR50 values to identify the species most sensitive to the herbicide. In the first study, beet and lettuce were the selected species. In the second study, U. plantaginea was determined as the bioindicator species for pendimethalin, because it needs 193.02 g ha-1 to achieve GR50 of roots, while 58.94 g ai ha-1 reduces shoot dry mass weight by 50%. C50 at 28 DAS is 65.75 g ai ha-1, which results in the lowest C50 and GR50 values compared to those of the other species assessed. The species U. plantaginea effectively indicates the presence of pendimethalin in the soil solution and can be used in bioassay studies with this herbicide.
Submitted: 04/10/2025 | Revised: 13/11/2025 | Accepted: 18/02/2026
Pages 318-326 | Full Text PDF| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.04.pne146
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Management and biotechnological applications of crown gall disease: A mini review
Edi Wiraguna*, Merry Gloria Meliala, Novia Amalia Sholeha
Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Bojonegoro, Bojonegoro, Indonesia
College of Vocational Studies, IPB University (Bogor Agricultural University), Bogor, Indonesia
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9925-9535
Abstract: Crown gall disease, caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, is a significant issue for global agriculture. This bacterium is unique because it transfers a portion of its Ti plasmid DNA, known as T-DNA, into plant cells. The T-DNA integrates into the plant genome, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and the formation of tumours known as crown galls. Infected cells also produce opines, which provide nutrients for the bacterium. Crown gall affects plant development, reducing plant yield, quality, and market value. During the infection, the bacterium enters plant cells through wounds and activates virulence genes to transfer T-DNA. Key proteins, such as VirD2, VirE2, and VirB/D4, facilitate the transfer of the T-DNA from Agrobacterium into the plant nucleus. Managing crown gall is particularly challenging because Agrobacterium can persist in soil for long periods and infect a wide range of plant hosts. To reduce infection, integrated strategies are needed, including cultural practices and biotechnological approaches such as biological control using Agrobacterium radiobacter strain K84. In addition to its role as a plant pathogen, disarmed strains of Agrobacterium are widely used in genetic engineering to introduce foreign genes into plants, enabling the development of crops with improved traits such as pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, and enhanced nutritional quality. Consequently, studying Agrobacterium not only supports effective disease management but also improves genetic transformation and innovative applications in modern biotechnology.
Submitted: 04/11/2025 | Revised: 05/12/2025 | Accepted: 15/03/2026
Pages 327-333 | Full Text PDF| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.04.pne170
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The potential of rumen-derived indole-3-acetic acid in enhancing Capsicum annuum growth: metagenomic and computational insights
Rudi Priyadi*, Suhardjadinata, Ida Hodiyah, Ahadiyat Y. Rahayu, Erviyana Windiastuti, Ade H. Juhaeni, Gilang V. Benatar, Nur Fathurahman Ridwan
Agrotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Siliwangi, Campus II St. Tamansari, Tasikmalaya City, Indonesia
Laboratory of Agroecology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman. Jl. Dr. Soeparno No. 61 Purwokerto, Central Java 53123, Indonesia
PT. Elo Karsa Utama, St. Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta 12240, Indonesia
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3174-2416
Abstract: This study investigates the potential of rumen-derived bacteria, specifically Enterococcus faecalis, to enhance plant growth through the production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), a key plant growth regulator. Using metagenomic 16S rRNA sequencing, we characterized the microbial community in the bovine rumen, revealing a high abundance of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, with Enterococcus faecalis predominating. These microbes are hypothesized to produce IAA, which could activate the Transport Inhibitor Response 1 (TIR1) receptor in Capsicum annuum (bell pepper), a critical step for promoting plant growth and stress resilience. To explore this hypothesis, we employed an in silico approach, combining molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. The docking study revealed favorable binding between IAA and TIR1, facilitated by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions, with a binding affinity of -5.9 kJ/mol. Molecular dynamics simulations further confirmed that IAA binding induces conformational changes in TIR1, enhancing its stability and potentially activating the receptor. These findings suggest that IAA produced by rumen bacteria could serve as a natural bioactivator, offering a promising avenue for sustainable agricultural practices. This study highlights the potential of rumen microbiota as a biofertilizer, contributing to enhanced plant growth and resilience while promoting environmentally friendly agricultural solutions.
Submitted: 05/11/2025 | Revised: 02/02/2026 | Accepted: 16/03/2026
Pages 334-344 | Full Text PDF| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.26.20.04.pne172