MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved, endogenous, short (21–24 nucleotides), non-coding RNA molecules that play significant roles in post-transcriptional gene silencing by directing target mRNA cleavage or translational inhibition. Nonetheless, highly nutritious “super grain” quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is an extreme abiotic stress tolerant Andean seed crop of many potential uses, with outstanding protein quality and a load of vitamins, minerals, as well as flavonoid antioxidants. In this study, applying genome-wide in silico approaches (referring to the recently published quinoa genome) and following a set of stringent filtering measures, a total of 22 potentially conserved microRNAs belonging to 18 families were characterized from quinoa and 11 randomly selected putative microRNAs (cqu-miR160a, cqu-miR162a, cqu-miR164a, cqu-miR166b, cqu-miR167a, cqu-miR172a, cqu-miR319a, cqu-miR390a, cqu-miR393a, cqu-miR394a, and cqu-miR398b) were validated successfully by RT-PCR. Using the psRNATarget tool, a sum of 59 potential miRNA targets, mostly transcription factors, were identified that are involved in biosynthesis, metabolic processes, and signal transduction. Among the detected targets, six target transcripts (F-Box proteins, TCP, MYB, WD protein, NAC, and CSD) were reported to have specific roles in both flavonoids biosynthesis and stress response signaling in some plants. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of quinoa microRNAs and their targets.
Since engineering nanoparticles (ENP) have been developed for using in industry and human commodities, is common to find their wastes and by-products from industrial chemical reactions, and it is also possible to find incidental nanoparticles in the environment. Currently, the remediation of polluted soils using nanotechnologies has become an emerging area with a huge potential to improve the performance of traditional remediation technologies. However, environmental concerns have also emerged regarding human and environmental health when nanotechnologies are released to ecosystems. The goal of this manuscript is to highlight the environmental benefits and risks that arise when nanotechnologies are used to remediate polluted soils. We searched Web of Science and Scopus in order to get latest updated information and patents pertaining to developments in the field of nanotechnologies for decontaminating soils. It has been determined that soil nanoremediation has some advantages, but it also has some disadvantages related to the final disposal of nanoparticles, nanomaterials, or nanodevices. Will some nanotechnologies be our pitfall? Nanoparticle toxicity has to be assessed and the standardization of techniques should be set by scientists and decision-makers worldwide. Cutting-edge knowledge regarding the use of nanoparticles to decontaminate soils has to move forward, but environmental quality, human health, and social welfare should also be ensured.
Galphimia glauca (Cav.) Kuntze is an important endemic plant species, which possesses many medicinal properties and has been used in the Mexican traditional medicine for its sedative, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, antiasthmatic and antiallergic properties. The therapeutic properties of this plant are mainly due to the presence of diverse bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, triterpenoids, and phenolics. Several triterpenoids and flavonoids compounds have been isolated and identified. Modern studies have demonstrated many biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, gastroenteritis, antimalarial and cytotoxic activities. Nevertheless, many studies are restricted to the crude extract, and many bioactive compounds are yet to be identified and validated according to its traditional use. However, its commercial exploitation and use are highly limited due to the non-availability of enough plant material and lack of knowledge about its agronomical practices. Moreover, the misinterpretation and mislabeling of closely related species of the genus Galphimia Cav. as G. glauca or G. gracilis is a common problem for its rigorous scientific study and commercial exploitation. The present review provides comprehensive knowledge based on the available scientific literature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review on G. glauca. This comprehensive information will certainly provide a guide for the better understanding and utilization of G. glauca for its scientific and industrial exploitation.
The current agriculture is facing various challenges to produce enough food to satisfy the need of the human population consumption without having a negative impact on the environment, human health and ecosystems. The exploitation of bioinoculants has been a crucial alternative for green agriculture. Bioinoculants have two great benefits: to promote plant growth by making essential nutrients available to crops and, to increase the tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses by inducing a long-lasting defense. Certain members of genus Trichoderma have been recognized as biocontrol agents, biofertilizers and stress alleviators for the plants. The use of Trichoderma spp. has also been extended to protect and stimulate growth of horticultural crops. Elucidating the plant signaling events triggered by Trichoderma is of high importance in order to understand the molecular basis involving plant protection against stresses. In this review, the signaling elements of the plants from Trichoderma perception through late defensive responses is discussed. Enhanced understanding how Trichoderma spp. activate defense will lead to improvement in the use of species of this genus to increase crop production with the consequent benefits for human health and care for the environment.
The objective of the present study was to examine a biological model under greenhouse conditions for the bioremediation of atrazine contaminated soils. The model consisted in a combination of phytoremediation (using Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and rhizopheric bio-augmentation using native Trichoderma sp., and Rhizobium sp. microorganisms that showed no inhibitory growth at 10,000 mg L of herbicide concentration. 33.3 mg of atrazine 50 g of soil of initial concentration was used and an initial inoculation of 1 × 10 UFC mL of Rhizobium sp. and 1 × 10 conidia mL of Trichoderma sp. were set. Four treatments were arranged: Bean + Trichoderma sp. (B+T); Bean + Rhizobium sp. (BR); Bean + Rhizobium sp. + Trichoderma sp. (B+R+T) and Bean (B). 25.51 mg of atrazine 50 g of soil (76.63%) was removed by the B+T treatment in 40 days (a = 0.050, Tukey). This last indicate that the proposed biological model and methodology developed is useful for atrazine contaminated bioremediation agricultural soils, which can contribute to reduce the effects of agrochemical abuse.
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