Research Publications (Food Safety)

Background and aims

Enhanced silicate rock weathering (ERW) on cropland soils can increase crop yield and promote carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration. Applying silicate rock powder to flooded rice paddies can promote weathering, but the effects of ERW on rice production and CO2 removal rates in the field remain unclear.

Aims Cadmium (Cd) is absorbed by plants into the food chain as a trace pollutant harmful to humans. The rice (Oryza sativa. L) glycosyltransferases (OsGTs) family is a large protein family with over hundreds of members, however, prior studies have failed to identify which OsGTs has a role in plants' response to Cd toxicity.

Background and aims Water spinach readily uptakes cadmium (Cd), posing a risk to human health. Selecting low-Cd cultivars is a promising mitigation strategy, but its extensive utilization is limited without a clear understanding of the critical plant factors determining Cd accumulation.

Introduction Soil pollution caused by toxic elements such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) induces environmental stress on vegetable plants and soil microbial communities, reducing crop yield and disrupting ecosystem functions. Methodology In this study, nanoscale zerovalent iron supported with eggshell biochar and activated carbon (nZVI-ESB/AC) was synthesized using ca

Background and aims Liming is widely known as a cost-efficient agricultural practice to reduce cadmium (Cd) concentration in rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain (CdR) in the short term.

Purpose Ureides, allantoin and allantoate, are N-rich compounds used for N transport in nodulated ureide legumes. Here, we investigated their role in response of Phaseolus vulgaris and Pisum sativum, representing ureide and amide legumes, respectively, to Cd toxicity. Methods First, ureide content and ureide metabolism in P.

Background and aims Cereals can be made safer and more nutritious by reducing cadmium (Cd) and enhancing zinc (Zn) levels.

The goal was to evaluate the effect of phosphorus mining on the endophytic bacterial community of surrounding crops and vegetables and screen beneficial bacteria. [Methods] 16S rRNA sequencing was used to assess endophytic bacterial diversity, community, and metabolic function variations in surrounding plants, including Glycine max, Triticum aestivum, and Lactuca sativa.

Purpose To determine if the increase in Cd uptake by durum wheat in the presence of Cd-citrate is due to dissociation or to the transpiration-driven apoplastic uptake of the complex. Methods A mechanistic model of Cd uptake in hydroponics was developed, formalising the transport of Cd, citrate and their complex, including the dissociation of the latter and its uptake

Background Cadmium (Cd) pollution in agricultural soils causes the decrease of crop yield as well as crops contamination with Cd, which then enters a food chain threatening human health. Scope The adverse effects of Cd on plant growth and development occur at the morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels and, to a large extent, explain

Background Cadmium (Cd) pollution in agricultural soils has been a worldwide problem that threatens eco-environmental sustainability and exerts a negative influence on plant growth.

Aims Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is an extensively used rotation crop that provides various benefits to the subsequent crops. One of these benefits is the suppression of soilborne pathogens through its release of biocidal metabolites, which, however, can also have detrimental effects on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF).

Background Cadmium (Cd) levels of food crops can be elevated through management activities and geogenic factors. While emphasis is placed on reducing Cd in phosphorus (P) fertilizers, increasing evidence shows that Cd accumulation in plants is markedly influenced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF).

Aims Saprotrophic soil fungi participate in biomass mineralization, inhibit pathogen development and promote plant growth. Pathogens accumulate in soil and decrease crop yields. The structure of fungal communities is determined mainly by the organic matter content and pH of soil.

Background Grafting can effectively reduce cadmium (Cd) accumulation in Solanaceae fruits.

Metal hyperaccumulators are plant species that can uptake and store high concentrations of heavy metals in their aboveground tissues, while maintaining high vigor. Hyperaccumulation of metals was suggested to provide defense against natural enemies such as herbivores. However, heavy-metal uptake can incur physiological and ecological costs, suggesting that, like other anti-herbivore defenses, it might be induced by herbivore attack.

Aims The present study aimed at: (i) verifying the suitability of pure sewage sludge (SS) as growing medium for the hyperaccumulator species (Pteris vittata, Odontarrhena chalcidica, Astragalus bisulcatus and Noccaea caerulescens); (ii) evaluating the removal of As, Ni, Se and Zn operated by the chosen species; (iii) estimating the potential metal yields (bio-ore production) and con

Purpose The increasing volumes of mine tailings that are being generated globally because of the rise in metal demand, whilst ore-grades continue to decline, call for novel sustainable management options. Phytoextraction using hyperaccumulator plant species may be one of such strategies to deal with these large volumes of contaminated materials.

Purpose Thallium (Tl) is one of the most toxic elements known and its contamination is an emerging environmental issue associated with base metal (zinc-lead) mining wastes.

Purpose Heavy metal, particularly cadmium (Cd) is toxic to rice growth. Studies showed that nano-silicon particles (SiNPs) can alleviate Cd toxicity.

Purpose Hyperaccumulators are plants with the ability to tolerate and accumulate high concentrations of potentially phytotoxic metals. The Australian legume Crotalaria novae-hollandiae accumulates remarkably high concentrations of zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) in its shoots when growing on metalliferous (Zn-Cd ‘calamine’) soils. This study aimed to investigate zinc-cadmium tolerance in C.

Background and aims Chelates like ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) have frequently been applied for facilitating lead (Pb) phytoextraction and cleaning contaminated soils but without detailed report regarding the internal mechanisms happening in plants in response to EDTA addition.

Aims and Background

In recent decades, recycling of wastewater has received increasing attention among researchers, because it can satisfy the proliferating demand for groundwater and reduce water shortages in developed and developing countries.

Methods

Purpose Aquatic plants, including rice, develop iron (Fe) plaques on their roots due to radial oxygen loss (ROL), and these plaques accumulate both beneficial and toxic elements. Silicon is an important nutrient for rice and both accumulates in Fe plaque and can affect ROL.

Purpose Over-accumulation of cadmium and lead in rice grain is a global concern as it has adverse health impacts.