In recent years, the adverse effect of climate change on soil properties in the agricultural sector has become a dreadful reality worldwide. Climate change-induced abiotic stresses such as salinity, ...drought and temperature fluctuations are devastating crops’ physiological responses, productivity and overall yield, which is ultimately posing a serious threat to global food security and agroecosystems. The applications of chemical fertilizers and pesticides contribute towards further deterioration and rapid changes in climate. Therefore, more careful, eco-friendly and sustainable strategies are required to mitigate the impact of climate-induced damage on the agricultural sector. This paper reviews the recently reported damaging impacts of abiotic stresses on various crops, along with two emerging mitigation strategies, biochar and biostimulants, in light of recent studies focusing on combating the worsening impact of the deteriorated environment and climate change on crops’ physiological responses, yields, soil properties and environment. Here, we highlighted the impact of climate change on agriculture and soil properties along with recently emerging mitigation strategies applying biochar and biostimulants, with an aim to protecting the soil, agriculture and environment.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental disorder generally characterized by symptoms associated with mood, pleasure and effectiveness in daily life activities. MDD is ranked as a major ...contributor to worldwide disability. The complex pathogenesis of MDD is not yet understood, and this is a major cause of failure to develop new therapies and MDD recurrence. Here we summarize the literature on existing hypotheses about the pathophysiological mechanisms of MDD. We describe the different approaches undertaken to understand the molecular mechanism of MDD using genetic data. Hundreds of loci have now been identified by large genome-wide association studies (GWAS). We describe these studies and how they have provided information on the biological processes, cell types, tissues and druggable targets that are enriched for MDD risk genes. We detail our understanding of the genetic correlations and causal relationships between MDD and many psychiatric and non-psychiatric disorders and traits. We highlight the challenges associated with genetic studies, including the complexity of MDD genetics in diverse populations and the need for a study of rare variants and new studies of gene-environment interactions.
Sortilin-related vacuolar protein sorting 10 (
) domain containing receptor 3 (
) is a neuron-specific transmembrane protein involved in the trafficking of proteins between intracellular vesicles and ...the plasma membrane. Genetic variation at
is associated with multiple neuropsychiatric disorders and behavioural phenotypes. Here, we undertake a systematic search of published genome-wide association studies to identify and catalogue associations between
and brain-related disorders and traits. We also generate a
gene-set based on protein-protein interactions and investigate the contribution of this gene-set to the heritability of these phenotypes and its overlap with synaptic biology. Analysis of association signals at
showed individual SNPs to be associated with multiple neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental brain-related disorders and traits that have an impact on the experience of feeling, emotion or mood or cognitive function, while multiple LD-independent SNPs were associated with the same phenotypes. Across these SNPs, alleles associated with the more favourable outcomes for each phenotype (e.g., decreased risk of neuropsychiatric illness) were associated with increased expression of the
gene. The
gene-set was enriched for heritability contributing to schizophrenia (SCZ), bipolar disorder (BPD), intelligence (IQ) and education attainment (EA). Eleven genes from the
gene-set were associated with more than one of these phenotypes at the genome-wide level, with
associated with SCZ, IQ and EA. Functional annotation revealed that the
gene-set is enriched for multiple ontologies related to the structure and function of synapses. Overall, we find many independent association signals at
with brain-related disorders and traits, with the effect possibly mediated by reduced gene expression, resulting in a negative impact on synaptic function.
Microalgae biomass is considered an important feedstock for biofuels and other bioactive compounds due to its faster growth rate, high biomass production and high biomolecules accumulation over first ...and second-generation feedstock. This research aimed to maximize the specific growth rate of fresh water green microalgae Closteriopsis acicularis, a member of family Chlorellaceae under the effect of pH and phosphate concentration to attain enhanced biomass productivity. This study investigates the individual and cumulative effect of phosphate concentration and pH on specific growth characteristics of Closteriopsis acicularis in autotrophic mode of cultivation for bioethanol production. Central-Composite Design (CCD) strategy and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used for the optimization of microalga growth and ethanol production under laboratory conditions. The results showed that high specific growth rate and biomass productivity of 0.342 day−1 and 0.497 g L−1 day−1 respectively, were achieved at high concentration of phosphate (0.115 g L−1) and pH (9) at 21st day of cultivation. The elemental composition of optimized biomass has shown enhanced elemental accumulation of certain macro (C, O, P) and micronutrients (Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca and Fe) except for nitrogen and sulfur. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis has revealed spectral peaks and high absorbance in spectral range of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, in optimized biomass. The carbohydrates content of optimized biomass was observed as 58%, with 29.3 g L−1 of fermentable sugars after acid catalyzed saccharification. The bioethanol yield was estimated as 51 % g ethanol/g glucose with maximum of 14.9 g/L of bioethanol production. In conclusion, it can be inferred that high specific growth rate and biomass productivity can be achieved by varying levels of phosphate concentration and pH during cultivation of Closteriopsis acicularis for improved yield of microbial growth, biomass and bioethanol production.
Soil alkalinity is a severe threat to crop production globally as it markedly retards plant growth. Different techniques are used to mitigate alkaline stress, but priming techniques are considered ...the most appropriate. The current study was carried out in complete randomized design (CRD) to evaluate the effect of different priming techniques on maize crop grown under different levels of alkalinity stress. The experiment was comprised of different treatments of alkalinity stress (AS) including, control, 6 dS m-1 and 12 dS m-1 and different priming techniques including control, hydro-priming (HP), osmo-priming (OP) with potassium nitrate: KNO3) and redox-priming (RP) with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Results indicated that alkalinity stress significantly reduced plant growth and biomass production and induced severe alterations in physiological attributes and antioxidant activities. Soil alkalinity significantly reduced the root and shoot growth and subsequent biomass production by increasing electrolyte leakage (70.60%), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2: 31.65%), malondialdehyde (MDA: 46.23%) and sodium (Na+) accumulation (22.76%) and reduction in photosynthetic pigments, relative water contents (RWC), total soluble proteins (TSP) and free amino acids, potassium (K+) accumulation. However, priming treatments significantly alleviated the alkalinity-induced toxic effects and improved plant growth. OP (KNO3) remained the top performing. It appreciably improved plant growth owing to the improved synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, better RWC (16.42%), TSP (138.28%), FAA (178.37%), and K+ accumulation (31.385) and improved antioxidant activities (APX and CAT) by favoring the Na+ exclusion and maintenance of optimum Na+/K+. In conclusion, KNO3 priming is an imperative seed priming practice to improve maize growth and biomass production under alkalinity stress.
•Enhancement of lipids synthesis by abiotic stresses during cultivation is reviewed.•Bioprocessing routes for multiple products in algal biorefinery are identified.•Advancement in upstream and ...downstream processing strategies is discussed.•Roles of abiotic stresses in gene response of lipid synthesis are reviewed.
Microalgae have been determined as an alternative and potential feedstock for carbon–neutral biofuel production over other sources due to their ability to grow at higher rates, production of high-energy molecules, fixation of CO2 with high efficiency and ability to treat wastewater. Currently, research is focused on inexpensive and eco-friendly strategies to induce lipid synthesis in microalgae for biodiesel production. The abiotic stresses have appeared as a promising strategy. The main objective of this study is to delineate the effects of various abiotic stresses on microalgal biofuel production. Abiotic growth factors such as nutrients, temperature, pH, salinity, light and chemical effects have been shown to facilitate the cultivation of microalgae with high lipid production. The present paper comprehensively reviews the recent advances in microalgae cultivation and strategies to induce lipid production via the manipulation of abiotic growth factors. The utilization and bioprocessing of algal biomass towards biodiesel production are also briefly discussed. The study also reviews the role of abiotic stresses in biosynthetic gene response of lipid synthesis and metabolisms. Optimization and abiotic growth factors manipulations in microalgae cultivation are inexpensive and efficient strategies for high lipid and biomass accumulation in large-scale facilities. For these reasons, future research efforts can be focused on the combination of these manipulations to improve the biomass and lipid productivity in microalgae. It is concluded that the commercialization of algae-based biofuels via cost-effective and multi-product generation routes in biorefinery of biodiesel production is still valid in the wave of global decarbonization movement.
In the present era, environmental glitches associated with extensive emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) and energy crises caused by exhausting fossil fuel reservoirs has diverted researcher's ...interest toward alternative and renewable energy sources. Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable, and sustainable alternative to petro-diesel. Biodiesel synthesized from non-edible seed oils is preferred due its cost effectiveness and eco-friendly nature. Hence, our present study focused on investigation and identification of micromorphological characters of six novel, non-edible seed oil feedstock for biodiesel production via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results of light microscopy of seeds revealed distinct variation in seed size (15.8-1.8 mm in length and 9.4-1.1 in width), shape (round to Cuneiform), and color (from black to yellowish green). Non-edible seed oil content fall in range of 28-38% (wt/wt). Free fatty acid (FFA) content varied from 0.56 to 2.06 mg KOH/g. Multivariate analysis was performed to investigate correlation between three significant variables of seed oil yielding feedstock such as potential for biodiesel synthesis, oil content, and FFA content via principal component analysis. Ultra morphological investigation of seeds surfaces via SEM exhibited distinctive variation in surface sculpturing, cell arrangement, cell shape, periclinal wall shape, margins, protuberances, and anticlinal wall shape. Seed surface sculpturing varied from reticulate, semitectate, wrinkled, rugose, papillate, perforate, and striate. Periclinal wall arrangements confirmed variation from glabrous, raised, depressed, elevated, smooth, pentagonal, entire, and ripple margins. Whereas, anticlinal walls pattern demonstrated variation from angular, smooth, wavy, deep, dentate, entire, irregular, puzzled, elongated, curved, and depressed. Finally, it was concluded from obtained results that SEM could be a possible useful tool in disclosing veiled micromorphological characters of non-edible oil yielding seeds, which provides useful information to researchers for their correct, authentic identification, and classification in modern synthetic system.
•Tetradesmus nygaardii MT858750 was screened for higher biomass and lipids accumulation.•Nitrogen concentration and pH affected the output responses significantly.•Tetradesmus nygaardii produces high ...content of MUFA and PUFA that results in high quality biodiesel.
The research and innovative strategies for large scale production and commercialization of algae based biodiesel still presents a need for analysis based on sustainability and quality check. In this study, the three key growth factors (nitrogen concentration, temperature and pH) were manipulated using the Box-Behnken design of the experiment, with the aim to get high lipids and biomass production for Tetradesmus nygaardii. Screening of experimental treatments revealed interactive effects of nitrogen concentration and pH manipulation, as strongly significant towards high lipids accumulation and lower biomass losses. Biomass production increased (543 mg/L) with high nitrogen, temperature and alkaline pH in the medium, while the lipids showed highest values as 272 mg/L and 60% in terms of production and lipid content with lower nitrogen, low temperature and neutral pH in medium. FTIR analysis revealed metabolic shift of protein and carbohydrate synthesis towards lipid accumulation in optimized biomass. Fatty acid methyl ester analysis revealed higher content of MUFA (53.3%) and PUFA (35%) with major contributors of C16-C18 carbon chain length fatty acids in optimized biomass. Biodiesel specifications (Density, Flash point, Cetane number, Saponification value, Acid Value, Cloud point and CFPP) met the requirements of EN14214 and ASTMD6751 biodiesel standards. The results of this study indicates that the biomass and lipid production of Tetradesmus nygaardii could highly be improved by manipulating nitrogen concentration and pH in combination. In this work, the most promising conditions for biomass and lipid production were identified and could be implemented for sustainable and quality biodiesel production.
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