A water deficit can negatively impact fruit yield and quality, affecting critical physiological processes. Strategies to mitigate water deficits are crucial to global food security. Iodine (I) may increase the efficiency of the antioxidant system of plants, but its role against water deficits is poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of I in attenuating water deficits and improving fruit quality, investigating whether metabolic responses are derived from a “priming effect” or stress relief during water deficits. Tomato plants were exposed to different concentrations of potassium iodide (KI) via a nutrient solution and subjected to a water deficit. A water deficit in tomatoes without KI reduced their yield by 98%. However, a concentration of 100 μM of KI increased the yield under a water deficit by 28%. This condition is correlated with increased antioxidant activity, photosynthetic efficiency improvement, and malondialdehyde reduction. In addition, the concentration of 100 μM of KI promoted better fruit quality through antioxidant capacity and a decline in the maturation index. Therefore, KI can be an alternative for attenuating water deficits in tomatoes, inducing positive responses during the water deficit period while at the same time improving fruit quality.

Selenium (Se) is a nutrient whose daily intake is often below the recommended levels in people. Biofortification with Se is a method to increase this intake by raising the Se concentration in tomato fruits, an effect dependent on sources and modes of application. Additionally, Se application can promote the enhancement of other compounds in tomato fruits, altering their metabolism, which may increase the fruit’s shelf life. This study aimed to determine how different strategies of applying a multi-nutrient fertilizer containing Se (SeMNF) can increase the Se content and other bioactive compounds and enhance the shelf life of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruits. Different foliar fertilization strategies involving the use of SeMNF were evaluated in field trials conducted on commercial tomato crops. Indeterminate-growth tomatoes were used, and different Se doses and application strategies were tested. Harvesting was conducted in three phases according to fruit ripening. Each harvested fruit was assessed for the Se content, macro and micronutrients, total phenolic compounds, vitamin C, antioxidant activity, carotenoids, pH, total titratable acidity, and total soluble solids in tomato fruits. Doses of 15 g ha⁻¹ of Se, split into three applications, increased the Se content in the fruits at 1 and 2 harvests. The application of SeMNF at Se doses above 10 g of Se ha⁻¹ increased firmness, days of ripening, and the nutritional quality of the tomatoes (higher contents of carotenoids (+39%), lycopene (+33%), antioxidant activity (+16%), total phenolic compounds (+38%), and vitamin C (+14%) in a dose-dependent effect of the application strategy used. These results contributed to an increase in the shelf life of tomatoes, consequently reducing food waste.

Background/Objectives: Andiroba oil, extracted from Carapa guianensis seeds, possesses therapeutic properties including anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects. This study aimed to develop and characterize a nanoemulsion formulation containing andiroba oil (NeAnd) and to evaluate its cytotoxicity and wound healing potential in vitro. Methods: The oil was evaluated for acidity, antioxidant activity, and fatty acid composition. NeAnd was produced by ultrasonication and characterized using FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), Raman spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. Results: NeAnd exhibited a spherical shape and stable physicochemical properties, with an average hydrodynamic diameter (HD) of 205.7 ± 3.9 nm, a polydispersity index (PdI) of 0.295 ± 0.05, a negative zeta potential of −4.16 ± 0.414 mV, and pH of approximately 6.5. These nanodroplets remained stable for 120 days when stored at 4 °C and maintained their parameters even under pH variations. FTIR and Raman analyses confirmed the presence of functional groups and the organization of fatty acid chains in NeAnd. Cell viability assays revealed no statistically significant differences in cytotoxicity at various concentrations (90–360 µg/mL) after 24 and 48 h. In scratch wound healing assays, NeAnd significantly enhanced wound closure (88.9%) compared to the PBS control (38%) and free andiroba oil (68.6%) in keratinocytes (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These promising findings indicate NeAnd as a potential nanophytomedicine for wound healing and tissue regeneration treatments.

Agronomic biofortification strategies have been used to increase selenium (Se) concentrations in edible parts, with broccoli cultivation showing high potential. Recent studies have demonstrated that prior application of selected elements during the seedling phase (priming) can enhance agronomic biofortification when this element is applied during the adult phase; however, no such effect has yet been reported for Se. Additionally, Se concentration in broccoli florets may be affected by post-harvest processing, thus determining losses is essential in the agronomic biofortification process. This study aimed to determine whether seedling production with priming using selenium (Se) could enhance different agronomic biofortification strategies for Se, and to evaluate the effect of post-processing on the Se concentration in broccoli. Seedlings were produced with and without priming (75 mg L⁻¹ of Se), and different application methods (soil and foliar), sources, and doses of Se were tested on Se concentration in broccoli florets. Foliar application strategies for Se were more effective than soil application for producing Se-biofortified broccoli. Seedlings produced and subjected to Se application to promote the priming effect enhanced Se absorption and increased Se concentration in broccoli florets. However, the highest Se absorption with a dry mass concentration exceeding 18 mg kg⁻¹ reduced broccoli production, except for Se applied via multi-nutrient fertilizer. Foliar fertilization strategies using 50 g of Se ha⁻¹ via multi-nutrient fertilizer, Se + organic compounds, and sodium selenate, along with the use of seedlings produced with priming and the application of 50 g of Se ha⁻¹ via multi-nutrient fertilizer using seedlings produced without priming, can provide Se amounts reaching the human dietary requirement of 60–70 µg day⁻¹, based on the adequate daily consumption of broccoli (40 g of broccoli). Different processing stages do not cause significant losses of Se in biofortified florets. Therefore, it is concluded that seedlings produced with priming combined with foliar Se applications are effective strategies for promoting agronomic biofortification of Se in broccoli florets for the human diet.