Synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) have been shown to be an ecofriendly alternative for promoting plant growth. However, the mechanisms by which SynCom inoculants drive plant growth promotion in rhizosphere soil are still not fully explored. Herein, we designed a three-strain consortium based on the biocompatibility among strains and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production. The consortium containing Bacillus safensis 5-49, Bacillus stratosphericus 5-54, and Bacillus halotolerans 6-30 possessed a synergistic effect on IAA production and biofilm formation. Genetic analysis suggested that IAA was synthesized through tryptophan-dependent pathways in the strains. The consortium outperformed the plant growth-promoting effect observed with single strains, showing an increase in walnut (Juglans regia) seedling dry weight by 92.3% over the non-inoculated plants after 60 days of cultivation. This effect was underpinned by the synergistic interactions of the consortium, which was evidenced by the significantly increased relative abundance of Bacillus and tryptophan metabolism-associated genes in the rhizosphere of consortium-inoculated plants. Meanwhile, the consortium increased the relative abundance of indigenous Pseudomonas in rhizosphere soil, providing a synergistic effect on improving soil enzyme activities and thus available nutrients. The available N, P, and K contents in the consortium-inoculated plant rhizosphere were 3.77–28.4% higher than those in non-inoculated samples. This work provided an efficient bacterial consortium and proposed the mode of action by which this consortium improved plant growth and soil fertility.

The present study investigated the chemical composition, antimicrobial, insecticidal, and food preservation potential of Ligusticum chuanxiong CO₂ oil (LCCO) standardised to a ligustilide content of ≥35%. The volatile composition of LCCO was characterised by GC-MS and found to be dominated by cis-ligustilide (63.3%), senkyunolide (15.8%), 3-butylidenephthalide (5.4%), and trans-neocnidilide (4.9%). In vitro antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion and broth microdilution against six bacterial and five yeast reference strains. The largest inhibition zones were observed against Enterococcus faecalis (14.33 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (13.67 mm). MIC₅₀ values ranged from 0.064 mg/mL (Yersinia enterocolitica) to 3.492 mg/mL (Candida tropicalis), while MIC₉₀ values ranged from 0.151 to 3.800 mg/mL. In situ vapour-phase antimicrobial activity was evaluated on pear, banana, white radish, and carrot at concentrations of 62.5–500 µL/L, demonstrating a clear concentration-dependent inhibitory effect across all tested food matrices and microorganisms. Insecticidal activity against Callosobruchus maculatus and Megabruchidius dorsalis was confirmed under fumigation conditions, with LC₅₀ values of 17.50% and 20.99% and LC90 values of 83.10% and 87.60%, respectively. The effect of LCCO, applied alone and in combination with vacuum packaging, on the microbiological quality of fresh white radish was evaluated over 28 days of refrigerated storage at 4 °C. The combined treatment resulted in the lowest total viable count (2.75 log CFU/g) and coliform bacteria count (2.58 log CFU/g) on day 28. A total of 404 bacterial isolates were identified using MALDI-TOF MS Biotyper, comprising 22 species. Acinetobacter pittii was the predominant species (33%), followed by Pantoea agglomerans (7%) and Serratia nematodiphila (7%). No Pseudomonas species were recovered from the EO vacuum treatment. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of LCCO, particularly in combination with vacuum packaging, as a natural antimicrobial agent for the postharvest preservation of fresh white radish.

Schisandra chinensis essential oil (SCEO) of Chinese commercial origin was evaluated for antimicrobial and insecticidal properties. GC‐MS analysis identified 29 compounds (100% of total area), with ylangene (22.4%), linoleic acid (16.2%), widdrenal (9.8%), cuparene (8.2%), and β ‐himachalene (7.5%) as dominant constituents. In vitro antimicrobial activity against six bacterial strains and five Candida species was assessed by disk diffusion and broth microdilution. The strongest inhibition was recorded against Staphylococcus aureus (17.33 mm); MIC ₅₀ values ranged from 0.072 mg/mL ( Enterococcus faecalis ) to 5.479 mg/mL ( C. albicans ). In situ vapor‐phase testing on pear, plum, potato, and leek confirmed concentration‐dependent inhibition (62.5–500 μ L/L). In a 14‐day storage trial at 4°C, SCEO combined with vacuum packaging yielded the lowest total viable counts; coliform bacteria were absent in all treated groups from Day 1. MALDI‐TOF MS identified 26 species dominated by Pseudomonas ; combined treatment eliminated 16 species. SCEO also showed insecticidal activity against Callosobruchus maculatus (LC ₅₀ 13.97%) and Megabruchidius dorsalis (LC ₅₀ 18.19%). These results support the potential of SCEO in food preservation and stored‐product protection.

This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the biological activity of essential oil obtained from the fruits of Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl (FFEO) of Chinese origin. The chemical composition of FFEO was determined by GC–MS analysis, revealing a profile dominated by α ‐fenchene (57.1%), which represents an unusual and previously unreported dominant constituent within the genus Forsythia . FFEO exhibited antimicrobial activity against all tested bacterial strains and Candida species, with higher susceptibility observed in Gram‐positive bacteria. To the best of our knowledge, the antimicrobial activity of FFEO in the vapor phase was evaluated on fresh food matrices for the first time, demonstrating concentration‐dependent inhibition on broccoli, white radish, banana, and kiwi. A storage experiment confirmed that the combination of FFEO with vacuum packaging was the most effective strategy for reducing microbial counts in broccoli during 14‐day refrigerated storage. Broccoli microbiota was characterized by MALDI‐TOF‐MS, identifying 35 bacterial species from 13 families, with Pseudomonas as the dominant genus. To the best of our knowledge, insecticidal activity of FFEO was demonstrated for the first time against the storage pests Callosobruchus maculatus and Megabruchidius dorsalis in a fumigation model. Overall, FFEO shows promise as a multifunctional natural bioactive agent for food protection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of FFEO in the vapor phase on fresh food matrices and to report its insecticidal activity against C. maculatus and M. dorsalis .