The escalating impact of abiotic stress on crop productivity requires innovative strategies to ensure sustainable agriculture. This review examines the promising role of biostimulants in mitigating the adverse effects of abiotic stress on crops. Biostimulants, ranging from simple organic compounds to complex living microorganisms, have demonstrated significant potential in enhancing plant resilience, stress tolerance, and overall performance. The mechanisms underlying biostimulant action—such as enhancing antioxidant defenses, regulating hormonal pathways, and inducing metabolic adjustments—are reviewed. Furthermore, we incorporate the latest research findings, methodologies, and advancements in biostimulant applications for addressing abiotic stressors, including drought, salinity, high temperatures, and nutrient deficiencies. This review also highlights current challenges and future opportunities for optimizing biostimulant use in sustainable crop production. This revision aims to guide researchers and agronomists in applying biostimulants to improve crop resilience in the context of climate change.

Red, black and white seeds quinoa were germinated at 28 °C during 24 (G1), 48 and 72 h (G3). Red quinoa presented a higher percentage of germination with a value of 46% of germination at 72 h. Quinoa protein isolate (QPI) was obtained by alkaline extraction (pH 8.0) followed by an isoelectric precipitation (pH 4.5) from white, red and black quinoa seeds, germinated QPI-G1 or QPI-G3 and non-germinated QPI-NG, Chenopodium quinoa Willd var. Real. QPI-G1, QPI-G3 and QPI-NG were subject to a simulated gastric digestion (DG) and in vitro duodenal digestion (DD). The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) methods. Gastric and duodenal digest of QPI-NG and QPI-G1 and QPI-G3 from white, red and black quinoa presented antioxidant activity. QPI-G1-DD of white quinoa presented the highest antioxidant activity with a DPPH value of 167.98 µmoL TE/g of digest, QPI-G1-DD of red quinoa with an ABTS value of 204.86 µmoL TE/g of digest and QPI-G1-DD of black quinoa with an ORAC value of 401.42 µmoL TE/g of digest. QPI-G3-DD of white quinoa presented higher antioxidant activity with a DPPH value of 186.28 µmoL TE/g of sample, QPI-G3-DD of red quinoa with an ABTS value of 144.06 µmoL TE/g of digest and QPI-G3-DD of black quinoa with an ORAC value of 395.14 µmoL TE/g of digest. The inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the zebrafish embryo model (Danio rerio) was evaluated. Protein profiles of QPI from white, red and black from germinated quinoa and non-germinated quinoa were similar with proteins between 10 kDa to 100 kDa with the presence of globulins 11S and 7S and 2S albumins.

Amaranth protein concentrate (APC) was hydrolyzed under in vitro gastrointestinal conditions. APC proteins were partially degraded by pepsin at pHs 1.2, 2.0, and 3.2. During the intestinal phase (pepsin/pancreatin enzymes at pH 7.0), no polypeptide bands were observed in the gel, suggesting the susceptibility of amaranth proteins to the action of digestive enzymes. The potent in vitro inhibition of lipid peroxidation, shown by the gastric and intestinal digests, was confirmed in the zebrafish larvae, with a 72.86% reduction in oxidation of lipids in the presence of the gastric hydrolysate at pH 2.0, compared to a 95.72% reduction in the presence of the gastrointestinal digest. APC digests were capable of reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the zebrafish embryo model with a value of fluorescence of 52.5% for the gastric hydrolysate, and 48.4% for the intestinal hydrolysate.

In Argentina, the cultivation of malting barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) has expanded significantly, driven by the increasing demand of the brewing industry for barley malt. However, the predominance of the Andreia cultivar has reduced genetic diversity, increasing its vulnerability to environmental fluctuations and limiting the selection of new genotypes with desirable malting traits. Based on the hypothesis that significant biochemical variability exists among the commercial genotypes currently available in Argentina, this study provides the first comprehensive assessment integrating germination performance, protein content, hordein composition, and amylolytic enzyme activity in these genotypes. Twelve malting barley genotypes were evaluated under uniform growing conditions, and biochemical analyses were conducted on micromalted grains. Gel Electrophoresis revealed polymorphisms mainly in B‐ and C‐hordeins, supporting genetic differentiation among cultivars. The total protein content ranged from 9.5% to 13.2%, whereas soluble hordeins varied from 5.8% to 12.9% of the total protein. α‐Amylase activity values ≥ 150 U/g were observed in all cultivars evaluated, except for Sinfonía. However, amylolytic activity, which is related to diastatic power, was higher in genotypes such as Andreia, Alhue, Aliciana, and Jennifer. Correlations between protein content, enzyme activity, and hordein profiles indicated genotype‐dependent biochemical patterns in the barley grains. Overall, this study highlights the existence of relevant biochemical diversity among Argentine commercial genotypes, providing valuable information for breeding programs aimed at improving malting quality and promoting productive diversification in the national barley industry.