Aluminum (Al) toxicity exhibits a challenge for growing strawberries ( Fragaria x ananassa Duch), impacting their growth and nutritional value. Considerably in this study, we explored how melatonin, an endogenous plant hormone, can help alleviate Al stress in strawberry plants. The current research examined the effects of foliar spraying melatonin (0,50, and 100 ppm) on growth indicators, photosynthetic pigment levels, carbon and nitrogen assimilation, oxidative stress markers, and fruit quality attributes under Al stress (100 µM) in a controlled pot experiment conducted in a greenhouse. The results revealed that exposure to Al stress significantly reduced the adequate growth, as well as the yield and quality of fruits. Melatonin application improved plant growth parameters, especially at a concentration of 100 ppm, enhancing the levels of photosynthetic pigments and boosting carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism. Moreover, melatonin played a role in reducing stress markers while increasing enzymatic antioxidant activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione peroxide, glutathione-S-transferase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase) and secondary metabolites (proline, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, reduced glutathione, and phytochelatins), while decreasing polyphenol oxidase activity as well as phenolics content, implying a role in ROS scavenging. The results underscore the promise of melatonin as a method to enhance the ability of strawberries to withstand Al toxicity and promote friendly agricultural practices in polluted soils.

Global population growth poses a threat to sustainable development. Meanwhile, the use of plant proteins as healthy and sustainable alternatives to animal proteins needs further research. Therefore, this investigation was designed to study the nutritive, structural, and thermal properties of isolated protein fractions from different legumes, i.e., faba bean (FPI), soybean (SPI), and lupine (LPI). As a prospective plant-based protein powder, an equal mixture (MPI) of the three prior legume samples was formulated to study its properties compared to each sole sample. The alkaline extraction and isoelectric precipitation (AE-IP) technique was used for protein isolation. Results showed that all protein isolates had reasonable levels of protein with maximum protein content in SPI (96.15%). The MPI sample, however, came out on top in terms of amino acid profile followed by FBI. Compared to SPI and LPI, it had the highest isoleucine content and higher methionine, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, and lysine. Moreover, MPI showed a median particle charge (−37.1 mV) compared to FPI, SPI, and LPI samples. MPI sample peak showed resistance to heat denaturation at a temperature greater than 200 °C when the DSC test was conducted. With respect to its rheological characteristics, it outperformed the other three protein isolates and exhibited the highest values of storage modulus G’ and loss modulus G”. Consequently, our study suggests that pulse-derived protein isolate mixture can be used as a unique type of nutritious dietary protein supplement. It could be a good nutritional alternative to proteins derived from animals.

This research trial was conducted in the open field to assess the integrated cultivation of oyster mushroom Pleurotus columbinus and field-grown vegetable crops. Oyster mushroom intercropped within cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata) and cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var botrytis) rows at the beginning of even head or curd formation. Data revealed superior intercropped cabbage and cauliflower growth parameters and higher yields compared with the respective sole cultivation. Pleurotus columbinus fruiting bodies weight, cab diameter, and total yield were significantly higher for mushroom intercropped with cauliflower than with cabbage. However, no differences or inconsistent differences were observed in fruiting bodies number, cab thickness, stem length, and stem diameter. Analysis of some mushroom fruiting bodies chemical composition showed that mushroom/cabbages intercropping surpassed mushroom/cauliflower intercropping in total phenols. However, no significant difference was observed between cabbages and cauliflowers concerning crude protein, total antioxidant activity, and total flavonoids. It is concluded that oyster mushroom/cabbage or cauliflower intercropping can provide additional marketable protein-rich food as well as enhance cabbage and cauliflower crop productivity based on sustainable practice.

Agro-industrial by-products are potential environmental pollutants. Achieving sustainability leads us to think for handling them in an environmentally friendly way. The present framework was designed to investigate the potential of subsequent utilization of mushroom spent substrate (MSS) of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus var. columbinus) cultivation. Two consecutive trials (2018 and 2019) were conducted at Mushroom Laboratory, Sohag University, Egypt. Fresh rice straw (RS) was used along with mushroom spent substrate (MSS) as control treatments and compared with another three different mixtures of RS:MSS as follows: 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1. The agronomic parameters of the new growing cycle of oyster mushroom, as well as the chemical compounds of substrates were investigated. Data revealed that pure (RS) substrate gave the greatest fruiting bodies yield and number/500g substrate, average fruiting bodies weight, and both of the cap diameter and stem length. In contrast, sole (MSS) gave the least values in both trials. Employing RS and MSS substrate mixture at 2:1 ratio exceeded the other two formulations concerning the above-mentioned parameters. Relative to RS, the analyses of substrates nutritive compounds in MSS showed a significantly higher percentage of N, P, K, total carbohydrates and total ash after cultivation , but had a lower percent in total carbon, hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. In conclusion, SMS alone can›t be considered a potent substrate for further mushroom production. However, it may be used as a filler material in combination with RS but at low ratio.