Smart nanohybrid technology with potential advantages to plants has recently been developed for the management of widespread pollution of heavy metals. Herein, we disclose a novel strategy to combat Pb stress in strawberry (Fragaria spp. cv. Fertona) plants through a newly designed nano-based system that conjugates indole acetic acid (IAA) with nanoparticles (NPs) of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) micronutrients, forming IAA-Mn₂O₃NPs (IAA-MnNPs) and IAA-Fe₂O₃NPs (IAA-FeNPs) nanocomposites and illuminate the underlying mechanisms involved. NPs were synthesized, yielding cubic Mn₂O₃ NPs (50 nm) and spheric Fe₂O₃ NPs (30-40 nm) evidenced by various characterization techniques. The incorporation of IAA hormone to the surface of NPs was examined using FT-IR spectroscopy. Pb harshly hindered strawberry growth and promoted stress oxidative markers, i.e., MDA and ROS byproducts …

Grape seeds are a rich source of phenolic substances, which are known for their potent antioxidants and antimicrobial properties. This study aims to estimate the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity in the aqueous extract of red and white grape seeds. Additionally, the effect of adding red and white grape seeds in the form of powder or aqueous extract as preservative films by incorporating carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) on the quality characteristics of beef burgers during freezing storage at -18±1°C for 90 days. The results showed that grape seeds contain phenolic substances at a high rate in addition to high antioxidant activity in both varieties. Free phenolic contents and the antioxidant activity were 557.83 - 411.70 mg GAE/100g and 66.37 - 72.71% in the aqueous extract of white and red grape seeds, respectively. Addition of grape seeds led to improving the characteristics of the beef burger during freezing storage. The values of pH, peroxide, and TBA decreased compared to the control sample. The same treatments caused an improvement in the microbial quality of beef burger; the total counts of bacteria, fungi, and yeasts were significantly decreased in the treated samples during storage compared with the control sample. In general, addition of grape seeds powder or their extracts as a natural source of antioxidants and antimicrobials instead of the synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) can improve the quality characteristics of beef burger and increase its acceptability among the consumers.

High persistent organochlorine (OC) insecticides are banned to be used in
indoor. In some developing countries, they used for controlling vectors insects.
Organophosphorus (OP) insecticides widely utilized to control which replaced OC
occasionally. On the contrary, organophosphorus pesticides are widely used in the
control of various insect pests of agricultural crops and fodder for animal
production. In comparison with OC group, OP has highly toxic hazards and shortterm environmental degradation. Herein, we determine the organochlorine
pesticide residues in tomato samples from various governorates in Upper Egypt.
As a result, heptachlor-epoxide, dieldrin, aldrin, p, p'-DDE, and p, p'-DDT had the
lowest residues in all tomato samples, with values of (0.61, 0.93, 1.38, 1.7, and
1.74 µg/ kg) for each pesticide residue, respectively, based on results of gas
chromatography in tomato samples using the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective,
Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) method. Further, heptachlor and methoxychlor
was found to be the highest levels among the pesticide residues that detected (13.9
and 10.42 µg/ kg) respectively. For the OP insecticide residues, the collected
samples of tomatoes from Assiut, New Valley, El-Minia and Sohag were no
residues to be found. Further studies of continues monitoring OC and OP residues
of pesticides in different ecosystems septically in table vegetables and fruit should
be applied.
 

A new species of mite, Acarophenax dominicai was described and illustrated based on male and phoretic female. The new species was reported parasitizing of lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) eggs infested wheat grains. Adult females of this species most closely resemble those of Acarophenax lacunatus Cross and Krantz (1964). The new species is separable from A. lacunatus by its smaller size, ornamentations on dorsum and venter, the shape of tergite margins; aggenital plate; gnathosoma, as well as the chaetotaxy of legs I-IV. Holotype female and five paratype females; holotype male and four paratype males, were deposited in the Acari collection of Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Egypt. Some biological aspects are provided. Female mite produces one close d eggs capsule and remains alive until the capsule comes out. Female mites settle on the dorsum of host female during the pre-oviposition period, then leave the host in the period of oviposition and feed on egg’s contents. Male mites are ephemeral and may not emerge from the gravid-female. Mite sex ratios are highly skewed, with an average of 19.7 ± 0.3: 0.77 ± 0.23 females to males (mite progeny/eggs capsule/gravid-female). When females reach adulthood, mating take place either within the gravid-female (if present) or with a male which has previously emerged from another eggs capsule. Male mites are not parasitic and had poor locomotion abilities

The effect of high and low temperature and microwave radiation on the adult of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) infested wheat seeds was studied. At high temperature (55°C), 29% of the death occurred after 30 minutes and the complete death occurred after 60 minutes. The lethal time of 50% mortality (LT50) and lethal time of 90% mortality (LT90) values were 36.96 and 63.4 minutes. Cold temperature (-7°C) caused 12% mortality after 20 minutes and complete succumb was obtained after 75 minutes. The LT50 and LT90 values were 38.6 and 71.3 minutes. Microwave at power of 2450 MHZ caused 33% mortality after 10 seconds and 100% mortality after 35 seconds. The LT50 and LT90 values on this power were 12.8 and 26.3 seconds. The mean germination rate of wheat seeds was 5% for microwave treatment (2450 MHZ, 30 seconds). However, 70% germination rate was achieved when the seeds were exposed to low temperature (-7°C, 3 months), and 77.5% when high temperature (55°C, 60 minutes) were used. In conclusion, the present study showed that, cold temperature (-7°c), high temperature (55°c), and microwave radiation had been successfully controlled R. dominica in a short period of time, however, microwave radiation had adverse effects on the germination of wheat seeds. Radiation seeds should therefore not be used in planting

The present study focused on determining: the developmental rate of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda at four constant temperatures, (21±1, 24±1, 29±1 and 34±1°C), the number of degree-days (DD’s) needed for each stage to finish development, and overall egg-to-adult development, to compute certain biological parameters used in pest prediction. According to the study the development of one generation required around 21, 26. 44 and 47 days at 21, 24, 29 and 34°C. the mean incubation periods were determined to be 4.4, 3.7, 2.1 and 1.3 days at 21, 24, 29 and 34°C, respectively. As the temperature rose, the mean amount of time needed for the adult stage to mature the ovaries and begin laying eggs dropped (from 6.1 days at 21°C to 3.1 days at 34°C). Recorded were generation time, (rm) and (λ), threshold of development (t0), and the average thermal units in degree-days (DD’s). The research of heat requirements of the pest is very important to calculate the thermal heat units that is necessary for this invasive pest's growth and development, hence the annual field generations can be predicted in addition to draw up a planning IPM strategy for this harmful pest.

Ras cheese, a type of hard cheese, is widely recognized and holds considerable importance in Egypt and various
other regions. This cheese is often subjected to high-humidity storage conditions, fostering the proliferation of
fungi and yeasts that can impact its quality. This study aims to examine the ability of various Lactobacillus strains
as protective adjunct cultures against fungal growth, and to determine the mycotoxin production and enzymatic
activities of isolated fungi found in Ras cheese. The experimental design comprised several treatments: Control
was made using Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus; T1, T2 and T3 involved control +
Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus helveticus and Lacticaseibacillus casei, respectively. On Czapek dextrose agar
medium, control exhibited the highest fungal count at fresh status (525 ± 46 CFU/g), whereas T3 displayed the
lowest value (277 ± 60 CFU/g). T2 with Lb. helveticus showed the lowest total fungal count (302 ± 79 CFU/g)
and had higher antifungal activity in stored cheese than Lb. acidophilus (344 ± 53 CFU/g) and Lb. casei (323 ±
73 CFU/g) at 90-day ripening. T1 yielded the highest count in fresh samples (363 ± 66 CFU/g), while T3 presented the lowest count after 90-days (243 ± 59 CFU/g) on PDA medium. Moreover, Aspergillus flavus and
Aspergillus niger were the predominant fungi in control after 90-days, with reduced occurrences in probiotic treated cheeses. The absence of mycotoxins was verified in Ras cheese; however, isolates of A. flavus showed
the ability to generate aflatoxin B1 and G1, whereas isolates of A. niger could produce ochratoxin A. Both
A. flavus and A. niger isolates exhibited the potential to produce lipases and proteases. The introduction of
probiotics into Ras cheese may serve as an essential environmentally friendly approach to mitigate fungal
presence and diminish the production of undesirable enzymes that compromise the quality and safety of hard
cheeses.
 

In bee diets, nectar is the primary source of carbohydrates. During scarcity of bee flora, such as in winter, beekeepers typically provide supplemental sugar syrup as a nectar substitute. We examined four types of sugars (sucrose, fructose, glucose, and a mixture of fructose and glucose) on bee longevity, bee appetitive, and their impact on pollen digestion. The results showed that sucrose and glucose had extended the longevity in cages. Bees preferred sucrose at a 50% concentration since they consumed more than the other sugar types in cages and in the multiple-choice test experiment in apiary. Bees given sucrose solution consumed the most pollen. In contrast, the cages provided the fructose solution consumed the least amount of pollen, increasing body fat percentage, which can be considered evidence of a digestive disorder. Generally, the type of sugar affects bee’s benefits from nutrition. Finally, sucrose is the best type of sugar and is considered the ideal substitute for nectar.

In Egypt, grapes, Vitis vinifera are an important agricultural export crop. The use of various synthetic pesticides is essential to control diseases and pests for export purposes. Pesticide residues are a significant concern for food safety and quality in the Egyptian grape industry. This study evaluated the concentrations of pesticide residues in grape samples taken from five local markets in Assiut Governorate using LC-MS/MS. Fourteen types of pesticide residues were identified. The data from this study indicated that some pesticide residues exceeded the maximum residue limit set by regulatory authorities. These pesticide residues included carbendazim, buprofezin, pendimethalin, metolachlor, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, dimethoate, and omethoate. Continuous research and policy actions are necessary to ensure the safety of the food supply. The study emphasized the need for improved pesticide management, oversight, and farmer education to ensure food safety and reduce the risk of harmful pesticide residues being consumed through grape consumption. Suggestions were made to strengthen legal frameworks and promote integrated pest management strategies in the grape industry.