Outer shells and inner blocklets were isolated from normal and waxy wheat A- and B- starch granules. Microstructural, molecular, and architectural characteristics of the isolated shells and blocklets were investigated using different methods and techniques. The results revealed that the outer shells were flake and net pocket shaped, with a compact surface and mass fractal. On the other hand, inner blocklets exhibited spherical, beaded, and rod shapes with a typical V-type crystalline structure. Crystallinity, degree of short-range order, amylopectin and amylose molecular weight, amount of intramolecular hydrogen bonds, and the average of shorter semicrystalline lamellae repetition distance varied between outer shells and inner blocklets, as well as depending on the type of wheat starch granules, i.e. normal and waxy wheat A- and B- starch granules. The branch chain length distribution of amylopectin affected the thickness of amorphous and crystalline regions, and the crystal order degree influenced the fractal and morphological characteristics of outer shells and inner blocklets. Additionally, amylose and amylopectin of inner blocklets were polymerized to form larger amylose and amylopectin molecules and develop the outer shells. The obtained findings give a theoretical basis for understanding the relationship between molecular structure and architectural characteristics of starch.

In this study, proso millet starch was isolated and subjected to treatment with ultra-high pressure (UHP), cold plasma (CP), or their combination to modify its functional properties. The changes in structural, physicochemical, and digestive properties of proso millet starch after these treatments were investigated. The proso millet native starch granules showed irregular and polygonal shapes with a smooth surface. Treatments with CP or UHP at low pressures did not change the morphological properties or crystalline structure type of proso millet starch granules, while the treatment with UHP at 600 MPa and CP resulted in a complete gelatinization of starch. Also, UHP treatment at high pressure, followed by CP treatment, destroyed the partial crystalline region and reduced the short-range order of proso millet starch. Besides, a combination of UHP and CP treatment promoted the depolymerization of long chains in proso millet starch. Moreover, the combined treatments could enhance the resistance to high temperature and shearing and improve the pasting stability of starch. Furthermore, the combined treatment could increase the slowly digestible starch content. Therefore, the combination of UHP and CP treatment can be suggested for modifying the functional properties of proso millet starch and promoting its industrial applications.

Studies in recent years have shown that aquatic pollution by microplastics (MPs) can be considered to pose additional stress to amphibian populations. However, our knowledge of how MPs affect amphibians is very rudimentary, and even more limited is our understanding of their effects in combination with other emerging pollutants. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the possible toxicity of polyethylene MPs (PE-MPs) (alone or in combination with a mix of pollutants) on the health of Physalaemus cuvieri tadpoles. After 30 days of exposure, multiple biomarkers were measured, including morphological, biometric, and developmental indices, behavioral parameters, mutagenicity, cytotoxicity, antioxidant and cholinesterase responses, as well as the uptake and accumulation of PE-MPs in animals. Based on the results, there was no significant change in any of the parameters measured in tadpoles exposed to treatments, but induced stress was observed in tadpoles exposed to PE-MPs combined with the mixture of pollutants, reflecting significant changes in physiological and biochemical responses. Through principal component analysis (PCA) and integrated biomarker response (IBR) assessment, effects induced by pollutants in each test group were distinguished, confirming that the exposure of P. cuvieri tadpoles to the PE-MPs in combination with a mix of emerging pollutants induces an enhanced stress response, although the uptake and accumulation of PE-MPs in these animals was reduced. Thus, our study provides new insight into the danger to amphibians of MPs coexisting with other pollutants in aquatic environments.

Abstract This study was conducted during two successive seasons of 2018 and 2019 on Balady Mandarin trees, 20 years old budded on sour orange rootstock and planted at 5×5m apart. Grown at the productive farm located at Shandawel Island, Sohag governorate. This experiment aimed to study the effect of active dry yeast, ascorbic acid, vitamin B complex and their combination on yield components, alternate bearing and fruit quality of Balady Mandarin cultivar grown under Sohage conditions. The obtained results showed that using of active dry yeast at 10g/l (as soil application) as single application or in combination with ascorbic acid and vitamin B complex at 1g/l from each (foliar application) caused a pronounced increasing of fruit numbers, fruit weight (g) and yield (kg). The later also improved fruit quality in terms of TSS%, TSS/acid ratio as well as total sugars, vitamin C content and reducing total acidity of Balady Mandarin fruits. According to results of the current study it could be concluded that using active dry yeast at 10g/l (as soil application) as single treatment or in combination with spraying ascorbic acid (1g/l) plus vitamin B complex (1g/l) three times on the first week of May, July and September led to improve both yield and fruit quality of Balady Mandarin Cultivar under Sohage environmental conditions.

Abstract This investigation was conducted during the two successive seasons i.e. 2019 and 2020 on Zaghloul date palm grown at the experimental orchard, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt. This work conducted to study the effect of different sources of potassium fertilizers on fruiting of Zaghloul date palm under Qena condition. Potassium fertilization via nano-technology, vinasse and potassin were used. The experiment was arranged in a complete randomized design with three replications. It is evident from the obtained results that using nano-potassium, either soil dressing or foliar spray, as well as foliar spray of vinasse or potassin significantly increased the fruit retention, bunch weight and yield/palm compared to fertilize by potassium sulphate (check treatment). Also, these treatments significantly improved dates quality in terms of increasing fruit weight, flesh percentage, TSS, sugar percentages and anthocyanin contents moreover, decreasing total acidity and total tannins compared to fertilize with the recommended potassium doses via potassium sulphate. From the results, it could be concluded that fertilized Zaghloul date palm with potassium fertilization via foliar spray of either nano-potassium, vinasse or potassium to improve the fertilization efficiency and get high yield with best dates quality. In addition, hasten advance the fruit ripening and overcome potassium fertilization problems.

study was carried out at the Experimental Orchard, Faculty of Agriculture, This Assiut University, Egypt, to study the effect of Gibberellic Acid (GA₃), Naphthalenacetic acid (NAA), calcium chloride and zinc sulphate spraying on fruiting of Manfalouty pomegranate during 2017 and 2018 seasons. The experiment was set up in a complete randomized block design with three replicates, one tree per each.