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Abstract: Desalination is becoming increasingly important to meet the growing demand for freshwater. However, a major drawback of this technology is the production of hypersaline brine. This by-product contains salts and contaminants that have been removed during the desalination process, including antiscalants, cleaning agents, heavy metals, and organic compounds. Instead of disposing of this brine and causing environmental harm, new strategies should be developed to transform brine from a burden into an opportunity with environmental and economic benefits. Brine can harbor halotolerant and halophilic microorganisms, making it a valuable resource for studying microbial diversity, adaptations and exploring untapped biotechnological opportunities in pharmaceutical, industrial, and ecological fields. We propose two strategies of innovation: (i) using brine to cultivate micro- and macro-organisms, both of which can create circular economy models tailored to global and local needs. (ii) In addition, the amount of brine generated by desalination plants can be reduced by integrating or coupling them with biodesalination modules. These modules would harness halotolerant and halophilic organisms to retain and assimilate salts, reducing the environmental impact of desalination.
Keywords: desalination, brine, environmental impact, circular economy, biotechnology
Published in DiRROS: 08.09.2025; Views: 277; Downloads: 124
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Abstract: Citrus black spot (CBS), caused by the fungus Phyllosticta citricarpa, significantly affects citrus fruit marketability and can lead to premature fruit drop. Accurate and reliable detection of this quarantine pathogen is crucial, particularly for asymptomatic plant material. This study evaluated two qPCR assays, the EPPO recommended assay PC and assay Pc-TEF1, based on TEF region, for detecting P. citricarpa through a collaborative test performance study (TPS). DNA from the isolates of Phyllosticta spp. and other fungi was spiked into citrus fruit peel extracts (lemon, orange, and pomelo) and distributed among 13 laboratories. Sample and qPCR assay stability under typical transport conditions was confirmed, although prolonged storage affected Pc-TEF1 assay performance. The assays were assessed based on sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and repeatability. Both assays demonstrated high performance, with repeatability and reproducibility exceeding 95%. The PC assay, as expected, detected different related Phyllosticta species, while Pc-TEF1 showed higher specificity for P. citricarpa included in the TPS alone. Additionally, inhibitory effects were observed specifically in the pomelo peel samples, suggesting matrix-dependent variability. This TPS confirms that both PC and Pc-TEF1 qPCR assays are robust. Further evaluation of the qPCR assays would support the selection of the most reliable assays for the detection of P. citricarpa, contributing to the effective management of CBS disease in citrus production and trade.
Keywords: test performance study, Phyllosticta citricarpa, real time PCR, TEF1, biotechnology
Published in DiRROS: 07.05.2025; Views: 632; Downloads: 564
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Abstract: Glucanases are enzymes regulating the size exclusion limit and permeability of plasmodesmata and play a role in biotic stress. In plant genomes, they are encoded as relatively large gene families divided into four classes. Most studies of plant virus interactions have focused on glucanases from classes I and II. In our study, we have evaluated the role of the β-1,3-glucanase class III (Glu-III) gene in the potato–potato virus YNTN (PVYNTN) interaction and implemented the findings to plant biotechnology application. Potato cultivars Désirée and Santé, which are tolerant and extremely resistant to PVYNTN, respectively, were stably transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens harbouring constructs for Glu-III overexpression. Localization of Glu-III protein in patches within the cell wall was determined by tagging the Glu-III protein with green fluorescent protein. Transgenic and non-transgenic plants were challenged with PVYNTN and its multiplication and spreading was followed. Differences in viral spread were observed between transgenic lines overexpressing Glu-III and non-transgenic lines, with stronger and faster viral spread in transgenic Désirée, and some multiplication in transgenic Santé. In addition, the ability of Glu-III to improve in planta protein production after agroinfiltration was tested. The results have shown that Glu-III overexpression enables faster spreading of vectors between cells and better protein production, which could be beneficial in improving in planta protein production system using viral vectors.
Keywords: plant biotechnology, plant-virus interaction, potato virus Y, agroinfiltration, beta-1, 3-glucanase
Published in DiRROS: 04.03.2025; Views: 720; Downloads: 837
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Abstract: The WINBLUE project takes a multi-actor, data-driven, trans-sectoral and practice-cantered approach to accelerate the empowerment of women in the blue economy. For this reason, the collection qualitative data has been performed. The data collection exercise analysed in this Deliverable, is essential to identify challenges faced by women working in the WINBLUE selected sectors and to provide a basis for establishing future recommendations. The main messages identified in the Deliverable are: 1. Understanding gender and gender equality. For many years, gender equality was considered only as the gender distribution of women and men employed in an organization. This has been changed only in recent years, especially by requesting the adoption of the Gender Equality Plans. 2. Gender Equality Plan (GEP). The EU encouraged the mandatory adoption of GEPs in public organisations if the organisation wants obtain EU funding. If it was not enforced by the EU, many legal entities would not introduce it. However, many organizations see this as a formal “tick the box” exercise without its formal implementation. Nevertheless, in blue economy, where a lot of workforce operates in private or non-governmental entities, GEPs can also be of high value to make structural and cultural changes in individual organizations. 3. Obstacles, such as stereotypes, traditions, mentality and prejudices are still very present in today's society and represent one of the biggest obstacles for women when entering or trying to move up in the sectors of the blue economy selected by WINBLUE (Blue circular bioeconomy and biotechnology, Fisheries and aquaculture, Sustainable coastal and marine tourism, Offshore renewable energy, Cutting-edge marine technologies and others, such as marine education, marine policy, port management, navigation). An important obstacle to mention is motherhood and balancing work and family life. This is not only related to maternity leave and at least one year's absence from work, but also to caring responsibilities and domestic duties, as well as ineffective institutional or national policies on work-life balance. In addition, women are subject to enormous social pressure with regard to role models, family and their life choices. 4. Education plays a very important role in raising awareness, fighting stereotypes, changing mindsets and raising new generations who will understand the meaning and importance of gender equality. It starts at an early age with the first lessons learned from parents and continues at school, university and vocational training. Hence, educational activities should be an integral part of any GEPs. 5. Recruitment and promotion. Gender alone should not be a factor in hiring and promotion. The decision to recruit or promote a person should be made on the basis of the candidate’s skills, abilities, competencies and experience. However, to address unconscious bias and ensure transparent recruitment and promotion procedures, clear guidelines with standardized questions and tasks should be established and records of the selection/promotion process should be kept so that the transparency of the process can be reviewed if necessary. Recruitment and promotion committees should be composed of both male and female employees. 6. Creation of support networks is mostly seen as a valuable tool that can provide mutual support, exchange of good practices and introduce ambassadors with good practice examples. 7. The WINBLUE project, in particular the qualitative and quantitative data collection, as well as the GEP models can make a decisive contribution to introducing changes in the blue economy sector, improving the representation of women in this sector and increasing their number in leadership positions. The WINBLUE project is a good starting point to raise awareness and increase the visibility of women in the blue economy sector. 8. Sustainability of the results of this project should already be considered at this point, during its implementation stage. This entails that through identified stakeholders, activities and GEPs proposed, the systematic quantitative and qualitative data analysis should be maintained and regular monitoring of GEP implementation should be established, including the collaboration with national and international legislative/funding organizations and other organizations from the blue economy sector.
Keywords: gender equality, marine biotechnology, blue economy
Published in DiRROS: 19.12.2024; Views: 931; Downloads: 120
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Abstract: As the global population continues to grow, so does the demand for longer, healthier lives and environmentally responsible choices. Consumers are increasingly drawn to naturally sourced products with proven health and wellbeing benefits. The marine environment presents a promising yet underexplored resource for the cosmetics industry, offering bioactive compounds with the potential for safe and biocompatible ingredients. This manuscript provides a comprehensive overview of the potential of marine organisms for cosmetics production, highlighting marine-derived compounds and their applications in skin/hair/oral-care products, cosmeceuticals and more. It also lays down critical safety considerations and addresses the methodologies for sourcing marine compounds, including harvesting, the biorefinery concept, use of systems biology for enhanced product development, and the relevant regulatory landscape. The review is enriched by three case studies: design of macroalgal skincare products in Iceland, establishment of a microalgal cosmetics spin-off in Italy, and the utilization of marine proteins for cosmeceutical applications.
Keywords: bioactive compounds, cosmeceuticals, marine organisms, naturally sourced, biorefinery, cosmetics, marine biotechnology, natural product chemistry
Published in DiRROS: 04.12.2024; Views: 860; Downloads: 1708
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