Fernando Vallejo

Lichen photobionts exhibit significant physiological variability with important ecological implications. While this variability is relatively well studied at the interspecific level, it has rarely been examined at the intraspecific level. Here, we investigated the physiological responses to temperature and irradiance of two Trebouxia lynniae strains differing by a single nucleotide polymorphism in the ITS2 region. Both strains were isolated and characterized through biomass accumulation, chlorophyll fluorescence, pigment quantification, transmission electron microscopy, metabolomic profiling and whole‐genome sequencing. Despite sharing 99.4% and 99.9% of their nuclear and plastid genomes, respectively, the two strains displayed distinct photosynthesis performance analogous to that of the sun and shade leaves. In addition, one strain accumulated higher levels of amino acids and soluble sugars, whereas the other showed greater citrate content and cytoplasmic lipid bodies accumulation, suggesting contrasting strategies for energy storage and stress response. Genomic analysis identified over 1,600 genes carrying non‐synonymous mutations; interestingly, most variants were associated with genes involved in transcriptional regulation, protein turnover and signal transduction rather than core metabolic functions. These findings highlight how closely related strains can diverge functionally and point to a potential role of regulatory processes in shaping photobiont diversity and adaptation to environmental conditions.

The transition toward sustainable aquaculture has prompted the search for alternative feed ingredients that support fish health while reducing dependence on fishmeal. Microalgae such as Microchloropsis gaditana and Arthrospira platensis are rich in bioactive compounds with potential functional benefits. This study evaluated the effects of supplementing gilthead seabream ( Sparus aurata ) diets with a 10% blend of raw or enzymatically hydrolyzed M. gaditana and A. platensis on intestinal microbiota composition and metabolomic profiles. Over a 41-day feeding trial, fish were fed either a control diet or diets supplemented with raw or hydrolyzed microalgae. Microbial communities were assessed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and intestinal metabolites were profiled using UPLC-QTOF and GC–MS. The hydrolyzed microalgae diet induced a marked shift in microbial composition, characterized by a significant increase in Proteobacteria and reduced alpha diversity, particularly in the anterior intestine, whereas the raw diet preserved microbial diversity and promoted the presence of beneficial taxa such as Fusobacteria . Both supplemented diets led to a reduction in inflammation-related metabolites, including 12-keto-leukotriene B4 and 15-keto-prostaglandin E2, and facilitated the accumulation of beneficial long-chain fatty acids, such as oleic and stearic acids. Overall, these findings indicate that dietary inclusion of M. gaditana and A. platensis , particularly in hydrolyzed form, can modulate gut microbiota and intestinal metabolic responses in S. aurata , supporting their potential use as functional and sustainable aquafeed ingredients.

The increasing use of reclaimed water in Mediterranean agriculture, together with the valorization of agro-industrial by-products, has created new scenarios for potential contaminant transfer into food-derived products. Plant-based dietary supplements constitute a distinctive exposure niche because plant materials may accumulate environmental contaminants during cultivation, while downstream processing can concentrate both bioactive compounds and xenobiotics. In this preliminary case study, a targeted UHPLC–MS/MS approach was applied to BIOMEDER , a Mediterranean multi-by-product dietary supplement formulated from plant materials cultivated under conditions that included reclaimed-water irrigation, to investigate the occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). Pharmaceuticals, pesticides, cyanotoxins, bisphenols, and a lifestyle-related marker were simultaneously evaluated. Twenty-four pharmaceuticals (Σ = 167.8 ± 5.1 ng g ⁻¹ ), sixteen pesticides (Σ = 358.0 ± 0.8 ng g ⁻¹ ), caffeine (49.5 ± 0.2 ng g ⁻¹ ), and four cyanotoxins (Σ = 0.8 ± 0.0 ng g ⁻¹ ) were detected, whereas bisphenols were not detected above the method detection limits. Screening-level daily intake estimates, calculated assuming a supplement consumption scenario of 1 g day ⁻¹ , indicated higher body-weight-normalized exposure for children (25 kg body weight) than adults (70 kg body weight). Pesticides represented the dominant contaminant class, with phosmet, fluazinam, and chlorantraniliprole contributing most to the overall burden, while piroxicam and diclofenac were the principal pharmaceutical residues. Although the detected concentrations were low, the simultaneous occurrence of multiple contaminant classes highlights the relevance of mixture-based exposure assessment for plant-derived supplements. Because the study was conducted on a single supplement formulation, the results should be interpreted as a proof-of-concept dataset rather than as representative of plant-based supplements in general. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the concurrent occurrence of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, cyanotoxins, and a lifestyle-related chemical marker in a Mediterranean agro-industrial by-product dietary supplement, providing a baseline for future exposomic investigations and the development of monitoring strategies within a One Health framework.

Buckwheat (BW) is recognized as a functional food with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. BW (poly)phenols are important bioactive compounds associated with these benefits, although their therapeutic role remains elusive. We used a multidisciplinary approach to identify the bioactive flavonoids of BW and their molecular mechanisms. Physiologically relevant concentrations of luteolin (Lute), quercetin (Quer), apigenin (Api), and kaempferol (Kaem) were effective in reducing prostaglandin (PG)E₂ and PGD₂ biosynthesis in LPS-activated macrophages by acting at distinct branch points of the LPS/COX-2 pathway. Lute, Api, and Kaem reduced COX-2 levels, whereas Quer exerted the opposite effect. Lute and Kaem inhibited Ikkβ phosphorylation, while TLR4 was identified as a flavonoid's target. PGE₂ and PGD₂ reductions were independent of COX-2 modulation and correlated with hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase (hPGDS) inhibition (exerted by Lute and Quer). These findings offer a new perspective on the LPS/COX-2 pathway as a target of BW-derived products to address inflammation-related diseases.

The growing occurrence of emerging contaminants, particularly pharmaceutical residues, in aquatic environments represents a major environmental concern worldwide. While pharmaceutical contamination has been increasingly studied in marine systems, port environments remain largely understudied despite their complex anthropogenic pressures. This study investigates the occurrence, spatial distribution, and potential environmental risk of pharmaceutical residues in surface waters of the port of Cartagena, a multifunctional port on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Fifteen pharmaceuticals were analysed across nine sampling sites, of which six were not detected. Diclofenac and several antibiotics (erythromycin, azithromycin, clindamycin, and trimethoprim) were the most frequently detected compounds, reaching maximum concentrations of up to 12,294.1 ng/L. Elevated concentrations were observed at sites associated with intense human activity, while the detection of multiple pharmaceuticals at a designated Special Area of Conservation suggests additional diffuse pollution sources, likely linked to insufficient wastewater management in nearby informal settlements. Most detected concentrations exceeded established environmental-quality or risk-threshold values, indicating a potential threat to marine ecosystems. These findings highlight the vulnerability of port environments to pharmaceutical pollution and underscore the need for continuous monitoring programs to support effective environmental management and biodiversity protection in coastal port areas.

Agri-food industries generate substantial quantities of side streams such as peels, pods, seeds, and leaves. Traditionally regarded as waste, these by-products are now recognized as rich sources of bioactive compounds—often at higher concentrations than those found in edible plant parts. Their recovery reduces environmental impact and enables the development of sustainable ingredients for food and health-related applications, in line with circular economy principles. This study presents the design and metabolomic characterization of a novel lyophilized powder derived from Mediterranean and locally cultivated plant-based by-products (named BIOMEDER), including orange, lemon, olive leaves, carob pods, shiitake mushroom, and salicornia. A multiplatform metabolomics approach was applied, combining high-resolution UPLC-QTOF-MS, UHPLC-QTRAP-MS, SPME-GC-MS, and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy to comprehensively profile phytochemicals, nutrients, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The powder was found to be rich in flavonoids (e.g., luteolin-7-O-glucoside, hesperidin, eriocitrin), phenolic acids, amino acids (e.g., proline, GABA), organic acids (e.g., malic and citric acid), and over 40 VOCs associated with antioxidant and sensory functions. Notably, high concentrations of these compounds suggest potential health-promoting properties. These findings might support the formulation of a potential functional plant-based supplement and reinforce the value of integrating diverse agro-industrial by-products into sustainable, health-oriented food solutions.

Agri-food industries generate substantial quantities of side streams such as peels, pods, seeds, and leaves. Traditionally regarded as waste, these by-products are now recognized as rich sources of bioactive compounds—often at higher concentrations than those found in edible plant parts. Their recovery reduces environmental impact and enables the development of sustainable ingredients for food and health-related applications, in line with circular economy principles. This study presents the design and metabolomic characterization of a novel lyophilized extract derived from Mediterranean and locally cultivated plant-based by-products (named BIOMEDEX), including orange, lemon, olive leaves, carob pods, shiitake mushroom, and salicornia. A multiplatform metabolomics approach was applied, combining high-resolution UPLC-QTOF-MS, UHPLC-QTRAP-MS, SPME-GC-MS, and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy to comprehensively profile phytochemicals, nutrients, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The extract was found to be rich in flavonoids (e.g., luteolin-7-O-glucoside, hesperidin, eriocitrin), phenolic acids, amino acids (e.g., proline, GABA), organic acids (e.g., malic and citric acid), and over 40 VOCs associated with antioxidant and sensory functions. Notably, complementary enrichment of these compounds suggest potential health-promoting properties. These findings support the formulation of a multifunctional plant-based ingredient and reinforce the value of integrating diverse agro-industrial by-products into sustainable, health-oriented food solutions.

Vibrio proteolyticus DCF12.2 has demonstrated its ability to be used as a probiotic for fish species. This study investigates how different culture conditions influence the activity of its extracellular products (ECPs) in aquaculture, focusing on enzymatic and antibacterial activity, cytotoxicity, biofilm modulation, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles, and effects on Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida virulence. Enzymatic assays showed a variety of hydrolytic activities, including amylase, caseinase, and collagenase, which can enhance digestion and nutrient absorption in fish. Antibacterial assays revealed that ECPs from V. proteolyticus grown in an experimental aquafeed and a partial replacement of that aquafeed by 25% of a blend of microalgae inhibited P. damselae subsp. piscicida and P. damselae subsp. damselae. Cytotoxicity assays indicated variable effects across fish cell lines, with increased viability in SAF-1 and DLB-1 cells under specific conditions, and decreased viability in PLHC-1 cells, suggesting potential antitumor properties. Biofilm assays showed that certain ECP conditions reduced biofilm formation by Vibrio anguillarum, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Tenacibaculum maritimum. SCFA profiling detected acetic, iso-valeric, butyric, and valeric acids, which may contribute to antimicrobial activity and gut health. The ECPs significantly downregulated aip56 gene transcription, reducing the virulence of P. damselae subsp. piscicida. These findings suggest that ECPs from V. proteolyticus could be valuable aquafeed additives for enhancing fish nutrition, health, and disease resistance. Future research should aim to isolate and characterize the specific bioactive compounds responsible for these effects and elucidate their mechanisms of action for optimized application in aquaculture and other biotechnological fields.