Chaobo Zhang

Dolichospermum sp. FACHB-82, a representative harmful bloom-forming cyanobacterium, has garnered widespread attention in freshwater ecosystems due to its high environmental adaptability and potential for rapid proliferation. Phenyllactic acid (PLA) is a structurally defined aromatic organic acid with known antimicrobial activity, but its inhibitory effects on FACHB-82 and their photosynthetic apparatus remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the concentration-dependent effects of PLA on biomass accumulation, photosynthetic pigment production and photosynthetic activity in FACHB-82. The findings revealed that PLA induced a concentration-dependent biphasic response on biomass accumulation and photosynthetic pigment synthesis of FACHB-82. Chlorophyll a fluorescence analyses revealed that high-concentration PLA exposure disrupted functions of PSII at multiple levels, including reduced PSII performance, enhanced Q_A⁻ accumulation, accelerated reaction center closure, decreased energetic connectivity, impaired donor side function, and restricted downstream electron transport. Although NPQ was significantly upregulated under high PLA stress, dark-recovery analysis demonstrated that the increased non-photochemical energy dissipation was accompanied by incomplete recovery of PSII photochemical efficiency. Our finding, for the first time, provides physiological insight into the anticyanobacterial activity of PLA for the control of FACHB-82 growth, thus offering a theoretical basis for the control of cyanobacterial blooms.

Beauveria bassiana is one of the most widely used entomopathogenic fungi in insect pest management, and the need for rapid and reproducible quantification of fungal conidia to monitor process performance and to quality control products during biopesticide production is imperative. Conventional methodologies, such as hemocytometer counting and plate dilution assays, are time consuming, laborious and subject to significant operator-to-operator variability. Although optical methods have been increasingly explored for estimating fungal propagule concentrations, species-specific calibration, suspension stability, wavelength selection, and independent validation remain important for routine applications. In this study, we developed an agar–water-assisted UV–visible spectrophotometric calibration protocol for estimating conidial concentration using B. bassiana as a model entomopathogenic fungus. A 0.1% (w/v) agar–water suspension was used in order to get homogeneous, stable dispersions of conidia for optical measurements. Calibration of conidia concentration was accomplished through reliable optical density (OD) values measured at wavelengths 500 nm, 530 nm, 560 nm, 600 nm, and 650 nm. Linear correlations were observed across the tested wavelengths, with the highest goodness of fit for the model at 650 nm (R² = 0.9907). The resulting regression equation, conidia concentration (×10⁷ mL⁻¹) = 4.184 × OD₆₅₀—0.12450, has been independently verified with separate conidia batches, resulting in acceptable relative errors ranging from 13.78% and 18.98%. This agar–water-assisted OD₆₅₀ calibration model provides a practical and species-specific tool for the standardization of conidial dosages in biopesticide research, facilitating the reliable evaluation and application of entomopathogenic fungi within integrated pest management systems.

Eutrophication facilitates the proliferation of cyanobacteria, ultimately leading to the formation of harmful cyanobacterial blooms. Prodigiosin, known for its algicidal properties, presents significant potential for application in water pollution remediation. This study aims to identify and characterize a novel strain with superior prodigiosin production capabilities and to elucidate the algicidal mechanism of prodigiosin against Microcystis aeruginosa and Anabaena sp. by assessing the photosynthetic responses of algal cells in the presence of prodigiosin. The findings revealed the isolation and identification of a new strain, ZC52, classified as Serratia marcescens. The optimal medium composition was determined to be 20.0 mL·L⁻¹ glycerol, 15.0 g·L⁻¹ beef bone peptone, 15.0 g·L⁻¹ magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, 0.15 g·L⁻¹ corn dry powder, and 0.250% tyrosine, resulting in a 47.40% increase in prodigiosin yield, thereby achieving a production level of 7.644 g·L⁻¹. Moreover, the algicidal activity exhibited a concentration-dependent relationship, with 10.0 mg·L⁻¹ of prodigiosin leading to approximately 53.25% and 30.44% inhibition of chlorophyll a content within 24 h, demonstrating the potential of prodigiosin as an effective algicidal compound. Meanwhile, exposure to 10.0 mg·L⁻¹ of prodigiosin resulted in reductions of 46.88% and 21.02% in the Fv/Fm values of M. aeruginosa and Anabaena sp., respectively. Our results indicated that prodigiosin can inhibit the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments and significantly diminish algal photosynthetic efficiency. This study not only identifies valuable microbial resources for prodigiosin production but also provides a theoretical framework and empirical evidence to support the scientific management of cyanobacterial blooms.

Zanthoxylum bungeanum leaves were regarded as a waste byproduct for a long period of time, yet their functional components presented potential as novel antimicrobial agents. However, their effectiveness in controlling algal blooms remains unexplored. In this study, the inhibition effect of Z. bungeanum leaf extracts on algal blooms was firstly demonstrated, and the flavonoid profiles of the leaf extract were identified using non-targeted metabolomics analysis. Then, response surface methodology was performed for extraction to further evaluate the feasibility of industrial application. Specifically, the effects of extracts on the cell density, photosynthetic efficiency, and antioxidant activity of Tetrodesmus obliquus was investigated. The results showed that the extraction yield of flavonoids from Z. bungeanum leaves reached 6.85% under the optimized conditions of an ultrasonic power of 600 W, an LSR of 20:1 mL/g, an ethanol concentration of 77.5%, an ultrasonic duration of 18 min, and an ultrasonic temperature of 80 °C, which significantly decreased the Fv/Fm and PIabs values by 54.60% and 98.22%, respectively, after exposure of T. obliquus to 40.0 mg/L Z. bungeanum leaf extract for 66 h. Meanwhile, treatment with Z. bungeanum leaf extract at a dose of 40.0 mg/L generated T-AOC values that were 4.0 times higher than the control without the addition of Z. bungeanum leaf extracts. These results suggest that Z. bungeanum leaf extracts could be used in the development of potentially effective biological algicides. Our study provides data to support the development of algicides and realizes the resource application of Z. bungeanum leaf waste, achieving a synergistic outcome of both economic and ecological benefits.

In recent years, the frequent occurrence of algal blooms has posed continuous threats to aquatic ecosystems and social safety. Environmentally friendly algae-inhibiting methods utilizing allelopathic substances offer advantages such as convenient application and low costs, presenting a bright application prospect in the fields of water and ecological restoration. This study aimed to investigate the procedure for extracting total flavonoids from Zanthoxylum bungeanum leaves and assess allelopathic mechanism of Z. bungeanum leaf extracts on Microcystis aeruginosa. The optimal extraction conditions were determined as follows: solvent-to-material ratio = 10 mL/g; extraction time = 55 min; ethanol volume fraction = 80%; and ultrasonic temperature = 80 °C. Antioxidant activity tests revealed that Z. bungeanum leaf extracts exhibit superior capacity compared to Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) but inferior to Vitamin C (VC). Moreover, high-concentration Z. bungeanum leaf extracts can disrupt the structures of oxygen-evolving complexes at the donor sides of photosystem II (PSII) reaction center and influence energy distribution at PSII reaction centers, thereby inhibiting electron transmission activities at both donor and receptor sides of the PSII reaction center. The elucidated allelopathic mechanism of Z. bungeanum leaf extracts provides theoretical evidence for the algal-bloom control and the development of allelopathic algae-inhibiting agents, offering a reference for the further comprehensive development and utilization of Z. bungeanum. Graphical Abstract High-concentration Z. bungeanum leaf extracts can disrupt the structures of oxygen-evolving complexes at the donor sides of photosystem II (PSII) reaction center and influence energy distribution at PSII reaction centers, thereby inhibiting electron transmission activities at both donor and receptor sides of the PSII reaction center.

Water eutrophication has emerged as a pressing concern for massive algal blooms, and these harmful blooms can potentially generate harmful toxins, which can detrimentally impact the aquatic environment and human health. Consequently, it is imperative to identify a safe and efficient approach to combat algal blooms to safeguard the ecological safety of water. This study aimed to investigate the procedure for extracting total flavonoids from Z. bungeanum residue and assess its antioxidant properties. The most favorable parameters for extracting total flavonoids from Z. bungeanum residue were a liquid–solid ratio (LSR) of 20 mL/g, a solvent concentration of 60%, an extraction period of 55 min, and an ultrasonic temperature of 80 °C. Meanwhile, the photosynthetic inhibitory mechanism of Z. bungeanum residue extracts against M. aeruginosa was assessed with a particular focus on the concentration-dependent toxicity effect. Z. bungeanum residue extracts damaged the oxygen-evolving complex structure, influenced energy capture and distribution, and inhibited the electron transport of PSII in M. aeruginosa. Furthermore, the enhanced capacity for ROS detoxification enables treated cells to sustain their photosynthetic activity. The findings of this study hold considerable relevance for the ecological management community and offer potential avenues for the practical utilization of resources in controlling algal blooms.