Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.2
4.6
Journals
Bioengineering
Special Issues
Advances in Agricultural Biotechnology
share announcement

Advances in Agricultural Biotechnology

A special issue of Bioengineering (ISSN 2306-5354). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemical Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 6437

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Wen Chin Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Academia Sinica, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Taipei, Taiwan
Interests: natural products; phytochemistry; veterinary medicine; drug development; immunology; infectious diseases; diabetes; cancer
Dr. Yu-Chuan Liang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Academia Sinica, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Taipei, Taiwan
Interests: skeletal muscle development; application of phytogenics; AI application in livestock systems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Agricultural biotechnology refers to the use of scientific and engineering principles to improve and modify plants, animals and microorganisms for agricultural purposes, such as increasing crop yields, meat or egg production, and improving crop and animal resistance to pests and diseases. The goal of agricultural biotechnology is to increase food production and improve food security, while also reducing the use of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. Agricultural biotechnology refers to the use of modern biotechnology techniques to improve agricultural production, sustainability and crop/animal resistance to pests, pathogens and diseases. This Special Issue on “Advances in Agricultural Biotechnology”will focus on original research papers and comprehensive reviews. The topics of this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, recent advances in:

  1. Precision agriculture, using advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, drones and sensor systems to collect and analyze data on crop/animal growth and soil environments.
  2. CRISPR-Cas technology, which allows for precise editing of the genetic code to improve crop traits such as heat stress, drought tolerance, disease resistance and increased nutrient content.
  3. Microbial biotechnology, using microbes to enhance plant/animal growth, suppress plant/animal pathogens and improve soil health.
  4. Phytogenics and biopesticides: developing natural and sustainable alternatives to chemical drugs to reduce their impact on the environment.
  5. Synthetic biology: designing and engineering microorganisms to perform specific functions in agriculture, such as improving soil health, reducing fertilizer use and increasing crop yields.
  6. Livestock biotechnology: improving the health and productivity of livestock through genetic modification and other biotechnologies.

Dr. Yu-Chuan Liang
Dr. Wen Chin Yang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Bioengineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • precision agriculture
  • phytogenics
  • biopesticides

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

12 pages, 2743 KiB  
Article
Isolation and Biological Evaluation of Alfa-Mangostin as Potential Therapeutic Agents against Liver Fibrosis
by Yi-Jen Liao, Chun-Ya Lee, Yuh-Ching Twu, Fat-Moon Suk, Tzu-Chieh Lai, Ya-Ching Chang, Yi-Cheng Lai, Jing-Wei Yuan, Hong-Ming Jhuang, Huei-Ruei Jian, Li-Chia Huang, Kuang-Po Chen and Ming-Hua Hsu
Bioengineering 2023, 10(9), 1075; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10091075 - 11 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1084
Abstract
The increased proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are associated with liver fibrosis development. To date, there are no FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of liver cirrhosis. Augmentation of HSCs apoptosis is one of the resolutions for liver fibrosis. In this [...] Read more.
The increased proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are associated with liver fibrosis development. To date, there are no FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of liver cirrhosis. Augmentation of HSCs apoptosis is one of the resolutions for liver fibrosis. In this study, we extracted α-mangostin (1,3,6-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-2,8-bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-9H-xanthen-9-one) from the fruit waste components of mangosteen pericarp. The isolated α-mangostin structure was determined and characterized with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and compared with those known compounds. The intracellular signaling pathway activities of α-mangostin on Transforming growth factors-beta 1 (TGF-β1) or Platelet-derived growth factor subunit B (PDGF-BB) induced HSCs activation and were analyzed via Western blot and Real-time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (Q-PCR). α-Mangostin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in HSCs were measured by seahorse assay and caspase-dependent cleavage. The in vivo anti-fibrotic effect of α-mangostin was assessed by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) treatment mouse model. The data showed that α-mangostin treatment inhibited TGF-β1-induced Smad2/3 phosphorylation and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression in HSCs in a dose-dependent manner. Regarding the PDGF-BB-induced HSCs proliferation signaling pathways, α-mangostin pretreatment suppressed the phosphorylation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38. The activation of caspase-dependent apoptosis and dysfunction of mitochondrial respiration (such as oxygen consumption rate, ATP production, and maximal respiratory capacity) were observed in α-mangostin-treated HSCs. The CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mouse model showed that the administration of α-mangostin significantly decreased the expression of the fibrosis markers (α-SMA, collagen-a2 (col1a2), desmin and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2)) as well as attenuated hepatic collagen deposition and liver damage. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that α-mangostin attenuates the progression of liver fibrosis through inhibiting the proliferation of HSCs and triggering apoptosis signals. Thus, α-mangostin may be used as a potential novel therapeutic agent against liver fibrosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Agricultural Biotechnology)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 5087 KiB  
Article
Assessing Indoor Climate Control in a Water-Pad System for Small-Scale Agriculture in Taiwan: A CFD Study on Fan Modes
by Jia-Kun Chen, Yung-Ling Sun, Chia-Chi Hsu, Tzu-I Tseng and Yu-Chuan Liang
Bioengineering 2023, 10(4), 452; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10040452 - 07 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1148
Abstract
Heat stress poses a significant challenge to egg production in layer hens. High temperatures can disrupt the physiological functions of these birds, leading to reduced egg production and lower egg quality. This study evaluated the microclimate of laying hen houses using different management [...] Read more.
Heat stress poses a significant challenge to egg production in layer hens. High temperatures can disrupt the physiological functions of these birds, leading to reduced egg production and lower egg quality. This study evaluated the microclimate of laying hen houses using different management systems to determine the impact of heat stress on productivity and hen health. The results showed that the ALPS system, which manages the hen feeding environment, effectively improved productivity and decreased the daily death rate. In the traditional layer house, the daily death rate decreased by 0.045%, ranging from 0.086% to 0.041%, while the daily production rate increased by 3.51%, ranging from 69.73% to 73.24%. On the other hand, in a water-pad layer house, the daily death rate decreased by 0.033%, ranging from 0.082% to 0.049%, while the daily production rate increased by 21.3%, ranging from 70.8% to 92.1%. The simplified hen model helped design the indoor microclimate of commercial layer houses. The average difference in the model was about 4.4%. The study also demonstrated that fan models lowered the house’s average temperature and reduced the impact of heat stress on hen health and egg production. Findings indicate the need to control the humidity of inlet air to regulate temperature and humidity, and suggest that Model 3 is an energy-saving and intelligent solution for small-scale agriculture. The humidity of the inlet air affects the temperature experienced by the hens. The THI drops to the alert zone (70–75) when humidity is below 70%. In subtropical regions, we consider it necessary to control the humidity of the inlet air. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Agricultural Biotechnology)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

19 pages, 3861 KiB  
Article
A Novel Phytogenic Formulation, EUBIO-BPSG, as a Promising One Health Approach to Replace Antibiotics and Promote Reproduction Performance in Laying Hens
by Hieu Tran Nguyen Minh, Tien-Fen Kuo, Wen-Yu Lin, Tzu-Chia Peng, Greta Yang, Chih-Yu Lin, Ting-Hsiang Chang, Yu-Liang Yang, Cheng-Hsun Ho, Bor-Rung Ou, Chu-Wen Yang, Yu-Chuan Liang and Wen-Chin Yang
Bioengineering 2023, 10(3), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10030346 - 10 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1411
Abstract
Gut microbiota play a key role in health maintenance and disease pathogenesis in animals. Dietary phytochemicals are crucial factors shaping gut bacteria. Here, we investigated the function and mechanism of a phytogenic formulation, EUBIO-BPSG (BP), in laying hens. We found that BP dose-dependently [...] Read more.
Gut microbiota play a key role in health maintenance and disease pathogenesis in animals. Dietary phytochemicals are crucial factors shaping gut bacteria. Here, we investigated the function and mechanism of a phytogenic formulation, EUBIO-BPSG (BP), in laying hens. We found that BP dose-dependently improved health and egg production in 54-week-old hens. Furthermore, BP was correlated with increased fecal Lactobacillus, decreased Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica, and reduced antibiotic resistance (AR) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) in chicken stools. The 16S rDNA data showed that BP increased seven genera of probiotics and reduced 13 genera of pathogens in chicken feces. In vitro co-culture experiments showed that BP at 4 µg/mL and above promoted growth of L. reuteri while large 100- and 200-fold higher doses suppressed growth of E. coli and S. enterica, respectively. Mechanistic studies indicated that L. reuteri and its supernatants antagonized growth of E. coli and S. enterica but not vice-versa. Five short-chain fatty acids and derivatives (SCFA) produced from L. reuteri directly killed both pathogens via membrane destruction. Furthermore, BP inhibited conjugation and recombination of ARG via interference with conjugation machinery and integrase activity in E. coli. Collectively, this work suggests that BP promotes host health and reproductive performance in laying hens through regulation of gut microbiota through increasing probiotics and decreasing pathogens and spreading ARG. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Agricultural Biotechnology)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

30 pages, 14683 KiB  
Review
Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Mode of Action of the Anti-Bacterial Artemisia Plants
by Khotibul Umam, Ching-Shan Feng, Greta Yang, Ping-Chen Tu, Chih-Yu Lin, Meng-Ting Yang, Tien-Fen Kuo, Wen-Chin Yang and Hieu Tran Nguyen Minh
Bioengineering 2023, 10(6), 633; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10060633 - 23 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1895
Abstract
Over 70,000 people die of bacterial infections worldwide annually. Antibiotics have been liberally used to treat these diseases and, consequently, antibiotic resistance and drug ineffectiveness has been generated. In this environment, new anti-bacterial compounds are being urgently sought. Around 500 Artemisia species have [...] Read more.
Over 70,000 people die of bacterial infections worldwide annually. Antibiotics have been liberally used to treat these diseases and, consequently, antibiotic resistance and drug ineffectiveness has been generated. In this environment, new anti-bacterial compounds are being urgently sought. Around 500 Artemisia species have been identified worldwide. Most species of this genus are aromatic and have multiple functions. Research into the Artemisia plants has expanded rapidly in recent years. Herein, we aim to update and summarize recent information about the phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of the Artemisia plants. A literature search of articles published between 2003 to 2022 in PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science databases, and KNApSAcK metabolomics databases revealed that 20 Artemisia species and 75 compounds have been documented to possess anti-bacterial functions and multiple modes of action. We focus and discuss the progress in understanding the chemistry (structure and plant species source), anti-bacterial activities, and possible mechanisms of these phytochemicals. Mechanistic studies show that terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins and others (miscellaneous group) were able to destroy cell walls and membranes in bacteria and interfere with DNA, proteins, enzymes and so on in bacteria. An overview of new anti-bacterial strategies using plant compounds and extracts is also provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Agricultural Biotechnology)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop