Rhizobium biostimulation of blackberry modulates survival pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans across biological kingdoms

Abstract Endophytic Rhizobium species represent promising bioinoculants for enhancing crop performance and nutritional profiles. This study investigated the impact of Rhizobium sp. CRRU65 inoculation on blackberry (Rubus sp.) plants, with emphasis on fruit phytochemical composition and cross-kingdom...

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Main Authors: Rocío Roca-Couso, José David Flores-Félix, Begoña Ayuda-Durán, Rebeca Ferreras-Charro, Ignacio García-Estévez, Paula García-Fraile, Raúl Rivas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:npj Science of Food
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-025-00525-5
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author Rocío Roca-Couso
José David Flores-Félix
Begoña Ayuda-Durán
Rebeca Ferreras-Charro
Ignacio García-Estévez
Paula García-Fraile
Raúl Rivas
author_facet Rocío Roca-Couso
José David Flores-Félix
Begoña Ayuda-Durán
Rebeca Ferreras-Charro
Ignacio García-Estévez
Paula García-Fraile
Raúl Rivas
author_sort Rocío Roca-Couso
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Endophytic Rhizobium species represent promising bioinoculants for enhancing crop performance and nutritional profiles. This study investigated the impact of Rhizobium sp. CRRU65 inoculation on blackberry (Rubus sp.) plants, with emphasis on fruit phytochemical composition and cross-kingdom bioactivity. Inoculated plants exhibited a significant increase in yield and elevated levels of phenolic compounds, notably sanguiin H6 and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, as quantified by HPLC-DAD-MS. Antioxidant functionality was evaluated using Caenorhabditis elegans under oxidative stress. Extracts from inoculated fruits significantly improved nematode survival, accompanied by transcriptional upregulation of skn-1 and hsp-16, genes involved in stress response and proteostasis. These findings demonstrate that Rhizobium sp. CRRU65 enhances not only agronomic traits but also the nutraceutical quality of blackberry fruits, with beneficial effects extending across biological kingdoms. This work underscores the potential of endophytic bacteria to contribute to sustainable agriculture and functional food innovation through molecular and physiological modulation in both plants and animal models.
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issn 2396-8370
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spelling doaj-art-bbddb812cd0244ebb1b991814f4439322025-08-20T03:41:57ZengNature Portfolionpj Science of Food2396-83702025-07-019111010.1038/s41538-025-00525-5Rhizobium biostimulation of blackberry modulates survival pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans across biological kingdomsRocío Roca-Couso0José David Flores-Félix1Begoña Ayuda-Durán2Rebeca Ferreras-Charro3Ignacio García-Estévez4Paula García-Fraile5Raúl Rivas6Department of Microbiology and Genetics, Edificio Departamental de Biología, Universidad de SalamancaDepartment of Microbiology and Genetics, Edificio Departamental de Biología, Universidad de SalamancaDepartment of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, Universidad de SalamancaDepartment of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, Universidad de SalamancaDepartment of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science, Universidad de SalamancaDepartment of Microbiology and Genetics, Edificio Departamental de Biología, Universidad de SalamancaDepartment of Microbiology and Genetics, Edificio Departamental de Biología, Universidad de SalamancaAbstract Endophytic Rhizobium species represent promising bioinoculants for enhancing crop performance and nutritional profiles. This study investigated the impact of Rhizobium sp. CRRU65 inoculation on blackberry (Rubus sp.) plants, with emphasis on fruit phytochemical composition and cross-kingdom bioactivity. Inoculated plants exhibited a significant increase in yield and elevated levels of phenolic compounds, notably sanguiin H6 and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, as quantified by HPLC-DAD-MS. Antioxidant functionality was evaluated using Caenorhabditis elegans under oxidative stress. Extracts from inoculated fruits significantly improved nematode survival, accompanied by transcriptional upregulation of skn-1 and hsp-16, genes involved in stress response and proteostasis. These findings demonstrate that Rhizobium sp. CRRU65 enhances not only agronomic traits but also the nutraceutical quality of blackberry fruits, with beneficial effects extending across biological kingdoms. This work underscores the potential of endophytic bacteria to contribute to sustainable agriculture and functional food innovation through molecular and physiological modulation in both plants and animal models.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-025-00525-5
spellingShingle Rocío Roca-Couso
José David Flores-Félix
Begoña Ayuda-Durán
Rebeca Ferreras-Charro
Ignacio García-Estévez
Paula García-Fraile
Raúl Rivas
Rhizobium biostimulation of blackberry modulates survival pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans across biological kingdoms
npj Science of Food
title Rhizobium biostimulation of blackberry modulates survival pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans across biological kingdoms
title_full Rhizobium biostimulation of blackberry modulates survival pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans across biological kingdoms
title_fullStr Rhizobium biostimulation of blackberry modulates survival pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans across biological kingdoms
title_full_unstemmed Rhizobium biostimulation of blackberry modulates survival pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans across biological kingdoms
title_short Rhizobium biostimulation of blackberry modulates survival pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans across biological kingdoms
title_sort rhizobium biostimulation of blackberry modulates survival pathways in caenorhabditis elegans across biological kingdoms
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-025-00525-5
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