Microplastic pollution has become a global environmental challenge, with significant impacts on ecosystems and human health. Microbes have emerged as a promising tool in the combating against microplastic contamination. However, the complex relationship between microbes and microplastics presents both opportunities and challenges, leading to a nuanced understanding of their applications in degradation. This paper provides critical insights into the multifaceted roles of different microorganisms in microplastic degradation. It begins by highlighting the ‘good’ aspects, where several strains of microorganisms show the potential to break down microplastics through enzymatic activities and the formation of biofilms. Conversely, the ‘bad’ aspects of microbial involvement in microplastic degradation are examined. Microorganisms can facilitate the transport and bioaccumulation of microplastics in various ecosystems, potentially exacerbating their harmful effects. The ‘ugly’ side of microplastic degradation includes the production of harmful byproducts during microbial breakdown, raising concerns about secondary pollution and toxicity. The concept of plastisphere is discussed in this context, focusing on the phototrophs, photoheterotrophs and heterotrophs. Novel technologies involving microbial degradation of microplastics are also explained. The work emphasises the need for a comprehensive and balanced approach regarding the application of microorganisms in microplastic degradation and remediation.

The identification of raw materials and an effective maturation process for the development of peloids is essential to ensure consistent comparisons between commonly used peloids in ‘thermal centers’ (places that offer a variety of health and wellness treatments, also known as spas) and their therapeutic and well-being effects. The present study supports the need for scientific research which examines the variations in physicochemical, technological, and biological properties of peloids resulting from varying maturation conditions. These studies are necessary for establishing quality and safety standards and expanding our understanding of the therapeutic significance of peloids. The objective of the present study was to characterize an experimental maturation procedure using a specific Portuguese clay (bentonite) sourced from Benavila—Avis, which has particular physico-chemical characteristics, in conjunction with two distinct Portuguese mineral-medicinal waters (Hotel Cró and Thermal Spa, and Caldas da Rainha Thermal Hospital) as raw materials. The main aim of the study was to assess and characterize the resulting peloids by evaluating their physicochemical, technological, and biological properties. The experiment was conducted over a period of 90 days under carefully controlled lighting and agitation conditions. The rheological, mineralogical, and chemical properties relevant to a peloid intended for topical application and its potential transdermal delivery of elements were characterized. Additionally, the study investigated the biological activity within the maturation habitat, including chlorophyll, microalgae, and microorganisms. Eight samples, representing the four maturation conditions (stirring with light; stirring without light; no stirring with light, and no stirring and no light), were examined for 30, 60, and 90 days. The study showcased the influence of different mineral-medicinal waters on maturation conditions and on the final bentonite characteristics. Furthermore, it reinforced the importance of establishing quality-control procedures throughout the maturation cycle for bentonitic peloids, as well as the importance of monitoring their usage, reutilization, and disposal.

The thermal effects, as well as the survivability and origins of microorganisms in Cretaceous rocks, are evaluated from the timing and extent of the smectite to illite transformation in Cretaceous bentonites collected from cores outside the thermal aureole of the Pliocene Cerro Negro volcanic neck. Overall, randomly ordered mixed-layered illite-smectite (I-S) is the predominant clay mineral in these bentonites, and the K-Ar ages of I-S range from 36 to 48 Ma (21 analyses, two additional analyses were outside this range). Increased temperature from burial is thought to be the primary factor forming I-S in these bentonites. Kinetic model calculations of the smectite to illite transformation are also consistent with I-S formed by burial without any appreciable thermal effects due to the emplacement of Cerro Negro. In a core angled toward Cerro Negro, the percentages of illite layers in I-S from the bentonite closest to Cerro Negro are slightly higher (32-37%) than in most other bentonites in this study. The K-Ar ages of the closest I-S are slightly younger as a group (38-43 Ma; Average = 41 Ma; N = 4) than those of I-S further from Cerro Negro in the same core (41-48 Ma; Average = 44 Ma; N = 6). A small amount of illite in this I-S may have formed by heat from the emplacement of Cerro Negro, but most illite formed from burial. Vitrinite reflectance, however, appears to record the effects of heating from Cerro Negro better than I-S. Tentatively, the temperature of this heat pulse, based on vitrinite data alone, ranged from 100 to 125°C and this is most evident in the CNAR core. The upper temperature, 125°C, approximates the sterilization temperatures for most microorganisms, and these temperatures probably reduced a significant portion of the microbial population. Thermophiles may have survived the increased temperatures from the combined effects of burial and the intrusion of Cerro Negro.

Most previous studies of the kaolin deposits in the southeastern United States have focused on their mineralogy and petrology to understand better the depositional and diagenetic environments of the kaolins. Many studies suggest, however, that much of the information held within the minerals was changed during extensive post-depositional groundwater and microbial alteration. Organic δ13C and biomarker analyses were used, therefore, to provide further information on the nature of the original sediments, the depositional environment(s), and the amount of diagenetic alteration that has occurred in Georgia kaolin deposits.

Two different types of kaolin can be discerned, based on their total organic carbon contents: organic-lean kaolin and lignitic kaolin. The bulk organic δ13C in the Georgia kaolins ranges from ~−26 to −19% (VPDB, Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite standard), with a noticeable enrichment in 13C with decrease in organic carbon concentration. The lean kaolins are by far the more dominant types, with an organic-matter composition primarily of C16–C22n-alkanes, C16 and C18 fatty acids, and unresolved complex mixtures. Lignitic kaolin has a distinctly different organic matter (OM) composition. The lignitic material is primarily C15–C33n-alkanes with a greater abundance of C23–C31n-alkanes and lesser amounts of resinous and microbial constituents along with the oxidized forms of the saturated lipid fractions.

Biomarker data suggest that the lignitic material is primarily terrestrially derived from conifers with minor input from microbial lipids. The OM in both types of kaolin shows strong signs of microbial decomposition that yield the organically lean kaolins. The oxidation of the detrital organic matter would subsequently yield organic acids that would have exerted significant influence on the mineralogy and metal mobility.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of Marandu grass (Brachiaria brizantha) haylage according to different dry matter (DM) contents in storage. The design adopted was completely randomized with four treatments and five replications. The treatments were DM contents of the plant at the moment of storage (in natura, 30–40, 40–50 and 50–60% DM). The analyses to assess the quality of the haylage were performed after 90 days of storage. The chemical composition, microbiological population, gas quantification, pH, N-NH3, volatile fatty acids, soluble carbohydrates (CHO) and the aerobic stability were evaluated. The means were compared through the Tukey's test and linear regression. The treatment with 50–60% DM presented the highest DM and CHO contents which were 563.8 and 42.0 g/kg, respectively. There was a higher presence of oxygen in the haylage of in natura material, which was 4.8%. There was no difference between treatments for the population of lactic acid bacteria; however, the treatment with 50–60% DM had the highest concentration of enterobacteria. The haylage with 30–40% DM and 50–60% DM presented high concentrations of acetic acid. There was no break in aerobic stability for any treatment within 120 h after opening the bales. There was a smaller amount of N-NH3 in treatments with 40–50% DM and 50–60% DM. The Marandu grass with a DM content of 50–60% for haylage making demonstrated better quality characterization of conserved forage.

The staining procedure is critical for investigating intra- and extra-cellular ultrastructure of microorganisms by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Here, we propose a new ultra-low lead staining (ULLS) technique for preparing the ultrathin sections for TEM analysis. Sections of Enterobacter sp. (bacteria), Aspergillus niger (filamentous fungi), Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (fungi), and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (microalgae) were tested. Compared with the sections prepared by the typical double-staining technique, ULLS-based sections showed evident advantages: (i) the staining process only required the addition of Pb(NO3)2; (ii) the Pb level during incubation was set as low as 1 mg/L, which had negligible toxicity to most microbial cells; (iii) the Pb cations were added during microbial culture, which avoided complicated sample preparation as in typical double staining. Taking C. reinhardtii as an example, the ULLS technique allowed fine investigation of microbial ultrastructure, e.g., starch granule, mitochondrion, Golgi apparatus, vacuole, and vesicle. Meanwhile, the physiological processes of the cells such as cell lysis and exocytosis were successfully captured, with relatively high contrast. This study hence shows a bright future on preparation of the high-quality ultrathin sections of microbial cells by the ULLS technique.

Previously conducted space missions revealed the presence of perchlorates, which are known to have a high oxidizing potential in Martian regolith, at the level of 0.5%. Due to hygroscopic properties and crystallization features of perchlorate-containing solutions, assumptions leading to the possibility of the existence of liquid water in the form of brines, which can contribute to the vital activity of microorganisms, have been made. At the same time, high concentrations of perchlorates can inhibit the growth of microorganisms and cause their death. Previously performed studies have discovered the presence of highly diverse microbial communities in terrestrial perchlorate-containing soils and have also demonstrated the stability and activity of some prokaryotes cultured on highly concentrated perchlorates media (over 10%). Nevertheless, the limits of microbial tolerance to perchlorates and whether microbial communities are able to withstand the effects of high concentrations of perchlorates remain uncertain. The aim of this research was to study the reaction of microbial communities of hot-arid and cryo-arid soils and sedimentary rocks to the adding of a highly concentrated solution of sodium perchlorate (5%) in situ. An increase in the total number of prokaryotes, the number of metabolically active Bacteria and Archaea, and the variety of the consumed substrates were revealed. It was observed that in samples incubated with sodium perchlorate, a high taxonomic diversity of the microbial community is preserved at a level comparable to control sample. The study shows that the presence of high concentrations of sodium perchlorate (5%) in the soil does not lead to the death or significant inhibition of microbial communities.

The Georgia, USA, kaolins contain three major occurrences of Fe-sulphide minerals, namely (1) in burrow structures, (2) as nodules associated with lignite and (3) as finely disseminated material. We have used sulphur isotope analysis and X-ray powder diffraction to understand these three occurrences in order to gain insight into the diagenetic conditions and microbial influences affecting the kaolin mineralogy. Burrows and nodules are dominated by corroded marcasite with thin pyrite overgrowths. The δ34S composition of each sulphide sample has internal fractionations (δ34Shigh – δ34Slow) ranging from 22‰ to 67‰. The secondary pyrite phase tends to be the most 34S depleted, with a low δ34S value of –47‰, whereas marcasite displays a δ34S range from 30‰ to +33‰. Early acidic environments from organic acids could have facilitated the initial marcasite crystallization, with a pH increase during later diagenesis producing pyrite overgrowths. Sulphide formation would have continued until burial restricted the diffusion of sea-water sulphate. At this point, the metabolism of sulphate-reducing bacteria would have been retarded, producing δ34S values ranging from –30‰ (open sulphate supply) to +40‰ (highly restricted sulphate supply). Under the nutrient-starved conditions of later-diagenesis, disproportionate sulphur-reducing bacteria would likely have become more dominant, yielding additional δ34Ssulphide fractionation and producing the observed fractionation (δ34Ssulphate – δ34Ssulphide) values of +67‰.

Virtually all 2:1 clay minerals contain some Fe in their crystal structure, which may undergo redox reaction with surrounding redox-active species causing potentially significant changes in the chemical and physical properties of the clay mineral and its surrounding matrix. This phenomenon was originally of interest mostly as a laboratory experiment using strong inorganic reduction agents, but the discovery that the structural Fe could be reduced by microorganisms in natural soils and sediments opened the way for this to become a practical method for altering the chemical and physical properties of soils and sediments in situ. The purpose of this report was to review the body of literature that has been published since the inception of this field of inquiry and to complement, update, and complete three other reviews that have been published during the intervening years. Studies of microbial reduction of structural Fe in smectites have revealed the extent of reduction, effects on chemical and physical properties, reversibility (or lack thereof) of microbial reduction, stoichiometry, possible reaction mechanism, and types of organisms involved. Some organisms are also capable of oxidizing structural Fe, such as in biotite or reduced smectite, while one appears to be able to do both. Illitic layers resist reduction by microorganisms, but this can be partially overcome by the presence of an electron shuttle compound such as anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate, which also enhances the extent of reduction in smectites. Microorganisms may be employed as an in situ reducing agent to drive redox cycles for structural Fe in constituent clay minerals of soils and sediments, which in turn can serve as an abiotic source for redox-mediated remediation of environmental contaminants.

In the Earth’s lithosphere, fungi are of fundamental importance as decomposer organisms, animal and plant pathogens and symbionts (e.g. lichens and mycorrhizas), being ubiquitous in sub-aerial and subsoil environments. The ability of fungi to interact with minerals, metals, metalloids and organic compounds through biomechanical and biochemical processes, makes them ideally suited as biological weathering agents of rock and building stone. They also play a fundamental role in biogeochemical cycling of nutrients, (e.g. C, N, P and S) and metals (e.g. Na, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Co and Ni) essential for the growth of living organisms in the biosphere. In addition they play an integral role in the mobilization and immobilization of non-essential metals (e.g. Cs, Al, Cd, Hg and Pb). Most studies on mineral-microbe interactions and microbial involvement in geological processes have concentrated on bacteria and archaea (Prokaryota): fungi (Eukaryota) have, to a certain extent, been neglected. This article addresses the role of fungi in geomicrobiological processes, emphasizing their deteriorative potential on rock, building stone and mineral surfaces and involvement in the formation of secondary mycogenic minerals. Such roles of fungi are also of importance for the global carbon reservoir and have potential biotechnological applications, e.g. in the bioremediation of xenobiotic-, metal- and/or radionuclide-contaminated soils and wastes, and metal/radionuclide recovery.

Some swimming microorganisms are sensitive to light, and this can affect the way in which they negotiate their environment. In particular, photophobic cells are repelled from unfavourable light conditions, and in a quiescent fluid environment this can be observed as elevated cell levels in regions away from these light conditions. This photoresponsive effect is of interest due to its potential technological applications. For example, the use of light to focus and direct cells could be used as a convenient means to separate out the algae used in biofuel production (for example, hydrogen), or exploited within devices for biodetection of environmental contaminants. However, in these types of situations the swimming cells will usually be suspended in a flow with shear. In this environment, it has previously been shown that cells can become hydrodynamically trapped in regions of high fluid shear, and so the extent to which photofocusing can occur under these conditions is not immediately clear. Moreover, in applications where the light must pass through appreciable volumes of the suspension, cells will typically absorb light and so shade each other from the illumination. As such, the intensity at any point in the flow is dependent upon the global cell concentration. Hence, in this study we model the coupled influence of fluid shear and cell photosensitivity on a suspension of swimming microorganisms, and ask under what circumstances a suspension of photophobic cells might be focused into high concentration regions.

Surface and subsurface soils are complex biological, chemical, and physical environments and to understand the fate of pesticides in the soil environment is a formidable task. To determine the environmental fate of pesticides requires a diverse array of techniques and procedures. Microbiological approaches range from applied to basic, laboratory to field, qualitative to quantitative, and from low to high technology. In the arena of biodegradation, teams of scientists are needed to develop predictive models for the behavior of pesticides in the soil environment. From our perspectives, we have documented the existing status of the microbiology of environmental fate studies with pesticides. Verification of data from laboratory studies to the field environment is needed. On the other hand, efforts to design better field studies to assess microbial processes are essential to advance our understanding of environmental fate studies with pesticides.

We studied the occurrence, morphology and phenology of Dendroctonus micans in Lithuania and the fungi associated with the beetle at different developmental stages. The occurrence of D. micans was assessed in 19 seed orchards (at least 40 years old) of Picea abies (L. Karst.) situated in different parts of the country. Bark beetle phenology was studied in two sites: a seed orchard of P. abies and a plantation of Picea pungens (Engelm.). D. micans morphology was assessed under the dissection microscope using individuals at different developmental stages that were sampled during phenology observations. Communities of fungi associated with D. micans were studied using both fungal culturing methods and direct high-throughput sequencing from D. micans. Results showed that the incidence D. micans was relatively rare and D. micans was mainly detected in central and eastern Lithuania. The life cycle included the following stages: adult, egg, I–V developmental stage larvae and pupa. However, development of D. micans was quicker and its nests larger under the bark of P. pungens than of P. abies, indicating the effect of the host species. Fungal culturing and direct high-throughput sequencing revealed that D. micans associated fungi communities were species rich and dominated by yeasts from a class Saccharomycetes. In total, 319 fungal taxa were sequenced, among which Peterozyma toletana (37.5% of all fungal sequences), Yamadazyma scolyti (30.0%) and Kuraishia capsulate (17.7%) were the most common. Plant pathogens and blue stain fungi were also detected suggesting their potentially negative effects to both tree health and timber quality.

This research investigated soil microbial abundances affected by different ground management systems in establishing apple (Malus domestica cv. Idared, M9) orchards in Ontario, Canada. Four treatments, including forest garden systems with and without compost (FGSC and FGS), and grass understory systems with and without compost (GC and G), were assessed over two establishment years for gene copy abundance of soil arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, total fungi and total bacteria using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions. Time had a greater effect on all three soil microbial abundances, with total bacterial and AM fungi decreasing and total fungal abundance increasing from spring 2013 to fall 2014. The changes were greatest between the sampling dates of fall 2013 and spring 2014, which is 1 yr after the establishment of the experimental apple plots. There were no significant differences in soil microbial abundances between treatments at any specific sampling date. Apple tree trunk circumference was greatest for FGSC and FGS after 2 yr, but no significant differences in GC and G treatments. In the last sampling period, fall 2014, FGSC plots had significantly greater trunk circumferences compared with G plots. Soil chemical properties neither changed over the 2 yr, nor did they differ between treatments at any one sampling time. We conclude that the apple-based FGS treatments can benefit apple tree growth and there is a basis for future research to explore specific plant–plant, plant–microbe and microbe–microbe relations in FGSs.

The robber fly Mallophora ruficauda is one of the most important apicultural pests in the Pampas region of Argentina. This species is a parasitoid of scarab beetle larvae. Females lay eggs away from the host, and the larvae perform active search behaviour toward Cyclocephala signaticollis third instar larvae, parasitoid's preferred host. This behaviour is mediated by host-related chemical cues produced in hosts’ fermentation chamber. Also, C. signaticollis larvae are attracted to fermentation chamber extracts. As scarab larvae have microbe-rich fermentation chamber, it has been suggested that microorganisms could be involved in the production of these semiochemicals. The aims of this work were first to ascertain the presence of microorganisms in the fermentation chamber of C. signaticollis larvae and second to determine the role of microorganisms in the orientation response of parasitoid and host larvae. We found that microorganisms-free C. signaticollis larvae showed deterioration in their development and did not produce the attractive semiochemicals. Therefore, we isolated fermentation chamber microorganisms of host larvae by means of different cultures media, and then, assayed different microorganisms’ stimuli by binary choice tests. We were able to isolate microorganisms and determine that M. ruficauda larvae are attracted to semiochemicals from protein degradation in the fermentation chamber. However, C. signaticollis larvae were not attracted to any semiochemicals associated with microorganisms’ activity in the fermentation chamber. Although we were unable to elucidate the exact role of gut microorganisms in host behaviour, we discuss their relevance in parasitoid host-seeking behaviour and host conspecific interaction in M. ruficauda–C. signaticollis system.

The effect of different brining treatments on salt uptake and diffusion during the first 30 d of ripening was determined in soft ewe cheese. Additionally, salt influence on surface microorganisms and physicochemical parameters was evaluated. Cheeses were placed into different brine solutions (14, 18 and 24°Bé) at 5 and 10 °C for 1, 2 or 3 h. Samples from rind, outer core and inner core were analysed at 0, 7, 15 and 30 d. Complete salt diffusion from rind to the inner core took about 15 d. The resulting salt gradient favoured the development of a pH gradient from the surface to the inner core. Salt concentration also had a significant effect on the growth of surface microorganisms (mesophiles, pseudomonads and halotolerants). However, mould and yeasts were not affected throughout ripening by the salt levels achieved. Brine salting by immersion for 3 h at 10 °C in 24°B brine was found to be the most suitable treatment to control pseudomonads in cheese rind, as spoilage microorganism.

The majority of the biomass and biodiversity of life on the Earth is accounted for by microbes. They play pivotal roles in biogeochemical cycles and harbour novel metabolites that have industrial uses. For these reasons the conservation of microbial ecosystems, communities and even specific taxa should be a high priority. We review the reasons for including microorganisms in conservation agenda. We discuss some of the complications in this endeavour, including the unresolved argument about whether microorganisms have intrinsic value, which influences some of the non-instrumental motivations for their conservation and, from a more pragmatic perspective, exactly what it is that we seek to conserve (microorganisms, their habitats or their gene pools). Despite complications, priorities can be defined for microbial conservation and we provide practical examples of such priorities.

The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in ruminal microorganisms and fermentation parameters due to dietary supplementation of soybean and linseed oil alone or in combination. Four dietary treatments were tested in a Latin square designed experiment using four primiparous rumen-cannulated dairy cows. Treatments were control (C, 60 : 40 forage to concentrate) or C with 4% soybean oil (S), 4% linseed oil (L) or 2% soybean oil plus 2% linseed oil (SL) in a 4 × 4 Latin square with four periods of 21 days. Forage and concentrate mixtures were fed at 0800 and 2000 h daily. Ruminal fluid was collected every 2 h over a 12-h period on day 19 of each experimental period and pH was measured immediately. Samples were prepared for analyses of concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFA) by GLC and ammonia. Counts of total and individual bacterial groups (cellulolytic, proteolytic, amylolytic bacteria and total viable bacteria) were performed using the roll-tube technique, and protozoa counts were measured via microscopy in ruminal fluid collected at 0, 4 and 8 h after the morning feeding. Content of ruminal digesta was obtained via the rumen cannula before the morning feeding and used immediately for DNA extraction and quantity of specific bacterial species was obtained using real- time PCR. Ruminal pH did not differ but total VFA (110 v. 105 mmol/l) were lower (P < 0.05) with oil supplementation compared with C. Concentration of ruminal NH3-N (4.4 v. 5.6 mmol/l) was greater (P < 0.05) due to oil compared with C. Compared with C, oil supplementation resulted in lower (P < 0.05) cellulolytic bacteria (3.25 × 108v. 4.66 × 108 colony-forming units (CFU)/ml) and protozoa (9.04 × 104v. 12.92 × 104 cell/ml) colony counts. Proteolytic bacteria (7.01 × 108v. 6.08 × 108 CFU/ml) counts, however, were greater in response to oil compared with C (P < 0.05). Among oil treatments, the amount of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens in ruminal fluid was substantially lower (P < 0.05) when L was included. Compared to C, the amount of Ruminococcus albus decreased by an average of 40% regardless of oil level or type. Overall, the results indicate that some ruminal microorganisms, except proteolytic bacteria, are highly susceptible to dietary unsaturated fatty acids supplementation, particularly when linolenic acid rich oils were fed. Dietary oil effects on ruminal fermentation parameters seemed associated with the profile of ruminal microorganisms.

Introduction. L'objectif de nos recherches a été de tester différentes techniques de conditionnement de dattes Deglet Nour naturelles et de dattes fourrées à la pâte d'amande, produits d'intérêt économique national en Tunisie. Les effets de la température d'entreposage et du type de conditionnement ont été étudiés par rapport à l'évolution des levures et moisissures et de la teneur en eau des produits stockés. Matériel et méthodes. La conservation des dattes (naturelles ou fourrées) stockées a été évaluée en utilisant quatre modes de conditionnement : mise en barquettes de polyéthylène téréphtalate amorphe (APET) avec simple scellage ; conditionnement sous vide ou emballage sous atmosphère modifiée avec injection de deux différentes doses d'un mélange gazeux (20 % CO2 et 80 % N2). L'entreposage des échantillons a été effectué à trois températures [ (20, 30 et 40) °C]afin de provoquer et accélérer le vieillissement des dattes et d'évaluer ainsi leurs durées de conservation. Résultats et discussion. Les conditionnements sous atmosphère modifiée et sous vide ont permis de diminuer la déshydratation des dattes durant leur stockage. En se basant sur la teneur en eau des produits, le conditionnement des dattes fourrées stockées à 20 °C en barquettes d'APET et ayant reçu une injection de 10 % de gaz a permis d'obtenir une durée de conservation égale à 6,6 mois, à comparer avec les 4,2 mois observés dans le cas d'un simple scellage de ces barquettes. Pour les dattes naturelles entreposées à 20 °C, l'application d'un conditionnement sous vide partiel a augmenté la durée de conservation de 3,8 mois (obtenus pour un simple scellage) à 9 mois. Conclusion. L'utilisation de techniques de conditionnement spécifiques permettrait donc de conserver plus longtemps la qualité initiale des dattes stockées. Le conditionnement sous vide des dattes naturelles est le mode le mieux adapté pour une meilleure protection du produit contre le la prolifération des levures et moisissures et contre la déshydratation. Pour les dattes fourrées, le conditionnement sous atmosphère modifiée avec une injection d'un mélange gazeux (20 % CO2 et 80 % N2) à la dose de 10 % s'est révélé le meilleur pour conserver la qualité initiale du produit durant le stockage.