Biosynthesis of Nanoparticles: A New Approach Between Nanotechnology and Plant Bioinputs

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 1906

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Departament of Agriculture, Bioinputs and Microorganism-Plant Interaction Laboratory, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
Interests: bioinputs; nanobioinputs; plant tissue culture

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Guest Editor
Department of Microbiology, Microbiology Laboratory, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Interests: plant microbiology; plant stress

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In agriculture worldwide, the monitoring and management of pests and diseases, the use of fertilizers and pesticides and the sustainable management of natural resources are areas under priority investigation. Nanoparticles are increasingly being developed for use in agriculture since they can be easily delivered into plant cells and even organelles. This integration between plants and nanoparticles can appear in the form of nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, nanostimulants, nanosensors and nanocomposites, offering a greener alternative to traditional chemical inputs. On the other hand, plant extract, essential oil with unique properties, bacteria, fungi, and algae can advance the development of nanotechnology, as the nanoparticle biosynthesis process leverages the natural metabolic pathways of those individuals or substances. The key focus is on how these biologically synthesized nanoparticles can serve as plant bioinputs, enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability. This Special Issue highlights this process’ the potential benefits, including reduced environmental impact, lower toxicity, and improved efficiency in nutrient delivery and pest control. Furthermore, the Special Issue addresses the underlying mechanisms driving nanoparticle biosynthesis, the characterization of these nanoparticles, and their interactions with plants. It also examines the challenges involved in and prospects of integrating this technology into mainstream agricultural practices. By bridging the gap between nanotechnology and plant bioinputs, this study paves the way for innovative solutions to global agricultural challenges, promoting a more sustainable and resilient food production system.

Dr. Joyce Dória
Dr. Vera Lúcia Dos Santos
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biosynthesis
  • nanoparticles
  • microorganisms
  • nanotechnology
  • plant bioinputs
  • sustainable agriculture
  • eco-friendly synthesis
  • green nanotechnology
  • agricultural biotechnology

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1526 KB  
Article
Combination of Nanobioproduct and Chemical Ethylene Synthesis Inhibitor with Entomopathogenic Fungi: A Novel Management Strategy for Coffee Berry Borer in Arabica Coffee
by Lilian F. Sousa, Ana P. A. Antunes, Maísa M. Moreira, Érika H. Arantes, Ezequiel G. Souza, Bruno H. S. Souza, Tatiana Cardoso e Bufalo, Camila G. Freitas, Caroline Dambroz and Joyce Dória
Plants 2025, 14(10), 1495; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14101495 - 16 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 837
Abstract
Brazil is the leading producer and exporter of coffee, accounting for more than one-third of global production. However, the coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei, poses a significant threat to coffee yield and quality. Its control has been primarily based on the [...] Read more.
Brazil is the leading producer and exporter of coffee, accounting for more than one-third of global production. However, the coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei, poses a significant threat to coffee yield and quality. Its control has been primarily based on the use of chemical insecticides, which entail risks to human health and the environment. We evaluated the efficacy of an ethylene synthesis inhibitor and a Bacillus subtilis-based nanobioproduct combined with entomopathogenic fungi against the CBB. The treatments included combinations of potassium phosphate-based and nanobioproduct-based bioregulators, bioinsecticide comprising Beauveria bassiana + Metarhizium anisopliae, and chemical insecticides (acetamiprid + bifenthrin). The experiment included an in vitro assay assessing the reproduction of CBB females on treated coffee berries and a field trial evaluating the impact of the treatments on coffee bean quality, beverage sensory attributes, and antioxidant enzyme activities. All insecticide treatments, except the bioregulator at 6 L ha−1 + insecticides, significantly reduced larvae production. The 6 L ha−1 bioregulator treatment reduced bean defects. The fungi + insecticide treatment increased superoxide dismutase activity, while ascorbate peroxidase activity was highest in the control, followed by the fungi + nanobioproduct treatment group. The nanobioproduct bioregulator combined with entomopathogenic fungi proved to be an efficient strategy for managing the CBB. Full article
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Review

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24 pages, 884 KB  
Review
Nanopesticides in Brazilian Crops: Classes, Mechanisms, Efficacy, Risks, and Photocatalytic Remediation
by Tatiana Cardoso e Bufalo, Victor Hugo Buttrós, Aline Bastos de Paiva, Deyne Dehon de Oliveira, Caio Silas Ferreira Ribeiro and Joyce Dória
Plants 2025, 14(18), 2880; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14182880 - 16 Sep 2025
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Abstract
Brazil leads tropical agriculture, yet annual yield losses from insect pests and concerns over water contamination, non-target impacts, and resistance sustain demand for safer, more efficient control tools. This review synthesizes advances in nanopesticides for Brazil’s major crops (soybean, sugarcane, coffee, and citrus) [...] Read more.
Brazil leads tropical agriculture, yet annual yield losses from insect pests and concerns over water contamination, non-target impacts, and resistance sustain demand for safer, more efficient control tools. This review synthesizes advances in nanopesticides for Brazil’s major crops (soybean, sugarcane, coffee, and citrus) and is organized into five parts, comprising concepts and definitions; formulation families; modes of action; efficacy evidence from laboratory, greenhouse, and field studies; and environmental and human health risk considerations. Evidence indicates that nano-enabled delivery can increase on-target deposition, prolong residual activity, and match or exceed control at reduced active ingredient loads by improving foliar adhesion, transcuticular transport, plant uptake, and spatiotemporal targeting with pheromone-releasing nanofibers and other dispensers. Because nanoformulations can alter exposure pathways and environmental fate, this review emphasizes nano-specific physicochemical characterization under use conditions, fate and transport in Oxisols and Ultisols, and tropical waters, ecotoxicity panels that include pollinators, aquatic invertebrates, soil biota, and vertebrate surrogates, and scenario-based exposure assessment for applicators, residents, and consumers. The review closes with practical guidance for Brazil: head-to-head efficacy benchmarks against commercial standards, the standardized reporting of release and characterization data, and a nano-specific environmental risk assessment checklist to help realize efficacy gains while protecting environmental and human health. Full article
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