Search Results (6)

Soil salinization and selenium (Se) deficiency threaten global food security. This study developed a composite bioinoculant combining ACC deaminase-producing Serratia liquefaciens and biogenically synthesized nano-selenium (SeNPs) to alleviate saline–alkali stress and enhance Se nutrition in rice (Oryza sativa L.). A strain of S. liquefaciens with high ACC deaminase activity was isolated and used to biosynthesize SeNPs with stable physicochemical properties. Pot experiments showed that application of the composite inoculant (S3: S. liquefaciens + 40 mmol/L SeNPs) significantly improved seedling biomass (fresh weight +53.8%, dry weight +60.6%), plant height (+31.6%), and root activity under saline–alkali conditions. S3 treatment also enhanced panicle weight, seed-setting rate, and grain Se content (234.13 μg/kg), meeting national Se-enriched rice standards. Moreover, it increased rhizosphere soil N, P, and K availability and improved microbial α-diversity. This is the first comprehensive demonstration that a synergistic bioformulation of ACC deaminase PGPR and biogenic SeNPs effectively mitigates saline–alkali stress, enhances soil fertility, and enables safe Se biofortification in rice. Full article

Nowadays, legal regulations and social environmental concerns are converging towards the promotion of more sustainable agriculture based on organic compounds and soil preservation. These trends are fuelling the growth of the biofertilizers, which are beneficial preparations containing microorganisms able to enhance a plant’s ability to uptake essential nutrients. Their production and commercialization encompass a multitude of critical steps deeply reviewed in this manuscript through an exhaustive overview of the key stages, such as microorganism selection, new environmental sources, upscaling to field trials, encapsulation, current application systems and regulatory considerations. However, although the economical expectations are promising, several methodological, environmental, and legal concerns are undermining their advancement. The redefinition of international legal frameworks, their enhancement based on trending technologies, and the fostering of multidisciplinary collaboration across sectors are key players to promote biofertilizers as eco-friendly and cost-effective alternatives to chemical fertilizers. Full article

Curcumin (CUR) has potent anticancer activities, and its bioformulations, including biodegradable polymers, are increasingly able to improve CUR’s solubility, stability, and delivery to cancer cells. In this study, copolymers comprising poly (L-lactide)-poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (L-lactide) (PLA-PEG-PLA) and poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (L-lactide)-poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG-PLA-PEG) were designed and synthesized to assess and compare their CUR-delivery capacity and inhibitory potency on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Molecular dynamics simulations and free energy analysis indicated that PLA-PEG-PLA has a higher propensity to interact with the cell membrane and more negative free energy, suggesting it is the better carrier for cell membrane penetration. To characterize the copolymer synthesis, Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) were employed, copolymer size was measured using dynamic light scattering (DLS), and their surface charge was determined by zeta potential analysis. Characterization indicated that the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) reaction was optimal for synthesizing high-quality polymers. Microspheres comprising the copolymers were then synthesized successfully. Of the two formulations, PLA-PEG-PLA experimentally exhibited better results, with an initial burst release of 17.5%, followed by a slow, constant release of the encapsulated drug up to 80%. PLA-PEG-PLA-CUR showed a significant increase in cell death in MCF-7 cancer cells (IC₅₀ = 23.01 ± 0.85 µM) based on the MTT assay. These data were consistent with gene expression studies of Bax, Bcl2, and hTERT, which showed that PLA-PEG-PLA-CUR induced apoptosis more efficiently in these cells. Through the integration of nano-informatics and in vitro approaches, our study determined that PLA-PEG-PLA-CUR is an optimal system for delivering curcumin to inhibit cancer cells. Full article

In the current research, unique Nano-Embedded Fungus (NEF), made by the synergic association of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and endophytic fungus (Piriformospora indica), is studied, and the impact of NEF on black rice secondary metabolites is reported. AgNPs were synthesized by chemical reduction process using the temperature-dependent method and characterized for morphological and structural features through UV visible absorption spectroscopy, zeta potential, XRD, SEM-EDX, and FTIR spectroscopy. The NEF, prepared by optimizing the AgNPs concentration (300 ppm) in agar and broth media, showed better fungal biomass, colony diameter, spore count, and spore size than the control P. indica. Treatment with AgNPs, P. indica, and NEF resulted in growth enhancement in black rice. NEF and AgNPs stimulated the production of secondary metabolites in its leaves. The concentrations of chlorophyll, carotenoids, flavonoids, and terpenoids were increased in plants inoculated with P. indica and AgNPs. The findings of the study highlight the synergistic effect of AgNPs and the fungal symbionts in augmenting the secondary metabolites in leaves of black rice. Full article

In the present study, the authors have attempted to fabricate Polydatin encapsulated Poly [lactic-co-glycolic acid] (POL-PLGA-NPs) to counteract 7,12-dimethyl benzyl anthracene (DMBA) promoted buccal pouch carcinogenesis in experimental animals. The bio-formulated POL-PLGA-NPs were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) pattern analysis, and transmission electron microscope (TEM). In addition, the nano-chemopreventive potential of POL-PLGA-NPs was assessed by scrutinizing the neoplastic incidence and analyzing the status of lipid peroxidation, antioxidants, phase I, phase II detoxification status, and histopathological changes and in DMBA-treated animals. In golden Syrian hamsters, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was generated by painting with 0.5% DMBA in liquid paraffin three times a week for 14 weeks. After 100% tumor formation was observed, high tumor volume, tumor burden, and altered levels of biochemical status were observed in the DMBA-painted hamsters. Intra-gastric administration of varying concentration of POL-PLGA-NPs (7.5, 15, and 30 mg/kg b.wt) to DMBA-treated hamsters assumedly prevents oncological incidences and restores the status of the biochemical markers. It also significantly enhances the apoptotic associated and inhibits the cancer cell proliferative markers expression (p53, Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase 3, cyclin-D1). The present study reveals that POL-PLGA-NPs is a penitential candidate for nano-chemopreventive, anti-lipid peroxidative, and antioxidant potential, and also has a modulating effect on the phase I and Phase II detoxification system, which is associated with reduced cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in experimental oral carcinogenesis. Full article

Curvularia lunata was isolated from leaf spot of rice var. Sen Pidoa and tested for pathogenicity. Chaetomium cupreum CC3003 expressed antifungal activity against C. lunata in dual culture test. Hexane-crude extract, EtOAc-crude extract and methanol-crude extract from C. cupreum inhibited sporulation of C. lunata with ED50 of 6.41, 0.83 and 7.81 μg/mL, respectively. Pot experiment revealed that plant heights in treated with a spore suspension of C. cupreum, bioformulation of C. cupreum, nano product from C. cupreum and tebuconazole were not significantly different when compared to the inoculated control. Disease reduction compared to the inoculated control from treatment with a spore suspension of Chaetomium, bioformulation of C. cupreum, nano product from C. cupreum and tebuconazole ranged between 41.66% to 58.33%. Field experiment indicated that chemical method was decreased leaf spots infection by 60%, followed by organic method (40%) and GAP methods (40%) , respectively. The chemical and GAP methods were significantly higher in grain weight than the organic method when compared to the non-treated control. This is the first report using C. cupreum to control leaf spot of rice var. Sen Pidoa caused by C. lunata in Cambodia. Full article