Search Results (231)

Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized through biologically mediated reduction of metal ions using biomolecules derived from microorganisms, algae, or plants are attracting growing attention in plant biotechnology due to their multifunctional properties and environmental advantages compared with conventional physicochemical synthesis. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of biological approaches for NP production using bacteria, fungi, algae, cyanobacteria, whole plants, and in vitro plant cell cultures. The main biosynthetic mechanisms, types of reducing and capping metabolites, metal specificity, and typical NP characteristics are described for each system, with emphasis on their relative productivity, scalability, reproducibility, and biosafety. Special consideration is given to plant cell and tissue cultures as highly promising platforms that combine the metabolite diversity of whole plants with precise control over growth conditions and NP parameters. Recent advances highlight the significance of bioengineering of reductive capacity as a novel strategy to enhance the efficiency and controllability of NP biosynthesis. Since NP formation is driven by key biomolecules, targeted modification of biosynthetic pathways through metabolic and genetic engineering can substantially increase NP yield and allow fine-tuning of their structural and functional properties. The applications of biogenic NPs in plant biotechnology are systematically evaluated, including their use as environmentally safe disinfectants for explants and seed sterilization, modulators of callus induction and morphogenesis, and abiotic elicitors that enhance the accumulation of economically valuable secondary metabolites. Remaining challenges, such as variability in NP characteristics, limited scalability, and insufficient data on phytotoxicity and environmental safety, are discussed to outline future research priorities. The synthesis–function relationships highlighted here provide a foundation for developing sustainable NP-based technologies in modern agriculture. Full article

Immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation are central contributors to many diseases. Curcuma longa L. and Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench are widely used medicinal plants with extensive preclinical evidence supporting immunomodulatory effects. Their key metabolites, curcuminoids, turmerones, alkamides, polysaccharides, and caffeic acid derivatives, engage with critical pathways, including NF-κB, MAPK, JAK/STAT, and Nrf2. This interaction modulates cytokine production, oxidative stress responses, and both innate and adaptive immune activities. Although numerous mechanistic and early clinical studies support these actions, human evidence remains inconsistent, partly due to poor and variable oral bioavailability and substantial heterogeneity in extract composition, despite the existence of some standardized preparations. Recent technological strategies, including micelles, phytosomes, phospholipid complexes, nanoemulsions, polymeric nanoparticles, and liposomal systems, have improved solubility, stability, and systemic exposure of key metabolites, particularly curcuminoids. However, clinical results are still limited and often derived from small or heterogeneous trials. This review summarizes the ethnopharmacological background, mechanistic data, clinical findings, and formulation advances for both species and highlights the translational barriers that restrict their therapeutic application. Rigorous clinical studies using standardized and technologically optimized preparations are required to determine the true immunomodulatory potential of C. longa and E. purpurea. Full article

Drought stress is one of the major constraints limiting crop productivity, primarily through oxidative damage, pigment degradation, and metabolic imbalance. Nanostructured selenium particles (SeNPs) have recently attracted attention for their potential to enhance plant tolerance to abiotic stress. In this study, green-synthesized SeNPs, with a main hydrodynamic size distribution in the range of 90–100 nm, were foliar applied to broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) plants grown under well-watered (100% water holding capacity) and drought (50% water holding capacity) conditions at concentrations of 0, 10, 20 and 50 ppm. Drought stress significantly decreased chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids, while increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline levels, confirming oxidative stress and membrane damage. SeNPs treatments partially mitigated these effects by enhancing pigment stability, increasing carotenoid content, and reducing both MDA and proline accumulation. Phenolic and flavonoid responses exhibited a dose-dependent pattern with the highest stimulation at 50 ppm under drought and moderate enhancement at 10 ppm under optimal irrigation. Antioxidant capacity assays demonstrated that SeNPs modulate plant redox metabolism, in a context-dependent manner, particularly under water deficit. Peroxidase (POD) activity was also significantly induced under drought stress, mainly at 20 ppm. These results indicate that foliar-applied SeNPs can influence physiological and biochemical responses associated with drought tolerance in broccoli. The observed effects are consistent with nanoparticle–leaf surface interactions contributing to redox regulation and stress adaptation, rather than implying direct nanoparticle internalization. Full article

Heavy metal (HM) contamination threatens environmental sustainability, food safety, and agricultural productivity worldwide. HM toxicity adversely affects plant growth, reducing germination rates by 20–50%, impairing seedling establishment, and inhibiting shoot and root development by 30–60% in various crops. HM disrupts key physiological processes, including photosynthesis, stomatal regulation, membrane integrity, nutrient uptake, and enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant activities. These disruptions largely result from oxidative stress, caused by the excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species, which damage cellular components. To counteract HM toxicity, plants deploy a complex defense network involving antioxidant enzymes, metal chelation by phytochelatins and metallothioneins, vacuolar sequestration, and symbiotic interactions with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which can retain 40–70% of metals in roots and reduce translocation to shoots. At the molecular level, MAPK (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase) signaling pathways, transcription factors (e.g., WRKY, MYB, bZIP, and NAC), and phytohormonal crosstalk regulate the expression of stress-responsive genes expression to enhance HM stress tolerance. Advances in nanotechnology offer promising strategies for the remediation of HM-contaminated soils and water sources (HM remediation); engineered and biogenic nanoparticles (e.g., ZnO, Fe₃O₄) improve metal immobilization, reduce bioavailability, and enhance plant growth by 15–35% under HM stresses, although excessive doses may induce phytotoxicity. Future applications of nanotechnology in HM remediation should consider nanoparticle transformation (e.g., dissolution and agglomeration) and environmentally relevant concentrations to ensure efficacy and minimize phytotoxicity. Integrating phytoremediation with nanoparticle-enabled strategies provides a sustainable approach for HM remediation. This review emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary framework linking plant science, biotechnology, and nanoscience to advance HM remediation and safeguard agricultural productivity. Full article

Rare-earth oxide (REO) nanoparticles (NPs)—such as cerium (CeO₂), samarium (Sm₂O₃), neodymium (Nd₂O₃), terbium (Tb₄O₇), and praseodymium (Pr₂O₃)—have demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Their effectiveness is attributed to unique physicochemical properties, including oxygen vacancies and redox cycling, which facilitate the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage microbial membranes and biomolecules. Additionally, electrostatic interactions with microbial surfaces and sustained ion release contribute to membrane disruption and long-term antimicrobial effects. REOs also inhibit bacterial enzymes, DNA, and protein synthesis, providing broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and fungal pathogens. However, dose-dependent cytotoxicity to mammalian cells—primarily due to excessive ROS generation—and nanoparticle aggregation in biological media remain challenges. Surface functionalization with polymers, peptides, or metal dopants (e.g., Ag, Zn, and Cu) can mitigate cytotoxicity and enhance selectivity. Scalable and sustainable synthesis remains a challenge due to high synthesis costs and scalability issues in industrial production. Green and biogenic routes using plant or microbial extracts can produce REOs at lower cost and with improved safety. Advanced continuous flow and microwave-assisted synthesis offer improved particle uniformity and production yields. Biomedical applications include antimicrobial coatings, wound dressings, and hybrid nanozyme systems for oxidative disinfection. However, comprehensive and intensive toxicological evaluations, along with regulatory frameworks, are required before clinical deployment. Full article

Carbon dots (CDs) are promising for agro-environmental applications; however, clear connections between synthesis, photophysical properties, size, and biosafety are often not well established. In this study, we map these relationships for glucose–arginine CDs (GA-CDs). By using microwave and hydrothermal routes at precursor ratios of 1:3, 1:9, and 1:15, we produced sub-10 nm nanoparticles (analyzed by dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy) that exhibit tunable absorption and emission properties, as well as surface properties (demonstrated through UV–Vis spectroscopy, 3D photoluminescence, and FTIR analysis). The hydrothermal 1:9 condition yielded the narrowest size distribution and red-shifted photoluminescence. Across biological models spanning plants, insects, plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPR), and human cells, GA-CDs were well tolerated, with no adverse changes detected in plant stress markers, aphid feeding behavior or fecundity, or PGPR growth. In A549 cells, viability remained stable up to a concentration of 0.125 mg mL⁻¹, while exposure to 0.5 mg mL⁻¹ reduced viability, establishing a practical operating range. These results provide a clearer picture of how the structure and properties of carbon dots derived from arginine and glucose are correlated to their safety. The GA-CDs are, therefore, useful, and traceable tools for agro-environmental research. The findings support their use as biocompatible nanomaterials for studying interactions among plants, insects, and microbes in agriculture. Full article

Soil degradation and pollution pose significant threats to global agricultural sustainability and food security. Conventional remediation methods are often constrained by low efficiency, high cost, and potential secondary pollution. Nanobiotechnology, an emerging interdisciplinary field, offers innovative solutions by integrating functional nanomaterials with plant–microbe interactions to advance soil remediation and sustainable agriculture. This review systematically elaborates on the mechanisms and applications of nanomaterials in soil remediation and enhanced plant stress resilience. For contaminant removal, nanomaterials such as nano-zero-valent iron (nZVI) and carbon nanotubes effectively immobilize or degrade heavy metals and organic pollutants through adsorption, catalysis, and other reactive mechanisms. In agriculture, nanofertilizers facilitate the regulated release of nutrients, thereby markedly enhancing nutrient use efficiency. Concurrently, certain nanoparticles mitigate a range of abiotic stresses—such as drought, salinity, and heavy metal toxicity—through the regulation of phytohormone balance, augmentation of photosynthetic performance, and reinforcement of antioxidant defenses. However, concerns regarding the environmental behavior, ecotoxicity, and long-term safety of nanomaterials remain. Future research should prioritize the development of smart, responsive nanosystems, elucidate the complex interactions among nanomaterials, plants, and microbes, and establish comprehensive life-cycle assessment and standardized risk evaluation frameworks. These efforts are essential to ensuring the safe and scalable application of nanobiotechnology in environmental remediation and green agriculture. Full article

Plant-derived nanocellulose particles, such as cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), are becoming increasingly popular for a wide range of applications. In particular, when they are employed as rheology modifiers and/or fillers, a choice between CNFs and CNCs is often not obvious. Here, we present the results of a comparative study on the rheological properties of suspensions and gels of carboxymethylated CNFs and CNCs with the same surface chemistry, surface density of charged groups, and thickness. We demonstrate that, at the same weight concentration, CNF suspensions have much higher viscosity and storage modulus, which is due to their longer length providing many entanglements. However, when comparing at the same nanoparticle concentration relative to C*, the situation is reversed: viscosity and storage modulus of CNCs appear to be much higher. This may be due in particular to the higher rigidity and intrinsic strength of highly crystalline CNCs. The gel points for CNF and CNC suspensions (without crosslinker) were compared for the first time. It was found that in the case of CNFs, the gel point occurs at a 3.5-fold lower concentration compared to that of CNCs. Hydrogels were also obtained by crosslinking negatively charged nanocellulose particles of both types by divalent calcium cations. For the first time, the thermodynamic parameters of the crosslinking of carboxymethylated CNFs by calcium ions were determined. Isothermal titration calorimetry data revealed that, for both CNFs and CNCs, crosslinking is endothermic and driven by increasing entropy, which is most likely due to the release of water molecules surrounding the interacting nanoparticles and Ca²⁺ ions. The addition of CaCl₂ to suspensions of nanocellulose particles leads to an increase in the storage modulus; the increase being much more significant for CNCs. Physically crosslinked hydrogels of both CNFs and CNCs can be reversibly destroyed by increasing the shear rate and then quickly recover up to 85% of their original viscosity when the shear rate decreases. The recovery time for CFC networks is only 6 s, which is much shorter than that of CNC networks. This property is promising for various applications, where nanocellulose suspensions are subjected to high shear forces (e.g., mixing, stirring, extrusion, injection, coating) and then need to regain their original properties when at rest. Full article

Silver and gold nanoparticles (NPs) have gained considerable attention in recent years due to their wide-ranging applications in medicine, agriculture, industry, and other fields where they may interact with the environment. Green synthesis of NPs supports sustainability by reducing chemical waste and energy use while improving their biocompatibility through plant phytochemicals. Accordingly, it is important to assess the effects of metal NPs on microorganisms, which play vital roles in ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles. This study aimed to investigate microbial growth dynamics in the presence of green-synthesized silver and gold NPs (using an aqueous extract of Mentha × piperita leaves) and to evaluate potential mechanisms of their interaction. Microorganisms were cultivated in 96-well microtiter plates, and growth curves were analyzed alongside bacterial enumeration on Petri plates. Silver NPs affected the growth of Brevundimonas vesicularis USM1, Pseudarthrobacter oxydans USM2, and Pseudomonas putida USM4, although these strains exhibited partial resistance. In contrast, gold NPs did not inhibit the growth of the tested strains. The ability of Brevundimonas vesicularis USM1 to precipitate metal NPs highlights its potential for sustainable bioremediation applications. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the environmental impact and sustainability aspects of silver and gold NPs in microbial systems. Full article

Titanium-containing nanoparticles have emerged as materials of significant technological importance due to their multifunctional properties and excellent performance. With their expanding applications, the amount of TiO₂ nanoparticles (TNPs) being released into the soil environment has increased significantly. This review addresses the gap in current research, which has predominantly focused on the environmental behavior of TNPs in aquatic systems while lacking systematic integration of the synergetic mechanism of adsorption–transformation–ecological effects in soil systems and its guiding value for practical applications. It deeply reveals the interaction mechanisms between TNPs and environmental pollutants. TNPs exhibit outstanding adsorption performance towards environmental pollutants such as heavy metals and organic compounds. Specifically, the maximum adsorption capacities of titanate nanowhiskers for the heavy metal ions Cu(II), Pb(II), and Cr(III) are 143.9 mg·g⁻¹, 384.6 mg·g⁻¹, and 190.8 mg·g⁻¹, respectively. Additionally, 1-hydroxydinaphthoic acid surface-modified nano-TiO₂ exhibits an adsorption rate of up to 98.6% for p-nitrophenol, with an enrichment factor of 50-fold. The transformation process of TNPs after pollutant adsorption profoundly affects their environmental fate, among which pH is a critical controlling factor: when the environmental pH is close to the point of zero charge (pHpzc = 5.88), TNPs exhibit significant aggregation behavior and macroscopic sedimentation. Meanwhile, factors such as soil solution chemistry, dissolved organic matter, and microbial activities collectively regulate the aggregation, aging, and chemical/biological transformation of TNPs. In the soil ecosystem, TNPs can exert both beneficial and detrimental impacts on various soil organisms, including bacteria, plants, nematodes, and earthworms. The beneficial effects include alleviating heavy metal stress, serving as a nano-fertilizer to supply titanium elements, and acting as a nano-pesticide to enhance plants’ antiviral capabilities. However, excessively high concentrations of TiO₂ can stimulate plants, induce oxidative stress damage, and impair plant growth. This review also highlights promising research directions for future studies, including the development of safer-by-design TNPs, strategic surface modifications to enhance functionality and reduce risks, and a deeper understanding of TNP–soil microbiome interactions. These avenues are crucial for guiding the sustainable application of TNPs in soil environments. Full article

Molecular docking has emerged as a pivotal computational approach in agri-food research, offering a rapid and targeted means to discover bioactive molecules for crop protection and food safety. Its ability to predict and visualize interactions between natural or synthetic compounds and specific biological targets provides valuable opportunities to address urgent agricultural challenges, including climate change and the rise in resistant crop pathogens. By enabling the in silico screening of diverse chemical entities, this technique facilitates the identification of molecules with antimicrobial and antifungal properties, specifically designed to interact with critical enzymatic pathways in plant pathogens. Recent advancements, such as the integration of molecular dynamics simulations and artificial intelligence-enhanced scoring functions, have significantly improved docking accuracy by addressing limitations like protein flexibility and solvent effects. These technological improvements have accelerated the discovery of eco-friendly biopesticides and multifunctional nutraceutical agents. Promising developments include nanoparticle-based delivery systems that enhance the stability and efficacy of bioactive molecules. Despite its potential, molecular docking still faces challenges related to incomplete protein structures, variability in scoring algorithms, and limited experimental validation in agricultural contexts. This work highlights these limitations while outlining current trends and future prospects to guide its effective application in agri-food biotechnology. Full article

Rice aroma is influenced by many factors, including selenium (Se) fertilizer. In this study, we investigated the effects of different Se species on the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in three indica rice varieties over 2022 and 2023 by forliar spray. The VOCs were analyzed using HS-SPME-GC-MS. The results showed that both Se nanoparticles (SeNPs) and sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) significantly increased the contents of most VOCs in all three varieties, with SeNPs exhibiting a more pronounced effect. PCA and OPLS-DA revealed distinct clustering of the VOCs based on Se treatments and rice varieties. By variable importance in projection (VIP) analysis with FDR correction, Na₂SeO₃ yielded 7 markers, whereas SeNP treatment identified 18. Every marker detected under Na₂SeO₃ was fully encompassed within the SeNPs set. Three-factor ANOVA indicated that there are significant interaction effects among Se species, rice variety, and planting year. Additionally, the effect sizes were evaluated in the key VOCs to quantify the effect of Se species, rice variety, and planting year. The findings highlight Se fertilizers to enhance rice aroma and suggest selecting appropriate Se species and rice varieties for aroma improvement. Full article

Sustainable agriculture aims to meet the growing food demands of a rising global population while minimizing negative impacts on the environment, preserving natural resources, and ensuring long-term agricultural productivity. However, conventional agricultural practices often involve excessive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and water, leading to soil degradation, water pollution, and ecosystem imbalances. In this context, agricultural nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative field, offering innovative solutions to enhance crop productivity, improve soil health, and ensure sustainable agricultural practices. This review has explored the wide-ranging uses of nanotechnology in agriculture, highlighting innovative plant-targeted delivery systems—such as polymer-based nanoparticles, carbon nanomaterials, dendrimers, metal oxide particles, and nanoemulsions—as well as its contributions to minimizing pesticide application, alleviating plant stress, and improving interactions between plants and nanoparticles. By examining recent research and development, the review highlights the potential of nanotechnology to address critical challenges such as pest resistance, nutrient management, and environmental sustainability. In conclusion, we believe that, in the immediate future, key priorities should include: (1) scaling up field trials to validate laboratory findings, (2) developing biodegradable nanomaterials to ensure environmental safety, and (3) integrating nanotechnology with digital agriculture platforms to enable real-time monitoring and adaptive management. These steps are essential for translating promising research into practical, sustainable solutions that can effectively support global food security. Full article

Silicon (Si) has emerged as a promising tool for mitigating the negative effects of biotic and abiotic stresses, such as caused by heavy metals, on plants. The aim of the study was to summarize knowledge about the mechanisms underlying the interaction between silicon and cadmium. This review first discusses silicon compounds in plant physiology, then examines mechanisms of silicon–cadmium interaction, including antioxidant defense, metal chelation, nutrient transport, molecular responses, subcellular changes, and future directions. Recent studies show that various forms of Si, such as conventional Si and Si-nanoparticles (Si NPs), can have various effects on the ability of a plant to absorb and utilize Si for protection. Silicon, taken up mainly as soluble orthosilicic acid (H₄SiO₄) and Si NPs, can be absorbed by plants and subsequently deposited predominantly in cell walls. It has been found that Si and Si NPs increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes, including CAT, SOD, and POD, in plants under cadmium (Cd) stress. Furthermore, Si reduces the expression of Cd transport-related genes, including OsNRAMP5 and OsHMA2 in rice. It has also been shown that supplementation with Si and Si NPs in plants under Cd stress reduces the Cd content in their tissues and changes the uptake of elements necessary for the proper functioning of the plant organism. Furthermore, Si supplementation increases the content of pectins, which are involved in the binding and neutralization of Cd. The following overview highlights the importance of both Si and SiNPs in neutralizing the harmful effects of Cd on the environment and agriculture. Full article

Cucurbitacin B (CuB), a tetracyclic triterpenoid compound isolated from Cucurbitaceae plants, exhibits inhibitory effects on various tumor cells (e.g., liver, gastric, and colorectal cancer cells). Since the 1970s–1980s, cucurbitacin tablets containing CuB have been used as an adjuvant therapy for chronic hepatitis and primary liver cancer. CuB exerts anticancer effects through multiple mechanisms: inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest (G2/M or S phase), autophagy, and cytoskeleton disruption; inhibiting migration, invasion, and angiogenesis (via VEGF/FAK/MMP-9 and Wnt/β-catenin pathways); regulating metabolic reprogramming and immune responses; inducing pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and epigenetic changes; and reversing tumor drug resistance. These effects are associated with signaling pathways like JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and FOXM1-KIF20A. To improve its application potential, strategies such as structural modification (e.g., NO donor conjugation), combination therapy (with gemcitabine or cisplatin), and nanomaterial-based delivery (e.g., liposomes and exosome-mimicking nanoparticles) have been developed to enhance efficacy, reduce toxicity, and improve bioavailability. CuB shows broad-spectrum anticancer activity, but further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying its cell-specific sensitivity and interactions with the immune system. This review systematically summarizes the physicochemical properties, anticancer mechanisms, and strategies for applying CuB and suggests future research directions, providing references for scientific research and clinical translation. Full article