Valeriana officinalis (valerian) roots and rhizomes possess a long history of medicinal use due to their sedative, antiepileptic, and anticonvulsant properties. Valerenic acid, a bioactive sesquiterpene with therapeutic potential, is present in limited quantities within these tissues. This study explores the application of hairy root cultures for enhanced valerenic acid production. Hairy root induction was attempted on valerian leaves and petioles using three Rhizobium rhizogenes strains (ATCC15834, A4, and MSU440) across three culture media (Murashige and Skoog (MS), Gamborg's B5 (B5), and Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH)). A non-destructive imaging system and periodic analyses were employed to identify superior hairy root clones exhibiting increased branching frequency. Leaf explants co-cultured with R. rhizogenes strain ATCC15834 yielded the most promising clones, characterized by the highest dry weight (1.03 mg) and valerenic acid content (0.384 mg/g dry weight) when grown in a half-strength SH liquid medium. Following strain and media optimization, the impact of 50 mM hydrogen peroxide as an elicitor on valerenic acid production was investigated. This treatment resulted in a significant 1.76-fold increase in valerenic acid accumulation compared to the control group at the first day post-treatment. This approach presents a valuable strategy for the early identification of high-yielding hairy root lines. Moreover, the utilization of hydrogen peroxide, a safe and cost-effective elicitor, offers a rapid method for enhancing valerenic acid production in the selected superior clone. This study establishes a promising platform for the sustainable production of valuable plant compounds within both research and industrial settings.

Food contamination has recently emerged as a major global challenge. Due to the potential side effects of synthetic preservatives, natural-based alternatives with antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties have been developed to prevent food spoilage. This approach involves utilizing biomolecules like proteins, which can undergo self-assembly to form stable nanostructures with enhanced functionalities. Here, we prepared self-assembled nanostructured lysozyme (SaLyz) using two different crosslinkers: Sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) and Glutaraldehyde (GTD). SaLyz1, prepared with a single crosslinker (STPP), had a size of 80 nm, while SaLyz2, prepared with a double crosslinker (GTD + STPP), had a size of 60 nm. SaLyz2, with a zeta potential of −29 mV, showed greater stability at high pH and temperature. To enhance the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of SaLyz, the natural polyphenol curcumin was loaded onto SaLyz1 and SaLyz2. SaLyz2-Cur exhibited the highest antibacterial efficacy, with growth inhibition rates of 91% against E. coli and 93.7% against B. subtilis. Additionally, this formulation demonstrated excellent antibiofilm activity, inhibiting over 86% and 88% of E. coli and B. subtilis biofilm formation, respectively. Furthermore, the particles eradicated preformed mature biofilms of E. coli and B. subtilis at rates of 74% and 80%, respectively. The developed SaLyz possessed significant antioxidant properties, which were further enhanced after curcumin loading. In vitro hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility studies showed that SaLyz and SaLyz-Cur were highly biocompatible, indicating their safety for consumption. Hence, the prepared formulations, with their strong antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antioxidant activities, can be utilized as natural food preservatives to prevent food spoilage.

This review addresses the critical issue of illegal discharge of partially or untreated wastewater effluents, resulting in the accumulation of various inorganic and organic contaminants in the environment. Numerous industries release these toxins into the atmosphere, posing significant threats to wildlife and human health. Consequently, there is an increasing need to mitigate these harmful pollutants through innovative research initiatives. Traditional physicochemical methods for pollutant management are often energy-intensive and can lead to secondary pollution. In contrast, microalgae bioremediation has emerged as an effective and environmentally friendly method for reducing the impact of both organic and inorganic pollutants. Microalgae can decompose complex organic compounds into simpler, less harmful substances without producing additional secondary pollutants. Moreover, certain organic pollutants can serve as carbon sources for the growth of mixotrophic microalgae. The bioremediation potential of microalgae can be further enhanced through advanced modification techniques. This review employs descriptive analysis to explore the application of bioremediation technologies for the removal of organic and inorganic contaminants, assessing their viability and applicability for emerging organic pollutants. It underscores the potential of microalgae to provide cost-effective and ecological solutions for the remediation of various contaminants and outlines successful bioremediation methods. This review effectively elucidates the nature of harmful contaminants, current challenges in industrial-scale water purification, and potential future solutions.

The severe disease Xanthomonasoryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) causes in rice plants is known as rice bacterial blight.As a result of the risks associated with the indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides, bio elicitors derived from plant sources may be sought after as superior and safer substitutes. Thus, the objective of the current study was to assess the potential of terpenes from Dysoxylummalabaricum (D. Meliaceae) leaf to promote plant defence and provide protection from Xoo. It was observed that D. malabaricum leaves contained eight major terpene compounds (DMT). The application of DMT induced defence enzyme synthesis (peroxidase, PO - polyphenol oxidase, PPO) and accumulation till 120 h post treatment and their levels increased further post infection of Xoo. Direct suppression of Xoo growth in-vitro evidently decreased disease incidence and severity offering effective disease control, consequently enhancing plant growth parameters and biomass. Overall, our study suggests that D. malabaricum terpenes have a significant role in preventing the growth of Xoo in rice plants, providing long-term plant protection.

The world's fossil fuel resources are rapidly depleting as the global population grows and energy demands rise. Current fossil fuel supplies are insufficient to meet rising demand and are nearing depletion. Careless exploitation of fossil fuels increases greenhouse gas emissions, environmental pollution, and global warming, resulting in ecological imbalances and health risks. Consequently, contamination, rising temperatures, and high oil costs have fueled the search for renewable and alternative energy sources. This study seeks to explore renewable energy alternatives that are critical to meeting future global energy demands. Marine algae such as red algae, green algae, and brown algae are gaining popularity as economically viable and environmentally friendly sources of renewable biofuel. Several studies are currently underway to assess the ability of marine algae to produce a variety of bioproducts, including biofuels. Macroalgae, in particular, emerges as an ideal resource for biofuel production due to their lipid and carbohydrate content, coupled with low or absent lignin content. The article investigates the potential of marine algal species to promote biofuel production and discusses novel methods for improving biofuel yields. It also emphasizes the economic factors and challenges associated with sustainable biofuel production.

Modulating bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPS) with nanoparticles is an emerging application of nanotechnology due to the enhancement of soil fertility, encouragement of nutrient uptake, and plant growth in agriculture. This study highlights the seamless integration of nanotechnology with EPS, the fungus, Serendipita indica strain is used here to reduce selenium ions and forms selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs). Se NPs has been characterized by visual observation, UV–vis spectroscopy, FTIR, TEM, SEM-EDX, XRD, DLS and Zeta potential. Production of EPS was monitored in the presence of Se NPs. Extracted EPS was characterized by FTIR, SEM-EDX, HPLC, and NMR. Results exhibit the successful formation of spherical, crystalline Se NPs with size ranging between 20-80 nm with 92.24% selenium. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to identify and optimise the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS) from Bacillus subtilis that was isolated from arid zone agricultural soil. The central composite rotatable design (CCRD) exhibited the highest yield of EPS 11.332 g/l. EPS was then characterized by FTIR, HPLC, NMR, and SEM which revealed the presence of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups and flakes-like structure of EPS. Hence, the present work will pave the way for the application of nanotechnology for increasing EPS production and will also offer new dimensions for further research.

Vermicompost (VC) products have grown in popularity in plant nutrition and are widely used to improve plant growth and suppress plant diseases. In addition, the choice of chemical-free food and increased public concern for human health and the environment due to the impacts of hazardous inorganic fertilizers have motivated farmers to seek safer and more eco-friendly alternatives. The present study aimed to evaluate the plant-growth-promoting and biocontrol potential of macrophyte biomass-based VC products in tomato plants. The results indicated that tomato plants treated with VC + vermicompost tea (VCT) resulted in 30.74% higher plant height, 20.70% more leaves, 29.05% more fruits, and 61.26% higher total yield than the control plants. In addition, VC products significantly reduced disease incidence by 35–60%, whereas the untreated control had the highest wilt incidence (75%). The study concludes that VC products produced from free-floating aquatic weed biomass (Azolla, Lemna, and Salvinia) could be used as a potential alternative to inorganic fungicides to manage Fusarium wilt disease and as bioinoculants to improve the growth and yield of tomato plants for sustainable crop production.

A significant cause of food and crop contamination is fungi producing mycotoxins, posing a notable danger to global food security and safety. Plant extracts, essential oils, and phytochemicals have emerged as natural green preservatives to extend food's lifespan due to their exceptional antimicrobial properties. Potential antifungal plants: Cinnamomum verum (Cinnamon), Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg), Origanum majorana (Marjoram), Peganum harmala (Harmal or Syrian rue), Carum copticum (Ajwain), Thymus species (Thyme), Chrysanthemum species, Ocimum sanctum (Holy Basil or Tulsi), and Origanum species (Oregano) have been identified for control of aflatoxins producing fungi. Unlike conventional artificial preservatives, they offer a safe and reliable approach to conserving food with minimal environmental impact. Nanoformulations of plant essential oils present an advanced technique for managing mycotoxin-producing fungi compared to using essential oils alone. These nanoformulations lock in the active compounds, preventing leakage, and ensure safe delivery to the target site, thereby enhancing efficacy. There is potential for reducing mycotoxin contamination in crops and food through the use of these nanoformulations. By limiting environmental impacts and providing targeted delivery and better release, they enable quick and effective mitigation. This review provides an overview of the many phytochemicals and essential oils used in nanoformulations to prevent harmful fungi. To ensure food sustainability, it addresses safety issues and investigates their mechanisms of action against mycotoxins.

The global lactone market, although it has expanded over the years, has still been little explored. The objective of this review was to provide a percentage quantification of γ-lactone production from papers published in Web of Science™ (WoS). To this end, a systematic search was carried out to identify the main raw materials and microorganisms for biotransformation of hydrophobic material and the main γ-lactones produced in the process along with the main gaps exists. The results obtained in this review suggest that on an average the number of publications is around three papers per year, relatively low compared to those in other areas. Castor oil and its derivatives represent 80% of the raw materials used for biotransformation into γ-lactones, due to the high concentration of ricinoleic acid. Yarrowia lipolytica represents around 55.26% of the total application in the papers evaluated. The γ-decalactone, with nuances of peach aroma, is the γ-lactone most reported in this review, representing around 84.21% of the total papers published in WoS. Liquid-liquid extraction has been a favorite of researchers, and diethyl ether is the organic solvent most used in the recovery of lactones, representing 44.73% of the papers evaluated. This review demonstrates the need to explore new oilseed sources such as fruit seed oil considered as waste, but also the need to produce other lactones such as γ-dodecalactone due to the biotransformation of oleic acid, fatty acid present in most vegetable oils, and its production process under optimized conditions.

Protein hydrolysates have emerged as potent enhancers of agricultural productivity, attributed to their nitrogen and amino acid richness. This study focuses on extracting keratin from sheep wool waste via water-based hydrolysis, aiming for eco-friendly alternatives to chemical methods. To refine this process, a novel response surface methodology integrating a Box-Behnken design (RSM-BBD) was devised, centering on temperature and hydrolysis time as pivotal factors affecting yield. Optimization yielded an impressive 99% w/v hydrolysis yield, with a fixed solid-liquid ratio (15:100 w/v) yielding 18.72 g/l of total nitrogen extraction. Analysis revealed a dominant presence of phenylalanine, noted for its role in plant water conservation. Agricultural trials demonstrated the hydrolysate's efficacy in enhancing maize crop physiology, evidenced by increased leaf surface area and fresh and dry plant weights across varied application rates. These results underscore the value of this innovative valorization process in agriculture. By harnessing keratin from sheep wool waste through water-based hydrolysis, the study proposes a sustainable alternative to traditional chemical techniques. The optimization of key parameters and subsequent positive impacts on maize crop physiology illustrate the potential of this approach to foster sustainable agricultural practices.