Biotechnological Strategies Research Articles

Lactoferrin and its role in biotechnological strategies for plant defense against pathogens.

Agricultural crops are susceptible to many diseases caused by various pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi. This paper reviews the general principles of plant protection against pathogens, as well as the role of iron and antimicrobial peptide metabolism in plant immunity. The article highlights the principles of antibacterial, fungicidal and antiviral action of lactoferrin, a mammalian secretory glycoprotein, and lactoferrin peptides, and their role in protecting plants from phytopathogens. This review offers a comprehensive analysis and shows potential prospects of using the lactoferrin gene to enhance plant resistance to various phytopathogens, as well as the advantages of this biotechnological approach over existing methods of protecting plants against various diseases.

Biotechnological and endophytic-mediated production of centellosides in Centella asiatica.

In vitro culture of a plant cell, tissue and organ is a marvellous, eco-friendly biotechnological strategy for the production of phytochemicals. With the emergence of recent biotechnological tools, genetic engineering is now widely practiced enhancing the quality and quantity of plant metabolites. Triterpenoid saponins especially asiaticoside and madecassoside of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. are popularly known for their neuroprotective activity. It has become necessary to increase the production of asiaticoside and madecassoside because of their high pharmaceutical and industrial demand. Thus, the review aims to provide efficient biotechnological tools along with proper strategies. This review also included a comparative analysis of various carbon sources and biotic and abiotic elicitors. The vital roles of a variety of plant growth regulators and their combinations have also been evaluated at different in vitro growth stages of Centella asiatica. Selection of explants, direct and callus-mediated organogenesis, root organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis, synthetic seed production etc. are also highlighted in this study. In a nutshell, this review will present the research outcomes of different biotechnological interventions used to increase the yield of triterpenoid saponins in C. asiatica. KEY POINTS: • Critical and updated assessment on in vitro biotechnology in C. asiatica. • In vitro propagation of C. asiatica and elicitation of triterpenoid saponins production. • Methods for mass producing C. asiatica.

Mechanochemistry-guided reticular assembly for stabilizing enzymes with covalent organic frameworks

Structural stabilization of enzymes by porous frameworks is an emerging strategy in biotechnology that may accelerate large-scale industrial application of biocatalysts. Herein, we stabilize an enzyme by wrapping it with covalent organic frameworks in situ using a mild mechanochemistry-guided assembly. This mechanochemical strategy circumvents the harsh conditions often necessary for covalent organic frameworks’ crystallization, and hence avoids enzyme denaturation during the de novo encapsulation. The covalent-linked topology and tailorable large pore channels of the covalent organic framework host not only stabilize enzymes, but also outperform the well-explored enzyme-zeolite imidazole framework counterparts in terms of catalytic efficiency, functional diversity, and structural stability. This work offers a greener and convenient mechanochemistry-guided assembly strategy, enabling template-free enzyme encapsulation across multiple enzyme and covalent organic framework pore structures. • A mechanochemical strategy for engineering enzyme-COFs biohybrids is reported • The mechanochemical method is demonstrated across multiple enzymes and COFs • The enzyme-encapsulated COFs are structurally stable and catalytically active Immobilization of enzymes without disrupting their function is an important component of biocatalysis. Here, Gao et al. report a mechanochemistry-guided assembly strategy for bottom-up construction of enzyme-encapsulated covalent organic framework biocomposites.

AcdS gene of Bacillus cereus enhances salt tolerance of seedlings in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

Previous studies show that 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase can facilitate the growth and stress tolerance of hosts by reducing ethylene levels. In this study, the acdS gene encoding ACC deaminase from Bacillus cereus (HK012) was cloned and transformed into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) by the leaf disc method using Agrobacterium. Molecular detection and physiological analysis of the transgenic tobacco plants were performed. Our results showed the acdS gene was integrated into the tobacco genome and fluorescence microscopy showed that the fusion protein was located on the cell membrane of tobacco root. Compared with control, the transgenic plants showed increases in plant height, root length, dry weight, fresh weight and chlorophyll content; and significant increases in the concentration of proline of 55.15% and 42.7% under salt stress conditions (150 mmol L−1 and 300 mmol L−1 NaCl, respectively). The superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase and ACC deaminase activities of transgenic tobacco were higher than those of control tobacco at 150 and 300 mmol L−1 salt concentrations. Transgenic tobacco seedlings expressing the acdS gene of B. cereus HK012 showed higher salt tolerance than the control plants. The obtained results suggest that the acdS gene of B. cereus can be used to promote salt tolerance in glycophytes by using biotechnology strategies.

Microalgae Biomass and Lipids as Feedstock for Biofuels: Sustainable Biotechnology Strategies

Microalgae exhibit remarkable potential as a feedstock for biofuel production compared with other sources, owing to their high areal productivity, low environmental effect, and negligible influence on food security. However, the primary obstacle to the commercialization of algae-based biofuels is the high economic cost due to the low-yield lipid content in the microalgae biomass. Maximizing biomass and lipid production is crucial to improve the economic viability of microalgae for biofuels. Identifying appropriate algal strains, particularly from indigenous environments, and developing those ‘platform strains’ using mutagenesis and genetic-engineering techniques is preferable. The provided discussion of conventional methods to increase microalgae’s biomass and lipid productivity mostly entailed adjusting environmental (such as temperature, light, and salinity) and nutritional (such as nitrogen and phosphorus) parameters. This review illustrated a comprehensive overview of biotechnological approaches and the recent strategies to enhance the lipid productivity of microalgae. The research also emphasized the need to streamline engineering strategies with the aid of recent advancements in DNA-manipulation techniques to hinder the existing biological intricacies in lipogenesis. This review also discussed the current economic and commercialization of this algal biorefinery along with the drawbacks.

Exploring the Relationship between G-Quadruplex Nucleic Acids and Plants: From Plant G-Quadruplex Function to Phytochemical G4 Ligands with Pharmaceutic Potential.

G-quadruplex (G4) oligonucleotides are higher-order DNA and RNA secondary structures of enormous relevance due to their implication in several biological processes and pathological states in different organisms. Strategies aiming at modulating human G4 structures and their interrelated functions are first-line approaches in modern research aiming at finding new potential anticancer treatments or G4-based aptamers for various biomedical and biotechnological applications. Plants offer a cornucopia of phytocompounds that, in many cases, are effective in binding and modulating the thermal stability of G4s and, on the other hand, contain almost unexplored G4 motifs in their genome that could inspire new biotechnological strategies. Herein, we describe some G4 structures found in plants, summarizing the existing knowledge of their functions and biological role. Moreover, we review some of the most promising G4 ligands isolated from vegetal sources and report on the known relationships between such phytochemicals and G4-mediated biological processes that make them potential leads in the pharmaceutical sector.

Antioxidant Potential and Capacity of Microorganism-Sourced C30 Carotenoids-A Review.

Carotenoids are lipophilic tetraterpenoid pigments produced by plants, algae, arthropods, and certain bacteria and fungi. These biologically active compounds are used in the food, feed, and nutraceutical industries for their coloring and the physiological benefits imparted by their antioxidant properties. The current global carotenoid market is dominated by synthetic carotenoids; however, the rising consumer demand for natural products has led to increasing research and development in the mass production of carotenoids from alternative natural sources, including microbial synthesis and plant extraction, which holds a significant market share. To date, microbial research has focused on C40 carotenoids, but studies have shown that C30 carotenoids contain similar—and in some microbial strains, greater—antioxidant activity in both the physical and chemical quenching of reactive oxygen species. The discovery of carotenoid biosynthetic pathways in different microorganisms and advances in metabolic engineering are driving the discovery of novel C30 carotenoid compounds. This review highlights the C30 carotenoids from microbial sources, showcasing their antioxidant properties and the technologies emerging for their enhanced production. Industrial applications and tactics, as well as biotechnological strategies for their optimized synthesis, are also discussed.

Sprouting and Hydrolysis as Biotechnological Tools for Development of Nutraceutical Ingredients from Oat Grain and Hull

Oat consumption has increased during the last decade because of the health benefits associated with its soluble dietary fiber (β-glucan), functional proteins, lipids, and the presence of specific phytochemicals, such as avenanthramides. Oat is consumed mainly as whole grain, and the hull (seed coat), comprising 25–35% of the entire grain, is removed, generating a large amount of waste/by-product from the milling industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of biotechnological strategies, such as sprouting for oat grain (OG) and hydrolysis for oat hull (OH), to enhance antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and lower the glycemic index (GI). Sprouting produced significant (p ≤ 0.05) increases in free (32.10 to 76.62 mg GAE (100 g)−1) and bound phenols (60.45 to 124.36 mg GAE (100 g)−1), increasing significantly (p ≤ 0.05) the avenanthramide (2c, 2p and 2f) soluble phenolic alkaloid content and anti-inflammatory properties of OG. On the other hand, the hydrolysis of OH using Viscoferm (EH2-OH) and Ultraflo XL (EH21-OH) increased by 4.5 and 5-fold the release of bound phenols, respectively; meanwhile, the use of Viscoferm increased the 4.55-fold soluble β-glucan content in OH, reaching values close to those of OG (4.04 vs. 4.46 g (100 g)−1). The study shows the potential of both strategies to enhance the nutritional and bioactive properties of OG and OH and describes these processes as feasible for the industry to obtain an ingredient with high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Single or combined biotechnological tools can be used on oat grains and hulls to provide nutraceutical ingredients.

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) Management (WFM) Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture: A Review

The whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius) is a notorious devastating sap-sucking insect pest that causes substantial crop damage and yield losses due to direct feeding by both nymphs and adults and also through transmission of viruses and diseases. Although the foliar application of synthetic pesticides is crucial for efficient control of B. tabaci, it has adverse effects such as environmental pollution, resistance and resurgence of the pest, toxicity to pollinators, and crop yield penalty. Thus, a suitable, safe, and robust strategy for the control of whiteflies in the agricultural field is needed. The reports on whitefly-resistant transgenic plants are scanty, non-reproducible, and/or need secondary trials and clearance from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The present review encompasses explicit information compiled from 364 articles on the traditional, mechanical, biological, biotechnological, and chemical strategies for whitefly management (WFM), IPM strategy, and future prospects of WFM for food and agriculture security.

NEED OF BIOTECHNOLOGICAL STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY PRODUCTION OF Nelumbo nucifera- AN ORNAMENTAL PLANT WITH HIGH NUTRITIVE AND THERAPEUTIC VALUE

Lotus is an aquatic, perennial plant native to India having important medicinal, nutritional and ornamental values. Lotus extracts obtained from several different parts of the plant (lotus leaves, flowers, pods, roots/ rhizomes etc.) have been found to show a number of biological activities. A number of active compounds that are extracted from lotus can directly produce an effect in the medicinal field. Several studies and experiments are being conducted on lotus to map out the herb at a genetic level. Having some unique properties, lotus can easily attract researchers from the scientific community to ease the understanding of its different traits. This article aims to systematically review the need of different biotechnological strategies and techniques to improve and enhance the therapeutic and nutritional value of lotus along with the importance of the latest biological advancements and the ongoing studies and experiments that are being performed on the herb to enhance its quality and quantity of production.

Eco-friendly production of biosurfactant by Mucor circinelloides UCP 0018 using agro-industrial substrates

Green bioconversion of low-cost agro-industrial substrates into high-value-added products becomes a biotechnological strategy to enable the production on an industrial scale. In this context, two agro-industrial by-products were used in this study in order to formulate an economic and sustainable media for biosurfactant (BS) production by Mucor circinelloides UCP 0018. For this, a 22 full-factorial design was used to investigate the influence of concentrations of corn steep liquor (CSL) and crude glycerol (CG) on surface tension as response variable. The results showed the ability of this Mucoralean fungus to produce BS under all design conditions, highlighting condition 4 (9% of both substrates) due to the greater reduction in surface tension (from 72 to 29.7 mN/m). Statistical analysis confirmed significant influence of both by-products on surface tension. This BS exhibited excellent emulsifying properties (EI24 98.9%), as well as ODA of 28.26 cm², with burnt motor oil. Preliminary characterization showed the polymeric nature of the biomolecule, with a content of 55.7% of carbohydrates, 28.2% of lipids and 16.1% of proteins, as well as its anionic character and critical micellar dilution (CMD) at 50%. The stability in the range of pH 2-6, temperature 20-80°C and salinity 5-25% evidenced a stable BS, with promising potential of application in several industrial activities or environmental processes in adverse conditions.

Carica papaya L.: A Tropical Fruit with Benefits beyond the Tropics

Carica papaya L. (family: Caricaceae), also known as ‘papaya,’ is a tropical American fruit tree. Due to the bioactive components (carpaines, BITC, benzyl glucosinolates, latex, papain, zeaxanthin, choline, etc.) in its seeds, leaves, and fruits, it is revered for its excellent antioxidant, digestive, and nutraceutical benefits. Papayas are high in vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, folate, pantothenic acid, zeaxanthin, lycopene, lutein, magnesium, copper, calcium, and potassium. Being rich in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C, it lowers the cholesterol in the arteries; prevents arthritis; reduces aging, cancer, macular degradation, risk of cardiovascular diseases, and stress; increases platelet count; controls dengue fever; facilitates digestion, and lowers body weight. Papaya leaf extract, with many in vitro and case studies in combination therapies with modern medicine, especially for cancers and many other viral diseases, has been found to be an efficient cure. Humans have cultivated papaya cultivars for millions of years because of their significant commercial, medicinal, and agronomic value. Several reports have been published on the genetic modification of papaya for resistance to abiotic (herbicide, Al toxicity, etc.) and biotic stressors (PRSV, mites, Phytophthora, etc.), delaying ripening, and improving shelf life. However, most of these traits have not been introduced globally to all commercial papaya varieties. Unraveling the genetics of papaya has shed light on various domestication impacts, evolutionary patterns, and sex determination in fruit tree crops. It also serves as a potential step toward developing new cultivars to fight climate-oriented stress. Furthermore, extensive research on the stability of the ‘transgene’ across generations, and the ‘yield-penalty’ caused by the transgene, is required. Thus, meticulous crop improvement research on commercial papaya cultivars is necessary for long-term food and health security. This review article encompasses information on the traditional and modern medicinal uses, nutritional properties, phytochemistry, diseases and etiology, post-harvest measures, genomics, biotechnological strategies (for papaya improvement), and value-added products of papaya for food and health security.

Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor MdbHLH3 negatively affects the storage performance of postharvest apple fruit

The storage period of fleshy fruits greatly affects their quality and selection, and is largely controlled by genetic factors. Therefore, it is imperative to elucidate how genetic factors affect fruit ripening and its storage. Here, we evaluated the postharvest storage properties of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor MdbHLH3-overexpressing transgenic Royal gala apple fruits. During storage, the contents of starch, malic acid, fructose, glucose, and sucrose in fruits of three MdbHLH3 transgenic lines were always higher than those of the wild-type (WT) control. Interestingly, the sugar-acid ratio also showed the same trend during fruit storage. Additionally, the fruit firmness decreased with increasing storage time, and the contents of cell wall components such as water-soluble pectin and cellulose in transgenic fruits were higher than those in control fruits, while the firmness of transgenic fruits was lower than that in WT control fruits. Though the ethylene release rate in both showed the same trend (firstly increasing, then decreasing, and finally peaking) in 90-day stored fruits, transgenic apples had higher ethylene levels than the WT control throughout storage. Furthermore, the activities of membrane peroxidase, antioxidant enzymes, and fruit ripening enzymes in all transgenic fruits were significantly higher than those in the WT control. Thus, our findings show how MdbHLH3 negatively regulates and reduces apple storage time. This may prove useful for not only developing biotechnological strategies, but also support traditional breeding programs, to help improve the storage time of fleshy fruits.

Optimization of the production process for the anticancer lead compound illudin M: downstream processing

BackgroundSecondary metabolites have played a key role as starting points for drug development programs due to their often unique features compared with synthetically derived molecules. However, limitations related to the discovery and supply of these molecules by biotechnological means led to the retraction of big pharmaceutical companies from this field. The reasons included problems associated with strain culturing, screening, re-discovery, purification and characterization of novel molecules from natural sources. Nevertheless, recent reports have described technical developments that tackle such issues. While many of these reports focus on the identification and characterization of such molecules to enable subsequent chemical synthesis, a biotechnological supply strategy is rarely reported. This may be because production processes usually fall under proprietary research and/or few processes may meet the requirements of a pharmaceutical development campaign. We aimed to bridge this gap for illudin M—a fungal sesquiterpene used for the development of anticancer agents—with the intention to show that biotechnology can be a vital alternative to synthetic processes dealing with small molecules.ResultsWe used µL-scale models to develop an adsorption and extraction strategy for illudin M recovery from culture supernatant of Omphalotus nidiformis and these findings were successfully transferred into lab-scale. By adsorbing and eluting the product using a fixed resin-bed we reduced the working volume by ~ 90% and removed the aqueous phase from the process. After a washing step, a highly concentrated illudin M fraction was obtained by isocratic elution with 80% methanol. The fraction was dried and extracted using a water/heptane mixture, enriching illudin M in the heptane phase. From heptane illudin M could be instantly crystalized by concentrating the solution, achieving a final purity > 95%.ConclusionWe have developed a robust, scalable and low-cost downstream process to obtain highly pure illudin M. By using solid phase extraction we reduced the production of solvent waste. Heptane from the final purification step could be recycled. The reduced amounts of solvents required, and the short purification time render this method a very economic and ecologic alternative to published processes.

Bioremediation of a saline-alkali soil polluted with Zn using ryegrass associated with Fusariumincarnatum

Biotechnological strategies have become effective in the remediation of polluted soils as they are cost-effective and do not present a risk of secondary pollution. However, using a single bioremediation technique (microorganism or plant) is not suitable for achieving a high remediation rate of polluted saline-alkali soils with heavy metals. Therefore, the present study aims to assess the effects and mechanisms of combined ryegrass and Fusarium incarnatum on the zinc (Zn)-polluted saline-alkali soil over 45 days. According to the obtained results, the combined Fusarium incarnatum-ryegrass showed the highest remediation rate of 49.35% after 45 days, resulting in a significantly lower soil Zn concentration than that observed in the control group. In addition, the inoculation of Fusarium incarnatum showed a positive effect on the soil EPS secretion. The soil protein contents ranged from 0.035 to 0.055 mg/kg, while the soil polysaccharide contents increased from 0.25 to 0.61 mg/g. The soil microbial flora and ryegrass showed resistance to saline and alkaline stresses through the secretion of extracellular polysaccharides. The three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum (3D-EEM) confirmed that EPS in the soil was mainly a fulvic acid-like substance. The fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolase activity in the saline-alkali soil was first increased due to the effect of Fusarium incarnatum and then decreased to a minimum value of 96 μg/(g·h). In addition, the Fusarium incarnatum inoculation improved the diversity and richness of soil fungi. Although the Fusarium incarnatum inoculation had a slight effect on the germination of ryegrass, it increased the biomass and enrichment coefficient. The results revealed a translocation factor (TF) value of 0.316 at 45 days after ryegrass sowing, showing significant enrichment of the soil Zn heavy metal zinc in the ryegrass roots.

Assessing of the most appropriate biotechnological strategy on the recovery of antioxidants from beet wastes by applying the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology

The valorization of agro-industrial waste streams and residues for the production of antioxidant compounds is a good strategy for circular economy approaches. However, to demonstrate its suitability and operational feasibility, it is necessary to develop environmental assessments to ensure the effectiveness of the production strategy. In this sense, a large-scale simulation has been developed, obtaining ten different scenarios in which both leaves and steam residues are used as process inputs, and five different extraction techniques are applied, both conventional: Soxhlet and maceration, and emerging technologies: ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and pressurized liquid extraction, (PLE). Environmental results have shown that SFE and PLE technologies have the lowest environmental burdens, while UAE has the worst profile due to high energy demand. Electricity could be considered as the main hotspot with the highest impact, followed by steam requirements and the use of extraction solvent. To improve the environmental profile, sensitivity analyses were performed, considering the use of renewable resources for the production of the energy requirements and the selection of the extraction solvent. Although significant improvements were obtained when electricity and steam production is based on hydropower and waste incineration, the environmental profile did not improve when considering ethanol: water mixture or hexane for extraction. Future research should focus on reducing energy requirements and optimizing the solvent dosage for the extraction process.

Microbial pigments: Learning from Himalayan perspective to industrial applications.

Pigments are an essential part of life on earth, ranging from microbes to plants and humans. The physiological and environmental cues induce microbes to produce a broad spectrum of pigments, giving them adaptation and survival advantages. Microbial pigments are of great interest due to their natural origin, diverse biological activities, and wide applications in the foods, Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and textile industries. Despite noticeable research on pigment-producing microbes, commercial successes are scarce, primarily from higher, remote, and inaccessible Himalayan niches. Therefore, substantial bioprospection integrated with advanced biotechnological strategies is required to commercialize microbial pigments successfully. The current review elaborates on pigment-producing microbes from a Himalayan perspective, offering tremendous opportunities for industrial applications. Additionally, it illustrates the ecological significance of microbial pigments and emphasizes the current status and prospects of microbial pigment production above the test tube scale.

Progress and prospects of C4 trait engineering in plants.

Incorporating C4 photosynthetic traits into C3 crops is a rational approach for sustaining future demands for crop productivity. Using classical plant breeding, engineering this complex trait is unlikely to achieve its target. Therefore, it is critical and timely to implement novel biotechnological crop improvement strategies to accomplish this goal. However, a fundamental understanding of C3 , C4 , and C3 -C4 intermediate metabolism is crucial for the targeted use of biotechnological tools. This review assesses recent progress towards engineering C4 photosynthetic traits in C3 crops. We also discuss lessons learned from successes and failures of recent genetic engineering attempts in C3 crops, highlighting the pros and cons of using rice as a model plant for short-, medium- and long-term goals of genetic engineering. This review provides an integrated approach towards engineering improved photosynthetic efficiency in C3 crops for sustaining food, fibre and fuel production around the globe.

Inorganic Nanomaterials versus Polymer-Based Nanoparticles for Overcoming Neurodegeneration.

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) affect a great number of people worldwide and also have a significant socio-economic impact on the aging population. In this context, nanomedicine applied to neurological disorders provides several biotechnological strategies and nanoformulations that improve life expectancy and the quality of life of patients affected by brain disorders. However, available treatments are limited by the presence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and the blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier (B–CSFB). In this regard, nanotechnological approaches could overcome these obstacles by updating various aspects (e.g., enhanced drug-delivery efficiency and bioavailability, BBB permeation and targeting the brain parenchyma, minimizing side effects). The aim of this review is to carefully explore the key elements of different neurological disorders and summarize the available nanomaterials applied for neurodegeneration therapy looking at several types of nanocarriers. Moreover, nutraceutical-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) and synthesized NPs using green approaches are also discussed underling the need to adopt eco-friendly procedures with a low environmental impact. The proven antioxidant properties related to several natural products provide an interesting starting point for developing efficient and green nanotools useful for neuroprotection.

Enhancing Phytate Availability in Soils and Phytate-P Acquisition by Plants: A Review.

Phytate (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate salts) can constitute a large fraction of the organic P in soils. As a more recalcitrant form of soil organic P, up to 51 million metric tons of phytate accumulate in soils annually, corresponding to ∼65% of the P fertilizer application. However, the availability of phytate is limited due to its strong binding to soils via its highly-phosphorylated inositol structure, with sorption capacity being ∼4 times that of orthophosphate in soils. Phosphorus (P) is one of the most limiting macronutrients for agricultural productivity. Given that phosphate rock is a finite resource, coupled with the increasing difficulty in its extraction and geopolitical fragility in supply, it is anticipated that both economic and environmental costs of P fertilizer will greatly increase. Therefore, optimizing the use of soil phytate-P can potentially enhance the economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture production. To increase phytate-P availability in the rhizosphere, plants and microbes have developed strategies to improve phytate solubility and mineralization by secreting mobilizing agents including organic acids and hydrolyzing enzymes including various phytases. Though we have some understanding of phytate availability and phytase activity in soils, the limiting steps for phytate-P acquisition by plants proposed two decades ago remain elusive. Besides, the relative contribution of plant- and microbe-derived phytases, including those from mycorrhizas, in improving phytate-P utilization is poorly understood. Hence, it is important to understand the processes that influence phytate-P acquisition by plants, thereby developing effective molecular biotechnologies to enhance the dynamics of phytate in soil. However, from a practical view, phytate-P acquisition by plants competes with soil P fixation, so the ability of plants to access stable phytate must be evaluated from both a plant and soil perspective. Here, we summarize information on phytate availability in soils and phytate-P acquisition by plants. In addition, agronomic approaches and biotechnological strategies to improve soil phytate-P utilization by plants are discussed, and questions that need further investigation are raised. The information helps to better improve phytate-P utilization by plants, thereby reducing P resource inputs and pollution risks to the wider environment.