Bio-engineered green gold: Biosynthetic advances, cutting-edge biomedical applications, and future perspectives

Covering up to 2025Natural products (NPs) from the terrestrial biodiversity play a key role in oncology drug discovery. While historically identified through bioactivity-guided fractionation, recent advances in high-content screening (HCS) assays, metabolomics, and in silico modeling have significantly enhanced the potential and attractiveness of flora-derived NPs for the development of anticancer therapeutics. This includes immunomodulatory molecules that are able to target the tumor microenvironment to promote immune-mediated clearance of the tumor, thereby improving patient response. This review highlights the untapped potential of molecules extracted from the South Pacific's terrestrial flora in the search for novel antitumor and immunomodulatory compounds. The unique biodiversity of Oceania, including Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) across Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia, offers a promising yet largely unexplored reservoir for discovering plant-derived molecules with antitumor and immunomodulatory activities. Herein, we examine the recent pharmacological advances in this field and highlight the need for sustainable and collaborative research. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies could help overcome the challenge of NP-based drug discovery on these geographically isolated islands, unlocking the region's vast potential for plant-derived cancer therapeutics.

Abstract The experiment was carried out at the fabric canopy of Hort. and the Landscape Design Department, Agriculture College, Basra University., for the 2024-2025 season so as to determine the efficiency of organic fertilizer, ascorbic and salicylic acids applications on growth indicators, active components of olive leaves . A factorial experiment was designed with two factors: the first was soil application of organic fertilizer (Green Gold), rich in seaweed and amino acids, at three levels (0, 3, 6) ml.l −1 , and the second was (50, 100) mg.1 −1 ascorbic acid and (150, 300) mg.l −1 salicylic acid foliar sprays, besides a control treatment 0 mg.l −1 by using a Randomized Complete Block with three replicates for each treatment. Results of this study demonstrated that the organic fertilizer soil application treatment of at two concentrations (6 ml. l −1 and 3 ml. l −1 ) was superior to the control treatment (0 ml.l −1 ) in increasing the plant height, leaf number and area, and the concentrations of total chlorophyll and carotene. Spraying 100 mg. l −1 ascorbic acid and 300 mg. l −1 salicylic acid was superior in increasing the above mentioned characteristics, thus improving a vegetative growth . GC-mass analysis of the leaf extract revealed 79 active compounds, the most concentrated of which were butanoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-methyl-2-propenyl ester with a peak area of 17.548%, valeric anhydride with a peak area of 13.125%, 1-Penten-3-one with a peak area of 5.900% and octanal dimethyl acetal with a peak area of 5.543%

Bamboo is the world’s sturdiest and multipurpose woody plant proficient in providing environmental, commercial, and livelihood safety to society, and is also recognized as ‘Green Gold’, ‘Miracle plant’. It has conventionally been propagated through seed or vegetative methods, but these methods are beset with several problems. Functioning arrangements prerequisite to be implemented to protect bamboo from excessive pruning and to inspire its sustainable growth and development to meet demands and ecological safeguarding. Thus, during the current investigation, a protocol has been established to regenerate plantlets through direct in vitro organogenesis from inoculated nodal segments excised from thee-year-old plants. Nutrient medium MS3B.5Kn.5G encompassing MS basal medium supplemented with 3.0 mgl-1 BAP in combination with 0.5 mgl-1 Kn and 0.5 mgl-1 GA3 proliferated maximum shootlets (78.03%) with higher number (7.0) and a bigger length (6.32 cm). The highest rooting efficiency (77.78%) with higher root number (4.07) and length (9.50cm) was evident on MS medium amended with 5.0 mgl-1 IBA. Whereas, maximum survival percentage (86.67) of regenerants was recorded on potting mixture comprising sand, soil, and farmyard in a 1:1:1 ratio under greenhouse conditions after six weeks of primary hardening. The in vitro raised regenerants were accustomed and established effectively under the field conditions. Although the characters were not scored quantitatively, regenerated plantlets appeared phenotypically normal and similar to the mother plants.

Micropropagation of Bambusa balcooa Roxb.: Insights, challenges and sustainable approaches in cultivating this green gold

Objective: The objective of this study was to establish a beneficiation methodology for quartz reject material from a cooperative of small-scale miners. The aim was to achieve the characteristic coloration of the green gold quartz variety, thereby adding value to the pieces for gemological purposes Theoretical Framework: This study, which provides theoretical content on the quartz mineral and its green gold variety for application in the jewelry industry, is based on mineralogical concepts and beneficiation processes. These processes, designed to enhance the value of gemstones, include gamma irradiation followed by thermal treatment of the quartz mineral. This research is further complemented by the use of quartz samples derived from mineralogical reject material, a direct response to the mining industry's need for alternative ways to reuse waste. Method: The research employed an experimental methodology , focusing on the beneficiation of transparent quartz. This process involved correlating gamma irradiation from a Cobalt-60 source with thermal treatment to produce the green gold quartz variety. The samples, which originated from mining waste, were provided by a small-scale mining cooperative. Additional characterization, including X-ray diffraction (XRD) , was conducted to analyze the samples. Results and Discussion: The test results indicate that no significant changes in sample radiation values occurred at temperatures below 300°C, across doses of 180, 300, 600, or 900 kGy. The most promising outcomes were observed in samples exposed to 390°C for 15 minutes and 410°C for 12 minutes. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this study are discussed, offering insights into how the results can be applied and how they might influence practices within the gemstone and mining industries. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of using waste materials to produce a color variation of quartz not naturally found in the mineral. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the existing literature by integrating gemstone beneficiation with ore waste management. It employs an experimental methodology that is directly applicable to the mining sector. The study's relevance is underscored by its offering of sustainable solutions for the reutilization of discarded materials, thereby benefiting the mineral industry.

Snail slime, also known as mucus, presents great potential due to its broad spectrum of ingredients, including the eponymous structural proteins (Mucins), glycoproteins, and bioactive compounds such as hyaluronic acid and allantoin. It is most prominently applied in the cosmetic industry as a raw material for the production of protein-based hybrid hydrogels, and is also known to have potential for synthetic chemistry. For instance, it has been shown to have the ability to form catalytically active gold NPs (Au-NPs) under mild conditions. In this research, these key features are combined, the ability to reduce gold solutions, stabilize their NPs, and be a chemical building block, for developing Au-NP-comprising hydrogel structures from snail slime. Au-NPs are produced under environmentally friendly conditions and integrated into bio-based hydrogels for a sustainable reaction process. In the form of micro-scale dots, the newly designed Au-NP-hydrogels are successfully implemented in a microfluidic single-chamber reactor and utilized for the decolouration (= degradation) of Rhodamine 6G. A path toward a multi-functional, environmentally friendly microfluidic test chip, utilizing the versatile catalytic activity of green gold NPs, embedded in biogenic and hydrogel materials, is hence presented.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the stability of various mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) genotypes across multiple agronomic traits under varying environmental conditions. Stability analysis was performed for eleven key traits including days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of primary and secondary branches, number of clusters and pods per plant, number of pods per cluster, number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight, and seed yield per plant. Genotypes such as TPM-260, AKM-4, BM 2002-1, BM 2003-2, BM 2021-1, and BM 2021-2 consistently showed average to above-average stability across several traits, indicating their adaptability to a wide range of environmental conditions. Conversely, genotypes like PKV Green Gold and BM 2002-1 exhibited below-average stability for key yield-contributing traits, suggesting their sensitivity to environmental variation. These findings are supported by previous studies including Naik (2008), Nath (2012), Singh and Sharma (2014), and Borude (2017), among others. The results provide valuable insights for selecting stable genotypes for breeding programs aimed at enhancing mungbean productivity and stability across diverse agro-climatic zones.

Laboratory and industrial tests were conducted to study the impact of grinding media material on key indicators such as grinding product particle size, sodium cyanide consumption, gold recovery rate, unit power consumption, and ball consumption. Laboratory test results indicate that the reasonable mixing of ceramic and steel balls can achieve an increase of more than 2.8% in the fineness of the grinding product (−0.038 mm), an increase of 0.3% in the gold recovery rate, and a decrease of 1.3 kg/t in the consumption of sodium cyanide. Industrial trial studies indicate that, compared to the traditional steel ball scheme, using a ceramic ball to steel ball mass ratio of 3:1 under conditions of processing 50,000 tons of gold concentrate annually can save a total of 1.31 million yuan in annual ball consumption, electricity consumption, and cyanide consumption costs. Additionally, the improved recovery rate generates an additional economic benefit of 3.63 million yuan, resulting in an annual comprehensive economic benefit increase of 4.94 million yuan. In summary, in gold cyanide leaching grinding, the mixture ratio between ceramic balls and steel balls demonstrates significant potential for energy conservation, cost reduction, and efficiency enhancement, providing a theoretical basis and technical support for subsequent process optimization and green gold extraction.

Green Gold of the Ocean: Unlocking the Potential of Caulerpa in Global Seaweed Markets – A Review

Bamboo, commonly referred to as green gold is a renewable fast-growing, lightweight and strong natural resource giving substitute to traditional building materials. Although bamboo is widespread in Bangladesh and remarkable of its structural and visual beauty, to date it continues to be treated as an underrated material in the field of contemporary architecture, as a result of the lack of technical information and formal appreciation. This paper commences this as a research-based design project to bridge this gap by addressing the architectural possibilities of bamboo and other natural materials by integrating traditional building methods with parametric design tools. The study is undertaken with the following primary objectives, to identify and study traditional bamboo crafts and tool making technology, to explore the inspirational character of natural forms and their role in the development of structurally optimized bamboo architecture, to design digital, parametrically driven bamboo structure that emerges as an urban multi-programmed center adaptable to diverse climate and cultural contexts. The methodology will involve looking at theories and practices developed on bamboo architecture along with bamboo buildings and studying traditional tools and objects made by bamboo or similar natural material. Biomimicry and the generation of natural forms will also be overviewed as part of research towards the organic architecture. Digital tools will be employed to carry out parametric modeling and structural simulation, with testing and detailing development guaranteeing functional and aesthetic requirements. The result is supposed to be a parametric bamboo space frame prototype as an urban pavilion for multiple uses. This pioneer product will act as a solution for the impact of local ecology and environment, to inform people more knowing about the natural material application in the modern sustainable structure. The proposed system will be implemented by a physical scale model and demonstrate its feasibility. Finally, the project aims push the boundaries of what can be done both by hand and on machines and, in the process, reignite local traditional bamboo skills with their contemporary equivalent, harnessing the energy and enthusiasm of both the trade and the industry and encouraging widespread public and professional acceptance of bamboo as a material for use in responsible modern design.

Bamboo is regarded as the ‘green gold’ or ‘poor man’s timber’ and is one of the highest producing global renewable natural resources. It is a versatile plant possessing more than 1500 uses and forms an indispensable component in the socio-economy of the rural ecosystem in Northeast India. Bamboo groves or patches are observed to be situated in the two hill districts of Assam, namely Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong. The present study aimed at understanding the socio-economic dependency of the Karbi tribe on bamboo resources as well as to document the utilization of bamboo in the cultural festivals of the Karbi community for sustenance of their culture & ethnic heritage. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), focus-group discussions, key-informant interviews and semi-structured household surveys were deployed for the purpose of primary data collection. Results revealed that Bambusa tulda, locally referred to as Jati bamboo is predominantly available and observed in the homestead gardens. However, in the natural forested regions, both Bambusa tulda & Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, locally referred to as Kako/Kaipho had a major occupancy. Bamboo is intimately utilized by the locals for the purpose of construction and artwork, handicrafts and agricultural as well as fishing implements. In addition, Bamboo plays an indispensable role in various ethnic rituals and cultural festivals of the Karbi tribe namely Chujoon, Rongker, Karbi Youth Festival, etc. However, bamboo sale and marketability has reduced over the years. Shutting down of paper mills is one of the major reasons towards less involvement in Bamboo farming and management. Illegal trading and third-party exploitation were also reported in the bamboo supply-chain.

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the variability among 20 high-yielding small cardamom accessions, including the widely recognized "Green Gold" variety. The study comprised hybrids, breeding lines, and seedling selections, all chosen for their exceptional yield potential. The trial was carried out over four years at the Cardamom Research Station of Kerala Agricultural University, using a randomized block design (RBD). Analysis of ten yield-contributing traits revealed significant genetic diversity among the accessions at the 1% probability level. Among the genotypes, PS 27 recorded the highest fresh weight, whereas Pl. No. 14 registered the highest dry weight, indicating an excellent dry recovery percentage. PS 27 also showed superior performance in capsule volume, with Pl. No. 19 and HY 9 exhibit comparable results. HY 9 recorded the highest weight for 100 capsules, further highlighting the bold capsule characteristics of PS 27. PS 3 had the maximum seed count, followed by PS 27, while Pl. No. 14 showed superior performance in most traits, except for the 100-capsule weight. The results highlighted PS 27 and Pl.No. 14 as promising candidates for breeding programs targeting yield improvement in cardamom. Cluster analysis grouped the accessions into three clusters based on 75% genetic similarity, with Cluster II comprising the majority of genotypes, whereas PS 27 was uniquely placed in Cluster III. Pl.No. 14 and Green Gold were grouped in Cluster I, reflecting their superior yield and morphological traits. The first four principal components explained 82.5% of the total variation, underscoring the potential of morphologically diverse genotypes to strengthen breeding strategies for small cardamom.

Although gold extraction from electronic waste using thiosulfate is a highly promising approach, the recovery of gold from thiosulfate leaching solutions still poses a significant challenge. To enable more environmentally friendly gold recycling, aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) composed of guanidinium amino acid ionic liquids (TMG-AA ILs) and phosphates were developed for extracting gold from thiosulfate-leached solutions of electronic waste. Key parameters affecting Au(I) extraction were systematically investigated, including the types and concentrations of TMG-AA ILs and inorganic salts, initial gold concentration, temperature, and reaction time. The findings indicate that the Au(I) complex preferentially partitions into the TMG-AA IL-rich phase, achieving an extraction efficiency of up to 99.0% under the optimized conditions. The extraction mechanism of Au(I) was elucidated through comprehensive characterizations including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Driven by electrostatic interactions, gold thiosulfate migrates into the IL-rich phase, where it undergoes anion exchange with amino acid anions and forms ion pairs with guanidinium cations in the TMG-AA ILs. Extraction experiments using thiosulfate leachate from discarded circuit boards confirmed that the IL-ATPS exhibits high selectivity for gold with negligible extraction of other metal ions. The loaded IL phase can be effectively regenerated via stripping with a KSCN solution. In five consecutive extraction-stripping cycles, the results of the first three cycles showed that the gold extraction efficiency slightly decreased from 98.7 to 90.0% and the stripping efficiency decreased from 84.7 to 82.3%, which confirmed the good recyclability of the AA IL-ATPS system.

A facile synthesis of green gold nanoparticles from fruit waste peels and their bioactivity evaluation against HT-29 colon cancer cell lines

An investigation of the F2 population of genotypes in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)” was conducted during Kharif season 2023-24 at the Horticulture Research Scheme (Vegetable), Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Parbhani, using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with twenty treatments and two replications. Growth parameters like vine length and number of branches were recorded at the final harvest stage, with the maximum vine length observed in IC-085618 x Arka Harit (5.95 m) and the highest number of branches per vine in IC-085618 x Phule Green Gold (21.68). IC-085617 x CO-1 recorded the lowest node for first male flower appearance (12.36), while IC-085618 x Phule Green Gold showed the earliest male flower opening (37.47 days). Phule Hirkani had the lowest node for first female flower appearance (16.78), and IC-085618 x Konkan Tara showed the earliest female flower opening (46.44 days), 50% flowering (55.56 days), and first fruit harvest (58.11 days). IC-085618 x Phule Green Gold excelled with the highest number of female flowers per vine (69.99), fruits per vine (40.23), fruit yield per vine (3.92 kg), yield per hectare (24.86 q/ha), fruit length (19.43 cm), fruit weight (86.59 g), and longest duration to final harvest (137.18 days). IC-085617 x CO-1 had the highest fruit diameter (4.39 cm), and IC-505639 x CO-1 recorded the maximum flesh thickness (7.29 mm). Regarding quality, IC-085618 x Arka Harit was superior, showing the highest ascorbic acid content (113.43 mg/100g) and lowest incidence of Powdery mildew (10.57%) and Yellow mosaic virus (7.25%). Based on the results, IC-085618 x Phule Green Gold was identified as the most promising genotype for yield and fruit quality traits, while IC-085618 x Arka Harit was notable for superior nutritional quality and disease resistance.

Okra a widely cultivated vegetable crop in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, that is valued for its significant nutritional and therapeutic properties. The current investigation was conducted with 21 F1 hybrids developed through a half-diallel mating design by using seven diverse parental lines namely, Punjab-8, Hissar Unnat, Hoshiarpur Local, Anima, Green Gold, Ajeet 121 and AKO 107 which were evaluated during the rainy season, 2022 and spring-summer, 2023 in randomized block design with three replications. Significantly highest general combining ability (GCA) effect for fruit production per plant was displayed by parent Hissar Unnat in both seasons of investigation followed by Punjab 8. These two parents have a good scope in the yield improvement program. In terms of disease resistance substantial GCA impacts in the intended direction for tolerance to bhindi yellow vein mosaic virus (BYVMV) and okra enation leaf curl virus (OELCV) were shown by the parents AKO-107 and Ajeet 121, respectively in both seasons of investigation. Both Ajeet 121 and AKO 107 were established to be ideal general combiners for disease resistance. Maximum substantial specific combining ability (SCA) impacts in the positive direction for fruit production per plant along with tolerance to OELCV and BYVMV were observed in crosses Punjab8 × Ajeet 121 and Hissar Unnat × AKO 107 during the investigation. These promising crosses, involving at least one ideal general combiner parent, offer significant potential for developing superior segregating lines. The predictability ratio confirmed the overwhelming influence of non-additive gene action for regulating all the evaluated traits.

Phytochemical evaluation, safety profile and hepato-renal protective potential of Green Gold Spirulina capsules containing Spirulina platensis in rats

Improving the theoretical framework of natural resource evaluation is beneficial to regional natural resource management and holds great significance for the development of new quality productivity. Based on Coase's theorem, externality theory, ecosystem service theory and assessment requirements, we constructed a conceptual framework, green gold funnel, to screen indicators for the ecological value assessment of nationally owned natural resources. Taking Meiling National Forest Park in Jiangxi Province as an example, we explored the application of this framework in the ecological value assessment scenarios of nationally owned natural forest resources. The results showed that in 2022, the indicators for the ecological value of nationally owned natural resources included timber product supply, water conservation, carbon sequestration, wellness and recreation, and the additive value of landscape. The ecological value of nationally owned natural resources in the experimental area in 2022 was 503.235 million yuan, with wellness and recreation taking the dominant contributors, indicating that the green gold funnel could efficiently select the indicators for assessing the ecological value of nationally owned natural resources. We proposed a green gold funnel conceptual framework for the screening of indicators for ecological value assessment of nationally owned natural resources, and verified its effectiveness with examples, which would provide a scientific basis for the ecological value assessment of nationally owned natural resources.

The growing prominence of Ulva in aquaculture is driven by its adaptability, rapid growth, nutritional advantages, and diverse biochemical composition. These green macroalgae have gained increasing attention for cultivation in lower salinity areas, expanding aquaculture beyond traditional euhaline environments. Our study investigated the distribution of economically valuable compounds in the most prominent Ulva crop species of the wider Baltic Sea region. We included 249 populations across the full Atlantic‐Baltic Sea transect (>3000 km) and took into account prevailing fluctuating abiotic factors like salinity and nutrient regimes during the vegetation peak season. We revealed an overall trend of increasing crude protein content with increasing salinity in species with occurrence along the whole Atlantic‐Baltic Sea transect (U. intestinalis: slope = 0.29; U. linza: slope = 0.09) and those only present in higher salinity regions (U. compressa: slope = 0.36; U. fenestrata: slope = 0.18) and confirmed an increase of pigments with increasing nitrogen tissue levels for most species (U. compressa: rpigments = 0.43; U. fenestrata: rpigments = 0.01; U. intestinalis: rpigments = 0.13; U. linza: rpigments = 0.21). With this mapping of the resource availability of valuable compounds in natural Ulva biomass of the Baltic Sea region, we have contributed to the understanding of the potential of Ulva species as key players in sustainable aquaculture practices evolving in the Baltic Sea region. Further, we have underscored the necessity of habitat‐dependent crop selection and the importance of horticulture methodology for establishing Ulva as a viable future crop in the wider Baltic Sea.