The development of biodegradable and recyclable food packaging materials derived from biomass is a promising solution to mitigate resource depletion and minimize ecological contamination. In this study, lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) were effectively produced from bamboo powder using an eco-friendly recyclable acid hydrotrope (RAH) strategy. A sustainable CA/LNPs nanocomposite film was then designed by incorporating these LNPs into a casein (CA) matrix. The LNPs served as nucleation templates, inducing ordered hydrogen bonding and close packing of the CA chains. The addition of 5 wt% LNPs significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of the film, with tensile strength enhanced to 21.42 MPa (219.7 % improvement) and elastic modulus rising to 354.88 MPa (220.3 % enhancement) compared to pure CA film. Notably, the resultant CA/LNPs nanocomposite film exhibited recyclable recasting characteristics, maintaining a reasonable mechanical strength even after three recasting cycles. The incorporation of LNPs also decreased the water solubility of the pure CA film from 31.65 % to 24.81 % indicating some interactions are taking place, while endowing the film with superior UV-blocking ability, achieving nearly complete absorption in the 200-400 nm range. Moreover, the inherent properties of LNPs imparted improved antibacterial and antioxidant activities to the CA/LNPs nanocomposite film. Owing to its comprehensive properties, the CA/LNPs nanocomposite film effectively extended the storage life of strawberries. A soil burial degradation test confirmed over 100 % mass loss within 45 days, highlighting excellent degradability of the films. Therefore, the simple extraction of LNPs and the easily recovery of p-TsOH provide significant promise and feasibility for extending the developed methodologies in this work to rapidly promote the produced films in fields such as degradable and packaging materials.

Salinity stress is one of the most detrimental abiotic factors affecting plant development, harming vast swaths of agricultural land worldwide. Silicon is one element that is obviously crucial for the production and health of plants. With the advent of nanotechnology in agricultural sciences, the application of silicon oxide nanoparticles (SiO-NPs) presents a viable strategy to enhance sustainable crop production. The aim of this study was to assess the beneficial effects of SiO-NPs on the morpho-physio-biochemical parameters of rice (Oryza sativa L., variety: DRR Dhan 73) under both normal and saline conditions. To create salt stress during transplanting, 50 mM NaCl was injected through the soil. 200 mM SiO-NPs were sprayed on the leaves 25 days after sowing (DAS). It was evident that salt stress significantly hindered rice growth because of the reductions in shot length (41 %), root length (38 %), shot fresh mass (40 %), root fresh mass (47 %), shoot dry mass (48 %), and root dry mass (39 %), when compared to controls. Together with this growth inhibition, elevated oxidative stress markers including a 78 % increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and a 67 % increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) indicating enhanced lipid peroxidation were noted. Increasing the chlorophyll content (14 %), photosynthetic rate (11 %), protein levels, total free amino acids (TFAA; 13 %), and total soluble sugars (TSS; 11 %), all help to boost nitrogen (N; 16 %), phosphorous (P; 14 %), potassium (K; 12 %), and vital nutrients. The adverse effects of salt stress were significantly reduced by exogenous application of SiO-NPs. Additionally; SiO-NPs dramatically raised the activity of important antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), and catalase (CAT), improving the plant's ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thereby lowering oxidative damage brought on by salt. This study highlights SiO-NPs' potential to develop sustainable farming practices and provides significant new insights into how they enhance plant resilience to salinity, particularly in salt-affected regions worldwide.

Agricultural nanotechnology has emerged as an effective tool for enhancing crop yield and agricultural productivity amid the growing world population. Over the past ten years, application of nanoparticles (NPs) as nano fertilizers or bio-stimulants has been grown to enhance the morphological and biochemical parameters of various crops. The growth and development of edible crop is affected by soil iron deficiency, particularly in agricultural land that lacks sustainable management practices. This review evaluates effect of Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) on agricultural plant growth. Iron is a micro-nutrient, which is essential for plants. The uptake of IONPs in plant mainly depends upon the exposure method i.e. foliar spray through leaves, soil treatment through roots and seed priming through pre-soaking of seeds. Their impact can be positive or negative depending on the variable conditions in the environment, application method, duration of exposure, concentration and size of IONPs. Various studies have shown that IONPs had affected the growth, seed germination, yield and quality of plants. Low concentration of IONPs resulted in increased rate of seed germination, plant biomass and photosynthetic pigments while at high concentration it causes toxicity by generating hydroxyl radicals leading to plant damage. This review provides an overview of IONPs effect on plants, seed germination, plant growth and morphology, yield and quality, their application in different plants, photosynthesis and toxicity.

Knowledge Gap: The aggregation of clay minerals-layered silicate nanoparticles-strongly impacts fluid flow, solute migration, and solid mechanics in soils, sediments, and sedimentary rocks. Experimental and computational characterization of clay aggregation is inhibited by the delicate water-mediated nature of clay colloidal interactions and by the range of spatial scales involved, from 1 nm thick platelets to flocs with dimensions up to micrometers or more. Simulations: Using a new coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) approach, we predicted the microstructure, dynamics, and rheology of hydrated smectite (more precisely, montmorillonite) clay gels containing up to 2,000 clay platelets on length scales up to 0.1 mu m. Simulations investigated the impact of simulation time, platelet diameters (6 to 25 nm), and the ratio of Na to Ca exchangeable cations on the assembly of tactoids (i.e., stacks of parallel clay platelets) and larger aggregates (i.e., assemblages of tactoids). We analyzed structural features including tactoid size and size distribution, basal spacing, counterion distribution in the electrical double layer, clay association modes, and the rheological properties of smectite gels. Findings: Our results demonstrate new potential to characterize and understand clay aggregation in dilute suspensions and gels on a scale of thousands of particles with explicit representation of counterion clouds and with accuracy approaching that of all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. For example, our simulations predict the strong impact of Na/Ca ratio on clay tactoid formation and the shear-thinning rheology of clay gels.

Soil cadmium (Cd) contamination threatens plant growth and agricultural productivity. Hibiscus syriacus L., valued for its ornamental, edible, and medicinal properties, is widely cultivated in Cd-contaminated areas of southern China.This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nano-zinc oxide (nZnO) in alleviating Cd toxicity in H. syriacus, examining plant phenotypes, physiological and biochemical responses, root ultrastructure, and the accumulation and distribution of Cd and Zn within the soil-H. syriacus system. Pot experiments included Cd treatment (100 mg/kg) and combined soil or foliar applications of nZnO (50 and 100 mg/L), with plants harvested after 45 days. Compared to Cd treatment alone, the combined application of nZnO significantly increased biomass in roots, stems, and leaves, improved photosynthetic performance, osmotic regulation, and antioxidant levels, and mitigated root cell damage; Cd concentrated mainly in roots, and nZnO reduced root Cd levels by 0.24 %-9.06 %. SEM-EDS observations revealed that Cd predominantly accumulated in the root epidermis and cortex, with Cd stress leading to increased levels and localized aggregation of Cd in the xylem. By contrast, nZnO treatment alleviated this disruption. Leaf application of 50 mg/L nZnO showed the best results. These findings highlight nZnO as a promising nano fertilizer for alleviating Cd stress in plants.

Mosquitoes represent a considerable risk to human health due to their role in transmitting various pathogens responsible for diseases like chikungunya, malaria, dengue, and Japanese encephalitis. There is an immediate necessity to explore innovative biological strategies to combat mosquito-borne illnesses. One promising avenue in current research is the development of bioinsecticides utilizing advanced nanotechnology. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles from the actinobacterial strain Streptomyces anthocyanicus (OR186732), isolated from the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu, India. The AgNPs were synthesized and then characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, identifying a prominent absorption peak at 424 nm. The identification of different functional groups within the AgNPs was confirmed through FTIR. The produced AgNPs were shown to be crystalline by XRD analysis. The nanoparticles were characterized using FESEM, HRTEM, and EDX to analyze their morphology, size, and elemental composition. The stability was assessed through Zeta potential measurements, which were measured at -0.2 mV. The synthesized AgNPs showed strong larvicidal effects against Culex quinquefasciatus (LC50 = 2.924 ppm), Aedes aegypti (LC50 = 3.245 ppm), and Anopheles stephensi (LC50 = 3.767 ppm). Furthermore, the AgNPs were observed to significantly increase the levels of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and GPx at high concentrations. In contrast, levels of detoxifying enzymes such as AChE and GST levels were reduced. Histological analysis of mosquito larvae treated with AgNPs revealed significant damage to the midgut tissues. The research suggests that AgNPs synthesized by Actinobacteria could be an environmentally friendly option for biological mosquito control.

Studying the combined phytotoxicity of PFOA with Fe2O3 or MnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) is paramount for addressing the remediation of PFOA-contaminated agricultural soils and assessing the efficacy of nanoparticle-assisted phytoremediation strategies. By exposing radish plants to PFOA with/without Fe2O3 or MnO2 NPs for 60 days, this study delved into radish biomass, PFOA accumulation, chlorophyll pigments, antioxidant defenses, and nutrient contents. Key findings showed that PFOA at environmentally relevant levels (20 mu g/kg) were highly toxic to radish plants. PFOA accumulated significantly in radish organs, especially in the shoots. Additionally, PFOA exposure had a detrimental impact on radish growth. However, the application of Fe2O3 and MnO2 NPs facilitated the translocation of PFOA up to shoots, thereby reducing its accumulation in the edible roots. Additionally, they could significantly increase radish biomass and mitigate the damages caused by PFOA, evidenced by lower MDA contents and higher amino acid contents. This study highlights the potential of nanoparticle-enhanced phytoremediation as an effective approach for PFOA-polluted agricultural soils. By promoting the translocation of harmful pollutants away from edible plant parts and enhancing plant growth and resilience, Fe2O3 and MnO2 NPs offer a promising avenue for sustainable soil remediation strategies.

BACKGROUND Weed-resistance phenomena have increased dramatically in recent years. Bioherbicides can offer a sustainable alternative to chemical weed control but they often have low water solubility and therefore low efficacy in the field. The research reported here represents the first study on the field efficacy against weeds of a nanoencapsulated bioherbicide mimic of aminophenoxazinones, namely DiS-NH2 (2,2 '-disulphanediyldianiline). Field experiments were carried out across three different locations to evaluate the bioherbicide disulphide mimic at standard (T1, 0.75 g m(-2)) and double (T2, 1.5 g m(-2)) doses when compared to no weed control (NC) and chemical weed controlled (PC) in durum wheat. RESULTS The nanoencapsulated bioherbicide displayed better soil permeability than the free compound and also showed lower ecotoxicity on comparing the toxic doses on the Caenorhabditis elegans nematode model. It was found that T2 gave the best performance in terms of phytotoxicity (-57% weed biomass when compared with NC) and crop yield enhancement (3.2 versus 2.2 Mg ha(-1) grain yield), while T1 showed comparable results to PC. T1 and T2 did not cause shifts in weed communities and this is consistent with a broad spectrum of phytotoxicity. Moreover, the nanoparticle formulation tested in this study provided stable results across all three locations. CONCLUSION It is reported here for the first time that a nanoencapsulated DiS-NH2 bioherbicide mimic provided an efficient post-emergence and contact bioherbicide that can control a wide range of weed species in durum wheat without damaging the crop. The mimic also has low ecotoxicity and improved soil permeability. (c) 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Among the abiotic stresses, water stress is a key factor that limits agricultural productivity worldwide by reducing crop yield through numerous biochemical and physiological disruptions. The use of nanomaterials in commercially available products is rapidly expanding, with significant applications in agriculture and phytoremediation. Current advancements in nanotechnology have introduced iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) as a promising approach to enhance crop resilience against stress conditions. Iron (Fe) plays a critical role in photosynthesis, enzyme activation, chlorophyll synthesis, and oxidative stress management, which are pivotal to plant response against water stress. Due to high surface area, small size, and controlled reactivity, Fe-NPs exhibit exceptional advantages over traditional Fe sources, viz., improved bioavailability and nutrient uptake. The current review explores Fe-NP's potential to mitigate the adverse effects of water stress in crop plants by activating various beneficial mechanisms, including improvement in antioxidant defence, osmotic adjustment, and modulating stress related to phytohormones. Particularly, Fe-NPs improve water use efficiency (WUE) and root development, facilitating water and nutrient uptake under stress conditions. Moreover, Fe-NPs assist in antioxidant enzyme regulation, which reduces the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby reducing oxidative damage and sustaining the metabolic activities of plants under limited water availability. However, FeNP use in agriculture poses potential health and environmental risks, including water and soil contamination, soil microbial alteration, and residues in edible crop plants, which require careful consideration. Furthermore, Fe-NP effectiveness may vary depending on factors, viz., size of nanoparticles (NPs), concentration, method of application, and crop type. The paper concludes by discussing potential research avenues, highlighting the necessity of sustainable application methods, optimal Fe-NP formulations, and thorough environmental effect evaluations. Fe-NPs are a promising element in creating next-generation, nano-enabled farming techniques meant to increase crop resistance to water stress, which could ultimately improve food security in the face of a changing climate.

This investigation explores the physiological modulation in Brassica oleracea var. italica (broccoli) in response to treatments with distinct nanoparticles and biochemical elicitors, including copper oxide (CuO), zinc oxide (ZnO), silver nitrate (AgNO3), chitosan, methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and salicylic acid (SA). The study evaluated parameters indicative of plant vitality and stress adaptability, namely chlorophyll a and b concentrations, carotenoid content, relative water content (RWC), and relative stress injury (RSI). The application of chitosan elicited the highest RWC (95.38%), demonstrating its efficacy in preserving cellular hydration under stress, with SA (92.45%) and MeJA (90.53%) closely following. Notably, SA minimized RSI (28.95%), highlighting its superior capacity for mitigating cellular damage under adverse conditions. Comparable stress-ameliorative effects were observed for ZnO and chitosan treatments, suggesting their roles in fortifying membrane integrity. In the context of photosynthetic pigment accumulation, MeJA exhibited the most pronounced effect, achieving maximal chlorophyll a (7.13 mg/g fresh weight) and chlorophyll b (2.67 mg/g fresh weight) concentrations, with SA and ZnO displaying substantial supportive effects. Conversely, AgNO3 treatment was largely ineffective, manifesting the lowest recorded chlorophyll and carotenoid levels across all experimental conditions. Collectively, the findings underscore the potential of MeJA, SA, and chitosan nanoparticles as potent modulators of broccoli's physiological processes, particularly in enhancing photosynthetic efficiency, maintaining water balance, and mitigating oxidative damage under stress conditions. However, before field application, limitations such as the uncertain long-term effects of nanoparticles on plant genomic stability and soil ecosystems, the need for field validation under variable environmental stresses, and the economic feasibility for small-scale farmers must be addressed. Future research should focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms behind nanoparticle-mediated stress tolerance, conducting eco-toxicity assessments of nanomaterials in agricultural systems, and optimizing cost-effective delivery methods.