Cadmium (Cd) contamination in soil poses a significant environmental threat, reducing crop yields and compromising food safety. This study investigates the potential of selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) synthesized using wheat extract to mitigate Cd toxicity, reduce Cd uptake and mobility, and recover grain nutrient composition in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A pot experiment was conducted following a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Treatments included control, four Se-NPs concentrations (10, 25, 50, and 100 ppm), four Cd stress levels (25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm), and their combined interactions. Various physiological, biochemical, and agronomic parameters were analyzed to assess the mitigation potential of Se-NPs against Cd toxicity in wheat. Se-NPs (36.77 nm) were characterized using FTIR, confirming functional groups for stabilization, XRD verifying crystallinity and size via the Scherrer Equation, SEM revealing spherical morphology, and EDX confirming selenium as the predominant element with minor trace elements. Under 50 ppm Cd stress, Se-NPs at 25 ppm reduced days to anthesis by 8.16 % and mitigated a 45.13 % decrease in plant height. Grain yield, which declined by 90.86 % under Cd stress, was restored by 90.86 % with 10 ppm Se-NPs. Additionally, Se-NPs improved thousand kernel weight by 32.71 %, counteracting a 25.92 % reduction due to Cd stress. Antioxidant enzyme activities, including SOD and CAT, increased by up to 333.79 % in roots with Se-NP treatment, while oxidative stress markers decreased by 28 %. Moreover, Se-NPs effectively mitigated Cd uptake and reduced its mobility within the plant. Grain protein content improved by 16.89 %, and carbohydrate levels were maintained at 4.61 % despite Cd exposure. These findings indicate that Se-NPs enhance crop resilience, supporting sustainable food production in Cd-contaminated environments.

BackgroundSoybean (Glycine max L. Merrill), a vital source of edible oil and protein, ranks seventh in global agricultural production, yet its productivity is significantly hindered by potential toxic metal/liods (PTM) stress. Arsenic (As), a highly toxic soil contaminant, poses substantial risks to both plants and humans, even at trace concentrations, particularly in China.ResultsThis research endeavor delves into the combined effect of arsenate (AsV), a common form of As in soil, and nano-selenium (nSe), on the transcriptional regulation of key genes and the modulation of signaling and metabolic cascades in young soybean seedlings. Our findings indicate that nSe mitigates AsV toxicity by modulating hormonal signaling cascades, particularly the phenylalanine and salicylic acid pathways, thereby augmenting antioxidant defenses and mitigating the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on soybean roots.ConclusionThis study offers valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying metalloid tolerance in soybean, opening avenues for the development of strategies to bolster As resistance in contaminated soils. Nevertheless, further investigation is imperative to elucidate the intricate interplay of hormonal signaling in soybean roots during nSe supplementation under As stress conditions.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in soils threatens food security, while cultivating low-Cd-accumulative varieties, coupled with agro-nanotechnology, offers a potential solution to reduce Cd accumulation in crops. Herein, foliar application of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) was performed on seedlings of two low-Cd-accumulative wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties grown in soil spiked with Cd at 3 mg/kg. Results showed that foliar application of SeNPs at 0.16 mg/plant (SeNPs-M) significantly decreased the Cd content in leaves of XN-979 and JM-22 by 46.4 and 40.8 %, and alleviated oxidative damage. The wheat leaves treated with SeNPs-M underwent significant metabolic and transcriptional reprogramming. On one hand, four specialized antioxidant metabolites such as LTyrosine, beta-N-acetylglucosamine, D-arabitol, and monolaurin in response to SeNPs in JM-22 and XN-979 is the one reason for the decrease of Cd in wheat leaves. Moreover, alleviation of stress-related kinases, hormones, and transcription factors through oxidative post-translational modification, subsequently regulates the expression of defense genes via Se-enhanced glutathione peroxidase. These findings indicate that combining low-Cd accumulative cultivars with SeNPs spraying is an effective strategy to reduce Cd content in wheat and promote sustainable agricultural development.

Consumers enjoy fruit because of its delicious flavor and nutritional value. However, fruit is also prone to oxidation and microbial infection after picking. Therefore, it is imperative to produce safe antiseptic packing materials. Starch films have received considerable attention as an alternative to conventional plastics. The addition of other antibacterial active materials to starch film can significantly improve performance, including water resistance, anti-oxidation, and antibacterial properties. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have exceptional anti-oxidation and antibacterial characteristics and are therefore considered effective antibacterial agents. In this study, we utilized polyphenol and polysaccharide interactions to improve the structure-biological activity of SeNPs to introduce anti-oxidation, antibacterial properties, and UV-blocking performance to extend the shelf life of food and achieve self-reinforcement, thus improving the mechanical properties of the material and making it suitable for food packaging. Notably, the process for the preparation of the SeNPs-embedded starch film was environmentally friendly (water as the solvent) and simple, with mild reaction conditions. The results from this study demonstrated the ability of starch film to reduce dehydration, prevent nutrient loss, inhibit microbe growth, preserve litchi quality, and extend the shelf life during storage. In addition, the film demonstrated biodegradability (11 days in soil), good biocompatibility, and biosafety, offering significant potential for the development of safe and sustainable food packaging systems. This phytochemical nano-enhancement starch film offers a promising solution for multipurpose active food packaging.

Accumulation of cadmium (Cd) ions in soil is an increasingly acute ecological problem in agriculture production. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) can mediate Cd tolerance in plants; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, we show that the foliar application of SeNPs improved the adaptive capacity of tomato plants to decrease Cd-induced damage. SeNPs induced more Cd in roots but not in shoots despite greater accumulation of selenium and sulfur in both tissues and high selenate influx. Additionally, SeNPs significantly increased thiol compounds, including glutathione, cysteine, and phytochelatins, contributing to enhanced Cd detoxification. Importantly, SeNPs induced the expression of sulfate transporters 1:3, S-adenosylmethionine 1 and polyamine transporter 3. Then, experiments with mutants of these genes showed that SeNP-reduced Cd stress largely relies on the levels and shoot-to-root transport of selenium/sulfur and polyamines. These findings highlight the potential of SeNPs to improve crop production and phytoremediation in heavy metal-contaminated soils.