Agrochemical loaded biocompatible chitosan nanoparticles for insect pest management

Chitosan-based insecticide formulations for insect pest control management: A review of current trends and challenges

Future agricultural practices necessitate green alternatives to replace hazardous insecticides while distinguishing between pests and beneficial insects. Chitosan, as a biological macromolecule derived from chitin, is biodegradable and exhibits low toxicity to non-target organisms, making it a sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides. This review identifies chitosan-derivatives for insecticidal activity and highlights its efficacy including genotoxicity, defense mechanism, and disruption of insect's exoskeleton at different concentrations against several insect pests. Similarly, synergistic effects of chitosan in combination with natural extracts, essential oils, and plant-derived compounds, enhances insecticidal action against various pests was evaluated. The chitosan-based insecticide formulations (CHIF) in the form of emulsions, microcapsules, and nanoparticles showed efficient insecticide action on the targeted pests with less environmental impact. The current challenges associated with the field-trial application were also recognized, by optimizing potent CHIF-formulation parameters, scaling-up process, and regulatory hurdles addressed alongside potential solutions. These findings will provide insight into achieving the EU mission of reducing chemical pesticides by 50 %.

An assessment of nanotechnology-based interventions for cleaning up toxic heavy metal/metalloid-contaminated agroecosystems: Potentials and issues

Heavy metals (HMs) are among the most dangerous environmental variables for a variety of life forms, including crops. Accumulation of HMs in consumables and their subsequent transmission to the food web are serious concerns for scientific communities and policy makers. The function of essential plant cellular macromolecules is substantially hampered by HMs, which eventually have a detrimental effect on agricultural yield. Among these HMs, three were considered, i.e., arsenic, cadmium, and chromium, in this review, from agro-ecosystem perspective. Compared with conventional plant growth regulators, the use of nanoparticles (NPs) is a relatively recent, successful, and promising method among the many methods employed to address or alleviate the toxicity of HMs. The ability of NPs to reduce HM mobility in soil, reduce HM availability, enhance the ability of the apoplastic barrier to prevent HM translocation inside the plant, strengthen the plant's antioxidant system by significantly enhancing the activities of many enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants, and increase the generation of specialized metabolites together support the effectiveness of NPs as stress relievers. In this review article, to assess the efficacy of various NP types in ameliorating HM toxicity in plants, we adopted a 'fusion approach', in which a machine learning-based analysis was used to systematically highlight current research trends based on which an extensive literature survey is planned. A holistic assessment of HMs and NMs was subsequently carried out to highlight the future course of action(s).

Microbial Nanotechnology for Precision Nanobiosynthesis: Innovations, Current Opportunities and Future Perspectives for Industrial Sustainability

A new area of biotechnology is nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is an emerging field that aims to develope various substances with nano-dimensions that have utilization in the various sectors of pharmaceuticals, bio prospecting, human activities and biomedical applications. An essential stage in the development of nanotechnology is the creation of nanoparticles. To increase their biological uses, eco-friendly material synthesis processes are becoming increasingly important. Recent years have shown a lot of interest in nanostructured materials due to their beneficial and unique characteristics compared to their polycrystalline counterparts. The fascinating performance of nanomaterials in electronics, optics, and photonics has generated a lot of interest. An eco-friendly approach of creating nanoparticles has emerged in order to get around the drawbacks of conventional techniques. Today, a wide range of nanoparticles have been created by employing various microbes, and their potential in numerous cutting-edge technological fields have been investigated. These particles have well-defined chemical compositions, sizes, and morphologies. The green production of nanoparticles mostly uses plants and microbes. Hence, the use of microbial nanotechnology in agriculture and plant science is the main emphasis of this review. The present review highlights the methods of biological synthesis of nanoparticles available with a major focus on microbially synthesized nanoparticles, parameters and biochemistry involved. Further, it takes into account the genetic engineering and synthetic biology involved in microbial nanobiosynthesis to the construction of microbial nanofactories.

A review of chitosan nanoparticles: Nature's gift for transforming agriculture through smart and effective delivery mechanisms

Chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) have emerged as a promising tool in agricultural advancements due to their unique properties including, biocompatability, biodegradability, non-toxicity and remarkable versatility. These inherent properties along with their antimicrobial, antioxidant and eliciting activities enable CNPs to play an important role in increasing agricultural productivity, enhancing nutrient absorption and improving pest management strategies. Furthermore, the nano-formulation of chitosan have the ability to encapsulate various agricultural amendments, enabling the controlled release of pesticides, fertilizers, plant growth promoters and biocontrol agents, thus offering precise and targeted delivery mechanisms for enhanced efficiency. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the latest research and developments in the use of CNPs for enhancing agricultural practices through smart and effective delivery mechanisms. It discusses the synthesis methods, physicochemical properties, and their role in enhancing seed germination and plant growth, crop protection against biotic and abiotic stresses, improving soil quality and reducing the environmental pollution and delivery of agricultural amendments. Furthermore, the potential environmental benefits and future directions for integrating CNPs into sustainable agricultural systems are explored. This review aims to shed light on the transformative potential of chitosan nanoparticles as nature's gift for revolutionizing agriculture and fostering eco-friendly farming practices.

Chitosan nanoplatforms in agriculture for multi-potential applications - Adsorption/removal, sustained release, sensing of pollutants & delivering their alternatives - A comprehensive review

An increase in the global population has led to an increment in the food consumption, which has demanded high food production. To meet the production demands, different techniques and technologies are adopted in agriculture the past 70 years, where utilization of the industry-manufactured/synthetic pesticides (SPTCs - e.g., herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, bactericides, nematicides, acaricides, avicides, and so on) is one of them. However, it has been later revealed that the usage of SPTCs has negatively impacted the environment - especially water and soil, and also agricultural products - mainly foods. Though preventive measures are taken by government agencies, still the utilization rate of SPTCs is high, and consequently, their maximum residual limit (MRL) levels in food are above tolerance, which further results in serious health concerns in humans. So, there is an immediate need for decreasing the utilization of the SPTCs by delivering them effectively at reduced levels in agriculture but with the required efficacy. Apart from that, it is mandatory to detect/sense and also to remove them to lessen the environmental pollution, while developing effective alternative techniques/technologies. Among many suitable materials that are developed/idenified, chitosan, a bio-polymer has gained great attention and is comprehensively implemented in all the above-mentioned applications - sensing, delivery and removal, due to their excellent and required properties. Though many works are available, in this work, a special attention is given to chitosan and its derivatives (i.e., chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs))based removal, controlled release and sensing of the SPTCs - specifically herbicides and insecticides. Moreover, the chitosan/CNPs-based protective effects on the in vivo models during/after their exposure to the SPTCs, and the current technologies like clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) as alternatives for SPTCs are also reviewed.

Effectiveness of chitosan nanohydrogel mediated encapsulation of EcR dsRNA against the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Asia-I (Gennedius) (Hemiptera: Aleyordidae)

Bemisia tabaci is a global invasive pest causing substantial loss on several economically important crops and has developed a very high level of resistance to insecticides making current management practices ineffective. Thus, the novel pest management strategy like RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a potential molecular tool in the management of insect pests particularly B. tabaci. The present study investigated RNAi mediated silencing of the Ecdysone Receptor (EcR) gene in B. tabaci Asia-I using biodegradable Chitosan Nanoparticles (CNPs) hydrogel containing EcR dsRNA. The formation of nanohydrogel and dsRNA loading were characterized by gel retardation assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM); transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared microscopy (FTIR). The stability of CNPs/dsRNA was assessed by exposure to direct sunlight and UV light for different time periods. The CNPs/dsRNA exhibited increased stability over the untreated control and further confirmed by bioassay studies which yielded mortality over 80% and effectively down regulated the expression of the EcR gene as confirmed by qRT-PCR analysis. These investigations provide potential avenues for advancing innovative pest management strategies using biopolymer CNPs hydrogel, which can enhance the efficiency of dsRNA as a safe and targeted solution in the management of whiteflies.

Chitosan as a Control Tool for Insect Pest Management: A Review

Chitosan, a polysaccharide derived from the deacetylation of chitin, is a versatile and eco-friendly biopolymer with several applications. Chitosan is recognized for its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity, beyond its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antitumoral activities. Thanks to its properties, chitosan is used in many fields including medicine, pharmacy, cosmetics, textile, nutrition, and agriculture. This review focuses on chitosan's role as a tool in insect pest control, particularly for agriculture, foodstuff, and public health pests. Different formulations, including plain chitosan, chitosan coating, chitosan with nematodes, chitosan's modifications, and chitosan nanoparticles, are explored. Biological assays using these formulations highlighted the use of chitosan-essential oil nanoparticles as an effective tool for pest control, due to their enhanced mobility and essential oils' prolonged release over time. Chitosan's derivatives with alkyl, benzyl, and acyl groups showed good activity against insect pests due to improved solubility and enhanced activity compared to plain chitosan. Thus, the purpose of this review is to provide the reader with updated information concerning the use and potential applications of chitosan formulations as pest control tools.

Teratogenic impacts of Antiepileptic drugs on development, behavior and reproduction in Drosophila melanogaster

Clobazam (CLB) and Vigabatrin (VGB) are the two widely used Antiepileptic drugs, which may have teratogenic potentiality and it has been evaluated in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. These different concentrations of CLB (0.156, 0.25, and 0.312 μg/ml) and VGB (17.6, 22, and 44 μg/ml) were used to evaluate the life-history parameters, developmental, and behavioral abnormalities. The results revealed that life-history parameters (fecundity, fertility, larval and pupal mortality) were significantly affected along with varied developmental duration, and pupal and adult deformities in flies on exposure of CLB and VGB in concentration dependent manner. The present study demonstrated that the prenatal treatment of CLB and VGB has displayed clear teratogenic potentiality with various deformities in the fruit fly. The findings could be correlated with the various abnormalities in human caused by the use of AEDs.

Entomopathogenic Fungi: An Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Sustainable Nanoparticles and Their Nanopesticide Properties

The agricultural industry could undergo significant changes due to the revolutionary potential of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has a broad range of possible applications and advantages, including insect pest management using treatments based on nanoparticle insecticides. Conventional techniques, such as integrated pest management, are inadequate, and using chemical pesticides has negative consequences. As a result, nanotechnology would provide ecologically beneficial and effective alternatives for insect pest control. Considering the remarkable traits they exhibit, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are recognized as potential prospects in agriculture. Due to their efficiency and great biocompatibility, the utilization of biologically synthesized nanosilver in insect pest control has significantly increased nowadays. Silver nanoparticles have been produced using a wide range of microbes and plants, which is considered an environmentally friendly method. However, among all, entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) have the most potential to be used in the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles with a variety of properties. Therefore, in this review, different ways to get rid of agricultural pests have been discussed, with a focus on the importance and growing popularity of biosynthesized nanosilver, especially silver nanoparticles made from fungi that kill insects. Finally, the review highlights the need for further studies so that the efficiency of bio-nanosilver could be tested for field application and the exact mode of action of silver nanoparticles against pests can be elucidated, which will eventually be a boon to the agricultural industry for putting a check on pest populations.

Plant nanobionics: Fortifying food security via engineered plant productivity

The world's human population is increasing exponentially, increasing the demand for high-quality food sources. As a result, there is a major global concern over hunger and malnutrition in developing countries with limited food resources. To address this issue, researchers worldwide must focus on developing improved crop varieties with greater productivity to overcome hunger. However, conventional crop breeding methods require extensive periods to develop new varieties with desirable traits. To tackle this challenge, an innovative approach termed plant nanobionics introduces nanomaterials (NMs) into cell organelles to enhance or modify plant function and thus crop productivity and yield. A comprehensive review of nanomaterials affect crop yield is needed to guide nanotechnology research. This article critically reviews nanotechnology applications for engineering plant productivity, seed germination, crop growth, enhancing photosynthesis, and improving crop yield and quality, and discusses nanobionic approaches such as smart drug delivery systems and plant nanobiosensors. Moreover, the review describes NM classification and synthesis and human health-related and plant toxicity hazards. Our findings suggest that nanotechnology application in agricultural production could significantly increase crop yields to alleviate global hunger pressures. However, the environmental risks associated with NMs should be investigated thoroughly before their widespread adoption in agriculture.

Chitosan nanocomposite as an effective carrier of potential herbicidal metabolites for noteworthy phytotoxic effect against major aquatic invasive weed water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

In this current work, the herbicidal activity of fungal metabolites stacked chitosan nanocomposite against significant aquatic invasive weed Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) was examined. Herbicidal metabolites from the fungal strain Allophoma oligotrophica were extracted and purified under standard condition. Altered ionic gelation technique was received for the amalgamation of chitosan nanocomposite fabricated with herbicidal metabolites. Synthesized nanocomposite incited checked herbicidal impact on the leaflets of water hyacinth. Synthesized nanocomposite induced marked herbicidal effect on the tested leaflets of water hyacinth. Necrotic development on the tested leaflets at earlier incubation period followed by progressive enhancement of necrotic lesion reveals the noteworthy herbicidal activity of the synthesized nanocomposite. Parenchymal, mesenchymal tissue disintegration, reduction of total chlorophyll content, elevated anti oxidative enzymes and changes in qualitative protein profiling of tested leaflets reveals the nanocomposite induced noteworthy morphometric and functional effects. Effect of solvents on the release profile demonstrates that ethyl acetate treatment brought about controlled or sustained release of metabolites. No sign of toxic effect on the zebra fish embryonic developmental stages revealed biocompatibility of the nanocomposite.

Advances in Biopolymeric Nanopesticides: A New Eco-Friendly/Eco-Protective Perspective in Precision Agriculture

Pesticides are essential to contemporary agriculture and are required to safeguard plants from hazardous pests, diseases, and weeds. In addition to harming the environment, overusing these pesticides causes pests to become resistant over time. Alternative methods and agrochemicals are therefore required to combat resistance. A potential solution to pesticide resistance and other issues may be found in nanotechnology. Due to their small size, high surface-area-to-volume ratio, and ability to offer novel crop protection techniques, nanoformulations, primarily biopolymer-based ones, can address specific agricultural concerns. Several biopolymers can be employed to load pesticides, including starch, cellulose, chitosan, pectin, agar, and alginate. Other biopolymeric nanomaterials can load pesticides for targeted delivery, including gums, carrageenan, galactomannans, and tamarind seed polysaccharide (TSP). Aside from presenting other benefits, such as reduced toxicity, increased stability/shelf life, and improved pesticide solubility, biopolymeric systems are also cost-effective; readily available; biocompatible; biodegradable; and biosafe (i.e., releasing associated active compounds gradually, without endangering the environment) and have a low carbon footprint. Additionally, biopolymeric nanoformulations support plant growth while improving soil aeration and microbial activity, which may favor the environment. The present review provides a thorough analysis of the toxicity and release behavior of biopolymeric nanopesticides for targeted delivery in precision crop protection.

Meta-analysis of in-vitro cytotoxicity evaluation studies of zinc oxide nanoparticles: Paving way for safer innovations

Nano-based products have shown their daunting presence in several sectors. Among them, Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles wangled the reputation of providing "next-generation solutions" and are being utilized in plethora of products. Their widespread application has led to increased exposure of these particles, raising concerns regarding toxicological repercussions to the human health and environment. The diversity, complexity, and heterogeneity in the available literature, along with correlation of befitting attributes, makes it challenging to develop one systematic framework to predict this toxicity. The present study aims at developing predictive modelling framework to tap the prospective features responsible for causing cytotoxicity in-vitro on exposure to ZnO nanoparticles. Rigorous approach was used to mine the information from complete body of evidence published to date. The attributes, features and experimental conditions were systematically extracted to unmask the effect of varied features. 1240 data points from 76 publications were obtained, containing 14 qualitative and quantitative attributes, including physiochemical properties of nanoparticles, cell culture and experimental parameters to perform meta-analysis. For the first time, the efforts were made to investigate the degree of significance of attributes accountable for causing cytotoxicity on exposure to ZnO nanoparticles. We show that in-vitro cytotoxicity is closely related with dose concentration of nanoparticles, followed by exposure time, disease state of the cell line and size of these nanoparticles among other attributes.

A novel approach to control Botrytis cinerea fungal infections: uptake and biological activity of antifungals encapsulated in nanoparticle based vectors

Botrytis cinerea, responsible for grey mold diseases, is a pathogen with a broad host range, affecting many important agricultural crops, in pre and post harvesting of fruits and vegetables. Commercial fungicides used to control this pathogen are often subjected to photolysis, volatilization, degradation, leaching, and runoff during application. In this context, the use of a delivery system, based on poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA NPs) represents an innovative approach to develop new pesticide formulations to successfully fight B. cinerea infections. In order to study NPs uptake, B. cinerea conidia and mycelium were treated with PLGA NPs loaded with the high fluorescent probe coumarin 6 (Cu6-PLGA NPs) and analyzed under ApoTome fluorescence microscopy. The observations revealed that 50 nm Cu6-PLGA NPs penetrated into B. cinerea conidia and hyphae, as early as 10 min after administration. Pterostilbene, a natural compound, and fluopyram, a synthetic antifungal, were entrapped in PLGA NPs, added to B. cinerea conidia and mycelium, and their antifungal activity was tested. The results revealed that the compounds loaded in NPs exhibited a higher activity against B. cinerea. These results lay the foundations for the use of PLGA NPs as a new strategy in plant pest management.

Biopolymer-based nanocarriers for sustained release of agrochemicals: A review on materials and social science perspectives for a sustainable future of agri- and horticulture

Devastating plant diseases and soil depletion rationalize an extensive use of agrochemicals to secure the food production worldwide. The sustained release of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture is a promising solution to the eco-toxicological impacts and it might reduce the amount and increase the effectiveness of agrochemicals administration in the field. This review article focusses on carriers with diameters below 1 μm, such as capsules, spheres, tubes and micelles that promote the sustained release of actives. Biopolymer nanocarriers represent a potentially environmentally friendly alternative due to their renewable origin and biodegradability, which prevents the formation of microplastics. The social aspects, economic potential, and success of commercialization of biopolymer based nanocarriers are influenced by the controversial nature of nanotechnology and depend on the use case. Nanotechnology's enormous innovative power is only able to unfold its potential to limit the effects of climate change and to counteract current environmental developments if the perceived risks are understood and mitigated.

Enhancing Agrichemical Delivery and Plant Development with Biopolymer-Based Stimuli Responsive Core-Shell Nanostructures

The inefficient delivery of agrichemicals in agrifood systems is among the leading cause of serious negative planetary and public health impacts. Such inefficiency is mainly attributed to the inability to deliver the agrichemicals at the right place (target), right time, and right dose. In this study, scalable, biodegradable, sustainable, biopolymer-based multistimuli responsive core-shell nanostructures were developed for smart agrichemical delivery. Three types of responsive core/shell nanostructures incorporated with model agrichemicals (i.e., CuSO₄ and NPK fertilizer) were synthesized by coaxial electrospray, and the resulting nanostructures showed spherical morphology with an average diameter about 160 nm. Tunable agrichemical release kinetics were achieved by controlling the surface hydrophobicity of nanostructures. The pH and enzyme responsiveness was also demonstrated by the model analyte release kinetics (up to 7 days) in aqueous solution. Finally, the efficacy of the stimuli responsive nanostructures was evaluated in soil-based greenhouse studies using soybean and wheat in terms of photosynthesis efficacy and linear electron flow (LEF), two important metrics for seedling development and health. Findings confirmed plant specificity; for soybean, the nanostructures resulted in 34.3% higher value of relative chlorophyll content and 41.2% higher value of PS1 centers in photosystem I than the ionic control with equivalent agrichemical concentration. For wheat, the nanostructures resulted in 37.6% higher value of LEF than the ionic agrichemicals applied at 4 times higher concentration, indicating that the responsive core-shell nanostructure is an effective platform to achieve precision agrichemical delivery while minimizing inputs. Moreover, the Zn and Na content in the leaves of 4-week-old soybean seedlings were significantly increased with nanostructure amendment, indicating that the developed nanostructures can potentially be used to modulate the accumulation of other important micronutrients through a potential biofortification strategy.

Surface Gelatin-Coated β-Mannanase-Immobilized Lignin for Delayed Release of β-Mannanase to Remediate Guar-Based Fracturing Fluid Damage

Herein, we developed an efficient and convenient method to address the problem of thickener decomposition in the low- permeability oilfield production process. It is crucial to design breakers that reduce viscosity by delaying thickener decomposition in appropriate environments. By using lignin in biomass as a substrate for β-mannanase immobilization (MIL), we fabricated a gel breaker, surface gelatin-coated β-mannanase-immobilized lignin (Ge@MIL). Through experiments and performance tests, we confirmed that the prepared Ge@MIL can release enzymes at a specific temperature, meanwhile having temperature-sensitive phase change properties and biodegradability. The results also show the tight tuning over the surface coating of Ge@MIL by a water-in-oil emulsion. Therefore, the prepared Ge@MIL has a promising application in the field of oil extraction as a green and efficient temperature-sensitive sustained-release capsule.

Nano-enabled agrochemicals/materials: Potential human health impact, risk assessment, management strategies and future prospects

Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing technology that will have a significant impact on product development in the next few years. The technology is already being employed in cutting-edge cosmetic and healthcare products. Nanotechnology and nanoparticles have a strong potential for product and process innovation in the food industrial sector. This is already being demonstrated by food product availability made using nanotechnology. Nanotechnologies will have an impact on food security, packaging materials, delivery systems, bioavailability, and new disease detection materials in the food production chain, contributing to the UN Millennium Development Goals targets. Food products using nanoparticles are already gaining traction into the market, with an emphasis on online sales. This means that pre- and post-marketing regulatory frameworks and risk assessments must meet certain standards. There are potential advantages of nanotechnologies for agriculture, consumers and the food industry at large as they are with other new and growing technologies. However, little is understood about the safety implications of applying nanotechnologies to agriculture and incorporating nanoparticles into food. As a result, policymakers and scientists must move quickly, as regulatory systems appear to require change, and scientists should contribute to these adaptations. Their combined efforts should make it easier to reduce health and environmental impacts while also promoting the economic growth of nanotechnologies in the food supply chain. This review highlighted the benefits of a number of nano enabled agrochemicals/materials, the potential health impacts as well as the risk assessment and risk management for nanoparticles in the agriculture and food production chain.

Synthesis of a Lignin/Zinc Oxide Hybrid Nanoparticles System and Its Application by Nano-Priming in Maize

Nanotechnologies are attracting attention in various scientific fields for their technological and application potential, including their use as bio-activators and nanocarriers in agriculture. This work aimed to synthesize a hybrid material (ZnO@LNP) consisting of lignin nanoparticles containing zinc oxide (4 wt %). The synthesized ZnO hybrid material showed catalytic effect toward thermal degradation, as evidenced by the TGA investigation, while both spectroscopic and contact angle measurements confirmed a modification of surface hydrophilicity for the lignin nanoparticles due to the presence of hydrophobic zinc oxide. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the ZnO@LNP and the zinc release of this material were evaluated. At the application level, this study proposes for the first time the use of such a hybrid system to prime maize seeds by exploiting the release characteristics of this material. Concerning the dosage applied, ZnO@LNP promoted inductive effects on the early stages of seed development and plant growth and biomass development of young seedlings. In particular, the ZnO@LNP stimulated, in the primed seeds, a higher content of chlorophyll, carotenoids, anthocyanins, total phenols, and a better antioxidant activity, as supported by the lower levels of lipid peroxidation found when compared to the control samples.

Assessment of Antifungal Efficacy and Release Behavior of Fungicide-Loaded Chitosan-Carrageenan Nanoparticles against Phytopathogenic Fungi

Biopolymeric Chitosan-Carrageenan nanocomposites 66.6-231.82 nm in size containing the chemical fungicide mancozeb (nano CSCRG-M) were synthesized following a green chemistry approach. The physicochemical study of nanoparticles (NPs) was accomplished using a particle size analyzer, SEM and FTIR. TEM exhibited clover leaf-shaped nanoparticles (248.23 nm) with mancozeb on the inside and entrapped outside. Differential scanning calorimetry and TGA thermogravimetry exhibited the thermal behaviour of the nanoform. Nano CSCRG-1.5 at 1.5 ppm exhibited 83.1% inhibition against Alternaria solani in an in vitro study and performed as well as mancozeb (84.6%). Complete inhibition was exhibited in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum at 1.0 and 1.5 ppm with the nanoformulation. The in vivo disease control efficacy of mancozeb-loaded nanoparticles against A. solani in pathogenized plants was found to be relatively higher (79.4 ± 1.7) than that of commercial fungicide (76 ± 1.1%) in pot conditions. Nanomancozeb showed superior efficacy for plant growth parameters, such as germination percentage, root-shoot ratio and dry biomass. The nanoformulation showed higher cell viability compared to mancozeb in Vero cell cultures at 0.25 and 0.50 mg/mL in the resazurin assay. CSCRG-0.5 showed slow-release behavior up to 10 h. Thus, these green nano-based approaches may help combat soil and water pollution caused by harmful chemical pesticides.

The Applications of Nanotechnology in Crop Production

With the frequent occurrence of extreme climate, global agriculture is confronted with unprecedented challenges, including increased food demand and a decline in crop production. Nanotechnology is a promising way to boost crop production, enhance crop tolerance and decrease the environmental pollution. In this review, we summarize the recent findings regarding innovative nanotechnology in crop production, which could help us respond to agricultural challenges. Nanotechnology, which involves the use of nanomaterials as carriers, has a number of diverse applications in plant growth and crop production, including in nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, nanosensors and nanobiotechnology. The unique structures of nanomaterials such as high specific surface area, centralized distribution size and excellent biocompatibility facilitate the efficacy and stability of agro-chemicals. Besides, using appropriate nanomaterials in plant growth stages or stress conditions effectively promote plant growth and increase tolerance to stresses. Moreover, emerging nanotools and nanobiotechnology provide a new platform to monitor and modify crops at the molecular level.

Essential oils and their nanoformulations as green preservatives to boost food safety against mycotoxin contamination of food commodities: a review

Postharvest food spoilage due to fungal and mycotoxin contamination is a major challenge in tropical countries, leading to severe adverse effects on human health. Because of the negative effects of synthetic preservatives on both human health and the environment, it has been recommended that chemicals that have a botanical origin, with an eco-friendly nature and a favorable safety profile, should be used as green preservatives. Recently, the food industry and consumers have been shifting drastically towards green consumerism because of their increased concerns about health and the environment. Among different plant-based products, essential oils (EOs) and their bioactive components are strongly preferred as antimicrobial food preservatives. Despite having potent antimicrobial efficacy and preservation potential against fungal and mycotoxin contamination, essential oils and their bioactive components have limited practical applicability caused by their high volatility and their instability, implying the development of techniques to overcome the challenges associated with EO application. Essential oils and their bioactive components are promising alternatives to synthetic preservatives. To overcome challenges associated with EOs, nanotechnology has emerged as a novel technology in the food industries. Nanoencapsulation may boost the preservative potential of different essential oils by improving their solubility, stability, and targeted sustainable release. Nanoencapsulation of EOs is therefore currently being practiced to improve the stability and bioactivity of natural products. The present review has dealt extensively with the application of EOs and their nanoformulated products encapsulated in suitable polymeric matrices, so as to recommend them as novel green preservatives against foodborne molds and mycotoxin-induced deterioration of stored food commodities. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Lignin Nanoparticles: A Promising Tool to Improve Maize Physiological, Biochemical, and Chemical Traits

Lignin, and its derivatives, are the subject of current research for the exciting properties shown by this biomass. Particularly attractive are lignin nanoparticles for their eco- and biocompatibility compared to other nanomaterials. In this context, the effect of nanostructured lignin microparticles (LNP), obtained from alkaline lignin by acid treatment, on maize plants was investigated. To this end, maize seeds were primed with LNP at five concentrations: 80 mg L-1 (T80), 312 mg L-1 (T312), 1250 mg L-1 (T1250), 5000 mg L-1 (T5000) and 20,000 mg L-1 (T20000). Concerning the dose applied, LNP prompted positive effects on the first stages of maize development (germination and radicle length). Furthermore, the study of plant growth, biochemical and chemical parameters on the developed plants indicated that concerning the dose applied. LNP stimulated beneficial effects on the seedlings (fresh weight and length of shoots and roots). Besides, specific treatments increased the content of chlorophyll (a and b), carotenoid, and anthocyanin. Finally, the soluble protein content showed a positive trend in response to specific dosages. These effects are significant, given the essential biological function performed by these biomolecules. In conclusion, this research indicates as the nanostructured lignin microparticles can be used, at appropriate dosages, to induce positive biological responses in maize. This beneficial action deserves attention as it candidates LNP for biostimulating a crop through seed priming.

Recent advances in the applications of nano-agrochemicals for sustainable agricultural development

Modern agricultural practices have triggered the process of agricultural pollution. This process can cause the degradation of eco-systems, land, and environment owing to the modern-day by-products of agriculture. The substantial use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and, contaminated water for irrigation cause further damage to agriculture. The current scenario of the agriculture and food sector has therefore become unsustainable. Nanotechnology has provided innovative and resourceful frontiers to the agriculture sector by contributing practical applications in conventional agricultural ways and practices. There is a large possibility that agri-nanotechnology can have a significant impact on the sustainable agriculture and crop growth. Recent research has shown the potential of nanotechnology in improving the agriculture sector by enhancing the efficiency of agricultural inputs and providing solutions to agricultural problems for improving food productivity and security. The prospective use of nanoscale agrochemicals such as nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, nanosensors, and nanoformulations in agriculture has transformed traditional agro-practices, making them more sustainable and efficient. However, the application of these nano-products in real field situations raises concern about nanomaterial safety, exposure levels, and toxicological repercussions to the environment and human health. The present review gives an insight into recent advancements in nanotechnology-based agrochemicals that have revolutionized the agriculture sector. Further, the implementation barriers related to the nanomaterial use in agriculture, their commercialization potential, and the need for policy regulations to assess possible nano-agricultural risks are also discussed.

Advanced Material Against Human (Including Covid-19) and Plant Viruses: Nanoparticles As a Feasible Strategy

The SARS-CoV-2 virus outbreak revealed that these nano-pathogens have the ability to rapidly change lives. Undoubtedly, SARS-CoV-2 as well as other viruses can cause important global impacts, affecting public health, as well as, socioeconomic development. But viruses are not only a public health concern, they are also a problem in agriculture. The current treatments are often ineffective, are prone to develop resistance, or cause considerable adverse side effects. The use of nanotechnology has played an important role to combat viral diseases. In this review three main aspects are in focus: first, the potential use of nanoparticles as carriers for drug delivery. Second, its use for treatments of some human viral diseases, and third, its application as antivirals in plants. With these three themes, the aim is to give to readers an overview of the progress in this promising area of biotechnology during the 2017-2020 period, and to provide a glance at how tangible is the effectiveness of nanotechnology against viruses. Future prospects are also discussed. It is hoped that this review can be a contribution to general knowledge for both specialized and non-specialized readers, allowing a better knowledge of this interesting topic.

Bio-Based Lignin Nanocarriers Loaded with Fungicides as a Versatile Platform for Drug Delivery in Plants

Lignin-based nano- and microcarriers are a promising biodegradable drug delivery platform inside of plants. Many wood-decaying fungi are capable of degrading the wood component lignin by segregated lignases. These fungi are responsible for severe financial damage in agriculture, and many of these plant diseases cannot be treated today. However, enzymatic degradation is also an attractive handle to achieve a controlled release of drugs from artificial lignin vehicles. Herein, chemically cross-linked lignin nanocarriers (NCs) were prepared by aza-Michael addition in miniemulsion, followed by solvent evaporation. The cross-linking of lignin was achieved with the bio-based amines (spermine and spermidine). Several fungicides-namely, azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, tebuconazole, and boscalid-were encapsulated in situ during the miniemulsion polymerization, demonstrating the versatility of the method. Lignin NCs with diameters of 200-300 nm (determined by dynamic light scattering) were obtained, with high encapsulation efficiencies (70-99%, depending on the drug solubility). Lignin NCs successfully inhibited the growth of Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and Phaeoacremonium minimum, which are lignase-producing fungi associated with the worldwide occurring fungal grapevine trunk disease Esca. In planta studies proved their efficiency for at least 4 years after a single injection into Vitis vinifera ("Portugieser") plants on a test vineyard in Germany. The lignin NCs are of high interest as biodegradable delivery vehicles to be applied by trunk injection against the devastating fungal disease Esca but might also be promising against other fungal plant diseases.

Fabrication, characterization and practical efficacy of Myristica fragrans essential oil nanoemulsion delivery system against postharvest biodeterioration

The present study deals with encapsulation of Myristica fragrans essential oil (MFEO) into chitosan nano-matrix, their characterization and assessment of antimicrobial activity, aflatoxin inhibitory potential, safety profiling and in situ efficacy in stored rice as environment friendly effective preservative to control the postharvest losses of food commodities under storage. Surface morphology of MFEO-chitosan nanoemulsion as well as encapsulation of MFEO was confirmed through SEM, FTIR and XRD analysis. In vitro release characteristics with biphasic burst explained controlled volatilization from nanoencapsulated MFEO. Unencapsulated MFEO exhibited fungitoxicity against 15 food borne molds and inhibited aflatoxin B₁ secretion by toxigenic Aspergillus flavus LHP R14 strain. In contrast, nanoencapsulated MFEO showed better fungitoxicity and inhibitory effect on aflatoxin biosynthesis at lower doses. In situ efficacy of unencapsulated and nanoencapsulated MFEO on stored rice seeds exhibited effective protection against fungal infestation, aflatoxin B₁ contamination, and lipid peroxidation. Both the unencapsulated and nanoencapsulated MFEO did not affect the germination of stored rice seeds confirming non-phytotoxic nature. In addition, negligible mammalian toxicity of unencapsulated MFEO (LD₅₀ = 14,289.32 μL/kg body weight) and MFEO loaded chitosan nanoemulsion (LD₅₀ = 9231.89 μL/kg body weight) as revealed through favorable safety profile recommend the industrial significance of nanoencapsulated MFEO as an effective green alternative to environmentally hazardous synthetic pesticides for protection of food commodities during storage.

Ionotropic Gelation Synthesis of Chitosan-Alginate Nanodisks for Delivery System and In Vitro Assessment of Prostate Cancer Cytotoxicity

We report on the synthesis of chitosan-alginate nanodisks (Cs-Al NDs) using a simple approach consisting of the ionotropic gelation method. Sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) was used as crosslinking agent to promote the electrostatic interaction between amine groups the chitosan and hydroxyl and carboxyl groups of alginate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images provided direct evidence of the morphology of the nanodisks where agglomeration was observed due to the electrostatic interaction between the functional groups. Furthermore, dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed that the hydrodynamic size of the Cs-Al NDs was 227 nm and 152 nm in pH 1.2 and pH 7.4, respectively, which is in agreement with the information observed in the SEM images. The chemical structure is presented mainly the amine and carboxyl groups due to the presence of chitosan and alginate in the nanodisks, respectively, which allow the electrostatic interaction through N-H linkages. According to the X-ray diffraction, we found that the Cs-Al NDs exhibited the typical structure of chitosan and alginate, which lead the formation of polyelectrolyte complexes. We also evaluated the encapsulation of amoxicillin in the nanodisk, obtaining a loading efficiency of 74.98%, as well as a maximum in vitro release amount of 63.2 and 52.3% at pH 1.2 and 7.4, respectively. Finally, the cytotoxicity effect of the Cs-Al nanodisks was performed in human prostatic epithelial PWR-1E and Caucasian prostate adenocarcinoma PC-3 cell lines, in which the cell viability was above 80% indicating low inhibition and determining the Cs-Al NDs as a promising technology for controlled delivery systems.