Bioinspired Nanomodification Strategies: Moving from Chemical-Based Agrosystems to Sustainable Agriculture

Well-ordered Au@Ag NBPs/SiO2 nanoarray for sensitive detection of chloramphenicol via DNAzyme-assisted SERS sensing

Misuse of chloramphenicol (CAP) can lead to severe food safety issues. Therefore, the accurate and sensitive detection of CAP residues is important for public health. Herein, a convenient and reliable interfacial self-assembly technique was used to form a uniform Au@Ag nanobipyramids (NBPs) film on an ordered SiO2 nanosphere array (SiO2 NS), which served as a Raman-enhanced substrate. In conjunction with a deoxyribonucleic acid enzyme-induced signal amplification strategy, we developed a novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) biosensor for the selective and sensitive detection of CAP. The biosensor exhibited a detection limit of 6.42 × 10-13 mol·L-1 and a detection range of 1.0 × 10-12-1.0 × 10-6 mol·L-1. The biosensor could detect CAP in spiked milk samples with a high accuracy, and its recovery rates ranged from 97.88% to 107.86%. The as-developed biosensor with the advantages of high sensitivity and high selectivity offers a new strategy for the rapid, reliable and sensitive detection of CAP, rendering it applicable to food safety control.

A tailored dual core-shell magnetic SERS substrate with precise shell-thickness control for trace organophosphorus pesticides residues detection

For addressing the challenges of strong affinity SERS substrate to organophosphorus pesticides (OPs), herein, a rapid water-assisted layer-by-layer heteronuclear growth method was investigated to grow uniform UiO-66 shell with controllable thickness outside the magnetic core and provide abundant defect sites for OPs adsorption. By further assembling the tailored Au@Ag, a highly sensitive SERS substrate Fe3O4-COOH@UiO-66/Au@Ag (FCUAA) was synthesized with a SERS enhancement factor of 2.11 × 107. The substrate's suitability for the actual vegetable samples (cowpeas and peppers) was confirmed under both destructive and non-destructive detection conditions, showing a strong SERS response to fenthion and triazophos, with limits of detection of 1.21 × 10-5 and 2.96 × 10-3 mg/kg in the vegetables under destructive conditions, and 0.13 and 1.39 ng/cm2 for non-destructive detection, respectively. The FCUAA substrate had high SERS performance, effective adsorption capability for OPs, and demonstrated good applicability, thus exhibiting great potential for rapid detection of trace OPs residues in the food industry.

Developing a magnetic SERS nanosensor utilizing aminated Fe-Based MOF for ultrasensitive trace detection of organophosphorus pesticides in apple juice

The unreasonable use of organophosphorus pesticides leads to excessive pesticide residues in food, seriously threatening public health, and the potential of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technology, incorporating a metal-organic framework, is substantial for the rapid detection of trace pesticide residues. Here, a novel Fe3O4@NH2-MIL-101(Fe)@Ag (FNMA) SERS nanosensor was developed. Results indicated that the FNMA had a high enhancement factor of 1.53 × 108, a low limit of detection (LOD) of 4.55 × 10-12 M, and a relative standard deviation of 7.73 % for 4-nitrothiophenol, demonstrating its good SERS sensitivity and uniformity, and also possessed good storage stability for one month. In quantifying fenthion and methyl parathion in standard solutions and apple juice in the range of 0.05/0.02-20 mg/L, it showed LODs of 3.02 × 10-3 mg/L and 1.43 × 10-3 mg/L, and 0.0407 and 0.0075 mg/L, respectively, demonstrating potentials in ultrasensitive trace detection of pesticides in food.

Zn complexed on hybrid manganese doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles covered by silica as a catalyst in the synthesis of 2-amino-4H-pyran and N- arylquinoline derivatives

In the present work, Zn complexed on hybrid manganese doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles covered by silica were synthesized. These MNPs were characterized using different techniques including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Field emission-scanning electron micro-scope (FE-SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Vibration sample magnetometer (VSM), Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP), Zeta potential and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). FE-SEM Images showed uniform spherical shape with rough surfaces and an aggregation in structure of MNPs. A decrease in Ms is visible in VSM analysis due to the increase in particle diameter as a result of loading the organic coating on the surface of the magnetic nanoparticles. According to TGA analysis, the synthesized MNPs have good stability up to 125 °C. The ICP analysis indicates the presence of 0.13 mmol/g zinc on the surface of loaded MNPs. The effect of these prepared MNPs as a catalyst was studied in the synthesis of 2-amino-4H-pyran and N- arylquinoline derivatives. This method provides excellent yield of products with short reaction time, simple purification and easy separation of the catalyst. Furthermore, the reusability of the catalyst during five periods was not associated with a significant decrease in its activity.

Small particles, big effects: How nanoparticles can enhance plant growth in favorable and harsh conditions

By 2050, the global population is projected to reach 9 billion, underscoring the imperative for innovative solutions to increase grain yield and enhance food security. Nanotechnology has emerged as a powerful tool, providing unique solutions to this challenge. Nanoparticles (NPs) can improve plant growth and nutrition under normal conditions through their high surface-to-volume ratio and unique physical and chemical properties. Moreover, they can be used to monitor crop health status and augment plant resilience against abiotic stresses (such as salinity, drought, heavy metals, and extreme temperatures) that endanger global agriculture. Application of NPs can enhance stress tolerance mechanisms in plants, minimizing potential yield losses and underscoring the potential of NPs to raise crop yield and quality. This review highlights the need for a comprehensive exploration of the environmental implications and safety of nanomaterials and provides valuable guidelines for researchers, policymakers, and agricultural practitioners. With thoughtful stewardship, nanotechnology holds immense promise in shaping environmentally sustainable agriculture amid escalating environmental challenges.

Minimizing polyphenols and enzymes degradation using hydrogel packaging with combined evaporative and daytime radiative cooling functions during ambient transportation

Polyphenols and enzymes usually suffer from degradation during transportation due to the lack of a cold chain system in developing countries and regions. In this study, anthocyanin and trypsin were selected as examples of polyphenols and enzymes and investigated for minimizing their degradation during ambient transportation using hydrogel packaging with combined evaporative and daytime radiative cooling functions. A polyacrylamide/polyvinyl alcohol contained with nanoparticles (NPs@PAAm/PVA) hydrogel packaging was thus developed. The NPs@PAAm/PVA packaging exhibited desirable swelling behaviour, high solar reflectance, and strong atmospheric emissivity to synergistically achieve evaporative and daytime radiative cooling. The indoor experiments indicated that the vial with NPs@PAAm/PVA packaging realised sub-ambient temperatures under different working temperatures and humidities, and the field tests indicated that the vial with NPs@PAAm/PVA packaging could effectively preserve the anthocyanin and trypsin without degradation caused by strong sunlight and high temperature. Consequently, the NPs@PAAm/PVA packaging with evaporative and daytime radiative cooling effects has promising prospects for anthocyanin and trypsin transportation in an energy-saving and sustainable manner.

Highly stable and antifungal properties on the oilseed rape of Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 nanoflakes prepared by simple aqueous precipitation

In the last few decades, nanoparticles have been a prominent topic in various fields, particularly in agriculture, due to their unique physicochemical properties. Herein, molybdenum copper lindgrenite Cu3(MoO4)2(OH)2 (CM) nanoflakes (NFs) are synthesized by a one-step reaction involving α-MoO3 and CuCO3⋅Cu(OH)2⋅xH2O solution at low temperature for large scale industrial production and developed as an effective antifungal agent for the oilseed rape. This synthetic method demonstrates great potential for industrial applications. Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results reveal that CM samples exhibit a pure monoclinic structure. TG and DSC results show the thermal stable properties. It can undergo a phase transition form copper molybdate (Cu3Mo2O9) at about 300 °C. Then Cu3Mo2O9 nanoparticles decompose into at CuO and MoO3 at 791 °C. The morphology of CM powder is mainly composed of uniformly distributed parallelogram-shaped nanoflakes with an average thickness of about 30 nm. Moreover, the binding energy of CM NFs is measured to be 2.8 eV. To assess the antifungal properties of these materials, both laboratory and outdoor experiments are conducted. In the pour plate test, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CM NFs against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (S. sclerotiorum) is determined to be 100 ppm, and the zone of inhibiting S. sclerotiorum is 14 mm. When the concentration is above 100 nm, the change rate of the hyphae circle slows down a little and begins to decrease until to 200 ppm. According to the aforementioned findings, the antifungal effects of a nano CM NFs solution are assessed at different concentrations (0 ppm (clear water), 40 ppm, and 80 ppm) on the growth of oilseed rape in an outdoor setting. The results indicate that the application of CM NFs led to significant inhibition of S. sclerotiorum. Specifically, when the nano CM solution was sprayed once at the initial flowering stage at a concentration of 80 ppm, S. sclerotiorum growth was inhibited by approximately 34%. Similarly, when the solution was sprayed once at the initial flowering stage and once at the rape pod stage, using a concentration of 40 ppm, a similar level of inhibition was achieved. These outcomes show that CM NFs possess the ability to bind with more metal ions due to their larger specific surface area. Additionally, their semiconductor physical properties enable the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, CM NFs hold great potential for widespread application in antifungal products.

A durian-shaped multilayer core-shell SERS substrate for flow magnetic detection of pesticide residues on foods

A new type of durian-shaped Fe3O4@Au@Ag@Au (DFAAA) multilayer core-shell composite was prepared as an efficient surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate. The optimization process and SERS enhancement mechanism of the substrate were further explained with finite-difference time-domain simulation. The dense and uniform spiny array on the DFAAA surface had abundant "hot spots", greatly improving sensitivity, uniformity and reproducibility, with a Raman enhancement factor of 3.01 × 107 and storage-life of 30 d. A "flow magnetic detection method" was proposed to realize rapid and flexible detection of pesticide residues on the surface of different foods including fish and apple. The limit of detection of malachite green and thiram on the fish and apple surfaces were 0.13 and 0.18 ng/cm2, respectively. With its high SERS performance and good magnetic, the DFAAA possessed great application prospects as a facile SERS substrate for rapid and non-destructive detection of trace pesticide residues on foods.

Fluorescent polythymidine-templated copper nanoclusters aptasensor for sensitive detection of tropomyosin in processed shrimp products

Tropomyosin (TM) is the main allergen in shellfish. Developing a novel, simple and accurate method to track and detect TM in food products is necessary. In this work, a label-free fluorescent aptasensor based on polythymidine (poly(T))-templated copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) was designed for sensitive detection of TM in processed shrimp products. Magnetic beads (MBs), aptamer and cDNA were used to construct an MBs-aptamer@cDNA complex as a detection probe, and with the presence of TM, the poly(T)-templated CuNCs attached at the end of the cDNA as the fluorescent signal was released from the complex to turn on the fluorescence. Under optimal conditions, the poly(T)-templated CuNCs aptasensor achieved a linear range from 0.1 to 50 μg/mL (R2 = 0.9980), a low limit of detection of 0.0489 μg/mL and an excellent recovery percentage of 105.29%-108.91% in the complex food matrix, providing a new approach for food safety assurance.

A three-dimensional gold nanoparticles spherical liquid array for SERS sensitive detection of pesticide residues in apple

High-performance plasmonic substrates have recently attracted much research attention. Herein, a three-dimensional gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) spherical liquid array (SLA) with high "hot spots" and tunable nanometer gap by optimizing the proportion of AuNPs colloids over chloroform was synthesized based on a water-oil interfacial self-assembly strategy. The substrate demonstrated excellent surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) performance using tetrathiafulvalene and rhodamine 6G (R6G) as probe molecules. With a simple extraction and soaking pretreatment process, the SLA exhibited high sensitivity for analysing triazophos on apple peels, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.005 µg/mL and recovery ranging from 96 to 110 %. Particularly, the chloroform produced an inherent characteristic peak at 665 cm-1, which was used as the internal standard to correct SERS signal fluctuation, leading to an improvement of the corresponding coefficient R2 from 0.97 to 0.99, thus improving the reproducibility. Therefore the SLA substrate possesses the potential for quantitative analysis of food contaminants.

Mitigating Global Challenges: Harnessing Green Synthesized Nanomaterials for Sustainable Crop Production Systems

Green nanotechnology, an emerging field, offers economic and social benefits while minimizing environmental impact. Nanoparticles, pivotal in medicine, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture, are now sourced from green plants and microorganisms, overcoming limitations of chemically synthesized ones. In agriculture, these green-made nanoparticles find use in fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, and fungicides. Nanofertilizers curtail mineral losses, bolster yields, and foster agricultural progress. Their biological production, preferred for environmental friendliness and high purity, is cost-effective and efficient. Biosensors aid early disease detection, ensuring food security and sustainable farming by reducing excessive pesticide use. This eco-friendly approach harnesses natural phytochemicals to boost crop productivity. This review highlights recent strides in green nanotechnology, showcasing how green-synthesized nanomaterials elevate crop quality, combat plant pathogens, and manage diseases and stress. These advancements pave the way for sustainable crop production systems in the future.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles alleviate chromium-induced oxidative stress by modulating physio-biochemical aspects and organic acids in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Extensive chromium (Cr) release into water and soil severely impairs crop productivity worldwide. Nanoparticle (NP) technology has shown potential for reducing heavy metal toxicity and improving plant physicochemical profiles. Herein, we investigated the effects of exogenous zinc oxide NPs (ZnO-NPs) on alleviating Cr stress in Cr-sensitive and tolerant chickpea genotypes. Hydroponically grown chickpea plants were exposed to Cr stress (0 and 120 μM) and ZnO-NPs (25 μM, 20 nm size) twice at a 7-day interval. Cr exposure reduced physiochemical profiles, ion content, cell viability, and gas exchange parameters, and it increased organic acid exudate accumulation in roots and the Cr content in the roots and leaves of the plants. However, ZnO-NP application significantly increased plant growth, enzymatic activities, proline, total soluble sugar, and protein and gas exchange parameters and reduced malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels, Cr content in roots, and organic acid presence to improve root cell viability. This study provides new insights into the role of ZnO-NPs in reducing oxidative stress along with Cr accumulation and mobility due to low levels of organic acids in chickpea roots. Notably, the Cr-tolerant genotype exhibited more pronounced alleviation of Cr stress by ZnO-NPs. These findings highlight the potential of ZnO-NP in regulating plant growth, reducing Cr accumulation, and promoting sustainable agricultural development.

Nanotechnology in precision agriculture: Advancing towards sustainable crop production

Nanotechnology offers many potential solutions for sustainable agroecosystem, including improvement in nutrient use efficiency, efficacy of pest management, and minimizing the adverse environmental effects of agricultural production. Herein, we first highlighted the integrated application of nanotechnology and precision agriculture for sustainable productivity. Application of nanoparticle mediated material and advanced biosensors in precision agriculture is only possible by nanochips or nanosensors. Nanosensors offers the measurement of various stresses, soil quality parameters and detection of heavy metals along with the enhanced data collection, enabling precise decision-making and resource management in agricultural systems. Nanoencapsulation of conventional chemical fertilizers (known as nanofertilizers), and pesticides (known as nanopesticides) helps in sustained and slow release of chemicals to soils and results in precise dosage to plants. Further, nano-based disease detection kits are popular tools for early and speedy detection of viral diseases. Many other innovative approaches including biosynthesized nanoparticles have been evaluated and proposed at various scales, but in fact there are some barriers for practical application of nanotechnology in soil-plant system, including safety and regulatory concerns, efficient delivery at field levels, and consumer acceptance. Finally, we outlined the policy options and actions required for sustainable agricultural productivity, and proposed various research pathways that may help to overcome the upcoming challenges regarding practical implications of nanotechnology.

Developments in food neonicotinoids detection: novel recognition strategies, advanced chemical sensing techniques, and recent applications

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs) are a new class of neurotoxic pesticides primarily used for pest control on fruits and vegetables, cereals, and other crops after organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), carbamate pesticides (CBPs), and pyrethroid pesticides. However, chronic abuse and illegal use have led to the contamination of food and water sources as well as damage to ecological and environmental systems. Long-term exposure to NEOs may pose potential risks to animals (especially bees) and even human health. Consequently, it is necessary to develop effective, robust, and rapid methods for NEOs detection. Specific recognition-based chemical sensing has been regarded as one of the most promising detection tools for NEOs due to their excellent selectivity, sensitivity, and robust interference resistance. In this review, we introduce the novel recognition strategies-enabled chemical sensing in food neonicotinoids detection in the past years (2017-2023). The properties and advantages of molecular imprinting recognition (MIR), host-guest recognition (HGR), electron-catalyzed recognition (ECR), immune recognition (IR), aptamer recognition (AR), and enzyme inhibition recognition (EIR) in the development of NEOs sensing platforms are discussed in detail. Recent applications of chemical sensing platforms in various food products, including fruits and vegetables, cereals, teas, honey, aquatic products, and others are highlighted. In addition, the future trends of applying chemical sensing with specific recognition strategies for NEOs analysis are discussed.

Cell-Targeted Metal-Phenolic Nanoalgaecide in Hydroponic Cultivation to Enhance Food Sustainability

The growing global population necessitates substantial increases in food production. Hydroponic cultivation systems afford a critical alternative for food sustainability and enable stable annual production regardless of the climatic and geographical variations. However, the overgrowth of harmful algal blooms significantly threatens the crop yield by competing with nutrition in the solution and producing contaminants. The conventional practice of algaecides fails to control algal proliferation due to the limited efficiency and food safety concerns. Nanopesticides can deliver active ingredients responsively to suppress crop diseases and offer solutions to current practical challenges and difficulties. Inspired by prospects of nanotechnology for agricultural applications, we have utilized natural polyphenols and copper ions (Cu2+ ions) to develop self-assembled nanoalgaecides referred to as CuBes. The nanoalgaecide attached to algal cells via phenolic surface interactions, enabling localized Cu2+ ion release. This cell-targeted delivery suppressed Chlorella vulgaris for over 30 days (99% inhibition). Transcriptomics revealed that the nanoalgaecide disrupted algal metabolism by downregulating photosynthesis and chlorophyll pathways. In a solar-illuminated plant factory, the nanoalgaecide showed higher algal inhibition and lettuce biosafety versus the commercial Kocide 3000. Notably, the use of nanoalgaecide can enhance the nutrient value of lettuces, which meets the daily supply of Cu for adults. By integrating smart nanotechnology design with selective delivery mechanisms, this metal-phenolic nanoalgaecide provides a nanoenabled solution for controlling harmful algal blooms in hydroponics to advance food production.

Bio-Inspired Nanomaterials for Micro/Nanodevices: A New Era in Biomedical Applications

Exploring bio-inspired nanomaterials (BINMs) and incorporating them into micro/nanodevices represent a significant development in biomedical applications. Nanomaterials, engineered to imitate biological structures and processes, exhibit distinctive attributes such as exceptional biocompatibility, multifunctionality, and unparalleled versatility. The utilization of BINMs demonstrates significant potential in diverse domains of biomedical micro/nanodevices, encompassing biosensors, targeted drug delivery systems, and advanced tissue engineering constructs. This article thoroughly examines the development and distinctive attributes of various BINMs, including those originating from proteins, DNA, and biomimetic polymers. Significant attention is directed toward incorporating these entities into micro/nanodevices and the subsequent biomedical ramifications that arise. This review explores biomimicry's structure-function correlations. Synthesis mosaics include bioprocesses, biomolecules, and natural structures. These nanomaterials' interfaces use biomimetic functionalization and geometric adaptations, transforming drug delivery, nanobiosensing, bio-inspired organ-on-chip systems, cancer-on-chip models, wound healing dressing mats, and antimicrobial surfaces. It provides an in-depth analysis of the existing challenges and proposes prospective strategies to improve the efficiency, performance, and reliability of these devices. Furthermore, this study offers a forward-thinking viewpoint highlighting potential avenues for future exploration and advancement. The objective is to effectively utilize and maximize the application of BINMs in the progression of biomedical micro/nanodevices, thereby propelling this rapidly developing field toward its promising future.

Aloe Vera Extract Gel-Biosynthesized Selenium Nanoparticles Enhance Disease Resistance in Lettuce by Modulating the Metabolite Profile and Bacterial Endophytes Composition

The use of nanotechnology to suppress crop diseases has attracted significant attention in agriculture. The present study investigated the antifungal mechanism by which aloe vera extract gel-biosynthesized (AVGE) selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) suppressed Fusarium-induced wilt disease in lettuce (Lactuca sativa). AVGE Se NPs were synthesized by utilizing sodium selenite as a Se source and AVGE as a biocompatible capping and reducing agent. Over 21 d, 2.75% of total AVGE Se NPs was dissolved into Se ions, which was more than 8-fold greater than that of bare Se NPs (0.34%). Upon exposure to soil applied AVGE Se NPs at 50 mg/kg, fresh shoot biomass was significantly increased by 61.6 and 27.8% over the infected control and bare Se NPs, respectively. As compared to the infected control, the shoot levels of citrate, isocitrate, succinate, malate, and 2-oxo-glutarate were significantly upregulated by 0.5-3-fold as affected by both Se NPs. In addition, AVGE Se NPs significantly increased the shoot level of khelmarin D, a type of coumarin, by 4.40- and 0.71-fold over infected controls and bare Se NPs, respectively. Additionally, AVGE Se NPs showed greater upregulation of jasmonic acid and downregulation of abscisic acid content relative to bare Se NPs in diseased shoots. Moreover, the diversity of bacterial endophytes was significantly increased by AVGE Se NPs, with the values of Shannon index 40.2 and 9.16% greater over the infected control and bare Se NPs. Collectively, these findings highlight the significant potential of AVGE Se NPs as an effective and biocompatible strategy for nanoenabled sustainable crop protection.

Ganoderma lucidum-Mediated Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles with Antimicrobial Activity

"Green chemistry" is a simple and easily reproductible method that provides nanoparticles characterized by better stability and good dispersion in an aqueous solution. Nanoparticles can be synthesized by algae, bacteria, fungi, and plant extracts. Ganoderma lucidum is a commonly used medicinal mushroom with distinctive biological properties, such as antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, etc. In this study, aqueous mycelial extracts of Ganoderma lucidum were used to reduce AgNO₃ to form silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The biosynthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The maximum UV absorption was obtained at 420 nm, which represents the specific surface plasmon resonance band for biosynthesized silver nanoparticles. SEM images showed particles as predominantly spherical, while FTIR spectroscopic studies illustrated the presence of functional groups that can support the reducing of ion Ag⁺ to Ag(0). XRD peaks ratified the presence of AgNPs. The antimicrobial effectiveness of synthesized nanoparticles was tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial and yeasts strains. The silver nanoparticles were effective against pathogens, inhibiting their proliferation, and thus reducing the risk to the environment and to public health.

Preparation of Fe3O4@UiO-66(Zr)@Ag NPs core-shell-satellite structured SERS substrate for trace detection of organophosphorus pesticides residues

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technology has been revived and developed with the introduction of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), while more valuable properties of MOFs for SERS substrates remain largely unexplored. This work constructed a new SERS substrate Fe₃O₄@UiO-66(Zr)@Ag nanoparticles (FUAs) with excellent SERS detection sensitivity, uniformity, reproducibility and stability, exhibiting a high Raman enhancement factor (5.62 × 10⁶), low limit of detection (LOD, 2.11 × 10^-11 M) and RSD (12.41 %) for 4-NBT, and maintaining 81 % SERS activity within 60 days. The FUAs took full advantage of the strong affinity of UiO-66(Zr) for organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) to realize trace OPs detection. The LODs of phoxim, triazophos and methyl parathion in apple juice were 0.041, 0.021 and 0.0031 mg/L, respectively, with good linearities ranging from 0.02 or 0.1-50 mg/L, meeting the requirements of the food control standards, indicating that the potentials and prospects of the FUAs SERS substrate for trace detecting OPs in foods.

Distinguishing pericarpium citri reticulatae of different origins using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy combined with convolutional neural networks

The geographical indication of pericarpium citri reticulatae (PCR) is very important in grading the quality and price of PCRs. Therefore, terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) technology combined with convolutional neural networks (CNN) was proposed to distinguish PCRs of different origins without damage in this study. The one-dimensional CNN (1D-CNN) model with an accuracy of 82.99% based on spectral data processed with SNV was established. The two-dimensional image features were transformed from unprocessed spectral data using the gramian angular field (GAF), the Markov transition field (MTF) and the recurrence plot (RP), which were used to build a two-dimensional CNN (2D-CNN) model with an accuracy of 78.33%. Further, the CNN models with different fusion methods were developed for fusing spectra data and image data. In addition, the adding spectra and images based on the CNN (Add-CNN) model with an accuracy of 86.17% performed better. Eventually, the Add-CNN model based on ten frequencies extracted using permutation importance (PI) achieved the identification of PCRs from different origins. Overall, the current study would provide a new method for identifying PCRs of different origins, which was expected to be used for the traceability of PCRs products.

Cell membrane-coated nanoparticles: An emerging antibacterial platform for pathogens of food animals

Bacterial pathogens of animals impact food production and human health globally. Food animals act as the major host reservoirs for pathogenic bacteria and thus are highly prone to suffer from several endemic infections such as pneumonia, sepsis, mastitis, and diarrhea, imposing a major health and economical loss. Moreover, the consumption of food products of infected animals is the main route by which human beings are exposed to zoonotic bacteria. Thus, there is excessive and undue administration of antibiotics to fight these virulent causative agents of food-borne illness, leading to emergence of resistant strains. Thus, highprevalence antibiotic-resistant resistant food-borne bacterial infections motivated the researchers to discover new alternative therapeutic strategies to eradicate resistant bacterial strains. One of the successful therapeutic approach for the treatment of animal infections, is the application of cell membrane-coated nanoparticles. Cell membranes of several different types of cells including platelets, red blood cells, neutrophils, cancer cells, and bacteria are being wrapped over the nanoparticles to prepare biocompatible nanoformulations. This diversity of cell membrane selection and together with the possibility of combining with an extensive range of nanoparticles, has opened a new opportunistic window for the development of more potentially effective, safe, and immune evading nanoformulations, as compared to conventionally used bare nanoparticle. This article will elaborately discuss the discovery and development of novel bioinspired cell membrane-coated nanoformulations against several pathogenic bacteria of food animals such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis, Campylobacter jejuni, Helicobacter pylori, and Group A Streptococcus and Group B Streptococcus.

Discrimination of Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae in different years using Terahertz Time-Domain spectroscopy combined with convolutional neural network

Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (PCR) in longer storage years possess higher medicinal values, but their differentiation is difficult due to similar morphological characteristics. Therefore, this study investigated the feasibility of using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) combined with a convolutional neural network (CNN) to identify PCR samples stored from 1 to 20 years. The absorption coefficient and refractive index spectra in the range of 0.2-1.5 THz were acquired. Partial least squares discriminant analysis, random forest, least squares support vector machines, and CNN were used to establish discriminant models, showing better performance of the CNN model than the others. In addition, the output data points of the CNN intermediate layer were visualized, illustrating gradual changes in these points from overlapping to clear separation. Overall, THz-TDS combined with CNN models could realize rapid identification of different year PCRs, thus providing an efficient alternative method for PCR quality inspection.

Analysis and detection using novel terahertz spectroscopy technique in dietary carbohydrate-related research: Principles and application advances

As one of the main functional substances, carbohydrates account for a large proportion of the human diet. Conventional analysis and detection methods of dietary carbohydrates and related products are destructive, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. In order to improve the efficiency of measurement and ensure food nutrition and consumer health, rapid and nondestructive quality evaluation techniques are needed. In recent years, terahertz (THz) spectroscopy, as a novel detection technology with dual characteristics of microwave and infrared, has shown great potential in dietary carbohydrate analysis. The current review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of research advances in using the THz spectroscopy technique in analysis and detection applications related to dietary carbohydrates. In the review, the principles of the THz spectroscopy technique are introduced. Advances in THz spectroscopy for quantitative and qualitative analysis and detection in dietary carbohydrate-related research studies from 2013 to 2022 are discussed, which include analysis of carbohydrate concentrations in liquid and powdery foods, detection of foreign body and chemical residues in carbohydrate food products, authentication of natural carbohydrate produce, monitoring of the fermentation process in carbohydrate food production and examination of crystallinity in carbohydrate polymers. In addition, applications in dietary carbohydrate-related detection research using other spectroscopic techniques are also briefed for comparison, and future development trends of THz spectroscopy in this field are finally highlighted.

Synthesis of recyclable SERS platform based on MoS2@TiO2@Au heterojunction for photodegradation and identification of fungicides

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates based on metal/semiconductors have attracted much attention due to their excellent photocatalytic activity and SERS performance. However, they generally exhibit low light utilization and photocatalytic efficiencies. Herein, molybdenum disulfide coated titanium dioxide modified with gold nanoparticles (MoS₂@TiO₂@Au) as a heterojunction-based recyclable SERS platform was fabricated for the efficient determination of fungicides. Results showed that the MoS₂@TiO₂@Au platform could rapidly degrade 90.7% crystal violet in 120 min under solar light irradiation and enable reproducible and sensitive SERS analysis of three fungicides (methylene blue, malachite green, and crystal violet) and in-situ monitor of the photodegradation process. The platform could also be reused five times due to the unique integrated merits of the MoS₂@TiO₂@Au heterojunction. Meanwhile, experiments in determining methylene blue in prawn protein solution achieved a limit of detection of 1.509 μg/L. Therefore, it is hoped that this work could expand detection applications of photocatalytic materials.

Mesoporous silica coated core-shell nanoparticles substrate for size-selective SERS detection of chloramphenicol

With the growing popularity of the non-destructive technique, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) demands a highly sensitive and reproducible plasmonic nanoparticles substrate. In this study, a novel bimetallic core-shell nanoparticles (Au@Ag@mSiO₂NP) substrate consisting of a gold core, silver shell, and a mesoporous silica coating was synthesized. The mesoporous coating structure was created by employing template molecules such as surfactant and their subsequent removal allowing selective screening based on the size of analyte molecules. Results showed that the plasmonic substrate could selectively enhance small molecules by preventing large macromolecules to reach the exciting zone of the substrate core, achieving the detection of chloramphenicol in milk samples with a detection limit of 6.68 × 10^-8 M. Moreover, the mesoporous coating provided additional stability to the Au@Ag nanoparticles, leading to the reusability of the substrate. Thus, this work offered a simple and smart Au@Ag@mSiO₂NP substrate for effective SERS detection of analytes.

Rhizosphere effect of nanoscale zero-valent iron on mycorrhiza-dependent maize assimilation

Rhizosphere effect of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) is crucial but little reported. Maize seeds were dressed with four nZVI concentrations (0, 1.0, 1.5, 2 g kg^-1 ) and inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) (Funneliformis mosseae). The SEM images illuminated that excessive nZVI particles (2 g kg^-1 ) were agglomerated on the surface of hyphae and spore, causing severe deformation and inactivation of AMF symbionts and thereafter inhibiting water uptake in maize seedlings. This restrained the scavenging effects of enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase) and non-enzymatic compounds (proline & malondialdehyde) on ROS, and leaf photoreduction activity and gas exchange ability (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the inoculation with AMF effectively alleviated above negative effects. In contrast, appropriate dose of nZVI, that is, ≤1.5 g kg^-1 , can be evenly distributed on the hyphae surface and form the ordered symbionts with AMF. This help massively to enhance hyphae growth and water and nutrient uptake. The enhanced mycorrhizal infection turned to promote rhizosphere symbiont activity and leaf Rubisco and Rubisco activase activity. Light compensation point was massively lowered, which increased photosynthetic carbon supply for AMF symbionts. Particularly, such priming effects were evidently enhanced by drought stress. Our findings provided a novel insight into functional role of nZVI in agriculture and AMF-led green production.

Bacillus spp. as Bioagents: Uses and Application for Sustainable Agriculture

Food security will be a substantial issue in the near future due to the expeditiously growing global population. The current trend in the agriculture industry entails the extravagant use of synthesized pesticides and fertilizers, making sustainability a difficult challenge. Land degradation, lower production, and vulnerability to both abiotic and biotic stresses are problems caused by the usage of these pesticides and fertilizers. The major goal of sustainable agriculture is to ameliorate productivity and reduce pests and disease prevalence to such a degree that prevents large-scale damage to crops. Agriculture is a composite interrelation among plants, microbes, and soil. Plant microbes play a major role in growth promotion and improve soil fertility as well. Bacillus spp. produces an extensive range of bio-chemicals that assist in plant disease control, promote plant development, and make them suitable for agricultural uses. Bacillus spp. support plant growth by N fixation, P and K solubilization, and phytohormone synthesis, in addition to being the most propitious biocontrol agent. Moreover, Bacilli excrete extracellular metabolites, including antibiotics, lytic enzymes, and siderophores, and demonstrate antagonistic activity against phytopathogens. Bacillus spp. boosts plant resistance toward pathogens by inducing systemic resistance (ISR). The most effective microbial insecticide against insects and pests in agriculture is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Additionally, the incorporation of toxin genes in genetically modified crops increases resistance to insects and pests. There is a constant increase in the identified Bacillus species as potential biocontrol agents. Moreover, they have been involved in the biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles. The main objective of this review article is to display the uses and application of Bacillus specie as a promising biopesticide in sustainable agriculture. Bacillus spp. strains that are antagonistic and promote plant yield attributes could be valuable in developing novel formulations to lead the way toward sustainable agriculture.

Metabolomic responses in livers of female and male zebrafish (Danio rerio) following prolonged exposure to environmental levels of zinc oxide nanoparticles

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are widespread pollutants that are present in diverse environmental samples. Here, we determined metabolomic and bioenergetic responses in the liver of female and male zebrafish exposed to a prolonged environmentally relevant concentration of ZnONPs. Metabolome analysis revealed that exposure to 500 μg/L ZnONPs reduced the abundance of metabolites in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle by modulating the activities of rate-limiting enzymes α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase. Moreover, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) was negatively impacted in the liver based upon decreased activities of mitochondrial Complex I and V in both female and male livers. Our results revealed that bioenergetic responses were not attributed to dissolved Zn²⁺ and were not sex-specific. However, the metabolic responses in liver following exposure to ZnONPs did show sex-specific responses. Females exposed to ZnONPs compensated for the energetic stress via increasing fatty acids and amino acids metabolism, while males compensated to ZnONPs exposure by adjusting amino acids metabolism, based upon transcript profiles. This study demonstrates that zebrafish adjust the transcription of metabolic enzymes in the liver to compensate for metabolic disruption following ZnONPs exposure. Taken together, this study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of risks related to ZnONPs exposure in relation to metabolic activity in the liver. Environmental implication Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are widely used in industry and are subsequently released into environments. However, biological responses between female and male following ZnONPs exposure has never been compared. Our data revealed for the first time that female and male zebrafish showed comparable bioenergetic responses, but different metabolic responses to ZnONPs at an environmentally relevant dose. Females compensated for the energetic stress via increasing fatty acids and amino acids metabolism, while males compensated to ZnONPs exposure by adjusting amino acids metabolism in livers. This study reveals that sex may be an important variable to consider in risk assessments of nanoparticles released into environments.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy combined with stable isotope probing to assess the metabolic activity of Escherichia coli cells in chicken carcass wash water

Rapid evaluation of the metabolic activity of microorganisms is crucial in the assessment of the disinfection ability of various antimicrobial agents in the food industry. In this study, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy combined with isotope probing was employed for the analysis of the disinfection of single bacterial cells in the chicken carcass wash water. The Raman signals from single Escherichia coli O157:H7 cells were enhanced by in situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The ΔCD of the cells grown in presence of 0.5% hydrogen peroxide and 50 ppm chlorine was 5.86 ± 1.86% and 5.1 ± 2.3%, respectively, which showed significant reduction compared with cells grown in the absence of disinfecting agents (19.86 ± 2.51%) after 2 h of incubation. The study proved that the proposed method had the potential to assess the metabolic activity of microorganisms in other food products and optimize the disinfection process.

Combined Effects of Radiative and Evaporative Cooling on Fruit Preservation under Solar Radiation: Sunburn Resistance and Temperature Stabilization

Excessive solar radiation and high temperature often cause considerable loss and waste of fruits during transportation, retail, and storage. In the current study, a natural deep eutectic solvent-based polyacrylamide/poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel with nanoparticles (NPs/NADES@PAAm/PVA) is developed for fruit quality protection from solar radiation and high-temperature stress by achieving the combined effect of radiative and evaporative cooling. NPs/NADES@PAAm/PVA presents an average solar reflectance of ∼0.89 and an average emittance at the atmospheric window of ∼0.90. Besides, NPs/NADES@PAAm/PVA possesses excellent flexibility, robust mechanical strength, and good swelling behavior. The fruit preservation experiments under sunlight demonstrate that the pear (Pyrus sinkiangensis) treated with NPs/NADES@PAAm/PVA can achieve an average temperature decrease of ∼15.3 °C after sun exposure compared with the blank, and its quality-related attributes, including color, total soluble solid, relative conductivity, and respiration rate, are similar to the fresh one. Multivariate data analyses, including principal component analysis and cluster analysis, further verify that the pear treated with NPs/NADES@PAAm/PVA possesses similar quality to the fresh one after sun exposure. Thus, NPs/NADES@PAAm/PVA has promising prospects for fruit transportation, retail, and storage under solar radiation in a low-operation-cost and sustainable manner.

Recent progress in bio-mediated synthesis and applications of engineered nanomaterials for sustainable agriculture

The ever-increasing demand for agricultural food products, medicine, and other commercial sectors requires new technologies for agricultural practices and promoting the optimum utilization of natural resources. The application of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) enhance the biomass production and yield of food crop while resisting harmful environmental stresses. Bio-mediated synthesis of ENMs are time-efficient, low-cost, environmentally friendly, green technology. The precedence of using a bio-mediated route over conventional precursors for ENM synthesis is non-toxic and readily available. It possesses many active agents that can facilitate the reduction and stabilization processes during nanoparticle formation. This review presents recent developments in bio-mediated ENMs and green synthesis techniques using plants, algae, fungi, and bacteria, including significant contributions to identifying major ENM applications in agriculture with potential impacts on sustainability, such as the role of different ENMs in agriculture and their impact on different plant species. The review also covers the advantages and disadvantages of different ENMs and potential future research in this field.

Green synthesis of metal-based nanoparticles for sustainable agriculture

The large-scale use of conventional pesticides and fertilizers has put tremendous pressure on agriculture and the environment. In recent years, nanoparticles (NPs) have become the focus of many fields due to their cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness and high performance, especially in sustainable agriculture. Traditional NPs manufacturing methods are energy-intensive and harmful to environment. In contrast, synthesizing metal-based NPs using plants is similar to chemical synthesis, except the biological extracts replace the chemical reducing agent. This not only greatly reduces the used of traditional chemicals, but also produces NPs that are more economical, efficient, less toxic, and less polluting. Therefore, green synthesized metal nanoparticles (GS-MNPs) are widely used in agriculture to improve yields and quality. This review provides a comprehensive and detailed discussion of GS-MNPs for agriculture, highlights the importance of green synthesis, compares the performance of conventional NPs with GS-MNPs, and highlights the advantages of GS-MNPs in agriculture. The wide applications of these GS-MNPs in agriculture, including plant growth promotion, plant disease control, and heavy metal stress mitigation under various exposure pathways, are summarized. Finally, the shortcomings and prospects of GS-MNPs in agricultural applications are highlighted to provide guidance to nanotechnology for sustainable agriculture.

Exogenous calcium oxide nanoparticles alleviate cadmium toxicity by reducing Cd uptake and enhancing antioxidative capacity in barley seedlings

Heavy metal contamination is a serious environmental issue that jeopardize global food production and safety, while cadmium (Cd) is a most widely distributed heavy metal in the earth's crust and highly toxic to organisms. The available strategies of fighting against heavy metal contamination are not commonly used due to their ineffectiveness and time- or cost-consuming. Recently, nanotechnology-based ameliorative strategies have emerged as a potential alternative to physic-chemical techniques. In the current study, we used two barley genotypes, LJZ (Cd sensitive) and Pu-9 (Cd tolerant), to study the effects of exogenous calcium oxide nanoparticles (CaO NPs) in alleviating Cd stress. Cd exposure to barley plants led to significant reduction in morph-physiological, nutrient contents, photosynthetic rate, and large accumulation of Cd in plant tissues. However, CaO NPs application significantly increased plant biomass, activities of anti-oxidative enzymes (i.e., ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase) and the content of non-enzymatic antioxidants (ascorbate and glutathione) accompanied by great reduction of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide contents under Cd stress. Furthermore, CaO NPs increased the expression levels of genes associated with anti-oxidative enzymes. The alleviation of Cd stress by CaO NPs is more obvious in Pu-9 than LJZ. It may be suggested that CaO NPs can be used as a potential chemical to alleviate Cd uptake and toxicity of the crops planted in the Cd-contaminated soil.

One-Step Construct Responsive Lignin/Polysaccharide/Fe Nano Loading System Driven by Digestive Enzymes of Lepidopteran for Precise Delivery of Pesticides

A strategy that relies on the differences in feeding behavior between pests and natural enemies to deliver insecticides precisely was proposed. After proving that the digestive enzymes in Lepidopteran pests can act as triggers for lignin-based controlled-release carriers, a novel multiple-enzyme-responsive lignin/polysaccharide/Fe nanocarrier was constructed by combining the electrostatic self-assembly and chelation and loaded with lambda-cyhalothrin (LC) to form a nanocapsule suspension loading system. The nanocapsules were LC@sodium lignosulfonate/chitosan/Fe (LC@SL/CS/Fe) and LC@sodium lignosulfonate/alkyl polyglycoside quaternary ammonium salt/Fe (LC@SL/APQAS/Fe). LC@SL/APQAS/Fe was more stable than LC@SL/CS/Fe because it adsorbs more Fe³⁺, and the half-lives of LC in LC@SL/APQAS/Fe under UV irradiation were prolonged at 4.02- and 6.03-folds than those of LC@SL/CS/Fe and LC emulsifiable concentrate (LC EC), respectively. Both LC@SL/APQAS/Fe and LC@SL/CS/Fe have responsive release functions to laccase and cellulase, and the release rate of the former was slower. The insecticidal activity of LC@SL/APQAS/Fe against Agrotis ipsilonis was similar to those of LC@SL/CS/Fe and LC EC, while the toxicity of LC@SL/APQAS/Fe to the natural enemy was 2-3 times less than those of LC@SL/CS/Fe and LC EC. Meanwhile, the organic solvent component in the nanocapsule suspension was 94% less than that in the EC preparation. Therefore, the nano loading system based on SL/APQAS/Fe is a promising nanoplatform with the advantages of high efficiency, low toxicity, and environmental friendliness.

Impacts of typical engineering nanomaterials on the response of rhizobacteria communities and rice (Oryza sativa L.) growths in waterlogged antimony-contaminated soils

The combined eco-risks of Sb (widely presented in soils, especially nearing mining areas) and the engineering nanomaterials (ENMs) (applied in agriculture and soil remediation) still remain uncovered. The current study investigated the impacts of single and combined exposure of CuO, CeO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) with Sb on rice growths and rhizosphere bacterial communities. The results showed that co-exposure of CuO NPs (0.075 wt%) with Sb (III) posed the most adverse impacts on root biomass and branches (up to 66.59% and 70.00% compared to other treatments, respectively). Treatments containing MWCNTs showed insignificant dose-dependent effects, while CeO₂ NPs combined with Sb (III) showed significant synergistic stimulating effects on the fresh weights of root and shoot, by 68.30% and 73.48% (p < 0.05) compared to single Sb exposure, respectively. The rice planting increased the percentage of non-specifically sorbed Sb in soils by 1.50-14.49 than the no-planting stage. Analysis on microbial communities revealed that co-exposure of CuO NPs with Sb (III) induced the greatest adverse impacts on rhizobacteria abundances and community structures at both phylum and genus levels. Therein, significant decrease of Bacteroidetes, Acidobacteria and increase of Firmicutes abundance at the phylum level were observed. This study provided information about the risks of different ENMs released to Sb-contaminated soils under flooded condition on both crops and bacterial communities.

Titanium and Zinc Based Nanomaterials in Agriculture: A Promising Approach to Deal with (A)biotic Stresses?

Abiotic stresses, such as those induced by climatic factors or contaminants, and biotic stresses prompted by phytopathogens and pests inflict tremendous losses in agriculture and are major threats to worldwide food security. In addition, climate changes will exacerbate these factors as well as their negative impact on crops. Drought, salinity, heavy metals, pesticides, and drugs are major environmental problems that need deep attention, and effective and sustainable strategies to mitigate their effects on the environment need to be developed. Besides, sustainable solutions for agrocontrol must be developed as alternatives to conventional agrochemicals. In this sense, nanotechnology offers promising solutions to mitigate environmental stress effects on plants, increasing plant tolerance to the stressor, for the remediation of environmental contaminants, and to protect plants against pathogens. In this review, nano-sized TiO₂ (nTiO₂) and ZnO (nZnO) are scrutinized, and their potential to ameliorate drought, salinity, and xenobiotics effects in plants are emphasized, in addition to their antimicrobial potential for plant disease management. Understanding the level of stress alleviation in plants by these nanomaterials (NM) and relating them with the application conditions/methods is imperative to define the most sustainable and effective approaches to be adopted. Although broad-spectrum reviews exist, this article provides focused information on nTiO₂ and nZnO for improving our understanding of the ameliorative potential that these NM show, addressing the gaps in the literature.