Recent Development of Nanoparticle Platforms for Organophosphate Nerve Agent Detoxification

Poisoning by organophosphate (OP) nerve agents remains a pressing global threat due to their extensive use in chemical warfare agents and pesticides, potentially causing high morbidity and mortality worldwide. This urgent need for effective countermeasures has driven considerable interest in innovative detoxification approaches. Among these, nanoparticle technology stands out for its multifunctional potential and wide-ranging applications. This review highlights recent advancements in nanoparticle platforms developed for OP detoxification, focusing on five main types: inorganic nanoparticles, lipid-based nanoparticles, polymer-based nanoparticles, metal-organic framework nanoparticles, and cellular nanoparticles. For each platform, we discuss representative examples that illustrate how structural and functional properties enhance their effectiveness as nanocarriers, nanocatalysts, or nanoscavengers, ultimately enabling safe and efficient OP detoxification. This review aims to stimulate further technological innovation in OP-detoxifying nanoparticles and encourage broader development of detoxification strategies.

Prospects and challenges of nanopesticides in advancing pest management for sustainable agricultural and environmental service

The expanding global population and the use of conventional agrochemical pesticides have led to the loss of crop yield and food shortages. Excessive pesticide used in agriculture risks life forms by contaminating soil and water resources, necessitating the use of nano agrochemicals. This article focuses on synthesis moiety and use of nanopesticides for enhanced stability, controlled release mechanisms, improved efficacy, and reduced pesticide residue levels. The current literature survey offered regulatory frameworks for commercial deployment of nanopesticides and evaluated societal and environmental impacts. Various physicochemical and biological processes, especially microorganisms and advanced oxidation techniques are important in treating pesticide residues through degradation mechanisms. Agricultural waste could be converted into nanofibers for sustainable composites production, new nanocatalysts, such as N-doped TiO2 and bimetallic nanoparticles for advancing pesticide degradation. Microbial and enzyme methods have been listed as emerging nanobiotechnology tools in achieving a significant reduction of chlorpyrifos and dimethomorph for the management of pesticide residues in agriculture. Moreover, cutting-edge biotechnological alternatives to conventional pesticides are advocated for promoting a transition towards more sustainable pest control methodologies. Application of nanopesticides could be critical in addressing environmental concern due to its increased mobility, prolonged persistence and ecosystem toxicity. Green synthesis of nanopesticides offers solutions to environmental risks associated and using genetic engineering techniques may induce pest and disease resistance for agricultural sustainability. Production of nanopesticides from biological sources is necessary to develop and implement comprehensive strategies to uphold agricultural productivity while safeguarding environmental integrity.

Melt intercalation technique for synthesis of hetero-metallic@chitin bio-composite as recyclable catalyst for prothiofos hydrolysis

The compatibility of homo-metallic and hetero-metallic bio-composite was promisingly investigated as recyclable catalyst for prothiofos hydrolysis. Chitin as water insoluble biopolymer was functionalized as a template for generation of homo-metallic (Ag@chitin, Au@chitin and Pd@chitin) and hetero-metallic (Au@Ag@chitin, Pd@Ag@chitin and Pd@Au@Ag@chitin) composites, by using melt intercalation technique. Investigation of the compatibility of the synthesized homo-metallic and hetero-metallic bio-composites in hydrolysis of prothiofos was performed and affirmed via HPLC results. Immobilization of Pd in the composites showed perfection in the catalytic performance for prothiofos hydrolysis. Pd@Au@Ag@chitin exhibited the highest hydrolysis result of 99% for prothiofos was hydrolyzed within 150 min with rate constant (k₁) of 24.48 min^-1. After five recycles for Pd@Au@Ag@chitin, the hydrolysis of prothiofos was lowered from 346 mg/g to 269 mg/g with reduction percentage of 22%. The synthesized bio-composite was highly effective as recyclable catalyst and can be easily served in the remediation of pesticides.

Anderson polyoxometalates with intrinsic oxidase-mimic activity for "turn on" fluorescence sensing of dopamine

Anderson-type polyoxometalate containing Fe³⁺ and Mo⁶⁺, (NH₄)₃[H₆Fe(III)Mo₆O₂₄] (FeMo₆), was found to work as an oxidase-mimicking nanoenzyme for the first time, exhibiting the ability of catalytic oxidation of o-phenylenediamine (OPD), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTs), and 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), which features easy synthesis, low cost, simple operation, and low consumption. Attributed to the nature of FeMo₆ and Fenton-like effect, a novel sensor based on two consecutive "turn on" fluorescence was developed for detecting dopamine (DA) by employing the FeMo₆-OPD system, and the linear range was from 1 to 100 μM with the detection limit 0.0227 μM (3σ/s). Moreover, to increase oxidase-mimic activity of FeMo₆, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) loading FeMo₆ composites (FeMo₆@rGO (n), n = 5%, 10%, 15%) was fabricated, and results show that oxidase-like activities of FeMo₆@rGO (n) are dependent on the mass ratio of FeMo₆/rGO, and FeMo₆@rGO (10%) exhibits the highest oxidase-mimic activity and the fastest respond time (4 min) among all reported oxidase mimic of DA to date. Graphical abstract Anderson-type Mo-POMs FeMo₆ was found to work as an oxidase-mimicking nanoenzyme for the first time and was used to detect DA for two consecutive "turn on" fluorescence sensor modes.

Emerging nanobiotechnology in agriculture for the management of pesticide residues

Utilization of pesticides is often necessary for meeting commercial requirements for crop quality and yield. However, incessant global pesticide use poses potential risks to human and ecosystem health. This situation increases the urgency of developing nano-biotechnology-assisted pesticide formulations that have high efficacy and low risk of side effects. The risks associated with both conventional and nanopesticides are summarized in this review. Moreover, the management of residual pesticides is still a global challenge. The contamination of soil and water resources with pesticides has adverse impact over agricultural productivity and food security; ultimately posing threats to living organisms. Pesticide residues in the eco-system may be treated via several biological and physicochemical processes, such as microbe-based degradation and advanced oxidation processes. With these issues in mind, we present a review that explores both existing and emerging techniques for management of pesticide residues and environmental risks. These techniques can offer a sustainable solution to revitalize the tarnished water/soil resources. Further, state-of-the-art research approaches to investigate biotechnological alternatives to conventional pesticides are discussed along with future prospects and mitigation techniques are recommended.

From the Shelf to the Particle: Preparation of Highly Organic-Functionalized Magnetic Composites via 4-Nitrophenyl Reactive Ester

Preparation of chemically tunable magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is of great interest in many technological fields. Although numerous methods have been developed to prepare MNPs coated with functional organic moieties, most of them are complex, multistep, and involve the preparation of a specific ligand to be inserted on the particle surface. Herein, we describe the preparation of MNPs covered with reactive polymer poly(4-nitrophenyl methacrylate). The composite was prepared by the dispersion polymerization of 4-nitrophenyl methacrylate in the presence of magnetite nanoparticles stabilized by oleic acid. The novel material can be easily modified with amines to give chemically stable amide bonds without installation of pH-dependent features in the link. The extent of particle modification is readily monitored by the release of 4-nitrophenol from the polymer using UV-vis spectrophotometry. Good agreement between the degree of functionalization assessed by colorimetry and elemental analysis was obtained, and functionalization up to 3 mmol g^-1 is easily attained. To illustrate the applicability of the method for catalyst development, we prepared imidazole-covered MNPs that accelerate the hydrolysis of a model organophosphate, with rate constants approximately 10⁵-fold higher than the spontaneous hydrolysis. The catalyst can be recovered by a magnet and recycled without appreciable loss of catalytic activity.

Nanomaterials with enzyme-like characteristics (nanozymes): next-generation artificial enzymes (II)

An updated comprehensive review to help researchers understand nanozymes better and in turn to advance the field.