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Hanif M, Munir N, Abideen Z, Dias DA, Hessini K, El-Keblawy A. Enhancing tomato plant growth in a saline environment through the eco-friendly synthesis and optimization of nanoparticles derived from halophytic sources. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:118830-118854. [PMID: 37922085 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30626-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
Using green synthesis methods to produce halophytic nanoparticles presents a promising and cost-effective approach for enhancing plant growth in saline environments, offering agricultural resilience as an alternative to traditional chemical methods. This study focuses on synthesizing zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles derived from the halophyte Withania somnifera, showcasing their potential in ameliorating tomato growth under salinity stress. The biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles was initially optimized (i.e., salt concentration, the amount of plant extract, pH, and temperature) using a central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM) together with UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) to comprehensively characterize the biosynthesized ZnO NPs. The central composite design (CCD) based response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) by adjusting salt concentration, plant extract, pH, and temperature. The ZnO NPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). FT-IR showed an absorption peak of ZnO between 400 and 600 cm-1, while SEM showed irregular shapes ranging between 1.3 and 6 nm. The data of EDX showed the presence of Zn (77.52%) and O (22.48%) levels, which exhibited the high purity synthesized ZnO under saline conditions. Introducing ZnO nanoparticles to tomato plants resulted in a remarkable 2.3-fold increase in shoot length in T23 (100 mg/L ZnO nanoparticles + 50 mM NaCl). There was an observable increase in foliage at T2 (20 mg L-1 ZnO) and T23 (100 mg L-1 ZnO-NPs + 50 mM NaCl). Tomato plants treated with T2 (20 mg L-1 ZnO) and T23 (100 mg L-1 ZnO-NPs + 50 mM NaCl) improved root elongation compared to the control plant group. Both fresh and dry leaf masses were significantly improved in T1 (10 mg L-1 ZnO) by 7.1-fold and T12 (10 mg L-1 ZnO-NPs + 100 mM NaCl) by 0.8-fold. The concentration of Zn was higher in T12 (10 mg L-1 ZnO NPs + 100 mM NaCl) among all treatments. Our findings prove that utilizing ZnO nanoparticles under saline conditions effectively promotes tomato plants' growth, thereby mitigating the negative impacts of salt stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Hanif
- Department of Biotechnology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Neelma Munir
- Department of Biotechnology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Zainul Abideen
- Dr. Muhammad Ajmal Khan Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.
| | - Daniel Anthony Dias
- School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Health, CASS Food Research Centre, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia
| | - Kamel Hessini
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, 21944, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali El-Keblawy
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Manzeke-Kangara MG, Joy EJM, Lark RM, Redfern S, Eilander A, Broadley MR. Do agronomic approaches aligned to regenerative agriculture improve the micronutrient concentrations of edible portions of crops? A scoping review of evidence. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1078667. [PMID: 37502724 PMCID: PMC10371419 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1078667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Regenerative Agriculture (RA) is used to describe nature-based agronomic approaches that aim to build soil health and crop resilience, minimize negative environmental outcomes, and improve farmer livelihoods. A benefit that is increasingly attributed to crops grown under RA practices is improved nutritional content. However, we do not know the extent to which RA influences crop nutritional quality and under what management approaches and context, can such effects be realized. A scoping review of recent literature (Web of Science, 2000-2021) was carried out to assess the evidence that RA approaches improve crop micronutrient quality. Papers included combinations of agronomic approaches that could be defined as Regenerative: "Organic Inputs" including composts and manures, cover crops, crop rotations, crop residues and biochars; "Reduced Tillage", "Intercropping", "Biostimulants" e.g. arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; plant growth promoting bacteria, and "Irrigation", typically deficit-irrigation and alternate wetting and drying. The crop types reviewed were predetermined covering common sources of food and included: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), Rice (Oryza sativa L.), Maize (Zea mays L.), Pulses (Fabaceae), Alliums (Allium spp.), and "other" crop types (30 types). This scoping review supports a potential role for RA approaches in increasing the concentrations of micronutrients in the edible portions of several crop types under specific practices, although this was context specific. For example, rice grown under increased organic inputs showed significant increases in grain zinc (Zn) concentration in 15 out of 16 studies. The vitamin C concentration of tomato fruit increased in ~50% of studies when plants were grown under increased organic inputs, and in 76% of studies when plants were grown under deficit irrigation. Overall, the magnitude and reproducibility of the effects of RA practices on most crop nutritional profiles were difficult to assess due to the diversity of RA approaches, geographical conditions, and the limited number of studies for most crops in each of these categories. Future research with appropriate designs, improved on-farm surveillance and nutritional diagnostics are needed for better understanding the potential role of RA in improving the quality of food, human nutrition, and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muneta Grace Manzeke-Kangara
- Division of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, School of Biosciences, Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
- Rothamsted Research, Department of Sustainable Soils and Crops, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Edward J. M. Joy
- Rothamsted Research, Department of Sustainable Soils and Crops, Harpenden, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - R. Murray Lark
- Division of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, School of Biosciences, Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Sally Redfern
- Unilever Research and Development, Colworth Science Park, Bedford, United Kingdom
| | - Ans Eilander
- Unilever Research and Development, Unilever Foods Innovation Centre, WH Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Martin R. Broadley
- Rothamsted Research, Department of Sustainable Soils and Crops, Harpenden, United Kingdom
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Solnier J, Chang C, Pizzorno J. Consideration for Flavonoid-Containing Dietary Supplements to Tackle Deficiency and Optimize Health. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108663. [PMID: 37240008 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Randomized clinical trials (RCT) and observational studies have highlighted the importance of flavonoid consumption for human health. Several studies have associated a high intake of dietary flavonoids with (a) enhanced metabolic and cardiovascular health, (b) enhanced cognitive and vascular endothelial functions, (c) an improved glycemic response in type 2 diabetes mellitus, and (d) a reduced risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Since flavonoids belong to a broad and diverse family of polyphenolic plant molecules-with more than 6000 compounds interspersed in the human diet-researchers are still uncertain whether the intake of single, individual polyphenols or a large combination of them (i.e., synergistic action) can produce the greatest health benefits for humans. Furthermore, studies have reported a poor bioavailability of flavonoid compounds in humans, which presents a major challenge for determining their optimal dosage, recommended intake, and, consequently, their therapeutic value. Especially because of their scarce bioavailability from foods-along with the overall declining food quality and nutrient density in foods-the role of flavonoid supplementation may become increasingly important for human health. Although research shows that dietary supplements can be a highly useful tool to complement diets that lack sufficient amounts of important nutrients, some caution is warranted regarding possible interactions with prescription and non-prescription drugs, especially when taken concurrently. Herein, we discuss the current scientific basis for using flavonoid supplementation to improve health as well as the limitations related to high intakes of dietary flavonoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Solnier
- ISURA, Clinical Research Unit, 101-3680 Bonneville Place, Burnaby, BC V3N 4T5, Canada
| | - Chuck Chang
- ISURA, Clinical Research Unit, 101-3680 Bonneville Place, Burnaby, BC V3N 4T5, Canada
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Çakmakçı S, Çakmakçı R. Quality and Nutritional Parameters of Food in Agri-Food Production Systems. Foods 2023; 12:foods12020351. [PMID: 36673443 PMCID: PMC9857782 DOI: 10.3390/foods12020351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Organic farming is a production system that avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic agricultural inputs such as pesticides, growth regulators, highly soluble mineral fertilisers, supplements, preservatives, flavouring, aromatic substances and genetically modified organisms, and their products. This system aims to maintain and increase soil fertility and quality, and relies on systems such as crop rotation, polyculture, intercropping, ecosystem management, covering crops, legumes, organic and bio-fertilisers, mechanical cultivation and biological control methods. The present review summarises and evaluates research comparing the quality of traditionally, organically and conventionally produced foods. In some cases, although the results of the studies contradict each other, organically grown in vegetables, especially berries and fruits are slightly higher dry matter, minerals such as P, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn, vitamin C, sugars, carotenoids, antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid compounds. In addition, their sensory properties are more pleasant. The nutritional content, quality and safety of organic foods are acceptable if the recent trends are reviewed, tested and verified. Therefore, the aim of this review is to compile, describe and update scientific evidence and data on the quality, safety, bioactive compounds and nutritional and phytochemical quality of foods in traditional and organic fruit, vegetable and cereal production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songül Çakmakçı
- Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Atatürk University, Erzurum 25240, Turkey
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +90-442-2312491
| | - Ramazan Çakmakçı
- Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale 17100, Turkey
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Abstract
Economic development requires following the principles of sustainable development for the socio-economic progress of a country. The organic farming sector is important in ensuring sustainable development. The advancement of organic farming is an important issue which combines the environment, human health and socio-economic development. It is a management method that facilitates supplying high-quality food products and aims at eliminating the use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides. Organic farming has a beneficial impact on natural environmental protection, biodiversity conservation and food safety and quality improvement. The natural conditions in a region have a decisive impact on organic farming development. The purpose of this study is to assess the spatial diversity of organic farming and selected organic crop production in Poland by voivodship in 2013 and 2018. The statistical analysis of organic farming spatial diversity was conducted in a one- and two-dimensional approach. The analysis conducted made it possible to identify four clusters of voivodships based on the production volume of selected organic crops using the k-means algorithm. Graphs of observation depth contours in a sample were used to visualise and to analyse the two-dimensional data. STATISTICA software and selected packages of the R environment, available under the GPL licence, were used in the analysis. The analysis shows that the organic farm number and acreage in Poland is characterised by considerable variability between voivodships, with their noticeable concentration in several country regions. In the analysed years, organic farming was the most widespread in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodship and the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodship.
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Comparison of major nutrients and minerals between organic and conventional tomatoes. A review. J Food Compost Anal 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2021.103922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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