Editorial

2 pages, 163 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial for Special Issue “Nano-Bioremediation Approaches for Degraded Soils and Sustainable Crop Production”

by Vishnu D. Rajput and Tatiana Minkina

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(7), 1138; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13071138 - 23 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1067

In recent decades, the global population has rapidly increased, resulting in an increasing demand for food [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano-Bioremediation Approaches for Degraded Soils and Sustainable Crop Production)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

14 pages, 3318 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biogenic Synthesis of Fluorescent Carbon Dots (CDs) and Their Application in Bioimaging of Agricultural Crops

by Akshay M. Pete, Pramod U. Ingle, Rajesh W. Raut, Sudhir S. Shende, Mahendra Rai, Tatiana M. Minkina, Vishnu D. Rajput, Valery P. Kalinitchenko and Aniket K. Gade

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(1), 209; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13010209 - 03 Jan 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2179

Abstract

Fluorescent nanoparticles have a transformative potential for advanced sensors and devices for point-of-need diagnostics and bioimaging, bypassing the technical burden of meeting the assay performance requirements. Carbon dots (CDs) are rapidly emerging carbon-based nanomaterials. Regardless of their fate, they will find increasing applications. [...] Read more.

Fluorescent nanoparticles have a transformative potential for advanced sensors and devices for point-of-need diagnostics and bioimaging, bypassing the technical burden of meeting the assay performance requirements. Carbon dots (CDs) are rapidly emerging carbon-based nanomaterials. Regardless of their fate, they will find increasing applications. In this study, a simple approach for synthesizing CDs from fruit peels was developed. The CDs were fabricated from Annona squamosa (L.) peels using a carbonization technique through microwave-assisted hydrothermal digestion at temperatures around 200 °C. Synthesized CDs were detected using a UV transilluminator for the preliminary confirmation of the presence of fluorescence. UV–Vis spectrophotometry (absorbance at 505 nm) analysis, zeta potential measurement (−20.8 mV), nanoparticles tracking analysis (NTA) (average size: 15.4 nm and mode size: 9.26 nm), photoluminescence, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis were used to identify the capping functional groups on the CDs. The total quantum yield exhibited was 8.93%, and the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed the size range up to 40 nm. The germinating mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.)) seeds were incubated with biogenically synthesized CDs to check the absorption of CDs by them. The fluorescence was observed under a UV-transilluminator in the growing parts of seeds, indicating the absorption of CDs during the germination, development, and growth. These fluorescent CDs could be used as a bioimaging agent. This novel method of synthesizing CDs was found to be eco-friendly, rapid, and cost-effective. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano-Bioremediation Approaches for Degraded Soils and Sustainable Crop Production)

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17 pages, 36055 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficient Catalytic Degradation of Selected Toxic Dyes by Green Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Leaf Extract of Cestrum nocturnum L.

by Pradeep Kumar, Jyoti Dixit, Amit Kumar Singh, Vishnu D. Rajput, Pooja Verma, Kavindra Nath Tiwari, Sunil Kumar Mishra, Tatiana Minkina and Saglara Mandzhieva

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(21), 3851; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12213851 - 31 Oct 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2305

Abstract

In the present study, the catalytic degradation of selected toxic dyes (methylene blue, 4-nitrophenol, 4-nitroaniline, and congo red) using biosynthesized green silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of Cestrum nocturnum L. was successfully performed. These AgNPs are efficiently synthesized when a reaction mixture containing 5 mL [...] Read more.

In the present study, the catalytic degradation of selected toxic dyes (methylene blue, 4-nitrophenol, 4-nitroaniline, and congo red) using biosynthesized green silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of Cestrum nocturnum L. was successfully performed. These AgNPs are efficiently synthesized when a reaction mixture containing 5 mL of aqueous extract (3%) and 100 mL of silver nitrate (1 mM) is exposed under sunlight for 5 min. The synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed based on the change in the color of the reaction mixture from pale yellow to dark brown, with maximum absorbance at 455 nm. Obtained NPs were characterized by different techniques, i.e., FTIR, XRD, HR-TEM, HR-SEM, SAED, XRD, EDX, AFM, and DLS. Green synthesized AgNPs were nearly mono-dispersed, smooth, spherical, and crystalline in nature. The average size of the maximum number of AgNPs was 77.28 ± 2.801 nm. The reduction of dyes using a good reducing agent (NaBH₄) was tested. A fast catalytic degradation of dyes took place within a short period of time when AgNPs were added in the reaction mixture in the presence of NaBH₄. As a final recommendation, Cestrum nocturnum aqueous leaf extract-mediated AgNPs could be effectively implemented for environmental rehabilitation because of their exceptional performance. This can be utilized in the treatment of industrial wastewater through the breakdown of hazardous dyes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano-Bioremediation Approaches for Degraded Soils and Sustainable Crop Production)

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Review

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26 pages, 5642 KiB

Open AccessReview

Exploring Microbial-Based Green Nanobiotechnology for Wastewater Remediation: A Sustainable Strategy

by Sumira Malik, Archna Dhasmana, Subham Preetam, Yogendra Kumar Mishra, Vishal Chaudhary, Sweta Parmita Bera, Anuj Ranjan, Jutishna Bora, Ajeet Kaushik, Tatiana Minkina, Hanuman Singh Jatav, Rupesh Kumar Singh and Vishnu D. Rajput

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(23), 4187; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12234187 - 25 Nov 2022

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4139

Abstract

Water scarcity due to contamination of water resources with different inorganic and organic contaminants is one of the foremost global concerns. It is due to rapid industrialization, fast urbanization, and the low efficiency of traditional wastewater treatment strategies. Conventional water treatment strategies, including [...] Read more.

Water scarcity due to contamination of water resources with different inorganic and organic contaminants is one of the foremost global concerns. It is due to rapid industrialization, fast urbanization, and the low efficiency of traditional wastewater treatment strategies. Conventional water treatment strategies, including chemical precipitation, membrane filtration, coagulation, ion exchange, solvent extraction, adsorption, and photolysis, are based on adopting various nanomaterials (NMs) with a high surface area, including carbon NMs, polymers, metals-based, and metal oxides. However, significant bottlenecks are toxicity, cost, secondary contamination, size and space constraints, energy efficiency, prolonged time consumption, output efficiency, and scalability. On the contrary, green NMs fabricated using microorganisms emerge as cost-effective, eco-friendly, sustainable, safe, and efficient substitutes for these traditional strategies. This review summarizes the state-of-the-art microbial-assisted green NMs and strategies including microbial cells, magnetotactic bacteria (MTB), bio-augmentation and integrated bioreactors for removing an extensive range of water contaminants addressing the challenges associated with traditional strategies. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the efficacies of microbe-assisted green NM-based water remediation strategy with the traditional practices in light of crucial factors like reusability, regeneration, removal efficiency, and adsorption capacity has been presented. The associated challenges, their alternate solutions, and the cutting-edge prospects of microbial-assisted green nanobiotechnology with the integration of advanced tools including internet-of-nano-things, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence have been discussed. This review opens a new window to assist future research dedicated to sustainable and green nanobiotechnology-based strategies for environmental remediation applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano-Bioremediation Approaches for Degraded Soils and Sustainable Crop Production)

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30 pages, 7533 KiB

Open AccessReview

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

by Ravinder Kumar, Naresh Kumar, Vishnu D. Rajput, Saglara Mandzhieva, Tatiana Minkina, Baljeet Singh Saharan, Dharmender Kumar, Pardeep Kumar Sadh and Joginder Singh Duhan

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(22), 3964; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12223964 - 10 Nov 2022

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3120

Abstract

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 [...] Read more.

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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano-Bioremediation Approaches for Degraded Soils and Sustainable Crop Production)

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25 pages, 2393 KiB

Open AccessReview

Nanoparticles: The Plant Saviour under Abiotic Stresses

by Muhammad Fasih Khalid, Rashid Iqbal Khan, Muhammad Zaid Jawaid, Waqar Shafqat, Sajjad Hussain, Talaat Ahmed, Muhammad Rizwan, Sezai Ercisli, Oana Lelia Pop and Romina Alina Marc

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(21), 3915; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12213915 - 06 Nov 2022

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 5505

Abstract

Climate change significantly affects plant growth and productivity by causing different biotic and abiotic stresses to plants. Among the different abiotic stresses, at the top of the list are salinity, drought, temperature extremes, heavy metals and nutrient imbalances, which contribute to large yield [...] Read more.

Climate change significantly affects plant growth and productivity by causing different biotic and abiotic stresses to plants. Among the different abiotic stresses, at the top of the list are salinity, drought, temperature extremes, heavy metals and nutrient imbalances, which contribute to large yield losses of crops in various parts of the world, thereby leading to food insecurity issues. In the quest to improve plants’ abiotic stress tolerance, many promising techniques are being investigated. These include the use of nanoparticles, which have been shown to have a positive effect on plant performance under stress conditions. Nanoparticles can be used to deliver nutrients to plants, overcome plant diseases and pathogens, and sense and monitor trace elements that are present in soil by absorbing their signals. A better understanding of the mechanisms of nanoparticles that assist plants to cope with abiotic stresses will help towards the development of more long-term strategies against these stresses. However, the intensity of the challenge also warrants more immediate approaches to mitigate these stresses and enhance crop production in the short term. Therefore, this review provides an update of the responses (physiological, biochemical and molecular) of plants affected by nanoparticles under abiotic stress, and potentially effective strategies to enhance production. Taking into consideration all aspects, this review is intended to help researchers from different fields, such as plant science and nanoscience, to better understand possible innovative approaches to deal with abiotic stresses in agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano-Bioremediation Approaches for Degraded Soils and Sustainable Crop Production)

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16 pages, 902 KiB

Open AccessReview

Nanotechnology in the Restoration of Polluted Soil

by Vishnu D. Rajput, Tatiana Minkina, Sudhir K. Upadhyay, Arpna Kumari, Anuj Ranjan, Saglara Mandzhieva, Svetlana Sushkova, Rupesh Kumar Singh and Krishan K. Verma

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(5), 769; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12050769 - 24 Feb 2022

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 5238

Abstract

The advancements in nanoparticles (NPs) may be lighting the sustainable and eco-friendly path to accelerate the removal of toxic compounds from contaminated soils. Many efforts have been made to increase the efficiency of phytoremediation, such as the inclusion of chemical additives, the application [...] Read more.

The advancements in nanoparticles (NPs) may be lighting the sustainable and eco-friendly path to accelerate the removal of toxic compounds from contaminated soils. Many efforts have been made to increase the efficiency of phytoremediation, such as the inclusion of chemical additives, the application of rhizobacteria, genetic engineering, etc. In this context, the integration of nanotechnology with bioremediation has introduced new dimensions for revamping the remediation methods. Hence, advanced remediation approaches combine nanotechnological and biological remediation methods in which the nanoscale process regulation supports the adsorption and deterioration of pollutants. Nanoparticles absorb/adsorb a large variety of contaminants and also catalyze reactions by lowering the energy required to break them down, owing to their unique surface properties. As a result, this remediation process reduces the accumulation of pollutants while limiting their spread from one medium to another. Therefore, this review article deals with all possibilities for the application of NPs for the remediation of contaminated soils and associated environmental concerns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano-Bioremediation Approaches for Degraded Soils and Sustainable Crop Production)

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25 pages, 2433 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Recent Trends in Nano-Fertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture under Climate Change for Global Food Security

by Krishan K. Verma, Xiu-Peng Song, Abhishek Joshi, Dan-Dan Tian, Vishnu D. Rajput, Munna Singh, Jaya Arora, Tatiana Minkina and Yang-Rui Li

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(1), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12010173 - 05 Jan 2022

Cited by 100 | Viewed by 15510

Abstract

Nano-fertilizers (NFs) significantly improve soil quality and plant growth performance and enhance crop production with quality fruits/grains. The management of macro-micronutrients is a big task globally, as it relies predominantly on synthetic chemical fertilizers which may not be environmentally friendly for human beings [...] Read more.

Nano-fertilizers (NFs) significantly improve soil quality and plant growth performance and enhance crop production with quality fruits/grains. The management of macro-micronutrients is a big task globally, as it relies predominantly on synthetic chemical fertilizers which may not be environmentally friendly for human beings and may be expensive for farmers. NFs may enhance nutrient uptake and plant production by regulating the availability of fertilizers in the rhizosphere; extend stress resistance by improving nutritional capacity; and increase plant defense mechanisms. They may also substitute for synthetic fertilizers for sustainable agriculture, being found more suitable for stimulation of plant development. They are associated with mitigating environmental stresses and enhancing tolerance abilities under adverse atmospheric eco-variables. Recent trends in NFs explored relevant agri-technology to fill the gaps and assure long-term beneficial agriculture strategies to safeguard food security globally. Accordingly, nanoparticles are emerging as a cutting-edge agri-technology for agri-improvement in the near future. Interestingly, they do confer stress resistance capabilities to crop plants. The effective and appropriate mechanisms are revealed in this article to update researchers widely. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano-Bioremediation Approaches for Degraded Soils and Sustainable Crop Production)

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