Bioreactor systems for micropropagation of plants: present scenario and future prospects

Plant micropropagation has been adapted in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and other related fields for large-scale production of elite plants. The use of liquid media and adoption of bioreactors have escalated the production of healthy plants. Several liquid-phase, gas-phase, temporary immersion, and other modified bioreactors have been used for plant propagation. The design, principle, operational mode, merits, and demerits of various bioreactors used for the regeneration of propagules, such as bulblets, cormlets, rhizomes, microtubers, shoots (subsequent rooting), and somatic embryos, are discussed here. In addition, various parameters that affect plant regeneration are discussed with suitable examples

Phytochemicals as weapons against drug resistance

Phytochemicals are plant-based products with high medicinal value. These metabolites effectively target disease-causing microbes. Drug-resistant pathogens have developed mechanisms to sustain themselves even with inhibitors. Drug resistance has emerged as a global giant, causing all available treatment options to fail. The solution to this problem is in the phytochemicals of plants with antibacterial and drug resistance modulation properties. Phytochemicals might be able to get rid of efflux pumps, drug-modulating enzymes, resistance genes, quorum sensing, and biofilm, all of which cause pathogens to be resistant to drugs. Moreover, anti-obesogenic and cardioprotective properties are also observed in phytochemicals. Additionally, studies show the success of phytochemical-based nanoparticles in drug resistance regulation. This review emphasizes phytochemicals' different mechanisms of action and their derivatives in curbing drug-resistant pathogens and cancer cells

Environmentally sustainable zinc oxide nanoparticles for improved hazardous textile dye removal from water bodies

A sustainable, affordable, and cost-effective method was developed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (SB-ZnO-NPs) using leaf extracts of Strobilanthes barbatus. The synthesized SB-ZnO-NPs displayed an absorbance maximum at 359 nm with a band gap of 3.24 eV. The average diameter of the SB-ZnO-NPs, as determined by FESEM analysis, was 84.23 nm. The particles had nearly spherical morphologies. By using FTIR analysis, it was established that functional groups played a part in the formation of SB-ZnO-NPs. Reactive Yellow 86 (RY-86) and Reactive Yellow 145 (RY-145) textile dyes were degraded by SB-ZnO-NPs under the impact of UV irradiation, and the degradation rates were 87.50 and 91.11%, respectively, in 320 min. When dye solutions treated with SB-ZnO-NPs were tested for phytotoxicity, the results showed a sharp decline in the effectiveness of the inhibition compared to dye effluents. The synthesised SB-ZnO-NPs can, therefore, be employed as a substitute potential catalyst for the breakdown of textile colours both before and after release into water bodies. HIGHLIGHTS An environmentally friendly green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticle was biosynthesized using Strobilanthes barbatus plant extract.; Reactive Yellow industrial textile dyes were found to degrade photocatalytically when exposed to UV radiation.; Phytotoxicity research reveals that degraded dyes are less hazardous to aquatic life.

Anthraquinone Production from Cell and Organ Cultures of <i>Rubia</i> Species: An Overview

The Rubia genus includes major groups of medicinal plants such as Rubia cordifolia, Rubia tinctorum, and Rubia akane. They contain anthraquinones (AQs), particularly alizarin and purpurin, which have pharmacological effects that are anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, hemostatic, antibacterial, and more. Alizarin and purpurin have been utilized as natural dyes for cotton, silk, and wool fabrics since the dawn of time. These substances have been used in the cosmetics and food industries to color products. The amount of AQs in different Rubia species is minimal. In order to produce these compounds, researchers have established cell and organ cultures. Investigations have been conducted into numerous chemical and physical parameters that affect the biomass and accumulation of secondary metabolites in a cell, callus, hairy root, and adventitious root suspension cultures. This article offers numerous techniques and approaches used to produce biomass and secondary metabolites from the Rubia species. Additionally, it has been emphasized that cells can be grown in bioreactor cultures to produce AQs

One-Pot Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Garcinia gummi-gutta: Characterisation, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anti-Cancerous and Photocatalytic Applications

Background: Methods like the bio-synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using plant extracts have become promising due to their eco-friendly approach. The study aimed to examine the utilization of Garcinia gummi-gutta fruit phytochemicals as agents in the biosynthesis of Ag NPs, evaluation of the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-cancerous properties, as well as the photocatalytic ability of bio-synthesized Ag NPs against Crystal Violet (CV), a triphenylmethane dye. Methods: The characterization of the physical properties of the Ag NPs synthesized via the green route was done using UV–Vis spectrophotometry (UV–Vis), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Zeta potential analysis, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The dye degradation efficiency of CV was determined using synthesized Ag NPs under UV light by analyzing the absorption maximum at 579 nm. The antimicrobial efficacy of Ag NPs against E. coli, S. aureus, Candida tropicalis, and Candida albicans was examined using the broth dilution method. The antioxidant and anti-cancer properties of the synthesized Ag NPs were assessed using the DPPH and MTT assays. Results: The UV analysis revealed that the peak of synthesized Ag NPs was 442 nm. Data from FTIR, XRD, Zeta potential, SEM, and TEM analysis confirmed the formation of nanoparticles. The SEM and TEM analysis identified the presence of spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 29.12 nm and 24.18 nm, respectively. Maximum dye degradation efficiency of CV was observed at 90.08% after 320 min without any silver leaching, confirming the photocatalytic activity of Ag NPs. The bio-efficiency of the treatment was assessed using the Allium cepa root growth inhibition test, toxicity analysis on Vigna radiata, and Brine shrimp lethality assay. Conclusions: The findings revealed the environmentally friendly nature of green Ag NPs over physical/chemically synthesized Ag NPs. The synthesized Ag NPs can effectively be used in biomedical and photocatalytic applications

Tuning the output of the higher plants Circadian Clock

The circadian clock is an ascribed regulator found in the cells of creatures, that keeps biological and behavioral processes in sync with daily environmental changes throughout two 24-hour cycles. When the circadian clock in humans malfunctions or is misaligned with environmental signals, the timing of the sleep-wake cycle is altered and several circadian rhythm sleep disorders result. Due to the Earth's rotation on its axis, predictable environmental changes are anticipated by complex processes. The combined term for these systems is the circadian clock. The circadian rhythm regulates photosynthesis, photoperiodism, and photoperiodism, making it the "primary controller of plant life." The circadian clock is made up of post-translational alterations to core oscillators, epigenetic tweaks to DNA and histones, and autoregulatory feedback loops in transcription. In addition, the circadian clock is cell-autonomous and regulates the circadian rhythms of distinct organs. Biochemical elements such as photosynthetic products, mineral nutrients, calcium ions, and hormones are used by the core oscillators to communicate with one another. Arabidopsis is utilized to identify clock-related genes that govern plant growth, germination, pollination, flowering, abiotic and biotic stress responses, and more. The biological cycles of all species, notably humans, are undoubtedly impacted by other elements, including high altitude and changing ecosystems, in addition to the ones already stated. Although it hasn't yet published any experimental or scientific evidence to support them, the implication that living things have lives does appear inescapable. Hence, the present study elaborates on the higher plants related to the circadian clock

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)—A potential source of phytochemicals, food, and nutrition—An updated review

Abstract Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is believed to be an important staple food crop providing potential valuable food source as well as variety of phytoconstituents. Its starchy tubers provide a significant source of energy for around 500 million individuals. Among staple crops, it is regarded to be one of the top suppliers of carbohydrates. Its physicochemical qualities, as well as its availability, have made it a captivating food component. Cassava starch is a valuable raw material used to make a variety of both native and modified starch for cooking purposes. They have also been used for a variety of industrial uses. Cassava starch and flour have the potential to be valuable alternatives to rice, maize, and wheat crops. The advantages included being a staple diet for humans, a component of animal feeds, a raw ingredient for food processing, edible coatings, locally produced alcoholic beverages, and ethanol manufacturing. The roots consist of cyanogenic glycosides, which can lead to lethal cyanide poisoning if tubers arse not properly detoxified using different processing methods include washing, fermentation, boiling, peeling and chemical processing to escape toxin content. The current review summarizes cassava's bioactive components which could be a potential source of various pharmaceutical drugs as well as a source of traditional and modern food applications