Mansingraj S. Nimbalkar

In the present study, we report the green synthesis of Barleria acuminata extract mediated copper phosphate nanohybrids (BAE-CuPNHs) by a simple one-pot co-precipitation approach. Aqueous extracts of six different Barleria species were prepared by using ultrasonication and microwave-assisted extraction methods and evaluated for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activity. Among the tested species, B. acuminata showed highest phytochemical content and DPPH radical scavenging activity and was selected for nanohybrid preparation. The formation of nanohybrid was screened for different metal ions. Copper ions formed well-defined flower-like nanostructures with high efficiency of phytochemical immobilization. Optimization studies showed 4 mM CuSO4, 2.0 mL PBS, static incubation and an incubation period of 72 h as the optimum conditions for the synthesis. FESEM, EDX, FTIR and XRD characterization confirmed the formation of crystalline BAE-CuPNHs with marigold-like morphology. The synthesized BAE-CuPNHs displayed antioxidant activity, indicating their promising prospects for antioxidant delivery and bioactive applications.

Nanotechnology enables the manipulation of materials at dimensions comparable to biomolecules, offering transformative applications across medicine, agriculture, and environmental systems. Among emerging nanomaterials, green‐synthesized nanoparticles (GSNPs) have attracted considerable attention due to their eco‐friendly production, biogenic surface functionalization, and potential for improved biocompatibility. However, despite reduced process‐related toxicity, GSNPs pose unique safety challenges arising from nanoscale properties, dynamic protein corona formation, and complex nano–bio interactions that are inadequately captured by conventional toxicity assays. This review critically evaluates the relevance of nano‐omics as a next‐generation toxicological tool for hazard identification and risk assessment of emerging nanomaterials, examines the limitations of traditional bioassays, and highlights the growing role of nano‐omics approaches, including transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and epigenomics, in providing systems‐level insights into GSNP‐induced biological responses. These approaches reveal pathway‐level perturbations, such as oxidative stress, immune modulation, metabolic reprogramming, and epigenetic alterations, even at subcytotoxic exposure levels. We further discuss how surface chemistry, protein corona evolution, and intracellular trafficking govern the biological identity and fate of GSNPs. Current limitations in nano‐omics, including the lack of standardized protocols, data integration challenges, and regulatory gaps, are critically addressed. An integrative multi‐omics framework aligned with FAIR data principles is proposed to support predictive nanosafety assessment and safe‐by‐design development of green nanomaterials.

Traditional agriculture is facing increasing pressure to meet the nutritional demands of a rapidly growing global population projected to reach 9–11 billion by 2050.[1] Expanding food production th...

Soybeans have been cultivated for thousands of years in East Asia and are now globally recognized for their food, nutritional and industrial applications. Compared to other cereals, they offer supe...

Sargassum cinereum was nutritionally profiled and its bioactive extraction optimized using UAE-RSM, enhancing phenolic recovery and antioxidant activity to support sustainable valorization of an abundant marine resource.

Penicilliopsis clavariiformis Solms. is a rare filamentous fungus previously reported from various woody substrates and decaying plant matter. In this study, we report the first time host association of P. clavariiformis on seeds of Diospyros ferrea (Willd.) Bakh., collected from the Manoli Reserve Forest in the Northern Western Ghats, India. The fungus was isolated using standard seed mycobiota screening methods and identified based on both morphological features such as distinctive clavarioid ascomata, septate conidiophores, and cyanophilic conidia and molecular characterization of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA region. The ITS sequence showed > 99% similarity with authenticated P. clavariiformis sequences in GenBank. This is the first confirmed report of P. clavariiformis from seeds of Diospyros ferrea, expanding its known ecological and substrate range. The finding highlights the underexplored fungal diversity associated with forest seeds and emphasizes the need for targeted mycological surveys in biodiversity hotspots like the Western Ghats. Our results contribute to the growing knowledge of seed-associated fungi and provide a baseline for future ecological and pathological investigations involving this species.

Amaranthus dubius , commonly known as spleen amaranth, is a valuable nutritional source rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, especially in regions such as India. This study investigated the protein content of leaves, stems, and seeds, with the seeds showing the highest protein concentration. Protein isolates from seeds were enzymatically hydrolyzed using proteolytic enzymes. The resulting hydrolysates were characterized by FTIR, DSC, and SEM techniques to analyze their structural properties. The peptides were further purified using molecular weight cut‐off (MWCO) filters and assessed for various bioactivities. Seed protein isolates demonstrated significant antioxidant properties, including DPPH (56.65 ± 0.027 µg AAE/mg), ABTS (31.37 ± 0.955 µg AAE/mg), FRAP (23.986 ± 0.031 µM/mg), and Fe ² ⁺ chelation (32.03 ± 0.020%). Additionally, membrane stabilization activity was highest in seed isolates (25.56 ± 0.045%). Among the hydrolysates, chymotrypsin‐derived fractions larger than 50 kDa showed the strongest DPPH activity, whereas alcalase hydrolysates in the 10–50 kDa range exhibited the highest ABTS scavenging activity. The highest ferric reducing power was observed in alcalase >50 kDa fractions, and Fe ² ⁺ chelating activity was greatest in E. coli in S. aureus in 10–50 kDa chymotrypsin fractions. These multi‐functional bioactivities highlight the potential of Amaranthus dubius seed proteins and peptides for applications in food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. This study underscores the promising health benefits of A. dubius proteins and encourages further research into their therapeutic uses.

Lavandula gibsonii is an endemic lavender that occurs in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu states of India. It is aromatic and has insecticidal properties. We studied the cytogenetics of the species for the first time. The chromosome number was observed to be 2n=40 and the small chromosomes ranged from 0.95 to 2.05 µm. Meiosis was normal with n=20 bivalents at diakinesis. Somatic metaphase chromosomes with submedian region centromeres dominated the karyotype. The karyotype formula was 2m + 18sm. The karyotype was found to be asymmetrical and fell into Stebbins’ 4B category. The base number (x) of section Chaetostachys in which Indian species are placed needs to be reassessed.

Metallic nanoparticles find tremendous applications in every field. The surface morphology of these metallic nanoparticles drives their properties and is usually regulated by their mode of synthesis. Apart from chemical and physical methods available for producing metallic nanoparticles, ‘plant-mediated synthesis’ is considered advantageous mainly because of its eco-friendly nature and cost-effectiveness. Plant-based materials have been successfully incorporated in food, pharmaceuticals as well as in tissue engineering applications. The secondary metabolites in plants are of prime importance as they play a major role as reducing agents. Therefore, numerous plants bearing diversified phytochemical profiles have been explored for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles. The current review attempts to encompass available information about the synthesis and application of different metallic nanoparticles employing herbal extracts. Further, critical insights about the properties of metallic nanoparticles, their morphology, and anticipated applications (e.g. antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-diabetic, photo-catalytic, etc) with a futuristic approach are discussed.