Ines Karmous

Nowadays, nanoparticles (NPs) are used to counteract various medicinal and industrial problems. This study aimed to biosynthesize zinc oxide NPs (ZnONPs) from the plant species Aloe vera L., Peganum harmala L., Retama monosperma L., and Thymelaea hirsuta L. The biosynthesized ZnONPs were referred to as “Thymhirs.bio-ZnONP,” “Aloever.bio-ZnONP,” “Retam.bio-ZnONP,” and “Harm.bio-ZnONP.” A UV-visible spectrophotometer, granulometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance were used for physicochemical characterization. Pharmacokinetics and antimicrobial effects were explored using combined in vitro and computational assays. An abundance of phenolic acids and flavonoids was observed, particularly rutin, quinic acid, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, and cirsiliol, which may act as reducing, stabilizing, and capping agents in the biosynthesis. ZnONPs demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity against various bacterial, fungal, and yeast strains, highlighting their potential medicinal applications. This inhibitory activity can be attributed to the effect of the plant-based ZnO nanosized particles more than to the plant extracts or Zn salt. Computational modeling revealed that the identified phytochemicals (phenolic acids and flavonoids) bound Tyrosyl-tRNA Synthetase (TyrRS) from S. aureus (1JIJ), aspartic proteinase from C. albicans (2QZW), and wheat germ agglutinin (2UVO) with considerable affinities, which, together with molecular interactions and pharmacokinetics, satisfactorily support the in vitro antimicrobial findings. This study lays the groundwork for future research and pharmaceutical explorations aimed at harnessing the likely beneficial properties of green-synthesized ZnONPs for medicinal and therapeutic purposes, particularly their antimicrobial effects.

Reconceptualizing cancer immunotherapy can be improved if combined with plant production systems and nanotechnology. This review aims to contribute to the

Nanoscale materials are promising tools for managing plant diseases and are becoming important players in the current agritech revolution. However, adopting modern methodologies requires a broad understanding of their effectiveness in solving target problems and their effects on the environment and food chain. Furthermore, it is paramount that such technologies are mechanistically and economically feasible for growers to adopt in order to be sustainable in the long run. This Feature Article summarizes the latest findings on the role of nanoscale materials in managing agricultural plant pathogens. Herein, we discussed the benefits and limitations of using nanoscale materials in plant disease management and their potential impacts on the environment and global food security.

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is a tree crop cultivated extensively in the eastern Mediterranean regions but that has become naturalized in other regions as well. The present study focused on the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) from Carob and their evaluation for antimicrobial activity in bacteria and fungi. The synthesized ZnONPs showed strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25 923 (92%). The NPs inhibited the growth of pathogenic yeast strains, including Candida albicans ATCC90028, Candida krusei ATCC6258, and Candida neoformans ATCC14116, by 90%, 91%, and 82%, respectively, compared to the control. Fungal inhibition zones with the ZnONPs were 88.67% and 90%, respectively, larger for Aspergillus flavus 15UA005 and Aspergillus fumigatus ATCC204305, compared to control fungal growth. This study provides novel information relevant for plant-based development of new and potentially antimicrobial ZnONPs based on extracts. In particular, the development and application of phytogenic nanoparticles enhances the biocompatibility of nano-scale materials, thereby allowing to tune effects to prevent adverse outcomes in non-target biological systems.

The present study represents new evidence of the successful use of metal oxide nanoparticles in the remediation of heavy metals. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NP) were assessed to alleviate cadmium (Cd) toxicity in Phaseolus vulgaris L. seedlings and plants. Monitoring physiological and metabolic parameters allowed to elucidate Cd mechanism and process whereby it exerts phytotoxic effects on bean. The response of P. vulgaris seedlings is NP dose-dependent (10 mg/L, 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L, and 200 mg/L). Similarly, applied concentrations triggered a differential response of growing plants in terms of length and biomass. Our physiological data allowed to select 100 mg/L as the most appropriate concentration to apply, in order to avoid any risk of phytotoxicity. The regulatory mechanisms by which ZnO NP and CuO NP act are for the first time compared in the embryonic axes of bean seedlings under Cd stress. Both NP were able to reduce the hypergeneration of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). They also acted via enhancing ROS scavenging enzymatic capacity, and activity of antioxidant enzymes CAT, APX, GPOX, GPX, and GR, and inhibited the activity of ROS producing enzymes such as GOX and NOX. Another mechanistic effect of NP consisted of the modulation of redox enzymes Trx, NTR, Fd, and FNR evolved in cellular homeostasis and maintaining reduced status in cells. Taken together, ZnO NP triggered more significant metabolic regulations allowing to mitigate the oxidative damage caused by Cd.