Potentially toxic elements in urban soils of the coastal city of the Sea of Azov: Levels, sources, pollution and risk assessment.

Coastal cities are major centers of economic activity, which at the same time has negative consequences for the environment. The present study aimed to determine the concentrations and sources of PTEs in the urban soils of Taganrog, as well as to assess the ecological and human health risks. A total of 47 urban and 5 background topsoils samples were analyzed by ICP-MS and ICP-AES. A significant excess of Cu, Zn, and Sb was noted in urban soils compared to the upper continental crust and average world-soil (1.7-2.9 times). Statistical analysis showed that the elements in soils were of geogenic, mixed and anthropogenic origin. According to the single pollution index (PI), the greatest danger of soil pollution was represented by anthropogenic elements, namely Cu, W, Pb, Zn, Cd, and Sn, the levels of which were increased in residential and industrial areas. The median contents of As, Mn, Cr, Sr, Mo, Sb, Cu, W, Pb, and Zn were 1.1-2.1 times higher, while Cd and Sn were 2.5 folds higher in the urban soils compared to the background ones. The total pollution index (ZC) showed that only 15% of the soils had high level of pollution, which is typical for the industrial areas. Overall ecological risks were negligible or low in 92% of soils, and were mainly due to elevated levels of Cu, Zn, As, and Pb. Non-carcinogenic risks to humans were mainly related to exposure to La and Pb. The hazard index (HI) values for all PTEs were less than ten, indicating that overall non-carcinogenic risk for adults and children was low-to-moderate and, moderate, respectively. The total carcinogenic risk (TCR) exceeded threshold and corresponded to low risk, with Pb, As, and Co being the most important contributors. Thus, the industrial activities of Taganrog is the main source of priority pollutants.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles influence on plant tolerance to salinity stress: insights into physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses.

A slight variation in ecological milieu of plants, like drought, heavy metal toxicity, abrupt changes in temperature, flood, and salt stress disturbs the usual homeostasis or metabolism in plants. Among these stresses, salinity stress is particularly detrimental to the plants, leading to toxic effects and reduce crop productivity. In a saline environment, the accumulation of sodium and chloride ions up to toxic levels significantly correlates with intracellular osmotic pressure, and can result in morphological, physiological, and molecular alterations in plants. Increased soil salinity triggers salt stress signals that activate various cellular-subcellular mechanisms in plants to enable their survival in saline conditions. Plants can adapt saline conditions by maintaining ion homeostasis, activating osmotic stress pathways, modulating phytohormone signaling, regulating cytoskeleton dynamics, and maintaining cell wall integrity. To address ionic toxicity, researchers from diverse disciplines have explored novel approaches to support plant growth and enhance their resilience. One such approach is the application of nanoparticles as a foliar spray or seed priming agents positively improve the crop quality and yield by activating germination enzymes, maintaining reactive oxygen species homeostasis, promoting synthesis of compatible solutes, stimulating antioxidant defense mechanisms, and facilitating the formation of aquaporins in seeds and root cells for efficient water absorption under various abiotic stresses. Thus, the assessment mainly targets to provide an outline of the impact of salinity stress on plant metabolism and the resistance strategies employed by plants. Additionally, the review also summarized recent research efforts exploring the innovative applications of zinc oxide nanoparticles for reducing salt stress at biochemical, physiological, and molecular levels.

Effect of wood and peanut shell hydrochars on the desiccation cracking characteristics of clayey soils.

Soil cracking can significantly alter the water and nutrient migration pathways in the soil, influencing plant growth and development. While biochar usage has effectively addressed soil cracking, the feasibility of using less energy-intensive hydrochars in desiccating soils remains unexplored. This study investigates the impact of wood and peanut shell hydrochars on the desiccation cracking characteristics of clayey soil. A series of controlled environmental laboratory incubations with regular imaging was conducted to determine crack development's dynamic in unamended and hydrochar-amended soils. The results reveal that the addition of wood hydrochar at 2% and 4% dosage reduced the crack intensity factor (CIF) by 22% and 43%, respectively, compared to the unamended control soil. Similarly, the inclusion of peanut shell hydrochar at 2% and 4% lowered the CIF by 22% and 51%, respectively. The presence of hydrophilic groups on the surface of hydrochars, such as O-H, CH, and C-O-C, enhanced the water retention capacity, as confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared analysis. The CIF decrease is attributed to mitigated water evaporation rates, enabled by enhanced water retention within the hydrochar pore spaces. These findings are supported by scanning electron microscopy analyses of the hydrochar morphology. Despite CIF reduction with hydrochar incorporation, the crack length density (CLD) increased across all hydrochar-amended series. In contrast to unamended soil which exhibited pronounced widening of large cracks and extensive inter-pore voids, the incorporation of hydrochar resulted in higher CLD due to the formation of finer interconnecting crack meshes. Consequently, the unamended control soil suffered greater water loss due to heightened evaporation rates. This study sheds new light on the potential of hydrochars in addressing desiccation-induced soil cracking and its implications for water conservation.

Exploring sustainable management by using green nano-silver to combat three post-harvest pathogenic fungi in crops.

Global crop protection and food security have become critical issues to achieve the 'Zero Hunger' goal in recent years, as significant crop damage is primarily caused by biotic factors. Applying nanoparticles in agriculture could enhance crop yield. Nano-silver, or AgNPs, have colossal importance in many fields like biomedical, agriculture, and the environment due to their antimicrobial potential. In this context, nano-silver was fabricated by Citrus medica L. (Cm) fruit juice, detected visually and by UV-Vis spectrophotometric analysis. Further, AgNPs were characterized by advanced techniques. UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis revealed absorbance spectra at around 487 nm. The zeta potential measurement value was noted as -23.7 mV. Spectral analysis by FT-IR proved the capping of the acidic groups. In contrast, the XRD analysis showed the Miller indices like the face-centered cubic (fcc) crystalline structure. NTA revealed a mean size of 35 nm for nano-silver with a 2.4 × 108 particles mL-1 concentration. TEM analysis demonstrated spherical Cm-AgNPs with 20-30 nm sizes. The focus of this research was to evaluate the antifungal activity of biogenic AgNPs against post-harvest pathogenic fungi, including Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, and Alternaria alternata. The Cm-AgNPs showed significant antifungal activity in the order of A. niger > A. flavus > A. alternata. The biogenic Cm-AgNPs can be used for the inhibition of toxigenic fungi.

Degradation of SDS by psychrotolerant Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Bacillus pumilus isolated from Southern Ocean water samples.

Bioremediation of surfactants in water bodies holds significant ecological importance as they are contaminants of emerging concern posing substantial threats to the aquatic environment. Microbes exhibiting special ability in terms of bioremediation of contaminants have always been reported to thrive in extraordinary environmental conditions that can be extreme in terms of temperature, lack of nutrients, and salinity. Therefore, in the present investigation, a total of 46 bacterial isolates were isolated from the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean and screened for degradation of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). Further, two Gram-positive psychrotolerant bacterial strains, ASOI-01 and ASOI-02 were identified with significant SDS degradation potential. These isolates were further studied for growth optimization under different environmental conditions. The strains were characterized as Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Bacillus pumilus based on morphological, biochemical, and molecular (16S RNA gene) characteristics. The study reports 88.9% and 93.4% degradation of SDS at a concentration of 100 mgL-1, at 20 °C, and pH 7 by S. saprophyticus ASOI-01 and B. pumilus ASOI-02, respectively. The experiments were also conducted in wastewater samples where a slight reduction in degradation efficiency was observed with strains ASOI-01 and ASOI-02 exhibiting 76.83 and 64.93% degradation of SDS respectively. This study infers that these bacteria can be used for the bioremediation of anionic surfactants from water bodies and establishes the potential of extremophilic microbes for the utilization of sustainable wastewater management.

A critical review on fate, behavior, and ecotoxicological impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles on algae.

The rapid inclusion of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in nanotechnology-based products over the last decade has generated a new threat in the apprehension of the environment. The massive use of zinc nanosized products will certainly be disposed of and be released, eventually entering the aquatic ecosystem, posing severe environmental hazards. Moreover, nanosized ZnO particles owing the larger surface area per volume exhibit different chemical interactions within the aquatic ecosystem. They undergo diverse potential transformations because of their unique physiochemical properties and the feature of receiving medium. Therefore, assessment of their impact is critical not only for scavenging the present situation but also for preventing unintended environmental hazards. Algae being a primary producer of the aquatic ecosystem help assess the risk of massive NPs usage in environmental health. Because of their nutritional needs and position at the base of aquatic food webs, algal indicators exhibit relatively unique information concerning ecosystem conditions. Moreover, algae are presently the most vital part of the circular economy. Hence, it is imperative to understand the physiologic, metabolic, and morphologic changes brought by the ZnO NPs to the algal cells along with the development of the mechanism imparting toxicity mechanism. We also need to develop an appropriate scientific strategy in the innovation process to restrain the exposure of NPs at safer levels. This review provides the details of ZnO NP interaction with algae. Moreover, their impact, mechanism, and factors affecting toxicity to the algae are discussed.

A Dual Therapeutic Approach to Diabetes Mellitus via Bioactive Phytochemicals Found in a Poly Herbal Extract by Restoration of Favorable Gut Flora and Related Short-Chain Fatty Acids.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a metabolic and endocrine condition, poses a serious threat to human health and longevity. The emerging role of gut microbiome associated with bioactive compounds has recently created a new hope for DM treatment. UHPLC-HRMS methods were used to identify these compounds in a poly herbal ethanolic extract (PHE). The effects of PHE on body weight (BW), fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, gut microbiota, fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production, and the correlation between DM-related indices and gut microbes, in rats were investigated. Chebulic acid (0.368%), gallic acid (0.469%), andrographolide (1.304%), berberine (6.442%), and numerous polysaccharides were the most representative constituents in PHE. A more significant BW gain and a reduction in FBG level towards normal of PHE 600 mg/kg treated rats group were resulted at the end of 28th days of the study. Moreover, the composition of the gut microbiota corroborated the study's hypothesis, as evidenced by an increased ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes and some beneficial microbial species, including Prevotella copri and Lactobacillus hamster. The relative abundance of Bifidobacterium pseudolongum, Ruminococcus bromii, and Blautia producta was found to decline in PHE treatment groups as compared to diabetic group. The abundance of beneficial bacteria in PHE 600 mg/kg treatment group was concurrently associated with increased SCFAs concentrations of acetate and propionate (7.26 nmol/g and 4.13 nmol/g). The findings of this study suggest a promising approach to prevent DM by demonstrating that these naturally occurring compounds decreased FBG levels by increasing SCFAs content and SCFAs producing gut microbiota.

Nanomaterials and biochar mediated remediation of emerging contaminants.

The unrestricted release of various toxic substances into the environment is a critical global issue, gaining increased attention in modern society. Many of these substances are pristine to various environmental compartments known as contaminants/emerging contaminants (ECs). Nanoparticles and emerging sorbents enhanced remediation is a compelling methodology exhibiting great potential in addressing EC-related issues and facilitating their elimination from the environment, particularly those compounds that demonstrate eco-toxicity and pose considerable challenges in terms of removal. It provides a novel technique enabling the secure and sustainable removal of various ECs, including persistent organic compounds, microplastics, phthalate, etc. This extensive review presents a critical perspective on the current advancements and potential outcomes of nano-enhanced remediation techniques such as photocatalysis, nano-sensing, nano-enhanced sorbents, bio/phyto-remediation, which are applied to clean-up the natural environment. In addition, when dealing with residual contaminants, special attention is paid to both health and environmental implications; therefore, an evaluation of the long-term sustainability of nano-enhanced remediation methods has been considered. The integrated mechanical approaches were thoroughly discussed and presented in graphical forms. Thus, the critical evaluation of the integrated use of most emerging remediation technologies will open a new dimension in environmental safety and clean-up program.

Fostering plant growth performance under drought stress using rhizospheric microbes, their gene editing, and biochar.

Stress due to drought lowers crop yield and frequently leads to a rise in food scarcity. Plants' intricate metabolic systems enable them to tolerate drought stress, but they are unable to handle it well. Adding some external, environmentally friendly supplements can boost plant growth and productivity when it comes to drought-stressed plants. In order to prevent the detrimental effects of drought in agricultural regions, environmentally friendly practices must be upheld. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can exhibit beneficial phytostimulation, mineralization, and biocontrol activities under drought stress. The significant impact of the PGPR previously reported has not been accepted as an effective treatment to lessen drought stress. Recent studies have successfully shown that manipulating microbes can be a better option to reduce the severity of drought in plants. In this review, we demonstrate how modifying agents such as biochar, PGPR consortia, PGPR, and mycorrhizal fungi can help overcome drought stress responses in crop plants. This article also discusses CRISPR/Cas9-modifiable genes, increase plant's effectiveness in drought conditions, and increase plant resistance to drought stress. With an eco-friendly approach in mind, there is a need for practical management techniques having potential prospects based on an integrated strategy mediated by CRISPR-Cas9 editing, PGPR, which may alleviate the effects of drought stress in crops and aid in achieving the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs-2030).

Exploring geochemical distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in wetland and agricultural soils and associated health risks.

This study is carried out to understand the degree of soil pollution, transport mechanism, and distribution pattern of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), including the exposure effects on human health. Towards this, topsoil samples were collected from the Saman wetland and surrounding agricultural fields in the Gangetic plain, India. The results show that the mean concentration of Cu, Hg, Zn, Pb, Th, As, U, and Cd of both soil types exceed the natural background values. The multivariate analysis suggests the soils are moderately contaminated with As, Cd, Zn, Pb, and Hg (possibly from anthropogenic sources) and heavily contaminated with Th and U, likely ascended from geogenic sources. The GIS-based geostatistical plots coupled with principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) apportion the sources of these toxic elements, which vary greatly and are closely correlated to the geogenic processes and local anthropogenic sources like pesticides and agrochemicals. The health risk assessment revealed that the cumulative hazard index (HI) values of PTEs are lower than the safe level, suggesting no significant noncarcinogenic effect for adults and children. However, excess cancer risk (ECR) values exceed the permissible limit (1 × 10-6), signifying that exposure to the toxic element concentration may cause cancer in the exposed population, most probably in the children subpopulation. Thus, this study highlights the importance of local compliance, ensuring the quality checks and management policies in using pesticides and other agrochemicals containing PTEs to control the imposed cancer risks.

Biogeochemical and microscopic studies of soil and Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. plants affected by coal mine dumps.

Developed areas of the coal industry are subjected to long-term anthropogenic impacts from the input and accumulation of overburdened coal material, containing potentially toxic heavy metals and metalloids (HMM). For the first time, comprehensive studies of soils and plants in the territory of the Donetsk coal basin were carried out using X-ray fluorescence, atomic absorption analysis, and electron microscopy. The observed changes in the soil redox conditions were characterized by a high sulfur content, and formations of new microphases of S-containing compounds: FeS2, PbFe6(SO4)4(OH)12, ZnSO4·nH2O, revealed the presence of technogenic salinization, increased Сorg content, and low pH contents. Exceedances of soil maximum permissible concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, and As in areas affected by coal dumps were apparent. As a consequence of long-term transformation of the environment with changes in properties and chemical pollution, a phytotoxic effect was revealed in Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud, accompanied by changes in ultrastructural and organization features of roots and leaves such as increases in root diameters and thickness of leaf blades. The changes in the ultrastructure of cell organelles: a violation of the grana formation process, an increase in the number of plastoglobules, a decrease in the number of mitochondrial cristae, and a reduction in the electron density of the matrix in peroxisomes were also observed. The accumulation of large electron-dense inclusions and membrane fragments in cell vacuoles was observed. Such ultrastructural changes may indicate the existence of a P. australis ecotype due to its long-term adaptation to the disturbed environment.

Synthesis and properties of nano-cadmium oxide and its size-dependent responses by barley plant.

Present study included technological methods that made it possible to synthesize CdO nanoparticles and carry out their qualitative and quantitative diagnostics, confirming the as-prepared CdO nanoparticles (NPs) were spherical and had a size of 25 nm. Then, under the conditions of the model experiment the effect of CdO in macro and nanosized particles on absorption, transformation, and structural and functional changes occurring in cells and tissues of Hordeum vulgare L. (spring barley) during its ontogenesis was analyzed. Different analytical techniques were used to detect the transformation of CdO forms: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDXMA and TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray absorption fine structure, consists of XANES - X-ray absorption near edge structure, and EXAFS - Extended X-ray absorption fine structure. Quantitative differences in the elemental chemical composition of barley root and leaf samples were observed. The predominant root uptake of Cd was revealed. CdO-NPs were found to penetrate deeply into barley plant tissues, where they accumulated and formed new mineral phases such as Cd5(PO4)3Cl and CdSO4 according to XRD analysis. The molecular-structural state of the local Cd environment in plant samples corresponding to Cd-O and Cd-Cd. The toxicity of CdO-NPs was found to significantly affect the morphology of intracellular structures are the main organelles of photosynthesis therefore, destructive changes in them obviously reduce the level of metabolic processes ensuring the growth of plants. This study is an attempt to show results how it is possible to combine some instrumental techniques to characterize and behavior of NPs in complex matrices of living organisms.

Transfer and Degradation of PAHs in the Soil-Plant System: A Review.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are highly toxic, persistent organic pollutants that threaten ecosystems and human health. Consistent monitoring is essential to minimize the entry of PAHs into plants and reduce food chain contamination. PAHs infiltrate plants through multiple pathways, causing detrimental effects and triggering diverse plant responses, ultimately increasing either toxicity or tolerance. Primary plant detoxification processes include enzymatic transformation, conjugation, and accumulation of contaminants in cell walls/vacuoles. Plants also play a crucial role in stimulating microbial PAHs degradation by producing root exudates, enhancing bioavailability, supplying nutrients, and promoting soil microbial diversity and activity. Thus, synergistic plant-microbe interactions efficiently decrease PAHs uptake by plants and, thereby, their accumulation along the food chain. This review highlights PAHs uptake pathways and their overall fate as contaminants of emerging concern (CEC). Understanding plant uptake mechanisms, responses to contaminants, and interactions with rhizosphere microbiota is vital for addressing PAH pollution in soil and ensuring food safety and quality.

Potential role of tocopherol in protecting crop plants against abiotic stresses.

The changing global climate have given rise to abiotic stresses that adversely affect the metabolic activities of plants, limit their growth, and agricultural output posing a serious threat to food production. The abiotic stresses commonly lead to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that results in cellular oxidation. Over the course of evolution, plants have devised efficient enzymatic and non-enzymatic anti-oxidative strategies to counteract harmful effects of ROS. Among the emerging non-enzymatic anti-oxidative technologies, the chloroplast lipophilic antioxidant vitamin A (Tocopherol) shows great promise. Working in coordination with the other cellular antioxidant machinery, it scavenges ROS, prevents lipid peroxidation, regulates stable cellular redox conditions, simulates signal cascades, improves membrane stability, confers photoprotection and enhances resistance against abiotic stresses. The amount of tocopherol production varies based on the severity of stress and its proposed mechanism of action involves arresting lipid peroxidation while quenching singlet oxygen species and lipid peroxyl radicals. Additionally, studies have demonstrated its coordination with other cellular antioxidants and phytohormones. Despite its significance, the precise mechanism of tocopherol action and signaling coordination are not yet fully understood. To bridge this knowledge gap, the present review aims to explore and understand the biosynthesis and antioxidant functions of Vitamin E, along with its signal transduction and stress regulation capacities and responses. Furthermore, the review delves into the light harvesting and photoprotection capabilities of tocopherol. By providing insights into these domains, this review offers new opportunities and avenues for using tocopherol in the management of abiotic stresses in agriculture.

Alginate-based composites as novel soil conditioners for sustainable applications in agriculture: A critical review.

The development of alginate-based composites in agriculture to combat nutrient loss and drought for sustainable development has drawn increasing attention in the scientific community. Existing studies are however scattered, and the retention and slow-release mechanisms of alginate-based composites are not well understood. This paper systematically reviews the current literature on the preparation, characterization, and agricultural applications of various alginate-based composites. The synthesis methods of alginate-based composites are firstly summarized, followed by a review of available analytical techniques to characterize alginate-based composites for the attainment of their desired performance. Secondly, the performance and controlling factors for agricultural applications of alginate-based composites are discussed, including aquasorb, slow-release fertilizer, soil amendment, microbial inoculants, and controlled release of pesticides for pest management. Finally, suggestions and future perspectives are proposed to expand the applications of alginate-based composites for sustainable agriculture.

Nano Zinc-Enabled Strategies in Crops for Combatting Zinc Malnutrition in Human Health.

Deficits in the mineral Zn are responsible for a sizable proportion of the world's disease burden and child mortality. With the increasing success rate of biofortification in major crops, the development of a genotype with enhanced Zn bioavailability will be an efficient and sustainable solution to nutrient deficiency-related problems. Due to the complex chemistry of the human system, the absorption of Zn from cereals is lower. This complexity is alleviated by phytate, a major phosphorus-storing compound in cereal and legume seeds, which negatively affects Zn binding. The results of recent studies on the distribution of elements and micronutrient speciation in seeds provide strong evidence for the presence of distinct Zn pools. This observation is supported by data from biofortified transgenic plant research. Several studies identify nicotinamide, a metal chelator, as a pivotal molecule. The loading of Zn into grains has been reported to increase with nicotinamide levels, which is a crucial finding. Intestinal Zn absorption can be greatly improved by nicotinamide. Furthermore, bioavailability tests suggest that the use of nano Zn-enabled devices could be an effective strategy to enable plant biofortification, which may significantly boost the Zn content in various cereal crops. This review comprehensively evaluated the scientific publications indexed in WoS, Scopus, and various other reliable databases and explored insights into how nano-enabled technology could be a solution for enhancing Zn content in cereal crops for combating malnutrition in humans.

Phenolic Compounds of the Medicinal Plants in an Anthropogenically Transformed Environment.

In this article, the impact of an anthropogenically transformed environment on the content of pharmaceutically valuable biologically active compounds in medicinal plants is analyzed. The studied biologically active substances included phenolic compounds (flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins, and phenolic acids). The number of transmissible forms of heavy metals (HMs), including cadmium, lead, and mercury, were discharged from factories that are present in the soil. Plants uptake these toxic metals from the soil. HM causes changes in the activity of the several enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS), chalcone isomerase (CHI) and other enzymes. These enzymes play an important role in biosynthesis of phenolic compounds in medicinal plants. It has been demonstrated that plant materials possess high antioxidant potential due to their high phenolic content. As a result, the present review discusses a thorough investigation of anthropogenically transformed environment effects on the quantity of pharmaceutically valuable phenolic compounds in medicinal plants.

Cyanotoxins, biosynthetic gene clusters, and factors modulating cyanotoxin biosynthesis.

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CHABs) are a global environmental concern that encompasses public health issues, water availability, and water quality owing to the production of various secondary metabolites (SMs), including cyanotoxins in freshwater, brackish water, and marine ecosystems. The frequency, extent, magnitude, and duration of CHABs are increasing globally. Cyanobacterial species traits and changing environmental conditions, including anthropogenic pressure, eutrophication, and global climate change, together allow cyanobacteria to thrive. The cyanotoxins include a diverse range of low molecular weight compounds with varying biochemical properties and modes of action. With the application of modern molecular biology techniques, many important aspects of cyanobacteria are being elucidated, including aspects of their diversity, gene-environment interactions, and genes that express cyanotoxins. The toxicological, environmental, and economic impacts of CHABs strongly advocate the need for continuing, extensive efforts to monitor cyanobacterial growth and to understand the mechanisms regulating species composition and cyanotoxin biosynthesis. In this review, we critically examined the genomic organization of some cyanobacterial species that lead to the production of cyanotoxins and their characteristic properties discovered to date.

Salinity stress and nanoparticles: Insights into antioxidative enzymatic resistance, signaling, and defense mechanisms.

Salinized land is slowly spreading across the world. Reduced crop yields and quality due to salt stress threaten the ability to feed a growing population. We discussed the mechanisms behind nano-enabled antioxidant enzyme-mediated plant tolerance, such as maintaining reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis, enhancing the capacity of plants to retain K+ and eliminate Na+, increasing the production of nitric oxide, involving signaling pathways, and lowering lipoxygenase activities to lessen oxidative damage to membranes. Frequently used techniques were highlighted like protecting cells from oxidative stress and keeping balance in ionic state. Salt tolerance in plants enabled by nanotechnology is also discussed, along with the potential role of physiobiochemical and molecular mechanisms. As a whole, the goal of this review is meant to aid researchers in fields as diverse as plant science and nanoscience in better-comprehending potential with novel solutions to addressing salinity issues for sustainable agriculture.