Recovery of green phenolic compounds from lignin-based source: Role of ferulic acid esterase towards waste valorization and bioeconomic perspectives.

The production of chemicals/ products so far relies on fossil-based resources with the creation of several environmental problems at the global level. In this situation, a sustainable and circular economy model is necessitated to mitigate global environmental issues. Production of biowaste from various processing industries also creates environmental issues which would be valorized for the production of industrially important reactive and bioactive compounds. Lignin acts as a vital part in biowaste composition which can be converted into a wide range of phenolic compounds. The phenolic compounds have attracted much attention, owing to their influence on diverse not only organoleptic parameters, such as taste or color, but also active agents for active packaging systems. Crop residues of varied groups, which are an affluent source of lignocellulosic biomass could serve as a renewable resource for the biosynthesis of ferulic acid (FA). FA is obtained by the FA esterase enzyme action, and it can be further converted into various tail end phenolic flavor green compounds like vanillin, vanillic acid and hydroxycinnamic acid. Lignin being renewable in nature, processing and management of biowastes towards sustainability is the need as far as the global industrial point is concerned. This review explores all the approaches for conversion of lignin into value-added phenolic compounds that could be included to packaging applications. These valorized products can exhibit the antioxidant, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, and due to these features can emerge to incorporate them into production of functional foods and be utilization of them at active food packaging application. These approaches would be an important step for utilization of the recovered bioactive compounds at the nutraceutical and food industrial sectors.

Land cover changes and carbon dynamics in Central India's dry tropical forests: A 25-year assessment and nature-based eco-restoration approaches.

Anthropogenic land use and land cover changes are major drivers of environmental degradation and declining soil health across heterogeneous landscapes in Central India. To examines the land cover changes and spatio-temporal variations in forest carbon stock and soil organic carbon (SOC) over the past 25 years in central India. Geospatial techniques, coupled with ground measurements were employed to detect changes in land cover, carbon stocks in vegetation, and soil carbon in various vegetation types. The results indicate that forested areas have decreased, while agriculture and habitation have expanded between 1997 and 2022. Vegetation C stocks varied significantly (P < 0.05) from 39.42 to 139.95 Mg ha-1 and the SOC varied from 7.02 to 17.98 Mg ha-1 under different soil profiles across vegetation types, which decreased with soil depth, while the pH and bulk density increased. The maximum bulk density in the soil was found at a depth of 40-60 cm (lower profile) in Bamboo Brake, while the minimum was observed under Dense Mixed Forest at a depth of 0-20 cm (top profile). The topsoil profile contributed 33.6%-39%, the middle profile (20-40 cm) was 33.6%-34.4%, and the lower profile was 26.5%-30.8% of soil organic carbon. The study site has experienced rapid carbon losses due to changes in land cover, such as illegal expansion of agriculture, encroachments into forest fringes, and activities like selective logging and overgrazing, which have degraded dense forests. The ecological engineering of degraded ecosystems poses a great challenge and application of complex biological, mechanical and engineering measures is highly cumbersome, expensive, uneconomical and practically not feasible for upscaling. Nevertheless, proposed nature-based solutions mimic natural reparation and processes provide sustainable interventions for the reclamation of ruined landscapes besides improving ecological integrity and rendering many co-benefits to ecosystems and human societies.

Exploring the Paradigm of Phyto-Nanofabricated Metal Oxide Nanoparticles: Recent Advancements, Applications, and Challenges.

The development of nanotechnology, in particular metal oxide nanoparticles, has captured immense scientific attention in the global arena due to their unique properties leading to their unique diverse applications. But the use of toxic precursors and high operational cost make existing methodologies inefficient for synthesising metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs). Biogenic synthesis of MONPs has been hailed as a more sustainable approach for the synthesis of NPs due to its alignment with the principles of green chemistry. Microorganisms (bacteria, yeast, algae), animal sources (silk, fur, etc.), and plants are effective, low-cost, and eco-friendly means of synthesizing MONPs since they possess a high bio-reduction abilities to produce NPs of various shapes and sizes. The current review encompasses recent advancements in the field of plant-mediated MONP synthesis and characterisation. The detailed evaluation of various synthesis processes and parameters, key influencing factors affecting the synthesis efficiency and product morphology, practical applications with insight into the associated limitations and challenges presents a valuable database that will be helpful in developing alternative prospects and potential engineering applications.

Assessment of the bioaccumulation pattern of Pb, Cd, Cr and Hg in edible fishes of East kolkata Wetlands, India.

Waste water fed pisciculture is nowadays a common feature in aquaculture belts across the globe. East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW) a nature's wonder where waste water fed natural aquaculture beltis is active for more than 70 years now and is efficiently operating as a natural waste management system. The peri urban wetland is also a site of international importance and is listed in Ramsar. Field and lab-based investigations were carried out using three commonly edible carp variety of fishes such as Rohu (Labeorohita), Catla (Catlacatla) and Nile Tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus) collected from ponds (bheries) of the wetland located on the eastern fringes of Kolkata, India. The lab-based analysis revealed the presence of toxic metals such as Cr, Pb, Cd and Hg in the samples with the seasonal order of accumulation being monsoon > post-monsoon > winter > pre-monsoon in the successive years of 2016, 2017 and 2018. Bio-accumulation of toxic heavy metals in fishes follows the order Tilapia > Rohu > Catla where as the bioaccumulation pattern of toxic metals shows the trend Pb > Cd > Cr > Hg across all the seasons and years. The ambient media was also investigated to understand in detail the bioaccumulation pattern at different trophic levels of the ecosystem. Water and sediments were analyzed to evaluate the contamination of toxic heavy metals from point and non-point sources. Current study shows the observed bioaccumulation pattern of the toxic heavy metals in one of the fragile ecosystems that raises an important question of environmental safety in the food we intake on daily basis.

Use of Wild Edible Plants: Can They Meet the Dietary and Nutritional Needs of Indigenous Communities in Central India.

Despite significant evidence base on quantifying ecosystem services, the role of biodiversity in supporting such services in diversified landscapes, and how indigenous communities exploit, utilize and manage plant resources in a biocultural regime, remains understudied. This study examines the role of wild edible plants (WEPs) in meeting the food, nutrition and household income of indigenous communities under the biodiversity rich landscape of the Achanakmaar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve (AABR-22°15' to 22°58' N latitudes and 81°25' to 82°5' East longitudes) of Central India. Results revealed remarkable differences among Baiga, Gond, Kol, and Oraon ethnic communities and also location (core, buffer and transition) effect on utilization pattern of wild edibles. A sum total of 172 WEPs comprising 60 vegetables, 70 fruits, seeds and nuts, 23 underground tubers and 19 mushrooms were collected, consumed, and surplus were marketed by the communities. On average, the number of wild edibles collected annually by households were in the following quantities: 40-240 kg leafy vegetables, 125-386 kg flowers, 120-250 kg fruits, 12-125 kg legumes, 24-120 kg tubers, 5-35 kg mushrooms. Among ethnic groups, the Baiga primitive community utilized 70-90% followed by Gonds (58-81%), Kols (52-78%), Oraons (43-79%), and other communities (38-68%) in different zones. WEPs have contributed to 5-24% (Rs 3559- 12,710) of household income, which was highest in the core zone and lowest in the transition zone. It was observed that WEPs were complemented the diets rather than being a substitute for staple foods. They supplied only 3.7-8.3% of energy and 1.1-4.9% protein requirements; however, they significantly supplemented ascorbic acid, thiamine, calcium, and iron by 38.1-73%, 13.7-35.4%, 17.2-29.1%, 2.6-13.5%, respectively. Significantly higher quantities of nutrients were supplemented in the core zone compared to other zones. WEPs were currently underutilized (less intake) especially in buffer and transition zones, complementing the staple foods and partially supplementing the essential macro- and micro-nutrients. However, these have the potential to fulfill the dietary needs and ensure balanced nutrition, if consumed in recommended portions and sizes. The paper discusses policy implications that ensure coherence and coordination of local indigenous communities for conservation and sustainable utilization of WEPs of AABR, Central India.

Growth performance of Ganoderma lucidum using billet method in Garhwal Himalaya, India.

Medicinal mushrooms have been used in various treatments from a very long time, among which, Ganoderma lucidum is one of the most important medicinal mushroom. It is cultivated worldwide to meet its ever-increasing demand in the market. It is generally cultivated by bed log (Sawdust) and wood log (billet) method. This study was an attempt to observe the growth performance of G. lucidum on poplar billets (Populus deltoides) in the Sherpur Village (Dehradun) and Manjgaun village (Tehri Garhwal) of Garhwal Himalaya, India. The farmers' field with empty house/ rooms having proper growing conditions especially humidity and light were used for the cultivation of G. lucidum. The G. lucidum spawn was inoculated in poplar wood billets and these billets were installed in well prepared soil. The results demonstrated that cropping cycle of G. lucidum was shorter (132-136 days) in Sherpur Village (Dehradun) as compared to Manjgaun village (141-145 days) in Tehri Garhwal. Further the results also revealed that yield was decreased in the subsequent flushes. In Village Sherpur, the fruiting bodies of G. lucidum were harvested between 64-66 days, 100-101  days and 135-136  days during first, second and third flush after the installation of billets, respectively. However; in village Manjgaun, the fruiting bodies of G. lucidum were harvested between 69 and 71 days, 107-108  days and 144-145 days in first, second and third after the installation of billets respectively. Warmer temperature in Village Sherpur resulted in the early emergence and development of the fruiting bodies as compared to village Manjgaun where pinhead and fruiting body development was delayed due to the lower temperature during cropping cycle.

Effect of seed source, light, and nitrogen levels on biomass and nutrient allocation pattern in seedlings of Pongamia pinnata.

Nitrogen (N) and light are critical determinants of plant growth and productivity. The present study attempts to quantify the underlying mechanisms and effects of light, N levels, and seed source on growth, biomass, nutrient allocations, and nutrient use efficiencies (NUEs) in seedlings of Pongamia pinnata. The differential and fixed hypothesis and isometric and allometric relationships were also examined. Six morphologically superior seed sources of P. pinnata from three contrasting agro-climatic conditions of India were evaluated with application of two levels of both N (low dose @ 5g plant-1 and 15 g plant-1) and light regimes (full light-100% and low light-50%) in mother nursery. Among the seed sources, the native Raipur seed source was found outstanding in growth, biomass, and nutrient use efficiency. N was more critical than light in promoting growth in seedlings of P. pinnata. High N and high light regimes increased shoot/root ratios. The components showed allometric growth and followed a differential allocation pattern. The exploitation of suitable genetic resources combined with managerial interventions is necessary for development of quality planting stock of P. pinnata. Nutrient use efficiencies, biomass production, and their allocation were important indicators and criteria for selection. The study suggests that Raipur and Jabalpur seed sources having high NUE should be grown along with adequate N application (15 g plant-1) and light conditions.

Experimental studies on possible regulatory role of nitric oxide on the differential effects of chronic predictable and unpredictable stress on adaptive immune responses.

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of chronic predictable stress (CPS) and chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) on immunological responses in KLH-sensitized rats and involvement of NOergic signaling pathways mediating such responses. Male Wistar rats (200-250g) were exposed to either CPS or CUS for 14days and IgG antibody levels and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response was determined to assess changes in adaptive immunity. To evaluate the role of nitric oxide during such immunomodulation, biochemical estimation of stable metabolite of nitric oxide (NOx) and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT, a marker of peroxynitrite formation) were done in both blood and brain. Chronic stress exposure resulted in suppression of IgG and DTH response and elevated NOx and 3-NT levels, with a difference in magnitude of response in CPS vs CUS. Pretreatment with aminoguanidine (iNOS inhibitor) caused further reduction of adaptive immune responses and attenuated the increased NOx and 3-NT levels in CPS or CUS exposed rats. On the other hand 7-NI (nNOS inhibitor) did not significantly affect these estimated parameters. The results suggest involvement of iNOS and lesser/no role of nNOS during modulation of adaptive immunity to stress. Thus, the result showed that predictability of stressors results in differential degree of modulation of immune responses and complex NO-mediated signaling mechanisms may be involved during responses.

Neuroprotective role of PDE4 and PDE5 inhibitors in 3-nitropropionic acid induced behavioral and biochemical toxicities in rats.

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors have been reported to be beneficial in cognitive and motor disorders. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of RO 20-1724 (PDE4 inhibitor) and sildenafil (PDE5 inhibitor) in 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) induced experimental Huntington's disease in rats. 3-Nitropropionic acid was administered for 14 days (10 mg/kg i.p.) 1h following 3-NP administration, the rats were treated with either vehicle, RO 20-1724 (0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg i.p.) or sildenafil (2 and 4 mg/kg i.p.) for 14 days. Cognitive functions were assessed by using Morris water maze whereas, motor functions were assessed by spontaneous locomotor activity, limb withdrawal and suspended wire test at different time points. Biochemically, markers of oxidative stress and cell damage, such as reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde, nitrite and lactate dehydrogenase levels were assessed terminally in the brain homogenate. Chronic administration of 3-NP produced significant decrease in body weight, showed marked abnormalities in cognitive and motor functions. Further, significant oxidative-nitrosative stress and cell damage was also observed. Chronic administration of RO 20-1724 and sildenafil in 3-NP treated rats significantly and dose dependently attenuated 3-NP induced behavioral and biochemical abnormalities in rats. Both these drugs were equally effective in attenuating 3-NP induced neurotoxicity. These results suggesting that the inhibition of PDE4 and PDE5 would be therapeutic in neurodegenerative disorders associated with cognitive and motor dysfunction.