Highlights
Different nanotechnologies and nanomaterials with their efficient applications in functional food development are summarized.
Nanotechnologies boosted the food, medicine, and biotechnology ...sector through enhanced food bioavailability, food processing, packaging, and preservation are also reviewed.
This comprehensive review on nanotechnologies in food science describes the recent trend and future perspectives for future functional nanofood research and development.
Nanotechnology is a key advanced technology enabling contribution, development, and sustainable impact on food, medicine, and agriculture sectors. Nanomaterials have potential to lead qualitative and quantitative production of healthier, safer, and high-quality functional foods which are perishable or semi-perishable in nature. Nanotechnologies are superior than conventional food processing technologies with increased shelf life of food products, preventing contamination, and production of enhanced food quality. This comprehensive review on nanotechnologies for functional food development describes the current trends and future perspectives of advanced nanomaterials in food sector considering processing, packaging, security, and storage. Applications of nanotechnologies enhance the food bioavailability, taste, texture, and consistency, achieved through modification of particle size, possible cluster formation, and surface charge of food nanomaterials. In addition, the nanodelivery-mediated nutraceuticals, synergistic action of nanomaterials in food protection, and the application of nanosensors in smart food packaging for monitoring the quality of the stored foods and the common methods employed for assessing the impact of nanomaterials in biological systems are also discussed.
Abstract
COVID‐19 was a global pandemic in the year 2020. Several treatment options failed to cure the disease. Thus, plant‐based medicines are becoming a trend nowadays due to their less side ...effects. Bioactive chemicals from natural sources have been utilised for centuries as treatment options for a variety of ailments. To find out the potent bioactive compounds to counteract COVID‐19, we use systems pharmacology and cheminformatics. They use the definitive data and predict the possible outcomes. In this study, we collected a total of 72 phytocompounds from the medicinally important plants such as
Garcinia mangostana
and
Cinnamomum verum
, of which 13 potential phytocompounds were identified to be active against the COVID‐19 infection based on Swiss Target Prediction and compound target network analysis. These phytocompounds were annotated to identify the specific human receptor that targets COVID‐19‐specific genes such as MAPK8, MAPK14, ACE, CYP3A4, TLR4 and TYK2. Among these, compounds such as smeathxanthone A, demethylcalabaxanthone, mangostanol, trapezifolixanthone from
Garcinia mangostana
and camphene from
C. verum
were putatively target various COVID‐19‐related genes. Molecular docking results showed that smeathxanthone A and demethylcalabaxanthone exhibit increased binding efficiency towards the COVID‐19‐related receptor proteins. These compounds also showed efficient putative pharmacoactive properties than the commercial drugs ((R)‐remdesivir, favipiravir and hydroxychloroquine) used to cure COVID‐19. In conclusion, our study highlights the use of cheminformatics approach to unravel the potent and novel phytocompounds against COVID‐19. These phytocompounds may be safer to use, more efficient and less harmful. This study highlights the value of natural products in the search for new drugs and identifies candidates with great promise.
Global deterioration of water, air, and soil quality by the release of toxic chemicals from anthropogenic pollutants is becoming a serious global problem. The extensive use of copper oxide ...nanoparticles (CuO NPs) can be environmentally hazardous when these NPs enter the atmosphere. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of CuO NPs on plant growth, photosynthetic capacity, and bioactive compounds, as well as their transcriptional level changes in
Brassica rapa
seedlings. Chlorophyll, carotenoid, and sugar content decreased, while proline and anthocyanins were significantly enhanced in the CuO NP-treated seedlings compared with the untreated controls. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H
2
O
2
) production were also enhanced in the seedlings exposed to CuO NPs, which could have caused DNA damage that was detected by a DNA laddering assay. The glucosinolate (GSL) and phenolic compound content were significantly increased in CuO NP-treated seedlings compared with that in control seedlings. Transcriptional variation of genes associated with oxidative stress (
CAT
,
POD
, and
GST
), R2R3-type
MYB
involved in GSL (
BrMYB28
,
BrMYB29
,
BrMYB34
, and
BrMYB51
), and phenolic compounds (
ANS
,
PAP1
,
PAL
, and
FLS
) biosynthesis was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Significant upregulation of
CAT
,
POD
,
GST
,
BrMYB28
,
BrMYB29
,
BrMYB34
,
BrMYB51
,
ANS
,
PAP1
,
PAL
, and
FLS
genes was observed in seedlings exposed to different concentrations of CuO NPs relative to the untreated seedlings. Therefore, we suggest that the use of CuO NPs could stimulate the toxic effects and enhance phytochemicals (i.e., glucosinolates and phenolic compounds) in
B. rapa
.
Fatty acids are good energy sources (9 kcal per gram) that aerobic tissues can use except for the brain (glucose is an alternative source). Apart from the energy source, fatty acids are necessary for ...cell signaling, learning-related memory, modulating gene expression, and functioning as cytokine precursors. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are saturated fatty acids arranged as a straight chain consisting minimum of 6 carbon atoms. SCFAs possess various beneficial effects like improving metabolic function, inhibiting insulin resistance, and ameliorating immune dysfunction. In this review, we discussed the biogenesis, absorption, and transport of SCFA. SCFAs can act as signaling molecules by stimulating G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and suppressing histone deacetylases (HDACs). The role of SCFA on glucose metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and its effect on the immune system is also reviewed with updated details. SCFA possess anticancer, anti-diabetic, and hepatoprotective effects. Additionally, the association of protective effects of SCFA against brain-related diseases, kidney diseases, cardiovascular damage, and inflammatory bowel diseases were also reviewed. Nanotherapy is a branch of nanotechnology that employs nanoparticles at the nanoscale level to treat various ailments with enhanced drug stability, solubility, and minimal side effects. The SCFA functions as drug carriers, and nanoparticles were also discussed. Still, much research was not focused on this area. SCFA functions in host gene expression through inhibition of HDAC inhibition. However, the study has to be focused on the molecular mechanism of SCFA against various diseases that still need to be investigated.
Nano-priming is an innovative seed priming technology that helps to improve seed germination, seed growth, and yield by providing resistance to various stresses in plants. Nano-priming is a ...considerably more effective method compared to all other seed priming methods. The salient features of nanoparticles (NPs) in seed priming are to develop electron exchange and enhanced surface reaction capabilities associated with various components of plant cells and tissues. Nano-priming induces the formation of nanopores in shoot and helps in the uptake of water absorption, activates reactive oxygen species (ROS)/antioxidant mechanisms in seeds, and forms hydroxyl radicals to loosen the walls of the cells and acts as an inducer for rapid hydrolysis of starch. It also induces the expression of aquaporin genes that are involved in the intake of water and also mediates H
O
or ROS, dispersed over biological membranes. Nano-priming induces starch degradation via the stimulation of amylase, which results in the stimulation of seed germination. Nano-priming induces a mild ROS that acts as a primary signaling cue for various signaling cascade events that participate in secondary metabolite production and stress tolerance. This review provides details on the possible mechanisms by which nano-priming induces breaking seed dormancy, promotion of seed germination, and their impact on primary and secondary metabolite production. In addition, the use of nano-based fertilizer and pesticides as effective materials in nano-priming and plant growth development were also discussed, considering their recent status and future perspectives.
In this report we address the changes in the expression of the genes involved in ROS scavenging and ethylene biosynthesis induced by the inoculation of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) ...isolated from potato rhizosphere. The two Bacillus isolates used in this investigation had earlier demonstrated a striking influence on potato tuberization. These isolates showed enhanced 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase activity, phosphate solubilization, and siderophore production. Potato plants inoculated with these PGPR isolates were subjected to salt, drought, and heavy-metal stresses. The enhanced mRNA expression levels of the various ROS-scavenging enzymes and higher proline content in tubers induced by PGPR-treated plants contributed to increased plant tolerance to these abiotic stresses. Furthermore, the photosynthetic performance indices of PGPR-inoculated plants clearly exhibited a positive influence of these bacterial strains on the PSII photochemistry of the plants. Overall, these results suggest that the PGPR isolates used in this study are able to confer abiotic stress tolerance in potato plants.
Heavy metals play an important role in the homeostasis of living cells. However, these elements induce several adverse environmental effects and toxicities, and therefore seriously affect living ...cells and organisms. In recent years, some heavy metal pollutants have been reported to cause harmful effects on crop quality, and thus affect both food security and human health. For example, chromium, cadmium, copper, lead, and mercury were detected in natural foods. Evidence suggests that these elements are environmental contaminants in natural foods. Consequently, this review highlights the risks of heavy metal contamination of the soil and food crops, and their impact on human health. The data were retrieved from different databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Google scholar, and the Directory of Open Access Journals. Results show that vegetable and fruit crops grown in polluted soil accumulate higher levels of heavy metals than crops grown in unpolluted soil. Moreover, heavy metals in water, air, and soil can reduce the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. A healthy diet requires a rational consumption of foods. Physical, chemical, and biological processes have been developed to reduce heavy metal concentration and bioavailability to reduce heavy metal aggregation in the ecosystem. However, mechanisms by which these heavy metals exhibit their action on human health are not well elucidated. In addition, the positive and negative effects of heavy metals are not very well established, suggesting the need for further investigation.
The increasing demand for food is the result of an increasing population. It is crucial to enhance crop yield for sustainable production. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have gained importance because ...of their involvement in crop productivity by regulating gene transcription in numerous biological processes, such as growth, development and abiotic and biotic stresses. miRNAs are small, non-coding RNA involved in numerous other biological functions in a plant that range from genomic integrity, metabolism, growth, and development to environmental stress response, which collectively influence the agronomic traits of the crop species. Additionally, miRNA families associated with various agronomic properties are conserved across diverse plant species. The miRNA adaptive responses enhance the plants to survive environmental stresses, such as drought, salinity, cold, and heat conditions, as well as biotic stresses, such as pathogens and insect pests. Thus, understanding the detailed mechanism of the potential response of miRNAs during stress response is necessary to promote the agronomic traits of crops. In this review, we updated the details of the functional aspects of miRNAs as potential regulators of various stress-related responses in agronomic plants.
Beetroot is rich in various bioactive phytochemicals, which are beneficial for human health and exert protective effects against several disease conditions like cancer, atherosclerosis, etc. Beetroot ...has various therapeutic applications, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and analgesic functions. Besides the pharmacological effects, food industries are trying to preserve beetroots or their phytochemicals using various food preservation methods, including drying and freezing, to preserve their antioxidant capacity. Beetroot is a functional food due to valuable active components such as minerals, amino acids, phenolic acid, flavonoid, betaxanthin, and betacyanin. Due to its stability, nontoxic and non-carcinogenic and nonpoisonous capabilities, beetroot has been used as an additive or preservative in food processing. Beetroot and its bioactive compounds are well reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, antimicrobial, antiviral, etc. In this review, we provided updated details on (i) food processing, preservation and colorant methods using beetroot and its phytochemicals, (ii) synthesis and development of several nanoparticles using beetroot and its bioactive compounds against various diseases, (iii) the role of beetroot and its phytochemicals under disease conditions with molecular mechanisms. We have also discussed the role of other phytochemicals in beetroot and their health benefits. Recent technologies in food processing are also updated. We also addressed on molecular docking-assisted biological activity and screening for bioactive chemicals. Additionally, the role of betalain from different sources and its therapeutic effects have been listed. To the best of our knowledge, little or no work has been carried out on the impact of beetroot and its nanoformulation strategies for phytocompounds on antimicrobial, antiviral effects, etc. Moreover, epigenetic alterations caused by phytocompounds of beetroot under several diseases were not reported much. Thus, extensive research must be carried out to understand the molecular effects of beetroot in the near future.
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