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Item Myceliophthora thermophila: A nature-borne biotechnologist converting agricultural biomass into renewable energy and bioproducts(2026) Sing, BejinderAgricultural residues, rich source of cellulose and hemicellulose, are generated in huge amount during harvesting of crops. Bioconversion of this solid lignocellulosic biomass to value-added products with the help of microbes may provide an alternate source of renewable energy and other products. Among microorganisms, thermophilic fungi are most promising because they have to adapt to their natural habitat by developing a complex system. Myceliophthora thermophila is a remarkably powerful lignocellulolytic fungus that generates an array of enzymes implicated in the break-down of this biomass. The biochemical, genomic, and secretome analyses of this fungus have revealed an elaborate enzymatic repertoire that includes hemicellulases, cellulases, laccases, and other enzymes having auxiliary activities, thereby including almost all the known CAZy families. These enzymes are useful in complete deconstruction of the lignocellulosic biomass. The mould is amenable to grow efficiently in submerged and solid-state fermentations using agro-residues and is efficient in biomass degradation at moderate as well as at high temperatures because of high thermal stability of these enzymes. Thermostable enzymes of M. thermophila require lesser time for saccharification of various plant-based polysaccharides in comparison to hydrolytic enzymes from mesophilic fungi. Also, the fungus secretes various important biomolecules of multi farious biotechnological applications using lignocellulose as substrate.Item Multifunctional B4C/SnO2 Nanocomposites: A study on antimicrobial activity, photocatalysis, and electrical properties(2026) Baru, KanikaIn this study, a novel B4C/SnO2 nanocomposite was synthesized via a facile wet chemical route and comprehensively evaluated for its antimicrobial, photocatalytic, and electrical properties. The 30 % SnO2-loaded B4C/SnO2 nanocomposite exhibited high photocatalytic performance under solar irradiation, achieving ~98 % degradation of Rhodamine B dye within 60 min with an apparent rate constant (k) of 0.04067 min 1. UV–Vis analysis confirmed enhanced visible-light absorption due to interfacial charge transfer between B4C and SnO2. In addition, the B4C/SnO2 nanocomposite demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against Gram- negative bacteria with inhibition zones of 12–20 mm and showing MIC values of 300.85, 244.46, and 178.6 μg/mL against E. coli, and 235.95, 194.34, and 113.06 μg/mL against P. aeruginosa for the 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % SnO2 loadings, respectively. attributed to the generation of reactive oxygen species and direct interaction with bacterial cell walls. Electrical conductivity measurements indicated thermally activated conduction behavior, with an activation energy of 0.84 eV, confirming the high-resistivity semiconducting nature of the B4C/SnO2 composite and its potential relevance for temperature-sensitive and resistive sensing ap plications. The synergistic interaction between B4C and SnO2 contributes to the multifunctionality of the composite, highlighting its potential in environmental remediation, antimicrobial coatings, and electronic applications.Item Multifunctional approaches of cubosome-integrated thermoresponsive gels for intranasal brain targeting: Innovations, therapeutic potential, and challenges(2026) Pandey, ManishaNeurodegenerative disorders, such as cognitive disabilities and dementia, have nowadays become a global burden, distressing millions of elderly people worldwide. It is characterized by progressive loss of neurons in the central nervous system, affecting higher cortical centers and ultimately impacting the social life of the patients. Conventional treatment approaches to such neurological complications primarily involve systemic drug delivery through either oral or parenteral routes of administration. However, limited brain bioavailability due to the restrictive properties of the blood-brain barrier, systemic side effects, biotransformation of the drug, and limited ability to maintain therapeutic concentrations in the CNS pose a challenge in targeted therapy. In recent years, cubosomes, nanostructured lipid-based carriers of an internally bi-continuous cubic phase, have emerged as a novel drug delivery system, which are capable of encapsulating both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. These unique structured nanocarriers possess favourable physical properties, including high surface area and ther modynamic stability, which make them a potential tool for controlled and targeted drug delivery systems. With intranasal administration, cubosomes offer the ability to bypass the BBB due to the use of the olfactory and trigeminal neural pathways, achieving direct brain targeting of the therapeutics. Thus, this review aims to provide an overview of the nose-to-brain transport mechanisms, based on the anatomical and physiological basis following intranasal delivery of cubosomes integrated into thermoresponsive in situ gels. The review also focuses on their potential therapeutic applications in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, the re view also presents formulation challenges and strategies to address them, providing insight into the future possibilities of cubosome-based gels as a new non-invasive brain-targeted therapy.Item In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation Techniques for ACE Inhibitory Peptides: Challenges and Innovations in Predicting Hypertensive Effects(2026) Bhoria, SoniaBackground ACE inhibitory peptides derived from food sources are natural alternative to manage hypertension then the synthetic ones due to various side effects. To evaluate their therapeutic potential and biological activities, in vivo and in vitro assays are required. Objective This paper reviews in vitro and in vivo assessment techniques, highlighting their limitations and advancements. Methodology This review paper is based on literature survey through databases like ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar from 1986 to 2025. in vitro and in vivo techniques discussed to evaluate ACE inhibitory peptides with older studies based on their significance. Results In vitro methods, such as ACE inhibition assays and enzyme kinetics, provide insights into bioactivity but lack physiological relevance. In vivo studies, while essential for therapeutic validation, face ethical concerns, high costs, and human variability. Innovations like QSAR models, molecular docking, and organ-on-chip systems enhance predictive accu racy. Biomarkers further improve physiological relevance, bridging preclinical and clinical gaps. Conclusion The study emphasizes the need for refined methodologies, better bioavailability, and stable formulations. Addi tionally, regulatory challenges and multi-omics approaches are discussed to enhance peptide evaluation. Overcoming these limitations will facilitate the development of ACE inhibitory peptides as effective antihypertensive agents. Graphical abstract In vitro and in vivo evaluation techniques for ACE inhibitory peptidesItem Identification and fine‑mapping of novel major locus for yellow mosaic disease resistance in Glycine soja(2026) Sonah, HumairaKey message This is the first report on the identification and fine-mapping of yellow mosaic disease resistance locus, qMYMIV14.1, on chromosome 14 using integrative genomic approaches in interspecific soybean populations. Abstract Yellow mosaic disease (YMD) is a major viral threat to soybean production in Asian and Southeast Asian countries. Field screening of the disease was performed at Ludhiana; a YMD hot spot and its causative agent, mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV, Begomovirus vignaradiataindiaense) was detected and validated as the causal agent through PCR and sequence analysis. Genetic assessment was conducted on 1784 F2 plants derived from a cross between the susceptible cultivated soybean (Glycine max cv. ‘NRC 94’) and a resistant wild accession (Glycine soja accession ‘PI 393551’). The segregation ratio indicated that YMD resistance is controlled by four dominant genes, three of which confer resistance, while one inhibitory gene suppresses this resistance. Test of allelism performed on direct and reciprocal crosses [SL 958//JS 335/PI 393551 (BC5F6)] across F1, F2, and F3 generations revealed that genes in cultivated and wild soybean were non-allelic with no maternal effect. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) initially identified eight markers (Satt157, BARCSOYSSR_14_0441, BARCSOYSSR_14_0445, BARCSOYSSR_14_0448, BARCSOYSSR_14_0455, BARCSOYSSR_14_1416, BARC SOYSSR_14_1417 & BARCSOYSSR_14_1516) linked to resistance. Traditional QTL mapping revealed three novel QTLs on chromosome 14. Combined results from QTL-seq, a genome-wide association study, and QTL mapping consistently identified a major and stable locus, qMYMIV14.1, spanning the 46.55–48.70 Mb region on the long arm of chromosome 14. This is the first QTL detected from an interspecific cross which explained for 27.81–68.01% of phenotypic variance. Two candidate genes, Glyma.14G173300 and Glyma.14G173600, encoding leucine-rich repeat proteins, were identified within this locus. These findings provide valuable genomic resources for marker-assisted selection and breeding of soybean cultivars with durable YMD resistance.Item The Aloe Genome Genetics, Genomics and Breeding(2026) Beniwal, VikasAloe vera is the oldest known, and the most widely applied medicinal plant worldwide. It is a unique plant with a wealth of historical and cultural value, which is bolstered by its diverse range of applications and vast botanical history (Foster and Hunter, 2009). Its extensive pharmacological characteristics are supported by its varied chemical composition, which includes both gel and latex ingredients. These pharmacological properties have been verified by multiple scientific studies, that confirmed its efficacy in several key areas (Surjushe et al., 2008).Item Azithromycin-based Albumin Nanoparticles Loaded Oral Fast dissolving Films as Superheroes in the Fight against Strep Throat(2026) Pandey, ManishaStreptococcal pharyngitis, strep throat, is a bacterial infection induced by group A Streptococcus. Azithromycin (AZI) is used as the second-line drug for its treatment. The study’s goal was to formulate AZI-based albumin nanoparticles loaded on fast oral dissolving films, which would help reduce the dosage and dosing frequency of the drug by enhancing its local effect in the affected area. The desolvation process was utilized for the synthesis of albumin nanoparticles, while the solvent casting approach was applied for the formulation of the oral fast-dissolving films (OFDF). A 3-factor and 3-level CCD was implemented to ascertain the influence of critical material attributes on the critical quality attributes of the nanoparticles employing Design-Expert software. The optimized nanoparticles exhibited particle dimension, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency of 250.6 ± 19.6 nm, -0.656 mV, and 98.67% ± 0.002, respectively. The in vitro release of the optimized formulation demonstrated an initial burst release of 18.11% ± 0.0024 within the first 2 hours, and subsequently, a sustained release profile was observed, with 96% ± 0.15 of the drug over 36 h. The AZI-loaded albumin nanoparticles loaded oral fast-dissolving films demonstrated a drug release of 95% ± 0.659 within 1 h, and the ex vivo permeation via goat buccal mucosa further revealed a flux of 45.36 mg/h. cm2. Moreover, the formulation was assessed for its antibacterial potency towards Streptococcus aureus, revealing a substantial zone of inhibition measuring 38 mm ± 0.152 compared to the marketed oral tablet. The findings collectively point to the formulation’s efficacy in addressing strep throat, suggest ing its potential as a viable treatment option for this condition. Further preclinical studies can be performed to ensure its successful translation.Item A Review on the Fate of Emerging Contaminants in Landfill Leachate: Insights from Conventional Treatment Approaches(2026) Kumar, Smita S.Landfill leachate is a dark-colored, complex liquid formed by the percolation of water through municipal solid waste, containing diverse array of emerging contaminants. Reported concen trations include pharmaceuticals such as ibuprofen (2–1,500 µg/L) and carbamazepine (up to 800 µg/L), personal care products like triclosan (50–3,200 µg/L), pesticides (50–1,200 µg/L), phthalates such as Di(2 ethylhexyl) phthalate (up to 5.3 mg/L), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (20–600 µg/L), polychlorin ated biphenyls (0.1–50 µg/L), per- and polyfluoro alkyl substances (up to 6,200 ng/L), microplastics (102–104 particles/L), and endocrine disruptors such as bisphenol A (0.5–1,800 µg/L). These contaminants persist in the environment, resist natural degradation, Highlights • Conventional treatments only partially remove emerging contaminants (ECs) in leachate. • EC removal depends on physicochemical properties and applied treatment process. • Fate of ECs includes adsorption, partial biodegradation, and environmental persistence. • Hybrid and integrated treatments achieve higher EC removal than standalone methods. • Treatment limitations indicate the need for optimized hybrid systems and monitoring. and thereby posing significant ecological and health risks. The conventional biological treatments, includ ing activated sludge and anaerobic digestion, achieve only partial removal (20–60% for pharmaceuti cals; < 30% for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Physico-chemical processes such as coagulation-floc culation, advanced oxidation, and membrane filtration provide higher removal rates (60–95%) but remain energy-intensive, costly, and prone to secondary pol lution. There is no single treatment that ensures com plete elimination, underscoring the inadequacy of tra ditional methods. Recent advances, including hybrid membrane bioreactors, advanced oxidation processes, and bioelectrochemical technologies, achieve more than 90% removal of selected contaminants. The study focuses on the occurrence and fate of emerg ing contaminants in landfill leachate, evaluates the performance of existing treatment technologies, and compares regulatory frameworks across different countries. The insights aim to guide the development of sustainable and integrated strategies for effective leachate management.Item Ultrasound-assisted extraction and RP-HPLC quantification of β-caryophyllene in plant essential oils: Separation efficiency and insecticidal activity(2025) Kumar, AntreshThis study details the development of a method for separating essential oils using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and quantifying β-caryophyllene in 14 plant samples via reverse phase-high performance liquid chro matography (RP-HPLC). Extraction efficiencies of methods like hydrodistillation, Soxhlet extraction, and ultra sonic extraction were compared, with n-hexane, methanol, and ethyl acetate as solvents. Notably, UAE with n hexane showed the highest β-caryophyllene yield in HPLC analysis. Separation was achieved within 20 min using isocratic elution on a C-18 reverse-phase column, with a mobile phase of acetonitrile and water (70:30) at room temperature and detection at 210 nm via diode array. The method showed excellent linearity (0.1–5 µg/mL), with LOD and LOQ values of 0.02 and 0.07 µg/mL, respectively, achieving high accuracy (recovery rate of 102.1%) and precision (RSD 0.45%). Additionally, the insecticidal potential of β-caryophyllene, isolated from Hyptis suaveolens essential oil, was tested against two storage pests, Sitophilus granarius and Corcyra cephalonica larvae, demonstrating significant insecticidal activity. This suggests that β-caryophyllene could serve as an effective natural insecticide.Item Transforming waste into wealth: Leveraging nanotechnology for recycling agricultural byproducts into value-added products(2025) Deshmukh, RupeshThe extensive generation of agricultural waste worldwide poses significant environmental challenges. Tradi tional disposal methods, such as crop burning, contribute to severe air pollution and ecological degradation. Current agricultural waste management strategies often fail to fully utilize the potential of these residues for conversion into valuable resources. This review highlights the transformative role of nanotechnology in upcy cling agricultural waste into high-value, sustainable products, thereby advancing the circular economy. In novations such as nanocatalysts, biodegradable nanomaterials, and nano-enabled agrochemicals have opened efficient pathways for converting agricultural residues into nanomaterials like nanocellulose, biopolymers, bioplastics, nanofertilizers, and biochar. These technologies provide eco-friendly alternatives to conventional materials while addressing pressing global sustainability challenges. Despite technical, regulatory, and market barriers, integrating nanotechnology into agricultural waste management offers immense potential to minimize waste, reduce environmental impacts, and create economic value. This review emphasizes the need for sup portive policies, collaborative efforts between industry and academia, and increased public awareness to foster the widespread adoption of nanotechnological innovations. By reimagining agricultural waste as a valuable resource, nanotechnology can drive sustainable development and enhance resource efficiency, paving the way toward a greener and more resilient future.Item Synergistic in-vitro inhibition of lung cancer cells using L-carnosine-capped copper nanoclusters(2025) Kumari, NeetuTraditional cancer treatments are often associated with high toxicity and significant side effects, limiting the safe dosage range for patients. To address these challenges, there is a critical need for specific medications with reduced toxicity and enhanced efficacy. This study combined the unique anticancer properties of L-carnosine, a dipeptide, and copper to synthesize L-carnosine-capped copper nanoclusters (Cu4L5). The nanoclusters were characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, HR-TEM, HR-MS, and EDX mapping. The synthesized Cu4L5 exhibited synergistic anticancer effects against A549 lung cancer cells, as evidenced by MTT assay results showing significantly higher cytotoxicity toward cancer cells while demon strating minimal toxicity to normal Vero-2 cells, as indicated by IC50 values. Their anticancer properties were compared to those of L-carnosine alone and copper nanoclusters stabilized with L-histidine. Cu4L5 exhibited approximately twofold greater anticancer activity, confirming the enhanced efficacy of the L-carnosine-CuNCs combination. Additionally, CuNCs enable the detection of GSH in solution within the nanomolar concentration range using the Stern-Volmer equation. Computational studies of nanoclusters further revealed that copper atoms bind with ligands through its N of imidazole ring and C––O group, leaving carboxylate and NH2 sites available for interacting with cancer cells. This dual functionality of Cu4L5, combining therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities, highlights its potential as a promising candidate for targeted cancer treatment with minimal off-target effects.Item Synergistic fermentation of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) bio‑enriched soy milk: optimization and techno‑functional characterization of next generation functional vegan foods(2025) Dhewa, TejpalVitamin B2 (riboflavin) is essential for cellular growth, energy production, and redox potential. Certain lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can synthesize B2 in low levels in fermented products, however it is mostly retained inside the cell. This study aimed to develop B2-enriched soymilk by fermenting with B2-producing probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains and traditional starter culture Lactobacillus acidophilus NCIM2902. Using the central composite design approach, process ing parameters were optimized for enhanced B2 content and probiotic count. Six independent variables were assessed: temperature (A: 35–45 °C), pH (B: 4–6), time (C: 3–18 h), and inoculum size for strains L. plantarum MTCC 25432 (D: 1–2%), L. plantarum MTCC 25433 (E: 1–2%), and L. acidophilus NCIM 2902 (F: 1–2%). The second-order model effectively predicted responses, identifying optimal fermentation conditions for developing vitamin B2-enriched soymilk: temperature (A) 36 °C, pH (B) 5.5, fermentation time (C): 11 h, inoculum size for L. plantarum MTCC 25432 (D): 2%, MTCC 25433 (E): 2%, and L acidophilus NCIM (F): 0.43%. These conditions resulted in a threefold increase in B2 concentration (481 µg/L) while maintaining a probiotic count of 9 logs CFU/mL. Additionally, techno-functional characterization, including rheology and texture profile analysis, showed that enhanced protease activity of co-cultured LAB improved protein hydrolysis (6259 nm), positively impacting the water holding capacity (WHC) and overall acceptability of the fermented soymilk. This optimized fermentation process represents a novel approach to developing nutritionally enhanced dairy-free soy products with high riboflavin content, utilizing the synergistic benefits of co-fermentation by two riboflavin-producing L. plantarum strains and traditional starter culture of L. acidophilus. This advancement is particularly significant for lactose intolerant and vegan consumers who may lack sufficient dietary sources of Vitamin B2.Item Rice residue management: Alternative strategies and emerging technologies for a sustainable ecosystem(2025) Beniwal, VikasRice straw, which is produced after the harvest of rice, is a major agricultural waste in the world. Rice straw has a high carbon/nitrogen ratio and is more resistant to microbial degradation than other straws because its main constituents are cellulose and hemicelluloses encrusted by lignin. When rice straw is burned, hazardous substances such as carbon dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen monoxide are released into the air as smoke (less than 10 µm-sized particles). The rise in the burning of rice straw has contributed to too many accidents and health issues in the general population residing in Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh of India. These states are being urged by the National Green Tribunal to generate money instead of burning rice straw. Even though these lignocellulosic materials might be beneficial, not much has been carried out with them. This overview covers the properties of rice straw and husks, the numerous procedures used to create valuable products, and various applications that may be made for them. These include energy sources, environmental adsorbents, building supplies, and specialist commodities.Item Production, characterization and bio-functional properties of multi-functional peptides from fermented plant-based foods: A review(2025) Singh, Brij PalBioactive peptides derived from fermented plant-based foods have gained increasing attention due to their po tential health-promoting properties. Fermentation of plant-based substrates leads to the manufacturing of various peptides with bioactive properties through the enzyme’s activity in microorganisms or endogenous plant en zymes. These peptides exhibit diverse biological activities such as antioxidant, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anti-cancer effects. This review provides an overview of the health bene f icial properties of peptides with biological activity derived from fermented foods mainly plants, including their modes of operation and prospective uses in promoting human health. Understanding the health benefits and ways of behaviour about bioactive specific protein fragments from fermented plant-based meals can contribute to the creation of dietary supplements and culinary products with enhanced health-promoting properties.Item Procaine and salicylate‑based ionic liquid: synthesis, in silico, in vitro, biophysical and biological studies(2025) Kumari, NeetuHerein, we explored the synergistic effect of ionic liquids as anticancer and antibacterial agents to avoid available combination therapies. We synthesized an API-based ionic liquid (IL) designated as [Pro-pip]SAL to meet our objec tives. This compound features a cationic moiety derived from procaine and 1,3-benzodioxole, tagged with a salicylate salt as the anionic counterpart. Molecular docking studies showed that interaction is polar involving H-bonding and van der Waal forces. Spectroscopic studies were carried out to validate the results of computational studies for the binding interaction mechanism of [Pro-pip]SAL IL with bovine serum albumin (BSA). The UV–visible spectra showed an increase in absorbance intensity with bathochromic shift, and fluorescence spectra showed static quenching with bathochromic shift revealing that polar interaction played an important role in the interaction between Pro-pip]SAL IL with BSA. CD spectra showed no significant change in the secondary structure of BSA. The antibacterial study revealed that IL showed significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive) bacteria and no effect was observed on E. coli (gram-negative) bacteria. Cytotoxicity study on Vero cell line (non-cancerous cell line; kidney epithelium cells of African green monkey) showed IC50 values 207.95 ± 1.25 μM. Cytotoxicity analysis of [Pro-pip] SAL IL on A549 cell lines revealed antiproliferative properties with an IC50 value of 54.55 ± 0.22 μM. This study interpreted that Pro-pip]SAL IL could be used as an anticancer and antibacterial drug, warranting further exploration and development in these therapeutic areas.Item Precision diagnosis of tomato diseases for sustainable agriculture through deep learning approach with hybrid data augmentation(2025) Sonah, HumiraTomato is a key crop in global agriculture, yet it faces yield and quality challenges due to various diseases. Traditional disease identification methods are slow and require expertise, limiting their practicality in large-scale farming. Integrating automated disease detection with precision agriculture provides a timely, accurate diag nosis, promoting sustainable practices. However, the scarcity of real-world data hampers effectiveness. To address this issue, data augmentation techniques simulate variations in farm images, enriching datasets for improved detection of diseases. This investigation aims to identify seven different tomato diseases, such as bacterial spot, early blight, late blight, and others, while also detecting healthy plant leaves. Unlike previous studies that relied on the controlled PlantVillage dataset, this study utilizes the real-world PlantDoc dataset. The study addresses different challenges faced throughout the model development process, like data scarcity and imbalances. A hybrid data augmentation technique is introduced to increase the dataset size from 737 images to 6696 images, which improves the accuracy and robustness of the computer vision model. The study employs the YOLOv8n deep convolutional neural network, achieving 96.5 % mAP, 97 % precision, 93.8 % recall, and 95 % F1 score. The results demonstrate a significant improvement in disease detection, addressing challenges from inadequate datasets and advancing AI-driven precision agriculture. The proposed YOLOv8n model has the po tential to be applied beyond its current scope by training it on datasets of other crops. The model can learn and generalize the unique image features associated with various crop types, expanding its utility in agricultural applications. This flexibility allows the model to detect and classify plant characteristics, diseases, or pests across different crops, enabling its use in diverse agricultural environments. As a result, the YOLOv8n model could serve as a robust tool for precision farming, helping to optimize crop management and enhance productivity on a broader scale.Item Temporal Gene Expression Profiles From Pollination to Seed Maturity in Sorghum Provide Core Candidates for Engineering Seed Traits(2025) Dhaka, NamrataSorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a highly nutritional multipurpose millet crop. However, the genetic and molecular regulatory mechanisms governing sorghum grain development and the associated agronomic traits remain unexplored. In this study, we performed a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of pistils collected 1–2 days before pollination, and developing seeds collected–2, 10, 20 and 30 days after pollination of S. bicolor variety M35‐1. Out of 31337 genes expressed in these stages, 12804 were differentially expressed in the consecutive stages of seed development. These exhibited 10 dominant expression patterns correlated with the distinct pathways and gene functions. Functional analysis, based on the pathway mapping, transcription factor enrichment and orthology, delineated the key patterns associated with pollination, fertilization, early seed development, grain filling and seed maturation. Furthermore, colocalization with previously reported quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for grain weight/size revealed 48 differentially expressed genes mapping to these QTL regions. Comprehensive literature mining integrated with QTL mapping and expression data shortlisted 25, 17 and 8 core candidates for engineering grain size, starch and protein content, respectivelyItem Nanoemulsion and nanoemulgel-based carriers as advanced delivery tools for the treatment of oral diseases(2025) Pandey, ManishaOral diseases rank among the most widespread ailments worldwide posing significant global health and economic chal lenges affecting around 3.5 billion people, impacting the quality of life for affected individuals. Dental caries, periodontal disease, bacterial and fungal infections, tooth loss and oral malignancies are among the most prevalent global clinical disorders contributing to oral health burden. Traditional treatments for oral diseases often face challenges such as poor drug bioavailability, breakdown of medication in saliva, inconsistent antibiotic levels at the site of periodontal infection as well as higher side effects. However, the emergence of nanoemulgel (NEG) as an innovative drug delivery system offers promising solutions where NEG combines the advantages of both nanoemulsions (NEs) and hydrogels providing improved drug solubility, stability, and targeted delivery. Due to their minuscule size and ability to control drug release, NEGs hold promise for improving treatment of oral diseases, where versatility of these delivery systems makes them suit able for various applications, including topical delivery in dentistry. This review concisely outlines the anatomy of the oral environment and investigates the therapeutic potential of NE-based gels in oral disorder treatment. It thoroughly examines the challenges of drug delivery in the oral cavity and proposes strategies to improve therapeutic efficacy, drawing attention to previous research reports for comparison. Through comprehensive analysis, the review highlights the promising role of NEGs as a novel therapeutic approach for oral health management via research advancements and their clinical transla tion. Additionally, it provides valuable insights into future research directions and development opportunities in this area.Item Microplastics influencing aquatic environment and human health: A review of source, determination, distribution, removal, degradation, management strategy and future perspective(2025) Parjapati, kalp BhusanMicroplastics (MPs) are produced from various primary and secondary sources and pose multifaceted environ mental problems. They are of non-biodegradable nature and may stay in aquatic environments for a long time period. The present review has covered novel aspects pertaining to MPs that were not covered in earlier studies. It has been observed that several methods are being employed for samples collection, extraction and identifi cation of MPs and polymer types using various equipment, chemicals and instrumental techniques. Aquatic species mistakenly ingest MPs, considering them prey and through food-chain, and then suffer from various metabolic disorders. The consumption of seafood and fish may consequently cause health implications in humans. Certain plasticizers are added during manufacturing to provide colour, durability, flexibility, and strength to plastics, but they leach out during usage, storage, and transport, as well as after entering the bodies of aquatic species and human beings. The leached chemicals (bisphenol-A, triclosan, phthalates, etc.) act as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which effect on homeostasis; thereby causing neurotoxicity, cytotoxicity, reproductive problems, adverse behaviour and autism. Negative influence of MPs on carbon sequestration po tential of water bodies is also observed, however more studies are required to understand it with a detail mechanism under natural conditions. The wastewater treatment plants are found to remove a large amount of MPs, but in turn, also act as significant sources of their release in sludge and effluents. Further, it is covered that how advanced oxidation processes, thermal- and photo-oxidation, fungi, algae and microbes degrade the plastics and increase their numbers in the surrounding environment. The management strategy comprising recovery of energy and other valuable by-products from plastic wastes, recycling and regulatory framework; are alsoItem Liposome‑Encapsulated Curcumin Offers Sustained Release of Curcumin to Ameliorates the Oxidative Stress Biomarkers of Red Blood Cells During Aging(2025) Kumar, AkshayIn this study, curcumin-encapsulated liposomes were evaluated in the red blood cells (RBCs) of different age groups. We con ducted research on a sample of 38 healthy individuals of both sexes. We examined established aging biomarkers in red blood cells and tested the in vitro effect of curcumin liposomes against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP), which induces oxidative stress. Our results show that liposome-encapsulated curcumin significantly (p < 0.05) decreases the malondialdehyde (MDA) and increases reduced glutathione (GSH) levels during aging. In silico biological target prediction of curcumin revealed that curcumin mainly targets monoamine oxidase A (MAOA). Our findings reveal that the curcumin liposome formulation gives a controlled release of curcumin in comparison to free curcumin in RBCs during the aging process. The finding has great potential in biomedical research for exploring curcumin-loaded liposomes as an anti-aging compound.