Deepti Mittal

Bio: Deepti Mittal is an academic researcher from National Dairy Research Institute. The author has contributed to research in topics: Agriculture & Intensive farming. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publications receiving 27 citations.

Nanoparticle-Based Sustainable Agriculture and Food Science: Recent Advances and Future Outlook

Abstract: In the current scenario, it is an urgent requirement to satisfy the nutritional demands of the rapidly growing global population. Using conventional farming, nearly one-third of the crops get damaged mainly due to pest infestation, microbial attacks, natural disasters, poor soil quality, and lesser nutrient availability. More innovative technologies are immediately required to overcome these issues. In this regard, nanotechnology has contributed to the agrotechnological revolution that has imminent potential to reform the resilient agricultural system, while promising food security. Therefore, nanoparticles are becoming a new-age material to transform modern agricultural practices. The variety of nanoparticles-based formulations, including, nano-sized pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers, and sensors, have been widely investigated for plant health management and soil improvement. In-depth understanding of plant and nanomaterial interactions opens new avenues towards improving crop practices through increased properties like disease resistance, crop yield, and nutrient utilization. In this review, we highlight the critical points to address the current nanotechnology-based agricultural research that could benefit productivity and food security in future.

In-situ monitoring of xenobiotics using genetically engineered whole-cell-based microbial biosensors: recent advances and outlook

Abstract: Industrialisation, directly or indirectly, exposes humans to various xenobiotics. The increased magnitude of chemical pesticides and toxic heavy metals in the environment, as well as their intrusion into the food chain, seriously threatens human health. Therefore, the surveillance of xenobiotics is crucial for social safety and security. Online investigation by traditional methods is not sufficient for the detection and identification of such compounds because of the high costs and their complexity. Advancement in the field of genetic engineering provides a potential opportunity to use genetically modified microorganisms. In this regard, whole-cell-based microbial biosensors (WCBMB) represent an essential tool that couples genetically engineered organisms with an operator/promoter derived from a heavy metal-resistant operon combined with a regulatory protein in the gene circuit. The plasmid controls the expression of the reporter gene, such as gfp, luc, lux and lacZ, to an inducible gene promoter and has been widely applied to assay toxicity and bioavailability. This review summarises the recent trends in the development and application of microbial biosensors and the use of mobile genes for biomedical and environmental safety concerns.

Towards Nano-Risk Assessment With High Throughput Screening and High Content Analysis: An Intelligent Testing Strategy

Abstract: The emerging field of nanoscience and nanotechnology is potentially important for the growth of the economy, but it is also imperative to think through its possible environmental and health hazards. There is an urgent need to adopt a robust strategy for quick safety evaluation of Nanomaterials (NM’s) across a wide range of biochemical responses. These NM’s are new age materials which are having dimensions in nanoscale region viz, 1 to 100 nm. High-throughput screening (HTS) and high-content analysis (HCA) for nano risk assessment allows multiparametric testing for various NMs on different types of model systems at different concentrations that efficiently saves time and cost. The mechanism based high-throughput (HT) in vitro analysis approach are increasing efficacy for making safety decisions by replacing laborious animal studies from pathway-based testing in cell lines. HTS/HCA approaches describe a technique by which multiple endpoints can be analyzed at a time that facilitates classification of important biological markers at the nano-bio interface. Herein we will discuss various HT approaches that have been developed in respect to study safety aspects of NMs such as omics based methods (transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics), HT flow cytometry, impedance-based monitoring and genotoxicity through HT comet assay and image-based HCS. Insights gained from HTS/HCS and should aim to deepen our fundamental understanding of NMs hazards as well as to assist in developing the safer by design approach. Moreover, it is necessary to gain insights into the large dataset to decipher the biological meaning and for this purpose, we have discussed various data analysis software employed to make predictions and the improvement of structure activity relationship for concerned NMs.

Green Synthesis of Metallic Nanoparticles: Applications and Limitations

Abstract: The past decade has witnessed a phenomenal rise in nanotechnology research due to its broad range of applications in diverse fields including food safety, transportation, sustainable energy, environmental science, catalysis, and medicine. The distinctive properties of nanomaterials (nano-sized particles in the range of 1 to 100 nm) make them uniquely suitable for such wide range of functions. The nanoparticles when manufactured using green synthesis methods are especially desirable being devoid of harsh operating conditions (high temperature and pressure), hazardous chemicals, or addition of external stabilizing or capping agents. Numerous plants and microorganisms are being experimented upon for an eco–friendly, cost–effective, and biologically safe process optimization. This review provides a comprehensive overview on the green synthesis of metallic NPs using plants and microorganisms, factors affecting the synthesis, and characterization of synthesized NPs. The potential applications of metal NPs in various sectors have also been highlighted along with the major challenges involved with respect to toxicity and translational research.

Green synthesis of metal nanoparticles using microorganisms and their application in the agrifood sector.

Abstract: The agricultural sector is currently facing many global challenges, such as climate change, and environmental problems such as the release of pesticides and fertilizers, which will be exacerbated in the face of population growth and food shortages. Therefore, the need to change traditional farming methods and replace them with new technologies is essential, and the application of nanotechnology, especially green technology offers considerable promise in alleviating these problems. Nanotechnology has led to changes and advances in many technologies and has the potential to transform various fields of the agricultural sector, including biosensors, pesticides, fertilizers, food packaging and other areas of the agricultural industry. Due to their unique properties, nanomaterials are considered as suitable carriers for stabilizing fertilizers and pesticides, as well as facilitating controlled nutrient transfer and increasing crop protection. The production of nanoparticles by physical and chemical methods requires the use of hazardous materials, advanced equipment, and has a negative impact on the environment. Thus, over the last decade, research activities in the context of nanotechnology have shifted towards environmentally friendly and economically viable ‘green’ synthesis to support the increasing use of nanoparticles in various industries. Green synthesis, as part of bio-inspired protocols, provides reliable and sustainable methods for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles by a wide range of microorganisms rather than current synthetic processes. Therefore, this field is developing rapidly and new methods in this field are constantly being invented to improve the properties of nanoparticles. In this review, we consider the latest advances and innovations in the production of metal nanoparticles using green synthesis by different groups of microorganisms and the application of these nanoparticles in various agricultural sectors to achieve food security, improve crop production and reduce the use of pesticides. In addition, the mechanism of synthesis of metal nanoparticles by different microorganisms and their advantages and disadvantages compared to other common methods are presented.

Environmental release, fate and ecotoxicological effects of manufactured ceria nanomaterials - eScholarship

Abstract: Recent interest in the environmental fate and effects of manufactured CeO2 nanomaterials (nanoceria) hasstemmed from its expanded use for a variety of applications including fuel additives, catalytic converters,chemical and mechanical planarization media and other uses. This has led to a number of publications onthe toxicological effects of nanoceria in ecological receptor species, but only limited information isavailable on possible environmental releases, concentrations in environmental media, or environmentaltransformations. Increasing material flows of nanoceria in many applications is likely to result in increasingreleases to air, water and soils however; insufficient information was available to estimate aquaticexposures that would result in acute or chronic toxicity. The purpose of this review is to identify whichareas are lacking in data to perform either regional or site specific ecological risk assessments. Whileestimates can be made for releases from use as a diesel fuel additive, and predicted toxicity is low in mostterrestrial species tested to date, estimates for releases from other uses are difficult at this stage. Werecommend that future studies focus on environmentally realistic exposures that take into accountpotential environmental transformations of the nanoceria surface as well as chronic toxicity studies inbenthic aquatic organisms, soil invertebrates and microorganisms.

Metal/Metalloid-Based Nanomaterials for Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance: An Overview of the Mechanisms

Abstract: In agriculture, abiotic stress is one of the critical issues impacting the crop productivity and yield. Such stress factors lead to the generation of reactive oxygen species, membrane damage, and other plant metabolic activities. To neutralize the harmful effects of abiotic stress, several strategies have been employed that include the utilization of nanomaterials. Nanomaterials are now gaining attention worldwide to protect plant growth against abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, heavy metals, extreme temperatures, flooding, etc. However, their behavior is significantly impacted by the dose in which they are being used in agriculture. Furthermore, the action of nanomaterials in plants under various stresses still require understanding. Hence, with this background, the present review envisages to highlight beneficial role of nanomaterials in plants, their mode of action, and their mechanism in overcoming various abiotic stresses. It also emphasizes upon antioxidant activities of different nanomaterials and their dose-dependent variability in plants’ growth under stress. Nevertheless, limitations of using nanomaterials in agriculture are also presented in this review.

Recent Trends in Nano-Fertilizers for Sustainable Agriculture under Climate Change for Global Food Security

Abstract: Nano-fertilizers (NFs) significantly improve soil quality and plant growth performance and enhance crop production with quality fruits/grains. The management of macro-micronutrients is a big task globally, as it relies predominantly on synthetic chemical fertilizers which may not be environmentally friendly for human beings and may be expensive for farmers. NFs may enhance nutrient uptake and plant production by regulating the availability of fertilizers in the rhizosphere; extend stress resistance by improving nutritional capacity; and increase plant defense mechanisms. They may also substitute for synthetic fertilizers for sustainable agriculture, being found more suitable for stimulation of plant development. They are associated with mitigating environmental stresses and enhancing tolerance abilities under adverse atmospheric eco-variables. Recent trends in NFs explored relevant agri-technology to fill the gaps and assure long-term beneficial agriculture strategies to safeguard food security globally. Accordingly, nanoparticles are emerging as a cutting-edge agri-technology for agri-improvement in the near future. Interestingly, they do confer stress resistance capabilities to crop plants. The effective and appropriate mechanisms are revealed in this article to update researchers widely.