Swati Gaba

Bio: Swati Gaba is an academic researcher from Amity University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Alternaria brassicae & Alternaria. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 2 publications receiving 1 citations.

Bio-nanosensors: Synthesis and Their Substantial Role in Agriculture

Abstract: Nanotechnology is a recent emerging area having vast potential in almost every field of science due to their small size and larger surface area as compared to bulk phase materials. Synthesis of nanoparticles can be done from physical and chemical methods, but these days, bio-nanotechnology is in demand that associate principles of biology with physical and chemical methods to synthesize nanomaterials having precise functions. In bio-nanotechnology, the nanoparticles are synthesized from biological means such as plants or microbes also called as plant-microbe-engineered nanoparticles (PM-ENPs). PM-ENPs are more efficient, less toxic and cost effective as compared to physical and chemically synthesized nanoparticles. Plant-microbe-engineered nanoparticles have good anti-microbial activity because of electrostatic interaction with cell membrane of microorganisms and electrostatic interaction build-up inside the cell cytoplasm. The PM-ENPs such as zinc oxide (ZnO) and sliver (Ag) are helpful in increasing the growth of plant by guaranteeing that the nutrients are used in controlled manners by the plants. Plant-microbe-engineered nanoparticles as bio-nanosensors have confirmed their possibility of success in agriculture. Bio-nanosensors can be used for monitoring of crop health, pests attack, environmental stressors and plant diseases. The bio-nanosensors can be used in pathogen detection, sensing food eminence, adulterants, dye, vitamins, fertilizers, taste, smell and pesticides. Therefore, plant-microbe-engineered nanoparticles have significant role in advancement of agriculture. This chapter will pave the path for the possibility of synthesis of nanomaterials by biological means such as by different plant parts and microbes. Also, the role of different metal nanoparticles in making of different types of bio-nanosensors and their substantial role in agriculture advancement have also been emphasized.

Protective and curative activity of biogenic copper oxide nanoparticles against Alternaria blight disease in oilseed crops: a review

Abstract: Alternaria blight of oilseed Brassica crop is most widespread disease caused by necrotrophic ascomycetes fungus such as Alternaria brassicae and Alternaria brassicicola which cause huge economic loss. Among large reasons, the key reason for Alternaria blight infection is due to nutrients deficiency such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), sulfur (S) and potassium (K). Thus, B. juncea requires different nutrients for improving its health and capability to resist the disease. Since the use of agrochemicals and fungicides is not much efficient, fungal pathogens develop resistance and fungicides have large side effects on human and soil health, there is a need to screen biocidal agents developed through newly advanced and innovative technology known as nanotechnology. Enormous reports have recommended the use of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) for disease management such as titanium dioxide NPs (TiO2), iron oxide NPs (Fe3O4), zinc oxide NPs (ZnO NPs), cerium oxide (CeO2) and copper oxide NPs (CuO NPs). Among these, biogenic CuO NPs synthesized from different species of Trichoderma can be considered as promising and most efficient antifungal agent against Alternaria blight. Due to some specific properties, nanoparticles have been used for agricultural needs, among which CuO NPs have special feature as they activate defense system of plants and inhibit spore germination of phytopathogens. The cost effective synthesis and novel properties of CuO NPs makes them an alternative to copper fungicides. Therefore, the following review summarizes an insight into the proposed mechanism of CuO NPs as a protective and curative agent for Alternaria blight disease management. The biogenic CuO NPs monitor the disease development and its control by two methods. One is preventive method in which CuO NPs retard the growth of Alternaria brassicae on susceptible leaf tissues, thus preventing the Alternaria blight, while in another method, CuO NPs act as a curative medicine which kills the pathogen by releasing Alternaria inhibiting compounds and helps in transportation of these compounds at the site of infection. Hence, the current review focused on the properties of CuO NPs for their biocontrol efficacy against Alternaria blight through in vivo studies.

Phytofabricated zinc oxide nanoparticles as a nanofungicide for management of Alternaria blight of Brassica.

Abstract: Plant pathogens resistant to the commercially available fungicides and bactericides even at higher concentrations are the biggest challenge for the farmers to control the losses due to plant diseases. The antibacterial and antifungal potential of nanomaterials makes them a suitable candidate for the control of plant diseases. Thus, the present study reports the phytofabricated zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO Np’s) using aqueous plant leaf extract of Terminalia bellerica (Baheda). Characterization of ZnO nanoparticles was done by ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) studies, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infra-red (FT–IR) analysis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The presence of pure hexagonal wurtzite crystalline structure of ZnO nanoparticles was confirmed by XRD analysis. The TEM images revealed the spherical to hexagonal shaped ZnO nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 20 to 30 nm. The stabilization of synthesized ZnO nanoparticles through the interactions of terpenoids, steroids, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and enzymes present in the leaf extract was suggested by FTIR analysis. The mechanism of the formation of ZnO nanoparticles using Terminalia bellerica (Baheda) (Tb-ZnO Np’s) as a bioactive compound is proposed. These phytofabricated ZnO nanoparticles (Tb-ZnO Np’s) have shown significant antifungal potential against Alternaria brassicae the causal agent of Alternaria blight disease/leaf spot disease in Brassica species. The microscopic results confirm the changes in mycelium morphology and reduction in the number of spore germination at 0.2 mg/mL concentration Tb-ZnO Np’s.

Mechanistic Insight of the Antifungal Potential of Green Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles against Alternaria brassicae

Abstract: Alternaria brassicae is a necrotrophic fungus causes Alternaria blight disease in oilseed mustard crop. There is a 47% loss of the mustard crop due to the Alternaria blight disease. To control this disease, various chemical fungicides have been used till date which are harmful to our environment. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles synthesized from Terminalia bellerica have been reported to have significant antifungal potential against A. brassicae at 200 ppm concentration. In the present study, the effect of green synthesized zinc oxide (Tb-ZnO) nanoparticles, chemically synthesized ZnO nanoparticles, and chemical fungicides on A. brassicae has been anticipated by analysing changes in cytomorphology characteristics, biochemical constituent, and stress enzymes of A. brassicae. Cytomorphological studies by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy have shown the complete disintegration of cell wall, cell membrane, and cytoplasmic content at 200 ppm concentration of Tb-ZnO nanoparticles. Decrement in biochemical constituents and changes in activity of stress enzymes in Tb-ZnO nanoparticles treated cell confirm the toxicity of nanoparticles at 200 ppm concentrations. Hence, on the basis of all these results, the mechanism of action of Tb-ZnO nanofungicides on A. brassicae has been hypothesized in the present study. This study confirms how nanoparticles inhibit the growth of A. brassicae and suggested the use of nanofungicides.

The Metaverse as a Virtual Model of Platform Urbanism: Its Converging AIoT, XReality, Neurotech, and Nanobiotech and Their Applications, Challenges, and Risks

Abstract: With their exponentially rising computational power, digital platforms are heralding a new era of hybrid intelligence. There has recently been much enthusiasm and hype that the Metaverse has the potential to unlock hybrid intelligence. This is premised on the idea that the Metaverse represents an applied convergence of Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) and Extended Reality (XR) that intersects with urbanism in terms of the distinctive features of platform-mediated everyday life experiences in cities. However, social interaction and its resulting social organization in the Metaverse are mediated and governed by algorithms and thus submitted to—a dream of—complete logical ordering. This raises a plethora of concerns related to the systemic collection and algorithmic processing of users’ personal, brain, and biometric data, i.e., profound societal—and the hardest to predict ethical—implications. Therefore, this study analyzes and synthesizes a large body of scientific literature on the unfolding convergence of AIoT and XR technologies, neurotechnology, and nanobiotechnology in the realm of the Metaverse in order to derive a novel conceptual framework for the Metaverse as an envisioned virtual model of platform urbanism. Further, it examines the key challenges and risks of these converging technologies in relation to the Metaverse and beyond. This study employs thematic analysis and synthesis to cope with multidisciplinary literature. The analysis identifies seven themes: (1) Platformization, (2) platform urbanism, (3) virtual urbanism, (4) XR technologies, (5) AIoT technologies, (6) neurotechnology, and (7) nanobiotechnology. The synthesized evidence reveals that, while neurotechnology and nanobiotechnology have numerous benefits and promising prospects, they raise contentions and controversies stemming from their potential use to inflict harm to human users—if left unchecked—through the black box of the algorithmic mediation underpinning the Metaverse. The findings serve to steer the Metaverse to contribute to human flourishing and wellbeing by adhering to and upholding ethical principles as well as leveraging its underlying disruptive technologies in meaningful ways. They also aid scholars, practitioners, and policymakers in assessing the pros and cons of these technologies, especially their inevitable ramifications.

Recent perspectives of nanoparticles in industrial waste management—an overview

Abstract: Nanotechnology is the application of scientific and engineering knowledge at the atomic and molecular levels. Nanotechnology has numerous applications in energy, medicine, electronics, and food safety, and it is also a growing trend in the environmental protection industry due to its proven efficiency in waste management. The use of nanoparticles (NPs) having dimensions less than 100 nm has enhanced the reactivity and selectivity of the reactions. NPs simplify the process by reducing the multiple steps used in traditional waste management, resulting in lower energy costs, total costs, and waste treatment time. The potential of nanotechnology in waste management is primarily determined by the selection of appropriate NPs and contaminants. So far, various NPs have only been synthesized in the laboratory, with only a few being commercialized. For waste management, metal and carbon-based (graphene) NPs have been used, whereas zero-valent iron is the most widely used NP in bioremediation. Nanotechnology can be used in both on-site and off-site waste management. It is widely assumed that the utility of nanomaterials is defined by waste reduction, lower costs, lower power inputs, and advancement of procedure proficiency. Furthermore, there are significant awareness gaps in their transport and potential toxicity on human health as well as the environment that must be addressed before nanotechnology is widely implemented in waste control. More research is needed to determine the ultimate fate of NPs. This chapter discusses the various NPs synthesized using various methods, as well as their applications in waste management.