Browsing by Author "Nidhi Rai"

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Chickpea defense against dual stresses of salt and Fusarium wilt is enhanced through selected bHLH transcription factors carrying the bHLH-MYC_N domain
(Elsevier Masson s.r.l., 2025) Nidhi Rai; S. P. Rai; Birinchi Kumar Sarma
The plant transcriptome varies between combined stresses and single stresses, and is regulated differentially by transcription factors. Therefore, understanding the complexities of plant interactions with pathogens in stressed soils is always a challenge. In chickpea, 197 CabHLH genes were newly identified. Expression of 28 defense-associated CabHLHs [individual and combined stresses of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris (Foc) and salt (NaCl) in three chickpea cultivars (JG-315: wilt resistant, JG-36: wilt tolerant, and JG-62: wilt susceptible) in Trichoderma asperellum T42 primed and non-primed conditions] revealed upregulation of most CabHLHs at 12 h post-stress in individual stresses but decreased significantly in the combined stress (Foc and salt). However, T42 priming stimulated the transcript accumulation of most CabHLHs even earlier (6 h). Three genes (CabHLH119, 158, and 184 carrying an additional domain bHLH-MYC_N) and two additional genes (CabHLH69 and 172) belonging to the subfamilies IIIde and IIIf were upregulated significantly in all three cultivars under individual and combined stresses, and upregulated further when primed with T42. Expression of the three bHLH-MYC_N domain containing genes, and defense activities (PAL, PO activities, phenylpropanoid accumulation) in the combined stress correlated very strongly. Protein-protein interactome studies further strengthened the claim that the three bHLH-MYC_N domain carrying CabHLHs, is likely to regulate the defense signaling in chickpea under stress as they could form complexes either directly or indirectly with cis-elements of promoters of some important defense genes. The results thus showed the significance of the IIIde and IIIf subfamily genes, particularly those carrying the bHLH-MYC_N domain, in mitigating combined stresses. © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS
Functional identification of AaDREB-9 transcription factor in Artemisia annua L. and deciphering its role in secondary metabolism under PEG-induced osmotic stress
(Springer, 2025) Sabitri Kumari; Nidhi Rai; Sneha Singh; Pajeb Saha; Mansi Singh Bisen; S. P. Rai
This study investigates the impact of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced osmotic stress in Artemisia annua, focusing on morpho-physiological changes, secondary metabolite synthesis, and gene expression. The finding reveals mild osmotic stress positively influenced glandular trichome density, which is a storage site for bioactive metabolites. However, higher levels of osmotic stress led to a significant decrease in the density of these trichomes. Under 8% PEG exposure proline, sugar, and anthocyanin levels increased, whereas decrease in growth, relative water content, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) was observed. Gas chromatography analysis showed a 1.49-fold increase in total essential oil compounds compared to controls, identifying seven major compounds: 1,8-cineole, camphor, β-caryophyllene, β-farnesene, β-coapane, selina-4,11-diene, and aristolone. Biosynthetic genes (PAL, CHS, ADS, DBR2, and CYP71AV1) exhibited upregulation by 2, 4.7, 4.1, 1.2, and 1.5-fold, respectively, when subjected to 8% PEG-induced stress, thereby enhancing artemisinin and other secondary metabolite production. To explore the role of AaAP2/ERF transcription factors under osmotic stress, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis identified 111 members across the DREB, ERF, AP2, RAV, and Soloists subfamilies. Promoter analysis revealed five homologues, with AaDREB-09 showing the highest upregulation (2.8-fold) in shoot tissues under osmotic stress. Further protein docking analysis demonstrated that AaDREB-09 binds to the promoters of AaDBR2 and AaCYP71AV1, enhancing the biosynthesis of artemisinin and dihydroartemisinic acid, thereby improving stress tolerance. These findings depict AaDREB-09 as a promising target for genetic engineering to enhance secondary metabolite production and stress resilience in A. annua. © Indian Society for Plant Physiology 2025.
Genome-wide identification of bZIP transcription factor family in Artemisia annua, its transcriptional profiling and regulatory role in phenylpropanoid metabolism under different light conditions
(Springer, 2023) Nidhi Rai; Sabitri Kumari; Sneha Singh; Pajeb Saha; Shashi Pandey-Rai
The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) protein transcription factors are known to modulate development, plant growth, metabolic response, and resistance to several biotic and abiotic stressors and have been widely studied in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. However, no comprehensive information about the bZIP transcription factor family in Artemisia annua has been explored to date. In this genome-wide study, we identified 61 bZIP TFs after removing false positives and incomplete sequences from Artemisia annua. Seven highly expressed homolog AabZIP TF genes under UV-B and differential light conditions in different tissues were identified from the publicly available microarray dataset as having their cis-regulatory elements involved in, flavonoids biosynthesis, seed-specific gene regulation, stress responses, and metabolic regulation. In-silico analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) confirmed the interaction of AabZIP19 TF over the AaPAL1 promoter in order to regulate the phenolics and flavonoid biosynthesis via the phenylpropanoid pathway. Further, RT-PCR analysis has been carried out to validate the transcript levels of selected AabZIP genes under white light, red light, blue light (45 min), and UV-B exposure (12 and 24 h). These genes have their highest expression levels under UV-B and blue light exposure, in contrast with white light. Therefore, the detection of ROS through staining confirms the accumulation of superoxide radicals and H2O2, and in addition to reducing ROS accumulation under UV-B and blue light irradiation, total phenols and flavonoids are significantly enhanced. This study laid the groundwork for deciphering the possible role of AabZIP TFs under different light stress-responsive conditions and in the regulation of secondary metabolism. © 2023, Prof. H.S. Srivastava Foundation for Science and Society.
Heterologous expression of AaLac1 gene in hairy roots and its role in secondary metabolism under PEG-induced osmotic stress condition in Artemisia annua L.
(Springer, 2024) Sabitri Kumari; Nidhi Rai; Sneha Singh; Pajeb Saha; Mansi Singh Bisen; Shashi Pandey-Rai
This study explores the Laccase gene (AaLac) family along with AaLac1 expression in hairy roots of A. annua. 42 AaLacs were identified by detecting three conserved domains: Cu-oxidase, Cu oxidase-2, and Cu oxidase-3. The physicochemical properties show that AaLacs are proteins with 541–1075 amino acids. These proteins are stable, with an instability index less than 40. Phylogenetic and motif studies have shown structural variants in AaLacs, suggesting functional divergence. 22 AaLac cis-regulatory elements were selected for their roles in drought stress, metabolic modulations, defense, and stress responses. A comparison of AtLac and AaLac proteins showed that 11 AtLacs mitigates stress reactions. In silico expression, analysis of 11 AtLacs showed that AtLac84 may function under osmotic stress. Thus, the Homolog AaLac1 was selected by expression profiling. The real-time PCR results showed that AaLac1 enhances osmotic stress tolerance in shoot and root samples. It was also used to analyze AaLac1, ADS, and CYP71AV1 gene expression in hairy roots via induction. The transformed hairy roots exhibited a greater capacity for PEG-induced osmotic stress tolerance in contrast to the untransformed roots. The gene expression analysis also depicted a significant increment in expression of AaLac1, ADS, and CYP71AV1 genes to 3.8, 6.9, and 3.1 folds respectively. The transformed hairy roots exhibited a significant increase of 2.2 and 1.4 fold in flavonoid and phenolic content respectively. Also, lignin content and artemisinin content increased by 7.05 folds and 95.6% with respect to the control. Thus, transformed hairy roots of A. annua under PEG-induced osmotic stress demonstrate the involvement of the AaLac1 gene in stress responses, lignin biosynthesis, and secondary metabolism production. © Prof. H.S. Srivastava Foundation for Science and Society 2024.
Modulation of morpho-physiological attributes and in situ analysis of secondary metabolites using Raman spectroscopy in response to red and blue light exposure in Artemisia annua
(Elsevier B.V., 2024) Nidhi Rai; Sabitri Kumari; Sneha Singh; Pajeb Saha; Adarsh Kumar Pandey; Shashi Pandey-Rai
Differential light conditions, such as variations in photoperiod, light quality, and light intensity, play a crucial role as external factors that can influence plant morphogenesis and secondary metabolism. However, there is still a lack of understanding of how Artemisia annua responds to monochromatic and dichromatic light regimes in terms of the different physiological mechanisms that control plant growth and secondary metabolite production. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to investigate and assess the various physiological parameters, biochemical analysis, and molecular aspects in detail. Therefore, the plantlets were exposed to LED lighting such as monochromatic red light (R), monochromatic blue light (B), white light (W), and a combination of red and blue light (RB, 1:1) at a PPFD (photosynthetic photon flux density) of 200 mol. m−2. s−1 for 10 days. Our results indicate that exposure to RB light resulted in an immense increase in ROS accumulation, flavonoids, lignin, and artemisinin by 4.7-fold, 44%, and 53.4%, respectively, in contrast to W light. Whereas blue light led to increments of 160.2% in phenolic and 107.9% in anthocyanin content. RB and B light also influence the parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence, as well as leaf area, stomatal density, trichome size, antioxidant enzyme activity, and the production of more secondary metabolites to combat oxidative stress. Real-time PCR analysis of biosynthetic pathway-associated genes HMGR, DXR, DXS, FPS, ADS, CYP71AVI, DBR2, ALDH1, and flavonoid key biosynthesis pathway genes PAL, C4H, 4CL, CHS, and F3′H showed the highest increment under RB, light followed by B and R light exposure. Further, RB LED light has significant potential for enhancing natural bio-active compounds as revealed by Raman spectroscopy, such as camphor, limonene, terpene-4-ol, α pinene, 1,8-cineole, β-caryophyllene, artemisinin, kaempferol, luteolin, rutin, and caffeic acid in A. annua. Taken together, red and blue LEDs can serve as significant elicitors for the production of commercially important metabolites. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.
Pharmacology of Natural and Synthetic Phytoprotectants: Application and Consequences in Cancer Therapies
(Springer Nature, 2023) Sneha Singh; Pajeb Saha; Nidhi Rai; Sabitri Kumari; Shashi Pandey-Rai
Cancer represents one of the most fatal health issues, claiming the lives of millions of people each year. Tumorous growths can develop in almost any portion of the body and migrate to different parts. There are numerous treatment approaches available for cancer such as radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy, and cancer vaccinations. However, in most cases, they have adverse side effects. Thus, anticancer medications with higher efficiency and fewer side effects are desperately needed. Plants are a prospective source of such compounds. Natural plant bioactive substances have been used in traditional medicine since the dawn of humanity. These metabolites have also been implicated in providing protection to plants under various environmental influences, such as the influence of UV-B. Plant-based natural secondary metabolites/phytochemicals and their derivatives have great potential in the suppression of cancer development and metastasis. These biologically active compounds can be isolated from various plant parts, such as leaves, stems, barks, flowers, rhizomes, roots, and seeds. The natural bioactive compounds produced by plants during secondary metabolism have great pharmacological importance, especially as anticancer agents. Therefore, this chapter is an attempt to summarize the importance of various plant-derived compounds and their mechanism of action, which can be used in cancer therapies as anticancer agents. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023.
PLANT CIRCADIAN RHYTHM: A BIOLOGICAL CLOCK AS DEVELOPMENTAL AND METABOLIC REGULATOR
(Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2022) Nidhi Rai; Sabitri Kumari; Pajeb Saha; Apoorva; Sanjay Kumar Rai; Ram Prasad Meena; Shashi Pandey-Rai
Plants have an internal biological system that receives differential environmental fluctuations/stimuli such as temperature and light controlling circadian rhythm for maintenance of growth and developmental processes. These biological rhythms are regulated by the interaction of certain external signals and internal receptors. In plants, it is complex networking within transcription factors that functions in feedback loops. These light-induced phototropic controls are mediated by photoreceptors like phytochromes, cryptochrome, phototropin and master genes/regulators for floral development. These responses are genetic in nature and have master clock genes which further regulates many copies of the master transcription factor that are responsible for regulating/switch-on many important genes of metabolism by binding with the promoter region of target genes. The diurnal behavior in plants has been observed because of the existence of a feedback loop and a phosphorylation-dephosphorylation cycle. The light and temperatures positively regulate the induction of various genes along with a set of polycomb gene. Many long non-coding RNAs, micro-RNA and RNAdependent polymerases are indispensable parts of the diurnal cycle in plants. Environmental signals are involved in activating clock genes, and clock repressor circuits work to alienate and degrade these extrinsic gene activation pathways. Most transcription factors are cyclic and these subclasses can regulate clock parameters. Transcriptional regulators and associated chromatids that control transcriptional regulation are only one step in a multistep regulatory network. Post-translational relaxation, nuclear-cytoplasmic dissociation, RNA splicing and proteolytic functions participate in the stimulation. Homogenization of all these activities leads to the generation and sustainable facilitation of the robust rhythm and response to the diurnal variations of the environment. The purpose of this chapter is to explain the physiological and molecular mechanisms of the circadian clocks of plants, including biochemistry, and to demonstrate the function/role of the circadian clock in metabolic, physiological processes and plant behavior. © 2022 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
Plant miRNAs: Biogenesis, Mode of Action, and Their Role
(CRC Press, 2024) Bipin Maurya; Lakee Sharma; Nidhi Rai; Vishnu Mishra; Ashish Kumar; Shashi Pandey Rai
MicroRNA (miRNAs) are a highly conserved, small, non-coding, single-stranded, endogenous class of RNA molecules, which are ~ 21–23 bp long nucleotide sequences mainly present in animals, plants, and some viruses. In the case of plants, miRNAs are well recognized as essential genetic tools for improving crop productivity by regulating various gene expression processes including modification, translational inhibition, or translational repression. The miRNA genes are transcribed by DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II, and the resulting transcript is modified during transcription to form the main transcript. The multiple protein complexes DCL1 (DICER LIKE1), C2H2 Zink finger protein, SERRATE (SE), double-stranded RNA binding protein, and G-patch structural protein (TGH) recognize and cleave these pri-miRNAs, which have partially complementary paired hairpin structures, to produce the precursor of miRNA. The HEN1 protein (methyltransferase), which is essential for the modification and stabilization of double-stranded miRNA, also methylates the miRNA. The advancement of knowledge related to biogenesis of miRNAs and their mode of action has disclosed their involvement in various regulatory processes. There are two well-known vital modes of action of miRNA at the post-transcriptional level, one is transcript degradation and another is translational repression. The 5’ UTR, coding regions, and gene promoters of their target genes have all been observed to interact with miRNA. There are many unanswered problems regarding miRNA synthesis and its method of action, particularly in relation to transcriptional control and other facets of RNA metabolism including splicing. The present book chapter summarizes the current knowledge about miRNA biogenesis and related molecular advancement along with their mode of action in plant morphogenesis processes. © 2025 selection and editorial matter, Peerzada Yasir Yousuf, Peerzada Arshid Shabir, and Khalid Rehman Hakeem; individual chapters, the contributors.
Prospects for Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Crops Utilizing Phyto- and Bio-Stimulants
(Frontiers Media S.A., 2021) Nidhi Rai; Shashi Pandey Rai; Birinchi Kumar Sarma
Environmental stressors such as salinity, drought, high temperature, high rainfall, etc. have already demonstrated the negative impacts on plant growth and development and thereby limiting productivity of the crops. Therefore, in the time to come, more sustainable efforts are required in agricultural practices to ensure food production and security under such adverse environmental conditions. A most promising and eco-friendly way to achieve this goal would be to apply biostimulants to address the environmental concerns. Non-microbial biostimulants such as humic substances (HA), protein hydrolysate, plant-based products and seaweed extracts (SWE), etc. and/or microbial inoculants comprising of plant growth-promoting microbes such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), fluorescent and non-fluorescent Pseudomonas, Trichoderma spp., Bacillus spp. etc. have tremendous potentiality to enhance plant growth, flowering, crop productivity, nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and translocation, as well as enhancing tolerance to a wide range of abiotic stresses by modifying physiological, biological and biochemical processes of the crop-plants. Similarly, application techniques and timing are also important to achieve the desired results. In this article we discussed the prospects of using seaweed, microbial, and plant-based biostimulants either individually or in combination for managing environmental stresses to achieve food security in a sustainable way. Particular attention was given to the modifications that take place in plant's physiology under adverse environmental conditions and how different biostimulants re-program the host's physiology to withstand such stresses. Additionally, we also discussed how application of biostimulants can overcome the issue of nutrient deficiency in agricultural lands and improve their use efficiency by crop plants. Copyright © 2021 Rai, Rai and Sarma.
Recent Developments in Biopesticide Use: Current Status and Future Prospects
(CRC Press, 2025) Nidhi Rai; Akansha Jain; S. P. Rai; Birinchi Kumar Sarma; Harikesh Bahadur Singh
Biopesticides are the answer to the contradictory façade soaring from the application of chemical pesticides in farming and initiated the need for sustainable advancement to advocate and stabilize the genially admissible commercial expansion and environmental security. They are habitually present, biological agents or compounds that are used for the management of discrete pests and pathogens tormenting plants with their diverse mechanisms of action. The application of biopesticides incorporating integrated pest management (IPM) is endorsed as a promising choice to regulate the entire sectors of sustainable agriculture. Presently, we need to intensify biopesticide impelled IPM practices with indispensable knowledge, proficiency, and analysis to promote sustainable agricultural practices. In this chapter, we discussed the adequacy, prospects, and hurdles in the use and commercialization of biopesticides, their current status, recently applied RNAi-based technology and nano-based biopesticides, and how their application is connected to enable growth. © 2025 CRC Press.
Red and blue light-mediated physiological and metabolic insights in Artemisia annua L.
(Elsevier B.V., 2024) Nidhi Rai; Naushad Ansari; Apoorva; Sabitri Kumari; Sneha Singh; Pajeb Saha; Mansi Singh Bisen; Shashi Pandey-Rai
The impact of quality of light on plant growth and development has been extensively studied. However, the interplay between photosynthesis and metabolic regulation in Artemisia annua remains largely unexplored. To address this gap, we investigated how various light qualities; monochromatic red (R), blue (B), a 1:1 red-blue combination (RB), and broad-spectrum white light (W); affect physiological parameters, photosynthetic activity, and metabolic processes. Plants were exposed to these light conditions at a photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 200 µmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ for 10 days. Exposure to different light treatments resulted in significant changes in morphological attributes, chlorophyll and carotenoid content, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO₂ concentration, and transpiration rates. DPPH-scavenging activity and ascorbic acid levels increased under RB and B light, with increments of 20.76 %–25.6 % and 23 %–43.29 %, respectively, compared to W light. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed the highest monoterpene concentration (36 %) under B light, followed by RB light (31 %), R light (28 %), and W light (27 %). Further, High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) indicated elevated levels of flavonoids, terpenes, phenolics, and other organic compounds in RB light-exposed plants, with B light showing the following highest levels. Additionally, vital photosynthesis-regulating genes such as LHCII, CAO, TK, PsbA, PsaB, PsbD, RbcL, ndhB, RbcS, PetB, PetD, AtpA, and FBP demonstrated significant upregulation under various light conditions. Genes involved in artemisinin biosynthesis, including HMGS, MK, MCT, MPDC, CYP71AV1, and 1,8-cineol synthase, showed increases of 38.4 %–13.3 %, 20.4 %–22.4 %, 29.5 %–37.5 %, 15 %–16 %, 43 %–68 %, and 93.4 %–106.5 %, respectively, in response to B and RB light. These findings underscore the complex influence of various light qualities on the metabolic pathways of A. annua, providing a basis for future research. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.
Requisiteness of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plant-microbe interactions
(Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2023) Kumar Aditya; Nidhi Rai; Neha Sharma; Jhumishree Meher; Akansha Jain; B.K. Sarma
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are profoundly generated as an outcome of various adverse challenges to plants. ROS are responsible for signaling in very small amounts in addition to their involvement in various developmental actions. An oxidative burst at the pathogen challenge site is the first reciprocation to phytopathogen association. ROS productions during the interaction of beneficial microorganisms lead to the induction of plant defense responses by scavenging excess ROS. The ROS entailments in plant-microbe interaction whether the pathogenic and beneficial association is very similar despite the function they perform are different. In the present chapter, we review ROS management and signaling during plant-pathogen and beneficial microorganism interactions. © 2023 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.
Techniques used to detect the presence of nanoparticles in treated plant tissues
(Elsevier, 2022) Raina Bajpai; Nidhi Rai; Basavaraj Teli; Md. Mahtab Rashid; Shivam Singh; Gagan Kumar
Nanotechnology is a miracle tool of modern science which covers almost every aspect of human needs from medicines, cosmetics, electronics, energy applications, environmental remediation and many more. It’s another potential is in sector of agriculture where it suggests to be one of the best substitutes of chemical pesticides. In the recent past, nanotechnology application in phytopathology like utilization of nanoparticles singly as nanoparticles, as protectants. Nanoparticles (NPs) are categorized due to their minute dimension, i.e., < 100nm besides greater surface area consisting definite physicochemical features like strength, electrical, and optical properties. NPs are formed naturally or via human made either engineered or randomly. These increasing uses have enhanced concerns regarding their influences on ecosystems, food safety and on health of living being, their interaction with crop plants. Thus, a complete knowledge regarding plant-NP interaction and their presence in plant after treatment is necessary for precise threat valuation to confirm the harmless usage of nanoparticle. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Transcriptional Regulation of Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses: Challenges and Potential Mechanism for Stress Tolerance and Chickpea Improvement
(Springer, 2024) Nidhi Rai; Birinchi Kumar Sarma; Shashi Pandey Rai
The abiotic stress factors associated with climate change frequently enhance the severity of plant diseases, which have a detrimental impact on the growth and productivity of the various crops including legumes. After common beans, the chickpea (Cicer spp.) is the second most cultivated legume crop all over the world. They are susceptible to decreased productivity caused by the detrimental effects of several fungal and bacterial infections, which are regulated by environmental conditions. To understand crop growth, it is crucial to study how plants respond to infections in the presence/fluctuations of abiotic factors. However, to cope with these environmental changes, plants have developed a variety of specific signaling mechanisms for intracellular communications, leading to the initiation of complex defense systems of signal perception and signal transduction to induce/enhance defense responses. Various transcription factors (TFs), along with their cofactors and cis-regulatory elements, play a crucial role in plant defense mechanisms. Transcriptional control by TFs has a vital role in building plant defense mechanisms and related activities in response to viral and bacterial infections. However, the molecular mechanisms including the role of transcription factors (TFs) behind environmental cues are still little understood in chickpea. Therefore, the objective of this review is to outline the potential functions of key stress-responsive transcription factors (TFs), such as WRKY, bHLH, bZIP, AP2/ERF, and MYB gene families, in regulating defense-related genes and facilitating communication across the network of stress-responses during adverse conditions. Furthermore, understanding the function of transcription factors (TFs) could be advantageous in enhancing crop tolerance to develop stress-resistant chickpea cultivars utilizing advanced biotechnological techniques. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024.
Trichoderma asperellum (T42)-mediated expression of CabHLH genes enhances nitrogen use efficiency and nutritional values of chickpea under salt and Fusarium wilt stresses
(Elsevier Ltd, 2025) Nidhi Rai; S. P. Rai; Birinchi Kumar Sarma
Trichoderma asperellum T42 combats diverse phytopathogens and other stresses. However, its impact under combined stresses in modulating nutritional value and antioxidant properties in edible plant parts has not been thoroughly studied. Three chickpea cultivars, viz., wilt-resistant (JG-315), wilt-tolerant (JG-36), and wilt-susceptible (JG-62), were used to assess nutritional value and antioxidant contents under salt and pathogen (Foc)-challenged conditions. A sharp decrease in nodule numbers and biomass was observed in plants challenged with the combined stresses of Foc and salt in all three cultivars. However, seed treatment with T42 restored the nutritional value, enhanced antioxidant activities (1–2 folds) and increased total phenolic content (1.3–1.5 folds), protein (19–28%), proline, and micronutrients (7–28%) in chickpea seeds, particularly in the T42-treated plants subjected to the combined stress compared to the plants subjected to the combined stress without T42. The expression of two chickpea bHLH transcription factor genes, CabHLH114 and CabHLH115, associated with nodule development and nitrogen fixation, varied under different stresses. The genes were upregulated in T42-treated plants and correlated with the development of root nodules. The results thus suggest that Trichoderma-mediated expression of both nodulation-responsive genes led to the formation of healthy and functional nodules, which helped improve nitrogen use efficiency in the chickpea plants and contributed to the nutritional value of the chickpea seeds. The results highlighted that reduction in nutritional value due to environmental stresses could be restored in crop plants by applying potential bioagents such as T42 that restore nutritional quality and make the crops climate resilient. © 2025
Unlocking the industrial potential of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal: A varietal comparison of morphology, microstructure, and metabolomic profiles
(Elsevier Ltd, 2025) Sneha Singh; Pajeb Saha; Sabitri Kumari; Nidhi Rai; S. P. Rai
To address the lack of publications on the metabolic profiling of W. somnifera varieties for industrial and pharmaceutical uses, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the phytochemistry in three ashwagandha varieties- Red (R), Wild (W), and Pratap (P)- with a focus on their distinctive traits and potential commercial applications. Our research involved studies on germination, morphological assessments, and tissue culture experiments to understand growth potential and physical traits. Additionally, microscopic examinations of leaf structures and advanced techniques such as Raman spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry were used to analyse their biochemical and metabolite profiles. R exhibited a 101.5 % increase in total biomass in the field, while W showed the most vigorous in-vitro growth. The P variety had a high density of glandular trichomes, crucial for secondary metabolite production. Raman analysis revealed Withaferin A was most abundant in R, and phenylalanine was highest in P. HRMS results indicated comparable levels of terpenes in W and P, with P having higher fatty acids and steroids, known for skincare benefits. Peptides and amines were similarly high in R and W, supporting their therapeutic uses. These comprehensive plans revealed notable differences in the chemical profiles of the three varieties, emphasizing their potential for various industrial applications. This study not only adds to the understanding of the phytochemical diversity within W. somnifera but also further enables the improvement of the efficiency of cultivation and processing techniques for better medicinal and commercial outcomes. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd
Unravelling triterpenoid biosynthesis in plants for applications in bioengineering and large-scale sustainable production
(Elsevier B.V., 2023) Sneha Singh; Apoorva; Pajeb Saha; Nidhi Rai; Sabitri Kumari; Shashi Pandey-Rai
Plants are major factories for the biosynthesis of valuable bioactive compounds having pharmaceutical applications. These phytocompounds are synthesised via the diversion of primary metabolites toward secondary metabolic pathways. The most varied class of metabolites are triterpenoids that are biosynthesized through the MVA-MEP pathways, leading to the production of oxidosqualene followed by cyclization, and enzymatic modifications. Triterpenoids play a significant role in growth, development, reproductive behaviour, plant adaptation, and plant-to-plant communication. Various signals, through the signal transduction mechanism, are transmitted through receptors from cell to cell by a series of molecular events to initiate/ activate the cascade of the triterpenoid biosynthesis network. In this review, different naturally occurring classes of triterpenoids with their medicinal potential have been summarized. Further, this review provides insight into the current status of its synthesis through heterologous gene expression, structure elucidation, biosynthetic regulation via transcriptional regulation, and miRNAs. Recently, triterpenoids are in demand due to their variety of pharmacological importance which requires a fast rate of production. Furthermore, to ramp up the synthesis of these vital triterpenoids, the applications of modern bioengineering technologies and green nanoparticle synthesis, have been also highlighted here, offering sustainable alternatives for their large-scale production. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.