2025
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PublicationBook Chapter Therapeutic Potential of Biotoxins and Biotechnological Innovations(Springer Nature, 2025) Prince Kumar Singh; Gereraj Sen Gupta; Umesh Kumar; Parvati Madheshiya; Akanksha Dwivedi; Priyanka K. Singh; Ashish Kumar Mishra; Saumya Mishra; Shivani Gupta; Rajesh Kumar Sharma; Supriya P. TiwariThe captivating world of biotoxins, often perceived as nature’s formidable weapons, presents an intricate and promising landscape for scientific exploration and innovation. Biotoxins, originating from a vast spectrum of life forms such as bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals, exhibit a remarkable diversity of bioactive compounds. Their structural diversity, coupled with potent biological activities, positions them as valuable resources for drug discovery, agricultural and environmental management. This chapter highlights into specific case studies where biotoxins have been harnessed to develop antivenom, anti-cancer agents, analgesics, other therapeutic marvels, etc. The comprehensive understanding of biotoxin mechanisms, bioprospecting, and biotechnological tools, including genetic engineering and synthetic biology, offers exciting avenues for the sustainable extraction, production, and modification of biotoxins. The biotechnological harnessing of biotoxins emphasizes the significant progress and potential future applications of biotoxins reliant on collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and regulators to unlock their full capacity. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.PublicationArticle Heavy Metal Analysis of Commercial Rice Grains from Varanasi City of India: Insight into Contamination Level, Daily Intake and Associated Health Risks(Springer, 2025) Priyanka K. Singh; Rajesh Kumar Sharma; Prince Kumar SinghRice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food in Many Asian countries and plays a vital role in global food security. Heavy metal contamination of the rice grains is a global concern, yet data on contamination level and associated risks in Northern India remain Limited. Thus, the present study quantified concentrations of Cd, Cr, Pb, As, Ni, Cu, and Zn in 19 rice grain varieties consumed by urban population of India using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Hazardous risks of consuming rice grains were assessed through computing estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and target cancer risk (TCR). Results showed that Pb, As, and Ni levels in rice grains were below the detection thresholds (0.2, 0.2, and 0.04 µg g⁻1 dw, respectively). However, concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn ranged between 0.25–1.3, 0.25–4.1, 1.8–10.5 and 19.5–36.8 µg g⁻1 dw, respectively. Except Cd, all the heavy metals were below the international and Indian permissible standards. Cd and Cr were detected in six rice varieties only (Jeera 32, Chintu, Cuttack, Silky, Kinki and Gawahi). EDI values via rice consumption were found as Zn > Cu > Cr > Cd for both children and adults. THQ values for Cd, Cr, and Cu exceeds a unit in Sonanchal, Kalanamak, and Moti under high exposure frequency. TCR further revealed that Cd and Cr in rice varieties posed carcinogenic risks to local residents. Ensuring food and public health safety adheres to strict monitoring and regulations of heavy metal contamination in rice grains. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.PublicationBook Chapter Climate change and secondary metabolism in plants: resilience to disruption(Elsevier, 2025) Priyanka K. Singh; Prince Kumar Singh; Umesh Kumar; Saumya Mishra; Parvati Madheshiya; Rahul Prasad Singh; Rajesh Kumar Sharma; Indrajeet KumarGlobal ecosystems are facing serious challenges as a result of climate change, which is upsetting ecological equilibrium and changing biological processes. As main producers, plants are most impacted by these changes, which calls for a better comprehension of how resilient and adaptable they are to climate stressors. Plant metabolism can be greatly impacted by a variety of climatic stressors, which can either promote or inhibit the synthesis of secondary metabolites (SMs). Although these substances are crucial for plant defense and acclimatization, little is known about how they will react to climate change. It is becoming more and more important to comprehend how climate change regulates plant secondary metabolism as its consequences worsen. Research continues to investigate the influence of various climate change factors, including elevated temperatures, increased carbon dioxide levels, drought conditions, enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation, and their interactions, with SMs such as phenolics, terpenes, and alkaloids, with growing evidence shedding light on these complex dynamics. This chapter also provides an overview of the impact of climate-induced stress on SM production, including shifts in metabolic pathways, epigenetic modifications, and interactions with symbiotic organisms. Furthermore, it delves into the mechanisms underlying plant adaptability, such as metabolic flexibility and cross-talk between pathways, which allow plants to mitigate the adverse effects of climatic disruptions. This chapter provides an overview of the impact of climate change and resilience mechanisms in plants under climatic stress. © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PublicationBook Chapter Impact of climate change on plant productivity and ecosystem sustainability: challenges and solutions(Elsevier, 2025) Saumya Mishra; Prince Kumar Singh; Umesh Kumar; Priyanka K. Singh; Indrajeet Kumar; Rajesh Kumar SharmaClimate change indeed can be termed as one of the most important challenges people face nowadays with vast influence on plant productivity and environmental sustainability. An intensive account of multifaceted aspects of climate change by briefly describing some key drivers associated with greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, and increased frequencies of extreme climate. Here, it is underlined how the understanding of these phenomena can help in addressing their cascading effects on global ecosystems and agricultural systems. The climate changes influence plant productivity in a very complex manner. Rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns influence plant growth, crop yields, and food security. This further adds to increasing pest and disease prevalence with stress on natural resources and ultimately challenges the resilience of agriculture and natural ecosystems. Further details on impacts regarding biodiversity are discussed by highlighting species extinctions across marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. However, special focus is on aspects like ocean acidification and habitat transformations, which speak of vulnerability at the ecosystem level against climatic change. The chapter considers mitigation and adaptation strategies from high-tech innovations to sustainable farming practices and then large-scale policy initiatives for dealing with the above imperatives. A mix of case studies is used to illustrate examples of real-world interventions that have been executed in other parts of the globe, critically appraising how governance may benefit the implementation of climate-resilient policies. This chapter provides a glimpse of what the future may be if such emerging solutions continue in their implementation: carbon capture technology, reforestation schemes, and international cooperation on climate change. By combining scientific knowledge with practical actions, this chapter helps readers gain the information and tools to contribute to a sustainable and resilient future. © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PublicationBook Chapter The Future of Salt-Tolerant Crops: Gene Editing and Biotechnological Pathways(CRC Press, 2025) Umesh Kumar; Prince Kumar Singh; Indrajeet Kumar; Akanksha Dwivedi; Priyanka Singh; Saumya Mishra; Avanish Prajapati; Rajesh Kumar Sharma[No abstract available]PublicationBook Chapter Treatment Methods for Food Waste(Springer Science+Business Media, 2025) Akanksha Dwivedi; Umesh Kumar; Prince Kumar Singh; Priyanka K. Singh; Saumya Mishra; Avanish Prajapati; Rajesh Kumar Sharma; Indrajeet KumarThe issue of food waste has garnered substantial attention worldwide in the past decade, primarily due to its adverse environmental and health implications. The surge in global population figures and changing dietary habits have been identified as primary drivers behind the escalating levels of food waste production. Within the realm of food waste lie diverse components such as plant scraps, animal waste, leftovers, and spoiled food items. Delving into the scale of food waste generation from local to global contexts, the chapter illuminates its significant environmental and socioeconomic consequences, accentuating the pressing need for decisive interventions to address this critical issue. An array of strategies is explored, spanning from prevention methods like source reduction to recycling and recovery approaches. Conventional techniques such as composting, anaerobic digestion (AD), and incineration are assessed, along with innovative technologies such as microbial fermentation, enzymatic digestion, hydrothermal processing, and advanced thermal conversion, each assessed for their potential contributions. Integration and optimization strategies are deployed to capitalize on synergies and boost treatment efficiency. The chapter also investigates valorization practices for food waste across the globe, presenting an overview of current policy and regulatory frameworks and emphasizing their impacts and potential for enhancement. Furthermore, the chapter highlights the vital role of policy frameworks and stakeholder engagement in cultivating a conducive environment for food waste reduction and management. It advocates for a comprehensive strategy that integrates technological innovations, policy reinforcement, and public participation to address food waste effectively and promote sustainability in food systems. © 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.PublicationArticle Insights into Cadmium Uptake and Changes in Morphophysiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Eclipta alba L., Plants Exposed to Elevated Cadmium in Soil(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2025) Akanksha Dwivedi; Prince Kumar Singh; Umesh Kumar; Indrajeet Kumar; Priyanka K. Singh; Rajesh Kumar SharmaEclipta alba L., a medicinal herb stands out as a valuable source of therapeutic compounds, playing a pivotal role in the treatment of numerous diseases. Accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in various cellular parts could potentially elevate and impact the biochemical, physiological and morphological traits of E. alba, cultivated in Cd-enriched soil under dry tropical climate of India. The present study focuses on understanding the growth dynamics, Cd uptake and its subcellular distribution in E. alba exposed to elevated Cd in soil. A randomized block design experiment was conducted and test plant was treated with Cd doses ranging from 0 to 20 mg L−1 at an interval of a week till the 70 days after the plant transplant (DAT). Enzymatic activities i.e. ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), along with non-enzymatic activities such as total phenolics and flavonoids content, lipid peroxidation, proline, and ascorbic acid, significantly increased in Cd-treated plants as compared to the control. Cd primarily accumulated in the cell wall, followed by cytoplasm and least in cell organelles, with proportions of 93%, 11%, and 5%, respectively. In E. alba plants, Cd levels increasing correspondingly with soil Cd and were found highest in the roots (13.4 mg kg−1 dw), followed by the leaves (11.1 mg kg−1 dw) and the stems (9.1 mg kg−1 dw). The root, shoot and total biomass of E. alba were decreased by 58.3%, 51.1% and 52.6%, at 40 DAT under 20 mg Cd kg⁻1 dw, with losses, rising to 68%, 60.2%, and 62.3%, respectively at 70 DAT. Leaf Cd was positively and significantly linked with changes in morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes of E. alba plants. E. alba grows rapidly and yields a large amount of biomass, effectively indicates an environmental pollution by heavy metals, particularly Cd, because it flourishes in high densities along highways polluted with heavy metals in tropical wastelands. The extent of Cd accumulation in E. alba is directly influenced by soil Cd levels and the plant’s uptake and storage mechanisms. This research reveals differential Cd accumulation across the plant tissues, providing key insights into these processes. These findings pave the way for future studies on how Cd impacts the medicinal properties of E. alba, with implications for its use in phytoremediation and sustainable cultivation in contaminated environments. © The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Sociedad Chilena de la Ciencia del Suelo 2025.PublicationArticle Heavy metal accumulation, yield and health risk assessment of wheat crop grown in contaminated soil amended with bioash for sustainable agriculture(Academic Press Inc., 2025) Umesh Kumar; Prince Kumar Singh; Indrajeet Kumar; Rajesh Kumar SharmaProlonged use of wastewater irrigation in peri-urban agriculture has increased levels of heavy metals (HMs) in soil, raising concerns regarding both food safety and human health. To address this issue, the effectiveness of agro-waste derived bioashes (ADB), specifically rice husk ash (RHA) and sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA), was investigated as soil amendment materials to immobilize HMs in soil and reduce their accumulation in crops. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of RHA and SBA on HM uptake, growth, yield, nutrient quality, and seed metabolite profiles of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. HUW 234) crop grown in HM contaminated soils, along with associated health risks. Results revealed that SBA significantly and effectively reduced Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cd accumulation in wheat seeds (13.5 %, 33.8 %, 17.6 %, 7.8 %, and 10.0 %, respectively), more compared to RHA (6.8 %, 16.9 %, 8.8 %, 3.9 %, and 5.0 %) with maximum accumulation in roots followed by shoots and least in seeds. Health risk assessments showed that the estimated daily intake (EDI) of HMs was found highest for Zn and lowest for Cd in both the children and adults consuming wheat seeds, with hazard quotient values above a unit for all the HMs. The present study concludes that SBA could be effectively used as a superior soil amendment to reduce HM toxicity in soil-wheat system, associated human health risks and to promote sustainable agriculture in peri-urban areas. © 2024PublicationArticle Functional Diversification and Mechanistic Insights of MYB Transcription Factors in Mediating Plant Growth and Development, Secondary Metabolism, and Stress Responses(Springer, 2025) Safoora Mariyam; Vinay Kumar; Aryadeep Roychoudhury; Gajanan Sampatrao Ghodake; Sowbiya Muneer; Joginder Singh Duhan; Faheem Ahmad; Rajesh Kumar Sharma; Joginder P. Singh; Chandra Shekhar SethGene expression at transcriptional stage regulates several vital life processes. Transcription factors (TFs) are essential for guiding these cellular functions. MYB (v-myb avian myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog) TF family possesses a broad spectrum of biological functions, involving growth and differentiation, metabolism, defence mechanisms, as well as reactions to environmental stressors. Additionally, MYB transcription factors are recognized for involvement in manufacture of plant secondary metabolites. MYB proteins’ functions are extensively regulated at translational level, comprising mechanisms such as ubiquitination, sumoylation, and phosphorylation. MYB TFs’ vital role in controlling plant development is due to their capacity of precisely binding with cis-elements located in promoter domain of eukaryote targeted genes, influencing gene expression. This review delves into the evolution and critical roles of MYB proteins under various environmental stress conditions. Furthermore, it examines how these proteins control downstream target gene networks in response to abiotic stressors. It investigates the probable mechanisms that control MYB protein regulation at multiple stages, including transcription, post-transcriptional processes, and protein levels. It also investigates how these proteins control downstream targeted gene cascades during responses to environmental stresses in developing stress-resilient crops. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.PublicationArticle Phytochemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of methanol stem and leaf extracts of Croton bonplandianus Baill(Springer, 2025) Indrajeet Kumar; Umesh Kumar; Prince Kumar Singh; Jay Shankar Yadav; Akanksha Dwivedi; Priyanka K. Singh; Ashutosh Tripathi; Rajesh Kumar SharmaThe increasing demand for natural antioxidants in the food and pharmaceutical sectors has driven the search for plant species with notable bioactive properties. To fulfil the demand for natural antioxidants, different plants including Croton spp. have been explored. However, the antioxidant activities of Croton bonplandianus Baill plant growing in Varanasi and surrounding regions have not been assessed to date. C. bonplandianus thrives in diverse habitats and exhibits a range of bioactivities, such as wound healing, anti-arthritic, antimicrobial, anticancer, and other therapeutic potentials. Therefore, the present study aimed to quantify total phenolic and flavonoid contents in methanol extracts of the leaf (LME) and stem (SME) of C. bonplandianus plant. Further, extracts were analyzed for in-vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The results depicted that total phenolics (mg GAE/g dw) and flavonoids (mg QE/g dw) content were higher in LME (63.2 and 4.3, respectively) of C. bonplandianus as compared to the SME (30.5 and 3.5, respectively). Further, the results revealed DPPH (%), ABTS (%) and FRAP [µM Fe (II)/g dw] activities in LME (78.7, 83.4 and 203.8, respectively) were also higher than SME (72.3, 71.73 and 169.7, respectively). IC50 values were recorded as 0.8 mg/ml and 5.8 mg/ml for LME and SME, respectively. GC–MS investigation of LME and SME showed the presence of Undecane 2,6-dmethyl (28%) followed by cyclonasilaxane (19%), octadecanoic acid (6.62%) and hexadecanoic acid (4.18%) as major compounds. Both the extract potentially possessed antibacterial properties against E. coli. The findings also demonstrated that heavy metal concentration in soil, leaf, and stem was found within Indian norms. The present study concludes that both, the leaf and stem of C. bonplandianus plant are rich in phenolic and possess antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Therefore, it is suggested that C. bonplandianus be further explored and used therapeutically to fulfill the current demand for natural antioxidants. © The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Society for Plant Research 2024.