Phytochemicals with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties have tremendous potential in suppressing both plant and human diseases. Screening and identification of such compounds from diverse plant species is the first step toward realizing their medicinal and agricultural application. In agriculture, application of antimicrobial phytochemicals as part of an Integrated Disease Management strategy would reduce the detrimental residual effect of synthetic chemicals. In the present study, an invasive plant species, i.e., Lantana camara L. was screened for potential antimicrobial and antioxidant phytochemicals. Extracts of leaves (LE) and flowers (FE) from L. camara were tested for their polyphenol content (total phenol, total flavonoid, and total alkaloid) and antioxidant potential [total antioxidant activity, iron chelating activity and enzymatic activity (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase)]. Both extracts exhibited high antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities with relatively stronger antioxidant activity in the case of whole flower extracts. FTIR and GC-MS also carried out for chemical analysis of crude extracts. FTIR spectral study of LE and FE revealed the presence of different functional groups such as N–H, C–H, OH, C = O indicates the existence of various metabolites in the extracts. GC-MS study revealed the presence of 66 bioactive compounds, of which 19 components were predicted to have various functions like anti-inflammatory, antiandrogenic, anti-tumor, antimicrobial, etc. Furthermore, in vitro antifungal and antibacterial studies confirmed the antimicrobial effect of both LE and FE against phytopathogens like Magnaporthe oryzae, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines (Xag) and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). Molecular study further revealed that phytochemicals (Loliolide, Eicosapentaenoic acid, Salicylic Acid Methyl Ester, and Phytol) of Lantana camara could targets MAPK1, PDF, and SUH like enzymes of phytopathogens, which could inhibit their growth. Therefore, L. camara extracts can be an important ingredient in the suppression of plant diseases.

In recent decades, the accumulation and fragmentation of plastics on the surface of the planet have caused several long-term climatic and health risks. Plastic materials, specifically microplastics (MPs; sizes < 5 mm), have gained significant interest in the global scientific fraternity due to their bioaccumulation, non-biodegradability, and ecotoxicological effects on living organisms. This study explains how microplastics are generated, transported, and disposed of in the environment based on their sources and physicochemical properties. Additionally, the study also examines the impact of COVID-19 on global plastic waste production. The physical and chemical techniques such as SEM-EDX, PLM, FTIR, Raman, TG-DSC, and GC-MS that are employed for the quantification and identification of MPs are discussed. This paper provides insight into conventional and advanced methods applied for microplastic removal from aquatic systems. The finding of this review helps to gain a deeper understanding of research on the toxicity of microplastics on humans, aquatic organisms, and soil ecosystems. Further, the efforts and measures that have been enforced globally to combat MP waste have been highlighted and need to be explored to reduce its potential risk in the future.

Macrophytes have the potential to withstand pollutant-induced stress and can be used to clean contaminated water using phyto-extraction, phyto-degradation, phyto-filtration, phyto-stimulation, and phyto-volatilization technique(s). Phytoremediation through constructed wetlands (CWs) for eliminating inorganic and organic pollutants from household sewage and wastewater has attracted scientific attention. CWs are artificially engineered treatment systems that utilize natural cycles or processes involving soils, wetland vegetation, and plant and soil-associated microbial assemblages to remediate contaminated water and improve its quality. Herein, we present a detailed assessment of contaminant removal effectiveness in different CW systems, i.e., free-water surface or surface-flow constructed wetlands (FWSCWs/SFCWs), subsurface-flow constructed wetlands (SSFCWs), and hybrid constructed wetlands (HCWs). Several wetland floral species have been reported as potential phytoremediators, effectively reducing aquatic contamination through biodegrading, biotransforming, and bioaccumulating contaminants. Water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes) is one of the most resistant macrophytes, capable of tolerating high nitrate (NO₃⁻) and phosphate (PO₄²⁻) concentrations. Other aquatic weeds also effectively alleviate biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids (TDS), and pathogen levels and ameliorate the impact of different ionic forms of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and trace elements (TEs). The review primarily focuses on using hydrophyte(s)-microbe(s) associations in different CWs as an essential phytoremediation tool for sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems, ecorestoration, and prospective resource recovery, favoring a circular bioeconomy (CBE).

Despite significant evidence base on quantifying ecosystem services, the role of biodiversity in supporting such services in diversified landscapes, and how indigenous communities exploit, utilize and manage plant resources in a biocultural regime, remains understudied. This study examines the role of wild edible plants (WEPs) in meeting the food, nutrition and household income of indigenous communities under the biodiversity rich landscape of the Achanakmaar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve (AABR—22°15′ to 22°58′ N latitudes and 81°25′ to 82°5′ East longitudes) of Central India. Results revealed remarkable differences among Baiga, Gond, Kol, and Oraon ethnic communities and also location (core, buffer and transition) effect on utilization pattern of wild edibles. A sum total of 172 WEPs comprising 60 vegetables, 70 fruits, seeds and nuts, 23 underground tubers and 19 mushrooms were collected, consumed, and surplus were marketed by the communities. On average, the number of wild edibles collected annually by households were in the following quantities: 40–240 kg leafy vegetables, 125–386 kg flowers, 120–250 kg fruits, 12–125 kg legumes, 24–120 kg tubers, 5–35 kg mushrooms. Among ethnic groups, the Baiga primitive community utilized 70–90% followed by Gonds (58–81%), Kols (52–78%), Oraons (43–79%), and other communities (38–68%) in different zones. WEPs have contributed to 5–24% (Rs 3559- 12,710) of household income, which was highest in the core zone and lowest in the transition zone. It was observed that WEPs were complemented the diets rather than being a substitute for staple foods. They supplied only 3.7–8.3% of energy and 1.1–4.9% protein requirements; however, they significantly supplemented ascorbic acid, thiamine, calcium, and iron by 38.1–73%, 13.7–35.4%, 17.2–29.1%, 2.6–13.5%, respectively. Significantly higher quantities of nutrients were supplemented in the core zone compared to other zones. WEPs were currently underutilized (less intake) especially in buffer and transition zones, complementing the staple foods and partially supplementing the essential macro- and micro-nutrients. However, these have the potential to fulfill the dietary needs and ensure balanced nutrition, if consumed in recommended portions and sizes. The paper discusses policy implications that ensure coherence and coordination of local indigenous communities for conservation and sustainable utilization of WEPs of AABR, Central India.