Drought stress threatens global food security and requires creative agricultural solutions. Recently, phyto-synthesized nanoparticles NPs have garnered attention as a way to reduce food crop drought. This extensive research examines how phyto-synthesized NPs improve crop growth and biochemistry in drought-stressed situations. The review begins with an introduction highlighting the urgency of addressing the agricultural challenges posed by drought. It also highlights the significance of nanoparticles synthesized from photosynthesis in this context. Its purpose is to underscore the importance of sustainable farming practices. This approach is contrasted with conventional methods, elucidating the ecological and economic advantages of phyto-synthesized NPs. This review discusses phyto-synthesized nanoparticles, including titanium dioxide, iron oxide, gold, silver, and copper. In addition, we review their ability to enhance crop growth and stress resistance. The primary focus is to elucidate the effects of phyto-synthesized NPs on plant development under drought stress. Noteworthy outcomes encompass improvements in seed germination, seedling growth, water absorption, photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, the activation of antioxidant defense mechanisms, and the modulation of hormonal responses. These results underscore the potential of phyto-synthesized NPs as agents for enhancing growth and mitigating stress. The review assesses the risks and challenges of using phyto-synthesized NPs in agriculture. Considerations include non-target organisms, soil, and environmental impacts. Further research is needed to determine the long-term effects, dangers, and benefits of phyto-synthesized NPs. Nanoparticles offer a targeted and sustainable approach for improving plant drought tolerance, outpacing traditional methods in ethics and ecological balance. Their mechanisms range from nutrient delivery to molecular regulation. However, the long-term environmental impact remains understudied. This review is critical for identifying research gaps and advancing sustainable agricultural practices amid global water scarcity.

Engineering green-derived metal-oxide coatings often lacks clear linkage between surface chemical states and biointerface outcomes. Here, phase-pure spinel cobalt oxide nanostructures (Co₃O₄ NSs) were synthesized using Leucaena leucocephala L. leaf extract and immobilized as a surface coating. XRD confirmed single-phase cubic Co₃O₄ (JCPDS 42-1467) with average crystallite size of 23 nm, while ATR-FTIR and XPS indicated an oxide-rich surface with mixed-valence Co²⁺/Co³⁺ states. Co₃O₄ NSs inhibited Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella Typhimurium (MIC 10–20 µg mL⁻¹, strain dependent) and suppressed early biofilm development. A three-layer drop-cast Co₃O₄ NSs@glass coating generated a hydrophilic rough interface, reducing contact angle from 35 ± 5° to 15 ± 5° and increasing AFM Ra from 0.90 to 32.0 nm. Under biofilm-forming conditions (10⁶ CFU mL⁻¹ in MHB with 1% glucose, 37 °C, 24 h) without free nanoparticles, Co₃O₄ NSs@glass reduced biofilm surface coverage to 25 ± 10% compared with 80 ± 10% on bare glass. Post-exposure XPS revealed biofilm-driven interfacial conditioning, with increased hydroxylated oxygen and oxygenated carbon plus emerging N 1s signals, while the Co₃O₄ fingerprint remained detectable, indicating interface-mediated antibiofilm activity. These results present a green route to redox-active Co₃O₄ coatings and a surface-science explanation for antibiofilm performance in vitro.

The genus Cuscuta comprises holoparasitic medicinal plants, nevertheless the phytochemical and biological profiles of Cuscuta monogyna Vahl and Cuscuta chinensis Lam. remain poorly investigated than those of other Cuscuta species. This study determined the chemical constituents, antioxidant activity and antibiofilm activity of ethanolic extracts of C. monogyna and C. chinensis collected from different regions of Iraq. GC-MS analysis was used to recognize the chemical composition, while antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH radical-scavenging assay with ascorbic acid as a positive control. The antibiofilm activity was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 using the crystal violet microtiter plate technique. GC-MS profiling revealed 26 compounds in C. monogyna and 22 compounds in C. chinensis, with fatty acids and their derivatives forming the major chemical groups. Ricinoleic acid, cis-vaccenic acid, and related lipid-derived compounds were among the major composition recorded in both species. The DPPH assay exhibited concentration-dependent radical-scavenging activity in both Cuscuta extracts. C. monogyna showed higher antioxidant activity, reaching 80.71 ± 1.25% at 100 µg mL⁻¹, compared to 64.71 ± 1.25% for C. chinensis. Both extracts exhibited notable antibiofilm activity. C. monogyna inhibited biofilm formation by 83.15 ± 0.43% against S. aureus and 84.52 ± 0.46% against E. coli, whereas C. chinensis recorded 79.82 ± 0.33% and 85.41 ± 0.27% inhibition respectively. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant effects of Cuscuta species, concentrations, bacterial strain, and their interactions. These findings suggest that both Cuscuta species contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antibiofilm activities. These findings support further investigation of these species as sources of phytochemical bioactive compounds.