Extracellular Polysaccharides (EPS) from both prokaryotes and eukaryotes have a great deal of research interest as they protect the producer from different stresses including antibiotics, ionic stress, desiccation and assist in bio-film formation, pathogenesis, adhesion, etc. In this study haloalkaliphilic Bacillus sp., known to cope with osmophilic stress, was selected and screened for EPS production. The EPS were isolated, partially purified and chemical characteristics were documented using liquid FT-IR followed by assessment of heavy metal biosorption (lead, copper and cadmium) using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The EPS extracted from three isolates B. licheniformis NSPA5, B. cereus NSPA8 and B. subtilis NSPA13 showed maximum biosorption of Lead followed by Copper and Cadmium. Of the tested isolates, the EPS from isolate B. cereus NSPA8 showed maximum (90 %) biosorption of the lead.

Chemical (synthetic) fertilizers used indiscriminately for improved production pose a major threat to long-term soil fertility, the soil environment, and its components. The soil microbial community, however, plays a major and important role in fostering soil health and plant growth. While the use of synthetic fertilizers has a profound impact on plant growth, it also significantly alters the makeup of the microbial community towards a detrimental low, especially N and P fertilizers. Sustainable farming practices can reduce the depletion of natural resources and maintain both productivity and soil fertility. The use of minerals that contain fertilizer nutrients in their native state is a very promising approach to reducing emissions associated with the processing chemical industries. Organic material from natural sources (food waste, manure from livestock, agricultural biomass, etc.) acts as a source of microbial culture and encourages the release of nutrients into the soil during mineral weathering. The combination of nutrient-bearing minerals and their biological weathering agents together with organic matter has the potential to remediate, restore, and sustain depleted agricultural soils. Therefore, in this review, we emphasize the significance of sustaining agricultural productivity and microbial diversity in the rhizosphere, the two vital aspects of modern agricultural systems, through bio-organic mineral fertilizers.

Nanobiotechnology is one of the emerging fields and its interventions in agriculture is been attracting the scientific community. Herein, the authors first to report on control of groundnut bruchid ( Caryedon serratus O.) using nanoscale zinc oxide (ZnONPs) particles and nanoscale chitosan (CNPs) particles‐based Azadirachtin formulations. ZnONPs and CNPs were prepared using sol–gel and ion tropic gelation techniques, respectively. Neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5% and Neem oil (3000 and 1000 ppm) were encapsulated using the prepared nanoscale materials and characterised using the techniques such as dynamic light scattering, high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. Spherical‐shaped nanoparticles were formed after encapsulation with the required bio‐materials (ZnONPs 33.1 nm; CNPs 78.8 nm; neem oil encapsulated (3000 ppm) ZnONPs 182.9 nm; NSKE encapsulated ZnONPs 84.9 nm) and observed that the particles are stable (52.3 mV for ZnONPs, −36.2 mV for CNPs, −43.0 mV for neem oil encapsulated (3000 ppm) ZnONPs and −39.4 mV for NSKE encapsulated ZnONPs). NSKE encapsulated CNPs were able to contain groundnut bruchid up to 180 days with 54.61% weight loss compared to other formulations tested. Thus biomaterial encapsulated nanoscale material formulations are proved to be effective in controlling stored grain pests to reduce huge economic losses.

Zinc (Zn), a naturally occurring trace element ubiquitous in the Earth’s crust, soil, and water, is indispensable for human health due to its physiological and nutritive benefits. In this scenario, Zn is pivotal for maintaining homeostasis against toxic effects exerted by heavy metals (HMs) through bioaccumulation and metabolic interference. Zinc is an enticing cofactor for miscellaneous biochemical enzymes such as Zn metalloenzymes, which mediate crucial cellular processes, including cell proliferation, protein synthesis, immune modulation, epigenetic regulation, and nucleic acid synthesis. Recently, several research studies have focused on the thorough investigation of Zn supplementation in controlling HM toxicity by competing for binding sites and boosting protective mechanisms in humans. The current article discusses the upper limits for various toxic HMs in staple crop foods, as provided by globally recognized organizations. Clinical studies recommend a daily dose of 11 mg of Zn for healthy men and 8–12 mg for women in healthy and pregnancy conditions. However, during Zn deficiency, therapeutic supplementation is expected to be adjustable, and the dosage is increased from 15 to 30 mg daily. This review discusses the dysregulation of specific Zn importers and transporters (ZIPs/ZnTs) due to their clinical significance in immune system dysfunction as well as the progression of a myriad of cancers, including prostate, breast, and pancreas. Moreover, this review emphasizes indispensable in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as key molecular mechanisms related to Zn supplementation for treating toxicities exacerbated by HMs.