The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and Machine Learning (ML) technologies has transformed precision agriculture by enabling data-driven, adaptive, and efficient farming practices. IoT sensors provide continuous, high-resolution monitoring of critical agricultural parameters, including soil health, crop growth, and environmental conditions. Coupled with advanced ML algorithms, this data facilitates predictive analytics and real-time decision-making, optimizing resource utilization for irrigation, pest control, and yield prediction. Recent innovations, such as edge computing, Reinforcement Learning (RL), and Transfer Learning, have further enhanced the scalability and adaptability of IoT-ML systems, enabling dynamic responses to complex agricultural challenges. This review synthesizes evidence from case studies and emerging applications to illustrate the potential of IoT-ML integration in driving sustainable agricultural development. Highlighted examples include IoT-enabled irrigation systems achieving over 30% water savings and RL-driven automation for efficient pest and disease management. Despite significant progress, barriers such as high initial investment costs, connectivity limitations, and data integration challenges hinder widespread adoption, particularly in resource-constrained regions. The study provides a comprehensive evaluation of IoT-ML applications, explores strategies to address implementation hurdles, and outlines a roadmap for scaling these technologies globally. By advancing precision agriculture through technological innovation, this integration represents a critical pathway toward enhancing food security, reducing environmental footprints, and promoting resilient agricultural systems.

Background: Herbs have gained recognition as highly efficient tools in the treatment and management of diseases both in modern and traditional medicine. Datura stramonium is a good example of such a medicinal herb. D. stramonium is popularly called thorn apple or Jimson weed in the family of Solanaceae. It has both toxic as well as medicinal potentials. D. stramonium leaves, seeds, and stems have been extensively studied for various pharmacological properties. D. stramonium seed is among the top plants commonly abused as a drug by Nigerian youths. Chemical constituents are responsible for the medicinal potential of plants. Objectives: This study was planned to investigate and compare the vitamin contents of ethanol extract of D. stramonium leaf and seed. Methods: The determination of vitamin levels was carried out using the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and other standard methods. Results: The order of vitamin composition in both leaves and seeds was E>C>A>B6>B9>B12>B2>B1>B3 . Moreover, the concentration of vitamins E, C, and A, being the most abundant, was 6.65:1.64 mg/100 g, 3.65:1.05 mg/100 g, 2.38:1.82 mg/100 g, for leaf and seed extracts, respectively. Further, there were significant differences (P<0.05) in the contents of vitamins A, C, E, and B2 of the leaves and seeds, with the leaves having higher vitamin levels than the seed. Conclusion: The number of vitamins present in the samples may be responsible for the highly nutritious and medicinal properties of D. stramonium. From the results of this study, it is obvious that D. stramonium leaves and seeds can serve as good nutritional supplements, which may also provide the users with adequate nutrients that help with the management of various health challenges. However, further studies are required to ascertain appropriate doses that could lead to toxicity.

Maize ( Zea mays L .) is a significant cereal plant, which due to its nutritious content especially dietary energy and nutrients, is globally significant or rather important. Its nutritive status does not just end with macronutrients but it stretches to cover nutrient status that promotes health-giving micronutrients and phytochemicals. This review aims to consolidate recent advancements in maize nutrient profiling and highlight current challenges in optimizing its nutritional potential across global food systems. A huge number of literature search was performed using the databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar in English published from 2010 to 2024, peer peer-reviewed articles. Search terms were “Zea mays nutrition,” “maize macronutrients,” “maize micronutrient biofortification,” and “phytochemicals in maize”. The study inclusion criteria included empirical or review data on maize nutritional quality, bioavailability, and impacts on human health. The maize is mostly carbohydrates, where the most part of them constitute starch, a considerable amount of protein as well as low levels of lipids located in the germ. Quality Protein Maize (QPM) and the biofortified varieties have an enhanced level of lysine, tryptophan and provitamin A. Maize is a source of crucial B vitamins and minerals including iron, zinc, and magnesium, yet their intake is lower because of the impediments of antinutrient compounds such as phytates. In addition, it is rich in healthy phytochemicals including ferulic acid, flavonoids and carotenoids that have antioxidant and therapeutic properties. Maize is an essential food and nutrition security crop. It is necessary to provide more genetic and agronomic efforts to increase its nutritional quality to help fight hidden hunger and lead to better health of the global population.

Biosecurity threats, which include natural outbreaks, laboratory accidents, and intentional bioterrorism, are a major issue for global health security. The impact of poor preparedness on the health, social, and economic effects of the 1918 influenza pandemic, the 2001 anthrax attacks, and the COVID-19 crisis is devastating. Standard methods, such as quarantine and serology, as well as traditional inoculations, offered basic defences but were often reactive, slow, and unfair. The recent scientific and technological progress has altered the concept of biosecurity preparedness by providing new instruments of early detection, quick reaction, and fair health solutions. Artificial intelligence-based epidemic prediction, next-generation sequencing, CRISPR-based diagnostics, and digital epidemiology are emerging technologies that enable near-real-time surveillance. New therapeutic agents and vaccines, such as mRNA and DNA platforms, monoclonal antibodies, and nanobody therapies, have enhanced response capabilities. Containment measures based on robotics, biosensors, nanotechnology-based PPE, and portable biocontainment units have simultaneously improved frontline safety. Sensitive health information and enhanced coordination are today secured with the help of digital and cyber-biosecurity tools. Nonetheless, the innovations have ethical, legal, and equity issues, which point to the need to govern responsibly and make them accessible to all. This review brings forth the incorporation of emerging technologies with international cooperation, fair systems, and responsive policies as the keys to developing resilient and future-orientated systems that could help alleviate natural, accidental, and intentional biosecurity threats.

Background Maize ( Zea mays L. ) is a significant cereal crop, which, due to its nutritious content, especially in terms of dietary energy and nutrients, is globally important. Its nutritive status does not just end with macronutrients, but it also encompasses nutrient status that promotes health-giving micronutrients and phytochemicals. Objective This review aims to consolidate recent advancements in maize nutrient profiling and highlight current challenges in optimizing its nutritional potential across global food systems. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2024 in English. Search terms included “Zea mays nutrition,” “maize macronutrients,” “maize micronutrient biofortification,” and “phytochemicals in maize”. Studies included both empirical and review papers reporting on maize nutritional quality, bioavailability, and impacts on human health. Results Maize is composed primarily of carbohydrates, with starch as the dominant fraction, alongside moderate protein and low lipid content concentrated in the germ. Biofortified varieties, including Quality Protein Maize (QPM), provide enhanced levels of lysine, tryptophan, and provitamin A. Maize also supplies essential B vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium; however, their bioavailability is reduced by antinutrients like phytates. In addition, maize is shown to be rich in phytochemicals, including ferulic acid, flavonoids, and carotenoids, which exhibit antioxidant and therapeutic properties. Conclusion Maize is more than a staple food crop; it is an indispensable crop for global food and nutrition security. However, challenges such as low bioavailability due to antinutritional factors limit its full nutritional potential. Therefore, strengthening genetic and agronomic interventions to improve its nutritional quality is essential to address hidden hunger and enhance population health worldwide.