Drought stress significantly affects maize (Zea mays L.) growth by disrupting vital physiological and biochemical processes. This study investigates the potential of proline supplementation to alleviate drought-induced stress in maize plants. The results show that proline supplementation enhanced shoot and root growth under normal conditions and alleviated drought-induced reductions in growth parameters. Under drought stress, proline increased shoot length by 40%, root length by 36%, shoot fresh weight by 97%, root fresh weight by 247%, shoot dry weight by 77%, and root dry weight by 154% compared to the untreated plants. While drought stress induced electrolyte leakage and reduced the relative water content (RWC) and leaf area, proline treatment mitigated these effects by improving membrane stability, water retention, and chlorophyll content. Moreover, proline supplementation reduced hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by 38% and 67%, respectively, in the drought-stressed plants compared to the untreated controls. It also enhanced catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities by 14%, 69%, and 144%, respectively, under drought stress, indicating a strengthened antioxidative defense. Proline also increased the protein content and improved N, P, and K retention by 30%, 40%, and 28%, respectively, in the drought-stressed plants, supporting metabolic and osmotic balance. Additionally, proline improved endogenous proline and sugar levels, facilitating osmotic adjustment and providing energy reserves. These findings suggest that proline supplementation effectively enhances maize resilience under drought stress, improving growth, reducing oxidative stress, and enhancing osmoprotection.

In the face of escalating environmental challenges driven by human activities, the quest for innovative solutions to counter pollution, contamination, and ecological degradation has gained paramount importance. Traditional approaches to environmental remediation often fall short in addressing the complexity and scale of modern-day environmental problems. As industries transition towards sustainable paradigms, the exploration of novel materials and technologies becomes crucial. Lignin nanoparticles have emerged as a promising avenue of exploration in this context. Once considered a mere byproduct, lignin’s unique properties and versatile functional groups have propelled it to the forefront of environmental remediation research. This review paper delves into the resurgence of lignin from an environmental perspective, examining its pivotal role in carbon cycling and its potential to address various environmental challenges. The paper extensively discusses the synthesis, properties, and applications of lignin nanoparticles in diverse fields such as water purification and soil remediation. Moreover, it highlights the challenges associated with nanoparticle deployment, ranging from Eco toxicological assessments to scalability issues. Multidisciplinary collaboration and integration of research findings with real-world applications are emphasized as critical factors for unlocking the transformative potential of lignin nanoparticles. Ultimately, this review underscores lignin nanoparticles as beacons of hope in the pursuit of cleaner, healthier, and more harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature through innovative environmental remediation strategies.

Maize (Zea mays) is a critical global crop, serving as a source of food, livestock feed, and industrial raw materials. Climate changes, driven by rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels, have substantial effects on maize physiology, growth, and nutrient content. This review investigates the impact of elevated CO₂ on maize, with a particular focus on photosynthesis enhancement as it improves water use efficiency (WUE), which can lead to increased biomass production. Despite this, elevated CO₂ results in a decreased concentration of essential nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and folate. The reduction in folate, which is vital for both plant development and human nutrition, poses challenges, especially for population heavily reliant on maize. Additionally, biofortification through traditional breeding and genetic engineering is proposed as a strategy to enhance folate level in maize to mitigate nutritional deficiencies. Elevated CO₂ stimulates lignin production, improving stress resistance and carbon sequestration capacity. However, the increase in guaiacyl-rich lignin may negatively affect biomass degradability and efficiency in biofuel production. The findings emphasize the importance of balancing maize’s stress resilience, nutrient profile, and lignin composition to address future climate challenges. This balance is essential for optimizing maize cultivation for food security, biofuel production, and environmental sustainability.

Rising atmospheric CO₂ levels, a significant consequence of anthropogenic activities, profoundly impact global agriculture and food security by altering plant physiological processes. Despite extensive research, a comprehensive understanding of the specific effects of elevated CO₂ on maize (Zea mays L.)’s primary and secondary metabolism remains elusive. This study investigated the responses of maize seedlings cultivated in open-top chambers (OTCs) under three CO₂ concentrations: ambient (380 ppm), elevated (600 ppm), and high (1800 ppm). Key growth parameters, including plant height, leaf area, and aboveground biomass (leaf and stem), were assessed alongside metabolic profiles encompassing nonstructural and structural carbohydrates, syringyl (S) and guaiacyl lignin, the syringyl-to-guaiacyl (S/G)-lignin ratio, photosynthetic pigments, total soluble protein, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The results demonstrated that exposure to 600 ppm CO₂ significantly enhanced plant height, leaf area, and aboveground biomass compared to ambient conditions. Concurrently, there were notable increases in the concentrations of primary metabolites. In contrast, exposure to 1800 ppm CO₂ severely inhibited these growth parameters and induced reductions in secondary metabolites, such as chlorophyll and soluble proteins, throughout the growth stages. The findings underscore the intricate responses of maize metabolism to varying CO₂ levels, highlighting adaptive strategies in primary and secondary metabolism under changing atmospheric conditions. This research contributes to a nuanced understanding of maize’s physiological adaptations to future climate scenarios characterized by elevated CO₂, with implications for sustainable agriculture and food security.