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Heavy metal contaminants are carcinogenic, poisonous, and persistent towards the environment and human life. In this view, for the eradication of harmful heavy metals from polluted water, there is a need to develop a novel and environmentally benign biosorbent with high efficiency and low cost compared to native biomaterial. In the present study, Tectona grandis (teak) leaves are utilized to synthesize an effective biosorbent (TGLB) and explored it for the adsorptive removal of cadmium (II) from wastewater. The structural and morphological characteristics of the biosorbent were studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), point of zero charge (pHPZC), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) textural analysis. In the batch investigations, variables such as pH, time, dose of biosorbent, temperature, and concentration of metal ions were altered. 93.2

Plants are continuously exposed to diverse abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and heavy metal toxicity, each of which disrupts cellular homeostasis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and impairs development. To survive under these adverse conditions, plants activate a complex network of transcriptional regulators that remodel primary and secondary metabolic pathways. These regulatory cascades, involving transcription factors such as AP2, WUSCHEL, MYB, bHLH, WRKY, and NAC, orchestrate the biosynthesis of key secondary metabolites, including phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids, that function as antioxidants, osmoprotectants, and signaling molecules. Advances in metabolomics have provided deeper insights into stress-induced metabolic reconfigurations, enabling high-resolution profiling of pathway metabolic fluxes and revealing novel metabolites associated with adaptive resilience and tolerance. Alongside engineering abiotic stress resistance, nanobiological approaches have emerged as innovative strategies to modulate and remediate transcriptional responses and secondary metabolite production. This review comprehends current understanding of transcriptional regulation of secondary metabolism under abiotic stress, integrates metabolomics-driven discoveries, and highlights the potential of metabolites and metabolomics-based tools to augment plant adaptive mechanisms. Together, these interconnected perspectives offer a comprehensive framework for developing stress-resilient crops in the era of climate change.

Background: Keeping in view the majority population under marginal and small category, dairy enterprise is considered as one of the major agri-allied sectors. It has capability to improve economics of rural households and hence hunger, poverty and sustainability. Using cutting-edge statistical techniques, this study assesses the productivity, resource allocation and economic efficiency of dairy farms in four significant bovine-rearing states in India. Methods: Four hundred farms (smallholder, family-operated and semi-commercial) in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh were selected using stratified simple random sampling. Data envelopment analysis (DEA), principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis and stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) were used to analyze the data. Result: Findings indicate notable typological and geographical variations in profitability, input use and efficiency. Due to input misallocation and a lesser adoption of technology, smallholder farms fell behind semi-commercial farms in terms of technical and economic efficiency. Input access, customized extension services and best-practice scaling are highlighted in policy proposals. Additionally, the results provide solid benchmarks and practical advice for policy development and farm improvement.

The global demand for sustainable and effective food preservation techniques has spurred significant interest in biodegradable packaging materials, with chitosan films emerging as a promising solution for extending the shelf life of highly perishable seafood products such as shrimp. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the development, characterization, and functional enhancement of chitosan-based films for shrimp. Chitosan, derived from chitin, has inherent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and biodegradable properties, making it an ideal candidate for eco-friendly packaging. The key physicochemical and functional properties of chitosan films, including their mechanical strength, barrier performance, and structural characteristics, are discussed. Functional enhancements, such as the incorporation of natural bioactive compounds (e.g., essential oils and plant extracts) and nanofillers, have been shown to significantly improve the antimicrobial efficacy, oxygen and water vapor barrier properties, and mechanical stability of films. A critical aspect of this progress is the synergistic effect achieved by combining chitosan with other antimicrobials, which broadens the spectrum of activity against various bacterial strains and enhances overall preservation efficacy. Recent studies have demonstrated that functionalized chitosan coatings effectively inhibit microbial growth, retard lipid oxidation, and maintain sensory and nutritional quality during refrigerated storage of shrimp. In addition, this review evaluates current limitations related to large-scale production, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory approval for commercial applications. Overall, chitosan-based preservation systems represent a promising approach for sustainable seafood packaging. Future research may focus on industrial scalability, multifunctional film design, and integration with smart/active packaging technologies.

Niosomes (NIOs), as non-ionic surfactant based vesicles, have emerged as versatile nanocarriers in the targeted delivery of drugs due to their biocompatibility, chemical stability, and ability to encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs. Their utility has gained significant traction in addressing challenges associated with conventional therapies, for chronic and resistant diseases, Tuberculosis (TB), and cancer. This review critically evaluates the role of non-ionic surfactant in the formulation of NIOs, emphasizing their influence on clinical efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and targeted drug delivery. It also explores the emerging patent landscape and translational potential of NIOs systems in TB and oncology. A comprehensive literature and patent database search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Elsevier, SpringerLink, and ClinicalTrials.gov, as well as Google Patents, USPTO, and WIPO, covering publications and patents from 2020-2025 onwards. The relevant studies, clinical trials, and granted patents involving NIOs formulations with non-ionic surfactant were systematically analyzed for their formulation design, therapeutic outcomes, and disease-specific applications. The study showed a notable rise in research and patents on NIOs drug delivery using non-ionic surfactant categories. In TB, these systems enhanced Bioavailability (BA), sustained drug release, and targeted macrophages. In cancer therapy, they enabled controlled release, minimized side effects, and improved tumor targeting. The recent patents highlight advances in combination therapies, responsive systems, and ligand-based targeting, reflecting a trend toward personalized medicine. Non-ionic surfactant play a critical role in modulating the performance of NIOs drug carriers. Their strategic application in TB and oncology represents a promising avenue for improving therapeutic outcomes. Continued research and innovation in this field, as reflected by patent trends, highlight the translational potential of non-ionic surfactant-based NIOs formulations toward clinical use.