Microplastic (MP) pollution has become a widespread and complicated threat to marine ecosystems, causing major problems for both the environment and the community. This review puts together and analyzes published literature between 1966 and 2025. In this review, an extensive analysis was conducted to explore notable progressions on microplastics inside marine ecosystems, encompassing diverse aspects. Their formation through weathering and degradation mechanisms were reviewed. This review emphasized the long-lasting nature of microplastics in marine ecosystems. An in-depth review of the detrimental consequences of microplastics on marine ecosystems was highlighted, spanning the physical damage inflicted upon species, the effects resulting from ingestion, and their function as transporters for pollutants. We examined the needed regulatory environment and comprehensive policy-frameworks to effectively tackle this widespread global issue. Additionally, the contribution of microorganisms in the degradation of microplastics, providing valuable knowledge on potential strategies for bioremediation and the underlying microbiological mechanisms was studied. This analysis highlights the complex biological interdependencies and subsequent consequences within marine food chains, thus emphasizing the urgent need for proactive measures. This review takes a new approach by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a helpful tool for finding MP, modeling it, and improving the efficiency of microbial degradation. We look at how AI-assisted spectroscopy, machine learning models, and autonomous surveillance technologies can help make real-time remediation systems. This review connects environmental microbiology, toxicology, and data science to create a transdisciplinary roadmap for dealing with marine microplastic pollution. It also suggests flexible plans for future biotechnological and regulatory actions.

IntroductionMicrobial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) involves various microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and algae. This study focuses on producing bio-cement using fungal species and selecting potential candidates isolated from alkaline soil of different regions of Punjab, namely, Majha, Malwa, and Doaba.MethodsThe selection of fungi isolates capable of bio-cement production involves several tests, including a urease assay and calcium precipitation. Isolates having high urease enzyme production and the ability to perform calcite precipitation are selected for instrumental analyses such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The isolates selected for further analysis are S1 (3) with 8.879 ± 2.94 µg/ml, S1 (18) with 8.421 ± 0.13 µg/ml, and S4 (1) with 10.057 ± 0.45 µg/ml urease activity and least free calcium ions that are 2.337 ± 0.5 µg/ml, 3.339 ± 0.5 µg/ml, and 4.074 ± 0.1 µg/ml respectively.Results and discussionCalcite precipitation is confirmed through XRD and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). XRD images showing calcite precipitation with sharp crystalline peaks for S1 (3), S1 (18), and S4 (1) are shown. The calcite precipitation is evident in the micrographs of FESEM. These combined results confirm the potential of urease-positive fungi to facilitate calcite production, which could lead to bio-cement development in future research.

Wheat is a crucial food crop worldwide, generating straw upon post-harvest. The straw is often burned to enhance soil fertility, leading to massive air pollution. In this study, wheat straw was investigated for the production of Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) using the novel isolate Bacillus paranthracis RSKS-3. The wheat straw was pulverized and valorized with different acids (2 % and 4 % H2SO4, acetic acid, and hydrochloric acid) and alkalis (2 % and 4 % NaOH, calcium carbonate, and potassium hydroxide). The validation of carbohydrates was done using the Molisch test by analyzing purple-ring production and the DNS test which concluded 4 % H2SO4 as an effective treatment with a maximal sugar yield of 5.04 mg/mL at P < 0.05. The bioconversion efficiency of the extract to PHA resulted in 0.87 g/L by Bacillus paranthracis RSKS-3, later characterized by Ultraviolet (UV)-spectroscopy and FT-IR assessment. The findings of the research offer a potential strategy to mitigate airborne pollutants that result from smouldering wheat straw, thereby contributing significant improvements to sustainable development.

CRISPR has revolutionized illness detection by using precision gene editing to identify specific sequences in recent years. Using the Scopus database, this study performs a comprehensive bibliometric analysis, looking at academic papers on CRISPR that were published between 1992 and 2023. After screening a dataset of 1407 articles using Zotero, trends in annual publishing, citation patterns, author affiliations, and keyword co-occurrence are revealed using analysis tools such as VOSviewer, RStudio, and MS Excel. According to the report, there was only one CRISPR publication in 1992. By 2017, there were a meager 64 papers. Nonetheless, there is a notable upsurge between 2018 and 2023. Leading nations involved in CRISPR-based illness detection research include Germany, the United States, China, India, and the United Kingdom. Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing University Medical University, and Chongqing University Bioengineering College are a few of the top institutions. With the greatest publication numbers (1688 and 1616) and strong total link strengths (TLS) of 42 and 77, respectively, authors Liu, C., and Li, Y., stand out. The field with the greatest citation counts as of 2023 is Broughton’s 2020 study on CRISPR-based SARS-CoV-2 detection in Nature Biotechnology, with 1598 citations. Biosensors and Bioelectronics comprise 14.99% of papers. Researchers, decision-makers, and interested parties can use this thorough summary to help them make well-informed decisions about future CRISPR-based disease detection studies.

Soil is a foundation of agriculture and home to numerous terrestrial organisms, including prokaryotes. Many biological activities with human interference led to distressed plant growth. The contaminants disposed of by various anthropogenic activities have decreased the soil quality and hence lower agricultural productivity. A means to bioremediate soil contaminants using a natural soil system is challenging. Promising research involving rhizospheric microbes in bioremediation has led to an economical and sustainable approach to increasing agriculture productivity. The rhizosphere has an intricate ecosystem comprising microbial consortiums which perform numerous biological activities concerning plant growth. These microbial consortia also perform a prime duty to bioremediate soil contaminants to improve soil quality and maintain its nutrient quality. Differing actions have been researched for bioremediation strategies of soil contamination by rhizospheric microbes. The review discusses different microbial members of prokaryotes, bacteria, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to bioremediate swept contamination in the soil.

Nanobiotechnology has ushered in a new era of scientific discovery where the unique properties of nanomaterials, such as gold nanoparticles, have been harnessed for a wide array of applications. This review explores gold nanoparticles' synthesis, properties, and multidisciplinary applications, focusing on their role as biosensors. Gold nanoparticles possess exceptional physicochemical attributes, including size-dependent optical properties, biocompatibility, and ease of functionalization, making them promising candidates for the development of biosensing platforms. The review begins by providing a comprehensive overview of gold nanoparticle synthesis techniques, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches. It then delves into the remarkable properties that underpin their success in biosensing, such as localized surface plasmon resonance and enhanced surface area. The discussion also includes the functionalization strategies that enable specific binding to biomolecules, enhancing the sensitivity and selectivity of gold-nanoparticle-based biosensors. Furthermore, this review surveys the diverse applications of gold nanoparticles in biosensing, encompassing diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and drug delivery. The multidisciplinary nature of these applications underscores the versatility and potential of gold nanoparticles in addressing complex challenges in healthcare and environmental science. The review emphasizes the pressing need for further exploration and research in the field of nanobiotechnology, particularly regarding the synthesis, properties, and biosensing applications of gold nanoparticles. With their exceptional physicochemical attributes and versatile functionalities, gold nanoparticles present a promising avenue for addressing complex challenges in healthcare and environmental science, making it imperative to advance our understanding of their synthesis, properties, and applications for enhanced biosensing capabilities and broader scientific innovation.

Burning rice straw is now a significant issue faced by different regions in India, as its burning releases harmful gases, mainly carbon dioxide. Various techniques are now in trend to utilize the rice straw, e.g., producing compressed natural gas using rice straw, bioethanol, etc., as a substrate for various microorganisms. A high quantity of non-utilized rice husk generates more ideas for its proper utilization. The cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin found in rice straws can be a fungi growth medium. In this research, the delignification of rice husk is done by acid (2

Microorganisms have emerged as promising resources for producing economical and sustainable bioproducts like Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a biodegradable polymer that can replace synthetic plastics. In this study, we screened a novel isolate, Bacillus paranthracis RSKS-3 strain, to produce PHA from sewage water, identifying it using Whole Genome Sequence. This study represents the first report on optimizing PHA production using B. paranthracis RSKS-3, employing Design Expert 12.0 software. Our findings reveal that four factors (temperature, inoculum size, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and magnesium sulfate) significantly affect PHA production in the Plackett-Burman design experiment. Through Response Surface Methodology, we optimized PHA production to 0.647 g/L with specific values for potassium dihydrogen phosphate (0.55 %), inoculum size (3 %), magnesium sulfate (0.055 %), and a temperature of 35 °C, in agreement with the predicted value of 0.630 g/L. This optimization resulted in a substantial 13.29-fold increase in PHA production from 0.34 g/L to 4.52 g/L, underscoring the promising role of B. paranthracis RSKS-3 in eco-friendly PHA production and advancing sustainable bioproduct development.

The increasing number of plastic debris produced worldwide and its detrimental impacts on the environment and human health have led to rising demand for bio-plastic, or polyhydroxyalkanoate, as a replacement to synthetic plastic manufactured from petroleum. The usefulness of agricultural waste as a prime source of carbon for Polyhydroxyalkanoate production and aids in the valorization of the waste. The study optimizes sulfuric acid pre-treated wheat straw (SAPWS) along with inoculum size, temperature, and incubation period using Box-Behnken design (BBD). The maximum Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) yield (0.250 g/L) and productivity (0.521

The valorization of wheat straw can be applied to produce sustainable bioproducts. The objective of this study is to produce a sustainable bioplastic; Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) using wheat straw as a carbon source after pretreatment, using mild acids and alkalis. The qualitative Molisch test validated the presence of carbohydrates by observance of purple-ring formation at the interface, whereas the quantitative DNS test showed a maximum sugar yield of 4.9 mu g/mL in the 4 % H2SO4-treated wheat straw extract at p < 0.05. This extract was efficiently utilized by Bacillus megaterium MTCC 453 to produce PHA (30 mg/L), as confirmed by UV-spectroscopy and FT-IR analysis. These results confirm the applicability of producing sustainable PHA excluding the usage of industrial enzymes and any additional carbon/nitrogen sources to produce PHAs. The findings offer a promising alternative to mitigate the effect of global warming caused by the combustion of agricultural biomass and contribute to achieving sustainable development goals.

The rapid increase in cement demand across the globe has led to greater environmental problems. The high temperature required for cement production is attained by burning fossil fuels and other materials. Burning these materials led to high CO2 emissions, causing pollution and global warming. To overcome this, cement produced through biological means as a green alternative has emerged in recent years. Chemically, bio-cement is calcium carbonate produced through hydrolysis of urea and calcium chloride through microbes by utilizing a well-known mechanism, microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP). The application includes grout formation to minimize contaminant movement, preventing dust formation on walls, self-repair ability to repair wall cracks and immobilization of sand. This application of bio-cement has a great potential to replace conventional cement in the construction sector.

Purpose Chitosan is a biopolymer obtained from the exoskeletons of crustaceans and the cell walls of fungi. Due to its biocompatibility and capacity for tissue regeneration, this substance exhibits considerable potential as a candidate for wound healing. The objective of this article is to provide a detailed review of the properties and medical applications of chitosan in wound healing. The investigation also encompasses ethical questions pertaining to patient safety, informed consent, healthcare access, and sustainable sourcing of chitosan. Method This review pertains to the characteristics and medical applications of chitosan, while concurrently exploring the ethical considerations associated with its use. Result The review presents a comprehensive examination of chitosan, emphasizing its biocompatibility, absorbability, polycationic properties, film-forming ability, hemostatic properties, antimicrobial effects, tissue regeneration capabilities, and angiogenic potential. The usefulness of chitosan encompasses a wide range of areas, including wound dressings, tissue scaffolds, medication delivery systems, and medical devices. The ethical considerations and challenges pertaining to patient safety, informed consent, equitable provision of healthcare, and sustainable sourcing are duly acknowledged and attended to. Conclusion Chitosan demonstrates diverse medicinal capabilities, particularly in the context of wound healing. Additionally, it has the potential to yield advantages in the context of combinational medicines. Nevertheless, ethical issues take precedence. It is of utmost importance to ensure that the applications of chitosan are in accordance with ethical norms, encompassing aspects such as safety, consent, equitable access, and sustainability. This review sheds light on the scientific potential and ethical challenges associated with the use of chitosan in medical applications, hence providing guidance for the development of responsible healthcare advancements. Lay Summary The article investigates the potential of chitosan, a versatile substance obtained from fungus and crustaceans, in the field of medicine, with a specific focus on its application in wound healing. The distinctive attributes of chitosan, such as its biocompatibility, absorbency, and antibacterial properties, render it well-suited for various applications, including wound dressings and drug delivery systems. The essay additionally addresses significant ethical aspects, including patient safety, informed consent, and sustainable sourcing. It underscores the importance of striking a balance between innovation and the adoption of responsible and ethical medical practices.

Nanotechnology holds significant ameliorative potential against neurodegenerative diseases, as it can protect the therapeutic substance and allow for its sustained release. In this study, the reducing and capping agents of Urtica dioica (UD), Matricaria chamomilla (MC), and Murraya koenigii (MK) extracts were used to synthesize bio-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) against bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and against rotenone-induced toxicities in D. melanogaster for the first time. Their optical and structural properties were analyzed via FT-IR, DLS, XRD, EDS, SEM, UV–Vis, and zeta potential. The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the fabricated ZnO-NPs were evaluated employing cell-free models (DPPH and ABTS) and the well diffusion method, respectively. Rotenone (500 µM) was administered to Drosophila third instar larvae and freshly emerged flies for 24–120 h, either alone or in combination with plant extracts (UD, MC, an MK) and their biogenic ZnO-NPs. A comparative study on the protective effects of synthesized NPs was undertaken against rotenone-induced neurotoxic, cytotoxic, and behavioral alterations using an acetylcholinesterase inhibition assay, dye exclusion test, and locomotor parameters. The findings revealed that among the plant-derived ZnO-NPs, MK-ZnO NPs exhibit strong antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, followed by UD-ZnO NPs and MC-ZnO NPs. In this regard, ethno-nano medicinal therapeutic uses mimic similar effects in D. melanogaster by suppressing oxidative stress by restoring biochemical parameters (AchE and proteotoxicity activity) and lower cellular toxicity. These findings suggest that green-engineered ZnO-NPs have the potential to significantly enhance outcomes, with the promise of effective therapies for neurodegeneration, and could be used as a great alternative for clinical development.

Gut microbiota is regarded as a rich reservoir of symbiotic and opportunistic microorganisms. These are essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle as they play role in digestion, excretion, and other physiological and metabolic activities of the body. The host releases certain bioactive compounds such as antimicrobial peptides, non-specific factors such as immunoglobins, and micro RNAs that help to foster beneficial microorganisms to restrict growth of pathogens. Its imbalance, dysbiosis, compromises human health, causing inflammation and other immune system related abnormalities. Diet, age, chemical consumption, and excess use of antibiotics are the main factors that lead to fluctuation of gut microbiota. Dysbiosis leads to a wide range of disturbances including diarrhea, cramping, constipation, and indigestion. In this chapter, we highlight the fluctuations in normal gut microbiota mediated by internal and external agents. Further, the elucidation on the role of probiotics in balancing the microbial diversity and composition of gut will be delineated.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis, is a global health concern, affecting millions worldwide. This bacterium has earned a reputation as a formidable adversary due to its multidrug-resistant nature, allowing it to withstand many antibiotics. The development of this drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is attributed to innate and acquired mechanisms. In the past, rifampin was considered a potent medication for treating tuberculosis infections. However, the rapid development of resistance to this drug by the bacterium underscores the pressing need for new therapeutic agents. Fortunately, several other medications previously overlooked for tuberculosis treatment are already available in the market. Moreover, several innovative drugs are under clinical investigation, offering hope for more effective treatments. To enhance the effectiveness of these drugs, it is recommended that researchers concentrate on identifying unique target sites within the bacterium during the drug development process. This strategy could potentially circumvent the issues presented by Mycobacterium drug resistance. This review primarily focuses on the characteristics of novel drug resistance mechanisms in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It also discusses potential medications being repositioned or sourced from novel origins. The ultimate objective of this review is to discover efficacious treatments for tuberculosis that can successfully tackle the hurdles posed by Mycobacterium drug resistance.

Microorganisms have a significant influence on human health and environmental sustainability. Microorganisms that cause food poisoning are a severe problem for consumers, the food industry, and regulatory bodies. Other hazardous microbes ruin the food, shorten its shelf life, and thus result in significant monetary losses. Despite recent developments in food processing technology, the potential for disease transmission through food still exists. Most physical methods used to preserve commercial food items are combined with chemical preservatives. Consumer demand for alternative natural antimicrobial agents is rising, and the food sector must keep up with this trend. One of the most crucial components of sustainability is growing and canning your own food. Traditionally, families handed on their knowledge of food preservation to succeeding generations as a way of life. Consumers face a knowledge gap while attempting to preserve their produce. This chapter will briefly explore the role of different microbes in food preservation. It describes the many microorganisms and techniques crucial for long-term food preservation.

Microplastics pose an imminent risk to the marine environment, biota, and ecosystem. Their consumption threatens organisms because of the material's ability to absorb and concentrate environmental contaminants in oceans and then transfer them through food chains. Microplastic may harm soil biota, such as earthworms, and can alter soil biophysical parameters, such as soil bulk density, aggregation, and water-holding capacity. To find alternatives to microplastics, scientists have developed biodegradable plastics that can be discarded in the environment and broken down quickly by the enzymatic activity of micro-organisms. Bioplastics are made from biological or renewable components. The bioplastic produced from potato peels, corn, sugarcane, wheat, rice, banana peels, and other natural materials is eco-friendly and biodegradable. Bioplastic is also known as Low-carbon plastic. The use of low-carbon plastic aids in the regulation of global temperature rise. It is used to make toys, home interiors, shopping bags, bottles, labels, trash bags, and packaging materials. It has wide applications for bone nails and tissue scaffolds in the medical industry. Its development also faces other obstacles, including price difficulties, technical improvements, and waste collection and treatment. Synthesis and characterization methods will help overcome these obstacles. The present chapter will focus on bioplastic and its types, the synthesis of bioplastic, the difference between microplastic and bioplastic, and bioplastic as an alternative approach.

The creation of sustainable environment has revolutionized the world in the past two decades. The area of biomineralization sector has also grown to provide promising results as a potential environment eco-friendly process to produce. Microbial-Induced Calcite Precipitation played a major role in promotion of biomineralization, and many patents have been generated in the past few years. Even now studies related to optimization, economic, and eco-friendly perspective are carried out and compared with other sustainable techniques to tackle environmental pollutants. In this chapter, MICP-based bio-cement has been focused as an alternative of cement produced using non-renewable sources. The pros of using bio-cement against cement have been discussed along with impact on conventional cement market. Lastly, different stages of bio-cement production using MICP process have been discussed to provide a step forward in sustainability.

The dirt energy production utilizes a surplus number of non-renewable resources. The current era of civilization has rapidly increased the usage of various dirt energy leading to pollution and greenhouse emissions. Thus, need for the clean energy has been more in demand than ever. Various clean energy sources are available; however, their production seems not to fulfill for the long term. So, clean energy production from various microorganisms steps up to fulfilling the global energy demand. Microbial biofuels or bioenergy includes bioethanol, biogas, biodiesel, and microbial fuel cells are the most common clean energy sources. The prime requisite for energy production is the microbial biomass; the higher the biomasses, the higher will the energy production. This clean energy has been proven to decline greenhouse emissions and is sustainable for the environment. Also, the usage of such clean energy does not negatively affect living organisms. The following chapter covers various clean energy production using various classes of microorganisms, including bacteria; fungi; algae, and the application of such clean energy in our day-to-day experiences.