Electronic waste (e-waste) has become a major environmental issue due to its hazardous contents, such as toxic substances like Mercury, Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs), and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), which pose significant risks to human health and ecosystems. The rapid pace of technological advancement and the increasing consumption of electronic devices have caused a substantial surge in e-waste generation. In 2019, global e-waste production reached 53.6 million metric tons, with projections suggesting it will double by 2050. High-income countries have made strides in developing policies and infrastructure for e-waste recycling; however, a significant portion of this waste is exported to low-income countries, where improper processing methods lead to serious environmental and health hazards. Although recycling e-waste has substantial economic value, with raw material recovery potentially worth $57 billion, only 17.4% of global e-waste was properly recycled in 2019, emphasizing the urgent need for improved management strategies and international cooperation to address this growing issue.

Plastic pollution can have negative effects on human health as well as serious effects on marine ecosystems. The widespread production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) single-use plastics poses a significant threat to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in terms of plastic waste. PET is a strong, clear and light plastic that is typically used for food and beverage packaging, as well as for other single-use applications. As a result, removing plastic from the environment is not only difficult but also ineffective financially. Numerous strains of bacteria are capable of biodegrading a variety of plastics. Utilizing beneficial micro-organisms that are capable of breaking down plastic could be an effective and long-term solution to all of the problems. Ideonella sakaeinsis 201-F6 is the most well-known heterotrophic bacteria that can use PET as its primary source of energy and carbon to degrade plastic in the environment. It has a place with the sort of Ideonella and the family Comamonadaceae. With the assistance of specific enzymes like PETase and MHETase, it can ultimately degrade plastic, potentially reducing the problem of plastic waste. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is first transformed by the PETase into mono-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (MHET), after which MHET is hydrolyzed to produce ethylene glycol (EG) and terephthalic acid (TPA). I. sakaiensis offers a novel strategy for recycling PET because it can mediate the direct transformation of non-biodegradable PET into plastic that is better for the environment.

The assessment of Air pollution tolerance index and anticipated performance index of most occurring plants along National Highway-07 (Nahan – Paonta Sahib), Himachal Pradesh. The investigation has been done along NH-07 from December 2023 to January 2024. There were four 10-km segments of the 40-km NH-07 route between Nahan and Paonta Sahib were separated for analysis. The vehicle activity's effect on vegetation was evaluated by measuring plants at D1 (0–5 m), D2 (5–10 m), and D3 (>10 m) distances from the NH-07 on both sides. Based on the estimated APTI and the socioeconomic traits of most occurring plant species found along the roadside at various locations, the expected performance index (API) was evaluated. The findings revealed that, all the four dominant species scored less APTI score (< 11) and categorised as sensitive plant species. There is no discernible variance in APTI across all sites, according to the two-way ANOVA. The APTI and socioeconomic factors are used in the novel ecological process known as the Anticipated Performance Index (API) to choose plant species that will reduce air pollution. The findings, as reported by API, indicated that among the four most dominant plant species, Shorea robusta (API = 4) considered as "good" performance, Eucalyptus globulus (API = 3) is a moderate performer whereas Ficus roxburghii and Mallotus phillippenis (API = 2) are poor performers. Therefore, it is recommended that a green belt be created for the top performer i.e. Shorea robusta in a particular study area.

The study reports our evaluation of high resolution, hyperspectral leaf reflectance and pigment measurement as a potential tool to aid in identifying and delineating the effect of crop residue management and macronutrients on chlorophyll content and crop health of wheat crop (T. aestivum). The split–plot design was employed for the experiment with rice straw management practice as the main plots, while 4 sub treatments include an increase in N % from 23 % to 50 % compared to the control. Hyperspectral reflectance data (350-1000 nm) at 5 nm resolution were collected after 2nd irrigation and N % dose application at about 85 days of crop maturity using a SPECIM camera under natural light conditions from ~1200-1500 hrs. The reflectance was measured at ~60 cm from the plant tip and the variance and multivariate mean separation among the various treatments. There was a significant increase (~1.5 fold) in reflectance for the T4 treatment compared to the control (T1), and a corresponding increase in chlorophyll content was observed with the T4 treatment compared to the control. The increase in chlorophyll was also correlated with the content of mineral N soil (mg/kg). With the addition of additional N % along with residue-managed plots, there is a linear increase in chlorophyll content, which is also compared with SPAD and green seeker (NDVI) data taken simultaneously at the time of HSI imaging. This is the first observation where the HSI technique is successfully employed to study the impact of crop residue management on crop health.

This editorial addresses the critical role of post-harvest solutions in advancing global food security by minimizing food waste and preserving nutritional value. Post-harvest losses, especially in developing regions, significantly impact food availability and quality. With nutrient loss in harvested crops due to exposure to heat, light, and other environmental factors, methods such as cold storage, biofortification, and smart packaging prove essential for retaining nutrient density. Additionally, supportive policy frameworks and international collaboration are necessary to scale these technologies and empower farmers. By enhancing post-harvest practices, sustainable food systems can be achieved to meet the dietary needs of a growing population.

Fresh cut carrots disinfected with 100ppm sodium hypochlorite solution and coated with different coatings revealed that chitosan coating exerts higher antimicrobial efficacy and inhibits microbial growth. Characterization of chitosan coating revealed presence of functional groups responsible for antimicrobial activity and coating have low water vapour and O2/CO2 transmission rate with non-Newtonian flow behaviour. Standardisation of coating conditions viz. concentration and dipping time was performed using Response Surface Methodology. Results revealed that fresh cut carrots dipped in 1.0% (w/v) chitosan coating for 3 minutes exhibited lowest microbial count and maintained physicochemical properties. Validation at 5.0 kg scale showed microbial counts of coated carrot pieces were within acceptable limits (4.72 log cfu/g total plate count, 2.90 log cfu/g yeasts and moulds, and 2.95 log cfu/g total coliforms) even at 15th day, while uncoated carrots exceeded the acceptable microbial limits after6th day of refrigeration storage. Physicochemical attributes were highly maintained and bioactive compounds including phenolics, ascorbic acid, carotenoids showed low dissipation and were highly preserved with low PPO and POD activities, thus increasing shelf life of produce. Sensory attributes showed high acceptability of chitosan coated fresh cut carrots with overall acceptability score of 7.0 on 15th day of storage.

Rapid industrialization and agricultural expansions had redistributed the metals at regional as well as global levels with consequent environmental pollution producing deleterious effects on diverse living systems. Heavy metals are the most hazardous pollutants as they are non-degradable and undergo bioaccumulation. Lead is one of the major environmental contaminants, occurring in soil, sediments, air, and water. Lead toxicity is a significant public health issue, known to cause severe hepatotoxic effects through oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular apoptosis. This study evaluates the bio-efficacy of Allium cepa (onion) extract in protecting against lead-induced liver damage in albino rats. Rats received lead acetate and onion bulb extract for 1,7, 14 & 21 days and samples were collected for analyses. Key parameters assessed were liver function biomarkers (ALT, AST, ALP, ACP, LDH), and histopathological changes in liver tissue. Liver injury is manifested by elevated levels of enzymes, as well as histopathological alterations, including massive hepatocyte degeneration and increased collagen deposition. The results revealed that Allium cepa extract significantly reduced liver enzyme levels and notable improvements in liver architecture, including reduced necrosis and inflammation. These findings suggest that Allium cepa extract may serve as a natural therapeutic agent for mitigating lead-induced hepatotoxicity, paving the way for further research into its clinical applications. This study highlights the potent hepatoprotective properties of Allium cepa, attributed to its rich antioxidant and sulphur compounds. Presently, the main objective of the study is to establish herbal dietary supplements as protective agents against heavy metal-induced toxicity that are safe, affordable, and easily available.

Soil ecosystems are important in sustaining flora, fauna, and microbes. It provides key nutrients to the soil—microbial metabolism to help in agricultural production, habitat maintenance, biodiversity restoration, and environmental balance. Soil enzymes play an important role in nutrient cycling, mainly carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, hence helping to create the availability of nutrients through degradation of substrate and exchange of energy. Microorganisms play a special role in enzyme production, both intracellularly and extracellularly. They are involved in microbial biomass production, organic matter decomposition, and soil productivity. Various soil parameters, viz., soil physicochemical activity, microbial activity, soil contamination, climatic factors, soil operational practices, and seasonal and land use conversion influence the soil enzyme activity. Enzymes play an important role in maintaining soil fertility and health. Therefore, soil enzymes are a great tool for evaluating the soil condition and ecosystem productivity.

Photocatalytic studies emphasize upon the chemical reactions that occur when light and a photocatalyst are present in a chemical reaction. A semiconductor known as a photocatalyst increases the rate of reaction just by being there. Numerous uses for photocatalysis exist, including water purification, self-cleaning, antimicrobial, de-odorizing, air purifying and antifogging. Since photocatalysis is a green chemical route, it is essential in the present times and is the need of the hour. Various industries are using different types of dyes in their routine processes including textile and leather industries. These industries put out a huge amount of dyes in their wastewaters which can be harmful to the human health. This short review emphasizes the application of different photocatalytic systems to degrade the dyes including Orange G, Methyl Orange and Methylene Blue which may be present in the industrial watsewaters.

Coccolithophores, a special group of calcifying phytoplankton in the Indian Ocean, their distribution and productivity are strongly mediated by monsoonal dynamics, and they are a key player in the oceanic biogeochemical cycles. Our study explores the multifaceted dynamics between monsoon-driven environmental variability and coccolithophores, examining the influences of upwelling, nutrient accessibility and stratification. Normally, the Southwest (SW) monsoon is characterized by strong winds and substantial upwelling of nutrients and promotes coccolithophore blooms. In contrast, the population density is often lower with reduced upwelling of the northeast (NE) monsoon. This driving force is also noted in the analysis as different responses across regions of the Indian Ocean highlight the local environmental conditions. In addition, it highlights the importance of detailed long-term monitoring and innovative methods, including remote sensing and in situ measurements. As the monsoon pattern continues to change as a result of climate change, the research on coccolithophores in the Indian Ocean is becoming increasingly important in projecting future changes in marine ecosystems and environmental carbon. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the present state of knowledge, highlights major research gaps and proposes directions for future research to gain an understanding of the resilience and adaptability of coccolithophores in a changing environment.

The fishing business has been greatly impacted by artificial intelligence (AI), which has increased production, sustainability, and efficiency. AI enables ships to collect and analyse enormous volumes of data on things like water temperature, salinity, fish behaviour, and ocean currents by combining sensors, cameras, and machine learning algorithms. Increased catch rates and lower operating expenses result from fishermen using this data-driven method to make well-informed decisions about the best times and places to fish. Additionally, AI has proven crucial in the development of smart fishing gear, lowering bycatch, and lessening the negative environmental effects of fishing. AI-based methods also help with stock availability, population dynamics, fish migration patterns, and resource management optimisation. This makes it possible for fishermen to modify their tactics, set sustainable quotas, and refrain from overfishing, all of which help to preserve fish stocks over the long run and guarantee the sustainability of the fishing sector for coming generations. AI technology has the potential to completely transform the fishing sector as it develops further.

Desiccation tolerance (DT) withstands extreme dehydration (90-95% water loss). Post-gemination DT is one of three types of DT known to be present in angiosperms. Wheat possesses post-germination DT. Present study found post-germination DT superior in drought tolerant cultivar than drought susceptible cultivar. Further investigation demonstrated that grades of phenolics, lignin, anthocyanins, gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), proline, sugars and starch and activities of guaiacol peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, sucrose phosphate synthase, sucrose synthase, and amylases were linked to the post-germination-DT of drought tolerant compared to drought susceptible cultivar. Results concluded that post-germination DT can be the marker of drought tolerance in wheat. Antioxidants, proline, sugars, and GABA may be the chief players involved in post-germination DT in wheat.

The main objective of the study was to determine a practical follow-up for the pectin extraction from the whole guava fruit under optimum conditions and to explore the usage of pectin commercially. As guava fruitis available in two different seasons i.e. Rainy (monsoon) and winter respectively. While harvesting, the guavas were procured under different maturity indices viz. Immature green, mature green, over-ripe yellow and infested. So, Pectin was extracted with variation in season and four distinct maturity levels. Extracted pectin undergoes functional characterization and analysis for the best extraction yield. Pectin yield, Moisture content, Ash content and Degree of esterification of extracted pectin were analysed. Physico-chemical properties of guava fruits have proven to be better in the winter season and the highest pectin yield had been recovered from the mature green guava stage from winter guava crop.

Fresh produce is considered as highly beneficial for human health. Post harvest losses and improper storage cause quality related issues. Factors like dehydration, browning, microbial growth, firmness loss, etc contribute to quality loss of fresh-cut fruit. Hence, there are technologies developed to reduce like modified atmospheric packaging, disinfectant washing, and edible coatings have been used to prevent post-harvest losses for quality loss prevention. The use of edible coatings is an area of focus in food industries. Edible coatings have gained considerable attention due to their ability to extend fruit and vegetables shelf life. These coatings are a novel type of primary packaging made up of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids or mixture of these types. They are known to improve quality and appearance of fresh products by decreasing aroma loss and by maintaining its structural integrity. Active coatings can carry supplementary ingredients like antimicrobials, antioxidants, antibrowning agents, texture enhancers, etc which has promising potential for shelf life extension. Information about various types of coatings will help the food processors to identify the most effective formulations to be used for preservation. It is very important to monitor consumer preferences towards the coated products to increase the acceptability of coated fruits and vegetables. This review summarizes the advantages of edible coatings with their types, applying methods and their effect on physicochemical and microbiological and sensorial properties of fresh cut fruits and vegetables.

The progressive industrialization and urbanization of the modern world have resulted in substantial amounts of wastewater, containing a plethora of toxic contaminants that pose serious threats to public health and the environment. As conventional treatment methods often fall short in terms of efficiency and efficacy, novel approaches like nanomaterial-based wastewater purification have received a lot of interest. Owing to their distinctive characteristics, nanomaterials have emerged as promising options for wastewater purification. This paper examines the recent developments in nanotechnology applied to wastewater treatment, highlighting the use of various novel nanomaterials such as metallic nanoparticles, graphene and its derivatives, carbon nanotubes, dendrimers, nanocomposites, nanofiltration membranes, clay nanomaterials, and polymeric nanomaterials, to achieve high adsorption capacities ranging from 80 % to 99.9 %. The mechanisms underlying the purification processes along with the targeted contaminants, removal efficiency and reusability of various nanomaterials are also outlined. Furthermore, the paper also discusses the challenges and future directions of nanomaterial-based wastewater treatment, considering its environmental and practical implications.