Endophyte mediated biocontrol mechanisms of phytopathogens in agriculture.

The global human population is growing and demand for food is increasing. Global agriculture faces numerous challenges, including excessive application of synthetic pesticides, emergence of herbicide-and pesticide-resistant pathogenic microbes, and more frequent natural disasters associated with global warming. Searches for valuable endophytes have increased, with the aim of making agriculture more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Current Status and De Novo Synthesis of Anti-Tumor Alkaloids in .

Alkaloids are the most diversified nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites, having antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and are extensively used in pharmaceuticals to treat different types of cancer. Nicotiana serves as a reservoir of anti-cancer alkaloids and is also used as a model plant for the de novo synthesis of various anti-cancer molecules through genetic engineering. Up to 4% of the total dry weight of Nicotiana was found to be composed of alkaloids, where nicotine, nornicotine, anatabine, and anabasine are reported as the dominant alkaloids.

Effect of Hybridization on Somatic Mutations and Genomic Rearrangements in Plants.

Hybridization has been routinely practiced in agriculture to enhance the crop yield. Principally, it can cause hybrid vigor where hybrid plants display increased size, biomass, fertility, and resistance to diseases, when compared to their parents. During hybridization, hybrid offspring receive a genomic shock due to mixing of distant parental genomes, which triggers a myriad of genomic rearrangements, e.

An Overview of LEDs' Effects on the Production of Bioactive Compounds and Crop Quality.

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are characterized by their narrow-spectrum, non-thermal photon emission, greater longevity, and energy-saving characteristics, which are better than traditional light sources. LEDs thus hold the potential to revolutionize horticulture lighting technology for crop production, protection, and preservation. Exposure to different LED wavelengths can induce the synthesis of bioactive compounds and antioxidants, which in turn can improve the nutritional quality of horticultural crops.

Use of Ultrasonication Technology for the Increased Production of Plant Secondary Metabolites.

Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) provide taste, color, odor, and resistance to plants, and they are also used to treat cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Synthesis of PSMs in plants is stimulated in response to different forms of external stress. Use of ultrasonication (US) to clean or decontaminate fruits and vegetables leads to physical stress that finally results in the accumulation of PSMs.

Metabolic engineering of Nicotiana benthamiana for the increased production of taxadiene.

We report the production of taxadiene by transformation of N. benthamiana with a taxadiene synthase gene. The production was significantly increased by an elicitor treatment or metabolic pathway shunting.

Preparation of resveratrol-enriched grape juice from ultrasonication treated grape fruits.

Grape (Vitis spp.) is a major source of resveratrol that can be eaten directly or after making jam, jelly, wine and juice. Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) has a profound positive influence on human health, including anti-carcinogenic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ageing effects and the ability to lower blood sugar.