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Nanotechnology has been extensively exploited for its enormous therapeutic and diagnostic potential in the management of multiple disorders. It employs nanomaterials as drug carriers with enhanced efficacy and limited side effects on normal tissues. A lot of nanomaterials have been studied and produced, imminently reforming the treatment and diagnostics of numerous malignancies, including cancer. The purpose of the present study is to explore the role of nanotechnology-based devices/therapies that have a vital function in the therapeutics and diagnostics of cancer with potential impact at three levels: early detection, tumor imaging, and drug delivery methods. Concentrating on cancer, promising nanotechnology-based approaches have been planned to satisfy the need for targeted specificity of traditional agents of chemotherapeutics, in addition to early recognition of malignant and precancerous lesions. Prostate cancer is the fifth most well-- known cancer worldwide and the second most usually detected cancer in men. Therefore, there is a crucial need to improve therapeutic prospects for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer via the exploitation of the potential of nanomaterials for cell-targeted specificity and improved primary diagnosis of precancerous tumors. The present review, therefore, focuses on summarizing all prospective applications of nanotechnology in the prognosis and diagnosis of prostate cancer, which would further help researchers to elucidate a more potent therapeutic approach for the better management of prostate cancer in the days ahead.

Any abnormality in digesting food or lack of proper digestion is termed as indigestion. It refers to variety of gastrointestinal complaints, ranging from gas (belching or flatulence) to stomach upset. Common indigestion signs and symptoms are fullness, early satiety, nausea, vomiting, belching, bloating, ulcer, diarrhoea, dyspepsia and some other associated temporary discomforts or long lasting disorders. Treatment options are many which include change in food, drinks, lifestyle, synthetic medication, etc. But amongst all, the one by complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs), especially the time-tested phytotherapeutic traditional herbal remedies is gaining significance and reliance. Herbal medicinal plants and drugs therefrom are arguably the oldest forms of healthcare recognized to humanity and have been used by all cultures throughout history. Plants contain phytochemicals having specific as well as holistic biological functions, which may have a significant role in the treatment and prevention of various digestive disorders. The present review will address the indigestion issue as a common and universal discomfort to human being around the globe and also the magical healing options by some medicinal plants and herbals. With the remarkable surge of and reliance to the so-called CAM, it is imperative that the present and future researchers be aware of both the potential risks as well as the benefits of using herbal medicine in their cutting-edge exercise in the days ahead.

The qualitative analyses of the bioactive constituents of the ethanolic extracts of five commonly used Indian seed spices, namely coriander, cumin, fenugreek, fennel and black cumin, were done in the departmental laboratory of spices and plantation crops, BCKV (Agricultural University), Mohanpur, West Bengal, India. These qualitative phytochemical analyses of these extract show the presence of various phytochemicals like steroid, flavonoid, saponin, tannin, alkaloid, coumarin and anthocyanin. Alkaloid was the most abundant phytochemical present in all the seed spices. Steroids and coumarins are also present to a significant extent except in fenugreek and black cumin, respectively. All the seed spices except fenugreek contain saponin. Similarly, tannin is also contained in all except coriander. No seed spices under the present study contained anthocyanin.

An experiment was carried out in the laboratories of the Department of Food Engineering, Department of Vegetable Science, and Department of Plantation Spices Medicinal and Aromatic crops, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV), West Bengal, India. The work was performed during 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 with different drying methods including sun drying, solar drying and oven drying. In oven drying, different temperatures such as 50, 55, 60, 65, and 70 °C were considered. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was designed with seven treatments and three replications. Experimental results were significantly varied among the treatments as influenced by different drying methods and temperatures. Minimum time taken (480 min) to reach safe moisture content was recorded in T7 (oven drying at 70 °C), whereas maximum values in color components such as L* value (24.55), a* value (32.14), b* value (20.53), and pungency score (7.85) were recorded in T6 (oven drying at 65 °C). However, the highest texture (1180.81) was observed in T1 (sun drying). Biochemical parameters were significantly varied among the treatments. The maximum amounts of ascorbic acid (56.06 mg/100 g) and oleoresin content (10.72) were found in T3 (oven drying at 50 °C), whereas minimum values of biochemical parameters were recorded by T1 (sun drying) and T2 (solar drying) methods, respectively. Mathematical relationships were found in different drying methods and temperatures. Models such as the Lewis, Page, Modified Page, and Henderson and Pabis models were selected to fit the data. Maximum R2 value (0.9835) was found in both the Page and Modified Page models with similar values of drying method and temperature at 65 °C. This value was the highest among all models in all drying temperatures. However, the lowest χ2, and RMSE values (0.000818 and 0.027261, respectively) were recorded with the Page model.

Onion is one of the most widely cultivated high-value vegetables on the globe. The study of variability and genetic divergence in this crop will facilitate judicious parent selection for future breeding. The present study incorporated 20 onion genotypes to determine the genetic variability and diversity through morpho-physiological and molecular markers. The genotypes were tested for two consecutive years to determine the effects on yield-attributing and bulb-quality traits. Diversity at a molecular level with 31 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers was determined. Adequate genetic variability existed among the genotypes, with a predominance of additive gene action regarding the inheritance of most of the characteristics. Principal component (PC) analysis detected seven PCs contributing to more than 87% of the genetic diversity in the genotypes. Total yield (kg/plot), Grade ‘C’ bulb (equatorial diameter of the bulb between 3.5 and 4.5 cm), individual bulb weight (g) and phenol content were detected as characteristics positively associated with the first two PCs. A total of 16 primers were amplified, and they produced 32 alleles in the genotypes. Genetic diversity at the morphological and molecular levels indicated moderate diversity among the tested genotypes, with the dissolution of the genotypes into six and three clusters, respectively. The present study on onion facilitates the selection of diverse parents that can generate desirable segregants in future breeding programmes.

Cancer is characterized by persistent cell proliferation driven by aberrant cell cycle regulation and stimulation of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). A very intriguing and potential approach for the development of antitumor medicines is the suppression of CDKs that lead to induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The shift of the cell cycle from the G0/G1 phase to the S phase, which is characterized by active transcription and synthesis, depends on the development of the cyclin D-CDK4/6 complex. A precise balance between anticancer activity and general toxicity is demonstrated by CDK inhibitors, which can specifically block CDK4/6 and control the cell cycle by reducing the G1 to S phase transition. CDK4/6 inhibitors have recently been reported to exhibit significant cell growth inhibition via modulating the tumour microenvironment in cancerous cells. One significant new understanding is that these inhibitors serve important functions in the interaction among tumour cells and the host immune system in addition to being cytostatic. Herein, we discuss the biological significance of CDK4/6 inhibitors in cancer therapeutics, as well as their biological impact on T cells and other important immune cells. Furthermore, we explore the integration of preclinical findings of these pharmaceuticals’ ability to enhance antitumor immunity.

Bountiful expression of bioactivity of phytochemicals obtained from spice crops like coriander gifts them the label of being natural antioxidants. It is well-accepted and time-tested towards contributing to human wellbeing. The accomplishment of coriander production is fundamentally influenced by genetic, agroclimatic, and agronomic factors. Despite the fact that there are very restricted options to manage the first two factors, the third one is apparently imperative to arbitrate as far as the elevated yield and enhanced quality are concerned. On the other hand, an indomitable, object-oriented, controlled agrotechnological and biotechnological intervention can also contribute towards better yield and quality of coriander. There are several accounts of the successful use of such technologies in order to genetically improve the qualitative and quantitative indicators of coriander. However, often these areas are not comprehensively explored and utilized. In that context, the present review highlights the botanical features, origin and distribution, multi-dimensional importance, pre- and post-harvest crop management, phytochemical production, and germplasm conservation, including the in vitro-based regeneration methods along with molecular marker-based biotechnological and omics approaches attempted in coriander until date. In addition, the possibility of the yet-to-be-explored agri-biotechnological methods and their potential for genetic improvement of this crop has also been reviewed in this appraisal. KEY POINTS: • Coriander, used both as an herb and spice, is popular in the pharmaceutical and culinary industries. • The current review provides insight into agrotechnological and biotechnological interventions for better yield and quality. • Provides novel ideas to harness the comprehensive qualitative and quantitative genetic improvement based on the potential use of promising biotechnological tools and techniques.

Enhanced productivity in dry chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), and improvement of fruit quality for industrial use in the export market, is a goal of plant breeders worldwide. Genotypes having a b...

The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) impacts public health due to the diminished potency of existing antibiotics. The microbiome plays an important role in the host's immune system activity and shows the history of exposure to antimicrobials and its manipulation in combating antimicrobial resistance. Advancements in gene technologies, DNA sequencing, and computational biology have emerged as powerful platforms to better understand the relationship between animals and microorganisms (MOs). The past few years have witnessed an increase in the use of nanotechnology, both in industry and in academia, as tools to tackle antimicrobial resistance. New strategies of microbiome manipulation have been developed, such as the use of prebiotics, probiotics, peptides, antibodies, an appropriate diet, phage therapy, and the use of various nanotechnological techniques. Owing to the research outcomes, targeted delivery of antimicrobials with some modifications with nanoparticles can lead to the destruction of resistant microbial cells. In addition, nanoparticles have been studied for their potential antimicrobial effects both in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we highlight key opportunistic areas for applying nanotechnologies with the aim of manipulating the microbiome for the treatment of antimicrobial resistance. Besides providing a detailed review on various nanomaterials, technologies, opportunities, technical needs, and potential approaches for the manipulation of the microbiome to address these challenges, we discuss future challenges and our perspective.

Value addition refers to the transformation of a raw commodity or commodities into a processed product through the use of raw materials, labour, time and technology, all blended in a way that ensures increased economic return. Even if the amount of processing in a product is much less, e.g. for canned fruit, it may be regarded as a processed product. However, the processing of food is not as simple as gathering materials, labour and technology together over a stipulated time. Purity, authenticity, health claims and sustainability are also required to add real value to a food. For this, consumers will need to remain willing to spend a bit more on the final product (Euromonitor, 2010).

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is an annual herb well-known from ancient times as a spicy food ingredient with exceptional nutritional profile along with substantial medicinal effects. It is native to southern Europe and Asia. The seeds are angular and rich source of gum, fibre, alkaloid, flavonoids, saponin and volatile content. They also contain a considerable amount of fibre, phospholipids, glycolipids, oleic acid, linolenic acid, linoleic acid, choline, vitamins A, B1, B2, C, nicotinic acid, niacin and many other functional elements. Fenugreek, as a crop, usually grows well under diverse and a wide range of conditions. It is moderately tolerant to drought and salinity, and can even be grown on marginal lands in profitable way. Owing to these characteristics, fenugreek may well fit in several cropping systems. The high content of fibre makes fenugreek to be used as food stabilizer, adhesive and emulsifying agent to change food texture for some special purposes. Some evidences suggest that fenugreek may also be regarded as anti-diabetic, anti-carcinogenic, remedy for hypocholesterolaemia and hypoglycaemia, anti-oxidant, antibacterial agent, gastric stimulant and anti-anorexia agent. The present article aims to review the potential applications of fenugreek and its healing effects to various human health hazards.

This chapter presents recent studies on the health benefits of isoflavones from the flowering plants of the Leguminosae family- Fabaceae, which are commonly known as the legume, pea, or bean family. Notable agricultural and food plants in this family are Glycine max (soybean), Phaseolus (beans), Pisum sativum (pea), Medicago sativa (alfalfa), Arachis hypogaea (peanut), Ceratonia siliqua (carob), and Glycyrrhiza glabra (liquorice). It was established from literary sources that extracts from these plants, including the invasive species contains important isoflavones. Prominent among the isoflavones biologically active aglycones: genistein, daidzein, and glycitein. Other isoflavones are ononin and sissotrin, with their aglycones, formononetin and biochanin A respectively. These compounds have been described to be active against some life-threatening diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases among others.

Nanotechnology is a novel approach that involves materials and equipment with manipulative abilities on the physical and chemical properties of a substance at molecular levels. The nanoparticles, so-called “mesoporous,” introduce the gene and activate it in a precise and controlled manner without any toxic aftereffects. Polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, proliposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and microemulsions are the precise nanoparticulate formulations which have a potential to deliver herbal medicines effectively. Herbal medicines have been widely used all over the world since prehistoric times and have been recognized by physicians for their better therapeutic value for having fewer adverse effects compared with modern medicines. The effectiveness of many species of medicinal plants depends on the supply of bioactive secondary metabolites. Most of these constituents of extracts, such as flavonoids, tannins, and terpenoids, are highly soluble in water but have low absorption, because they are unable to cross the lipid membranes of the cells, with bigger molecular size, resulting in loss of bioavailability and efficacy. To characterize the nanoparticles with a view to determine the physical and chemical toxicity profiles, several research studies are on their way to focus and explain the mechanism rationally aided with advanced technologies. Nanosized drug delivery systems of herbal drugs have a potential future for enhancing the activity and overcoming problems associated with plant medicines. The present chapter highlights several areas of this amazing world and focuses on the aspects of a promising fusion of nanotechnology and herbal wonders, converging into a futuristic wisdom.

Engineering, physics, chemistry, and biology are all involved in nanotechnology, which comprises a wide variety of multidisciplinary scientific field devices. The holistic utilization of metallic nanoparticles in the disciplines of bio-engineering and bio-medicine has attracted a great deal of attention. Medical nanotechnology research can offer immense health benefits for humans. While the advantages of developing nanomaterials have been well documented, it is precisely apparent that there are still some major issues that remain unattended to those need to be resolved immediately so as to ensure that they do not adversely affect living organisms in any manner. The existence of nanoparticles gives them particular value in biology and materials science, as an emerging scientific field, with multiple applications in science and technology, especially with numerous frontiers in the development of new materials. Presented here is a review of recent noteworthy developments regarding plant-derived nanomaterials and their use in the development of medicine and biomedical applications around the world.

The main objective of this study was to identify the best date of sowing and soil moisture content at different soil depths to get the highest seed production for fenugreek. Plots were planted for 2 years (2012–2013 and 2013–2014) at the following sowing dates: 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd and 30th November (D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5). It may be concluded that to obtain higher seed yield, fenugreek should be sown earlier at 2nd November and irrigation should be given in all the major growth phases at seedling, branching, flowering, pod formation and pod development stages.

Fenugreek is an important seed spice in India. Both leaves and seeds are used which are rich in protein, vitamin A and vitamin C. It has good potential in medicinal and pharmaceutical industries especially for the presence of trigonellin and diosgenin in the seed. However in spite of all these benefits, the crops have not gained much attention of the growers. This is primarily due to the lack of information on good planting materials and using the same varieties year after years. Fenugreek crop has a definite life cycle that matches seasonal necessity. Within the dynamic range of plant–temperature relations, where short-term responses are readily reversible, phenology and productivity have been successfully linked with various measures of accumulated heat (thermal time), and predictive models validated. Through the present experiment to evaluate some promising germplasms of fenugreek, Agf-1, Agf-2, Agf-3 and the local existing varieties were found to perform well and may be suggested for cultivation in this agro climatic zone. For selection purpose towards contributing seed yield, some attributes like plant height, number of branches, pod length, seed weight per pod may be taken into consideration.

Spices not only help imparting taste, flavour, aroma and colour but also act as a preservative by preventing the spoilage of various food and beverage products. They are huge reservoir of essential oils and aromatic constituents which are of great demand in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, both in national and international trade. They also possess nutritional, antimicrobial, antioxidant and pharmaceutical properties and, hence, regarded as one of the most functionally important food ingredients. Efforts are, therefore, directed towards enhancing area, increasing productivity and improving quality of spices. However, in today’s scenario, real challenges confronting us not only on how to sustain the productivity of spices but also on how to minimize their losses. Post harvest management of spices appears to be more crucial here. Most of the freshly harvested spices are very high in their moisture content, highly perishable and susceptible to microbial contamination. Steps like harvesting at optimum stage, proper transportation to processing units, cleaning, blanching, treating with recommended chemicals, dehydration, packaging and storage or processing leading those to value added products etc. are very much crucial so far as reduction of post harvest losses are concerned. The irony is that due to lack of proper knowledge, awareness and improper technology dissemination, the post-harvest management, especially in the developing countries is still not up to the mark. Therefore it is necessary to process the spices by exploiting both classical and innovative post-harvest technology to ensure their long term preservation and optimum utilization.

India is truly the ‘home sweet home’ of spices. Naturally spices became entwined with Indian culture and tradition, only to make it farther rich. Since time immemorial, India has been the land for quality spices to nations across the world. Spices add natural flavour and aroma to foods and also serve as a food-seasoning agent. The diverse agro-climatic eco-regions in India helped producing myriad spices with a geospatial particularity. So there is immense potential of India to feed her huge domestic demand and tap the export markets. A unified approach to produce value added spices in large quantities and holistic strategy following GAP to market the produce are surely to procure handsome prices and to ensure income generation cum livelihood support to the growers. To make it happen, Indian spice industry must be backed by research and development, government support and must follow the internationally acceptable safe and organic production and marketing protocols.

India is known as “The Home of Spices”. No Indian meal is considered complete without the tangy and delectable flavor of Indian Spices, locally known as “Masala”. Indian spices are famous all over the world for their gastronic value to possess high medicinal values. Specialized commodity trading is gaining momentum in many parts of India. Vast export potential exists in India for fresh and different processed products of vegetables. Among vegetables, onion contributes the largest exportable commodities in India. India ranks third in export of fresh onion, next to Netherlands and Spain in the world and export of fresh onion from India is channelized through NAFED. Major importers of fresh onion from India are Gulf countries, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Fresh onion export from India shares 8.98% of the total export earnings from agriculture sector in 2014–15. Garlic has been exporting from India for many years to the major importing countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Zambia, UAF, Bahrain, Mauritius, Kuwait, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The export has been ranging between 2 and 3 per cent of the total domestic production. The quantum of export of garlic has been fluctuating due to sudden change in the policy of garlic importing countries. Varieties having bigger cloves have great demand in the international market. In Europe and North America chilli is consumed as an important vegetable in diets but it is considered as a spice product in international trade. The mild and or non-pungent dried powder or oleoresin having a brilliant red colour is common in the international spice trade. The chilli powder and oleoresin contains mixture of capsaicin, capsanthin and capsorubin. It is now widely used to replace artificial food colourants. India is the largest exporter of chillies, meeting nearly half of the world’s consumption demand. Chilli is the largest spice item exported from India in terms of volume and occupies second position in terms of value.

Food and nutrition have not only been contributed by biological production through its cultivation and husbandry, it reflects the history and tradition of a nation as well. India has historically been one of the world’s prominent sites for the origin and husbandry of a good score of spices which transcends history nation and culture since time immemorial. The suitability of ecological configuration and meteorological behaviour, the Indian diaspora have carried it forward not only to support her cultural tradition but also to meet up both therapeutic and culinary requirements of spices. From mythology to history, from history to the modern political economy, spices have got a beautiful and aromatic continuity across nations and cultures. The quality of food and its palatability, the nutritive value of food and its therapeutics are nicely contributed by spices. The geospatial distribution in India encompasses hill terrains to rain forest, coastal ecosystem to semi-arid agro-ecology, moist forest ecosystem to rice-based agro-ecosystem in alluvial lands. Spices have got a well-pervading role for integrating ecological diversity and cultural mellifluence. This chapter is designed to keep on unveiling the following aspects of spices in India: history, literature, geospatial distribution over India, the cultural aroma and its socio-economic uniqueness for supporting macro-economy as well as community livelihood generation process.

Spices have fascinating and bewildering range of properties that makes our food tasty, colourful, flavourful, attractive and palatable too. It is never claimed to be nutritious while being an inseparable ingredient of our food. What are, then, so magical and apparently mysterious about spices that make them inseparable from human being throughout the ages? The flavour of spices is due to the presence of some essential oils and the major compounds present in them contribute plethora of unique qualities like imparting colour and taste as well as enhancing preservative powers and storability of foods. The industrial and cosmetic uses of almost all spices make them praiseworthy. Most importantly they have got countless references of having medicinal and therapeutic potentials too.

From mythology to modernity, spices are the most flavoring part of life and civilization. Its geospatial distribution, adaptive biodiversity and ethno-cultural integrity have offered us huge scope and opportunity from extracting genes of medicinal property to isolating molecular cluster to combat global warming and climate change. Conservation of spices biodiversity, value addition and processing, community stewardships, IPR and biodiversity registrars, connectivity with fiscal and global markets through operating supply chains, and application of GIS can add buoyancy and belligerence as well. A well designed research plan and well-visioned future strategy can help higher and wider socialization of spices through adaptive mass awareness. The country like India has to harness the process of controlled and hi-tech production and to set aside the cliches of production in a natural set-up.

An investigation was carried out at the Horticultural Research Station, BCKV, West Bengal for identifying the best date of sowing and irrigation in fenugreek. The sowing was done in five different dates ie. 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd November and 28th December using three irrigation levels. The results showed significant variation with different dates of sowing and irrigation on phenology, growth and yield of fenugreek. Sowing date had significant effects on seed yield and its components. Seed yield of fenugreek was also dependent on irrigation scheduling. Projected seed yield/hectare was maximum (1.37 and 1.4 t ha-1) on 2nd November (17.66 and 17.9 g) with irrigation in all major growth stages. It may be concluded that to obtain higher seed yield fenugreek should be sown earlier at 2nd November and irrigation should be given at seedling, branching, flowering, pod formation, pod development stages.