Biotechnology, Plant Science, Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Multidisciplinary
34
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles using Hydrilla verticillata (L.f) Royle plant extract and determining its efficiency to treat fabric dyeing effluent Ahila Karunakaran Gowri, Amutha Thambiraj, Thamaraiselvi Chandran, Joseph Sahayarayan Jesudass, Rajkuberan Chandrasekaran, Kapildev Gnanajothi, Dinesh Ayyar, Madhappan Santhamoorthy, Saravanan Rajendran, Manikandan Ayyar Zeitschrift Fur Physikalische Chemie, 2026 In the present investigation, Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were synthesized via co-precipitation method using an extract obtained from the freshwater aquatic flora Hydrilla verticillata (L.f) Royle and subjected to various characterization studies, including UV-DRS, XRD, FTIR, EDX, SEM, followed by HR-TEM. The UV-DRS spectrum was found in the range of 375 nm–737 nm, and the optical reflectance band gap energy was determined by the Kubelka-Munk equation, and the value was 1.74449 eV. The XRD pattern of Fe 3 O 4 nanoentities showed diffraction peaks in the regions of 2 θ at 30.764°, 36.324°, 43.835°, 57.743°, and 63.469° corresponding to crystal plane miller indices (220), (311), (004), (115), and (404), respectively (JCPDS File No. 01-076-1470). The crystallite structure of the nanoparticle was tetragonal, and the lattice constant measurements were found to be a = 8.471 Å, b = 8.471 Å and c = 8.396 Å. The crystallite structure of the particle was 7.5 nm. The peak observed at 590 cm −1 , and 605 cm −1 is consequents to the strong band for Fe–O–Fe bonding. The EDX analysis showed 67.12 % of Fe and 32.88 % of oxygen molecule. The dispersed irregular spherical form of morphology was observed in the SEM result. From the HR-TEM results, the morphological structure and size of the particle were found to be spherical and 11.57 nm. The SAED pattern indicates the polycrystalline properties of the nanoparticles. The application of Fe 3 O 4 nanoentity resulted in the reduction of 71 % of color, 69 % of solids in a dissolved state, 73 % of organic matter that could be degraded by strong oxidizing agents, and 37 % of Cl − ion from the wastewater generated during fabric dyeing processes. The antibacterial activity of the particle showed a better inhibition effect (15 mm) against Escherichia coli . After the treatment phase, the Fe 3 O 4 NPs that have been used can be retrieved by applying an apt magnetic field, which allows for their re-utilization in the remediation of dyeing wastewater. Henceforth, this is an environmentally friendly approach for dyeing industry waste water treatment, which enhances the conservation of existing water and land resource for sustainable development.
Sustainable management of coffee cherry pulping wastewater using biogenically synthesized calcium oxide nanoparticles Thamaraiselvi C., Athira S.T., Vasanthy M., Joseph Sahayarayan Jesudass, Kapildev Gnanajothi, Rajkuberan Chandrasekaran Next Materials, 2026 Coffee processing wastewater poses serious environmental concerns due to its high organic load, acidity, and complex contaminant profile. This study developed an eco-friendly solution using green-synthesized calcium oxide nanoparticles derived from Ricinus communis L. and Calpurnia aurea seeds. Comprehensive characterization via UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD, and FTIR confirmed the successful formation of crystalline nanoparticles with bioactive surface functional groups. Kaolin coagulation tests demonstrated effective turbidity removal. When applied to coffee effluent, Calpurnia aurea -derived nanoparticles showed optimal performance, removing 84–91 % of color, 59–70 % of TDS, and 63–77 % of COD, outperforming Ricinus communis L.-derived nanoparticles. FTIR analysis of post-treatment sludge identified key functional group interactions (-OH, -COOH, -NH₂) responsible for pollutant removal through combined electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, and precipitation mechanisms. These findings demonstrate a sustainable, high-efficiency alternative for coffee wastewater treatment, offering dual environmental advantages through green synthesis and effective pollution mitigation.
Implication of plant growth promoting microorganisms and nanofertilizer in millets: a review on growth promotion and crop improvement Anitha Sakthivel, Santhanalakshmi Balasubramaniam, Suriya Prakash Eswaran, Sivanandhan Ganeshan, Joseph Sahayarayan Jesudass, Kapildev Gnanajothi, Chuntao Yin, Nyasha Esnath Chiuta, Soon Woong Chang, Ravindran Balasubramani, Ravishankar Ram Mani Cogent Food and Agriculture, 2026 Millets, characterized by their perseverance in diverse agroecological settings and nutritional significance, have gained prominence as a resilient approach to food security worldwide. This review delves into the implications of Plant Growth Promoting Microorganisms (PGPM) and nanoparticles in millet agriculture, explicating their roles in growth promotion and crop improvement. In parallel, nanoparticles have emerged as promising tools in modern agriculture. Their unique physicochemical properties enable enhanced nutrient delivery, improved soil health, and mitigation of stress factors affecting the millet crop. Furthermore, nanoparticle utilization promotes sustainable farming practices by reducing the environmental footprint associated with chemical inputs. This review also emphasizes the significance of understanding the diversity of PGPM species allied with millets and the multifaceted factors influencing their performance across agroecosystems. Considering this, the combined application of PGPM and nanoparticles in millet cultivation represents a dynamic approach to managing the dual pressure of environmental change and population rise.
In Silico Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds from Cucumis anguria L. as Potential Inhibitors of Antibiotic-Resistant New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase (NDM-1) Soundar Rajan Kulandhaivel, Pandiyan Muthuramalingam, Balasubramanian Sivaprakasam, Manikandan Ramesh, Arun Muthukrishnan, Kapildev Gnanajothi, Vidhyavathi Ramasamy, Thamaraiselvi Chandran, Hyunsuk Shin, Jesudass Joseph Sahayarayan ACS Omega, 2025 High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Traveler’s diarrhea (TD), manifested by loose stools, is a critical health issue affecting the digestive system. It poses a significant health risk with documented mortality and morbidity. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella are primary causative organisms. The emergence of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamases (NDM-1), initially reported in E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, has driven the rapid dissemination of antibiotic-resistant strains. The bla NDM-1 gene encodes NDM-1, an enzyme that confers resistance to β-lactam antibiotics. Traditionally, Cucumis anguria L., which is native to Africa and is widely distributed in East and Southern Africa, has been used to alleviate various stomach disorders. The NDM-1 metallo-β-lactamase protein is involved in the production of β-lactams. In this study, we have conducted in silico screening of natural bioactive compounds, including ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), to identify potential inhibitors of metallo-β-lactamase protein. Molecular docking is performed to evaluate the binding interactions between the compounds and NDM-1. Subsequently, the ADME/Tox properties of the lead compounds and EDTA are predicted. The phytocompounds homogentisic acid, caffeic acid, and protocatechuic acid have Glide g-scores of −8.818, −8.663, and −8.121 kcal/mol, respectively. They form hydrogen bonds with GLN 123 and ASN 220, along with metal coordination involving Zn 2+ ions. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, including RMSD, RMSF, R g, and hydrogen bond analyses, are conducted on the top-ranked protein–ligand complexes and EDTA. The results indicate that the protein–ligand complexes remained stable throughout the 100 ns simulation period. This assessment provides the first evidence supporting the specificity and compatibility of potential phytochemicals in C. anguria against TD by inhibiting β-lactam proteins.
Genetic Engineering and Genome Remodeling for Enhanced Production of Therapeutic Terpenes and Essential Oils of Lamiaceae Santhanalakshmi Balasubramaniam, Suriya Prakash Eswaran, Anitha Sakthivel, Mayavan Subramani, Kapildev Gnanajothi Biotechnology Multiple Omics and Precision Breeding in Medicinal Plants, 2025 Terpenes, terpenoids, and essential oils from plant sources are diverse groups of high-value compounds possessing significant pharmacological and medicinal applications. Specifically, most species of the Lamiaceae family are rich repositories of these therapeutic metabolites. Production and enhancement of economically important terpenes and terpenoids of Lamiaceae can be achieved through promising biotechnological molecular strategies. The advanced approaches of genetic engineering and genome editing or synthetic biology methods hold an exceptional place for the overproduction and elucidation of terpenes and essential oil compounds. Apart from in vitro regeneration, biotransformations, and molecular breeding, few progressive and advantageous techniques are applied in Lamiaceae for increased production, which includes functional remodeling of terpene synthases, its subcellular localization, engineering microbial platforms (bacteria and yeast), genome editing techniques, and DNA repair mechanisms like zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), or clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), as well as other updated methodologies. This chapter discusses these state-of-art techniques in terpenes and essential oil engineering in various species of Lamiaceae to facilitate potential improvements in research on the medicinal metabolite of the terpene family and in revealing novel bioactive aromatic compounds for commercialization.
Unlocking Medicinal Benefits and Augmenting Secondary Metabolite Synthesis in Cultivated and Wild Legumes Suriya Prakash Eswaran, Santhanalakshmi Balasubramaniam, Anitha Sakthivel, Manojkumar Sampath, Ganeshan Sivanandhan, Kapildev Gnanajothi Biotechnology Multiple Omics and Precision Breeding in Medicinal Plants, 2025 Fabaceae, commonly known as the legume or pea family, comprises a diverse group of plants with considerable ecological and economic significance. While several leguminous species have been extensively cultivated for their nutritional value and agricultural benefits, a multitude of underutilized fruits within this family remain largely overlooked. This review aims to shed light on the largely untapped medicinal potential of cultivated and underutilized wild legumes. With a focus on both indigenous and exotic leguminous species, the phytochemical composition, pharmacological properties, and traditional uses of these fruits across different cultures and regions. The methodology involves a comprehensive review of existing literature, including ethnobotanical records, phytochemical analyses, and in vitro and in vivo studies. The phytochemical constituents, such as flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, and terpenoids, are assessed for their potential bioactivity, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. A holistic approach to exploring and harnessing the medicinal potential of Fabaceae has the potential to open up new avenues for drug discovery and natural healthcare, while also promoting the cultivation of resilient and underutilized crops for food security and economic development. In conclusion, this research provides a comprehensive overview of the medicinal potential of legumes and enhances the secondary metabolite production from the Fabaceae. Emphasizing the need for further scientific investigation and conservation efforts to unlock the full spectrum of benefits these drugs may offer to both traditional and modern medicine.
Bioprospecting of exopolysaccharides from the endophytic fungi Epicoccum sorghinum AMFS4, for its structure, composition, bioactivities and application in seed priming Santhanalakshmi Balasubramaniam, Anitha Sakthivel, Kaviraj Ramesh, Chithra Manisseeri, Sivanandhan Ganeshan, Mayavan Subramani, Kapildev Gnanajothi Natural Product Research, 2025 The endophytic fungi, Epicoccum sorghinum AMFS4 was investigated for its metabolic components and composition of bioactive exopolysaccharides (EPS). Metabolic analysis of the ethyl acetate extract majorly detected sugars derivatives such as, 4-Cholesten-3-one semicarbazone (20.9%), d-Fructose (18.96%), and α-d-Galactopyranosiduronicacid (1.71%). The growth curve and EPS yield were determined as 12.22 ± 1.02 g/L and 7.41 ± 0.32 g/L (dry weight) respectively on day 8. The deproteined EPS has been characterised with pyranose ring linked by α-glycosidic bonds, composing fructose, galactose and glucose monosaccharides validated by HPLC. Total sugar content was found to be 93.18 ± 0.81% with detection of proteins and uronate. The viscous EPS appeared filamentous under SEM observation and behaves as emulsifier with notable antioxidant properties. Priming of EPS on tomato seeds showed early induction of secondary rooting than in the control seedlings. Thus, E. sorghinum AMFS4 synthesises bioactive EPS with simple carbohydrate structure, good water absorption and significant metabolic influence on seed germination.
Exploring the rhizospheric bacterial community of selected millets for plant growth promotion activity in tomato Anitha Sakthivel, Balasubramanian Santhanalakshmi, Jesudass Joseph Sahayarayan, Ganeshan Sivanandhan, Ravishankar Ram Mani, Soon Woong Chang, Balasubramani Ravindran, Santosh Chokkakula, Gnanajothi Kapildev Frontiers in Plant Science, 2025 Millets are highly nutritious crops mostly cultivated in xeric regions of Asia and Africa. The specific agro-climatic characteristics of millets enable the rhizosphere to host diverse microorganisms that assist in the crop’s progression under harsh weather conditions. This research work intends to evaluate the plant growth-promoting (PGP) potential of the rhizospheric microbes isolated from the soil of Panicum sumatrense and Eleusine coracana from Kunnanchala and Varagampadi, residing areas of Irulas Tribal Community located in the Attapadi Hills of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, respectively. A total of 53 bacterial isolates with unique colony morphology were initially subjected to the nitrogen fixation test. Twenty-six isolates that demonstrated positive results for nitrogen fixation were characterized for phosphate solubilization, ammonia, indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophore, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and hydrolytic enzyme production, molecular characterization, and antagonistic activity against the common plant pathogens Fusarium oxysporum and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The principal component analysis revealed that SA1 (Staphylococcus gallinarum) and MS6 (Kosakonia sacchari) exhibited the highest values for IAA production (0.37 ± 0.015 mg/mL) and PSI (3.36 ± 0.03), respectively. MS3 (Bacillus velezensis) demonstrated the most promising results in antagonism (91.32 ± 0.57) and ammonia production (0.11 ± 0.020 mg/mL). All the bacterial isolates exhibited a notable improvement in germination, shoot length, root length, and vigor index of Solanum lycopersicum. The most prominent results in germination studies were noted in K. sacchari (MS6), with the most pronounced effects, including a 100% germination rate, 2.58 ± 0.01 cm of shoot length, 7.61 ± 0.03 cm of root length, and a vigor index of 1019. The results of the invitro PGP traits are sufficient to support future tests on the promotion of growth invivo for these seven strains in a single or consortium.
Phytochemical Screening, In Silico Molecular Docking, ADME Properties, and In Vitro Antioxidant, Anticancer, and Antidiabetic Activity of Marine Halophyte Suaeda maritima (L.) Dumort Sampath Manojkumar, Murugesan Thandeeswaran, Sathiya Kamatchi Thangavel, Annavi Arjunan, Manickam Muthuselvam, Giriraj Kalaiarasi, Kapildev Gnanajothi ACS Omega, 2024 High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Medicinally valuable components derived from natural resources are highly desirable as prospective alternatives to synthetic drugs to treat fatal diseases, such as cancer and diabetes mellitus. Suaeda maritima (L.) Dumort ( Amaranthaceae ) ( S. maritima ) is a halophyte plant that can thrive in saline environments and possesses excellent medicinal properties. Hence, for the present investigation, S. maritima has been chosen, and its phytochemical constituents have been extracted utilizing various solvents, including hexane, acetone, and methanol, and identified by GC-MS, LC-MS, and HPLC analyses. The antioxidant activity of the compounds using DPPH, ABTS, and reducing power assays demonstrated that all three extracts of S. maritima possessed significant radical scavenging activity comparable to standard ascorbic acid with lower IC 50 values (69.20–95.58 μg/mL). In addition, the evaluation of antidiabetic activity by α-amylase inhibition and α-glucosidase inhibition methods revealed that the acetone extract of S. maritima (SMAE) displayed equipotent activity of standard acarbose with an IC 50 of 32.6 μg/mL. Advantageously, SMAE also exhibited better inhibition activity against the growth of lung cancer cells with an IC 50 of 78.19. μg/mL and less toxicity on the noncancerous HUVEC cells with a high IC 50 of 300 μg/mL. In addition, the cancer cell death mechanism via the apoptotic pathway induced by SMAE was confirmed by DAPI staining and ROS analysis. The analysis of ADME properties, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, witnessed that the physicochemical and druglikeness factors were best catered by stigmasterol, γ-sitosterol, and vitamin E. Further, the key phytochemicals identified from SMAE were docked with CtBP1 and SOX2 bound to importin-α target proteins associated with carcinogenic pathways using Schrodinger software. The results showed that the phytochemicals, scilicet, stigmasterol, γ-sitosterol, octadecadienoic acid, and vitamin E, showed a good binding affinity with Glide scores in the range −2.845–4.018 kcal/mol. Overall, the findings support that the least investigated traditional edible medicinal mangrove-related S. maritima is high in pharmacologically active constituents and might be one of the finest sources of naturally derived molecules for drug development and delivery systems.
Nano Drugs for Curing Malaria: The Plausibility Murugesan Gnanadesigan, Veeraiyan Nandagopalan, Gnanajothi Kapildev, Mallikarjun Gundappa Applications of Targeted Nano Drugs and Delivery Systems Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, 2018
Effect of carbon and nitrogen sources on in vitro flower and fruit formation and withanolides production in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, 2015
Genetic diversity analysis among the open pollinated clones of mango in Andaman and Nicobar Islands using RAPD markers Indian Journal of Horticulture, 2009
Identification of molecular markers linked with differential flowering behaviour of mangoes in Andaman and Nicobar Islands [11] Current Science, 2007
