Plant Metabolomics Reviews

RNA interference (RNAi) is a biotechnological tool used for gene silencing in plants, with both endogenous and exogenous applications. Endogenous approaches, such as host-induced gene silencing (HIGS), involve genetically modified (GM) plants, while exogenous methods include spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS). The RNAi mechanism hinges on the introduction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which is processed into short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that degrade specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs)....

Tricin, a flavonoid, is a noncanonical lignin monomer present in grasses and other monocots, but rarely in dicots. This review explores the latest discovery of biosynthesis, transport, and distribution of tricin in plant cell walls, and discusses the missing gaps in this engaging topic. Tricin biosynthesis in grasses involves the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways, with distinct enzymatic processes leading to tricin incorporation into lignin polymers. Methods for characterizing and...

Aesculus indica (Wall. ex Cambess.) Hook. is a deciduous tree species native to the temperate regions of the Himalayas. A member of the Sapindaceae family holds notable importance in traditional medicinal systems for its diverse applications. Different parts of A. indica are traditionally employed to treat a range of ailments such as rheumatism, digestive disorders, skin diseases, fever, arthritis, joint pain, and inflammation. These traditional practices are supported by recent pharmacological...

Phytochemicals are bioactive compounds found in plants that play a key role in promoting health and preventing diseases. Present in fruits, vegetables, grains, and seed oils, these compounds are considered safe for consumption due to the co-evolution and adaptation between mammals and plants. Due to their wide-ranging biological effects, they have attracted considerable research interest. This comprehensive review explores the mechanisms of action, health benefits, and applications of dietary...

In recent years, abiotic stresses, including droughts, floods, high temperatures, and salinity, have become increasingly frequent and severe. These stresses significantly hinder crop yields and product quality, posing substantial challenges to sustainable agriculture and global food security. Simultaneously, the rapidly growing global population exacerbates the need to enhance crop production under worsening environmental conditions. Consequently, the development of effective strategies to...

The metabolome, encompassing small molecules within organisms, provides critical insights into physiology, environmental influences, and stress responses. Metabolomics enables comprehensive analysis of plant metabolites, uncovering biomarkers and mechanisms underlying stress adaptation. Regulatory genes such as MYB and WRKY are central to secondary metabolite synthesis and environmental resilience. By integrating metabolomics with genomics, researchers can explore stress-related pathways and...

Soybean is a vital crop globally and a key source of food, feed, and biofuel. With advancements in high-throughput technologies, soybeans have become a key target for genetic improvement. This comprehensive review explores advances in multi-omics, artificial intelligence, and economic sustainability to enhance soybean resilience and productivity. Genomics revolution, including marker-assisted selection (MAS), genomic selection (GS), genome-wide association studies (GWAS), QTL mapping, GBS, and...

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the world's most productive cereal crop, yet it is threatened by several diseases. Among them, Fusarium stalk rot (FSR) causes an average global yield loss of 4.5%. The mycotoxins deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, fumonisins, and moniliformin persist in grain and silage after harvest and pose a risk to human and animal health. This review describes the lifestyle of the fungal pathogens that cause FSR, studies how to optimize resistance evaluation, identifies quantitative trait...

Mass spectrometry (MS) is a versatile technique for elucidating the chemical composition of biological samples. Beyond analysis of crude extracts, MS can be further applied to spatially resolve compounds across the area of a sample with a technique called mass spectrometry imaging (MSI). The infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (IR-MALDESI) platform combines elements of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) to enable MSI of...

Drought is considered one of the major limiting factors for crop production. Drought-affected areas are consistently expanding. As rice stands as a primary grain widely consumed as a staple food by people across the globe, with a particular prominence in Asian countries. Due to its short root structure, thin cuticular wax layer and quick stomatal closure, rice is considered as drought-sensitive crop. The impact of drought on rice amplifies with plant growth and its adverse effects are more...

This paper reviewed the diversity of endophytic fungi and their interactions with medicinal plants, along with the research methodologies utilized to investigate these interactions. It mainly includes the diversity of endophytic fungi, as well as distribution diversity, species diversity, and the diversity of their metabolites and functions, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, insecticidal, antioxidant capabilities, and so on. The research methodologies employed to...

The target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase is an evolutionarily conserved atypical Ser/Thr protein kinase present in yeasts, plants, and mammals. In plants, TOR acts as a central signaling hub, playing a pivotal role in the precise orchestration of growth and development. Extensive studies have underscored its significant role in these processes. Recent research has further elucidated TOR's multifaceted roles in plant stress adaptation. Furthermore, mounting evidence indicates TOR's role in mediating...

The substantial economic impact of thrips on crop yield and productivity enthused us to review comprehensive research findings associated with plant-thrips interaction. An attempt has been made to summarize a broad spectrum of knowledge on thrips infestation in different crops regarding defensive traits including plant morphological features, biochemical alterations and transcriptional profiling of defensive genes along with effective thrips management strategies. Thrips feeding mechanism...

Plant metabolism is profoundly affected by various abiotic stresses. Consequently, plants must reconfigure their metabolic networks to sustain homeostasis while synthesizing compounds that mitigate stress. This aspect, with the current intensified climate impact results in more frequent abiotic stresses on a global scale. Advances in metabolomics and systems biology in the last decades have enabled both a comprehensive overview and a detailed analysis of key components involved in the plant...

Root exudation is the process by which plants release organic and inorganic metabolites from their roots into the surrounding soil. Root exudation is a dynamic process and shapes plant-environment interactions at the root-soil interface. Little is known about the biological and environmental factors that shape the exuded metabolome, hereafter referred to as the exudome, despite its importance in structuring soil processes. Here, we emphasize plant physiological and morphological traits that...

Plant metabolites are crucial for the growth, development, environmental adaptation, and nutritional quality of plants. Plant metabolomics, a key branch of systems biology, involves the comprehensive analysis and interpretation of the composition, variation, and functions of these metabolites. Advances in technology have transformed plant metabolomics into a sophisticated process involving sample collection, metabolite extraction, high-throughput analysis, data processing, and multidimensional...

Plant-derived polysaccharides have emerged as sustainable biopolymers for fabricating nanoparticles (polysaccharide-based nanomaterials [PS-NPs]), presenting unique opportunities to enhance food functionality and human health. PS-NPs exhibit exceptional biocompatibility, biodegradability, and structural versatility, enabling their integration into functional foods to positively influence gut microbiota. This review explores the mechanisms of PS-NPs interaction with gut microbiota, highlighting...

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Omics approaches provide comprehensive insights into plant arsenic stress responses, setting the stage for engineering arsenic-tolerant crops. Understanding arsenic (As) toxicity in plants is crucial for environmental and agricultural sustainability, considering the implications of As in impacting soil productivity and environmental health. Although some articles already examined the detailed molecular mechanisms behind As toxicity and tolerance, a comprehensive review of recent omics...

Contamination of heavy metals (HMs) in agroecosystem presented an additional dimension of complexity along with the adverse consequences of climate change for the scientific fraternity. The increasing population and urbanization on the other hand are regarded as the main sources of urban waste (UW). Holistic utilization of UW-derived biochar (BC) has shown potential to be utilized as a source of soil supplement in the agriculture sector, fulfilling several sustainable development goals (SDGs)....