Nano-Biofortification of Millets: A Review

Priya Kushwaha; Rahul Verma; Amit Kumar Singh; Pallavi Dixit

doi:10.21276/pt.2025.v2.i1.7

Authors

Priya Kushwaha University of Lucknow Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3945-554X
Rahul Verma University of Lucknow Author https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3001-9473
Amit Kumar Singh University of Lucknow Author https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7035-5607
Pallavi Dixit Mahila Vidyalaya Degree College, Lucknow Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3110-8245

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21276/pt.2025.v2.i1.7

Keywords:

Low Micronutrients, Millets, Biofortification, Nanoparticles, Nutritional quality, Nano-fertilizers

Abstract

The world's population faces nutritional insecurity due to a reliance on grain-heavy diets low in micronutrients. In drought-prone regions of Asia and Africa, millets are a crucial energy source, rich in proteins, vital amino acids, minerals, and vitamins. Biofortifying staple crops is a cost-effective strategy to combat micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in impoverished areas where access to supplements is limited. While the green revolution boosted agricultural output, it often overlooked the nutritional quality of food. Biofortification using nanoparticles and nanomaterials can enhance nutrient delivery and improve crop health without significantly harming the environment. Micronutrient-enriched nano fertilizers can increase yields and nutritional quality, especially for zinc and iron. Studies indicate that nano-fertilizers improve nutrient utilization, reduce soil toxicity, and decrease application frequency, making nanotechnology a promising solution for sustainable crop production, especially in developing nations

Author Biographies

Priya Kushwaha, University of Lucknow

Research Scholar, Plant Nutrition and Stress Physiology Laboratory, Department of Botany
Rahul Verma, University of Lucknow

Research Scholar, Plant Nutrition and Stress Physiology Laboratory, Department of Botany
Amit Kumar Singh, University of Lucknow

Assistant Professor, Department of Botany
Pallavi Dixit, Mahila Vidyalaya Degree College, Lucknow

Associate Professor, Department of Botany

References

World Health Organization. Micronutrients. World Health Organization. Published 2021. Accessed March 12, 2025. https://www.who.int/health-topics/micronutrients

Russell R, Beard JL, Cousins RJ, Dunn JT, Ferland G, Hambidge KM, Lynch S, Penland JG, Ross AC, Stoecker BJ, et al. Dietary reference intakes for vitamin A, vitamin K, arsenic, boron, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and zinc. A Rep. Panel Micronutr. 2001; https://doi.org/10.17226/10026

McLean E, Cogswell M, Egli I, Wojdyla D, de Benoist B. Worldwide prevalence of anaemia, WHO Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System, 1993-2005. Public Health Nutr. 2009;12(4):444-54. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1368980008002401

International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, University of Southern California. Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave 1, 2017–18: India Report. Mumbai: IIPS; 2020. Accessed March 12, 2025. https://lasi.hsph.harvard.edu/files/lasi/files/lasi_india_report_2020.pdf

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The State of Food and Agriculture 2015: Social Protection and Agriculture – Breaking the Cycle of Rural Poverty. Rome: FAO; 2015. Accessed March 12, 2025. https://www.fao.org/family-farming/detail/en/c/336805/

Yadav OP, Rai KN. Genetic Improvement of Pearl Millet in India. Agric Res. 2013; 2: 275–292. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-013-0089-z

Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. Agricultural Statistics at a Glance 2014. New Delhi: Oxford University Press; 2015. Accessed April 21, 2025. https://desagri.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Agricultural-Statistics-At-Glance2014.pdf

Nedumaran S, Bantilan MCS, Gupta SK, Irshad A, Davis JS. Potential Welfare Benefit of Millets Improvement Research at ICRISAT: Multi Country-Economic Surplus Model Approach, 2014; Socioeconomics Discussion Paper Series Number 15. Hyderabad: ICRISAT.

Vijayakumari J, Mushtari Begum J, Begum S, Gokavi S. Sensory attributes of ethnic foods from finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.), In: Proceeding of the National Seminar on Processing and Utilization of Millet for Nutrition Security: Recent Trends in Millet Processing and Utilization (Hisar: CCSHAV), 2003; 7–12.

Saleh ASM, Zhang Q, Chen J, Shen Q. Millet grains: nutritional quality, processing, and potential health benefits. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2013; 12: 281–295. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12012

AbdelRahman SM, Babiker EE, El Tinay AH. Effect of fermentation on antinutritional factors and HCl extractability of minerals of pearl millet cultivars. J Food Tech. 2005; 3, 516–522. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.5555/20063187742

Shivran AC. Biofortification for nutrient-rich millets. In: Biofortification of Food Crops, eds U. Singh, C. S. Praharaj, S. S. Singh, and N. P. Singh (New Delhi: Springer), 2016; 409–420.

Taylor JRN, Emmambux MN. Gluten-free foods and beverages from millets. In: Gluten-Free Cereal Products and Beverages (Food Science and Technology), eds E. K. Arendt and F. Dal Bello (Cambridge, MA: Academic Press), 2008; 119–148.

Muthamilarasan M, Dhaka A, Yadav R, Prasad M. Exploration of millet models for developing nutrient rich graminaceous crops. Plant Sci. 2016; 242: 89–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2015.08.023

Kunyanga CN, Imungi JK, Okoh MW, Biesalski H K. Total phenolic content, antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of methanolic extract of raw and traditionally processed Kenyan indigenous food ingredients. LWT Food Sci. Technol. 2012; 45: 269–276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2011.08.006

Kumar PV, Kala SMJ, Prakash KS. Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Croton Caudatus Geisel leaf extract and their biological studies. Mater Lett. 2019; 236: 19-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2018.10.025

Sangar S, Sharma S, Vats VK, Mehta SK, Singh K. Biosynthesis of silver nanocrystals, their kinetic profile from nucleation to growth and optical sensing of mercuric ions. J Clean Prod. 2019; 228: 294-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.04.238

Roy A, Pandit C, Gacem A, Alqahtani MS, Bilal M, Islam S, Hossain MJ, Jameel M. Biologically derived gold nanoparticles and their applications. Bioinorg Chem Appl. 2022; 2022:8184217. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8184217

Lara HH, Guisbiers G, Mendoza J, Mimun LC, Vincent BA, Lopez-Ribot JL, Nash KL. Synergistic antifungal effect of chitosan-stabilized selenium nanoparticles synthesized by pulsed laser ablation in liquids against Candida albicans biofilms. Int J Nanomedicine. 2018; 13:2697-2708. https://doi.org/10.2147/ijn.s151285

Bakir EM, Younis NS, Mohamed ME, El Semary NA. Cyanobacteria as Nanogold Factories: Chemical and Anti-Myocardial Infarction Properties of Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized by Lyngbya majuscula. Mar Drugs. 2018;16(6):217. https://doi.org/10.3390/md16060217

Dobrucka R. Biofabrication of platinum nanoparticles using Fumariae herba extract and their catalytic properties. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2019; 26(1): 31-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.11.012

Veisi H, Azizi S, Mohammadi P. Green synthesis of the silver nanoparticles mediated by Thymbra spicata extract and its application as a heterogeneous and recyclable nanocatalyst for catalytic reduction of a variety of dyes in water. J Clean Produc. 2018; 170, pp.1536-1543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.09.265

Khane Y, Benouis K, Albukhaty S, Sulaiman GM, Abomughaid MM, Al Ali A, Aouf D, Fenniche F, Khane S, Chaibi W, Henni A. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using aqueous Citrus limon zest extract: Characterization and evaluation of their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Nanomaterials. 2022; 12(12): 2013. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12122013

Wankar S, Walake S, Gumathannavar R, Sapre N, Kulkarni A. The era of green nanomaterials for sensing. In: Innovations in green nanoscience and nanotechnology 2022; pp. 209-225. CRC Press.

Gokul Eswaran S, Shahid Afridi P, Vasimalai N. Effective Multi Toxic Dyes Degradation Using Bio-Fabricated Silver Nanoparticles as a Green Catalyst. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2023; 195(6):3872-3887. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-022-03902-y

Ghotekar S, Pansambal S, Pawar S.P. et al. Biological activities of biogenically synthesized fluorescent silver nanoparticles using Acanthospermum hispidum leaves extract. SN Appl Sci. 2019; 1:1342. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-019-1389-0

Ghotekar, S., Savale, A. and Pansambal, S. Phytofabrication of fluorescent silver nanoparticles from Leucaena leucocephala L. leaves and their biological activities. J Water Environ Nanotechnol. 2018; 3(2): 95-105. https://doi.org/10.22090/jwent.2018.02.001

Zhang LZ, Liu RH. Phenolic and carotenoid profiles and antiproliferative activity of foxtail millet. Food Chem. 2015; 174: 495–501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.09.089

Devi PB, Vijayabharathi R, Sathyabama S, Malleshi NG, Priyadarisini VB. Health benefits of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) polyphenols and dietary fiber: a review. J Food Sci Technol. 2014; 51: 1021–1040. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-011-0584-9

Pettifor JM. Nutritional rickets: deficiency of vitamin D, calcium, or both? Am J Clin Nutr. 2004; 80: 1725S–1729S. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-464-3_14

Bhatt D, Negi M, Sharma P, Saxena SC, Dobriya, AK, Arora S. Responses to drought induced oxidative stress in five finger millet varieties differing in their geographical distribution. Physiol Mol Biol Plants. 2011; 17: 347–353. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-011-0084-4

Sharma S, Saxena DC, Riar CS. Isolation of functional components-glucan and-amino butyric acid from raw and germinated barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea) and their characterization. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2016; 71: 231–238. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-016-0545-6

Chandrasekara A, Shahidi F. Content of insoluble bound phenolics in millets and their contribution to antioxidant capacity. J Agric Food Chem. 2010; 58(11): 6706-6714. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf100868b

de Wet JMJ, Brink DE, Rao KEP. et al. Diversity in Kodo millet, Paspalum scrobiculatum. Econ Bot. 1983; 37: 159–163. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02858779

Ombodi A, Saigusa M. Broadcast application versus band application of polyolefin coated fertilizer on green peppers grown on andisol. J Plant Nutr. 2000; 23: 1485-1493. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904160009382116

Chinnamuthu CR and Boopathi PM. Nanotechnology and Agroecosystem. Madras Agric J. 2009; 96:17-31. https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.100436

Velu G, Ortiz-Monasterio I, Cakmak I, Hao Y, Singh RP. Biofortification strategies to increase grain zinc and iron concentrations in wheat. J Cereal Sci. 2014; 59: 365–372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcs.2013.09.001

White PJ, Broadley MR. Physiological Limits to Zinc Biofortification of Edible Crops. Front Plant Sci. 2011; 2: 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2011.00080

Graham RD, Welch RM, Saunders DA, Ortiz-Monasterio I, Bouis HE, Bonierbale M, de Haan S, Burgos G, Thiele G, Liria R. et al. Nutritious Subsistence Food Systems. In: Advances in Agronomy; Academic Press: Cambridge, MA, USA, 2007; pp. 1–74.

Ros GH, Van Rotterdam AMD, Bussink DW and Bindraban PS. Selenium fertilization strategies for bio-fortification of food: An agro-ecosystem approach. Plant Soil. 2016; 404: 99–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-016-2830-4

Rice AL, West Jr KP, Black RE, Vitamin A deficiency. Comparative quantification of health risks: global and regional burden of disease attributable to selected major risk factors, 2004; 1: 0211-0256.

Milani N, Hettiarachchi GM, Kirby JK, Beak DG, Stacey SP, McLaughlin MJ. Fate of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Coated onto Macronutrient Fertilizers in an Alkaline Calcareous Soil. PLoS One. 2015; 10(5):e0126275. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126275

Chandra AK, Pandey D, Tiwari A, Gururani K, Agarwal A, Dhasmana A, Kumar A. Metal based nanoparticles trigger the differential expression of key 926 regulatory genes which regulate iron and zinc homeostasis mechanism in finger millet. J Cereal Sci. 2021; 100: 103235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcs.2021.103235