Optical bio/chemical sensors for vitamin B₁₂ analysis in food and pharmaceuticals: state of the art, challenges, and future outlooks

• Seyed Mohammad Taghi Gharibzahedi and
• Zeynep Altintas

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2207–2244, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.153

• and cannot be absorbed through plant sources. This vitamin should be provided by consuming animal-derived products such as milk and dairy products, meat and meat products (e.g., liver, poultry, beef, pork, and ham), eggs, fish (e.g., tuna, trout, sardine, and salmon), and shellfish [2]. Recently, the

• presence of this vitamin in some plant sources such as microalgae (e.g., Spirulina and Chlorella) and mushrooms (e.g., shiitake, maitake, black trumpet, and golden chanterelle) species and Asian fermented soy products (e.g., tempeh and miso) has been reported [2][4][5]. Since these plant sources and their

• derived products cannot provide adequate amounts of active VB12 for the human body, the supplementation of plant products such as breakfast cereals and nondairy milk is considered a possible dietary strategy for preventing its deficiency among vegetarians and vegans [2][6][7]. The deficiency of VB12 can

Microplastic pollution in Himalayan lakes: assessment, risks, and sustainable remediation strategies

• Sameeksha Rawat,
• S. M. Tauseef and
• Madhuben Sharma

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2144–2167, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.148

• development of scalable technologies for producing nanomaterials is essential for their practical application. Green chemistry methods, such as plant-based precursors or bioinspired templates, have been successfully used to synthesize nanomaterials with high photocatalytic efficiency and minimal environmental

Targeting the vector of arboviruses Aedes aegypti with nanoemulsions based on essential oils: a review with focus on larvicidal and repellent properties

• Laryssa Ferreira do Nascimento Silva,
• Douglas Dourado,
• Thayse Silva Medeiros,
• Mariana Alice Gonzaga Gabú,
• Maria Cecilia Queiroga dos Santos,
• Daiane Rodrigues dos Santos,
• Mylena Lemos dos Santos,
• Gabriel Bezerra Faierstein,
• Rosângela Maria Rodrigues Barbosa and
• Fabio Rocha Formiga

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1894–1913, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.132

• [64]. Various classes of natural products and secondary metabolites have been evaluated, with a particular focus on plant essential oils and their constituents [65][66]. Essential oils in vector control Essential oils are hydrophobic, aromatic, volatile liquid compounds mainly secreted by glandular

• compounds present in the essential oils of some plant species (such as Cymbopogon excavatus, Mentha piperita, Azadirachta indica, Eucalyptus maculata, and Cymbopogon nardus) [62][66], exhibit, either alone or in synergy, larvicidal, ovicidal, pupicidal, and repellent properties. These characteristics make

• vector larvae, including Ae. aegypti, and have been enhanced in nanoemulsions thanks to their properties [105][106][107]. Nanostructured plant-based larvicides could be associated with larvae morphological alterations, formation of reactive oxygen species that cause genotoxicity, and inhibition of

On the road to sustainability – application of metallic nanoparticles obtained by green synthesis in dentistry: a scoping review

• Lorena Pinheiro Vasconcelos Silva,
• Joice Catiane Soares Martins,
• Israel Luís Carvalho Diniz,
• Júlio Abreu Miranda,
• Danilo Rodrigues de Souza,
• Éverton do Nascimento Alencar,
• Moan Jéfter Fernandes Costa and
• Pedro Henrique Sette-de-Souza

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1851–1862, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.128

• activity and enhanced biocompatibility, achieved through phytochemically mediated synthesis. Conventional nanoparticle production often relies on toxic reagents and energy-intensive processes, posing environmental and clinical challenges. In contrast, green synthesis, using plant extracts, fungi, or

• , endodontic disinfection, and periodontal regeneration. Our analysis of 98 studies reveals India as the leading contributor (78.6%), driven by its rich biodiversity and strong research infrastructure. Key plant families including Lamiaceae and Fabaceae were frequently employed due to their high phenolic

• , safe, and economically viable alternative [8][9]. This approach employs biological agents, such as plant extracts, fungi, bacteria, and algae, which contain bioactive compounds capable of acting as reducing and stabilizing agents in the formation of metallic nanoparticles [10][11]. In the case of plant

Current status of using adsorbent nanomaterials for removing microplastics from water supply systems: a mini review

• Nguyen Thi Nhan and
• Tran Le Luu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1837–1850, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.127

• . Fabricated FeNi12-CNTs-800 samples achieved 100% removal of PVC after 20 min of treatment, with the mechanisms attributed to the hydrophobic surface and magnetic properties of the material [57]. In a water treatment plant, by applying granular activated carbon (GAC), Arenas et al. reached 90% of MP removal

• their accumulation in the soil environment, potentially disrupting plant health and soil microbial communities, thereby affecting ecosystem sustainability [116]. Therefore, it is essential to develop safe nanomaterials and implement effective recovery strategies to minimize the release of unexpected

Phytol-loaded soybean oil nanoemulsion as a promising alternative against Leishmania amazonensis

• Victória Louise Pinto Freire,
• Mariana Farias Alves-Silva,
• Johny W. de Freitas Oliveira,
• Matheus de Freitas Fernandes-Pedrosa,
• Alianda Maira Cornélio,
• Marcelo de Souza-Silva,
• Thayse Silva Medeiros and
• Arnóbio Antônio da Silva Junior

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1826–1836, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.126

• antimonials, has been increasingly reported [10][11]. As a result, plant-derived natural compounds have been extensively investigated as alternative therapeutic agents [12]. There are currently no herbal medicines used in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. However, previous studies have reported that

Beyond the bilayer: multilayered hygroscopic actuation in pine cone scales

• Kim Ulrich,
• Max David Mylo,
• Tom Masselter,
• Fabian Scheckenbach,
• Sophia Fischerbauer,
• Martin Nopens,
• Silja Flenner,
• Imke Greving,
• Linnea Hesse and
• Thomas Speck

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1695–1710, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.119

• Breisgau, Germany Plant Biomechanics Group @ Botanic Garden, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany Department of Microsystems Engineering—IMTEK, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany Biomimetics Group, Institute for Wood Sciences, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

• integrate high-resolution computed tomography-based geometries to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying hygroscopic actuation. This integrative approach will bridge experimental findings with computational modeling and advance plant biomechanics and biomimetic transfer. Keywords: digital volume

• correlation (DVC); finite element analysis; hygroscopic bending; plant biomechanics; sorption measurements; Introduction In recent years, the hygroscopic motion of plant structures has attracted increasing attention from researchers and engineers, both for fundamental biological research and bioinspired

Prospects of nanotechnology and natural products for cancer and immunotherapy

• Jan Filipe Andrade Santos,
• Marcela Bernardes Brasileiro,
• Pamela Danielle Cavalcante Barreto,
• Ligiane Aranha Rocha and
• José Adão Carvalho Nascimento Júnior

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1644–1667, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.116

• (CN) and The Institute of Medicinal Plant Development (CN) have published around three patents; the industry is represented by a single patent from BG Negev Technologies & Applications Ltd (WO) (Figure 3C). The predominance of patents filed by universities in cancer research based on natural products

• compound extracted from cinnabar root. It has been combined with carbon quantum dots to treat lung cancer in the patent CN427216811 (2023). BER is a glycosidic derivative of hydroxybenzoic acid found in various plant families and species worldwide, with Bergenia purpurascens and Ardisia japonica being its

Nanotechnology-based approaches for the removal of microplastics from wastewater: a comprehensive review

• Nayanathara O Sanjeev,
• Manjunath Singanodi Vallabha and
• Rebekah Rubidha Lisha Rabi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1607–1632, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.114

• adhere to plant tissues and subsequently transfer to herbivores that consume these plants. In a food chain, as MPs move from lower to higher trophic levels, they accumulate in animal tissues, leading to bioaccumulation. Because of this, freshwater organisms are often considered effective bio-indicators

• -precipitation involves solvent displacement method, where acetone, ethanol, hexane are some of the solvents used [75]. In electrospinning, nanofibers are generated [76]. In parallel, green synthesis utilises biological entities such as plant extracts or microorganisms as reducing agents to produce eco-friendly

Bioinspired polypropylene-based functionally graded materials and metamaterials modeling the mistletoe–host interface

• Lina M. Rojas González,
• Naeim Ghavidelnia,
• Christoph Eberl and
• Max D. Mylo

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1592–1606, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.113

• [23], with its diverse plant and animal systems having developed over millions of years during the course of evolution. As such, the kingdom Plantae offers a wide range of functional principles that can be used as a source of bioinspiration to increase longevity and damage control potential [1][4

• used in future studies to systematically investigate this functional mechanism and its relevance to plant material systems, thus laying an even broader foundation for mistletoe-inspired composites. The knowledge of the different failure behavior of PP and PPGF was also used to program the failure

The role of biochar in combating microplastic pollution: a bibliometric analysis in environmental contexts

• Tuan Minh Truong Dang,
• Thao Thu Thi Huynh,
• Guo-Ping Chang-Chien and
• Ha Manh Bui

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1401–1416, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.102

• , soil improvement and climate mitigation. Life cycle assessments indicate that BC application can result in climate benefits ranging from −1.4 to −0.11 tonnes CO2-eq per tonne of biochar [17]. Its versatility extends to removing pollutants, enhancing plant growth, and decolorizing organic dyes in

• . This underscores the necessity of interdisciplinary research integrating material science, agriculture, and microbiology in biochar–MP–plant interactions. Three primary research trajectories emerge from the keyword analysis: Investigating how different biochar synthesis methods influence

• removal in water and its ability to restore functionality in microplastic-contaminated soils. Biochar applications in restoring MP-contaminated soil Improving plant growth under MP stress MPs negatively impact crop performance by reducing biomass production, inhibiting stem and root development and

Acrocomia aculeata oil-loaded nanoemulsion: development, anti-inflammatory properties, and cytotoxicity evaluation

• Verónica Bautista-Robles,
• Hady Keita,
• Edgar Julián Paredes Gamero,
• Layna Tayná Brito Leite,
• Jessica de Araújo Isaías Muller,
• Mônica Cristina Toffoli Kadri,
• Ariadna Lafourcade Prada and
• Jesús Rafael Rodríguez Amado

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1277–1288, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.93

• emulsified systems loaded with plant extracts have better pharmacological activity than extracts when used naturally [22]. For example, plant oil-loaded nanoemulsions exhibit high water solubility, improved permeability, and enhanced bioavailability [23]. This contrasts with the limited solubility and poor

• )-3,4-dihydroxyoxyoxolan-2-yl]-2-hydroxyethyl (9Z)-octadec-9-enoate; C24H44O6 HLB 4.3). Deionized water was used in the preparation of all experiments throughout the study. Plant material The fruits of Acrocomia aculeata were collected in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil (20°50'00.1" S 54

Better together: biomimetic nanomedicines for high performance tumor therapy

• Imran Shair Mohammad,
• Gizem Kursunluoglu,
• Anup Kumar Patel,
• Hafiz Muhammad Ishaq,
• Cansu Umran Tunc,
• Dilek Kanarya,
• Mubashar Rehman,
• Omer Aydin and
• Yin Lifang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1246–1276, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.92

• [114] and induced a strong immune response due to the presence of viral epitopes. Plant virus-like particles have been used to treat canine oral melanoma using radio-immunotherapy (Figure 6). Bacteriophages are also widely used for drug delivery applications. M13 phage is the most extensively studied

Hydrogels and nanogels: effectiveness in dermal applications

• Jéssica da Cruz Ludwig,
• Diana Fortkamp Grigoletto,
• Daniele Fernanda Renzi,
• Wolf-Rainer Abraham,
• Daniel de Paula and
• Najeh Maissar Khalil

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1216–1233, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.90

• overnight at 37 °C. Collagen-based hydrogels can be developed by using different sources of collagen. Both plant and animal protein sources can provide raw materials needed for adequate collagen production, which includes rat tail tendons [84][86][139], goat tendons [87], swine skin [88], and gelatin [87

Chitosan nanocomposite containing rotenoids: an alternative bioinsecticidal approach for the management of Aedes aegypti

• Maria A. A. Bertonceli,
• Vitor D. C. Cristo,
• Ivo J. Vieira,
• Francisco J. A. Lemos,
• Arnoldo R. Façanha,
• Raimundo Braz-Filho,
• Gustavo V. T. Batista,
• Luis G. M. Basso,
• Sérgio H. Seabra,
• Thalya S. R. Nogueira,
• Felipe F. Moreira,
• Arícia L. E. M. Assis,
• Antônia E. A. Oliveira and
• Kátia V. S. Fernandes

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1197–1208, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.88

• humans who, in their life routine, create spaces of easy access and conducive conditions for the establishment of the insect. The most frequent breeding sites are containers with accumulated water, such as plant pots, PET bottles, tires, buckets, clogged or uneven gutters, rarely used drains, poorly

Soft materials nanoarchitectonics: liquid crystals, polymers, gels, biomaterials, and others

• Katsuhiko Ariga

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1025–1067, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.77

Synthesis of biowaste-derived carbon-dot-mediated silver nanoparticles and the evaluation of electrochemical properties for supercapacitor electrodes

• Navya Kumari Tenkayala,
• Chandan Kumar Maity,
• Md Moniruzzaman and
• Subramani Devaraju

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 933–943, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.71

• approaches, researchers have synthesized AgNPs utilizing green synthetic strategies which incorporate the utilization of plant extracts as reducing agents and stabilizing agents instead of traditional synthetic reducing agents such as NaBH4 [16]. Eclipta alba, aloe vera, mint, and Corchorous olitorious are

• some of the plant extracts that have been selected as environmentally friendly reducing agents so far. However, the majority of these methods produce less stable and bigger particles, limiting their practical applicability and requiring more raw materials. CDs have a carbon core and surface functional

• . Instead of chemical precursors, plant materials such as mint, coriander, aloe, banana peel, and lemon were used to prepare carbon nanodots [20][21][22][23][24]. CDs have been recognized as green, effective agents for reducing metal ions to metal nanoparticles [25]. In this work, we focused on a green and

Efficiency of single-pulse laser fragmentation of organic nutraceutical dispersions in a circular jet flow-through reactor

• Tina Friedenauer,
• Maximilian Spellauge,
• Alexander Sommereyns,
• Verena Labenski,
• Tuba Esatbeyoglu,
• Christoph Rehbock,
• Heinz P. Huber and
• Stephan Barcikowski

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 711–727, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.55

• properties being transiently affected by multiple laser pulses. Here, nutraceuticals, defined as plant-based foods with scientifically approved health-related effects [44][45], are a good model material as they, on the one hand, require sensitive processing methods and, on the other hand, are highly

A formulation containing Cymbopogon flexuosus essential oil: improvement of biochemical parameters and oxidative stress in diabetic rats

• Ailton Santos Sena-Júnior,
• Cleverton Nascimento Santana Andrade,
• Pedro Henrique Macedo Moura,
• Jocsã Hémany Cândido dos Santos,
• Cauãn Torres Trancoso,
• Eloia Emanuelly Dias Silva,
• Deise Maria Rego Rodrigues Silva,
• Ênio Pereira Telles,
• Luiz André Santos Silva,
• Isabella Lima Dantas Teles,
• Sara Fernanda Mota de Almeida,
• Daniel Alves de Souza,
• Jileno Ferreira Santos,
• Felipe José Aidar Martins,
• Ana Mara de Oliveira e Silva,
• Sandra Lauton-Santos,
• Guilherme Rodolfo Souza de Araujo,
• Cristiane Bani Correa,
• Rogéria De Souza Nunes,
• Lysandro Pinto Borges and
• Ana Amélia Moreira Lira

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 617–636, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.48

• levels of the kidney markers urea and creatinine, but there was a decrease in these markers after administration of Cymbopogon proximus suspension, made from ground seeds of the plant and suspended in double-distilled water. Sena-Junior et al. [12] found a reduction in uric acid levels in diabetic rats

Biomimetics and bioinspired surfaces: from nature to theory and applications

• Rhainer Guillermo Ferreira,
• Thies H. Büscher,
• Manuela Rebora,
• Poramate Manoonpong,
• Zhendong Dai and
• Stanislav N. Gorb

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 418–421, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.32

• ageing [3]. Gorb and Gorb [2] experimentally investigated how different plant waxes affect the attachment performance of leaf beetles and how the adhesive system of these beetles are vulnerable to the shape and dimensions of wax contaminations. A study on larger insects (stick insects) with a

Development of a mucoadhesive drug delivery system and its interaction with gastric cells

• Ahmet Baki Sahin,
• Serdar Karakurt and
• Deniz Sezlev Bilecen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 371–384, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.28

• alginate was blended with a plant-based polysaccharide [12] or used together with carboxymethylcellulose [25] to improve the mucoadhesion of the designs. To our knowledge, there are not many studies that use the properties of alginate and Eudragit RS100 polymer in a mucoadhesive gastroretentive delivery

Fabrication and evaluation of BerNPs regarding the growth and development of Streptococcus mutans

• Tuyen Huu Nguyen,
• Hong Thanh Pham,
• Kieu Kim Thanh Nguyen,
• Loan Hong Ngo,
• Anh Ngoc Tuan Mai,
• Thu Hoang Anh Lam,
• Ngan Thi Kim Phan,
• Dung Tien Pham,
• Duong Thuy Hoang,
• Thuc Dong Nguyen and
• Lien Thi Xuan Truong

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 308–315, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.23

• -resistant bacteria and the associated adverse effects, such as allergies, have increased the prevalence of using natural compounds to treat bacterial diseases. Among these, berberine, a plant-based alkaloid traditionally used in medicine, has been recognized for its antibacterial, antiviral, and anti

Synthesis and the impact of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles on the viability and activity of rhizobacteria

• Bedah Rupaedah,
• Indrika Novella,
• Atiek Rostika Noviyanti,
• Diana Rakhmawaty Eddy,
• Anna Safarrida,
• Abdul Hapid,
• Zhafira Amila Haqqa,
• Suryana Suryana,
• Irwan Kurnia and
• Fathiyah Inayatirrahmi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 216–228, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.17

• rhizobacteria during plant application poses a significant challenge when utilizing rhizobacteria as biofertilizers, especially under adverse environmental conditions. Therefore, the selection of a suitable carrier material for rhizobacteria plays a crucial role in ensuring the sustained viability of these

• of both soil and water, and disruption of the natural ecosystem balance [1]. To tackle these pressing environmental challenges, a promising solution lies in adopting biofertilizers in agriculture, which involve harnessing microorganisms like plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. These microorganisms

• possess the potential to profoundly benefit plant growth, yield, and overall productivity. Moreover, they play a crucial role in bolstering plant resistance to pathogens, thereby enhancing plant resilience [2][3]. Preserving the viability of rhizobacteria during plant application presents a significant

A review of metal-organic frameworks and polymers in mixed matrix membranes for CO₂ capture

• Charlotte Skjold Qvist Christensen,
• Nicholas Hansen,
• Mahboubeh Motadayen,
• Nina Lock,
• Martin Lahn Henriksen and
• Jonathan Quinson

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 155–186, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.14

Natural nanofibers embedded in the seed mucilage envelope: composite hydrogels with specific adhesive and frictional properties

• Agnieszka Kreitschitz and
• Stanislav N. Gorb

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1603–1618, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.126

• Agnieszka Kreitschitz Stanislav N. Gorb University of Wrocław, Department of Plant Developmental Biology, ul. Kanonia 6/8, 50-328 Wrocław, Poland Kiel University, Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Am Botanischen Garten 9, D-24098 Kiel, Germany 10.3762/bjnano.15.126 Abstract

• hydrophilic, three-dimensional (3D), polymeric networks able to absorb huge amounts of water [1][2][3]. This term refers perfectly to the mucilage envelope produced by many fruits and seeds (diaspores) of diverse plant taxa [4][5][6][7][8][9]. Mucilage is considered as a natural hydrogel and shares specific

• features with synthetic hydrogels [2][9][10][11]. Hydrogels are 3D networks of polymers (i.e., polysaccharides in plant seeds) interacting via chemical bonds (ionic and covalent), physical interactions (hydrogen bonds), or van der Waals forces [3][11][12]. The ability to produce the mucilage envelope is a