Nanotoxicology for Agricultural and Environmental Applications

Mahendra Rai is an internationally recognized scholar with extensive contributions to microbial biotechnology and nanobiotechnology research, particularly in the green synthesis of metal nanoparticles using fungi and their application as nano‑antimicrobials. His work is highly interdisciplinary, bridging microbiology, biotechnology, and nanoscience, and he is an active member of several scientific societies. He has received multiple national and international distinctions, including the Father T.A. Mathias Award from the All-India Association for Christian Higher Education and the Medini Award from the Government of India. Professor Rai has also held numerous visiting scientist and visiting professor positions across Europe, South America, and Asia, contributing to long‑standing research collaborations in countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Hungary, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and the United States. His sustained academic impact is reflected in his inclusion among the global top 2% of scientists in nanoscience and nanotechnology, and recognition as one of India’s leading researchers in biology and biochemistry, including a Biology and Biochemistry India Leader Award from Research.com. Dr. Indarchand R. Gupta completed his Masters in the subject of Biotechnology in the year 2004, and Ph.D. in the year 2020 under the supervision of Professor Mahendra Rai at the Department of Biotechnology, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, India. Presently he is working as Assistant Professor at Government Institute of Science, Aurangabad, India. His area of interest is nano-toxicology and animal cell culture. His study is mainly focused on in vitro cytotoxicity assessment of silver nanoparticles on different animal cell models. He has published over 35 research articles and book chapters. For his research work he has been awarded by ‘ASIO 2016 International Toxicologist Travel Award’ by Association of Scientists of Indian Origin, a regional chapter of Society of Toxicology, USA.

• Part 1: Nanotechnology and Regulations1. Scope of nanotechnology in agriculture and environment2. Applications of nanotechnology in the environment3. Regulation of nanomaterials in agriculture, food and the environmentPart 2: Nanotoxicity4. Factors contributing to nanoparticle toxicity5. Influence of nanoparticles on plant growth and their entry route into the plants6. Nanotoxicity evaluation methods and challengesPart 3: Nanotoxicity to agriculture and food7. Nanotoxicity to soil ecosystem8. Toxicological concerns of nanomaterials in crop plants9. The impact of nanotoxicity on the food system10. In-vivo and in-vitro toxicity of nanomaterials in animal systems11. Detoxification by plantsPart 4: Nanotoxicity to environment12. Biotoxicity and exposure pathways of engineered silver nanoparticles released in the environment13. Nanotoxicity of agrochemicals to aquatic environment14. Nanotoxicity to the terrestrial ecosystems15. Toxicity of nanomaterials released in the airPart 5: Risk Management Measures to Avoid Exposure16. Nanomaterial exposure at workplace and societal levels: Workplace standards and occupational risk management17. Strategies to alleviate nanotoxicity (controlling exposure/ avoiding toxicity)18. A green nanotechnology approach to nanowaste management: what guarantees can the OECD protocol provide?19. Fate of Nanofertilizer in Agroecosystem