Trends in Current Biology

Tapioca reservoirs in Meghalaya: Unlocking potential to revitalise Eri silk production and strengthen rural livelihoods

B Nabanita — 2026-10-01

The convergence of Meghalaya indigenous Eri silk tradition with its underutilised tapioca resources-both wild and cultivated-presents a unique opportunity for inclusive rural development. Harnessing these ecological resources can help the state sustainably expand its economy, uplift rural livelihoods and position itself as a leader in ethical and regenerative textile production. This is a crucial moment for Meghalaya to shape a new economic narrative by promoting its silk industry anchored in cultural heritage, driven by environmental stewardship and sustained by the richness of its forests and farmlands.

Molecular mechanisms and translational therapeutic potential of plant-derived bioactives in metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders

R Keerthivasan — 2026-10-01

Metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases have emerged as a set of interrelated disorders caused by inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment and disruption of cellular signalling mechanisms. Metabolic disorders like obesity and type 2 diabetes, along with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are characterized by common molecular mechanisms that include insulin resistance, neuroinflammation, dysregulation of energy metabolism and cellular damage. Natural bioactive compounds from plants have gained significant attention in scientific circles because of their potential to target several mechanisms at once. Phytochemicals like polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids and saponins exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and metabolic activities. Bioactive compounds like curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate and berberine modulate important signalling pathways like NF-?B, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), PI3K/Akt, MAPK, Nrf2 and SIRT1. Nonetheless, even with promising experimental data, there are limitations associated with poor bioavailability, fast metabolism, unpredictable pharmacokinetics and lack of large-scale clinical studies. It is important to mention that some phytochemicals exhibit dose-dependent and context-dependent actions, which could suggest variations in efficacy depending on the condition being treated. There are novel approaches involving nanotechnology, bioenhancers, alteration of gut microbiota composition and precision nutrition approaches that have been proposed for solving these translational challenges. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms by which phytochemicals modulate metabolism, inflammation and neurodegeneration, but it also includes the existing limitations and contradictory results regarding these compounds.

Exploring the nutritional composition and health benefits of Mammillaria: A review

Ruth Faleye Bosede — 2026-10-01

The genus Mammillaria is one of the largest and ecologically diverse genera in the Cactaceae family, with a broad geographical distribution across the arid and semi-arid regions of the Americas. The species are characterized by tuberculate stems, specialized water-storage tissues and numerous spine arrangements that aid in their survival under extreme drought and temperature fluctuations. Biochemically, Mammillaria contain secondary metabolites, such as phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids and betalain pigments, which contribute greatly to their ecological resilience, antioxidant defense and other biological activities. They are also potential sources of abundant mucilage polysaccharides, structural fiber and minerals. Despite their environmental significance and nutritional and pharmacological potential, there is a lack of a comprehensive synthesis of their composition and functional characteristics and limited research on the chemical properties of most species. Therefore, this review presents an overview of the description, taxonomy, distribution, nutritional composition, medicinal properties, bioactive composition and biological activities of the genus Mammillaria reported in the literature from various databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus and ResearchGate. In addition, the major limitations, strategic interventions and prospective research directions for maximum production and utilization of the species are discussed. With proper exploration and responsible utilization of the species, Mammillaria could offer great economic, technological and nutritional benefits to society.

Beyond soil: An analysis of diverse growing media in vertical farming systems

S Konappan — 2026-10-01

Vertical farming has emerged as a promising approach to address the challenges of food security, urbanization, climate change, and declining arable land. Central to the success of vertical farming systems is the selection of suitable growing media, which replaces soil by supporting root development, regulating moisture availability, and facilitating nutrient delivery in controlled environments. This review examines the diversity of growing media used in vertical farming, including organic substrates such as coco coir and peat-based materials, inorganic media like perlite, vermiculite, and rockwool, and emerging alternatives such as bio-based composites, hydrogels, and nanomaterial-enhanced substrates. The functional properties of these media are water-holding capacity, aeration, nutrient retention, structural stability, weight, and reusability which are discussed in relation to crop performance and system efficiency. Attention is given to sustainability concerns, including environmental impact, biodegradability, waste generation, and lifecycle considerations of commonly used substrates. The review also highlights emerging research areas, including microbial interactions in soilless media, durability under intensive production cycles, and the development of lightweight and recyclable materials for stacked cultivation systems. By synthesizing recent advancements and identifying key research gaps, this paper provides insights into optimizing growing media for scalable and sustainable vertical farming, contributing to resilient urban food production systems and future food security.