Applications of metal oxide nanoparticles in the agriculture sector are being extensively included as the materials are considered superior. In the present work, zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO NPs), with a developing fertilizer, is applied in the fortification of rice grain yield and nutrient uptake enhancement. To evaluate the role of ZnO NP, two field experiments were conducted during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. ZnO NPs were small, nearly spherical, and their sizes equal to 31.4 nm, as proved via the dynamic light scattering technique. ZnO NPs were applied as a fertilizer in different concentrations, varying between 20 and 60 mg/L as a foliar spray. The mixture of ZnSO4 and ZnO NP40 ameliorated yield component and nutrients (N, K, and Zn) uptake was enhanced compared to traditional ZnSO4 treatment. Nevertheless, the uptake of the phosphorous element (P) was adversely affected by the treatment of ZnO NPs. Thus, treatment via utilizing ZnO NPs as a foliar with a very small amount (40 ppm) with of basal ZnSO4 led to a good improvement in agronomic and physiological features; eventually, higher yield and nutrient-enriched rice grain were obtained.

The current study was designed to assess the effect of different concentrations of silica oxide nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) (0, 30, 60, and 90 ppm) as foliar applications under three irrigation regimes i.e., irrigation every 3 days (IR3, control), irrigation every 6 days (IR6), and irrigation every 9 days (IR9) on growth, yield and certain metabolites of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. EHR1). To achieve such a goal, 2 field experiments were conducted during the 2018 and 2019 seasons at the Experimental Farm of Rice Research and Training Center (RRTC), Sakha Agricultural Station, Kafr El-sheik, Egypt. Firstly, the as-prepared nanoparticles of SiO2 were prepared from useless materials (RHs) which are considered as one of the bio burdens on the environment via treating with HCl and followed by drying and calcination. Consequently, the synthesis was examined by making use of advanced tools such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) for illustrating the hydrodynamic particle size of SiO2NPs and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nanoparticles were formed with nearly spherical shape and small size. The results indicated that leaf area index, dry matter production, the number of panicles/m2, the number of filled grains/ panicles, 1000 grain weight, grain yield, and biological yield as well as chlorophyll content have witnessed a significant increase under irrigated application every 3 and 6 days. Whilst a prolonged irrigation regime up to 9 days recorded a remarkable decline in the aforementioned characteristics except for the number of unfilled grains/panicle which increased considerably in both seasons. On the other hand, proline concentration and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes were increased in both irrigated treatments every 6 and 9 days compared with control treatment (irrigation every 3 days). The foliar supplementations of (SiO2NPs) contributed to ameliorating all the aforementioned characteristics progressively up to the dosage of 90 ppm compared to control treatment (no Si/NPS application) in both seasons. Invariably, growth and yield parameters in water-stressed plants treated with SiO2NPs were higher than those in water-stressed plants without SiO2NPs addition. Based on that, it could be concluded that the foliar application of SiO2NPs can mitigate the adverse effect of water stress on rice plants.

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Consumption of aflatoxin contaminated food are dangerous source to human health because of their toxic, carcinogenic, hepatotoxic and mutagenic characteristics. Due to their harmful effects concerned on bring up todate the detoxification methods applied for reduction of aflatoxins by physical (adsorption), chemical (chemical compound) methods. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of some natural additives in biscuit such as dried blueberries, wheat bran and nano-charcoal as detoxifying agents which are available and inexpensive, that would modulate aflatoxin metabolism to reduce aflatoxins contamination, which enhances food safety and human health.Thirty adult male albino rats were partitioned into five groups. The first main group (n=6 rats), negative control, was fed on basal diet. The second group was fed on peanut diet contaminated with 20 ppb aflatoxin / gram (ng/g diet), positive control, ( AFL+diet). Groups from group three to five were fed toxic diet + detoxifying agent (biscuit addition of dried blueberries or wheat bran and nano-charcoal, respectively) for 8 weeks. The results revealed the adverse impacts of aflatoxin contaminated diets on hematological alterations, lipid profile, liver functions, serum protein parameters, kidney function and hepatic and kidney histological.The lipid profile (TC, TG, HDL and LDL) were improved in treated groups compared with positive group G2. Addition of dried blueberries or wheat bran and nano-charcoal to biscuit significantly (P<0.05) enhanced liver functions , also serum protein parameters (albumin, globulin and total protein) and kidney function ( creatine and urea) in which obtained results were nearly the same of negative group (G-ve) . But, groups exposure to aflatoxin increased the level of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, creatine and urea.Hence , it could be finished that efficient use of dried blueberries or,wheat bran and nano-charcoal to biscuit as food additives against the toxicity of aflatoxin may lead to decrease their the harmful effects.

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