SFNPs: Emerging Sustainable Nano-Biomaterials for Advanced Agricultural Applications

Silk fibroin, a natural biopolymer derived from silk, has emerged as a highly promising biomaterial due to its exceptional biocompatibility, biodegradability, mechanical softness, antioxidant properties, and intrinsic wound-healing potential. While its pharmaceutical significance in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine is well recognized, the multifunctional capabilities of silk fibroin nanoparticles (SFNPs) extend far beyond biomedical applications. This project investigates the diverse agricultural potential of SFNPs as sustainable nano-biomaterials for crop and post-harvest management. SFNPs demonstrate significant utility as plant growth modulators, where they can influence physiological responses, act as growth inhibitors under controlled conditions, and enhance seed germination efficiency, particularly under environmental stress conditions such as drought or salinity. Their protective nano-interface may improve seed resilience, support early-stage growth, and contribute to agricultural adaptability in challenging climates. Additionally, SFNPs show promising post-harvest applications by extending the shelf life of perishable vegetables, particularly tomatoes, through surface stabilisation and delayed spoilage processes. By integrating biomedical safety with agricultural functionality, this study highlights SFNPs as an eco-friendly, multifunctional platform with potential applications in sustainable agriculture, crop stress management, and food preservation, thereby broadening the scientific and industrial relevance of silk-based nanotechnology.