Phenolic Compounds and Nanotechnology: Application During Biotic Stress Management in Agricultural Sector and Occupational Health Impacts

Current agricultural practices are becoming unsustainable due to extreme phase of climatic change and growing population. Phenolic compounds are phytochemicals, having aromatic benzene ring with one hydroxyl group that secretes from plants in response to biotic stress; the rate of secretion is solely dictated by the types of stress conditions. Besides the sanative role of phenolics on plant growth in the agriculture sector, an array of biological properties also impacts the health of the farmers in a promoting manner. Due to its natural origin and low toxicity, phenolic compounds are considered as the promising tools in eliminating the causes and effects of various diseases such as skin aging, delay of wound healing, burning, and life-threatening disease like cancer. Nowadays, nanobiotechnology is a novel tool to manipulate and enhance the overall production in the agriculture sector in order to maintain the needs and the protection from different kinds of biotic stressors. Smart site-responsive delivery of nanomaterials and active compounds in a sustained release fashion is an upcoming agritech rebellion that ensures a more efficient and sustainable agricultural system, including agricultural production, which is ultimately beneficial to not only the health of consumers but also the farmer and other people engaged in this particular occupation.