higher antioxidant content. These nanoparticles can act like a
biofertilizer by secreting enzymes. These enzymes trigger
bacterial microbes in the soil to turn the nutrients into plants
usable form. By this method, the formation of stable complexes is prevented in the soil. The tomatoes also possess
more lycopene (antioxidant) which is useful to reduce the
risk of various diseases like cancer, heart disease, and
age-related eye disorders. Also, these tomatoes can reduce
malnutrition and child mortality by supplying more nutrients
(Raliya et al. 2015). Bulk ZnO is less soluble in water. This
drawback can be avoided ZnO nanoparticles. Milani et al.
(2012) have reported that ZnO nanoparticles can be used
instead of bulk ZnO particles to remove the zinc deficiency
in the soil. The solubility of these nanoparticles is high when
Fig. 7 Preparation of
nano-bio-stimulant fertilizer using
banana peels. a Photograph of
banana peel slurry, b, c TEM and
histogram of banana peel
nanofertilizer prepared using
alkaline solution, respectively.
Source Hussein et al. (2019), with
permission
142
T. Thirugnanasambandan