Plant metabolites being renewable in nature have tremendous significance for the development of a sustainable society. In this manuscript we show that, terpenoids having nanometric lengths, commonly having several functional groups and several centers of chirality, can be utilized as renewable Molecular Functional Nanos (MFNs). The terpenoids spontaneously self-assembled in liquids yielding different morphologies such as vesicles, tubes, flowers, petals and fibers of nano- to micro-meter dimensions and supramolecular gels. The self-assemblies were utilized for the entrapment and release of fluorophores including anticancer drug, pollutant capture, generation of hybrid materials and catalysis.

The naturally occurring apo-carotenoid bixin is obtained from annatto (Bixa orellana). It is unique among the natural carotenoids through its water solubility and easily extractability from the seed coat of Bixa orellana. Bixin is (2E,4E,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16Z, 18E)-20- methoxy-4,8,13,17-tetramethyl-20-oxicosa 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-nonaenoic acid, an apo-carotenoid which is a terpenoid compound derived from the oxidative cleavage of carotenoids. Several biological activities of bixin has been reported earlier such as selective antimyeloma effects of cis-bixin, antinociceptive and anti-Inflammatory effects, antioxidant action against cis-platine induced chromosome in rats, hypoglycemic effect in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, allodynia, anxious and depressive-like behaviors, targeting NRF2 for improved skin barrier function and photoprotection, antiatherogenic effect in hypercholesterolemic rabbits, triggering apoptosis of cancer cells, immunomodulatory role in dogs, sensitization of human melanoma cells to dacarbazine-induced apoptosis, sensitization of human lung cancer and cervical cancer cell to cisplatin in vitro, anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, antibacterial activity of cis-bixin conjugated silver nanoparticles, protective effect on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats, bixin/crocetin nanoparticles on quality and shelf life improvement of cheddar cheese etc. In this review, the biological properties of bixin has been discussed. A practical method for the isolation of bixin 1 from the seed coat of Bixa orellana commonly known as “Sinduri” (in Bengali) and its characterization has also been reported.

Isolation and spectroscopic characterization of a long chain 22C fatty acid erucic acid 1 is reportd from the pseudobulb of Crepidium acuminatum (Jeevak). The molecule constitute a long chain hydrocarbon with one carboxyl group attached at one end of the molecule and a double bond at the C13 position. Energy minimized structure revealed that the molecule is 2.42 nm long having a polar ‘COOH’ group attached at the end of lipophilic hydrocarbon chain making it useful as an amphiphile for nanosicne and nanotechnology.

he antioxidant activity of the leaf extract of Habenaria edgeworthii (commonly known as Vrddhi) has been studied against a long lived 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical at room temperature. Green syntheses of Vrddhi Leaf extract conjugated gold and silver nanoparticles at room temperature have been reported.

The antioxidant activity of the leaf extract of Roscoea purpurea Sm. (commonly known as Kakoli) has been studied against a long lived 2,2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical at room temperature. Green syntheses of Kakoli Leaf extract conjugated gold and silver nanoparticles at room temperature have been reported.