Modulation of Phytonutrient Profile, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Fenugreek Grown in Polluted Soil Using Chemical and Biofertilizers: A Review

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is a well-known medicinal and nutritionally important leguminous plant widely used in traditional medicine and functional foods. Its seeds and leaves are rich sources of phytonutrients such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenolic acids, vitamins, and minerals, which are responsible for its diverse pharmacological activities. Rapid urbanization and industrialization have led to increasing soil pollution, which can significantly influence plant metabolism, nutrient uptake, and secondary metabolite production. Simultaneously, the use of chemical fertilizers and biofertilizers such as vermicompost and municipal compost has been explored as a strategy to improve soil fertility and crop quality under stressed environments. The present review critically compiles and analyses available scientific literature on the phytonutrient profile, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities of fenugreek, with special emphasis on plants grown in polluted soils and treated with chemical fertilizers and biofertilizers (vermicompost and compost prepared by the Indore Municipal Corporation). The review also integrates findings from the author’s previous experimental work to highlight how fertilizer treatments modulate bioactive compound accumulation and biological activities in fenugreek. The article concludes that biofertilizer application, particularly vermicompost, can mitigate the adverse effects of soil pollution and enhance the medicinal value of fenugreek, supporting its sustainable cultivation and therapeutic relevance.