Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on Radish Sprouts: Root Growth Reduction and Modifications in the Nutritional Value
Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: Reports indicate that silver nanoparticles (nAg) are toxic to vegetation, but little is known about their effects in crop plants. This study examines the impacts of nAg on the physiology and nutritional quality of radish (Raphanus sativus) sprouts. Seeds were germinated and grown for 5 days in nAg suspensions at 0, 125, 250, and 500 mg/L. Seed germination and seedling growth were evaluated with traditional methodologies; the uptake of Ag and nutrients was quantified by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and changes in macromolecules were analyzed by infrared (IR) spectroscopy. None of the nAg concentrations reduced seed germination. However, the water content (% of the total weight) was reduced by 1.62, 1.65, and 2.54% with exposure to 125, 250, and 500 mg/L, respectively, compared with the control. At 500 mg/L, the root and shoot lengths were reduced by 47.7 and 40%, with respect to the control. The seedlings exposed to 500 mg/L had 901 ± 150 mg Ag/kg dry wt and significantly less Ca, Mg, B, Cu, Mn, and Zn, compared with the control. The infrared spectroscopy analysis showed changes in the bands corresponding to lipids (3000-2800 cm(-1)), proteins (1550-1530 cm(-1)), and structural components of plant cells such as lignin, pectin, and cellulose. These results suggest that nAg could significantly affect the growth, nutrient content and macromolecule conformation in radish sprouts, with unknown consequences for human health.
Source: Frontiers in Plant Science
Institution: The University of Texas at El Paso
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Sleep Foundation, Academy of Applied Science, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, National Institutes of Health, University of Texas at El Paso, Division of Chemistry, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Army Research Office
Awards: NSF Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nantechnology Enabled Water Treatment Systems (NEWT), G1095615527, G1132924570, G1269352363, G2324831411, G2587133199, G4928839655, G5321652904, CEIN: Predictive Toxicology Assessment and Safe Implementation of Nanotechnology in the Environment, G6474616340, G6523983180, Acquisition of a Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometer for Research and Teaching at a Large Minority Serving Institution, G7928029328, Border Biomedical Research Center, G8958067661
OpenAlex ID: W2308282903