Investigation of gold nanoparticles uptake and their tissue level distribution in rice plants by laser ablation-inductively coupled-mass spectrometry

Uptake, translocation, and transformation of quantum dots with cationic versus anionic coatings by Populus deltoides × nigra cuttings

Manipulation of the organic coatings of nanoparticles such as quantum dots (QDs) to enhance specific applications may also affect their interaction and uptake by different organisms. In this study, poplar trees (Populus deltoides × nigra) were exposed hydroponically to 50-nM CdSe/CdZnS QDs coated with cationic polyethylenimine (PEI) (35.3 ± 6.6 nm) or poly(ethylene glycol) of anionic poly(acrylic acid) (PAA-EG) (19.5 ± 7.2 nm) to discern how coating charge affects nanoparticle uptake, translocation, and transformation within woody plants. Uptake of cationic PEI-QDs was 10 times faster despite their larger hydrodynamic size and higher extent of aggregation (17 times larger than PAA-EG-QDs after 11-day incubation in the hydroponic medium), possibly due to electrostatic attraction to the negatively charged root cell wall. QDs cores aggregated upon root uptake, and their translocation to poplar shoots (negligible for PAA-EG-QDs and 0.7 ng Cd/mg stem for PEI-QDs) was likely limited by the endodermis. After 2-day exposure, PEI and PAA-EG coatings were likely degraded from the internalized QDs inside the plant, leading to the aggregation of the metallic cores and a "red-shift" of fluorescence. The fluorescence of PEI-QD aggregates was stable inside the roots through the 11-day exposure period. In contrast, the PAA-EG-QD aggregates lost fluorescence inside the plant after 11 days probably due to destabilization of the coating, even though these QDs were stable in the hydroponic solution. Overall, these results highlight the importance of coating properties in the rate and extent to which nanoparticles are assimilated by plants and potentially introduced into food webs.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles modify the antioxidative stress enzyme activities and macromolecule composition in rice seedlings

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (nCeO2) have been shown to have significant interactions in plants; however, there are limited reports on their impacts in rice (Oryza sativa). Given the widespread environmental dispersal of nCeO2, it is paramount to understand its biochemical and molecular impacts on a globally important agricultural crop, such as rice. This study was carried out to determine the impact of nCeO2 on the oxidative stress, membrane damage, antioxidant enzymes' activities, and macromolecular changes in the roots of rice seedlings. Rice seeds (medium amylose) were grown for 10 days in nCeO2 suspensions (0-500 mg L(-1)). Results showed that Ce in root seedlings increased as the external nCeO2 increased without visible signs of toxicity. Relative to the control, the 62.5 mg nCeO2 L(-1) reduced the H2O2 generation in the roots by 75%. At 125 mg nCeO2 L(-1), the roots showed enhanced lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage, while at 500 mg L(-1), the nCeO2 increased the H2O2 generation in roots and reduced the fatty acid content. The lignin content decreased by 20% at 500 mg nCeO2 L(-1), despite the parallel increase in H2O2 content and peroxidase activities. Synchrotron μ-XRF confirmed the presence of Ce in the vascular tissues of the roots.