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Kim SH, Bae S, Sung YW, Hwang YS. Effects of particle size on toxicity, bioaccumulation, and translocation of zinc oxide nanoparticles to bok choy (Brassica chinensis L.) in garden soil. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 280:116519. [PMID: 38833977 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
The indiscriminate use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in daily life can lead to their release into soil environment. These ZnO NPs can be taken up by crops and translocated to their edible part, potentially causing risks to the ecosystem and human health. In this study, we conducted pot experiments to determine phytotoxicity, bioaccumulation and translocation depending on the size (10 - 30 nm, 80 - 200 nm and 300 nm diameter) and concentration (0, 100, 500 and 1000 mg Zn/kg) of ZnO NPs and Zn ion (Zn2+) in bok choy, a leafy green vegetable crop. After 14 days of exposure, our results showed that large-sized ZnO NPs (i.e., 300 nm) at the highest concentration exhibited greater phytotoxicity, including obstruction of leaf and root weight (42.5 % and 33.8 %, respectively) and reduction of chlorophyll a and b content (50.2 % and 85.2 %, respectively), as well as changes in the activities of oxidative stress responses compared to those of small-sized ZnO NPs, although their translocation ability was relatively lower than that of smaller ones. The translocation factor (TF) values decreased as the size of ZnO NPs increased, with TF values of 0.68 for 10 - 30 nm, 0.55 for 80 - 200 nm, and 0.27 for 300 nm ZnO NPs, all at the highest exposure concentration. Both the results of micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) spectrometer and bio-transmission electron microscopy (bio-TEM) showed that the Zn elements were mainly localized at the edges of leaves exposed to small-sized ZnO NPs. However, the Zn elements upon exposure to large-sized ZnO NP were primarily observed in the primary veins of leaves in the μ-XRF data, indicating a limitation in their ability to translocate from roots to leaves. This study not only advances our comprehension of the environmental impact of nanotechnology but also holds considerable implications for the future of sustainable agriculture and food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Hoon Kim
- Environmental Exposure & Toxicology Research Center, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Jinju, Republic of Korea; Department of Southern Area Crop Science, National Institute of Crop Science, Miryang, Republic of Korea
| | - Sujin Bae
- Environmental Exposure & Toxicology Research Center, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Jinju, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon Woo Sung
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Sik Hwang
- Environmental Exposure & Toxicology Research Center, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Jinju, Republic of Korea.
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Kang M, Bai X, Liu Y, Weng Y, Wang H, Ye Z. Driving Role of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles with Different Sizes and Hydrophobicity in Metabolic Response and Eco-Corona Formation in Sprouts ( Vigna radiata). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:9875-9886. [PMID: 38722770 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c01731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) cause biotoxicity and pose a potential ecological threat; however, their effects on plant metabolism and eco-corona evolution between NPs and organisms remain unclear. This study clarified the molecular mechanisms underlying physiological and metabolic responses induced by three different ZnO NPs with different sizes and hydrophobicity in sprouts (Vigna radiata) and explored the critical regulation of eco-corona formation in root-nano systems. Results indicated that smaller-sized ZnO inhibited root elongation by up to 37.14% and triggered oxidative burst and apoptosis. Metabolomics confirmed that physiological maintenance after n-ZnO exposure was mainly attributed to the effective stabilization of nitrogen fixation and defense systems by biotransformation of the flavonoid pathway. Larger-sized or hydrophobic group-modified ZnO exhibited low toxicity in sprouts, with 0.89-fold upregulation of citrate in central carbon metabolism. This contributed to providing energy for resistance to NP stress through amino acid and carbon/nitrogen metabolism, accompanied by changes in membrane properties. Notably, smaller-sized and hydrophobic NPs intensely stimulated the release of root metabolites, forming corona complexes with exudates. The hydrogen-bonded wrapping mechanism in protein secondary structure and hydrophobic interactions of heterogeneous functional groups drove eco-corona formation, along with the corona evolution intensity of n-ZnO > s-ZnO > b-ZnO based on higher (α-helix + 3-turn helix)/β-sheet ratios. This study provides crucial insight into metabolic and eco-corona evolution in bionano fates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengen Kang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Xue Bai
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
- Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Yuzhu Weng
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Haoke Wang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Zhengfang Ye
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100871, China
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Liu Y, Lin Y, Wang W, Min K, Ling W, Ma W, Zhang W, Hou X, Wei L, Liu Q, Jiang G. Dose-Dependent Effect on Plant Growth of Exposure to Metal-Organic Framework MIL-101(Cr). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:8009-8019. [PMID: 38557036 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
With the increasing use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), they will inevitably enter the environment intentionally or unintentionally. However, the effects of MOFs on plant growth are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of exposure of the rhizosphere to MOFs on plant growth. MIL-101(Cr) was selected as a research model due to its commercial availability and wide use. Soybean plants at the two-leaf stage were subjected to various durations (1-7 days) and concentrations (0-1000 mg/L) of exposure in hydroculture with a control group treated with ultrapure water. We found that MIL-101(Cr) had a positive effect on soybean growth at a lower dose (i.e., 200 mg/L); however, at higher doses (i.e., 500 and 1000 mg/L), it exhibited significant toxicity to plant growth, which is evidenced by leaf damage. To investigate the mechanism of this effect, we used Cr as an indicator to quantify, track, and image MIL-101(Cr) in the plant with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Results indicated that MIL-101(Cr) primarily accumulated in the cortex of roots (up to 40 times higher than that in stems), with limited translocation to stems and negligible presence in leaves and cotyledons. In addition, metabolomic analysis of soybeans indicated that low-dose MIL-101(Cr) could increase the sucrose content of soybean roots to promote plant growth, while a high dose could induce lipid oxidation in roots. This study provides valuable insights into the ecological toxicology of MOFs and underscores the importance of assessing their environmental impact for sustainable agricultural practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yacong Liu
- College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yue Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Weichao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Ke Min
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Weibo Ling
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Wende Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Weican Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Xingwang Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Linfeng Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
- Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
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4
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Vaidya S, Deng C, Wang Y, Zuverza-Mena N, Dimkpa C, White JC. Nanotechnology in agriculture: A solution to global food insecurity in a changing climate? NANOIMPACT 2024; 34:100502. [PMID: 38508516 DOI: 10.1016/j.impact.2024.100502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Although the Green Revolution dramatically increased food production, it led to non- sustainable conventional agricultural practices, with productivity in general declining over the last few decades. Maintaining food security with a world population exceeding 9 billion in 2050, a changing climate, and declining arable land will be exceptionally challenging. In fact, nothing short of a revolution in how we grow, distribute, store, and consume food is needed. In the last ten years, the field of nanotoxicology in plant systems has largely transitioned to one of sustainable nano-enabled applications, with recent discoveries on the use of this advanced technology in agriculture showing tremendous promise. The range of applications is quite extensive, including direct application of nanoscale nutrients for improved plant health, nutrient biofortification, increased photosynthetic output, and greater rates of nitrogen fixation. Other applications include nano-facilitated delivery of both fertilizers and pesticides; nano-enabled delivery of genetic material for gene silencing against viral pathogens and insect pests; and nanoscale sensors to support precision agriculture. Recent efforts have demonstrated that nanoscale strategies increase tolerance to both abiotic and biotic stressors, offering realistic potential to generate climate resilient crops. Considering the efficiency of nanoscale materials, there is a need to make their production more economical, alongside efficient use of incumbent resources such as water and energy. The hallmark of many of these approaches involves much greater impact with far less input of material. However, demonstrations of efficacy at field scale are still insufficient in the literature, and a thorough understanding of mechanisms of action is both necessary and often not evident. Although nanotechnology holds great promise for combating global food insecurity, there are far more ways to do this poorly than safely and effectively. This review summarizes recent work in this space, calling out existing knowledge gaps and suggesting strategies to alleviate those concerns to advance the field of sustainable nano-enabled agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shital Vaidya
- Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), New Haven, CT 06511, United States
| | - Chaoyi Deng
- Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), New Haven, CT 06511, United States
| | - Yi Wang
- Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), New Haven, CT 06511, United States
| | - Nubia Zuverza-Mena
- Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), New Haven, CT 06511, United States
| | - Christian Dimkpa
- Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), New Haven, CT 06511, United States
| | - Jason C White
- Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), New Haven, CT 06511, United States.
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Wu P, Wang Z, Adusei-Fosu K, Wang Y, Wang H, Li X. Integrative chemical, physiological, and metabolomics analyses reveal nanospecific phytotoxicity of metal nanoparticles. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 354:120338. [PMID: 38401494 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
The increasing application of metal nanoparticles (NPs) via agrochemicals and sewage sludge results in non-negligible phytotoxicological risks. Herein, the potential phytotoxicity of ZnO and CuO NPs on wheat was determined using integrative chemical, physiological, and metabolomics analyses, in comparison to Zn2+ and Cu2+. It was found that ZnO or CuO NPs had a stronger inhibitory effect on wheat growth than Zn2+ or Cu2+. After exposure to ZnO or CuO NPs, wheat seedlings accumulated significantly higher levels of Zn or Cu than the corresponding Zn2+ or Cu2+ treatments, indicating the active uptake of NPs via wheat root. TEM analysis further confirmed the intake of NPs. Moreover, ZnO or CuO NPs exposure altered micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) accumulation in the tissues and decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes. The metabolomics analysis identified 312, 357, 145, and 188 significantly changed metabolites (SCMs) in wheat root exposed to ZnO NPs, CuO NPs, Zn2+, and Cu2+, respectively. Most SCMs were nano-specific to ZnO (80%) and CuO NPs (58%), suggesting greater metabolic reprogramming by NPs than metal ions. Overall, nanospecific toxicity dominated the phytotoxicity of ZnO and CuO NPs, and our results provide a molecular perspective on the phytotoxicity of metal oxide NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wu
- Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050021, China.
| | - Zeyu Wang
- Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Kwasi Adusei-Fosu
- Resilient Agriculture, AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Yujun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hailong Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, 528000, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, China
| | - Xiaofang Li
- Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050021, China.
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Guo J, Fu Q, Tang M, Bai J, Liu R, Zhang H, Siddique KHM, Mao H. Fulvic acid modified ZnO nanoparticles improve nanoparticle stability, mung bean growth, grain zinc content, and soil biodiversity. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 913:169840. [PMID: 38184256 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have emerged as a novel solution to combat Zn deficiency in agriculture. However, challenges persist regarding their Zn utilization efficiency and environmental impact. Fulvic acid (FA), as a relatively mature modified material, is a promising candidate to enhance the environmental stability of ZnO NPs. This study investigates modifying ZnO NPs with FA to improve their stability and increase Zn content in mung bean fruit and explores their effect on plants and the soil ecosystem. We combined FA and ZnO NPs (FZ-50) at mass ratios of 1: 5, 1: 2, and 4: 5, denoted as 20 % FZ, 50 % FZ, and 80 % FZ, respectively. Initial germination tests revealed that the 50 % FZ treatment improved sprout growth and Zn content and minimized agglomeration the most. A subsequent pot experiment compared FZ-50 with ZnO, ZnO NPs, and F + Z (1: 1 FA: ZnO NPs). Notably, the FZ-50 treatment (50 % FZ applied to the soil) demonstrated superior results, exhibiting a 30.25 % increase in yield, 121 % improvement in root nodule quality, and 56.38 % increase in Zn content, with no significant changes in enzyme activities (catalase and peroxidase). Furthermore, FZ-50 increased soil available Zn content and promoted soil microorganism diversity, outperforming ZnO and ZnO NPs. This study underscores the potential of FA as a relatively mature material for modifying ZnO NPs to increase grain Zn content, presenting a novel approach to addressing Zn deficiency in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Guo
- School of Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Qian Fu
- School of Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Mengshan Tang
- School of Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Junrui Bai
- School of Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Ruiyu Liu
- School of Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Haoyue Zhang
- School of Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Kadambot H M Siddique
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6001, Australia
| | - Hui Mao
- School of Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agri-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China.
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