Multi-walled carbon nanotubes produced after forest fires improve germination and development of Eysenhardtia polystachya

Exposure to single-walled carbon nanotubes differentially affect in vitro germination, biochemical and antioxidant properties of Thymus daenensis celak. seedlings

Carbon nanomaterials such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) offer a new possibility for phyto-nanotechnology and biotechnology to improve the quality and quantity of secondary metabolites in vitro. The current study aimed to determine the SWCNTs effects on Thyme (Thymus daenensis celak.) seed germination. The seedlings were further assessed in terms of morphological and phytochemical properties. Sterile seeds were cultured in vitro and treated with various concentrations of SWCNTs. Biochemical analyses were designed on seedling sample extracts for measuring antioxidant activities (AA), total flavonoids (TFC) and phenolic contents, and the main enzymes involved in oxidative reactions under experimental treatments. The results indicated that an increase in SWCNTs concentration can enhance the total percentage of seed germination. The improvement was observed in samples that received SWCNTs levels of up to 125 µg ml-1, even though seedling height and biomass accumulation decreased. Seedling growth parameters in the control samples were higher than those of grown in SWCNT-fortified media. This may have happened because of more oxidative damage as well as a rise in POD and PPO activities in tissues. Additionally, secondary metabolites and relevant enzyme activities showed that maximum amounts of TPC, TFC, AA and the highest PAL enzyme activity were detected in samples exposed to 62.5 µg ml-1 SWCNTs. Our findings reveal that SWCNTs in a concentration-dependent manner has different effects on T. daenensis morphological and phytochemical properties. Microscopic images analysis revealed that SWCNTs pierce cell walls, enter the plant cells and agglomerate in the cellular cytoplasm and cell walls. The findings provide insights into the regulatory mechanisms of SWCNTs on T. daenensis growth, germination and secondary metabolites production.

Carbon Nanotubes Produced After Forest Fire Oxidized and Functionalized with Fluorescein Isothiocyanate Improve Development of Avena sativa

The use of synthetic carbon nanotubes has been widely studied in plant crops, however, knowledge about carbon nanotubes of natural origin is limited, therefore, in this work the effect of MWCNT obtained in samples after treatment was evaluated. a forest fire on the biomass and germination of Avena sativa, as well as the behavior of these MWCNT when subjected to chemical oxidation and subsequent functionalization, where positive effects were observed both in the germination speed as well as in the percentage, on the other hand there was a significant increase in fresh and dry weight, these results give help us an information for understood better the way the MWCNT improve plant development.

Engineering plants with carbon nanotubes: a sustainable agriculture approach

Sustainable agriculture is an important conception to meet the growing food demand of the global population. The increased need for adequate and safe food, as well as the ongoing ecological destruction associated with conventional agriculture practices are key global challenges. Nanomaterials are being developed in the agriculture sector to improve the growth and protection of crops. Among the various engineered nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the most promising carbon-based nanomaterials owing to their attractive physiochemical properties such as small size, high surface area, and superior mechanical and thermal strength, offering better opportunities for agriculture sector applications. This review provides basic information about CNTs, including their history; classification; and electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties, with a focus on their applications in the agriculture field. Furthermore, the mechanisms of the uptake and translocation of CNTs in plants and their defense mechanisms against environmental stresses are discussed. Finally, the major shortcomings, threats, and challenges of CNTs are assessed to provide a broad and clear view of the potential and future directions for CNT-based agriculture applications to achieve the goal of sustainability.

Insights into the mechanism of multi-walled carbon nanotubes phytotoxicity in Arabidopsis through transcriptome and m6A methylome analysis

With the increasing production and wide application of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), they are inevitably released into the natural environment and ecosystems, where plants are the main primary producers. Hence, it is imperative to understand the toxic effects of CNTs on plants. The molecular mechanisms underlying the toxic effects of CNTs on plants are still unclear. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effects of high concentrations of multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs) on Arabidopsis. Root elongation and leaf development were severely inhibited after MWCNT exposure. Excess production of H₂O₂, O₂^-, and malondialdehyde was observed, indicating that MWCNTs induced oxidative stress. The antioxidant system was activated to counter MWCNTs-induced oxidative stress. Combinatorial transcriptome and m6A methylome analysis revealed that MWCNTs suppressed auxin signaling and photosynthesis. Reactive oxygen species metabolism, toxin metabolism, and plant responses to pathogens were enhanced to cope with the phytotoxicity of MWCNTs. Our results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of CNT phytotoxicity and plant defense responses to CNTs.