Abstract
Nowadays, there are several commercially available products containing nanostructured materials. Meanwhile, despite the many benefits that can be obtained from nanotechnology, it is still necessary to understand the mechanisms in which nanomaterials interact with the environment, and to obtain information concerning their possible toxic effects. In agriculture, nanotechnology has been used in different applications, such as nanosensors to detect pathogens, nanoparticles as controlled release systems for pesticides, and biofilms to deliver nutrients to plants and to protect food products against degradation. Moreover, plants can be used as models to study the toxicity of nanoparticles. Indeed, phytotoxicity assays are required to identify possible negative effects of nanostructured systems, prior to their implementation in agriculture. Nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in plant growth and defense, and recently, several papers described the beneficial effects due to application of exogenous NO donors in plants. The tripeptide glutathione (GSH) is an important anti-oxidant molecule and is the precursor of the NO donor, S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). In this context, the present work investigates the effects of different concentrations of alginate/chitosan nanoparticles, containing either GSH or GSNO, on the development of two test species (Zea mays and Glycine sp.). The results showed that the alginate/chitosan nanoparticles present a size average range from 300 to 550 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.35, and encapsulation efficiency of GSH between 45 - 56%. The NO release kinetics from the alginate/chitosan nanoparticles containing GSNO showed sustained and controlled NO release over several hours. Plant assays showed that at the concentrations tested (1, 5 and 10 mM of GSH or GSNO), polymeric nanoparticles showed no significant inhibitory effects on the development of the species Zea mays and Glycine sp., considering the variables shoot height, root length, and dry mass. Therefore, these nanoparticles seem to have promissing uses in agriculture, and might be potencially used as controlled release systems applied by the foliar route.
Highlights
In recent years, there have been major advances in nanotechnology, which is used in diverse areas such as biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, amongst others [1,2]
Examples include the use of carbon nanotubes in the production of electronic devices [3], metallic nanoparticles as bactericidal agents [4], and a wide range of polymeric nanoparticles used as carrier systems for active agents [5,6]
Synthesis of GSH and GSNO-alginate/chitosan nanoparticles The mixture of alginate and chitosan polymers in acidified aqueous solution led to the formation of nanoparticles due to the strong electrostatic interactions of the anionic alginate chain with the cationic chitosan chain [15]
Summary
There have been major advances in nanotechnology, which is used in diverse areas such as biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, amongst others [1,2]. Examples include the use of carbon nanotubes in the production of electronic devices [3], metallic nanoparticles (such as silver) as bactericidal agents [4], and a wide range of polymeric nanoparticles used as carrier systems for active agents [5,6]. Nanotechnology has been used in various ways, with the aim of improving yields and the quality of products [7]. Applications include the use of nanosensors to detect pathogens, nanoparticles as controlled release systems for pesticides, and biofilms to deliver nutrients to plants and protect food products against degradation [1]. The use of nanoparticles as carrier systems for agrochemicals can improve the bioavailability and effectiveness of active agents, enabling lower dosages to be safety used and reducing damage to the environment [8]
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