Impact of Inorganic Metal (Ag, Cu) Nanoparticles on the Quality of Seeds and Dried Rapeseed Sprouts

Magdalena Kachel,Mariusz Rudy,Marta Krajewska,Stanisław Rudy

doi:10.3390/agriculture12010106

Magdalena Kachel, Mariusz Rudy + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12010106

Copy DOI

Abstract

The present study focuses on the impact of copper and silver nanoparticles on the chemical composition and physical properties of rapeseeds and rape sprouts. The seeds and sprouts were obtained from winter rape grown in a three-year cultivation (2018–2020) treated with silver (AgNP) and copper (CuNP) nanoparticles. In addition, the effect of the freeze-drying temperature (20; 40; 60 °C) on selected properties of the sprouts was studied. Spraying growing plants with nanoparticles resulted, in most cases, and depending on the year, in a reduction in the mass of seeds (MTS) by 9.5% (single nanoparticles spray ×1 CuNP in 2018), an increase in the fat content (by 8.80% for ×1 CuNP in 2018), a reduction in the protein content (by 12.93% for ×1 CuNP in 2018) and flavonoid content (by up to 58% for ×1 AgNP and CuNP in 2018), as well as increase in the glucosinolates content by 25% (for double nanoparticles spray ×2 AgNP in 2019). For the sprouts obtained from the rapeseeds, in most cases, a decrease in the content of flavonoids was observed (26.68% for ×1 AgNP; 20 °C in 2018), depending on the year of cultivation, the nanoparticles used, and the drying temperature. The obtained results remain inconclusive, which encourages the authors to undertake further research.

Highlights

Published: 13 January 2022There is a growing body of studies and analyses aimed at developing new products with predefined sensory and health benefits [1]
The rate of germination is affected by environmental factors such as abiotic stress, including draught, low temperatures [3], salination [4], and heavy metal toxicity [5]
Most of the studies focused on the potential toxicity of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs), as well as the positive and negative effects of their use

Summary

Introduction

Published: 13 January 2022There is a growing body of studies and analyses aimed at developing new products with predefined sensory and health benefits [1]. One of the employed strategies entails the provision of adequate protection during the growth of original plants, and the use of modern plant protection agents or fertilizers containing silver and copper nanoparticles. The latter can be applied in a variety of ways—directly into the soil or onto plant leaves. Many researchers have studied the impact of nanoparticles on the germination and growth of plants with a view to promoting the use of such compounds in agriculture [6]. Most of the studies focused on the potential toxicity of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs), as well as the positive and negative effects of their use. There are results to indicate that the toxicity of silver (AgNP)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion