Phytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects of Copper Nanoparticles in Coriander (Coriandrum sativum-Apiaceae).

Alya Alquraidi,Kalidoss Ramamoorthy,Kareem Mosa

doi:10.3390/plants8010019

Alya Alquraidi, Kalidoss Ramamoorthy + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8010019

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Abstract

Engineered metal nanoparticles have been widely used in several applications that may lead to increased exposure to the environment. In this study, we assessed the phytotoxic effect of various concentrations of copper nanoparticles CuNP, (200, 400 and 800 mg/L) on coriander (Coriandrum sativum) plants grown hydroponically. C. sativum plants treated with CuNP demonstrated decreased biomass and root length in comparison to control untreated plants. Additionally, decreased levels of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b) were also seen in C. sativum plants treated with CuNP, as well as damage to the C. sativum root plasma membrane as demonstrated by Evan’s blue dye and increased electrolyte leakage. Moreover, our results exhibited increased levels of H2O2 and MDA on C. Sativum plants treated with CuNP. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis confirmed that C. sativum treated with CuNP accumulated the latter in plant root tissues. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis confirmed the genotoxic effect of CuNP, which altered the C. sativum genome. This was shown by the different banding pattern of RAPD. Overall, our results exhibited that CuNP is toxic to C. sativum plants.

Highlights

Nanoparticles are nano-scale particles or atomic aggregates with at least one dimension between1 and 100 nm
Incidental nanoparticles are produced as side products of anthropogenic activities whereas Engineered Nanoparticles (ENPs) are produced intentionally for their extensive usage in various implications including biomedical, electronic and industrial
Plants treated with different concentrations of CuNPs exhibited differences in the biomass andwith root more

Summary

Introduction

Nanoparticles are nano-scale particles or atomic aggregates with at least one dimension between1 and 100 nm. Nanoparticles have been a great source of concern in recent years due to their extensive usage in many industries (including agriculture). They have been used in many applications in agriculture including pesticides, fungicides and fertilizers [1]. Incidental nanoparticles are produced as side products of anthropogenic activities whereas Engineered Nanoparticles (ENPs) are produced intentionally for their extensive usage in various implications including biomedical, electronic and industrial. They express specific sizes and shapes, which can enter the environment through air, water and soil [3]

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