Surface modification of Fe2O3 and MgO nanoparticles with agrowastes for the treatment of chlorosis in Glycine max

Abdul Azeez Nazeer,Mothilal Dhanapal,Saranpriya Mani,Sreelakshmi Udhayakumar,Sudarshana Deepa Vijaykumar

doi:10.1186/s40580-018-0155-0

Abstract

Surface modification of nanoparticles for biological applications is receiving enormous interest among the research community due to the ability to alchemy the toxic nanoparticles into biocompatible compounds. In this study, the agrowastes of Moringa oleifera and Coriandrum sativum were used to surface modify the magnesium oxide nanoparticles and ferric oxide nanoparticles respectively. The agrowaste amended magnesium oxide nano particles (AMNP) and agrowaste amended ferric oxide nanoparticles (AFNP) were characterized using scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transformed-infra red spectroscope to justify the formation and surface modification of nanoparticles with the organic functional groups from the agro wastes. The surface modified nano particles were tested for their biocompatibility and ability to treat the chlorosis in Glycine max. On comparison between the two metal based nanoparticles, AMNP exhibited better chlorosis treating ability than the AFNP. Both the nano particles showed increased potency at minimal amount, 30 μg and the higher concentrations till 125 μg exhibited down run of the potency which was again enhanced from 250 μg of nanoparticle treatment to plants. Further the surface modified nanoparticles were assessed for biocompatibility on human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cell line which proved that the cell lines are non-toxic to normal human cells. The size of the particles and the concentration is suggested to be responsible for the effective chlorosis treatment and the organic functional groups responsible for the reduction of toxicity of the particles to the plants.

Highlights

1 Introduction Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3) are one of the most widely studied metallic nanoparticles, which have a broad spectrum of applications in controlled drug release, medical diagnostics, separation technologies and environmental engineering due to their novel properties such as enhanced surface-to-volume ratio, activated surface area and inherent biocompatibility [1, 2]
Lack of chlorophyll is the major symptom of chlorosis
Formation of amended ferric oxide nanoparticles (AFNP) was observed by colour change from brown to reddish black while formation of amended magnesium oxide nano particles (AMNP) was observed by colour change from white to pale green

Summary

Introduction

Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3) are one of the most widely studied metallic nanoparticles, which have a broad spectrum of applications in controlled drug release, medical diagnostics, separation technologies and environmental engineering due to their novel properties such as enhanced surface-to-volume ratio, activated surface area and inherent biocompatibility [1, 2]. Nazeer et al Nano Convergence (2018) 5:23 preparation of Fe(III) nano particles at a size of less than 30 nm and amending their surface with organic functional groups from the agrowastes can be used to treat the chlorosis, the iron deficiency in plants. Chlorosis is a common widespread plant disease caused due to the lack of chlorophyll in plants. This lack of chlorophyll is reported to be influenced by poor iron uptake by plants from the soil. An attempt is made to treat the chlorosis infected plants with surface amended biocompatible iron oxide and magnesium oxide nano particles independently and compare the efficacy of the treatment

Methods

Results

Conclusion