TY - JOUR
T1 - Difference in the toxic effects of micro and nano ZnO particles on L. minor – an integrative approach
AU - Radić Brkanac, Sandra
AU - Domijan, Ana Marija
AU - Peharec Štefanić, Petra
AU - Maldini, Krešimir
AU - Dutour Sikirić, Maja
AU - Vujčić Bok, Valerija
AU - Cvjetko, Petra
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2024.
PY - 2024/10/1
Y1 - 2024/10/1
N2 - The toxicity of nano-sized ZnO particles (nZnO) was evaluated and compared to that of their micro-sized counterparts (mZnO) using an integrative approach to investigate the mechanism of toxicity, utilizing duckweed (Lemna minor) as plant model. Following 7 days of exposure to nZnO or mZnO (2.5, 5, 25, and 50 mg L−1) growth rate, photosynthesis, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity parameters have been determined in duckweed. Phytotoxicity of both ZnO forms at relatively low concentrations was due to the release of free Zn ions into the nutrient media. However, the accumulation of Zn in plants treated with nZnO was significantly higher than in those treated with mZnO. Both mZnO and nZnO significantly reduced growth rate and impaired the functionality of the photosynthetic apparatus as evidenced by structural changes of chloroplasts, a decline in the efficiency of photosystem II, and chlorophyll a content. Additionally, exposure to mZnO and nZnO resulted in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased lipid peroxidation, the formation of carbonylated proteins, DNA damage, and alterations in antioxidant defense mechanisms. Overall, nZnO caused significantly stronger toxic effects than mZnO. The mechanism of nZnO toxicity to L. minor, as determined by multivariate statistical analysis, involved the disruption of primary photosynthetic reactions due to a redox imbalance in the cell caused by the enhanced absorption of Zn into plant tissues.
AB - The toxicity of nano-sized ZnO particles (nZnO) was evaluated and compared to that of their micro-sized counterparts (mZnO) using an integrative approach to investigate the mechanism of toxicity, utilizing duckweed (Lemna minor) as plant model. Following 7 days of exposure to nZnO or mZnO (2.5, 5, 25, and 50 mg L−1) growth rate, photosynthesis, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity parameters have been determined in duckweed. Phytotoxicity of both ZnO forms at relatively low concentrations was due to the release of free Zn ions into the nutrient media. However, the accumulation of Zn in plants treated with nZnO was significantly higher than in those treated with mZnO. Both mZnO and nZnO significantly reduced growth rate and impaired the functionality of the photosynthetic apparatus as evidenced by structural changes of chloroplasts, a decline in the efficiency of photosystem II, and chlorophyll a content. Additionally, exposure to mZnO and nZnO resulted in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased lipid peroxidation, the formation of carbonylated proteins, DNA damage, and alterations in antioxidant defense mechanisms. Overall, nZnO caused significantly stronger toxic effects than mZnO. The mechanism of nZnO toxicity to L. minor, as determined by multivariate statistical analysis, involved the disruption of primary photosynthetic reactions due to a redox imbalance in the cell caused by the enhanced absorption of Zn into plant tissues.
KW - Chlorophyll a fluorescence
KW - Duckweed
KW - Genotoxicity
KW - Metal oxide particles
KW - Oxidative stress
KW - Ultrastructure
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85204800652
U2 - 10.1007/s11356-024-35133-5
DO - 10.1007/s11356-024-35133-5
M3 - Article
C2 - 39320599
AN - SCOPUS:85204800652
SN - 0944-1344
VL - 31
SP - 58830
EP - 58843
JO - Environmental Science and Pollution Research
JF - Environmental Science and Pollution Research
IS - 49
ER -