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Impact of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles on the growth and physiological responses in Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis

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Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were extensively used in various fields, particularly in medicine as an antimicrobial agent. The unavoidable and extensive usage of AgNPs in turn accumulates in the environment. Plants are the essential base of ecosystem and are ready to disturb by environmental pollutants. Therefore, in the present study, we have planned to evaluate the impact of biologically synthesized AgNPs on the essential food crop Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis). The effects of AgNP-induced plant morphological and physiological changes were investigated in different concentrations (100, 250, and 500 mg/L). The results of morphological features showed that AgNPs at lower concentrations (100 mg/L) exhibit growth-stimulating activity, whereas at higher concentrations (250 and 500 mg/L), particularly, 500 mg/L exhibited growth-suppressing activities which are in terms of reduced root, shoot growth, and fresh biomass. The increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, malondialdehyde production, anthocyanin biosynthesis, and decreased chlorophyll content were also more obviously present at higher concentrations of AgNPs. The concentration-dependent DNA damage was observed in the AgNP-treated plants. The molecular responses of AgNPs indicate that most of the genes related to secondary metabolism (glucosinolates, anthocyanin) and antioxidant activities were induced at higher concentrations of AgNP treatment. The dose-dependent phytotoxicity effects of AgNPs were also observed. Taken together, the highest concentration of AgNPs (500 mg/L) could induce growth-suppressing activities via the induction of ROS generation and other molecular changes in B. rapa seedlings.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Export Promotion Technology Development Program, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Biotechnology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea Republic

    Venkidasamy Baskar, Jelli Venkatesh & Se Won Park

Authors
  1. Venkidasamy Baskar
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  2. Jelli Venkatesh
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  3. Se Won Park
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Se Won Park.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Henner Hollert

Highlights

• AgNPs acts as growth stimulator at lower concentrations.

• At higher concentrations, AgNPs exhibit growth retardation.

• AgNPs alters genes involved in glucosinolates, anthocyanin, and antioxidants.

• AgNPs showed concentration-dependent phytotoxicity ( ROS, MDA, chlorophyll contents).

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary figure 1

Characterization of silver nanoparticles using transmission electron microscopy. The size and morphology of silver nanoparticles. (TIFF 705 kb)

Supplementary figure 2

UV–vis absorption spectrum of AgNPs synthesized by Vitex negundo leaf extract taken at 1 to 15 days. (TIFF 77 kb)

Supplementary figure 3

Figure showing the in vivo formation of gradual reactive generation species (ROS) production in the roots of AgNPs treated of Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis seedlings examined with 3’-(p-hydroxyphenyl) fluorescein staining (4x magnification). The generation of ROS in the roots of B. rapa ssp. pekinensis seedlings treated with different concentrations (from a - d: 0,100, 250 and 500 mg/L) of silver nanoparticles. e - Showing the accumulation of ROS in the root hairs of B. rapa ssp. pekinensis seedlings. Five replicates were analyzed for each treatment. (TIFF 981 kb)

Supplementary figure 4

DNA fragmentation analysis of silver nanoparticles treated and untreated Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis seedlings; lane 1- 100bp marker DNA (100bp M), lane 2- control (C), lane 3-5 - AgNPs treatment at different concentrations (0, 100, 250 and 500 mg/L) and lane 6- 1 kb marker (M) DNA. (TIFF 582 kb)

Supplementary Table 1

Oligonucleotides used in this study. Gene sequences retrieved from Brassica database (BRAD) and National centre for Biotechnology (NCBI). (DOC 37 kb)

Supplementary Table 2

Metal uptake of Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis seedlings after 10 days of exposure (μg/L). Values indicate mean ± SD of three replicates per treatment. Significance indicated by P < 0.05. (DOC 27 kb)

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Baskar, V., Venkatesh, J. & Park, S.W. Impact of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles on the growth and physiological responses in Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis . Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 17672–17682 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4864-1

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