Shruti Budhani, Nzube Prisca Egboluche, Zikri Arslan, Hongtao Yu, Hua Deng
Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) exhibit size and concentration dependent toxicity to terrestrial plants, especially crops. AgNP exposure could decrease seed germination, inhibit seedling growth, affect mass and length of roots and shoots. The phytotoxic pathway has been partly understood. Silver (as element, ion or AgNP) accumulates in roots/leaves and triggers the defense mechanism at cellular and tissue levels, which alters metabolism, antioxidant activities and related proteomic expression. Botanical changes (either increase or decrease) in response to AgNP exposure include reactive oxygen species generation, superoxide dismutase activities, H2 O2 level, total chlorophyll, proline, carotenoid, ascorbate and glutathione contents, etc...
October 29, 2019: Journal of Environmental Science and Health. Part C, Environmental Carcinogenesis & Ecotoxicology Reviews