Physiological Effects of Silver Nanoparticles and Silver Nitrate Toxicity in Triticum aestivum

摘要

Nowadays, nanoparticles (NPs), especially silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), are introduced in a growing number of commercial products and their production is released into the environment and may adversely influence on organisms. Up to now, limited studies are available about toxicity effects of NPs on higher plants. In this work, the effects of AgNPs in comparison with silver nitrate (AgNO3) on some physiological parameters of the wheat (Triticum aestivum) were investigated. Silver nanoparticles and AgNO3 at 10 and 100 mg(-1) L concentrations significantly decreased the fresh and dry weight of roots and shoots. The results showed that AgNPs and AgNO3 decreased plant tissue chlorophyll "a'' and "b,'' carotenoid and total protein contents of the leaves significantly. Both AgNO3 and AgNPs treatments also increased the amount of proline, lipid peroxidation and catalase activity of wheat seedling tissues. Results of this work revealed that exposure to silver nanoparticles and silver ions might cause negative aspects and toxicity problems in plants.