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The present research attempts to characterize the effect of low temperatures, and the moisture content of maize (Kosmo 230) meant for sowing on its energy and capacity to germinate. Seeds were moistened to varying degrees and stored under various conditions; then, their germination energy and capacity were assessed. Sowing material with 15% moisture content showed slightly declined germination ability when stored at −25-−20 • C for over three days, while the storage of seeds with a 25 and 30% moisture content at −5-0 • C for 1-3 days had the effect of seed conditioning. Seedlings obtained from conditioned seeds showed sustainability characterized by faster growth, and demonstrated nearly twice the size as other plants. Warehousing and storage of maize grains with a 11.12% moisture content at temperatures up to −25 • C did not significantly affect seed germination capacity or energy, irrespective of storage time.Sustainability 2020, 12, 46 2 of 10 Sustainability 2020, 12, 46 9 of 10 a reduction in the grains' moisture content before storage can greatly conserve its germination energy and ability during storage at low temperatures, in comparison with grain of higher moisture content. Author Contributions: Conceptualization, M.D.; formal analysis, F.K.; investigation, M.D. and K.K.; methodology, M.D. and B.Ś.-G.; project administration, M.D.; software, S.N.; supervision, F.K.; visualization, M.S.; writing-original draft, M.D.; writing-review and editing, D.G. and M.S. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. Funding: This research received no external funding. Conflicts of Interest:The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Metal nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly being used in many areas, e.g., industry, pharmacy, and biomedical engineering. NPs can be obtained through chemical and biological synthesis or using physical methods. AgNPs, AuNPs, CuNPs, FeNPs, MgNPs, SnO2NPs, TiO2NPs, and ZnONPs are the most commonly synthesized metal nanoparticles. Many of them have anti-microbial properties and documented activity supported by many tests against some species of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi. AgNPs, which are used for the production of commercial self-sterilizing packages, are one of the best-explored nanoparticles. Moreover, the EFSA has approved the use of small doses of silver nanoparticles (0.05 mg Ag·kg−1) to food products. Recent studies have shown that metal NPs can be used for the production of coatings to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has caused the global pandemic. Some nanoparticles (e.g., ZnONPs and MgONPs) have the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status, i.e., they are considered safe for consumption and can be used for the production of edible coatings, protecting food against spoilage. Promising results have been obtained in research on the use of more than one type of nanometals, which prevents the development of pathogen resistance through various mechanisms of inactivation thereof.

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