Comparisons of the Effect of Different Metal Oxide Nanoparticles on the Root and Shoot Growth under Shaking and Non-Shaking Incubation, Different Plants, and Binary Mixture Conditions

Abstract

We evaluated the toxicity of five metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) in single or binary mixtures based on root and shoot growth of two plant species under non-shaking and shaking conditions. The effects of NPs on root and shoot growth differed depending on the NP type, incubation condition, and plant type. The half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of NPs based on root growth were significantly lower, by 2.6–9.8 times, under shaking than non-shaking conditions (p = 0.0138). The magnitude of the effects of NPs followed the order CuO > ZnO > NiO >> Al2O3, TiO2. In addition, Lactuca sativa L. was more sensitive to the tested NPs than Raphanus sativus L., with an EC50 0.2–0.7 times lower (p = 0.0267). The observed effects of 12 combinations of binary NP mixtures were slightly, albeit non-significantly, lower than expected, indicative of an additive effect of the individual NPs in the mixtures. The results emphasize the importance of careful plant model selection, appropriate application of incubation conditions, and consideration of chemical mixtures rather than single compounds when evaluating the effects of metal oxide NPs.

Metal and metal oxide nanoparticle toxicity: moving towards a more holistic structure–activity approach

“…The dataset used in this work consists of 935 measurements for half maximal effective (EC 50 ), inhibitory (IC 50 ), and lethal (LC 50 ) concentration toxicity endpoints, obtained from 70 published research papers. 32–37,40–42,55–115 Although most SAR models are built using a specific endpoint, the inclusion of these different half maximal concentrations within the same dataset has been previously addressed. 43,46 The data incorporates measurements for 35 different metal/semimetal oxide and 10 metal nanoparticles (NPs).…”

Integrated Approaches for Adsorption and Incorporation Testing of Green-Synthesized TiO2NPs Mediated by Seed-Priming Technology in Punica granatum L.

“…The physical adsorption of TiO 2 NPs on specific regions of the seed is associated with the formation of distinct shapes and clustering of agglomerates [46,47]. The accumulation on the seed surface could be attributed to mechanical adhesion or diffusion, as previously observed with other metal oxide nanoparticles, e.g., ZnO, CeO 2, or CuO [48][49][50]. The generated EDX analysis of the elementary composition coincides with the FTIR spectrum, which revealed a higher number of sharp peaks and broad bands of TiO 2 NPs_CE compared to TiO 2 NPs_PPE.…”

Editorial for the Special Issue “Biological and Toxicological Studies of Nanoparticles”

“…Finally, ecotoxicology was not forgotten, as Kong compared the effect of metal oxide nanoparticles on the growth and roots of two species of plants [ 14 ].…”