Detection of NO3− introduced in plasma-irradiated dry lettuce seeds using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization quantum mass spectrometry (LC-ESI QMS)

Abstract

Discharge plasma irradiates seeds with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). However, RONS introduced in seeds by plasma irradiation have not been successfully detected thus far. This study provides experimental evidence that nitrate ion NO3− is introduced in lettuce seeds as RONS upon irradiation with atmospheric-pressure air dielectric barrier discharge plasma. Plasma irradiation for 5 min promotes seed germination. The components of the plasma-irradiated seeds were examined using electrospray ionization quantum mass spectrometry (ESI QMS), which revealed that the plasma irradiation introduced an ion with a mass of 62 m/z in detectable amounts. This ion was identified as NO3− by liquid chromatography (LC), multiple wavelength detector (MWD), and LC-ESI QMS. A one-dimensional simulation at electron temperature Te = 1 eV, electron density Ne = 1013/m3, and gas temperature Tg = 300 K indicated the introduction of NO3−, involving nitric oxide NO. NO3− is one of the most important ions that trigger signal transduction for germination when introduced in seeds. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that there was no change on the surface of the seeds after plasma irradiation. Plasma irradiation is an effective method of introducing NO3− in seeds in a dry process without causing damage.

Cold Plasma-Induced Changes in Stevia rebaudiana Morphometric and Biochemical Parameter Correlations

“…The reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) formed in plasma are involved in a variety of seed processes, including maturation, ageing, and germination, followed by seedling growth [33,34]; however, the uptake of RONS from plasma by seeds was not detected until recently. RONS introduction to seeds by similar DBD plasma as used in this study was recently demonstrated by Okumura et al [35]. The study provided experimental evidence obtained by LC-MS that nitrate ion NO 3 − is introduced in lettuce seeds as RONS upon irradiation with atmospheric pressure air DBD plasma.…”

Influence of Electric Potential-Induced by Atmospheric Pressure Plasma on Cell Response

“…Recently, atmospheric-pressure plasma has been intensively investigated for biomedical [1][2][3][4] , such as the inactivation of bacteria including antibiotic-resist germs, fungi, spores or viruses and the hemostasis [5][6][7][8] , and agricultural applications [9][10][11][12] , such as germination enhancement, subsequent growth improvement and DNA methylation alterations of plant seeds [13][14][15] . Hence, the plasma irradiation can be applied in medical and agricultural treatments.…”

Mechanisms for introducing 250 kDa fluorescent molecules and Cas9/sgRNA into plant cells by plasma treatment

“…[11][12][13] However, gene expression and phytohormone content analysis recently revealed that plasma affects germination-related factors. [14][15][16][17][18] On the other hand, due to the growing expectation for plant breeding by genome editing, molecular transfer into plant cells by plasma treatment has also been reported. Our group has established the microplasma method as a gene and molecule transfection technology in animal cells, [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] and its application in plant cells is under investigation.…”