Physiological Response, Oxidative Stress Assessment and Aquaporin Genes Expression of Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Exposed to Hyper-Harmonized Fullerene Water Complex

Abstract

The rapid production and numerous applications of nanomaterials warrant the necessity and importance of examining nanoparticles in terms to their environmental and biological effects and implications. In this study, the effects of a water-soluble hyper-harmonized hydroxyl-modified fullerene (3HFWC) on cherry tomato seed germination, seedlings growth, physiological response and fruiting was evaluated. Changes in the photosynthetic pigments content, oxidative stress assessment, and aquaporin genes expression in cherry tomato plants were studied after during short- and long-term continuous exposure to 3HFWC nanosubstance (200 mg/L). Increased levels of photosynthetic pigments in leaves, lycopene in fruits, decreased levels of hydrogen peroxide content, activation of cellular antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase and increased aquaporin gene expression (PIP1;3, PIP1;5 and PIP2;4) were observed in 3HFWC nanosubstance-exposed plants in comparison to control, untreated cherry tomato plants. The 3HFWC nanosubstance showed positive effects on cherry tomato seed germination, plantlet growth and lycopene content in fruits and may be considered as a promising nanofertilizer.

Synergistic impact of nanomaterials and plant probiotics in agriculture: A tale of two-way strategy for long-term sustainability

“…The genes involved in drought tolerance, such as “ P5CS ,” “ CAT1 ,” and “ DREB2 ,” related to “proline biosynthesis,” “catalase activity,” and “dehydration-responsive element-binding proteins,” respectively, were highly expressed in wheat by the application of zinc oxide NPs to mitigate the drastic effect of drought in plants ( Raeisi Sadati et al, 2022 ). Recently, Subotić et al (2022) reported higher expression of aquaporin genes ( PIP1;3 , PIP1;5 , and PIP2;4 ) related to water and solute transportation across the plant membrane in tomatoes by exposing them to a nanosubstance, i.e., hyper-harmonized hydroxyl-modified fullerene (3HFWC). Phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, have defensible importance in plants under stress conditions, and their biosynthesis is increased under drought conditions ( Amirifar et al, 2022 ).…”

Comparative Studies of the Structural and Physicochemical Properties of the First Fullerene Derivative FD-C60 (Fullerenol) and Second Fullerene Derivate SD-C60 (3HFWC)

“…Experimental results with SD-C 60 (3HFWC) in the field of biomedicine, agriculture, and cosmetics have shown desirable effects. Specifically, effects on melanoma [ 22 , 23 , 24 ], an influence on Alzheimer’s disease [ 25 ], a reduction of pain and improved memory in mice [ 26 ], the formation of hydrogen peroxide in tomatoes, and an increase in lycopene and regulation on the flow of water from the extracellular space into the cell [ 27 ]. Most of the current methods and techniques in the fight against cancer are of a destructive nature, destroying diseased cells, and therefore also healthy ones that are in the immediate environment.…”

“…Bearing in mind the increasing interest for the application of both FD-C 60 (fullerenol) [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ] and SD-C 60 (3HFWC) [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ] in biomedicine and cosmetics, it is necessary to present a comparative physicochemical characterization of them. There are several studies that present the physicochemical characteristics of fullerenol [ 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ], but since fullerenol can have a different number of OH groups (usually from 12 to 48), there can be significant differences in the properties of fullerenol.…”