Phytotoxicity, Translocation, and Biotransformation of NaYF₄Upconversion Nanoparticles in a Soybean Plant

Abstract

The increasing uses of rare-earth-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have obviously caused many concerns about their potential toxicology on live organisms. In addition, the UCNPs can be released into the environment, then transported into edible crop plants, and finally entered into food chain. Here, the soybean is chosen as a model plant to study the subchronic phytotoxicity, translocation, and biotransformation of NaYF4 UCNPs. The incubation with UCNPs at a relative low concentration of 10 μg mL(-1) leads to growth promotion for the roots and stems, while concentration exceeding 50 μg mL(-1) brings concentration-dependent inhibition. Upconversion luminescence imaging and scanning electron microscope characterization show that the UCNPs can be absorbed by roots and parts of the adsorbed UCNPs are then transported through vessels to stems and leaves. The near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectra reveal that the adsorbed NaYF4 nanoparticles are relatively stable during a 10 d incubation. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum further indicates that a small amount of NaYF4 is dissolved/digested and can transform into Y-phosphate clusters in roots.

Upconversion nanocomposites for photo-based cancer theranostics

“…Yin and coworkers chose soybean as a model plant, and investigated the subchronic phytotoxicity, translocation and biotransformation of UCNPs. 140 They found that relative low concentration of UCNPs (10 µg/mL) led to growth promotion for roots and stems, while high concentration of UCNPs (exceed 10 µg/mL) had inhibition effect on the growth of plant during the subchronic incubation time for 22 d.…”

Influence of Luminescent Nanomaterials on Plant Growth and Development

“…However, none of the aforementioned works considered the biotransformation of UCNPs in plants, which could be one of the critical factors affecting plant toxicity. To solve this problem, Yin et al [78] . investigated the toxicity, translocation, and biotransformation of the PEI‐modified NaYF 4 : Yb, Er UCNPs in plants, and using soybean as a model plant.…”

Influence of GdVO4:Eu3+nanocrystals on growth, germination, root cell viability and oxidative stress of wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) seedlings

“…However, some authors have shown no negative consequences or even biostimulating effect of NPs on plants including oat ( Avena sativa L.), corn ( Zea mays L.), tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum L.), cress ( Lepidium sativum ), white mustard ( Sinapis alba ) sorghum ( Sorghum saccharatum ), lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L.) and wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) (24–28). The positive effect occurred mainly at low concentrations and was reversed at higher doses of NPs (16,17). The improvement of growth may be caused by more effective uptake of water or nutrients in plants exposed to NPs (17,26,29), as well as interference with the toxic metals taken up from the medium (30,31).…”