What is Nanoscience?
Nanoscience is the study of the characteristics of materials with sizes ranging from 1nm to 100nm. Plant nanobionics is an important discipline in determining the fate of coming generations. This is the effect of nanotechnology interacting with biological plants to provide them with changed and efficient properties, leading to increased productivity.
Nanotoxicology
Nanotoxicology is the study of the toxicity of nanoparticles. The study of the toxicity of plant nanobionics has focused on the purposeful or unintentional exposure of Nanomaterials to food crops. Plant bionics research can also be recognized through unintentional or oblique exposure. The toxicity of nanoparticles is determined by a number of parameters, including particle concentration, size, surface area, and charge, as well as application procedures and plant species. The usage of high concentrations of nano-sized materials has consequences for plants.
Types of Nanomaterials
Nanomaterials are classified into four broad classes depending on their size, chemical characteristics, and morphology: metal nanoparticles (NPs), carbon-based nanomaterials (NMs), polymeric nanomaterials (NMs), and hybrid nanomaterials (NMs). Metallic nanomaterials ionize more easily than bulk metal components of the same metal. Nanomaterials can come from nature or be created as a result of human activity. In laboratories, engineered nanoparticles utilized in plant nanobionics are created and synthesized.
Biological Effects of Nanomaterials
Toxic chemicals and materials can create a negative immune response or behave as a poison. Inflammation would result if a nanomaterial was immobile.
Nanomaterials can be harmful if any of the following conditions are met:
1. A substance with a large surface area would have been split and scattered as in Nanoparticles sizes.
2. Nanoparticles are more chemically reactive than other forms of the same substance.
3. Because of their micro size, nanoparticles are capable of penetrating structures and eliminating biological barriers.
There isn’t enough information on what Nanoparticles do once they’re inside a living cell. They may accelerate some events or have a negative impact on others, such as denature soluble proteins.
The Role of Physicochemical Properties in Nanobionic Toxicity
1. Size-dependent toxicity:
The size of nanoparticles may change the harmful consequences. Cytotoxicity occurs when the surface of nanoparticles interacts with biological components. The surface area of nanoparticles increases exponentially as their diameter decreases. Even if they have the same form and content, nanoparticles can have varying levels of toxicity due to particle sizes and surfaces.
2. Surface-dependent toxicity:
Biological toxicity of nanobionics occurs as a result of changes in band gaps, inflammation, and cytotoxicity caused by surface area and charges on nanoparticles. Nanoparticles with smaller sizes have faster bio-activities.
3. Shape-dependent toxicity:
In one study, the effects of different forms of AgNPs on alveolar epithelial cells were explored, and the results indicated aggregation of Ag+ ions in the cytoplasm.
The shapes or morphologic characteristics of nanoparticles influence cellular absorption.
Nanomaterials’ Applications in Plant Growth
Metal, metal oxide, and carbon-based nanomaterials have been utilized to increase crop yields. Nanomaterials have been shown in studies to have an effect on plant life cycles at all stages.
Toxic Effects of Nanomaterials in Plants Growth
Many different types of nanoparticles or nanomaterials are used in plant nanobionics, but the most important ones are:
1. Carbon Nanomaterials
2. Nanomaterials based on metals
Absorption of nanomaterials in plants most likely occurs via the surfaces of the roots, and uptake of those chemicals occurs from the roots to the shoot and then to the leaves. The translocation of nanomaterials is influenced by the cell wall. Negatively charged nanoparticles can rapidly translocate inside plants, resulting in lower phytotoxicity when compared to positively charged nanomaterials.
Nanomaterials can infiltrate the nucleus of cells, as well as the mitochondria and chloroplasts of plants, and may interact directly with DNA, RNA, and protein. Direct engagement might result in mechanical infraction and damage to the cell membrane and cell wall.
Phytotoxic Effects of Nanomaterials
A major source of concern is phytotoxicity. Surface chemical components may activate Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which can cause oxidative stress and initiate cytotoxic and genotoxic responses in plant structures. These responses have the potential to disrupt redox-regulated physiological processes occurring within the cell. Plant growth and yielding values are reduced as a result.
Physiological and Biochemical Responses to Nanomaterials
Nanomaterial toxicity is caused by a variety of biochemical, physiological, and molecular features. Higher concentrations of nanomaterials may also have an effect on changes in oxygen-evolving activities, inhibit chlorophyll components, result in reduced transpiration and photosynthetic activities, and have a role in electron transport reduction. Nanomaterials can also bond to DNA, causing it to distort. As a result, the phytotoxicity levels of nanomaterials and nanoparticles may differ at different molecular, physiological, and chemical levels.
Nanomaterial Toxicity on Plant Structure
Leaf:
Researchers discovered 43nm as the size exclusion restriction of nanoparticles penetration for the stomata. Because of their varied characteristics, carbon-based nanomaterials are likely to penetrate leaves and translocate to roots. For metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, for example, Fe3O4-NPs have been shown to disrupt photosynthetic processes.
Roots:
The toxicity of nanomaterials on germination has been established. Depending on the physicochemical features of nanoparticles, several plant species can absorb nanoparticles from their roots and then translocate them up into stems and leaves. If nanoparticles enter cells and their organelles, they can cause cytotoxicity or produce chemical changes in the surrounding media. They can also disrupt root absorption systems.
Reproductive system:
A study in which tomato plants’ sexual reproduction system was treated with a low concentration of CeO2 nanoparticles revealed that the plants generated poor progeny while also exhibiting oxidative stress symptoms and an increased ability to accumulate Ceria.
Some of the most common effects of nanobionics toxicity on plants are as follows:
- • Cause cell-wall blockage, affecting nutrient uptake.
- • Nanoparticles can form complexes with macromolecules.
- • Immovable Nanoparticles generate site inflammation.
- • Induce oxidative stress
- • Changes in cell shape
- • Inflict epigenetic modifications
- • Nanoparticles (NPs) can behave as pollution transporters inside the plant system.
- • The accumulation of NPs on photosynthetic components of plants impedes photosynthesis and transpiration processes.
- • Nanoparticles produce Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).
- • Inhibit xylem, which affects water movement and nutrient uptake in plants.
- • Metal pollution is carried and returned by Nanoparticles.
- • Serve as physical impediments in interior plant structures.
TOXICITY OF NANOBIONICS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Nanotechnology is a futuristic discipline and, as a result, a highly debated science field because of its many good and negative ramifications. Many scientists are concerned about nano-pollution. The study of matter at the nanoscale scale is known as nanotechnology.
Various studies have discovered the accumulation of nanoparticles in soil and aquatic systems.
Natural And Anthropogenic Sources of Nanoparticles
Conclusion and Summary
Despite its negative outcomes, plant nanobionics offers the potential for new and better applications in the future. With the development and advancement of nanotechnology, it is critical to assess and monitor environmental implications. Nanomaterials used in commercial items have the potential to enter our bodies through a variety of routes. Manufacturing sites, transportation accidents, waste-water treatment plants, and other sources of nanoparticles have been identified in aquatic habitats. Their presence in aquatic biota is a concerning sign.
The usage of nano fertilizers in agriculture, as well as their long-term effects on plants, crops, and other species, has yet to be thoroughly researched. There is insufficient study data to evaluate the hazards of diverse nanomaterials.
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