Title

Influence of CeO2 and ZnO nanoparticles on cucumber physiological markers and bioaccumulation of Ce and Zn: A Life Cycle Study

Publication Date

12-11-2013

Publication Name

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Document Type

Article

Abstract

With the dramatic increase in nanotechnologies, it has become increasingly likely that food crops will be exposed to excess engineered nanoparticles (NPs). In this study, cucumber plants were grown to full maturity in soil amended with either CeO2 or ZnO NPs at concentrations of 0, 400, and 800 mg/kg. Chlorophyll and gas exchange were monitored, and physiological markers were recorded. Results showed that, at the concentrations tested, neither CeO 2 nor ZnO NPs impacted cucumber plant growth, gas exchange, and chlorophyll content. However, at 800 mg/kg treatment, CeO2 NPs reduced the yield by 31.6% compared to the control (p ≤ 0.07). ICP-MS results showed that the high concentration treatments resulted in the bioaccumulation of Ce and Zn in the fruit (1.27 mg of Ce and 110 mg Zn per kg dry weight). μ-XRF images exhibited Ce in the leaf vein vasculature, suggesting that Ce moves between tissues with water flow during transpiration. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first holistic study focusing on the impacts of CeO 2 and ZnO NPs in the life cycle of cucumber plants. © 2013 American Chemical Society.

Volume

61

Issue

49

First Page

11945

Last Page

11951

DOI

10.1021/jf404328e

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