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Modulation of the toxic effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles by exogenous salicylic acid pretreatment in Chenopodium murale L.

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Abstract

Due to many uses of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in various industries, the release of these particles in the environment and their effects on living organisms is inevitable. In this study, the role of salicylic acid (SA) pretreatments in modulating the toxicity of ZnO NPs was investigated using a hydroponic system. After pretreatment with different concentrations of SA (0, 25, 75, and 150 μM), Chenopodium murale plants were exposed to ZnO NPs (50 mg L−1). The results showed that exogenous SA increased the length, weight, chlorophyll, proline, starch, and soluble sugars in the plants. Besides, SA pretreatments improved water status in the plants treated with ZnO NPs. In SA-pretreated plants, increased activity of catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was associated with a decline in electrolyte leakage (EL %) and membrane peroxidation. Under NPs stress, SA pretreatments increased the content of phenolic compounds by increasing the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). Exogenous SA reduced the translocation of larger amounts of Zn to the shoots, with more accumulation in the roots. This result can be used to produce healthy food from plants grown in environments contaminated with nanoparticles. It seems that all concentrations of SA reduced the symptoms of ZnO NPs toxicity in the plant by strengthening the function of the antioxidant system and increasing the content of some metabolites. Findings also suggest that SA pretreatment can compensate for the growth reduction caused by ZnO NPs.

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Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

ABA:

Abscisic acid

BR:

Brassinosteroids

CAT:

Catalase

Chl:

Chlorophyll

EL:

Electrolyte leakage

DW:

Dry weight

FW:

Fresh weight

GA:

Gibberellic acid

GPX:

Guaiacol peroxidase

H2O2 :

Hydrogen peroxide

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

PAL:

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase

PSB:

Phosphate buffer

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

RWC:

Relative water content

TBA:

Thiobarbituric acid

TFC:

Total flavonoid content

TPC:

Total phenol content

TCA:

Trichloroacetic acid

TW:

Turgid weight

SA:

Salicylic acid

SOD:

Superoxide dismutase

TF:

Translocation factor

ZnO NPs:

Zinc oxide nanoparticles

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Funding

This work was supported by the Research Affairs of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz (grant no. SCU.SB98.746).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

    Saadiyeh Taherbahrani & Parzhak Zoufan

  2. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

    Behrooz Zargar

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  1. Saadiyeh Taherbahrani
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  2. Parzhak Zoufan
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  3. Behrooz Zargar
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ST performed all the assessments related to growth and biochemical parameters; PZ designed and conducted the research, analyzed the data, and wrote the paper; BZ helped as consultant to carry out some chemical protocols. All authors revised the manuscript and approved submission of this work.

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Correspondence to Parzhak Zoufan.

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Taherbahrani, ., Zoufan, P. & Zargar, B. Modulation of the toxic effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles by exogenous salicylic acid pretreatment in Chenopodium murale L.. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 65644–65654 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-15566-y

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