Abstract
This study aimed to provide new information about phyto-toxicology of nano-TiO2 on plant systems. To contribute to the evaluation of the potential harmful effects of the nanoparticles on monocots and dicots we considered their effects on seed germination and root elongation applying a concentration range from 0.2 to 4.0‰ in the plants Zea mays L. and Vicia narbonensis L. Moreover, we achieved a genotoxicity study at cytological level in root meristems by means of traditional cytogenetic approach, to evidence possible alterations in mitotic activity, chromosomal aberrations, and micronuclei release. From these analyses it comes out that nano-TiO2 particles, after short-term exposure and under our experimental conditions, delayed germination progression for the first 24 h in both materials. Root elongation was affected only after treatment with the higher nano-TiO2 concentration. Further significant effects were detected showing mitotic index reduction and concentration-dependent increase in the aberration emergence that evidenced a nano-TiO2-induced genotoxic effect for both species.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Battke F, Leopold K, Maier M, Schmidhalter U, Schuster M (2008) Palladium exposure of barley: uptake and effects. Plant Biol 10:272–276. doi:10.1111/j.1438-8677.2007.00017.x
Brunner TJ, Wick P, Manser P, Spohn P, Grass RN, Limbach LK, Bruinink A, Stark WJ (2006) In vitro cytotoxicity of oxide nanoparticles: comparison of asbestos, silica and the effect of particle solubility. Environ Sci Technol 40:4374–4381. doi:10.1021/es052069i
Doshi R, Braida W, Christodoulatos C, Wazne M, O’Connor G (2008) Nano-aluminium: transport through sand columns and environmental effects on plants and soil communities. Environ Research 106:296–303. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2007.04.006
Eichert T, Kurtz A, Steiner U, Goldbach HE (2008) Size exclusion limits and lateral heterogeneity of the stomatal foliar uptake pathway for aqueous solutes and water suspended nanoparticles. Physiol Plant 134:151–160. doi:10.1111/j.1399-3054.2008.01135.x
Hong F, Yang F, Liu C, Gao Q, Wan Z, Gu F, Wu C, Ma Z, Zhou J, Yang P (2005a) Influences of nano-TiO2 on the chloroplast aging of spinach under light. Biol Trace Element Res 104:249–260. doi:10.1385/BTER:104:3:249
Hong F, Zhou J, Liu C, Yang F, Wu C, Zheng L, Yang P (2005b) Effect of nano-TiO2 on photochemical reaction of chloroplasts of spinach. Biol Trace Element Res 105:269–279. doi:10.1385/BTER:105:1-3:269
International Council on Nanotechnology (2008) Towards Predicting Nano-Biointeractions: an international assessment of nanotechnology environment, health and safety research needs. Workshop report no. 4, Rice University, Houston
Khodakovskaya M, Dervishi E, Mahmood M, Xu Y, Li Z, Watanabe F, Biris AS (2009) Carbon nanotubes are able to penetrate plant seed coat and dramatically affect seed germination and plant growth. ACS Nano 3:3221–3227. doi:10.1021/nn900887m
Kumari M, Mukherjee A, Chandrasekaran N (2009) Genotoxicity of silver nanoparticles in Allium cepa. Sc Tot Environ 407:5243–5245. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.06.024
Lee WM, An YJ, Yoon H, Kweon HS (2008) Toxicity and bioavailability of copper nanoparticles to the terrestrial plants mung bean (Phaseolus radiatus) and wheat (Triticum aestivum): plant agar test for water-insoluble nanoparticles. Environ Toxicol Chem 27:1915–1921. doi:10.1897/07-481.1
Lin D, Xing B (2007) Phytotoxicity of nanoparticles: inhibition of seed germination and root growth. Environ Poll 150:243–250. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2007.01.016
Lin D, Xing B (2008) Root uptake and phytotoxicity of ZnO nanoparticles. Environ Sci Technol 42:5580–5585. doi:10.1021/es800422x
Lu CM, Zhang CY, Wen JQ, Wu GR, Tao MX (2002) Research of the effect of nanometer materials on germination and growth enhancement of Glicine max and its mechanism. Soybean Sci 21:168–172 (in Chinese)
Ma Y, Kuang L, He X, Bai W, Ding Y, Zhang Z, Zhao Y, Chai Z (2010) Effects of rare earth oxide nanoparticles on root elongation of plants. Chemosphere 78:273–279. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.10.050
Nel A, Xia T, Madler L, Li N (2006) Toxic potential of materials at the nanolevel. Science 311:622–627. doi:10.1126/science.1114397
Răcuciu M, Creangă DE (2009) Cytogenetical changes induced by β-Cyclodextrin coated nanoparticles in plant seeds. Rom J Phys Bucharest 54:125–131
Roco MC (2003a) Nanotechnology: convergence with modern biology and medicine. Curr Opin Biotechnol 14:337–346. doi:10.1016/S0958-1669(03)00068-5
Roco MC (2003b) Broader societal issues of nanotechnology. J Nanopart Res 5:181–189. doi:10.1023/A:1025548512438
Seeger EM, Baun A, Kästner M, Trapp S (2009) Insignificant acute toxicity of TiO2 nanoparticles to willow trees. J Soil Sediments 9:46–53. doi:10.1007/s11368-008-0034-0
Speranza A, Leopold K, Maier M, Taddei AR, Scoccianti V (2010) Pd-nanoparticles cause increased toxicity to kiwifruit pollen compared to soluble Pd(II). Environ Poll 158:873–882. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2009.09.022
Trouiller B, Reliene R, Westbrook A, Solaimani P, Schiestl RH (2009) Titanium dioxide nanoparticles induce DNA damage and genetic instability in vivo in mice. Cancer Res 69:8784–8789. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-09-2496
USEPA (1996) Ecological effects test guidelines (OPPTS 850.4200): Seed germination/root elongation toxicity test. http://www.epa.gov/opptsfrs/publications/OPPTS_Harmonized/850_Ecological_Effects_Tests_Guidelines/drafts/850-4200.pdf
USEPA (2007) Nanotechnology white paper. 100/B-07/001. http://www.epa.gov/osa/pdfs/nanotech/epa-nanotechnology-whitepaper-0207.pdf
Venora G, Blangiforti S, Ruffini Castiglione M, Pignone D, Lo Savio F, Cremonini R (2002) Chromatin organisation and computer aided karyotyping of Triticum durum Desf cv Timilia. Caryologia 55:91–98
Yang L, Watts DJ (2005) Particle surface characteristics may play an important role in phytotoxicity of alumina nanoparticles. Toxicol Lett 158:122–132. doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2005.03.003
Yang F, Hong F, You W, Liu C, Gao F, Wu C, Yang P (2006) Influences of nano-anatase TiO2 on the nitrogen metabolism of growing spinach. Biol Trace Elem Res 110:179–190. doi:10.1385/BTER:110:2:179
Zheng L, Hong F, Lu S, Liu C (2005) Effect of nano-TiO2 on strength of naturally aged seeds and growth of spinach. Biol Trace Elem Res 106:279–297. doi:10.1385/BTER:104:1:083
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ruffini Castiglione, M., Giorgetti, L., Geri, C. et al. The effects of nano-TiO2 on seed germination, development and mitosis of root tip cells of Vicia narbonensis L. and Zea mays L. J Nanopart Res 13, 2443–2449 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-010-0135-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-010-0135-8