Iron (III) oxide nanoparticles alleviate arsenic induced stunting in Vigna radiata

Nisha Shabnam, Minsoo Kim, Hyunook Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

Iron nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used for the removal of arsenic from water. In this study, we evaluated the interaction between arsenate (AsO4 3−) and Fe2O3-NPs on early seedling growth of Vigna radiata. Seedlings were raised in AsO4 3− and Fe2O3-NPs, alone and in combination. While Fe2O3-NPs slightly promoted seedling growth, AsO4 3− reduced seedling growth drastically. AsO4 3--induced decline in the seedling growth was recovered by Fe2O3-NPs. In contrast, equivalent concentrations of FeCl3, alone and together with AsO4 3−, inhibited seed germination completely. Lower arsenic content in seedlings raised in the presence of Fe2O3-NPs indicated that Fe2O3-NPs restricted arsenic uptake. Ability of Fe2O3-NPs to restrict the arsenic uptake of the seedlings was due to adsorption of AsO4 3−, as revealed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Non-toxic levels of iron in seedlings were due to restriction of Fe2O3-NPs to root-surface. AsO4 3− enhanced the ferric chelate reductase activity of root which was recovered by Fe2O3-NPs. The AsO4 3--induced oxidative stress, evident from high levels of proline, H2O2 and malondialdehyde, and lowered root oxidisability was ameliorated by Fe2O3-NPs. AsO4 3-induced enhancement in total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, and decline in guaiacol peroxidase activity were antagonized by Fe2O3-NPs. Our findings reveal that Fe2O3-NPs provide effective resistance/amelioration to arsenic toxicity by reducing arsenic availability to plants.

Original languageEnglish
Article number109496
JournalEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Volume183
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Nov 2019

Keywords

  • Arsenic
  • FeO nanoparticles
  • Oxidative stress
  • Vigna radiata

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