TiO2 nanoparticles in a biosolid-amended soil and their implication in soil nutrients, microorganisms and Pisum sativum nutrition.

The wide use of nanoparticles (NPs), gives concern about their possible negative implications in the environment and living organisms. In particular, titanium dioxide (TiO2) NPs are accumulated in biosolids (Bs) coming from wastewater treatment plants, which in turn are used as farm soil amendments and are becoming an important way of NPs entrance in the terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, to simulate a low and cumulative load of TiO2 NPs, 80 and 800 mg TiO2per Kg of soil were spiked in the Bs prior to its addition to soil. The effects of different crystal phases of TiO2 NPs (pure anatase and pure rutile or their mixture) and their non-coated bulk counterparts (larger particles) on the availability of mineral nutrients and on the status of the bacterial communities together with the nutritional status of Pisum sativum L. plants were evaluated. Results showed the reduction, to different extents, on the availability of important soil mineral nutrients (e.g. Mn 65%, Fe 20%, P 27%, averagely), in some cases size- (e.g. P) and dose-dependent. Bacterial biodiversity was also affected by the presence of high TiO2 dose in soil. The mineral nutrition of pea plants was also altered, showing the main reduction in Mn (80% in the roots and 50% in the shoots), K, Zn, P (respectively, 80, 40, and 35% in the roots), and an increase of N in the shoots, with possible consequences on the quality of the crop. The present study gives new integrated data on the effects of TiO2 NPs in the soil-plant system, on the soil health and on the nutritional quality of crops, rising new implications for future policies and human health.

Phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity in four Italian traditional maize (Zea mays L.) varieties.

Flours of four pigmented (from orange to red and dark red) local Italian corns, studied for their soluble, soluble conjugate, and insoluble-bound phenols and flavonoids, showed a prevalence of the insoluble-bound fraction (70-80%). Correlations were found between the flours antioxidant capacity, measured with CUPRAC, FRAP, and DPPH methods, and soluble phenols and flavonoids content. A correlation was also found between ascorbic acid content and flours antioxidant power. Anthocyanins were present in small amounts in the red/dark red seeds; however, acid-alcohol assays and spectral analyses of pericarp extracts indicated the presence of red-brick phlobaphenes in these varieties. Spectrophotometrically quantified total carotenoids were significantly higher in one of the local varieties (Nano); RP-HPLC analyses indicated that the local varieties contained significantly higher amounts of zeaxanthin and ß-carotene, and lower amounts of lutein, than a commercial line. Among local varieties, Nano expressed the highest levels of zeaxanthin, ß-carotene, and ß-cryptoxanthin.

The impact of polystyrene nanoplastics on plants in the scenario of increasing temperatures: The case of Azolla filiculoides Lam.

There are great concerns for the accumulation in the environment of small dimension plastics, such as micro- and nanoplastics. Due to their small size, which facilitates their uptake by organisms, nanoplastics are of particular concern. The toxic effects of nanoplastics on plants are already reported in the literature, however nothing is known, to date, about the possible effects of climate change, in particular of increasing temperatures, on their toxicity for plants. To address this issue, plants of the water fern Azolla filiculoides were grown at optimal (25 °C) or high (35 °C) temperature, with or without polystyrene nanoplastics, and the effects of these stressors were assessed using a multidisciplinary approach. Green fluorescent polystyrene nanoplastics were used to track their possible uptake by A. filiculoides. The development and physiology of our model plant was adversely affected by both nanoplastics and high temperatures. Overall, histological, morphological, and photosynthetic parameters worsened under co-treatment, in accordance with the increased uptake of nanoplastics under higher temperature, as observed by fluorescence images. Based on our findings, the concern regarding the potential for increased toxicity of pollutants, specifically nanoplastics, at high temperatures is well-founded and warrants attention as a potential negative consequence of climate change. Additionally, there is cause for concern regarding the increase in nanoplastic uptake at high temperatures, particularly if this phenomenon extends to food and feed crops, which could lead to greater entry into the food chain.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles enhance the detrimental effect of polystyrene nanoplastics on cell and plant physiology of Vicia lens (L.) Coss. & Germ. seedlings.

Polystyrene nanoplastics and titanium dioxide nanoparticles are widely spread in all environments, often coexisting within identical frameworks. Both these contaminants can induce negative effects on cell and plant physiology, giving concerns on their possible interaction which could increase each other's harmful effects on plants. Despite the urgency of this issue, there is very little literature addressing it. To evaluate the potential risk of this co-contamination, lentil seeds were treated for five days with polystyrene nanoplastics and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (anatase crystalline form), alone and in co-presence. Cytological analyses, and histochemical and biochemical evaluation of oxidative stress were carried out on isolated shoots and roots. TEM analysis seemed to indicate the absence of physical/chemical interactions between the two nanomaterials. Seedlings under cotreatment showed the greatest cytotoxic and genotoxic effects and high levels of oxidative stress markers associated with growth inhibition. Even if biochemical data did not evidence significant differences between materials treated with polystyrene nanoplastics alone or in co-presence with titanium dioxide nanoparticles, histochemical analysis highlighted a different pattern of oxidative markers, suggesting a synergistic effect by the two nanomaterials. In accordance, the fluorescence signal linked to nanoplastics in root and shoot was higher under cotreatment, perhaps due to the well-known ability of titanium dioxide nanoparticles to induce root tissue damage, in this way facilitating the uptake and translocation of polystyrene nanoplastics into the plant body. In the antioxidant machinery, peroxidase activity showed a significant increase in treated roots, in particular under cotreatment, probably more associated with stress-induced lignin synthesis than with hydrogen peroxide detoxification. Present results clearly indicate the worsening by metal nanoparticles of the negative effects of nanoplastics on plants, underlining the importance of research considering the impact of cotreatments with different nanomaterials, which may better reflect the complex environmental conditions.

Stress responses of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa to environmentally relevant concentrations of pharmaceutical ibuprofen: Ecological implications.

Pharmaceuticals like ibuprofen (IBU) entering marine environments are of great concern due to their increasing consumption and impact on wildlife. No information on IBU toxicity to seagrasses is yet available. Seagrasses form key habitats and are threatened worldwide by multiple stressors. Here, the responses of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa to a short-term exposure (12 days) to environmentally realistic IBU concentrations (0.25-2.5-25 µg L-1), both at organism (plant growth) and sub-organism level (oxidative status, photosynthetic efficiency, and specialized metabolites production), were assessed in mesocosm. Chemical analyses to detect the presence of IBU and its metabolites in seawater and plants were also performed. IBU did not affect plant growth but caused physiological alterations which varied in severity depending on its concentration. Concentrations of 0.25 and 2.5 µg L-1 resulted in oxidative stress, but an increased antioxidant enzyme activity enabled plants to tolerate stress. A concentration of 25 µg L-1 caused greater oxidative stress, reduced antioxidant enzyme activity and specialized metabolites production, and impaired photosynthetic machinery functioning (particularly PSII). IBU was detected in seawater but not in plants suggesting no bioaccumulation. These findings indicate that C. nodosa could not withstand high IBU stress, and this could reduce its resilience to additional environmental stressors.

Polystyrene nanoplastics affect seed germination, cell biology and physiology of rice seedlings in-short term treatments: Evidence of their internalization and translocation.

Agroecosystems represent more and more a huge long-term sink for plastic compounds which inevitably undergo fragmentation, generating micro- and nano-plastics, with potential adverse effects on soil chemistry and living organisms. The present work was focused on the short-term effects of two different concentrations of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) (0.1 or 1 g L-1 suspensions) on rice seedlings starting from seed germination, hypothesizing that possible acute effects on seedlings could depend on oxidative damage trigged by PSNPs internalization. As shown by TEM analysis, PSNPs were absorbed by roots and translocated to the shoots, affected root cell ultrastructure, the germination process, seedling growth and root mitotic activity, inducing cytogenetic aberration. Treatments were not correlated with increase in oxidative stress markers, but rather with a different pattern of their localization both in roots and in shoots, impairing H2O2 homeostasis and membrane damage, despite the adequate antioxidant response recorded. The harmful effects of PSNPs on cell biology and physiology of rice seedlings could be caused not only by a direct action by the PSNPs but also by changes in the production/diffusion of ROS at the tissue/cellular level.

Early evidence of the impacts of microplastic and nanoplastic pollution on the growth and physiology of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa.

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are ubiquitous in natural habitats and the risks their presence poses to marine environments and organisms are of increasing concern. There is evidence that seagrass meadows are particularly prone to accumulate plastic debris, including polystyrene particles, but the impacts of this pollutant on seagrass performance are currently unknown. This is a relevant knowledge gap as seagrasses provide multiple ecosystem services and are declining globally due to anthropogenic impact and climate-change-related stressors. Here, we explored the potential effects of a 12 day-exposure of seagrasses to one concentration (68 µg/L) of polystyrene MPs and NPs on the growth, oxidative status, and photosynthetic efficiency of plants using the foundation species Cymodocea nodosa as a model. Among plant organs, adventitious roots were particularly affected by MPs and NPs showing complete degeneration. The number of leaves per shoot was lower in MPs- and NPs-treated plants compared to control plants, and leaf loss exceeded new leaf production in MPs-treated plants. MPs also reduced photochemical efficiency and increased pigment content compared to control plants. Shoots of NPs-treated plants showed a greater oxidative damage and phenol content than those of control plants and MPs-treated plants. Biochemical data about oxidative stress markers were consistent with histochemical results. The effects of MPs on C. nodosa could be related to their adhesion to plant surface while those of NPs to entering tissues. Our study provides the first experimental evidence of the potential harmful effects of MPs/NPs on seagrass development. It also suggests that the exposure of seagrasses to MPs/NPs in natural environments could have negative consequences on the functioning of seagrass ecosystems. This stresses the importance of implementing cleaning programs to remove all plastics already present in marine habitats as well as of undertaking specific actions to prevent the introduction of these pollutants within seagrass meadows.

Effect of Zinc Priming on Salt Response of Wheat Seedlings: Relieving or Worsening?

In an attempt to alleviate salt-induced damage, the application of ZnO nanoparticles has been suggested. As the use of these particles has also been associated with phytotoxicity, to better clarify the effect of zinc and its possible mitigation of salt stress, we treated wheat seedlings with ZnO (nanoparticles or their bulk-scale counterparts, amended either in the growth medium, NPs and B, or sprayed on the leaves, SPNPs and SPB) with or without subsequent treatment with salt. Growth, photosynthetic parameters, zinc and ion concentration, and in situ and biochemical determination of oxidative stress in wheat leaves and/or in roots were considered. Both Zn and NaCl significantly inhibited growth and induced severe alterations in root morphology. Oxidative stress and damage decreased or increased under ZnO treatment and in saline conditions depending on the organ and on the size and mode of application of particles. In spite of the higher stress conditions often recorded in treated leaves, neither pigment concentration nor photochemical efficiency were decreased. A large variability in the effects of ZnO treatment/priming on seedling salt response was recorded; however, the presence of a cumulative negative effect of priming and salt stress sometimes observed calls for caution in the use of ZnO in protection from saline stress.

Exploring the interaction between polystyrene nanoplastics and Allium cepa during germination: Internalization in root cells, induction of toxicity and oxidative stress.

With the aim to investigate the mechanisms of action of nano plastics (nano PS) on plants, seeds of Allium cepa were germinated for 72 h in the presence of polystyrene nano PS (50 nm size, at concentrations of 0.01, 0.1 and 1 g L-1) and, subsequently, roots were analysed by a multifaceted approach. No effect was induced by any concentration of nano PS on the percentage of seed germination while root growth was inhibited by 0.1 and 1 g L-1 nano PS. Cytological analysis of the root meristems indicated cytotoxicity (reduction of mitotic index) and genotoxicity (induction of cytogenetic anomalies and micronuclei) starting from the lowest dose. Moreover, the biochemical and histochemical analysis of oxidative stress markers gave evidence of stress induction, especially at the highest doses. Damages reported could be due to mechanical surface contact in root external layers, as evidenced by histological localization, and to the internalization of nano PS in different cellular compartments, observed under TEM. The present research underlines the hazardous nature of nano PS, that for their ability to be internalized into crop plants, can enter into different trophic levels of the food chain.

Study of functional and physiological response of co-occurring shrub species to the Mediterranean climate.

The Mediterranean basin is characterised by increasingly dry summers and the study of the adaptive traits developed by plants living in this stressful environment is of great interest, also in relation to climate projections for this area. Cistus monspeliensis, Myrtus communis and Phillyrea angustifolia are three co-occurring shrubs typical of the Mediterranean maquis. Their functional and physiological parameters were studied in spring, summer and autumn in order to highlight adjustments of these traits and to test eventual different adaptive strategies. Soil and leaf chemical characteristics were determined in the different seasons. Leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, succulence index, pigment contents hydric status and main markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant response were detected. The stressful summer season induced disturbance in hydric balance, decrease in succulence index and chlorophyll content and high contents of hydrogen peroxide. Thanks to higher enzymatic activities and total glutathione content, in the two evergreen species M. communis and P. angustifolia oxidative damage remained at levels equal to or lower than the other seasons. Only in the semideciduous C. monspeliensis both functional and biochemical traits showed a higher stress condition in summer. The higher stability of functional traits in the two evergreen species may be explained by the sclerophyllous nature of their leaves. Four environmental variables - Tmax, Tmin, soil conductivity and organic matter - mostly influenced NMDS segregation of these species.

Modulation of the defence responses against Cd in willow species through a multifaceted analysis.

Willow, due to the extensive root system, high transpiration rates and ability to accumulate large amounts of cadmium, is considered particularly useful for green remediation practices. In this study two different willow species, Salix viminalis and Salix alba, were used to assess possible differences in their ability of cadmium accumulation and to analyse in detail the physiology of their response to treatments with this metal using a multidisciplinary approach. Plants were grown in hydroponics and treated with 0, 50 and 100 µM Cd2+ (CdCl2) for 7 and 14 days. Cadmium content, oxidative stress, both evaluated by biochemical and histochemical techniques, antioxidant response, leaf stomatal conductance and photosynthetic efficiency were measured in control and treated roots and/or leaves. The two willow species removed cadmium with a high efficiency from the growth solution; however, the highest contents of Cd recorded in plants grown in the presence of the lower Cd concentrations suggest a limited capacity of metal accumulation. No photochemical limitation characterised treated plants, probably due to the ability to store large amounts of Cd in the root compartment, with reduction of damage to the photosynthetic machinery. S. viminalis, able to uptake cadmium also in the root apical region, seemed to be a more efficient accumulator than S. alba and, thanks to a relatively higher antioxidant response, did not show a higher level of oxidative stress. On the basis of the above, the two plant species, in particular S. viminalis, are confirmed as useful for cadmium phytostabilisation/phytoextraction.

TiO2 nanoparticles may alleviate cadmium toxicity in co-treatment experiments on the model hydrophyte Azolla filiculoides.

The hydrophyte Azolla filiculoides can be a useful model to assess if TiO2 NPs may in some way alleviate the Cd injuries and improve the ability of the plant to cope with this metal. With this mechanistic hypothesis, after a pre-treatment with TiO2 NPs, A. filiculoides plants were transferred to cadmium-contaminated water with or without TiO2 nanoparticles. After 5 days of treatment, cadmium uptake, morpho-anatomical, and physiological aspects were studied in plants. The continuous presence of TiO2 nanoparticles, though not increasing the uptake of cadmium in comparison with a priming treatment, induced a higher translocation of this heavy metal to the aerial portion. Despite the translocation factor was always well below 1, cadmium contents in the fronds, generally greater than 100 ppm, ranked A. filiculoides as a good cadmium accumulator. Higher cadmium contents in leaves did not induce damages to the photosynthetic machinery, probably thanks to a compartmentalization strategy aimed at confining most of this pollutant to less metabolically active peripheral cells. The permanence of NPs in growth medium ensured a better efficiency of the antioxidant apparatus (proline and glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities) and induced a decrease in H2O2 content, but did not suppress TBARS level.

An integrated approach to highlight biological responses of Pisum sativum root to nano-TiO2 exposure in a biosolid-amended agricultural soil.

This study focused on crop plant response to a simultaneous exposure to biosolid and TiO2 at micro- and nano-scale, being biosolid one of the major sink of TiO2 nanoparticles released into the soil environment. We settled an experimental design as much as possible realistic, at microcosm scale, using the crop Pisum sativum. This experimental design supported the hypotheses that the presence of biosolid in the farming soil might influence plant growth and metabolism and that, after TiO2 spiking, the different dimension and crystal forms of TiO2 might be otherwise bioavailable and differently interacting with the plant system. To test these hypotheses, we have considered different aspects of the response elicited by TiO2 and biosolid at cellular and organism level, focusing on the root system, with an integrative approach. In our experimental conditions, the presence of biosolid disturbed plant growth of P. sativum, causing cellular damages at root level, probably through mechanisms not only oxidative stress-dependent but also involving altered signalling processes. These disturbances could depend on non-humified compounds and/or on the presence of toxic elements and of nanoparticles in the biosolid-amended soil. The addition of TiO2 particles in the sludge-amended soil, further altered plant growth and induced oxidative and ultrastructural damages. Although non typical dose-effect response was detected, the most responsiveness treatments were found for the anatase crystal form, alone or mixed with rutile. Based on ultrastructural observations, we could hypothesise that the toxicity level of TiO2 nanoparticles may depend on the cell ability to isolate nanoparticles in subcellular compartments, avoiding their interaction with organelles and/or metabolic processes. The results of the present work suggest reflections on the promising practice of soil amendments and on the use of nanomaterials and their safety for food plants and living organisms.

RNases and nucleases in embryos and endosperms from naturally aged wheat seeds stored in different conditions.

Temperature and moisture content are particularly important factors influencing the longevity of seeds, and therefore the ageing of seeds is closely tied to storage conditions. The ageing process is characterised by many physiological and biochemical changes: membranes tend to leak, enzymes lose catalytic activity, and chromosomes accumulate mutations. Since viability loss is also associated with the breakdown of nucleic acids, the aim of the study was to determine whether the damage induced by ageing could be associated with changes in the activity of RNases and nucleases in embryos and endosperms of differently stored wheat seeds. In order to better characterise seed conditions, the damage to membranes during seed ageing was evaluated by measuring the conductivity of the soaking solution during imbibition, and by using the Evans Blue colorant; lipid peroxidation was also recorded. RNases and nucleases were studied by SDS-PAGE and activity staining. Ageing of seeds stored in a dry state involved a progressive loss of membrane integrity, which increased with the degree of ageing, while lipid peroxidation remained unchanged. Changes in nucleolytic enzyme activity were recorded in embryos: a decrease in RNases and an increase in nucleases. In the endosperm compartment there were no significant differences in ribonuclease and nuclease patterns during seed ageing. Moreover, neutral RNases were absent in endosperms of dry seeds and were activated following imbibition. Present studies reveal that embryos and endosperms have different enzymatic patterns, thus highlighting that the two seed compartments age independently. A different nucleolytic pattern was present in seeds of comparable viability and membrane damage, which were stored differently, and nuclease metabolism was subject to regulation according to both ageing and the length of the storage period.

Plant adaptation to extreme environments: the example of Cistus salviifolius of an active geothermal alteration field.

Cistus salviifolius is able to colonise one of the most extreme active geothermal alteration fields in terms of both soil acidity and hot temperatures. The analyses of morpho-functional and physiological characters, investigated in leaves of plants growing around fumaroles (G leaves) and in leaves developed by the same plants after transfer into growth chamber under controlled conditions (C leaves) evidenced the main adaptive traits developed by this pioneer plant in a stressful environment. These traits involved leaf shape and thickness, mesophyll compactness, stomatal and trichome densities, chloroplast size. Changes of functional and physiological traits concerned dry matter content, peroxide and lipid peroxidation, leaf area, relative water and pigment contents. A higher reducing power and antioxidant enzymatic activity were typical of G leaves. Though the high levels of stress parameters, G leaves showed stress-induced specific morphogenic and physiological responses putatively involved in their surviving in active geothermal habitats.

Ageing in embryos from wheat grains stored at different temperatures: oxidative stress and antioxidant response.

In the present work we studied oxidative stress as an important cause of seed deterioration during ageing in embryos from durum wheat grains stored at room temperature and at low temperature (10°C). The protective role of low temperature on seed viability was confirmed. The increase of hydrogen peroxide content during dry storage was strongly correlated with the decrease of germinability. Ascorbate and glutathione showed a good correlation with grain germinability and significantly increased upon imbibition, in particular in embryos from viable grains. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) were studied quantitatively (enzymatic assays). APX, GR, and GPX were also studied qualitatively by native PAGE. The enzymes were active in dry, still viable, embryos whereas no activity was detected in non-viable embryos. With the exception of APX, all enzymatic activities decreased upon imbibition. The study of grains stored in different conditions indicated a negative correlation between the efficiency of the antioxidant enzymatic machinery and the age of the grain. The differences detected in differently stored materials confirmed that both germination parameters and the length of storage period are important in determining grain condition.

Responses to desiccation injury in developing wheat embryos from naturally- and artificially-dried grains.

Grains of wheat (Triticum durum Desf. cv. Cappelli) were collected at different stages of maturation. To test whether the response to desiccation injury is correlated with physiological stage and/or water content, one lot of grains at each stage was artificially dried until its water content was comparable to that of the subsequent stage. Several stress parameters were analysed in embryos isolated from naturally-and artificially-dried grains. In particular, the content of dehydrins, hydrogen peroxide and the activity of ribonucleases and of antioxidant enzyme were studied. Neutral ribonucleases, unlike acidic ones, seemed to be correlated with grain water content. In parallel with these analyses the presence of dehydrins was also examined. Dehydrin accumulation was found to vary with drying rate, and more isoforms of dehydrin were present in artificially dried than in naturally-dried grains. Artificial drying resulted in accumulation of hydrogen peroxide, while the content of this molecule was much lower in embryos from naturally fully-ripened grains. While the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR, EC 1.8.5.1), glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX, EC 1.11.1.9), were generally higher early in maturation, the activity of catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6) increased in mid-maturation and decreased in fully-ripe embryos. Different protective mechanisms seem to act in combination but their relative importance changes as maturation progresses and in response to the drying method.