Influence of nano-ZnO exposure to plants on L-ascorbic acid levels: Indication of nanoparticle-induced oxidative stress

Abstract

With the continuously growing production of nanomaterials, their presence in the environment increases. The effects of nanoparticle exposure on plants are yet not fully understood. This study aimed to provide new insights into the stress induced by the exposure of plants to nanoparticles via the determination of the content of L-ascorbic acid, known antioxidant, in the samples of bryophyte species Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. Bryophyte samples, collected from a pristine environment, were exposed to 0.1 g.L-1 suspensions of nano-ZnO for five weeks. Prior to the exposure, the samples were subjected to the combination of treatments-washing or not washing as well as drying or irrigation. In order to assess the level of oxidative stress caused by the exposure to the ZnO nanoparticles under various pre-treatment conditions, the content of the L-ascorbic acid in the samples was determined by titration with dichlorophenolindophenol. Effect of both nano-ZnO exposure and pre-treatment was observed; nano-ZnO exposure significantly reduced the content of L-ascorbic acid in the bryophyte samples indicating it being consumed in the repair processes following the exposure-related physiological stress.