The dual effect of Selenium nanoparticles in rice seedlings: From increasing antioxidant activity to inducing oxidative stress

Author(s)

Freire, Bruna Moreira ; Lange, Camila Neves ; Cavalcanti, Yasmin Tavares ; Monteiro, Lucilena Rebelo ; Pieretti, Joana Claudio ; Seabra, Amedea Barozzi ; Batista, Bruno Lemos

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLANT STRESS; v. 11, p. 8-pg., 2024-01-30.

Abstract

Selenium deficiency has been a worldwide concern because it can pose a risk to human health. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are in general less toxic and more bioavailable than ionic Se and, therefore, their use for biofortification of food crops has attracted attention. Rice is a staple food consumed by half of the world's population. Indeed, studies on SeNPs' impacts on oxidative stress and antioxidant responses in rice seedlings are scarce. Herein, the effect of different concentrations of SeNPs on growth, antioxidant enzyme activity, reactive oxygen species, and nitric oxide metabolites in rice germinating seeds were investigated. Results revealed a dual effect of SeNPs on seedling growth. At low concentrations (0.5 mg L -1), the nanoparticles did not affect seedling growth, while at higher concentrations root elongation was significantly decreased. Soaking rice seeds with SeNPs at 0.5 mg L - 1 effectively improved the activity of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase enzymes. However, a decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity was observed with increasing SeNPs concentrations. All treatments decreased S-nitrosothiols and nitrite concentrations compared to the control. Hydrogen peroxide concentrations also decreased for concentrations higher than 5 mg L - 1, compared to the control. Our results suggest a beneficial effect of SeNPs at the optimal concentration of 0.5 mg L - 1 on stimulating antioxidant metabolism and mitigating reactive oxygen species in plant tissues without affecting the physiological parameters. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/05151-0 - Arsenic and rice: monitoring and (bio)remediation studies for food safety
• Grantee: Bruno Lemos Batista
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 22/00321-0 - Nanomaterials combined with nitric oxide donors for biological applications
• Grantee: Amedea Barozzi Seabra
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/10060-9 - Multi-user equipment (MUE) approved in Grant FAPESP project 2014/05151-0: inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer hyphenated to an high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-ICP-MS)
• Grantee: Bruno Lemos Batista
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• FAPESP's process: 20/00284-2 - Evaluation of the use of selenium nanoparticles for biofortification of rice grains
• Grantee: Bruna Moreira Freire
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 22/00208-0 - Synthesis of nanostructured copper and silver complexes for replacement of growth-promoting antibiotics in swine and poultry production
• Grantee: Camila Neves Lange
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• FAPESP's process: 20/03646-2 - Impact of nanoplatforms allied to nitric oxide and chemotherapeutics on cytotoxicity and sensitization of resistant tumor cells
• Grantee: Joana Claudio Pieretti
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 22/04254-6 - Evaluation of spICP-MS for sizing SeNPs internalized by rice plants and localization of the Se accumulated by LA-ICP-MS
• Grantee: Bruna Moreira Freire
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate