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High-Throughput Screening for Engineered Nanoparticles That Enhance Photosynthesis Using Mesophyll Protoplasts
Aodi Wang1, Qijie Jin2, Xin Xu2
1State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
|February 25, 2020
Summary
Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) can enhance plant photosynthesis and crop yield. Leaf protoplasts effectively screen NPs for nanofertilizer applications, with metabolic analysis ensuring safer nano-platforms.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Nanotechnology
- Plant Physiology
Background:
- Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) show potential for improving photosynthesis and crop productivity.
- Understanding NP-plant interactions is key for sustainable nano-agriculture.
- Leaf mesophyll protoplasts serve as a model system for studying NP effects on photosynthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of various NPs on photosynthesis using spinach leaf mesophyll protoplasts.
- To correlate protoplast responses with whole-plant biomass changes.
- To evaluate protoplasts as a screening tool for nanofertilizers and metabolic analysis for safety.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of spinach mesophyll protoplasts with different NPs (Fe, Mn3O4, SiO2, Ag, MoS2) at 50 mg/L under illumination.
- Measurement of photosynthetic parameters like quantum yield and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production.
- Photoelectrochemical measurements, GC-MS metabolomics, and whole-plant biomass assessment.
Main Results:
- Mn3O4 and Fe NPs significantly increased photosynthetic efficiency (ATP production by 43% and 23%, respectively).
- Ag and MoS2 NPs decreased photosynthetic efficiency.
- NPs altered metabolic profiles; Mn3O4 increased plant biomass by 57%, while Ag NPs decreased it by 24%.
Conclusions:
- Leaf mesophyll protoplasts are a rapid and reliable tool for screening NPs for enhanced photosynthesis.
- Metabolic analysis provides crucial mechanistic toxicity data for developing safer nano-enabled agricultural platforms.
- Specific NPs like Mn3O4 and Fe show promise for enhancing crop productivity, while others like Ag require careful consideration.
