Impact of Nanomaterials on Plant Secondary Metabolism

Abstract

Plants encounter various nanomaterials (NMs) as pesticides and fertilizers. It is also possible that nanomaterials reach plants as waste from consumer products and industry. The effects of such NMs on plants have been widely studied, and both positive and negative effects of NMs on plant growth and development have been reported. Recent metabolomics studies suggest that nanoparticles affect the concentration of secondary metabolites in plants by modulating reactive nitrogen/oxygen species, gene expression, and signaling pathways. Secondary metabolites are plant compounds that accumulate in plants through their secondary metabolism. To date, more than 200,000 defined structures of secondary metabolites have been identified, among which many of them possess antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antidepressant, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anticancer properties. The application of elicitors is a simple strategy to increase the production of secondary metabolites in plant cell and tissues. The ability of nanomaterials to induce plant secondary metabolism has recently been exploited in the elicitation of pharmaceutically important compounds from various plant species. The ability of different NMs to induce the accumulation of different classes of compounds in the same plant species has also been accomplished. The molecular mechanisms behind the effects of NMs on plant secondary metabolism revealed the putative genes involved in NM-mediated elicitation of various plant compounds in several reports. This chapter reviews the current understanding of the effects of nanoparticles on plant secondary metabolism and the elicitation of pharmacologically important compounds from plant species.

Increasing Some Flavonoids Compounds for Echinacea Purpurea L. Using Copper Oxide Nanoparticles in Vitro.

“…Overall. It can be concluded that CuO nanoparticles can be effectively used as a catalyst for green biosynthesis of nanoparticles from metabolites in callus cultures of O. basilicum (20). Also, Yaaqoob et al, (22) The study concluded that 0.01 mg/L of titanium nanoparticles showed that it is the best concentration for increasing the production of prodigiosin by S. marcescens, as well as for the production of phenazine by P. aeruginosa.…”

Impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles and iron on Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni growth, nutrient uptake, and bioactive compounds under in vitro conditions

“…The biosynthesis of phenolic compounds in plant tissues can be in uenced by various factors, such as environmental stress, genetic modi cation, and elicitation (Humbal and Pathak 2023). NPs as novel elicitors that can enhance the production of phenolic compounds in plant tissues by inducing stress responses, activating signaling pathways, and modulating gene expression (Selvakesavan et al 2023). Different types of NPs have been reported to affect the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds in plant tissues, such as metallic, bimetallic, non-metallic, carbon-based, and composite NPs (Selvakesavan et al 2023).…”

“…NPs as novel elicitors that can enhance the production of phenolic compounds in plant tissues by inducing stress responses, activating signaling pathways, and modulating gene expression (Selvakesavan et al 2023). Different types of NPs have been reported to affect the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds in plant tissues, such as metallic, bimetallic, non-metallic, carbon-based, and composite NPs (Selvakesavan et al 2023). For example, silver NPs increased the content of phenolic acids, carotenoids, and anthocyanins in basil leaves (Shahraki et al 2024).…”

Graphene–Cu Nanocomposites Induce Tolerance against Fusarium oxysporum, Increase Antioxidant Activity, and Decrease Stress in Tomato Plants

“…Nanomaterials have been reported as elicitors [ 17 , 18 ], which are a simple method to increase the production of secondary metabolites in plant cells and tissues [ 19 ]. Recently, the resistance of pests/pathogens has increased due to the excessive and inappropriate use of conventional agrochemicals, requiring higher doses to be controlled.…”