Nanoceria and bulk cerium oxide effects on the germination of asplenium adiantum-nigrum spores

Abstract

Aim of the study: The effect of cerium oxide engineered nanoparticles on the spore germination of the fern Asplenium adiantumnigrum.Area of study: France, Britanny Region, Finistére Department, Plougonvelin, in rocks near the sea. Material and methods: Asplenium spores were cultured in vitro on agar medium with Nano-CeO 2 (less than 25 nm particle size) and bulk-CeO 2 . The addition of each nano-and bulk particles ranged from 0 to 3000 mg L -1 . Observations on rhizoidal and prothallial cells during first stages of gametophyte development were made. The No-Observed-Adverse-Effect concentration (NOAEC) and Lowest-Observed-Adverse-Effect-Concentration (LOEC) values for spore germination rate data were analyzed.Main results: Germination was speeded up by 100 to 2000 mg L -1 nanoceria, while bulk cerium oxide had the same effect for 500 to 2000 mg L -1 concentrations. Present results showed cellular damage in the protonema while rhizoid cells seemed not to be affected, as growth and membrane integrity remained.Research highlights: Both nanosized and bulk cerium oxide are toxic for the fern Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, although diverse toxicity patterns were shown for both materials. Diverse toxic effects have been observed: chloroplast membrane damage and lysis, cell wall and membrane disruption which leads to cell lysis; and alterations in morphology and development.

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“…The NPs reduced photosynthetic pigments, antioxidants, nitrogenase activity and chlorophyll fluorescence, suggesting a superior toxic effect of the nanoparticles, compared with the submicrometric particles [ 154 ]. A similar study was performed by Gómez-Garay et al [ 155 ] regarding the side-related effect of CeO 2 on Asplenium adiantum-nigrum spores. The results suggest an acceleration of the germination for the ceria nanoparticles (under 25 nm) at concentrations of 100–2000 mg/L, a similar effect being observed for the bulk ceria at 500–2000 mg/L.…”

“…The toxicity of CeO 2 against the fern manifested at cellular level through chloroplast membrane damage and lysis, disruption of the cell wall/membrane and morphological/developmental alterations. Nevertheless, the nanoparticles showed reduced toxicity at lower concentrations (100–500 mg/L), while the bulk ceria was toxic at all tested concentrations [ 155 ].…”