Selectively Tracking Nanoparticles in Aquatic Plant Using Core–Shell Nanoparticle-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Imaging

Abstract

Nanoparticles contribute to enormous environmental processes, but, due to analytical challenges, the understanding of nanoparticle fate remains elusive in complex environmental matrices. To address the challenge, a core–shell nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (CSNERS) imaging method was developed to selectively track prevalent SiO2 nanoparticles in an aquatic plant, Lemna minor. By encapsulating gold nanoparticles and Raman reporters inside, the resonance Raman signature was enhanced, thus enabling the sensitive and selective detection of SiO2 nanoparticles at an environmentally relevant concentration. The panoramic visualization of the translocation pathway of nanoparticles shows an unexpected, fast (in hours) and a preferential accumulation of nanoparticles on the node, leaf edge, root cap, etc., implying the ability of CSNERS to spectroscopically determine nanotoxicity. The core–shell design in CSNERS was capable of multiplex labeling two differently charged nanoparticles and distinguishing their biobehavior simultaneously. Meanwhile, the CSNERS method can be further applied for a variety of nanoparticles, implying its promising applications for nanotoxicity research and biogeochemical study.

Nano and Plants

“…On the other hand, the potential toxicity of nanoparticles, be it by an accidental spill or as a side effect from nanoparticle-based fertilizers, must be considered. In the past decade, the body of literature in the field of ecotoxicology of nanoparticles has grown rapidly . However, a large fraction of such publications is descriptive in nature, in the form of “exposure to nanoparticles X increases/decreases growth of plant Y”.…”

“…Nanomaterial-mediated delivery of DNA or RNA strands based on clay nanosheets, carbon nanotubes, , and gold nanoparticles can produce genetic effects in plants such as gene silencing and protein expression. Plasmonic gold nanoparticles additionally offer the possibility to track their internalization in plants, as recently demonstrated for aquatic plants, through surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-labeled nanoparticles . Nanomaterials can not only facilitate biomolecule transport through cell wall barriers but also protect biomolecules from degradation inside plant cells, thus generating a superior delivery carrier that creates a new avenue for plant genetic engineering.…”

Mechanistic Insight into the Internalization, Distribution, and Autophagy Process of Manganese Nanoparticles in Capsicum annuum L.: Evidence from Orthogonal Microscopic Analysis

“…In general, spectroscopic, , spectral, − and electron microscopic imaging techniques , are the primary approaches for nanoparticle tracking in plant tissues. These techniques can provide highly resolved, material-characteristic, and in situ analysis of nanoparticles in a complex biological matrix and have been used to demonstrate particle translocation.…”

Plasmonic nanorod probes’ journey inside plant cells forin vivoSERS sensing and multimodal imaging

“…Current studies have nonetheless yielded crucial information about nanoparticle uptake. [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] Notably, recent reports of carbon nanotubes with dimensions smaller than the plant cell wall exclusion limit have demonstrated the ability to enter plant cells and change gene expression. 7,35 There have also been studies examining the biolistic transport of gold nanospheres, as well as gold nanorods delivered into plant tissues combined with large 0.6 µm gold nanoparticles; nevertheless, biolistic infiltration is a damaging technique to plant tissue and other passive techniques have been explored.…”