Uptake and accumulation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes change the morphometric and biochemical characteristics of Onobrychis arenaria seedlings

Abstract

We have studied the effect of the engineered nanomaterial Taunit, containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), on the growth of Onobrychis arenaria seedlings and investigated whether affected plants uptake and accumulate MWCNTs. We found that 100 μg/mL and 1000 μg/mL of Taunit stimulated the growth of roots and stems, and enhanced the peroxidase activity in these parts of plants. Microscopy studies showed the presence of MWCNTs in the root and leaf tissues of seedlings exposed to Taunit, suggesting that MWCNTs have a capacity to penetrate the cell walls, accumulate in roots and translocate to the leaves. Thus the stimulating effect of MWCNTs on seedlings of O. arenaria may be associated with the primary uptake and accumulation of MWCNTs by plant roots followed by translocation to the other plant tissues.

Keywords

multiwalled carbon nanotubes / plants / electron microscopy

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to S. S. Abramchuk (Belozersky Institute of Physico-chemical Biology) for constructive help and assistance. This work was supported by the Federal Program “Scientific and Scientific-Pedagogical Personnel of Innovative Russia” (Government contracts P208 and 16.740.11.01-94) and the Development of Infrastructure of Nanoindustry in Russian Federation in 2008–2010 (Government contract No. 01.648.11.3003).

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2014 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg