Eco-friendly zinc nanoparticles and humic acid combination: An integrative application to mitigate cadmium pollution in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Cadmium (Cd) pollution is a significant environmental threat, that negatively impacts plant growth and human health. This study investigates the combined effect of humic acid (HA) and biologically synthesized zinc nanoparticles (BZnNPs) in mitigating Cd toxicity in Phaseolus vulgaris grown in artifi...

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Main Authors: Mohamed T. El-Saadony, Rania S.M. Eid, Taia A. Abd El-Mageed, Salma M. Aljahdali, Soha A. Alamoudi, Ali Majrashi, Badreyah Algethami, Hoda M. Abou-Elsebaa, Ahmed M. Saad, Synan F. AbuQamar, Khaled A. El-Tarabily, El-Sayed M. Desoky
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Results in Engineering
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025015336
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author Mohamed T. El-Saadony
Rania S.M. Eid
Taia A. Abd El-Mageed
Salma M. Aljahdali
Soha A. Alamoudi
Ali Majrashi
Badreyah Algethami
Hoda M. Abou-Elsebaa
Ahmed M. Saad
Synan F. AbuQamar
Khaled A. El-Tarabily
El-Sayed M. Desoky
author_facet Mohamed T. El-Saadony
Rania S.M. Eid
Taia A. Abd El-Mageed
Salma M. Aljahdali
Soha A. Alamoudi
Ali Majrashi
Badreyah Algethami
Hoda M. Abou-Elsebaa
Ahmed M. Saad
Synan F. AbuQamar
Khaled A. El-Tarabily
El-Sayed M. Desoky
author_sort Mohamed T. El-Saadony
collection DOAJ
description Cadmium (Cd) pollution is a significant environmental threat, that negatively impacts plant growth and human health. This study investigates the combined effect of humic acid (HA) and biologically synthesized zinc nanoparticles (BZnNPs) in mitigating Cd toxicity in Phaseolus vulgaris grown in artificially contaminated soil. BZnNPs were produced using Bacillus subtilis AA20, resulting in spherical nanoparticles (35 nm) with a -26.9 mV charge and 88 % antioxidant activity. Plants were exposed to three Cd concentrations (0, 1.0, and 1.5 mM), and treated with either HA (0.5 g kg−1 soil), BZnNPs (1.0 mM foliar spray), or their combination. At 1.5 mM Cd, plant height, dry biomass, and photosynthetic efficiency declined by 47.1 %, 59.9 %, and 34.9 %, respectively, while malondialdehyde (MDA), electrolyte leakage (EL) increased by 212 %, and 62.2 %, compared to untreated controls. However, the combined HA + BZnNPs treatment significantly reduced Cd mobility in soil and its accumulation in roots, leaves, and pods by 75.4 %, 63.6 %, and 78.3 %, respectively. This treatment also enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase) by 19.3 %, 38.2 %, and 22.2 %, respectively, while boosting total soluble sugars and proline by 23.6 %, and 10.8 %. Moreover, HA + BZnNPs treatment decreased MDA and EL levels by 11.1 and 11.8 %, respectively, leading to better oxidative stress management. It also improved chlorophyll content (SPAD) by 22.7 %, relative water content by 20.3 %, and pod yield by 40.1 %, ultimately restoring yield by 40 % under severe Cd stress. These findings highlight HA and BZnNPs as a promising, eco-friendly strategy to reduce Cd bioavailability, enhance stress resilience, and improve growth and productivity in common bean, supporting sustainable agriculture and food safety.
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spelling doaj-art-c31ae6f8d897408cb2e9339494826ce12025-08-20T02:35:57ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302025-09-012710546310.1016/j.rineng.2025.105463Eco-friendly zinc nanoparticles and humic acid combination: An integrative application to mitigate cadmium pollution in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)Mohamed T. El-Saadony0Rania S.M. Eid1Taia A. Abd El-Mageed2Salma M. Aljahdali3Soha A. Alamoudi4Ali Majrashi5Badreyah Algethami6Hoda M. Abou-Elsebaa7Ahmed M. Saad8Synan F. AbuQamar9Khaled A. El-Tarabily10El-Sayed M. Desoky11Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, EgyptBotany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Moshtohor, Qalyoubia, 13736, EgyptSoils and Water Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, Fayoum, 63514, EgyptDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi ArabiaPhysics Department, Faculty of Science, Taibah University, Medina, 41411, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, EgyptDepartment of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates; Corresponding authors.Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates; Corresponding authors.Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, EgyptCadmium (Cd) pollution is a significant environmental threat, that negatively impacts plant growth and human health. This study investigates the combined effect of humic acid (HA) and biologically synthesized zinc nanoparticles (BZnNPs) in mitigating Cd toxicity in Phaseolus vulgaris grown in artificially contaminated soil. BZnNPs were produced using Bacillus subtilis AA20, resulting in spherical nanoparticles (35 nm) with a -26.9 mV charge and 88 % antioxidant activity. Plants were exposed to three Cd concentrations (0, 1.0, and 1.5 mM), and treated with either HA (0.5 g kg−1 soil), BZnNPs (1.0 mM foliar spray), or their combination. At 1.5 mM Cd, plant height, dry biomass, and photosynthetic efficiency declined by 47.1 %, 59.9 %, and 34.9 %, respectively, while malondialdehyde (MDA), electrolyte leakage (EL) increased by 212 %, and 62.2 %, compared to untreated controls. However, the combined HA + BZnNPs treatment significantly reduced Cd mobility in soil and its accumulation in roots, leaves, and pods by 75.4 %, 63.6 %, and 78.3 %, respectively. This treatment also enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase) by 19.3 %, 38.2 %, and 22.2 %, respectively, while boosting total soluble sugars and proline by 23.6 %, and 10.8 %. Moreover, HA + BZnNPs treatment decreased MDA and EL levels by 11.1 and 11.8 %, respectively, leading to better oxidative stress management. It also improved chlorophyll content (SPAD) by 22.7 %, relative water content by 20.3 %, and pod yield by 40.1 %, ultimately restoring yield by 40 % under severe Cd stress. These findings highlight HA and BZnNPs as a promising, eco-friendly strategy to reduce Cd bioavailability, enhance stress resilience, and improve growth and productivity in common bean, supporting sustainable agriculture and food safety.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025015336AntioxidantsBiological zinc nanoparticlesBioremediationOrganic farmingSustainable agriculture
spellingShingle Mohamed T. El-Saadony
Rania S.M. Eid
Taia A. Abd El-Mageed
Salma M. Aljahdali
Soha A. Alamoudi
Ali Majrashi
Badreyah Algethami
Hoda M. Abou-Elsebaa
Ahmed M. Saad
Synan F. AbuQamar
Khaled A. El-Tarabily
El-Sayed M. Desoky
Eco-friendly zinc nanoparticles and humic acid combination: An integrative application to mitigate cadmium pollution in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Results in Engineering
Antioxidants
Biological zinc nanoparticles
Bioremediation
Organic farming
Sustainable agriculture
title Eco-friendly zinc nanoparticles and humic acid combination: An integrative application to mitigate cadmium pollution in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
title_full Eco-friendly zinc nanoparticles and humic acid combination: An integrative application to mitigate cadmium pollution in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
title_fullStr Eco-friendly zinc nanoparticles and humic acid combination: An integrative application to mitigate cadmium pollution in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
title_full_unstemmed Eco-friendly zinc nanoparticles and humic acid combination: An integrative application to mitigate cadmium pollution in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
title_short Eco-friendly zinc nanoparticles and humic acid combination: An integrative application to mitigate cadmium pollution in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
title_sort eco friendly zinc nanoparticles and humic acid combination an integrative application to mitigate cadmium pollution in common bean phaseolus vulgaris
topic Antioxidants
Biological zinc nanoparticles
Bioremediation
Organic farming
Sustainable agriculture
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025015336
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