Assessment of Potential Toxicity of Hyaluronic Acid-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles on Maize (<i>Zea mays</i>) at Early Development Stages
The effectiveness of iron oxide nanoparticles in enhancing crop plant development depends on their stabilization. In this study, the effect of hyaluronic acid (HA), used both as a stabilizer for iron oxide nanoparticles (HA-MNP) and independently, was evaluated in maize seedlings. Different concentr...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| author | Mihaela Răcuciu Cristina-Nicoleta Precup Maria Denisa Cocîrlea Simona Oancea |
| author_facet | Mihaela Răcuciu Cristina-Nicoleta Precup Maria Denisa Cocîrlea Simona Oancea |
| author_sort | Mihaela Răcuciu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The effectiveness of iron oxide nanoparticles in enhancing crop plant development depends on their stabilization. In this study, the effect of hyaluronic acid (HA), used both as a stabilizer for iron oxide nanoparticles (HA-MNP) and independently, was evaluated in maize seedlings. Different concentrations of HA-MNP (0.625–7.5 mg/L) were tested alongside a 0.01% HA solution. Growth parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoids), phenolic content, and genotoxicity were analyzed. While HA alone led to slight decreases in seedling length, pigment content, and polyphenol levels compared to the control, it increased peroxidase activity and mitotic index. Lower concentrations of HA-MNP (below 2.5 mg/L) enhanced seedling growth, likely due to improved iron uptake, whereas higher concentrations reduced pigment and phenolic content. All HA-MNP concentrations induced genotoxic effects, which was proven by an increased mitotic index and chromosomal aberrations, indicating both positive and defensive plant responses to oxidative stress. These findings suggest a complex interaction between HA, HA-MNP, and maize seedlings, where HA concentrations play a significant role in modulating growth and stress response, while higher concentrations may induce toxicity. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d4c131f60e404e8b82660b2d5bd563cc |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
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| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-d4c131f60e404e8b82660b2d5bd563cc2025-08-20T01:48:48ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-03-01306131610.3390/molecules30061316Assessment of Potential Toxicity of Hyaluronic Acid-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles on Maize (<i>Zea mays</i>) at Early Development StagesMihaela Răcuciu0Cristina-Nicoleta Precup1Maria Denisa Cocîrlea2Simona Oancea3Environmental Sciences and Physics Department, Faculty of Sciences, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 5-7 Dr. I. Ratiu Street, 550012 Sibiu, RomaniaEnvironmental Sciences and Physics Department, Faculty of Sciences, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 5-7 Dr. I. Ratiu Street, 550012 Sibiu, RomaniaAgricultural Sciences and Food Engineering Department, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 7-9 Dr. I. Ratiu Street, 550024 Sibiu, RomaniaAgricultural Sciences and Food Engineering Department, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, 7-9 Dr. I. Ratiu Street, 550024 Sibiu, RomaniaThe effectiveness of iron oxide nanoparticles in enhancing crop plant development depends on their stabilization. In this study, the effect of hyaluronic acid (HA), used both as a stabilizer for iron oxide nanoparticles (HA-MNP) and independently, was evaluated in maize seedlings. Different concentrations of HA-MNP (0.625–7.5 mg/L) were tested alongside a 0.01% HA solution. Growth parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoids), phenolic content, and genotoxicity were analyzed. While HA alone led to slight decreases in seedling length, pigment content, and polyphenol levels compared to the control, it increased peroxidase activity and mitotic index. Lower concentrations of HA-MNP (below 2.5 mg/L) enhanced seedling growth, likely due to improved iron uptake, whereas higher concentrations reduced pigment and phenolic content. All HA-MNP concentrations induced genotoxic effects, which was proven by an increased mitotic index and chromosomal aberrations, indicating both positive and defensive plant responses to oxidative stress. These findings suggest a complex interaction between HA, HA-MNP, and maize seedlings, where HA concentrations play a significant role in modulating growth and stress response, while higher concentrations may induce toxicity.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/6/1316iron oxide nanoparticlehyaluronic acidmaizeplant growthenzymatic activitychromosomal aberrations |
| spellingShingle | Mihaela Răcuciu Cristina-Nicoleta Precup Maria Denisa Cocîrlea Simona Oancea Assessment of Potential Toxicity of Hyaluronic Acid-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles on Maize (<i>Zea mays</i>) at Early Development Stages Molecules iron oxide nanoparticle hyaluronic acid maize plant growth enzymatic activity chromosomal aberrations |
| title | Assessment of Potential Toxicity of Hyaluronic Acid-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles on Maize (<i>Zea mays</i>) at Early Development Stages |
| title_full | Assessment of Potential Toxicity of Hyaluronic Acid-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles on Maize (<i>Zea mays</i>) at Early Development Stages |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of Potential Toxicity of Hyaluronic Acid-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles on Maize (<i>Zea mays</i>) at Early Development Stages |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of Potential Toxicity of Hyaluronic Acid-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles on Maize (<i>Zea mays</i>) at Early Development Stages |
| title_short | Assessment of Potential Toxicity of Hyaluronic Acid-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles on Maize (<i>Zea mays</i>) at Early Development Stages |
| title_sort | assessment of potential toxicity of hyaluronic acid coated magnetic nanoparticles on maize i zea mays i at early development stages |
| topic | iron oxide nanoparticle hyaluronic acid maize plant growth enzymatic activity chromosomal aberrations |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/6/1316 |
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