Evaluation of cerium oxide nanoparticles’ effects on pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) based on metabolomics analysis
Abstract
Nanotechnology holds significant potential for agricultural applications, yet plant response mechanisms to nanoparticle exposure remain poorly characterized. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs), prevalent in commercial products, were investigated using soil-grown pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) exposed to 0.5, 5, 50, and 250 mg kg?1 doses. Physiological and metabolic analyses revealed that CeO2 NPs reduced photosynthetic intensity (31 % chlorophyll decline at 5 mg kg?1) while increasing CO2 absorption (26 %–46 % elevated stomatal CO2 across treatments). Lipid peroxidation remained unaltered at 5–250 mg kg?1. Lysine reduction potentially restricted glutamate synthesis, ultimately decreasing proline by 83 % at 250 mg kg?1. Concurrent metabolic perturbations included enhanced nitrogen assimilation, stimulated phenylalanine metabolism, increased ?-tocopherol, and disrupted methionine metabolism (dose-dependent decrease at high concentrations vs. increase at low concentrations). These findings decode pakchoi's response to CeO2 NPs, which could help safer utilization of CeO2 in the future.
Department(s)
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Document Type
Article
DOI
10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.110387
Keywords
Cerium oxide, Crops, Metabolites, Nano-phytotoxicity
Publication Date
12-1-2025
Recommended Citation
Pope-Buss, Riley; Rico, Cyren M.; Jia, Siying; He, Changyu; Ji, Lei; Hong, Jie; and Gardea-Torresdey, Jorge L., "Evaluation of cerium oxide nanoparticles’ effects on pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) based on metabolomics analysis" (2025). Faculty Scholarship. 91.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/articles00/91
Journal Title
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
