Metabolic and morpho-anatomic effects of silver nanoparticle, produced by A. tubingensis, and its matriz AgNO3 on sorghum plants

Abstract

Nanomaterials and nanoparticles are now widely used in the medical and food industry. However, few studies have reported the impact of these materials on the environment, and especially on plant metabolism. Recently, studies in the literature on the toxicity and effects of silver nanoparticles on higher plants and algae are emerging. However, these works are segmented with little information regarding metabolism, morphology and anatomy in a congruent way. Thus, this proposal has as main objective to combined studies of biometric, anatomical, morphological, physiological and biochemical analyzes of sorghum plants exposed to increasing concentrations of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) and its synthesis matrix, silver nitrate (AgNO3). The AgNPs used in this proposal are biosynthesized by the endophytic fungus A. tubingensis (MGE 201) which is commonly isolated from the Rhizophora mangle (Red-Mangrove) species. The AgNPs were assigned by the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Butantan Institut, São Paulo, SP. Sorghum seeds (CSF20) will be used as experimental model. This species is a grass with C4 metabolism, presenting rapid growth and development. In addition, it has a relatively small and already sequenced genome. Thus, stress indicators, antioxidant enzymatic activities and reactive oxygen species will be measured in these plants exposed to AgNP and AgNO3,. In addition, anatomical analyzes will be performed, by microscopy, and analyzes of germination, growth and biomass allocation. (AU)