The biochemical and growth-associated traits of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) affected by silver nanoparticles and silver.

Abstract
Abstract\r\nBackground The biochemical and growth changes resulting from exposure of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) seedlings \r\nto silver nanoparticles and silver were investigated. Over a two-week period, seedlings were exposed to diferent \r\nconcentrations (0, 40, and 80 ppm) of silver nanoparticles and silver.\r\nResults Our fndings revealed that at concentrations of 40 and 80 ppm, both silver nanoparticles and silver nitrate \r\nled to decreased weight, root and shoot length, as well as chlorophyll a and b content. Conversely, these treatments \r\ntriggered an increase in key biochemical properties, such as total phenols, carotenoids and anthocyanins, with silver \r\nnanoparticles showing a more pronounced efect compared to silver nitrate. Moreover, the levels of malondialdehyde \r\n(MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) rose proportionally with treatment concentration, with the nanoparticle treatment exhibiting a more substantial increase. Silver content showed a signifcant upswing in both roots and leaves \r\nas treatment concentrations increased.\r\nConclusions Application of varying concentrations of silver nanoparticles and silver nitrate on basil plants resulted \r\nin reduced growth and lower chlorophyll content, while simultaneously boosting the production of antioxidant \r\ncompounds. Notably, anthocyanin, carotenoid, and total phenol increased signifcantly. However, despite this increase \r\nin antioxidant activity, the plant remained unable to fully mitigate the oxidative stress induced by silver and silver \r\nnanoparticles.

Author
Tayebeh Ahmadi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-04770-w

Publisher
BMC Plant Biology

ISSN

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