Application of carbon nanomaterial in plant biotechnology -

Application of carbon nanomaterial in plant biotechnology

Carbon based nanomaterials have been used to understand development and productivity in plants. Application of carbon nanotubes in agriculture and plant research is still a recent development in nanobiotechnology. Despite the potential application of carbon nanotubes for delivering cargo such as proteins, nucleic acids, and drugs for their targeted delivery to cells and organs, inhibition of cell proliferation, induced plasma membrane hyper polarization, oxidative stress in various in vitro mammalian cell studies have raised special concern about their toxicity in animals.

Carbon nanotubes: Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are particular class of nanomaterials represented by unique physicochemical and structural properties, such as high electrical and thermal conductivity, presence of a hollow cavity and mechanical strength.

Modification of carbon nanotubes with biological molecules: Various biological molecules are engineered both covalently as well as non-covalently to get attached to SWNTs while preserving the functional properties of the biological molecules.

Example 1: 1-pyrenebutanoic acid succinimidyl ester, which is non-covalently and irreversibly adsorbed on hydrophobic surface of SWNTs. The protein can then be attached to this moiety via nucleophilic substitution reaction where succinimidyl is substituted by amine group of protein. This also adds to the specificity in biological recognition of SWNTs. Car-bodiimide chemistry is involved in covalently attaching CNTs to proteins and DNA.

Effect of carbon nanoparticles on plant growth and development: Many studies conducted and shown that nanoparticles affect various physiological processes such as DNA damage, alterations of gene expression and increase in ROS formation. Such responses differ among different plant species, different varieties and different stages of plant development. Interactions of SWCNTs with young seedlings were mainly studied in hydroponics or in SWCNT supplied various culture media. It has been reported that the application of SWCNTs enhance seedling growth in many plant species such as maize (Zea mays), Fig plants (Ficus carica) and tomato (S. lycopersicum) seedlings. A dose dependent response of SWCNTs has been described for pepper (C. annuum), salvia (S. macrosiphon), and tall fescue (F. arundinacea). The application of SWNTs was done by directly germinating the seeds on media containing SWNT.

Carbon nanotubes for biosensors: Unique structural properties and extremely small size of carbon nanotubes make them the suitable candidate for biosensing. SWNT is used as a redox catalyst in the detection of adsorbed cytochrome c, present in mitochondria. The binding of biotin and streptavidin also has been detected electronically by using biotin functionalized SWNTs. This binding reduces the conductance of SWNTs. Such changes in SWNTs upon electronic detection probably originate due to the charge transfer processes at the time of interaction between SWNTs and the analyte.

Nanotubes as molecular carriers: The structural properties of CNTs  makes them preferred vectors for targeting molecular probes, such as proteins and DNA, into mammalian cells. Binding of CNTs with several biological molecules such as proteins and DNA helps them in this context. Several proteins such as streptavidin interact with MWNTs and DNA molecules can also get adsorbed on the surface of MWNTs.

Nanoparticles effects on photosynthesis: Effect of nanoparticles on plants and their photosynthesis has been studied by several authors. Chronic and acute effects of NPs on photosynthetic apparatus and its productivity have been reported. However, many reports are suggesting CuO nanoparticles are abundantly present in the environment and must be affecting the photosynthesis in plants. In Lactuca sativa, Oryza sativa and Brassica oleracea var capitata, Cu accumulated inside leaves and cause structural damage to chloroplast and stomata, also resulting in lesser number of thylakoids per grana.

Conclusion:

Nanobiotechnology and nano agriculture with the researches including carbon nanomaterials have great perspectives in the advances of animal, plant sciences and agriculture. As the size of carbon nanomaterials is of great significance, they also penetrate the seed coat, plant cell wall and may lead to changes in metabolic functions and ultimately increase biomass and grain or fruit yield. The issues need to be carefully addressed in this field is their phytotoxicity, which appeared in some cases. This can be dealt by managing the concentrations and doses to prevent damage. Despite all these concerns, the future prospects of carbon nanomaterials are promising as a low-cost strategy for increased crop production and abiotic stress tolerance.

Citation:

MAJEED, N., PANIGRAHI, K.C., SUKLA, L.B., JOHN, R. AND PANIGRAHY, M., 2020. Application of carbon nanomaterials in plant biotechnology. Materials Today: Proceedings, 30, pp.340-345.

Utilizing Carbon Nanomaterials in the Field of Plant Biotechnology

Carbon-based nanomaterials have been employed to gain insights into plant development and productivity. The utilization of carbon nanotubes in the realms of agriculture and plant research represents a relatively recent advancement in nanobiotechnology. While carbon nanotubes hold promise for facilitating the precise delivery of cargo such as proteins, nucleic acids, and pharmaceuticals to specific cells and organs, their potential toxicity in animals has raised notable concerns. Various in vitro studies involving mammalian cells have demonstrated inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, induced plasma membrane hyperpolarization, and oxidative stress, warranting careful consideration of their safety and implications.

Carbon nanotubes: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) constitute a distinct category of nanomaterials characterized by their distinctive physicochemical and structural attributes. These attributes encompass exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity, the existence of a hollow core, and remarkable mechanical strength.

Modification of carbon nanotubes with biological molecules: Biological molecules are strategically modified, both through covalent and non-covalent means, to establish connections with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) while maintaining the inherent functional properties of these biological molecules.

Example 1: The non-covalent and irreversible adsorption of 1-pyrenebutanoic acid succinimidyl ester occurs on the hydrophobic surface of SWNTs. Subsequently, the protein can be linked to this compound through a nucleophilic substitution reaction, where the amine group of the protein replaces the succinimidyl group. This process enhances the specificity of biological recognition of SWNTs. Covalent attachment of CNTs to proteins and DNA involves car-bodiimide chemistry.

Effect of carbon nanoparticles on plant growth and development: Numerous investigations have been conducted, demonstrating that nanoparticles can influence various physiological processes in plants, including DNA damage, changes in gene expression, and an increase in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These responses vary depending on the plant species, different varieties within those species, and the various developmental stages of the plants. The interaction between single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and young seedlings has primarily been studied in hydroponic systems or in culture media supplemented with SWCNTs. Interestingly, it has been reported that the application of SWCNTs can enhance the growth of seedlings in multiple plant species, such as maize (Zea mays), fig plants (Ficus carica), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seedlings. In some cases, the response to SWCNTs appears to be dose-dependent, as observed in pepper (Capsicum annuum), salvia (Salvia macrosiphon), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). The application of SWNTs was achieved by directly germinating the seeds in media containing SWNTs.

Carbon nanotubes for biosensors: The exceptional structural characteristics and incredibly small dimensions of carbon nanotubes render them highly suitable for biosensing applications. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) find utility as redox catalysts in the identification of adsorbed cytochrome c, a protein found in mitochondria. Furthermore, electronic detection has successfully revealed the binding of biotin and streptavidin using biotin-functionalized SWNTs, with this binding resulting in a reduction in SWNT conductivity. These alterations in SWNT properties observed during electronic detection likely stem from charge transfer processes occurring during the interaction between SWNTs and the analyte.

Nanotubes as molecular carriers: The unique structural attributes of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) position them as favored carriers for delivering molecular probes like proteins and DNA into mammalian cells. CNTs establish bonds with various biological molecules, including proteins and DNA, which greatly aids in this function. For instance, certain proteins such as streptavidin exhibit interactions with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), while DNA molecules can be adsorbed onto the surface of MWNTs.

Nanoparticles effects on photosynthesis: Numerous researchers have investigated the impact of nanoparticles on plants and their photosynthesis. These studies have revealed both chronic and acute effects of nanoparticles on the photosynthetic apparatus and its overall productivity. Notably, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles are prevalent in the environment and may exert a significant influence on plant photosynthesis. In plants such as Lactuca sativa, Oryza sativa, and Brassica oleracea var capitata, copper accumulates within the leaves, leading to structural damage in chloroplasts and stomata. This accumulation also results in a reduced number of thylakoids per grana, further affecting the photosynthetic processes in these plants.

Conclusion:

The realms of nanobiotechnology and nano agriculture, encompassing research involving carbon nanomaterials, hold immense promise for advancing the fields of animal and plant sciences as well as agriculture. Given the crucial aspect of nanomaterial size, carbon nanomaterials have the ability to permeate the seed coat and plant cell walls, potentially instigating alterations in metabolic functions that ultimately result in augmented biomass and increased yields of grains or fruits. However, it is essential to address the potential issue of phytotoxicity, which has been observed in certain instances. This challenge can be mitigated through meticulous management of concentrations and dosages to prevent any harmful effects. Despite these concerns, the future prospects of carbon nanomaterials remain bright, offering a cost-effective strategy to enhance crop production and bolster tolerance to abiotic stressors.

Citation:

MAJEED, N., PANIGRAHI, K.C., SUKLA, L.B., JOHN, R. AND PANIGRAHY, M., 2020. Application of carbon nanomaterials in plant biotechnology. Materials Today: Proceedings, 30, pp.340-345.