In vivo phytotoxicity, uptake, and translocation of PbS nanoparticles in maize (Zea mays L.) plants.

PbS nanomaterials are of great concern because of their potential toxicity and unavoidable releases of multiple commercial applications of nanoparticles (NPs). Commercial NPs act as mediators of damage to plant cells and pose potential toxicity to plants and human health. The mechanisms involved in the toxicity, uptake, and biotranslocation of PbS NPs in plants are poorly understood. We synthesize 15 ± 6 nm PbS nanoparticles (NPs) and report the phytotoxicology, uptake, and translocation of PbS NPs in maize (Zea mays L.) plants under various hydroponic treatments (5 mg/L, 10 mg/L, 20 mg/L, 30 mg/L, 40 mg/L, 50 mg/L of PbS NPs, 1.5 mg/L Pb2+ ion and controls) for 15 days. The findings indicate that PbS NPs has phytotoxic effects on seeds germination and similar effects in root elongation. The PbS NPs significantly inhibites the biomass of shoots and roots, as well as root morphology compared with the controls. The PbS NPs can penetrate the epidermis of maize roots and bioaccumulate in shoots at higher concentrations than controls treated with Pb2+ ions. The observations are consistent with indices of biotranslocation factor and confirmed by STEM-EDS mapping. The results illustrate PbS NPs can enter the cell wall and exist in intercellular space and cytoplasm of the cortical cell of maize seedlings by apoplastic and symplastic pathways. This study highlights the importance of the uptake, phytotoxicity, and biotranslocation of PbS NPs in maize crops and demonstrates the possible transfer into human food as an outcome of the fate of PbS NPs in plants.