Selenium nanomaterials alleviate Brassica chinensis L cadmium stress: Reducing accumulation, regulating microorganisms and activating glutathione metabolism

Bingxu Cheng; Jiangshan Zhang; Chuanxi Wang; Jing Li; Feiran Chen; Xuesong Cao; Le Yue; Zhenyu Wang

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140320

Selenium nanomaterials alleviate Brassica chinensis L cadmium stress: Reducing accumulation, regulating microorganisms and activating glutathione metabolism

Chemosphere. 2023 Dec:344:140320. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140320. Epub 2023 Sep 27.

Authors

Bingxu Cheng¹, Jiangshan Zhang¹, Chuanxi Wang¹, Jing Li¹, Feiran Chen¹, Xuesong Cao¹, Le Yue², Zhenyu Wang¹

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, And School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China; Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China.
² Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, And School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China; Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China. Electronic address: leyue@jiangnan.edu.cn.

PMID: 37775052
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140320

Abstract

Agricultural heavy metal contamination can cause significant crop damage, highlighting the urgent need to mitigate its negative effects. Under Cd²⁺ stress, selenium nanomaterials (Se NMs, 2 mg kg^-1) can significantly improve Brassica chinensis L. root growth and vigor, enhance photosynthesis (31.4%), and increase biomass. Se NMs treatment also reduces Brassica chinensis L root and shoot Cd concentration by 67.2 and 72.9%, respectively. This reduction is mainly due to the gene expression of Cd²⁺ absorption (BcITR1 and BcHMA2) which was down-regulated 51.9 and 67.0% by Se NMs, respectively. Meanwhile, Se NMs can increase the abundance of Cd-resistant microorganisms (Gemmatimonas, RB41, Haliangium, Gaiella, and Steroidobacter) in rhizosphere soil while also reducing Cd migration from soil to plants. Additionally, Se NMs also contribute to reducing ROS accumulation by improving the oxidation-reduction process between GSH and GSSG through enhancing γ-ECS (15.6%), GPx (50.2%) and GR (97.3%) activity. Remarkably, crop Se content can reach 50.8 μg/100 g, which fully meets the standards of Se-rich vegetables. These findings demonstrate the potential of Se NMs in relieving heavy metal stress, while simultaneously increasing crop Se content, making it a promising technology for sustainable agricultural production.

Keywords: Cadmium; Gene expression; Microorganisms; Reactive oxygen species; Selenium nanomaterials.

MeSH terms

Antioxidants / metabolism
Brassica*
Cadmium / metabolism
Cadmium / toxicity
Glutathione / metabolism
Oxidative Stress
Selenium* / metabolism
Selenium* / pharmacology
Soil
Soil Pollutants* / toxicity

Substances

Selenium
Antioxidants
Cadmium
Glutathione
Soil
Soil Pollutants