Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) alleviate naphthalene-triggered oxidative stress and physiological deficiencies in Moringa oleifera

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate oxidative stress and physiological deficiencies from naphthalene toxicity on Moringa oleifera and adsorptive properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to alleviate the deficiencies. Naphthalene contents in soil and M. oleifera were quantified with gas chromatography coupled with flame ionisation detector (GC-FID). M. oleifera was planted on 0.35 mgNaph/g soil, 0.30 mgNaph/g soil, 0.25 mgNaph/g soil, 0.30 mgNaph + 0.30 mg AgNPs/g soil and 0.30 mg AgNPs/g soil symbolised as groups B, C, D, E and F, respectively, while group A was control (water). Naphthalene significantly retarded M. oleifera growth parameters, declined stress tolerance capacity and created water deficit. It induced oxidative stress by increasing malondialdehyde contents and compromised antioxidant activities by 69.64%, 45.27% and 39.38% in M. oleifera planted on B, C and D, respectively. Naphthalene declined photosynthetic indicators in M. oleifera by 60.69%, 52.41%, 29.66% in B, C and D, respectively. AgNPs noticeably reduced naphthalene toxicity on antioxidant activity, photosynthetic pigment, translocation into M. oleifera and retention in soil by 21.36%, 79.31%, 65.83% and 89.59%, respectively. Results in this study indicate AgNPs possess the ability to alleviate oxidative stress triggered by naphthalene toxicity.

KEYWORDS:

• Lipid peroxidation
• photosynthetic indicators
• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• silver nanoparticles
• translocation percentage

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes on contributor

Abdulazeez T. Lawal is a Professor of Analytical Chemistry in the Department of Chemical Sciences and writes on fabrication and utilization of carbon nanotubes, graphene-based nanomaterials and polypyrrole-based electrochemical biosensors. His most recent paper is Fascinating physical-chemical properties and fiber morphology of selected waste plant leaves as potential pulp and paper making agents (Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 2020).

Luqmon Azeez is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry with specialization in analysis of soil, water, air pollution involving polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds and criteria pollutants. He also specializes in food analysis and composition, modelling of food components and free radical scavenging studies. Recently, he has delved into environmental applications of nanoparticles and nanostructured particles for remediation and their ecotoxicological implications. His most recent publication is influence of calcium nanoparticles (CaNPs) on nutritional qualities, radical scavenging attributes of Moringa oleifera and risk assessments on human health (Food Measure, 2020).

Wasiu K. Sulaiman is an Assistance Lecturer at Oduduwa University Ile- Ife Osun State Nigeria and writes on Food, Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. His recent article is proximate Composition and fatty acid profile of garden egg (Solanum aethiopicum L) Fruit (Int J Food Sci. Nutr, 2020).