Ghulam Zahara Jahangir, Asma Shahzad, Ayesha Naz, Anabia Shiraz, Ahmed Mahmoud Ismail, Hossam S. El-Beltagi, Saleh Mobarak Alturki, Mohamed J. Hajjar, Tarek A. Shalaby, Lamy Hamed, Ayesha Younas, Rehan Sadiq Shaikh, Sharifullah Sharifi
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained attention as antimicrobial agents in plant tissue culture to reduce microbial contamination. The present study aimed to investigate the plant-protective potential of green-synthesized AgNPs at optimized concentrations in citrus micropropagation media. AgNPs were synthesized using juice of Citrus sinensis through an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach.
Results
The optimized synthesis ratio for AgNPs was 1:4 (orange juice: 1% AgNO₃). UV–Vis spectroscopy showed a characteristic peak at 450 nm. Zetasizer analysis revealed a particle size of 100.2 ± 0.12 nm with a zeta potential of − 23.8 mV, indicating stability. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis confirmed the presence of silver (33.06%), while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed predominantly spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 37.41 nm. The antimicrobial efficacy of AgNPs was evaluated in the micropropagation media of three citrus species (Citrus sinensis, Citrus reticulata, and Citrus micrantha) at concentrations of 2, 3, and 5 ppm. Among the treatments, 3 ppm AgNPs effectively reduced microbial contamination and significantly enhanced plant growth parameters, including shoot length, root length, number of leaves, and chlorophyll content (P < 0.05). Gene expression analysis of the PP2A housekeeping gene showed no significant variation between treated and control plants under the tested conditions.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that green-synthesized AgNPs, particularly at an optimized concentration of 3 ppm, have potential as antimicrobial agents in citrus micropropagation systems under controlled in vitro conditions. However, these results are based on short-term experiments involving limited plant species, and further studies are required to evaluate long-term effects and broader applicability before generalizing their use.
期刊介绍：
Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture is an international, interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed forum for the advancement and application to all fields of agriculture of modern chemical, biochemical and molecular technologies. The scope of this journal includes chemical and biochemical processes aimed to increase sustainable agricultural and food production, the evaluation of quality and origin of raw primary products and their transformation into foods and chemicals, as well as environmental monitoring and remediation. Of special interest are the effects of chemical and biochemical technologies, also at the nano and supramolecular scale, on the relationships between soil, plants, microorganisms and their environment, with the help of modern bioinformatics. Another special focus is the use of modern bioorganic and biological chemistry to develop new technologies for plant nutrition and bio-stimulation, advancement of biorefineries from biomasses, safe and traceable food products, carbon storage in soil and plants and restoration of contaminated soils to agriculture.
This journal presents the first opportunity to bring together researchers from a wide number of disciplines within the agricultural chemical and biological sciences, from both industry and academia. The principle aim of Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture is to allow the exchange of the most advanced chemical and biochemical knowledge to develop technologies which address one of the most pressing challenges of our times - sustaining a growing world population.
Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture publishes original research articles, short letters and invited reviews. Articles from scientists in industry, academia as well as private research institutes, non-governmental and environmental organizations are encouraged.
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