Physiological Aspects of Interaction of Nanoparticles with Plant and Microorganism Cells

Nanoparticles (NPs) are materials with unique physical and chemical properties that are less than 100 nm in size. They are widely used in various fields of industry, medicine and agriculture. In agribusiness nanomaterials are used as nanofertilisers and nanopesticides. This fact requires a detailed study of the physiological, biochemical and molecular genetic responses of cells of living organisms – plants, fungi and animals – to interaction with nanomaterials. This review article provides information on the mechanisms of nanoparticle absorption, movement and molecular interaction in plant organisms, as well as mechanisms of their antibacterial and fungicidal activity. Available scientific resources devoted to the physiological features of nanoparticle absorption by plants indicate two possible ways of their penetration into the plant organism – apoplastic and symplastic. In plant cells, nanoparticles act as reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing oxidative stress and triggering enzymatic and non-enzymatic defence systems that result in both inhibition of physiological processes and stimulation of plant growth and development and, consequently, increased yield. The effect on the plant organism is species-specific and depends on the type of nanomaterial and its concentration. Detailed laboratory and field studies are required to determine the specific effect of nanomaterials on a particular plant species, while complying with all toxicological safety standards to avoid environmental contamination with nanomaterials. Nanoparticles act on microorganism cells as physical and chemical disruptors – they change the permeability of cell walls and organelle membranes, protein configuration, damage DNA, leading to physical destruction of cells. Such properties of nanoparticles define antimicrobial and fungicidal activities of nanoparticles. However, nanoparticles should be used cautiously in crop production, as both plant life and productivity depend largely on microbial symbionts, and their effect on microbial cells is not species-specific.