Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on soybean's biomolecules and oil content (Glycine max L.) seedlings tissues

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to show the effect of ZnONPs on all the seedling growth parameters and biosynthesis of some primary and secondary metabolites, including essential oils. Methodology and results: The study refers to the prominent and positive effect of ZnONPs on the germination of soybean (Glycine max L.) seeds to produce healthy seedlings. ZnONPs concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 μg/mL) are added to the growth medium of soybean seeds, causing an increase in the seedling content of proteins and nucleic acids. The protein content of seedlings growing on the Murashige and Skoog (MS) solid medium supplied with a 40 μg/mL reaches 1.92 μg/g. The nucleic acids DNA and RNA contents are 12.45 μg/g and 99.43 μg/g, respectively, compared with the range of seedlings grown on the control MSO medium. The effect of these nanoparticles is positively reflected in the content of the seedling's tissues growing on the media supplemented with their concentrations used to study the oil content. The oil content reaches up to 30.36% compared to the seedlings growing on the concentration-free media (MSO), which records 14.78%. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The use of nanoparticles of elements and most notably, the zinc oxide nanoparticles as important biological catalysts successfully stimulate the germination of seeds of many plants. It also helps the growth of their seedlings, enriches their content of vital molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids, and supports their production of valuable metabolites such as essential oils.