TPU chemists proposed a way to protect 'Christmas star' from diseases

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TPU chemists proposed a way to protect "Christmas star" from diseases

TPU researchers, as part of an international scientific team, have proved that silver nanoparticles make it possible to obtain poinsettia sprouts purified from fungus and bacteria for industrial cultivation. The plant is an indoor flower that is considered a symbol of Christmas in many countries of the world. Argovit, a drug developed with the participation of TPU researchers, was used as a source of silver. Besides, the study showed that this approach stimulates rapid formation and growth of shoots.

The results of the study have been published in the journal Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (Q2, IF: 2.4).

Poinsettia is a worldwide symbol of Christmas, and the demand for it is constantly growing. The main problem in the protocol of reproduction of poinsettia in vitro (editor's note - in laboratory conditions) is to maintain aseptic conditions in the nutrient culture. The fact is that latex present in poinsettia stems significantly contributes to the formation of organic compounds that stimulate the development of phytopathogens in the culture medium after its setting up.

"In order for the plant to remain free of fungi and bacteria by the time it is planted in the ground, it is important to keep the nutrient medium disinfected throughout the growing period of the sprout. For this purpose, we proposed using silver nanoparticles, which are known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties," says Alexey Pestryakov, professor at the Research School of Chemical and Biomedical Technologies.

In the course of laboratory experiments, the researchers obtained nodular segments from the mother plant, with an axillary bud, devoid of leaves, about 1 cm long The samples were placed in flasks with a nutrient medium with silver nanoparticles of different concentrations - 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 mg/l. Moreover, a reference group of samples without nanoparticles was formed.

The plants were incubated in a climate chamber at a temperature of 25°C, with a photoperiod of 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness. The results were evaluated after 45 days. The researchers evaluated the aseptic effectiveness, the number of shoots, their length and diameter, as well as the number of leaves on the shoot.

During the experiment, asepsis in the reference group was practically absent, it reached the level of 0.33%. That is, the samples actually died from phytopathogens. The best result was shown by a group of samples treated with silver nanoparticles at a concentration of 400 mg/l.

Experiments have also revealed toxic effects of high concentrations of silver nanoparticles on plants. At the concentrations of 500 and 600 mg/l, a decrease in the thickness of shoots and the number of leaves, as well as lamina twisting was noted. Researchers note that this is a typical sign of a plant's reaction to excessive formation of reactive oxygen species.

"Previously, the addition of natural plant hormones of cytokinin or auxins was considered optimal conditions for poinsettia micropropagation. However, our research shows that it is possible to do without them. Thus, the use of silver nanoparticles can form the basis to create a new bionanotechnology protocol to produce high-quality specimens of poinsettia, which will meet the market demand for this plant, traditionally associated with Christmas holidays," summarizes Alexey Pestryakov.

The research involved employees of the TPU Research School of Chemical and Biomedical Technologies, the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos (Mexico), the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the Xochicalco University (Mexico), Ensenada Institute of Technology (Mexico), the Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation (Mexico).