Nanotoxicology in Plants

Nanomaterials have become relevant in large-scale industrial applications and are used in many common devices. This may have negative effects in terms of health and environment. There is increasing concern about nanotoxicity in plants because they are not only a fundamental part of the ecology but also the basis of trophic systems. Nanotoxicology is the branch of toxicology responsible for describing the effects of nanomaterials on living organisms and the environmental consequences resulting from their use. Thorough studies are important, because nanomaterials have stronger toxicological effects than those reported for the same materials in bulk or in solution. The main toxicological factor observed in various organisms is oxidative stress. Many techniques have been used to evaluate the toxicity of nanomaterials in plants; however, currently, there is no consensus on the optimal method for evaluating toxicity in plants. A concern is that bioaccumulation of nanoparticles in plants can enter the food chain of animals and humans constituting a health problem. Therefore, extensive safety research projects and regulations are urgently needed. To understand some toxic effects that nanomaterials may have on plants, this chapter describes basic concepts of plant nanotoxicology, including some properties of nanomaterials, the anatomy and physiology of plants, as well as the methodologies so far existing to evaluate the toxicity of nanoparticles. The resistance and responses of plant cells to nanomaterials are also discussed.