Translocação de nanopartículas de prata (AgNPs) em Lactuca Sativa L.

Abstract

Nanoparticles have been widely used in various sectors of society during the last years, such as the hospital area - in the production of curatives - and the cosmetic industry. The presence of these nanoparticles in the environment has been a matter of concern in the scientific community, as metabolic and morphological changes have been observed in plants after exposure to silver nanoparticles. Numerous studies shows that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which are widely used as a bactericidal agent, can have negative effects on plant organisms which may eventually absorb high concentrations of these particles. This study used Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), EDS and Optical Microscopy (MO), to describe the absorption of AgNPs by Lactuca sativa L. seedlings at different intervals of time, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 minutes of exposure to nanoparticles. Scanning Electron Microscopy images shows both leaf and root surface wrinkling and with EDS and optical microscopy it was found that silver is rapidly absorbed by the seedling root, but does not reach the seedling shoots within 10 minutes of exposure to silver nanoparticles.