Antioxidant response of arabidopsis thaliana to ZnSe-nanoparticles, selenium and zinc ions

The impact of zinc selenide nanoparticles (ZnSe-NPs) on plants is still unknown. The intention of this work was to compare phytotoxicity of ZnSe-NPs and selenium and zinc ions in 100, 250 and 500 M concentrations. Young seedlings of Arabidopsis thaliana (Columbia (Col-0) ecotype) was used as an ecotoxicological model. 250 and 500 M concentrations were extremely phytotoxic and inhibited the growth. Only the lowest concentrations were used for next analysis. ZnSe-NPs treatment had no visible impact on the growth but led to increased antioxidant response. More antioxidant related genes were upregulated than suppressed. Concurrently, there were higher productions of secondary metabolites which are often synthesis during abiotic stress