Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Boosts Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Capsicum annuum L. during Germination

Abstract: TheeffectsofzincoxidenanoparticlesonseedgerminationandseedlinggrowthofCapsicum annuum L. were determined in this research. Total phenols content, total flavonoids, and condensed tannins, as well as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant capacity was determined. Resultsindicatedthattreatmentwithzincoxidenanoparticles(ZnO-NPs)improvedseedgermination rate during the first seven days. The seed vigor germination increased 123.50%, 129.40% and 94.17% by treatment with ZnO-NPs suspensions at 100, 200 and 500 ppm, respectively. The morphological parameterstestedrevealedthatZnO-NPstreatmentsdidnotsignificantlyaffectplumuledevelopment, buttheyhadasignificantimpact(p≤0.01)onradiclelength. Suspensionsat100,200and500ppmof ZnO-NPs inhibited seedling radicle growth and promoted accumulation of phenolic compounds, with a phytotoxic effect in this organ. Results suggested that zinc oxide nanoparticles influence seed vigor and seedling development and promoted the accumulation of desirable phenolic compounds in the radicle