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Dr. Azam Noori
Department of Biology, Merrimack College, North Andover, MA 01845, USA

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0 Plant Physiology
0 Plant biotechnology
0 natural medicine
0 Environmental biology
0 Phytotechnology

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Review
Published: 24 August 2021 in Nanomaterials
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The advancement in nanotechnology has brought numerous benefits for humans in diverse areas including industry, medicine, and agriculture. The demand in the application of nanomaterials can result in the release of these anthropogenic materials into soil and water that can potentially harm the environment by affecting water and soil properties (e.g., soil texture, pH, organic matter, and water content), plants, animals, and subsequently human health. The properties of nanoparticles including their size, surface area, and reactivity affect their fate in the environment and can potentially result in their toxicological effects in the ecosystem and on living organisms. There is extensive research on the application of nano-based materials and the consequences of their release into the environment. However, there is little information about environmentally friendly approaches for removing nanomaterials from the environment. This article provides insight into the application of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), as one of the most commonly used nanomaterials, their toxicological effects, their impacts on plants and microorganisms, and briefly reviews the possibility of remediation of these metabolites using phytotechnology approaches. This article provides invaluable information to better understand the fate of nanomaterials in the environment and strategies in removing them from the environment.

ACS Style

Muhammad Ihtisham; Azam Noori; Saurabh Yadav; Mohammad Sarraf; Pragati Kumari; Marian Brestic; Muhammad Imran; Fuxing Jiang; Xiaojun Yan; Anshu Rastogi. Silver Nanoparticle’s Toxicological Effects and Phytoremediation. Nanomaterials 2021, 11, 2164 .

AMA Style

Muhammad Ihtisham, Azam Noori, Saurabh Yadav, Mohammad Sarraf, Pragati Kumari, Marian Brestic, Muhammad Imran, Fuxing Jiang, Xiaojun Yan, Anshu Rastogi. Silver Nanoparticle’s Toxicological Effects and Phytoremediation. Nanomaterials. 2021; 11 (9):2164.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Muhammad Ihtisham; Azam Noori; Saurabh Yadav; Mohammad Sarraf; Pragati Kumari; Marian Brestic; Muhammad Imran; Fuxing Jiang; Xiaojun Yan; Anshu Rastogi. 2021. "Silver Nanoparticle’s Toxicological Effects and Phytoremediation." Nanomaterials 11, no. 9: 2164.

Research article
Published: 17 May 2021 in International Journal of Phytoremediation
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Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are particularly among the widely used nanomaterials in medicine, industry, and agriculture. The small size and large surface area of AgNPs and other nanomaterials result in their high reactivity in biological systems. To better understand the effects of AgNPs on plants at the molecular level, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) seedlings were exposed to 30 mg/L silver in the form of nanoparticle (AgNPs), ionic (AgNO3), or bulk (Ag0) in 50% Hoagland media for 7 days. The effects of silver on the expression of plant membrane transporters H+-ATPase, vacuolar type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase), and enzymes isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), and catalase in roots was assessed using RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence-confocal microscopy. We observed significantly higher expression of catalase in plants exposed to AgNPs (Fold of expression 1.1) and AgNO3 (Fold of expression 1.2) than the control group. The immunofluorescence imaging of the proteins confirmed the gene expression data; the expression of the enzyme catalase was upregulated 41, 216, and 770% higher than the control group in plants exposed to AgNPs, Ag0, and AgNO3, respectively. Exposure to AgnO3 resulted in the upregulation (fold of expression 1.2) of H+-ATPase and downregulation (fold of expression 0.7) of V-ATPase. A significant reduction in the expression of the redox-sensitive tricarboxylic cycle (TCA) enzyme mitochondrial IDH was observed in plants exposed to AgNPs (38%), AgNO3 (48%), or Ag0 (77%) compared to the control. This study shows that exposure to silver affects the expression of genes and protein involved in membrane transportation and oxidative response. The ionic form of silver had the most significant effect on the expression of genes and proteins compared to other forms of silver. The results from this study improve our understanding about the molecular effects of different forms of silver on important crop species. Novelty statement Silver nanoparticles released into the environment can be oxidized and be transformed into ionic form. Both the particulate and ionic forms of silver can be taken by plants and affect plants physiological and molecular responses. Despite the extensive research in this area, there is a scarce of information about the effects of silver nanoparticles on the expression of membrane transporters especially H+-ATPase involved in regulating cells' electrochemical charge, and the activity of enzymes involved in oxidative stress responses. This is a unique study that evaluates the expression of cellular proton transporters and enzymes of redox balance and energy metabolisms such as membrane transporters, H+-ATPase, and V-ATPases, and enzymes catalase and IDH. The results provide us valuable information about the impact of silver on plants at the molecular level by evaluating the expression of genes and proteins. Graphical Abstract

ACS Style

Azam Noori; Leena P. Bharath; Jason C. White. Type-specific impacts of silver on the protein profile of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.). International Journal of Phytoremediation 2021, 1 -13.

AMA Style

Azam Noori, Leena P. Bharath, Jason C. White. Type-specific impacts of silver on the protein profile of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.). International Journal of Phytoremediation. 2021; ():1-13.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Azam Noori; Leena P. Bharath; Jason C. White. 2021. "Type-specific impacts of silver on the protein profile of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.)." International Journal of Phytoremediation , no. : 1-13.

Research paper
Published: 18 May 2020 in Journal of Nanoparticle Research
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Recent years have seen significant increases in the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in areas such as medicine and agriculture. AgNPs released into environment can be accumulated by plants, potentially affecting environmental and human health. In addition, the accumulation of silver in plant tissues can negatively affect plant vascular tissues and membrane transporters that are responsible for the transport of water and essential nutrients. In this study, Lycopersicon esculentum plants were exposed to 10, 20, or 30 mg/L of silver in bulk (Ag0), nanoparticle (AgNPs), or ionic (AgNO3) form for 7 days in Hoagland media. Tissues were then harvested and subjected to elemental, molecular, and microscopic evaluation. The highest and lowest concentration of silver was detected in roots of plants exposed to 10–30 mg/L AgNO3 (432–471 μg/g dw) or AgNPs (40–47 μg/g dw), respectively. Particulate silver was detected in plants exposed to 20 nm AgNPs. The highest (52,700–58,400 particles/g) and lowest (6200–13,700 particles/g) concentrations of particles were detected in roots and leaves, respectively. The membrane transporters H+-ATPase, potassium transporter, and sulfate transporter were upregulated by 23.50%, 52.09%, and 7.6% upon exposure to all forms of silver as compared to the control group. Exposure to all forms of silver resulted in larger xylem cells (70 ± 1.1 μm in AgNP-exposed plants) than the control group (46 μm ± 0.6). Collectively, the data suggest that exposure to AgNPs resulted in the translocation and accumulation of both ionic and particulate forms of silver in tomato plants, affected the structure of vascular tissues, and significantly impacted the expression of membrane transporters. These changes subsequently affect the electrochemical potential of plant cells, the balance of water and nutrient dynamics, and plant growth; all of which have implications for sustainable agriculture and ultimately human health. These results also improve our understanding of the fate and effects of nanomaterials in food crops.

ACS Style

Azam Noori; Adam Ngo; Paola Gutierrez; Stephen Theberge; Jason C. White. Silver nanoparticle detection and accumulation in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Journal of Nanoparticle Research 2020, 22, 1 -16.

AMA Style

Azam Noori, Adam Ngo, Paola Gutierrez, Stephen Theberge, Jason C. White. Silver nanoparticle detection and accumulation in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Journal of Nanoparticle Research. 2020; 22 (6):1-16.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Azam Noori; Adam Ngo; Paola Gutierrez; Stephen Theberge; Jason C. White. 2020. "Silver nanoparticle detection and accumulation in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum)." Journal of Nanoparticle Research 22, no. 6: 1-16.

Journal article
Published: 22 February 2020 in Journal of Hazardous Materials
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Appropriate chelator may increase plant tolerance and accumulation for Cd in soil, but its molecular mechanism is unclear. In this experiment, the technology of isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) was used to compare the differential expression proteins (DEPs) and differential expression genes (DEGs) characteristics of poplar accumulating Cd combined with EDTA and/or EGTA. The results showed that the Cd concentrations, biomasses and activities of antioxidant enzymes of poplar were significantly increased in the treatments of chelator addition compared to the TCd. The number of co-intersecting specific proteins of TCd/CK, TCd+EDTA/TCd, TCd+EGTA/TCd and TCd+EDTA+EGTA/TCd was 49. Using the GO function and KEGG analysis, it was found that EDTA and EGTA might improve some main metabolic pathways of poplar leaves, which were involved in the enhancement of the expression of carbohydrate and energy metabolism-related proteins, regulation of cell energy metabolism, complementing and cooperating with each other in various ways, and dynamic regulation of energy metabolism. Particularly, chelator might induce the regulation of protein synthesis, folding and transport, and degradation of abnormal proteins in response to Cd toxicity. These results provided a theoretical basis for further elucidation of molecular mechanisms of poplar response to Cd stress.

ACS Style

Huiping Dai; Shuhe Wei; Azam Noori. The mechanism of chelator improved the tolerance and accumulation of poplar to Cd explored through differential expression protein based on iTRAQ. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2020, 393, 122370 .

AMA Style

Huiping Dai, Shuhe Wei, Azam Noori. The mechanism of chelator improved the tolerance and accumulation of poplar to Cd explored through differential expression protein based on iTRAQ. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2020; 393 ():122370.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Huiping Dai; Shuhe Wei; Azam Noori. 2020. "The mechanism of chelator improved the tolerance and accumulation of poplar to Cd explored through differential expression protein based on iTRAQ." Journal of Hazardous Materials 393, no. : 122370.

Articles
Published: 08 July 2019 in International Journal of Phytoremediation
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Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most widely used nanomaterials, with applications in sectors as diverse as communications, energy, medicine, and agriculture. This diverse application of AgNPs increases the risk of the release of these materials into the environment and raises the potential for transfer into plants and, subsequently, the human body. To better understand the effects of NPs in agricultural systems, this study investigates plant physiological and molecular responses upon exposure to AgNPs in comparison to silver nitrate (AgNO3). Tomato seedlings (Lycopersison esculentum) were exposed to 10, 20, or 30 mg/L silver (Ag), AgNO3, or AgNPs in hydroponic media for 7 days. A number of endpoints were measured, including plant growth, photosynthetic pigments, oxidative and antioxidant responses. The results showed 2–7 times lower growth rate in plants exposed to silver compared to the control. H2O2 and malondialdehyde as oxidative stress indicators were, respectively, 1.7 and 4 times higher in plants exposed to all forms of silver compared to the control. The antioxidative responses increased significantly in plants exposed to Ag and AgNPs compared to the control. However, plants exposed to AgNO3 showed up to 50% lower enzymatic antioxidant activity. At the molecular level, the expression of genes involved in defense responses, including ethylene-inducing xylanase (EIX), peroxidase 51 (POX), and phenylalanine ammonia lyase, were significantly upregulated upon exposure to silver. The molecular and physiological data showed exposure to all forms of silver resulted in oxidative stress and exposure to AgNPs induced antioxidative and defense responses. However, exposure to AgNO3 resulted in phytotoxicity and failure in antioxidative responses. It indicates the higher reactivity and phytotoxicity of the ionic form of silver compared to NPs. The findings of this study add important information to efforts in attempting to characterize the exposure and risk associated with the release of nanomaterials in the environment.

ACS Style

Azam Noori; Trevor Donnelly; Joseph Colbert; Wenjun Cai; Lee A. Newman; Jason C. White. Exposure of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) to silver nanoparticles and silver nitrate: physiological and molecular response. International Journal of Phytoremediation 2019, 22, 40 -51.

AMA Style

Azam Noori, Trevor Donnelly, Joseph Colbert, Wenjun Cai, Lee A. Newman, Jason C. White. Exposure of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) to silver nanoparticles and silver nitrate: physiological and molecular response. International Journal of Phytoremediation. 2019; 22 (1):40-51.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Azam Noori; Trevor Donnelly; Joseph Colbert; Wenjun Cai; Lee A. Newman; Jason C. White. 2019. "Exposure of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) to silver nanoparticles and silver nitrate: physiological and molecular response." International Journal of Phytoremediation 22, no. 1: 40-51.

Original articles
Published: 10 November 2018 in International Journal of Phytoremediation
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Sites with crude oil pollution have been successfully treated using phytoremediation, but expanding the range of plants that can be used and understanding how exposure impacts the plants are two areas of study that are important to continue. Leucanthemum vulgare has been shown to grow well under a variety of stressful conditions. To examine L. vulgare's ability to both survive crude oil exposure and to reduce crude oil concentrations in soil, plants were placed in soil containing 0, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% or 10% w/w crude oil. Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) concentration, peroxidase and catalase activity, proline and phenol content in roots and leaves were determined at the start of planting and every 2 months for six months. L. vulgare roots were successfully colonized with mycorrhizae under all conditions. Results showed positive correlation between antioxidant compound concentration and crude oil contamination. Also, a significant reduction occurred in TPH content of soil over time in planted pots as compared to controls. The lowest TPH content was recorded after 6 months under all treatments. Results showed L. vulgare could survive crude oil exposure and enhance reducing of crude oil from soil.

ACS Style

Azam Noori; Hassan Zare Maivan; Ebrahim Alaie; Lee A. Newman. Leucanthemum vulgare lam. crude oil phytoremediation. International Journal of Phytoremediation 2018, 20, 1292 -1299.

AMA Style

Azam Noori, Hassan Zare Maivan, Ebrahim Alaie, Lee A. Newman. Leucanthemum vulgare lam. crude oil phytoremediation. International Journal of Phytoremediation. 2018; 20 (13):1292-1299.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Azam Noori; Hassan Zare Maivan; Ebrahim Alaie; Lee A. Newman. 2018. "Leucanthemum vulgare lam. crude oil phytoremediation." International Journal of Phytoremediation 20, no. 13: 1292-1299.

Research paper
Published: 13 February 2017 in Journal of Nanoparticle Research
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The rapid growth of nanotechnology and the high demand for nanomaterial use have greatly increased the risk of particle release into the environment. Understanding nanomaterial interactions with crop species and their associated microorganisms is critical to food safety and security. In the current study, tomato was inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi and subsequently exposed to 12, 24, or 36 mg/kg of 2- or 15-nm silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs). Mycorrhizal (M) and non-mycorrhizal (NM) tomatoes exposed to 36 mg/kg of 2-nm Ag-NPs accumulated 1300 and 1600 μg/g silver in their tissues, respectively. Mycorrhizal plants accumulated 14% less silver compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. To begin to understand the mechanisms by which plants accumulate NPs, the expression of two aquaporin channel genes, the plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP) and the tonoplast membrane intrinsic protein (TIP), and one potassium channel (KC) gene were studied. In non-mycorrhizal plants, the expression of KC, PIP, and TIP was eight, five, and nine times higher than the control, respectively. These expressions for mycorrhizal plants were 5.8, 3.5, and 2 times higher than controls, respectively. The expression of KC and PIP, which are located on the plasma membrane, was 3.5 and 2.5, respectively, times higher than TIP, which is located on the tonoplast. PIP expression was significantly higher in NM tomatoes exposed to 12 mg/kg of 2-nm Ag-NPs compared to M plants. These results show that mycorrhizal colonization decreases Ag accumulation in NP-exposed plants and also moderates changes in expression level of membrane transport proteins.

ACS Style

Azam Noori; Jason C. White; Lee A. Newman. Mycorrhizal fungi influence on silver uptake and membrane protein gene expression following silver nanoparticle exposure. Journal of Nanoparticle Research 2017, 19, 66 .

AMA Style

Azam Noori, Jason C. White, Lee A. Newman. Mycorrhizal fungi influence on silver uptake and membrane protein gene expression following silver nanoparticle exposure. Journal of Nanoparticle Research. 2017; 19 (2):66.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Azam Noori; Jason C. White; Lee A. Newman. 2017. "Mycorrhizal fungi influence on silver uptake and membrane protein gene expression following silver nanoparticle exposure." Journal of Nanoparticle Research 19, no. 2: 66.

Original articles
Published: 23 January 2014 in International Journal of Phytoremediation
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Oil contamination of soil limits plants’ access to water and nutrients. Leucanthemum vulgare colonized by mycorrhizae could provide an effective tool in remedying oil contamination. Seeds of L. vulgare were planted in pots containing soil mixed with petroleum at 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% w/w and propagules of mycorrhizal fungi. Plants were grown under ambient conditions for 16 weeks. Seed germination data were collected weekly for three weeks. Mycorrhizal percentage, spore counts, length and weight of roots and shoots were determined after harvesting. Results showed significant differences in seed germination rates between oil-treated, mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants. The overall germination rate was greater at 7.5% w/w crude oil contamination (ρ = 0.05) in mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal pots with significant differences between their respective Root:Shoot ratios (both length and weight). Results of this research showed L. vulgare could be germinated and grown in crude oil contaminated soils and could be used to augment plant establishment as part of phytoremediation practices.

ACS Style

Azam Noori; Hassan Zare Maivan; Ebrahim Alaie. Leucanthemum Vulgare Lam. Germination, Growth and Mycorrhizal Symbiosis Under Crude Oil Contamination. International Journal of Phytoremediation 2014, 16, 962 -970.

AMA Style

Azam Noori, Hassan Zare Maivan, Ebrahim Alaie. Leucanthemum Vulgare Lam. Germination, Growth and Mycorrhizal Symbiosis Under Crude Oil Contamination. International Journal of Phytoremediation. 2014; 16 (9):962-970.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Azam Noori; Hassan Zare Maivan; Ebrahim Alaie. 2014. "Leucanthemum Vulgare Lam. Germination, Growth and Mycorrhizal Symbiosis Under Crude Oil Contamination." International Journal of Phytoremediation 16, no. 9: 962-970.

Journal article
Published: 08 March 2012 in Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry
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Concentrations of seven metals (Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn) were determined in 14 plant species including vegetables and crops from an agricultural area located at the Southern part of the Iranian capital, near the Tehran oil refinery. Different statistical methods, especially multivariate ones, were employed for the analysis of the results. Based on the results of agglomerative hierarchical method for clustering of the grid cells, some similarities between the dendrograms of Pb, Ni, and V and, furthermore, between Mn and Cr were observed that could be attributed to their similar distribution sources in the study area. The principal component analysis showed that with respect to accumulation of all the metals in the plant species, two main groups could be identified. The highest mean concentrations of all metals (except for Pb) were found in onions. In all plants the mean concentrations of Cd and Pb were considerably higher than limits stated in international guidelines for human consumption. The levels of the metals in onions exceeded these limits. Moreover, the Cr concentrations in mint and basil and the Zn concentrations in tarragon and parsley were higher than the established limits.

ACS Style

Nima Pourang; Azam Noori. Assessment of metals in fourteen species of vegetables and crops cultivated in a suburban area using multivariate analyses. Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry 2012, 94, 694 -712.

AMA Style

Nima Pourang, Azam Noori. Assessment of metals in fourteen species of vegetables and crops cultivated in a suburban area using multivariate analyses. Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry. 2012; 94 (4):694-712.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nima Pourang; Azam Noori. 2012. "Assessment of metals in fourteen species of vegetables and crops cultivated in a suburban area using multivariate analyses." Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry 94, no. 4: 694-712.