Abstract. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nanoparticles on the aging of cotton
leaves by measuring the content of chlorophyll. Until now, the mechanism of chlorophyll degradation
and the factors influencing this process have not been fully studied. In the presented research,
the effect of nanoparticles on the degradation of chlorophyll and carotenoids, photosynthetic rate,
Fv/Fm ratio and production of oxidants, ie. H2O2 and superoxide radical (O2-), lipoxygenase enzyme
activity (LOX), and antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT activity in 14-day-old cotton seedlings
under dark conditions was investigated. Metal-based nanoparticles (ZnO, CuO, Fe2O3,TiO2) were
used in the experiments. Cotton was grown in a controlled environment plant growth chamber.
First, the compounds of chlorophyll and carotenoids were measured in the leaves of the third tiers
of 14-day-old cotton seedlings, and then the seedlings were kept in the dark. The kinetics of the process
depends on the composition and size of the nanoparticles. Nanoparticles do not significantly
affect the increase of H2O2, superoxide anion during chlorophyll degradation, but ZnO nanoparticles
do. Lipoxygenase, SOD and CAT enzymes activity in this process of nanoparticles is not seriously
affected.

CHLOROPHYLL DEGRADATION IN LEAVES OF NANOPARTICLES EXPOSED COTTON SEEDLINGS UNDER DARK CONDITION

JOURNAL ARTICLE published 2023 in Acta Botanica Caucasica

https://doi.org/10.30546/abc.2023.2.1.56.