title: Zinc complexed chitosan/TPP nanoparticles: A promising micronutrient nanocarrier suited for foliar application.
abstract: Cultivation of cereals in zinc deficient soils leads to declined nutritional quality of grain. Zinc deficiency in humans is a consequence of consumption of micronutrient deficient cereals as staple food. To achieve an increase in zinc density in grain, we evaluated zinc complexed chitosan nanoparticles (Zn-CNP) as a potential 'nanocarrier' suited for foliar fertilization. Zn-CNP were synthesized using tri-polyphosphate as a cross-linker. Spherical Zn-CNP (diameter 250-300nm) were positively charged (zeta potential, +42.34mV) and contained ∼20mg Zn/g (w/w). Plant growth in zinc deficient sand media, followed by foliar application of Zn-CNP (twice-a-week, for 5 weeks) after anthesis resulted in 27 and 42% increase in grain zinc content of MACS 3125 and UC1114 (durum wheat cultivars) respectively. Translocation of zinc ions from foliar applied Zn-CNP into the leaf and seed tissue was demonstrated using zinquin and dithizone stains, respectively. The study indicates the suitability of chitosan-based nanocarriers in agronomic biofortification.
authors.affiliation: Nanobioscience Group, Agharkar Research Institute, G. G. Agarkar Road, Pune 411 004, India.
authors.forename: Paresh
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deshpande
authors.affiliation: Nanobioscience Group, Agharkar Research Institute, G. G. Agarkar Road, Pune 411 004, India.
authors.forename: Ashwin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dapkekar
authors.affiliation: Genetics and Plant Breeding, Agharkar Research Institute, G. G. Agarkar Road, Pune 411 004, India.
authors.forename: Manoj D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Oak
authors.affiliation: Nanobioscience Group, Agharkar Research Institute, G. G. Agarkar Road, Pune 411 004, India. Electronic address: kmpaknikar@aripune.org.
authors.forename: Kishore M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Paknikar
authors.affiliation: Nanobioscience Group, Agharkar Research Institute, G. G. Agarkar Road, Pune 411 004, India. Electronic address: jrajwade@rediffmail.com.
authors.forename: Jyutika M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rajwade
mesh_terms: D048271:Chitosan; D005308:Fertilizers; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D053758:Nanoparticles; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D014908:Triticum / Q000378:metabolism*; D015032:Zinc / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D018977:Micronutrients; D048271:Chitosan; D015032:Zinc
keywords: Agronomic biofortification; Chitosan nanocarriers; Wheat; Zinc (Zn)