Exogenous application of phytosynthesized nanoceria to alleviate ferulic acid stress in Solanum lycopersicum

Phytosynthesized cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) using Thymus serpyllum flower extract were used as cytoprotective and antioxidant for alleviating ferulic acid (FA) stress in Solanum lycopersicum in hydroponic culture. XRD, SEM and PSA studies revealed cubic structure, spherical shape and size of the particles ranging from 21 to 100 nm respectively. FTIR (study) indicated that some biomolecules were bound to the surface of nanoceria as capping and stabilizing agent. FA induced detrimental effects on photosynthetic activity while protective effects of nanoceria in combined treatments were evident from chlorophyll fluorescence data and pigment analysis. The exogenous application of nanoceria under FA stress led to drop in malondialdehyde and electrolyte leakage while pigment contents were augmented. The involvement of green synthesized nanoceria as an antioxidant may protect crop plants from autointoxication, one of the major problems in monocropping. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.