Applications of Nanoparticles for Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Scavenging in Photosynthetic Systems

Under aerobic conditions, excessive illumination results in the photogeneration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsible for protein damage and photo-inhibition during photosynthesis. We explore the effects of nanoceria (NC), a regenerative ROS scavenger, on chloroplasts isolated from plant leaves. The addition of dextran-wrapped nanoceria (dNC) was shown to decrease ROS concentrations in photoactive chloroplast solutions. We also explore the application of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as vehicles for nanoparticle uptake inside not only chloroplasts, but also whole plant leaves of S. oleracea.