The impact of cerium oxide nanoparticles on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and its implications for food safety.
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Sustainable development of nanotechnology requires an understanding of the long term ecotoxicological impact of engineered nanomaterials on the environment. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO-NPs) have great potential to accumulate and adversely affect the environment owing to their widespread applications in commercial products. This study documented the chronic phenotypic response of tomato plants to CeO-NPs (0.1-10 mg L) and determined the effect of CeO-NPs on tomato yield. The results indicated that CeO-NPs at the concentrations applied in this study had either an inconsequential or a slightly positive effect on plant growth and tomato production. However, elevated cerium content was detected in plant tissues exposed to CeO-NPs, suggesting that CeO-NPs were taken up by tomato roots and translocated to shoots and edible tissues. In particular, substantially higher Ce concentrations were detected in the fruits exposed to 10 mg L CeO-NPs, compared with controls. This study sheds light on the long term impact of CeO-NPs on plant health and its implications for our food safety and security.