posted on 2023-11-29, 16:08authored byJianzong Zhou, Wei Guo, Zhaochu Hu, Lanlan Jin, Shenghong Hu
Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element in the human
body, and
its deficiency can seriously affect health. Agronomic Zn biofortification
with ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in consumable wheat prospectively
relieves Zn deficiency. We developed an elemental quantitative imaging
laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma optical emission
spectrometry method to examine the distributions of Zn and other micronutrient
elements in wheat grain and the endosperm. After foliar application
of ZnO NPs (four rounds), Zn content in the endosperm can be significantly
increased (221 ± 61%), and the Zn, Ca, Mg, and P content gradient
decreased from the outside seed coat and aleurone layer to the endosperm,
whereas the Fe, Mn, K, Cu, Sr, and Ba content gradient decreased from
the crease region to the deeper endosperm. This may indicate how different
elements enter the endosperm. Foliar application of ZnO NPs did not
change the micronutrient accumulation pattern but did change their
contents in wheat grain.