Researchers tested gold nanoparticles suspended in a seaweed-based gel on garden cress seedlings and found that the nanoparticles boosted pigment levels and antioxidant activity, suggesting plants activate stress defenses in response — with effects varying by concentration and how the nanoparticles were made.
1
Gold nanoparticles synthesized with xylose at 25 mg/L significantly increased photosynthetic pigments and total polyphenolic compounds in garden cress seedlings.
2
All tested gold nanoparticle formulations increased antioxidant activity, indicating activation of abiotic stress defense responses across concentrations (5 and 25 mg/L).
3
The biochemical effects depended on both nanoparticle concentration and the reducing sugar used during synthesis (xylose vs. maltose), showing that fabrication method matters for phytotoxicity outcomes.
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