Nano- and microscale iron for Fe fortification in Spinacia oleracea

Abstract

The effectiveness of nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) and microscale zero-valent iron (MZVI) in fortifying spinach (Spinacia oleracea) with iron was examined. The changes in uptake of some macro- and microelements essential for plants and humans were also investigated in the presence of NZVI and MZVI. Spinach was grown hydroponically until maturity using three doses of iron (11, 55, 110 mg/L) using NZVI, MZVI, and ferrous sulfate (FeSO4). Spinach produced most biomass when exposed to 55 mg/L NZVI and 110 mg/L MZVI. With the application of 55 mg/L NZVI, the biomass increase in the edible part (the aboveground biomass) was ~ 1.10-fold compared to 110 mg/L MZVI, and ~ 1.57-fold compared to 55 mg/L FeSO4 treatments. There was a 1.15-fold increase in iron content in spinach treated with 55 mg/L NZVI compared to 110 mg/L MZVI and a 1.70-fold increase was seen with 55 mg/L NZVI compared to 55 mg/L FeSO4. NZVI and MZVI also enhanced the plant uptake of some macronutrients (P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Na) and micronutrients (Zn, Mn, Cu, B). Both NZVI and MZVI have the potential for use as nutrient fortifiers in crops.

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Nanotechnology for Environmental Engineering (2021) 6:61
https://doi.org/10.1007/s41204-021-00132-1
ORIGINAL PAPER
Nano‑ andmicroscale iron forFe fortification inSpinacia oleracea
MohammadEnayetHossain1,2· AchintyaN.Bezbaruah2
Received: 30 March 2021 / Accepted: 3 July 2021 / Published online: 3 October 2021
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
Abstract
The effectiveness of nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) and microscale zero-valent iron (MZVI) in fortifying spinach (Spi-
nacia oleracea) with iron was examined. The changes in uptake of some macro- and microelements essential for plants and
humans were also investigated in the presence of NZVI and MZVI. Spinach was grown hydroponically until maturity using
three doses of iron (11, 55, 110mg/L) using NZVI, MZVI, and ferrous sulfate (FeSO4). Spinach produced most biomass when
exposed to 55mg/L NZVI and 110mg/L MZVI. With the application of 55mg/L NZVI, the biomass increase in the edible
part (the aboveground biomass) was ~ 1.10-fold compared to 110mg/L MZVI, and ~ 1.57-fold compared to 55mg/L FeSO4
treatments. There was a 1.15-fold increase in iron content in spinach treated with 55mg/L NZVI compared to 110mg/L
MZVI and a 1.70-fold increase was seen with 55mg/L NZVI compared to 55mg/L FeSO4. NZVI and MZVI also enhanced
the plant uptake of some macronutrients (P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Na) and micronutrients (Zn, Mn, Cu, B). Both NZVI and MZVI
have the potential for use as nutrient fortifiers in crops.
Keywords Nanoscale zero-valent iron· Microscale zero-valent iron· Biofortification· Spinach biomass· Iron uptake
Introduction
Iron (Fe) is one of the key micronutrients for plant, human,
and animal nutrition. It plays a major role in the catalysis of
enzymatic reactions in the cells [1, 2]. Even though it is one
of the most abundant elements on earth (35% of its mass and
5.2% of its crust), ~ 30% of the world’s soils are deficient in
plant-available iron [3]. Among the micronutrients, plants
need iron the most as it is a major constituent of several
enzymes and pigments [4]. Iron takes part in the reduction
of nitrate and sulfate and the production of energy within the
plant [4]. Iron is also essential for chlorophyll formation [4].
Humans and animals are dependent on plants for their iron
requirements. Iron is vital for oxygen transport in the body
as well as for energy metabolism [5]. Iron constitutes the
functional core of the heme complex in hemoglobin (oxygen
carrier in the blood) and myoglobin (oxygen storage unit
in muscles) [5]. It is also found in the catalytic center of
cytochromes which perform redox reactions [4].
Iron deficiency is one of the most common human nutri-
tional deficiencies prevalent across the globe and a leading
factor for disabilities and deaths [6]. Iron deficiency leads to
anemia in humans [7]. Anemia is a condition in which our
blood lacks enough red blood cells (RBCs) and, thus, fails
to carry adequate oxygen to the body tissues. While there
are other causes of anemia, iron deficiency in the body is
the most common one [8]. Bone marrow needs iron to make
hemoglobin which in turn leads to a human having healthy
RBCs. It was estimated (2019) that around 39.8% (269 mil-
lion) of children (aged < 5years), 36.5% (32 million) of
pregnant women, and 29.6% (539 million) of non-pregnant
women in the world suffer from anemia [9]. Children in the
African Region form the highest proportion (> 60%) of indi-
viduals suffering from anemia while the most affected num-
ber of women reside in the Southeast Asia Region where
244 million women of reproductive age (15–49years) are
affected [9]. It is imperative to develop nutrient security
strategies that will help humans to overcome iron deficiency.
Several interventions are practiced to combat iron
deficiency in humans. The most effective intervention to
Mohammad Enayet Hossain: Formerly at North Dakota State
University, Fargo, ND, 58108, USA.
* Achintya N. Bezbaruah
a.bezbaruah@ndsu.edu
1 Department ofSoil, Water andEnvironment, University
ofDhaka, Dhaka1000, Bangladesh
2 Department ofCivil, Construction andEnvironmental
Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo,
ND58108, USA
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