Metal oxide nanoparticles in water or nutrient solution produce a small amount of metal ions. Can plants take in MNPs within the system and then convert it into metal ions, increasing the amount of ions in the plant tissue? How do we differentiate between MNPs and its ionic form inside the plant tissue?
Conversion of oxide MNPs into ions is directly related to the solubily of the MNPs in the environment where they are, whether in plants or not. Chemistry says that there should be an equilibrium between solid and dissolved phase, even if the solid is poorly soluble. So there are always ions in presence. In living bodies, you can even expect a higher solubility because of complexation of ions, which helps significantly the dissolution. As the ions (or their complexes) are soluble, they can be separated from solid phase by washing and subsequent analysis of the rinse.
Alain
Plants do uptake ions as dissolved in water vias specific transporters. They may increase the concentration by sequestering into organelles such as vacuoles. They do also form complexes with others once they are inside the cell environment. Concept of Micro Nano Particles are not yet been adapted in plant related literatures (As far as i know). For time being you can assume MNP as ionic form of metal in water.
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