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VOL. 10, ISSUE 5 (2025)
Effect of chromium oxide (Cr2O3) nanoparticles on photosynthetic pigments in D. salina
Authors
PD Rawal, GP Singh
Abstract
Dunaliella salina, a
halophilic green microalga, has gained significant attention in recent years as
a promising biorefinery platform for the sustainable production of high-value
carotenoids, particularly β-carotene. Due to its unique physiological and
metabolic features, D. salina has emerged as a commercially viable
organism for industrial biotechnology applications. The studies
conducted on Dunaliella species have laid the foundation stone of the
concept of compatible organic solutes. The mechanism by which Dunaliella cells
can alter its intracellular glycerol concentration provides it with an ability
to thrive in wide range of salt concentrations. D. salina can grow under
high-light intensity, high temperatures, and a wide pH range. It has a high
accumulation of lipids and carotenoids. Chromium pollution, especially in its
hexavalent form (Cr (VI)), poses serious environmental and health risks. It
contaminates water, inhibits plant and algal growth, disrupts aquatic
ecosystems, and is toxic to humans and animals. Prolonged exposure can cause
organ damage, cancer, and genetic mutations, making chromium a major pollutant
of concern. The current study aims to systematically investigate the effect of
different concentration of chromium oxide nanoparticles (10 ppm, 20 ppm, 30
ppm, 40 ppm, 50 ppm, 60 ppm, 70 ppm, 80 ppm, 90 ppm, 100 ppm, 200 ppm, 300 ppm,
400 ppm, 500ppm and 600 ppm) on photosynthetic pigments (Chlorophyll and
Carotenoids) of Dunaliella salina over a period of 5 weeks.
Photosynthetic performance was evaluated by measuring chlorophyll a,
chlorophyll b, and total carotenoid content over a 5-week exposure period. The
results of the study showed significant dose and time dependent decline in
algal biomass exposed to nanoparticles. Changes were examined in algal
photosynthetic pigments, where exposure to nanoparticles led to percentage
decline of 98%, 97% and 94% (in case of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total
carotenoids). Therefore, the findings of the current study urge to focus future
studies on the investigation of molecular mechanisms of Cr₂O₃ NP toxicity as
well as exploration of potential mitigation strategies to evade the malicious
nanoparticle toxicity.
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Pages:41-46
How to cite this article:
PD Rawal, GP Singh "Effect of chromium oxide (Cr2O3) nanoparticles on photosynthetic pigments in <i>D. salina</i>". International Journal of Botany Studies, Vol 10, Issue 5, 2025, Pages 41-46
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