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UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST
FACULTY OF PHYSICS Guest
2026-06-11 23:58 |
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Conference: Bucharest University Faculty of Physics 2026 Meeting
Section: Physics and Technology of Renewable and Alternative Energy Sources
Title:
The effect of copper oxide nanoparticles on the metabolism of the species Ocimum basilicum L.
Authors:
Cornelia NICHITA (1, 3), Bogdan Ciprian MITREA (1), Alexandra SISILICĂ (2), Tom Matei IACOB (1), Cornelia DIAC (1), Bogdan Ionuț BIȚĂ (2), Marcela-Elisabeta BĂRBÎNȚĂ-PĂTRAȘCU (2), Ioan STAMATIN (1)
Affiliation:
1) University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, ICUB, CTT 3Nano-SAE Research Center, MG-38, 405 Atomistilor Street, 077125, Magurele, Romania
2) Department of Electricity, Solid-State Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, 405 Atomistilor Street, P.O. Box MG-11, 077125 Magurele, Romania
3) National Institute for Chemical – Pharmaceutical Research and Development, 112 Vitan Avenue, 031299, Bucharest, Romania
E-mail
cornelia.nichita@unibuc.ro
Keywords:
copper oxide nanoparticles, photosynthesis process, chlorophyll content, Ocimum basilicum L.
Abstract:
The use of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) acts as a high-impact biostimulant, reconfiguring plant metabolism to increase productivity under stress conditions. By stimulating secondary metabolism, especially the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds, CuO NPs strengthen the natural defense barriers of plants against biotic and abiotic stress. At eustressic concentrations, CuO NPs optimize photosynthetic efficiency by stabilizing thylakoid proteins and increasing the rate of electron transport. The effect of CuO NPs depends directly on the dose, particle size, and method of application (foliar or soil). In this context, the present work examines the effect of a CuO NP suspension applied to the soil of Ocimum basilicum L. The study focuses on the photosynthesis process and plant respiration by monitoring CO₂ concentration (expressed in ppm) using EasySense2 Software. Total chlorophyll content was also evaluated non-destructively using a SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development) meter. In addition, the hydrodynamic size of the CuO NPs was evaluated by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and their physical stability was assessed through zeta potential measurements. The conclusions of the study indicate that soil-applied CuO suspensions determined a stimulating effect on plant metabolism, improving photosynthesis, respiration, and total chlorophyll content.
Acknowledgement:
The authors would like to thank the European Commission and CNCS/CCCDI-UEFISCDI for funding in the frame of the collaborative international consortium WaterGreenTreat financed under the 2022 Joint call of the European Partnership 101060874 — Water4All. This work was supported by a grant of the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization, CNCS/CCCDI - UEFISCDI, project number COFUND-WATER4ALL-WATER Green Treat-1, No. 59/2024, within PNCDI IV.
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