Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
2
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
10.22108/ijpb.2026.148729.1444
Abstract
Selenium (Se), as a beneficial micronutrient, plays a crucial role in regulating physiological processes in plants, and its nano-formulations have recently gained significant attention in plant tissue culture systems. This study aimed to compare the effects of bulk selenium and selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) on some physiological indices of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) callus. To this propose, corm-derived calli induced in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1 mg L-1 NAA and BAP, were transferred to the same medium and also with 5 mg L-1 of either bulk Se or SeNPs after 4 subcultures. The impact of these selenium forms on fresh and dry weights of calli, and the content of photosynthetic pigments, phenolic compounds, soluble sugars, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), total protein content, and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes including peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were evaluated. The results revealed the significant effects of both Se forms on the most investigated traits. Both bulk Se and SeNPs significantly increased biomass accumulation (fresh and dry weights) as well as total phenol, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents, whereas reduced photosynthetic pigments levels. Furthermore, proline, soluble sugar, and total protein contents, along with antioxidant enzyme activities (particularly CAT) were increased by both selenium forms. Interestingly, bulk Se treatment reduced H2O2 and MDA levels, whereas SeNPs at the same concentration markedly elevated both parameters. Overall, the results from this study demonstrated that most of physiological indices of saffron calli were improved by the two selenium forms application. However, in some instances, the induction of oxidative stress by selenium nanoparticles indicated a higher sensitivity of saffron calli to this form of selenium, attributed to its faster rate of uptake and penetration. Therefore, application of selenium particularly in nano-form in proper concentration in vitro, is essential for the safe and effectiveness of this element.
Keywords
Main Subjects
)