Abstract
The implications of metal nanoparticles (MeNPs) are still unknown for many food crops. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of cerium oxide (nCeO&sub2;) and titanium oxide (nTiO&sub2;) nanoparticles in soil at 0, 500 and 1000 mg·kg(-1) on the nutritional parameters of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) kernels. Mineral nutrients, amylose, β-glucans, amino acid and crude protein (CP) concentrations were measured in kernels. Whole flour samples were analyzed by ICP-AES/MS, HPLC and Elemental CHNS Analyzer. Results showed that Ce and Ti accumulation under MeNPs treatments did not differ from the control treatment. However, nCeO&sub2; and nTiO&sub2; had an impact on composition and nutritional quality of barley kernels in contrasting ways. Both MeNPs left β-glucans unaffected but reduced amylose content by approximately 21%. Most amino acids and CP increased. Among amino acids, lysine followed by proline saw the largest increase (51% and 37%, respectively). Potassium and S were both negatively impacted by MeNPs, while B was only affected by 500 mg nCeO&sub2;·kg(-1). On the contrary Zn and Mn concentrations were improved by 500 mg nTiO&sub2;·kg(-1), and Ca by both nTiO&sub2; treatments. Generally, our findings demonstrated that kernels are negatively affected by nCeO&sub2; while nTiO&sub2; can potentially have beneficial effects. However, both MeNPs have the potential to negatively impact malt and feed production.