Long-term effects of silver nanoparticles and mineral nutrition components on the photosynthetic processes, chloroplast ultrastructure and productivity of Solanum lycopersicum plants.

The effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), both alone and in combination with mineral nutrients, on the growth and photosynthesis of Solanum lycopersicum plants during ontogeny were studied. The experiment involved weekly applications of 10 μmol of AgNPs for 15 weeks in a greenhouse over a summer period. A comprehensive characterization of the AgNPs was performed via TEM, ESI/EELS, and zeta potential measurements before and throughout the experiment.

Polar Glycerolipids and Membrane Lipid Rafts.

Current understanding of the structure and functioning of biomembranes is impossible without determining the mechanism of formation of membrane lipid rafts. The formation of liquid-ordered and disordered phases (Lo and Ld) and lipid rafts in membranes and their simplified models is discussed. A new consideration of the processes of formation of lipid phases Lo and Ld and lipid rafts is proposed, taking into account the division of each of the glycerophospholipids into several groups.

The Role of Pigments and Cryptochrome 1 in the Adaptation of Photosynthetic Apparatus to High-Intensity Blue Light.

The effects of high-intensity blue light (HIBL, 500/1000 µmol ms, 450 nm) on mutants with high pigment () and low pigment ( levels and cryptochrome 1 (cry1) deficiency on photosynthesis, chlorophylls, phenols, anthocyanins, nonenzymatic antioxidant activity, carotenoid composition, and the expression of light-dependent genes were investigated. The plants, grown under white light for 42 days, were exposed to HIBL for 72 h. The mutant quickly adapted to 500 µmol ms HIBL, exhibiting enhanced photosynthesis, increased anthocyanin and carotenoids (beta-carotene, zeaxanthin), and increased expression of key genes involved in pigment biosynthesis (, , , ) and PSII proteins along with an increase in nonenzymatic antioxidant activity.

The Adaptive Role of Carotenoids and Anthocyanins in Pigment Mutants under High Irradiance.

The effects of high-intensity light on the pigment content, photosynthetic rate, and fluorescence parameters of photosystem II in high-pigment tomato mutants ( 3005) and low-pigment mutants ( 3617) were investigated. This study also evaluated the dry weight percentage of low molecular weight antioxidant capacity, expression patterns of some photoreceptor-regulated genes, and structural aspects of leaf mesophyll cells. The 3005 mutant displayed increased levels of photosynthetic pigments and anthocyanins, whereas the 3617 mutant demonstrated a heightened content of ultraviolet-absorbing pigments.