Enhancing the Chemical Composition of <i>Borago Officinalis</i> Leaves: Synergistic Effects of Nanoparticles and Gamma Irradiation on Protein, Chlorophyll, and Proline Levels

Abstract This study investigates the combination effects of nanoparticles and gamma irradiation on the biochemical constituents of Borago officinalis leaves such as protein, chlorophyll, and proline. An experimental procedure was performed: borage seeds were exposed to different doses of gamma radiation (100, 140 and 180 Gy), foliar spray with ZnO and MgO nanoparticles at different concentration. The results revealed astounding changes in all the parameters studied compared to the control. Protein content showed complex responses with 20 mg/L MgO nanoparticles (N4) registering the highest increase (2.09 ± 0.012 mg/g). Chlorophyll content showed a significant increase with increasing concentrations of nanoparticles, particularly for MgO treatments. Gamma irradiation showed dose-dependent impacts with intermediate doses providing values approximating the control. Proline levels decreased overall following nanoparticle treatments, possibly due to increased antioxidant enzyme activity suppressing oxidative stress. The combined treatments manifested complex interactions between nanoparticles and radiation, sometimes suppressing radiation-induced stress and sometimes enhancing oxidative effect. These findings suggest that carefully designed combinations of gamma irradiation and nanoparticles could reinforce plant stress resistance and biochemical content with bright outlooks in agricultural biotechnology.