Effects of Biotextile-Related Nanoparticles and Microparticles (Succinite, Ag, SiO ₂ ,Al ₂ O ₃ ) on Barley ( <i>Hordeum vulgare</i> ) Immature Pollen Cells

Abstract With the rapid progress of nanotechnology, nanoparticles and microparticles are extensively studied for their diverse applications, alongside growing concerns regarding their environmental impact and potential effects on living organisms. Nanoparticles, due to their size, can penetrate cell membranes, accumulate intracellularly, and influence molecular mechanisms, while microparticles tend to adhere to cell surfaces, affecting cellular transport pathways. This study investigates the short-term impact of four types of nano- and microparticles (SiO 2 (0.2–0.3 μm), Al 2 O 3 (2.5 μm), Ag (0.5–1 μm), and succinite (5 nm – 3 μm)), specifically those explored for developing novel biotextile materials with specialised protective capabilities against harsh environments. As a model we used Hordeum vulgare immature pollen cells (microspores). Microspores were incubated in vitro for 1.5 hours in media containing these particles. Relative cell autofluorescence was measured, and DNA changes were assessed using the inter-primer binding site (iPBS) fingerprinting method. Our results indicate that Al 2 O 3 and SiO 2 microparticles had a suppressing effect on microspore autofluorescence, whereas succinite (amber) particles had an increasing effect. Ag particles showed no significant effect on microspore fluorescence under the studied conditions. Crucially, the iPBS method revealed visible changes in the amplified barley microspore DNA spectrum in samples exposed to SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , or succinite nano- and microparticles, suggesting potential genotoxic effects. These findings underscore the importance of evaluating the diverse physiological and genetic responses of plant reproductive cells to various types of engineered nanoparticles and microparticles.