Naphthalen-1-yl Naphthalene-2-Sulfonate Enhances Arsenic Uptake and Phytoremediation Efficiency in Maize by Regulating PSII Performance and Antioxidant Responses

Abstract

Arsenic (As) contamination of agricultural soils threatens crop productivity and food security globally. While chelate-assisted phytoextraction enhances metal bioavailability, conventional chelating agents often exacerbate phytotoxicity and are environmentally persistent, which limits their field application. This study evaluated naphthalene-1-yl naphthalene-2-sulfonate (NNS) as a dual-mechanism agent facilitating As accumulation while mitigating toxicity in Zea mays seedlings. NNS+As treatment increased As concentration by 69% compared to As alone, while reducing lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide by 37% each and moderating stress-induced proline accumulation by 37%. Antioxidant enzyme profiles were fundamentally altered: superoxide dismutase activity decreased 42% while catalase (86%), ascorbate peroxidase (25%), and guaiacol peroxidase (13%) activities increased significantly, enhancing H₂O₂ detoxification capacity. Non-enzymatic antioxidants increased substantially with NNS+As treatment: epicatechin (90%), chlorogenic acid (42%), syringic acid (42%), resveratrol (39%), and rutin (17%). Photosynthetic parameters showed remarkable recovery net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance increased 95-96% compared to As alone treatment, while intercellular CO₂ concentration increased 63%. Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis revealed improved photosystem II efficiency, with maximum and effective quantum yields increasing 18% and 15%, respectively, while non-photochemical quenching decreased 7-17%. These findings demonstrate NNS functions as an innovative dual-action phytoremediation enhancer, simultaneously promoting As bioaccumulation while maintaining photosynthetic functionality and cellular redox homeostasis, representing a promising environmentally sustainable alternative for integrated contaminant removal and crop protection strategies.

Keywords

• Antioxidants
• heavy metal
• photosynthesis
• maize
• ROS

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