The Application of Carotenoid-Coated Chitosan Nanoparticles to Reduce the PAHs Stress on Spinach Growth

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose risks to human and animal health, their accumulation in crops is a concern for the food chain environment. Nanoparticles (NPs) have shown potential chemical delivery can be used enhance plant resistance PAHs. In this study, carotenoid-coated chitosan nanoparticles (CCNPs) loaded with β-carotene were prepared applied spinach grown PAH-contaminated soil. The size of CCNPs varied based on reaction conditions temperature, TPP, pH, sizes ranging from 260 682 nm. After four weeks treatment, showed varying growth responses depending specific CCNP treatment. treatment at 20 °C, pH 6, 10 mg/mL TPP resulted best growth, while 40 concentration hindered growth; ration increased by over 47.4% compared normal growing spinach, final biomass reached 2.53 g per plant. addition, phenanthrene (PHE) pyrene (PYR) predominantly accumulated more roots, variations exogenous application reduce PAH transfer shoots. bioconcentration factors PYR PHE reduced differential movement within plants, prefers biological accumulation. This study offers new understanding mechanisms underlying NPs PAHs interactions NP’s implications crop protection safety.