Transportation and fate of gold nanoparticles in oilseed rape

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are often used as nanoscale vehicles to deliver drugs or biomolecules due to low cytotoxicity and high biocompatibility. Current research focuses on their application in cell or animal models, while their use in plants is limited because their ecotoxicological impact is poorly documented. Here, we examine the toxicity and fate of AuNPs in plants using oilseed rape as a model. We show that AuNPs will not affect the germination of rape seeds as well as the growth of the plantlet. Significantly, we demonstrate the effective translocation of AuNPs in plant tissues, and AuNPs will not interfere with the natural distribution of mineral nutrient elements in plant tissues. Our results demonstrate the mild effect of AuNPs on the growth of oilseed rape seedlings and suggest their potential application as vehicles for gene delivery in plants.