Co₃O₄ Nanostructured Sensor for Electrochemical Detection of H₂O₂ as a Stress Biomarker in Barley: Fe₃O₄ Nanoparticles-Mediated Enhancement of Salt Stress Tolerance

Abstract

This research investigates the enhancement of barley’s resistance to salt stress by integrating nanoparticles and employing a nanostructured Co3O4 sensor for the electrochemical detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a crucial indicator of oxidative stress. The novel sensor, featuring petal-shaped Co3O4 nanostructures, exhibits remarkable precision and sensitivity to H2O2 in buffer solution, showcasing notable efficacy in complex analytes like plant juice. The research establishes that the introduction of Fe3O4 nanoparticles significantly improves barley’s ability to withstand salt stress, leading to a reduction in detected H2O2 concentrations, alongside positive impacts on morphological parameters and photosynthesis rates. The developed sensor promises to provide real-time monitoring of barley stress responses, providing valuable information on increasing tolerance to crop stressors.

Keywords

• nanostructured electrochemical sensor
• cobalt oxide nanopetals
• hydrogen peroxide
• salt stress
• oxidative stress
• stress tolerance