
pmid: 41722032
Abstract Tea (Camellia sinensis) is a hyperaccumulator of both aluminum (Al) and fluorine (F). While the formation of Al-F complexes has been proposed as a key mechanism for F detoxification and accumulation in tea, excessive Al and especially fluoride (F−) pose health risks to humans. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that Al3+ mitigates F−-induced ionomic imbalance and that Al and F are spatially colocalized within tea tissues. Tea plants were grown hydroponically under different Al3+ and F− treatments, and elemental distributions were investigated using micro-particle-induced gamma-ray emission (micro-PIGE), micro-particle-induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE), and low-energy X-ray fluorescence (LEXRF) analyses. Tea plants were highly sensitive to F− treatment, exhibiting leaf crinkling, chlorosis, and marginal necrosis; however, the addition of Al3+ markedly alleviated these symptoms by reducing F− translocation to the shoots. Ionomic profiling revealed that F− supply increased manganese (Mn) accumulation in both leaves and roots, whereas Al3+ supplementation mitigated F−-induced Mn toxicity. Micro-PIGE mapping revealed co-localization of Al and F in leaf margins, particularly along fourth- and fifth-order veins. LEXRF analysis further showed that Al and F colocalized in the epidermis of leaves and roots, but not in the xylem of petiole or midribs. In root cortical cells, Al and magnesium (Mg) colocalized. These findings demonstrate that F− detoxification in tea is Al3+-dependent and occurs through the formation of Al-F complexes in the epidermis, providing a spatial framework for future mechanistic studies on Al-F interactions in tea.
Beamline, Leaves, Silicon, Brick Tea, 1314 Physiology, Roots, Synchrotron, 1311 Genetics, Manganese Toxicity, Accumulation, Nickel, 1110 Plant Science, Life Science, Magnesium
Beamline, Leaves, Silicon, Brick Tea, 1314 Physiology, Roots, Synchrotron, 1311 Genetics, Manganese Toxicity, Accumulation, Nickel, 1110 Plant Science, Life Science, Magnesium
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