ABSTRACT
The association between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can be used to bioremediate areas contaminated by metals. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the lead (Pb2+) phytoaccumulation capacity, morpho-physiology and nutrition responses of Vernonia polyanthes exposed to a solution amended with concentrations of lead nitrate and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The treatments consisted of increasing doses of Pb2+ as lead nitrate [Pb(NO3)2], two strains of AMF and an absolute control without lead and AMF. Lead negatively affected some morphophysiological variables, reduced 27.3, 25.63, 30.60, and 56.60% shoot length, root collar diameter, number of leaves and leaf area, respectively, besides reducing decreasing chlorophyll a. Lead accumulated in the shoot and roots, the latter at the highest concentrations. However, the translocation factor was above 1, indicating low efficiency. The bioaccumulation factor referring to the roots were above 1. The fungi colonization rate was low, 3.31% for Gigaspora margarita and 2.33% for Acaulospora morrowiae. However, the absorption of lead increased, reflecting in lower values of chlorophyll a, dry mass of root and diameter. Results indicated that the arboreal species V. polyanthes tolerate high concentrations of lead and can accumulate significant amounts in the roots. AMF increase the accumulation of lead in the shoot and can be used in projects aimed at the phytoextraction of metals.
Subject(s)
Vernonia/cytology , Vernonia/physiology , Vernonia/chemistry , BioaccumulationABSTRACT
Objective To determine the levels of some selected heavy metals in both the selected anti-diabetic herbal plants and infused concoctions for diabetes treatment. Methods Ten anti-diabetic plant samples: pawpaw leaves (Carica papaya), bitter melon leaves (Momordica charantia), holy basil leaves (Ocimum sanctum), bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale), garlic (Allium sativum), African red pepper fruits (Capsicum frutescens), negro pepper grain (Xylopia aethiopica), cashew leaves (Anacardium occidentale) and onion bulb (Allium cepa) were evaluated for heavy metals. These were digested using standard methods and analyzed for manganese, copper, nickel, chromium, zinc, cadmium and lead using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The infused concoctions (I and II) prepared from these medicinal herbs administered to diabetic patients were also analyzed for these heavy metals. Concoction I contained all the plants and honey with the exception of Momordica charantia and Ocimum sanctum which constituted concoction II with water only. The data obtained were subject to descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential (ANOVA and DMRT) statistics. Results Chromium and nickel levels were below detection limits in concoction I while manganese [(0.11 ± 0.01) μg/g] and zinc [(0.09 ± 0.01) μg/g] were detected in concoction II. Honey contained manganese [(0.10 ± 0.01) μg/g] and nickel [(0.70 ± 0.01) μg/g]. The anti-diabetic medicinal herbs and infused concoctions (I and II) were observed to contain heavy metals below the compared limits. Conclusions The study thus shows that the herbs and concoctions are safe from the heavy metals considered. However, right dosage of the anti-diabetic concoctions should always be considered to prevent possible chronic side effects from bio-accumulation of heavy metals.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the levels of some selected heavy metals in both the selected anti-diabetic herbal plants and infused concoctions for diabetes treatment. Methods: Ten anti-diabetic plant samples:pawpaw leaves(Carica papaya),bitter melon leaves(Momordica charantia),holy basil leaves(Ocimum sanctum),bitter leaf(Vernonia amygdalina), ginger rhizome (Zingiber of昀cinale), garlic (Allium sativum), African red pepper fruits (Capsicum frutescens), negro pepper grain (Xylopia aethiopica), cashew leaves(Anacardium occidentale)and onion bulb(Allium cepa)were evaluated for heavy metals.These were digested using standard methods and analyzed for manganese,copper, nickel, chromium, zinc, cadmium and lead using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The infused concoctions (I and II) prepared from these medicinal herbs administered to diabetic patients were also analyzed for these heavy metals.Concoction I contained all the plants and honey with the exception of Momordica charantia and Ocimum sanctum which constituted concoction II with water only. The data obtained were subject to descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential (ANOVA and DMRT) statistics. Results: Chromium and nickel levels were below detection limits in concoction I while manganese[(0.11 ± 0.01)μg/g]and zinc[(0.09 ± 0.01)μg/g]were detected in concoction II.Honey contained manganese[(0.10 ± 0.01)μg/g]and nickel[(0.70 ± 0.01)μg/g].The anti-diabetic medicinal herbs and infused concoctions(I and II)were observed to contain heavy metals below the compared limits. Conclusions: The study thus shows that the herbs and concoctions are safe from the heavy metals considered.However,right dosage of the anti-diabetic concoctions should always be considered to prevent possible chronic side effects from bio-accumulation of heavy metals.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Aluminum (Al) is highly toxic to plants, causing stress and inhibiting growth and silicon (Si) is considered beneficial for plants. This chemical element has a high affinity with Al. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of Si to mitigate the toxic effects of Al on potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) plants and assess whether this behavior is different among genotypes with differing degrees of sensitivity to Al. Potato plants of the genotypes SMIJ319-7 (Al-sensitive) and SMIF212-3 (Al-tolerant) were grown for fourteen days in nutrient solution (without P and pH 4.5±0.1) under exposure to combinations of Al (0 and 1.85mM) and Si (0, 0.5 and 1.0mM). After this period, shoot and roots of the two genotypes were collected to determine Al content in tissues and assess morphological parameters of root and shoot growth. Roots of both genotypes accumulated more Al than shoots and the Al-tolerant genotype accumulated more Al than the sensitive one, both in roots and in shoot. Furthermore, the presence of 0.5 and 1.0mM Si together with Al reduced the Al content in shoot in both genotypes and in roots of the Al-tolerant genotype, respectively. Si ameliorated the toxic effects of Al with regard to number of root branches and leaf number in both potato genotypes. Si has the potential to mitigate the toxic effects of Al in potato plants regardless of Al sensitivity.
RESUMO: O alumínio (Al) é altamente tóxico para as plantas, causando estresse e inibindo o crescimento e o silício (Si) é considerado benéfico para as plantas. Este elemento químico tem uma alta afinidade com o Al. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o potencial do Si em amenizar os efeitos tóxicos do Al sobre plantas de batata ( Solanum tuberosum L.) e avaliar se esse comportamento é diferente entre os genótipos com diferente sensibilidade ao Al. Plantas de batata dos genótipos SMIJ319-7 (sensível ao Al) e SMIF212-3 (tolerante ao Al) foram cultivadas por 14 dias em solução nutritiva (sem P e pH 4,5±0,1), sob exposição a combinações de Al (0 e 1,85mM) e Si (0; 0,5 e 1,0mM). Após esse período, parte aérea e raízes dos dois genótipos foram coletadas para determinar o conteúdo de Al nos tecidos e avaliar parâmetros morfológicos das raízes e parte aérea. Raízes de ambos os genótipos acumularam mais Al do que a parte aérea, e o genótipo tolerante ao Al acumulou mais Al do que o sensível, tanto nas raízes quanto na parte aérea. Além disso, a presença de 0,5 e 1,0mM de Si juntamente com Al reduziu o conteúdo de Al na parte aérea em ambos os genótipos e nas raízes do genótipo tolerante ao Al, respectivamente. O Si amenizou os efeitos tóxicos do Al para número de ramificações de raízes e de folhas em ambos os genótipos de batata. Si tem o potencial para amenizar os efeitos tóxicos do Al em plantas de batata, independente da sensibilidade ao Al.