Degradation of aromatic compounds in plants grown under aseptic conditions

Detoxification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Arabidopsis thaliana involves a putative flavonol synthase

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental contaminants with cytotoxic, teratogenic and carcinogenic properties. Bioremediation studies with bacteria have led to the identification of dioxygenases (DOXs) in the first step to degrade these recalcitrant compounds. In this study, we characterized the role of the Arabidopsis thaliana AT5G05600, a putative DOX of the flavonol synthase family, in the transformation of PAHs. Phenotypic analysis of loss-of-function mutant lines showed that these plant lines were less sensitive to the toxic effects of phenanthrene, suggesting possible roles of this gene in PAH degradation in vivo. Interestingly, these mutant lines showed less accumulation of H₂O₂ after PAH exposure. Transgenic lines over-expressing At5g05600 showed a hypersensitive response and more oxidative stress after phenanthrene treatments. Moreover, fluorescence spectra results of biochemical assays with the recombinant His-tagged protein AT5G05600 detected chemical modifications of phenanthrene. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that AT5G05600 is involved in the catabolism of PAHs and the accumulation of toxic intermediates during PAH biotransformation in plants. This research represents the first step in the design of transgenic plants with the potential to degrade PAHs, leading to the development of vigorous plant varieties that can reduce the levels of these pollutants in the environment.

Effect of copper on in vivo fate of BDE-209 in pumpkin

A 60-day growth chamber experiments were performed to investigate the effect of Cu stress on the uptake, translocation and metabolism of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) by pumpkin. A total of nine debrominated metabolites (de-PBDEs), two hydroxylated PBDEs (OH-PBDEs) and one methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-PBDEs) were detected in the tested plants. Concentrations of the total debrominated, hydroxylated or methoxylated metabolites generally followed the order of roots>stems>leaves, and de-PBDEs>OH-PBDEs>MeO-PBDEs. These results indicate that metabolism occurred preferentially in roots than in stems and leaves. The addition of moderate dosage of Cu (50mg/kg) resulted in increment in OH-PBDE concentrations in plant tissues, whereas higher concentrations of Cu could inhibit uptake and metabolism of BDE-209. No in vivo mineralization of BDE-209 was detected in the plants. These results provide valuable information about the behavior of BDE-209 in plant tissues under heavy metal exposure.

Hydroponic uptake and distribution of nitrobenzene in Phragmites australis: potential for phytoremediation

Phragmites australis was grown hydroponically in nutrient solutions containing nitrobenzene to examine the potential for treatment of contaminated waters through phytoremediation. The hydroponic solutions and plant tissue were sampled each day during the five day growth period and tested for nitrobenzene. Plant tissue analysis included both rhizome and shoot sections of the plant. The average half lives and disappearance rate of nitrobenzene in the nutrient solution was 1.85 days and 88.10%, respectively. The levels of nitrobenzene in rhizomes and shoots of Phragmites australis increased with higher exogenous concentrations. For the highest treatment, nitrobenzene measurements in the rhizome tissue were much higher than the plant shoots until the third day. Shoot sections initially showed elevated concentrations and then decreased. This variation is presumably due to the translocation of the target compound from the rhizomes to shoots. Our findings indicate that Phragmites australis removed nitrobenzene from the hydroponic solutions and accumulated the compound within the plant tissue. This activity makes Phragmites australis a good candidate species for the phytoremediation of nitrobenzene contaminated waters.