Withania somnifera
L. seedlings were grown in half-strength MS (Murashige and Skoog) basal medium for 4 weeks and then transferred to full-strength MS liquid medium for 3 weeks. The sustainable ...plants were subcultured in the same medium but with different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 μM) of Cu for 7 and 14 days. The growth parameters (root length, shoot length, leaf length and total number of leaves per plant) showed a declining trend in the treated plants in a concentration dependant manner. Roots and leaves were analyzed for protein profiling and antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6), superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX, EC 1.11.1.7). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of crude protein extracts showed the appearance of some new proteins due to Cu treatment. In plant samples grown with 25 and 50 μM of Cu, a rapid increase in antioxidant activities were noticed but at higher concentration (100 and 200 μM) the activities declined. Isoforms of CAT, SOD and GPX were separated using non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and concentration specific new isoforms were noticed during the study. Isoforms of the antioxidant enzymes synthesized due to Cu stress may be used as biomarkers for other species grown under metal stress.
The effects of Cu stress on the alterations in the activities of antioxidant enzymes from both leaf and root samples of
Abutilon indicum
L. were studied under controlled climatic conditions. Plants ...were treated with different concentrations of Cu (0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of soil) for 15 days. In most plants supplemented with 50 and 100 mg of Cu, a rapid increase in antioxidant activities such as catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected but at higher concentration (200 mg/kg of soil), the activities were declined. Isoforms of CAT, GPX and SOD were separated using native-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and their activities were analyzed. Major reshuffling in isoenzyme pattern of CAT, GPX and SOD were detected in response to Cu treatment. Elemental contents were analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer from both leaf and root samples of control and treated plants. The increasing concentrations of Cu have a great impact on the alternation in concentration of other elements namely Mg, P, S, K, Ca, Mn, Fe and Zn. The trace elements which act as cofactors for antioxidant enzymes like Mn, Fe and Zn significantly decreased depending on Cu concentration.
The sweet potato root, a potent source of starch which is being considered as an efficient alternative for fuel ethanol production in recent times. The starchy substrate needs to be subsequently ...dextrinized and saccharified so as to enhance the utilization of its carbohydrates for ethanol production. In the present investigation, acid-enzyme process was conducted for the dextrinization and saccharification of sweet potato root flour (SPRF). The best optimized condition for dextrinization was achieved with an incubation period of 60 min, temperature 100 ºC and 1M HCl. However, for saccharification, the best result was obtained with an incubation of 18 h, pH 4, temperature 65 ºC and 1000 U concentration of Palkodex®. After the dextrinization process, maximum concentrations of total sugar and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) 380.44 ± 3.17 g/kg and 13.28 ± 0.25 mg/g, respectively were released. Nevertheless, after saccharification, 658.80 ± 7.83 g/kg of total sugar was obtained which was about 73% more than that of dextrinization. After successful dextrinization and saccharification, the structural, chemical and elemental analysis were investigated using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrophotometer (EDXRF), respectively. Effective hydrolysis was demonstrated in thin layer chromatography (TLC) where the HCl was able to generate monomeric sugar such as glucose and maltose. On the other hand, only glucose is synthesized on the mutual effect of HCl and Palkodex®. The SEM findings indicate that the rough structure of both dextrinized and saccharified sample was gained due to the vigorous effect of both acid and enzyme subsequently. The saccharified SPRF when subjected to fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zymomonas mobilis separately, it was observed that Z. mobilis produced more stretching vibration of –OH than S. cerevisiae, which evidenced the better production of bioethanol. Additionally, evaluation of the influence of S. cerevisiae and Z. mobilis through elemental analysis revealed upsurge in the concentrations of S, Cl, Ca, Mn, Fe and Zn and decline in the concentrations of P, K and Cu in the fermented residue of S. cerevisiae and Z. mobilis, however, Z. mobilis showed little more variation than that of S. cerevisiae.
Hooghly Estuary along with the Sunderban mangroves forms one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. We investigated the vertical and horizontal distribution of elements at nine sampling ...locations in this estuary for assessing the degree of elemental contamination. The elemental concentrations were analyzed by an Energy Dispersive X-ray Flurosence spectrometer (EDXRF). A higher enrichment factor (EF) value of trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn) is evident considering all the sampling locations. Geo-accumulation index (Igeo) values of all the sampling locations and core depth reveals Cr and Cu are under Igeo Class I level of contamination. The value of the pollution load index (PLI) varies between 0.94–1.65 with maximum at Chemaguri and minimum at Haldi Estuary and Petuaghat. The overall variation in elemental concentration may be due to differential discharge pattern of storm water and agricultural run-off, industrial effluent and domestic sewage.
•Pollution status of Hooghly estuary sediments was studied.•Enrichments of trace elements (Cr, Cu, Mn, Fe,V, Zn and Ni) were observed in sediments.•Strong correlation was observed between elements in sediments.•Pollution load index is maximum at Chemaguri (S8) mouth of the Hooghly estuary.•Sediment quality indices indicate the sediment quality to be moderately contaminated and suffering from gradual degradation.
The accumulation of trace elements in the thalli of epiphytic lichens can reveal levels of trace elements in the ambient air. This study assessed the trace elements in lichen species
Pyxine cocoes
...found in the urban and peri-urban areas of Kolkata. Trace elemental analysis was carried out using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence and proton-induced X-ray emission spectroscopy. Variable levels of elements like Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, V and Pb, are detected in the thalli of
P. cocoes
collected from repressentative locations. Localization of trace elements in the thalli was confirmed by analysis using scanning electron microscope attached with EDX spectrometer. Several pollution indices such as enrichment factor, contamination factor (Cf) and pollution load index were estimated to evaluate the trace element contamination level of the ambient air at the sampling spots. PLI and Cf and values suggest deterioration or air quality that varies from moderate to high level of contamination. Ca, S, Pb, Sr and Cr, are highly enriched at urban sampling spots (1–9). High coefficient of variation values for Ca, S, Pb, Sr and Cr confirm their accumulation from local anthropogenic sources in the urban sampling spots (1–9). However, results of principal component analysis analysis have shown that sources of trace elements in the samples from urban areas include both vehicular emissions and anthropogenic activities. Higher concentration of trace elements in the lichen thalli collected from peri-urban locations is attributed to vehicular emissions from the highways and expressways running through these areas.
Sundarban along with its networks of rivers, creeks and magnificent mangroves form a unique ecosystem. Acid sulphate soils have developed in this ecosystem under anoxic reducing conditions. In the ...present study, we have investigated the distribution of acid sulphate soils along with its elemental characterization and possible sources in four reclaimed islands of Indian Sundarban like Maushuni (I1), Canning (I2), Bally (I3) and Kumirmari (I4). Elements show moderate to strong correlation with each other (P < 0.01; P < 0.05). Except Si, Ca and Pb, a higher enrichment factor was observed for K, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn. Geo-accumulation index values of all sampling locations reveal that Cr, Fe, Cu and Zn are in Igeo class 1. The pollution load index value of the reclaimed islands of Indian Sundarban varies between 1.31 and 1.48. The observation of this study could help to strategize policies to mitigate and manage acid sulphate soils in Indian Sundarban.
•First ever report of the presence of acid sulphate soil in reclaimed islands of Indian Sundarban.•Accumulation and distribution of major elements and trace metals in acid sulphate soils were studied.•A higher enrichment factor was observed for K, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn.•The enrichment of Al, Si, K, Ca, Ni, Mn, and Pb were found not to be geologic in origin.•The pollution load index value was maximum at Bally Island.
In the present study, the structural, chemical and elemental changes of sweet potato flour after hydrolysis by α-amylase (liquefaction) and a mixture of α-amylase and glucoamylase (saccharification) ...were investigated. Thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier-transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF) were used to study the properties of the hydrolyzed sweet potato starch. Efficient hydrolysis was evidenced from both TLC and HPLC that the thermostable α-amylase was able to yield the simple forms of sugar such as glucose, fructose, maltose and maltotriose whereas, only glucose is depolymerized after the combined effect of α-amylase and glucoamylase. SEM analysis of raw, liquefied and saccharified sweet potato root flour (SPRF) showed the various porous starch granules with a high degree of structural changes in saccharified samples in comparison to others, which indicates the active involvement of tested the enzymes. The saccharified SPRF were fermented by
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and
Zymomonas mobilis
separately and the results confirmed that
Z. mobilis
was able to produce more stretching vibration of –OH than
S. cerevisiae
, suggesting better production of bioethanol. In addition, the elemental analysis was carried out to evaluate the impact of
S. cerevisiae
and
Z. mobilis
with respect to elemental constituents. The results of the elemental analysis showed increase in the concentrations of S, Cl, Ca, Mn, Fe and Zn and decrease in the concentrations of P and K in the fermented residue of
S. cerevisiae
and
Z. mobilis
, however more variation was observed in
Z. mobilis
.
Graphic Abstract
Particle‐induced X‐ray emission was used to investigate mineral accumulation during different developmental stages of direct organogenesis from cotyledon explants of Blepharispermum subsessile ...beginning from shoot bud initiation and formation to in vitro regenerated roots. Mineral uptake and accumulation appeared selective and varied between different stages of shoot bud initiation and formation (Stage 1), proliferation of leafy shoots (Stage 2), and in vitro regenerated roots (Stage 3). The concentrations of 2 macro elements, K and Ca, were found in higher quantity during proliferation of shoot buds to leafy shoots stage suggesting their role in cell division, bud formation, and multiplication of the plant. Most of the micronutrients such as Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Zn were found to be accumulated in higher quantities in in vitro regenerated roots, as they provide the plant with a larger surface area and hence a greater potential for mineral uptake. The results of particle‐induced X‐ray emission test suggest that the information on the accumulation of elements during developmental stages in vitro could be useful for formulating a media for the induction of high‐frequency regeneration of in this important endangered medicinal plant species for its ex situ conservation.
Zn stress seriously induces various toxic responses in
Withania somnifera
L., when accumulated above the threshold level which was confirmed by investigating the responses of protein, expression of ...antioxidant enzymes, and elemental profiling on accumulation of Zn. Zn was supplemented in the form of ZnSO
4
(0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 μM) through MS liquid medium and allowed to grow the
in vitro
germinated plants for 7 and 14 days. The study revealed that when the application of Zn increased, a significant reduction of growth characteristics was noticed with alterations of proteins (both disappearance and
de novo
synthesis). The activity of CAT, SOD, and GPX were increased up to certain concentrations and then declined, which confirmed through in-gel activity under different treatments. RT-PCR was conducted by taking three sets of genes from CAT (
RsCat
,
Catalase1
,
Cat1
) and SOD (
SodCp
,
TaSOD1.2
,
MnSOD
) and found that gene
RsCat
from CAT and
MnSOD
from SOD have shown maximum expression of desired genes under Zn stress, which indicate plant’s stress tolerance mechanisms. The proton-induced X-ray emission study confirmed an increasing order of uptake of Zn in plants by suppressing and expressing other elemental constituents which cause metal homeostasis. This study provides insights into molecular mechanisms associated with Zn causing toxicity to plants; however, cellular and subcellular studies are essential to explore molecule-molecule interaction during Zn stress in plants.
PDF
