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Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) as a potential environmental bioindicator
M G Mendes1, C D Santos Junior2, A C C Dias2
1Laboratório de Genética, Instituto de Genética e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brasil marianagoncalves2004@yahoo.com.br.
Genetics and Molecular Research : GMR
|October 28, 2015
Summary
The castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) shows potential as a bioindicator plant for air quality monitoring. Its leaves exhibit physiological changes and buffering capacity in polluted areas, suggesting use in environmental impact assessment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Plant Biology
- Biomonitoring
Background:
- Biomonitoring of air quality uses living organisms to assess environmental impact.
- Plants like castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) are suitable bioindicators due to rapid growth and large leaf surface area for pollutant contact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the bioindicator potential of castor bean plants.
- To assess castor bean's suitability for air quality biomonitoring and phytoremediation.
Main Methods:
- Comparing chlorophyll a and b concentrations in polluted vs. unpolluted areas.
- Measuring peroxidase activity and buffering capacity in castor bean leaves.
- Utilizing the comet assay for genotoxicity evaluation.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant differences in chlorophyll concentrations and higher peroxidase activity in polluted areas.
- Demonstrated buffering capacity in polluted areas, revealing aminoazobenzene presence.
- No significant genotoxicity detected via comet assay, despite minor DNA fragmentation differences.
Conclusions:
- Ricinus communis is a highly useful biological indicator for air quality.
- Castor bean's physiological buffering capacity suggests potential for phytoremediation in polluted environments.
