Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 28, 2025
An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
Published on: December 17, 2018
Microbial inoculant and garbage enzyme reduced cadmium (Cd) uptake in Salvia miltiorrhiza (Bge.) under Cd stress
Xuemin Wei1, Pei Cao1, Gang Wang1
1Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100193, China.
Abstract:
The uptake and accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in Salvia miltiorrhiza (Bge.) negatively affects the quality of its harvested roots, and seriously threatens human health. This study investigates the effect of a microbial inoculant (MI) and garbage enzyme (GE) on Cd uptake, the accumulation of bioactive compounds, and the community composition of microbes in the rhizosphere soil of S. miltiorrhiza under Cd stress. S. miltiorrhiza seedlings were transplanted to Cd-contaminated pots and irrigated with an MI, GE, a combination of an MI and GE (MIGE) or water (control). The results indicated that treatments with an MI, GE or MIGE can reduce Cd uptake in S. miltiorrhiza. The MIGE treatment had greater efficiency in reducing Cd uptake than the control (reduction by 37.90%), followed by the GE (25.31%) and MI (5.84%) treatments. Treatments with an MI, GE and MIGE had no significant impact on fresh and dry root biomass. Relative to the control, the MI treatment had the highest efficiency in increasing the accumulation of total tanshinones (an increase of 40.45%), followed by the GE treatment (40.08%), with the MIGE treatment (9.90%) treatment not having a more favorable effect than the separate application of an MI or GE. The salvianolic acid content for all groups was higher than the standard prescribed by Chinese pharmacopoeia, notwithstanding a slightly lower level in the treated groups relative to the control. In addition, metagenomic analysis indicated changes in the relative abundance of soil microbes associated with the bioremediation of heavy metals. The relative abundances of Brevundimonas, Microbacterium, Cupriavidus and Aspergillus were significantly greater in the treated groups than in the Control. These results suggest that using MI and GE, either separately or together, may not only improve the quality of S. miltiorrhiza but may also facilitate the microbial remediation of soil contaminated with Cd.
Insights
Microbial inoculant (MI) and garbage enzyme (GE) treatments reduced cadmium uptake in Salvia miltiorrhiza. MI and GE also enhanced bioactive compound accumulation and altered soil microbial communities, aiding in plant quality improvement and soil remediation.
Area of Science:
- Phytoremediation
- Soil Microbiology
- Plant Biochemistry
Background:
- Cadmium (Cd) contamination in Salvia miltiorrhiza negatively impacts root quality and poses health risks.
- Understanding the effects of microbial inoculants (MI) and garbage enzymes (GE) on Cd-affected S. miltiorrhiza is crucial for improving medicinal plant quality and soil health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of MI and GE on Cd uptake, bioactive compound accumulation, and rhizosphere microbial community composition in S. miltiorrhiza under Cd stress.
- To evaluate the combined effect of MI and GE (MIGE) compared to individual applications.
Main Methods:
- Salvia miltiorrhiza seedlings were exposed to Cd contamination and treated with MI, GE, MIGE, or water (control).
- Cd uptake, root biomass, and accumulation of bioactive compounds (total tanshinones, salvianolic acid) were measured.
- Rhizosphere soil microbial community composition was analyzed using metagenomic sequencing.
Main Results:
- MI, GE, and MIGE treatments significantly reduced Cd uptake in S. miltiorrhiza roots, with MIGE showing the highest reduction (37.90%).
- MI and GE treatments significantly increased total tanshinone accumulation (40.45% and 40.08%, respectively), while salvianolic acid content remained above pharmacopoeia standards.
- Metagenomic analysis revealed significant increases in the relative abundance of beneficial microbes (Brevundimonas, Microbacterium, Cupriavidus, Aspergillus) in treated soils.
Conclusions:
- MI and GE, individually or combined, are effective in reducing Cd accumulation in S. miltiorrhiza, thereby improving medicinal plant quality.
- These treatments promote the accumulation of key bioactive compounds and positively modulate rhizosphere microbial communities, contributing to soil bioremediation.
- The findings suggest a dual benefit of MI and GE in enhancing S. miltiorrhiza quality and facilitating the microbial remediation of Cd-contaminated soils.
More Related Videos
10:20Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae
Published on: July 10, 2015
09:13Hydroponics: A Versatile System to Study Nutrient Allocation and Plant Responses to Nutrient Availability and Exposure to Toxic Elements
Published on: July 13, 2016