Targeting key metabolic points for an enhanced phytoremediation of wastewaters pre-treated by the photo-Fenton process using Solanum nigrum L.

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Jorge Teixeira (Author) FCUP; Pedro Ferraz (Author) Other; Carlota Gouveia (Author) Other; Frederico Azevedo (Author) Other; Simão Neves (Author) Other; Fernanda Fidalgo (Author) FCUP; Adrián M. T. Silva (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

Vol. 120

Pages: 124-129

ISSN: 0147-6513

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 6 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 6 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Basic medicine

Associated Projects

LSRE-LCM - Laboratório de Processos de Separação e Reação - Laboratório de Catálise e Materiais

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00G-D4Q

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.05.035

Abstract (EN): Several physiological, biochemical and molecular biology responses were analysed in Solanum nigrum L. plants exposed for 28 days to an effluent that resulted from the photo-Fenton treatment of a highly concentrated pesticide and systemic fungicide aqueous solution, containing metalaxyl as active compound (150 mg L-1), in order to pinpoint metabolic steps for a future increase of these plants' capacity to deal with the chemical process by-products. Although plants suffered oxidative stress, as indicated by increased membrane damage and a negative effect on plant biomass, they absorbed the excess iron and acted on the resulting by-products present in the effluent after the photo-Fenton process. Nitrogen assimilation and metallothionein gene expression were down regulated, while glutathione biosynthesis increased. These results suggest an enhanced nitrogen assimilation and/or metallothionein accumulation as relevant key points for further plant improvement in order to increase the efficiency of this innovative strategy that considers integration of the photo-Fenton process (as chemical primary treatment) with S. nigrum L plants (as biological remediation post-treatment) for heavily polluted wastewaters.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6