Cell and Tissue Journal

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of Lepidium draba L. seedlings to eliminate zinc and silver ions from the medium. Material and Methods: The seeds of L. draba were cultured on MS solid medium for 15 days in the presence of different concentrations of both silver and zinc ions. The bioaccumulation of these ions in L. draba tissues were measured by atomic absorption. Furthermore, biochemical and morphological properties of the seedlings such as catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, total flavonoid content, germination percentage, root and stem lengths were analyzed. Results: Results revealed that L. draba seedlings were able to absorb high level of zinc and silver ions and a direct relationship between the level of absorption and the amount of ions in media was seen. On the other hand, total flavonoid contents, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were elevated by increasing concentrations of the ions in media. Silver ion increased the germination, while the seed germination did not show significant different in treatment with zinc ion in compared to the control. Upon the treatment seedlings with silver ion, the stem growth was significantly increased, while the root growth was decreased. Significant decrease in the stem and root growth were occurred upon seedlings treatment with high level concentrations of zinc ion. Conclusion: Based on the results, it seems that L. draba could be introduced an appropriate option for refining of the aforementioned metals from contaminated area.

Abstract Aim: Petroleum is a complex mixture of thousands of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon compounds, including heavy metals which potentially are carcinogenic and mutagenic. Phytoremediation has been shown to be effective for degradation or removing petroleum contaminants. Selection of plant species for phytoremediation, however, is complicated.
Material and Methods: The effects of petroleum pollution of soil (0%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% V/W) on the proline, total protein , lead, cadmium and zinc contents  in Acacia leaveswere investigated using methods of Bathes, Bradford and Atomic Absorption, respectively. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS v11 and Duncan’s test.
Results: The results showed that the total protein and proline contents increased significantly (p≤0.05) as the level of pollution increased. The highest proline content was measured at 4% treated plants. Proline accumulation is a common physiological response in many plants against a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses. The results showed that lead and zinc accumulated by leaves. The leaf lead values were markedly, 20.8-fold, enhanced in 1%. There was not significant differences among cadmium levels in treatments and the control plants.
Conclusion: Based upon these results, Robinia pseudoacacia L. can be used as bioaccumulator in petroleum pollution and were selected for the further investigation of the phytoremediation of pb-contaminated soil.
 

Abstract Aim: The aim of present study was evaluation of IAA and kinetin effects on lead uptake and accumulation in Matthiola flavida.
Material and methods: Metallicolous population of M. flavida was grown in hydroponic condition. Then plants were exposed to combination of 1µM Pb and 0, 1, 10, 100 µM IAA and kinetin for 14 days. Finally, Pb concentration was determined in their aerial parts and roots using a flam atomic absorption. Also their Chlorophyll contents were measured and calculated by spectrophotometer.
Results: Results showed increasing aerial part Pb concentration more than 48 and 110% respectively in 1 and 10 µM IAA comparing to control. A significant decreasing aerial part Pb concentration was observed with increasing of kinetin concentration in culture medium. Root Pb concentration significantly decreased with increasing of auxin and kinetin in nutrient solution. Significant differences in aerial part dry weight were not observed in different IAA and kinetin concentrations in comprising with control.
Conclusion: Increasing aerial part Pb concentration in M. flavida was observed in low concentration of IAA but kinetin did not show clear and positive effects on biomass and Pb concentration.