title: Phytoremediation of 2,4-dichlorophenol by Brassica napus hairy root cultures.
abstract: We have obtained hairy root cultures of Brassica napus with high biomass and genetic stability which produce peroxidases, enzymes involved in biodegradation processes. In this work, these hairy root cultures were used to study the removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), a common contaminant in industrial effluents that is highly toxic for human and aquatic life. The optimum conditions to obtain high efficiency in the removal process were established. Roots were able to remove 2,4-DCP from aqueous solutions containing 100-1000 mg/l, in the presence of H(2)O(2) concentrations ranging from 5 to 10 mM. After a short period of incubation (15 min), high removal efficiencies were achieved (91-94%) and maximal removal, of approx. 97-98%, was obtained with 1 h of reaction. High removal efficiencies (93-95%) were observed in a broad pH range (pH 3-9), reaching 98-99% in the range pH 4-8. Moreover, roots could be re-used, almost for six consecutive cycles, to remove 2,4-DCP. The oxidation catalysed by peroxidases would be the main mechanism involved in this process. The results suggest that these cultures could be useful tools for phytoremediation.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología Molecular, FCEFQN, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta 36 Km 601, CP 5800 Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Agostini
authors.forename: María S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Coniglio
authors.forename: Silvia R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Milrad
authors.forename: Horacio A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Tigier
authors.forename: Ana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Giulietti
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D029688:Brassica napus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002733:Chlorophenols / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002733:Chlorophenols; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D009195:Peroxidase; C004762:2,4-dichlorophenol