Detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Medicago sativa L. by fluorescence microscopy.
Green technologies, such as phytoremediation, are effective for removing organic pollutants derived from oil and oil products, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Given the increasing popularity of these sustainable remediation techniques, methods based on fluorescence microscopy and multiphoton microscopy for the environmental monitoring of such pollutants have emerged in recent decades as effective tools for phytoremediation studies aimed at understanding the fate of these contaminants in plants. However, little is known about the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in PAH uptake, responses and degradation by plants. Thus, the present study aimed to detect the location of pyrene, anthracene and phenanthrene using fluorescence microscopy techniques in shoots and roots of Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa) plants grown in artificially contaminated soil (150ppm PAHs) for 40days. Leaflet and root samples were then collected and observed under a fluorescence microscope to detect the presence of PAHs in various tissues. One important finding of the present study was intense fluorescence in the glandular secreting trichomes (GSTs) of plants grown in contaminated soil. These trichomes, with a previously unknown function, may be sites of PAH conjugation and degradation.
Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, UFRJ-Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco A, Cidade Universitária, Cep: 21.941-909, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Programa Químico de Petróleo e Biocombustíveis PRH-01, Instituto de Química, UFRJ-Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco A, Cidade Universitária, Cep: 21.941-909, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Electronic address: Wilber.sa@hotmail.com.
Wilber S
WS
Alves
Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, UFRJ-Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco K, Cidade Universitária, Cep: 21.941-902, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Evelin A
EA
Manoel
Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, UFRJ-Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco A, Cidade Universitária, Cep: 21.941-909, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Noemi S
NS
Santos
Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, UFRJ-Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco A, Cidade Universitária, Cep: 21.941-909, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Rosane O
RO
Nunes
Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, UFRJ-Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco A, Cidade Universitária, Cep: 21.941-909, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Giselli C
GC
Domiciano
Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, UFRJ-Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco A, Cidade Universitária, Cep: 21.941-909, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Marcia R
MR
Soares
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D000455:Medicago sativa / Q000737:chemistry*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000737:chemistry; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis
D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012989:Soil Pollutants
Conjugation; Crioula; Fluorescence microscopy; Medicago sativa L.; Phytoremediation; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Trichomes