Biomonitoramento e avaliação físico-química e microbiológica de represa do Sistema Cantareira em Bragança Paulista-SP

A Represa Jaguari-Jacareí é a maior represa do Sistema Cantareira, o maior sistema de abastecimento de água administrado pela SABESP. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram determinar a presença de agentes potencialmente tóxicos e mutagênicos e avaliar os parâmetros físico-químicos e microbiológicos da Represa de Abastecimento Jaguari-Jacareí, localizada no município de Bragança Paulista-SP, bem como comparar a taxa de mutagênese com a água pós-tratamento da mesma cidade. Para determinar a taxa de mutagênese foi utilizada a metodologia Trad-MCN, que avalia a integridade dos cromossomos após exposição da planta Tradescantia pallida purpurea às soluções experimentais e controle. Para determinar os parâmetros físico-químicos e microbiológicos foi utilizado o Ecokit II da Alfakit®. No bioensaio realizado através da metodologia Trad-MCN foi identificada uma quantidade de micronúcleos compatível com atividade genotóxica apenas nas águas da represa, e na avaliação físico-química e microbiológica das águas da represa por meio do Ecokit II foram detectadas inconformidades em relação aos padrões e parâmetros estabelecidos na Resolução CONAMA 357/2005 para as águas doces de Classe 1 para os parâmetros fósforo total e coliformes termotolerantes. Portanto, através do presente bioensaio, foi possível constatar que a água tratada do município não apresenta altos índices de mutagênese, porém, evidenciou-se também a necessidade de um monitoramento mais intensivo por parte do poder público nas águas in natura destinadas ao abastecimento público.

Vegetação inside: uma análise comparativa de pigmentos foliares e fluorescência da clorofila em plantas variegadas

Plantas características de ambientes de sub-bosque apresentam colorações variadas em suas folhas denominadas de variegações. Estas tendem a regular, por meio de suas concentrações de pigmentos foliares, seus processos fotossintéticos. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi comparar as concentrações de pigmentos foliares e de parâmetros da fluorescência da clorofila a em quatro espécies de plantas variegadas, Fittonia albivenis, Alternanthera ficoidea, Tradescantia spathacea e Hypoestes phyllostachya, bem como das espécies controles, Jasminum mesnyi e Tradescantia pallida, para determinar quais são mais propicias aos ambientes residenciais com altas e baixas intensidades luminosas. A análise dos pigmentos foliares foi realizada por espectrofotometria e a de emissão de fluorescência da clorofila a através do fluorômetro PAM-2500, cujos parâmetros foram calculados a partir do teste-JIP. Os teores de clorofila a variaram de 27,67 a 110,88 (μg mL-1 gMF-1), os de clorofila b variaram de 10,29 a 40,64 (μg mL-1 gMF-1). Os títulos de carotenoides variaram de 2,6275 a 26,1925 (μg mL-1 gMF-1) e os de antocianinas variaram de 0,00 a 2,26 (μg mL-1 gMF-1), sendo que os maiores títulos ocorreram na espécie controle J. mesnyi e na variegada F. albivenis. Os parâmetros da fluorescência diferiram estatisticamente entre as plantas variegadas em relação aos controles. Concluímos que a espécie T. spathacea apresenta melhor adaptação a ambientes com altos índices de radiação luminosa. Em ambientes com maior variação desta as espécies H. phyllostachya e A. ficoidea se desenvolverão melhor. Por fim, a espécie F. albivenis deve ser mantida em ambientes com baixos índices de radiação luminosa.

Mutagenicity in Tradescantia pallida as an Indicator of the Effect of Air Pollution and Human Health

The present study aims to relate the micronucleus frequency in Tradescantia pallida to environmental factors and cardiorespiratory diseases to infer the effect of air pollution. The number of hospitalizations, diseases cases, frequency of micronuclei in plants, environmental variables, altitude, and vehicle traffic in cities of Mato Grosso do Sul were evaluated due to the high flow that surrounds agribusiness. The frequency of micronuclei decreased with the increase in relative humidity, while the altitude did not influence the mutagenicity or genotoxicity of the evaluated plants. The municipalities with micronucleus frequencies above 200 had the highest number of vehicle and cardiorespiratory diseases. Biomonitoring data obtained in cities throughout the year indicate that the number of cardiorespiratory diseases was probably due to vehicular pollution, which is evidenced by the increased frequency of micronuclei in T. pallida.

Phytoremediation of a Polluted Soil by Purple Plant (Tradescantia pallida L.) Under Different Organic Amendments

Present investigation was performed to determine the ability of purple plant (Tradescantia pallida L.) for removing heavy metals from a contaminated soil particularly nickel, with the aid of different types of organic amendments. Results of soil heavy metal content after application of different fertilizers were: maximum values (ppm) of V, Cr, Ni, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Pb and Ag were respectively: 275.437, 284.807 (control 1), 265.073, 1071.32, 60.0671 (control 2), 77.8288, 9.5162, 8.5267 (control 1), 5.7943 (control 1), 7.5076 (control 2) and 37.8868 (control 1). Whereas, the minimum values (ppm) of V: 104.644, Cr: 85.7222 (commercial fertilizer), Ni: 164.92, Mn: 711.155 (cow dung), Cu: 15.5141 (cow dung), Zn: 43.3929 (commercial fertilizer), As: 3.7819 (cow dung), Mo: 0.000 (plant residue composite and bird manure), Cd: 0.000 (plant residue composite and bird manure), Pb: 4.1535 (bird manure) and Ag: 2.9181 (plant residue composite). This indicate that the use of organic amendment induce the phytoremediation of polluted soils.

Exploring the diversity of endophytic fungi and screening for their pullulanase-producing capabilities

Background Pullulanases are the significant industrial group in the 13 glycosyl hydrolases category, known as the α-amylases family. There are very few reports on pullulanase from fungal sources. Based on the above research gap, the present study was undertaken to explore the endophytic fungi for their pullulanase-producing capabilities. Results A total of 126 endophytes were isolated from Tradescantia pallida, Zea mays, and Trifolium alexandrinum. Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Ganoderma species recovered highest from the stem of Tradescantia palida. Fusarium was dominant in the stem and leaf of Zea mays. Penicillium, Aspergillus, Ganoderma, Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Alternaria were recovered from the Trifolium alexandrium. The Shannon index in Tradescantia pallida was highest in leaves while in Zea mays and Trifolium alexandrinum, it is highest in the stem. The Simpson’s index is highest in the case of Zea mays stem and root. Species richness was indicated by Menhinick’s index, and it was found that this value was highest in the roots of Trifolium alexandrinum. As per our knowledge, no comparative data is available on the endophytic diversity of the above plants taken for the study. Out of 126 endophytes, only 2.38% produced pullulanase while 7.94% produced amylase. The recovery of pullulanase-producing endophytic fungi was very less. But the importance of pullulanase is high as compared to amylase because it has both α-1,6 and α-1,4 hydrolyzing ability. Therefore, the most promising isolates were identified by ITS sequence analysis. Based on spore chain morphology, isolates BHU-25 and BHU-30 were identified as Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus species, respectively. This is the first report of pullulanase from endophytic Aspergillus and Penicillium. Conclusion Endophytes Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp. produce pullulanase enzyme. This is the first report of pullulanase from endophytic Aspergillus and Penicillium.

Tradescantia pallida L. (Commelinaceae) influences the activity of oviposition and feeding of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Diamondback moth represents one of the major Brassicaceae plagues and the main current control method relies on the agrotoxins use. The search for alternative phytosanitary control methods demonstrates that the vegetal extracts have broadly studied and now represent a relevant option to control insects-plagues in small cultivation areas. Was evaluated the effect of the aqueous extract Tradescantia pallida 10% in oviposition and the feeding preference of Plutella xylostella, in laboratory conditions. That plant does not present herbivory reports, which raises the hypothesis of representing an efficient control alternative. P. xylostella couples introduced in experimentation cages for 10 days, to assess the activity of oviposition, being exposed to the botanic extract in the feeding and the oviposition substrate, with the eggs average number per day and fertility being assessed. To assess feeding, two tests developed: free choice and no choice of food source during 48 hours of evaluation. The results indicate that the aqueous T. pallida extract changes the oviposition activity of P. xylostella, reducing the average number of eggs per day and the fertility. It was also possible to observe the non-preference, regarding feeding, for substrates that were treated with the extract. The results observed in the study can contribute to amplify the small producers decision-making processes and the involved sectors regarding the choice of supplies that respect environmental and human health.

Air quality assessment using the Pollen Abortion assay in Tradescantia pallida in a Mid-sized City in Southern Brazil

Urbanization is an important source of air pollutants that can compromise human health. In developing countries, such as Brazil, most cities do not have air quality monitoring stations. Assessing air quality through plant species has gained recognized prominence, as they are sessile organisms and sensitive to environmental changes. Pollen abortion assay in Tradescantia pallida is a fast and low-cost bioassay that can be implemented in passive biomonitoring scenarios. The present study aimed to use the pollen abortion assay in T. pallida to assess air quality in the municipality of Rio Grande, RS, Brazil and the possible relationship with vehicular flow. A relation was found between the highest rate of pollen abortion and the sites where there was greater vehicular flow and ozone levels, while at the control point, the lowest rate of pollen abortion among the others was found, corroborating the hypothesis that air pollution together with high levels of ozone from vehicles, impair plant pollination.

Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds by Means of a Felt-Based Living Wall Using Different Plant Species

Poor indoor quality affects people’s health and well-being. Phytoremediation is one way in which this problem can be tackled, with living walls being a viable option for places with limited space. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of five plant species in a living wall to remove Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and to identify whether the type of pollutant has any influence. An enclosed chamber was used to add the contaminants n-hexane and formaldehyde independently. Total VOCs were measured for three days in two scenarios: (1) empty chamber, and (2) chamber with living wall. Five living walls were prepared, each with three plants of the same species: Spathiphyllum wallisii, Philodendron hederaceum, Ficus pumila, Tradescantia pallida, and Chlorophytum comosum. There was no correlation between leaf area/fresh weight/dry weight and the contaminant reduction. In general, all five species were more efficient in reducing TVOCs when exposed to formaldehyde than to n-hexane. Chlorophytum comosum was the most efficient species in reducing the concentration of TVOCs for both contaminants, Spathiphyllum wallisii being the least efficient by far.

Resposta diferencial a diferentes classes de herbicidas: Tradescantia pallida (Rose) D. R. Hunt var. purpurea Boom como planta modelo

Tradescantia pallida é uma planta ornamental amplamente encontrada em canteiros e jardins urbanos. No entanto, informações sobres as respostas fisiológicas e bioquímicas dessa planta ornamental a herbicidas são escassas. Diante disso, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a toxicidade, capacidade de rebrota, crescimento, fisiologia, e alterações no metabolismo de T. pallida após aplicação de diferentes classes de herbicidas. Os tratamentos consistiram na pulverização dos herbicidas: atrazina (1.500 g ha-1), diquat (300 g ha-1), carfentrazone (10 g ha-1), glifosato (1.500 g ha-1) e 2,4-D (1.050 g ha-1) sobre T. pallida. Plantas pulverizadas somente com água representaram o grupo controle. As avaliações foram realizadas 5 dias após a aplicação dos herbicidas. Foi avaliado a toxicidade visual e índice de rebrota, fluorescência da clorofila a, conteúdo de clorofilas (a, b e a+b), carotenoides e prolina. O herbicida 2,4-D não atuou sobre a planta, mas pode ter produzido efeito genotóxico. Glifosato aumentou significativamente o teor de prolina e gerou índice zero de rebrota, evidenciando sensibilidade da planta ao herbicida. Carfentrazone não foi totalmente eficiente sobre o controle de T. pallida, que também não demonstrou sensibilidade a atrazina, mas alta sensibilidade a diquat, apesar do baixo teor de prolina verificado. As diferentes classes de herbicidas atuam de maneira diferente quanto à toxidez, rebrota, fisiologia e metabolismo de T. pallida, sendo estas, variáveis úteis para investigar a possível tolerância de plantas às diferentes classes de herbicidas.