The Effect Of Used Engine Oil On Carbohydrate, Mineral Content And Nitrate Reductase activity Of Leafy Vegetable ( Amaranthus Hybridus L.)

The effects of used engine oil on carbohydrate, mineral elements and nitrate reductase activity of Amaranthus Hybridus were investigated. Seedlings were grown for 8 weeks in soil containing 0-5 % v/w used engine oil. There was a significant (p=0.05) low level of mineral elements in plants grown in oil treated soils. The carbohydrate content of the control plants was significantly higher than the values observed for plants grown in oil treated soils. The control plants had a mean value of 48.3 \ub1 0.5 \u3bcg g-1 dry wt, while 42.0 \ub1 1.0 and 30.9 \ub1 0.4 \u3bcg g- 1 dry wt were observed for plants treated with 1 and 5 % oil. There was significant inhibitory effect on nitrate reductase activity in plants that were exposed to engine oil. Therefore, the potential risk of used engine oil as potent environmental pollutant has been established from the results of this study

The Effect Of Used Engine Oil On Carbohydrate, Mineral Content And Nitrate Reductase activity Of Leafy Vegetable ( Amaranthus Hybridus L.)

The effects of used engine oil on carbohydrate, mineral elements and nitrate reductase activity of Amaranthus Hybridus were investigated. Seedlings were grown for 8 weeks in soil containing 0-5 % v/w used engine oil. There was a significant (p=0.05) low level of mineral elements in plants grown in oil treated soils. The carbohydrate content of the control plants was significantly higher than the values observed for plants grown in oil treated soils. The control plants had a mean value of 48.3 ± 0.5 μg g-1 dry wt, while 42.0 ± 1.0 and 30.9 ± 0.4 μg g- 1 dry wt were observed for plants treated with 1 and 5 % oil. There was significant inhibitory effect on nitrate reductase activity in plants that were exposed to engine oil. Therefore, the potential risk of used engine oil as potent environmental pollutant has been established from the results of this study

Changes in antioxidant enzyme activities in Eichhornia crassipes (Pontederiaceae) and Pistia stratiotes (Araceae) under heavy metal stress

Whole plants of Eichhornia crassipes and Pistia stratiotes were exposed to various concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mM) of 8 heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) hydroponically for 21 days. Spectrometric assays for the total activity of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase in the leaves were studied. At the end of the experimental period, data referred to metal treated plants were compared to data of untreated ones (control). Heavy metals increased the activity of catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in both species and there was differential inducement among metals. Overall, Zn had the least inducement of antioxidant enzymes in both species while Hg had the highest inducement. The increase in antioxidant enzymes in relation to the control plants was more in E. crassipes than P. stratiotes. The results showed that E. crassipes tolerated higher metal concentrations in a greater number of metals than P. stratiotes