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Phytoremediation is an alternative technology for treating leachate by utilizing plants. The objective of this study was to examine the concentrations of total suspended solid (TSS), total nitrogen (TN), and cadmium (Cd) in leachate through the phytoremediation process using Chlorophytum comosum, Echinodorus palaefolius, and Hippochaetes lymenalis. The research was conducted on a laboratory scale with a batch system. The leachate was sourced from the Ngipik Landfill, Gresik, East Java, Indonesia, and was collected from the inlet of the Ngipik Landfill Leachate Treatment Unit. Acclimatization was carried out for 7 days. A range finding test (RFT) was conducted by varying the concentration composition of the leachate compared to tap water, with the planting medium being 25% leachate: 75% tap water, 50% leachate: 50% tap water, 50% leachate: 75% tap water, and 100% leachate: 0% tap water (v/v). The plants used in each reactor weighed 1 kg. The reactors used for the phytoremediation process were plastic boxes with dimensions of 51×32×31 cm. The planting medium consisted of gravel-sized 10-20 mm, with a thickness of 7 cm, and soil with a thickness of 7 cm. This research showed that the average final TSS concentration of the leachate was 25.50 ± 44.37 mg/L. The average TSS reduction efficiency reached 94.90 ± 8.87%. The average final TN concentration of the leachate was 409.42 ± 139.19 mg/L, with an average TN reduction efficiency of 89.73 ± 4.62%. The average Cd concentration in the leachate was 0.0012 ± 0.0013 mg/L, with an average Cd concentration reduction efficiency of 92.30 ± 8.48%. The final TSS and Cd concentrations met the leachate quality standards, with values of 100 mg/L and 0.1000 mg/L, respectively. However, the final TN concentration did not meet the leachate quality standards, as the final TN concentration in the leachate was 60 mg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorophytum comosum is a plant with medicinal potential traditionally used to treat different diseases. The present study aimed to determine the bioactive compounds, hypoglycemic and antioxidant potential of C. comosum root and leaf. The ethyl acetate extracts of C. comosum root and leaf were analyzed by GC-MS to determine the bioactive compounds. The hypoglycemic potential of the extracts was evaluated by α-amylase, α-glucosidase, glucose diffusion inhibitory assays, and glucose adsorption assay. The ethyl acetate extract of C. comosum root inhibited α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and glucose diffusion in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 values of 205.39 ± 0.15, 179.34 ± 0.3 and 535.248 μg/mL, respectively, and the leaf extract inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes with IC50 values of 547.99 ± 0.09, and 198.18 ± 0.25 μg/ mL respectively. C. comosum root and leaf extracts also improved glucose adsorption. Heptadecanoic acid and dodecanoic acid were identified as potential compounds with hypoglycemic properties through molecular docking. The extracts were also assessed for their antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. C. comosum root and leaf extracts were also able to scavenge DPPH radicals with IC50 values of 108.37 ± 0.06 and 181.79 ± 0.09 MM and ABTS radicals with IC50 values of 126.24 ± 0.13 and 264.409 ± 0.08 μM, respectively. The root and leaf extracts also reduced the ferricyanide complex to ferrocyanide with higher reducing powers of 2.24 ± 0.02 and 1.65 ± 0.03, respectively. The results showed that the ethyl acetate extract of C. comosum root has significant antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential compared to the leaf extract. Thus, it can also be studied to isolate the potential compounds with antihyperglycemic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorophytum comosum leaf extract is well-known to contain flavonoids. The extract has cytotoxic and cytostatic activity in normal animal cells. At concentrations of 15 mg/mL and above, the extract leads to 100% death of SPEV cells. The number of dead cells of the SPEV line generally increases with increasing extract concentration. The LC50 of Chlorophytum comosum extract was determined by probit analysis (LC50 = 7.24 mg/mL). With an increase in the concentration of the extract, a noticeable decrease in the proliferative activity of cells was observed. After 48 hours, the inhibition of proliferative activity of SPEV cells is more pronounced than after 24 hours. The percentage of SPEV cells that died under the action of Chlorophytum comosum extract becomes smaller with increasing exposure time. The results of the analysis of the tumor mass at the end of the experiment fully correspond to the dynamics of its growth. The data obtained by us indicate the absence of the effect of Chlorophytum comosum extract against the transferable liver cancer of rats in an in vivo experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the pandemic, there has been an increasing number of studies reporting on the deteriorating state of teenagers' mental health. This experiment was conducted to determine if plants could reduce anxiety levels in high school students. To carry out this study, a pre-plant survey (baseline survey) was given to all six classrooms. The second and third surveys were given to the pre-experimental and control groups, respectively. A two-tailed t-test of means was used to analyze the data. In comparison of the post-experimental (with plant) vs. control (without plant) group, the results showed a statistically significant decline in anxiety levels (p-value of 0.0288) in the with-plant group. This study suggests that plants can be used as a tool for high school students to help reduce anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In indoor environments, cooking is a major contributor to indoor air pollution releasing potentially harmful toxic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In our study, Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegata' plants were applied to monitor PAH emission rates and patterns in previously selected rural Hungarian kitchens. Concentration and profile of accumulated PAHs could be well explained by cooking methods and materials used in each kitchen. Accumulation of 6-ring PAHs was characteristic in the only kitchen which frequently used deep frying. It also should be emphasized that applicability of C. comosum as indoor biomonitor was assessed. The plant has proven a good monitor organism as it accumulated both LMW and HMW PAHs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Bulbine natalensis and Chorophytum comosum are potential medicinal source for the treatment of cancers. Chronic myeloid leukaemia is a hematopoietic stem cells disorder treated by tyrosine kinase inhibitors but often cause recurrence of the leukaemia after cessation of therapy, hence require alternative treatment. This study determines the anti-cancer effect of leaf, root and bulb methanolic and aqueous extracts of B. natalensis and C. comosum in chronic human myelogenous leukaemia (K562) cell line by MTT, Hoechst bis-benzimide nuclear and annexin V stain assays. The root methanolic extract of B. natalensis and C. comosum showed a high cytotoxicity of 8.6% and 16.7% respectively on the K562 cell line at 1,000 μg/ml concentration. Morphological loss of cell membrane integrity causing degradation of the cell and fragmentation were observed in the root methanolic extract of both plants. A high apoptosis (p < 0.0001) was induced in the K562 cells by both leaf and root extracts of the C. comosum compared to the B. natalensis. This study shows both plants possess apoptotic effect against in vitro myelogenous leukaemia which contributes to the overall anti-cancer properties of B. natalensis and C. comosum to justify future therapeutic applications against chronic myelogenous leukaemia blood cancer.

Recently, the eutrophication of water bodies has become increasingly severe in China. Considering the single method of phytoremediation, it still remains the issues including low removal efficiency, high cost, and secondary pollution. However, the combination approach of biofilm and plants to strengthen the remediation for eutrophic water bodies has advantages of cost-effectiveness without causing secondary pollution. Hence, microorganisms from biofilm developed in polymeric fibrous carriers from SBR, together with Chlorophytum comosum (C. comosum), for eutrophic water body recovery, were investigated in this study, to improve water quality, reduce engineering cost and ensure ecological safety. The results indicated that the microorganisms from the bottom sediment of the eutrophic water body were commendably acclimated and formed a mature biofilm in SBR. Each cycle period setting up aeration 10 h and idleness 2 h, the effluent water quality maintained a stable level after the 20th cycle period and the highest removal efficiency of ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), total phosphorus (TP), and chemical oxygen demand (CODCr) in SBR accounted for 86%, 74%, and 67%, respectively. The biofilm microbes combined with C. comosum were improvement of CODCr removal efficiency at least 8% and increased 10%-19% of permanganate index (PI) removal efficiency and 10%-18% of total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency, as compared to separate biofilm microbes and single C. comosum. The reduction of TP was at 57% using the biofilm developed in polymeric fibrous carriers combined with C. comosum, which was 8% lower than that of separate C. comosum while 7% higher than that of single biofilm. The bench-scale combination of the biofilm developed in polymeric fibrous carriers and the hydroponic C. comosum could be capable of repairing eutrophic water originated from the Huajin River. This work may further provide implications for remediation of eutrophic Huajin River in situ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research focuses on the use of Chlorophytum comosum as a bio-indicator able to accumulate, through its leaves, heavy metals present in the aerosol particulate matter (PM) in the city of Milan (Italy). For this purpose, some specimens were exposed in selected sites at the Milan University Campus for increasing periods (7, 30, 60, 128 and 165 days). The collected leaves were then analyzed to quantify Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP–OES). The leaves' surfaces were also examined by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersion spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Chlorophytum comosum has proved to be a good system for studying the accumulation of heavy metals. The metals present with the higher concentration were Zn and Mn followed by Cd and Cr while Co, Ni and Pb were present in lower concentration. Although the sites investigated are not very far from each other, differences in the concentration of the heavy metals analyzed were found. Furthermore, in the monitoring period considered (July 2018–December 2018) the plant was a good proxy for tracking the concentration of zinc in Milan's PM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology / Yingyong Shengtai Xuebao is the property of Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Nowadays, green synthesis methods have gained growing attention in nanotechnology owning to their versatile features including high efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. Here, the aqueous extract of Chlorophytum comosum leaf was applied for the preparation of iron nanoparticles (INPs) to obtain spherical and amorphous INPs with a particle size below 100 nm as confirmed by TEM. The synthesized INPs managed to eliminate methyl orange (MO) from the aqueous solution. The concentration of MO can be easily checked via ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy throughout the usage of INPs at the presence of H2O2. The synthesized INPs exhibited MO degradation efficiency of 77% after 6 h. Furthermore, the synthesized INPs exhibited antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The prepared INPs have an impressive effect on Staphylococcus aureus at concentrations below 6 μg/ml. Overall, the synthesized INPs could considerably contribute to our combat against organic dyes and bacteria.

Air phytoremediation technology has been reported as a high potential technology for indoor air pollution treatment. Since 1996, NASA has supported this technology for application in the international space station. However, changes in plant physiology and hormone levels under microgravity (μG) conditions might affect air phytoremediation efficiency, especially changes of auxin hormone transportation in plants. In this study, the application of Chlorophytum comosum , high benzene removal plant species, to remove 100 ppm gaseous benzene under μG condition was studied. The experiment was operated for three days in a random positioning machine generate 6.44 × 10−4 G within 1 h. The results showed that under μG, benzene removal efficiency by C. comosum was significantly increased, with a remove more than 80% within three days under both 24 h light and dark conditions. In contrast, C. comosum growing under normal gravity (1G) can remove about 75% and 50% benzene under 24 h light and 24 h dark conditions, respectively. Surprisingly, μG conditions seem to maintain open stomata of a plant open under both 24 h light and dark conditions, and this plant will normally have closed stomata in the dark. In this case, shoot auxin hormone in the form of Indole-3-acetic acid was highly increased in the plant growing under μG. This result suggested that under μG, auxin hormone might be accumulated in the shoot part of plant. This auxin accumulation effect of maintaining open plant stomata can enhance benzene phytoremediation efficiency since stomata are the major benzene uptake pathway. Therefore, this study is the first report presenting the possibility of applying air phytoremediation technology under μG conditions. • μG induce air phytoremediation efficiency. • μG change auxin translocation in Chlorophytum comosum. • μG maintain stomata open under both light and dark conditions. • This article is the first study on air phytoremediation technology under μG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorophytum genus has been extensively studied due to its diverse biological activities. We evaluated the methanolic extract of leaves of Chlorophytum comosum (Green type) (Thunb.) Jacques, the species that is less studied compared to C. borivilianum. The aim was to identify phytoconstituents of the methanolic extract of leaves of C. comosum and biological properties of its different fractions. Water fraction was analyzed with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Nineteen compounds belonging to different chemical classes were identified in the methanolic extract of leaves of C. comosum (Green type) (Thunb.) Jacques. In addition to several fatty acids, isoprenoid and steroid compounds were found among the most abundant constituents. One of the identified compounds, 4′-methylphenyl-1C-sulfonyl-β-d-galactoside, was not detected earlier in Chlorophytum extracts. The water fraction was toxic to HeLa cells but not to Vero cells. Our data demonstrate that methanolic extract of leaves of C. comosum can be a valuable source of bioactive constituents. The water fraction of the extract exhibited promising antitumor potential based on a high ratio of HeLa vs. Vero cytotoxicity.

The present research focuses on the use of Chlorophytum comosum as a bio-indicator able to accumulate, through its leaves, heavy metals present in the aerosol particulate matter (PM) in the city of Milan (Italy). For this purpose, some specimens were exposed in selected sites at the Milan University Campus for increasing periods (7, 30, 60, 128 and 165 days). The collected leaves were then analyzed to quantify Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP–OES). The leaves’ surfaces were also examined by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersion spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Chlorophytum comosum has proved to be a good system for studying the accumulation of heavy metals. The metals present with the higher concentration were Zn and Mn followed by Cd and Cr while Co, Ni and Pb were present in lower concentration. Although the sites investigated are not very far from each other, differences in the concentration of the heavy metals analyzed were found. Furthermore, in the monitoring period considered (July 2018–December 2018) the plant was a good proxy for tracking the concentration of zinc in Milan’s PM.

Botanical biofilters have been proposed as an effective technology for indoor air remediation. Plants, including Sansevieria trifasciata and Chlorophytum comosum, which remove VOCs effectively, can also reduce CO2 emission since S. trifasciata and C. comosum are CAM and C3 plant species, respectively. Therefore, a botanical biofilter using these plants together shows potential for use in contaminated sites. Herein, the potential of this mixed plant botanical biofilter was evaluated as a method of phytoremediation for multi-pollutants from cigarette smoke. The results showed that the combination of S. trifasciata and C. comosum in a botanical biofilter was highly effective in removing VOCs and PM2.5. In addition, this botanical biofilter can also successfully remove formaldehyde, acetone, benzene, and xylene, with low CO2 emission under indoor conditions of moderate light intensity (50 μmole PAR m−2 s−1). The system was also installed in a large volume room (24 m3) to test phytoremediation of multi-pollutants from cigarette smoke. The results showed that this mixed plant botanical biofilter can remediate indoor air pollution effectively under both light and dark conditions continuously for three cycles. The mixed plant botanical biofilter developed showed potential for use in real contamination sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaseous formaldehyde removal efficiency and physiological characteristics of leaves were investigated through a dynamic fumigation system. Three different species of potted Chlorophytum Comosum, (Green Chlorophytum Comosum for its green leaves), CC (Combined the leaves of Chlorophytum Comosum with leaves half green and half white) and PC (Purple Chlorophytum Comosum for its purple leaves), were exposed to formaldehyde for 7 days. The results showed formaldehyde removal efficiencies in the daytime were 71.07% ± 0.23, 84.66% ± 0.19, and 46.73% ± 0.15 at 1 ppm for GC, CC, and GC plants, respectively, and were 36.21% ± 0.24, 62.15% ± 0.19, and 34.97% ± 0.11 at night. This might be due to higher plant physiological activities (e.g., photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration) during the daytime than at night. Ten physiological indicators of leaves were chosen to evaluate the 7-day fumigation process, which were chlorophyll, free protein, relative conductivity, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroxyl radical, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). Eight of these indicators increased, while chlorophyll decreased by 22.16%, 6.95%, and 25.32%, and CAT decreased by 18.9%, 17.8%, and 25.30% for GC, CC, and PC respectively. Among all the increasing physiological indicators, relative conductivity and MDA showed the greatest increase by 279.32% and 155.56% for PC. A 15-day recovery study was also conducted using MDA and T-AOC as indicators. The results showed that all the tested plants could be tolerant up to the 8 ppm of formaldehyde concentration for 7 days under dynamic fumigation and needed 10–15 days for self-recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorophytum comosum is a perennial ornamental plant in the family Liliaceae, it is also a valuable medicinal plant. To enrich the genetic resources of C. comosum, its chloroplast genome was determined by Illumina sequencing data. The chloroplast genome is a typical quadripartite structure with a size of 153,983 bp, of which the LSC region is 83,471 bp, the SSC region is 18,010 bp, and the pair of IR regions is 26,251 bp. The overall GC content is 37%. It contains 131 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analyses showed that C. comosum is closely related to Chlorophytum rhizopendulum. However, it can be distinguished from other plants. This study enriches the sequence resources of C. comosum and provides important data for the development of molecular identification markers.

The aerial roots of Chlorophytum comosum were grown hydroponically, allowing us to study the performance and mechanism of negative phototropism. The results of this study were as follows. All the adventitious roots and their branch roots bent away from light with a maximum curvature of approximately 88.5°. Blue-violet light prominently induced negative phototropism while red light had no effect. The root cap was the site of photo perception. Roots with shaded or divested root caps exposed to unilateral light showed no negative phototropism, but resumed their original characteristics when the shade was removed or when new root caps grew. The curvature increased when the light intensity ranged 0–110 μmol · m−2 · s−1. The negative phototropism curvature could be promoted by exogenous CaCl2 but was inhibited by exogenous LaCl3; exogenous CaCl2 could reduce the inhibitory effect of LaCl3. Unilateral light induced the horizontal transport of IAA from the irradiated side to the shaded side, resulting in an unequal distribution of IAA in both the sides, leading to negative phototropism. The horizontal transport of IAA was promoted by exogenous Ca2+ but inhibited by exogenous La3+.

Cadmium (Cd) accumulation, antioxidant activity (AOA), chlorophyll fluorescence (F) and organic acid distribution in Chlorophytum comosum and Callisia fragrans plants exposed to artificially added Cd (40, 160 and 320 mg kg−1) were examined in pot experiment. At the highest Cd concentration, C. comosum accumulated in roots and the aboveground parts up to 1331 and 1054 mg Cd kg−1 DW, and C. fragrans up to 1427 and 1263 mg Cd kg−1 DW, respectively, which are quite near at the level of hyperaccumulator. Cd accumulation in both plant species increased significantly with the increment of soil Cd dosage, and the distribution was roots > shoots > stolons. Values of BC showed rising trend indicating an accumulation potential of both species. The root AOA was positively correlated to Cd addition, especially in C. comosum. Higher values of free SA were found in roots with a significant enhancement at concentrations of 40 and 160 mg kg−1 Cd. It was observed that citric acid significantly reacted in both species, while fumaric acid only in C. comosum in response to Cd which may contribute to Cd chelation. Our data indicate that both species are suitable for phytoextraction of Cd from contaminated soils which increases their value as ornamentals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botanical biofilters are an interesting technology for indoor air pollution control. However, when growing plants under indoor air conditions with low light intensity (10–50 μmole PAR m −2 s −1 ), they seem to emit CO 2 to the environment. In order to solve this problem, a combination of C3 and CAM plants might be able to decrease the level of CO 2 emission and increase pollutant-removal efficiency. Therefore, an effective botanical biofilter with mixed plants was studied. The CO 2 emissions from high benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) removal plants including Zamioculcas zamiifolia (facultative CAM), Dracaena sanderiana (C3), Chlorophytum comosum (C3), Euphorbia milii (CAM cycling), Sansevieria kirkii (CAM), and Sansevieria trifasciata (CAM) were investigated. C. comosum and S. trifasciata emitted very low CO 2 under both light (50 μmole PAR m −2 s −1 ) and dark conditions. These two plant species (total leaf area of 500 cm 2 ) were used in the botanical biofilter. The results showed that the botanical biofilter with a mixture of C. comosum and S. trifasciata plants could rapidly remove 1 m 3 of 1 ± 0.2 ppm (3.9–4.7 mg m −3 ) toluene-contaminated air within only 2–3 h. In addition, the mixed plant system also showed low CO 2 emission under both light and dark conditions. The combination of C3 and CAM plants offers an alternative method to limit CO 2 emissions from a botanical biofilter under low light-intensity conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to determine the effect of plant–endophytic Enterobacter sp. EN2 interactions and blue-red LED light conditions on gaseous benzene removal by plants. It was found that under consecutive benzene fumigation for three cycles (18 days), inoculation of the strain EN2 into sterilized and non-sterilized native C. comosum resulted in significantly increased gaseous benzene removal compared to that in non-inoculated groups under the same light conditions (P < 0.05). Remarkably, EN2 colonization in inoculated plants under LED conditions was higher than under fluorescence conditions as the EN2 could grow better under LED conditions. Strain EN2 possesses NADPH that is used to facilitate benzene degradation and modulate plant growth under benzene stress by bacterial IAA production and ACC deaminase activity; higher IAA and lower ethylene levels were found in inoculated plants compared to non-inoculated ones. These contributed to better benzene removal efficiency. Interestingly, under fumigation for 16 cycles (67 days), there was no difference in gaseous benzene removal between inoculated plants and non-inoculated plants under the same light conditions at initial benzene concentrations of 5 ppm. This is probably due to EN2 reaching maximum growth under all treatments. However, C. comosum exhibited better benzene removal under LED conditions than under fluorescence conditions during 16 cycles, possibly due to better photosynthetic performance and plant growth, leading to more NADPH, and eventually enhanced benzene removal efficiency. Hence, the most efficient acceleration of benzene removal was provided by inoculation of strain EN2 onto C. comosum under blue-red LED light conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertical gardens are becoming a common component in contemporary garden designs at urban living space because of shrinking land spaces. Successful growing of plants in vertical garden systems depends up on growing container, plants chosen, growing media, etc. Hence a study was carried out in the Department of Horticulture, Annamalai University, during the year 2013, with the objectives to study the influence of Coir pith, Stockosorb and Geohumus as components of growing media along with FYM, Vermicompost and Leaf mould compost on growth and performance of ornamental plants for establishment of vertical garden and to study the performance of ornamental plants Viz., Philodendron erubescens Cv. 'Gold', Chlorophytum comosum Cv. 'Variegatum' and Polyscias fruticosa plants in wooden containers for establishment of vertical garden. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design in wooden containers, with ten treatment combinations of various growing media mixtures comprising red soil, river sand as basic components in combination with organic manures (FYM, vermicompost, leaf mould compost, coir pith) and hydrogels (Stocksorb and Geohumus). The plant growth characters and ornamental value index were observed. Among the three ornamental plants used, Polyscias fruticosa and Philodendron erubescens are performed better as ornamental plants in vertical garden system with the growing media of Red soil : River sand : Vermicompost @ 1:1:1/2 + Stockosorb(25g). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzene, a carcinogenic compound, has been reported as a major indoor air pollutant. Chlorophytum comosum ( C. comosum ) was reported to be the highest efficient benzene removal plant among other screened plants. Our previous studies found that plants under light conditions could remove gaseous benzene higher than under dark conditions. Therefore, C. comosum exposure to airborne benzene was studied under different light quality at the same light intensity. C. comosum could remove 500 ppm gaseous benzene with the highest efficiency of 68.77% under Blue:Red = 1:1 LED treatments and the lowest one appeared 57.41% under white fluorescent treatment within 8 days. After benzene was uptaken by C. comosum , benzene was oxidized to be phenol in the plant cells by cytochrome P450 monooxygenase system. Then, phenol was catalyzed to be catechol that was confirmed by the up-regulation of phenol 2-monooxygenase (PMO) gene expression. After that, catechol was changed to cic, cis-muconic acid. Interestingly, cis,cis-muconic acid production was found in the plant tissues higher than phenol and catechol. The result confirmed that NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR), cytochrome b 5 (cyt b 5), phenol 2-monooxygenase (PMO) and cytochrome P450 90B1 (CYP90B1) in plant cells were involved in benzene degradation or detoxification. In addition, phenol, catechol, and cis,cis-muconic acid production were found under the Blue-Red LED light conditions higher than under white fluorescent light conditions due to under LED light conditions gave higher NADPH contents. Hence, C. comosum under the Blue-Red LED light conditions had a high potential to remove benzene in a contaminated site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of phosphate fertilization on chemical speciation of cadmium (Cd) in the rhizospheric soil of Chlorophytum comosum, a potential cadmium hyperaccumulator. The results revealed that when 200 mg kg phosphate was applied into the soil, the Cd contents in the exchangeable fraction (EXC), carbonate-binding fraction (CA), and Fe-Mn oxides-binding fraction (Fe-Mn) were the highest, and the Cd content in the residual fraction (RES) was the lowest. Phosphate fertilization could enhance Cd conversion from RES into CA and weak RES, thereby improving the bioavailability of Cd and enhancing Cd enrichment and adsorption by C. comosum. The total Cd content in the soil was reduced by 10.15 mg kg in the planted group, which was significantly different from the control group ( p < 0.01). The highest bioaccumulation coefficient (BC) values in root and aboveground parts appeared when the phosphate rates were 276 and 217 mg kg, whereas the highest translocation factor (TF) occurred with a phosphate rate of 188 mg kg. Phosphate fertilization facilitated phytoremediation of Cd-polluted soil by C. comosum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The built indoor microbiome has importance for human health. Residents leave their microbial fingerprint but nothing is known about the transfer from plants. Our hypothesis that indoor plants contribute substantially to the microbial abundance and diversity in the built environment was experimentally confirmed as proof of principle by analyzing the microbiome of the spider plant Chlorophytum comosum in relation to their surroundings. The abundance of Archaea, Bacteria and Eukaryota (fungi) increased on surrounding floor and wall surfaces within six months of plant isolation in a cleaned indoor environment, whereas the microbial abundance on plant leaves and indoor air remained stable. We observed a microbiome shift: the bacterial diversity on surfaces increased significantly but fungal diversity decreased. The majority of cells were intact at the time of samplings and thus most probably alive including diverse Archaea as yet unknown phyllosphere inhabitants. LEfSe and network analysis showed that most microbes were dispersed from plant leaves to the surrounding surfaces. This led to an increase of specific taxa including spore-forming fungi with potential allergic potential but also beneficial plant-associated bacteria, e.g. Paenibacillus. This study demonstrates for the first time that plants can alter the microbiome of a built environment, which supports the significance of plants and provides insights into the complex interplay of plants, microbiomes and human beings.

Objective: To establish comparative pharmacognostic, phytochemical and biological evaluation parameters between five Chlorophytum species i.e. Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau and Fernades, Chlorophytum comosum (Thunb.) Jacq., Chlorophytum tuberosum Br., Chlorophytum laxum R. Br. and Chlorophytum arundinaceum Baker, of very popular Ayurvedic plant Safed Musali. Materials and methods: Comparative evaluations of Macro and microscopical, physico-chemical parameters of tubers of all five species were investigated and preliminary phytochemical analysis, estimation of major phytochemicals and TLC profiles were also carried out for qualitative phytochemical evaluation. In-vitro antioxidant and anticancer activity was carried out for extract of tubers of all five species. Results: Macro, micro, powder microscopical parameters of tubers of five species were examined and recorded the result. Tubers of all the five species are distinct in their morphology as well as anatomical characters. Physicochemical characters (Ash values, Loss on drying (LOD), swelling index and foaming index) as well as total saponin content shows great variability among five species. Results of In-vitro antioxidant by DPPH method shows difference in antioxidant potential between tubers of all five species. Extract of tubers of all five species do not show any type of In-vitro anticancer activity by SRB method against HL 60 leukemia cell line. Conclusion: All of the evaluated parameters are very good pharmacognostic standards for future comparative identification and authentication of specific species because all five species shows morphological, anatomical, chemical differences as well as varies in antioxidant potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The built indoor microbiome has importance for human health. Residents leave their microbial fingerprint but nothing is known about the transfer from plants. Our hypothesis that indoor plants contribute substantially to the microbial abundance and diversity in the built environment was experimentally confirmed as proof of principle by analyzing the microbiome of the spider plant Chlorophytum comosum in relation to their surroundings. The abundance of Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukaryota (fungi) increased on surrounding floor and wall surfaces within 6 months of plant isolation in a cleaned indoor environment, whereas the microbial abundance on plant leaves and indoor air remained stable. We observed a microbiome shift: the bacterial diversity on surfaces increased significantly but fungal diversity decreased. The majority of cells were intact at the time of samplings and thus most probably alive including diverse Archaea as yet unknown phyllosphere inhabitants. LEfSe and network analysis showed that most microbes were dispersed from plant leaves to the surrounding surfaces. This led to an increase of specific taxa including spore-forming fungi with potential allergic potential but also beneficial plant-associated bacteria, e.g., Paenibacillus. This study demonstrates for the first time that plants can alter the microbiome of a built environment, which supports the significance of plants and provides insights into the complex interplay of plants, microbiomes and human beings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]