Antioxidative status and acclimatization capacity of bamboo - potential use for air quality improvement in urban areas

Phyllostachis bissetti was introduced to urban areas in Belgrade with the aim to improve the quality of air polluted by heavy traffic. Dust released from fuel combustion adsorbed on the leaves reaching up to 10% of leaf dry weight. Adsorbed dust was analyzed for its morphological structure, chemical content and prooxidant activity. SEM analysis of dust indicated the presence of particulate matter fractions PM10 and PM2.5. Determination of peroxidase levels (POD, EC 1.11.1.7), ascorbate concentration and total antioxidant capacity in the leaves showed that, overall, P. bissetii had high antioxidative potential to cope with oxidative stress under urban environmental conditions. Leaf protein and chlorophyll content accompanied by high growth rate of seedlings planted at different locations indicated excellent acclimatization capacity of P. bissetti to the heavily polluted urban areas.