Application of Endophytic Bacteria to Reduce Persistent Organic Pollutants Contamination in Plants

Abstract

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) accumulation in plants poses a risk to human health. POPs can be transported to plants through soil and air by abiotic or biotic processes. Their transport mechanisms in plants include symplastic and apoplastic processes, depending on the POP physicochemical properties and the vegetation species and growth stage. POPs with higher log octanol–water partition coefficient (Kow) values were absorbed more easily than those with lower logKow values. Specific endophytic bacteria showed increased expression of specific genes, more efficient degradation of organic contaminants, and the ability to degrade and reduce organic contaminants in host‐plant tissues. Several POP‐degrading endophytic bacteria were isolated from plants grown in POP‐contaminated soils and then inoculated successfully into plants. They expressed the genes encoding enzymes in the POP degradation pathways and reduced phytotoxicity and the amount of POP present in plant tissues. Thus, plant colonization by endophytic bacteria can be applied to degrading and reducing the concentration of POPs in plants.

O herbicida sulfentrazone interfere na biomassa microbiana e na atividade da microbiota do solo

“…Essa tolerância pode ser resultante de processos como a translocação diferencial para outros tecidos do vegetal, havendo subsequente volatilização e/ou degradação parcial ou completa transformação em compostos menos tóxicos (Zhu et al, 2014).…”

Study of phenanthrene utilizing bacterial consortia associated with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) root nodules

“…PAH biodegradation by bacteria can occur under aerobic or anaerobic conditions (Zhu et al 2014). This indicates that while living in plant tissues, root nodule endophytic microbes may utilize PAH under anaerobic conditions and reduce phytotoxicity and the amount of PAH present in root nodules, thereby enhancing the plant growth and PAH degradation.…”

“…PAH degrading bacteria species both inside and outside of the root nodule have not been studied as much when compared to the PAH degrading bacteria living in the rhizosphere. The potential of nodule endophytic PAH degrading bacteria are still a promising microbial resource, waiting to be explored (Zhu et al 2014). Endophytic bacteria are often found in plant species and do not display visible harm to host plants.…”

Inoculating plants with the endophytic bacterium Pseudomonas sp. Ph6-gfp to reduce phenanthrene contamination

“…Currently, several artificial endophyte colonization methods can be used to access the interiors of plants, e.g., inoculating sterilized seeds with an endophyte suspension, soaking plant roots with an endophyte suspension, and painting an endophyte suspension on plant leaves Zhu et al 2014). For example, the endophytic Pantoea agglomerans 33.1, tagged with the green fluorescent protein (gfp) gene, was introduced into Eucalyptus seeds and subsequently observed in the roots and stems of seedlings (Ferreira et al 2008).…”