Physiological and biochemical response of traffic-generated particulate matter captured by some vegetables

Abstract

Amplified traffic is one of the main factors that increase particulate matter (PM) in the air. Green plants play an important role in reducing PM from the air. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of traffic pollution on three vegetable crops (Lactuca sativa L., Eruca sativa L. Cav., and Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba) cultivated on roadside at El-Bajour city, Menoufia governorate Egypt. Some physiological and biochemical parameters such as chlorophyll, total carbohydrates, protein, phenolics, flavonoids, reducing power, lipid peroxidation some antioxidant enzymes and heavy metals were determined in these plants. Results showed a significant difference (according to the studied biochemical parameters) between the samples affected by traffic pollution compared to control. The variation in the studied parameters in the leaves and root were found to be pollution load dependent and can be used as indicators of air pollution stress or as a marker for physiological damage to crops prior to the onset of visible injury symptoms.