Anthropogenic pollution can take various forms and affect the air, water, soil, and plants. Monitoring pollution via compounds formed in living organisms such as plants, so-called bioindicators, may be a useful approach for environmental monitoring. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare plants growing in industrial and residential areas of Sadat City, Egypt, as bioindicators and biomarkers of industrial pollution. Phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and metals were measured in Bougainvillea glabra (paperflower) leaves by HPLC-MS, neutron activation analysis, and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Air, water, and soil samples associated with B. glabra sampled in industrial and residential areas were also analyzed for the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, metals, and particulate matter. There were significantly higher levels of flavonoids and phenolic compounds in the leaf extracts of plants growing in industrial areas compared to those growing in residential zones (P<0.05). Metal accumulation in leaves was also significantly higher in the industrial zone than the residential zone: iron, lead, zinc, nickel, and manganese were present at significantly higher levels in plants in the industrial zone compared to those growing in the residential zone (P<0.05); nevertheless, the concentrations of heavy metals in the air, water, and soil were under local legal environmental limits. This study demonstrates that pollution has significant effects on total phenolic, flavonoid and metal levels in B. glabra plants, not only demonstrating the effects of pollution on ecosystem health but also paving the way for using plants as bioindicators and for phytoremediation.
The present investigation revealed that Red sea stretches along Marsa Alam of Egypt is a habitation of diverse groups of marine macro-algal species recorded along Marsa Hemera shore. Ecological studies (meteorological data, water, soil, aqueous extract analysis of Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt and associated species) reported that, slightly alkaline; low turbidity, moderate temperature and available nutrient content of saline water produced massive growth of S. muticum during September (2018). Ecological and Physico-chemical properties of collected water samples showed variations of different parameters of sea water like temperature, salinity, pH, and high dissolved minerals. Heavy metals accumulation inside the investigated seaweeds S. muticum was within the corresponding range. The aqueous extract of S. muticum contained high amounts of Na, Ca, K and Fe, moderate amounts of Zn, and low in Cu, Cd, Ni and Mn. Lead Pb recorded 0.291 ppm, Ag, Co and Ga were absent in aqueous extract. The associated species to the brown algae S. muticum are belonging to 6 families and 7 species as follows: Sargassaceae, Fucaceae, Phaeophyceae, Rhodomelaceae, Caulerpaceae and Hydrocharitaceae. Results showed that S. muticum enriched in essential amino acids; micro and macro elements, carbohydrates, protein, lipids, and agar. These algae may be used as bio fertilizers.
Plant disease administration is difficult due to the nature of phytopathogens. Biological control is a safe method to avoid the problems related to fungal diseases affecting crop productivity and some human pathogenic bacteria. For that, the antimicrobial activity of the seaweed Sargassum muticum methanol and water extracts were investigated against human bacterial pathogens and fungal plant pathogens. By using 70 percent methanol, the seaweed powder was extracted, feeding additives assay, ultrastructure (TEM). Results revealed significant inhibition of S. muticum methanol extract against Salmonella typhi (25.66 mm), Escherichia coli (24.33 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (22.33 mm) and Bacillus subtilis. (19.66 mm), some fungal phytopathogens significantly inhibited Fusarium moniliforme (30.33mm), Pythium ultimum (26.33 mm), Aspergillus flavus (24.36mm), and Macrophomina phaseolina (22.66mm). Phytochemical investigation of S. muticum extract showed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Results suggested that there is an appreciable level of antioxidant potential in S. muticum (79.86%) DPPH scavenging activity. Ultrastructural studies of Fusarium moniliforme hypha grown on a medium containing S. muticum extract at concentration 300mg/ml showed a thickening cell wall, disintegration of cytoplasm, large lipid bodies and vacuoles. In conclusion, our study revealed The antibacterial activity of S. muticum extract significantly against some Gram positive, Gram negative bacteria and antifungal activity against some phytopathogenic and some mycotoxin producer fungi. Flavonoids, phenolic play an important role as antioxidants and antimicrobial properties. Such study revealed that S. muticum methanol extract could be used as ecofriendly biocontrol for phytopathogenic fungi and feeding additives to protect livestock products.
<p>Pollen morphology of seven taxa belonging to Lamiaceae and common used as medicinal plants were examined by light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).<em> Thymus vulgaris</em> L.<em>, Mentha longifolia</em> (<a title="Carolus Linnaeus" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolus_Linnaeus">L.</a>) <a title="William Hudson (botanist)" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hudson_(botanist)">Huds.</a> Mentha<em> spicata L.</em>, <em>Ocimum basillicium L.</em>, <em>Salvia elegans </em>Vahl<em>, Salvia farinace</em><em>a</em> Benth, and<em> Salvia splendens</em> Sellow ex Roem. and Schult. Pollen morphological characteristics are provided for these taxa. Among the studied taxa, <em>Mentha longifolia</em> has the smallest pollen grains, and <em>Ocimum basillicium</em> possesses the largest ones. The main shape of pollen grains in the most taxa suboblate, oblate – spheroidal or prolate–spheroidal. However subprolate are recorded for <em>Salvia elegans</em>. The grains are hexacolpate in all taxa, but in <em>S.</em><strong><em> </em></strong><em>farinacea</em> octacolpate pollen was found. Three distinct exine sculpturing exist, reticulate–perforate the common type, also reticulate, granulate and bi-reticulate. However, the fine details are characteristic to differentiate between the pollen species. Exine is microreticulate in case of <em>S</em>. <em>elegans</em> and <em>S.</em><strong><em> </em></strong><em>farinacea</em>, but reticulate-foveolate in case of S<em>. splendens</em>. As well as, the presence of holes on colpus membrane ornamentation can be used as a taxonomic tool for sectional division between. <em>S. </em><em>elegans</em> from <em>S</em><em>. splendens</em> is clearly distinct from the other taxa examined by its characteristic pollen morphology. </p>
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.