Muhammad Tariq Rafiq

5-Aminolevolinic acid mitigates the cadmium-induced changes in Brassica napus as revealed by the biochemical and ultra-structural evaluation of roots.

In the present study, the ameliorating effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) under cadmium (Cd) stress conditions were studied with special emphasis on root morphology and ultra-structure in oilseed rape. For this purpose, plants were treated hydroponically at three different Cd levels (0, 100, 500μM) and foliar spray of ALA with three concentrations (0, 12.5, 25mg/l) simultaneously. The results showed that foliar application of ALA improved the plant growth, root morphology and reduced the reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde contents in roots under Cd stress conditions. The higher concentration of Cd (500μM) decreased the activities of antioxidants enzymes like catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and glutathione reductase (GR) and also reduced the oxidized glutathione and total glutathione contents in roots. Application of ALA at 25mg/l dosage significantly enhanced the antioxidant activities e.g. APX, SOD, POD, and GSH contents under Cd stress. The microscopic micrographs showed that application of exogenous ALA improved the cell structure under Cd toxicity. A whole cell with developed nucleus, nuclear membrane, smooth cell wall, continuous endoplasmic reticulum, and well shaped mitochondria was observed under the combine application of ALA and Cd. These results suggest that, application of ALA helped the plants to improve root growth, root antioxidant enzymes, and ultra-structural changes in root tip cells under fifteen days Cd-induced stress.

Sorption of ammonium and phosphate from aqueous solution by biochar derived from phytoremediation plants

The study on biochar derived from plant biomass for environmental applications is attracting more and more attention. Twelve sets of biochar were obtained by treating four phytoremediation plants, Salix rosthornii Seemen, Thalia dealbata, Vetiveria zizanioides, and Phragmites sp., sequentially through pyrolysis at 500 °C in a N2 environment, and under different temperatures (500, 600, and 700 °C) in a CO2 environment. The cation exchange capacity and specific surface area of biochar varied with both plant species and pyrolysis temperature. The magnesium (Mg) content of biochar derived from T. dealbata (TC) was obviously higher than that of the other plant biochars. This biochar also had the highest sorption capacity for phosphate and ammonium. In terms of biomass yields, adsorption capacity, and energy cost, T. dealbata biochar produced at 600 °C (TC600) is the most promising sorbent for removing contaminants (N and P) from aqueous solution. Therefore, T. dealbata appears to be the best candidate for phytoremediation application as its biomass can make a good biochar for environmental cleaning.

Cadmium phytoavailability to rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown in representative Chinese soils. A model to improve soil environmental quality guidelines for food safety.

Food chain contamination by cadmium (Cd) is globally a serious health concern resulting in chronic abnormalities. Rice is a major staple food of the majority world population, therefore, it is imperative to understand the relationship between the bioavailability of Cd in soils and its accumulation in rice grain. Objectives of this study were to establish environment quality standards for seven different textured soils based on human dietary toxicity, total Cd content in soils and bioavailable portion of Cd in soil. Cadmium concentrations in polished rice grain were best related to total Cd content in Mollisols and Udic Ferrisols with threshold levels of 0.77 and 0.32mgkg(-1), respectively. Contrastingly, Mehlich-3-extractable Cd thresholds were more suitable for Calcaric Regosols, Stagnic Anthrosols, Ustic Cambosols, Typic Haplustalfs and Periudic Argosols with thresholds values of 0.36, 0.22, 0.17, 0.08 and 0.03mgkg(-1), respectively. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that phytoavailability of Cd to rice grain was strongly correlated with Mehlich-3-extractable Cd and soil pH. The empirical model developed in this study explains the combined effects of soil properties and extractable soil Cd content on the phytoavailability of Cd to polished rice grain. This study indicates that accumulation of Cd in rice is influenced greatly by soil type, which should be considered in assessment of soil safety for Cd contamination in rice. This investigation concluded that the selection of proper soil type for food crop production can help us to avoid the toxicity of Cd in our daily diet.

Uptake of Cadmium by Rice Grown on Contaminated Soils and Its Bioavailability/Toxicity in Human Cell Lines (Caco-2/HL-7702)

Cadmium (Cd) enters the food chain from polluted soils via contaminated cereals and vegetables; therefore, an understanding of Cd bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and toxicity in humans through rice grain is needed. This study assessed the Cd bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and toxicity to humans from rice grown on Cd-contaminated soils using an in vitro digestion method combined with a Caco-2/HL-7702 cell model. Cadmium bioaccessibility (18.45-30.41%) and bioavailability (4.04-8.62%) were found to be significantly higher in yellow soil (YS) rice than calcareous soil (CS) rice with the corresponding values of 6.89-11.43 and 1.77-2.25%, respectively. Toxicity assays showed an initial toxicity in YS rice at 6 mg kg(-1) Cd, whereas CS rice did not show any significant change due to low Cd concentrations. The acidic soils of Cd-contaminated areas can contribute to a higher dietary intake of Cd. Therefore, it is imperative to monitor Cd concentration in rice to minimize human health risk.

Improvement of cadmium uptake and accumulation in Sedum alfredii by endophytic bacteria Sphingomonas SaMR12: effects on plant growth and root exudates.

Inoculating endophytic bacteria was proven as a promising way to enhance phytoremediation. By a hydroponic experiment, the role of this study was to clarify the effects of inoculating endophytic bacterium Sphingomonas SaMR12 on phytoremediation, with special emphasis on changes of cadmium uptake, plant growth, root morphology, and organic acids secretion at different cadmium treated levels (0, 5, 50, and 100 μM). The results showed that SaMR12 inoculation improved the accumulation of cadmium as well as plant biomass, length of roots, number of root tips, and root surface area. Root secretion of oxalic, citric, and succinic acids was also increased after inoculated, which may alleviate the cadmium toxicity to plant or inhibit the rising trend of oxidative stress of plant. The major finding of this work suggested that in the root, SaMR12 improves cadmium bioavailability and absorption facility by increasing root-soil contact area and root organic acid secretion; and in the shoot, SaMR12 increases cadmium tolerance by alleviating oxidative stress of plant, so as to enhance the capability of cadmium extraction by plant.

Influence of Pyrolysis Temperature on Physico-Chemical Properties of Corn Stover (Zea mays L.) Biochar and Feasibility for Carbon Capture and Energy Balance.

This study examined the influence of pyrolysis temperature on biochar characteristics and evaluated its suitability for carbon capture and energy production. Biochar was produced from corn stover using slow pyrolysis at 300, 400 and 500°C and 2 hrs holding time. The experimental biochars were characterized by elemental analysis, BET, FTIR, TGA/DTA, NMR (C-13). Higher heating value (HHV) of feedstock and biochars was measured using bomb calorimeter. Results show that carbon content of corn stover biochar increased from 45.5% to 64.5%, with increasing pyrolysis temperatures. A decrease in H:C and O:C ratios as well as volatile matter, coupled with increase in the concentration of aromatic carbon in the biochar as determined by FTIR and NMR (C-13) demonstrates a higher biochar carbon stability at 500°C. It was estimated that corn stover pyrolysed at 500°C could provide of 10.12 MJ/kg thermal energy. Pyrolysis is therefore a potential technology with its carbon-negative, energy positive and soil amendment benefits thus creating win- win scenario.

Phytoavailability of Cadmium (Cd) to Pak Choi (Brassica chinensis L.) Grown in Chinese Soils: A Model to Evaluate the Impact of Soil Cd Pollution on Potential Dietary Toxicity

Food chain contamination by soil cadmium (Cd) through vegetable consumption poses a threat to human health. Therefore, an understanding is needed on the relationship between the phytoavailability of Cd in soils and its uptake in edible tissues of vegetables. The purpose of this study was to establish soil Cd thresholds of representative Chinese soils based on dietary toxicity to humans and develop a model to evaluate the phytoavailability of Cd to Pak choi (Brassica chinensis L.) based on soil properties. Mehlich-3 extractable Cd thresholds were more suitable for Stagnic Anthrosols, Calcareous, Ustic Cambosols, Typic Haplustalfs, Udic Ferrisols and Periudic Argosols with values of 0.30, 0.25, 0.18, 0.16, 0.15 and 0.03 mg kg−1, respectively, while total Cd is adequate threshold for Mollisols with a value of 0.86 mg kg−1. A stepwise regression model indicated that Cd phytoavailability to Pak choi was significantly influenced by soil pH, organic matter, total Zinc and Cd concentrations in soil. Therefore, since Cd accumulation in Pak choi varied with soil characteristics, they should be considered while assessing the environmental quality of soils to ensure the hygienically safe food production.

Impact Assessment of Cadmium Toxicity and Its Bioavailability in Human Cell Lines (Caco-2 and HL-7702)

Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread environmental toxic contaminant, which causes serious health-related problems. In this study, human intestinal cell line (Caco-2 cells) and normal human liver cell line (HL-7702 cells) were used to investigate the toxicity and bioavailability of Cd to both cell lines and to validate these cell lines as in vitro models for studying Cd accumulation and toxicity in human intestine and liver. Results showed that Cd uptake by both cell lines increased in a dose-dependent manner and its uptake by Caco-2 cells (720.15 µg mg−1 cell protein) was significantly higher than HL-7702 cells (229.01 µg mg−1 cell protein) at 10 mg L−1. A time- and dose-dependent effect of Cd on cytotoxicity assays (LDH release, MTT assay) was observed in both Cd-treated cell lines. The activities of antioxidant enzymes and differentiation markers (SOD, GPX, and AKP) of the HL-7702 cells were higher than those of Caco-2 cells, although both of them decreased significantly with raising Cd levels. The results from the present study indicate that Cd above a certain level inhibits cellular antioxidant activities and HL-7702 cells are more sensitive to Cd exposure than Caco-2 cells. However, Cd concentrations <0.5 mg L−1 pose no toxic effects on both cell lines.

Model for evaluation of the phytoavailability of chromium (Cr) to rice (Oryza sativa L.) in representative Chinese soils.

Anthropogenic chromium (Cr) pollution in soils poses a great threat to human health through the food chain. It is imperative to understand Cr phytoavailability to rice (Oryza sativa L.), which is a major staple food crop for the largest population of people on Earth. This study was aimed to establish a model for evaluation of the phytoavailability of Cr to rice in six representative Chinese soils based on soil properties. Simple correlation analysis indicated that Cr concentration in polished rice was significantly correlated with total Cr, Mehlich-3 extractable Cr, and Cr(VI) in soil. Stepwise multiple regression analysis also demonstrated that the Cr phytoavailability was strongly correlated with soil total Cr, Mehlich-3 extractable Cr, Cr(VI) concentration, soil organic matter, Fe(II), and particle size distribution. Critical Cr concentrations in the six soils were evaluated for rice based on the maximum safe level for daily intake of Cr. Mehlich-3 extractable Cr are the most suitable Cr thresholds for Periudic Argosols, Udic Ferrisols, Mollisols, and Ustic Cambosols with values of 1.54, 0.56, 0.42, and 2.18 mg kg(-1), respectively, while Cr(VI) are adequate thresholds for Calcaric Regosols and Stagnic Anthrosols with values of 0.68 and 0.84 mg kg(-1), respectively.

Accumulation of chromium in pak choi ( L.) grown on representative chinese soils.

Anthropogenic chromium (Cr) pollution in soils poses a great threat to human health through the food chain. It is imperative to understand Cr accumulation properties in common vegetables because the proportion of vegetables consumed has increased with the improvement of living standards. This study investigated Cr accumulation in pak choi ( L.) grown on six representative agricultural soils in China. Chromium concentration in the edible parts of pak choi generally increased with soil Cr concentrations following the order: Ustic Cambosols > Periudic Argosols > Mollisols > Calcaric Regosols > Stagnic Anthrosols > Udic Ferrisols. Simple correlation analysis indicated that Cr concentration in pak choi was significantly correlated with the total Cr, Mehlich-3-extractable Cr, and Cr(VI). Stepwise multiple regression analysis also demonstrated that the phytoavailability of Cr was strongly correlated with the extractable fraction by Mehlich-3, total Cr concentration, soil organic matter, and Fe(II). Critical Cr concentrations in these six soils were evaluated for pak choi based on the maximum safe level for daily intake of Cr. Total soil Cr can be used as Cr thresholds for potential dietary toxicity in pak choi. Mehlich-3-extractable Cr is most suitable to be used as Cr thresholds for Periudic Argosols, Udic Ferrisols, Mollisols, and Ustic Cambosols, with values of 20.7, 15.8, 21.2, and 20.4 mg kg, respectively, whereas Cr(VI) is most suitable for Calcaric Regosols and Stagnic Anthrosols, with values of 26.5 and 28.0 mg kg, respectively.