Comparative studies on the Effect of Antioxidant properties of the Plants Helianthus annus and Solanum nigrum Exposed to the Heavy Metal Chromium

Large areas of soils have been contaminated by heavy metals, which are deleterious to the existence, reproduction and development of living organisms including plants, animals and microorganisms. The contamination of nature compartments by heavy metals has become a serious environmental problem. Due to the high cost of conventional clean-up technologies, there is an increasing interest in the remediation of contaminated sites using biological environmental friendly technique. One such method is Phytoremediation A technique in which soil contamination due to industrial activities is minimized. It is a method, which isolates and detoxifies the heavy metal pollutants. Phytoremediation of soil contaminated by heavy metals has been widely accepted as a cost-effective and environmental-friendly clean-up technology. During the exposure of plants to contaminated soils the antioxidant defence system helps the plant to protect itself from the damage. Antioxidants are substances used by the body to protect itself from damage caused by oxidation due to toxic environment. Helianthus annus (Sunflower) and Solanum nigrum (Black night shade) are common plants grown in all parts of the world. In the present work the plants Helianthus annus and Solanum nigrum were exposed to the heavy metal Chromium contaminated soils and the biochemical factors, vitamins and minerals factor and antioxidant factors were investigated. From the results it is evident that the heavy metal chromium affects significantly the biochemical factors, vitamins and minerals factor and antioxidant factors in both the plants. While comparing the antioxidant property between the two plants, Solanum nigrum is found to be having higher antioxidant property than Helianthus annus.