Enhanced uptake of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate by the influence of citric acid in Helianthus annuus cultivated in artificially contaminated soil

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalic acid (DEHP) is the most extensively practiced plasticizer compound and a representative endocrine disrupting pollutant. Recently, the environmental impact and toxicological causes of DHEP on human health have been extensively investigated. DEHP uptake by plants is most significant biotransformation process of DEHP in environment. In this study, Helianthus annuus (H.annuus), vastly efficient in phytoremediation of polluted soil was selected to study the uptake and phytoremediation of DEHP in contaminated soil. In addition, the effect of citric acid on enhanced uptake and removal of DEHP was also investigated. The orders of biomass concentrations showed in the CA treatments were 200 mM (60.5 g) (>) 150 mM (54.5) (>) 100 mM (50.2 g) (>) 50 mM (46.5 g). The maximum shoot accumulation of DHEP (20 mg/kg) was observed at 200 mM citric acid treatment compared to all other treatments (50, 100, and 150 mM). Significant difference of the antioxidant enzymes activity (CAT, 25.7, POD, 22.5 (mu mol H2O2 /min/g FW) and COD 5.6 U/g FW) was observed between control and CA treatments as well as different concentrations of CA treated plants. The maximum ALP (0.17 mg.g(-1) soil.24 h(-1)) and urease activities (1.65 mg.g(-1) soil.24 h(-1)) were observed at 200 mM CA amended soils. The application of citric acid was significantly enhanced the H.annuus growth as well as uptake of DEHP. The results explored that the citric acid has excellent potential for the enhanced uptake of DEHP in contaminated soil. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

DEHP, a widely used plasticizer and endocrine disrupting pollutant, has been extensively studied for its environmental and toxicological effects on human health. Citric acid was found to significantly enhance the uptake of DEHP by plants, showing great potential for phytoremediation of contaminated soil.