Evaluation of Enzyme Expression in a Macrophytic Treated Crude Oil Soil Habitat: Implication for Enhanced Phytoremediation Potential Using Transgenic Botanicals
Nsirim L. Edwin-Wosu and Ani E. Nkang
Abstract: Background: Several studies have demonstrated the success of phytoremediation and its advantages over conventional physical and biochemical (even engineered transgenics) methods, resulting in its use on many contaminated sites. A direct method for enhancing the effectiveness of phytoremediation is to over express the genes in transgenic plants that are involved in metabolism, uptake and/or transport of specific pollutants. Objective: A screen-house ecological study was carried out to evaluate the remediation potentials of three species of the Fabaceae Family (Peltophorum pterocarpum, Leucaena leucocephala and Crotolaria retusa) for cleaning up soils contaminated with crude oil petroleum hydrocarbons. Result: Enzymatic analysis and hydrocarbon index assessment of the species and the vegetated and non-vegetated soils showed that P. pterocarpum recorded significant (p<0.05) performance over C. retusa and L. leucocephala in the uptake of hydrocarbons (oil and Grease (OG), Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC), organic carbon and organic matter content]. Results showed significant (p<0.05) reduction in enzyme expression and soil hydrocarbon index. C. retusa recorded significant (p<0.05) increase over P. pterocarpum and L. leucocephala in enzyme expression and reduction in foliar hydrocarbon index, with significant (p<0.05) increase in soil hydrocarbon index. Conclusion: Crotolaria retusa can thus be recommended as an integral component of any bioremediation technology package for hydrocarbon polluted terrestrial environment and by it transgenic enhancement of indigenous enzymes.
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		How to Cite: Nsirim L. Edwin-Wosu and Ani E. Nkang , 2015. Evaluation of Enzyme Expression in a Macrophytic Treated Crude Oil Soil Habitat: Implication for Enhanced Phytoremediation Potential Using Transgenic Botanicals. Insight Ecology, 4: 13-23 DOI: 10.5567/ECOLOGY-IK.2015.13.23