Show simple item record

AuthorPanday, Raju
AuthorBhatt, Padam Shekhar
AuthorBhattarai, Tribikram
AuthorShakya, Kumudini
AuthorSreerama, Lakshmaiah
Available date2016-12-01T06:25:21Z
Publication Date2016-11-21
Publication NameBMC Research Notes
Identifierhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13104-016-2297-7
CitationPanday R, Bhatt PS, Bhattarai T, Shakya K, Sreerama L. Aldehyde dehydrogenase expression in Metaphire posthuma as a bioindicator to monitor heavy metal pollution in soil. BMC Research Notes. 2016;9:491.
ISSN1756-0500
URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10576/5054
AbstractBackground Soil contamination and associated pollution plays a detrimental role in soil flora and fauna. Soil is processed and remodeled by subterranean earthworms, accordingly are referred to as soil chemical engineers. These worms, besides processing carbon and nitrogen, serve as minors for processing metals. In heavy metal contaminated soils, they accumulate heavy metals, which in turn cause altered gene expression, including aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzymes. This study explores the possibility of ALDH expression in earthworms as a novel biomarker for the heavy metal contamination of soil. Results Earthworms cultured in contaminated soils accumulated significantly higher levels of Pb and Cd. Similarly, significantly higher levels of ALDH enzyme activities were observed in earthworms cultured in soils contaminated with Pb and Cd. The ALDH activity was found to be highest in worms cultured in 5 ppm heavy metal contaminated soils. Although, ALDH activities decreased as the heavy metal concentration in soil increased, they were significantly higher when compared to control worms cultured in uncontaminated soils. The accumulation of heavy metal in earthworms measured after 28 days decreased as the heavy metal concentration in soil increased. Conclusions Levels of ALDH expression correlated with total Pb and Cd concentration in the earthworm tissue. This study showed that the ALDH activity in earthworms could potentially be used as a biomarker to show heavy metal pollution in soil.
SponsorCentral Department of Biotechnology, Tribhuvan University
Languageen
PublisherBioMed Central
SubjectMetaphire posthuma
Aldehyde dehydrogenase
Heavy metals
Lead (Pb)
Cadmium (Cd)
Bioindicators
TitleAldehyde dehydrogenase expression in Metaphire posthuma as a bioindicator to monitor heavy metal pollution in soil
TypeArticle
Volume Number9
dc.accessType Open Access


Files in this item

Thumbnail

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record