Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell, a potential plant species for degradation of textile azo dyes.

The current study highlighted the phytoremediation potential of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell for most commonly used azo dyes which are resistant to degradation. Fourteen azo dyes (reactive: 09; direct: 05) upon treatments up to 40 mg/L were decolorized in the range of 90 to 100% after incubation of 2 weeks in in vitro and hydroponic cultures. No significant alteration in growth of B. monnieri was observed in the presence of dyes R. Magenta MB, R. Navy Blue M2R, Dt. Orange RS, Dt. T Blue GLL, Dt. Sky Blue FF alone, and together in the medium. However, at increasing concentrations (60-100 mg/L), the percent dye decolorization was declined and showed a toxic effect on plant growth. The chlorophyll content declined while membrane damage and osmolyte accumulation were increased in dye treated samples. The biological conversion of produced metabolites was analyzed using FTIR and GC-MS. Our results suggest that the intermediates of Dt. Blue GLL degradation consist L-Proline, N-valeryldecyl ester, 3,5 Di-tert-butyl-4-trimethylsiloxytoulene, and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, diisooctyl ester. The antioxidative and oxidative enzyme activities in roots and leaves were significantly higher in the presence of dyes over control indicate that these enzymes are involved in degradation of dyes. Percentage seed germination, shoot and root length of seedlings of legume, cereal, and oilseed crop was not affected, suggesting the compatible nature of the produced metabolites. Our results revealed the remarkable ability of Bacopa monnieri for long-term operations that lead to the practical application of phytoremediation in textile industries.