A UPLC-MS/MS method for quantification of β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) in Cycas sphaerica roxb. and its use in validating efficacy of a traditional BMAA removal method.

The presence of neurotoxin β-N-Methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) in the seeds of Cycas sphaerica is reported for first time. We developed a UPLC-MS/MS method for BMAA quantification by derivatizing with dansyl chloride. The method successfully differentiated L-BMAA from its structural isomer 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DAB).

A comprehensive review on spatial and temporal variation of arsenic contamination in Ghaghara basin and its relation to probable incremental life time cancer risk in the local population.

Spatial and temporal variations have been found in the levels of arsenic (As) throughout the groundwater of the Ghaghara basin. Fifteen out of twenty-five districts in this basin are reported to be affected by As, where the levels of As in groundwater and soil exceed the permissible limits set by the WHO (10 μgl) and FAO (20 mgkg) respectively. These districts include a total of four municipalities in Nepal and eighty-six blocks in India, all of which have varying degrees of As contamination.

Changes in fatty acids in L. oil grown under two simulated conditions of fluoride contamination.

Rapeseed, the second-most-important vegetable oil source, is cultivated in various areas of India where both groundwater and soil are contaminated with fluoride (F). Furthermore, the frequent use of F contaminated groundwater for irrigation leads to accumulation of F in surface and sub-surface soil. The study aims to compare the morphological and biochemical changes in L.

Spatio-temporal variation of fluoride in groundwater and agricultural soil and crops of Unnao district, UP: Monitoring and assessment.

Fluoride (F) contamination in groundwater of Unnao district, Uttar Pradesh was reported for the first time in 1994, however comprehensive monitoring of F in different environmental matrices remains to be undertaken. The presented study reports spatio-temporal monitoring of F content in groundwater, crops and soil from F affected district Unnao, in pre-monsoon (PRM), monsoon (MO) and post-monsoon (PMO), to establish F groundwater-soil-plant continuum. More than 80% of groundwater samples were contaminated with F> 1.

Nitric oxide-mediated alleviation of arsenic stress involving metalloid detoxification and physiological responses in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Rice is a staple crop, and food chain contamination of arsenic in rice grain possesses a serious health risk to billions of population. Arsenic stress negatively affects the rice growth, yield and quality of the grains. Nitric oxide (NO) is a major signaling molecule that may trigger various cellular responses in plants.

Nickel and cadmium phytoextraction efficiencies of vetiver and lemongrass grown on Ni-Cd battery waste contaminated soil: A comparative study of linear and nonlinear models.

A comparative assessment of the phytoremediation efficiency of two tolerant grass species viz. vetiver and lemongrass were performed in pots against simulated Ni-Cd battery electrolyte waste (EW) contaminated soil (EW1%, EW2% and EW4% w/w). Ni (μg g) accumulation was higher in shoots (36.

Biochar amendment reduced the risk associated with metal uptake and improved metabolite content in medicinal herbs.

Contaminations of heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in medicinal plants (MPs) not only restrict their safe consumption due to health hazards but also lower their productivity. Biochar amendments in the soil are supposed to immobilize the toxic metals, improve the soil quality and agricultural productivity. However, the impact of biochar on growth attributes, metal accumulation, pharmacologically active compounds of MPs, and health risk is less explored.

Orthosilicic acid (OSA) reduced grain arsenic accumulation and enhanced yield by modulating the level of trace element, antioxidants, and thiols in rice.

Arsenic (As), a toxic metalloid, is finding its route to human through intake of As-contaminated water and consumption of food grown on contaminated soil. Rice is the most As-affected crop. Present study is aimed to assess the impact of stabilized orthosilicic acid (a proprietary formulation for plant-available silicon (Si) and earlier used as fertilizer for rice to enhance growth and yield) in reducing the accumulation of As in rice grains.

Fluoride distribution and contamination in the water, soil and plants continuum and its remedial technologies, an Indian perspective- a review.

Fluorine is an essential element required in trace amounts but gets toxic for human beings at levels more than 1.5 mg F L primarily through drinking contaminated water. It is the 13th most abundant element and constitutes about 0.

Comparison of two ferns (Adiantum capillus-veneris Linn. and Microsorium punctatum (Linn.) Copel) for their Cr accumulation potential and antioxidant responses.

Study was undertaken to compare Cr accumulation in two ferns (Adiantum capillus-veneris Linn. and Microsorium punctatum (Linn.) Copel) and the role of antioxidants were also investigated towards metal tolerance in order to assess the use of ferns in phytomediation/ phytostabilization.

Effect of chromium on accumulation and antioxidants in Cucumis utillissimus L.: response under enhanced bioavailability condition.

This study compares the accumulation of Cr(VI) and biochemical changes (total chlorophyll, carotenoid, protein, malondialdehyde (MDA) and cysteine contents) and roles of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX)) in tolerance to metal induced stress in Cucumis utillissimus L. grown in Cr contaminated soil (CS) with garden soil (GS). Furthermore, Cr bioavailability was enhanced by ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) addition to the soil to forecast the plant's accumulation pattern at elevated Cr environment.

Study on arsenate tolerant and sensitive cultivars of Zea mays L.: differential detoxification mechanism and effect on nutrients status.

The study identifies sensitive and tolerant cultivars of Zea mays L. (cv. Azad kamal (AK) and Azad uttam (AU)) towards As(V) induced stress, based upon growth biochemical parameters and metal(loid) levels in a sand culture.

Metal accumulation, growth, antioxidants and oil yield of Brassica juncea L. exposed to different metals.

In agricultural fields, heavy metal contamination is responsible for limiting the crop productivity and quality. This study reports that the plants of Brassica juncea L. cv.

Interactive effects of Cr and Fe treatments on plants growth, nutrition and oxidative status in Zea mays L.

The effects of Cr and Fe, singly and in combination were investigated on nutrients uptake (Cu, Zn and Mn), lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes, chlorophyll content and growth parameters in Zea mays L. var. Ruchi (SRHM 445).

Role of antioxidants in Cr tolerance of three crop plants: Metal accumulation in seeds.

Pot experiments were conducted on three crop plants (Vigna radiata cv. PDM54, V. radiata cv.