Increasing knowledge about phytoremediation through a practical approach for undergraduate students. Issue 5 (20th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Talano, Melina A.; Ibañez, Sabrina; Sosa Alderete, Lucas G.; Wevar Oller, Ana L.; Vezza, Mariana E.; Medina, María I.; Agostini, Elizabeth
• Is Part Of: Journal of biological education. Volume 55:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 548
• Page End: 554
• Publication Date: 2021-10-20
• Subjects: Phytoremediation -- phenol -- peroxidases -- practical approach -- undergraduate students; Biology -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Biologie -- Étude et enseignement -- Périodiques; Biology -- Study and teaching; Periodicals; 570.7
• DOI: 10.1080/00219266.2020.1739115
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9266

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Universities play an important role in society and in providing solutions for its problems. Environmental pollution is one of the most serious problems facing the world today. Thus, universities are increasingly including subjects related to the environment and its conservation both in their educational and research programmes. Generally, undergraduate students know many benefits of plants, such as being sources for food and several bioactive compounds, provision of atmospheric oxygen and soil conservation. However, they are less aware of the potential of plants in 'cleaning' environmental pollutants. To this end, a useful biochemistry laboratory approach is described that guides students to learn about the applicability of phytoremediation using in vitro plant cultures (hairy roots) to degrade an organic pollutant (phenol) from a synthetic solution. This laboratory approach has been successfully implemented in university Plant Biotechnology courses to deepen understanding about phytoremediation potential and highlight the biochemical basis of this process. This procedure can be easily adopted to increase student learning of environmental issues, and awareness about the potential of using plants for environmental remediation processes.