Global anthropogenic pollution has caused extensive damage to the soil ecosystem. At low concentrations, metallic chemicals, such as heavy metals, cause soil contamination. Some plants possess the ability to carry out phytoremediation to decontaminate soils. Using wild plants such as Sida rhombifolia L. for this would be a feasible way to prevent the bioaccumulation of heavy metals. However, one concern is that it is a slow process, which requires time to remediate the contaminated soil. For this reason, bacteria labeled as Plant Growth Promoters (PGP) are used to help increase the storage capacity of the plant. Our research proposed using Pseudomonas fluorescens as PGP to accelerate the phytoremediation process. Furthermore, we are evaluating the possible mechanism of heavy metal transportation into the plant cells using metallothioneins. For this purpose, a group of Sida rhombifolia L. species were planted in agricultural areas located on the west coast of Puerto Rico. In the analysis of bacterial microbiology, it was possible to isolate four bacterias from the soil. According to biochemical tests, these isolated colonies are not classified as Pseudomonas fluorescens. The analysis of metallothioneins is carried out using metal affinity chromatography and electrophoresis techniques to purify the samples and confirm the presence of metallothionein in the leaf of Sida rhombifolia L. The metallothioneins have a large number of cysteines available to form heavy metal bonds. In this way they can form a low molecular weight complex outside the vacuole and high molecular weight complex inside the vacuole to improve the heavy metals stabilization in plant cells. This research looks to find an effective way to extract the heavy metals from the soil, to inhibit the entrance of heavy metals in the food web, to improve sustainable agriculture growing healthy and secure food.

Metallothioneins complex-agent and <i>Pseudomonas fluorescens </i>as transformants for phytoremediation in soil by <i>Sida rhombifolia L.</i>

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Metallothioneins complex-agent and Pseudomonas fluorescens as transformants for phytoremediation in soil by Sida rhombifolia L.