Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.11 Issue 4 April 2017 Swarna Shikha et al / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2017,11(4),299-305 299-305 Research Article ISSN: 0974-6943 Available online through http://jprsolutions.info *Corresponding author. Dr. Pammi Gauba Department of Biotechnology Jaypee Institute of Information Technology A-10, Sector-62, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201307,India. Phytoremediation potential of three leguminous plants towards Chromium Swarna Shikha; Pammi Gauba* Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology,A-10, Sector-62, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201307,India. Received on:23-02-2017; Revised on: 29-03-2017; Accepted on: 16-04-2017 ABSTRACT Phytoextraction of Chromium was done by using three leguminous plants Cicer arientum,V. radiata and V. mungo in hydroponic culture. The main objective was to explore the phytoremediation potential of the selected plants. The plants were exposed to a range of concentra- tions of chromium dichromate from 50 to 750 ppm. The uptake ability of Vigna radiata for chromium increased with the increase of Cr (VI) concentration. Remediation percentage of 51.58% at 750 ppm in Vigna mungo, was observed hence it can be a potential candidate for the removal of Cr. The accumulation of chromium was found to be more in shoot as compared to root and was quite potent in resisting stress caused by Chromium. KEY WORDS: Phytoremediation, metal-accumulation, heavy metals, pollutants, hydroponics culture. 1. INTRODUCTION: Heavy metal pollution in water bodies and soil is a major and ever increasing environmental issue now days, and most conventional remediation approaches do not provide appropriate solutions [1] . Phytoremediation is the direct use of plants and their associated microorganisms to stabilize or reduce contamination in soils, sludges, sediments, surface water, or ground water [2] Being a natural process, phytoremediation can be an effective remediation method at a variety of sites and on numerous [3] . The plants can be used for remediating or decreasing the content of pollutants from the environment [4] , Pollutants may be organic or inorganic. Inorganic pollutants include metal ions like chlorides, sulphates, oxides of iron, cadmium, acids and alkalies [5] . Heavy metals that most frequently cause contamination include: Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Mercury (Hg), Antimony (Sn) , and Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu) [6] . There have been many studies conducted in order to develop method of soil remediation which is economical and efficient [7] . Heavy metals toxicity can cause chronic, degenerative conditions [8] . General symptoms include headache, short term memory loss, mental confusion, distorted perception, gastrointestinal-upset, allergies, vision problems, chronic fatigue, fungal infections, pain in muscles and joints, food in tolerances etc [9] . Most heavy metals are highly toxic in both elemental and soluble salt forms. Their presence in atmosphere, soil and water, even in traces can cause serious health problem [10] . Heavy metals bioaccumulation in food chain is very harmful and dangerous to human health [11] . Hexavalent chromium is the most toxic form of chromium [12] . Chromium is used in three basic industries i.e. metallurgical, chemical, and refractory (heat-resistant applications [13] . Occupational studies have shown exposure to hexavalent chromium dust to be associated with lung cancer, irritation of the respiratory system and gastrointestinal bleeding., stomach upsets, ulcers, and severe damage to the kidneys and liver. [14] . However some plants are not affected by low Cr concentrations (3.8 x 10-4 µM) [15] , but it is found to be toxic to most of the higher plants at 100 µM kg-1 dw [16] . Phytotoxicity of Cr has been reported by several workers, but its phytotoxic effect on Cicer arientum, Vigna.radiata and Vigna.mungo is not reported. Chromium accumulation in plants can reduce growth, induce chlorosis in young leaves, reduce pigment content, alter enzymatic functions, damage root cells and cause ultrastructure modifications of chloroplasts and cell membranes [17,18] . Kimbrough et al. (1999) [19] , Kotas and Stasicka (2000) [20] and Shanker et al. (2004) [21] studied impact of Cr in the environment and its phytotoxicity effect. Cicer arientum, Vigna.radiata and Vigna.mungo are widely used pulse crops in India. They are highly prized pulse, very rich in phosphoric acid [22] . These pulse crops are being grown in the area adjoining the industries where industrial effluents contaminated with heavy metals is coming to the field so the present investigation is undertaken to study the phytotoxic effects of Chromium on their growth. 2. MATERIAL AND METHODS 2.1. Selected Plant Materials: The seeds of Cicer arientum, Vigna radiata and Vigna mungo were taken for experiment and self sterilized with 0.1% mercuric chloride (HgCl 2 ) solution.