Heliyon (Aug 2024)
Ultraviolet-enhanced detoxification of chromate and protection of Brassica napus by Aspergillus sojae SH 20
Abstract
The pervasive issue of heavy metal contamination in agricultural lands poses significant concerns and has wide-ranging implications for ecosystems. However, an encouraging solution lies in exploiting the potential of fungal endophytes to alleviate these detrimental effects. This study emphasized on improving the growth-promoting and chromium-alleviating capabilities of fungal endophytes, particularly Aspergillus sojae strain SH20, through ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Following UV treatment, SH20 exhibited significantly enhanced growth-promoting and chromium-alleviating capabilities in comparison to its non-irradiated counterpart. Distinctly, the UV-treated SH20 strain demonstrated an improved ability to accumulate and reduce toxic chromate in the soil, effectively addressing the growth constraints imposed by elevated chromium levels in Brassica napus L. The UV-irradiated SH20 variant boosted shoot length up to 3 times that of the control. Similarly, this fungal strain displayed a remarkable increase in the total fresh weight of the seedlings, recording nearly 17 times greater than the control. The isolate treated with UV light reduced the absorption of chromium by about 3 times in the roots, helping the young plants to grow well even when exposed to chromate stress. A drop in root colonization by the UV-treated strain further resulted in reduced chromate absorption by the roots. Also, the strain showed great skill in boosting the host's antioxidant defenses by reducing the buildup of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS), increasing the removal of ROS, and improving the plant's antioxidant levels, including phenols and flavonoids. When the host plants were exposed to 25 ppm of Cr stress, the UV-irradiated variant SH 20 stimulated the production of flavonoids (246 μg/ml) and phenols (952 μg/ml) in comparison to the control (with 220 μg/ml of flavonoids and 919 μg/ml of phenols). In conclusion, this report highlights how exposing the A. sojae strain SH20 to UV light has the potential to enhance its abilities to promote growth and bioremediate. This suggests a promising solution for addressing heavy metal contamination in agricultural lands.
