Resumo

PERALTA-PEREZ, M. del R.  e  VOLKE-SEPULVEDA, T.L.. The antioxidant defense in plants: A key tool for phytoremediation. Rev. Mex. Ing. Quím [online]. 2012, vol.11, n.1, pp.75-88. ISSN 1665-2738.

Phytoremediation is a feasible alternative to treat soils polluted with metals/metalloids and organic compounds. During the last decade, several studies have demonstrated its potential for soil remediation; however, to overcome some of its limitations is important to continue conducting research. According to the characteristics of the pollutant and the site to be treated, phytoremediation occurs through different processes. For organic contaminants, rhizoremediation and phytodegradation have been the leading options, while for metals/metalloids phytoextraction and phytostabilization are among the few applicable alternatives. In any case, in order to phytoremediate a site, the involved plants and microorganisms must be tolerant to the particular pollutant. A mechanism that determines the tolerance degree of an organism to a pollutant is the activation of an antioxidant defense network that removes the excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in presence of the pollutant. Thus, the imbalance in the ROS levels produces an increase in the oxidative stress that eventually leads to severe cell damage. The aim of this paper ts to review the potential of the different phytoremediation processes to treat polluted soils, as well as the importance of controlling the oxidative stress as a plant strategy to tolerate the presence of pollutants.

Palavras-chave : phytoremediation; soils; metals; xenobiotics; oxidative stress.

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