Phytochemical Analysis of Organic Compounds as an Indicator of Metal Uptake in Selected Plants

Abstract

Plants contain a number of potential chelating agents such as amino acids, organic acids, peptides, and proteins, etc. These chelating compounds are very important for the physiological processes in plants. In addition, these ligands are found in both hyperaccumulator and non-hyperaccumulator plants and play a vital role in metal uptake from contaminated soil. Many organic compounds have been found to bind and accumulate trace and toxic metals in hyperaccumulating plants. In this proposed research, three native plants namely, Typha domingensis, Phragmites, and Tamarix aphylla were selected for phytochemical screening for compounds such as alkaloids, amino acids, carbohydrates, diterpenes, flavonoids, phenols, proteins, quinones, steroids, terpenoids, and tannins in water and petroleum ether extract of plants. The present research includes the data that may be useful for the proper classification and confirmation of those plants containing active chelating agents useful for trace and toxic metals uptake from soil.