Abstract

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of arsenic (As) on physiological and biochemical attributes of quinoa, and human health risks associated with the consumption of As contaminated grains of quinoa. Quinoa genotype, Puno was grown on soil contaminated with various levels of arsenite; 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg As kg⁻¹ soil. Results revealed that plant growth, photosynthetic pigments, stomatal conductance, and grain yield of As treated plants were significantly less as compared to control plants. Plants exposed to elevated levels of 30 and 40 mg As kg⁻¹ of soil could not survive until maturity. Plant roots retained higher concentration of As than shoot indicating As phytostabilizing behavior of quinoa. Arsenic toxicity caused oxidative stress in quinoa plants, which elevated the H₂O₂ and TBARS contents and decreased membrane stability. This oxidative stress was partly mitigated by the induction of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, POD, APX). Perhaps, our results regarding As availability might be an overestimate of the typical natural conditions, As accumulation in quinoa grains posed both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks to humans. It was concluded that quinoa is sensitive to As and the consumption of quinoa grains from plants grown on As concentration ≥20 mg kg⁻¹ of soil was not safe for humans.

Novelty statement: The tolerance potential of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) against the trivalent form of arsenic (arsenite), and the health risks due to the consumption of arsenic-contaminated grains has not been explored yet. This is the first study in which we have explored the effects of arsenite on physiological, biochemical and phytoremedial attributes of quinoa. Moreover, human health risks associated with the consumption of As contaminated grains of quinoa has have been investigated. The findings of the present study would be helpful for farmers who intend to grow quinoa on arsenic-contaminated soils.

摘要

本研究的目的是调查砷 (As) 对藜麦生理和生化特性的影响，以及与食用受砷污染的藜麦谷物相关的人类健康风险。Quinoa 基因型，Puno 生长在受不同程度亚砷酸盐污染的土壤上；0, 10, 20, 30, 和 40 mg As kg ^-1土壤。结果表明，与对照植物相比，砷处理植物的植物生长、光合色素、气孔导度和谷物产量显着降低。暴露于 30 和 40 毫克 As kg ^-1水平的植物土壤不能存活直到成熟。植物根部保留的砷浓度高于地上部，表明藜麦的植物稳定行为。砷毒性引起藜麦植物的氧化应激，从而升高 H ₂ O ₂和 TBARS 含量并降低膜稳定性。这种氧化应激通过抗氧化酶（SOD、CAT、POD、APX）的诱导得到部分缓解。也许，我们关于 As 可用性的结果可能高估了典型的自然条件， As 在藜麦谷物中的积累对人类造成了致癌和非致癌的健康风险。结论是藜麦对砷敏感，消耗砷浓度≥20 mg kg ^{-1 的}植物中的藜麦谷物 土壤对人类不安全。

新颖性声明：藜（Chenopodium quinoa Willd.）对三价形式的砷（亚砷酸盐）的耐受潜力以及因食用受砷污染的谷物而导致的健康风险尚未探索。这是我们探索亚砷酸盐对藜麦生理、生化和植物修复特性影响的第一项研究。此外，已经研究了与食用受砷污染的藜麦谷物相关的人类健康风险。本研究的结果将对打算在受砷污染的土壤上种植藜麦的农民有所帮助。