PHYSIOCHEMICAL RESPONSE OF AIR PURIFYING INDOOR PLANTS UNDER COLD STRESS

Background and Objectives: In order to estimate the cold-induced physiochemical responses in some indoor C3 plants namely, Philodendron domesticum (Pd); Dracaena fragans (Df); Peperomia obtussifolia (Po); Chlorophytum comosum(Cc) and CAM plant, Sansevieria trifasciata (St) for selecting the best candidate plant to be pot-transplanted in closed environments for air-purification under low temperature.
Materials and Methods: Among cold-induced physiochemical changes, alteration in membrane lipid peroxidation, relative electrolyte leakage rate (RLR), relative water content (RWC), proline content and changes in photosynthetic pigments were measured.
Results: Relative electrolyte leakage rate (RLR) was rapidly increased upto ~55-75 folds as compared to 25°C in all plants under cold stress, but the minimum RLR was observed in St. Overall, most of the plants showed slightly change (~1-2-folds) in relative water content (RWC), while, St showed no significant (P≤0.05) change in RWC. Also, the malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline accumulation at 0°C were minimum in St. However, the chlorophyll (chl) and carotenoids content trend was found varying in all plants under cold stress. Also, at 0°C, only St survived with greenish appearance, while rests are wilted due to chilling injury.
Conclusion: Our findings clearly suggest the best adaptive cold-induced physiochemical responses of St that may be recommended for air-purification in high-altitude closed environments.