The Asian Journal of Experimental Chemistry

D. Sarala Thambavani ¹, M. A. Sabitha ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Chemistry, Sri Meenakshi Government Arts College for Women (Autonomous), Madurai (T.N.), IN
2 Department of Chemistry, J.A. College for Women (Autonomous), Periyakulam (T.N.), IN

Abstract

Sugar industry is one of the most important agro based industries in India and is highly responsible for creating significant impact on rural economy in particular and countries economy in general. Sugar industries rank second amongst mavar agro based industries in India. Sugar industry is seasonal in nature and operates only for 120 to 200 days in a year (early November to April). A significant large amount of waste is generated during the manufacture of sugar and contains a high amount of production load particularly in items of suspended solids, organic matters, press-mud, bagasses and air pollution. Air pollutants from sugar mill can directly affect plants via leaves or indirectly via soil acidification. When exposed to air pollutants, most plant experience physiological changes before exhibiting visible damage to leaves. In the present study, the extraction of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid pigments were studied in the five tree species such as Ficus benghalensis, Delonix regia, Ficus religiosa, Azadirachta indica and Pongamia pinnata. Extraction was made by using solvents such as acetone (80% and 100%), ethanol and ethyl acetate. The spectrophotometric determination of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid pigments were studied. The study area was polluted with organic pollutants which results in reduced pigment levels in the leaves. It was observed that Acetone (100%) showed higher significance during the extraction process when compared to ethanol, ethyl acetate and acetone (80%).

Keywords

Air Pollutants, Bagasse, Chlorophyll A and B, Carotenoid, Organic Pollutants, Extraction Process, Solvents.

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D. Sarala Thambavani ¹, M. A. Sabitha ², R. Selvasundari ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Chemistry, Sri Meenakshi Government Arts College for Women, Madurai (T.N.), IN
2 Department of Chemistry, Jayaraj Annapackiam College for Women, Periyakulam (T.N.), IN
3 Department of Chemistry, Maduari Kamaraj University, Madurai (T.N.), IN

Abstract

Air pollutant from vehicles affect tree by injuring and killing them, and by adversely affecting physiological processes so as to decrease growth without necessarily causing visible symptoms of injury. In the present study, the four leaf parameters such as pH, relative water content, total chlorophyll and ascorbic acid for the five tree species such as Peltophorum ferrugineum, Pongamia glabra, Polyalthia longifolia, Tectona grandis and Ailanthus excelsa in three different sampling stations such as residential area, commercial cum heavy traffic area and less traffic area has been monitored. The air pollution tolerance index (APTI) has been evaluated, incorporating the biochemical parameters to categorize the plants as sensitive or resistant to air pollutants. The analysis of the parameters show that all the four parameters are high in the residential area compared to the sampling stations exposed to automobile exhaust. It reveals that the air pollutants from the vehicles enter the plants through the natural opening usually stomata and react within leaf tissues. They do not cause tissue death but inhibit leaf function.

Keywords

Ascorbic Acid, Chlorophyll Content, Air Pollution Tolerance Index, Biochemical Parameter.

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