Scientists have discovered that a gene found in the common fruit fly can be successfully expressed in a plant and used to detoxify land contaminated with TNT.
The breakthrough could pave the way for millions of hectares of land contaminated by munitions to be cleaned up.
The study, published in New Phytologist, shows how a gene found in the common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, can be expressed in Arabidopsis, a member of the cabbage family, to improve TNT removal from contaminated soil.
When scientists engineered the plants to express the glutathione transferase (DmGSTE6) gene found in fruit flies, they found that plants expressing the gene were more resistant to TNT and were better able to remove it from contaminated soil than wild-type plants without the gene.
Second World War
The fruit fly has an enzyme which attaches itself to the TNT molecule and is able to modify it and make it less toxic, not only to the plant itself, but the environment.
Professor Neil Bruce from the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP) in the University of York’s Department of Biology said: “What is important about this transformation is that it converts TNT into a product that could be more amenable to being broken down in the environment.
“At the moment there are sites going back to the Second World War which are still contaminated with TNT.
“The next stage would be to demonstrate that the TNT molecules are more biodegradable, but also to put these genes into plant species that could be used in the environment to clean up these sites.”
Human health
Dr Liz Rylott, who co-lead the research at CNAP added: “Areas of land contaminated with explosives are a threat to human health and the environment.
“We know that TNT does not readily break down in the environment, but by using specially developed plants we could be able to tackle this problem.”
The team from York has previously worked on a new transgenic grass species that can neutralize and eradicate RDX, an organic compound, which along with TNT, forms the base for many common military explosives.
Global issue
Dr Bruce added: “The next stage would be to put the fly gene into the grasses, like we have done with the other RDX degrading genes.
“RDX and TNT are often combined in munitions so we need to have systems to cope with both pollutants. This is a global issue that is not going to go away.”
Learn more: Fighting contaminated land with help from the humble fruit fly
[osd_subscribe categories=’munitions-contamination’ placeholder=’Email Address’ button_text=’Subscribe Now for any new posts on the topic “MUNITIONS CONTAMINATION”‘]
Receive an email update when we add a new MUNITIONS CONTAMINATION article.
The Latest on: Munitions contamination
[google_news title=”” keyword=”munitions contamination” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Munitions contamination
- Over 400 Indian food products contaminated with cadmium, pesticides, and fungus: Reporton May 14, 2024 at 1:42 am
European Union flagged over 400 Indian food products for contamination with cancer-causing agents. Deccan Herald highlighted 14 products with harmful elements. Some items can lead to chronic ...
- Russia Is Shifting From Loitering Munitions To Ballistic Missileson May 10, 2024 at 2:02 pm
Prior to the large offensive operation planned for this summer, the Russians changed the content of their strike packages, moving away from loitering munitions and sea-launched cruise missiles ...
- University of Arizona police forced to deploy 'chemical munitions' to break up anti-Israel rioton May 10, 2024 at 2:49 am
Later, the police department's X account and website confirmed "chemical munitions" were deployed. "Police instructing unlawful assembly to disperse. Chemical munitions deployed. Avoid the area ...
- New 'forever chemical' cleanup strategy discoveredon May 8, 2024 at 5:00 pm
A method has been discovered to treat water heavily contaminated with unhealthful forever chemicals, known by chemists as PFAS or poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances. It involves treating heavily ...
- UN official warns of extensive contamination in Gaza rubble from explosive ordnanceon May 8, 2024 at 11:59 am
so there are likely very significant levels of contamination," he said. The UN official said in a statement last month that it would take millions of dollars and many years to decontaminate Gaza from ...
- White coated candy shipped nationwide recalled over salmonella contamination concernson May 7, 2024 at 3:49 pm
Prodcuts from Palmer Candy in Sioux City, Iowa with white coatings were voluntarily recalled after the company was informed by its liquid coating supplier that its coating could be contaminated.
- Some Planters nut products recalled over possible listeria contaminationon May 6, 2024 at 12:27 pm
Hormel Foods has recalled two Planters products – peanuts and mixed nuts – due to possible contamination with the bacteria that causes listeria, according to an announcement from the company ...
- Planters nuts recalled after discovery of potentially fatal contaminationon May 6, 2024 at 2:16 am
Hormel produced the contaminated Honey Roasted Peanuts and Deluxe Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts for Planters at one of its facilities before distributing them to Publix warehouses in Florida ...
- Explosives clearance enables aid to reach victims of war in Gazaon May 1, 2024 at 12:58 pm
The UN reports 60 million people around the world are affected by the threat of land mines, leftover ammunition and explosive devices every day ...
via Bing News