A Study on Phytoremediation of Bisphenol A in Pistia stratiotes: Uptake and Biochemical Response

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a major pollutant that poses significant health hazards and needs immediate remediation. This study aimed to phytoremediate BPA across varying concentrations of 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 mg/L using an aquatic plant, Pistia stratiotes, and assesses its uptake and stress response after 96 h through biochemical assays. The results demonstrated efficient and time-saving BPA remediation, with 51%–71% uptake within 24 h. Roots transferred excess BPA to the shoots (2.9–22.6 mg BPA/g dry weight) after accumulating 1.5–8.1 mg BPA/g dry weight. The highest BPA concentration (10 mg/L) led to reduced antioxidant defense activities, evidenced by a ∼23% decrease in total chlorophyll, a 53% increase in malondialdehyde content, and a reduction in both proline level and total protein content. Our research revealed a gradual dose-dependent increase in the function of superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT), while APx activities showed sensitivity to BPA with a progressive decline in activity as the exposure doses increased. These findings suggest P. stratiotes effectively remediated BPA at lower concentrations, but its defense mechanism was weakened under higher BPA exposure. Overall, P. stratiotes was a promising phytoremediator for BPA, though its efficiency is concentration-dependent.