Potentiality of Amaranthus viridis (L.) to accumulation of heavy metals and its relation to protein profile

The present study was undertaken to assess the levels of heavy metals (Cd, Fe, Ni and Zn) in soil and plant parts. The phytoremediation potential of Amaranthus viridis (amaranth) was determined by calculating the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF). Soil and plant samples were collected from eight different sites in their native habitats, distributed along Ismailia irrigation canal located in the east of the Nile Delta region, Egypt. Roots of amaranth had the higher concentrations of Cd, Fe and Ni means which were 2.75, 547.3 and 7.25 mg g-1 DW at sites SH8, SH6 and SH4 respectively, as compared to the other sampling sites. Whereas, shoots had the higher concentrations of Zn (283.6 mg g-1 DW) at site SH5. All sites were found with BCF more than 1 for all heavy metals. Except for Zn, TF values of Cd, Fe and Ni at all sites were lower than one. Depending on BCF and TF results, amaranth showed significant potential for phytostabilization of Cd, Fe and Ni and phytoextraction of Zn as well. Moreover, the protein profile showed different bands with varied molecular weights. Both relationships between studied accessions and similarity were elucidated, with high similarity (96% between SH2 and SH3 accessions), lowest similarity (72% between SH4 and SH8) and degree of polymorphism calculated as 62.5%. The variation in the similarity index may be due to the induction of a variety of proteins under heavy metal stress and also ecological features in various sites that cause protein polymorphism.