Hippophae species as phytoremediators of toxic heavy metal ions: contributor to environmental stability and minimal energy use

Heavy metal toxicity is extremely severe to the environment and human health due to its potential for bioaccumulation. Phytoremediation is known to have minimal energy use than the energy required in chemical methods. The ability of plant extracts to absorb heavy metals is utilized in a safe and sustainable mode called phytoremediation. The berries, leaves, and seed extracts of Hippophae species have been tested for binding with Ni 2+ and Cu 2+ metal ions among Ca 2+ , Co 2+ , Cu 2+ , Mg 2+ , Mn 2+ , Na 2+ , Zn 2+ , Ni 2+ , and K 2+ ions in aqueous methanol. The red-shifted bands in the UV spectrum and loss of heteroaromatic peaks in the NMR spectrum of parent plant extracts confirm detection after the addition of metal ions. The metal binding efficiency of the extracts ranges from 0.0002 to 0.0000007, which suggests their potential use in a biological matrix for metal ions removal.