Environmental Science & Technology<\/em> journal.<\/p>\nThe gene for cytochrome P450 2E1 (2E1 for short) gene is found in all mammalian cells and it is active in the liver where it produces the protein 2E1 that converts benzene into phenol and chloroform into chloride ions. But it is turned on only when we drink alcohol and cannot help us to process these pollutants when they are present in the air. As Dr. Strand described in a press release, \u201c[they] decided we should have this reaction occur outside of the body in a plant\u2026And 2E1 can be beneficial for the plant too. Plants use carbon dioxide and chloride ions to make their food, and they use phenol to help make components of their cells walls.\u201d<\/p>\n
Creating a synthetic form of a gene<\/h4>\n The group made a synthetic form of the gene for 2E1 and introduced it into the pothos ivy plant. They chose pothos ivy as it is a robust indoor plant that grows well in varying conditions. Additionally, pothos ivy does not flower indoors or in the temperate climate in the US which means that the genetically modified plant cannot spread in the outside environment.<\/p>\n
To test the ability of the modified pothos ivy plant to remove benzene and chloroform, the scientists introduced these chemicals into the test-tube where the modified plants were grown in a sterile environment. They then monitored the concentration of each chemical over 11 days.\u00a0 They carried out similar experiments with unmodified pothos ivy plants as well as tubes with no plants in them to compare the results.<\/p>\n
Reduced concentrations of chloroform and benzene<\/h4>\n The scientists found that within three days, the concentration of chloroform was reduced by 82% and was almost undetectable after six days. The reduction in benzene levels was more gradual whereby the end of eight days, the level of benzene reduced by approximately 75%. In contrast, the levels of chemicals were unchanged in the tubes containing unmodified plants.<\/p>\n
Results limited by test-tube experiment<\/h4>\n These experiments were carried out in a test tube. To achieve the same results in a room, there needs to be air-flow that pushes these molecules into the vicinity of the plant where they can be captured. This is a minor inconvenience compared to the benefits of having low-maintenance houseplants clean the air we breathe.<\/p>\n
Encouraged by these results, the scientists want to further improve the air purifying capabilities of these 2E1 modified plants by introducing additional detoxifying genes that can allow the plant to remove pollutants like formaldehyde.<\/p>\n
The press release sums up the potential advantages of the modified plant air-purifier:\u201c These[VOCs like formaldehyde, benzene, and chloroform] are all stable compounds, so it\u2019s really hard to get rid of them\u2026Without proteins to break down these molecules, we\u2019d have to use high-energy processes to do it. It\u2019s so much simpler and more sustainable to put these proteins all together in a houseplant.\u201d<\/p>\n
Written by\u00a0Bhavana Achary, Ph.D.<\/span><\/p>\nReferences:<\/p>\n
\nZhang L, Routsong R, Strand SE, Greatly Enhanced Removal of Volatile Organic Carcinogens by a Genetically Modified Houseplant, Pothos Ivy (Epipremnumaureum<\/em>) Expressing the Mammalian Cytochrome P450 2e1<\/em> gene. Environmental Science and Technology<\/em>, December 19, 2018<\/li>\nFerris R, Indoor Air Can Be Deadlier Than Outdoor Air, Research Shows. CNBC.com<\/em>, 22 April 2016<\/li>\nResearchers develop a new houseplant that can clean your home\u2019s air (2018) Retrieved from https:\/\/www.eurekalert.org\/pub_releases\/2018-12\/uow-rda121418.php<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Scientists at the University of Washington, USA have developed a genetically-modified form of a common houseplant that cleans the air around it. The air in our homes is often more polluted than outdoor air. Cooking residues, paints, furnishings, and chlorinated water are all sources of potentially hazardous air pollutants in our home. Of these indoor […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":30294,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"apple_news_api_created_at":"2019-01-12T14:00:39Z","apple_news_api_id":"e1e505dd-3123-440d-8de6-6406212b692d","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2019-01-12T14:00:42Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAD\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/w==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/A4eUF3TEjRA2N5mQGIStpLQ","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":false,"apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"middle","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":["https:\/\/news-api.apple.com\/sections\/49319699-9b25-319d-b339-5324d81a25b2","https:\/\/news-api.apple.com\/sections\/f7ad3cf2-105f-46f4-ab07-bda6647ff7c2"],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[16372,16373,16371,3052,368,16370,16374,688,5192],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Scientists genetically modify common houseplants to clean the air | Medical News Bulletin<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n