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Percorrer por autor "Vicente, Mariana Pinto"

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  • Impact of radon-rich atmospheres on the growth and development of Mentha spicata
    Publication . Vicente, Mariana Pinto; Lopes, Lígia Cibele Malavolta de Los Rios; Soares, Sandra da Costa Henriques
    The objective of this work is to investigate the impact of radon-rich (²²²Rn) atmospheres on the growth and development of Mentha spicata L., focussing on the morphological and biochemical changes induced due to exposure to this special gas. This study aims to contribute to the understanding of the environmental impacts of this natural radioactive gas on plants, highlighting the need for continuous research on its toxicity. The findings may have significant implications in elucidating the mechanisms of oxidative stress in plants exposed to radiation. The Mentha spicata, recognised for its medicinal properties, contains phenolic compounds and flavonoids, such as rosmarinic acid and myricetin, which play a significant role in alleviating oxidative stress. For this investigation, the plants were divided into three groups. Group A was exposed to rocks containing uranium, Group B served as the control for Group A, with no exposure to the radioactive atmosphere, and Group C was placed in a laboratory environment without any intervention, which constitutes the control of the experiment. Different analyses were conducted, including the DPPH assay to determine antioxidant capacity and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to quantify bioactive compounds in a comparative study between exposed and non-exposed plants. Radon exposure reduced the antioxidant capacity and rosmarinic acid content in Mentha spicata compared to the control, indicating an attempt to adapt to radiological stress and inducing measurable changes in the plant’s secondary metabolism. This response promotes the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity as a defence mechanism, opening up prospects for potential applications in phytoremediation.
    2025-11-11Dissertação de mestrado Acesso aberto Ver mais