Full Length Research Paper

Metabolic responses of Psidium guajava L. trees irrigated with polluted water

Hemada M. and El-Darier S.*

Abstract

The main objective of the present study was to clarify the main possible effects of waste water from El-Wafaeyya drain (polluted site) on some primary and secondary metabolites, some nutrient and heavy metals, photosynthetic pigments as well as fruit quality of seedy Psidium guajava trees irrigated with polluted water exhibited high accumulation of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Co and Cd compared to that irrigated with control water. On the other hand, total photosynthetic pigments were significantly inferior in P. guajava leaves irrigated with polluted water compared to that of the control.The higher content of total protein together with total sugars was found in leaves of control site. High content of proline, free amino acids, antioxidants, total phenolics, total flavonoids and tanninswere recorded in tree leaves treated with polluted water. The reverse was true for total alkaloids and saponins content. Regarding fruits, the negative effect was concentrated on the economic yield and number of fruits rather than fruit weight and size. Similarly, irrigation with polluted water caused lower water content, total proteins, total carbohydrates and vitamin A and C but higher dietary fibers.

Key words: Water pollution, guava, secondary metabolites, heavy metals, fruit quality.

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