Approaches for Genetic Improvement and Transformation of Jatropha curcas and Ricinus communis for Efficient Remediation of Toxic Metals and Metalloids.

Abstract

Mining, agriculture, urban waste, and a variety of industrial activities are implicated in toxic metal and metalloids pollution. A literature search revealed that most of the candidate plants for phytoremediation belong to Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Fabaceae (among dicots), and Poaceae and Cyperaceae (among monocots). It is generally believed by scientists and regulators that conventional phytoremediation is rather slow. In this context, genetic engineering and related biotech tools have yielded promising results for enhancing the phytoremediation capacity of candidate species from Euphorbiaceae. Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) and castor bean (Ricinus communis) possess enormous adaptive potential in diverse habitats including problematic sites due to their plasticity. In this chapter, possible approaches for genetic improvement and transformation of Jatropha and castor bean for efficient remediation of toxic metals and metalloids are substantiated by literature. These approaches will be beneficial for revegetating toxic metal and metalloid contaminated sites. Cogeneration of bioproducts including biofuel is an additional advantage for economic sustainability over and above efficient remediation.