Effects of air pollutants on the amount of DNA synthesis in germinating vegetable seed species.

The research attempts to study the effects of air pollutants on percent DNA synthesis/ unit fresh weight in selected vegetable seed species. The study of seed DNA is directly related to production of structural genes. These genes enzymes are responsible for production of cellular proteins, enzymes, ribosomes, etc. The specific are needed for steps in metabolic pathway for synthesis of needed compounds. Seedlings samples were collected at two-hour intervals up to 12 hours. The Schmidt, Than Hauser, and Schneider procedure for RNA and DNA extraction Scheme for isolating and purifying DNA was applied to the germinating vegetable seeds Spectrophotometric assay for quantitating total DNA was applied. The gases used in this experimentation were carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at 24ppm, which is a concentration attainable in most industrialized cities. They were applied to the vegetable seeds in sealed chambers. The ten vegetable seed species utilized in this experimentation are commonly grown and consumed in South Carolina. Observations received as of yet exhibit that DNA synthesis is promoted in spinach, lima bean, eggplant and tomato by carbon monoxide; in bell pepper, lima bean and eggplant by sulfur dioxide; and in collard, lima bean, tomato, eggplant and mustard by nitrogen dioxide.