INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY & LIFE SCIENCES (Int. J. of Pharm. Life Sci.) Comparison of APTI Values of Some Medicinal Plants of Industrial Areas and Ratapani Wild Life Sanctuary in Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh

Today's growing population and increasing urbanization has resulted in a sudden increase in air pollution. Because of the detrimental effects of air pollution on humans, animals and plants, the ever increasing air pollution is causing concerns all over the world. Plants seem to be more sensitive to air pollution than animals including man. Various types of plants, being stationary and outdoor, are constantly exposed to air pollutants in the environment, where these plants absorb, integrate and accumulate pollutants on their foliar surface that leads to loss of vegetation and long lasting irreversible changes in ecosystem. The response of different plant species to these pollutants varies considerably. Some of the plants act as sinks for the abatement of air pollution in urban and industrial habitats. Since different plant species vary considerably in their susceptibility to air pollutants, it becomes important to screen plants for their sensitivity/tolerance levels. The present study is therefore based upon the evaluation of the susceptibility level of plants to air pollutants. Four parameters, viz. ascorbic acid (A.A), total chlorophyll (TCh), relative water content (RWC) and leaf extract pH were determined and combined together in a formulation signifying the Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of plants. APTI values of 7 plant species growing in industrial areas and Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary were calculated. The APTT values of plants (Abrus precatorius L., Gloriosa superba L., Tinospora cordifolia Hook.) were higher than evergreen plants (Achyranthes aspera L., Acorus calamus L., Andographis paniculata L., Phyllanthus niruri L.), suggesting that plants have more capability to tolerate the high pollution level. Also the same plant species growing in different areas showed variations in APTI values. In general, the plants growing in industrial areas had higher APTI values followed by the areas of Ratanpani Wild life Sanctuary. This indicates that exposure to pollutant gases induces increase in the parameter values responsible for higher APTI.