Biochemical screening of sugar mill effluent-contained heavy metal accumulation and tolerance in Ocimum Tenuiflorum L.

The effect of heavy metals (Lead, copper and chromium) on the content of chlorophyll, carotenoids, protein and phenolics were investigated in seedlings of Ocimum tenuiflorum L. 30-days after treatment (DAT) in various dilutions of sugar mill effluent (1:50, 1:40, 1:30, 1:20, 1:10) containing heavy metals and in untreated control (D.W). Total chlorophyll, carotenoids and protein content declined while phenolics increased with increasing concentrations of heavy metals. Higher accumulation of heavy metals was observed in leaves than in roots and stem of Ocimum tenuiflorum L.