Biochemical And Physiological Response Of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench To Food Industry Processing Effluent

Abstract

This study investigated the response of Abelmoschus esculentus to food industry processing effluent at different concentrations of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%.  The physicochemical properties of the effluent and experimental soil were analysed. The effluent had a high BOD of 39.20mg/l compared to WHO standard of 10 and a pH of 6.12 which is within WHO allowable limit of 6.5-8.5. The conductivity was low 130.00 μs/cm compared to WHO standard of 750.5. The study also revealed that food industry effluent had a significant (p<0.05) effect on the morphological features, chlorophyll and heavy metals composition of Abelmoschus esculentus, The growth parameters were significantly (p<0.05) reduced with increase in the concentrations of the effluent. High concentration of the effluent at 80% induced high chlorophyll content at 24.05mg/ml and also increased the level of heavy metal bioaccumulation in Abelmoschus esculentus. This study suggests that high concentration of food processing industry effluent could be detrimental to the growth and productivity of Abelmoschus esculentus.