Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

ECOLOGICAL AND ANATOMICAL STUDIES OF LEGENANDRA TOXICARIA AS DALZELL A NATURAL WATER PURIFIER WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ESCHERICHIA COLI

M. Mini and P.M. Beebi Razeena

Abstract

This paper focuses on the study of antipollutant potential ,antimicrobial activity and anatomy of a local aquatic plant Lagenandra toxicaria Dalzell vernacularly called “Kinattil koova” belongs to Araceae with special reference to E. coli. This plant claimed in traditional knowledge to have water purifying activity and is been used traditionally to grow inside the dug wells. In vitro antifungal studies of dry Rhizome extract of L. toxicaria showed 66.7% inhibition of Aspergillus ochraceus, 78.98% inhibition of Aspergillus flavus and 50% inhibition of Fusarium moniliforme. The detection of E. coli in legenandra growing well water by using MacConkey agar medium reveals that E. coli completely absent, but in well water without legenandra showed the presence of E. coli. Anatomy of rhizome and petiole of legenandra showed large number of bundles of raphide crystals containing cells and reddish brown deposits are seen scattered throughout the ground tissue. The present study strictly proved that this plant can used as a natural water purifier and is used against water pollution mainly caused by E.coli. So this plant must conserve by using technology like tissue culture and protect against problematic issues of water pollution.