Environmental Hormones

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is one of the most widely used plasticizer and has been proved to be an environmental hormone. Due to its high production and application figures, DBP is commonly found in river water, underground water, and agricultural fields. The purpose of this book is to understand the effects of DBP on the growth of Bok choy (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa var. chinensis). The hydroponic method was used for plant cultivation and we observed the changes in plant biomass, morphology, chlorophyll concentration and proteome expressions. The research result shown that leaves of DBP-treated Bok choy turned white and exhibited chlorosis. On the other hands, leaves of DBP-treated Chinese cabbage turned yellow and exhibited etiolation. In proteomics part, DBP had been proved to increase two detoxification enzymes and decreased three growth enzymes in these two test plants. This book can help readers to understand the pollution and bio-toxicity problems of plasticizer, such as DBP. We can therefore reducing the use of plastic products, developing of the biodegradable plastics, recycling and regeneration the plastic products, so that the ecosystem of Earth could be sustainable development.​​