International Science Community Association International Research Journal of Biological Sciences 2278 - 3202 1 4 2012 08 10 Pigment Degradation of Higher Plants near Sugar Mill 28 32 EN Swaminathan C. 1 Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai – 625 104, TN, INDIA VijendraRaoR. 2 Wood Properties and Uses division, Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bengaluru – 560 003, Karnataka, INDIA Shashikala S. 3 Masih Usha 1 Department of Botany, Mata Jija Bai Govt. Girls P.G. College, Indore, MP, INDIA ShrimaliRagini 2 Department of Microbiology, I.K. Science College Indore, MP, INDIA Naqvi S.M.A 3 Department of Botany, I. K. Science College Indore, MP, INDIA Mehta Jitendra 1 Microbiology and Pathology Division, Vital Biotech Research Institute, University of Kota, Kota- 324009, Rajasthan, INDIA DhakerJayraj Kiran 2 Kavia Ambika 3 Sen Priya 4 KaushalNeha 5 Datta Sakshi 6 QuadrosGoldin 1 B.N. Bandodkar College of Science, Chendani, Thane 400601, Maharashtra, INDIA Athalye R.P. 2 álim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Anaikatti Post, Coimbatore 641108, Tamil Nadu, INDIA Philippe Sessou 1 Laboratoire de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée (LARBA), Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey-Calavi, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, BENIN Souaïbou Farougou 2 Laboratoire d’Etude et de Recherche en Chimie Appliquée (LERCA), Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey-Calavi (EPAC), Cotonou, BENIN Guy Alitonou 3 Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Biotechnologie Alimentaire, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques (FSA), Cotonou, BENIN Sébastien Djenontin Tindo 4 Boniface Yèhouénou 5 Paulin Azokpota 6 Issaka Youssao 7 Dominique Sohounhloué 8 SaralaThambavaniD. 1 Department of Chemistry, Sri Meenakshi Government Arts College for Women (Autonomous), Madurai-625, INDIA Sabitha M.A. 2 Department of Chemistry, J.A. College for Women (Autonomous), Periyakulam-625 601, INDIA > Research Paper 2012 6 25 2012 08 10 Sugar industry generate a significant large amount of waste during the manufacture of sugar and contains a high amount of production load particularly in items of suspended solids, organic matters, press-mud, bagasses and air pollution. Air pollutants from sugar mill can directly affect plants via leaves or indirectly via soil acidification. When exposed to air pollutants, most plant experience physiological changes before exhibiting visible damage to leaves. Leaf pigment content can provide valuable insight into the physiological performance of leaves. In the present study, the extraction of chlorophyll and their derivatives were studied in the five tree species such as Ficus benghalensis, Delonix regia, Ficus religiosa, Azadirachta indica and Pongamia pinnata. The study area was polluted with organic pollutants which results in reduced pigment levels in the leaves. The pheophytin a and b were formed greater than hundred percent in Delonix regia Azadirachta indica and Pongamia pinnata. For Ficus benghalensis, pheophytin a was found to be 27.17% and pheophytin b was more than hundred percent. In Ficus religiosa, pheophytin a was formed by 41.09% where as pheophytin b was produced less than the residential area. These results indicate that the degradation of chlorophyll was higher near sugar mill because of the emission of gases. Among the five tree species growing near sugar mill, Ficus religiosa showed minimum decomposition of chlorophyll and it was suggested to grow these species to reduce the load of pollution near sugar mills. Copyright@ International Science Community Association