Family Asteraceae as a sustainable planning tool in phytoremediation and its relevance in urban areas

Family Asteraceae is a widespread plant family used for the bio-removal of a wide range of pollutants in urban areas. All of this is more than enough to place this family as a part of urban greenery. Phytoremediation is a natural process by which plants remove environmental pollutants. It involves the uptake, concentration and transformation of pollutants as well as rhizosphere stabilization and degradation. In this process, plants naturally promote microbial growth in their root zone by the exudation of carbohydrates, amino acids and other compounds from roots. In the plant kingdom there are several families represented by a relatively high number of species recognized as good candidates for phytoremediation. The genetic potential of hyperaccumulator species is reflected in the production of specific molecules that react with metals to form complexes, which are stored away from sensitive tissues. The aim of this review paper is to investigate the biological aspects of Asteraceae plant family in phytoremediation. It details the biochemical responses of plants to toxic heavy metals and organic pollutants as the major targets for phytoremediation. The review also briefly summarizes molecular aspects of phytoremediation through identification and characterization of some of the plant genes involved in metal uptake, tolerance and accumulation, the metabolism of organic chemicals and plant-microbe interactions.