摘要：AbstractThis is a primary investigation on the mitigation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (phenanthrene as a model PAH) contamination in vegetables including water spinach (Ipomoea aquaticaForsk), pakchoi (Brassica campestris) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis) using agfp-labeled PAH-degrading bacterium (RS1-gfp). Effective root colonization led to dense RS1-gfppopulations inhabiting the rhizosphere and endosphere of the vegetables, which subsequently led to a reduction in phenanthrene accumulation and risk in vegetables. When compared with the controls without RS1-gfp, the amount of phenanthrene accumulation due to strain RS1-gfpcolonization reduced by up to ~93.7% in roots and ~75.2% in shoots of vegetables, respectively. The estimated incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for adults due to phenanthrene in vegetables was reduced by 24.6%–48% through RS1-gfpinoculation. The proposed method was developed to circumvent the risk of phenanthrene contamination in vegetables by inoculating PAH-degrading bacteria. The findings provide an in-depth understanding of PAH detoxification in agricultural plants grown on contaminated sites by exploiting bacteria like RS1-gfp, which portray both rhizo- and endophytic lifestyles.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•The isolated strain RS1-gfpis capable of degrading phenanthrene.•Root colonization led to dense populations of RS1-gfpon roots and internal vegetable tissues.•RS1-gfpcolonization reduced the concentration and accumulation of phenanthrene in vegetables.•RS1-gfpcan effectively mitigate the risks of vegetable phenanthrene contamination.
