The Purification Ability and the Response to Formaldehyde Exposure in Indoor Plants Drimiopsis Maculata, Kalanchoe Pinnata, Pilea Depressa, Epipremnum Aureum, and Pachyveria ‘Powder Puff’

Tan, Ru Yih (2022) The Purification Ability and the Response to Formaldehyde Exposure in Indoor Plants Drimiopsis Maculata, Kalanchoe Pinnata, Pilea Depressa, Epipremnum Aureum, and Pachyveria ‘Powder Puff’. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

Formaldehyde (FDH) at 37% concentration is a colourless liquid with a strong odour. It is a volatile organic compound (VOC) with the formula HCHO frequently used in many products and is a common environmental air pollutant. Exposure to FDH can bring potential adverse health effects and it is recognised as a known human carcinogen since 2011. Interest has been gaining to explore houseplants that are effective at absorbing or removing FDH that contribute to the ‘sick building syndrome’. Five plant species were examined for their ability to remove FDH from the air in a closed container, namely Drimiopsis maculata, Kalanchoe pinnata, Pilea depressa, Epipremnum aureum, and Pachyveria ‘Powder Puff’. The project also aims to study the effect of FDH on the five house plants. Each plant was placed in a sealed container filled with FDH at a concentration of 0.122 mg/m3 for seven days. Formaldehyde concentrations and plant conditions were recorded and analysed daily to identify plants with better ability to purify FDH. Measurements of cell membrane permeability, chlorophyll content, and dry mass were also done.The results show that Epipremnum aureum was found to absorb the most FDH followed by Pachyveria ‘Powder Puff’, Kalanchoe pinnata, Drimiopsis maculata, and Pilea depressa. The absorption of FDH by container plants was most noticeable during the first three days. Furthermore, there were no significant correlations between FDH absorption capabilities and changes in cell membrane permeability. The CMP percentage changes were the same for the five plants species, which were 1% (Drimiopsis maculata), 0.2% (Kalanchoe pinnata), 0.6% (Pilea depressa), 0% (Epipremnum aureum) and 0.8% (Pachyveria ‘Powder Puff’). There were slightly correlations between FDH absorption capabilities and changes in chlorophyll content. It may suggest that the better the plant's resistance to FDH pollution, the least decrease in chlorophyll content. It was evident that the chlorophyll content of Epipremnum aureum was increased. This may be due to its ability to adapt itself to the situation and continue to grow. Pilea depressa showed a reduction in chlorophyll content, followed by Kalanchoe pinnata, Drimiopsis maculata and Pachyveria ‘Powder Puff’. Dry mass of leaves before FDH treatment is greater than the dry weight of leaves after FDH treatment, regardless of the plant's growth stage. In this experiment, the least change in dry mass determination was Epipremnum aureum, which was followed by Pachyveria ‘Powder Puff’, Kalanchoe pinnata, Drimiopsis maculata, and Pilea depressa. It has been hypothesised that the more resistant plants are to FDH contamination, the less change in mass there will be. This investigation shows the potential of indoor plants to remove FDH and more plants should be screened for this capacity in a more vigorous study in the future.