lsquoPigment found in Arctic plants can shield humans from harm caused by UV radiationrsquo

  • | Sunday | 16th September, 2018

Ozone depletion is a major environmental problem because it increases the amount of UV radiation that reaches the earth surface,” he said. “When ozone depletion takes place in stratosphere , more ultraviolet radiation reaches the poles, therefore the plant’s growing there receive higher amount of UV radiation which is very harmful. Prof Singh conducted a research on the growth and survival of plants in Arctic region ( North Pole ), where exposure to the harmful ultraviolet radiation is extremely high.He found that the plants in Arctic region remained unharmed due to the presence of photo-protective pigments. LUCKNOW: The ultraviolet (UV) radiation-absorbing pigment obtained from plants in the Arctic region can be used as natural products in sunscreen lotions and creams for protection from the harmful rays, said Prof Jaswant Singh of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University (RMLAU) who conducted a study during his recent Arctic expedition.Singh was the only professor from a state university to be selected for the expedition by National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), Goa, under the Union ministry of earth sciences. To overcome this problem, plants have UV absorbing pigments which protects them from harmful rays,” said Prof Singh, head, department of environment science.High concentration of the pigments was found mosses, lichens and other plants at poles, he said.The pigment can be used for protection against harmful UV radiation which is a global cause of concern as exposure to damages immune system, causes skin cancer and cataract, he added.Singh said that a detailed report of the study has been submitted to NCAOR and he would do further research on the diverse applications of these UV resistant pigments.“Every year, September 16 is celebrated as the International Day for the preservation of the Ozone layer .

LUCKNOW: The ultraviolet (UV) radiation-absorbing pigment obtained from plants in the Arctic region can be used as natural products in sunscreen lotions and creams for protection from the harmful rays, said Prof Jaswant Singh of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University (RMLAU) who conducted a study during his recent Arctic expedition.Singh was the only professor from a state university to be selected for the expedition by National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), Goa, under the Union ministry of earth sciences. Prof Singh conducted a research on the growth and survival of plants in Arctic region ( North Pole ), where exposure to the harmful ultraviolet radiation is extremely high.He found that the plants in Arctic region remained unharmed due to the presence of photo-protective pigments. “When ozone depletion takes place in stratosphere , more ultraviolet radiation reaches the poles, therefore the plant’s growing there receive higher amount of UV radiation which is very harmful. To overcome this problem, plants have UV absorbing pigments which protects them from harmful rays,” said Prof Singh, head, department of environment science.High concentration of the pigments was found mosses, lichens and other plants at poles, he said.The pigment can be used for protection against harmful UV radiation which is a global cause of concern as exposure to damages immune system, causes skin cancer and cataract, he added.Singh said that a detailed report of the study has been submitted to NCAOR and he would do further research on the diverse applications of these UV resistant pigments.“Every year, September 16 is celebrated as the International Day for the preservation of the Ozone layer . Ozone depletion is a major environmental problem because it increases the amount of UV radiation that reaches the earth surface,” he said.

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