Using proteomics to predict indoor potted plant and tree
plant responses under particulate matter stress

Plant stress response plays an important role in PM phytoremediation; nevertheless, research on impacted plant proteins against PM is limited. This study aim to examine the proteins and stress responses of indoor potted plants and tree plants, suggesting adaptable and resilient plants under PM stress. Six common plants, including indoor potted plants and tree plants, were exposed to PM from cigarette smoke for 24 h. Calathea makoyana, Sansevieria trifasciata, and Zamioculcas zamiifolia were indoor potted plants, with Bauhina purpurea, Tectona grandis, and Wrightia religiosa as trees. The initial PM concentrations were 300–320, 400–450, and 500–530 μg m−3 for PM1, PM2.5, and PM10. Each plant’s response was compared to determine how each group and plant responded to PM stress. All plants have diverse protein expressions. Tree plants showed enriched proteins in photosynthesis, antioxidant enzymes, and carbon metabolism. These pathways were responsible for plant growth, productivity, and health, which suggests adaptable and resilient plants under PM stress. This study used 24-hour PM exposure to identify a group of potentially significant pathways under PM stress in the early period. The study proposes new insights into the plant response to PM stress for choosing suitable plants for sustainable phytoremediation.