Mustard can limit the destruction of chemical weapons

Tests show that mustard plants grown in soil are contaminated by VX neurotoxin, absorbing this toxin through the roots and retaining it for at least 45 days.

White mustard - a spice in human life for centuries, will soon be used with a completely different use in the fight against chemical weapons. This special information was published by British scientists on May 21.

According to the study published in the Journal of the Proceedings of the Royal Society A , the team's tests showed that the mustard tree, named Sinapis alba , is grown in soil contaminated by nerve VX, absorbed. This toxin passes through the roots and retains a small amount of toxin for at least 45 days.

This plant acts as a "time capsule" , which can provide the molecular signature of VX previously present. Mustard plants can also absorb VX's relative compounds Sarin.

Scientists have experimented with planting white mustard seeds into contaminated soil at a concentration of 250 micrograms of VX, far below the level that often puts people at risk in a chemical weapon attack.

Later, the team harvested these mustard plants at different times, pulverized them and tested the extracts.

The results showed that these mustard plants retain the nerve gas compound "longer than the soil".

This finding shows the possibility of using mustard in decontamination of soil after chemical warfare.

The above method demonstrates that only soil analysis cannot find VX because soil sampling is a difficult task, and nerve gas will dissolve over time.

One solution to overcome contaminated soil may be to transplant mustard seed into the soil. Thus, the following generations of plants "will destroy the nerve toxins until they are completely depleted".

This plant grows well in the Middle East, thrives in a dry climate, withstands insects and hot weather, and can be grown in many other areas.