Can Beta-Carotene Prevent Plant Cancer?

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objective of my project is to see if beta-carotene can prevent cancer in sunflowers. Methods/Materials I took six pots and filled them with potting soil. Then I planted sunflower seeds in each pot. Three pots of seeds were given beta-carotene in their water. I watered each pot 150ml of their appropriate water (3 were given beta-carotene with their water) for six weeks bi-weekly. After those six weeks I inoculated all plants with Agrobacterium tumafaciens which causes cancer in plants and observed them for three weeks. Results After all of the plants were inoculated, I found that the plants that did not receive beta-carotene developed more galls, had more numbers of plants in each pot die and did not grow as rapidly. Conclusions/Discussion Those plants given beta-carotene from the beginning appeared healthier. beta-carotene seemed to help the plants immune system and helped the plant grow thicker stalks and greater foliage. Those plants receiving beta-carotene had the strength to fight off the cancer better. This would be worthy to further investigate to see if beta-carotene might be helpful in preventing cancer in humans.

Competition history

• CSEF 2003 Pharmacology/ Toxicology · Entry J1415

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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