TITLE:
Cadmium Accumulation in Marsilea minuta Linn. and Its Antioxidative Responses
AUTHORS:
Kingsuk Das, Chiranjib Mandal, Nirmalya Ghosh, Narottam Dey, Malay Kumar Adak
KEYWORDS:
Oxidative Stress; Heavy Metals; Aquatic Fern
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.4 No.2A,
February
28,
2013
ABSTRACT: The present
study was carried out to investigate the extent of cadmium (Cd) accumulation with
its possible impact on physiological and biochemical basis of heavy metal tolerance
in Marsilea minuta Linn. Cd salt (0 μM, 50 μM and 100 μM) was allowed to absorb
by the plants for prolong days in hydroponic culture and a significant deterioration
of the plant biomass was recorded. However, roots absorbed more metals than the
leaves. Plants recorded a significant rise of superoxide (O-2) and hydrogen
peroxide (H2O2). A noticeable amount of protein oxidation
and lipid peroxidation were in proportionate to Cd accumulation. Anthocyanin and
flavonoid content were decreased as compared to control condition. Superoxide dismutase
(SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) contributed their
antioxidative functions according to the Cd doses. The expression of GR was also
evident from its activity staining in gel. So, it may suggest that antioxidative
enzymes are up regulated and likely to be responsible for tolerance to Cd induced
oxidative stress in Marsilea minuta Linn.