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Antioxidant system activation by mercury in Pfaffia glomerata plantlets

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Abstract

Oxidative stress caused by mercury (Hg) was investigated in Pfaffia glomerata plantlets grown in nutrient solution using sand as substrate. Thirty-day-old acclimated plants were treated for 9 days with four Hg levels (0, 1, 25 and 50 μM) in the substrate. Parameters such as growth, tissue Hg concentration, toxicity indicators (δ-aminolevulinic acid dehidratase, δ-ALA-D, activity), oxidative damage markers (TBARS, lipid peroxidation, and H2O2 concentration) and enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, SOD, catalase, CAT, and ascorbate peroxidase, APX) and non-enzymatic (non-protein thiols, NPSH, ascorbic acid, AsA, and proline concentration) antioxidants were investigated. Tissue Hg concentration increased with Hg levels. Root and shoot fresh weight and δ-ALA-D activity were significantly decreased at 50 μM Hg, and chlorophyll and carotenoid concentration were not affected. Shoot H2O2 concentration increased curvilinearly with Hg levels, whereas lipid peroxidation increased at 25 and 50 μM Hg, respectively, in roots and shoots. SOD activity showed a straight correlation with H2O2 concentration, whereas CAT activity increased only in shoots at 1 and 50 μM Hg. Shoot APX activity was either decreased at 1 μM Hg or increased at 50 μM Hg. Conversely, root APX activity was only increased at 1 μM Hg. In general, AsA, NPSH and proline concentrations increased upon addition of Hg, with the exception of proline in roots, which decreased. These changes in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants had a significant protective effect on P. glomerata plantlets under mild Hg-stressed conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biologia, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil

    N. S. Calgaroto, G. Y. Castro & F. T. Nicoloso

  2. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agronomia, Centro de Ciências Rurais, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil

    N. S. Calgaroto, G. Y. Castro & F. T. Nicoloso

  3. Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil

    D. Cargnelutti, L. B. Pereira, J. F. Gonçalves, L. V. Rossato, F. G. Antes, V. L. Dressler, E. M. M. Flores & M. R. C. Schetinger

  4. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica Toxicológica, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil

    D. Cargnelutti, L. B. Pereira, J. F. Gonçalves, L. V. Rossato & M. R. C. Schetinger

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  1. N. S. Calgaroto
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  2. G. Y. Castro
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  3. D. Cargnelutti
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  4. L. B. Pereira
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  5. J. F. Gonçalves
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  6. L. V. Rossato
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  7. F. G. Antes
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  8. V. L. Dressler
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  9. E. M. M. Flores
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  10. M. R. C. Schetinger
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  11. F. T. Nicoloso
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Correspondence to F. T. Nicoloso.

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Calgaroto, N.S., Castro, G.Y., Cargnelutti, D. et al. Antioxidant system activation by mercury in Pfaffia glomerata plantlets. Biometals 23, 295–305 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-009-9287-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-009-9287-3

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