Cadmium stress on antioxidant activity of two <i>Alternanthera </i>sp.

Abstract

This study presents antioxidant response of two species of <i>Alternanthera </i>(<i>A. sessilis </i>&amp; <i>A. tenella</i>) under cadmium (Cd) stress conditions. Plants were grown in soil treated with different concentrations of Cd depending upon threshold level, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were analysed after one month. Activity of enzymatic antioxidants [superoxide dismutase (SOD; E.C. 1.15.1.1), catalase (CAT: EC 1.11.1.6), polyphenol oxidase (PPO; EC 1.14.18.1), peroxidase (POX; E.C. 1.11.1.7), ascorbate peroxidase (APX: EC 1.11.1.11) and glutathione reductase (GR: EC 1.6.4.2)] were estimated. Cd induced oxidative stress enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and nonenzymatic antioxidant concentrations in both species of <i>Alternanthera</i>. With Cd concentration, proline and lycopene increased, fluctuation was noticed in phenol concentration and carotenoids and chlorophyll content reduced. Both species of <i>Alternanthera </i>showed enhancement in antioxidant action and tolerance against Cd induced stress and thus can act as a suitable candidate for phytoremediation of Cd.