Bioaccumulation, translocation and physiological effects of Cr (III) in Eichhornia crassipes

GONZÁLEZ, C. I.; SÁNCHEZ, G.C.; CAZENAVE, J.; BENAVIDEZ, M.P; MAINE, M.A.

Mendoza

Congreso; 48 Th Annual Meeting of Biochemistry and molecular Biology Research.; 2012

The aim of this study was to assess physiological parameters, oxidative damage and changes in antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) activities in response to bioacumulation of chromium in E. crassipes. Plants were treated with Cr (III) (2, 4, 6 and 8 mg/L) for 72h in a hydroponic system, taking samples every 24h. Treatments were perfomed in triplicate with a control group. Analyses of metal uptake indicated that most of the chromium accumulated in the roots, but was also translocated and accumulated in the stem-leaf. The highest percentage of absorption accurs the first 24h. Chlorophyll a and b as well as carotenoid content increased at low metal concentrations and short exposure times, but no change was observed in TChl/Car relationship. Both in roots and aerial parts, an increase in malondialdehyde content was observed at 72h for all treatments, and a slight increase in roots was detected at 24h. CAT specific activity showed a significant increase at 24h in aerial parts, while all treatments produced an increase in CAT activity in roots. GPX was significantly increased in both roots and aerial parts for all times and concentrations. Results suggest that chromium causes oxidative stress, evidenced by an increased lipid peroxidation and activation of antioxidative enzymes. However, no negative effects were detected on the studied physiological parameters.