Effect of Arsenite and Arsenate on Lipid Peroxidation, Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Antioxidants in Zea mays Linn

Abstract

The effect of As (III) and As (V) was investigated in nutritionally important plant, Zea mays L. and the response on malondialdehyde (MDA) content, Glutathione, Protein, Chlorophyll A, Chlorophyll B, Carotenoids and the enzymatic antioxidants viz., superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) was found in leaves of the metal treated plants. The effect of As (III) and As (V) were subjected to 5 ppm and 10 ppm treatments for 7 days and 14 days as respect to controls. The level of lipid peroxidation was significantly increased at higher exposure treatments (10 ppm). Arsenite (III) induced stress was observed as indicated by high level of lipid peroxidation, than arsenate (V). The level of Protein content decrease in the leaves at all the As [III] and As [V] concentrations at 7 days and 14 days as compared to their respective controls and with maximum significant increase of 28.8% (7 d As [V] at 5 ppm), significant (p<0.05) decrease in protein content was observed with maximum decrease of 43.3% (14 d As [III] at 10 ppm), compared to control. The chlorophyll and carotenoid content are also decreased in part of the overall expression of Arsenic exposures. The level of SOD, APX and POD was at high in Arsenite (III) however low in arsenate (V). Arsenite (III) induced stress was observed as indicated by high level of lipid peroxidation, than arsenate (V). The oxidative stress may increase the production of free radicals and subsequently resulted in peroxidation of lipids. Further, addition of arsenic increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) which may be due to enhanced production of oxygen free radical and related tissue damage. Correlation coefficient was evaluated between different antioxidant parameters with lipid peroxidation.