Effect of Metals on Anti-Oxidase Activity and Isozyme patterns in Brassica juncea

To study the effects of metal ions on the activity of anti-oxidase enzymes, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) and isozyme patterns of Brassica juncea have been studied after treating with Cd, Cu, Zn, and Al. The activity of SOD after treating with metal ions was higher than that of untreated control. SOD activity in leaves increased by treatment of 50 ppm of Zn and 500 ppm of Al. POD in stems gave highest activity after treating with 500 ppm of Cu. When the activity was compared by plant parts, lowest POD activity was observed in leaves in which protein content was higher than other tissues. When the activity was expressed as percentage of control, SOD activity was increased after treating with metal ions. SOD activity in leaves and roots of metal treated plant was significantly increased under the metal ions stress conditions. In the roots of 50 ppm of Zn treated plant, SOD activity was extremly high. POD activity was inhibited with Cd and Zn treatment in all parts of the plant. However, in leaves and stems, there was marked increase in activity after treating with Cu. The patterns of SOD isozyme after metal treatment show that two bands were stained in all metal ion treated and that no new band appeared. POD isozyme band intensity resulting from the treatment of metal ions was in order of roots＞stems＞leaves, but there was no significant difference.