Milan Popović

Phenolic content and antioxidant properties of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seeds.

The contents and antioxidant ability of various classes of phenolic compounds present in the seeds of twenty soybean hybrids were evaluated. Total phenolics, tannins and proanthocyanidins were determined spectrophotometrically, after extraction of seeds with 70% aqueous acetone. In addition, the flavonoid contents were determined. The antioxidant activity of aqueous acetone extracts was evaluated by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity assay. The highest contents of total phenolics were found in Serbian cultivar 1511 and Chinese cultivar LN92-7369, which also displayed the highest total antioxidant activity. Conversely, genotypes poor in phenolics also showed low levels of DPPH-radical scavenging activity. The results suggested that besides protein and oil contents, the phenolic contents should be also considered as an important characteristic feature of soybean seeds, and as a potential selection criterion for antioxidant activity in soybean.

NITROGEN AND PROTEIN METABOLISM IN YOUNG PEA PLANTS AS AFFECTED BY DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF NICKEL, CADMIUM, LEAD, AND MOLYBDENUM

A comparative study was carried out on the effect of molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) using concentrations of 1×10− 7, 1×10− 5, and 1×10− 3 mol dm− 3, on the metabolism of nitrogen and proteins in young pea plants (Pisum sativum L. ‘NS Lim’). The highest concentrations of the investigated metals were noted to suppress the development of the aboveground parts and roots. The smallest inhibiting effect was observed in the presence of Ni, which at lowest concentration produced a stimulating effect; Pb and Cd had a similar effect. The most pronounced inhibition was caused by Mo, which decreased the growth of the roots and aboveground parts by 50% and 35%, respectively. An increase in concentration of heavy metals in the medium resulted in their increased accumulation in both the plant roots and aboveground parts. The largest accumulation in the aboveground parts was observed for Ni and Mo, followed by Cd, and least for Pb. Nitrate and protein metabolism decreased according to the order of Cd > Pb > Ni > Mo. However, when expressed per amount of heavy metal accumulated in particular plant parts, toxicity was in the order of Pb > Cd > Ni > Mo.

Effect of heavy metals on nitrate and protein metabolism in sugar beet

Nitrate content, activities of nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase, soluble protein content, and proportion of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) protein in total proteins were measured in leaves of Beta vulgaris L. plants affected by nickel, cadmium, and molybdenum in concentrations of 10-4, 10-2, and 1 mM. The most harmful effect on the above mentioned parameters had Cd, less harmful Ni, whereas Mo stimulated the investigated parameters. The proportion of RuBPCO protein showed a high tolerance to heavy metals.

Changes in antioxidant systems in soybean as affected by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary

Changes in antioxidant systems in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr., Fabaceae] genotypes infected with Sclerotinia sclerotiorum were studied 12, 24, 48 and 72h after inoculation. Generation of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals was evaluated together with the production of malonyldialdehyde, main end product of lipid peroxidation. Several enzymatic and non-enzymatic parameters were monitored as well, such as the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and pyrogallol and guaiacol peroxidases, reduced glutathione, soluble proteins and total carotenoids content. Results showed that genotypes expressed oxidative burst as well as different antioxidant systems in response to biotic stress caused by pathogen invasion. It has been confirmed that, although hypersensitive cell death is efficient against biotrophic pathogens, it does not protect soybean plants against infection by the necrotrophic pathogen such as S. sclerotiorum. Still, some genotypes showed distinctive and combined activity of several biochemical parameters which may point to further directions in exploring host-pathogen relations and lead to selection and production of new genotypes with higher levels of tolerance.

The role of sulphur in detoxication of cadmium in young sugar beet plants

In young sugar beet plants cadmium suppressed the activity of nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase and glutamate dehydrogenase, whereas sulphur exhibited a protective role towards activity of these enzymes, except of glutamine synthetase. Protein synthesis was suppressed in the absence of S in nutrient medium; the lowest level was at 10-3 M Cd2+. Chloroplast pigment contents were increased by S while Cd2+, even in the lowest concentration, (10−5 M) showed a repressive effect. The highest concentrations of Cd2+ (10−3 M) caused a decrease in dry mass, whereas S induced its increase. Nitrate content was increased in the presence of Cd2+ and decreased by increased concentration of S.

Cholic acid changes defense response to oxidative stress in soybean induced by Aspergillus niger

The oxidative stress and antioxidant systems in soybean leaves and roots infected with plant pathogen Aspergillus niger were studied following treatment with different concentrations of cholic acid. Several oxidative stress parameters were analyzed: production of superoxide (O2·−) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH), lipid peroxidation (LP), and superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) activity, as well as the content of reduced glutathione (GSH). Results showed that inoculation with A. niger led to the increase of O2·− production and GSH quantities in leaves and ·OH in roots. The highest activity of SOD occured in infected plants treated with cholic acid in concentrations of 40 and 60 mg L−1 which ultimately led to a decrease in O2·− production. Inoculation with Aspergillus in combination with elevated cholic acid concentrations also increased ·OH production which is correlated with increased LP. These results may support the idea of using cholic acid as an elicitor to trigger hypersensitive response in plant cells. Use of cholic acid may also actively contribute to soybean plants defense response against pathogen attack.

ASSOCIATIONS OF SUGAR BEET AND NITROGEN-FIXING BACTERIA IN VITRO

The associations of four Azotobacter chroococcum strains (2, 5, 8 14) isolated from the rhizosphere with two sugar beet hybrids (Hy-11 and Dana) grown in vitro have been investigated. All tested strains caused an increase in dry mass of both hybrids almost proportionally to the nitrogen content in the medium. Plant nitrogen content was also higher in inoculated variants. The highest nitrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase activities were in Hy-11 associated with strain 5 and in hybrid Dana associated with strain 8. These associations were the most effective in N2-fixation 2 weeks after inoculation. The results showed specificity of individual strains with respect to individual hybrids.

Biochemical changes in sugar beet lines in dependence on soil moisture

Nine sugar beet lines were grown in a glasshouse on chernozem soil watered to 35, 50 and 65 % of maximal soil water capacity. After 12 d, plant water potential, net photosynthetic rate, contents of soluble proteins, DNA and RNA, proportion of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RUBISCO) protein, and carbonic anhydrase activity were measured. As soil moisture decreased, the leaf water potential and net photosynthetic rate decreased. DNA and RNA content and carbonic anhydrase activity decreased under moderate drought, and increased with severe drought. RUBISCO protein proportion did not change significantly under decreased soil moisture, while the total soluble protein content decreased.

Effects of linuron and dimethenamid on antioxidant systems in weeds associated with soybean

Changes in antioxidant systems in soybean and associated weeds (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Chenopodium album L., Convolvulus arvensis L and Sinapis arvensis L.) were studied in relation to treatment with herbicides linuron and dimethenamid in the field experiment. Differences in the total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (Cat) activities were observed in plants after application of herbicide formulation. Quantities of superoxide (O2.-) and hydroxyl (·OH) radicals and malonyldialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and total polyphenols content were also determined. In addition to this, potential antioxidant activity of the plant ethanolic extracts were assessed based on the scavenging activity of stable DPPH free radicals. Results obtained suggest that plants investigated 1) expressed different antioxidant systems in response to herbicide treatment; 2) enzymatic and non-enzymatic protective mechanisms were complementary; 3) some weed species showed distinctive and combined activity of several biochemical parameters, such as Ambrosia artemisiifolia.

Effect of Azotobacter strains on sugar beet callus proliferation and nitrogen metabolism enzymes

The effect of five Azotobacter chroococcum strains and nitrogen content in nutrient media on callus growth of two Beta vulgaris L. cultivars were investigated, as well as the activity of nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in inoculated callus tissue. On medium with full nitrogen content (1 N) the inoculation with A. chroococcum strain A2 resulted in the highest calli mass, while strains A8 and A14 maximally increased NR activity. On media with 1/8 N the highest effect on calli growth, GS and GDH activity had the strain A8. The strain A2/1 significantly increased callus proliferation on medium without N. Asymbiotic association between sugar beet calli and Azotobacter depended on genotype/strain interaction and was realised in presence of different nitrogen levels.