Prabhat Kumar Srivastava

Nitric oxide alleviates arsenic-induced toxic effects in ridged Luffa seedlings.

Hydroponic experiments were conducted to investigate whether exogenous addition of nitric oxide (NO) as sodium nitroprusside (SNP) alleviates arsenic (As) toxicity in Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. seedlings. Arsenic (5 and 50 μM) declined growth of Luffa seedlings which was accompanied by significant accumulation of As. SNP (100 μM) protected Luffa seedlings against As toxicity as it declined As accumulation significantly. The photosynthetic pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters such as Fv/Fm, Fv/F0, Fm/F0 and qP were decreased while NPQ was raised by As. However, the toxic effects of As on photosynthesis were significantly ameliorated by SNP. The oxidative stress markers such as superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde (lipid peroxidation) contents were enhanced by As, however, these oxidative indices were diminished significantly in the presence of SNP. As treatment stimulated the activities of SOD and CAT while the activities of APX and GST, and AsA content and AsA/DHA ratio were decreased. Upon SNP addition, along with further rise in SOD and CAT activity, APX and GST activity, and levels of AsA and AsA/DHA ratio were restored considerably. Overall results revealed that significant accumulation of As suppressed growth, photosynthesis, APX and GST activities and decreased AsA content, hence led to the oxidative stress. However, the addition of SNP protected seedlings against As stress by regulating As accumulation, oxidative stress and antioxidant defense system.

Differential physiological and biochemical responses of two cyanobacteria Nostoc muscorum and Phormidium foveolarum against oxyfluorfen and UV-B radiation

In the present study, degree of tolerance and tolerance strategies of two paddy field cyanobacteria viz. Nostoc muscorum and Phormidium foveolarum against oxyfluorfen (10 and 20 μg ml(-1)) and UV-B (7.2 kJ m(-2)d(-1)) stress were investigated. Oxyfluorfen and UV-B decreased growth, photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, nitrate reductase, acid and alkaline phosphatase activities, which accompanied with the increase in the level of oxidative stress. However, growth was more affected in N. muscorum than P. foveolarum. Antioxidants exhibited differential responses against oxyfluorfen and UV-B stress. Ascorbate and proline levels were higher in P. foveolarum. A protein of 66 kDa was expressed in N. muscorum, however, it was absent in P. foveolarum than those of N. muscorum. Besides this, a protein of 29 kDa appeared in P. foveolarum under all the treatments, but it was present only in control cells of N. muscorum cells. Overall results indicated resistant nature of P. foveolarum against oxyfluorfen and UV-B stress in comparison to N. muscorum.

Differential effect of UV-B radiation on growth, oxidative stress and ascorbate-glutathione cycle in two cyanobacteria under copper toxicity.

Effects of low (UV-B(L); 0.1 μmol m(-2) s(-1)) and high (UV-B(H); 1.0 μmol m(-2) s(-1)) fluence rates of UV-B radiation on growth, oxidative stress and ascorbate-glutathione cycle (AsA-GSH cycle) were investigated in two cyanobacteria viz. Phormidium foveolarum and Nostoc muscorum under copper (2 and 5 μM) toxicity after 24 and 72 h of experiments. Cu at 2 and 5 μM and UV-B(H) irradiation decreased growth in both the organisms and the effect was more pronounced in N. muscorum. Superoxide radical (SOR) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) productions were significantly enhanced by Cu and UV-B(H) which was accompanied by accelerated lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde; MDA) and protein oxidation (reactive carbonyl groups; RCG). The components of AsA-GSH cycle, i.e. ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), monodehydroascobate reductase (MDHAR) and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) activities as well as total ascorbate and glutathione contents and their reduced/oxidized ratios were decreased considerably by Cu and UV-B(H). Further, combined treatments of Cu and UV-B(H) exacerbated damaging effects in both the cyanobacteria. Unlike UV-B(H), UV-B(L) irradiation rather than damaging cyanobacteria caused alleviation in Cu-induced toxicity by down-regulating the levels of SOR, H(2)O(2), MDA and RCG due to enhanced activity of APX, GR, MDHAR and DHAR, and contents of ascorbate and glutathione. Results revealed that UV-B radiation at low fluence rate (UV-B(L)) stimulated protective responses in both the organisms under Cu toxicity while UV-B(H) irradiation caused damage alone as well as together with Cu, and the components of AsA-GSH cycle play significant role in these responses.

Compatibility of ascorbate-glutathione cycle enzymes in cyanobacteria against low and high UV-B exposures, simultaneously exposed to low and high doses of chlorpyrifos

This study deals with the comparative responses of the two cyanobacteria viz. Nostoc muscorum and Phormidium foveolarum against single and combined doses of low (UV-B(L,) 0.1 μmol m(-2) s(-1)) and high (UV-B(H), 1.0 μmol m(-2) s(-1)) fluence rates of ultraviolet-B radiation with low (CP(L), 1 μg ml(-1)) and high (CP(H), 2 μg ml(-1)) doses of the insecticide chlorpyrifos by measuring changes in growth, ascorbate-glutathione cycle enzymes and related metabolites. CP(L) and UV-B(L) both caused lesser increase in ROS but significantly stimulated AsA-GSH cycle enzymes. On the other hand, CP(H) and UV-B(H) posed inhibitory effects by enhancing ROS and inhibiting AsA-GSH cycle enzymes. Inhibitions in CP(H) or UV-B(H) treated samples were significantly prevented when they were supplemented with UV-B(L) and CP(L) (after 72 h), respectively by lowering down ROS and enhancing AsA-GSH enzymes and related metabolites which manifested in terms of improved biomass accumulation.

Differential effects of UV-B radiation fluence rates on growth, photosynthesis, and phosphate metabolism in two cyanobacteria under copper toxicity

This work was undertaken to ascertain the impact of different fluence rates of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on two cyanobacterial biofertilizers, Phormidium foveolarum and Nostoc muscorum, growing under copper toxicity. Copper (2 and 5 µmol L−1) and high UV-B fluence rate (UV-BH; 1.0 µmol m−2 s−1) decreased the growth, pigment content, photosynthetic oxygen yield, phosphate uptake, and acid phosphatase activity in both the strains analyzed after 24 and 72 h of experiments, and combined exposure further enhanced the toxic effects. Respiration and alkaline phosphatase activities were stimulated appreciably. The damaging effect was shown on the order on pigments: phycocyanin > chlorophyll a > carotenoids, and on photosystems: whole chain photosynthetic reaction > photosystem II > photosystem I. Partial recovery in the photosystem II activity in the presence of artificial electron donors; diphenyl carbazide (DPC), hydroxylamine (NH2OH), and manganese chloride (MnCl2) pointed out the interruption of electron flow on the oxidation side of photosystem II. Unlike UV-BH, low UV-B fluence rate (UV-BL; 0.1 µmol m−2 s−1), rather than causing damaging effect partially, alleviated the toxic effects of Cu. This study suggests that the cyanobacterium P. foveolarum is less sensitive against UV-BH and excess Cu (2 and 5 µmol L−1), thus P. foveolarum may be used as a biofertilizer for sustainable agriculture.

Low and high doses of UV-B differentially modulate chlorpyrifos-induced alterations in nitrogen metabolism of cyanobacteria

The present study assessed the comparative responses on the specific growth rate, nitrogen metabolism and enzymes associated with nitrogen metabolism in two nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria-Nostoc muscorum and Phormidium foveolarum exposed to two UV-B doses (low; UV-BL: 0.5472kJm(-2) and high; UV-BH: 5.472kJm(-2)) and two doses of the insecticide chlorpyrifos (O,O-diethyl O-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl phosphorothioate; low i.e. CPL, 1µgml(-1) and high i.e. CPH, 2µgml(-1)) singly and in combination. The specific growth rate, NO3(-) and NO2(-) uptake, nitrate assimilating enzymes - nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase and ammonium assimilating enzymes - glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase were severely affected when treated either with CPH or/and UV-BH while glutamate dehydrogenase exhibited a stimulatory response. CPL also reduced all the measured parameters (except GDH activity) after 24h, however, a stimulatory effect was observed after 72h due to an increase in nitrogen metabolism (and other antioxidant) enzymes during this period. UV-BL did not cause significant alteration in the studied parameters while in combination with CP doses, it either alleviated the inhibitory effects or further enhanced the CPL induced activities of these enzymes (except GDH). Overall results indicate the resistant nature of P. foveolarum against the inhibitory doses of UV-B and chlorpyrifos in comparison to N. muscorum.

Oxygen toxicity and antioxidative responses in arsenic stressed Helianthus annuus L. seedlings against UV-B

In order to know the impact of elevated level of UV-B on arsenic stressed Helianthus annuus L. var. DRSF-113 plants, certain physiological (growth - root and shoot lengths, their fresh masses and leaf area; photosynthetic competence and respiration) and biochemical parameters (pigments - Chl a and b, Car, anthocyanin and flavonoids; reactive oxygen species - superoxide radicals, H2O2; reactive carbonyl group, electrolyte leakage; antioxidants - superoxide dismutase, peroxidise, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, proline) of their seedlings were analysed under the simultaneous exposures of two arsenic doses (6mgkg-1 soil, As1; and 12mgkg-1 soil, As2) and two UV-B doses (1.2kJm-2d-1, UV-B1; and 3.6kJm-2d-1, UV-B2). As1 and As2 alone declined all the studied growth parameters - along with photosynthetic pigments which were further aggravated after the simultaneous exposures of predefined levels of UV-B. Each As exposure was accompanied by significant accumulation of As in root, shoot and leaves and was substantiated by simultaneous exposures of UV-B doses which manifested into suppressed growth, decreased chlorophyll contents and photosynthesis. In similar conditions, other photo-shielding pigments, viz. carotenoids, anthocyanin and flavonoids along with respiration and oxidative stress markers such as O2•¯, H2O2; and indicators of cell membrane damage like MDA (malondialdehyde), RCG (reactive carbonyl group), electrolyte leakage were enhanced by As, and became more pronounced after the simultaneous exposures of UV-B doses. As doses stimulated the activities of SOD, POD, CAT, GST and Pro which got further accelerated after the simultaneous exposures of UV-B doses.

PSII photochemistry, oxidative damage and anti-oxidative enzymes in arsenate-stressed Oryza sativa L. seedlings

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to quantify the arsenic-induced damage in rice seedlings in terms of certain physiological and biochemical parameters. For this, hydroponically grown Oryza sativa L. seedlings were exposed to certain doses of AsV as Na2HAsO4 (10, 25, 50 and 100 µM). All the tested doses manifested in a significant loss in the pigments content and photosynthesis, which culminated in retarded growth of the seedlings. The AsV-mediated decline in PSII photochemistry could be correlated with the decline in ϕP0, ψ0, ϕE0 and PIABS. In vitro and in vivo detection of and H2O2 and the consequent rise in malondialdehyde equivalents after AsV treatments stimulated the anti-oxidant enzymes, that is, superoxide dismutase (SOD) (except at 50 and 100 µM AsV), peroxidase and catalase, activity which was further confirmed by the native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) that also revealed the least expression of SOD isoforms against 50 and 100 µM AsV treatment. The present investigation is a categorical demonstration of the inhibitory behaviour of AsV in O. sativa L. seedlings. At lower doses of arsenate, reactive oxygen species and anti-oxidants cooperatively acted in such a way that the impacts of the stress were far lesser on various growth and physiological parameters.

Exogenous Mineral Regulation Under Heavy Metal Stress: Advances and Prospects

Heavy metals (HMs) contaminate the soil through various natural and anthropogenic resources and are transported to the plant systems. These heavy metals are translocated within the plant system by the apoplast and symplast through various transporters such as HMAs, ZIP, ABC. HMs disturb plant metabolism, cause oxidative stress and nutrient dearth. Many researchers have applied exogenous minerals to alleviate these negative impacts caused by HMs. Minerals mitigate the HMAs induced negative impacts by the enhancement of biochemical reactions and physiological processes in plants. In the present article the role of exogenous mineral regulation under heavy metal toxicity is being discussed.

Pretilachlor toxicity is decided by discrete photo-acclimatizing conditions: Physiological and biochemical evidence from Anabaena sp. and Nostoc muscorum

The current study was undertaken to elucidate the impact of the herbicide pretilachlor (3 µg ml-1 and 6 µg ml-1) on cyanobacteria, Nostoc muscorum ATCC 27893 and Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 under three levels of photoacclimatization (suboptimum, 25 µmol photon m-2 s-1; optimum, 75 µmol photon m-2 s-1; and supra-optimum, 225 µmol photon m-2 s-1) by analyzing certain physiological (biomass accumulation, photosynthesis, Chl a fluorescence and respiration) and biochemical parameters (photosynthetic pigments‒ chlorophyll a, carotenoids and phycocyanin; reactive oxygen species‒ O2•¯, H2O2, lipid peroxidation; antioxidant system‒ superoxide dismutase, peroxidise, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase). The light conditioning played the most prominent role in deciding the extent of herbicide toxicity on both the tested cyanobacteria as the maximum toxicity was observed in suboptimum light acclimatized cyanobacterial cells corroborated by the least growth in the same cells. The impact of pretilachlor treatment on photosystem II photochemistry viz. φP0, Ѱ0, φE0, PIABS, ABS/RC, TR0/RC, ET0/RC and DI0/RC was also altered by light acclimatization. The percent rise in oxidative stress markers (SOR and H2O2) and consequent lipid peroxidation (MDA equivalents) were also highest in suboptimum light acclimatized cells exposed to pretilachlor which could not be prospered with compatible antioxidant performance. Conversely, supra-optimum light acclimatized cells of both the cyanobacteria was found to accelerate the activities of all the studied enzymes and thus able to counterbalance the pretilachlor toxicity and supported the healthier growth.