Modulation of antioxidant defense system after long term arsenic exposure in Zantedeschia aethiopica and Anemopsis californica

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 2013-08, Vol.94, p.67-72
• Main Authors: Del-Toro-Sánchez, Carmen Lizette, Zurita, Florentina, Gutiérrez-Lomelí, Melesio, Solis-Sánchez, Brenda, Wence-Chávez, Laura, Rodríguez-Sahagún, Araceli, Castellanos-Hernández, Osvaldo A., Vázquez-Armenta, Gabriela, Siller-López, Fernando
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anemopsis; Anemopsis californica; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; antioxidant activity; Antioxidant response; antioxidants; Applied ecology; Arsenic; Arsenic - toxicity; ascorbate peroxidase; Ascorbate Peroxidases - metabolism; Biodegradation of pollutants; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; catalase; Catalase - metabolism; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; constructed wetlands; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; drinking water; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Environment and pollution; Environmental degradation: ecosystems survey and restoration; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Glutathione Reductase - metabolism; glutathione-disulfide reductase; groundwater; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; leaves; lipid peroxidation; Lipid Peroxidation - drug effects; phenols; Phenols - metabolism; Phytoremediation; Plant Leaves - metabolism; Plants; Saururaceae - drug effects; Saururaceae - metabolism; Soil Pollutants - toxicity; stems; subsurface flow; Zantedeschia - drug effects; Zantedeschia - metabolism; Zantedeschia aethiopica
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2013.04.024

Zantedeschia aethiopica (calla lily) and Anemopsis californica (yerba mansa) are plant species capable of accumulating arsenic (As) and therefore proposed as phytoremediation for removal of As from drinking water. The effects of a continuous 6 month As exposure (34±11μg/L) from local contaminated groundwater on the antioxidant response of Z. aethiopica and A. californica were evaluated in leaves and stems of the plants bimonthly in a subsurface flow constructed wetland. As increased the activities of the antioxidant enzymes ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and catalase where higher levels were observed in Z. aethiopica than A. californica. No significant differences were detected on lipid peroxidation levels or antioxidant capacity evaluated by ORAC and DPPH assays or total phenol contents in any part of the plant, although in general the leaves of both plants showed the best antioxidant defense against the metal. In conclusion, Z. aethiopica and A. californica were able to cope to As through induction of a more sensitive enzymatic antioxidant response mechanism. •Removal of As from drinking water by phytoremediation is proposed.•Zantedeschia aethiopica and Anemopsis californica are plant species capable of accumulating arsenic.•Arsenic increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the plants.•Enzymatic antioxidant systems were more sensitive to As than non-enzyme antioxidants.•Leaves of both plants showed the best antioxidant defense against the metal.