Effects of Barium Stress in Brassica juncea and Cakile maritima: The Indicator Role of Some Antioxidant Enzymes and Secondary Metabolites

Soil contamination by toxic trace metal elements, like barium (Ba), may stimulate various undesirable changes in the metabolic activity of plants. The plant responses are fast and with, direct or indirect, generation reactive oxygen species (ROS). To cope with stress imposed ROS production, plants developed a dual cellular system composed enzymatic non-enzymatic players that convert ROS, their by-products, into stable nontoxic molecules. assess Ba response two Brassicaceae (Brassica juncea, glycophyte, Cakile maritime, halophyte), were exposure to different concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300 500 μM). was evaluated through morphology development, determination leaves antioxidant activities production secondary metabolites. Results indicated have ability survive an environment containing (even at biomass C. maritima slightly affected whereas increase B. juncea noticed. activated defense species, noticed catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) guaicol (GPX), metabolites, total phenols flavonoids. not similar within species: CAT APX seem more important role against oxidative while is GPX. Overall, flavonoids significant aerial part than roots, both species. Although different, catalytic non-catalytic transformation occurs, able overcome toxicity prevent cell damage.