Kaur, GurpreetKaur, ShubhpreetSingh,Harminder PalBatish, Daizy RaniKohli, R.K.Rishi, Valbha2019-05-102024-08-132019-05-102024-08-132015Kaur, Gurpreet., Kaur, Shubhpreet and Singh,Harminder Pal et. al. (2015) Biochemical Adaptations in Zea mays Roots to Short-Term Pb2+ Exposure: ROS Generation and Metabolism. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. Vol. 95(2), PP.1564Print- 0007-4861Online-1432-080010.1007/s00128-015-1564-yhttp://10.2.3.109/handle/32116/2362The present study investigated the effect of lead (0, 16, 40 and 80 mg L?1 Pb2+) exposure for 3, 12 and 24 h on root biochemistry in hydroponically grown Zea mays (maize). Pb2+ exposure (80 mg L?1) enhanced malondialdehyde content (239 %�427 %), reactive carbonyl groups (425 %�512 %) and H2O2 (129 %�294 %) accumulation during 3�24 h of treatment, thereby indicating cellular peroxidation and oxidative damage. The quantitative estimations were in accordance with in situ detection of ROS generation (using 2?,7?-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate dye) and H2O2 accumulation. Pb2+ treatment significantly reduced ascorbate and glutathione content during 3�24 h of exposure. On the contrary, levels of non-protein thiols were enhanced by 3�11.8 time over control in response to 16�80 mg L?1 Pb2+ treatment, after 24 h. A dose-dependent induction in ascorbate peroxidase and lipoxygenase enzyme activity was observed in Z. mays roots. The activities of ascorbate-recycling enzymes (dehydroascorbate reductase and monodehydroascorbate reductase) were significantly increased in relation to concentration and duration of Pb2+ treatment. The study concludes that Pb2+-exposure induces ROS-mediated oxidative damage during early period of exposure despite the upregulation of enzymes of ascorbate�glutathione cycle.en-USCellular peroxidationROS accumulationCell deathDefense mechanismsArticlehttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00128-015-1564-y