Relationship between peroxidase and catalase with metabolism and environmental factors in Beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) in three different elevations

The activities of peroxidase and catalase determined in Beech (Fagusorientalis) twigs during a year. Levels of antioxidant enzymes were observed to be lowest during late springsummer, or active growing season and highest during the late autumnwinter, or dormant season. The maximum catalase activity and number of peroxidase isozyme bands were showed in February, especially in high elevation, when temperate mean was lowest during all sampling months that these could be related to protective against frost. Whereas the maximum peroxidase activity and gradual increasing of number of cationic peroxidase isozyme bands were found in November when trees prepared for winter chilling. Also there was relationship between increasing of peroxidase activity and number of anionic peroxidase isozyme bands with metabolic processes in trees such as leaf flushing, flowering, etc.