Indian Journal of Plant Physiology

The possible role of Cr (VI) and Zn as catalytic inducers of free radicals and antioxidant metabolism in Calamus tenuis leaves was investigated. Total peroxide and lipid peroxidation measured in terms of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances showed uniform increase under metal treatment. The activity of the antioxidative enzymes superoxide dismutase decreased, whereas, catalase, peroxidase and glutathione reductase increased except higher Cr (VI) treatments decreased catalase activity. Nonenzymic antioxidants ascorbate and glutathione content increased uniformly. At higher concentration both Cr (VI) and Zn decreased the dry mass and the uptake of Cr and Zn increased with the increase in the concentrations of the heavy metals.