Synthesis of antioxidant compounds against heavy metal stress in native Atlantic Forest species of different life habits

• Grant number: 22/07568-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2022
• End date: December 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Ecosystems Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Marisa Domingos
• Grantee: João Vitor Casimiro Ferreira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisas Ambientais (IPA). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/50341-0 - Challenges for biodiversity conservation facing climate changes, pollution, land use and occupation (PDIp), AP.PDIP

Abstract

Copper, zinc and nickel are essential chemical elements for plant's development and metabolism. However, due to anthropic pollution, these compounds can reach high concentrations in natural environments, imposing risks to life. Copper, zinc and nickel excess in plants can cause oxidative damages, leading to reduced growth and dysfunction of it's metabolic cycle, and even celular death. In order to avoid such damage, plants have evolved the capacity to synthesize antioxidants molecules as defense responses. Among these compounds, ascorbic acid and glutathione are non enzymatic antioxidants that act together for desintoxication of free radicals and protection against possible oxidative stress. Plant species with different life habits present different survival strategies, and are presumed to show distinct antioxidant synthesis profiles. Therefore, the objective of this project is to assess the glutathione and ascorbic acid levels in leaves of seedlings of two Atlantic forest native species with different live habits (herbaceous and climbing), cultivated in hydroponic system enriched with the metals copper, zinc and nickel. (AU)