In vitro effect of inorganic pollutants used in agriculture on the catalase activity of the alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

• Main Author: Duarte, Silvana
• Publication Date: 2014
• Other Authors: Amaral Sobrinho, Nelson Moura Brasil, Jonsson, Cláudio Martín, Jokl, Lieselotte
• Format: Article
• Language: por
• Source: Iheringia. Série Botânica
• Download full: https://isb.emnuvens.com.br/iheringia/article/view/101
• topic: biosensor; metallic ions; enzymatic activity; biosensor; íons metálicos; atividade enzimática

The effect of pollutants in particular ecosystems can be verifi ed by their action on primary producers such as the alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Korshikov) F.Hindák (Chlorophyceae), which is widely distributed in freshwater and in the soil. The effects of eight metallic ions used in agriculture – aluminum, cadmium, lead, magnesium, manganese, mercury, selenium and zinc on the enzymatic activity in P. subcapitata were investigated, using catalase as a biochemical marker. Aluminum, lead, mercury and zinc were found to be inhibitors, and magnesium and manganese as activators of the enzymatic action. The catalase activity in the presence of cadmium and selenium did not change. The activity of catalase could be a promising tool as a potential biosensor in the detection of pollutants in freshwater and soil.