Lead-Induced Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defence Responses in Mentha aquatica L.: Implications for Phytoremediation of Polluted Water

Et Al., Besma

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2025.397612.6094

Lead-Induced Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defence Responses in Mentha aquatica L.: Implications for Phytoremediation of Polluted Water

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Besma et al.

10.21608/ejabf.2025.397612.6094

Abstract

Water pollution poses a number of problems for living organisms and ecosystems. With this in mind, we carried out research to analyze the impact of a trace metal (lead) on a purifying aquatic plant (Mentha aquatica L.), and to determine its influence on improving the quality of polluted water, by evaluating various biochemical and enzymatic parameters. The data collected indicate that the incorporation of this toxic compound, at various concentrations during 7 and 14 days of treatment, stimulates the accumulation of total proteins, proline and glycine betaine in the roots. There was also a marked increase in stress biomarkers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH). Similarly, assessment of the enzymatic activity involved in the detoxification process reveals a notable stimulation of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (APX) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) activity. These enzymes have a significant impact in reducing oxidative damage, demonstrating the ability of our plant model to resist this xenobiotic and its potential application as a solution for phytoremediation.

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