Alterations in Superoxide Dismutase, Peroxidase, Lipid Peroxidation and Non-protein SH Content in Mung Bean (Vigna radiata) Seedlings Subjected to Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) Radiations

The stratospheric ozone depletion and enhanced solar ultraviolet-B (UV-B) irradiance may have adverse impact on living organisms. The present study is conducted to study the effect of UV-B radiations for different durations on the superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, lipid peroxidation (measured as TBA index) and non-protein SH content in mung bean seedlings. The study revealed that the superoxide dismutase and the peroxidase activity was increasd significantly due to UV-B irradiance. A significant decrease in lipid peroxidation was observed in the seedlings exposed to UV-B radiations for longer durations. The non-protein SH content decreased significantly on third and fourth day of germination in mung bean seedlings. Exposure of mung bean seedlings to UV-B radiations lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species thus generating oxidative stress. Thus, the results indicated that superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, lipid peroxidation and SH metabolism are associated with the growth of the organism and are susceptible to alterations by UV-B radiations exposure.