Crude oil induced oxidative stress in Capsicum annum L

Abstract

Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Bonny light crude oil on the malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes activity in Capsicum annum. Seedlings were grown for 5 weeks in nursery bags filled with sandy-loam soil amended with crude oil to achieve 0, 1, 3 and 5% v/w. Metabolic parameters representative of oxidative damage and antioxidant enzymes activity were evaluated after the treatments. The results showed that crude oil caused a significant decrease in the relative water content (RWC) of the plant and a significant increase in MDA level, and activities of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase. It was observed that the effects were concentration dependent. It was concluded that crude oil in soil made water absorption by plants difficult and also induced oxidative stress in plants. [Odjegba VJ, Badejo JO. Crude oil induced oxidative stress in Capsicum annum L. Nat Sci 2013;11(2):46-50]