ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Effects of Magnetic Field on Activity
of Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase
in Glycine max (L.) Merr. Roots
Ö. Çelik1, N. Büyükuslu2, Ç. Atak1, A. Rzakoulieva3
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1Istanbul Kültür University, Faculty of Science and Letters,
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, 34156 Ataköy-Istanbul, Turkey
2European University of Lefke, Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Mersin10, Turkey
3JINR, Laboratory of Nuclear Problems, Magnetic Research Group, Dubna, Russia
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2009;18(2):175-182
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Under a magnetic field the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in vitro and in vivo and accompanying
activities of catalase activity in vivo were investigated in soybean roots. In plant cells a magnetic field
creates a stress condition as other environmental stress factors do. To respond to the stress conditions, the
occurred reactive oxygen species are scavenged by defense systems. In this study, two enzymes of the defense
system, SOD and catalase activities were investigated under magnetic field. Enzyme and soybean seeds
exposed to a magnetic field for a period of 2.2, 19.8. and 33s at the magnetic flux of 2.9-4.6 mT. SOD activities
data were compared with magnetized enzyme and soybean roots. While the absorbance values of enzyme
that passed through the magnetic field with a period of 19.8s for 24 hours were measured and SOD activity
was significantly increased. At the same time, magnetic field SOD activity of the soybean roots was increased
21.18 % relative to control (P<0.05). After soybean seeds were treated by various magnetic fields and time
periods, the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly increased (P<0.05) during germination.
At the 19.8s for 72 hours, SOD and catalase activities were increased 21.15% and 15.20% relative
to control, respectively. Thus, it is indicated that the function of defense enzymes in seedlings was intensified
due to the treatment of magnetic field. The increases of magnetic field exposure times do not cause linear
increases in enzyme activities in vitro and in vivo studies.