– Changes induced by two chromium-containing compounds in antioxidative response, soluble protein level and amylase activity in barley seedlings

Chromium-induced changes in superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, amylase activity and in soluble protein level have been analyzed in seedlings of Madalin barley cultivar after short exposure to 10, 100, 250, and 500 μM K2Cr2O7 and CrCl3.6H2O. Patterns of SOD and CAT are generally similar; in 5-days old seedlings the average values aresmaller than control, but in 9-days old seedlings the mechanisms of antioxidative defence are activated and the twoscavenging enzymes show values higher than control (up to 66 % in 500μM CrCl3). POD activity was inhibited - except 10 μM concentration - independently of plantlet age. The level of soluble protein was lower than control at first determination, while in 9-days old plantlets the protein synthesis was inhibited (excepting 10 and 100 M K2Cr2O7, and 250 M CrCl3). Amylase was generally higher than control in 5d old seedlings, but decreased in the older ones