In this study, Eruca sativa (Rocket) seedlings were treated with different cadmium (Cd) concentrations (0, 150, 300 and 450 μg ∙ g-1). The effects of Cd on lipid peroxidation, enzymatic (APx, CAT, GPX, SOD) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (total ascorbate, dehydroascorbate, ascorbate, non-protein thiol), fresh and dry masses, water content were determined. Also, Cd content of the leaves and the roots were analysed. The highest cadmium accumulation of leaves was at 450 μg ∙ g-1 Cd treatment and the accumulation was 2.62 times greater than those in the roots. The translocation factor was 3.89 at 300 μg ∙ g-1 Cd treatment. Cd treatments caused decreases of fresh, dry mass and water content of leaves and roots. Malondialdehyde content, which is an index of lipid peroxidation, was increased in proportion with the increase in Cd. While there was not change in the activity of GPX according to control, a decrease in activities of SOD, CAT and APX were observed with the increase of cadmium concentration. Although a significant increase in the amounts of non-protein thiol groups and proline were observed in 450 μg ∙ g-1 Cd treated plants, Cd did not lead to a significant change in AsA, DHA and total AsA contents. According to the results of the research, E. sativa may be a Cd hyperaccumulator plant and we suggest that the plant may be a candidate plant for remediation of Cd-contaminated soil.
Keywords: Eruca sativa; cadmium; hyperaccumulator; oxidative stress.