Antioxidative enzymes in the response of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum moench) to ultraviolet B radiation.

The behavior of the enzymatic antioxidant defense system was studied in buckwheat leaves and seedlings subjected to short-term enhanced UV-B radiation. The effects of UV-B action were monitored immediately after irradiation as well as after recovery. The applied dose induced an increase in lipid peroxidation and total flavonoid content, a decrease in chlorophyll content, and a change in enzymatic digestibility of extracted DNA. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase, and soluble peroxidase, as well as the isoelectric focusing (IEF) pattern of peroxidase isoforms, was analyzed. In treated as well as recovered seedlings, soluble and ascorbate peroxidase activities were increased. The activity of SOD was not altered, whereas CAT activity was decreased. In contrast to seedlings, only CAT activity was increased in treated and recovered leaves.