Influence of cryopreservation on the antioxidative activity of cultivated species.

Antioxidative activity of two cultivated species - Boiss. and Fr. - was estimated after cryopreservation. Both species were successfully regenerated after a cryopreservation procedure performed by the vitrification method. did not manifest any significant oxidative stress-induced changes caused by low-temperature treatment. Conversely, a decrease in green pigments' content of was measured, particularly pronounced in chlorophyll , which was accompanied by an increase of carotenoids in the regenerated plants. A strong increase of malone dialdehyde and HO levels in tissues was detected. Superoxide dismutase activity was enhanced by 170%, as well as the catalase activity, which was 220% above the control. The same trend was observed in , although less pronounced - 143% increase of superoxide dismutase and 112% of catalase. Cryopreservation did not influence the phenol content in the examined plants, but it led to an increase of flavonoid content, especially in , by 237%. Total antioxidant activity in regenerated varied around the control level, but it was increased in . The free proline content in remained almost unaffected after freezing, as opposed to , where a strong increase of proline content (208% above the control) occurred. An electrolyte leakage from the cells of regenerated after cryopreservation was also registered, albeit not significant.