Effect of different fractions of spent lubricating oil on some anti- oxidant properties and anti-oxidant enzymes of radicle and stem of germinating tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Abstract

The total flavonoid, ascorbic acid and phenolic contents, ferrous ion chelating ability (FICA), glutathione peroxidase (GP x ) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of the stem and radicle of germinating tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) grown in different fractions of spent lubricating oil (SLO) contaminated soil were assayed. The SLO was fractionated into different fractions viz: water soluble fraction (WSF), water insoluble fraction (WISF) and whole spent lubricating oil (WSLO) which were used to contaminate 100g of soil for planting the tomato (S. lycopersicum) seeds and samples were collected within a period of seven (7) days interval. Radicle ascorbic acid content was found to be significantly (P<0.05) reduced after the germinating period of 21 days when compared to the control while the stem ascorbic acid showed the same significant (P<0.05) reduction. The flavonoid content was found to be significantly (P<0.05) increased after the 21 days of germination as compared to the control. The stem and radicle phenolic contents showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction as compared to the control samples while the FICA was slightly significantly (P<0.05) decreased after 21 days of germination. The stem and radicle GP x activity was significantly (P<0.05) increased while the SOD activity was slightly significantly (P<0.05) decreased after 21 days of germination as compared to day 7. The results of the study shows that although the different parameters indicated that SLO can affect the oxidative state of the tomato plant but it can be seen that it may be possible for the plant to utilize some of the water soluble contents of the SLO to aid germination.