Determination of biochemical indicator sulhydryl (-SH) groups for arsenic and copper contaminated pennyworts (Centella asiatica).

Abstract

Plants can produce Cys-rich peptides such as triptide or glutathione (GSH), polypeptide, etc. When exposed to an excess amount of heavy metals. These peptides are rapidly synthesized in response to toxic levels of heavy metals in all tested plants. Amount of (-SH) groups indicated the level of contamination, Total (-SH) groups in pennywort were quantitated with Ellman's reagent by spectrophotometer in absorbance at 412 nm. Arsenic, copper-peptide complexes were identified by HPLC with a Phenomenex Ultracarb 70DS30 (250 mmx4.6 mm i.d.x10 µm) column, mobile phase A: 40% H₂O, B: 40% acid formic 2.5% and C: 20% methanol; detector Diad Array UV at 275 nm. The results showed that uptaken and accumulation an excess amount of As, Cul is caused increasing indicator (-511) groups in pennywort. This indicated that pennywort is very sensitive to As and Cu in terms ofthe rapid increases in the levels of GSH.