Antioxidative response of herbs of various species to heavy metal environmental pollution

The purpose of this study is the investigation of antioxidant systems (phenolics, flavonoids, and catalase activity) in herbs of various species in conditions of heavy metal pollution of Tyumen. Soil and plant samples (coltsfoot, red clover, meadow grass, and wild vetch) were collected at the control site, highway, engine-building, oil refinery, battery manufacturing, and metallurgical plants. The antioxidant response of herbs to heavy metal accumulation turned out to be species-specific. In red clover and coltsfoot catalase activity, as well as content of phenolics and flavonoids decreased. In meadow grass flavonoids decreased, but phenolics concentration increased. The most resistant and sensitive plant species by antioxidant status was wild vetch. Catalase acitivity was the most sensitive to metal pollution. The concentration of heavy metals in red clover and coltsfoot negatively correlated with phenols and flavonoids, while in meadow grass and wild vetch positively correlated. Antioxidant status of plants can be recommended as part of the complex monitoring of environmental metal pollution.