Non-enzymatic Antioxidants and Transaminases Constitute Homeostatic Mechanisms for Some Egyptian Vegetables Irrigated with Treated Wastewater

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University (Cairo, Egypt).

2 Radioisotope Department, Nuclear Research Center Atomic Energy Authority (Cairo, Egypt).

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of irrigation with treated wastewater on some Egyptian leafy vegetables, some non-enzymatic antioxidants and transaminases were determined.   This study was conducted at wastewater irrigated site (Arab Al-Olyqat), 30 kilometers from Cairo, while 3 kilometers was the distance between control (Nile River canal, fresh water, irrigated site; Shibeen Al-Kanater) and treated wastewater irrigated site. Concentrations of total phenols and L-ascorbic acid were significantly decreased in parsley and spinach. Total phenols of cabbage and L-ascorbic acid of garden rocket were significantly decreased, while those of lettuce were significantly increased compared to their controls due to irrigation with treated wastewater. Irrigation with treated wastewater resulted in significant increases of proline in cabbage and parsley and significant decreases in garden rocket and spinach. Free thiol compounds showed significant decreases in spinach, parsley and cabbage, while significant increases in garden rocket and lettuce were recorded. Vegetables irrigated with treated wastewater showed significant increases in the activity of GOT or (AST) compared to their controls. Activity of GPT increased significantly in lettuce by 111.6 % and decreased in parsley by 40.0% due to irrigation with treated wastewater.

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