Introduction. Catalase is concentrated in plant tissues. It is one of the most active enzymes. This enzyme was identified in microbodies (peroxisomes) involved in the photosynthesis. Its role is to provide with oxygen the parts of plant tissues that have complicated access to oxygen. Catalase also affects the development of relations between the plant and pathogenic micromycetes. The plants lesion with toxic gases, salts, micromycetes, climatological factors, and bacteria cause an increase in the generation of active forms of oxygen. Catalase, in contrast to peroxidase, does not require a reductive substrate for activity. The higher is the catalase activity, the gas-resistance of the plants increases. Low catalase activity indicates a small adaptive capacity of plants to severe environmental conditions.
The antioxidant enzymes of peroxidase and catalase can be a biochemical markers for the stress state of plants. Enzymes detection is an extremely complex analytical task, therefore during ecological monitoring not the emzymes presence is determined but the level of their activity in relation to the rate of reaction they catalyze. For environmental safety the investigation of catalase activity in landfills is extremely relevant.
Purpose. The purpose of the work is to investigate the enzyme activity of catalase in the vegetation of landfils depending on the environment.
Methods. Physiological, chemical methods and methods of logistic constructions are used in this paper.
Results. In order to determine the counteraction of landfill plants to drought, we determined the level of starch in their body. The plants of different species growing on the surface and at the foot of the landfill, and at a distance of 300 m from the foot (control sample) were compared. Based on the research of starch content it has been established that the most drought-resistant species growing on the landfill and in surrounding area are city goosefoot, the wormwood and absinthium. Great bur and greater plantain are tended to low starch accumulation. According to the indicators of drought tolerance, the most unfavorable location for vegetation is the foot of landfills. The most important negative factor at the foot of the landfill is the drainage from the landfill and the evaporation of the filtration water. The drought tolerance of plants and catalase enzyme activity depending on their location are mutually influential. Using a correlation analysis, it was found that the level of starch in vegetation on the surface of the landfill does not affect the catalase activity of the investigated vegetation (the correlation coefficient is low and equals 0.35). It is caused by the low level of toxicants in edaphotopes and air, and as a consequence, by a low impact on biota. The results of research of catalase enzyme activity in ruderal vegetation of landfills are presented. The highest catalase activity has city goosefoot. The lowest catalase activity has a great bur and greater plantain. The most unfavorable for vegetation development is the foot of landfill. It has been established that the catalase activity depends on the content of starch in rhizomes. The higher is the level of starch, the more the plant counteracts the hazardous factors of landfills.
Conclusions. During investigation of the catalase enzyme activity of ruderal vegetation in different areas of landfills, it was established that its level depends on the content of starch in rhizomes. The higher the level of starch, the more the plant counteracts the deleterious factors of landfills (drought, combustion products, micromycetes activity, toxic gases of wastes breakdown, activity of pathogenic microorganisms). The results of investigation of the catalase activity of vegetation in landfills can be used in planning the biological phase of reclamation and phytomelioration of landfills.
Starch synthesis and gelatinization properties of potato tubers
