An enhancing effect of exogenous brassinolide on the growth and antioxidant activity in Chlorella vulgaris cultures under heavy metals stress

A concentration-dependent increase in activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, ssuperoxide dismutase) and the level of total ascorbate and reduced glutathione have been observed in the green alga Chlorella vulgaris following heavy metals exposure. It was arranged in the following order: copper > lead > cadmium. It was also found that brassinolide activated enzymatic and non-enzymatic system in C. vulgaris cultures treated with heavy metals. Brassinolide plays an important role in plant responding to heavy metals’ stress. It has an anti-stress effect on C. vulgaris contaminated by heavy metals.