Effect of Nickel Stress on Growth and Antioxidants in Cyanobacterium Cylindrospermum sp.

Paddy field cyanocterium Cylindrospermum sp. grown in BG-11 medium containing various concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 μM) of Ni, showed a dose dependent decreases in growth (Chlorophyll-a). Nickel treated cells exhibited increased rates of MDA, demonstrating enhanced lipid peroxidation. Antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activity increased with the increase in nickel concentrations. Proline contents also proportionately increased with the elevated Ni concentration in cyanobacterium. Study shows that the antioxidant (enzymatic and non enzymatic) activities might play a central role in cellular protection against the Ni induced oxidative stress.