Effect of cadmium on polyphenol content in young barley plants (Hordeum vulgare L.)

The effect of abiotic stress caused by cadmium on the total polyphenols content in root, shoots and leaf blades of barley was investigated in model experiments. Total polyphenols content was determined spectrophotometrically with Folin Ciocalteau's reagent, Cd content by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) in 28-day-old plants. Treatment of the barley plants with Cd (1.10(-6) mol/1) in a nutrition solution caused the increase in the total polyphenols in all parts of the plant. The highest increase was found in the leaf blades (35.2%, 8340 mg/kg d.m.), a lesser increase found in the shoots (16.7%, 3590 mg/kg d.m.), and the lowest increase found in the roots (10.3%, 3650 mg/kg d.m.). The highest Cd increase in the treated plants was found in the roots (10 400%, 240 mg/kg d.m.), the lesser in their shoots (4990%, 16.3 mg/kg d.m.), and the lowest in the leaf blades (2580%, 5.78 mg/kg d.m.). There was found a statistically significant increase (at least P < 0.05) in the total polyphenols and Cd contents in all investigated parts of the plant. Statistically significant differences (at least P < 0.05) of the total polyphenols and Cd contents among barley roots, shoots, and leaf blades were found.