Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of industrial wastewaters on protein and the peroxidase activity in Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., Capsicum annuum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Vicia faba L. Industrial wastewaters were taken from Dardanel Fisheries Company, Tekel alcoholic drinks companies’ wastewater treatment plants and from one station which is located in the middle of the Sarıçay River. Wastewaters were applied to 6 weeks old plants with directly irrigation water. Physiological changes in the plants were observed by the means of measuring the protein and enzyme activity. The largest increase in protein was observed as 190.9 and 136.3% in V. faba treated with Sarıçay River water and Tekel wastewater, respectively. In P. vulgaris which was treated with Dardanel wastewater, the total protein amount increased by 84% compared to control plants. After the wastewater treatment, the peroxidase activity decreased in all plants. The largest peroxidase decrease was 80% in L. esculentum treated with Tekel wastewater. In P. vulgaris, peroxidase decreased by 59 and 51% when treated with Dardanel wastewater and Sarıçay River water, respectively. It was concluded that the increase in total protein amount and the decrease in peroxidase activity demonstrated the industrial wastewater’s blocking effects on plants defense systems.

Key words: Wastewater, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., Capsicum annuum L.,Phaseolus vulgaris L., Vicia faba L., protein, peroxidase.