| Starch metabolism shift in the presence of heavy metals and metalloids is not yet well understood. Amylases are responsible for one of the first steps in starch degradation metabolism for generation of energy, in such a scenario, they can provide insights about the metabolic shift in plants exposed to different kinds of stresses including heavy metals and metalloids. This research investigated chromium (Cr(VI) and Cr(III)) and arsenic (As(V) and As(III)) uptake by peas using inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICPOES) at pH below 4 and at pH 5.8. Additionally, total amylolitic activity was assayed in roots and shoots of peas exposed to Cr (40 mg/L) and As (5 mg/L) treatments at pH below 4, and alpha-amylase activity was assayed for the same treatments at pH 5.8 in pea leaves. In order to study the chemical environment and oxidation state of As and Cr in peas, X-ray absorption spectroscopy analyses were performed at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (SSRL). (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
