Super oxide dismutase, Catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity in heavy metals contaminated earthworm, Eisenia fetida

Abstract

The present study of 90 days was carried out to analyze the toxic effects of heavy metals viz. copper, tin and their combination on anti-oxidative enzymes viz. super-Oxide Dismutase, Catalase and Glutathione peroxidase in Eisenia fetida. The worms for this observation were exposed to different concentrations of heavy meals viz. Cu (0.06 ppm, 0.08 ppm, 0.10 ppm), Sn (0.06 ppm, 0.08 ppm, 0.10 ppm) and Cu+Sn (0.03+0.03 ppm, 0.04+0.04 ppm, 0.05+0.05 ppm). A dose and time dependent increase in activities of these enzymes was observed. Cu was found to be more toxic at its highest concentration followed by the highest concentration of combination of both metals Cu+Sn (0.05+0.05 ppm). Not much significant increase in activity of enzymes was observed with Sn.