INFLUENCE OF ULTRAVIOLET B (UV-B) IRRADIATION ON ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY AND FLUORESCENCE CHARACTERISTICS OF SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX L.) SEEDS

Abstract

UV-B light, plays a crucial role as a signal for inducing plant response and development of specific photomorphogenic responses. The UV radiation may have a damaging effect on cellular components and macromolecules in seeds, which may influence seed quality. We compared Glycine max L. seeds exposed to UV-B radiation for 1 h with non-irradiated seeds (control). The antioxidant activity was estimated using a DPPH assay. The seeds’ fluorescence characteristics were studied by fluorescence excitation-emission matrices. According to the obtained results the UV-B irradiated seeds possess a significantly higher free radical scavenging activity compared to the control. The fluorescence analysis showed differences in the spectral emission profiles of irradiated seeds compared to the control seeds. The results imply that 1h seed exposure to UV-B increases free radical content which may alter the structures of cellular macromolecules resulting in degradation of some of the fluorophores.