The effects of Bentagran on the development and antioxidant parameters of Arthrospira platensis Gomont and Chlorella vulgaris Beyerinck (Beijerinck)

The aim of the study is to determine the effects of Bentagran on growth and oxidative effects to Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis and to evaluate the herbicide toxicity on primary producers of aquatic ecosystems. The decrease in both biomass accumulation and chlorophyll-a content in a dose-dependent manner were observed in both organisms exposed to different Bentagran concentrations (for C. vulgaris 60–960 µg mL−1; for A. platensis 100–800 µg mL−1) during 7 days. SOD activity increases significantly in Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis at concentrations of 480 and 200 ug mL−1, respectively. Although there was no significant change in APX (ascorbate peroxidase) activity in C. vulgaris, the APX activity decreased at 400 and 600 µg mL−1 concentrations in A. platensis. While the GR (glutathione reductase) activity increased at 960 µg mL−1 concentration in C. vulgaris, it also showed increases at 100, 200 and 400 μg mL−1 concentrations, but it decreased at 600 µg mL−1 concentration in A. platensis. MDA (malondialdehyde) and proline amounts decreased only at the concentration of 960 µg mL−1, while H2O2 didn't change compared to control. Total MDA, H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) and proline amounts did not show significant change compared to control. It is found that the effects of Bentagran on growth and antioxidant parameters are diverse at different concentrations and species, and this can be attributed to the different reactive oxygen species (ROS) production ability in these species.