The involvement of the ascorbate‐glutathione cycle in the defence against Cu‐induced oxidative stress was studied in the roots of Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Limburgse vroege. All the enzymes of this cycle [ascorbate peroxidase (APOD), EC 1.11.1.11; monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), EC 1.6.5.4; dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), EC 1.8.5.1; glutathione reductase (GR), EC 1.6.4.2] were increased, and the total ascorbate and glutathione pools rose after a 15 μM root Cu treatment. In the first hours after the start of the experiment, the accumulation of dehydroascorbate (DHA), formed as a result of a Cu‐mediated direct oxidation of ascorbate (AA), was limited by a non‐enzymatic reduction using glutathione (GSH) as the reductant. At 24 h, the enzyme capacities of both DHAR and GR were increased to maintain the redox status of the AA and GSH pools. After 72 h of Cu application, the DHAR capacity was inhibited and MDHAR was responsible for maintaining the AA pool in its reduced form. Although the GR capacity was enhanced after 72 h in the treated plants, the GSSG/GSH ratio was increased. This could be due to direct participation of GSH in the detoxification of Cu through reduction and complexation.

This document is aimed to describing the potential benefits of the Moringa tree as a nutrient. Moringa tree can be utilized in treating the malnutrition in a local and cost-effective manner. Malnutrition causes a great deal of human suffering and is associated with more than half of all deaths of children worldwide. Malnutrition severely affects the socio-economic development of a nation because a work force that is stunted both mentally and physically may have a reduced work capacity. Thus nutrition plays an important role in the reproduction of poverty from one generation to the next. Not only is the Moringa oleifera tree extraordinary in that all parts of the tree are edible, but the most amazing aspect of the tree is its exceptionally high nutritional value. The leaves of the Moringa tree are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin B vitamin C and other minerals. The leaves are also an outstanding source of calcium, protein, potassium and iron. The content of amino acids such as methionine and cystine is also high. Carbohydrates, fats and phosphorous content are low making this one of the finest plant foods to be found. Present review focuses on the potential benefits of Moringa oleifera in treatment of malnutrition.

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: Copper uptake and toxicity were evaluated in Hydrilla verticillata. Its effect on lipid peroxidation, chlorophyll, protein, ascorbate, cysteine and sugars was studied at pH 6.8. Dose- and durationdependent uptake of Cu followed by a significant decrease in malondialdehyde and sugar content was found in plant tissue. Chlorophyll, ascorbic acid and protein contents were increased non-significantly up to 8, 16 and 32 þM Cu, respectively. Cysteine content was slightly increased at lower concentrations followed by a significant decline. At 80 þM Cu, plants of H. verticillata showed significant toxic effects after 168 h of exposure indicating the sensitivity of the plant to this level of Cu stress. The effect of low and high pH in combination with different concentrations of Cu was determined at 168 h of exposure. Low pH (4.5) enhanced Cu toxicity while at high pH (9.5) toxicity was considerably reduced.

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