Investigation of biochemical changes in the leaves of Curcuma caesia Roxb. under sucrose-induced osmotic stress environment

Abstract

Curcuma caesia Roxb., also known as black turmeric, is a rare rhizomatous herb in the Zingiberaceae family. In the present study, we used the two different sucrose concentrations (3% and 9% sucrose) in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 8 mg/l benzyladenine, 8 mg/l kinetin, 100 mg/l citric acid, 200 mg/l adenine sulfate and 2 mg/l indole-3-acetic acid to investigate the biochemical differences in the leaves of C. caesia. Biochemical parameters such as total sugar, proline, protein, chlorophyll, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, were analyzed to study the differences. All the parameters were performed on the 0th and 30th day after inoculation (DAI). It has been found that as sucrose concentration raised from 3% to 9% sucrose, the SOD activity, as well as the total sugar, proline, protein, chlorophyll, and H2O2 content increases significantly at 30th DAI. These increased enzymatic and non-enzymatic defense systems, thus helping the plant to maintain its growth under a stressed environment.