DETOXIFYING HYDROGEN PEROXIDE ENZYMES ACTIVITY IN TWO PLANT SPECIES EXPOSED TO AIR POLLUTION IN ABIDJAN CITY (CÔTE D'IVOIRE).

The activity of antioxidant enzymes were investigated in Jatropha integerrima and Cassia surattensis exposed to air pollution in Abidjan city. The main objective of this study is to assess the activity of detoxifying peroxide enzymes to be used as indicators of local air pollution. These species were exposed for one month on the sampling sites of four land use classes (Parks, Roads, Industrial and residential areas) in Abidjan city. The activity of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase was performed by spectrophotometric methods. A higher level of catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) was measured in both plant samples collected in polluted areas (Roads, Industrial areas). However a lower level activity of ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11) was measured in both plant samples collected from less polluted classes (Residential areas and Parks). This study showed that catalase activity is more effective in stress conditions in Jatropha integerrima and Cassia surattensis and could be a valuable way in tropical countries to estimate the atmospheric pollution.