Enhancement of the Tolerance to Oxidative Stress in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Seedlings by UV-B Irradiation: Possible Involvement of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidative Enzymes

Cucumis sativus

L.) seedlings were irradiated or not irradiated with UV-B for several days in environment-controlled growth chambers. The first leaves irradiated with UV-B were retarded in growth but simultaneously acquired a remarkably high tolerance to oxidative stress, as induced by paraquat treatment, compared with the non-irradiated leaves. This enhanced tolerance was observed within 1d after the start of UV-B irradiation and was maintained during the 12 d period of UV-B treatment. The effects of UV-B on several antioxidative enzymes were examined, and activities of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase, but not of glutathione reductase, were found to be enhanced. However, activation of these enzymes occurred only from 6 d after the start of irradiation. In contrast, accumulation of phenolic compounds was observed within 1d after the start of UV-B irradiation. HPLC analysis of phenolic compounds showed the distinct enhancement of a substance, which may have antioxidative properties in cucumber seedlings irradiated with UV-B. On the basis of these results, we conclude that not only antioxidative enzymes but also other factors in cucumber seedlings irradiated with UV-B, such as phenolic compounds, may participate in the enhanced tolerance to oxidative stress.