This study examined the influence of salt levels on antioxidant activity and content of carotenoids and anthocyanins of the A. hortensis leaves using two varieties: green orach (var. purpurea) and red orach (var. rubra). Seeds of Atriplex were exposed to 0, 90, 180 and 260 mM NaCl for 3 months and seeds were sown in an earthen pot. Overall levels of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activity were significantly elevated. Salt stress caused a significant decline in tissue concentrations of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). However, 90 mM NaCl did not modify these parameters, which remains similar to control values. Activities of APX and CAT were increase whether the shoots of A. hortensis var. purpurea were grown in the presence of 180 mM NaCl. Thus although some indications of oxidative stress accompany exposure of this salt-tolerant Atriplex varieties to salinity, mechanisms appear to exist within its shoot tissue to permit the tolerance of such oxidative stress. High salt concentration in the culture medium provokes oxidative damage in Atriplex leaves and induces a general increase in antioxidant enzyme activity. In particular, NaCl toxicity decreased content of carotenoids. It also decreased the concentration of anthocyanin pigments in leaves of Atriplex. This work therefore provides a starting point towards a better understanding of the role of antioxidant enzyme in the plant response against salt stress.
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