Distribution of Cadmium in Aloe Vera and its Hazard Impact on the Antioxidant Activity

Abstract

The variation of antioxidant activity of aloe vera under the stress of cadmium with different concentration was studied. The scavenging capacity of potted aloe vera to •OH and O2- • was determined and the effects of cadmium pollution on the antioxidant activity of aloe vera were evaluated using flow injection chemiluminescence methods.The results showed that, at low cadmium pollution level, the antioxidant activity of aloe vera increased with the increase of cadmium content in aloe vera body; while at high cadmium pollution level, the antioxidant activity of aloe vera decreased with the increase of cadmium content. This indicated that low cadmium could stimulate the self-protection system of aloe vera, resulting in a increase in the antioxidant activity. high cadmium would damage aloe self-defendend system, leading to the decrease in antioxidant activity.