Azo dye-mediated regulation of total phenolics and peroxidase activity in thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) clonal lines

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) clonal lines, which were previously isolated from a heterogeneous seed population by plant tissue culture techniques, have been targeted as potential plants for phytoremediation of organic pollutants such as azo dyes and related aro matic compounds. Three thyme clonal lines and three rosemary clonal lines w ere tested for the ability to grow on hormone-free medium containing 0.01% of azo dye Poly S-119. The results showed that dye tolerance was associated with reduced phenolics and enhanced peroxidase activity in these clonal li nes. There was a clear inverse correlation between total phenolics and pero xidase activity in these plants in response to Poly S-119. The tolerance of these clonal lines showed variations at different growing stages. These ob servations suggested that the peroxidase activity was inducible. Because pe roxidases are involved in lignification, wound healing, aromatic compound d egradation, pathogen defense, and stiffening, the results suggest that azo dye stimulated the defense response of thyme and rosemary clonal plants by increasing the peroxidase activity. Stereomicroscopic observations revealed that the azo dye was sequestered within the growing axis of the plant root s, which may also enhance the polymerization of azo dye onto the cell wall with the help of enhanced peroxidase activity.