Effects of Static Magnetic Fields on the Antioxidant System of Almond Seeds

Abstract

During the evolutionary process, all living cells experience natural magnetic fields (geo-magnetic fields) as a usual part of their environment. Living organisms are adapted with natural fields, but magnetic waves derived from modern life may change the metabolism of cells. In this experiment, the effects of static magnetic fields (SMF) on total sugar, the contents of soluble proteins, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), phenolic compounds and anthocyanin, as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant capacity, were studied in two species of Amygdalus i.e., Amygdalus scoparia Spach and Amygdalus eburnea Spach. Unique seeds of each species were treated with or without 10 mT SMF for four days, 5 h each day. A fresh weight of A. eburnea was reduced by SMFs. Exposure to SMFs also increased the contents of proline, phenolic compounds and anthocyanin, and improved the activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT). According to the results, it seemed that SMFs induce the production of free radicals. So almond seeds produce several antioxidants to be more resistant.