Biotransformation and responses of antioxidant enzymes in hydroponically cultured soybean and pumpkin exposed to perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA)

Abstract Perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA) is an important perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) precursor used for commercial applications. In order to investigate the transformation and responses of selected antioxidant and degradation enzymes of FOSA in the plants, in vivo exposure of soybean ( Glycine max L. Merrill) and pumpkin ( Cucurbita maxima L.) were conducted in the solution-plant microcosms. FOSA was readily taken up by soybean and pumpkin roots and translocated to shoots, and metabolized to PFOS, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS). Although morphological and biomass effects were not visible, significant changes in oxidative stress response were observed except for thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities were significantly increased by 19.2–30.8% and 19.2–20.7% in soybean (8–12 d) respectively, and increased by 39.2–92.8% and 21.1–37.6% in pumpkin (3–12 d) respectively, suggesting an activation of the antioxidant defense system in the plants exposed to FOSA. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities were decreased in soybean (2–12 d) with 9.0–36.1% inhibition and increased in pumpkin (3–12 d) with 22.5–47.3% activation respectively; cytochrome P450 (CYP450) activities were increased markedly in soybean and pumpkin with 13.2–53.6% and 26.7–50.2% activation respectively, giving indirect evidences on the involvement of CYP450 and GST in degradation of FOSA in plants.