The Effect of Polymetallic Pollution on Ion-Exchange Properties of Barley Root and Shoot Cell Walls

For the first time we determined the ion-exchange properties of the cell walls (CWs) isolated from roots and shoots of barley plants grown in the conditions of polymetallic pollution. The content of all the types of cation-exchange groups in the CWs was found to be considerably higher in the shoots than in the roots, which resulted in higher metal-binding capacity of the shoot CWs and higher swelling capacity of CW polymers. It was shown for the first time that the heavy metal excess causes an increase in the content of demethylated pectins in the shoot CWs.

Automated summary

The study showed that the ion-exchange properties of cell walls isolated from barley plants grown in polymetallic pollution conditions differ between roots and shoots. Shoot cell walls had higher metal-binding capacity and swelling capacity compared to roots, with an increase in demethylated pectins under heavy metal excess.