Heavy metal pollution is harmful to the environment and to human health. Resistant strains can grow in adverse conditions and store heavy metals to reduce their damage. The Cd2+ resistant mutant strain C2, which was irradiated by the 12C6+ beams, can grow in Cd medium ranging from 20 to 100 mg L-1 when compared with the original strain. Attempting to discern the cause of the resistance, the phenotype and antioxidant defense system were analyzed. SEM images showed that when exposed to Cd2+, gaps on the cell surface were filled with a complex granular compound. FT-IR demonstrated that the alcoholic hydroxyl group, amino, and amide groups combined with ions. Moreover, responses of antioxidant defense system were different in the Cd2+ groups. The expression of SOD peaked at 24 h in high concentrations of Cd2+; the content of GSH increased gradually and was significantly affected by cultivation time. The MDA and CAT had the strongest response to 20 mg L-1 Cd2+, and the related metabolic pathway of CAT might play a key role in the resistance to high concentrations of Cd2+. The result indicated that the applicability of C2 could provide potential biotechnology for treatment of wastewaters and soils with Cd pollutions.
Keywords: Antioxidant defense system; Carbon ion beams; Heavy metals; Irradiation.
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