Antioxidant potential of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedlings as affected by the exogenous application of organoiodine compounds

Salicylic acid is one of the regulatory compounds involved in numerous processes in plants. Previous studies indicated that also its halogen derivatives may exhibit similar roles. The aim of the work was to evaluate the influence of iododerivatives of salicylic acid such as: 5-iodosalicylc acid (5I-SA) and 3,5-diiodosalicylic acid (3,5diI-SA) on selected aspects of antioxidant capacity of tomato seedlings. The efficiency of improving iodine accumulation in tomato seedlings was also studied. No tested organoiodine compound had a negative effect on the growth and development of tomato seedlings. The presence of iodosalicylic acids in the nutrient solution led to a decrease of the content of salicylic acid, ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds in tomato seedlings. A modifying effect of tested organoiodine compounds on the antioxidant activity of tomato seedling extracts varied with respect to analyzed enzyme and applied assays. It has been confirmed that higher plants can take up and accumulate iodine from organoiodine compounds in levels not causing any symptoms of toxicity.