Impact of High Light on Reactive Oxygen Species Production within Photosynthetic Biological Membranes

Abstract

In this study we describe the mechanisms of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the photosynthetic electron transport chain of higher plants chloroplasts under illumination. We implement an improved method for the measurement of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production in lipid phase of photosynthetic membranes of chloroplasts. Total rate of H₂O₂ production and the production within the thylakoid membrane under operation of photosynthetic electron transport chain is evaluated. Obtained data show that even in the presence of an efficient electron acceptor, methyl viologen, an increase in light intensity leads to an increase in H₂O₂ production mainly within the thylakoid membranes. The role of H₂O₂ produced within the photosynthetic biological membrane is discussed.