Influence of bisphenol A on growth and metabolism of Vicia faba ssp. minor seedlings depending on lighting conditions

The effect of one of anthropogenic pollutants, i.e., 4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol, called 2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane (BPA), at 30 and 120 mg L(−1) concentrations in the darkness (DK) or dark/light (DK/LT) on growth and selected elements of metabolism of seedlings and leaf discs of Vicia faba ssp. minor was studied. Treatment with 120 mg L(−1) BPA had greater effects which were reflected by increase in the number of necrotic changes in roots and stems as well as in leaf discs and reduction of the length of roots DK and DK/LT, and volume of roots in the DK group. However, minimal and no influence on the fresh and dry weight of roots and stems in plants growing under both types of lighting conditions were observed. In both DK and DK/LT groups these effects were correlated with reduced amounts of storage and cell wall-bound sugars as well as of proteins while in the DK/LT additionally with reduced soluble sugar levels in the roots and increased amounts of hydrogen peroxide and phenols in roots and stems as well as in treatment solutions, where these compounds were released. We suggest that endogenous phenols and BPA can be metabolised in roots and stems to quinones. It seems that TB-1,4-BQ, is the one of that of the five studied quinones. We expect that the results of this paper will help to answer the following question: does the phytomeliorative and phytosanitative V. faba ssp. minor plant is enough to be resistant on negative effects, and to be useful to reduce increasing amount of BPA in the environment?