Characterization of Male and Female Jojoba Plants Employing Antioxidants,Lipid Peroxidation and Physiological Studies

Jojoba, [Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schneider] is a commercially important dioecious, desert shrub which is mainly cultivated for liquid wax (oil) present in its seeds (40–60 %). The oil is being utilized by the cosmetic, pharmaceuticals, and other industries for certain formulations. In this study, gender based differences in biochemical and physiological parameters were examined in relation to natural drought conditions. The amount of protein, proline, cysteine, chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids and enzymatic activities were evaluated in leaves of male and female Jojoba genotypes. Significant differences between genders were found which was attributed to higher drought tolerance of males than females. Males showed higher contents of protein (113.05 ± 0.88 mg g^?1 FW), proline (95.13 ± 2.33 µmol g^?1 FW), cysteine (42.47 ± 2.69 µmol g^?1 FW) than females (proteins: 70.77 ± 0.52 mg g^?1 FW, proline: 66.61 ± 1.75 µmol g^?1 FW, cysteine: 17.84 ± 3.00 µmol g^?1 FW). Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was lower in male genotypes (18.29 ± 0.53 µmol g^?1 FW) than female genotypes (23.02 ± 0.70 µmol g^?1 FW). Higher activities of catalase (CAT) [0.088 ± 0.005 nkat mg^?1 protein], guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) [0.006 ± 0.001 nkat mg^?1 protein], glutathione reductase (GR) [9.02 ± 0.04 nkat mg^?1 protein], ascorbate peroxidase (APX) [4.28 ± 0.08 nkat mg^?1 protein] and superoxide dismutase (SOD) [151.75 ± 3.58 nkat mg^?1 protein] were found in males compared to females [CAT: 0.007 ± 00 nkat mg^?1 protein, GPX: 0.003 ± 00 nkat mg^?1 protein, GR: 6.40 ± 0.06 nkat mg^?1 protein, APX: 3.08 ± 0.06 nkat mg^?1 protein, SOD: 52.51 ± 1.73 nkat mg^?1 protein]. Chlorophyll b content was also higher in males than females.