Thermal stability of antioxidant defense enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11) was studied in chloroplasts and mitochondria of leaf and inflorescence in heat adaptive weed Chenopodium album. Leaf samples were taken in March (31 degrees C/14 degrees C) and young inflorescence (INF) was sampled at flowering in April (40 degrees C/21 degrees C). Leaf and INF chloroplast and mitochondrial fractions were subjected to elevated temperatures in vitro (5-100 degrees c) for 30'. SOD and APX showed activity even after boiling treatment in both chloroplast and mitochondria of leaf and INF. SOD was more heat stable than APX in both chloroplasts and mitochondria in both the tissues. Chloroplast contained more heat stable SOD and APX isozymes than mitochondria in both leaf and INF. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report showing presence of thermostable APX isozymes (100 degrees C for 30') in chloroplasts and mitochondria in C. album. Heat stable isozymes of SOD and APX in chloroplasts and mitochondria in leaves and inflorescence may contribute to heat tolerance in C. album. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.