Toxicity evaluation of flucycloxuron and diflubenzuron on the cellular model, Paramecium sp.

The effect of two pesticides, the diflubenzuron (DFB) and flucycloxuron (FCX) was studied on the ciliated protiste cellular model, Paramecium sp. Treatment with the DFB at 10 and 20 μg/ml reduces the growth of this protiste appreciably. The survey of the respiratory metabolism by the polarography technique (oxygen electrode) shows a sensitive inhibition of the oxygen consumption. In the case of the FCX, treatment with the two concentrations (10 and 20 μg/ml) reveals an inhibition of the ciliated protiste growth. This pesticide also inhibits the respiratory metabolism of ciliated protiste. This effect is a lot more marked with the FCX that with the DFB.Keywords: Paramecium sp., flucycloxuron, diflubenzuron, pesticide, respiratory metabolis

The impact of dust emits by the steel complex of El Hadjar (ANNABA) on two biological models: Mousses and lichens

The effect of the dust rejected by the steel complex of El Hadjar (SIDER) studies was by subjecting the mousses and lichens under a treatment by various concentrations of dust. Previously, the chemical composition of this dust was to analyze and show as well the quantitative and qualitative composition of dust and the dust is consisted of the pollutants with rates much higher than those authorized by WHO. All the measured morphophysiology parameters were strongly disturbed by dust in the case of the mousses and as well as that of the lichens. A clear disturbance of the energy respiratory metabolism was observed at the two species study; these disturbances are related to enzymatic dysfunctions likely to diagnose phototoxicity by certain heavy metals. It was concluded that, the dust rejected by SIDER disturbs the morphophysiology and biochemical parameters of the mousses and lichens and on the other hand, its dust strongly inhibits the two energy phenomena study with known breathing and photosynthesis.Key words: Heavy metals, dust, mousses, lichens, breathing

Les espèces médicinales spontanées du Sahara septentrional algérien: distribution spatio-temporelle et étude ethnobotanique

Les plantes spontanées sahariennes sont très caractéristiques par leur mode d’adaptation particulier à l’environnement désertique très contraignant à leur survie. A travers notre étude spatio-temporelle de 5 années (2000-2005), nous avons mis en évidence l’existence de 5 zones géomorphologiques différentes, dans lesquelles nous avons inventorié 130 espèces appartenant à 40 familles divisées en 44 vivaces et 86 éphémères. La répartition de ces espèces est différente dans l’espace et dans le temps. En plus de leur importance écologique et fourragère, ces plantes spontanées sont largement utilisées en pharmacopée traditionnelle. A cet effet, à peu prés la moitié (62 espèces), appartenant à 31 familles et divisées en 35 vivaces et 26 éphémères sont utilisées en médicine traditionnelle. Suite aux enquêtes menées avec les connaisseurs et la synthèse des données bibliographiques, l'étude ethnobotanique nous a démontrés que les parties utilisées, les modes d’utilisation et les symptômes traités sont très diversifiés.Mots clés: Sahara; plantes spontanées; inventaire; étude ethnobotanique; médecine traditionnelle. The spontaneous plants of the Sahara are very feature by their fashion of adaptation individual to the very coercive desert environment to their survival. To short come our spatio-temporal survey of 5 years (2000- 2005), we put in evidence the existence of 5 different geomorphologic zones, in which we inventoried 130 species belonging to 40 families divided in 44 vivacious and 86 ephemeral. The distribution of these species is different in the space and in the time. In addition to their ecological and fodder importance, these spontaneous plants are used extensively in traditional pharmacopoeia. To this effect, to few meadows half (62 species), belonging to 31 families and divided in 35 vivacious and 26 ephemeral are used in traditional medicine. Following the investigations led with the connoisseurs and the synthesis of the bibliographic data, the survey ethnobotanique demonstrated us that the used parts, the fashions of use and the symptoms treated are varied very.Keywords: Sahara; spontaneous plants; inventory, ethnobotanic study; traditional medicine

Effects of Artea, a systemic fungicide, on the antioxidant system and the respiratory activity of durum wheat (Triticum durum L.).

The present work is aimed at the study of Artea (a systemic fungicide) effects on durum wheat (Triticum durum L. CV. Hard GTA). Seeds were grown in a medium containing 25, 50, 75 and 100 ppm of Arteaunder controlled conditions. Roots of eight day old were used to determine the enzymatic activities of catalase, ascorbate-peroxydase and guaïacol-peroxydase. Root respiratory activity was also determined using a polarographic method (Clarck electrode). The results after treatment with Artea show an enhancement of respiratory activity and increased levels of antioxidative enzymes in durum wheat roots. Activities of catalase, ascorbate-peroxydase and guaïacol-peroxydase increasedproportionally and were more meaningful at high concentrations (75 and 100 ppm). Modulations in respiratory metabolism and antioxidant system could probably be the result of Artea induced toxicity which could cause an oxidative stress state