ANALYSIS OF FICUS CARICA L. – VOLATILE COMPONENTS AND MINERAL CONTENT

Ficus carica L. is a well-known Mediterranean plant, its fructus - the fig- is consumed widely, mostly in the southern region of Europe. It’s a member of the Moraceae family, one of the earliest crops. It can be consumed raw, dried or even as jam as a part of the Mediterranean diet. One part of our research was to determine the volatile components of Ficus carica L. The composition of volatile components are important for the determination of fruit quality. We compared two extraction methods, examined by SPME-GC/MS. Two preparation methods were used: directly measured by SPME, and also samples made by steam distillation. Figs has an important role as phytonutrition. Mineral element content was determined by ICP. Fig is a good source of elements for Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn and Mo, since eating 5 dkg of dried fig covers more than 15% of the Recommended Dietry Allowances

Growth regulator requirement for in vitro embryogenic cultures of snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis L.) suitable for germplasm preservation

In this study, we report on the production of bulb scale-derived tissue cultures capable of efficient shoot and plant regeneration in three genotypes of snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis L., Amaryllidaceae), a protected ornamental plant. For culture line A, high auxin and low cytokinin concentration is required for callus production and plant regeneration. The type of auxin is of key importance: α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in combination with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) at concentrations of 2 mg L−1 or 2–10 mg L−1 NAA with 1 mg L−1 N6-benzyladenine (BA), a cytokinin on full-strength media are required for regeneration. Cultures showing regeneration were embryogenic. When lines B and C were induced and maintained with 2 mg L−1 NAA and 1 mg L−1 BA, they produced mature bulblets with shoots, without roots. Line A produced immature bulblets with shoots under the above culture condition. Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) analysis showed that (i) genetic differences between line A and its bulb explants were not significant, therefore these tissue cultures are suitable for germplasm preservation, and (ii) different morphogenetic responses of lines A, B and C originated from genetic differences. Culture line A is suitable for field-growing, cultivation and germplasm preservation of G. nivalis and for the production of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids