Effect of light emitted by diodes on growth and pigment content of black currant plantlets in vitro

The effects of cool white, natural white, and warm white lights, which have a continuous spectrum throughout the region of surfactant, and blue-red light spectrum on in vitro growth and development of black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) was studied. It was demonstrated that the spectral composition of light affected length and fresh mass of shoots and roots as well as concentrations of chlorophylls, carotenoids, and anthocyanins. The plants grown under warm white light had the longest shoots (2.5 ± 0.2 cm) and fresh mass of shoots (166 ± 12 mg) and roots (80 ± 16 mg) relatively to оne’s grown under other light types. Under blue-red and warm white lights black currant leaves possessed the highest concentrations of chlorophyll a (2.66 ± 0.31 and 2.17 ± 0.14 µmol·gwm-1, respectively), chlorophyll b (1.15 ± 0.15 and 0.87± 0.05 µmol·gwm-1), carotenoids (0.89 ± 0.09 and 0.78 ± 0.05 µmol·gwm-1, respectively) and anthocyanins (1.37 ± 0.20 and 1.09 ± 0.05 µmol·gwm-1, respectively). Thus, blue-red (B:R = 1:4) and warm white lights may be used as an alternative light source for upland black currant culture systems

Pesticide toxicity

Pesticides are known for their high persistence and pervasiveness in the environment, and along with products of their biotransformation, they may remain in and interact with the environment and living organisms in multiple ways, according to their nature and chemical structure, dose and targets. In this review, the classifications of pesticides based on their nature, use, physical state, pathophysiological effects, and sources are discussed. The effects of these xenobiotics on the environment, their biotransformation in terms of bioaccumulation are highlighted with special focus on the molecular mechanisms deciphered to date. Basing on targeted organisms, most pesticides are classified as herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. Herbicides are known as growth regulators, seedling growth inhibitors, photosynthesis inhibitors, inhibitors of amino acid and lipid biosynthesis, cell membrane disrupters, and pigment biosynthesis inhibitors, whereas fungicides include inhibitors of ergosterol biosynthesis, protein biosynthesis, and mitochondrial respiration. Insecticides mainly affect nerves and muscle, growth and development, and energy production. Studying the impact of pesticides and other related chemicals is of great interest to animal and human health risk assessment processes since potentially everyone can be exposed to these compounds which may cause many diseases, including metabolic syndrome, malnutrition, atherosclerosis, inflammation, pathogen invasion, nerve injury, and susceptibility to infectious diseases. Future studies should be directed to investigate influence of long term effects of low pesticide doses and to minimize or eliminate influence of pesticides on non-target living organisms, produce more specific pesticides and using modern technologies to decrease contamination of food and other goods by pesticides

Effect of light emitted by diodes on growth and pigment content of black currant plantlets in vitro

The effects of cool white, natural white, and warm white lights, which have a continuous spectrum throughout the region of surfactant, and blue-red light spectrum on in vitro growth and development of black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) was studied. It was demonstrated that the spectral composition of light affected length and fresh mass of shoots and roots as well as concentrations of chlorophylls, carotenoids, and anthocyanins. The plants grown under warm white light had the longest shoots (2.5 ± 0.2 cm) and fresh mass of shoots (166 ± 12 mg) and roots (80 ± 16 mg) relatively to оne’s grown under other light types. Under blue-red and warm white lights black currant leaves possessed the highest concentrations of chlorophyll a (2.66 ± 0.31 and 2.17 ± 0.14 µmol·gwm-1, respectively), chlorophyll b (1.15 ± 0.15 and 0.87± 0.05 µmol·gwm-1), carotenoids (0.89 ± 0.09 and 0.78 ± 0.05 µmol·gwm-1, respectively) and anthocyanins (1.37 ± 0.20 and 1.09 ± 0.05 µmol·gwm-1, respectively). Thus, blue-red (B:R = 1:4) and warm white lights may be used as an alternative light source for upland black currant culture systems

Regulation of A{cyrillic}M{cyrillic}R{cyrillic}-deaminase activity from white muscle of common carp Cyprinus carpio

AMP-deaminase was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from white skeletal muscle of a teleost fish, the common carp, Cyprinus carpio. The purified enzyme was highly stable and showed non-Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a S0.5 value for AMP of 2.52 ± 0.16 mM (SEM) and a Hill coefficient of 1.19 ± 0.11. Specific activity of the purified enzyme was 1000-1200 U/mg protein. The pH optimum was 6.3 and the enzyme was activated by ADP and ATP, but inhibited by phosphate and fluoride. Low concentrations of NaCl and KCl (100-150 mM) activated, whereas higher concentrations were inhibitory. Free radicals inactivated the enzyme, decreasing Vmax by one-half but not affecting S0.5 or Hill coefficient. Possible regulatory mechanisms of AMP-deaminase activity in fish muscle are discussed

AMP-deaminase from goldfish white muscle: Regulatory properties and redistribution under exposure to high environmental oxygen level

AMP-deaminase was partially purified from white skeletal muscle of goldfish, Carassius auratus. The enzyme was highly stable, showing virtually no change in activity at 1 month following the purification process when stored in 1 M KCl at 2-4°C. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was 130-150 U/mg protein, with a pH optimum of about pH 6.5. AMP-aminohydrolase (AMPD) showed non-Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with a S0.5 (half saturation by the substrate) for AMP of 0.73 ± 0.03 mM, a Hill coefficient of 2.01 ± 0.26, and a Vmax (maximum velocity) of 176 ± 46 U/mg protein. Both sodium and potassium ions activated goldfish AMPD at low concentrations, with maximal activation at about 80 mM of each chloride salt, whereas higher concentrations became inhibitory. Magnesium and calcium ions also inhibited goldfish muscle AMPD, as did phosphate and fluoride; at a concentration of 8 mM, each anion reduced activity by about 66%. ADP and ATP were strong activators and both demonstrated concentration-dependent activation, with maximal effects at 0.5-1.5 mM. Fish exposure to a hig

Goldfish brain and heart are well protected from Ni2+-induced oxidative stress

After 96 h goldfish exposure to 10, 25 or 50 mg/L of Ni2 + no Ni accumulation was found in the brain, but lipid peroxide concentration was by 44% elevated in the brain, whereas carbonyl protein content was by 45–45% decreased in the heart. High molecular mass thiol concentration was enhanced by 30% in the heart, while in the brain low molecular mass thiol concentration increased by 28–88%. Superoxide dismutase activity was by 27% and 35% increased in the brain and heart, respectively. Glutathione peroxidase activity was lowered to 38% and 62% of control values in both tissues, whereas catalase activity was increased in the heart by 15–45%, accompanied by 18–29% decreased glutathione reductase activity. The disturbances of free radical processes in the brain and heart might result from Ni-induced injuries to other organs with more prominent changes in the heart, because of close contact of this organ with blood, whereas the blood–brain barrier seems to protect the brain

The mancozeb-containing carbamate fungicide tattoo induces mild oxidative stress in goldfish brain, liver, and kidney

Tattoo belongs to the group of carbamate fungicides and contains Mancozeb (ethylene(bis)dithiocarbamate) as its main constituent. The toxicity of Mancozeb to living organisms, particularly fish, is not resolved. This work investigated the effects of 96 h of exposure to 3, 5, or 10 mg L-1 of Tattoo (corresponding to 0.9, 1.5, or 3 mg L-1 of Mancozeb) on the levels of oxidative stress markers and the antioxidant enzyme system of brain, liver, and kidney of goldfish, Carassius auratus). In liver, Tattoo exposure resulted in increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) by 70%-79%, catalase by 23%-52% and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) by 49%. The content of protein carbonyls (CP) in liver was also enhanced by 92%-125% indicating extensive damage to proteins. Similar increases in CP levels (by 98%-111%) accompanied by reduced glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity (by 13%-15%) was observed in kidney of fish expose

Tissue-specific induction of oxidative stress in goldfish by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid: Mild in brain and moderate in liver and kidney

This study investigated the effects of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on free radical-related processes in tissues of goldfish given 96. h exposures to 1, 10 or 100. mg/L of 2,4-D as well as 96. h recovery from the 100. mg/L treatment. In liver, 2,4-D exposure increased levels of protein carbonyls and lipid peroxides by 36-53% and 24-43%, respectively, but both parameters reverted during recovery, whereas in brain glutathione status improved in response to 2,4-D. Lipid peroxide content in kidney was enhanced by 40-43% after exposure to 2,4-D with a decrease during recovery. Exposure to 2,4-D also reduced liver acetylcholinesterase activity by 31-41%. The treatment increased catalase activity in brain, but returned it to initial levels after recovery. In kidney, exposure to 100. mg/L of 2,4-D caused a 33% decrease of superoxide dismutase activity. Thus, goldfish exposure to 2,4-D induced moderate oxidative stress in liver and kidney and mild oxidative stress in brain

Acute exposure to the penconazole-containing fungicide Topas partially augments antioxidant potential in goldfish tissues

Penconazole is a systemic fungicide commonly used in agriculture as the commercial preparation Topas. Although triazole fungicides are widely found in the aquatic environment, little is known about their acute toxicity on fish. In this study we assessed the effects of short-term exposure to Topas on some parameters of homeostasis of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as the levels of markers of oxidative stress and parameters of the antioxidant defense system of goldfish (Carassius auratus L.). Gills appeared to be the main target organ of Topas toxicity, showing the greatest number of parameters affected. Gills of Topas-treated fish showed a higher content of low (L-SH) and high (H-SH) molecular mass thiols and higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) as well as reduced carbonyl protein content (CP), as compared with those in the contro

Effect of prometryn-containing herbicide gesagard on hematological profiles and biochemical parameters in goldfish liver and plasma

The impact of goldfish exposure for 96 h to herbicide Gesagard 500 FW at concentrations 0.2, 1, or 5 mg L−1 (corresponding to 0.1, 0.5 or 2.5 mg L-1 of effective compound prometryn) on the hematological profile of blood and biochemical parameters of plasma and liver was studied. Fish exposure to low concentration of the herbicide (0.2 mg L-1) slightly decreased liver glycogen and plasma lactate levels. Plasma glucose levels rose by 27% in goldfish exposed to 1 mg L-1 Gesagard. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase decreased by 63% and 36% in plasma of fish exposed to herbicide at concentrations 1 and 5 mg L-1, respectively, but was not affected in liver. Goldfish exposure to the highest concentration of Gesagard (5 mg L-1) decreased hematocrit by 23% and increased monocyte count by 57%, and elevated triacylglycerol level by 91% in plasma. Overall, the results indicate that acute exposure to Gesagard induced minor changes in the hematological and biochemical parameters of goldfish, suggesting that disruptions of these parameters may provide early warning signs that could be useful for assessing acute or sublethal toxic effects of pesticides on aquatic species