Effect of Cadmium Application on Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Total Phenolic Content of Basil Genotypes

WOS: 000454950700017Background: Exposure to heavy metals leads to increase in reactive oxygen species. Plants have many strategies to counteract the toxic effects of heavy metal stress by activating certain intermediary metabolic activities and making physiological adjustments. Objective: This study was designed to determine total phenolic contents and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of eight Ocimum basilicum L. genotypes grown in a soil exposed to cadmium at different levels. Methods: Total phenolic contents were calculated as gallic acid equivalent. Antioxidant activity was studied based on DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Antimicrobial activity was determined by disc diffusion method against several microorganisms. Results: The highest antimicrobial activity was observed in the case of genotype 5 against Bacillus subtilus with the inhibition diameter value as 18.50 mm for basil grown at Cd free soil. This value just decreased to 17.57 mm at the conditions with 40 mg/kg Cd. Depending on increase at cadmium dose, the best grade increase in antimicrobial activity was also observed against B.subtilus for genotype 7. Total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity values were also increased with the Cd application at low doses. At very high doses of Cd a little decrease was observed for these values. Both of the phenolic content values and DPPH scavenging activities reached their maximum values for genotypes 1,7 and 8 grown at soil exposed to 20 mg/ kg Cd. Conclusion: Although cadmium is toxic, known beneficial properties of the basil samples have not deteriorated. These improved results are due to resistance of the basil plant to survive on adverse conditions.BAP (The Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Ordu University) [AR-1638]This work was supported by BAP (AR-1638). (The Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Ordu University)

Seroepidemiological Study of Toxocariasis among Volunteers Animal Husbandry Workers and Veterinary in Southern Anatolia in Turkey in 2014

Background:Human toxocariasis is a parasitic infection caused by the larvae of Toxocaracanis. We examine the Toxocara seroprevalance in veterinarians and animal husbandry workers living in the Mugla Province, Turkey to evaluate better the risk factors for Toxocara exposure. Methods: In 2014, 376 volunteers participated in the study in 2014. All blood specimens were tested using a commercial enzyme immunoassay kit and ELISA positive samples were confirmed by Western Blot (WB) method. Results: The seroprevalence of Toxocara, as determined by WB, was 8%. A statistically significant correlation was evident between patient age and Toxo­cara positivity among animal husbandry workers (P = 0.029). A strong associa­tion was also evident between sex and seropositivity in the animal husbandry group (P=0.024). Veterinarians working in pet clinics did in fact exhibit higher Toxocara seropositivities relative to those of other groups (P = 0.029). A statisti­cally significant difference was detected between the rural geographic areas surveyed (P = 0.04). Conclusion: In Mugla Province, seroprevalence of Toxocara is lower than other regions. Despite the low seroprevalence observed, especially in high risk professions toxocariasis remains an important medical concern within the region.