Heavy Metals Content in Selected Medicinal Plants Commonly Used as

For the majority of the world population medicinal plants represent the primary source of the health care. Therefore determining the content of heavy metals, accumulated in medicinal plants, is of high importance. Thus, the purpose of this research was to evaluate the content of heavy metals and two metalloids in selected medicinal plants (Matricaria chamomilla L., Melissa officinalis L., Mentha piperita L. and Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), that are traditionally used in alternative medicine. The plant materials were collected in a highly industrialized town (Pančevo). Plant analyses were done according to ICP methodology. The obtained results show that the contents of the potentially toxic elements in the investigated medicinal plant species were below the recommended limits and those medicinal plants from the studied growing site are suitable for preparation of teas and medicinal extracts

Proučavanje funkcionalnih profila mikrobnih zajednica zagađenih zemljišta

In this review paper are considerate the different ways of soil microorganism’s reaction in a variety of forms of technogenic pollution by methods multi-substrate testing and initiates the microbial community, as well as the modification of variability that is characterized by specific adaptive reactions (homeostasis zone, stress zone, zone of resistance and zone repression) of microbial system lands.U ovom pregednom radu se razmatraju načini sagledavanja reakcije zemljišnih mikroorganizama na različite oblike tehnogenog zagađenja pomoću metoda multisupstratnog testiranja i inicirane mikrobne zajednice, kao i modifikacione promenljivosti koja se odlikuje određenom adaptivnom reakciijom (zona homeostaze, zona stresa, zona rezistencije i zona represije) mikrobnog sistema zemljišta

Heavy metals content in alfalfa cultivated on vertisols along the highway e75 from Belgrade to Leskovac (Serbia)

In order to assess the health and safety of animal feed, in ten samples of soil and plant material, collected along the E75 highway from Belgrade to Leskovac, it was examined the content of heavy metals: Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Co, As, and their accumulation in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) grown on vertisols. Samples of soil and aerial part of the plant material were collected from the both sides of lanes at locations where the studied plant species was cultivated, at 10, 30, 50 and 400 m perpendicular to the direction of the highway. Soil and plant analyses of the metals content were done according to ICP methodology. Analysis of the soil samples showed the following: the content of total forms of Cr and Ni was above the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) in 50% of samples tested; the content of Pb was above the MPC in 30% of samples tested; in the other soil samples the values of the examined parameters were within permissible limits. In five of the ten tested plant samples Cr content was above the toxic concentrations, and in one sample it was above the maximum tolerance levels for animal feed. In one sample of alfalfa it was determined the contents of As and Pb above the toxic levels. In addition, the concentrations of Co and Pb above the normal levels were registered in one sample of plant material, but they were below the maximum tolerance levels for animal feed. The obtained results suggest a caution in the use of alfalfa, grown near the highway route, for animal feed, because of the potential entry of heavy metals into the food chain. The study also revealed that increased concentrations of analyzed elements occurred at all distances from the route lanes

Case Study upon Foliar Application of Biofertilizers Affecting Microbial Biomass and Enzyme Activity in Soil and Yield Related Properties of Maize and Wheat Grains

This study evaluated the effects of the application of microbial inoculants (N-fixing Klebsiella planticola and Enterobacter spp.), two rates of composite mineral fertilizers, and their combination on microbial biomass carbon (MBC), dehydrogenase (DHA), and proteinase activity (PTA) in Lessivated Cambisol and yield-related properties of maize and wheat grains in a two-year trial. Unfertilized soil was used as a control variant. MBC was measured using the chloroform fumigation-extraction method, DHA was determined spectrophotometrically by measuring the intensity of the formed red-colored triphenyl formazan, while PTA was determined using a titration method by measuring the degree of gelatine decomposition. In grain samples, P was determined spectrophotometrically, K—by flame emission photometry, N—on an elemental carbon/nitrogen/sulfur (CNS) analyzer, and crude proteins—by calculation of N content. Measuring both crops’ yield was carried out at the end of the vegetation. The results indicated that mineral fertilizers are not, in general, negative for soil microbiota when used in the context of sustainable agriculture without monoculture. There is a significant increase in the values of soil MBC, DHA, and PTA in the variants with combined application of bacterial inoculants and lower rates of mineral fertilizers. The highest values of these parameters were determined in the period with a better distribution of precipitation during the vegetation period of the year. The mentioned combination also resulted in a higher grain yield of maize and wheat comparing to the application of lower rates of the NPK nutrients solely. The combined application of high rates of mineral fertilizers and bacterial inoculants resulted in significantly increased N, P, K, and protein content in the grains of crops, and the same applied to yield. Concluding, studied bacterial inoculants can be used to specify the replacement of nitrogen fertilizers, stimulating the microbial biomass and enzyme activity in the soil, helping to ensure that the supply of nutrients contributing to an optimized yield of crops is maintained

The presence and serological types of streptococcus suis strains isolated from pigs originating from some farms in Serbia

Streptococcus suis is a normal inhabitant of the respiratory system of pigs. Clinically healthy pigs are a major reservoir of the pathogen, but, as well, the most important link in the epidemiology of infection in humans. Hence, the aim of this study was to establish the presence of S. suis on some pig farms in Serbia and to determine their serotype affiliation. For this research, we tested 226 samples: nasopharyngeal tonsil swabs, nasal cavities swabs, parts of or all nasopharyngeal tonsils, swabs from dead animals, swabs from pig carcasses, and swabs from the butchers knives. Identification of S. suis strains was performed with antisera specific for capsular antigens. S. suis serotype 2 was established in 67.7% cases, and serotypes 7, 9 and 1 were isolated in a much smaller percentage (17.6, 8.8 and 5.9%, respectively). Serotype 2 is the only serotype isolated from all the collected samples. Serotype 9 was isolated from healthy pig tonsil swab and from 2 nasal swabs, and was not found in the samples taken from diseased pigs. The serotype 1 was isolated only from nasopharyngeal tonsil swabs of piglets, while serotype 7 was isolated from nasopharyngeal tonsil swabs, nasopharyngeal tonsil sections, but also from nasal swabs of healthy pigs. It can be concluded that the infections caused by different serotypes of S. suis are present in the herd of pigs in Serbia; hence, it is very important to identify what serotypes of S. suis are involved in pathogenesis of infections in pigs

Heavy Metals Content in Selected Medicinal Plants Commonly Used as Components for Herbal Formulations

For the majority of the world population medicinal plants represent the primary source of the health care. Therefore determining the content of heavy metals, accumulated in medicinal plants, is of high importance. Thus, the purpose of this research was to evaluate the content of heavy metals and two metalloids in selected medicinal plants (Matricaria chamomilla L., Melissa officinalis L., Mentha piperita L. and Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), that are traditionally used in alternative medicine. The plant materials were collected in a highly industrialized town (Pancevo). Plant analyses were done according to ICP methodology. The obtained results show that the contents of the potentially toxic elements in the investigated medicinal plant species were below the recommended limits and those medicinal plants from the studied growing site are suitable for preparation of teas and medicinal extracts

The presence and serological types of streptococcus suis strains isolated from pigs originating from some farms in Serbia

Streptococcus suis is a normal inhabitant of the respiratory system of pigs. Clinically healthy pigs are a major reservoir of the pathogen, but, as well, the most important link in the epidemiology of infection in humans. Hence, the aim of this study was to establish the presence of S. suis on some pig farms in Serbia and to determine their serotype affiliation. For this research, we tested 226 samples: nasopharyngeal tonsil swabs, nasal cavities swabs, parts of or all nasopharyngeal tonsils, swabs from dead animals, swabs from pig carcasses, and swabs from the butchers knives. Identification of S. suis strains was performed with antisera specific for capsular antigens. S. suis serotype 2 was established in 67.7% cases, and serotypes 7, 9 and 1 were isolated in a much smaller percentage (17.6, 8.8 and 5.9%, respectively). Serotype 2 is the only serotype isolated from all the collected samples. Serotype 9 was isolated from healthy pig tonsil swab and from 2 nasal swabs, and was not found in the samples taken from diseased pigs. The serotype 1 was isolated only from nasopharyngeal tonsil swabs of piglets, while serotype 7 was isolated from nasopharyngeal tonsil swabs, nasopharyngeal tonsil sections, but also from nasal swabs of healthy pigs. It can be concluded that the infections caused by different serotypes of S. suis are present in the herd of pigs in Serbia; hence, it is very important to identify what serotypes of S. suis are involved in pathogenesis of infections in pigs

Heavy Metals Content in Selected Medicinal Plants Commonly Used as Components for Herbal Formulations

For the majority of the world population medicinal plants represent the primary source of the health care. Therefore determining the content of heavy metals, accumulated in medicinal plants, is of high importance. Thus, the purpose of this research was to evaluate the content of heavy metals and two metalloids in selected medicinal plants (Matricaria chamomilla L., Melissa officinalis L., Mentha piperita L. and Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), that are traditionally used in alternative medicine. The plant materials were collected in a highly industrialized town (Pancevo). Plant analyses were done according to ICP methodology. The obtained results show that the contents of the potentially toxic elements in the investigated medicinal plant species were below the recommended limits and those medicinal plants from the studied growing site are suitable for preparation of teas and medicinal extracts

Microelements and Heavy Metals Content in Frequently Utilized Medicinal Plants Collected from the Power Plant Area

The effectiveness of medicinal plants is mainly associated with their active constituents, but one of the major quality problems frequently encountered is their high trace metals content that can be associated to extensive pollution of the environment where medicinal plants grow. Therefore the aim of this research was to evaluate the content of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and As in selected and frequently used medicinal plants, including chicory, broadleaf, common comfrey and dandelion. The plant material was collected from their wild habitats in the area of highly developed power plant activity during the summer of 2015. Plant analyses were done according to ICP methodology, using ICAP 6300 ICP optical emission spectrometer. The obtained results showed that the content of As, Cd, Co, Mn, Ni and Zn in the investigated medicinal plant species was below the maximum permissible concentration, while in all parts of all studied plants the concentration of Cr was toxic. The toxic concentrations of Cu were determined in root and aerial parts of chicory and common comfrey, and the toxic concentrations of Fe in root and aerial parts of dandelion and broadleaf plantain, and in aerial parts of common comfrey. However, high but not toxic content of Pb was found in aerial parts of chicory. It can be concluded that medicinal plants from the studied growing site are not appropriate for use in alternative medicine and that a determination of trace metals content in these plants must become a standard criterion for evaluation of their quality