Air pollution in the places of Betula pendula growth and development changes the physicochemical properties and the main allergen content of its pollen

Pollen allergy becomes an increasing problem for humans, especially in the regions, where the air pollution level increases due to the traffic and urbanization. These factors may also affect the physiological activity of plants, causing changes in pollen allergenicity. The aim of the study was to estimate the influence of air pollutants on the chemical composition of birch pollen and the secondary structures of the Bet v1 protein. The research was conducted in seven locations in Malopolska region, South of Poland of a different pollution level. We have found slight fluctuations in the values of parameters describing the photosynthetic light reactions, similar spectra of leaf reflectance and the negligible differences in the discrimination values of the δ13C carbon isotope were found. The obtained results show a minor effect of a degree of pollution on the physiological condition B. pendula specimen. On the other hand, mean Bet v1 concentration measured in pollen samples collected in Kraków was significantly higher than in less polluted places (p = .03886), while FT-Raman spectra showed the most distinct variations in the wavenumbers characteristic of proteins. Pollen collected at sites of the increased NOx and PM concentration, show the highest percentage values of potential aggregated forms and antiparallel β-sheets in the expense of α-helix, presenting a substantial impact on chemical compounds of pollen, Bet v1 concentration and on formation of the secondary structure of proteins, what can influence their functions

Accumulation of Silicon and Changes in Water Balance under Drought Stress in <i>Brassica napus</i> var. <i>napus</i> L.

The aim of this study was to investigate the accumulation of silicon in oilseed rape and to characterize the changes in chosen water balance parameters in response to drought. The following parameters were estimated: water content, osmotic and water potential, evapotranspiration, stomatal conductance and abscisic acid level under optimal and drought conditions. It was shown that oilseed rape plants accumulate silicon after its supplementation to the soil, both in the case of silicon alone and silicon together with iron. It was revealed that silicon (without iron) helps maintain constant water content under optimal conditions. While no silicon influence on osmotic regulation was observed, a transpiration decrease was detected under optimal conditions after silicon application. Under drought, a reduction in stomatal conductance was observed, but it was similar for all plants. The decrease in leaf water content under drought was accompanied by a significant increase in abscisic acid content in leaves of control plants and those treated with silicon together with iron. To sum up, under certain conditions, silicon is accumulated even in non-accumulator species, such as oilseed rape, and presumably improves water uptake under drought stress

Air pollution in the places of Betula pendula growth and development changes the physicochemical properties and the main allergen content of its pollen.

Pollen allergy becomes an increasing problem for humans, especially in the regions, where the air pollution level increases due to the traffic and urbanization. These factors may also affect the physiological activity of plants, causing changes in pollen allergenicity. The aim of the study was to estimate the influence of air pollutants on the chemical composition of birch pollen and the secondary structures of the Bet v1 protein. The research was conducted in seven locations in Malopolska region, South of Poland of a different pollution level. We have found slight fluctuations in the values of parameters describing the photosynthetic light reactions, similar spectra of leaf reflectance and the negligible differences in the discrimination values of the δ13C carbon isotope were found. The obtained results show a minor effect of a degree of pollution on the physiological condition B. pendula specimen. On the other hand, mean Bet v1 concentration measured in pollen samples collected in Kraków was significantly higher than in less polluted places (p = .03886), while FT-Raman spectra showed the most distinct variations in the wavenumbers characteristic of proteins. Pollen collected at sites of the increased NOx and PM concentration, show the highest percentage values of potential aggregated forms and antiparallel β-sheets in the expense of α-helix, presenting a substantial impact on chemical compounds of pollen, Bet v1 concentration and on formation of the secondary structure of proteins, what can influence their functions