Effect of storage conditions on seed germination of eigTyrrhenian endemic vascular plant species of conservation interest

The conservation of endemic and endangered plant species is of great interest to the scientific and research community. In this frame, seed banks play a crucial role when biodiversity preservation and climate change are considered. The study of seed viability and germination during storage conditions provides basic and useful information to ensure successful ex situ conservation. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether storage time and conditions (i.e., base collection at -25°C and active collection at +5°C) affect seed germination in the long term. For these purposes, eight Tyrrhenian endemic vascular plant species (mostly endangered) with orthodox seeds were studied: Brassica insularis, Centranthus amazonum, Dianthus morisianus, Digitalis purpurea var. gyspergerae, Ferula arrigonii, Helicodiceros muscivorus, Iberis integerrima and Verbascum plantagineum. These species were stored in the Sardinian Germplasm Bank (BG-SAR) at -25°C and at +5°C for a time ranging from 2 to 12 years. Germination tests were carried out following the optimal conditions reported in the literature for each species. The results showed, in general terms, the high seed germination capacity of all species stored at both conditions; regarding the time of seed storage, germination in some tested species (such as B. insularis and C. amazonum) slightly decreased over time. We argued that seed dehydration, low seed moisture content during storage and the use of hermetic glass containers can be considered key factors for long-term conservation of these orthodox seeds. In conclusion, this study showed that the conservation of these endemic species is ensured by seed bank storage, according to the general assumption that seed longevity depends on seed lot quality, on well-sealed storage containers and conditions before and during storage

Applicazione di una procedura di simulazione della misura dell'esposizione professionale al rumore

We have developed a simulation procedure to forecast personal daily exposure (L EP.d)variability, based on regular area sampling extended for a whole work shift. The procedure assesses daily exposure assuming random changes in position across areas, and maximal likelihood for partial exposure times. Even in circumstances of poor time-space noise variability, our simulation shows that different L EP.d may correspond to the same environmental noise, as derived from area samplings. Our results suggest that simulation procedures are useful for the assessment of occupational noise exposure, particularly in the case of complex circumstances

Antioxidant properties of extracts and compounds from Psoralea Morisiana

The antioxidant activity of various extracts (MeOH, petroleum ether, EtOAc) from the aerial parts of Psoralea morisiana, an endemic Sardinian plant, was evaluated during autoxidation and iron-mediated oxidation of linoleic acid at 37°C and during cholesterol oxidation at 140°C, in the absence of solvent. The activity of erybraedin C, bitucarpin A and plicatin B, isolated from the extracts, was investigated under the same experimental conditions and compared to that of BHT and α-tocopherol. All the extracts, erybraedin C (major constituent of the extracts) and plicatin B showed powerful antioxidant properties. None of the extracts and pure compounds showed any prooxidant activity. The cytotoxicity of the extracts, erybraedin C, and plicatin B was further evaluated in VERO cells, a line of fibroblasts derived from monkey kidney. Erybraedin C, at non-cytotoxic concentrations, showed a strong inhibition of FeCl3-induced oxidation in VERO cell