Pharmacological Properties of Edible Asparagus acutifolius and Asparagus officinalis Collected from North Iraq and Turkey (Hatay)

In this study, antioxidant, oxidant, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative activities of Asparagus acutifolius L. and Asparagus officinalis L., known for their nutritional properties, were determined. In this context, methanol (MeOH) and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of plants were obtained. Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were determined using Rel Assay kits. Antimicrobial activities of plant extracts were determined against the test microorganisms using the agar dilution method. Antiproliferative activity was tested on the lung cancer cell line A549. As a result of the studies, it has been determined that the plant species have high antioxidant potential. In addition, it was observed that the antifungal potentials of plant extracts are high. Antiproliferative activity was determined to be at high level in both plant species. As a result, it has been determined that A. acutifolius and A. officinalis have medical potential and can be used as natural agents in pharmacological designs

Oxidative stress in Arthrospira platensis by two organophosphate pesticides

Abstract Although it is known that organophosphate insecticides are harmfull to aquatic ecosystems, oxidative damages caused by Dimethoate and Chlorpyrifos are not studied on Arthrospira platensis Gomont. In this study, various Chlorpyrifos (0-150 µg mL-1) and Dimethoate (0-250 µg mL-1) concentrations were added to the culture medium in laboratory to evaulate growth rate, chlorophyll-a content and antioxidant parameters of A. platensis. Optical Density (OD560) and chlorophyll-a decreased compared to the control for seven days in both pesticide applications. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased at 50 µg mL-1 Chlorpyrifos concentration but it decreased at all concentrations. Although Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities increased with Chlorpyrifos application, they did not change with Dimethoate application. Malondialdehyde (MDA) amount decreased at 150 µg mL-1 Chlorpyrifos concentration but it increased in Dimethoate application. The H2O2 content were increased in both applications. Proline decreased in 50 and 75 µg mL-1 Chlorpyrifos concentrations and increased at 150 µg mL-1 concentration, while it increased at 25 µg mL-1 Dimethoate concentration. The results were tested at 0.05 significance level. These pesticides inhibit A. platensis growth and chlorophyll-a production and cause oxidative stress. The excessive use may affect the phytoplankton and have negative consequences in the aquatic ecosystem

Data Descriptor : A European Multi Lake Survey dataset of environmental variables, phytoplankton pigments and cyanotoxins

Under ongoing climate change and increasing anthropogenic activity, which continuously challenge ecosystem resilience, an in-depth understanding of ecological processes is urgently needed. Lakes, as providers of numerous ecosystem services, face multiple stressors that threaten their functioning. Harmful cyanobacterial blooms are a persistent problem resulting from nutrient pollution and climate-change induced stressors, like poor transparency, increased water temperature and enhanced stratification. Consistency in data collection and analysis methods is necessary to achieve fully comparable datasets and for statistical validity, avoiding issues linked to disparate data sources. The European Multi Lake Survey (EMLS) in summer 2015 was an initiative among scientists from 27 countries to collect and analyse lake physical, chemical and biological variables in a fully standardized manner. This database includes in-situ lake variables along with nutrient, pigment and cyanotoxin data of 369 lakes in Europe, which were centrally analysed in dedicated laboratories. Publishing the EMLS methods and dataset might inspire similar initiatives to study across large geographic areas that will contribute to better understanding lake responses in a changing environment.Peer reviewe

Temperature Effects Explain Continental Scale Distribution of Cyanobacterial Toxins

Insight into how environmental change determines the production and distribution of cyanobacterial toxins is necessary for risk assessment. Management guidelines currently focus on hepatotoxins (microcystins). Increasing attention is given to other classes, such as neurotoxins (e.g., anatoxin-a) and cytotoxins (e.g., cylindrospermopsin) due to their potency. Most studies examine the relationship between individual toxin variants and environmental factors, such as nutrients, temperature and light. In summer 2015, we collected samples across Europe to investigate the effect of nutrient and temperature gradients on the variability of toxin production at a continental scale. Direct and indirect effects of temperature were the main drivers of the spatial distribution in the toxins produced by the cyanobacterial community, the toxin concentrations and toxin quota. Generalized linear models showed that a Toxin Diversity Index (TDI) increased with latitude, while it decreased with water stability. Increases in TDI were explained through a significant increase in toxin variants such as MC-YR, anatoxin and cylindrospermopsin, accompanied by a decreasing presence of MC-LR. While global warming continues, the direct and indirect effects of increased lake temperatures will drive changes in the distribution of cyanobacterial toxins in Europe, potentially promoting selection of a few highly toxic species or strains.Peer reviewe

Stratification strength and light climate explain variation in chlorophyll a at the continental scale in a European multilake survey in a heatwave summer

To determine the drivers of phytoplankton biomass, we collected standardized morphometric, physical, and biological data in 230 lakes across the Mediterranean, Continental, and Boreal climatic zones of the European continent. Multilinear regression models tested on this snapshot of mostly eutrophic lakes (median total phosphorus [TP] = 0.06 and total nitrogen [TN] = 0.7 mg L−1), and its subsets (2 depth types and 3 climatic zones), show that light climate and stratification strength were the most significant explanatory variables for chlorophyll a (Chl a) variance. TN was a significant predictor for phytoplankton biomass for shallow and continental lakes, while TP never appeared as an explanatory variable, suggesting that under high TP, light, which partially controls stratification strength, becomes limiting for phytoplankton development. Mediterranean lakes were the warmest yet most weakly stratified and had significantly less Chl a than Boreal lakes, where the temperature anomaly from the long-term average, during a summer heatwave was the highest (+4°C) and showed a significant, exponential relationship with stratification strength. This European survey represents a summer snapshot of phytoplankton biomass and its drivers, and lends support that light and stratification metrics, which are both affected by climate change, are better predictors for phytoplankton biomass in nutrient-rich lakes than nutrient concentrations and surface temperature

The genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of Salvia fruticosa leaf extract in human blood lymphocytes

PubMedID: 24224704The aim of this study was to investigate the genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of Salvia fruticosa (Sf) leaf extract with the absence and presence of S9 mix using sister chromatid exchange (SCE), chromosome aberration (CA) and micronucleus (MN) formation test systems in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs) that were treated with 1.5-, 3.0- and 6.0-µL/mL concentrations for 24- and 48-hour treatment periods. The cytotoxicity of Sf leaf extract was also investigated by calculating the mitotic index (MI), proliferation index (PI) and nuclear division index (NDI). In the absence of S9 mix, Sf leaf extract alone increased SCE frequency at the 48-hour treatment period; however, it induced the CA and MN at all concentrations and at all treatment periods. Sf plus MMC (mitomycin C) synergically induced SCE and CA, except the highest concentration of Sf leaf extract and MMC on induction of SCE. In addition, Sf leaf extract induced the effect of MMC on MN frequency for 24 hours, but it significantly decreased the effect of MMC on MN frequency for the 48-hour treatment period. Sf leaf extract showed a cytotoxic effect by decreasing the MI; however, it did not decrease the PI and NDI. In the presence of S9 mix, Sf leaf extract did not increase the SCE, when compared to solvent control, whereas it reduced the effect of cyclophosphamide (Cyp). Sf leaf extract induced the CA and MN, but could not increase the effect of Cyp on CA and MN formation. Sf leaf extract had no cytotoxic effect; however, it induced the cytotoxicity of Cyp. © 2014 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.FEF2009YL44This study was supported by the Cukurova University Research Fund (grant no.: FEF2009YL44

Phylogenetic Relationships Based on Morphological and Anatomical Characters on Ricotia L. Genus (Brassicaceae) Growing in Turkey

The phylogenetic relation of Ricotia (Brassicaceae) genus, which is distributed throughout Turkey based on morphological and anatomic characters were investigated. A total of 36 characteristics of which 24 from morphological and 12 from anatomic studies were used in the cladistics analyses. Anatomical characters were studied from horizontal and superficial sections of the stems and leaves. Analysis of data set utilizing maximum parsimony criteria with Branch-and-Bound search algorithm yielded 87 parsimonious trees. Some of the branches obtained by majority rule consensus algorithm were supported by bootstrap analysis. Maximum parsimony tree formed based on morphological and anatomic data sets consisted of three clades. Clade 1 consisting of R. tenuifolia, R. sinuata and R. carnosula is a monophyletic group. This group was supported by a bootstrap value of 54%. Clade 2 is made up of R. davisiana, R. aucheri and R. varians and was supported with a bootstrap value of 54%

Characterization of bioactive compounds in rosehip species from East Anatolia region of Turkey

The objective of this work was to determine some bioactive compounds for four different rosehip species (Rosa L.), growing in the East Anatolia region of Turkey. It was determined that the average fruit weights of the species varied between 9.8 g (R. dumalis) and 34.5 g (R. canina). The total soluble solids showed statistically significant variations among the rosehip species (14-22 °Brix). The acidity was inversely proportional to total soluble solids and ranged between 1.00% (R. canina) and 2.67% (R. villosa). The highest total phenolic, L- ascorbic acid contents and the highest total antioxidant capacity were found in R. canina. The total phenolic, total anthocyanin, total dry matter, and L-ascorbic acid contents and the total antioxidant capacity of the rosehip species ranged as follows 1081-6298 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g, 2.43-3.72 mg/100 g, 40.1-56.7%, 24.93-754.48 mg/100 g, and 10.04-97.95 mmol trolox equivalent/g, respectively. Glucose was the most common sugar in Rosa species (5.99-12.48 g/100 g), the major organic acid in the rosehip species was citric acid (0.48-1.05 g/100 g). A dendogram based on some pomological and biochemical characteristics of the rosehip species were grouped into 2 main clusters. Findings on the biochemical characteristics of the species will provide insights to plant breeders/growers and for further research. © 2016, Chiriotti Editori. All rights reserved

Skład chemiczny, związki lotne oraz działanie antyoksydacyjne owoców Rosa iberica Stev. hips

Rosehip fruits have been known to contain significant amounts of bioactive compounds. These bioactive compounds positively affect human health due to their antioxidant activities. This study aimed to analyze the total phenolic content (TPC) and total anthocyanin content (TAC), organic acids, total soluble solids (TSS), sugars, total dry matter (TDM), Lascorbic acid content (AAC), total antioxidant capacity and volatile components present in R. iberica Stev. hips using spectrophotometry, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Headspace and Immersion Solid Phase Micro Extraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS and Im-GC/MS). TSS, TDM, AAC, acidity, TAC and TPC were found to be 27, 44.6%, 503.26 mg·100 g-1 frozen weight (FW), 2%, 2.50 mg · 100 g-1 FW, 2832.3 mg · 100 g-1 FW, respectively. The major acids detected in R. iberica Stev. hips were citric acid (0.62 g · 100 g-1 FW) and malic acid (0.49 g · 100 g-1 FW) other detected acids included succinic acid (0.012 g · 100 g-1 FW) and fumaric acid (0.016 g · 100 g-1 FW). Total sugar content was 26.74 g · 100 g-1 FW, and glucose was the major sugar (9.35 g. · 100 g-1 FW), followed by fructose (8.58 g g · 100 g-1 FW), sorbitol (8.32 g · 100 g-1 FW), and very low quantities of sucrose (0.49 g · 100 g-1 FW). Twenty-five volatile components were identified using HS-GC/MS, and the major volatiles were 2,4-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl) phenol (20.35%), naphthalene (18.72%), ethanol (16.59%), nonanal (6.23%), acetic acid (4.39%), 2-propanone, 1-hydroxy (2.53%). Twenty-three volatile components of Rosa hips have been detected for the first time in this study. Twenty-eight components were identified by Im-GC/MS; however, fifteen of these components were determined to be different from those identified using HS-GC/MS. The FRAP value of hips was 38.55 mmol TE · g-1 FW and the ABTS value was 47.75 mmol TE · g1 FW.Owoce dzikiej róży zawierają znaczne ilości związków bioaktywnych. Związki te pozytywnie wpływają na zdrowie człowieka ze względu na swe działanie antyoksydacyjne. Celem niniejszego badania była analiza całkowitej zawartości związków fenolowych (TPC) oraz całkowitej zawartości antocyjanów (TAC), kwasów organicznych, całkowitej zwartości rozpuszczalnych substancji stałych (TSS), cukrów, całkowitej suchej masy (TDM), zwartości kwasu askorbinowego (AAC), całkowitej zdolności antyoksydacyjnej oraz składników lotnych obecnych w R. iberica Stev. przy użyciu spektrofotometrii, wysokosprawnej chromatografii cieczowej (HPLC) oraz chromatografii HS i Im-GC/MS. Stwierdzono, że TSS, TDM, AAC, kwasowość, TAC oraz TPC wynosiły odpowiednio 27,44.6%, 503,26 mg·100 g-1 masy zamrożonej (FW), 2%, 2,50 mg·100 g-1 FW, 2832,3 mg·100 g-1 FW. Główne kwasy wykryte w R. iberica Stev. to kwas cytrynowy (0,62 g·100 g-1 FW) i kwas jabłkowy (0,49 g·100 g-1 FW), natomiast inne wykryte kwasy to kwas bursztynowy (0,012 g·100 g-1 FW) i kwas fumarowy (0,016 g·100 g-1 FW). Całkowita zawartość cukrów wynosiła 26,74 g·100 g-1 FW. Glukoza była głównym cukrem (9,35 g·100 g-1 FW), następnie fruktoza (8,58 g·100 g-1 FW), sorbitol (8,32 g·100 g-1 FW) oraz bardzo niskie ilości sacharozy (0,49 g·100 g-1 FW). Zidentyfikowano 25 związków lotnych przy użyciu HS-GC/MS. Główne związki lotne to 2,4 (1,1-dimetyloetyl) fenol (20,35%), naftalen (18,72%), etanol (16,59%), nonanal (6,23%), kwas cytrynowy (4,39%), 1-hydroksy, 2-propanon (2,53%). Po raz pierwszy w niniejszym badaniu wykryto owocach dzikiej róży 23 związki lotne. 28 związków zidentyfikowano za pomocą Im-GC/MS. Jednak 15 z tych związków określono jako inne od tych, które zidentyfikowano za pomocą HS-GC/MS. Wartość FRAP owoców wynosiła 38,55 mmol TE·g-1 FW natomiast wartość ABTS 47,75 mmol TE·g-1 FW