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1.
Plants (Basel) ; 12(14)2023 Jul 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37514230

ABSTRACT

The main goal of our study was to find an optimal combination of tested factors to achieve lettuce rich in bioactive compounds sustaining its pleasant taste. We examined three red and three green cultivars in a greenhouse using two microbiological fertilisers (EM Aktiv and Vital Tricho), and their combination. Plants were grown in three consecutive growing seasons (autumn, winter, and spring). Lactones accumulated in autumn, whereas phenolics' concentration rose during winter. Red cultivars showed higher phenolics and lactone content, where chicoric acid and luteolin-7-glucoside were the most abundant in the 'Gaugin' winter trial. Lactucopicrin was the predominant lactone among tested cultivars with the highest value in the red cultivar 'Carmesi'. Solely applicated, the fertiliser EM Aktiv and Vital Tricho led to significantly higher phenolic acid and dihydrolactucopicrin content, while combined, there were notably increased levels of all detected lactones. Application of single fertilisers had no effect on flavonoid content, while the combination even reduced it. A sensory analysis showed a negative correlation between overall taste and total sesquiterpene lactones, lactucopicrin, caffeoylmalic, and chlorogenic acid, indicating a less bitter taste with decreasing content of these compounds. Our findings indicate that the cultivar, fertiliser, and growing season jointly affected all of the tested parameters, highlighting the differences in the application of EM Aktiv, Vital Tricho, and their combination.

2.
Plants (Basel) ; 12(12)2023 Jun 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37375864

ABSTRACT

(1) The nutritional quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) fruits, among others, is largely maintained by the presence of soluble sugars and organic acids. As the primary products of photosynthesis, they are energy depots in plants, necessary for the construction of cell constituents, but also serve as precursors of aromatic compounds and signaling molecules. (2) In this study, fruits of 25 strawberry cultivars were qualitatively and quantitatively characterized concerning individual sugars and organic acids by HPLC, FT-ICR-MS, and MS imaging analysis. In addition, the total quality index (TQI), as a novel mathematical model, was used to compare all individual parameters evaluated to obtain a quantitative single score, as an indicator of overall fruit quality. (3) Regardless of a large number of cultivars and monitored parameters that were studded, several cultivars stood out in terms of selected primary metabolites, such as 'Rumba', 'Jeny', and 'Sandra', while the latter had the best TQI score. (4) Intercultivar variations in sugars and organic acids profiles, along with other bioactive compounds, should be considered for selection of promising cultivars with improved naturally occurring nutraceutical traits. Besides the search for a pleasant taste, increased awareness of healthy nutrition resulted in heightening consumer demand for high-quality fruit.

3.
Plants (Basel) ; 11(24)2022 Dec 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36559677

ABSTRACT

Phenolic compounds of 25 newly introduced strawberry cultivars were profiled using spectrophotometry, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Total phenolic and anthocyanin content (TPC and TACY, respectively), as well as vitamin C, and concentrations of individual phenolic compounds in fruits were evaluated to identify the most promising cultivars according to their phenolic profile. The highest values of TPC, TACY, and vitamin C were recorded in 'Premy' (1.53 mg eq GA g-1 FW), 'Sandra' (30.60 mg eq Pg-3-g 100 g-1 FW), and 'Laetitia' (56.32 mg 100 g-1 FW), respectively. The DPPH and •OH radicals scavenging activity of fruit methanolic extracts was estimated using EPR spectroscopy. All cultivars are almost uniformly effective in the scavenging of •OH radical, while 'Tea', 'Premy', and 'Joly' were marked as highly potent cultivars (over 70%) in terms of DPPH-antiradical activity. Specific peroxidase activities were the highest in 'Garda', 'Federica', and 'Rumba' (0.11, 0.08, and 0.06 U mg-1 prot, respectively). 'Laetitia', 'Joly', 'Arianna', 'Tea', and 'Mila' cultivars were distinguished from others as the richest concerning almost all flavonoids and phenolic acids, including some other parameters of bioactivity. These cultivars could be recommended to consumers as functional fruit foods.

4.
Molecules ; 27(15)2022 Jul 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35956810

ABSTRACT

Indigo carmine is a commonly used industrial blue dye. To determine its concentration in a commercially available food dye composed of a mixture of indigo carmine and D-glucose, this paper characterizes it through (ATR, KBr) FTIR micro-Raman as well as UV/Vis and clock: Briggs-Rauscher (BR) oscillatory reaction methods. The indigo carmine was detected in the bulk food dye only by applying micro-Raman spectroscopy, indicating a low percentage of the indigo carmine present. This research provides an improvement in the deviations from the experimental Raman spectrum as calculated by the B97D/cc-pVTZ level of theory one, resulting in a better geometrical optimization of the indigo carmine molecule compared to data within the literature. The analytical curves used to determine indigo carmine concentrations (and quantities) in an aqueous solution of food dye were applied by means of UV/Vis and BR methods. BR yielded significantly better analytical parameters: 100 times lower LOD and LOQ compared to commonly used UV/Vis. The remarkable sensitivity of the BR reaction towards indigo carmine suggests that not only does indigo carmine react in an oscillatory reaction but also its decomposition products, meaning that the multiple oxidation reactions have an important role in the BR's indigo carmine mechanism. The novelty of this research is the investigation of indigo carmine using a clock BR reaction, opening new possibilities to determine indigo carmine in other complex samples (pharmaceutical, food, etc.).


Subject(s)
Coloring Agents , Indigo Carmine , Indigo Carmine/chemistry , Oxidation-Reduction , Spectrum Analysis, Raman
5.
Int J Biol Macromol ; 198: 168-174, 2022 Feb 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34968543

ABSTRACT

Silicon (Si) is considered a beneficial element for plants, mostly accumulating in cell walls, where its location and content are primed by the chemistry and structure of lignin. It is unrevealed how Si interacts with the process of lignin formation in the CWs. We studied, in an in vitro system, the interaction of SiO2 with the peroxidase-catalyzed polymerization of a lignin monomer into the lignin model compound, imitating conditions of the last step of lignin formation. FTIR and fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy showed that Si is bound to the final polymer, and the structure of the Si-DHP differs from pure DHP. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed that Si does not bind to the monomers, so Si probably inhibits the formation of the larger lignin fragments, as evidenced by HPLC-DAD, by binding to dimmers formed during DHP synthesis. The structural changes of the polymer are related to the changed proportion of the fractions of various MW. The enzyme catalyzing DHP synthesis was not inhibited by Si. HRP activity was increased in presence of Si except for 6 mM Si. This may indicate that the complex formed with Si and short oligomers activates the enzyme, and prevents the formation of the large fragments.


Subject(s)
Silicon
6.
Physiol Plant ; 173(3): 818-828, 2021 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34109632

ABSTRACT

Apoplastic antioxidative constituents (enzymes, primary and secondary metabolites, ROS) from different root zones of hydroponically grown maize (Zea mays L.) were investigated using a noninvasive isolation procedure: filter strip method. Filter strips were placed at specific positions on the root surface: apical zone (tip) and basal zone (base) to absorb apoplastic fluid. Three major classes of low-weight metabolites (organic acids, sugars, and phenolics) have been identified by HPLC-ECD. The longitudinal distribution of sugars and organic acids had the same pattern: higher concentration in the tip than the base, while it was vice versa for phenolics. The specific activities of guaiacol peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase were higher in the apoplastic fluid from the root base than the tip, and their different isoforms were separated by isoelectric focusing. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy coupled with the spin-trapping method using DEPMPO showed a persistent generation of hydroxyl radical in the root tip. In vivo EPR imaging of the whole maize root with membrane-permeable and impermeable aminoxyl spin-probes, enabling real-time detection of ROS formation within and outside the membranes, demonstrated ROS accumulation on the root surface, while endodermis and central cylinder were ROS free. For the first time in plant research, 2D EPR images enabled the direct demonstration of site-specific free radical production along the root. Highly sensitive analytical techniques combined with the filter strips, as a non-invasive tool, have increased our knowledge of metabolic processes occurring in the apoplast and their spatial-temporal changes in small regions of the intact root tissue.


Subject(s)
Plant Roots , Zea mays , Antioxidants , Meristem , Superoxide Dismutase
7.
Biology (Basel) ; 9(12)2020 Dec 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33302368

ABSTRACT

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.

8.
J Agric Food Chem ; 68(15): 4346-4354, 2020 Apr 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32202778

ABSTRACT

Phenolic compounds of 12 strawberry cultivars were profiled using spectrophotometry, spectrofluorometry, and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, coupled with multivariate regression analysis. Total phenolic content, total anthocyanin content, and total antioxidant capacity (TPC, TACY, and TAC, respectively) and concentrations of individual phenolics were evaluated, and the multivariate statistic was employed to identify the most promising cultivars based on their phenolic content. According to the principal component analysis, TAC was strongly correlated with the TPC (0.81), pointing out its importance in overall antioxidant activity. 'Joly', 'Laetitia', and 'Asia' cultivars were distinguished from others as the richest in concerning identified anthocyanins, almost all flavonoids and phenolic acids. Multivariate curve resolution with alternating least squares indicated the presence of two main types of fluorophores assigned to anthocyanins and phenolics, in which emission spectral ratios also showed the highest values in the referred cultivars. These cultivars could be recommended to consumers in terms of the health functionality of fruit.


Subject(s)
Fragaria/chemistry , Phenols/chemistry , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Antioxidants/chemistry , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Fruit/chemistry , Fruit/classification , Mass Spectrometry , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification
9.
J Sci Food Agric ; 100(7): 2905-2910, 2020 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32031245

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cereal seeds, such as maize seeds, are frequently contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), one of the most dangerous naturally occurring carcinogens. In plants, phenolamides are involved in biotic stress response. The data on variations of phenolamides in AFB1-containing seeds are limited. RESULTS: Five polyamine conjugates, including two spermidine and three putrescine conjugates, were tentatively identified in methanolic extracts, using HPLC-DAD-MS. The ratio of putrescine to spermidine conjugates changed with increasing AFB1 concentration in a logistic dose-response manner, with a ratio of below 1 up to a concentration of 51.51 µg kg-1 , and approximately 2.54 and 3 at higher concentrations of 177.4 and 308.13 µg kg-1 , respectively. The observed variations of the total antioxidant activity and the total phenolic content may support this biphasic behaviour of the seeds against AFB1 stress. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained data are a contribution to the understanding of the roles of polyamine conjugates in seed defence to increasing AFB1 concentrations. According to our knowledge, this study reports for the first time the biphasic response of maize seeds to increasing AFB1 contamination level, comprising the induction of polyamine conjugate accumulation and variation in the ratio of conjugates. This dose-response relationship may provide useful information in the field of agricultural and food chemistry as an indicator of AFB1 contamination level and, hence, for selecting an appropriate seed quality. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.


Subject(s)
Aflatoxin B1 , Polyamines/analysis , Seeds/chemistry , Zea mays/chemistry , Food Contamination/analysis , Seeds/microbiology , Zea mays/microbiology
10.
Plant Cell Environ ; 41(11): 2654-2667, 2018 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29956332

ABSTRACT

Efforts to breed salt tolerant crops could benefit from investigating previously unexplored traits. One of them is a tissue succulency. In this work, we have undertaken an electrophysiological and biochemical comparison of properties of mesophyll and storage parenchyma leaf tissues of a succulent halophyte species Carpobrotus rosii ("pigface"). We show that storage parenchyma cells of C. rossii act as Na+ sink and possessed both higher Na+ sequestration (298 vs. 215 mM NaCl in mesophyll) and better K+ retention ability. The latter traits was determined by the higher rate of H+ -ATPase operation and higher nonenzymatic antioxidant activity in this tissue. Na+ uptake in both tissues was insensitive to either Gd3+ or elevated Ca2+ ruling out involvement of nonselective cation channels as a major path for Na+ entry. Patch-clamp experiments have revealed that Caprobrotus plants were capable to downregulate activity of fast vacuolar channels when exposed to saline environment; this ability was higher in the storage parenchyma cells compared with mesophyll. Also, storage parenchyma cells have constitutively lower number of open slow vacuolar channels, whereas in mesophyll, this suppression was inducible by salt. Taken together, these results provide a mechanistic basis for efficient Na+ sequestration in the succulent leaf tissues.


Subject(s)
Aizoaceae/physiology , Salt-Tolerant Plants/physiology , Aizoaceae/metabolism , Hydrogen/metabolism , Membrane Potentials , Patch-Clamp Techniques , Plant Leaves/cytology , Plant Leaves/metabolism , Plant Leaves/physiology , Potassium/metabolism , Salt Tolerance/physiology , Salt-Tolerant Plants/metabolism , Sodium/metabolism
11.
J Phys Chem A ; 122(2): 482-491, 2018 Jan 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29254335

ABSTRACT

The Briggs-Rauscher reaction containing malonic acid may undergo a sudden transition from low (state I) to high iodide and iodine (state II) concentration states after a well-defined and strongly reproducible oscillatory period. This study clearly shows that even though the time-dependent behavior of the oscillatory state is reproducible, the time lag necessary for the appearance of the state I to state II transition after the system leaves the oscillatory state becomes irreproducible for an individual kinetic run. This crazy clock behavior of the state I to state II transition is identified by repeated experiments in which stirring rate is taken as a control parameter and all other parameters such as initial conditions, temperature, vessel surface, and the age of solution were kept constant. Surprisingly, a better stirring condition does not make the transition reproducible; it simply does not allow the transition to happen at all. The proposed mechanism, additional explanations, and proposals for this irreproducibility of state I to state II transition have been presented. Considering the fact that the number of crazy clock reactions is only a few, this study may contribute to a better understanding of fundaments of this phenomenon.

12.
J Agric Food Chem ; 65(24): 5034-5040, 2017 Jun 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28581737

ABSTRACT

The influence of growth regulator prohexadione-Ca (ProCa) concurrently with young canes removal on the modification of photosynthetic pigments content and antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase, POD; catalase, CAT; polyphenol oxidase, PPO; superoxide dismutase, SOD) activities in leaves and fruits of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) cultivar 'Willamette' was studied. ProCa increased while canes removal decreased chlorophylls and carotenoids content compared to control. POD, CAT, and PPO activities in leaves after removal of young canes were higher compared to control (2-4 times) which was visually confirmed for POD by isoelectrofocusing. Removal of young canes slithly increased, while ProCa significantly enhanced SOD activity in leaves compared to control (475.10 and 218.38 nkat mg-1 prot, respectively). Pattern of SOD activity in fruit was similar as in leaf with substantial increase compared to control (about 15 times). Combination of implemented measures increased activity of all enzymes in the leaves and fruits. Our study could provide a better knowledge of the ProCa and canes removal influences on the action of enzymes in order to regulate their activities in fruit products.


Subject(s)
Ketoglutaric Acids/pharmacology , Plant Proteins/analysis , Rubus/drug effects , Rubus/enzymology , Catalase/analysis , Catalase/metabolism , Catechol Oxidase/analysis , Catechol Oxidase/metabolism , Fruit/chemistry , Fruit/drug effects , Fruit/enzymology , Fruit/growth & development , Peroxidases/analysis , Peroxidases/metabolism , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Plant Leaves/drug effects , Plant Leaves/enzymology , Plant Leaves/growth & development , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Rubus/chemistry , Rubus/growth & development , Superoxide Dismutase/analysis , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism
13.
Nat Prod Commun ; 12(2): 185-188, 2017 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30428207

ABSTRACT

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.


Subject(s)
Metals, Heavy/analysis , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Power Plants , Trace Elements/analysis , Plant Components, Aerial/chemistry , Plant Roots/chemistry
14.
Plant Foods Hum Nutr ; 70(1): 77-84, 2015 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25575487

ABSTRACT

Bioclimatic air ionisation system (BI) works by neutralising air pollutants and microorganisms by means of oxidation with "activated oxygen". We investigated the effects of storage on changes in weight loss, chemical and sensory fruit properties in eight cultivars of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.). All cultivars were evaluated for their standard parameters of quality (soluble solids content, total acidity, vitamin C content, total antioxidant activity - TAC, total phenolic and anthocyanins content) at different store conditions: fresh fruits-control, cold stored (at 4 °C) fruits without controlled atmospheres and cold stored (at 4 °C) fruits in BI. The present study outlines that anthocyanins of the strawberries stored in BI were subjected to significant degradation. These strawberries have prolonged shelf-life accompanied by weight loss reduction, TAC increment, and sensory properties improvement in tested cultivars, retaining other nutritional fruit qualities.


Subject(s)
Food Preservation/methods , Fragaria/chemistry , Fruit/chemistry , Nutritive Value , Phenols/analysis , Antioxidants/analysis , Ascorbic Acid/analysis , Fragaria/classification , Time Factors
15.
Funct Plant Biol ; 43(1): 75-86, 2015 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32480443

ABSTRACT

The causal relationship between salinity and oxidative stress tolerance is well established, but specific downstream targets and the role of specific antioxidant compounds in controlling cellular ionic homeostasis remains elusive. In this work, we have compared antioxidant profiles of leaves of two quinoa genotypes contrasting in their salt tolerance, with the aim of understanding the role of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in salinity stress tolerance. Only changes in superoxide dismutase activity were correlated with plant adaptive responses to salinity. Proline accumulation played no major role in either osmotic adjustment or in the tissue tolerance mechanism. Among other non-enzymatic antioxidants, rutin levels were increased by over 25 fold in quinoa leaves. Exogenous application of rutin to glycophyte bean leaves improved tissue tolerance and reduced detrimental effects of salinity on leaf photochemistry. Electrophysiological experiments revealed that these beneficial effects were attributed to improved potassium retention and increased rate of Na+ pumping from the cell. The lack of correlation between rutin-induced changes in K+ and H+ fluxes suggest that rutin accumulation in the cytosol scavenges hydroxyl radical formed in response to salinity treatment thus preventing K+ leak via one of ROS-activated K+ efflux pathways, rather than controlling K+ flux via voltage-gated K+-permeable channels.

16.
Plant Sci ; 223: 49-58, 2014 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24767115

ABSTRACT

Apoplastic fluid was extracted from maize (Zea mays L.) roots using two procedures: collection from the surface of intact plant roots by filter paper strips (AF) or vacuum infiltration and/or centrifugation from excised root segments (AWF). The content of cytoplasmic marker (glucose-6-phosphate, G-6-P) and antioxidative components (enzymes, organic acids, phenolics, sugars, ROS) were compared in the extracts. The results obtained demonstrate that AF was completely free of G-6-P, as opposed to AWF where the cytoplasmic constituent was detected even at mildest centrifugation (200×g). Isoelectric focusing of POD and SOD shows the presence of cytoplasmic isoforms in AWF, and HPLC of sugars and phenolics a much more complex composition of AWF, due to cytoplasmic contamination. Organic acid composition differed in the two extracts, much higher concentrations of malic acid being registered in AF, while oxalic acid due to intracellular contamination being present only in AWF. EPR spectroscopy of DEPMPO spin trap in the extracts showed persistent generation of hydroxyl radical adduct in AF. The results obtained argue in favor of the filter strip method for the root apoplastic fluid extraction, avoiding the problems of cytoplasmic contamination and dilution and enabling concentration measurements in minute regions of the root.


Subject(s)
Filtration/methods , Paper , Plant Exudates/isolation & purification , Plant Roots/chemistry , Zea mays/chemistry , Biomass , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy , Glucose-6-Phosphate/metabolism , Isoelectric Focusing , Peroxidase/metabolism , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Plant Roots/enzymology , Pyrroles/metabolism , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism
17.
Environ Geochem Health ; 35(2): 215-26, 2013 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22851152

ABSTRACT

Aristolochic acids (AAs) are nephrotoxic and carcinogenic derivatives found in several Aristolochia species. To date, the toxicity of AAs has been inferred only from the effects observed in patients suffering from a kidney disease called "aristolochic acid nephropathy" (AAN, formerly known as "Chinese herbs nephropathy"). More recently, the chronic poisoning with Aristolochia seeds has been considered to be the main cause of Balkan endemic nephropathy, another form of chronic renal failure resembling AAN. So far, it was assumed that AAs can enter the human food chain only through ethnobotanical use (intentional or accidental) of herbs containing self-produced AAs. We hypothesized that the roots of some crops growing in fields where Aristolochia species grew over several seasons may take up certain amounts of AAs from the soil, and thus become a secondary source of food poisoning. To verify this possibility, maize plant (Zea mays) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) were used as a model to substantiate the possible significance of naturally occurring AAs' root uptake in food chain contamination. This study showed that the roots of maize plant and cucumber are capable of absorbing AAs from nutrient solution, consequently producing strong peaks on ultraviolet HPLC chromatograms of plant extracts. This uptake resulted in even higher concentrations of AAs in the roots compared to the nutrient solutions. To further validate the measurement of AA content in the root material, we also measured their concentrations in nutrient solutions before and after the plant treatment. Decreased concentrations of both AAI and AAII were found in nutrient solutions after plant growth. During this short-term experiment, there were much lower concentrations of AAs in the leaves than in the roots. The question is whether these plants are capable of transferring significant amounts of AAs from the roots into edible parts of the plant during prolonged experiments.


Subject(s)
Aristolochic Acids/metabolism , Balkan Nephropathy/etiology , Cucumis sativus/metabolism , Foodborne Diseases/complications , Zea mays/metabolism , Aristolochic Acids/toxicity , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Cucumis sativus/poisoning , Humans , Plant Roots/metabolism , Zea mays/poisoning
18.
Methods Mol Biol ; 913: 237-50, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22895764

ABSTRACT

Biochemical methods available for the measurement of antioxidant activity in salt-stressed tissues are reviewed, outlining the most important advantages and shortcomings of the methods. Here we consider commonly used methods for measuring total antioxidant capacity and phenolic content, ABTS and Folin-Ciocalteu's procedure, respectively. Moreover, we presented assays for determination of antioxidant enzymes activities: superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase. This choice of methods enables us to elucidate a full profile of antioxidant activities, evaluating their effectiveness against various reactive oxygen species produced during salt stress.


Subject(s)
Antioxidants/metabolism , Plants/metabolism , Salinity , Salt Tolerance/physiology , Stress, Physiological , Enzyme Assays/methods , Phenols/chemistry , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/metabolism , Plants/chemistry , Plants/enzymology
19.
J Exp Bot ; 63(7): 2411-20, 2012 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22249995

ABSTRACT

This work was focused on the role of silicon (Si) in amelioration of manganese (Mn) toxicity caused by elevated production of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) in the leaf apoplast of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). The plants were grown in nutrient solutions with adequate (0.5 µM) or excessive (100 µM) Mn concentrations with or without Si being supplied. The symptoms of Mn toxicity were absent in the leaves of Si-treated plants subjected to excess Mn, although the leaf Mn concentration remained extremely high. The apoplastic concentration of free Mn(2+) and H(2)O(2) of high Mn-treated plants was significantly decreased by Si treatment. Si supply suppressed the Mn-induced increased abundance of peroxidase (POD) isoforms in the leaf apoplastic fluid, and led to a rapid suppression of guaiacol-POD activity under excess Mn. The spin-trapping reagent 5-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-5-methyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide was used to detect ·OH by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Although supplying Si markedly decreased the accumulation of ·OH in the leaf apoplast with excess Mn, adding monosilicic acid to the Mn(2+)/H(2)O(2) reaction mixture did not directly affect the Fenton reaction in vitro. The results indicate that Si contributes indirectly to a decrease in ·OH in the leaf apoplast by decreasing the free apoplastic Mn(2+), thus regulating the Fenton reaction. A direct inhibitory effect of Si on guaiacol-POD activity (demonstrated in vitro) may also contribute to decreasing the POD-mediated generation of ·OH.


Subject(s)
Cucumis sativus/metabolism , Hydroxyl Radical/metabolism , Manganese/toxicity , Plant Leaves/metabolism , Silicon/pharmacology , Cucumis sativus/drug effects , Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism , Plant Leaves/drug effects
20.
Cardiol J ; 15(5): 463-6, 2008.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18810723

ABSTRACT

Acute myocardial infarction is a rare condition in young athletes. One of the causes could be a hypercoagulable state due to congenital antithrombin III deficiency, together with a prothrombotic state soon after strenuous physical training. We present the case of myocardial reinfarction in young football player with antithrombin III deficiency, treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention and drug eluting stent, as well as the functional repercussions of continuous intensive physical activity.


Subject(s)
Antithrombin III Deficiency/complications , Football , Myocardial Infarction/etiology , Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary , Antithrombin III Deficiency/blood , Antithrombin III Deficiency/drug therapy , Clopidogrel , Coronary Angiography , Drug-Eluting Stents , Humans , Male , Myocardial Infarction/diagnostic imaging , Myocardial Infarction/therapy , Myocardial Perfusion Imaging , Physical Fitness , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Recurrence , Ticlopidine/analogs & derivatives , Ticlopidine/therapeutic use , Young Adult
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