Farida ATROUNE, Sana CHAKER, Réda DJEBBAR, Malika DAHMANI-MEGREROUCHE

Abstract: The phenolic compounds of field maple (Acer campestre L.) have been little or no studied. In this comparative study, we measured the total phenolic compound and flavonoid contents, as well as the total anti-radical and antioxidant activities of the leaves, bark and wood of the branches of two populations of field maple in Northeastern Algeria. These two populations are localized in the mountainous chain of Babors (Ain el Kebira) and in the province of Jijel (Guerrouche Mountain). Regarding the origins, the leaves contain a high amount of phenolic compounds compared to the bark and wood of the branches, with a higher content for the population of Guerrouche; whilst the contents phenolic compounds and flavonoids are almost similar in bark and wood. For relative contents, the values are similar for each part of the plant in both populations. The antiradical activity is strongly correlated with the content of phenolic compounds (R = 0.98), but not with the content of flavonoids. This ability to trap the radical DPPH (IC50), is higher in the leaves of the population of Guerrouche (16.67 μg·ml-1) compared to that of Ain El Kebira (28·33 μg·ml-1). The same observations were recorded for the total non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity. Therefore, the geographical origin of field maple samples influence the content of total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. Compared with other trees and some medicinal species, Acer campestre leaves represent an interesting source of total phenolic compounds responsible for high antioxidant activity.

Keywords: Field maple, Acer campestre L., Algeria, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, antioxidant activity




Omneya Farouk ABOU EL-LEEL, Rabab Waheed MARAEI, Amina Abd El-Hamid ALY

Abstract. Nigella sativa (commonly known as black cumin and black seed) has been shown to contain components that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic and antibacterial properties. This study assessed some parameters; vegetative growth, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity properties of seed extract obtained from N. sativa affected by biogein (B) and commander compound [(humic acid 70% (HA)]. The results indicated that the application of biogein and humic acid stimulated vegetative growth, whereas, data showed a significant increase in plant height, number of branches/plant and seed yield/plant compared to those obtained from untreated plants (control). Also, oil content, yield extract, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents increased by using these fertilizers. With regard to antioxidant activity, it has been shown increasing the antioxidant activity by organic and biofertilizer treatments. For the GC-MS analysis it was noted that there was an increase, decrease, appearance and disappearance of some compounds through the application of biogein and humic acid compared to the control sample.
It is clear from the above results that biogein and humic acid have a stimulating effect on growth and bioactive compounds, which is ultimately reflected on yield productivity in Nigella plants.

Keywords: Nigella sativa; bioactive compounds; fertilizer; GC-MS.




Cristina STANCĂ-MOISE

Abstract. The presented species of the genus Maculinea consist of individuals preserved in the collections of the Natural History Museum of Sibiu, but also recently collected by author in the field. Collecting has started more then a hundred years ago, in 1907. The paper mentions the endangerment degree of the species as well as possible causes and certain proposals to maintain their natural habitat.

Keywords: Maculinea species (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae), Dumbrava Sibiului Forest.




 Priyanka RAO, Nikhil MEHTA, Raman SAINI

Abstract. Use of plants in treatment of many diseases has been increased tremendously for enhancement of spectra of plant based natural drugs. So, in this view the present research explore the presence of different phytochemicals, antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer property of extracts isolated from different parts of Macrotyloma uniflorum. Optimized various biophysical parameters for efficient extraction using Soxhlet and evaluated by antibacterial activity. Extracts extracted with 80% methanol at 75˚C for 12 Soxhlet cycles and at their natural pH shows maximum zone of inhibition with 10.1-28.6 mm diameter. MIC ranges from 1.5-4.5 mg/ml against different bacterial strains. Among the different bacterial strains tested, Gram negative bacteria showed higher susceptibility as compare to Gram positive bacteria. Extracts evaluated for the various important phytochemicals found to contained alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids and phenols. The antioxidant activity evaluated by different methods such as DPPH, FRAP, DMPD and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging, among the different extracts seed coat extract shows best antioxidant activity with 73%, 76%, 74% and 70% at the concentration of 100 mg/ml respectively. Among the anticancer activity checked by SRB Assay against human renal cell adenocarcinoma cancer cell line 786-O, the seed coat extract exhibits highest anticancer potential with 66.2% viability of cells. Overall, the results show that the Macrotyloma uniflorum have various medicinally important properties and it could be not only used as functional food but also the source of new medicines that may be used to treat various disorders caused due to bacterial infections or oxidative stresses.

Keywords: Antibacterial; Anticancer; Antioxidant; Macrotyloma uniflorum, Phytochemicals; Plant extract.

Abbreviations: DPPH: 2,2-diphényl-1-picrylhydrazyl, DMPD: N, N-Dimethyl-p-phenylene diamine dihydrochloride, SRB: Sulforhodamine B




Nadejda EFREMOVA, Alina BEŞLIU, Agafia USATÎI

Abstract. The oxidative stress presents alteration followed by impact of nanoparticles and contributes to imbalance between formation of reactive oxygen radicals and antioxidative defense mechanisms of cell. In this study were used two types of ZnO nanoparticles <50 nm and <100 nm. The influence of some ZnO nanoparticles on protein content and the activity of enzymes - catalase and superoxide dismutase at pigmented yeast strain has been studied. Regarding the study of ZnO nanoparticles (<50 nm) it was established the increase of protein content by 57% in comparison with control values up to concentration of 20 mg/L. The activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase measured in yeast biomass after exposure to ZnO nanoparticles was significantly increased in comparison with control values. Meanwhile, the most pronounced biological effect on protein metabolism and activity of antioxidant enzymes was established for ZnO nanoparticles with <50 nm particle size. The study has revealed that zinc oxide nanoparticles of smaller size (<50 nm) were more effective than those of larger size (<100 nm). Thus, it can be concluded that adaptive response mechanism of yeasts depends on ZnO nanoparticles size and concentration.

Keywords: Yeasts cultivation, ZnO nanoparticles, Rhodotorula gracilis, protein content, antioxidant enzymes, catalase, superoxide dismutase.




Khaled KHERRAZ, Atef CHOUIKH, Azzedine CHEFROUR, Djilani GHEMAM AMARA

Abstract. The aim of this study for evaluated of extract of aerial parts of an endemic Saharan African plant Matricaria pubescens (Desf.) Sch. Bip. was examined for radical scavenging capacities and antimicrobials activity. The total of phenolic compounds of the extract was found to be 103.5 mg/g of dry extract. The antioxidant activity determined by the DPPH• method revealed that the extract had the highest antioxidant activity on DPPH• free radicals (97.1%). A significant correlation was observed between total polyphenols and the antioxidant activity. The total antioxidant capacity the inhibition effects of Matricaria pubescens extract on linoleic acid emulsion peroxidation were found to be 94.17% at 2 mg/ml. Also, the strongest antibacterial effect of the extract was recorded against Bacillus subtilus and Candida albicans whereas a mild inhibition was observed against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Penicillium expansum.

Keywords: Matricaria pubescens (Desf.) Sch. Bip.; antioxidant activities; DPPH•; antimicrobial activity.




Hacina BENZINE-CHALLAM, Dahmane DAHMANE, Malika DAHMANI-MEGREROUCHE

Abstract. In the perspective of a biological study of a medicinal Lamiaceae recognized for its antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal properties, our research focused on the analysis of the aromatic compounds of a new population of Thymus guyonii de Noé in the Algerian Saharan Atlas (Ain Takersane). Volatile extract of flowering twigs is characterized by the presence of 43 components identified by GC and GC / MS. Given the phytochemical data of essential oils obtained at the scale of four other populations of T. guyonii collected in semi-arid, arid and Saharan climate, our work is intended as an additional analysis for an intraspecific comparison of volatile components according to the habitats. The application of the hierarchical ascending classification made it possible to highlight an individualization of the five populations in three chemotypic groups: α-terpinyl acetate describes for the first time, p-cymene, and oxygenated compounds (carvacrol or thymol), in relation to the continentality gradient. The sites producing volatile extracts are very little known in this taxon; the morpho-anatomical observations of glandular trichomes on the epidermal surface of stems, leaves and calyxes were carried on light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Two types of trichomes differently distributed between the vegetative and floral organs have been described: capitate with a single-celled glandular head and peltate with twelve secretory cells organized in two discs.

Keywords: Thymus guyonii de Noé; Lamiaceae; essential oils; glandular trichomes.




Svetlana DJUR

Abstract. The article presents the results of study of the effect of the chemical compound Fe2Se3O9∙6H2O on the growth of cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis, evaluation of its biochemical parameters (proteins, phycobiliproteins, lipids and carbohydrates), as well as the level of iron/selenium accumulation into its biomass. The optimal concentration (30 mg/l) of Fe2Se3O9∙6H2O was determined to induce biomass production of selenium and iron enriched Spirulina platensis.

Keywords: Spirulina platensis, Fe2Se3O9∙6H2O, selenium, iron acetate, biochemical composition




Elis KARTIKA, Lizawati LIZAWATI, Zulkarnain ZULKARNAIN

Abstract. This study aimed at studying the effect of different concentrations of Picloram on callus proliferation from young male inflorescences explants of oil palm. The inflorescences were isolated from 5 - 6 years old stock plants grown in the field. The concentration of Picloram tested were 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 ppm. Each treatment was repeated 3 times, and each replication consisted of 3 explants in one culture flask. Culture medium used was solid MS composition supplemented with 0.03% activated charcoal. Cultures were kept in light conditions at 27 ± 1 °C for 16 weeks without subculture. Observations were performed on the percentage of explants forming callus, time span to first callus proliferation, and the characteristics of callus (color and texture). Results showed that Picloram could increase the percentage of explants forming callus, where Picloram at 50 ppm was able to produce the highest percentage of callusing explants (77.78% on the average). In addition, the 50 ppm Picloram was also able to accelerate callus proliferation to an average of 10.23 days after culture initiation. The proliferated callus showed uniform characteristics, ie. cream, yellowish cream and brownish cream in colour, with a friable texture.

Keywords: tissue culture; Picloram; callus; oleaginous plant.




Anca BUTIUC-KEUL, Irina GOI, Victoria CRISTEA, Dumitrana FIȚ, Alexandra ȘUTEU, Anca FARKAS

Abstract: The polyunsaturated fatty acids are highly recommended in the human diet, but unfortunately they are not synthetized de novo in mammals and are almost exclusively plant derived. Some plant species contain high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, therefore this study aimed the investigation of several Boraginaceae species from the Romanian cultivated and spontaneous flora by RAPD markers associated with linolenic acid synthesis. Eight RAPD primers previously employed for Brassica rapa ssp. oleifera were applicable for Cynoglossum officinale, Echium vulgare, Anchusa officinalis but were not suitable for Nonea lutea. The analyses showed that most primers generated polymorphic patterns in all species, while the number of bands was generally higher than in Brassica rapa ssp. oleifera and the fragments size was different as well. The primers OPB-18, OPG-16, OPH-11, OPH-12, OPI-14,OPJ-20, OPK-20, OPL-03 and OPP-19 generated at least two fragments in most of the Boraginaceae species, but in Brassica rapa ssp. oleifera only the primers OPB-18, OPH-11 and OPH-12 generated two fragments. These RAPD markers are associated with the fad3gene, the predominant gene responsible for the synthesis of linolenic acid in seeds. Thus, such markers, could be valuable tools for a rapid screening of plant species producing linolenic acid or other polyunsaturated fatty acids as biochemical analysis of these compounds is difficult to achieve.

Keywords: PUFA; linolenic acid; RAPD markers; Cynoglossum officinale; Echium vulgare; Anchusa officinalis; Nonea lutea.