scholarly journals Seasonal variations of trace element contents in leaves and bark of horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) in urban and industrial regions in Serbia

2017 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marija Pavlovic ◽  
Tamara Rakic ◽  
Dragana Pavlovic ◽  
Olga Kostic ◽  
Snezana Jaric ◽  
...  

In this study, we examined the ability of horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) to capture heavy metals, and whether its capacity to absorb metals from soil is associated with surrounding ecological characteristics and sources of pollution. We studied the seasonal accumulation of B, Cu, Sr and Zn in leaves and bark, and the chlorophyll content in the common deciduous tree Aesculus hippocastanum L. in four urban parks in Pancevo, Smederevo, Obrenovac and Belgrade (Serbia) affected by different anthropogenic activities. The research included plants from a control site located within the zone of a former oak forest. Our findings suggest that there are potential ecological risks around Smederevo, Belgrade and Obrenovac due to elevated concentrations of B and Zn relative to the average concentrations described for worldwide soils, as well as national regulations. Substantial and toxic foliar accumulation of B was observed in Smederevo and Belgrade, and of Sr in both plant tissues at all sites. However, the Cu and Zn contents in leaves were not enough to meet the physiological needs of plants. Chlorophyll a and the total carotenoid content peaked in August under the most unfavorable conditions of the year, which may be considered as an adaptive mechanism. The obtained results showed the remarkable complexity of environmental conditions and the difficulties A. hippocastanum, as a species, has to overcome. Under conditions of different types of urban and industrial pollution, A. hippocastanum showed great element accumulation potential and could be regarded as both an accumulator and a response indicator, since its leaves are quite susceptible to damage.

Author(s):  
A. K. Veligodska ◽  
O. V. Fedotov ◽  
A. S. Petreeva

<p>The influence of certain nitrogen compounds - components of glucose-peptone medium (GPM) on the accumulation of carotenoids by some strains was investigated by surface cultivating basidiomycetes. The total carotenoid content was set in acetone extracts of mycological material spectrophotometrically and calculated using the Vetshteyn formula.</p> <p>As the nitrogen-containing components used GPM with 9 compounds, such as peptone, DL-valine, L-asparagine, DL-serine, DL-tyrosine, L-proline, L-alanine, urea, NaNO<sub>3</sub>. The effect on the accumulation of specific compounds both in the mycelium and in the culture fluid of carotenoids by culturing certain strains of Basidiomycetes was identified.</p> <p>Adding to standard glucose-peptone medium peptone at 5 g/l causes an increase of carotenoid accumulation by strain <em>L. sulphureus</em> Ls-08, and in a concentration of 4 g/l by strains of <em>F. hepatica </em>Fh-18 and <em>F. fomentarius</em> Ff-1201.</p> <p>In order to increase the accumulation of carotenoids in the mycelium  we suggested to make a standard glucose-peptone medium with proline or valine for cultivating of <em>L. sulphureus</em> Ls- 08 strain; alanine for <em>F. fomentarius</em> Ff-1201 strain; proline, asparagine and serine - for strain Fh-18 of <em>F. hepatica</em>. The results can be implemented in further optimization of the composition of the nutrient medium for culturing strains of Basidiomycetes wich producing carotenoids.</p> <p><em>Keywords: nitrogen-containing substances, Basidiomycetes, mycelium</em><em>,</em><em> culture filtrate, carotenoids</em></p>


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Caterina Durante ◽  
Marina Cocchi ◽  
Lisa Lancellotti ◽  
Laura Maletti ◽  
Andrea Marchetti ◽  
...  

The metal content in some samples of horse chestnut seeds (Aesculus hippocastanum) was monitored over time (years 2016–2019) considering the two most common and representative Mediterranean varieties: the pure species (AHP, which gives white flowers) and a hybrid one (AHH, which gives pink flowers). The selected elemental composition of the samples was determined by applying the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) technique. Several samples obtained from different preliminary treatments of the peeled seeds were examined, such as: (i) floury samples (wild-type) mineralized with the wet method; (ii) the ashes of both AHP and AHH varieties; (iii) the fraction of total inorganic soluble salts (TISS). Furthermore, the hydroalcoholic crude extracts (as a tincture) were obtained according to the official Pharmacopoeia methods, and the relevant results were compared with those of a commercial sample, an herbal product-food supplement of similar characteristics. The main characteristics of this research work underline that the two botanical varieties give different distinctive characters, due to the Fe content (80.05 vs. 1.42 mg/100 g d.s., for AHP and AHH wild-type flour samples, respectively), along with K, Ca, Mn, Ni and Cu, which are more abundant in the AHP samples. Furthermore, the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to the experimental dataset in order to classify and discriminate the samples, in relation to their similar botanical origin, but different for the color of the bloom. These results can be useful for the traceability of raw materials potentially intended for the production of auxiliary systems of pharmacological interest.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 910
Author(s):  
María I. Sáez ◽  
María D. Suárez ◽  
Francisco J. Alarcón ◽  
Tomás F. Martínez

This study evaluates the potential of different algae extracts (Crassiphycus corneus, Cc; Ulva ohnoi, Uo; Arthrospira platensis, Ap; Haematococcus pluvialis, Hp) as additives for the preservation of rainbow trout fillets. The extracts were prepared with different water to ethanol ratios from the four algae species. The highest ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) was observed in Uo extracted in 80% ethanol. Ap aqueous extract also had considerable FRAP activity, in agreement with a high total phenolic content. Radical scavenging activity (DPPH) was higher in Cc 80% ethanol extract, in agreement with a high total carotenoid content. In fact, when the algae aqueous extracts were assayed on the fish fillets, their antioxidant activity exceeded that of ascorbic acid (ASC). All algae extracts delayed microbial growth and lipid oxidation processes in trout fillets throughout the cold storage period compared to controls, and also improved textural parameters, these effects being more evident for Ap and Hp. With respect to the color parameters, the Hp extract prevented the a* values (redness) from decreasing throughout cold storage, a key point when it comes to colored species, not least salmonids. On the other hand, the Ap extract was not as effective as the rest of treatments in avoiding a* and b* decrease throughout the storage period, and thereby the color parameters were impaired. The results obtained, together with the natural origin and the viability for large-scale cultivation, make algae extracts interesting fish preservative agents for the food industry.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 721
Author(s):  
Kristina Kljak ◽  
Klaudija Carović-Stanko ◽  
Ivica Kos ◽  
Zlatko Janječić ◽  
Goran Kiš ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a supplementation diet for hens consisting of dried basil herb and flowers of calendula and dandelion for color, carotenoid content, iron-induced oxidative stability, and sensory properties of egg yolk compared with commercial pigment (control) and marigold flower. The plant parts were supplemented in diets at two levels: 1% and 3%. In response to dietary content, yolks from all diets differed in carotenoid profile (p < 0.001). The 3% supplementation level resulted in a similar total carotenoid content as the control (21.25 vs. 21.79 μg/g), but by 3-fold lower compared to the 3% marigold (66.95 μg/g). The tested plants did not achieve yolk color fan values as the control (13.47) or 3% marigold (11.47), and among them, calendula had the highest values (9.73). Despite the low carotenoid content in diets supplemented with basil herb, iron-induced malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was low as for marigold (on average 106.83 vs. 92.68 ng/g after 250 min). The treatments differed in sensory color scores for fresh and hard-boiled yolks and flavor while other sensory properties were similar. In conclusion, the supplementation of plants in a hen diet may result in yolks containing carotenoids and other compounds showing a high antioxidant effect.


Author(s):  

Abstract A new distribution map is provided for Guignardia aesculi (Peck) V.B. Stewart. Hosts: horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) and other Aesculus spp. Information is given on the geographical distribution in EUROPE, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland, UK, Yugoslavia, NORTH AMERICA, Canada, USA.


Author(s):  
Daniela Pop ◽  
Oana Pop ◽  
G. Cuc ◽  
I. Oltean

Horse leafminer of ornamental chestnut (Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimič) spread in Europe very quickly and produces important damages to species like Aesculus especially to Aesculus hippocastanum L. Science peoples from European countries where this pest is present, were and are concern by all the aspects regarding this pest: origin, area of spread, morphology, biology and fighting. The present paper completes the aspect of morphology of larva by photos of larvae using electron microscope in different development stages, so to can determinate the medium size of larvae in every stage, inclusive aspects regarding the segments characteristics of thorax and abdomen. This characteristics help to determinate the larval stage of development .


2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Saranchina ◽  
Polina Drozdova ◽  
Andrei Mutin ◽  
Maxim Timofeyev

Proper diet is critical for laboratory-reared animals, as it may affect not only their welfare, but also experimental results. Amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda) play important roles in ecosystems and are often used in environmental research. Endemic amphipods from the ancient Lake Baikal are promising for laboratory bioassays; however, there are currently no laboratory cultures. In this work, we determine how different diets affect the color and metabolism of a laboratory-reared Baikal amphipod, Eulimnogammarus cyaneus. We found that in freshly collected blue-colored animals, body color correlated with total carotenoid content. Total carotenoid levels did not differ after long-term (two months) feeding with a close to natural carotenoid-enriched, or even a carotenoid-depleted diet. Nevertheless, antennae color was closer to red in the natural-like diet group. It is likely that the carotenoids from the commercial diet are not properly metabolized in E. cyaneus. The animals fed commercial diets had a higher glycogen content, which may signify a higher metabolic rate. Overall, we show that a carotenoid-enriched diet optimized for decapods is not optimal for amphipods, likely due to different carotenoid compositions, and the diet for long-term rearing of E. cyaneus and other Baikal amphipods requires supplementation.


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