Forest Soils—What’s Their Peculiarity?

Mankind expects from forests and forest soils benefits like pure drinking water, space for recreation, habitats for nature-near biocenoses and the production of timber as unrivaled climate-friendly raw material. An overview over 208 recent articles revealed that ecosystem services are actually the main focus in the perception of forest soil functions. Studies on structures and processes that are the basis of forest soil functions and ecosystem services are widely lacking. Therefore, additional literature was included dealing with the distinct soil structure and high porosity and pore continuity of forest soils, as well as with their high biological activity and chemical soil reaction. Thus, the highly differentiated, hierarchical soil structure in combination with the ion exchange capacity and the acid buffering capacity could be described as the main characteristics of forest soils confounding the desired ecosystem services. However, some of these functions of forest soils are endangered under the influence of environmental change or even because of forest management, like mono-cultures or soil compaction through forest machines. In the face of the high vulnerability of forest soils and increased threads, e.g., through soil acidification, it is evident that active soil management strategies must be implemented with the aim to counteract the loss of soil functions or to recover them.

The Concentration-Dependent Effects of Essential Oils on the Growth of Fusarium graminearum and Mycotoxins Biosynthesis in Wheat and Maize Grain

The presence of Fusarium fungi and their toxic metabolites in agricultural crops contributes to significant quantitative and qualitative losses of crops, causing a direct threat to human and animal health and life. Modern strategies for reducing the level of fungi and mycotoxins in the food chain tend to rely on natural methods, including plant substances. Essential oils (EOs), due to their complex chemical composition, show high biological activity, including fungistatic properties, which means that they exhibit high potential as a biological plant protection factor. The aim of this study was to determine the fungistatic activity of three EOs against F. graminearum, and the reduction of mycotoxin biosynthesis in corn and wheat grain. All tested EOs effectively suppressed the growth of F. graminearum in concentrations of 5% and 10%. Cinnamon and verbena EOs also effectively reduced the ergosterol (ERG) content in both grains at the concentration of 1%, while at the 0.1% EO concentration, the reduction in the ERG amount depended on the EO type as well as on the grain. The degree of zearalenone (ZEA) reduction was consistent with the inhibition of ERG biosynthesis, while the reduction in deoxynivalenol (DON) was not consistent with this parameter.

Influence of rutin-ammonium complex on the physiological condition of pine seedlings

In the plant body, phenolic compounds nonspecifically affect the processes of morphogenesis and perform a wide range of regulatory and protective functions. Of particular interest are the processes involved in the complexation of flavonoids as a result of their interaction with ammonium forms of nitrogen. Polar compounds, which are formed in tissues as a result of chemical transformation, are quite mobile in soil solutions and show high biological activity. The properties of phenol-ammonium complexes are of considerable interest in terms of morphogenesis, physiology of stability, as well as in the system of interaction of plants with soil microorganisms. Studies of the effect of phenol-ammonium complex were performed on seeds and seedlings of Scots pine. Quantitative indicators of germination energy and germination were determined by seed germination. Biochemical profiling of seedling tissue extracts was performed by high-performance thin layer chromatography. It has been experimentally confirmed that rutin (quercetin-3-O-rutinoside) after interaction with 10% aqueous ammonia solution forms a complex of substances, among which the chromatography revealed polar products that potentially affect the regulation of growth. At a total concentration of 15 mg/l, these substances significantly increased germination energy and seed germination. In pine seedlings, they stimulated the growth of roots and shoots. The effect of the complex of organic compounds on seedlings depended on the concentration, duration of seed treatment and had a prolonged effect. The obtained phenol-ammonium complex at a concentration of 10-15 mg/l contributed to an increase in the amount of chlorophylls, carotenoids in the tissues of seedlings, and at 20-40 mg/l increased the content of phenolic synthesis products.

Assessment of the quality of honey apiaries central agroecological zone of Yakutia

This article discusses the results of a study of the quality of honey from different apiaries of the Central agroecological zone of Yakutia. The data of organoleptic evaluation of honey samples are given. The mass fractions of water, mass fractions of recoding sugars, sucrose and insoluble substances in both samples comply with the standards. The diastase number in honey samples is higher than standard indicators, which with the above organoleptic and other physico-chemical indicators confirm the quality and high biological activity. Keywords: BEE COLONIES, APIARY, AGROECOLOGICAL ZONE, HONEY, HONEY PRODUCTIVITY, ORGANOLEPTIC INDICATORS, PHYSICOCHEMICAL INDICATORS, BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY

“Green technology” processing of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) wood greenery to produce bioactive extracts

In order to explore the extractives of conifers an effective and environmentally friendly method of extraction with aqueous-alkaline solution allowing to isolate up to 10.4% of extractive substances (ES) from pine wood greenery and up to 6.9% from larch wood greenery was investigated. The component fractional composition of aqueous-alkaline extracts was studied. The antioxidant fraction activity of neutral and acidic components isolated from the produced extracts was evaluated. It was found that these fractions have a high antioxidant activity, where the activity of larch extract components was higher than that of the respective components of pine extract. Due to their rich chemical composition and high biological activity, extracts of pine and larch wood greenery produced by aqueous-alkaline extraction have good application prospects as biologically active preparations.

Extracts From Red Eggplant: Impact of Ohmic Heating and Different Extraction Solvents on the Chemical Profile and Bioactivity

Eggplants contain a multitude of biocompounds with nutritional and/or biological activities. The objective of this work was to study the nutritional, chemical and bioactive value of red eggplant from Rotonda, Italy. Ohmic heating (OH) was compared to conventional heating, as different solvents were used (water, ethanol 30, 50, and 90% and methanol) for biocompounds extraction. Extracts were evaluated for their total phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antibacterial activities, and its toxicity was assessed in cells, L929 and Caco-2. The nutritional characterization of Rotonda's eggplant demonstrated that it is rich in carbohydrates (65%), fiber (12.5%), proteins (13%), lipids (7.6%) and minerals. Potassium is the mineral with the highest concentration in the red eggplant (27.24 mg/g). Phenolic composition of the obtained extracts was dependent on the extraction method, as well as on the solvent. The use of OH method increased the extraction of biocompounds, especially when using 50% of ethanol as solvent. The main phenolic compounds found in the extracts of this eggplant variety were ellagic acid, p-coumaricic acid, epicatechin, narginin, taxifolin and kaempferol. Antioxidant activity was positively correlated with the total amounts of phenolics. Red Eggplant extracts showed activity against Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli and S. enterica), however, they did not demonstrate activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The extracts obtained did not show cytotoxic effects in fibroblast and colorectal studied cells. Ohmic heating is a sustainable technology that increases the extraction yield of biocompounds, with reduced energy consumption and the resulting extracts show low toxicity and high biological activity.

Comparison of the Content of Selected Bioactive Components and Antiradical Properties in Yoghurts Enriched with Chia Seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) and Chia Seeds Soaked in Apple Juice

Due to the fact that consumers are looking for new, health-promoting products, there is a growing interest in various ingredients with a high biological activity that could enrich conventional foods. As is known, chia seeds are a rich source of various health-promoting compounds. The objective of this study was to determine the content of selected biologically active compounds and their antioxidant properties by means of DPPH●, ABTS+●, and the ability to chelate Fe (II) ions in chia seeds and yoghurts with the addition of these seeds and seeds soaked in apple juice. It was found that chia seeds are a rich source of bioactive ingredients with beneficial effects on human health—especially polyphenols. All the extracts showed antioxidant properties against the radicals used. The addition of seeds to yoghurt contributed to the presence of polyphenols, while soaking in apple juice resulted in a higher content of polyphenols in yoghurts. The enriched yoghurt extracts showed antioxidant properties against DPPH radicals and the ability to chelate Fe (II) ions. The addition of seeds soaked in apple juice significantly influenced the antioxidant activity against ABTS radicals. The addition of seeds (plain and soaked) did not cause significant changes in the pH of the yoghurts.

Micromolecular inhibitors of superoxide radicals

Background: Currently, there is a growing interest in new copper (Cu2+) heterocyclic coordination compounds (CC), isothiosemicarbazide derivates, which demonstrated multiple beneficial properties, but their effect on reactions with free radicals such as the superoxide radical has not been investigated. Material and methods: The action of new micromolecular complexes of copper (Cu2+) chloride and bromide with methyl n- (prop-2-en-1-yl) -2- (pyridin2-ylmethylidene) hydrazine carbimidothioate on capturing activity of the superoxide radical was determined by the spectrophotometric method in vitro experiments. Results: It was established that the micromolecular complexes of copper (II) chloride and bromide with methyl n-(prop-2-en-1-yl)-2-(pyridin-2- ylmethylidene) hydrazine carbimidothioate have been found to possess strong superoxide radical inhibitor properties when interacting with a superoxide radical. In addition to this, the IC50 of the studied compounds depends on the nature of the acid-ligand in the internal sphere of the complex and increases in the following sequence: Cl- –Br- . Conclusions: The established property of mentioned compounds is new, because their use as micromolecular inhibitors of superoxide radicals has not been described so far. The synthesized CC expand the arsenal of superoxide radical inhibitors with high biological activity. Their possible significance for the development of new treatment strategies for diseases associated with the overproduction of superoxide radicals is discussed.

Design, Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity screening of Novel Bis cyclic Imides Linked to Trimethoprim Drug

Cyclic imides are well known important organic compounds that exhibit diverse biological activities like anti - inflammatory, antibacterial, analgesic, hypoglycemic and antifungal activities. Besides these compounds are useful building blocks in the synthesis of many drugs and pharmaceuticals. On the other hand trimethoprim is a well-known antibiotic that is used in combination with Sulfamethoxazole in treating urinary tract infections, bacterial infections and acute invasive diarrhea. Moreover Schiff bases represent the most active intermediates that exhibit wide spectrum of biological activities and play a vital role in the production of different pharmaceutical and bioactive heterocycles. Based on all these facts, it seems worthwhile to design and synthesize new molecules that contain these three active moieties (cyclic imide, trimethoprim and Schiff base) together in the same molecule since this may exhibit the new compounds high biological activity and may open possibilities for fighting bacterial infections.

Epilobium angustifolium L. Essential Oil—Biological Activity and Enhancement of the Skin Penetration of Drugs—In Vitro Study

Epilobium angustifolium L. is a popular medicinal plant found in many regions of the world. This plant contains small amounts of essential oil whose composition and properties have not been extensively investigated. There are few reports in the literature on the antioxidant and antifungal properties of this essential oil and the possibility of applying it as a potential promoter of the skin penetration of drugs. The essential oil was obtained by distillation using a Clavenger type apparatus. The chemical composition was analyzed by the GC-MS method. The major active compounds of E. angustifolium L. essential oil (EOEa) were terpenes, including α-caryophyllene oxide, eucalyptol, β-linalool, camphor, (S)-carvone, and β-caryophyllene. The analyzed essential oil was also characterized by antioxidant activity amounting to 78% RSA (Radical Scavenging Activity). Antifungal activity against the strains Aspergillus niger, A. ochraceus, A. parasiticum, and Penicillium cyclopium was also determined. The largest inhibition zone was observed for strains from the Aspergillus group. The EOEa enhanced the percutaneous penetration of ibuprofen and lidocaine. After a 24 h test, the content of terpene in the skin and the acceptor fluid was examined. It has been shown that the main compounds contained in the essential oil do not penetrate through the skin, but accumulate in it. Additionally, FTIR-ATR analysis showed a disturbance of the stratum corneum (SC) lipids caused by the essential oil application. Due to its rich composition and high biological activity, EOEa may be a potential candidate to be applied, for example, in the pharmaceutical or cosmetic industries. Moreover, due to the reaction of the essential oil components with SC lipids, the EOEa could be an effective permeation enhancer of topically applied hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs.