Effects of antioxidant diet on the RBC indices in fructose-induced obesity rat model

The oxidative stress is one of the known and discussed culprits for development and progression of the disturbances in Metabolic syndrome (MetS). In our study, we are investigating the effects of antioxidant additives as additional treatment and prophylaxis in a model of MetS. We are using a fructose-induced metabolic syndrome rat model to examine the effects of antioxidant preparation ZellSchutz. Four experimental groups were formed using male Wistar rats (n = 60). The control group received standard rat chow, the other groups received either ZellSchutz (Z), fructose (F), or fructose and ZellSchutz (ZF). Our results showed an unexpected increase in the RBC indices in rats with dual treatment. There was a significant increase in hemoglobin concentration, MCHC, and MCV in those animals (p<0.001). The preliminary data shows the important role of antioxidants as supplementary therapy in metabolic syndrome. Further investigations will be carried on to reveal the molecular mechanisms of the observed changes.

Phytochemical screening and hemolytique activity of some leaves extracts of Lantana camara L.

Medicinal plants have several therapeutic properties; they have been used for a long time to treat different diseases. Lantana camara L. has been widely used by man for healing these diseases. In this study, four leaves extracts of L. camara were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening to determine the presence and/or the absence of phytochemical constituents; In addition, they were tested for hemolytic activity on human erythrocytes. This activity is performed using the UV-Vis spectrophotometer method at 520 nm and at five different concentrations (125 µg/ml, 250 µg/ml, 500 µg/ml, 750 µg/ml, and 1000 µg/ml). The phytochemical screening showed the presence of various phytochemical groups such as phenolic compounds, saponins, sterols, tannins, flavonoids, reducing compounds and the absence of alkaloids in the four extracts. These same extracts showed average hemolytic activity sequentially: chloroformic extract, petroleum ether extract, aqueous extract and then methanolic extract. This activity is dependent on the concentration of the extract.

Ethnomycological research in the field of wild mushrooms and medicinal plants

During the recent years, there is an increased interest in the problems of wild mushrooms and medicinal plants in all over the world. An intensive research is currently performed in order to further clarify the peculiarities of numerous edible, toxic and cultivated wild mushrooms and medicinal plants. Both traditional and contemporary knowledge of the population is assessed by means of a variety of ethnomycological and ethnobotanical methods. The manners of usage by the population of wild edible mushroom and medicinal plants are intensively studied in many countries, too. In the present review article, the results from some recent investigations by Bulgarian and foreign authors devoted to the knowledge and use of some popular wild mushrooms and medicinal plants are summarized. The necessity for the intensification of the collaborative ethnomycological and ethnobotanical research in Europe is outlined.

Allergenic potential of Platanus L. species in urban environment

The species of the genus Platanus L. are widely used in urban green infrastructure in Bulgaria and abroad, but are proven to be a serious source of allergen pollen emissions. The number of people, affected by pollinosis, is increasing every year and this affects the world economy and health of the population in a high level. The pollen of the plane tree is light, very small and spreads anemophilically. This is one of the genera that produce the largest amount of pollen per inflorescence. This makes Platanus a tree of a high allergy potential that has the tendence to get higher in time, because of its increasing use in urban green spaces. The aim of this study is to collect data for allergy potential of the three species of plane tree in some of the European countries, where the allergy is a significant problem, and to compare the sensitization of patients to its pollen in Bulgaria.

Characterization of Cr(III) interaction with kaolinite – Effect of the presence of Cr(VI)

In the present study, experiments were performed to characterize the effectiveness of kaolinite in Cr(III) removal from water in the absence and in the presence of Cr(VI). The results of batch experiments, show that the efficiency of Cr(III) removal by kaolinite increases with the increase of pH and temperature in both cases. The effect of the presence of Cr(VI) on the adsorption of Cr(III) by kaolinite depends on the solution pH and on the concentrations of the two ions. Whatever the system, the removal kinetic of Cr(III) is well described by the pseudo-second order model. Spectroscopic analyses reveal that Cr(III) interaction with kaolinite is mainly electrostatic.

Invasive alien plant species distributed as weeds in arable land in Bulgaria

26 species of invasive alien plant species enter the arable land in Bulgaria as weeds. Some of these species are already causing economic damage and are included in the list of the 100 most economically important weeds. For others, it is only a matter of time before they are included in this list. Possessing a complex of qualities, they spread quickly and aggressively, occupying new areas and settling permanently in them. As artificial habitats in which there is no permanent vegetation, arable land is one of the easiest terrains to invade. The study examines the biological characteristics that determine the invasive nature of this group of plants, their origin, distribution routes, weed crops and control measures that can be taken. Particular attention shall be paid to the additional effects that these species may have on human health, on cultivated crops and on natural habitats located in the neighborhood.

Distribution of edible, toxic and medicinal wild mushrooms in Europe and Bulgaria

The scientific interest in wild mushrooms continuously increases worldwide. In the present review article, the results from some recent investigations by Bulgarian and foreign authors devoted to the current distribution of some edible, toxic and medicinal wild mushroom species in Bulgaria and some European countries are summarized. Some newly-recognized mushrooms are indicated. The examinations of wild mushroom safety under the conditions of environmental contamination deserve special attention, too. The scientists from European countries and Bulgaria have essential contributions to the field of the mushroom identification and distribution.

Natural tourist resources in Rhodope tourist region

Rhodope Tourist Region is one of the most attractive tourist regions in Bulgaria and one of the few that stand out with almost uniform year-round development of tourist activities. The outlines of the tourist area largely coincide with the outlines of the mountain of the same name. This fact predetermines the exceptional richness and diversity of natural tourist resources. Here are the largest coniferous forests in the country, some of the largest dams, the largest number of caves used for tourist purposes, many mineral springs, bizarre rock formations, etc. The relatively well-preserved natural environment is a prerequisite for the presence of extremely high biodiversity, as well as a large number of protected areas. The region is specialized in mountain tourism, incl. ski tourism and hiking. In connection with the available natural tourist resources, the tourism product is increasingly enriched with various specialized types of tourism, incl. balneotherapy tourism, ecotourism, rural tourism, etc. In connection with the increasingly intensive tourist load, the problem of protecting the natural tourist resources from the growing anthropogenic pressure, as well as the prospects for sustainable development of the tourist industry in the region are becoming especially relevant. The aim of the present paper is to valorize the natural tourist resources of the Rhodope tourist region and to give guidelines for their sustainable use.

Technological qualities of common winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in conditions of unconventional agriculture

During the period 2019 - 2020, a study was conducted on soil type calcic chernozem with Venka 1 common winter wheat variety. The experiment is based on the block method, in four replications with a size of the experimental plot of 10 m2. Sowing was carried out in October with a sowing rate of 500 sprouts/m2 after the predecessor sugar beet. In the appropriate periods, treatments were made in 4 variants: 1) Control - untreated variant, 2) Treatment with biodynamic preparations: 500 + Fladen preparation + preparation 501, 3) Treatment with biological preparations: Heliosulfur + Free N. 4) Combined treatment with the same biodynamic and biological preparations. Preparation 500 was applied in the phase of autumn and spring wheat tillering - 5% solution. Preparation 501 was applied in the phase ear formation - 1.5 g for 30 l of water/da. Fladen preparation is applied in the phase of autumn and spring tillering - 1.5% solution. Heliosulfur was applied in the ear formation phase - flowering at a dose of 50 ml/da, at an appropriate date on the biodynamic calendar. Free N was applied to the soil in the phase of autumn and spring tillering at a dose of 50 ml/da, at an appropriate date on the biodynamic calendar. The analysis of the technological qualities is made according to the respective ISO methodology. The statistical data processing was performed with the STATGRAPH program. The application of biodynamic and biological preparations and their joint use leads to an increase in the yield of wet gluten, as well as an increase in the content of N, P, K and protein in wheat grain. It has been proven that the combined use of biodynamic and biological preparations increases the content of dry matter, organic matter and the content of nitrogen-free extracts in wheat grain. The content of crude proteins has been shown to increase only in the varieties treated with biodynamic and biological preparations.