Cold stress is one of the main abiotic stress factors which restricts pepper growth and development. Thus, identifying alternative strategies is critical to reduce cold damage in peppers. This study evaluated the effect of exogenous proline in reducing cold stress damage in pepper callus. For this purpose, cal-lus was obtained from the hypocotyl explants of germinated seedlings under in vitro conditions. 0,12 and 24 mM proline were applied to the callus and devel-oped under the same photoperiodic settings at 4 degrees C, 8 degrees C, 16 degrees C and 24 degrees C. Low temperatures increased H2O2 and MDA production with the highest H2O2 and MDA amounts determined at 4 degrees C. Proline applications decreased the content of H2O2 at low temperatures, whereby 24 mM proline caused a significant decrease in the amount of H2O2 at 4 degrees C. The lowest MDA accumulation was determined in the 12 mM proline application. The data indicated that the total phenolic content of pepper callus decreased with decreasing temperatures. However, the application of proline increased the total phenolic amounts with the increase in its concentration. DPPH radical scavenging activity, FRAC and total protein content decreased with decreasing the temperature to 4 degrees C and 8 degrees C. However, both exogenous proline applications increased DPPH radical scavenging activ-ity, FRAC and total protein at 4 degrees C and 8 degrees C. The results indicated that the meta-bolic pathways are triggered by the application of exogenous proline
A number of advancements have been made in algal technology in different fields, such as medical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical. Green algae (Chlorophyta) are a group of photosynthetic organisms which live in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. They are a potential source of bioactive compounds for the treatment and prevention of a wide range of infectious diseases caused by microorganisms. These compounds also possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticoagulant, antitumor, and immunomodulatory properties. A wide variety of bioactive compounds are produced, including polysaccharides, which exhibit antimicrobial properties capable of interfering with the cell walls, membranes, and nucleic acids of microorganisms. Membrane fluidity, permeability, or integrity can be affected by polyphenols and fatty acids which scavenge free radicals, chelate metal ions, or disrupt enzymes and membranes. Proteins and peptides form pores within the membranes which bind to specific receptors or inhibit enzymes. Adaptation to adverse environmental conditions, such as temperature extremes, photooxidation, salinity, or osmotic stress, results in the formation of bioactive compounds by altering the physiological and biochemical pathways of algae for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. With changing consumer preferences and an increase in the number of resistant microorganisms, it is critical to seek novel antimicrobial compounds from green algae. The search for novel bioactive compounds with antimicrobial properties from green algae may serve as an alternative in the light of increased drug resistance in microorganisms. However, in vitro and in vivo evaluations of the safety, efficacy, and mechanism of action of the antimicrobial compounds from green algae require more research. Providing an overview of previous endeavours in this emerging field, this review provides perspectives and a summary of the bioactive compounds responsible for the antimicrobial properties of green algal extracts.
The in vitro seed propagation of small seeded Campanula species often incurs complications in the manual handling of the tiny seed material from seed sterilisation to seedling transplantation in soil. The lack of a simple and effective protocol which minimises manual operations makes the propagation of such species both challenging and inefficient. This study aimed to develop a protocol for the seed reproduction of threatened Campanula and other threatened small-seed plant species. The method was successfully tested on Campanula bayerniana subsp. bayerniana. The saplings were cultivated over a 5-month period through seed germination under in vitro conditions followed by their transfer to containers with a soil mix. The protocol employs small filter paper discs on which the seeds germinate and continue their development in soil substrate until the full biodegradation of the discs. The method involves surface treatment of the seeds with potassium permanganate solution, thus avoiding additional washing phases and direct contact with the seeds and seedlings, thereby preventing mechanical damage. This also facilitates the handling of each seed separately, minimising seed loss particularly when working with a small number of seeds. This study is also the first known example of the ex situ propagation of Campanula bayerniana.
Vincetoxicum members offer important qualities in both conventional and modern medicine. In the present study, V. scandens from the northeast of Tur-key (Trabzon city) was investigated for its phenolic compounds, antioxidant activities, DNA cleavage and binding effects. Phenolic compounds of the V. scandens methanol extract were analysed by high performance liquid chroma-tography (HPLC-DAD), while their total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were determined spectrophotometrically. The antioxidant potential of the ex-tract was characterised using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2 -Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), and FRAP (ferric re-ducing antioxidant power assay) tests. In addition, the DNA cleavage and bind-ing features of the V. scandens extract were studied using pBR322 DNA and CT-DNA, respectively. The results indicated that the V. scandens methanol extract contained a large amount of catechin, as well as a high total phenolic and total flavonoid content. On the other hand, the DPPH and ABTS antioxidant tests revealed that V. scandens did not exhibit high antioxidant activity. The metha-nol extract of the studied plant was also rich in catechin, p-coumaric acid and vanillic acid. While the V. scandens methanol extract exhibited weak antioxi-dant and DNA cleavage activity, it showed DNA binding activity at 50 mu M, thus demonstrating the potential to be an intercalation agent in this concentration. This study provides the first report on the total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, DNA cleavage and DNA binding activity as well as antioxidant activity of V. scandens.
This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: mycorrhizal fungus Russula sapinea, para-sitic fungus Podosphaera polemonii, saprotrophic fungi Ophiognomonia mela-nostyla and Plagiostoma apiculatum, diatomalga Nitzschia reskoi, stonewortNitellopsis obtusa, liverwort Mannia triandra, mosses Buxbaumia viridis andLeptodon smithii, monocots Epipactis purpurata and Orchis x beyrichii and di-cots Euphorbia orjeni, Fallopia x bohemica, Nuphar lutea and Saxifraga pede-montana subsp. cymosa.
