This study aimed to examine the biochemical and antioxidant characteristics of a soil strain of Chlorococcum oleofaciens CAMU MZ–Ch4 (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta) when cultured in light, darkness, and a combination of light-bicarbonate and dark-bicarbonate in an acute 96-hour experiment. The study established that cultivation in the dark is accompanied by an increase in the antioxidant status of Chlorococcum oleofaciens CAMU MZ–Ch4 strain cells, which is associated with the accumulation of low-molecular antioxidants and the activation of antioxidant enzymes. Culturing in the dark also causes the accumulation of chlorophyll a, ascorbic acid, astaxanthin, and lipids. But biomass productivity and concentration decreased. Introducing NaHCO3 into the medium inhibits the biosynthesis and accumulation of α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, and chlorophylls both under illuminated and in the dark. The intensity of lipid peroxidation decreases and the activity of antioxidant enzymes increases under light and in the dark conditions with NaHCO3 in the medium.

Uranium contamination presents significant challenges to biological systems due to its chemical toxicity and radiological impacts. Rhizofiltration emerges as a cost-effective strategy for environmental remediation of uranium. This study aimed to compare the uranium uptake capabilities of two plant species, Helianthus annuus L. (sunflower) and Amaranthus caudatus L. (purple amaranth), in a hydroponic system. The plants were cultivated in nutrient solutions supplemented with 0.5 mM or 1 mM UO₂(NO₃)₂.6H₂O without phosphate. After 14 days of growth, we assessed uranium uptake. Our findings revealed that H. annuus effectively removed over 95% of the initial uranium concentration from the solution, while A. caudatus exhibited a removal efficiency of approximately 65–80%. In both species, uranium accumulation and transport to the upper, harvestable parts were limited. The highest uranium concentration was observed in the roots of H. annuus (37,050.8 ± 3,547 mg kg-1 DW), whereas A. caudatus roots had a noticeably lower concentration (14,944.68 ± 3,278 mg kg-1 DW). Interestingly, A. caudatus demonstrated greater uranium accumulation in its shoots compared to H. annuus. Overall, while H. annuus demonstrates superior potential for uranium rhizofiltration, A. caudatus emerges as a promising candidate as a hyperaccumulator for uranium.

The Katun and North Chuya ridges are the highest and most popular mountain ranges in the Altai Republic. The Katun ridge is 150 km long and includes 386 glaciers; its highest mountain is 4509 m. The mountain ranges received the status of World Heritage Sites in 1998. The deepening tourist and recreational development of the Katun and North Chuya ridges is accompanied by a change in bird numbers and species diversity; therefore, constant monitoring is needed to support the bird species database. The purpose of our research was to supplement the modern information on the fauna and bird population of the highlands of central Altai within the Katun and North Chuya ridges. We conducted field observations during 2010-2022 in Central Altai on hiking routes along the Katun and North Chuya ridges with a total length of 1015.4 km to the highest elevation of 3400 m. The bird diversity of the Katun and North Chuya ridges is represented by 53 species from 11 orders and 21 families. We also registered 21 rare and endangered species, among them the extremely rare species are: great cormorant, ruddy shelduck, and Eurasian goshawk; very rare species are: black kite, upland buzzard, common buzzard, booted eagle, golden eagle, white-tailed eagle, bearded vulture, common kestrel, red grouse, demoiselle crane, common cuckoo, scops owl, pygmy owl, nightjar, black woodpecker, Richard’s pipit, grey wagtail, red-billed chough, raven, greenish warbler, white-winged redstart, common rosefinch, and common crossbill; rare species are: sparrowhawk, red-necked phalarope, water pipit, fieldfare, long-tailed tit, marsh tit, great tit, and Brandt’s mountain finch; and the common species are: spotted nutcracker, common chiffchaff, and willow tit.

This study aimed to examine the fatty acid profiles of 10 newly discovered microalgae strains hailing from phylogenetic groups valued in biotechnology. The fatty acid profiles were characterized utilising principal component analysis, resulting in several notable findings. First, our analysis revealed that certain characteristics of these profiles align well with those previously identified in similar study groups. Most notably, the marine strain Chlorella vulgaris MI-Ch19-a was found to have the highest concentration of saturated fatty acids, measuring 60.48%. Furthermore, this strain also boasted the highest α-linolenic content among those analyzed, representing 22.14% of the total fatty acid spectrum. Each strain under study demonstrated significant amounts of 16:0 (with a range spanning 18.43% to 38.28%), 16:1n-7 (ranging from 17.05% to 32.55%), and 20:5n-3 (ranging from 4.96% to 20.13%). When considering the phylogenetic influence, which was particularly marked in the levels of total saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acid content, it was the prominence of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that stood out amongst the phylogenetic groups. Lastly, the strains Thalassiosira eccentrica and Cyclotella atomus MI-B47 exhibited the highest volumes of eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3).

Sunflowers are a globally cultivated crop, valued for their oil-rich seeds and diverse nutrient content. This study delved into the morphological traits and fatty acid profiles of 14 oilseed and non-oilseed sunflower cultivars from Iran. We assessed 10 qualitative and quantitative seed characteristics and analyzed the seed oil using gas chromatography after n-hexane extraction. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS and PAST software. The study revealed significant variations in seed morphological characteristics among the cultivars, with certain traits exhibiting strong correlations. Non-oilseed cultivars displayed larger dimensions and weight compared to oilseed cultivars. The seed oils were primarily composed of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), with linoleic (C18:2(9c, 12c)) and oleic (C18:1(9c)) acids being the dominant polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, respectively, in all cultivars except Diamantis, which showed an inverse pattern. The total saturated fatty acids (SFAs) content was below 18%, with palmitic acid (C16:0) as the primary SFA and stearic acid (C18:0) as the secondary compound in all cultivars, except for Ghassem, which exhibited a reverse pattern. Notable correlations between various fatty acids and morphological traits highlighted the influence of phenotype on oil chemical composition. Using the UPGMA tree, the cultivars were categorized into five chemotype groups. The PCA-biplot revealed distinct chemical compound characteristics for some groups, aligning with an earlier classification of sunflower cultivars based on C18:1(9c) content. Overall, the findings of this study provide valuable insights into the seed morphological, chemical characteristics and significant correlations between quantitative traits and fatty acid composition. Moreover, highlight their potentials for targeted breeding programs to develop sunflower cultivars with desirable traits for both the food and oil industries. However, these results suggest that these oils possess varying potential for culinary or industrial applications, emphasizing the importance of considering fatty acid composition when selecting oil for specific purposes.

Coleus forskohlii Briq., a medicinal plant from the Lamiaceae family, has been utilized worldwide to treat various disorders. The primary active compound in this plant is forskolin, a diterpene that accumulates in its rhizome. This study aims to assess the in vitro culture of C. forskohlii by investigating the effects of different concentrations of auxin hormone (1 and 2 mg L-1) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (10 and 20 ppm) as elicitors on biometrical traits related to rooting as well as forskolin content. Each treatment was replicated three times, and the results were analyzed using SPSS version 20. We observed that most traits examined decreased in samples treated with 1 mg L-1 of IAA hormone. In contrast, samples treated with 2 mg L-1 of IAA exhibited the highest values compared to the control samples. However, the differences in the examined characteristics among the samples were not statistically significant. Notably, the number of adventitious roots and the forskolin content increased with each increment in IAA hormone concentration. In plants treated with 2 mg L-1 IAA hormone, all measured biometrical traits surpassed those of the control group as well as those of samples co-treated with IAA (2 mg L-1) and ZnO nanoparticles (10 and 20 ppm). The forskolin content followed a similar trend. However, the lowest values for these traits were observed in the plants treated with 2 mg L-1 IAA and 20 ppm ZnO nanoparticles. These findings indicate that 2 mg L-1 of IAA hormone significantly impacts both root morphology and phytochemical characteristics compared to 1 mg L-1. Furthermore, ZnO nanoparticles at a concentration of 20 ppm exhibited an inhibitory effect on root morphology and forskolin content, which could not be mitigated by treatment with 2 mg L-1 IAA.

The purpose of this paper is to provide additional information on the non-Passerine bird fauna and populations in the Bolsherechensky Nature Reserve, specifically within the Bolshaya Rechka River valley. Located in Altai Krai, the reserve occupies a typical territory of the Upper Ob forest massif. Protecting the habitats of rare and endangered bird species is one of the primary goals of the reserve. However, despite previous studies, our understanding of the avifauna and bird populations remains insufficient. To address this, we conducted bird surveys in the reserve during spring and summer of 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2021, specifically within the Bolshaya Rechka River valley. The results revealed that the summer breeding community of non-Passerine birds in the Bolsherechensky reserve consists of 48 species from 18 families and 12 orders. Additionally, we discovered 11 rare and endangered bird species previously unrecorded in the reserve. In particular, seven of these species lack specific distribution information in the latest regional Red Data Books, including the Black stork (Ciconia nigra), Oriental honey buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus), Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), Red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus), Common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus), Eurasian pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum), and European bee-eater (Merops apiaster). In general, our study significantly improves our knowledge of the non-Passerine bird fauna and population of non-Passerine birds in the lower reaches of the Bolshaya Rechka River within the Bolsherechensky Nature Reserve. The findings are valuable for the improvement of biodiversity protection measures.

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) seeds contain a large amount of oil that has several biological activities. In the current research, phytogeographic distribution, seed morphological characteristics, molecular genetic diversity and structure, and fatty acid composition were investigated in nine Iranian castor populations. The cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) protocol was used to extract the nuclear genomes. These were later amplified using 13 SCoT molecular primers. The phytogeographic distribution was determined based on the Zohary mapping, GC apparatus determined the fatty acid composition of the seeds. GenAlex, STRUCTURE, GenoDive, PopGene, and PopART software were used for the statistical analyzes. On phytogeographic mapping, the harvested populations belonged to different districts of the Euro-Siberian and Irano-Turanian regions (Holarctic kingdom). Most of the quantitative morphological traits of the seeds differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) between the populations. The AMOVA test demonstrated a large proportion of significant genetic diversity assigned among populations, which were approved by some estimated parameters of genetic diversity such as Nm, Ht, Hs, and Gst. Nei’s genetic distance and structure analysis confirmed the existence of two main genotype groups and some intermediates. However, there was no isolation by distance between the genotypes. Unsaturated fatty acids were detected as the main component of seed oil with linoleic and ricinoleic acids. Significant correlations were detected between the main fatty acids of seed oil with seed morphological traits, geographic distance and the geographic parameters of habitats. According to the composition of the seed fatty acids, four chemotypes groups were detected. The classification patterns of the populations based on molecular genetic data, fatty acid composition, and phytogeographic mapping were not identical. These findings indicated that Iranian castor populations had unusual seed fatty acid composition which strongly depended on habitat geographic factors and seed morphological traits. However, the identified chemotypes and genotypes can be used in future breeding programs.

The snow leopard population has been monitored on the Chikhacvhev Ridge for 10 years since 2011 using camera traps. In 2021, a male was recorded. We recorded several concurrent predatory species, like red fox, Pallas’s cat, wolverine, and brown bear, and prey species Altai marmots. The snow leopards performed visual and olfactory marking at their area. We concluded that snow leopards in this transboundary mountain area were active at temperatures up to 3°C in summer period.

Rice contamination with heavy metals has always been one of the main concerns of food health. The purpose of this research is to investigate the rice effect of the precooking process with sodium chloride and citric acid on the amounts of residual lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). In the current study, eight brands of high-consumption rice were used in the Arak-Iran market and their amounts of Pb and Cd were measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Two rice brands, Pakistani Moeid and Indian 21, which contained the highest amounts of Pb and Cd, were selected and treated with soak (for 4h) and boiling (for 60 min) in 1% sodium chloride and 0.6% citric acid. The results showed that precooking Pakistani Moeid and Indian 21 rice samples with 1% NaCl reduced the amount of Pb by 15.7% and 16.2%, respectively. Furthermore, the amount of Cd was reduced by 10.5% and 10.8% for Pakistani Moeid and Indian 21, respectively. Furthermore, the results for precooking of Pakistani Moeid and Indian 21rice samples with 0.6 % citric acid showed a reduction in the amount of Pb by 9.3% and the amount of 8.9% and Cd by 11% and 9.6%, respectively. These numbers were in comparison with precooking rice with pure water. According to the results of this research, precooking rice samples with NaCl reduces the amount of Pb more effectively than that of Cd. Furthermore, precooking rice with citric acid reduces the amount of Pb and Cd by almost the same amount. In general, precooking rice with NaCl is more effective in reducing heavy metal contamination compared to citric acid.

Salvia limbata is a medicinal plant of the Lamiaceae family that is naturally distributed in various regions of Iran and neighboring countries. In the current evaluation, the leaf blade and petiole anatomical variables were examined in eight Iranian S. limbata populations to explore their taxonomic significance and interpopulation variations. The evaluated populations were harvested from three subprovinces of the Irano-Turanian province. The plant samples were fixed in formaldehyde 90%, ethanol 5%, acetic acid 5% solution, and the hand cross sections of the blade and petiole were double stained with carmine and methylene blue. Data were analyzed using PAST ver. 2.1 and findings revealed that all qualitative variables were invariable between populations, except for the shape of the leaf blade and the epidermal cells of the petiole. Most quantitative traits varied among the considered populations by principal component analysis (PCA) and divided the investigated characteristics into seven components, where two first components had more than 80% of the total variation. In PCA loading, most of the characteristics assessed were negatively correlated. According to UPGMA dendrogram and PCA plot, the populations were clustered into three groups. The PCA biplot revealed the distinct characteristic(s) for each classified group. The clustering patterns of these populations were not in agreement with the geographical distance and phytogeographic similarity between the populations. Several anatomical characteristics were found similar to those recorded in some Lamiaceae genera and lacked taxonomic value, whereas others had taxonomic importance at the infraspecific level. According to a phytogeographic survey and a previous study of molecular genetic diversity, it can be suggested that genetic background can create enough anatomical adaption in populations of S. limbata to establish itself in a wide range of habitats. Meanwhile, the microhabitat has a powerful influence on the anatomical structure.

Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Nym. ex A.W. Hill (Parsley) is a culinary and medicinal vegetable of the family Apiaceae, which has been used by humans since ancient time. A molecular genetic diversity study was conducted on 10 Iranian populations of P. crispum using start codon targeted (SCoT) molecular markers to investigate infraspecific genetic diversity and population structure. The nuclear genomes extraction were performed using the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) protocol, then amplified using 10 SCoT primers. We found a large amount of population genetic differentiation index (G ST ) and total genetic difference in the pooled populations (H T ) among the examined populations, which were supported by H S , N M . Additionally, we detected a significant genetic diversity (PhiPT = 0.755, P = 0.001) among the populations and their individuals by the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) test, in which its great proportion was assigned to among populations. We detected the largest amounts of genetic polymorphism in populations 1 and 5, while a reverse condition was observed for population 7. We found four genotype groups among the populations that was similar with phytogeographic mapping. The level of genetic divergence between populations (PhiPT) of each genotype was relatively low. This species produce protandrous florets and cross-pollination plays a significant role in seed production. Therefore, the genetic structure of genotypes must be heterogeneous. In Iran, the genetic structure of all genotypes was nearly homogenous which resulted from a flat rate of gene flow, which agreed with our estimated amount of N M (0.13). We supposed a range of isolation mechanisms including, isolation by distance, isolation by environment, isolation by ecology, and isolation by resistance act as driving forces to create high genetic differentiation among the parsley populations. These genotypes can be used for future genetic and breeding research to develop new cultivars can survive under biotic and abiotic stresses and yield high biomass.

Sesamum indicum L. of the Pedaliaceae family is considered an economically important oil-bearing plant that has been cultivated for more than 5000 years. In this research, we examined genetic diversity and seed fatty acid composition in 11 Iranian populations of S. indicum. We extracted the nuclear DNA using the CTAB protocol and then amplified the genomes using 10 SCoT molecular primers. For the phytochemical study, the seed fatty acid methyl esters were subjected to a GC apparatus and their composition was determined. The data were then analyzed using PAST, POPGENE, Geno-Dive, and STRUCTURE software. We determined that the percentage of polymorphic loci was 62%. According to the AMOVA test and estimated genetic diversity parameters, high genetic differentiation occurred between the examined populations, which was followed by a low rate of gene flow and Hs. Based on the Nei's genetic distance and Structure analysis, the populations were divided into seven genotype groups. Most identified genotypes had homogeneous genetic structures indicating a limited genetic flow rate. The phytochemical evaluation revealed that a great part of the seed oils was composed of unsaturated fatty acids with linoleic and oleic acids as the main compounds. We detected palmitic acid as the major saturated fatty acid. The populations were divided into four chemotype groups based on the seed oil fatty acids composition. However, the population clustering patterns in the molecular genetic and seed fatty acid analyses were not identical. These results indicated that some environmental parameters strongly affect the seed oil fatty acids composition. We suppose that the populations under study are comprised of several genotypes or cultivars grown in various Iranian locations.

The shape from 16,491 eggs of 472 species of 19 groups of birds was studied. The analysis was carried out by photographing eggs using a specially written software. In parallel, profiles of different ovoids were built in the CorelDRAW software, by articulating circles of different diameters. Comparison of them with the profiles of real bird eggs showed complete identity. During further analysis, we found that the whole variety of shapes fits into a system of discrete aggregates described by the proportions: (a) ±√a±√b)/±√c: (a) ±√2±√1)/±√4 = (0.207; 1.207); (b) ±√3±√1)/±√4 = (0.366; 1.366); (c) ±√4±√1)/±√4 = (0.5; 1.5); (e) ±√5±√1)/±√4 = (0.618; 1.618). These proportions are universal constants of nature, similar to π and e (the base of the natural logarithm). Besides them, we realize another constant in eggs. This is the cross-ratio (or the double ratio or the wurf. The close connection between the shapes of bird eggs and the universal constants of nature allows us to solve the following problems. We therefore suggested that discussed patterns of the geometric model and the resulting form standards will contribute to the unification of egg analysis methods. We also believed that the suggested universal model and constants will resolve the question of quantitative expression of the optimal shape and incubation qualities of eggs.

Aim. To summarise information provided so as to allow us to compile a modern understanding of the breeding ranges, abundance and breeding biology of the Great Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga, a rare species in the Altai Territory and the Altai Republic.Material and Methods. While studying the distribution, abundance and nesting biology of the Great Spotted Eagle, we used generally accepted methods with certain modifications. The species was observed during foot and car surveys. To get an idea of the distribution of the spotted eagle in the region, an analysis of available sources was carried out, including materials from the Red Data Book of the Altai Territory and other relevant information resources.Results. Nesting groups of a feathered predator are characterised by uneven spatial distribution. This is due to the habit of the spotted eagle to gravitate to wetlands and floodplain lands in high‐trunk mixed forests, alternating with meadow‐pasture and field landscapes. In ribbon and acquisition forests, as well as in wildlife sanctuaries located on their territory, there has been a rapid trend towards a decrease in the population of the species, primarily due to selective felling of vegetation and disturbance of the birds during the nesting period. In this regar, there is a need to expand and deepen ornithological studies aimed at improving environmental measures for the Great Spotted Eagle.Conclusions. Protection of this species should be combined with inevitable criminal or administrative punishment of poachers and illegal forest users, who are involved in destructive environmental activities in the region discussed. Otherwise, the progressive extinction of the Great Spotted Eagle population in Altai will reach a critical point in forthcoming years.

BACKGROUND:Salvia macrosiphon is an aromatic perennial species of Lamiaceae family that grows naturally in different parts of Iran. This herb is widely used in folk and modern medicine. Although in Flora Iranica and Flora of Iran, no infraspecific taxonomic rank has been detected for S. macrosiphon, some infraspecific taxonomic ranks have been reported. In the current study, we evaluated the genetic diversity and structure of 11 populations of this species to detect inter and intrapopulation genetic diversity and to survey the possibility of infraspecific taxonomic ranks in this species.METHODS AND RESULTS:We utilized the modified C-TAB protocol for DNA extraction and amplified the genomes using several SCoT molecular markers. We calculated of genetic diversity and polymorphism parameters using GenAlex 6.4, Geno-Dive ver.2, PopGene, PopART and Structure 2.3.4. The parameters of genetic polymorphism differed between the populations. Moreover, a low rate of gene flow supported a moderate level of population's genetic diversity and differentiation. According to haplotypes network (TCS) analysis, a high level of genetic mutation has occurred among the individuals of some populations leading to high intrapopulation diversity. On the basis of structure analysis and Nei's genetic distance, the examined populations were classified into four genotypes.CONCLUSIONS:The clustering pattern of the populations in each group was not related to geographical distance or phytogeography. It seems that the wide geographic distribution, a small gene flow rate and the occurrence of a high level of genetic mutation lead to infraspecific genetic differentiation in the species and we suppose some infraspecific ranks exist for it.

Lavandula angustifolia Mill. is an aromatic herb of the Lamiaceae family, which has been widely used by humans for many centuries. In the current study, we treated L. angustifolia samples with various concentrations of ZnO and Fe2O3 nanoparticles in the presence/ absence of NaCl salinity stress to evaluate the composition of essential oils, genetic structure, glandular trichome density and cellular Zn2+ and Fe2+ contents. We used Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) molecular markers to investigate the parameters of genetic diversity among the treated samples. Furthermore, the hydro-distilled essential oil from the aerial parts of the samples was subjected to GC and GC / MS analyses. SPSS ver. 15, PAST, PopGene, and GenAlex software were employed for statistical analyses. Intracellular concentrations of Fe2+ and Zn2+ differed under various concentrations of nanoparticles and salinity treatments, and a significant negative correlation was observed between these elements, however, nanoparticles treatment significantly increased intracellular concentrations of iron and zinc ions. We found four types of glandular trichomes on the surface of the leaf of the treated plants, and the ANOVA test revealed a significant variation for most of them. Meanwhile, the short-stalked capitate trichomes were the most frequent in most of the evaluated samples. The main and trace essential oil compounds were the same among the treated plants, meanwhile, their percentages varied among the samples. The percentages of 1,8- cineole and camphor decreased in treated plants, which affects the quality of essential oils. Parameters of genetic diversity differed among the treated samples. Furthermore, the AMOVA test demonstrated a significant genetic variation that its substantial part belonged to among treated samples. These findings revealed that the treatment of nanoparticles and salinity stress strongly influenced the genetic diversity, trichomes density, iron and zinc ions content in lavender plants.

The microbiota of winter wheat seeds from the North-East of Ukraine was studied by a biological method. Its considerable variability is established over three years (2017–2019). The effect of the treatment agents on most microorganisms of wheat seed microbiota in Ukraine, rather than on its genera and species, is shown. It has been proven that fungicides deleted some species and did not affect the development of others. Chemicals replaced some species or genera of fungi with others or even other microorganisms. Biological seed treatment (Phytosporin-M) has caused less microbiota change than chemical treatment (Maxim 0.25 FS, Rostock, Kinto Duo). Fungicides have replaced the dominance of Alternaria spp. (2017 – 57.8%, 2018 – 63.5%) for the dominance of yeast (Rostock – 54%) and Aureobasidium pullulans (Maxim 0.25 FS – 84.2%) in 2017, bacteria (Maxim 0.25 FS – 72.3%, Rostock – 53.8%) – in 2018. A. pullulans dominated in the microbiota of winter wheat seeds in 2019. The highest amount of A. pullulans was noted for the treatment of seeds by Phytosporin-M (85.9%). The biological seed treatment reduced the amount of Nigrospora spp. and Alternaria spp. Several times (3 and 5, respectively), chemical agents did not give Nigrospora spp. germination reduced the amount of A. pullulans, Alternaria spp. in 2019. Maxim 0.25 FS, Rostock 50%, and Kinto Duo delayed seed germination and seedling development on agar medium and soil, whereas Phytosporin-M – on the contrary, promoted the growth of seedlings and significantly exceeded control.