Non-enzymatic Antioxidant Activity Research Articles

Influence of Organic and Chemical Fertilisation on Antioxidant Compounds Profiles and Activities in Fruits of Fragaria ananassa var. Camarosa

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) present a long duration and a slow progression. Good nutrition plays a predominant role in NCD prevention. In Chile, the cultivation of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) has recently been adapted to volcanic soils with low available phosphorus (P), which can affect the fruit quality in terms of their antioxidant compound content and anti-inflammatory activities. Here, we carried out a study using organic (OF) or chemical (TF) fertilisers at 50 and 100% of the agronomical dose recommendation and without fertilisation (WF) under field conditions. Identification of phenolic compounds was done by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS, whereas antioxidant activities were determined by spectrophotometric methods. The highest concentrations of anthocyanins and ascorbic acid were obtained in the OF treatments, showing a relationship with the CUPRAC (cupric reducing antioxidant capacity) values. The highest concentrations of total polyphenols were obtained in the TF treatments, according to the TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity), CUPRAC and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl tests. The highest enzymatic activities were observed also in the TF treatments. Compared with WF, TF treatment downregulates the cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10) significantly at a dose of 100%, but we could not show a significantly downregulation yet. Our results suggest that enzymatic antioxidant activity responds better to a period of prolonged exposure to P fertilisation. There is no direct correlation between enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activity with respect to treatments with different types of P fertilisation.

Enzymatic, Non-enzymatatic Antioxidant Levels and Heat Shock Protein Expression as Indicators of Metal Induced Toxicity and Reproductive Modulation in Female Indian Major Carp Cirrhinus cirrhosus.

Effects of zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) exposure on oxidative biomarkers and heat shock protein (HSP) expression, and their possible relation to ovarian steroidogenesis in fish were investigated. Female Cirrhinus cirrhosus were exposed to 1/10th of LC50 of metals for 30days, and kept for another 30days without metal exposure. Metal concentrations, antioxidants, HSPs, 17β-estradiol and steroidogenic enzymes were analysed in brain and ovary after 15 and 30days of exposure and a 15 and 30day recovery period. Activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants showed duration dependent variation in both exposure and recovery period. HSP70 and HSP90 expressions increased following metal exposure, with the expression being higher in brain than ovary. 17β-Estradiol, steroidogenic enzymes decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after metal exposure. The present study suggests that metals have differential and tissue specific influence on oxidative status and manipulate ovarian steroidogenesis probably through the modulation of HSPs.

Gıda Patojenlerine Karşı Cardopatium corymbosum L.‘ nin Biyolojik Aktivitelerinin Belirlenmesi

Gıda bozan patojenler insan sağlığını tehdit eder. Bu çalışmada Türkiye‘ de “kurtludiken” olarak bilinen bitkinin biyolojik aktivitesi çalışılmış ve literatüre katkı sağlanmıştır. Muğla bölgesinden Cardopatium corymbosum L. antimikrobiyal ve antioksidan aktivite çalışmaları için toplanmıştır. Antimikrobiyal aktivite çalışmaları disk difüzyon metodu ile yapılmıştır. Toplam 8 mikroorganizma bu çalışmada kullanılmıştır, bunların biri maya diğerleri bakteridir. 2,2′-azinobis-(3-etilbenzotiazolin-6-sulfonik asit) (ABTS•+) enzimatik olmayan antioksidan aktivite denemeleri için kullanılmıştır. Cardopatium corymbosum‘ un biyolojik aktiviteleri hakkında çok az çalışma vardır. Bu çalışmanın amacı Cardopatium corymbosum‘ un gıda patojenlerine karşı antimikrobiyal ve antioksidan etkilerini belirlemektir. Bitkinin radikal süpürme yüzdesi 13 olarak bulunmuştur. Sonuç olarak, Cardopatium corymbosum antimikrobiyal ve antioksidan kapasitelere sahiptir.

Interaction between Piriformospora indica and Azotobacter chroococcum diminish the effect of salt stress in Artemisia annua L. by enhancing enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants

Artemisia annua is a medicinal plant known for artemisinin, a potential anti-malarial drug. In this study, we investigated how the mutualistic and synergistic interaction between Piriformospora indica (Pi) and Azotobacter chroococcum (Az) ameliorates the damaging effects of salinity on A. annua L. Our findings revealed that dual treated plants had better plant height, dry weights of shoot and root under salt stress than the un-inoculated ones. During salt stress, microbial treated plants reduced the oxidative damage in plants by decreasing the concentrations of MDA [Pi (up to 44%), Az (up to 22%), Pi+Az (up to 61%)], and H2O2 [Pi (up to 45%), Az (up to 28%), Pi+Az up to 57%)]. It was unveiled that the enhancement in activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants is probably the main mechanism underlying salt tolerance in microbial treated plants. During salt stress, dual inoculation of Pi and Az resulted an enhanced activities of antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (total flavonoids, phenolics and carotenoids). Also, increase in artemisinin (56–64%) and proline (82–88%) content was recorded in co-inoculated plants (Pi+Az). These findings demonstrated the potentiality of Pi and Az dual symbiosis act as bio-ameliorator under saline conditions. This tripartite plant-microbial relationship could be a promising practice to alleviate the negative impact of salt stress on the productivity of medicinal plants.

Histochemical and physicochemical studies reveal improved defense in tomato under Cd stress with rhizobacterial supplementation

Environmental fluctuations due to anthropogenic activities show negative effects on plant growth and crop production. Among the heavy metals, cadmium (Cd) pollution is most dangerous and is devastating most of the cultivable land. The current study evaluated the Cd induced toxicity in Lycopersicon esculentum plants and the mitigating role of rhizobacteria. Different parameters such as metal uptake, metal chelators, oxidative stress markers, antioxidative defense expression, secondary metabolites, H2O2 tagging, MDA localization and cell viability has been assessed. Cd accumulation enhanced by 64.7% in roots and 267.1% in shoots, which resulted in generating oxidative burst measured in the terms of superoxide content (54.5%), H2O2 (255.1%), and MDA (202.2%) content. Moreover, the Cd stress also modulated the activities of enzymatic antioxidants and non-enzymatic antioxidants. In addition, organic acids and metal chelators were also enhanced in plants under the influence of Cd. Inoculation of rhizobacterial strains reduced the Cd uptake in plant parts (roots and shoots), increased heavy metal tolerance index (HMTI) and reduced oxidative stress markers. Also, enzymatic antioxidants such as, SOD, POD, PPO were increased in microbe inoculated plants whereas CAT, GPOX, APOX, GST, DHAR and GR were reduced. In situ immobilization studies were also conducted in root sections of L. esculentum in which Cd localization, H2O2 accumulation, cell viability and MDA accumulation were observed using confocal and visible microscopy. Reduction in the levels of H2O2, MDA and Cd accumulation along with improved cell viability was observed in the rhizobacterial inoculated plants.

Sub-chronic exposure to Kalach 360 SL–induced damage in rats’ liver and hematological system

We investigated the effects of sub-chronic exposure to Kalach 360 SL (KL), glyphosate-based herbicide used in Tunisia, on liver and hematological system in different groups of female rats. Group 1 was used as a control, while animals of groups 2 and 3 received orally 0.07 mL and 0.175 mL of KL, respectively (126 and 315 mg of glyphosate/kg), for 60 days. As a result, the KL-exposed groups exhibited hypochromic microcytic anemia, systemic inflammation, cytolysis, decrease in hepatic enzyme activity, and cholestasis. Exposure to different doses of KL could induce erythrocyte destruction (hemolysis) in hematopoietic organs (bones). Moreover, lipid peroxidation contents and protein oxidation markers significantly increased in exposed groups, while enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities decreased considerably, in both erythrocytes and liver tissues, compared with those in controls. Liver histological studies confirmed the presence of inflammatory reaction with pathology involving the damage or necrosis of hepatocytes, however, without fibrosis remodulation. Thus, KL sub-chronic exposure caused hepatonecrosis, systemic inflammation, and hemolysis.

Differential physiological and biochemical responses of Quercus infectoria and Q. libani to drought and charcoal disease.

The vast oak-dominated forests of the Zagros Mountains in southwestern Iran currently undergo large-scale dieback driven by a combination of drought and increasing incidence of charcoal disease caused by the fungal pathogens Biscogniauxia mediterranea and Obolarina persica. Here, we explore the interactive effects between drought and charcoal disease agents on the physiology and biochemistry of Quercus infectoria and Quercus libani seedlings. The combination of pathogen attack and water limitation hampered plant development, especially in Q. libani seedlings, negatively affecting growth, biomass production, photosynthetic efficiency, and leaf water potential. An increase in markers of oxidative damage together with the upregulation of the antioxidant defense revealed that drought stress and pathogen infection led to pro-oxidative conditions in both oak species, especially in Q. libani, where larger changes in malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide occurred. The upregulation of the antioxidant system was more prominent in Q. infectoria than in Q. libani, resulting in enhanced enzyme activity and accumulation of non-enzymatic antioxidants. Fungal infection stimulated the activity of chitinase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase and β-1,3-glucanase in Q. infectoria leaves and this response became more pronounced under water shortage. Our study highlights that drought stress greatly intensifies the effects of the charcoal disease. Moreover, our findings imply superior stress resistance of Q. infectoria conferred by a highly efficient antioxidant system, strong osmotic adjustment (through proline), and increases in resistance enzymes and secondary metabolites (phenols and flavonoids). Future investigations should focus on adult trees in their natural habitat including interactions with soil factors and other pathogens like nematodes, bacteria and other fungi. Because the present research was conducted on oak seedlings, the findings can be considered by forest nursery managers.

Modulation of growth performance and coordinated induction of ascorbate-glutathione and methylglyoxal detoxification systems by salicylic acid mitigates salt toxicity in choysum (Brassica parachinensis L.)

Salinity represents a serious environmental threat to crop production and by extension, to world food supply, social and economic prosperity of the developing world. Salicylic acid (SA) is an endogenous plant signal molecule involved in regulating various plant responses to stress. In the present study, we characterized the regulatory role of exogenous SA for their ability to ameliorate deleterious effects of salt stress (0, 100, 150, 200 mM NaCl) in choysum plants through coordinated induction of antioxidants, ascorbate glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle, and the glyoxalase enzymes. An increase in salt stress dramatically declined root and shoot growth, leaf chlorophyll and relative water content (RWC), subsequently increased electrolyte leakage (EL) and osmolytes accumulation in choysum plants. Salt stress disrupted the antioxidant and glyoxalase defense systems which persuaded oxidative damages and carbonyl toxicity, indicated by increased H2O2 generation, lipid peroxidation, and methylglyoxal (MG) content. However, application of SA had an additive effect on the growth of salt-affected choysum plants, which enhanced root length, plant biomass, chlorophyll contents, leaf area, and RWC. Moreover, SA application effectively eliminated the oxidative and carbonyl stress by improving AsA and GSH pool, upregulating the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the enzymes associated with AsA-GSH cycle and glyoxalase system. Overall, SA application completely counteracted the salinity-induced deleterious effects of 100 and 150 mM NaCl and partially mediated that of 200 mM NaCl stress. Therefore, we concluded that SA application induced tolerance to salinity stress in choysum plants due to the synchronized increase in activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, enhanced efficiency of AsA-GSH cycle and the MG detoxification systems.

Cichorium intybus attenuates streptozotocin induced diabetic cardiomyopathy via inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammatory response in rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Cichorium intybus on lipid peroxidation activities of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, inflammatory mediators, myocardial enzymes and histopathology of cardiac tissues in experimental diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (40 mg/kg) combined with high energy intake in rats. Seed extract of Cichorium intybus (CIE) (250 mg/kg & 500 mg/kg) was administered orally once a day for 3 weeks. Phytochemical investigations of seed extract revealed presence of some active ingredients such as alkaloids, tannins, saponin, phenols, glycosides, steroids, terpenoids and flavonoids. Seed extract of Cichorium intybus confirmed a significant potency towards restoring the blood glucose, an elevation of the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), blood glutathione (GSH), TNF-α and IL-6 and a reduction in the levels of catalase (CAT) was observed following the STZ treatment. Oxidative stress was accompanied by myocardial degeneration as evidenced by histopathological examination of cardiac tissues. Administration of CIE reduced the lipid peroxides level in heart. Serum levels of AST, GSH, LDH and SOD were brought down to physiological levels by CIE in STZ induced DCM rats. CIE also markedly down-regulated serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels. Catalase that was reduced in serum was brought back to near normal level. The extensive necrotic changes of cardiac tissue by STZ was minimized to normal morphology upon CIE administration. The study demonstrates the cardioprotective effect of CIE via inhibition of oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Impact of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria in the Orchestration of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Resistance to Plant Parasitic Nematodes: A Metabolomic Approach to Evaluate Defense Responses Under Field Conditions.

The present study deals with biological control of Meloidogyne incognita in 45-days old Lycopersicon esculentum, inoculated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa(M1) and Burkholderia gladioli (M2). The improved plant growth and biomass of nematode infested Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) inoculated plants was observed. Remarkable reduction in the numbers of second stage juvenile (J2s), root galls was recorded after treatment of microbes relative to experimental controls. Moreover, the lowered activities of oxidative stress markers (H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide), O2− (superoxide anion), malondialdehyde (MDA)) was estimated in plants after rhizobacterial supplementation. Higher activities of enzymatic (SOD (Superoxide dismutase), POD (Guaiacol peroxidase), CAT (Catalase), GPOX (Glutathione peroxidase), APOX (Ascorbate peroxidase), GST (Glutathione-S-transferase), GR (Glutathione reductase), DHAR (Dehydroascorbate reductase), PPO (Polyphenol oxidase)) and non-enzymatic (glutathione, ascorbic acid, tocopherol) antioxidants were further determined in nematode infected plants following the addition of bacterial strains. The upregulation of photosynthetic activities were depicted by evaluating plant pigments and gas exchange attributes. An increase in the levels of phenolic compounds (total phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins), osmoprotectants (total osmolytes, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, trehalose, proline, glycine betaine, free amino acids) and organic acids (fumaric, succinic, citric, malic acid) were reflected in infected plants, showing further enhancement after application of biocontrol agents. The study revealed the understanding of plant metabolism, along with the initiative to commercially exploit the biocontrol agents as an alternative to chemical nematicides in infected fields for sustainable agriculture.

Cold priming the chickpea seeds imparts reproductive cold tolerance by reprogramming the turnover of carbohydrates, osmo-protectants and redox components in leaves

Chickpea, a vital food legume, shows high sensitivity to cold stress at reproductive stage, and temperatures below 20/10 °C, (as day/night temperature) at this stage result in disruption in developmental and functional aspects of reproductive components, causing floral abortion, poor pods and significant yield losses. In the present study, chickpea seeds (a cold sensitive genotype GPF2) were cold primed at 5 °C ± 1 °C in the dark for 30 days, followed by gradual air-drying at 15 °C to the original moisture content (11–13%). The crop was raised in the month of November from non-primed and primed seeds in the outdoor environment (temperature profile: 11.7 °C; mean day/night temperature; 1300–1500 μmol m−2 s−1 light intensity, 65–70% relative humidity), until the onset of budding and flowering (45 days after sowing). Subsequently, the plants were separated into different sets to impose following treatments in controlled environment a) control (at optimum temperature; a set of plants were grown at optimum temperature (25/18 °C) until maturity, b) cold-stressed; a set of the plants were grown at low temperature (15/8 °C) until maturity, c) raised from cold-primed seeds but grown at optimum temperature (25/18 °C) until maturity, d) raised from cold-primed seeds and exposed to low temperature (15/8 °C), until maturity. The plants were tested for various traits in the leaves at 0–25 days after exposure to stress. Cold stress resulted in damage to membranes, photosynthetic ability (as loss of chlorophyll, photosystem II function and chlorophyll fluorescence, stomatal conductance), photo-assimilation capacity (as sucrose metabolism), hydration status (as leaf water content), production of osmolytes (as disruption in metabolism of proline, trehalose, glycine betaine, and GABA production) and decreased the redox status of the cells (as decrease in activity and expression of various enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Reproductive function was markedly decreased, as was evident from reduction in pollen viability, pollen germination, stigma receptivity and ovule viability). Pod number and seed weight plant−1 showed 65.5 and 68.4% reduction because of cold stress. The plants raised from cold-primed seeds were remarkable benefitted at reproductive stage, which showed significantly improved pollen and stigmatic function, resulting in considerable recovery of the pod number and seed weight plant-1. The benefits of the cold priming were possibly related to improved leaf function (hydration status, photosynthetic and carbon fixation ability), which increased the sucrose concentration in the leaves to support the reproductive function, along with enhanced anti-oxidative capacity and osmo-protectants’ production, which were significantly more in cold-stressed plants, grown from cold-primed seeds, compared to the controls. Our findings in this regard are novel and suggest an effective strategy to enhance cold tolerance in chickpea.

Exogenous Tebuconazole and Trifloxystrobin Regulates Reactive Oxygen Species Metabolism Toward Mitigating Salt-Induced Damages in Cucumber Seedling.

The present study investigated the role of tebuconazole (TEB) and trifloxystrobin (TRI) on cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Tokiwa) under salt stress (60 mM NaCl). The cucumber plants were grown semi-hydroponically in a glasshouse. Plants were exposed to two different doses of fungicides (1.375 µM TEB + 0.5 µM TRI and 2.75 µM TEB + 1.0 µM TRI) solely and in combination with NaCl (60 mM) for six days. The application of salt phenotypically deteriorated the cucumber plant growth that caused yellowing of the whole plant and significantly destructed the contents of chlorophyll and carotenoids. The oxidative damage was created under salinity by increasing the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and electrolytic leakage (EL) resulting in the disruption of the antioxidant defense system. Furthermore, in the leaves, stems, and roots of cucumber plants increased Na+ content was observed under salt stress, whereas the K+/Na+ ratio and contents of K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ decreased. In contrast, the exogenous application of TEB and TRI reduced the contents of MDA, H2O2, and EL by improving the activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. In addition, ion homeostasis was regulated by reducing Na+ uptake and enhanced K+ accumulation and the K+/Na+ ratio after application of TEB and TRI. Therefore, this study indicates that the exogenous application of TEB and TRI enhanced salt tolerance in cucumber plants by regulating reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant defense systems.

Hepatoprotective effect of boldine against diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in wistar rats.

Discovering the utmost effective and targeted chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma is still a significant challenge. In the present study, diethylnitrosamine was used as a liver carcinogen and boldine a compound of boldo. We anticipated the hypothesis that boldine endow antiproliferative and promote apoptosis on hepatocarcinoma rats. We analyzed that boldine alters the tumor biomarkers and liver markers enzyme levels. Also, we determined boldine modulate the enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant activities, as well as messenger RNA and protein expressions of Bcl2, Bax, and cleaved caspase 3 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, respectively. It was also manifested by histopathology studies in liver tissues of HCC rats. Our finding suggested that boldine has antioxidant activity, and moreover, also contributes apoptotic nature by upregulating the protein expression of Bax, and cleaved caspase 3. Our data accomplishes that boldine a candidate drug has dynamic therapeutic activity and suitable for the treatment of HCC.

Melatonin alleviates heat-induced damage of tomato seedlings by balancing redox homeostasis and modulating polyamine and nitric oxide biosynthesis

BackgroundMelatonin is a pleiotropic signaling molecule that plays multifarious roles in plants stress tolerance. The polyamine (PAs) metabolic pathway has been suggested to eliminate the effects of environmental stresses. However, the underlying mechanism of how melatonin and PAs function together under heat stress largely remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the potential role of melatonin in regulating PAs and nitric oxide (NO) biosynthesis, and counterbalancing oxidative damage induced by heat stress in tomato seedlings.ResultsHeat stress enhanced the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and damaged inherent defense system, thus reduced plant growth. However, pretreatment with 100 μM melatonin (7 days) followed by exposure to heat stress (24 h) effectively reduced the oxidative stress by controlling the overaccumulation of superoxide (O2•−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), lowering the lipid peroxidation content (as inferred based on malondialdehyde content) and less membrane injury index (MII). This was associated with increased the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants activities by regulating their related gene expression and modulating the ascorbate–glutathione cycle. The presence of melatonin induced respiratory burst oxidase (RBOH), heat shock transcription factors A2 (HsfA2), heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), and delta 1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS) gene expression, which helped detoxify excess ROS via the hydrogen peroxide-mediated signaling pathway. In addition, heat stress boosted the endogenous levels of putrescine, spermidine and spermine, and increased the PAs contents, indicating higher metabolic gene expression. Moreover, melatonin-pretreated seedlings had further increased PAs levels and upregulated transcript abundance, which coincided with suppression of catabolic-related genes expression. Under heat stress, exogenous melatonin increased endogenous NO content along with nitrate reductase- and NO synthase-related activities, and expression of their related genes were also elevated.ConclusionsMelatonin pretreatment positively increased the heat tolerance of tomato seedlings by improving their antioxidant defense mechanism, inducing ascorbate–glutathione cycle, and reprogramming the PAs metabolic and NO biosynthesis pathways. These attributes facilitated the scavenging of excess ROS and increased stability of the cellular membrane, which mitigated heat-induced oxidative stress.

Annona muricata Attenuates Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Stress and Renal Toxicity in Wistar Rats

Cadmium is a known industrial toxicant that accumulates in the kidney and causes oxidative damage. The present study was carried out to evaluate the attenuating effects of Annona muricata seed extracts against cadmium mediated renal toxicity in Wistar rats. Twenty-eight (28) Wistar albino rats sorted into four groups of seven rats per group were used in this study. Group A serves as the control and received distilled water orally. Group B, C, and D were administered 5 mg/kg body weight cadmium chloride with Group C and D were treated daily with 200 and 500 mg/kg body weight of ethanolic seed extract of Annona muricata (ESEAM)respectively by oral administration while group B was left untreated for 14 days. Results obtained showed that cadmium significantly (P<0.05) increased the serum level of urea and creatinine. Oxidative stress was induced by cadmium with a significant increase in MDA level and decrease concentration in ascorbic acid, GSH, GPx, SOD, and CAT in the kidney. Efficacy of Annona muricata seed extracts against renal toxicity was evaluated in terms of biochemical estimation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities, histopathological changes, and rate of lipid peroxidation. Treatment with ESEAM prevented deteriorative effects induced by Cd through a protective mechanism that involved the reduction of increased oxidative stress.

Effect of high levels of CO2on the electrochemical behavior and the enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidant systems in black and white table grapes stored at 0 °C

In this study, we analyzed the effect of the application of high levels of CO2 (20 kPa CO2 + 20 kPa O2 + 60 kPa N2 ) for 3 days at low temperature on a white table-grape cultivar (Superior Seedless) in comparison with a black one (cv. Autumn Royal) in terms of quality parameters. We also used a solid-state voltammetry methodology to analyze the effect of the 3-day gaseous treatment in berry tissues from both cultivars in the first stage of storage. We determined the role of the non-enzymatic (total phenols, total anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity) and the enzymatic antioxidant (catalase (GCAT), ascorbate peroxidase (VcAPX) gene expression) systems in the behaviors of both cultivars. Our results indicate that the application of a 3-day gaseous treatment was effective in maintaining the quality of black and white table grapes for up to 28 days of storage at 0 °C. The electrochemical methodology applied was useful for differentiating between skin and pulp samples, and between black and white table grape cultivars. Some molecular mechanisms were modulated in the skin of both cultivars to overcome oxidative stress, which was not manifested with the same intensity in grapes treated with CO2 for 3 days. However, some differences were observed in relation to the non-enzymatic system. The 3-day gaseous treatment was useful to maintain black and white table grape quality at 0 °C. The voltammetry analysis indicated that CO2 -treated samples from the skin and pulp showed more similarity to freshly harvested ones. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Protective effect of vanillic acid against benzo(a)pyrene induced lung cancer in Swiss albino mice.

Vanillic acid (VA) is found in high concentrations in various plants and used as traditional medicinefor various diseases. The aim of the existing study is to illustrate the protective effects of VA against benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P)-induced lung cancer in Swiss albino mice. B(a)P (50 mg/kg b.wt.) was given orally to induce lung cancer in mice. The body weight, tumor incidence, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and enzymatic/nonenzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione) were estimated. Further histochemical investigation through hematoxylin and eosin staining was also carried out. B(a)P administered groups showed increased levels of serum pathological markers CEA,NSE along with reduced final body weight as well as decreased tissue enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants activities, whereas VA treatment (200mg/kg/b.wt) along with B(a)P showed significantly reverted the above changes, which proves as prominent anticancer effects in experimentally induced lung cancer. Overall, these results suggest that VA has an efficient preventive action against B(a)P-induced lung cancer, and this is attributed to its free-radical scavenging antioxidant activities.

Manganese accumulation and plant physiology behavior of Camellia oleifera in response to different levels of nitrogen fertilization

Manganese (Mn) pollution in soil, especially around the mining areas, is a severe problem in China. Seeking for effective remediation methods for Mn-contaminated soil is therefore urgent and necessary. Camellia oleifera (C. oleifera) is one of the world's four major woody oil plants, which is widely cultivated in subtropical acidic soils for oil production and has become an important economic and ecological resource in Guangxi Province. Nitrogen (N) is one of the most common limiting factors for plant growth and development in soils. We carried out this study to evaluate the effects of different N fertilization levels (0, 100, 300 and 500 mg kg−1) on the morphological and physiological characteristics of C. oleifera in two soils with different Mn-contamination degrees. The results indicate that N fertilization affected the plant growth and the content of photosynthetic pigments, while C. oleifera accumulated great amounts of Mn in both soils. However, the plant biomass reduced significantly at the high-level N fertilization (≥300 mg kg−1), and the oxidative stress was stimulated under Mn contamination. As a comparison, the plant biomass remained unaffected at the low-level N fertilization (100 mg kg−1), and the ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity in C. oleifera leaves were enhanced to alleviate the oxidative stress and therefore protecting the plant from Mn contamination. Meanwhile, plants supplemented with a low-level of N fertilizer (100 mg kg−1) had appropriate antioxidant enzyme and nonenzymatic antioxidant activities, which indicates that this was favorable growth conditions for C. oleifera. Thus, the recommended N fertilization level for maintaining plant biomass and increasing Mn accumulation in plant is 100 mg kg−1 N; at which level the efficiency of Mn phytoremediation by C. oleifera can be further enhanced.

Characterization and identification of cadmium-tolerant bacteria isolated from contaminated regions in Egypt

Abstract This study was designed under laboratory conditions to isolate, identify and characterize some cadmium-tolerant bacteria from heavy metals-contaminated regions of Egypt. These regions included three sites along Al-Rahawy drain, Giza Governorate and two agricultural soils from Kaluybia Governorate, Egypt. Three of sixty-nine cadmium-tolerant bacterial isolates were evident as the most tolerant isolates for cadmium according to the MIC and MTC tests. Results proved that MR99, MR100, and MR108 were able to grow on medium supplemented with cadmium at 2000 mg/l and inhibited at 2500 mg/l. After that, their ability to tolerate other heavy metals (copper, zinc, and lead) was evaluated and resulted in two highest tolerant isolates namely MR99 and MR108 which able to tolerate all four tested heavy metals at different concentrations. These isolates were identified as Bacillus cereus MG257494.1 (MR99) and Alcaligenes faecalis MG966440.1 (MR108) according to the morphological, cultural, biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA partial sequence. Then, their biosorption potentials under different pH values in media supplemented with four heavy metals at 1000 mg/l were examined in addition to their enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities.

The Potential Role of Citrus limon Powder as a Natural Feed Supplement to Boost the Productive Performance, Antioxidant Status, and Blood Biochemistry of Growing Rabbits.

Simple SummaryAlthough some studies have suggested that the flavonoids in Citrus limon possess numerous biological functions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antiviral, antiproliferative, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic activities, a rabbit model has not been used to establish the beneficial effects and possible antioxidant activity of dried C. limon. Therefore, we investigated the hemato-biochemical alteration, thyroid activity, and antioxidant responses of dried C. limon as a powder in growing rabbits. By employing New Zealand White rabbits, we demonstrated that rabbits fed a diet supplemented with 1% dry lemon powder (DLP) or 2% DLP had an increase in their productive performance, better feed conversion, enhanced hematological and biochemical values, improved antioxidant enzyme activity, and inhibited lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that dry lemon supplementation might play a role as a growth enhancer for rabbits when administered at a maximum of 2% in the rabbit diet. In general, the addition of Citrus limon improved growth performance, physiology, and antioxidant status in serum and liver of the growing rabbit.The current study examined the influence of Citrus limon (dry lemon) on the hemato-biochemical profiles, and antioxidant indices of growing rabbits. Forty-eight growing New Zealand White rabbits (age, eight weeks; weight, 1543.33 ± 25 g) were allocated into three groups (16 animals each), the first group was (control) fed a basal diet, whereas the second and third groups were supplemented with dried lemon, 1% or 2% DLP, respectively. A GC-MS analysis of more than 27 active constituents was performed. Feed conversion efficiency was (p < 0.05) better with diets containing 1% or 2% dry lemon, compared to the control group. Hematological indexes were increased significantly with the addition of DLP compared to those in the control group. Adding 1% or 2% dry lemon to rabbit diet increased (p < 0.05) enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities (TAC, SOD, GSH, GST, and CAT) in serum and liver tissues. Taken together, these data reveal the advantages and antioxidant effects of dry lemon supplementation for growing rabbits once supplemented at a maximum of 2% in their daily diet.