Chemical composition and in vitro antibacterial activity of Seseli libanotis

Summary The antibacterial efficacy of the methanol extract of the aerial parts of Seseli libanotis by using disc diffusion assay against 107 strains from 52 bacterial species and the chemical composition of the essential oil using GC/MS analysis were studied for the first time. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of single compounds were determined by the microbroth dilution method. Gas chromatography–mass spectrophotometry analyses allowed 13 compounds to be determined; the main constituents of the essential oil of aerial parts of Seseli libanotis were trans-caryophyllene (20.39%), spathulenol (11.89%), (−)-caryophyllene oxide (11.47%), euasarone (10.66%) and delta-cadinene (9.16%). The methanol extract of Seseli libanotis had a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity (>14 mm inhibition zone in diameter) in particular against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus dipsauri, Bacillus lentimorbus, Bacillus sphaericus, Bacillus subtilis, Corynebacterium ammoniagenes, Kocuria rosea, Neisseria subflava and Micrococcus lylae. These inhibitory effects are interesting in relation to the prevention of microbial contamination in foods.     

The relationship between serum levels of total IgE, IL-18, IL-12, IFN-gamma and disease severity in children with atopic dermatitis

Studies about the role of cytokines on the immunopathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) are generally based on in vitro observations and this role has not been completely clarified yet. Serum levels of total IgE, IL-18, IL-12, IFN-gamma and the relationship between these parameters and disease severity, determined using the SCORAD index, in a group of atopic patients were investigated in this study. Serum levels of total IgE were measured by the nephelometric method and serum levels of IL-18, IL-12/p40 and IFN-gamma were measured by ELISA method. Serum levels of total IgE and IL-18 were found significantly higher in study group than in controls (P<.001). There was no statistically significant difference between patients and controls in respect of serum levels of IL-12/p40 (P = .227). A statistically significant relationship between SCORAD values and serum levels of total IgE (P < .001), IL-18 (P < .001), and IL-12/p40 (P < .001) was determined. These results show that serum levels of IL-18 can be a sensitive parameter that importantly correlates with clinical severity of AD, can play a role in the immunopathogenesis of AD, and furthermore may be used in the diagnosis and follow-up of the disease in addition to other parameters.     

Isolation and characterization of glucose derepressed invertase mutants from Schizosaccharomyces pombe

We have isolated 14 different Schizosaccharomyces pombe mutants that synthesize invertase enzyme constitutively. Analyses of invertase activities revealed that the degrees of resistance to glucose repression were not similar among different complementation groups. One of the complementation groups appeared to be associated with functional and/or regulatory defects in hexose transport. Another complementation group appeared to be specific for the regulation of the inv1 gene alone, implying that these mutations might be associated with different genes acting on the glucose sensing and signaling pathway. In addition, we found that the wild-type level glucose uptake is essential for the full-level repression of inv1 expression.     

Oxidative stress in patients with acne vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is one of the common dermatological diseases and its pathogenesis is multifactorial. In this study, we aim to determine the effects of oxidative stress in acne vulgaris. Forty-three consecutive acne patients and 46 controls were enrolled. The parameters of oxidative stress such as catalase (CAT), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the venous blood of cases were measured spectrophotometrically. The values compared with control group, the relation between the severity and distribution of acne, and the correlation of each enzyme level were researched. CAT and G6PD levels in patients were found to be statistically decreased, and SOD and MDA levels were found to be statistically increased (P < .001). However, any statistical difference and correlation could not be found between the severity and distribution of lesions and the mean levels of enzymes. In addition, we found that each enzyme is correlated with one another. Our findings show that oxidative stress exists in the acne patients. It will be useful to apply at least one antioxidant featured drug along with the combined acne treatment.     

Phenolic compounds and vitamins in wild and cultivated apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) fruits grown in irrigated and dry farming conditions

Background

Turkey is the main apricot producer in the world and apricots have been produced under both dry and irrigated conditions in the country. In this study, phenolic compounds and vitamins in fruits of one wild (Zerdali) and three main apricot cultivars (‘Cataloglu’, ‘Hacihaliloglu’ and ‘Kabaasi’) grown in both dry and irrigated conditions in Malatya provinces in Turkey were investigated.

Results

The findings indicated that higher content of phenolic compounds and vitamins was found in apricot fruits grown in irrigated conditions. Among the cultivars, ‘Cataloglu’ had the highest rutin contents both in irrigated and dry farming conditions as 2855 μg in irrigated and 6952 μg per 100 g dried weight base in dry conditions and the highest chlorogenic acid content in irrigated and dry farming conditions were measured in fruits of ‘Hacıhaliloglu’ cultivar as 7542 μg and 15251 μg per 100 g dried weight base. Vitamin C contents in homogenates of fruit flesh and skin was found to be higher than β-caroten, retinol, vitamin E and lycopen contents in apricot fruits both in irrigated and dry farming conditions.

Conclusion

The results suggested that apricot fruits grown in both dry and irrigated conditions had high health benefits phytochemicals and phytochemical content varied among cultivars and irrigation conditions as well. However, more detailed biological and pharmacological studies are needed for the demonstration and clarification of health benefits of apricot fruits.     

Compositional studies and Biological activities of Perovskia abrotanoides Kar. oils

Background

Current study has been designed to evaluate the chemical composition of essential and fixed oils from stem and leaves of Perovskia abrotanoides and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of these oils.

Results

GC-MS analysis of essential oil identified 19 compounds with (E)-9-dodecenal being the major component in stem and hexadecanoic acid in leaves. In contrast, GC-MS analysis of fixed oil showed 40 constituents with α-amyrin the major component in stem and α-copaene in leaves. The antioxidant activity showed the highest value of 76.7% in essential oil from leaves in comparison with fixed oil from stem (45.9%) through inhibition of peroxidation in linoleic acid system. The antimicrobial assay tested on different microorganisms (e.g. E. coli, S. aureus, B. cereus, Nitrospira, S. epidermis, A. niger, A. flavus and C. albicans) showed the higher inhibition zone at essential oil from leaves (15.2 mm on B. cereus) as compared to fixed oil from stem (8.34 mm on S. aureus) and leaves (11.2 mm on S. aureus).

Conclusions

The present study revealed the fact that essential oil analyzed from Perovskia abrotanoides stem and leaves could be a promising source of natural products with potential antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, as compared to fixed oil.     

NaCl induced morpho-biochemical and anatomical changes in mulberry (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Morus</Emphasis> spp.)

Mulberry is an economically important tree, used for feeding the silkworm Bombyx mori L. Effect of different levels of NaCl on growth and development of mulberry has been studied using five mulberry genotypes selected on the basis of their performance under in vitro salinity. The study while endorsing the efficacy of in vitro screening of axillary buds of mulberry for salt tolerance, showed genotypic variability in its response to salinity. Salinity reduced growth and development of all genotypes. However, the putative tolerant genotypes showed better performance than the putative susceptible genotypes. Under low salinity (<0.5% NaCl) salt tolerant genotypes showed an increase in chlorophyll and protein concentrations, while in susceptible genotypes both were reduced by 3–58% at 0.5% NaCl and 50–64% at 1.00% NaCl. Leaf thickness increased by 16% at 1.00% NaCl in C776 and reduced by 1.0% in Mandalaya. The increase in chlorophyll concentration and leaf thickness under high salinity can be considered as preliminary selection parameters for salt tolerance in mulberry. The study confirmed the efficacy of in vitro method for screening of large number of genotypes for salt tolerance in mulberry.     

Evaluation of Some Phenological and Biochemical Characteristics of Selected New Late Flowering Dried Apricot Cultivars

In this study, promising candidates of six apricot genotypes were compared with our local and major cultivar (Hac?halilo?lu) based on their phenological, pomological, and biochemical characteristics. Fruit weight, stone weight, flesh firmness, flesh fruit/stone ratio, TSS (Total soluble solids), glucose, fructose, sucrose, total phenols, total antioxidant activity (FRAP and ABTS assays) and bud break, first bloom, full bloom, and harvesting date of apricot cultivar candidates were compared with cultivar Hac?halilo?lu ‘HH.’ According to the obtained results, the higher content of total phenolic compounds and total antioxidant activity was determined in the N95 genotype (96.87 µmol TE/g) fruit, whereas the ‘HH’ cultivar was characterized by the lower value (94.6 µmol TE/g) especially determined by FRAP method. Individual sugars and the soluble solids content of fruit differed between selected genotypes and ‘HH’ cultivar. Glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents were higher in all selected genotypes than in Hac?halilo?lu cultivar.     

Simple Sequence Repeat and <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-locus Genotyping to Explore Genetic Variability in Polyploid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus spinosa</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">P. insititia</Emphasis>

Polyploid Prunus spinosa (2n = 4×) and P. insititia (2n = 6×) represent enormous genetic potential in Central Europe, which can be exploited in breeding programmes. In Hungary, 17 cultivar candidates were selected from wild-growing populations including 10 P. spinosa, 4 P. insititia and three P. spinosa × P. domestica hybrids (2n = 5×). Their taxonomic classification was based on their phenotypic characteristics. Six simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and the multiallelic S-locus genotyping were used to characterize genetic variability and reliable identification of the tested accessions. A total of 98 SSR alleles were identified, which presents 19.5 average allele number per locus, and each of the 17 genotypes could be discriminated based on unique SSR fingerprints. A total of 23 S-RNase alleles were identified. The complete and partial S-genotype was determined for 8 and 9 accessions, respectively. The identification of a cross-incompatible pair of cultivar candidates and several semi-compatible combinations help maximize fruit set in commercial orchards. Our results indicate that the S-allele pools of wild-growing P. spinosa and P. insititia are overlapping in Hungary. A phylogenetic and principal component analysis confirmed the high level of diversity and genetic differentiation present within the analysed genotypes and helped clarify doubtful taxonomic identities. Our data confirm that S-locus genotyping is suitable for diversity studies in polyploid Prunus species. The analysed accessions represent huge genetic potential that can be exploited in commercial cultivation.