Volume 23, No. 1 (2014)
Articles
CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF ALBANIAN INDIGENOUS LEGUMES
NDOC FASLIA(1), SOKRAT JANI(2), AGIM CANKO(3), MILTO HYSO(4)
The diversity of indigenous legumes in Albania is being seriously eroded as a result of the multiplicity of environmental, political and socio-economic factors. This paper discusses the developments related to the identification, collection, evaluation and preservation of indigenous forms of leguminous crops (common beans, chickpea and Lathyrus spp.) that are threatened by extinction in the Central Albania; as well as the traditional knowledge on the production and their use for own consumption of the farmers in villages. The paper also suggests that the sustainable use of plant biodiversity requires community-driven in situ and on-farm initiatives supported through knowledge dissemination, marketing efforts, publicity, and cooperation with research and governmental structures.
RESEARCHES REGARDING THE HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF SOME PHYTOPREPARATIONS OBTAINED FROM HIPOPHÄE RHAMNOIDES AND CYNOSBATI FRUCTUS
PRISĂCARU CORNELIA(1), PRISĂCARU ANCA IRINA(2),
The present paper is part of a wider experiment focused on reducing the toxicity level of some mycotoxins considered to be grade 1 carcinogen to humans. Among them there is sterigmatocystin, a mycotoxin that derives from difuran, structurally related to aflatoxins, which withdraws the attention of the human and veterinary pathology by having a high incidence in vegetal aliments from the temperate-continental climate. Considering the hypothesis that sterigmatocystin acts as a free radical coming from epoxy-sterigmatocystin, the experiment presented in this paper deals with the use of some pharmaceutical preparates coming from Hipophäe rhamnoides (boxthorn) and Cynosbati fructus (rosehip). The vegetal product from the boxthorn pseudoberries, Hipophäe rhamnoides, is thought to have special antitoxic/antioxidant properties because of the high level of ascorbic acid (400-1500mg %) and the bioflavonoids that protect the antioxidant vitamin itself from the redox reactions. The antitoxic/antioxidant biocomplex from this effective remedy is completed and increased by the presence of ergosterol and carotenoids (β-carotene, lycopene, physalin, cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin). The pseudo rosehip berries Cynosbati fructus are considered to have real antitoxic/antioxidant effects because of vitamin C (500-1000 mg %), carotenoids (600-10000 mg %) and vitamin E. The experiment included 5 groups of 5 Wistar white rats each. The first group represented the reference group, while the second group was used for the experimental reproduction of the chronic sterigmatocystin intoxication (control group). The animals in the third group were given, apart from the daily dose of sterigmatocystin, ascorbic acid, being known its role of non-enzymatic antioxidant. The third group was given sterigmatocystin and, simultaneously, an extractive 5% solution of Hipophäe fructus. For assessing and comparing the antitoxic potential of the two vegetal products, the last group of rats were given an additional extractive 5% solution of Cynosbati fructus. At the end of the experiment, the animals were subjected to biochemical analyses by quantifying the two transaminases acting as hepatic cytolysis parameters, alanine aminotransferase – ALT and aspartate aminotransferase – AST as well as the three oxidative stress parameters, catalase - CAT, superoxid dismutase – SOD and the free thion groups. The results obtained underline the significant antitoxic/antioxidant effects of both studies phytopreparates.
OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING THE EFFECTS OF THE FOLIAR APPLICATION OF COPPER ON SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES OF CALENDULA OFFICINALIS L. SPECIES
NICOLETA BADĂLUŢĂ(1), PRISECARU MARIA(2), RAŢI IOAN VIOREL(3), DUMITRA RĂDUCANU (4)
The study presents the results obtained in testing the moderate application of copper sulfate on calendula plants, in comparison to the high quantity commonly used for different species of plants cultivated in private gardens. As a result of our research, we can prove the positive effect of copper sulfate in the storage of dry matter and assimilating pigments in vegetal tissues for tested variants, as well as the existence of biometric growths.
THE INFLUENCE OF LIMESTONE EXPLOITATION FROM MATEIAŞU MOUNTAIN (SOUTH ROMANIAN CARPATHIANS) ON STRUCTURAL PECULIARITIES OF PLANT AND WOODEN SPECIES
STANCU RALUCA
Cenote affinities of the species identified in the six areas of evidence allow us to detemine the degree of similarity and difference between these surfaces. Affinity between sample surfaces with deciduous vegetation is the largest index calculated with the lowest values - 33.33. This figure shows that deciduous affected area suffered a much smaller impact than the other two surfaces. Cenotic lowest affinity for surfaces occurs in coniferous vegetation, P3 and P6. Human impact on affected area near career led to drastic changes in the composition of normal specific, which led to a change in the physiognomy of the vegetation groups in relation to vegetation control surface.
EVALUATION OF THE ANTIRADICALIC POTENTIAL OF THE PERSEA AMARICANA MILLER FRUIT BY THE MEANS OF OXIDATIVE STRESS PARAMETERS
PRISĂCARU CORNELIA(1), ROTARU LILIANA(2)
The present study reveals a sequence from an extensive experiment that intends to establish the antioxidant potential of some plants used in food processing. The avocado fruit (Persea americana Miller) may represent a valuable source of active principles that counteract the reactive oxygen species responsible, in some conditions such as pathological diseases, atmosphere charged with free radicals resulted from the water radiolysis, some meteorological phenomena, for the setting-up of the oxidative stress. The antitoxic virtues of this edible fruit are owed to the high content of glutathione, a tripeptide that counteracts the aggressive free radicals due to the thiol group, and also due to the presence of ascorbic acid and vitamin E. The experiment presented herein also intends to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the Persea americana Miller fruit in comparison with an antioxidant drug known under the trade name as Pycnogenol. The experimental model consisted of three groups of Wistar rats, with an average body weight of 333.5 g. The first group represented the reference group, whose animals were fed with standard food and maintained in the same conditions as the others. The second group was the control group, the animals being supplementary given Pycnogenol, while the third group received, besides standard food and Pycnogenol, the avocado fruit included in their daily diet in a dose equivalent to that of Pycnogenol. After five weeks of experiment, blood samples were collected and biochemically investigated for the determination of serum catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. The results clearly emphasize the antioxidant effect of the active principles from Persea americana Miller.
PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON THE ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL OF SOME HERBAL ESENTIAL OILS
MARIA PRISECARU(1), DUMITRA RĂDUCANU(2), FLORIAN PRISECARU(3)
Capabilities were tested antimicrobial essential oils of: fennel, lavender, peppermint, lemon, cumin, coriander, sage, pine, thyme, cedar, dill, basil, fir, eucalyptus, orange, chamomile, marigold, on human pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella sp ., Shigella boydii, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, and Enterobacter sp. The results revealed that orange oil is effective for Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp., Enterobacter sp., is sensitive to oils dill and basil pine, Proteus vulgaris is sensitive to pine oil and dill, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is sensitive only to dill oil.
THE VASCULAR FLORA IN THE LOWER BASIN OF TROTUŞ RIVER (URECHEŞTI - ADJUD SUB-REGION)
GURĂU MILIAN(1), LAZĂR ANDREEA(2), STRATULAT JOSEPHINA(3)
This paper brings a contribution of 259 species from the inferior basin of Trotus River and reports the restoration of a habitat with steppe-like vegetation. The overall number of species amounts to 862 species belonging to 416 genera and 95 families. Out of the steppe elements identified in the period 1970-1972 in Dochia Meadow, many species are currently missingas a result of human activities in the area. On the slopes facing the other side of the Trotus River near Adjud, in areas where vine culture was widespread before 1990, a rich habitat of Stipa capillata and Centaurea orientalis has been restored. The floristic list comprises a large number of weeds, of which some are invasive and indicating the use of land for agricultural purposes. Steppe species are infrequent, but indicative of the migration corridor along the lower valleys of large rivers. There is a small number of rare and protected species. Although this area is circumscribed to the perimeter of an avifaunal reserve, any future monitoring and restoration activities for small patches of vegetation that are worth protecting are welcome.
IN VITRO CULTURE OF UNFERTILIZED OVULES IN BRASSICA OLERACEA L.
PRISECARU MARIA(1), CRISTEA TINA OANA(2), MARIA CĂLIN(3)
Using the unfertilised ovule culture of 4 genotypes of Brassica oleracea var. capitata (three consanguine lines and one hybrid) haploid plants diploid and mixoploid plants with gynogenetic origin were successfully obtained. A larger number of embryos/callus/ovules and normal plants were obtained. The gynogenesis in vitro through unfertilised ovule culture can be an effective method of production of haploids and dihaploids at white cabbage.
SOME NEW ASPECTS OF THE SPREAD OF SAXIFRAGA CYMBALARIA SPECIES IN NEMIRA MOUNTAINS
GURAU MILIAN
In Nemira Mountains area 1435 species of vascular plants were identified, among which the most popularized is Saxifraga cymbalaria. Near the balneal resort Slanic Moldova perhaps due to hydrotechnical works, the populations of this plant are almost extinct but we identified new points, at an altitude of 1000-1400 m in places without any threats, close to mountains Tiganca and Şandru.
STUDY OF SOME VEGETABLES TOLERANCE AT LOW WINTER TEMPERATURES
CĂLIN MARIA(1), CRISTEA TINA OANA(2), AMBARUS SILVICA(3), BREZEANU CREOLA(4), BREZEANU PETRE MARIAN(5), ŞOVA GEORGE FLORIN(6), PRISECARU MARIA(7)
During 2012– 2014 years, field experiments were performed in Vegetable Research-Development Station Bacau - Romania, in order to evaluate the behaviour of vegetable species to the low temperature at the winter. It was studied the following species and varieties: white cabbage: V1 - Silviana, V2 -De Buzau and V3 - De Işalniţa; lettuce: Marilena V1 sowing in autumn and V2 sowing in spring; spinach: Premier V1 sowing in autumn and V2 sowing in spring; onion - Orizont, V1 from seed, V2 – from bulbs; chives – V3. The study of tolerance of this varieties show a good resistance at low temeperature from winter. Monitoring pathogen show the attack of Erwinia carotovora at cabbage: V1 Silviana – 17,5%; V2 De Isalnita – 21,6%; V3 De Buzău – 27,2%.
BEYOND AND ACROSS SCIENCES, LANGUAGES AND CULTURES CULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF PLANT- RELATED PROVERBS
MORĂRAŞU NADIA NICOLETA(1), PRISECARU MARIA(2)
In this paper, we provide a survey of some plant-related proverbs that focuses on the reflection of mental patterns based on which proverbs are created in English and Romanian. The analysis of a selection of proverbs is made from a comparative perspective, by signalling the common aspects of the two languages and rendering their specific characteristics. To this purpose, we have used as a model Savin’s Romanian Phraseological Dictionary, in which the main criterion of organisation of the lexicographical items is the image created by Romanian food expressions.
SEVERAL MORPHO – PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS IN STACHYS SIEBOLDII MIQ. – STUDY ON REGENERANTS PROVIDED IN VITRO AND IN CONVENTIONAL CULTURES
MAFTEI DANIEL – IOAN(1), MAFTEI DIANA – ELENA(2)
Stachys sieboldii Miq. (the Chinese artichoke) is a herbaceous perennial plant of the Lamiaceae family. Stachys sieboldii grows spontaneously in China. Its tubers are edible, and introduced as a vegetable since 1888 by dr. M.T. MASTERS. As a legume, it was brought into culture in Europe, North America, Japan. The cultivated forms were ammeliorated, its tubers reached higher sizes than the spontaneous forms. This species is also used to cure high fever, diarrhoea, sore throats, internal bleeding, heart or liver diseases. Regarding our study, the vegetal material used for the in vitro cultures was provided by the Botanical Gardens “Anastasie Fătu” from Iași, and the one from conventional cultures was harvested from an experimental plot situated in Racova village (the county of Bacău). This study aimed to bring up data on the individuals provided in vitro, and also on the plants grown in conventional cultures. The morpho - physiological indices were biometrically analyzed on test groups of 50 individuals each, during 2008 and 2009. The analyzed parameters were: root length, tuber length, aerial stem length, fresh and dry biomass of roots and tubers. The survival rate of the regenerants provided in vitro on Murashige – Skoog (MS) medium was of about 80 % after their transfer on the experimental plot. The plants in conventional cultures were obtained by means of tubers.
THE CONTENT OF SATURATED, MONOUNSATURATED AND POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS IN THE SEEDS OF DIFFERENT CANOLA VARIETIES
BAUER BILJANA(1), KOSTIK VESNA(2)
Canola is a name applied to edible oilseed rape. This plant belongs to the Brassicaceae (mustard) family along with 3,000 other species. Close relatives of this crop have been cultivated for food since the earliest recordings of man. The name "canola" was registered in 1979 by the Western Canadian Oilseed Crushers Association to describe "double-low" varieties. Double low indicates that the processed oil contains less than 2% erucic acid (C22:1). Like soybean, canola contains both high oil content as well as high protein content. It contains about 40% oil and 23% protein compared to 20 and 40%, respectively, for soybean consumption. Commercial varieties of canola were developed from three species: Brassica napus L. (Argentine type), Brassica campestris L. (Polish type) and Brassica juncea L. (canola quality brown mustard). There are considerable differences in agronomic characteristics, yield, and fatty acid (FA) composition of seed oil between species and between varieties. The main objective of this work was identification and determination the FA composition of the seed oil of the two canola varieties grown in the Republic of Macedonia, during 2012. For that purpose, a total of hundred samples of the seeds of the two types of canola varieties were analyzed for the presence of total saturated fatty acid (SFA), total monounsaturated fatty acids (MFA), and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). After the Soxlet extraction of the seeds, methylation of the oil was performed, and fatty acids methyl esters (FAMEs) were characterized by gas chromatography (GC-FID) on HP-FFAP and SPBTM-1 column, respectively. The results of the study, showed different FA content among the two canola varieties. The canola variety type 2, was found to be high linolenic with the average content of linolenic acid (C18:3) 44.0% ± 2.02 (n=55). The canola variety type 1, was found to be high oleic with the average content of oleic acid (C18:1) 59.5% ± 1.91 (n=45). The average content of erucic acid (C22:1) was below 0.2% in the both varieties. The canola variety type 1 contained lower mean value of the total SFA (9.6% ± 0.56) in comparison with canola variety type 2, which had higher mean value of the total SFA (17.4% ± 0.67). The canola variety type 1, had higher content of the total MUFA (59.5% ± 1.91), unlike the canola variety type 2 (23.2% ±2.9). Besides the differences in the FA composition, as well as, the total SFA, MUFA, and the PUFA content, the both canola varieties had similar values of polyunsaturated/saturated indexes (P/S), which were found to be 3.2, and 3.4, respectively. This means that the both varieties of the oil had the same nutritional value.
NEW POSSIBILITIES OF FODDER YEAST PRODUCTION
SIMION ANDREI IONUŢ(1), GRIGORAŞ CRISTINA – GABRIELA(2)
Fodder yeasts are successfully utilized to feed animals since they are considered a rich source of well digested protein and vitamins. The study aimed to find new carbon sources for fodder yeast development with viable economic effects while reducing the pollution to the environment by capitalisation of wastewaters with high monosaccharides content from pulp and paper industry and by employing a hydrolytic product obtained from sugar beet pulp. Candida utilis yeast strain was used as inoculum. The fabrication recipe was established with the help of Response Surface Methodology by optimising the amount of ingredients and having as response functions protein, biomass and residual sugar. The found optimized values were: 24 g/L zinc reducing sugar, 1038 mg/L nitrogen and 420 mg/L phosphorous. In these conditions the final product had 50.98% protein content, w/w and 6.49 g/L biomass, w/w with a consumption of reducing sugar of 92.66%.
ASPECTS REGARDING THE IN VITRO MULTIPLICATION OF THE RUBUS HIRTUS L. SPECIES
NICUŢĂ DANIELA(1), ROTILĂ GABRIELA(2), CIOBANU ŞTEFAN(3)
The blackberry perennial shrub belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is among the oldest medicinal plants with Eastern origins, the proof of its medicinal use dates from Hippocrates times, the 4th century B.C. Its berries are appreciated for their taste and mostly for their high amounts of vitamins (A and C); the leaves have a medicinal utility, due to their disinfectant, healing, antihemorrhagic properties, and for hormonal regulation as well. Due to its economic importance, the purpose of our research was to highlight the in vitro reaction of this species by observations on the morphogenetic response of a series of explants on various nutritive variants. At the same time, we aimed to identify a profitable technology to micropropagate blackberry. In view of initiating the in vitro cultures, uninodal and apical explants were used, harvested from young shrubs, disinfested with HgCl2 1‰ and chloramine-T 5%. After the removal of disinfesting solutions (by rinsing in distilled water), the explants were inoculated on various medium variants of basal MS (Murashige –Skoog,1962) and WPM (Woody Plant, Lloyd and Mc Cown, 1980) medium, enriched with several combinations and amounts of growth regulators. Our observations led to the following conclusions: a proper morphogenetic response was noticed for the explants inoculated on the medium variants of MS enriched with 1mg/l BAP(benzylaminopurine) + 1 mg/l Kinetin, and WPM enriched with 2 mg/l Zeatin + 1 mg/l BAP; 3 mg/l Zeatin + 0.5 mg/l IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) - in order to micropropagate the shoots; the presence of ANA (naphtyl-acetic acid – 1.5 mg/l) within the WPM medium induced the development of a strong radicular system. The acclimatisation of the vitroplants to the ex vitro environment encountered no problems, and took place in a hydroponic system. About 2 weeks after the acclimatisation, the new plants were transfered into soil pots.
BIOMETRICAL STUDY ON SEVERAL IN VITRO REGENERANTS OF MELISSA OFFICINALIS L.
MAFTEI DIANA – ELENA(1), MAFTEI DANIEL – IOAN(2)
Melissa officinalis L. is a herbaceous, perennial plant of the Lamiaceae family, a native of the northern Mediterranean region. It is a xeromesophitic, moderate thermophile plant that is spread in sunny and also in shady places, and it is resistant to drought. It is sensitive to low temperatures, requiring mild winters. Its development is favourable on argillaceous earth and also on sandy, loamy ground. On vegetable soil its content of essential oils is lower. The aerial part of plant comprises 0.05 to 0.15% of volatile oil (that contains citronellal, citral, geraniol, linalool), polyphenols, tannins (3 to 6%), mucilages (12%), bitter substances etc. The seeds contain fat oil made up of linolenic, linoleic, oleic, palmitic and stearic acids (1-3, 5-8,10). The main action of its active principles, especially of volatile oil of Melissa officinalis is spasmolitic and sedative, recommended for gastro - intestinal spasms and cardiac neurosis. They are also known for an antiseptic, sedative, carminative, choleretic, mild laxative, stomachic, cicatrisant, galactagogue, and insecticide action. Our complex research on the in vitro regenerants of Melissa officinalis L. comprised biometrical tests, as well. There were analyzed some growth parameters, immediately after the regenerants were transferred from the in vitro to the ex vitro environment. There were analyzed 30 plants/medium variant within three tests: I – plants aged 30 days; II – plants aged 50 days; III - plants aged 60 days. The investigated parameters were: root length, stem length, number of shoots growing from basal node, number of nodes/shoot, fresh biomass/plant. The regenerants were transferred in field in spring, harvested in early September. At the harvesting moment, some parameters were analyzed: stem length, number o branches/stem, number of nodes/stem, fresh biomass/plant. All the data were statistically processed and interpreted.
OBSERVATIONS ABOUT FLORA AND PLANT ASSOCIATIONS FROM ENISALA NATURAL RESERVE (TULCEA COUNTY)
FĂGĂRAŞ MARIUS(1), BERCU RODICA(2)
An updated inventory of the flora and plant associations from the Enisala Natural Reserve and some considerations about the most important steppe habitats and plant associations identified in studied area, will be given in the article. Other considerations regarding rare and threatened flora of the natural reserve, invasive plant species which threaten floristic rarities, a comparative situation of phytogeographical elements between Enisala Reserve and other protected areas of Dobrogea will be specified in the paper.
STUDIES OF VIRAL PROLIFERATION ON APPLES CULTIVARS: JONATHAN, VOINEA AND GOLDEN DELICIOUS
RAŢI IOAN VIOREL(1), NICOLETA BADĂLUŢĂ(2), DUMITRA RĂDUCANU(3)
This paper presents the results obtainded in monitoring three apple-tree cultivars Voinea, Jonathan and Golden Delicious, from experimental polygon of of S.C. FRUCTEX S.A. from Bacau affected by apple’s proliferation (Mycoplasma sp). As a results of numerous observations concerning the evolution of apple’s phenophases; production (t/ha); the quality of fruits; the amount of affected trees by apple’s proliferation, no species have been indentified to be very resistent or resistent on proliferation, the amount of attack having values over 1%.
VEGETATIVE MULTIPLICATION OF SALVIA OFFICINALIS L. FOR THE OBTAINING OF TRUE-TO-TYPE PLANTS
TINA OANA CRISTEA(1), MARIA CALIN(2), SILVIA AMBARUS(3), CREOLA BREZEANU(4), BREZEANU MARIAN(5), SOVA FLORIN(6), MARIA PRISECARU(7)
Multiplication „in vitro” is used routinely to generate a large number of high-quality clonal agricultural plants, including ornamental, medicinal and vegetable species. Micropropagation has significant advantages over traditional clonal propagation techniques. These include the potential of combining rapid large-scale propagation of new genotypes, the use of small amounts of original germplasm (particularly at the early breeding and/or transformation stage, when only a few plants are available), and the generation of pathogen-free propagules. This paper describes the first results of experiments carried out to induce organogenesis in tissue culture of Salvia officinalis L. under influence of different combinations of growth regulators. It also aims toward the identification of explant type, as well as the cultivation media and environmental factors that are optimal for the regeneration of plants with the same genetic inheritance.