NMR (¹H) analysis of crude extracts detects light stress in Beta vulgaris and Spinacia oleracea leaves.

In highlight stress conditions, the mechanism of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) of chlorophyll fluorescence is triggered at the chloroplast level. This process allows thermal quenching of the excessive excitation energy and it is strictly related to the efficiency of the xanthophyll cycle. Nowadays, the utilization of the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provides a powerful complementary way for the identification and quantitative analysis of plant metabolites either in vivo or in tissue extracts.

Characterization and role of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation in the Mediterranean species Cistus incanus L. under different temperature conditions.

In plants, the decline of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation activity is involved in energy homeostasis and stress tolerance. By reducing stress-induced poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation activity, NAD(+) breakdown is inhibited preventing high energy consumption. Under these conditions, plants preserve their energy homeostasis without an overactivation of mitochondrial respiration, thus avoiding the production of reactive oxygen species.

Assessment of macro and microelement accumulation capability of two aquatic plants.

The concentrations of four macroelements (C, N, P, S) and eight trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) were measured in the leaves and roots of the emergent plant, Phragmites communis Trin., and in the shoots and roots of the submersed Najas marina L., taken from Lake Averno (Naples, Italy).

Biomonitoring of trace element air contamination at sites in Campania (Southern Italy).

Surface soils and one-year-old Quercus ilex L. leaves were investigated for element concentrations to evaluate the air quality of some sites in Campania (Southern Italy). Sampling was carried out at 7 natural and 7 urban sites from September 1998 to February 1999.