Cylindrospermopsin induces biochemical changes leading to programmed cell death in plants.

In the present study we provide cytological and biochemical evidence that the cyanotoxin cylindrospermopsin (CYN) induces programmed cell death (PCD) symptoms in two model vascular plants: the dicot white mustard (Sinapis alba) and the monocot common reed (Phragmites australis). Cytological data include chromatin fragmentation and the increase of the ratio of TUNEL-positive cells in roots, the latter being detected in both model systems studied. The strongest biochemical evidence is the elevation of the activity of several single-stranded DNA preferring nucleases-among them enzymes active at both acidic and alkaline conditions and are probably directly related to DNA breaks occurring at the initial stages of plant PCD: 80 kDa nucleases and a 26 kDa nuclease, both having dual (single- and double-stranded nucleic acid) specificity.

Growth regulator requirement for in vitro embryogenic cultures of snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis L.) suitable for germplasm preservation.

In this study, we report on the production of bulb scale-derived tissue cultures capable of efficient shoot and plant regeneration in three genotypes of snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis L., Amaryllidaceae), a protected ornamental plant. For culture line A, high auxin and low cytokinin concentration is required for callus production and plant regeneration.

Histological, cytological and biochemical alterations induced by microcystin-LR and cylindrospermopsin in white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seedlings.

This study compares the histological, cytological and biochemical effects of the cyanobacterial toxins microcystin-LR (MCY-LR) and cylindrospermopsin (CYN) in white mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seedlings, with special regard to the developing root system. Cyanotoxins induced different alterations, indicating their different specific biochemical activities.

Quantification of main bioactive metabolites from saffron (Crocus sativus) stigmas by a micellar electrokinetic chromatographic (MEKC) method.

Saffron is an expensive spice, cultivated in many regions of the world. Its chief metabolites include crocins, which are responsible for the coloring ability, safranal, which is the main essential oil constituent, and picrocrocin which is the main bitter constituent of the spice. A simple micellar capillary electrochromatographic (MEKC) method capable of quantifying all three types of main constituents was established.