Long-Lasting Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized with and Their Antibacterial Activity against a Serious Pathogen.

A rapid, eco-friendly, and simple method for the synthesis of long-lasting (2 years) silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is reported using aqueous leaf and petal extracts of L. The particles were characterized using UV-Visible spectrophotometry and the analytical and crystallographic techniques of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The longevity of the AgNPs was studied using UV-Vis and high-resolution TEM.

Indirect organogenesis for high frequency shoot regeneration of two cultivars of Sansevieria trifasciata Prain differing in fiber production.

Sansevieria trifasciata is used as an indoor plant, in traditional medicine and as a fiber source. Here we characterized fibers of two of varieties of S. trifasciata, Lorentii and Hahnii, and report a protocol for their propagation based on indirect shoot organogenesis.

Bark water storage capacity influences epiphytic orchid preference for host trees.

Premise: Of all orchid species described, 70% live on phorophytes. Trees offer a vital space with characteristics that influence the successful establishment and life cycle of orchids. Field inventory and distribution analysis suggest that phorophyte selection is biased to certain tree species that would serve as better hosts.

Ontogenic synchronization of Bephratelloides cubensis, Annona macroprophyllata seeds and acetogenins from Annonaceae.

The seeds of Annona macroprophyllata Donn. Sm. contain idioblasts with toxic acetogenins, including laherradurin and rolliniastatin-2, in relatively high proportions.

Designing and evaluation of urea microcapsules in vitro to improve nitrogen slow release availability in rumen.

Background: There is a growing interest in the development of novel and innovative vehicles for controlled release of urea into the rumen, aiming to provide ammonia-N for the biosynthesis of proteins of bacterial origin and to prevent urea intoxication by direct feeding to livestock. Urea microencapsulation is a system that can control the release of urea to be slow and steady.

Results: The amount of encapsulated urea was 69% of CSU (calcium silicate + urea + Eudragit RS100® + dichloromethane) and 71% of ACU (activated charcoal + urea + Eudragit RS100® + dichloromethane) groups (p > 0.

First description of extrafloral nectaries in Opuntia robusta (Cactaceae): Anatomy and ultrastructure.

To our knowledge, there are no studies about the structure and ecological function of extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) in Opuntia robusta. This is the first description of EFNs in O. robusta, where young spines have an interesting structure and a secreting function, which are different from EFNs described in other Cactaceae species.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth, nutrient status, and total antioxidant activity of Melilotus albus during phytoremediation of a diesel-contaminated substrate.

This research evaluated the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on growth, nutritional status, total antioxidant activity (AOX), total soluble phenolics content (TPC), and total nitrate reductase activity (NRA) of leaves and roots of Melilotus albus Medik planted in diesel-contaminated sand (7500 mg kg(-1)). Seedlings of Melilotus either Non inoculated (Non-AMF) or pre-inoculated plants (AMF) with the AMF-inoculum Glomus Zac-19 were transplanted to non-contaminated or contaminated sand. After 60 days, diesel significantly reduced plant growth.

Cytokinin promotes catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities and preserves the chloroplast integrity during dark-senescence.

Increased oxidative stress displayed during dark-senescence of wheat leaves (Triticum aestivum L.) is caused not only by the increased levels of radicals but also by a loss of antioxidant capacity. Mature leaves were incubated in 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP 10(-4)M) or water (control) during 6d in the dark.