Biological Activity of Flavonoids and Rare Sesquiterpene Lactones Isolated From L.

The endemic Croatian species L., like other species from the genus , has been traditionally used in Croatia as an antibacterial agent and for the treatment of gastrointestinal and urogenital disorders. In several chromatographic steps, three flavonoids and three sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) were isolated and identified from the most active fractions of the ethanol extract.

Comparative Analysis of Native Crocus Taxa as a Great Source of Flavonoids with High Antioxidant Activity.

Native Crocus taxa are abundant in regions with moderate and dry climate; however, their potential in the food industry has thus far been neglected. The objective of this study was to compare the quantitative and qualitative flavonoid content and antioxidant and cytotoxic activity in organs of several populations of Croatian native taxa and assess their potential for application in the food industry. The dominant flavonoids in the native Crocus taxa were kaempferol and quercetin.

The effect of hazardous pollutants from coal combustion activity: Phytotoxicity assessment of aqueous soil extracts.

Airborne fly ash and related hazardous particles derived from coal combustion contaminate soil and groundwater, negatively affecting ecosystems. The aim of this study was chemical and toxicological evaluation of aqueous extracts of soil collected from the vicinity of a coal-fired Plomin power plant (PPP), using Lemna (Lemna minor L.) bioassay and additional biochemical indicators - photosynthetic pigments, lipid peroxidation, antioxidative enzymes and glutathione.

Short-term salt stress in Brassica rapa seedlings causes alterations in auxin metabolism.

Salinity is one of major abiotic stresses affecting Brassica crop production. Here we present investigations into the physiological, biochemical, and hormonal components of the short-term salinity stress response in Chinese cabbage seedlings, with particular emphasis on the biosynthesis and metabolism of auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Upon salinity treatments (50-200 mM NaCl) IAA level was elevated in a dose dependent manner reaching 1.

Toxicological and chemical assessment of arsenic-contaminated groundwater after electrochemical and advanced oxidation treatments.

Owing to its proven toxicity and mutagenicity, arsenic is regarded a principal pollutant in water used for drinking. The objective of this study was the toxicological and chemical evaluation of groundwater samples obtained from arsenic enriched drinking water wells before and after electrochemical and ozone-UV-H2O2-based advanced oxidation processes (EAOP). For this purpose, acute toxicity test with Daphnia magna and chronic toxicity test with Lemna minor L.

Toxicity and antioxidant capacity of Frangula alnus Mill. bark and its active component emodin.

In the present study toxicity of Frangula alnus Mill. bark, widely used as laxative, was investigated. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs) were treated with F.

Removal of landfill leachate toxicity and genotoxicity by two treatment methods.

Leachates from active and closed municipal solid waste landfills can be a major source of contamination to groundwater and surface waters. In the present study the toxic and genotoxic potential of leachate from an old sanitary landfill prior to and following chemical and electrochemical treatments were assessed using Lemna, Allium, and comet tests. Photosynthetic pigments, malondialdehyde (indicator of lipid peroxidation) and antioxidant enzyme activities were evaluated as additional indicators of toxicity in duckweed.

The efficiency of combined CaO/electrochemical treatment in removal of acid mine drainage induced toxicity and genotoxicity.

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a by-product of the mining industry that has a detrimental effect on aquatic plant and animal life due to high load of heavy metals and sulfates. In the present study, the toxic and genotoxic potential of AMD prior to and following combination of neutralization/electrocoagulation processes was evaluated using several bioassays and selected parameters. Regardless of pH correction of AMD prior to Daphnia bioassay, high acute toxicity was observed in Daphnia magna.

Assessment of surface water in the vicinity of fertilizer factory using fish and plants.

The genotoxic and toxic potential of polluted surface water exposed to a fertilizer factory effluent was evaluated using assays with fish (Cyprinus carpio) and plant (Lemna minor) model organisms. Beside classical physicochemical parameters, the contents of fluorides, some heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were analyzed as well. Surface water caused inhibition of plant growth and decrease of photosynthetic pigment content.

The evaluation of surface and wastewater genotoxicity using the Allium cepa test.

Screening for mutagens in complex environmental mixtures, such as surface water or industrial wastewater, is gradually being accepted as a routine method in environmental monitoring programs. In the present work, the simplified Alliumcepa root assay was utilized to evaluate the possible cyto- and genotoxic effects of surface and wastewaters collected near the Sava River (Croatia) over a three-month monitoring period. Physicochemical characterization of the water samples included measurements of conductivity, chemical and biological oxygen demand, levels of suspended matter and salts, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, total nitrogen and total phosphorus.