International Journal of Phytoremediation, Feb 18, 2019
Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of Mentha aquatica L. for ... more Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of Mentha aquatica L. for phytoremediation of water contaminated with heavy metals and fecal pathogens from Bosna river. The water was treated with M. aquatica for 5, 10, and 15 days consecutively after which it was analyzed for the various physicochemical and microbiological parameters. The initial concentration of cadmium (Cd) ranged from 3.644 to 6.108 µg/l, while lead (Pb) varied between 0.1 and 1.386 µg/l. After treatment, M. aquatica accumulated significant amounts of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) with the highest removal rates of 96.49% for Cd and 45.72% for Pb. Values of several physicochemical parameters were decreased after 15 days treatment period. All water samples were analyzed for enumeration of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, total coliforms, and fecal coliforms by the membrane filtration. Removal efficiency was greater than 80% for microbiological parameters. The concentration of heavy metals was determined in different plant parts and subsequently, the translocation factor was determined. In M. aquatica plant parts, concentrations of Pb and Cd were increased after 15 days of treatment. Our results demonstrated that M. aquatica could be good candidates for the removal of fecal pathogens and heavy metals present in surface water.
The production of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) as one of the most promising branches of fruit grow... more The production of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) as one of the most promising branches of fruit growing in Bosnia and Herzegovina could be permanently endangered due to the increasing incidence of crown gall disease caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The aim of this paper was to examine the morphological changes on raspberry seedlings caused by the bacterium A. tumefaciens, as well as the size and number of tumors depending on the applied biological or chemical treatment. The strain Agrobacterium tumefaciens MTCC 431 (ATCC 15955) was used. Morphometric parameters on raspberry seedlings were measured using the ImageJ 1.48v program. A binocular magnifier at 20x magnification was used to measure the the gook diameter. The computer program R c. 3.4.0 was used for a statistical analysis of results and an analysis of main components. It was observed that the raspberries inoculated with A. tumefaciens had a lower growth potential when compared to the control line. Rhizobium rhizogenes strai...
To improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlaying seed priming, RNA transcript... more To improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlaying seed priming, RNA transcriptome analysis was performed using primed and non-primed seeds of Silene sendtneri. Seed priming was performed by submergence in 1% silicic acid for 24h at 4°C, followed by rinsing with sterilised water and desiccation to original moisture content. Silene sendtneri is a species with no sequenced genome and annotation of de novo assembly of transcriptome was done against several species. Gene ontology (GO) analysis indicated that genes related to heavy metal transporters and heat shock proteins are differentially expressed after priming with silicic acid. Within these gene categories, genes such as heavy metal-associated isoprenylated plant protein 26-like (log2fold -8.79) were downregulated, while others such as heavy metal ATPase 5 (log2fold 6.46), heat shock factor protein HSF30-like isoform X1 (log2fold 5.98) were upregulated.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) is one of the most distinctive plants, characterized by excellent resis... more Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) is one of the most distinctive plants, characterized by excellent resistance to various environmental conditions. It is used as an ornamental plant and is recognized as a medicinal plant in both traditional and Western medicine. Its bioactive potential is associated with the presence of flavonoids and terpene trilactones, but many other compounds may also have synergistic effects. Flavonoid dimers—biflavonoids—are important constituents of ginkgophytopharmaceuticals. Currently, the presence of 13 biflavonoids has been reported in ginkgo, of which amentoflavone, bilobetin, sciadopitysin, ginkgetin and isoginkgetin are the most common. Their role in plants remains unknown, but their bioactivity and potential role in the management of human health are better investigated. In this review, we have provided an overview of the chemistry, diversity and biological factors that influence the presence of biflavonoids in ginkgo, as well as their bioactive and health-re...
This study presents the first report on phenolic composition and bioactivity of ethanolic extract... more This study presents the first report on phenolic composition and bioactivity of ethanolic extracts of three plant species that grow in the western Balkan mountains and are used in traditional folk medicine: Valeriana montana, Salix retusa, and Campanula hercegovina. Phenolics were extracted from different aerial plant parts using 80% ethanol to assess the possibility of sustainable use of these plants as a source of bioactive compounds without disruption to the roots (for V. montana) or destruction of whole habitats (for S. retusa and C. hercegovina). The ethanolic extract of V. montana flower contained noticeable levels of apigenin and quercetin. The branches and bark of S. retusa were significantly rich in catechin, while rutin was the major phenolic found in the leaf extract of C. hercegovina. Furthermore, the flower extract of V. montana revealed the best antioxidant activity, which was comparable to 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and quercetin. Considering antimicrobial activity, the le...
Gentiana lutea L. is a medicinal plant the roots of which are primarily used in treatments of var... more Gentiana lutea L. is a medicinal plant the roots of which are primarily used in treatments of various human digestive disorders, but also the production of alcoholic liquors. The roots (radix) of G. lutea are described in the European Pharmacopeia, but knowledge about the chemical composition and biological activities of its aerial parts is still limited. Thus, until today aerial parts of this species have not been used in medical treatments or consumed. Therefore, flowers, leaves, and stems extracts of G. lutea obtained by using four different extraction solvents (petrol ether, chloroform, ethanol, and water) were examined for their chemical composition and biological activities. High concentrations of salicylic acid, apigenin, and naringenin were recorded for ethanol stem extracts, while significant amounts of kaempferol were detected in leaves and flowers in chloroform and water extracts, respectively. The highest antioxidant potential was recorded for flower and stem petrol ethe...
Antifungal, antimicrobial, insecticidal and antioxidant activities of Origanum vulgare L. provide... more Antifungal, antimicrobial, insecticidal and antioxidant activities of Origanum vulgare L. provide the basis for suggesting that oregano plant extracts may be useful for prevention and treatment of many infection. The main goal of this study was to determine antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of methanolic and aqueous extracts from the leaves and flowers of Origanum vulgare. Antimicrobial testing of plant extracts was done using well diffusion method. Activity of extracts were tested against Gram positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ATCC 33591, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and five Gram-negative bacteria: Salmonella abony ATCC 6017, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis ATCC 31194, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli ATCC 35218 and fungi Candida albicans ATCC 1023. Antibiotics ampicillin,...
Introduction: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and cytotoxic ... more Introduction: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of water extracts of leaves and barks from Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn., A. incana (L.) Moench, and A. viridis (Chaix) DC.Methods: The antimicrobial activities of extracts were tested against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria as well as yeast strains by the agar diffusion method. The cell viability was determined by the Trypan blue dye exclusion method.Results: The largest diameters of inhibition zone (DIZ) were recorded with Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Bacillus subtilis 168M. The highest percentage of cell viability was observed with water bark extracts of A. glutinosa (97.46%).Conclusions: Potential antimicrobial properties of A. glutinosa, A. incana, and A. viridis demonstrated in this study, as well as their low levels of toxicity, make them an interesting subject for further studies.
The very first report on the phenolic composition of aerial parts of Aconitum lycoctonum L., a sp... more The very first report on the phenolic composition of aerial parts of Aconitum lycoctonum L., a species belonging to the toxic Aconitum genus, is presented here. Aerial parts were subjected to the extraction with four different solvents and analyzed via LC-MS/MS for the content of phenolic acids and flavonoids. Furthermore, isolated extracts were tested for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Ethanolic extracts of both flowers and vegetative parts (leaves and stems) were found to be the richest in the phenolic compounds, following the water extracts. Ethanolic extract of flowers was very rich in flavonoid apigenin, while high levels of salicylic and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids were found in the same extract of leaves and stems. On contrary, water extract contained significant amounts of kaempferol and rosmarinic acid. All extracts showed potent antioxidant activity, which is correlated with the content of phenolics. The antimicrobial assay showed that all extracts, except aqueous, w...
The phenolic composition, as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of two poorly i... more The phenolic composition, as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of two poorly investigated Achillea species, Achillea lingulata Waldst. and the endemic Achillea abrotanoides Vis., were studied. To obtain a more detailed phytochemical profile, four solvents with different polarities were used for the preparation of the plant extracts whose phenolic composition was analyzed using UHPLC-MS/MS (ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry). The results indicate that both of the investigated Achillea species are very rich in both phenolic acids and flavonoids, but that their profiles differ significantly. Chloroform extracts from both species had the highest yields and were the most chemically versatile. The majority of the examined extracts showed antimicrobial activity, while ethanolic extracts from both species were potent against all tested microorganisms. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated. It was found that...
Changes in the environment as a result of industrialisation and urbanisation impact negatively on... more Changes in the environment as a result of industrialisation and urbanisation impact negatively on plant growth and crop production. Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most dangerous metals that enters the food chain, with toxic effects on plants and human health. This study evaluated the potential of Silene sendtneri as a novel hyperaccumulator and the role of seed priming in tolerance and accumulation rate of Cd. The effect of different priming agents on germination performance, root growth, seedling development, metal uptake and accumulation, antioxidant defences including enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants has been assessed. Seed priming using silicic acid, proline alone or in combination with salicylic acid- enhanced germination, seedling development, and root growth under Cd stress. The same priming treatments induced an increase of water content in shoots and roots when plants were exposed to Cd. The enzymatic antioxidant response was specific for the priming agent used. An increase in ferulic acid and rutin in shoots was related to the increase of Cd concentration in the medium. The concentration of malic and oxalic acid increased significantly in shoots of plants grown on high Cd concentrations compared to low Cd concentrations. Silene sendtneri can accumulate significant levels of Cd with enhanced accumulation rate and tolerance when seeds are primed. The best results are obtained by seed priming using 1% silicic acid, proline and salicylic acid.
Abstract Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, tree of heaven, is an exotic tree introduced as a h... more Abstract Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, tree of heaven, is an exotic tree introduced as a horticultural tree in Europe and America in 18th Century. Now it is aggressively invading ecosystems. This study was aimed to estimate phytotoxic potential of essential oils (EOs) from fourteen industrial, aromatic and medicinal crops, such as Thymus sp., Pinus sp., Origanum sp. etc. against this invasive species. The phytotoxic potential was assessed through three different doses of EOs by a germination bioassay and the effects on seedling growth. Analysis of seedling growth revealed that seven EOs (Petasites hybridus, Thymus serpyllum, Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinus officinalis, Helichrysum italicum, Matricaria chamomilla, Origanum vulgare) exhibit high phytotoxic effect resulting in 95–100% seedling mortality. Moreover, detailed GC-MS analysis of these oils showed that they are mostly comprised either of oxygenated monoterpenes or sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, which are already known as compounds with allelopathic effects. Presented results indicate these essential oils might be used as natural herbicides by foliar application of oils on young plants of Ailanthus altissima.
International Journal of Phytoremediation, Feb 18, 2019
Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of Mentha aquatica L. for ... more Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of Mentha aquatica L. for phytoremediation of water contaminated with heavy metals and fecal pathogens from Bosna river. The water was treated with M. aquatica for 5, 10, and 15 days consecutively after which it was analyzed for the various physicochemical and microbiological parameters. The initial concentration of cadmium (Cd) ranged from 3.644 to 6.108 µg/l, while lead (Pb) varied between 0.1 and 1.386 µg/l. After treatment, M. aquatica accumulated significant amounts of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) with the highest removal rates of 96.49% for Cd and 45.72% for Pb. Values of several physicochemical parameters were decreased after 15 days treatment period. All water samples were analyzed for enumeration of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, total coliforms, and fecal coliforms by the membrane filtration. Removal efficiency was greater than 80% for microbiological parameters. The concentration of heavy metals was determined in different plant parts and subsequently, the translocation factor was determined. In M. aquatica plant parts, concentrations of Pb and Cd were increased after 15 days of treatment. Our results demonstrated that M. aquatica could be good candidates for the removal of fecal pathogens and heavy metals present in surface water.
The production of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) as one of the most promising branches of fruit grow... more The production of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) as one of the most promising branches of fruit growing in Bosnia and Herzegovina could be permanently endangered due to the increasing incidence of crown gall disease caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The aim of this paper was to examine the morphological changes on raspberry seedlings caused by the bacterium A. tumefaciens, as well as the size and number of tumors depending on the applied biological or chemical treatment. The strain Agrobacterium tumefaciens MTCC 431 (ATCC 15955) was used. Morphometric parameters on raspberry seedlings were measured using the ImageJ 1.48v program. A binocular magnifier at 20x magnification was used to measure the the gook diameter. The computer program R c. 3.4.0 was used for a statistical analysis of results and an analysis of main components. It was observed that the raspberries inoculated with A. tumefaciens had a lower growth potential when compared to the control line. Rhizobium rhizogenes strai...
To improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlaying seed priming, RNA transcript... more To improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlaying seed priming, RNA transcriptome analysis was performed using primed and non-primed seeds of Silene sendtneri. Seed priming was performed by submergence in 1% silicic acid for 24h at 4°C, followed by rinsing with sterilised water and desiccation to original moisture content. Silene sendtneri is a species with no sequenced genome and annotation of de novo assembly of transcriptome was done against several species. Gene ontology (GO) analysis indicated that genes related to heavy metal transporters and heat shock proteins are differentially expressed after priming with silicic acid. Within these gene categories, genes such as heavy metal-associated isoprenylated plant protein 26-like (log2fold -8.79) were downregulated, while others such as heavy metal ATPase 5 (log2fold 6.46), heat shock factor protein HSF30-like isoform X1 (log2fold 5.98) were upregulated.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) is one of the most distinctive plants, characterized by excellent resis... more Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) is one of the most distinctive plants, characterized by excellent resistance to various environmental conditions. It is used as an ornamental plant and is recognized as a medicinal plant in both traditional and Western medicine. Its bioactive potential is associated with the presence of flavonoids and terpene trilactones, but many other compounds may also have synergistic effects. Flavonoid dimers—biflavonoids—are important constituents of ginkgophytopharmaceuticals. Currently, the presence of 13 biflavonoids has been reported in ginkgo, of which amentoflavone, bilobetin, sciadopitysin, ginkgetin and isoginkgetin are the most common. Their role in plants remains unknown, but their bioactivity and potential role in the management of human health are better investigated. In this review, we have provided an overview of the chemistry, diversity and biological factors that influence the presence of biflavonoids in ginkgo, as well as their bioactive and health-re...
This study presents the first report on phenolic composition and bioactivity of ethanolic extract... more This study presents the first report on phenolic composition and bioactivity of ethanolic extracts of three plant species that grow in the western Balkan mountains and are used in traditional folk medicine: Valeriana montana, Salix retusa, and Campanula hercegovina. Phenolics were extracted from different aerial plant parts using 80% ethanol to assess the possibility of sustainable use of these plants as a source of bioactive compounds without disruption to the roots (for V. montana) or destruction of whole habitats (for S. retusa and C. hercegovina). The ethanolic extract of V. montana flower contained noticeable levels of apigenin and quercetin. The branches and bark of S. retusa were significantly rich in catechin, while rutin was the major phenolic found in the leaf extract of C. hercegovina. Furthermore, the flower extract of V. montana revealed the best antioxidant activity, which was comparable to 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and quercetin. Considering antimicrobial activity, the le...
Gentiana lutea L. is a medicinal plant the roots of which are primarily used in treatments of var... more Gentiana lutea L. is a medicinal plant the roots of which are primarily used in treatments of various human digestive disorders, but also the production of alcoholic liquors. The roots (radix) of G. lutea are described in the European Pharmacopeia, but knowledge about the chemical composition and biological activities of its aerial parts is still limited. Thus, until today aerial parts of this species have not been used in medical treatments or consumed. Therefore, flowers, leaves, and stems extracts of G. lutea obtained by using four different extraction solvents (petrol ether, chloroform, ethanol, and water) were examined for their chemical composition and biological activities. High concentrations of salicylic acid, apigenin, and naringenin were recorded for ethanol stem extracts, while significant amounts of kaempferol were detected in leaves and flowers in chloroform and water extracts, respectively. The highest antioxidant potential was recorded for flower and stem petrol ethe...
Antifungal, antimicrobial, insecticidal and antioxidant activities of Origanum vulgare L. provide... more Antifungal, antimicrobial, insecticidal and antioxidant activities of Origanum vulgare L. provide the basis for suggesting that oregano plant extracts may be useful for prevention and treatment of many infection. The main goal of this study was to determine antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of methanolic and aqueous extracts from the leaves and flowers of Origanum vulgare. Antimicrobial testing of plant extracts was done using well diffusion method. Activity of extracts were tested against Gram positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ATCC 33591, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and five Gram-negative bacteria: Salmonella abony ATCC 6017, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis ATCC 31194, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli ATCC 35218 and fungi Candida albicans ATCC 1023. Antibiotics ampicillin,...
Introduction: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and cytotoxic ... more Introduction: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of water extracts of leaves and barks from Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn., A. incana (L.) Moench, and A. viridis (Chaix) DC.Methods: The antimicrobial activities of extracts were tested against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria as well as yeast strains by the agar diffusion method. The cell viability was determined by the Trypan blue dye exclusion method.Results: The largest diameters of inhibition zone (DIZ) were recorded with Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Bacillus subtilis 168M. The highest percentage of cell viability was observed with water bark extracts of A. glutinosa (97.46%).Conclusions: Potential antimicrobial properties of A. glutinosa, A. incana, and A. viridis demonstrated in this study, as well as their low levels of toxicity, make them an interesting subject for further studies.
The very first report on the phenolic composition of aerial parts of Aconitum lycoctonum L., a sp... more The very first report on the phenolic composition of aerial parts of Aconitum lycoctonum L., a species belonging to the toxic Aconitum genus, is presented here. Aerial parts were subjected to the extraction with four different solvents and analyzed via LC-MS/MS for the content of phenolic acids and flavonoids. Furthermore, isolated extracts were tested for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Ethanolic extracts of both flowers and vegetative parts (leaves and stems) were found to be the richest in the phenolic compounds, following the water extracts. Ethanolic extract of flowers was very rich in flavonoid apigenin, while high levels of salicylic and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids were found in the same extract of leaves and stems. On contrary, water extract contained significant amounts of kaempferol and rosmarinic acid. All extracts showed potent antioxidant activity, which is correlated with the content of phenolics. The antimicrobial assay showed that all extracts, except aqueous, w...
The phenolic composition, as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of two poorly i... more The phenolic composition, as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of two poorly investigated Achillea species, Achillea lingulata Waldst. and the endemic Achillea abrotanoides Vis., were studied. To obtain a more detailed phytochemical profile, four solvents with different polarities were used for the preparation of the plant extracts whose phenolic composition was analyzed using UHPLC-MS/MS (ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry). The results indicate that both of the investigated Achillea species are very rich in both phenolic acids and flavonoids, but that their profiles differ significantly. Chloroform extracts from both species had the highest yields and were the most chemically versatile. The majority of the examined extracts showed antimicrobial activity, while ethanolic extracts from both species were potent against all tested microorganisms. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated. It was found that...
Changes in the environment as a result of industrialisation and urbanisation impact negatively on... more Changes in the environment as a result of industrialisation and urbanisation impact negatively on plant growth and crop production. Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most dangerous metals that enters the food chain, with toxic effects on plants and human health. This study evaluated the potential of Silene sendtneri as a novel hyperaccumulator and the role of seed priming in tolerance and accumulation rate of Cd. The effect of different priming agents on germination performance, root growth, seedling development, metal uptake and accumulation, antioxidant defences including enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants has been assessed. Seed priming using silicic acid, proline alone or in combination with salicylic acid- enhanced germination, seedling development, and root growth under Cd stress. The same priming treatments induced an increase of water content in shoots and roots when plants were exposed to Cd. The enzymatic antioxidant response was specific for the priming agent used. An increase in ferulic acid and rutin in shoots was related to the increase of Cd concentration in the medium. The concentration of malic and oxalic acid increased significantly in shoots of plants grown on high Cd concentrations compared to low Cd concentrations. Silene sendtneri can accumulate significant levels of Cd with enhanced accumulation rate and tolerance when seeds are primed. The best results are obtained by seed priming using 1% silicic acid, proline and salicylic acid.
Abstract Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, tree of heaven, is an exotic tree introduced as a h... more Abstract Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, tree of heaven, is an exotic tree introduced as a horticultural tree in Europe and America in 18th Century. Now it is aggressively invading ecosystems. This study was aimed to estimate phytotoxic potential of essential oils (EOs) from fourteen industrial, aromatic and medicinal crops, such as Thymus sp., Pinus sp., Origanum sp. etc. against this invasive species. The phytotoxic potential was assessed through three different doses of EOs by a germination bioassay and the effects on seedling growth. Analysis of seedling growth revealed that seven EOs (Petasites hybridus, Thymus serpyllum, Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinus officinalis, Helichrysum italicum, Matricaria chamomilla, Origanum vulgare) exhibit high phytotoxic effect resulting in 95–100% seedling mortality. Moreover, detailed GC-MS analysis of these oils showed that they are mostly comprised either of oxygenated monoterpenes or sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, which are already known as compounds with allelopathic effects. Presented results indicate these essential oils might be used as natural herbicides by foliar application of oils on young plants of Ailanthus altissima.
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