Changiz Zolfagharlou, Hasan Zare-Maivan,
Volume 3, Issue 4 (12-2016)
Abstract
Heavy metals reduce the plant growth and adversely affect plant performance potential. Heavy metals also induce the formation of reactive oxygen species leading to cell damage. Plants deal with heavy metal stress by activating enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems such as Superoxide Dismutase which converts superoxide anion to hydrogen peroxide. Then Peroxidase and Catalase convert hydrogen peroxide to water. Another method employed by pl-ants to deal with heavy metals is mycorrhizal symbiosis. In this study, mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal barley seedlings (Hordeum vulgar), var. Rayhan, grown in a greenhouse were treated with four concentrations of nickel (0,100,200 and 400 µg/g). Results showed greater antioxidant activity in mycorrhizal plants compared with non-mycorrhizal plants. Also, it was determined that the accumulation of nickel in roots of mycorrhizal plants was greater compared with non-mycorrhizal plants.
Vida Tafakori,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (12-2021)
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate phytochemical characterizations and the in vitro antifungal capacity of the aqueous and methanolic extracts of the flower of Tulipa biflora Pall., against various yeast and mold species. For this purpose, fresh flowers were grinded and then macerated in methanol and water overnight, the resulted extracts were then evaluated by various tests. The results indicated that the extracts had different phytochemical components such as terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, and phlobatannins. After the evaporation of solvents, antifungal activities of the concentrated extracts were evaluated by the well-diffusion method on Candida albicans, Trichosporon asahii, Yarrowia lipolytica, Aspergilus niger and Fusarium oxysporum. The results showed that the extracts were effective on yeasts and mold species studied except for Aspergilus niger. In order to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum biocidal concentration (MBC) of the extracts, anti-microbial tests were performed in micro-plates. The methanolic extract had more antifungal effectsthan that in the aqueous extract. Therefore, the extract of Tulipa biflora could be introduced as a source for antifungal agents.
Mrs Maryamsadat Mesbahi Bidgoli, Dr Mohammad Fazilati, Dr Anosheh Rahmani, Dr Habibollah Nazem,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (9-2025)
Abstract
Objective: Ozone treatment has been recognized as an effective approach to significantly reduce mycotoxin levels, including ochratoxin A (OTA), in agricultural products. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of untreated and ozone-treated OTA-contaminated corn (OCC) through a sub-chronic toxicity assessment in rats.
Method: Male rats were randomly assigned into one control group and three experimental diet groups. The experimental groups received untreated OCC or ozone-treated OCC through oral administration for a 30-day period. Clinical signs, survival, hematological parameters, serum biochemical indices, and histopathological alterations of liver and kidney tissues were examined to evaluate potential toxicological effects.
Results: No mortality or overt clinical abnormalities were observed during the experimental period. Rats fed untreated OCC exhibited significant decreases in white blood cell (WBC) counts and marked elevations in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. Histopathological evaluation revealed OTA-induced lesions in both liver and kidney tissues. In contrast, rats fed ozone-treated OCC showed reduced biochemical alterations and attenuated histopathological damage compared with those receiving untreated OCC.
