4-keto steroidal alkaloids are C-27 substances that have a C-4 carbonyl on their steroidal frame, which makes them different from other steroidal alkaloids. Thus far they have only been found in two South American Solanum trees, which contain them in berries, leaves and roots. The most abundant alkaloids of this type in the berries of Solanum hypomallacophyllum Bitter, a venezuelan species, is Solaphyllidine, which has an a-acetyl on C-16 of the steroirdal frame and a 3-hydroxy- methyl-piperidyl side chain. Several derivatives of Solaphyllidine have been found which are: Desacetylsolaphyllidine, Desacetoxysolaphyllidine, Spirosolaphyllidine. On addition some 4- ketosteroidal alkaloids have been found that have a different side nitrogen containing chain, Solamaladine which has a 4-methyl-1-pyrroline side chain. On the other hand a 4-keto alkaloid with a 5.6-dihydro-verazine has been found in the roots and Desacetoxysolaphyllidine-3ß-O-D- glycopyranoside in the leaves.

As a result of climate change, many fish species have now become endangered, including common carp too. Common carp (Cyprinius carpio L.) are widespread in Europe. It has a long cultural history and is the most economically valuable fish species in Hungary. Fish farms consider their common carp stocks as a separate strains. As a result, in contrast to its neighbouring countries, there are many strains in Hungarian fisheries but detailed genetic information can be found to a small extent in connection of these. In the present study, we aimed to summarize genetic methods on common carp, with a special focus on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) studies.

Anthocyanins are the pigments responsible for the color of bilberry fruits (Vaccinium myrtillus L.). The biological effects of these pigments include the antioxidant activity, and from this point of view anthocyanin-rich fruits or extracts are considered important components for a healthy lifestyle, being associated with protective effects against diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and chronic diseases. The aim of our study was to investigate optimal extraction of total monomeric anthocyanin pigments and total phenols content from bilberry fruits depending on the composition of solvent.Also, antioxidant capacity using FRAP assay was evaluated. The methanol was used as extraction solvent acidified with 0.3 % hydrochloric acid (HCl) and 0.1 % trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The UV-Visible absorption spectra of bilberry extract were recorded between 200 and 700 nm and revealed three absorption peaks, the one at ?max = 520 nm being characteristic of anthocyanins pigments. Our results showed that the 0.1 % trifluoroacetic acid-methanol system is the most efficient in the extraction of anthocyanin pigments, 15 % more than the 0.3 % HCl-methanol system.

Essential oils contain bioactive compounds and studies indicate diverse applications in food storage as antioxidants. Due to varying quantitative composition, it is important to identify the active ingredients and assess their individual antioxidant capacities while also considering their pharmacokinetic properties. Bioinformatics play essential role in the prediction of bioactivity as well as the toxicity of novel compounds. In this study, the antioxidant activity of the phytochemicals in Monodora myristica was predicted in silico using PASS. Systemic ADMET evaluation in the categories: physiochemical property, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, of the two top-scoring compounds were analyzed using the ADMETlab free web interface. These compounds were studied alongside standard synthetic and natural antioxidants to obtain pharmacokinetic data. The parameter ‘reductant’ was observed as high scoring probable activity among the standard antioxidant compounds. E-beta-ocimene and carvacrol scored the highest probable activity among the compound studies. Pharmcokinetic properties of the two compounds were mostly optimal. The outcome of this in silico study provides fore knowledge to the ADMET profile of the compounds and will be useful in planning research to study their application in oxidation-induced food spoilage during cold preservation.

Histo-anatomical studies about secretory structures in the young vegetative organs (roots, stems and leaves) and evaluation of metals and nemetals, polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity of Ambrosia artemisiifolia are the subjects of this article. In the secondary cortex and secondary phloem of the root secretory resinifere ducts can be observed. Stem secretory canals started to develop in the pith parenchyma, in the cortex near endodermis and in secondary phloem. In the primary phloem of collateral bundles and in the abaxial parenchyma of the petiole and midrib secretory canals were observed. Lamina secretory cavities are in the lacunar parenchyma of the mesophyll. Glandular uniseriate trichomes covered stems and leaves. In period before flowering the plant could be used in therapy due to the content of active principles and antioxidant action. Consumption of ragweed as a medicinal plant or food is questioned by the issues raised.

The present paper has taken into account data from forest management plans realised during 1995-2007 for forests located in Forest Districts from the West Plain. The purpose of this paper was to analyse stands from their qualitative (age), structural (consistency, composition) and stational characateristics (altitude, slope, soil type). The black walnut species occupies a total surface of 714 ha being present in almost the entire area with the exception of Carei Forest District and with a focus in Ceala (457 ha) and Sacueni (176 ha) Forest Districts. These stands are present at altitudes between 80 and 400 meters, with an average of 150 m. The research has emphasized the fact that the black walnut’s age ranges from 2 to 130 years while their consistency is appropriate (0.7 - 0.8). However, barrelands stands are also present (0.4- 0.5). The black walnut’s participation in the stand’s composition is also varied, from 10 % to 100 %. Fluvisol is the representative soil for this species, while Arum-Pulmonaria is the main flora type. Silvosteppe mixed hardwood stand with pedunculate oak is the main forest typology for this species. Black walnut is a forest species with an exceptional economic value determined by its quality wood.The obtained results emphasize the fact that this species can be extended in the analysed area due to its numerous forest and environment qualities.

In this study, we surveyed the epigenetic variations in salt stressed Opuntias belonging to four Algerian species; Opuntia species: O. ficus indica, O. amycleae, O. streptacantha, and O. engelmannii. Plants response to salt stress (0, 200 mM, 400 mM and 600 mM concentrations of Na Cl) was evaluated. Then, RAPD markers were used to apprehend the epigenetic variations at the DNA level. The analyses of the epigenetic variations were conducted using the random primers UBC228, UBC231 and UBC241 that generated 57 polymorphic markers. Results have shown that in comparison to the control plants, 13 markers were lacking in the control but induced by salt stress application. On the other hand, 02 markers were only present in the control plants. Interestingly, some markers were only induced at the highest salinity concentration (600 mM) and two bands were specific of the tolerant species O. engelmannii. In all, the 15 detected specific markers may be strongly involved in Marker-Assisted Selection studies against salt stress in cactus. Therefore, DNA sequencing of these interesting private markers may aid the identification of putative salt resistance genes, and genetic transformation procedures will subsequently facilitate their introgression in Opuntias to cope soil salinization.

Authors analysed the production of purebred Limousin candidate bulls (n = 40) between 2018 - 2020. Candidate bulls were kept in small groups (2-9) at the test station, fed with meadow hay, alfalfa ad libitum and dosed fodder. Traits studied were the following: finishing live weight, daily weight gain during the test (g/day) and measures from four conformation judgements (e.g. height at withers, rump width 3 cm). Data was analysed by SPSS 24.0 software package (K-means cluster analysis). Animals grouped to the first cluster (n = 5) showed high growth capacity, excellent growth intensity and height above the average according to the data. Individuals in the second cluster (n = 19) showed good production level according to the traits analysed, their live weight and weight gain was above average, so as their withers height and hip height. Individuals grouped in the third cluster (n = 16) can be used successfully by breeders who would like to stabilize the live weight, growth intensity and frame in their stock, on a production level near average. K-means cluster analysis proved to be suitable for defining the type of candidate bulls, therefore can make breeding work more effective in the practice.

Location of markets determine how producers and consumers interact temporally and spatially. In arid and semi-arid lands this is of significant importance because market patronage is largely dictated by availability and the distribution of market facilities. Since close to 67% of population in Kenya live in the most food insecure rural regions often characterised by rain failure and famine, market purchase of food comprise main source of food and nutrition needs for communities living here. To understand how market location and patterns of market use influence food and nutrition security, a case study of Tharaka subcounty was used. Tharaka sub county besides lying in semi-arid region has some of the highest malnutrition rates of 30% compared to the average national rate of 20.9%. To achieve the fore mentioned objective, the study employed mixed method where spatial modelling and statistical analysis was used. Results indicate limited number of households actually used markets for their food and nutrition needs compared to the potential number modeled in the study. It was also discovered that food markets were most used throughout the year compared to livestock markets whose use peaked during the lean months of August and September a period coinciding with food shortage months. Generally, spatial distribution of open-air food and livestock markets as well as geographic isolation of villages from markets influence market patronage in Tharaka subcounty. These observations are closely linked to the perennial problem of food and nutrition insecurity experienced in the area. To reverse the trend, concerted efforts are needed to increase market participation of smallscale livestock and food producers in food distribution and supply chain. Moreover, Initiatives to improve service delivery and build local production capacities for these farmers should be considered.

This study aimed to inventory, identify and describe the macroinvertebrate community in six stations at Abiod wadi between February to June 2018, in order to know the health of the aquatic ecosystem. Physico-chemical parameters showed a significantly higher values among sampling sites (p<0.05), except for the speed of the water, which had no significant values (p> 0.05). The species were determined and the ecological indices were calculated (abundance, richness, Shannon index, Simpson index and equitability). The fauna recorded in this work is composed of 1979 individuals belonging to 31 families and 07 Orders corresponding to three faunistic groups (arthropods, annelids and molluscs). The groups with high abundance were Diptera (Chironomidae larvae) and Trichoptera. The Richness of the studied stations range from 7 families in Tiflfel station (S2) to 18 families at M’Chouneche station (S5). The values of the Shannon diversity index and Equitability were higher in M’Chouneche station (S5) (H' = 2.537, E = 0.8776) compared with the other stations. We observed a similarity of the community structure between the six sample sites due to the constant type of habitats and the water depth.

Rosaceae is one of the important families with a variety of diversified plant species which grows in the north temperate zone and occurs in a wide variety of habitats. Moreover, Sanguisorba spp. is very good frost tolerant. The aim of our study is to investigated total phenols content (using Folin- Ciocalteu method), and antioxidant capacity, (using two methods, i.e. DPPH and FRAP), of ethanolic extracts from stem, flowers, leaves, and roots of Sanguisorba officinalis and Sanguisorba minor. The total phenols content was higher in S. officinalis root (8.56 mg GAE/g dry weight (dw)), followed by S. officinalis leaves (2.80 mg GAE/g dw), S. officinalis stem (0.59 mg GAE/g dw), S. officinalis flowers (0.41 mg GAE/g dw) compared to S. minor root (3.89 mg GAE/g dw), followed by S. minor leaves (1.19 mg GAE/g dw), S. minor stem (0.19 mg GAE/g dw). The highest DPPH-scavenging capacity was recorded for root extracts, i.e. 94.61 % for S. officinalis and 92.93 % and S. minor roots respectively. The lowest Radical Scavenging Activity (RSA)% was recorded in descending order among S. officinalis leaves (71.83%), flowers (20.73%) and stem (18.22 %). The lowest RSA (%) for S. minor was recorded in descending order among stem (43.16 %) and leaves (0.32%). These results suggest that the roots of Sanguisorba species are likely to have high antioxidant capacity. Based on our results, Sanguisorba spp. can be used as medicinal plants with antioxidant properties.