The aim of our research was to connect the detailed study of fruit anatomy of black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) with identification and detection of the main non-anthocyanin polyphenolic compounds. Our experimental results showed that the highest accumulation of anthocyanin bodies occurred in mature fruits in outer layers during fruit development. The shape of the anthocyanin bodies was most often globular, spherical, hemispherical and intermediate types were present only occasionally. Mature cells of the gynoecium and pericarp generally contain anthocyanin bodies incorporated inside vacuoles. The observed compounds accumulated in cells were rutin, quercetin and catechins, resveratrol; coumaric, p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic acids, gallic, vanilic, syringic, cinnamic and caffeic acids. These compounds were selected because of their proposed positive effects on health. The analyses of the polyphenolic spectrum showed predominance of ferrulic acid together with gallic acid and catechins with quercetin.The aim of our research was to connect the detailed study of fruit anatomy of black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) with identification and detection of the main non-anthocyanin polyphenolic compounds. Our experimental results showed that the highest accumulation of anthocyanin bodies occurred in mature fruits in outer layers during fruit development. The shape of the anthocyanin bodies was most often globular, spherical, hemispherical and intermediate types were present only occasionally. Mature cells of the gynoecium and pericarp generally contain anthocyanin bodies incorporated inside vacuoles. The observed compounds accumulated in cells were rutin, quercetin and catechins, resveratrol; coumaric, p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic acids, gallic, vanilic, syringic, cinnamic and caffeic acids. These compounds were selected because of their proposed positive effects on health. The analyses of the polyphenolic spectrum showed predominance of ferrulic acid together with gallic acid and catechins with quercetin.

In this study, we examined whether and to what extent oxidative stress is induced in seedlings of two winter triticale (Triticosecale Wittm.) varieties (susceptible Tornado and resistant Witon) in response to infestation by the cereal grain aphid (Sitobion avenae L.) and bird-cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.). We compared the level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxidation products as well as markers of protein damage (protein-bound thiol and carbonyl groups). The studied parameters were measured at 6, 24, 48 and 96 h post-initial aphid infestation compared to the non-infested control seedlings. Our studies indicated that the cereal aphid feeding evoked oxidative stress in the triticale seedlings. Cereal aphid feeding increased the H2O2 level in triticale tissues, with maximum levels observed at 24 and 48 h post-infestation. Triticale infestation with aphids also increased lipid peroxidation products in triticale seedlings, with the maximal levels at 48 or 96 h post-infestation. Further, there was a reduction in protein thiol content and an increase in protein carbonyl content in the triticale seedlings after infestation with female aphids. Stronger triticale macromolecule damages were evoked by the oligophagous aphid R. padi. There was a more substantial protein thiol content reduction in the resistant Witon cultivar and higher accumulation of protein-bound carbonyls in the tissues of the susceptible Tornado cultivar. The changes were proportional to the aphid population and the time of aphid attack. These findings indicate that the defensive strategies against cereal aphid (S. avenae and R. padi) infestation were stimulated in triticale Tornado and Witon seedlings. Our results explain some aspects and broaden the current knowledge of regulatory mechanisms in plant-aphid interactions.

Metal ions can modify plant metabolism and change the level of biologically active components. In the present study, the impact of short-term exposure to strontium on the accumulation of the metal as well as the content of isoflavones in soybean sprouts was investigated.

The seeds were germinated in hydroponics with 0, 1, 1.5, 2.5, 5.0, or 10.0 mM of Sr for 72 hours. The content of strontium was assessed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry and the amount of isoflavones was determined with high performance liquid chromatography. Dose-dependent accumulation of Sr and a linear correlation between the Sr concentration in the growth medium and the content of the element in the plant samples were observed. The largest changes in the isoflavone content, compared to the control, were noted in soy sprouts germinated in the presence of 5 and 10 mM of strontium. Daidzin, genistin, malonyldaidzin, and malonylgenistin were the dominant isoflavones and their content increased by approx. 28, 44, 34, and 47%, respectively, compared to the control. Low amounts of aglycones were found; moreover, their content decreased by ca. 19–30%. Our research can be important for obtaining a natural product enhanced with strontium and isoflavones, which contribute to prevention of osteoporosis associated with endogenous oestrogen deficits.

Athyrium christensenianum is considered an apogamous fern species that has originated from a hybrid of diploid sexual A. crenulatoserrulatum and tetraploid sexual A. decurrentialatum. There have been recent reports on tetraploid sexual A. christensenianum. In this study, I attempted to understand the relationships between triploid and tetraploid A. christensenianum. It appeared that tetraploid sexual A. christensenianum is of a hybrid origin between ancestral diploid sexual A. decurrentialatum and A. crenulatoserrulatum. In addition, triploid A. christensenianum did not seem to be of a hybrid origin between diploid sexual A. crenulatoserrulatum and tetraploid sexual A. decurrentialatum, rather of a hybrid origin between tetraploid sexual A. christensenianum and diploid sexual A. crenulatoserrulatum.