Fatih Duman

Nickel accumulation and its effect on biomass, protein content and antioxidative enzymes in roots and leaves of watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.).

In order to understand its response towards nickel stress, watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.) was exposed to nickel (1-25 mg/L) for 1, 3, 5 and 7 days. The accumulation and translocation of nickel were determined and the influence of nickel on biomass, protein content and enzymatic antioxidants was examined for both roots and leaves. It was determined that N. officinale could accumulate appreciable amounts of Ni in both roots and leaves. Nickel accumulated particularly in the roots of plants. Biomass increased at low nickel concentrations but certain measurable change was not found at high concentrations. Under stress conditions the antioxidant enzymes were up-regulated compared to control. An increase in protein content and enzyme activities was observed at moderate exposure conditions followed by a decline at both roots and leaves. The maximum enzyme activities were observed at different exposure conditions. Our results showed that N. officinale had the capacity to overcome nickel-induced stress especially at moderate nickel exposure. Therefore, N. officinale may be used as a phytoremediator in moderately polluted aquatic ecosystems.

Chamomile flower extract-directed CuO nanoparticle formation for its antioxidant and DNA cleavage properties

In this study, we report the synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using a medicinal plant (Matricaria chamomilla) flower extract as both reducing and capping agent and investigate their antioxidant activity and interaction with plasmid DNA (pBR322).The CuO NPs were characterized using Uv-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), DLS (dynamic light scattering), XRD (X-ray diffraction), EDX (energy-dispersive X-ray) spectroscopy and SEM (scanning electron microscopy). The CuO NPs exhibited nearly mono-distributed and spherical shapes with diameters of 140 nm size. UV-Vis absorption spectrum of CuO NPs gave a broad peak around 285 and 320 nm. The existence of functional groups on the surface of CuO NPs was characterized with FT-IR analysis. XRD pattern showed that the NPs are in the form of a face-centered cubic crystal. Zeta potential value was measured as -20 mV due to the presence of negatively charged functional groups in plant extract. Additionally, we demonstrated concentration-dependent antioxidant activity of CuO NPs and their interaction with plasmid DNA. We assumed that the CuO NPs both cleave and break DNA double helix structure.

Heavy Metal Accumulation and Distribution in Narrow-Leaved Cattail (Typha angustifolia) and Common Reed (Phragmites australis)

ABSTRACT The concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd were measured in Phragmites australis, Typha angustifolia, and sediment from 11 sites in Karasu Stream, Kayseri, Turkey. Both plants were root accumulators of Zn, Cu, and Cd, having higher concentrations of these elements in their roots than were present in the surrounding sediment. Pb was also accumulated but not against a concentration gradient.

Crayfish chitosan for microencapsulation of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) essential oil

In this study, chitosan, which was obtained from the waste shells of crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus), was used for the encapsulation of the essential oil isolated from coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) via the spray drying method. The obtained capsules were characterized using SEM, FT-IR, TGA and XRD. The size of the microcapsules was between 400nm - 7μm. It was determined that the swelling characteristic of the capsules was pH sensitive. The release showed bi-phasic characteristics and the maximum degree was reached after 72h. Antimicrobial activity studies showed that pure chitosan more effective than the capsule. The antioxidant activity was recorded concentration-dependent. In contrast the antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity of the capsule was found much higher than the oil and the pure chitosan. Consequently, it was determined that this product could be used in the food and pharmaceutical industries as a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent.

Growth and bioaccumulation characteristics of watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. BR.) exposed to cadmium, cobalt and chromium

Abstract The aim of this study is to determine the effects of Cd, Co and Cr on the growth of watercress (Nasturtium officinale) and to determine the bioaccumulation properties of these heavy metals by the plant. N. officinale individuals were exposed to different concentrations of Cd, Co and Cr for 72 h. Relative growth rates (RGR) and bioconcentration factor (BCF) ratios were calculated for each metal concentration. RGR values of plants exposed to Co slightly increased in lower concentrations, but then decreased again. In contrast, RGR values of plants exposed to Cd and Cr decreased linearly. Significant positive relationships were observed among the concentrations of Cd, Co and Cr in N. officinale and in the culture solution. BCF ratios were highest for plants exposed to Co, and lowest for plants exposed to Cr. The most efficient uptake of Cd, Co and Cr occurred at the external solution concentrations at 0.5, 0.5 and 10 mM, respectively.

The quick extraction of chitin from an epizoic crustacean species (Chelonibia patula)

Chitin was isolated from the shells of Chelonibia patula (barnacle, Crustacea), which lives on blue crab epizoically, following a 10-min demineralisation process through HCl and a 20-min deproteinisation process through NaOH. Due to the low-crystalline structure, and mineral-rich and low-protein content of the shells, chitin isolation was convenient. It was observed that the shell structure of C. patula contains 3.11% chitin per its dry weight. Following characterisation of the isolated chitin by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffractometry, elemental analysis and scanning electron microscopy, it was determined that there was close similarity with the α-chitin isolated from crabs, shrimps and insects in various studies. It was observed that chitin was composed of nanofibres with a width of 10–20 nm. It was concluded that this was an economically advantageous chitin resource compared with crustaceans such as shrimp, crayfish and crab, because it is possible to isolate chitin in a significantly shorter time.

Single and Combined Effects of Exposure Concentration and Duration on Biological Responses of Ceratophyllum demersum L. Exposed to Cr Species

This study aimed to demonstrate the ways in which two chromium species, Cr (III) and Cr (VI), can affect various physiological and biochemical parameters in the plant Ceratophyllum demersum L., and to evaluate the single and combined impact of exposure concentration and duration. C. demersum was exposed to Cr (III) and Cr (VI) at a variety of concentrations (1, 2, 5, and 10 mM) and for differing durations (1, 2, 4, and 7 days), after which Cr accumulation, relative growth rate (RGR), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, electrical conductivity (EC), photosynthetic pigmentation, proline content and antioxidant enzyme activities were examined. The single and combined effects of exposure duration and Cr concentration on each parameter were determined using a two-way analysis of variance. For both the Cr (III) and Cr (VI) applications, it was observed that concentration had a significant effect on all parameters assessed. However, duration had no statistically significant effect on proline content in the Cr (III) application, or on MDA and protein content in the Cr (VI) application. It was determined that concentration exerted greater effects than duration for both Cr species studied. In addition, the results indicated that duration and concentration had a synergistic effect on variations of RGR, EC, protein content, and antioxidant enzyme activities in both the Cr (III) and Cr (VI) applications. These results may be useful when planning further phytoremediation and plant biotechnology studies.

Characterisation of α-chitin extracted from a lichenised fungus species Xanthoria parietina

Lichens are symbiotic associations formed mainly by ascomycete fungi and green algae or cyanobacteria. The presence of chitin in the fungal cell wall has been revealed by previous studies. Considering the presence of fungi in the lichens, this work determines the presence of chitin in a cosmopolitan lichen species Xanthoria parietina. In this study, chitin was derived from a lichen species for the first time and its physicochemical properties were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis. The dry weight chitin content of X. parietina was 4.23%, and this chitin was in the α-form. The crystalline index value of the lichen chitin was calculated as 70.1%. The chitin from X. parietina had a smooth surface.

Uptake of Mineral Elements During Abiotic Stress

Several environmental factors influence the mineral uptake of plants, including pH, redox potential, and the presence of xenobiotics as well as the temperature and salinity. Changes in environmental conditions affect the biological and physiological response of plants. Most important targets of plants are maintained by the ion homeostasis and mineral uptake in stress conditions. Plants may use the different procedures to regulate homeostasis. In general, Na salt stress decreases the levels of cationic nutrients such as K, Ca, and Mg due to competition for ion transport sites. Drought and salinity stress are physiologically related and the tolerance mechanisms overlap. Metals can interfere with mineral nutrition and change the concentration and composition of plant nutrients. Besides, metals may also alter the conformation of proteins, including transporters, or regulator proteins. Herbicides may disrupt the function and integrity of the cell membrane, and significant ion losses can occur. However, molecular mechanisms and genetic basis of interactions between abiotic stress and mineral uptake is lacking. Thus, future studies will focus on these aspects. In this chapter, the effects of some common stressors, such as salinity, drought, metals, herbicides, and on nutrient uptake are elucidated.

Bioaccumulation of Nickel, Copper, and Cadmium by Spirodela polyrhiza and Lemna gibba

ABSTRACT Lemna gibba and Spirodela polyrhiza were exposed to different concentrations of Ni, Cu, and Cd for 10 days. Bioaccumulation of the three metals for both plants were dependent on and positively correlated with the external metal concentrations. Both plants were hyperaccumulators of Cd but not of Ni or Cu. L. gibba was more effective in extracting all three metals than was S. polyrhiza.