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Essential oils (EOs) obtained from spices, herbs, and medicinal plants are well known in traditional medicine and are an area of interest due to their various biological activities. Therefore, the present study investigates the chemical composition, phytochemical properties, as well as the biological activity of EOs, recovered from un-irradiated and irradiated (2.5, 5, and 10 kGy) caraway seeds. Carum carvi L. seeds were irradiated with gamma irradiation at dose levels 2.5, 5, and 10 kGy, then EOs were recovered from all the samples. The chemical composition, phenols, and flavonoids content were evaluated. As well, antimicrobial and antitumor activities against the two cell lines [colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) and liver cancer (HepG-2)] were investigated. The results indicated the percentage of oil increased by radiation, especially a dose of 10 kGy, which gave the highest percentage (3.50%) compared to the control. Also, the Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed the presence of 26 compounds in the essential oil extracts. The main constituent of caraway seeds EOs was Carvone followed by Limonene. According to the results, there was an increase in the content of phenols and flavonoids by using gamma rays compared with control, the maximum increase was observed at dose level 10 kGy (13.70 and 7.38 mg/g oil, respectively) followed by 5 kGy (11.20 and 5.86 mg/g oil, respectively). The antioxidant properties of the caraway essential oils were increased by increasing the irradiation dose level (2.5–10 kGy) analyzed by DPPH radical and metal chelating activity. Caraway essential oils have an antimicrobial action against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi. The antimicrobial activity was increased as the irradiation dose was raised and the10 kGy dose was more effective in suppressing the growth of bacteria and fungi. Additionally, the caraway essential oils have anticancer activity against the two cell lines studied; colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) and liver cancer cell line (HepG-2) as reduced the cell viability and density. The 10 kGy dose was more effective for oil yield, phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity as well as antibacterial and antifungal activities. Furthermore, the caraway essential oils indicated anticancer activity against the two cell lines studied; colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) and liver cancer cell line (HepG-2) as reduced the cell viability and density. So caraway could be considered an important herb with multiple therapeutic uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greenhouse experiment is carried out to explore the outcome of γ-radiation on physiological and genetic variation in red radish (Raphanus sativus ) for two generations. Gamma rays from 60Co were used to penetrate red radish seeds with different dose levels (0.0, 10, 20, 40 and 80 Gy). Plants generated from irradiated seeds and from self-pollination of these plants, called M1 and M2 generations, respectively. Some morphological and physiological traits were then determined, and the genetic diversity of both generations was studied using Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) and Conserved DNA-Derived Polymorphism (CDDP) molecular markers. All studied morphological traits (number of leaves/plants, leave height, root diameter, and root weight) were steadily improved by raising irradiation dose rate, reaching a cumulative raise at the irradiation doe level 40 Gy and decreased at dose level 80 Gy. Photosynthetic pigments of red radish plants released a notable increase by increasing gamma rays dose level for chlorophyll (a), chlorophyll (b) and carotenoids for 40 Gy dose rate. Proline content was elevated proportionally to the irradiation dose level, with the greatest increase seen at dose level of 80 Gy. Moreover, phytochemical screening was detected for the both two generations. Fourteen SCoT primers generated a total number of banding patterns of 194 with average 13.86 and the primer SCoT-33 released the highest number banding patterns (21). The percentage mean of polymorphism for all the SCoT primers was 74.66% and was 66.49 and 63.74% for M1 and M2 respectively. Furthermore, fifteen CDDP primers generated a total number of banding patterns of 186 and the primer CDDP-5 relieved the highest number of banding patterns (20). The percentage mean of polymorphism for all the CDDP primers was 73.41% and was 64.38 and 65.91% for M1 and M2 respectively. It could be concluded that gamma irradiation exhibited an appropriate variation in red radish M1 and M2 which was detected by SCoT and CDDP molecular markers . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broccoli is highly tremendously as it is enriched with healthy promoting phytochemicals. This research was undertaken to study the feedback of broccoli to different concentrations of un-irradiated and irradiated (50 kGy of gamma rays) titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs). Un-irradiated and irradiated titanium dioxide characterization was accomplished by FT-IR, XRD, TGA, SEM and TEM. Foliar spray of titanium dioxide was applied to the broccoli in regards to the results of the characterizations. The growth traits; plant height, leaves No. per plant as well as stem diameter of plants and physical quality of heads were measured. Also, nutritional components of heads were determined. The results detailed that vegetative growth and physical quality of heads positively responded to foliar application of titanium dioxide compared to those obtained from control and 50 ppm from irradiated titanium dioxide (ITiO2NPs) gave the highest values of all traits. Regarding to nutritional components of heads, the efficiency of photosynthesis increased by using TiO2 (un-irradiated and irradiated) specially, 50 ppm ITiO2NPs. Application of Ti significantly increased the osmolytes concentrations such as proline, total free amino acids and soluble sugars as well as the extracts of heads sprayed with TiO2NPs concentrations displayed a prospective DPPH free radical scavenging action. Likewise, absorption of other nutrient elements and amino acids pool increased by spraying TiO2NPs. It was found that there are several phytochemical constituents identified by GC-MS that contribute to the biological activity of the methanol extract of broccoli heads that were affected by the use of TiO2NPs. It is clear that from above results, the using of ITiO2NPs specially; 50 ppm stimulated growth, resulting in improved quality of broccoli heads which is ultimately reflected in productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetable oils can be adjusted by different methods to enhance their commercial applications and to increase their pure quality nutrition. One of the most leisurely ways of creating new innovative products with desirable textured and oxidative properties is the mixing of vegetable fats/oils of various properties. Pure sunflower (SFO) blended with pure moringa (MOO) and sesame (SEO) oils in the ratio of 95:5 and 90:10 w/w. The outcomes showed that the highest acid value was observed at SFO + SEO 10% (0.782). Sunflower oil stabilized when blended with MOO and the levels of conjugated dienes (CD) and trienes (CT) were depressed compared to control. The TPC value was higher when the sunflower blended with moringa oil. The highest scavenging activity percentage was observed in SFO + MOO 5% and SFO + SEO 10% respectively. Meanwhile, the highest induction period at 100 °C was 11.45 hours in the treatment of SFO + MOO 5%. The master fatty acids in the sunflower and moringa oils are combined (SFO:MOO, 90:10), oleic, and palmitic acids. It seems from the current findings that suitable mixing of high linoleic oils with MOO will result in oil mixtures that can satisfy nutritional wants with expanded balance for home cooking and deep-frying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grains of two bread wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum), Sids-1 and Sakha-93, were irradiated with gamma rays at dose levels (0.0, 100, 200, and 300 Gy) to study the effects of gamma irradiation on physiological characteristics and genetic variation of wheat. Irradiation dose level of 200 Gy increased chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll contents significantly in both cultivars. Also, proline content increased with increasing irradiation dose level, the highest concentrations were recorded at 300 Gy for Sids-1 and Sakha-93 cultivars as compared to the control. Inter- Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers have been done to help understanding their genetic differences. Eight ISSR primers (14A, 44B, HB-08, HB-10, HB-11, HB-12, HB-13, and HB-15) exhibited polymorphism with the un-irradiated and irradiated two wheat cultivars. These pimers successfully showed different banding patterns with several amplicons varied from 4 for (14A) to 15 for (HB-10). These 72 amplicons for the two cultivars and an average of 9.0 amplicons with mean of 67.96% polymorphism and resolving power (Rp) of 3.41. It is also cleared that radiation is more effective on Sids-1 cultivar with 55.5% polymorphism than on Sakha-93 cultivar with 51.9% polymorphism. Total amplicons found in Sids-1cultivar were 64, ten of them were unique amplicons (UA): 5 UA(+) and 5 UA(-). Irradiation dose (200 Gy) showed the highest number of UA (3 UA- and 3 UA+) in Sids-1cultivar. While, total amplicons found in Sakha-93 cultivar were 58, eight of them were 5 UA(+) and 3 UA(-). Irradiation dose (300 Gy) showed the highest number of UA as 4 UA+. It could be concluded that gamma irradiation of wheat grains produced an appropriate number of generated variations and that ISSR analysis given a useful molecular marker for the symmetry of the mutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A greenhouse experiment was conducted during the seasons of 2016 - 2017 to compare the impact of foliar amino acids binding (0.5, 1 and 2 g.L-1) and yeast extract ( 2.5, 5 and 10 g.L-1) on certain development and physiological parameters of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). The results cleared that foliar application of amino acid (2 g.L-1) or yeast (10 g.L-1) increased development parameters of hot pepper compared to control in both first and second seasons. Amino acids foliar implementation with (2 g.L-1) gave higher content of anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, lycopene and β-carotene contents as compared with the control. Also, 10 g.L-1 foliar application of yeast extract showed the best results as compared to control in both first and second seasons. Foliar application of amino acids contents increased phenol and flavonoid contents of hot pepper fruits. Maximum increase was observed at 2 g.L-1 amino acids in both seasons. While 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and lipid peroxidation contents increased with 2 g.L-1 amino acids and 10 g.L-1 yeast foliar application. The HPLC analysis of ethanolic extract of hot pepper fruits has shown fifteen phenolic compounds. Phenolic compounds were increased by increasing the concentration of amino acid and yeast extract foliar application in the both two seasons. In conclusion it is recommended to use amino acid (2 g.L-1) and yeast extract (10 g.L-1) foliar application as they play a key role in productivity, also in protecting the environment as eco-friendly and cost-effective inputs for the farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Berries are wealthy in bioactive compounds like phenolic compounds and flavonoids that are deemed antioxidants and are great important to health. This research was performed to examine, recognize and compare bioactive compounds in certain types of berries and their antioxidant activity. The data show that blue berry, black berry and Egyptian black mulberry contain the highest content of most bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids and tannins, while long mulberry and red currant berry have the lowest content for most of these compounds. They therefore, contain the highest value of antioxidant activity. The chemical composition of the berries varies depending on cultivar, variety, location of growth, environmental conditions and harvest time, as well as post-harvest treatments therefore the composition differed from berry fruit to another. Thus, berry fruits are very useful in nutrition to protect the body from many diseases because of its containment of these compounds, which act as free radicals scavenger that harm the body and thus rid the body of many harmful toxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was conducted during two successive seasons 2016 and 2017 on sweet pepper plants to study the effect of foliar application of some natural extracts (fulvic acid at 2, 4 and 6% or algae at 1, 2 and 4 g.L-1) were applied three times along each season (after 2, 4 and 6 weeks of planting). The influence was evaluated through the response of vegetative growth, and some physical and chemical characteristics of sweet pepper fruits. The results obtained showed that the algae extract at 1 g.L-1 in most cases was better than the other spray treatments investigated to improve most fruit characteristics (length, diameter and yield of fruits), vegetative growth, and chemical properties followed by 6% fulvic acid. With regard to organic acids, malic and citric acids are the main organic acids found in sweet pepper. Malic, succinic and glutaric acids were higher in 1 g.L-1 algae extract treatment, but the concentration of citric acid was higher in 6% fulvic acid treatment. Therefore, algae extract and fulvic acid could be safely recommended as a natural biostimulants application for improving most desirable characteristics of sweet pepper grown under the same experimental condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigella sativa (commonly known as black cumin and black seed) has been shown to contain components that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic and antibacterial properties. This study assessed some parameters; vegetative growth, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity properties of seed extract obtained from N. sativa affected by biogein (B) and commander compound [(humic acid 70% (HA)]. The results indicated that the application of biogein and humic acid stimulated vegetative growth, whereas, data showed a significant increase in plant height, number of branches/plant and seed yield/plant compared to those obtained from untreated plants (control). Also, oil content, yield extract, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents increased by using these fertilizers. With regard to antioxidant activity, it has been shown increasing the antioxidant activity by organic and biofertilizer treatments. For the GC-MS analysis it was noted that there was an increase, decrease, appearance and disappearance of some compounds through the application of biogein and humic acid compared to the control sample. It is clear from the above results that biogein and humic acid have a stimulating effect on growth and bioactive compounds, which is ultimately reflected on yield productivity in Nigella plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat plays an important role in every day's life of the world's population. The present study discusses the morphological traits and some biochemical changes of two Egyptian bread wheat cultivars irradiated at 0.0, 100, 200 and 300 Gy dose levels and cultivated in presence of different sodium chloride concentrations (0.0, 60 and 120 mM). The data indicated that all treatments increased the morphological traits except the No. of spikes/plant. The treatment 100 Gy combined with the lower concentration of NaCl (60 mM) caused enhancement in photosynthetic pigment contents. Also, with increasing irradiation dose level and sodium chloride concentration, proline content was increased and the highest content was observed in 300 Gy dose combined with 120 mM NaCl concentration as compared to control plants in both cultivars Sids-1 and Sakha-93 (0.530 and 0.451 mg/g FW, respectively). Percentage of nitrogen content was found to be decreased by salt stress in all concentration but when salt stress combined with gamma irradiation, all dose levels increased the percentage of nitrogen content and reached to the maximum increase (2.61 and 2.48) in the treatment (100 Gy combined with 60 mM NaCl) in Sids-1 and Sakha-93 respectively. Salinity increased the Na+ content and decreased K+ and Ca+2 contents in two cultivars grains. Gamma irradiation could be used successfully to develop mutants in wheat and abiotic stress tolerant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The toxic proteins ofBacillus thuringiensis israelinsis(Bti) andBacillus sphaericus2362 (Bs) were tested either singly or in combination with plant oils and chemical insecticides against the larvae and adults ofMusca domesticain laboratory. Based on the 24h-LC50 values, the essential oil fromApium graveolensshowed the highest toxicity against the house fly larvae (59.4 ppm), whilePetroselium crispumoil was the highest toxic to the fly adults (0.62 ppm). The Bti toxin proved to be more toxic than the Bs one. The nine plant oils, at sublethal concentrations, induced severe developmental effects represented by suppression of adult emergence and causing different forms of deformations. Also, the plant oils showed considerable repellent effect against the house fly adults. Combining Bti or Bs endotoxins with plant oils or insecticides induced synergistic action against the larvae and adults of the tested insect. The analysis of the tested oils by GC-MS indicated the dominance of several terpene compounds which are documented for their biological activities against insect pests. The findings of the present study may encourage conducting of further studies in order to test efficacy of such combinations under practical field conditions, and the visibility of preparing new biocidal products in a cost effective manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]