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Activity of a catalase enzyme in plants from the burned areas of the Vidlič Mountain beech forest.

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In 2007, a catastrophic fire on the Vidlic Mountain in south-east Serbia occurred. It burned down nearly 1000 ha of forest. Study of biochemical and physiological parameters in plants which inhabit post fire areas and their comparison with control is of essential importance in estimating the impact of fire on plant characteristics and potential applications. After the fire pioneer and indigenous plants from habitats affected by fire have a characteristic metabolism. In this comparative study, the activity of enzyme catalase (EC 1.11.1.6, H2O2: H2O2 oxidoreductase) was determined in plant species from a habitat affected by fire and the same plant species from the forest which had not been affected by fire as a control. Assessment of enzyme activity was carried out on the root, leaves and flowers of plant species Geranium macrorrhizum, Doronicum columnae, Aegopodium podagraria, Fagus moesiaca, Tussilago farfara, Glechoma hirsuta, Chelidonium majus and Primula veris. The first group of plant samples used for determination was obtained from the habitat that was affected by fire two years ago. Catalase activity was measured using the gasometric method and the values obtained for this activity were expressed as ml of O-2. The presented results show a significant increase in catalase activity in individuals from habitats affected by fire in relation to the control group. Increased catalase activity is a consequence of oxidative stress caused by chemical changes in soil that were generated by fire.
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* For correspondence.
Oxidation Communications 38, No 2, 860–868 (2015)
Overall ecology
ACTIVITY OF A CATALASE ENZYME IN PLANTS FROM
THE BURNED AREAS OF THE VIDLIC MOUNTAIN BEECH
FOREST
M. S. MАRKOVICa*, B. S. ILICb, D. L. MILADINOVICb,
S. M. STAMENKOVICa, R. TRAJKOVICc, V. P. STАNKOV-JOVАNOVICd,
G. T. DJELICe
aDepartment of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics,
University of Nis, 18 000 Nis, Serbia
E-mail: marijam@pmf.ni.ac.rs
bDepartment of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, 18 000 Nis,
Serbia
cDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of
Kosovska Mitrovica, 38 220 Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia
dDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Nis,
18 000 Nis, Serbia
eFaculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Kragujevac, Institute of
Biology and Ecology, 34 000 Kragujevac, Serbia
ABSTRACT
In 2007, a catastrophic re on the Vidlic Mountain in south-east Serbia occurred.
It burned down nearly 1000 ha of forest. Study of biochemical and physiological
parameters in plants which inhabit post re areas and their comparison with control
is of essential importance in estimating the impact of re on plant characteristics and
potential applications. After the re pioneer and indigenous plants from habitats af-
fected by re have a characteristic metabolism.
In this comparative study, the activity of enzyme catalase (ЕC 1.11.1.6, H2O2:
H2O2 oxidoreductase) was determined in plant species from a habitat affected by re
and the same plant species from the forest which had not been affected by re as a
control. Assessment of enzyme activity was carried out on the root, leaves and ow-
ers of plant species Geranium macrorrhizum, Doronicum columnae, Aegopodium
podagraria, Fagus moesiaca, Tussilago farfara, Glechoma hirsuta, Chelidonium
majus and Primula veris. The rst group of plant samples used for determination was
obtained from the habitat that was affected by re two years ago. Catalase activity was
861
measured using the gasometric method and the values obtained for this activity were
expressed as ml of O2. The presented results show a signicant increase in catalase
activity in individuals from habitats affected by re in relation to the control group.
Increased catalase activity is a consequence of oxidative stress caused by chemical
changes in soil that were generated by re.
Keywords: enzyme catalase, forest affected by re, Vidlic Mountain, oxidative stress.
AIMS AND BACKGROUND
From the year 2003 to 2007, there were 579 wild res registered in Serbia. The largest
number of these res (370) was recorded in the summer of 2007 (Ref. 1), including the
re on the Vidlic Mountain. The vegetation of the forest, rocks, shrubs and grassland
formations burned in the re. After the re was completely put out, it was estimated
that more than 2500 ha of low vegetation, scrublands and forests burned down2. Ap-
proximately 1000 ha of beech forests were burned.
Numerous studies examined the effect of re on the physiological functions
of different plants. Plants have different defense response mechanism to stress that
occurs as a result of re. After a forest re, the temperature and amount of light in-
crease, which causes the change in the anatomical and physiological characteristics
of plants3. Knapp et al.4 discovered that plants on the burnt area are thicker and have
wider leaves, higher specic leaf weight and a higher density of stoma. The increased
thickness of leaves means an increase of the mesophyll relative to the entire surface
of the leaf and leads to an increased CO2 usage and degree of photosynthesis5. Fleck
et al.6,7 indicated a higher level of photosynthesis in the leaves of the Quercus ilex
after the re.
From the areas that were burned and also the areas that were not affected by the
re from the Vidlic Mountain was determined the content of: organic acids8, heavy
metals in soil and plant samples9, chloroplast pigments10. In order to assess what kind
of impact does re have on the antioxidant properties of plants, plant species extracts
from the burnt and the non-affected areas were tested11,12. The impact of re on the
antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of some plant species was examined13. The
activity of the enzyme catalase was determined in root and shoot system plant parts of
the species Geranium macrorrhizum of the burnt and non-affected areas14. Moreover,
an examination and comparison of the chemical composition and antioxidant activity
of the essential oil species Ajuga chamaepytis from the burnt and non-affected areas
of Vidlic was made15.
The high intensity light and UV-B radiation causes oxidative stress and damage
in plants16. These conditions can be achieved in the areas where the vegetation was
completely burned by the re. The functioning of the antioxidant system and the
degree of oxidative damage can be evaluated successfully on the basis of determin-
ing the biochemical parameters – indicators of the oxidative stress17,18. One of the
indicators of oxidative stress in plants is the activity of the enzyme catalase. Changes
862
in the biotic and abiotic factors at the burnt area cause morphological-physiological
changes in plants. As a result of a group of changes in their environment, plants alter
their metabolism. First of all, an acceleration of the plant metabolism occurs which
hence leads to an acceleration of the enzymatic activity. Signicant changes were re-
corded because concentrations of some enzymes in plants increased. These enzymes,
whose concentrations signicantly increase in stressful conditions, are catalase and
peroxidase. These two enzymes remove free radicals whose concentration in a cell
increases in stressful conditions19. Increased concentrations of the enzyme catalase
indicate oxidative stress in plants that grow on burnt areas. Catalase (EC 1.11.1.6,
H2O2: H2O2 oxidoreductase) is one of the most powerful enzymes known. The reac-
tions which this enzyme catalyses are essential for plant life. Catalase breaks down
the toxic hydrogen peroxide into water and molecular oxygen. By using hydrogen
peroxide, which breaks down into water and molecular oxygen, the catalase further
oxidises toxic molecules which include phenol, formic acid, formaldehyde and alcohol.
Numerous authors have found a point of comparison between the activity of the
enzyme catalase and the content of chlorophyll20–22. They have noticed that the catalase
activity is several times higher in etiolated seedlings and leaves with chlorosis than
in green leaves. They interpret the similar behaviour of catalase and chlorophyll as
having closely linked ways of biosynthesis, which was shown in results obtained by
Mikhlin and Mutuskin23.
EXPERIMENTAL
Determination of plant material for analysis was performed by using the key for the
regional ora24,25.
Plant material for determining the activity of the enzyme catalase was collected
based on the conditions of the area in the spring of rst and second year after the re
in the burnt area of the beech forest on the Vazganica location. Plants collected at the
same time from a nearby area not affected by the re were used as the control plant
group. Herbarium samples of the analysed plants were placed in the herbarium of
University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology (BEOU) and their voucher numbers are
given in Table 1. Immediately after being picked, plant samples were put into liquid
nitrogen in which they were transported and then put into a freezer kept at –20ºС
where they were stored until the analysis. Before the analysis, the root and shoot
system plant parts were separated and cut into little pieces.
Beech samples (Fagus moesiaca), besides being collected and stored in a freezer
until analysis like all of the other samples, were amassed the rst year after the re.
Newly sprouted seeds, along with the soil from the burnt area, were taken to a labora-
tory where the seedlings were kept in a plastic container for several weeks until the
analysis of the catalase enzyme activity.
863
Table 1. Inventory numbers of plants and the coordinates of the location where the plants were collected for determining the activity of catalase enzyme
Inventory
number
Plant species Location Habitat Date Coordinates Elevation (m)
16422 Fagus moesiaca (K. Maly) C z e c z. Vazganica burnt area of
beech forest
29.04.2008 43°10′36.6″ N
22°43′35.4″ E 1120
16423 Aegopodium podagraria L. Vazganica burnt area of
beech forest
22.06.2008 43°10′37.2″ N
22°43′29.5″ E 1140
16424 Glechoma hirsuta W a l d s t. & K i t. Vazganica burnt area of
beech forest
11.05.2008 43°10′43.2″ N
22°43′30.4″ E 1110
16425 Chelidonium majus L. Vazganica burnt area of
beech forest
21.06.2008 43°10′39.1″ N
22°42′34.1″ E 1115
16426 Doronicum columnae T e n. Vazganica burnt area of
beech forest
29.04.2008 43°10′37.0″ N
22°42′28.8″ E 1080
16427 Tussilago farfara L. Vazganica burnt area of
beech forest
30.03.2008 43°10′41.2″ N
22°42′37.1″ E 1070
16428 Primula veris L. Crni vrh rocky surface 28.04.2008 43°10′22.6″ N
22°39′19.6″ E 840
16431 Geranium macrorrhizum L. Vazganica burnt area of
beech forest
31.05.2008 43°10′41.1″ N
22°42′49.1″ E 1190
864
The catalase enzyme activity was determined by a gasometric method26. This
method was based on assessing the amount of oxygen being released after reacting
with H2O2 which was added to the plant extract that contained catalase.
First, 0.5–1 g of plant material were measured. Afterwards, the material was
extracted in a crucible with 0.5 g of CaCO3 and 20 ml of distilled water which was
added gradually. After that, the extract was transferred into an Erlenmeyer ask with
a port on the side and using the apparatus the activity of the enzyme catalase was
measured. The Erlenmeyer ask was sealed with a stopper which was pierced with a
needle with an attached syringe. The syringe contained 5 ml of 3% H2O2. The H2O2
was injected in the Erlenmeyer ask at the beginning of the experiment.
The content was stirred for a minute and after waiting 1 min stirred again for one
minute. After these 3 min, the amount of freed oxygen could be read on the burette
scale. Afterwards, the recalculation for 1 g of material was made.
Each analysis was repeated three times and the average value was calculated.
Catalase activity was expressed indirectly through the freed oxygen volume.
RESULTS AND DUSCUSSION
The stress in the living environment can extremely inhibit the enzymes, directly or
indirectly through physiological and biochemical processes, as well as in terms of
enzyme activation which will catalyse their decomposition. A group of enzymes,
which includes catalase and peroxidase, is important for the physiology of resistance
and endotoxicology27. Hydrogen peroxide is the substrate on which these enzymes
act, which is indicated by the fact that their presence in the medium encourages in-
creased activities of these enzymes – substrate induction28,29. The hydrogen peroxide
forms during the course of various metabolic processes as a reduced form of oxygen
and can cause a number of metabolic changes in the tissues of the plant. Because of
the high toxicity to living cells, it is necessary to remove or degrade it. The activity
of the enzyme catalase breaks it down into products that are not harmful to plants27.
Catalase activity was measured in root and shoot system parts of plants from the
burnt areas in the beech forests of the Vidlic Mountain and from the closest beech
forest area not affected by the re which represent a control group. The given results
show that the catalase activity is different in certain plant species and shows that the
root and shoot system plant parts of the tested plants are uneven (Tables 2 and 3).
It was noticed that, in the rst year after the re, the activity of the enzyme catalase
in the species Geranium macrorrhizum, Aegopodium podagraria and Fagus moesiaca
increased both in the root and shoot system plant parts of the burnt area (experimental
group) compared to the non-affected surface (control group), while only the catalase
activity in the root system of the species Doronicum columnae and Tussilago farfara
increased in relation to the control group (Table 2). Therefore, the activity of catalase
in all underground parts of the plants increased the rst year after the re.
865
Table 2. Activity of enzyme catalase in the root and shoot system plant parts on the not burned area and
the burnt area of Vidlic Mountain, the rst year after the re, converted to 1 g of fresh matter
Plant species Control group (not
burned area) (ml O2)
Experimental group
(burnt area) (ml O2)
Geranium macrorrhizum, shoot system plant part 6.19 6.68
Geranium macrorrhizum, rhyzome with roots 6.35 7.75
Doronicum columnae, ower heads 33.17 26.5
Doronicum columnae, stems – 13.77
Doronicum columnae, leaves – 19.69
Doronicum columnae, rhyzome with roots 12.35 21.13
Aegopodium podagraria, shoot system plant part 8.18 8.61
Aegopodium podagraria, rhyzome with roots 6.69 8.97
Fagus moesiaca, shoot system plant part under
laboratory conditions
13.76 19.16
Fagus moesiaca, root under laboratory conditions 6.80 9.09
Fagus moesiaca, shoot system plant parts 9.66 9.84
Fagus moesiaca, roots 11.37 11.70
Tussilago farfara, shoot system plant parts 20.10 17.78
Tussilago farfara, rhyzome with roots 15.95 17.44
In the second year after the re, the activity of the enzyme catalase in the species
Geranium macrorrhizum and Primula veris increased in both the shoot and root system
parts of the experimental group, compared to the control group; in the Doronicum
columnae, the catalase activity increased in the underground parts of the plant, stems
and leaves of the experimental group in relation to the control group, and it decreased
in the ower heads; in Chelidonium majus, the catalase activity was higher in the
underground parts, leaves and stems in the experimental group than in the control
plants, but it only decreased in relation to the control plants; in the Glechoma hirsuta
species, the catalase activity was higher in the control than in the experimental plants
(Table 3). The results show that the activity of the enzyme catalase has generally in-
creased in plants from the burnt area of the beech forest compared to the plants from
the non-affected area and it was almost always higher in the underground parts of
the plants in relation to above ground parts. This can be explained by the fact that the
root system plant parts are in direct contact with the chemical substances of the soil,
which contains plenty of ash and has a different, qualitatively and quantitatively new
chemical composition in relation to the land unaffected by the re. Concentrations
of compounds that are harmful to the plant increase in the soil and, consequently, in
the underground parts of the plants in the burnt area of the beech forest, because it
occurs during the metabolism of the plants under stressful conditions which occur
after the re. The catalase breaks down harmful compounds into harmless products,
and they are found in a greater amount in the root system than in the shoot system of
the experimental plants from the area affected by the re, with the exception of the
Glechoma hirsutа. This herbaceous plant has creeping sprouts that have thin wiry
866
roots, which do not penetrate deep into the soil and has a small absorption surface.
Therefore, it can be assumed that, in the burnt area, it accumulates less material harm-
ful to the plant, meaning that the catalase activity does not increase in relation to the
same plant from the non-affected area.
Table 3. Activity of enzyme catalase in the root and shoot system plant parts on the not burned area and
the burnt area of the Vidlic Mountain, the second year after the re, converted to 1 g of fresh matter
Plant species Control group
(not burned area)
(ml O2)
Experimental
group (burnt
area) (ml O2)
Geranium macrorrhizum, owers 12.12 17.17
Geranium macrorrhizum, leaves 7.90 10.89
Geranium macrorrhizum, rhyzome with roots 8.56 11.36
Doronicum columnae, ower heads 54.62 49.21
Doronicum columnae, stems 29.72 31.95
Doronicum columnae, leaves 37.99 48.92
Doronicum columnae, rhyzome with roots 19.95 26.61
Glechoma hirsuta, shoot system plant parts in bloom 30.44 23.54
Glechoma hirsuta, creeping sprouts with roots 24.56 15.96
Chelidonium majus, owers 33.15 36.60
Chelidonium majus, leaves 11.22 12.19
Chelidonium majus, stems 41.02 40.01
Chelidonium majus, roots 10.36 11.33
Primula veris, leaves 27.84 38.59
Primula veris, owers with ower stems 11.86 21.59
Primula veris, rhyzome with roots 10.06 10.68
Activity of the enzyme catalase in root and shoot system plant parts varies is
uneven and varies among species. Increased or decreased activity of catalase depends
on the morphological-anatomical structure of the plant leaves and roots, as well as a
rich and diverse chemical composition, which is genetically determined and specie
specic27. An increased catalase activity is a result of oxidative stress, which is caused
by chemical changes in the soil inuenced by re14. Increasing the activity of the en-
zyme catalase in plants at the re site is a metabolic form of breaking down harmful
compounds, i.e. detoxication, which is a high-quality mechanism of resistance that
responds to the changed conditions in the environment after the re.
CONCLUSIONS
Plants that grow on the burnt areas of the Vidlic Mountain are highly adaptive plants,
which have a characteristic metabolism and survival mechanisms. The changed condi-
tions after the re require an anatomical, physiological and biochemical adaptations
from plants. The ability of plants to adapt to stressful conditions is crucial for their
867
survival. Different plants respond differently to stress depending on different genetic
backgrounds, different phenophases and different morph-anatomic characteristics of
plants. An increased concentration of the enzyme catalase indicates oxidative stress
in plants which grow in the burnt areas. Catalase breaks down harmful products of
the plant metabolism at the burnt area into harmless compounds. On the basis of these
results, we can conclude that the catalase is involved in the plant protective defense
mechanisms against the toxic effects of the active forms of oxygen, which are formed
during a reciprocal action of the harmful products of metabolism after the re, with
cell membranes and membranes of cell organelles.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological
Development of the Republic of Serbia (Grant No OI 171025).
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Received 22 September 2014
Revised 13 November 2014
... Biochemical and physiological changes in plants caused by the presence of pollutants are reflected in defense mechanisms that include increased antoxidant activity (Haraguchi et al., 1997) with participaton of enzymes catalase and peroxidase. The substrate of both enzymes is hydrogen-peroxide, produced in different metabolic processes, as reduced form of oxygen, and it can cause several metabolic changes in the plant tissues (Markovic et al., 2015). Because of the high toxicity to living cells, its degradation to nontoxic forms is necessary (Nešić et al., 2005). ...
... This reaction is essentials for plant life. The catalase further oxidizes toxic molecules which include phenol, formic acid, formaldehyde, and alcohol (Markovic et al., 2015). Catalase has an important role in plants defending processes from pollution through elimination of free radicals, which concentration has increased as a response to the presence of heavy metals as pollutants. ...
... Catalase activity was measured using the gasometric method (Mosheva, 1982) and expressed as ml of O2. Detailed description of the method is given in Markovic et al. (2015). ...
Article
The environment of Northern Kosovo and Metohija has been remarkably influenced for a long time by the huge metallurgical complex "Trepča". The technological process of ore exploitation and processing in the Mining and Metallurgical Chemical Company "Trepča" has resulted in a large amount of discharged material, deposited on metal tailings that are mostly located in inappropriate areas, partially covered with vegetation, mostly consisted of several invasive plants. The activity of the enzyme catalase was investigated in plant species collected from abandoned metal tailings "Žitkovac" and compared with the same plant species from the environment from the vicinity of Niš city. Measurements of enzyme activity were carried out in the underground and above-ground parts of plant species Artemisia vulgaris, Cichorium intybus, Erigeron canadensis, Robinia pseudacacia, Medicago sativa, Teucrium chamaedrys, Plantago lanceolata, Rumex acetosella, Tanacetum vulgare and Euphorbia cyparissias using gasometric method. The results have indicated that an increase of catalase activity in tested plants from the metal tailings is possibly a consequence of stress caused by specific environmental conditions.
... Fire-related declines in phosphatase activity were also observed elsewhere in forest soils, where they were attributed to changes in organic carbon and reduced SOM quality [37], a factor that also appears likely in our case. In this study, soil catalase activity increased slightly after fire, which may be the result of oxidative stress caused by soil chemical changes due to fire [31]. The effect of fire on soil enzyme activity mainly occurred within a short time (4 years) after fire. ...
... In the present study, CAT activity was found to be lower for CK root as compared to CK stem. This could be attributed to the natural presence of H2O2 in aboveground parts of a plant, i.e., stem, leaf, generally produced during the process of photosynthesis and photorespiration [73]. Additionally, CAT activity in root and shoot parts varies among species and it depends on the diverse chemical composition and morphological/anatomical structure of the plant parts [74]. ...
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The widespread application of micro-plastics (MP) and their release in the open environment has become a matter of worldwide concern. When interacting with contaminants such as heavy metals in the soil ecosystem, MPs can result in detrimental effects on the soil environment and plant growth and development. However, information based on the interaction between MPs and heavy metals and their effects on terrestrial plants is still limited. Keeping this in mind, the present study was conducted to explore the single and combined toxicity of polypropylene (PP) MPs (13 and 6.5 μm) and cadmium (Cd) on germination indices; root and stem growth; fresh and dry weight; and anti-oxidative enzyme activities of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings. Our results indicated that a single application of PP MP and Cd on rice seedlings inhibited most of the germination indicators, while their co-occurrence (PP + Cd) showed a reduction in the overall toxicity to some extent. A single application of both the contaminants significantly inhibited root length, stem length, fresh weight and the activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dis-mutase (SOD) enzymes in rice seedling, while no significant effect on dry weight was observed. The combined toxicity of both PP and Cd revealed that 13 μm PP + Cd had an antagonistic effect on the growth of rice seedlings, while 6.5 μm PP + Cd showed a synergistic effect. The present study revealed that smaller PP MP particles (6.5 μm) prominently affected plant growth more as compared to larger particles (13 μm). Our work reported the combined effect of PP MP and Cd on the germination and growth of rice for the first time. This study can provide the basis for future research on the combined effects of different types and sizes of MPs and heavy metals on the terrestrial ecosystem.
... Significance level: * P < 0.05; ** P < 0.01; *** P < 0.001 Qaderi et al. 2019). In addition, the physiological and biochemical processes of vegetation after a fire are constantly changing (Beghin et al. 2011;Markovic et al. 2015;Baer et al. 2019). Litter comes from vegetation while vegetation is affected by fire and environmental factors; these may be important ways that environmental factors and the time since fire affect WSM properties. ...
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Background and aim Boreal forests account for one third of terrestrial carbon stock. Wildfires are an important perturbation of this carbon pool, affecting in particular the litter layer. After forest fires, the litter layers may possess shifting chemical property and decomposition dynamics due to the changes in post-fire vegetations succession and abiotic factors. Methods We measured water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) and water-soluble nitrogen (WSN) in the litter layers of Oi and Oe horizons in boreal forests along a gradient of fire history in northeastern China. Results We found that WSOC and WSN concentrations in the Oi layer were higher than those in the Oe layer. The concentrations were markedly altered by fires and showed different responses to the ecological succession. The time since fire had significant positive correlations with WSOC in Oi and Oe layers. Interestingly, the distance-based redundancy analysis and the structural equation model analysis indicated that factors additional to the time since fire also strongly influenced the litter water-soluble matter (WSM) properties. Biotic factors were more strongly correlated with the litter WSM properties in the Oe layer than in the Oi layer. Although biotic factors contributed less than abiotic factors to the WSM properties, they still play significant roles in litter WSM in burned area. Conclusions Our results show that manipulating biotic factors can be an important management strategy for litter WSM restoration, which can assist the overall ecological restoration in burned forests faced with the increasing danger of wildfires in the changing global climate.
... The fire might affect phytochemical characteristics of the plants, which was the subject of several studies [2,3,4,5,6,7]. After the wild fire on the Vidlič mountain, it's impact on the phytochemical characteristics of plants was assessed in terms of: heavy metal content [8,9,10,11,12,13] content of chloroplast pigments [1,14], content of organic acids first year after the fire [15,16], the quantity and chemical composition of essential oils [17], antioxidant characteristics of plants [18,19,20,21] and activity of the enzyme catalase [22]. ...
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The wild fire, which occurred in the summer of 2007 in the mountain Vidlič (Southeast Serbia) destroyed large areas of be ech and oak forests, dry meadows and rocky terrains. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of wild fire on the organic acids content in underground and above-ground parts of plants Geranium macrorhizum, Doronicum columnae, Glechoma hir suta, Chelidonium majus and Primula veris, second year after the accident. As a control material were used samples of plants from areas that were not exposed to fire. Key words: organic acids, wild fire, Geraniaceae, Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Papaveraceae, Primulaceae.
... Fires are incidents (disasters) that change the land properties dramatically. After a forest fire, the temperature and amount of light increase, which cause the change in the anatomical and physiological characteristics of plants 14,15 . Accurately regeneration work is required. ...
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This study is aimed to determine environmental awareness of public in Canakkale city. This city has important historical sites and is facing various environmental problems. Environmental awareness is the knowledge of the importance of that the damage of the environment has to be avoided and the sustainable use of the environment needs to be maintained. The related literature was examined. The increase of environmental awareness is due to effective implementation of environmental conservation programs. The behaviours and thoughts of Canakkale inhabitants on environmental awareness were determined through specially prepared questionnaire form. Besides, this study investigates the effect of the economic and socio-cultural factors on the environmental awareness. Questionnaire study was applied in 2014 to 402 people through face-to-face interviewing method. On the 'Socio-economic Structure', relation between the factors of gender, condition, age, income, profession, education was studied. According to the results of this study, the environmental awareness score was calculated as 74.44 out of 100.
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Background and aim Boreal forests account for one third of terrestrial carbon stock. Wildfires are an important perturbation of this carbon pool, affecting in particular the litter layer. After forest fires, the litter layers may possess shifting chemical property and decomposition dynamics due to the changes in post-fire vegetations succession and abiotic factors. Methods We measured water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) and water-soluble nitrogen (WSN) in the litter layers of Oi and Oe horizons in boreal forests along a gradient of fire history in northeastern China. Results We found that WSOC and WSN concentrations in the Oi layer were higher than those in the Oe layer. The concentrations were markedly altered by fires and showed different responses to the ecological succession. The time since fire had significant positive correlations with WSOC in Oi and Oe layers. The distance-based redundancy analysis and the structural equation model analysis suggested that factors additional to the time since fire also influenced the litter water-soluble matter (WSM) properties. Biotic factors were more strongly correlated with the litter WSM properties in the Oe layer than in the Oi layer. Although biotic factors contributed less than abiotic factors to the WSM properties, they still play significant roles in litter WSM in burned area. Conclusions Our results show that manipulating biotic factors can be an important management strategy for litter WSM restoration, which can assist the overall ecological restoration in burned forests faced with the increasing danger of wildfires in the changing global climate.
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The objective of this study was to estimate the antioxidative potential of Oxytropis pilosa (L.) DC. during the active vegetative period. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase), the quantities of malonyldialdehyde, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals and reduced glutathione and the content of total flavonoids, chlorophylls a and b, caro-tenoids and soluble proteins were determined. The results showed that extracts from all plant organs exhibited antioxidant activity. The highest antioxidant ability was observed in the leaves where all the investigated antioxidant en-zymes were active in a specific way: During the spring season, peroxidase showed the maximum activity 18.54 U mg -1 protein, catalase peaked in sum-mer 9.04 U mg -1 protein, whereas, during the autumn season, superoxide dis-mutase showed maximum activity, 54.28 U mg -1 protein. Reduced glutathione, pigments and carotenoids present in the leaves contribute to the high antioxi-dant activity. Furthermore, inhibition of chemiluminescence activity of Balb/c mice blood phagocytes by crude leaf extracts at concentrations of 3.5 and 7.0 μg cm -3 were 30.2 and 36.5 %, respectively.
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In this study the content of chloroplast pigments (chlorophyll a, b, a+b, and carotenoids) in the leaves of Geranium macrorrhizum L., Doronicum columnae Ten., Aegopodium podagraria L. and Tussilago farfara L. from a beech forest that had undergone fire on Vidlič Mountain was determined. The same species of plants from a place that had not been exposed to fire were taken as controls. Chloroplast pigments were determined from acetone extracts of these plants spectrophotometrically. In the first year after the fire the content of chlorophyll a, b and a+b in Geranium macrorrhizum L. and Doronicum columnae Ten. was greater than in the plants not exposed to fire. The results were the opposite for Aegopodium podagraria L. and Tussilago farfara L. These differences can be attributed to the different physiology of the plants and consequently their different adaptation patterns. The carotenoid content was higher in the plant species at the fire site than in the area not exposed to fire.
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The aim of this study was to research the seasonal changes of antioxidant enzyme activity and total antioxidant capacity in leaves of Astragalus onobrychis L. subsp. chlorocarpus (Griseb.) S. Kozuharov et D.K. Pavlova. Leaves of A. onobrychis were collected during the different stages of growth and analyzed for antioxidant enzyme activity: superoxide dismutase, catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase. Quantities of malonyldialdehyde, superoxide radicals, and hydroxyl radicals were measured as well as the content of soluble proteins. Furthermore, total antioxidant capacity was determined by the inhibition of chemiluminescence activity of blood phagocytes by leaf extracts. Stages of vegetation significantly affected the accumulation of superoxide radicals, but there were no significant differences in hydroxyl radical quantity and lipid peroxidation levels during vegetation. Soluble proteins vary greatly between different stages of growth. Seasonal changes were found to have an effect on enzymatic activities. During the spring season, guaiacol peroxidase showed the highest levels. Catalase and glutathione peroxidase increased their activities in summer, while, during the autumn season, superoxide dismutase showed maximum activity. On the basis of chemiluminescence assay, it can be concluded that leaf extract of A. onobrychis possesses a significant antioxidant capacity thus protecting plants during environmental stress.
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In 2007 catastrophic fire on Vidlič Mountain had been occurred. It had been burned down nearly 1000 hectares of forest. That year vegetation was totally destroyed. Ecosystems affected by fire are those with great changes in variety of ecological parameters and they can recover by natural succession. Post fire areas are being occupied by pioneer plants which start one natural cycle. Total organic acids content in plants from fire affected forest was studied and the same plant species from forest which had not been affected by fire were taken as a control. Total organic acids content for all plants from forest affected by fire was higher than for plants from fire non affected forest except one plant (Aegopodium podagraria).
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Plants that resprout after fires often have higher rates of photosynthesis than before a fire. To elucidate the mechanism of this response, we studied gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence in Quercus ilex L. plants growing on control (unburned) sites and on sites that had been burned the preceding summer. In early July, photosynthetic rates and stomatal conductance were similar in plants on unburned and burned plots, and in young and old foliage within unburned plots. At this time, photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII), nonphotochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ), and the de-epoxidation of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin were also similar among leaves of different ages and treatments. In late July, photosynthetic rates and stomatal conductances were much greater in resprouts on the burned areas than in unburned plants. From early to late July, unburned plants showed an increase in NPQ and the de-epoxidation of violaxanthin to zeaxanthin, indicating increased photoprotection as a result of enhanced nonradiative dissipation of excess light energy. Plants on the burned plots did not show these changes. Leaves of all ages and treatments showed no substantial reduction in potential quantum yield of PSII (F(v)/F(m)) at midday or predawn, indicating that there was little or no photoinhibition. Leaf nitrogen and soluble protein contents varied with leaf age during July, but did not vary between treatments. We conclude that the primary effect of burning is an increase in water availability to resprouting plants that eliminates the need for photoprotection, at least in the short term. The decrease in photosynthetic rates of unburned leaves in late July was the result of reduced stomatal conductance. We suggest that lowered stomatal conductance is the primary limiting factor in Q. ilex leaves, governing the regulation of carboxylation activity and energy dissipation processes.
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The chemical composition of the essential oil of the aerial parts of the Ajuga chamaepitys (L.) Schreber ssp. chia (Schreber) Arcangeli collected on Vidhc Mountain (Serbia) from two neighboring localities: normal environmental conditions (NEC) and post fire environmental conditions (PFEC) has been studied by GC and GC/MS. Thirty eight compounds were identified in NEC oil and thirty four in PFEC oil accounted 98.3% and 98.2% of the total oil, respectively. The major constituents of NEC and PFEC oil were: α-pinene (10.9%, 5.4%), β-pinene (22.0%, 14.8%), germaerene D (16.2%, 26.8%), germaerene B (5.9%, 13.6%) and viridiflorol (6.0%, 5.7%), respectively. The antioxidant properties of both oils were evaluated emploing electron transfer antioxidant assays: Folin-Ciocalteu, DPPH and reducing power asaay Fe (III) to Fe(II). Both oil samples had approximately equal and moderate activity in reducing Fe(III) to Fe(II) and Mo(VI) to Mo(V), and weak radical scavenging activity. This is the first report on the content and composition of the essential oil of A. chunmepitijs ssp. chia grows in Serbia and also the first report about its antioxidant activity.
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The flavonoid content (TFC), total phenols (TPC), DPPH radical scavenging activity (RSA) and, Fe(III) to Fe(II) reducing power (RP) of methanol extracts from 13 plant species that have been grown under non-disturbed environmental conditions (NDEC) and post-fire environmental conditions (PFEC) were investigated. The impact of wildfire on examined properties depends on plant species. Although there are significant differences for most pairs of individual samples (PFEC and NEC) it could not be said for investigated characteristics when all thirteen NEC samples considered as one group and PFEC samples as another group (p > 0.05). Some extracts expressed EC50 value close to the value of EC50 for BHT, proving themselves as excellent antioxidants. The content of flavonoids shows moderate correlation with Mo(VI) to Mo(V) and Fe(III) to Fe(II) reducing power and DPPH scavenging capacity. To the best authors knowledge, there were no reports on the impact of wild fire on the above-mentioned plant characteristics.
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Ecophysiological differences related to photosynthesis were compared in holm oak Quercus ilex leaves from undisturbed holm-oak vegetation, resprouts after fire and resprouts after tree-fell. No significant differences in any parameter measured were observed between the two kinds of resprout throughout the first growing season following disturbance. Resprouting leaves showed lower carbon isotope discrimination () and intercellular CO2 concentration (p i), and higher photosynthesis, leaf conductance and transpiration rates than leaves from undisturbed stands. Nitrogen, soluble protein content and ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPCase) activity were 88%, 96% and 45% higher respectively, in both kinds of resprout. The results indicate that photosynthetic capacity, rather than stomatal conductance, is the limiting factor in photosynthesis in resprouts, Chlorophyll content and chlorophyll a/b ratio did not differ between resprouts and undisturbed leaves, indicating that the observed differences were not a result of differences in light environment during leaf development. Leaf mass per area (LMA), was 80% higher in the resprouts, and was negatively related (r=–0.86) to and positively related (r=0.87) to N content. Enhanced carbon assimilation after disturbances resulted in higher water use efficiency, as indicated by lower values in the resprouts. We conclude that the cause of defoliation was not relevant in the physiology of the resprouts, suggesting the importance of underground organs.
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Fire has been considered as an improving factor in soil quality, but only if it is controlled. Severe wild fire occurred in the summer 2007 on the Vidlic Mountain (Serbia) overspreading a huge area of meadows and forests. Main soil characteristics and content of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn) in different fractions obtained after sequential extraction of soil from post-fire areas and from fire non disturbed areas were studied. In four plant species of Lamiaceae family (Ajuga genevensis L., Lamium galeobdolon (L.) L., Teucrium chamaedrys L., Acinos alpinus (L.) Moench.), that grow in typical habitats of the mountain, distribution of heavy metals in aerial parts and roots was investigated too. For all samples from post-fire area cation exchange capacity and soil organic matter content are increased while rH is decreased. Fire caused slightly increased bioavailability of the observed metals but more significant rise happened in metal amounts bound to oxides and organics. The plants showed variable behavior. T. chamaedrys collected on the post-fire area contained elevated concentrations of all analyzed metals. A. alpinus showed higher phytoaccumulation for Zn and Cd, while the other two plant species for Pb and Cd in the post-fire areas.