Crocin biosynthesis in Crocus has been proposed to proceed through a zeaxanthin cleavage pathway catalyzed by carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 2 (CCD2), and followed by glucosylation reactions catalyzed by CsGT2 (UGT74AD1). In Crocus ancyrensis flowers, crocins with eight (crocin-1), seven (crocin-2), and six glucose (crocin-3) moieties accumulated both in stigma and tepals. We have characterize...

BACKGROUND Guaiacol peroxidases (GP) are haem-containing enzymes participating in many physiological processes in plants. The expression pattern of these enzymes is organ-specific and developmentally regulated. METHODS The presence of GP activity in extract samples, prepared from Crocus sativus L. corms that were either dormant or rooting for 3, 6 and 10 days, was investigated. RESULTS Kine...

Environmental change in terms of land use and climatic changes are posing a serious threat to species distributions and extinctions. Thus in order to predict and mitigate against the effects of environmental change both drivers should be accounted for. Two endemic plant species in the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, Crocus cyprius and Ophrys kotschyi, were used as a case study. We have coupled ...

Plant-fungal associations have been explored by routine cultivation based approaches and cultivation based approaches cannot catalogue more than 5% of fungal diversity associated with any niche. In the present study, an attempt has been made to catalogue fungal diversity associated with belowground parts i.e. rhizosphere and cormosphere, of Crocus sativus (an economically important herb) during...

Abstract. The forest–tundra ecotone is a large circumpolar transition zone between the Arctic tundra and boreal forest, where snow properties are spatially variable due to changing vegetation. extent of this biome through all regions influences climate. In near Umiujaq in northeastern Canada (56∘33′31′′ N, 76∘28′56′′ W), we contrast two sites, TUNDRA (located low-shrub tundra) FOREST forest), s...

conclusions: saffron, as an antioxidant, is positively effective on sperm parameters in rats exposed with cadmium. objectives: the aim of this study was to determine the effects of saffron on the results of semen parameters (sperm concentration, motility and viability in cauda of epididymis) in rats exposed to cadmium. materials and methods: thirty wistar male rats were divided into four groups...

conclusions: the co-administration of saffron aqueous extract and safranal reduced toxic effects of safranal in acute and sub-acute toxicities. background: saffron and its constituents are widely used around the world as a spice and medicinal plant. different constituents in medicinal herbs are thought to have the potential to induce useful and/or adverse effects. so, efforts have been made to ...

flavonoids, are a large class of polyphenols, with more than 4000 combinations. they have an antioxidant role in plant photosynthesis and in the human body they optimally act as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and protector of the heart. quercetin is in the flavonol group that is used to fight protection specifically against viruses and cancer cells. in this study, comparison of e...