Floral nectar is a chemically complex aqueous solution within which several secondary metabolites have been identified that affect attractiveness for pollinators. Understanding preferences and aversions to quality in flower visitors crucial since this may influence the patterns of insect floral visitation with consequences on plant fitness. We hypothesise chemical variation through different se...

Pontechium maculatum (Boraginaceae) is a species of high conservation concern in the Bulgarian flora. It assigned national IUCN category ‘Vulnerable’, legally protected according to Biological Diversity Act, and listed Annex II Habitats Directive (Council 92/43/EEC). Recent studies one largest populations country revealed some new data about which are reported here. The population studied situa...

Thallium is one of the most toxic elements, without known biological function in living beings. While contents of other heavy metals like Cd, Hg and Pb are subject to strict limitations in foodstuffs and medicinal plants, and concentrations are routinely checked, in the case of Tl there are no regulations in prime matters intended for phytomedicines, and its monitorization is not performed. The...

Colour and floral origin are key parameters that may influence the honey market. Monofloral light honey are more demanded by consumers, mainly due to their flavour, being more valuable for producers due to their higher price when compared to darker honey. The latter usually have a high anti-oxidant content that increases their healthy potential. This work showed that it is possible to correctly...

Purpose: To investigate the antibacterial and antitumor activities of the aerial parts of 8 different Turkish endemic plants (Phlomis russeliana, Phlomis armeniaca, Astragalus brachypterus, Astrantia maxima, Ptilostemon afer, Senecio castagneanus, Echium orientale and Arum euxinum). Methods: Two different bioassays were performed to evaluate the antibacterial and antitumor activities of the end...

Borage (Echium amoenum fisch) is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants, and has long been used as a traditional herbal medicine for many (non)infectious diseases in Iran. Study on photoredox and photoimmunology of borage is little. Natural immunomodulatory plants with minimal adverse/toxic effects could help boost animal health and, ultimately, public health. To determine the effect of...

The fatty acid profile of vegetable oils (VOs), together with the poor ability of marine fish to convert polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), lead to important changes in the nutritional value of farmed fish fed VO, which include increased fat and 18:2n-6 and reduced n-3 HUFA. Echium oil (EO) has a good n-3/n-6 balance as well as an interesting profile wi...