Assessing the effects of a novel biostimulant to enhance leafminer resistance and plant growth on common bean.

The leafminer Liriomyza trifolii is one of the major insects that affect Phaseolus vulgaris production worldwide. Novel and safe biobased stimulator compound (BSTC) with micronutrient-amino acid chelated compounds was developed from natural compounds and was used for foliar spray of P. vulgaris. Treated plants showed significantly increased in quality and productivity as well as significant reduction in leafminer infestation by close the tunnel end resulting in larvae suffocation and death. BSTC contains chemical composition that has important function in inducing immunity and resistance against insects, enhance plant growth and production. Also, HPLC showed that the assembled BSTC is rich in nucleobases than yeast extract (> 56 fold). Aminochelation zinc enhanced the rate of absorption of nutrient compounds and could participate in safe biofortification strategy. The expression of plant defense related genes under BSTC treatment revealed strong correlations between the transcription rates of defense related genes. Based on binding energies and interacting residues of six vital insect proteins, the best-docked complexes was obtained with disodium 5'-inosinate, delphinidin 3-glucoside and hyperoside. Obtained findings indicate that the foliar application of BSTC can enhance plant growth and productivity, uptake of important elements, expression of defense related genes and inhibit insect essential genes.

Anticancer activity of milk fat rich in conjugated linoleic acid against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells in female Swiss albino mice.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The major conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers have anticancer effect, especially breast cancer cells, inhibits cell growth and induces cell death. Also, CLA has several health benefits in vivo, including antiatherogenesis, antiobesity, and modulation of immune function. The present study aimed to assess the safety and anticancer effects of milk fat CLA against in vivo Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in female Swiss albino mice. This was based on acute toxicity study, detection of the tumor growth, life span of EAC bearing hosts, and simultaneous alterations in the hematological, biochemical, and histopathological profiles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty adult female mice were equally divided into five groups. Groups (1-2) were normal controls, and Groups (3-5) were tumor transplanted mice (TTM) inoculated intraperitoneally with EAC cells (2×106/0.2 mL). Group (3) was (TTM positive control). Group (4) TTM fed orally on balanced diet supplemented with milk fat CLA (40 mg CLA/kg body weight). Group (5) TTM fed orally on balanced diet supplemented with the same level of CLA 28 days before tumor cells inoculation. Blood samples and specimens from liver and kidney were collected from each group. The effect of milk fat CLA on the growth of tumor, life span of TTM, and simultaneous alterations in the hematological, biochemical, and histopathological profiles were examined. RESULTS: For CLA treated TTM, significant decrease in tumor weight, ascetic volume, viable Ehrlich cells accompanied with increase in life span were observed. Hematological and biochemical profiles reverted to more or less normal levels and histopathology showed minimal effects. CONCLUSION: The present study proved the safety and anticancer efficiency of milk fat CLA and provides a scientific basis for its medicinal use as anticancer attributable to the additive or synergistic effects of its isomers.

A survey of selected essential and heavy metals in milk from different regions of Egypt using ICP-AES.

The aim of this paper was to assess the content of selected essential metals (Fe, Zn, Cu and Cr) and some heavy metals (Pb and Cd) in raw cow's milk collected from different Egyptian areas during different periods of one year (January-February, May-June and September-October 2009). Twenty-one samples of raw milk were analysed using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry for quantitative determination. The highest metal accumulation levels for Cd, Cr, Fe and Cu are found in milk samples collected from Shubra, while samples from Menofia and Tanash are high in Pb and Zn, respectively. On the other hand, the highest metal accumulation levels were during January-February for Cd, Cr and Zn. In the period of May-June, the content of Pb, Cu and Fe were the highest, while the samples during the September-October period are characterised by the lowest metal content.