Abstract: The antimicrobial activity of DMSO extracts of three bryophyte species, two mosses and a liverwort (Atrichum undulatum (Hedw.) P. Beauv., Marchantia polymorpha L. ssp. ruderalis Bischl. & Boisselier, Physcomitrella patens (Hedw.) Bruch & Schimp.) grown in nature and in axenic culture was evaluated by microdilution method against eight bacterial species (Escherichia coli ATCC 35210, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 13311, Enterobacter cloacae (human isolate), Listeria monocytogenes NCTC 7973, Bacillus cereus (human isolate), Micrococcus flavus ATCC 10240 and Staphilococcus aureus ATCC 6538).
All investigated bryophyte extracts are proved to be active against all bacteria tested. In general, extracts made from material grown in nature express better anti-bacterial activity comparing to those made from material grown in laboratory conditions. Some of the bacteria react the same to both extracts and some even better to the extracts made from axenically grown material.
Abstract: In this study, the deposition of three heavy metals (Mn, Mo, and Ni) in the county of Obrenovac (Serbia) in four moss taxa (Bryum argenteum, Bryum capillare, Brachythecium sp., and Hypnum cupressiforme) is presented. The distribution of average heavy metal content in all mosses in the county of Obrenovac is presented on maps, while the long-term atmospheric deposition (in the mosses Bryum argenteum and B. capillare) and short term atmospheric deposition (in the mosses Brachythecium sp. and Hypnum cupressiforme) are discussed and given in tabular form. Areas of the highest contaminations are highlighted.
Abstract: In this study, the deposition of three heavy metals (Pb, Sr and Zn) in the county of Obrenovac (Serbia)
in four moss taxa (Bryum argenteum, Bryum capillare, Brachythecium sp. and Hypnum cupressiforme)
is presented. Distribution of average heavy metal content in all mosses in the county of Obrenovac is
presented in maps, while long term atmospheric deposition (in mosses Bryum argenteum and B.
capillare) and short term atmospheric deposition (in mosses Brachythecium sp. and H. cupressiforme)
is discussed and given in tables. Areas of the highest contaminations are highlighted.
Abstract: In this paper the effects of gypsum (CaSO4 x 2H2O) in the growth medium were tested on two
non-gypsophilous selected bryophyte species: Bryum argenteum Hedw. and Atrichum undulatum
(Hedw.) P. Beauv. With aim to test if some bryophytes are exclusive for gypsum enriched substrates,
the difference in gypsum effect on moss development were examined. In vitro cultures of two
selected species were initiated from nearly mature spores within unopened capsules. Half strenght
Murashige and Skoog media with added gypsum in concentrations of 50, 350 and 500mM were
used to test bryophyte develepment. Plants were grown on media with gypsum for 3 days or 3 weeks
to compare short and long term effect of salt exposure. Tested bryophytes, non-adapted to gypsum
and exposed to various gypsum concentrations in MS medium, did not show to have a problem
in surviving the new environment conditions. Moss species selected in this study and exposed to
gypsum enriched MS medium showed variation in morphological parameters to some extent (index
of multiplication, secondary protonemal production and survival rate) and chlorophyll content and
slightly altered chlorophyll a/b ratio. In general, both tested species could survive gypsum enriched
medium: secondary protonema was developed and new shoots were formed in both species, but
slight differences were recorded between short and long term exposure to gypsum. Acording to
data obtained, gypsum is not the stressor (at least not alone) which can separate some interesting
bryophytes into the ecological group of gypsophytes.
Abstract: Photoperiod is known to regulate many essential processes in plants, but physiological effects of
photoperiod in vegetative stage of plant life have seldom been studied. This paper deals with effects
of day length on Catherineâs moss grown in aseptic culture. Photosynthetic pigments did not show
significant variations as a consequence of growth in different photoperiods. Protein content and
malate dehydrogenase activity were higher in long day (16h light/8h dark) than in short day (8h
light/16h dark) grown plants. Total phenolic compounds contents, as well as total antioxidative
capacity were shown to be higher in plants grown in long day conditions. Peroxidase activity was
also higher in long day than in short day grown plants. Regulation of components of antioxidative
metabolism in a moss species grown in different photoperiods are discussed in relation to same
parameters in higher plants.
Abstract: The antimicrobial activity of Bryum argenteum ethanol extracts was evaluated by microdilution method against four bacterial (Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus and Staphilococcus aureus) and four fungal species (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium ochrochloron, Candida albicans and Trichophyton mentagrophyes). All the investigated ethanol extracts have been proved to be active against all bacteria and fungi tested.
Abstract: Recently, an alternative route to the proteasomal protein-degradation pathway was discovered that specifically targets transmembrane proteins marked with a single ubiquitin to the endosomal multivesicular body (MVB) and, subsequently, to the vacuole (yeast) or lysosome (animals), where they are degraded by proteases. Vps23p/TSG101 is a key component of the ESCRT I-III machinery in yeast and animals that recognizes mono-ubiquitylated proteins and sorts them into the MVB. Here, we report that the Arabidopsis ELCH (ELC) gene encodes a Vps23p/TSG101 homolog, and that homologs of all known ESCRT I-III components are present in the Arabidopsis genome. As with its animal and yeast counterparts, ELC binds ubiquitin and localizes to endosomes. Gel-filtration experiments indicate that ELC is a component of a high-molecular-weight complex. Yeast two-hybrid and immunoprecipitation assays showed that ELC interacts with Arabidopsis homologs of the ESCRT I complex. The elc mutant shows multiple nuclei in various cell types, indicating a role in cytokinesis. Double-mutant analysis with kaktus shows that increased ploidy levels do not influence the cytokinesis effect of elc mutants, suggesting that ELC is only important during the first endoreduplication cycle. Double mutants with tubulin folding cofactor a mutants show a synergistic phenotype, suggesting that ELC regulates cytokinesis through the microtubule cytoskeleton.
Abstract: Bryophytes are the second biggest group of terrestrial plants. They have not
received much attention in biotechnology due to their small size and biomass.
However, lately many new features have been highlighted and the interest
for the potentials use of these plants increased. Scientifically new chemical
compunds are described from bryophytes. Bryophyte extracts are shown to
be biologically active with particular reference for their use in pharmacology,
medicine and agriculture for all round benefit of living beings. There are
some reports that some bryophyte extract are able to cure or prevent deseases
such as AIDS and cancer. With axenic culturing of some species, the problems
of enough mass and clean bryophyte culture are partly solved. Due to their
properties and life span where the dominant life phase is haploid, bryophytes
represent easy tools for molecular and genetic investigation. The model
bryophyte plant whose genome has been sequenced is Physcomitrella patens.
Bryophytes also have extraordinary values in environmental bioindication,
or microdust attachment. They received attention as ornamental plants and
covering plants in restoration and landscape ecology. Still, many things
remain to be proven in the biology of these organisms. This chapter gives
the overview of the biotechnological use of bryophytes today and their further
use potentials.
Abstract: Bryophytes, the second largest group of land plants, are extremely rich in terpenoids, phenols, glycosides,
and fatty acids. Although bryophytes could be used in medicine, their chemistry is not very well known
and the problem remains to obtain enough quantity of same species for analysis. In vitro cultivation of
bryophytes is the most appropriate way for large biomass production and isolate of numerous useful
compounds showing some interesting biologic activities. This technique is also useful in developmental,
cellular, molecular, biochemical, and eco-physiologic studies.
