This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe adjacent regions: brown alga Heribaudiella fluviatilis, red Batrachospermum skujae, saprotrophic fungus Gnomonia geranii-macrorrhizi, mycorrhizal fungi Amanita alseides Russula griseascens, liverwort Ricciocarpos natans, moss Blindia acuta, Leucodon sciuroides var. morensis Pseudostereodon procerrimus, monoco...

Plant poisoning is not an uncommon problem in Sri Lanka. A hospital based prospective study showed that Jatropha curcas, Ricinus communis, Dieffenbachia, Adenia palmata, Amanita phalloides and Thevetia peruviana are common poisonous plants implicated in poisoning among children in Sri Lanka. [1]. In the past, deliberate ingestion of yellow oleander seeds (Thevetia peruviana) was a common method...

Silymarin, the polyphenolic fraction from Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) and its main component silybinin, are used almost exclusively for hepatoprotection in humans. Silymarin offers good protection in various toxic models of experimental liver diseases in laboratory animals. It effects, by antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, antilipid peroxidative, membrane stabilizing and liver ...

The cDNA of a key enzyme of secondary metabolism, phenylalanine ammonium lyase, was identified for an ectomycorrhizal fungus by differential screening of a mycorrhizal library. The gene was highly expressed in hyphae grown at low external monosaccharide concentrations, but its expression was 30-fold reduced at elevated concentrations. Gene repression was regulated by hexokinase.

The authors present descriptions and illustrations of Amanita coryli, rarely featured in the mycological literature, based on molecularly characterised by nrITS sequences specimens from Balkan Peninsula (Bulgaria Turkey). collections studied here suggest that species is probably not restricted to presumed host-trees genus Corylus may also occur with some Fagaceae. Further, analysis previously r...

Species in the mushroom genus Lepiota can cause fatal mushroom poisonings due to their content of amatoxins such as α-amanitin. Previous studies of the toxin composition of poisonous Lepiota species relied on analytical methods of low sensitivity or resolution. Using liquid chromatography coupled to UV absorbance and mass spectrometry, we analyzed the spectrum of peptide toxins present in six I...

Invasive alien species are species introduced deliberately or unintentionally to areas outside their natural habitats. They can cause a significant irreversible environmental and socio-economic impact at genetic, species and ecosystem levels, and as claimed by Moore (2000), ‘throughout the world, exotic aliens are wreaking havoc’. The control of these invasive alien species has been discussed a...