Under normal environmental conditions, many plants synthesize cyanogenic glycosides, which are able to release hydrogen cyanide upon hydrolysis. Each year, there are frequent livestock and occasional human victims of cyanogenic plants consumption. The present work aims to determine the hydrocyanic acid content in different samples of cyanogenic plants, selected from the Tunisian flora, and in t...

Seasonal change of total carbohydrate contents in samples taken from leaves and stems of almond varieties was investigated. Carbohydrate contents in the leaves and stem of all varieties showed seasonal differences. The highest carbohydrate content in the leaves and stem of all varieties was found in April, and January, respectively. The lowest carbohydrate content in the leaves of Nonpareil was...

The more than 100 almond cultivars grown in Apulia (South Italy) could be a source of genetic variation adapted to the Mediterranean environment, provided that a proper classification, identifying similar characteristics and synonymous cultivars, is made. DNA-based assays could integrate traditional classifications based on morphology. In the comparison of 17 Apulian almond cultivars, by random...

Almond nuts were exposed to radiation doses of 1, 2 and 3 kGy of gamma irradiation covering the range for insect/pest disinfestations and for microbial load. Fatty acid composition, acidity value, peroxide value, iodine value specification number, TBA value and color of almond oil extracted from un-irradiated and irradiated sample were determined, immediately after irradiation and after 12 mont...

The aim of the current research work was to formulate drug loaded nano-suspension using novel bioexcepient isolated from kernels of Prunus amygdalus and to explore the capability of external acoustic meatus as novel acoustic drug delivery system. The biomaterial was extracted by simplified economical process and was further purified by hot dialysis method. The isolated biomaterial was subjected...

The seeds of the almond tree [(Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb. (syn. Prunus amygdalus)] were collected in two different periods of maturity and were studied for their lipid content. The total lipids (TL) were extracted by the Bligh-Dyer method and the lipid classes have been isolated by chromatographic techniques and were analyzed by HPTLC coupled with a flame ionization detector (HPTLC/FID) ...

Floral nectar is considered the most important reward animal-pollinated plants offer to attract pollinators. Here we explore whether honeybees, which act as pollinators, affect the composition of bacterial communities in the nectar. Nectar and honeybees were sampled from two plant species: Amygdalus communis and Citrus paradisi. To prevent the contact of nectar with pollinators, C. paradisi flo...

Background and objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age dependent disorder. AD is associated with decrease of brain acetylcholine level. Nowadays, one of the methods for progression inhibition of AD is using acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Rosaceae is a large plant family. Different biological effects of some species of this family have been reported. The aim of the present study was to ...

Background and objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder. Nowadays, many investigations are performed to find new drugs for AD and medicinal plants are considered as one of the most important sources for developing new drugs. According to the role of oxidant agents and acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) in AD, plants with antioxidant and AChE inhibition properties cou...