1
|
Salem MOA, Salem TA, Yürüten Özdemir K, Sönmez AY, Bilen S, Güney K. Antioxidant enzyme activities and immune responses in rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) juveniles fed diets supplemented with dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) and lichen ( Usnea barbata) extracts. Fish Physiol Biochem 2021; 47:1053-1062. [PMID: 33999343 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-021-00962-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, antioxidant activity, immune responses, and growth performance of rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) juveniles fed with diets supplemented with dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) and lichen (Usnea barbata) extracts were assessed. Four different concentrations of aqueous methanolic extract of the plants (0% (control), 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1% (D, dandelion; L, lichen) were added to the diets, and fish were fed for 75 days. On the 15th, 45th, and 75th day of the study, liver antioxidant enzyme activities were determined, and immune responses were determined every 15th day. The results showed that SOD activity increased in the fish group of 0.1% D on the 15th and 45th day compared to control; however, it was lower in all the lichen extract-treated groups than in control at almost all sampling times, except on the 15th day in the 0.1% L group. CAT activity showed an increased value (P < 0.05) in 0.5% L and 1% L treated fish groups on the 15th day, in fish of 1% D and 1% L groups on 45th and on 75th day in 0.1% D group. GPX activity increased on the 15th day of the study in fish of 0.1% D group, on the 45th day in 1% D and 1% L groups and on the 75th day in fish of 0.5% D, 0.1% D, and 0.5% L groups (P < 0.05). G6PDH enhanced in all treatment groups compared to control on the 15th day, except in 0.1% L and 0.5% L groups. An elevated G6PDH activity was also observed on the 75th day of the study in 0.5% D, 1% D, and 0.5% L fish groups. An increase on lipid peroxidation (LP) was observed in all L groups on the 45th day of the study. Lysozyme activity was determined to be the highest in 0.5% and 1% L on the 45th day, in 0.1% L on the 60th day and in the 0.5% L fish group on the 75th day compared to control (P < 0.05). Myeloperoxidase was found to be the highest at the end of the study in 1% L fish group compared to the control (P < 0.05). In conclusion, we suggest the use of dandelion to combat oxidative stress and to lower FCR and the use of lichen to modulate the immune response in rainbow trout. The use of such products will be economical for aquaculture and harmless for the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Omar Abdalla Salem
- Department of Aquaculture, Kastamonu University Institute of Science, Kastamonu, Turkey
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Bani Walid University, Bani Walid, Libya
| | - Tarek A Salem
- Department of Aquaculture, Kastamonu University Institute of Science, Kastamonu, Turkey
| | | | - Adem Yavuz Sönmez
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Fisheries, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Turkey.
| | - Soner Bilen
- Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Turkey
| | - Kerim Güney
- Department of Forest Botany, Faculty of Forestry, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Popovici V, Matei E, Cozaru GC, Aschie M, Bucur L, Rambu D, Costache T, Cucolea IE, Vochita G, Gherghel D, Caraiane A, Badea V. Usnic Acid and Usnea barbata (L.) F.H. Wigg. Dry Extracts Promote Apoptosis and DNA Damage in Human Blood Cells through Enhancing ROS Levels. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:1171. [PMID: 34439420 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10081171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, numerous biomedical studies performed on natural compounds and plant extracts aim to obtain highly selective pharmacological activities without unwanted toxic effects. In the big world of medicinal plants, Usnea barbata (L) F.H. Wigg (U. barbata) and usnic acid (UA) are well-known for their therapeutical properties. One of the most studied properties is their cytotoxicity on various tumor cells. This work aims to evaluate their cytotoxic potential on normal blood cells. Three dry U. barbata extracts in various solvents: ethyl acetate (UBEA), acetone (UBA), and ethanol (UBE) were prepared. From UBEA we isolated usnic acid with high purity by semipreparative chromatography. Then, UA, UBA, and UBE dissolved in 1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and diluted in four concentrations were tested for their toxicity on human blood cells. The blood samples were collected from a healthy non-smoker donor; the obtained blood cell cultures were treated with the tested samples. After 24 h, the cytotoxic effect was analyzed through the mechanisms that can cause cell death: early and late apoptosis, caspase 3/7 activity, nuclear apoptosis, autophagy, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and DNA damage. Generally, the cytotoxic effect was directly proportional to the increase of concentrations, usnic acid inducing the most significant response. At high concentrations, usnic acid and U. barbata extracts induced apoptosis and DNA damage in human blood cells, increasing ROS levels. Our study reveals the importance of prior natural products toxicity evaluation on normal cells to anticipate their limits and benefits as potential anticancer drugs.
Collapse
|
3
|
Chae HJ, Kim GJ, Deshar B, Kim HJ, Shin MJ, Kwon H, Youn UJ, Nam JW, Kim SH, Choi H, Suh SS. Anticancer Activity of 2- O-caffeoyl Alphitolic Acid Extracted from the Lichen, Usnea barbata 2017-KL-10. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26133937. [PMID: 34203232 PMCID: PMC8271524 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26133937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is one of the life-threatening ailments causing high mortality and morbidity worldwide. Despite the innovation in medical genetics, the prognosis for metastatic colorectal cancer in patients remains unsatisfactory. Recently, lichens have attracted the attention of researchers in the search for targets to fight against cancer. Lichens are considered mines of thousands of metabolites. Researchers have reported that lichen-derived metabolites demonstrated biological effects, such as anticancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, analgesic, antipyretic, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic, on various cell lines. However, the exploration of the biological activities of lichens' metabolites is limited. Thus, the main objective of our study was to evaluate the anticancer effect of secondary metabolites isolated from lichen (Usnea barbata 2017-KL-10) on the human colorectal cancer cell line HCT116. In this study, 2OCAA exhibited concentration-dependent anticancer activities by suppressing antiapoptotic genes, such as MCL-1, and inducing apoptotic genes, such as BAX, TP53, and CDKN1A(p21). Moreover, 2OCAA inhibited the migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Taken together, these data suggest that 2OCAA is a better therapeutic candidate for colorectal cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hae-Jung Chae
- Department of Bioscience, Mokpo National University, Muan-gun, Joennam 58554, Korea; (H.-J.C.); (B.D.); (M.-J.S.)
| | - Geum-Jin Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbukdo 38541, Korea; (G.-J.K.); (H.K.); (J.-W.N.)
- Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbukdo 38541, Korea
| | - Barsha Deshar
- Department of Bioscience, Mokpo National University, Muan-gun, Joennam 58554, Korea; (H.-J.C.); (B.D.); (M.-J.S.)
| | - Hyun-Jin Kim
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea; (H.-J.K.); (S.-H.K.)
| | - Min-Ji Shin
- Department of Bioscience, Mokpo National University, Muan-gun, Joennam 58554, Korea; (H.-J.C.); (B.D.); (M.-J.S.)
- Department of Biomedicine, Health & Life Convergence Science, BK21 Four, Mokpo National University, Joennam 58554, Korea
| | - Hyukbean Kwon
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbukdo 38541, Korea; (G.-J.K.); (H.K.); (J.-W.N.)
| | - Ui-Joung Youn
- Division of Life Sciences, Korean Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), Incheon 21990, Korea;
- Department of Polar Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Incheon 21990, Korea
| | - Joo-Won Nam
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbukdo 38541, Korea; (G.-J.K.); (H.K.); (J.-W.N.)
| | - Sung-Hak Kim
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea; (H.-J.K.); (S.-H.K.)
| | - Hyukjae Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbukdo 38541, Korea; (G.-J.K.); (H.K.); (J.-W.N.)
- Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbukdo 38541, Korea
- Correspondence: (H.C.); (S.-S.S.); Tel.: +82-53-810-2824 (H.C.); +82-61-450-2346 (S.-S.S.)
| | - Sung-Suk Suh
- Department of Bioscience, Mokpo National University, Muan-gun, Joennam 58554, Korea; (H.-J.C.); (B.D.); (M.-J.S.)
- Department of Biomedicine, Health & Life Convergence Science, BK21 Four, Mokpo National University, Joennam 58554, Korea
- Correspondence: (H.C.); (S.-S.S.); Tel.: +82-53-810-2824 (H.C.); +82-61-450-2346 (S.-S.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Conti ME, Plà R, Simone C, Jasan R, Finoia MG. Implementing the monitoring breakdown structure: native lichens as biomonitors of element deposition in the southern Patagonian forest connected with the Puyehue volcano event in 2011-a 6-year survey (2006-2012). Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2020; 27:38819-38834. [PMID: 32632679 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-10001-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the airborne elements' deposition by using native Usnea barbata lichens as biomonitors in the forested areas of Tierra del Fuego (TdF, southern Patagonia), an apparently pristine environment. The present study is linked to the volcanic eruption of the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle which started in north Patagonia in June 2011, which gives rise to long-distance transport of pollutants through the atmosphere at 1700 km from our sampling sites. The monitoring breakdown structure (MBS) was applied to three sampling campaigns in 2006 (baseline) ➔ 2011-2012 (3 and 15 months after the volcanic event, respectively). We have on purpose enhanced the information variety endowment: (i) Seventy-one referenced sites were double sampled; (ii) up to 426 composite lichen samples were collected; (iii) twenty-six elements were measured by neutron activation analysis (As, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Lu, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Ta, Tb, Th, U, Yb, Zn) for samples of 2011 and 2012 campaigns; (iv) thirteen common elements (As, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, K, Na, Sb, Se, U, Zn) were determined in 2006 for the baseline comparison. The natural contamination by tephras is reflected by lichens more clearly in the 2011 campaign, where Ba, Cr, Na, Ca, Cs, and U showed higher median levels compared with the baseline campaign (2006). Ca, K, and Na were the most accumulated elements after the volcano event and could be associated with the volcanic ashes' deposition. Rare earth elements (REEs) showed no significant bioaccumulation levels between 2011 and 2012, indicating their association with higher lithogenic inputs than volcanic ashes. Using the Earth's crust as reference, nine elements (As, Ba, Br, Ca, K, Na, Sb, Se, and Zn) presented moderate/significant mean enrichment factor (EF) values (> 5). The usefulness of Usnea barbata as test species for direct biomonitoring oriented kinetic studies in areas characterized by a low human impact is confirmed. Eventually, our results confirm that TdF is not an actual pristine environment as earlier supposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Enrique Conti
- Department of Management, University of Rome, Sapienza, Via del Castro Laurenziano 9, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Rita Plà
- Departamento Química Nuclear, GAATEN, Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica (CNEA), Av. del Libertador 8250, 1429, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cristina Simone
- Department of Management, University of Rome, Sapienza, Via del Castro Laurenziano 9, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Raquel Jasan
- Departamento Química Nuclear, GAATEN, Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica (CNEA), Av. del Libertador 8250, 1429, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Grazia Finoia
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via di Casalotti 300, 00166, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Basiouni S, Fayed MAA, Tarabees R, El-Sayed M, Elkhatam A, Töllner KR, Hessel M, Geisberger T, Huber C, Eisenreich W, Shehata AA. Characterization of Sunflower Oil Extracts from the Lichen Usnea barbata. Metabolites 2020; 10:metabo10090353. [PMID: 32878015 PMCID: PMC7570345 DOI: 10.3390/metabo10090353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing global emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens is categorized as one of the most important health problems. Therefore, the discovery of novel antimicrobials is of the utmost importance. Lichens provide a rich source of natural products including unique polyketides and polyphenols. Many of them display pharmaceutical benefits. The aim of this study was directed towards the characterization of sunflower oil extracts from the fruticose lichen, Usnea barbata. The concentration of the major polyketide, usnic acid, was 1.6 mg/mL extract as determined by NMR analysis of the crude mixture corresponding to 80 mg per g of the dried lichen. The total phenolics and flavonoids were determined by photometric assays as 4.4 mg/mL (gallic acid equivalent) and 0.27 mg/mL (rutin equivalent) corresponding to 220 mg/g and 13.7 mg/g lichen, respectively. Gram-positive (e.g., Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as clinical isolates of infected chickens were sensitive against these extracts as determined by agar diffusion tests. Most of these activities increased in the presence of zinc salts. The data suggest the potential usage of U. barbata extracts as natural additives and mild antibiotics in animal husbandry, especially against enterococcosis in poultry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shereen Basiouni
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh 13736, Egypt;
| | - Marwa A. A. Fayed
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City, Sadat 32897, Egypt;
| | - Reda Tarabees
- Institute for Bacteriology and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat 32897, Egypt; (R.T.); (M.E.-S.)
| | - Mohamed El-Sayed
- Institute for Bacteriology and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat 32897, Egypt; (R.T.); (M.E.-S.)
| | - Ahmed Elkhatam
- Department for Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat 32897, Egypt;
| | - Klaus-Rainer Töllner
- Research and Development Section, PerNaturam GmbH, An der Trift 8, 56290 Gödenroth, Germany; (K.-R.T.); (M.H.)
| | - Manfred Hessel
- Research and Development Section, PerNaturam GmbH, An der Trift 8, 56290 Gödenroth, Germany; (K.-R.T.); (M.H.)
| | - Thomas Geisberger
- Chair of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748 Garching, Germany; (T.G.); (C.H.)
| | - Claudia Huber
- Chair of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748 Garching, Germany; (T.G.); (C.H.)
| | - Wolfgang Eisenreich
- Chair of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Technical University Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748 Garching, Germany; (T.G.); (C.H.)
- Correspondence: (W.E.); (A.A.S.); Tel.: +49-089-289-13336 (W.E.); +49-06762-96362-137 (A.A.S.)
| | - Awad A. Shehata
- Research and Development Section, PerNaturam GmbH, An der Trift 8, 56290 Gödenroth, Germany; (K.-R.T.); (M.H.)
- Avian and Rabbit Diseases Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Sadat 32897, Egypt
- Correspondence: (W.E.); (A.A.S.); Tel.: +49-089-289-13336 (W.E.); +49-06762-96362-137 (A.A.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bazarnova Y, Politaeva N, Lyskova N. Research for the lichen Usnea barbata metabolites. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 73:291-296. [PMID: 29596056 DOI: 10.1515/znc-2017-0177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
This work presents investigations of biologically active metabolites of Usnea barbata lichen. Extraction conditions for usnic acid and other biologically active phytocomponents using various solvent systems were chosen. Modern analytical techniques were used to study composition of the obtained extracts; usnic acid and phenolic compound contents were estimated. Antioxidant activity and antimicrobial properties of lichen dry extract against bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens were studied.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Bazarnova
- Higher School of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Polytechnicheskaya, 29, St. Petersburg, 195251, Russia
| | - Natalia Politaeva
- Higher School of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Polytechnicheskaya, 29, St. Petersburg, 195251, Russia, Phone: +79657782018
| | - Nadegda Lyskova
- Higher School of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Polytechnicheskaya, 29, St. Petersburg, 195251, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bilen S, Sirtiyah AMA, Terzi E. Therapeutic effects of beard lichen, Usnea barbata extract against Lactococcus garvieae infection in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish Shellfish Immunol 2019; 87:401-409. [PMID: 30711494 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2019.01.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In this study, therapeutic effects of aqueous methanolic extracts of beard lichen (Usnea barbata) against Lactococcus garvieae (ATCC 43921) in rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) were investigated. Six different experimental groups [0 mg/100 μL (Control), 4 mg/100 μL, 8 mg/100 μL, 12 mg/100 μL, 6 mg/100 μL florfenicol (positive control), 6 mg/100 μL erythromycin (positive control)] were set up to determine effects of lichen extract on immune responses and survival rate. In the study, superoxide radical production was increased in fish treated with 12 mg beard lichen extract, florfenicol and erythromycin compared to that of control (P < 0.05). Lysozyme activity was generally decreased (P < 0.05) or no differences were observed in all experimental groups compared to that of control (P > 0.05). Myeloperoxidase was significantly increased in all antibiotic treated groups. No differences were observed in liver histology of experimental groups compared to control. Cytokine gene expressions were elevated in all experimental groups compared to that of control (P < 0.05), except IL-1β expression at 10th day sampling time. Other immune related genes (IL-8, TGF- β, IL-12 Beta, TNFα1, IL-10, COX-2, IL-6, TLR5, C3, IGM, MHC-II, iNOS, IgT, IFN1, IFN2, IFN reg) were also elevated in all experimental groups compared to that of control group. The survival rates obtained in 4 mg beard lichen treated group, 8 mg beard lichen treated group and erythromycin treated group were 73.08, 65.38 and 80.77% respectively. Our results suggest that beard lichen methanolic extract could be an effective therapeutic agent to be used against L. garvieae infection in rainbow trout at the dose of 4 mg/17.41 ± 0.3 g body weight/day.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soner Bilen
- Kastamonu University, Faculty of Fisheries, Kastamonu, Turkey.
| | | | - Ertugrul Terzi
- Kastamonu University, Faculty of Fisheries, Kastamonu, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Conti ME, Jasan R, Finoia MG, Iavicoli I, Plá R. Trace elements deposition in the Tierra del Fuego region (south Patagonia) by using lichen transplants after the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle (north Patagonia) volcanic eruption in 2011. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2016; 23:6574-6583. [PMID: 26637301 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5858-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Lichen Usnea barbata transplants were tested as a biomonitor of atmospheric deposition in an apparently pristine environment that is Tierra del Fuego region (Patagonia, Argentina). The present survey is connected with the volcanic eruption that started in north Patagonia on June 4, 2011 from the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle volcano, Chile (north Patagonia, at 1700 km of distance of our sampling sites). Lichens were collected in September 2011 (one month of exposure) and September 2012 (1 year of exposure) in 27 sites covering the northern region of the province where trees are not present. The atmospheric deposition of 27 elements by using Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) was determined in the collected samples. The first aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the volcanic eruption on the regional atmospheric deposition comparing our results with baseline data we determined in U. barbata in 2006 in the same sites. The second aim was to test possible patterns of bioaccumulation between the two sampling campaigns after the volcanic eruption. With respect to 2006 baseline levels, we found significant higher levels for As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cs, Na, Sb and U in lichens collected after 1 month of exposure (first sampling campaign--2011). Between the two sampling campaigns (2011-2012) after the eruption, lichens reflected the natural contamination by volcanic ashes with significantly higher median levels of Br, Cr, Fe, K, Na, Sc, and Se. Results confirmed the very good aptitude of U. barbata to reflect the levels of elements in the environment at global scale and to reflect the volcanic emissions at distant places. Volcanic eruptions cause the emission in the atmosphere of elevated levels of particulate matter. In this regard, our findings demonstrate the importance to evaluate the metal composition of the particles to avoid possible health effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Enrique Conti
- Department of Management, University of Rome, Sapienza, Via del Castro Laurenziano 9, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Raquel Jasan
- Departamento Química Nuclear, GAATEN, Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica, Av. del Libertador 8250, Buenos Aires, 1429, Argentina
| | - Maria Grazia Finoia
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via di Casalotti 300, 00166, Rome, Italy
| | - Ivo Iavicoli
- Department of Public Health, Division of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Plá
- Departamento Química Nuclear, GAATEN, Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica, Av. del Libertador 8250, Buenos Aires, 1429, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|