In this study the glandular hair morphology, chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils from three Ocimum species have been investigated (Ocimum basilicum L. var. Genovese, O. gratissimum and O. tenuiflorum). The indumentum shows little variation among the investigated species with both glandular and non-glandular hairs presents. Glandular hairs on the three species are peltate and capitate (with various cell numbers in the stalk and gland). The samples of essential oils obtained from the plant aerial organs by hydrodistillation have been analyzed by GC-MS. Linalool (65.38%, 74.22%, 38.60%), eugenol (5.26%, 3.47%, 10.20%) and tau-cadinol (8.18%, 3.47%, 10.20%) appear as the main components in Ocimum basilicum L. var. Genovese, O. gratissimum and O. tenuiflorum. The oils also contain lower levels of α-bergamotene, 1,8-cineole, germacrene D, β-ocimene, α-caryophyllene, camphor, and α-guaiene. All essential oils showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli depending on their concentration. Ocimum basilicum L. var. Genovese oil produced the strongest antibacterial effect on S. aureus and E. coli.

There is great evidence regarding the beneficial influence of rose hips on human and animal health. In this respect, fruits of native populations of Rosa spp. collected from the northeastern part of Romania (400-1060 m altitude) were assayed for nutritional and some morphological properties, in order to select the best genotypes. The results show a great quantitative variability of analyzed genotypes, regarding dimensions and biochemical indicators as follow: ascorbic acid: 866.91 mg/100 g fw (R. rubiginosa), 615.98 mg/100 g fw (R. caesia); carotenes: 34.95 mg/100 g fw (R. subcanina), 24.64 mg/100 g fw (R. nitidula); protein content: 0.47 g/100 g fw (R. micrantha), 0.25 g/100 g fw (R. caesia); total sugars: 17.63 g/100 g fw (R. andegavensis), 11.55 g/100 g fw (R. caryophyllacea). The fruits length, width and dry weight were: 25 mm (R. canina), 12 mm (R. micrantha), 16.5 mm (R. corymbifera), 8 mm (R. micrantha) and 25% dry weight (R. rubiginosa), 38% dry weight (R. nitidula), respectively. The present study demonstrates the existence of a rich rose germplasm source in north-east area, with good biotechnological fruit quality, which recommends them as functional foods according to their chemical contents (R. rubiginosa, R. vosagiaca, R. subcanina, R. canina and R. caryophyllacea) and also as sources for natural colorants in food technology.

The somatic chromosomes and karyotype traits of three Romanian genotypes (coded as CB-1, S-16, L-4) of Hippophae rhamnoides L. have been studied. Diploid chromosome number is 2n=24. The karyomorphological data show that the complements have small chromosomes (1.33 ± 0.014 -2.80±0.01 µm, for CB-1 genotype; 1.13 ± 0.029 -2.90 ± 0.029 µm, for S-16; 1.15 ± 0.099 -2.88 ± 0.024 µm, for L-4 genotype) and the length of haploid complements is 23.97 µm, for CB-1, 22.20 µm, for S-16, 21.73 µm, for L-4. In CB-1 and S-16 male genotypes, the putative Y-chromosome has larger sizes than X-chromosome and it is of metacentric type (CI = 45.77, r = 1.18, for CB-1; CI = 46.22, r = 1.15, for S-16). The L-4 female karyotype is constituted by twelve pairs of morphologically similar chromosomes. The karyotype formulae are 2n = 24 = 13m + 11sm (putative male: 22 + XY), for CB-1 genotype, 2n = 24 = 18m + 6sm (putative male: 22 + XY), for S-16 genotype, respectively 2n = 24 = 22m + 2sm (L-4 genotype, considered as female: 22 + XX). The small size of chromosomes (< 3µm), the presence of only two morphometric chromosome types and preponderance of metacentrics confer a relatively high degree of symmetry to the studied karyotypes. Our results show a low intraspecifi c karyotype variation.

Aquatic environments are often contaminated with various compounds, with potential toxicity towards aquatic organisms, which may enter the food chain. Azo dyes are used in various industries and contamination of waters has been reported. The present paper assesses the toxicity of the synthetic, water soluble Congo Red dye towards Lemna minor from a physiological and cytogenetical point of view. The dye was tested in 5-5000 ppm concentrations. Total frond surface, root growth and fresh mass reductions were registered from 5 ppm dye concentration, with a concentration-dependent response and calculated EC50 of 1530 ppm. Plant growth was completely inhibited above 2500 ppm. Dye accumulation was observed in tissues, along with necrosis formation. Chlorophyll a contents decreased, while carotenoid contents increased above 2500 ppm. Significant inhibition of PSII efficiency was recorded above 1000 ppm. Mitotic indices were decreased at 5 and 1000 ppm dye and were 0 at 5000 ppm. The number of chromosomal aberrations significantly increased at 5 and 1000 ppm dye. The growth medium was decontaminated up to 56% at 250 ppm dye concentration by Lemna plants. Congo Red azo dye presented toxicity towards Lemna minor, from a physiological and cyotgenetical point of view, especially at higher concentrations. In the same time, a phytoremediation potential of duckweed with respect to the tested dye was demonstrated.

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