RESUMEN
This study investigated the influence of cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) heavy metals on germination, metabolism, and growth of zucchini seedlings (Cucurbita pepo L.). Zucchini seeds were subjected to two concentrations (100 and 200 µM) of CdCl2 and CuCl2. Germination parameters, biochemical and phytochemical attributes of embryonic axes were assessed. Results revealed that germination rate remained unaffected by heavy metals (Cd, Cu). However, seed vigor index (SVI) notably decreased under Cd and Cu exposure. Embryonic axis length and dry weight exhibited significant reductions, with variations depending on the type of metal used. Malondialdehyde and H2O2 content, as well as catalase activity, did not show a significant increase at the tested Cd and Cu concentrations. Superoxide dismutase activity decreased in embryonic axis tissues. Glutathione S-transferase activity significantly rose with 200 µM CdCl2, while glutathione content declined with increasing Cd and Cu concentrations. Total phenol content and antioxidant activity increased at 200 µM CuCl2. In conclusion, Cd and Cu heavy metals impede zucchini seed germination efficiency and trigger metabolic shifts in embryonic tissue cells. Response to metal stress is metal-specific and concentration-dependent. These findings contribute to understanding the intricate interactions between heavy metals and plant physiology, aiding strategies for mitigating their detrimental effects on plants.
Asunto(s)
Cadmio , Cucurbita , Cadmio/toxicidad , Cobre/toxicidad , Peróxido de Hidrógeno , Estrés Oxidativo , SemillasRESUMEN
The popularity and demand for high-quality date palm fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.) have been growing, and their quality largely depends on the type of handling, storage, and processing methods. The current methods of geometric evaluation and classification of date palm fruits are characterised by high labour intensity and are usually performed mechanically, which may cause additional damage and reduce the quality and value of the product. Therefore, non-contact methods are being sought based on image analysis, with digital solutions controlling the evaluation and classification processes. The main objective of this paper is to develop an automatic classification model for varieties of date palm fruits using a convolutional neural network (CNN) based on two fundamental criteria, i.e., colour difference and evaluation of geometric parameters of dates. A CNN with a fixed architecture was built, marked as DateNET, consisting of a system of five alternating Conv2D, MaxPooling2D, and Dropout classes. The validation accuracy of the model presented in this study depended on the selection of classification criteria. It was 85.24% for fruit colour-based classification and 87.62% for the geometric parameters only; however, it increased considerably to 93.41% when both the colour and geometry of dates were considered.
Asunto(s)
Trabajo de Parto , Phoeniceae , Embarazo , Femenino , Humanos , Frutas , Procesamiento de Imagen Asistido por Computador , Redes Neurales de la ComputaciónRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of zinc supplementation on zinc status, carbohydrate metabolism and some enzyme activities in rats with alloxan-induced diabetes that were fed high-copper feed. METHODS: Male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=10). The first and fourth groups were nondiabetic and diabetic controls. The second, third, fifth and sixth groups were copper, copper + zinc, diabetes + copper and diabetes + copper + zinc groups, respectively. Diabetes in the fourth, fifth and sixth groups was induced by alloxan. Copper (30 mg/kg feed) as CuSO4 5H2O and zinc (231 mg/kg feed) as ZnSO4 7H2O were added to the feed of the animals in the copper and zinc groups for 21 days. RESULTS: Copper supplementation caused a significant decrease in body weight gain, serum zinc, tissue zinc, serum protein concentrations, alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase and amylase activities. In contrast, it led to an augmentation in creatinine, uric acid and transaminases activities in rats with and without diabetes. Zinc supplementation in the feed for animals given copper ensured a partial correction of the previous parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated the beneficial effects of zinc treatment in copper-induced metabolic disturbance in diabetic and nondiabetic rats.