Abstract: Tissue culture technique is one of the best methods to reproduce salvia plant Therefore, the aim of this research was to enhance the in-vitro callus proliferation and production of secondary metabolites of S. moorcroftiana using different combinations of auxin, cytokinin and melatonin. Initially, callus induction was optimized using indole acetic acid (IAA), 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) applied at different concentrations in combination with 1 mg L-1 of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). The results indicates that earliest days to callus induction (14.67 days) was occurred in the media fortified with 2, 4-D+BAP (2.0+1.0 mgL-1). Whereas the highest callus initiation (100%) was induced on MS medium incorporated with 2,4-D+BAP (1+1mgL-1). Furthermore, maximum fresh weight was obtained when 2,4- D + BAP at the rate of (1+ 1mg L-1) was incorporated and dry weight was attained when 2,4- D + BAP at the rate of (2+1 mg L-1) was added to MS media. The maximum fresh and dry weight was obtained when melatonin at rate of 1.5 mg L-1 was supplemented with MS media including 2,4-D + BAP (1+1mg L-1), moreover the maximum DPPH scavenging activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content was noted when supplemented with melatonin at rate of 1.5 mg L-1. In conclusion, among various concentrations of plant growth regulators, 2,4- D + BAP at the rate of (1+ 1mg L-1) along with 1.5 g L-1 melatonin was the best for callus growth and production of secondary metabolites of S. moorcroftiana.

Field trials were conducted in 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 growing seasons at Giza Agricultural Research Station to evaluate powdery mildew (PM) severity on nine flax cultivars. Tested cultivars could be classified into five distinct groups, i.e., highly susceptible (Corland and C.I. 2008), susceptible (Giza 7 and Marshall), moderately susceptible (Cass), moderately resistant (Dakota, Koto and Wilden) and resistant (Ottowa 770B). They showed considerable variation in PM severity ranging from 8.1 on Ottowa 770B to 97.0% infected leaves/plant on Cortland. Total soluble proteins, total phenols, peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase, ascorbic acid, tocopherol and malondialdehyde were determined in infected leaves of the tested cultivars. Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated to measure the degree of association between PM severity and each biochemical component. All components showed significant (P<0.05) or highly significant (P<0.01) negative correlation with PM severity except MDA, which showed positive correlation (P<0.01). The results of the present study suggest that phenols and MDA in infected leaves could be used to assist the screening of resistant plants at early stages of powdery mildew development.

Two poly(vinyl chloride) matrix membrane electrodes responsive to some drugs affecting the cardiovascular system, Amlodipine besilate (AM) and Valsartan (VL), were developed, described and characterized. A microsized graphite selective sensor was investigated with dibutylsebacate (DBS) as a plasticizer in a polymeric matrix of carboxylated polyvinyl chloride (PVC-COOH) in case of (sensor 1). This sensor 1 was prepared using 2-hydroxy propyl β-cyclodextrin (2HP β-CD) as an ionophore. While sensor 2 preparation was based on precipitation technique with bathophenanthroline iron (II) as electroactive materials in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix. Fast and stable Nernstian responses near 1×10-5 - 1×10-3 M for the two drugs over the pH range 3-6 and 7-9 for the two sensors, respectively, were obtained. The method was successively applied for the determination of AM and VL in presence of each others, in their pharmaceutical formulations and in human plasma samples. The percentages recoveries for the determination of the drugs by the proposed selective electrodes were 99.78 ± 0.38 %, 100.23 ± 0.44 %, for sensors 1 and 2, respectively. Statistical comparison between the results obtained by this method and those obtained by the official method and the reported method of the drugs was done and no significant difference was found.