Godišnjak 44-2022

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Assessment of fish communities from biotic type 6 in Black Sea Basin in Bosnia and Herzegovina

 Đug, S. ¹*, Gajević, M. ¹, Vesnić, A.¹, Korjenić, E. ¹, Mušović, A. ¹, Šljuka, S. ¹, Škrijelj, R. ¹

¹University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Science, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Abstract

Fish are very sensitive to changes in damming of rivers, fragmentation and destruction of habitats, and changes in physical and chemical parameters. Changes in species diversity are a signal indicating that a significant and, as a rule, long-term change in one or more factors has occurred in the aquatic ecosystem. This in long term could lead to reduction of diversity and significant changes in the structure and dynamics of aquatic ecosystems. Biomonitoring of ichthyofauna is a very important element in the ecological assessment of water quality since changes in the structure of the fish community reflect changes in the quality of water in freshwater systems. The grouping of fish into ecological guilds has greatly improved our understanding of the impact of anthropogenic activities on fish and their communities. Therefore, the fish guilds represent the basis for ecological assessment based on the preferences of each recorded species in relation to tolerance, habitats, nutrition, reproduction and migrations. The results of the analyses of the structure of fish communities at 166 sites in biotic type 6 in the waters from the Black Sea Basin in Bosnia and Herzegovina have shown that the greatest influence on the distribution of different fish species has water temperature, flow, dissolved oxygen, and pH value. Obtained results clearly indicate an inverse relationship between altitude and the level of fish biodiversity. Values of applied diversity indices stress that fish communities in a river system usually follow a pattern of increasing species richness and diversity from upstream to downstream.

Keywords: fish guilds, diversity indices, aquatic ecosystems

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Composition and structure of benhtic macroinvertebrate communities in watercourses of Donji Vakuf

 Gajević, M.^1*, Mehtić Raafat, M.²

1University of Sarajevo - Faculty of Science, Zmaja od Bosne, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

2Non-governmental organization “Svitanje”, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Abstract

Zoobenthos are one of the most significant communities in aquatic habitats. Remediation of aquatic ecosystems depends on maintaining a healthy zoobenthos community. The first step in restoring aquatic ecosystems is to understand the hydrology and water quality parameters that influence zoobenthos variation. Based on field sampling of the river zoobenthos in the watercourses of Donji Vakuf, the current study used principal component analysis to identify the key habitat elements affecting zoobenthic communities. Bray-Curtis similarity was used to compare analyzed zoobenthic communities. The findings in this study demonstrate that water temperature, dissolved oxygen, total Phosphourous and total Nitrogen were the main physical and chemical water quality parameters affecting the zoobenthic populations in investegated watercourses. The highest similarity of analyzed macrozoobenthos communities was observed between Semešnica river and Sokolinski stream. All of the approaches described in this work can be used for studies on different communities, such as fish, algae, and zooplankton in aquatic ecosystems. Managers can use the techniques and findings in this report as important references to safeguard and revitalize deteriorated water ecosystems.

Keywords: macrozoobenthos, Donji Vakuf, Bosnia and Herzegovina, physical and chemical parametars of water, PCA

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A contribution to knowledge of the distribution of the species Seseli tomentosum Vis. in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Boškailo, S.^1*, Đug, S.², Trakić, S.², Boškailo, S.³, Lagumdžija, E.4, Šuman, L.5,

Mujaković, Z.6

¹ Faculty of Education University of “Džemal Bijedić“ Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

²University of Sarajevo - Faculty of Science, Zmaja od Bosne, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

³Public institution „4th Elementary school“, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

4 National museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

5Resource Environmental Center, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

6Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Abstract

Species Seseli tomentosum Vis. is an endemic and endangered species. It is an extremely poorly researched species in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The first recorded information about the appearance of this species in Bosnia and Herzegovina dates from 1967. This paper presents the chronology and spatial distribution of the species Seseli tomentosum Vis. in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Keywords: Seseli tomentosum Vis., endemic species, endangered species, Bosnia and Herzegovina, distribution

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Phytotoxicity of Cedrus and Pelargonium essential oils on selected weeds

Hadžiemrić, A.¹, Muratović, E. ¹, Parić, A.¹*

¹University of Sarajevo - Faculty of Science, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Abstract

The inhibitory effects of Cedrus atlantica and Pelargonium graveolens essential oils on seed germination and seedling growth of three weed species were investigated. The oils were applied in three different concentrations (10, 20 and 30 µg/mL) in laboratory conditions, with four replications. Applied oils demonstrate a strong inhibitory effect on Taraxacum officinale in the tested concentrations with a germination inhibition percentage ranging from 50-100%. The tested oils were considerably less effective on Chenopodium album and Daucus carota seeds, suggesting their usage as natural herbicidal products for some weed species.

Keywords: essential oils, pytotoxicity, Cedrus atlantica, Pelargonium graveolens

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The role of medicinal plants in the treatment of Coronavirus infections

Mahmutović-Dizdarević, I. ¹*, Tucaković, N.¹, Žujo, B. ¹, Avdić, M. ²

¹University of Sarajevo - Faculty of Science, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

²International Burch University, Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Ilidža, Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Abstract

The coronavirus family consists of numerous species that cause respiratory and gastrointestinal infections in vertebrates, but some members such as SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2 are particularly dangerous to humans. So far, SARS-CoV-2 is confirmed in 636.440.663 patients worldwide, and it is responsible for 6.606.624 deaths. Plants possess a number of chemical constituents, which act as inhibitors of viral proteins and can be used in the treatment of viral diseases, with a lower rate of virus resistance. The retrospective investigation covered a period of 27 years, from 1995 to 2022 and it is implemented through the analysis of results from previously reported studies focused on alternative anti-coronavirus agents. The total of 73 plant species from 46 families, with reported anti-coronavirus activity, was noted. Considering the number of species with anti-coronavirus effects, the most prevalent family was Fabaceae with 9.59%. Many bioactive compounds were secondary metabolites, and the vast majority was isolated from leaves. The anti-coronavirus activity of plant products was recorded against six coronaviruses: SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, BCV, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-NL63. Among the mechanisms of antiviral action, the inhibition of 3-chymotrypsin-like protease, 3Clpro was frequently described. This study illustrated the high potential of plants and their products in terms of anti-coronaviral compounds. Since viruses represent molecular pathogens, with high mutations range as well as resistance to synthetic antiviral drugs, a novel investigation should be oriented towards the isolation and characterization of efficient antiviral agents of natural origin.

Keywords: coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2, medicinal plants, herbal medicine.

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Melisopalynological potential of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bakić, V.^1*, Muratović, E.¹, Trakić, S. ¹, Đug, S.¹

¹University of Sarajevo - Faculty of Science, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Abstract

Tame chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) is a woody plant species from the family Fagaceae. Chestnut belongs to the group of honey-bearing plants with a high production of pollen and nectar, and honey is characterized by specific chemical and organoleptic properties and a high content of minerals. Its biogeographical distribution is limited to only three areas on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The aim of the work is to determine the distribution and representation of the pollen of this honey plant in honey samples originating from Bosnia and Herzegovina. For research purposes, 100 honey samples were collected directly from the producer. Based on the micromorphological characteristics of the pollen grains, honey plants, and the exact number of their pollen grains were identified. A total of 4,520 chestnut pollen grains were identified in 40 analyzed melissopalynological profiles of honey. It was concluded, that the specific geographical and ecological distribution of chestnuts in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina directly affects the melissopalynological composition of the samples, as well as the botanical characteristics of the honey.

Keywords: honey plant, chestnut, melissopalynology, pollen

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Correspondence of hydrobiological and microbiological parameters in the water quality assessment of the middle course of the Misoča River

Mušović, A.¹*, Gajević, M.¹, Hubić, L.², Vesnić, A.¹, Pilić, S. ¹, Šljuka, S.¹, Bešta-Gajević, R.¹

¹University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Science, Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Abstract

The water quality of the Misoča River was analyzed on two sites of the middle course, in a populated and in an unpopulated area. The research included sampling of macrozoobenthos and water for microbiological analysis, identification of macrozoobenthos taxa, application of hydrobiological indices for water quality assessment and microbiological analysis of water quality. The goal was to determine the compatibility and complementarities of different aspects of water quality analysis, and to demonstrate the expediency of a multi-aspect and multi-disciplinary approach for this type of research. Through this, an assessment of the water quality of a selected part of the Misoča River, which is very important for the water supply of the surrounding area, was carried out. According to the results of the macrozoobenthos analysis and the applied diversity and water quality indices, the Misoča River belongs to the β-mesosaprobic category, which indicates moderate pollution. The results of the analysis of microbiological parameters also indicate moderate pollution.

Key words: macrozoobenthos, water quality indices, bacteriological analysis, water categorization, Misoča River

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Biofilm-forming ability and methicillin resistance among Staphylococci isolated from various surfaces in community settings

Jerković-Mujkić, A.¹, Žujo, B. ¹*, Bešta-Gajević, R. ¹, Sućeska, S.¹

¹University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Science, Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Abstract

Biofilm-forming ability and sensitivity to antibiotic methicillin of staphylococci outside the healthcare facilities is not sufficiently explored. The aim of this study was to examine the biofilm-forming capacity of staphylococci on various metal, plastic and leather surfaces in our living and working environment and the association between their biofilm production and methicillin resistance. Detection of methicillin resistance in staphylococci isolates were examined by cefoxitin disc diffusion test. Production of bacterial biofilms was investigated by two phenotypic methods: crystal violet (CV) tube-adherence method and Congo red agar (CRA) plate method. A total of 88 staphylococci isolates, 47 (53.41%) of S. aureus and 41 (46.59 %) of S. epidermidis strains were recovered from 100 collected samples. Among them, 35 methicillin-resistant strains (20 MRSA and 15 MRSE) were detected. Applying the CV tube adherence method, 21 (39.62%) MRSA and MRSE isolates were positive for biofilm production, while using the CRA method 15 (44.12%) MRSA and MRSE strains were detected as biofilm producers. Statistical analysis did not find association between biofilm production ability and methicillin resistance in both applied methods for a significance level of 0.05. The study shows that different objects and surfaces contaminated with biofilm-forming staphylococci, including MRSA and MRSE, may serve as environmental source of infection for long periods of time.

Keywords: Methicillin-resistant, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphyloccus epidermidis, CV tube method, CRA method

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Morphological and ecological characteristics of diatom species Stauroneis neofossilis Lange-Bertalot & Metzeltin 1996 (Bacillariophyceae) from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mašić, E.¹*, Barudanović, S.¹, Pašanbegović, A¹, Zildžić, A. ¹

¹University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Science, Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Abstract

In mine pit lake Bistrik, which is located near Kakanj Municipality, a diatom species from the genus Stauroneis has been recorded and identified. In addition to the analysis of the composition of cyanobacteria and algae, the basic physical and chemical parameters of water were also measured. By comparing the morphometric characteristics of the valve of Stauroneis neofossilis, a similarity with the literature data was determined. The paper also presents LM and SEM micrographs of S. neofossilis and a list of identified species of the genus Stauroneis in Bosnia and Herzegovina. To obtain a more complete picture of morphometric characteristics, distribution and ecology, a detailed investigation of this genus from freshwater habitats in Bosnia and Herzegovina is necessary.

Key words: Biodiversity, Diatoms, Rare Species, Balkan Penninsula, Dinarides.

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