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In this study, antioxidant properties, trace element and mineral composition of Dactylorhiza umbrosa (Kar. & Kir.) Nevski (Orchidaceae) grown in the East Anatolia Region of Turkey was determined. The concentrations of trace element and mineral were determined by using inductive paired plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). It has founded that the quantities of important trace elements Mn, Cu, Co and Se were high and also the quantity of the Mg mineral was quite high. Dactylorhiza umbrosa (Kar. & Kir.) Nevski plant's element quantities were determined to be Sr > Mg > V > Mn > Li > Ti > Cu > Se > Cr > Pb > Co > As > Be > Zn > Cd respectively. Total antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 12.44 ± 0.20 mM ascorbic acid g-1, 4.97 ± 0.48 mg gallic acid g-1 and 4.51 ± 0.29 mg quarcetin g-1 respectively in methanol extracts of Dactylorhiza umbrosa (Kar. & Kir.) Nevski plant. The presence of high levels of some trace elements, antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents in the methanol extract may have important to the showed antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), as well as total phenol (TP), free phenol (FP), conjugated phenol (CP), and the vitamin C content of pepper plants (Capsicum annuum cv. 'Charlee') infected with Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) were determined via a novel automated antioxidant system using test kits. PMMoV was first identified in Turkey in 1994 in commercial pepper (Capsicum annuum cv. 'Charlee') fields and caused an outbreak in southern Turkey by 2006, especially in greenhouses. Infected plants were confirmed by ELISA using commercial kits for the virus. The infected plants had stunted growth; and leaves and fruits became mottled, puckered, malformed, deformed, and marked by of-colored sunken areas. Fruits expressing virus symptoms were utilized for biochemical analyses. The percent ratio of TOS to TAS was calculated as the oxidative stress index (OSI). The TAS level and the vitamin C content were found to be significantly lower in infected peppers as compared to healthy peppers. However, TOS, OSI, TP , FP , and CP levels were significantly higher in infected pepper fruits than in healthy ones. In this study, it has been demonstrated that low levels of TAS and high levels of TOS, as well as high OSI status, reflects the quality of peppers. Using this method, the quality of fruits and the condition of plants can be determined in advance of stress development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]