Alice Rotini - FedOA - Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II

Contents
Acknowledgments................................................................................................................ 6
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 8
Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile ........................................................................................ 8
Seagrass meadows: ecological role and threats ........................................................ 10
P. oceanica monitoring: traditional descriptors, Indices and innovative approaches
........................................................................................................................................ 14
Aim of the study ............................................................................................................ 17
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS ........................................................................................ 18
Study Site and Sampling .............................................................................................. 18
Sample handling ........................................................................................................... 21
Total phenols ................................................................................................................ 22
Two-Dimensional electrophoretic analysis ............................................................... 23
Heavy metal/element content ..................................................................................... 24
Genetic analysis using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers ...... 25
Antioxidant enzyme activity, soluble proteins and photosynthetic pigment content
in leaves ......................................................................................................................... 26
3. RESULTS ...................................................................................................................... 29
Total phenols ................................................................................................................ 29
2-D electrophoresis analysis ....................................................................................... 32
Heavy metal/element content ..................................................................................... 33
RAPD genetic analysis .................................................................................................. 35
Antioxidant enzyme activity and photosynthetic pigments ..................................... 35
4. DISCUSSION ................................................................................................................ 39
Total phenols ................................................................................................................ 39
2-D electrophoresis analysis ....................................................................................... 41
Heavy metal/element content ..................................................................................... 44
RAPD genetic analysis .................................................................................................. 45
Antioxidant enzyme activity and photosynthetic pigments ..................................... 46
5. CONCLUSIONS............................................................................................................. 49
6. REFERENCES ................................................................................................................ 51
7. ANNEX A - Reagent list ............................................................................................... 58