Seasonal Variations in Protein Patterns and Mineral Contents of Lycium shawii under Different Habitat Conditions

Abstract

Two locations Wadi El-Bagha in South Sinai and Wadi Hashem in Mersa Matruh, Egypt were selected for monitoring changes of protein patterns and chemical composition of Lycium showii (L. showii) due to seasonal variations. Significant differences (P < 0.05 or 0.01) occurred of mechanical properties and chemical analysis of the soil associated of L. showii by 0-20 and 20-40 cm depths from three sites (up, mid, down-streams) in Wadi El-Bagha and Wadi Hashem as well as interactions them (depths, sites and locations). Soil associated with the plants in Wadi Hashem possessed higher water content and electrical conductivity in down-stream as well as higher Cl-, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+ in the up-stream during the 20-40 cm depth. Locations, sites and seasons as well as their interactions trends were showed highly significant with plant Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, N and P contents, with insignificance in Ca2+ and N contents by seasons and locations x seasons, respectively. The Na+ and K+ of Wadi Hashem and N and P of Wadi El-Bagha in autumn as well as Ca2+ of Wadi Hashem and Mg2+ of Wadi El-Bagha in spring were recorded the highest values during mid-stream. The SDS-PAGE method showed different molecular weights of protein patterns in L. shawii leaves in the two locations during autumn and spring seasons. The highest molecular weight (148.3 kD) was observed in Wadi El-Bagha during autumn season, while the lowest molecular weight (10.5 kD) was found in Wadi Hashem and Wadi El-Bagha during spring and autumn season, respectively. The number of bands in Wadi El-Bagha had higher than in Wadi Hashem during the both seasons. The leaves of L. showii have specific unique high molecular weights proteins in Wadi El-Bagha at autumn and spring seasons. Thus, these patterns reflect variations of behavior and adaptation of L. shawii under stress conditions in the studied locations and seasons.