The present work has been carried out for the in vitro production of biologically active constituents from Rumex vesicarius L. cultures. Calli and adventitious roots were tested for their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Results of preliminary phytochemical screening revealed that cultures were rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, carbohydrates and/or glycosides, coumarins and cardiac glycosides. Sterols and/or triterpenodis, chlorides and sulphates were found in some cultures only. Calli and roots in all treatments were devoid of saponins, anthraquinones, irodoids and sublimable substances. Total phenolic content in roots produced by culture of leaf blade explant on media containing 1 mg/L kinetin (K) + 4 mg/L 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and calli produced on media containing 2 mg/L K + 2mg/L 2,4-D produced high total phenolic content (21.48 ± 0.24 and 18.15 ± 0.238 mg/explants, respectively). Total flavonoid content of calli and roots produced on media containing 2 mg/L K + 2mg/L 2,4-D and 1 mg/L K + 4 mg/L 2,4-D produced high total flavonoid contents (52.82 ± 0.56 and 49.27 ± 0.56 µg/explant, respectively). Results of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of flavonoids of calli obtained on 2 mg/L K + 2mg/L 2,4-D showed high concentration of quercetin (7.35 ± 0.245 µg/g D.W.). High total antioxidant activity was found in the extract of calli obtained on 2 mg/L K + 2 mg/L 2,4-D (617.85 ± 20.11 GAE s , ppm). Highest 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity was obtained using adventitious roots and calli extracts (IC 50 = 1.57 ± 0.02 and 1.76 ± 0.021 mg/ml, respectively). Antibacterial activity of adventitious roots and calli extracts was negative against all 6 human pathogenic isolates investigated.

Red beet leaves are used in some countries in salads, while others consider them as leftover. Our goal is to conduct field experiment, for two seasons, to evaluate the effect of various combinations of (organic, chemical and bio-/yeast) fertilizers and different harvest dates on some leaves growth parameters, biocostituents and biological activities. The applied fertilizers significantly increased most of the growth parameters compared to control and highest values were produced by 100%chemical fertilizer (2), followed by treatments of 75%biofertilizer (4) and 75%yeast (8). Highest chlorophyll (a&b) and carotenoids contents were recorded by treatments 2, 4 and 8, particularly those of the second stage. Most of the studied fertilizers significantly increased betanin and polyphenolic contents compared to control and highest values were attained by treatments 4 and 8. Maximum values of betanin and polyphenols were reached in the first and third stages, respectively. Additionally, highest antioxidant activity was afforded by leaves of treatments 4 and 8, whereas leaves of treatment 4 provided a broader antimicrobial activity than control. Moreover, the highest cytotoxic activity was exerted by leaves of treatment 4. Finally, it is recommended to harvest beet leaves at the appropriate stage to obtain high growth values and reasonable percentages of bioactive metabolites.