The present study aims to investigate morphology, and anatomy of Astragalus vogelii, Bassia muricata and Morettia philaeana growing in Abu Tartur region, that lies between Kharga and Dakhla Oases in Western Desert of Egypt. Polyphenols, flavonoids, fatty acids, protein-amino acids as well as antioxidant activity of these plants were detected. The stems, leaves and roots have the general anatomical features of dicotyledons and the aerial surface of the epidermal cells covered by thick protective cuticle. Multicellular trichomes could be distinguished. The root of A. vogelii exhibited anomalous secondary thickening with rough surface periderm while those of Bassia and Morettia possess normal secondary thickening and have well-defined periderm. The highest values of polyphenols and flavonoids content were recorded in Bassia and Astragalus, respectively. Six essential and seven non-essential amino acids were identified in Astragalus shoot. GLC analysis of fatty acids revealed the presence of ten fatty acids in Bassia and twelve in Morettia shoots. The methanolic extracts of the plants showed antioxidant activity.

The present work contributes information about morphology and anatomy of Cynanchum acutum. Also, it comprises a detailed ecological study on C. acutum community type. Phytochemically, the mean values of flavonoids and polyphenols were detected. The GLC analysis of fatty acids was carried out and the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanolic extract were examined. In all the stands, Cynanchum was the dominant and produced the greatest part of the dense plant cover. Chenopodium murale, Cynodon dactylon, Torilis arvensis and Sisymbrium irio were common associates. C. acutum community comprised 45 species belonging to 17 families. These species have been distinguished into 30 annuals, 13 perennials and two biennials. Also, grouped into five life-forms; therophytes (76%), geophytes (9%), hemicryptophytes ( 7) and each of helophytes and nanophanerophytes (4%). The Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian and Euro-Siberian were the major chorotypes. Flavonoids and polyphenols contents of Cynanchum shoot were 0.313 and 0.375 g/100g, respectively. Ten fatty acids were detected in the lipoidal matter of C. acutum. The methanolic extract of the plant showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the ecological characteristics and the bioactive metabolic products of C. procera. Also, the crude methanol extract of the aerial parts of calotropis was examined for antioxidant and antimicrobial potentialilties. The scrubland dominated by C. procera represented an advanced stage of desert vegetation and comprised 33 species related to 14 families. Tamarix nilotica, Alhagi graecorum, Launea mucronata, Trichodesma africanum and Hyoscyamus muticus were the common associates. The major life-forms were therophytes, geophytes and chamaephytes. The assemblage of this community belongs to eleven floristics categories with predominance of Sahara-Sindian, Sahara-Arabian and Sudano-Zambezian. The flavonoids and polyphenols contents of the aerial parts of C. procera were 0.185 and 0.37 g/100g, respectively. Thirteen fatty acids were detected among them undecanoic, palmitic, lauric, myristic and linoleic acids. The Calotropis methanolic extract exhibited free radical scavenging activity with IC50 value of 0.35 mg ml-1. It is showed antimicrobial spectrum only against Bacillus subtilis.

The present study provides quantitative assessment of the hydrosoil and overlying water characteristics in addition to vegetation analysis of five aquatic habitats and their wet shorelines dominated by Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Potamogton crispus, P. nodosus and P. pectinatus. Experimental study was conducted to evaluate rate of release of heavy metals from living and dead hydrophytes to the surrounding water. The bottom sediments and overlying water were different markedly in the five habitats. The sediments samples were sandy textured with predominance of fine sanarticles size=0.211-0.104 mm), whereas sites and clay fractions constitute small proportion. Organic carbon, total soluble salts, anions and cations were generally higher in summer months. The floristic components of the five communities comprised 51 species related to 27 families. Poaceae, Asteraceae, Cyeprceae, and Potomogetonaceae were the major families contributing 45% of the recorded species. Therophytes were the common life froms. Rate of heavy metals release from living plant samples was higher than that from the dead samples.