High-cationic biologically active peptides of the thionins family were isolated from black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seeds. According to their physicochemical characteristics, they were classified as representatives of the class I thionin subfamily. Novel peptides were called “Nigellothionins”, so-called because of their source plant. Thionins are described as components of plant innate immunity to environmental stress factors. Nine nigellothionins were identified in the plant in different amounts. Complete amino acid sequences were determined for three of them, and a high degree of similarity was detected. Three nigellothionins were examined for antifungal properties against collection strains. The dominant peptide, NsW2, was also examined for activity against clinical isolates of fungi. Cytotoxic activity was determined for NsW2. Nigellothionins activity against all collection strains and clinical isolates varied from absence to a value comparable to amphotericin B, which can be explained by the presence of amino acid substitutions in their sequences. Cytotoxic activity in vitro for NsW2 was detected at sub-micromolar concentrations. This has allowed us to propose an alteration of the molecular mechanism of action at different concentrations. The results obtained suggest that nigellothionins are natural compounds that can be used as antimycotic and anti-proliferative agents.

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) of fullerene C₆₀ drop-deposited from the 1.410^-4 M aqueous solutions on the silvered porous silicon (Ag/PS) is reported for the first time. The used concentration is found to be not detected by the ordinary Raman spectroscopy. It is shown that SERS-spectrum of the fullerene deposited from the air-aged solution are characterized by less intensity than that of the fullerene solution kept out of the air. This indicates degradation of the fullerene solution due to oxidation. The results are prospective for the fast qualitative and quantitative analysis of the fullerene-based materials.

Spectral bio-optical properties and phytoplankton photosynthetic parameters were measured in Black Sea coastal waters near Sevastopol in May–July 2020–2021. Chlorophyll a concentration (Chl-a) differed by more than one order of magnitude between stations (0.20–5.6 mg/m³) due to the effect of the Chyornaya river runoff. Light absorption coefficients by all optically active components as well as total non-water absorption coefficients co-varied with Chl-a, which reflected a link between trophic status and water optical properties. An increase in total non-water absorption resulted in a shift of the maximum of downwelling irradiance to the longer wavelength (from 511 nm to 567 nm). Phytoplankton photosynthetic parameters were depth-dependent variables due to phytoplankton acclimations to light intensity without dependence on water trophic status. Gross primary production was estimated by the full spectral approach. Primary production (1.3–31 mgC/m³/h) co-varied with Chl-a. Chlorophyll a specific photosynthesis rate (4.3–8.0 mgC/mgChl/h) varied by about twice at the sea surface but no dependence on Chl-a was revealed.