Chemical Composition,Antioxidant Potential and Enzymes Inhibitory Properties of Globe Artichoke By‐Products

In this study, chemical composition and in vitro biological activities of artichoke by‐products (leaves, floral stems and bracts) issued from two Tunisian varieties were evaluated. Analysis was performed by means of high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (LC/DAD/ESI‐MS). Total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) contents as well as the antioxidant activity conducted by three complementary methods, DPPH, ABTS and FRAP tests, were performed for each sample. Enzyme inhibitory effects against acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and α‐amylase were also studied. Results showed that TPC and TFC varied according to variety as well as the plant part. Bracts presented the highest TPC values (10–15 mg GAE/g DW), while leaves were distinguished by the highest TFC values (52–58 mg EQ/g DW). In vitro assays showed that Violet d'Hyères bracts and Blanc d'Oran leaves present the most antioxidant activities (30.040 and 20.428 mgET/gDW, respectively, by the DPPH method). Leaves demonstrated the highest acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory effects. Moreover, all organs displayed a noticeable inhibition towards α‐amylase. LC/DAD/MS analysis revealed that artichoke by‐products are a potential source of biopharmaceuticals such as luteolin derivatives from leaves and mono/dicaffeoylquinic acids in the other parts. This research demonstrates that globe artichoke by‐products, unexploited in our country, are a promising source of natural health promoting compounds with potential applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.     

Enhanced production of the pharmaceutically important polyphenolic compounds in Vitex agnus castus L. shoot cultures by precursor feeding strategy

Agitated Vitex agnus castus L. shoot cultures were established to analyse the content of selected pharmaceutically important flavonoids and phenolic acids. Two variants (selected from nine ones) of MS medium were prepared: A (BAP 1 mg/L; NAA 0.5 mg/L; GA₃ 0.25 mg/L) and B (BAP 2 mg/L; NAA 0.5 mg/L). The biomass was harvested after 1, 2, 3,4, 5 and 6 weeks. Four‐week cultures (variant A) were selected to perform the precursor feeding experiment. The L‐phenylalanine dose of 1.6 g/L appears to be the most advantageous. Compared to the control cultures, the content of the individual compounds increased in a range from 1.4 to 17.3‐fold (e.g. p‐coumaric acid – 17.3 fold; casticin – 4.8‐fold). The biomass from in vitro cultures is richer in neochlorogenic acid (16‐fold), p‐coumaric acid (5.3‐fold), rutin (2.8‐fold), caffeic acid (1.5‐fold) and cinaroside (1.5‐fold) than the leaves of its parent greenhouse‐cultivated plants. Extracts contained 30 mg/100 g DW of casticin, but after the hydrolysis its amount increased up to 200 mg/100 g DW and twice exceeded the content in the greenhouse leaves. The results indicate that V. agnus castus agitated shoot cultures might be considered as a potential biotechnological source of some pharmaceutically important compounds, especially casticin, rutin, neochlorogenic and p‐coumaric acids.     

Comparative analysis of antioxidant activity,toxicity, and mineral composition of kernel and pomace of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) grown in Balochistan,Pakistan

The present study aims to investigate some physical attributes, total phenolics content, total flavonoids content, mineral composition, bioluminescence toxicity assay and antioxidant activity in terms of DPPH, HPS, TAC and FRAP assays in the kernel and pomace samples of six apricot cultivars grown in Balochistan, Pakistan. TFC and TPC determined by the AlCl₃ and Folin-Ciocalteu assays in apricot kernel extracts of six cultivars varied from 1797.5 (Chagali) to 4778.9 (Badoghur) mg QUE/100 g DW and from 1750.0 (Chagali) to 5005.8 (Badoghur) mg GAE/100 g DW. Apricot kernels exhibited higher antioxidant activity than pomace; antioxidant activity in terms of IC₅₀ in kernels ranged from 24.88 to 98.61 μg/ml for DPPH, 334.84 to 516.63 μg/ml for HPS, from 22.02 to 110.80 μg/ml for TAC and from 96.27 to 163.35 μg/ml for FRAP. The apricot kernels showed higher TPC, TFC, bioluminescence toxicity to V. logei and antioxidant activity than the pomace. The correlation analysis demonstrated substantial contributions of polyphenols and flavonoids to antioxidant assays. The sample type was the leading factor affecting the amounts of K, Na, Ca, Fe, and Mn in the tested samples; mineral contents were higher in pomace than kernels. The highest inhibition to V. logei was found in the kernels of Badoghur (IC₅₀ = 1.61 mg/ml). The PCA analysis showed significant contributions of phenolic and flavonoid contents towards antioxidant bioluminescence toxicity assays. Our results suggest Badoghur, Shakarpara and Sardai kernels are rich sources of secondary metabolites and possess remarkable antioxidant and antiluminescence activity and can make a significant contribution to the treatment and prevention of chronic health problems.     

Variation in polyphenolic profile and in vitro antioxidant activity of eastern teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens L.) leaves following foliar development

Seasonal dynamics in the polyphenolic composition, antioxidant activity, and their relationships during plant development were evaluated for eastern teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens L.) leaves, a traditional herbal medicine of North American natives. With the complementary UHPLC-PDA-ESI-MS³, HPLC-PDA-fingerprint, Folin-Ciocalteau, and n-butanol/HCl assays of methanol-water (75:25, v/v) extracts, the dried leaf samples harvested monthly across the growing season under Polish climate conditions were found rich in structurally diverse polyphenols (149.2–210.7 mg/g DW) including the dominating salicylates (64.6–107.5 mg/g DW), proanthocyanidins (53.0–66.8 mg/g DW), and flavonoids (17.3–25.3 mg/g DW), and the accompanying chlorogenic acid isomers (2.4–4.4 mg/g DW) and simple phenolic acids (0.9–1.1 mg/g DW). Among 28 detected analytes, gaultherin (64.6–107.5 mg/g DW), miquelianin (14.6–21.1 mg/g DW), procyanidin A-type trimer (5.5–9.5 mg/g DW), and (–)-epicatechin (5.8–7.8 mg/g DW) were the most abundant. The phenolic levels and antioxidant activity parameters in the DPPH (EC₅₀, 15.0–18.2 μg DW/mL; 0.95–1.16 mmol Trolox equivalents/g DW) and FRAP (2.3–3.4 mmol Fe ²⁺/g DW; 0.86–1.26 mmol Trolox equivalents/g DW) assays showed parallel seasonal trends with maxima in September and October. As the subsequent correlation studies confirmed the determinative impact of polyphenols on the leaf antioxidant activity and its seasonal fluctuations, the Fall season could be recommended as optimal for harvesting the plant material for medicinal purposes and cost-effective production of natural health products.     

Salicylic acid‐enhanced biosynthesis of pharmacologically important lignans and neo lignans in cell suspension culture of Linum ussitatsimum L

Linum usitatsimum L. (flax) is a perennial herb with magnitude of medicinal and commercial applications. In the present study, we investigated the effects of salicylic acid (SA) on biosynthesis of lignans (secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) and lariciresinol diglucoside (LDG)) and neolignans (dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol glucoside (DCG) and guaiacylglycerol‐β‐coniferyl alcohol ether glucoside (GGCG)) in cell cultures of flax. Moderate concentration of SA (50 μM) enhanced biomass accumulation (10.98 g/L dry weight (DW)), total phenolic content (37.81 mg/g DW), and antioxidant potential (87.23%) to two‐fold than their respective controls after 72 h of exposure. However, higher levels of total flavonoid content (5.32 mg/g DW) were noted after 48 h of exposure to 50 μM of SA. HPLC analyses revealed that 50 μM SA, significantly enhanced biosynthesis of SDG (7.95 mg/g DW), LDG (7.52 mg/g DW), DCG (54.90 mg/g DW), and GGCG (16.78 mg/g DW), which was almost 2.7, 1.8, 3.88, and 3.98 fold higher than their respective controls after 72 h of exposure time, respectively. These results indicated that moderate concentrations of SA had significant effects on biosynthesis and productivity of lignans and neolignans in cell culture of L. usitatissimum.     

Sprouted and Freeze‐Dried Wheat and Oat Seeds – Phytochemical Profile and in Vitro Biological Activities

This research was carried out to study phytochemical profile, in vitro antioxidant capacity, reducing power, anti‐hyperglycemic, anti‐inflammatory activities and simulated gastrointestinal digestion of 7‐day old cereal sprouts: spelt wheat ‘Nirvana’ (WSSpe), wheat ‘Simonida’ (WSSim), oat ‘Golozrni’ (OSG) and oat ‘Jadar’ (OSJ). OSG expressed significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) total phenols (TPC) and flavonoids content (TFC), antioxidant capacities (DPPH and ABTS assays) and reducing power (EC₅₀^DPPH = 2.12 mg/ml; EC₅₀^ABTS = 0.87 mg/ml; EC_0.5^RP = 12.24 mg/ml) as well as anti‐hyperglycemic activity (EC₅₀^AHgA = 0.96 mg/ml). WSSpe had the highest content of chlorophyll (131.23 mg/100 g) and carotenoids (22.84 mg/100 g). WSSim possessed the most potent anti‐inflammatory activity (2.71 mg/ml), though not significantly different from OSG (2.77 mg/ml). The in vitro simulation of gastro‐intestinal digestion showed higher release of phenolic compounds in intestinal than in gastric fluid.     

Studies on the accumulation of phenolic acids and flavonoids in different in vitro culture systems of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. using a DAD-HPLC method

Different in vitro culture systems of the East-Asian origin medicinal plant species − Schisandra chinensis, were tested in order to investigate their potential for the accumulation of two groups of phenolic compounds. In vitro cultures were maintained on the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 3 mg/l BA and 1 mg/l NAA in an agar system (30- and 60-day growth cycles), and also in two different liquid systems: stationary and agitated. Stationary liquid cultures were grown in batch (30- and 60-day growth cycles) and fed-batch modes. Of the twenty compounds, seven free phenolic acids and of the eleven compounds, five flavonoids were quantified in methanolic extracts from lyophilized biomass and in the growth media using the RP-HPLC-DAD method. For comparison purposes, phytochemical analyses of leaf and fruit extracts from the parent plant were also conducted. The estimated compounds were not detected in the growth media. The highest total amounts of phenolic acids (71.48 mg/100 g DW) and flavonoids (29.36 mg/100 g DW) were found in extracts from the biomass of agar cultures harvested after 30 days of cultivation. The main metabolites in all the tested systems were: protocatechuic acid (max. 35.69 mg/100 g DW), chlorogenic acid (max. 13.05 mg/100 g DW), and quercitrin (max. 27.43 mg/100 g DW).     

Comprehensive Research on Essential Oil and Phenolic Variation in Different Foeniculum vulgare Populations During Transition from Vegetative to Reproductive Stage

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of four fennel populations (England, Spain, Poland and Iran) were investigated during six developmental stages including two vegetative and four reproductive phases. In reproductive phase, the essential oil content of fruits decreased and the maximum content (5.9%) was obtained in immediate fruits. The essential oils were analyzed using GC/MS. trans‐Anethole was the main component of the leaves and the fruits oil. In leaves, it ranged from 41.28% in England at late vegetative stage to 56.6% in Poland population at early vegetative stage. Other major compounds of leaves were limonene, α‐pinene and (Z)‐β‐ocimene. In reproductive phases the trans‐anethole increased dramatically. It varied from 85.25% in immature fruits from Poland to 90.7% in pre‐mature stage from Spain. The highest phenolic content in the extracts at different growth stages obtained 189 mg TAE/g DW at full mature stage of seed in Iran population. The flavonoid of leaves extract ranged from 3 to 7.5 mg QUE/g DW, while in fruits extract varied from 3 to 10.3 mg QUE/g DW. Antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated using 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazy (DPPH) and β‐carotene model systems. Immature and full mature growth stages of fennel population from Spain indicated the highest activity in quenching of DPPH radical (74.2% and 74.5, respectively). Antioxidant activities of the extracts had high positive correlation with their phenolic contents in all fruit maturity stages. Finally, it might probably be suggested that in fennel the hot and humid condition can lead to increase trans‐anethole, while the hot and dry one can produce higher amount of phenolics and flavonoids.     

Variation of glucosinolates on position orders of flower buds in turnip rape (Brassica rapa)

To glucosinolate (GSL) contents on flower buds depending on their position orders in turnip rape (Brassica rapa), three Japanese ‘Nabana’ cultivars such as cv. No. 21 (Brassica rapa, early type), cv. Husanohana (B. rapa, late type) and cv. Norin No. 20 (B. napus) were investigated using HPLC analysis. Ten GSLs including glucoraphanin, sinigrin, glucoalyssin, napoleiferin, gluconapin, 4-hydroxyglucobrassicin, glucobrassicanapin, glucobrassicin, and gluconasturtiin were detected. Differences in individual and total GSL contents were found between two plant varieties, which are also depending on various developmental stages. Among the GSLs, gluconapin (mean 23.11 μmole/g dry weight (DW) and glucobrassicanapin (mean 13.41 μmole/g DW) documented the most abundant compounds and contributed average 39 and 27% of the total GSLs, but indolyl and aromatic GSLs together accounted >10% of the total GSLs. The presence of significant quantities of gluconapin in the cultivars should be studied more extensively, since the GSL is mainly responsible for the bitter taste.     

Antioxidant activities of the volatile oils and methanol extracts from olive stems

This study was designed to examine the chemical composition and antioxidant activities of the volatile oils and methanol extracts of Olea europaea L. (cvs) chemlali and neb jmel stems. GC and GC–MS analyses of the volatile oils resulted in the identification of 38 and 35 compounds, representing 91.1 and 87.4 % of the volatile oils. Phenylethyl alcohol was found in the volatile oil of each cultivar, which was also the major volatile component of cv. chemlali and cv. neb jmel stems. Besides benzyl alcohol, methyl salicylate and 3-ethenylpyridine were the main volatile compounds of cv. chemlali, while nonanal, 3-ethenylpyridine and benzyl alcohol of cv. neb jmel stems were also the main constituents. Significant differences were also found in total tannin contents among two cultivars, representing 8.10 mg CEQ/g DW in cv. chemlali and 20.47 mg CEQ/g DW in cv. neb jmel. The highest contents of total phenols and o-diphenols were observed in stems extracts of cv. neb jmel (78.26, and 9.56 mg/100 g, respectively). The HPLC profiles for methanol extracts from stems of cv. chemlali and cv. neb jmel showed that oleuropein, vanillic acid and gallic acid were the predominant free phenolic compounds. Antioxidant activities of the volatile oils and the methanolic extract from stems parts were evaluated by DPPH and ABTS⁺ radical-scavenging activity assays. In all tests, methanolic extracts obtained from stems parts showed better antioxidant activity than volatile oils. Principal components analysis of the phenolics content and antioxidant activities showed discrimination between methanol extracts of the two cultivars.     

Analysis of Chemical Components in the Roots of Eight Intersubgeneric Hybrids of Paeonia

Paeonia cultivars are famous ornamental plants, and some of them are also traditional Chinese medicinal resources. Intersubgeneric hybrids of Paeonia (IHPs) are formed by the hybridization of herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora) and tree peony (Paeonia×suffruticosa or lutea hybrid tree peony). The phenotypic characteristics of IHPs are similar to those of herbaceous peony, and their root systems are large and vigorous. However, their medicinal value has not been reported yet. In this study, the roots of eight IHP samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). A total of 18 compounds were identified, including phenols, paeonols, monoterpene glycosides, and tannins. The contents of monoterpene glycosides and tannins in IHPs were higher than herbaceous peony and tree peony, exceeding 44.76 mg/g DW and 11.50 mg/g DW, respectively. Three IHPs, ‘Prairie Charm’, ‘Garden Treasure’, and ‘Yellow Emperor’, with more types and a higher content of medicinal compounds, were screened out by cluster analysis. These IHPs have considerable potential for the development of medicinal resources.     

Stimulating effect of both 4’‐O‐methylnorbelladine feeding and temporary immersion conditions on galanthamine and lycorine production by Leucojum aestivum L. bulblets

Bulb cultures of Leucojum aestivum and L. aestivum ‘Gravety Giant’ were subcultured in medium containing the precursor 4’‐O‐methylnorbelladine (MN) at various concentrations [0 (control), 0.15 and 0.3 g/L]. The cultures were conducted in bioreactor RITA® and lasted for 15, 30, 40 and 50 days. The growth rate and the alkaloid accumulation in bulblets were studied. For this latter purpose, a purification method was developed. It comprised a highly selective solid phase extraction using on the one hand, UPTI‐CLEAN SI and SCX cartridges for plant extracts and on the other hand, 2H cartridges for culture media. Pure alkaloidal fractions were, thus, analyzed by LC‐ESI‐MS allowing the quantitative evaluation of galanthamine and lycorine from culture extracts. Precursor feeding along with temporary immersion conditions was found to significantly improve the accumulation of both galanthamine and lycorine. The maximal concentrations of galanthamine (0.81 mg/g DW) and lycorine (0.54 mg/g DW) in L. aestivum bulblets were reached, respectively, after 40 days of culture with 0.15 g/L of precursor and after 30 days of culture with 0.3 g/L of precursor. In L. aestivum ‘Gravety Giant’ bulb cultures, 0.3 g/L of precursor was the best condition for both galanthamine (0.6 mg/g DW after 50 days) and lycorine (1.13 mg/g DW after 30 days).     

The isolation and mapping of a novel hydroxycinnamoyltransferase in the globe artichoke chlorogenic acid pathway

Background  

The leaves of globe artichoke and cultivated cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) have significant pharmaceutical properties, which mainly result from their high content of polyphenolic compounds such as monocaffeoylquinic and dicaffeoylquinic acid (DCQ), and a range of flavonoid compounds.     

Production of rhoifolin and tiliroside from callus cultures of Chorisia chodatii and Chorisia speciosa

The current work aims to stimulate the production of rhoifolin and tiliroside as two valuable phytochemicals from Chorisia chodatii Hassl. and Chorisia speciosa A. St.-Hil. callus cultures. A comparison between three explants from the in vitro germinated seedlings of both species for callus induction and accumulation of both flavonoids was carried out. Highly efficient calluses were induced from the leaves, stems and roots of C. chodatii seedlings on Gamborg’s B5 (B5) and Murashige and Skoog (MS) media containing 2.0 mg/l β-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 0.5 mg/l 6-benzyladenin (BA) or kinetin (Kn), while those of C. speciosa seedlings efficiently produced calluses on both media supplemented with 0.5 or 1.0 mg/l NAA and 0.5 mg/l BA. Besides, the highest contents of rhoifolin (1.927 mg/g DW) and tiliroside (1.776 mg/g DW) from C. speciosa cultures were obtained from the calluses of seedlings’ roots and stems maintained on B5 medium containing 1.0 mg/l NAA and 0.5 mg/l BA, respectively. On the other hand, the maximum rhoifolin content (0.555 mg/g DW) from C. chodatii cultures was obtained from the calluses of seedlings’ stems grown on B5 medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l NAA and 0.5 mg/l BA, whereas the highest tiliroside content (0.547 mg/g DW) was provided by the root explants on B5 medium containing 2.0 mg/l NAA and 0.5 mg/l Kn. Both flavonoids were bioaccumulated in greater amounts than the wild and cultivated intact plants, which provides a promising tool for their future commercial production under a controlled environment, independent of climate and soil conditions.     

Phytogenic compounds from avocado (Persea americana L.) extracts; antioxidant activity,amylase inhibitory activity,therapeutic potential of type 2 diabetes

Diabetes is a worldwide public health disease. Currently, the most effective way to treat diabetes is to mitigate postprandial hyperglycemia by inhibiting carbohydrate hydrolysis enzymes in the digestive system. Plant extracts are rich in bioactive compounds, which can be used in diabetes treatment. This study aims to evaluate the polyphenols content in ethanolic extracts of avocado fruit and leaves (Persea americana Mill.). Additionally, their antioxidant activity using DPPH, while the inhibition ability of α-amylase was examined by reacting different amounts of the extracts with α-amylase compared to acarbose as standard inhibitor. The active compounds were detected in the extracts by LC/MS. The obtained results showed that the leaf extract recorded a significant content of total phenolic compounds compared to the fruit extract (178.95 and 145.7 mg GAE /g dry weight, respectively). The total flavonoid values ??ranged from 32.5 to 70.08 mg QE/g dry weight of fruit and leaves extracts, respectively. Twenty-six phytogenic compounds were detected in leaf and fruit extract by LC/MS. These compounds belong to fatty acids, sterols, triterpenes, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. The antioxidant activity of the extracts is due to the exist of phytogenic compounds, i.e., polyphenols and flavonoids. The antioxidant activity increased in a concentration dependant manner. Avocado fruit extract (1000 µg/mL) scavenged 95% of DPP? while leaf extract rummaged 91.03% of free radicals compared with Vit C and BHT. Additionally, higher α-amylase inhibitory activity was observed in fruit extract than the leaf extract, where the fruit and leaf extract (1000 μg/ml) inhibited the enzyme by 92.13% and 88.95%, respectively. The obtained results showed that the ethanolic extracts of avocado could have a significant impact on human health due to their high content of polyphenols.     

Variation in antioxidant activity and phenolic content in different organs of two Tunisian cultivars of Olea europaea L.

This paper reports a comparative study based on the antioxidant compounds, total phenol content and antioxidant activities of leaves, stems and fruits from the main Tunisian cultivars, ‘chetoui’ and ‘chemchali’, grown in two different locations, north and south of Tunisia. The repartition of olive phenolic compounds was organ dependant. Therefore, the HPLC analysis indicated that the olive organs from the northern cultivar had the highest level of hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonoid class; which were less in the southern cultivar. Principal component analysis of the phenolic compounds showed discrimination between methanol extracts of the organs olive. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in the levels of phenols, orthodiphenols and flavonoids were found between cultivars and between organs. Antioxidant activities of the methanolic extract from aerial parts of the two studied cultivars were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) assays. In all tests, methanolic extracts of different olive parts showed higher antioxidant activity. These results can be used to discriminate and to characterize the ‘chetoui’ and ‘chemchali’ aerial parts.     

Assigning a Role to the Endogenous Phenolic Compounds on Adventitious Root Formation of Olive Stem Cuttings

The objective of this study was to role the effect of phenolic compounds on the rooting potential of leafy cuttings of the recalcitrant to root olive cultivar ‘Kalamata’ and the easy to root ‘Arbequina’. Subsamples of cuttings were taken for analysis before planting (day 0) in the mist system and during the early phases of rhizogenesis (EPR). ‘Kalamata’ presented higher initial (day 0) total phenols in summer and total o-diphenols in autumn and spring compared to ‘Arbequina’, while ‘Arbequina’ had significantly higher initial total flavonoids and flavanols in autumn. A positive correlation was found between initial total phenols and rooting ability of ‘Arbequina’. In ‘Kalamata’ a positive correlation was established between initial total o-diphenols and rooting percentage while total flavonoids were negatively correlated with rooting. Generally, total phenols, o-diphenols, flavanols and flavonoids did not differ between the two cultivars and their concentration reduced significantly 15 days after planting. Furthermore, ‘Arbequina’ presented higher initial tyrosol, chlorogenic acid, luteolin-7-glucoside, rutin, quercetin and luteolin in summer and autumn compared to ‘Kalamata’. The above phenolics were positively correlated with the rooting of ‘Arbequina’. Significant changes were observed in the concentration of the individual phenolics during the EPR, whereas chlorogenic acid, rutin, quercetin and luteolin concentration increased significantly from day 1 to 5. In conclusion, there is a clear relationship between the phenolic profile and adventitious rooting of the two olive cultivars and in fact chlorogenic acid and rutin can be proposed as olive rooting enhancers.

     

Assessment of polyphenolic compounds,in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties of Securidaca longepedunculata root barks

The present study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activities of the root bark extract of Securidaca longepedunculata. This plant material is commonly used in folk medicine in several parts in the world. The bark extracts of S. longepedunculata were evaluated for their total phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins content and total antioxidant capacity. The compounds were identified and quantified both by RP-HPLC and UV spectrophotometer; the antioxidant capacity was assessed by ABTS and DPPH tests and expressed as IC₅₀. The total phenolic compounds determinate was 9.86 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dw, the total flavonoid contents was 5.85 mg catechin equivalents/g dw, the total anthocyanin contents was 0.032 mg cyanidin-3-glycosyl equivalents/g dw and the condensed tannins content were 1.03 mg catechin equivalents/g dw. The major compound identified using RP-HPLC was quercetin (0.98 mg/ml). The IC₅₀ value reached 5.5 μg/ml, revealing that the root barks of S. longepedunculata have a very high antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties.     

Insect pollinators improve seed production in globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus)

The role of many insect species in crop pollination has been widely studied. The use of entomophilous pollination, commonly adopted for other crops, may be of key importance in order to improve seed yields in seed-propagated globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) cultivars. In this regard, in a 2-year field experiment, the role of two honeybees (Apis mellifera ligustica and A. mellifera siciliana) and one bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) was evaluated on the seed production of two globe artichoke cultivars in caged-protected environments. Overall, the number and weight of seeds plant⁻¹ and head⁻¹, 1,000 seed weight and fruit setting were higher in caged plants with imposed pollination than open field plants. The pollination efficiency was both insect and cultivar dependent. Both honeybee species performed better on the Mediterranean cultivar ‘Violetto di Sicilia’, while the bumblebee performed better on the Brazilian cultivar ‘NP4’. These results could be very useful to modernise the agronomic management of globe artichoke and reduce the costs of cultivation. In addition, such knowledge can be used to improve the seed production in globe artichoke seed-propagated cultivars and cardoon. This will benefit the bioenergy, nutraceutical, cosmetic and ornamental applications.     

Optimization of extraction method for LC–MS based determination of phenolic acid profiles in different Impatiens species

The main aim of presented study was the comparison of various extraction methods for the quantitative and qualitative analysis (LC-ESI–MS/MS) of phenolic acids present in extracts obtained from leaves, flowers, and roots of Impatiens glandulifera. The accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) at three temperature ranges (80° C, 100° C, and 120° C), ultrasound assisted extraction (USAE) at 60° C, and traditional extraction in Soxhlet apparatus were used. Taking into account the extraction yield, and the diversity of the individual compounds, ultrasound assisted extraction proved to be the most efficient method, and it was used to determine the content of phenolic acids in leaves of four other Impatiens species, including I. balsamina, I. noli-tangere, I. parviflora, and I. walleriana. Eleven phenolic acids were identified in all examined species. These were protocatechuic, gentisic, 4- hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, trans-caffeic, syringic, trans-p-coumaric, trans- and cis-ferulic, salicylic, and 3-hydroxycinnamic acids. In the extract from the leaves of I. balsamina and I. walleriana, gallic and cis-p-coumaric acids were found additionally. The most abundant compounds in all examined extracts were protocatechuic and 3-hydroxycinnamic acids. The latest acid was found in the highest yield in I. noli-tangere (266.12 μg/g DW). In the leaves of I. glandulifera a great amount of 4-hydroxybenzoic (41.44 μg/g DW), vanillic (61.50 μg/g DW), and trans-p-coumaric (58.42 μg/g DW) acids was also observed. Our results indicate that protocatechuic, 4-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, trans-p-coumaric, trans-ferulic, and 3-hydroxycinnamic acids were most characteristic of Impatiens species.Additionally, various phenolic-rich extracts from leaves, flowers, and roots of Impatiens glandulifera were tested for antioxidant activity. The highest antiradical activity was detected for roots using Soxhlet extraction (EC50 = 0.055 mg [DE/ml]).The study demonstrated that members of the genus Impatiens, and in particular Impatiens glandulifera, and Impatiens noli-tangere, contain significant amounts of phenolic acids. In addition, extracts from various parts of I. glandulifera could be interesting as novel sources of natural antioxidants.