Separation and structural analysis of some saponins from Quillaja saponaria Molina

A fraction of saponins from Quillaja saponaria Molina, QH-B, was fractionated by consecutive separations on three different reverse-phase HPLC systems. Eight compounds were isolated and the structures of these were elucidated mainly by sugar analysis and NMR spectroscopy. The structures consisted of a quillaic acid substituted with two different trisaccharides at C-3, beta-D-Galp-(1-->2)-[alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->3)]-beta-D-GlcpA and beta-D-Galp-(1-->2)-[beta-D-Xylp-(1-->3)]-beta-D-GlcpA, and a tetra- or pentasaccharide at C-28, beta-D-Xylp-(1-->4)-[beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3)]-alpha-L-Rhap-(1--> 2)-beta-D-Fucp and beta-D-Apif-(1-->3)-beta-D-Xylp-(1-->4)-[beta-D-Glcp-(1-->3) ]-alpha-L- Rhap-(1-->2)-beta-D-Fucp. These compounds were further substituted with an acyl group either at O-3 or O-4 of the fucose residue, which is the sugar linked to C-28 of the quillaic acid.     

Separation and characterization of saponins with adjuvant activity from Quillaja saponaria Molina cortex

Saponins were purified from Quillaja saponaria Molina bark by silica and reverse phase chromatography. The resulting purified saponins were tested for adjuvant activity in mice. Several distinct saponins, designated QS-7, QS-17, QS-18, and QS-21, were demonstrated to boost antibody levels by 100-fold or more when used in mouse immunizations with the Ag BSA and beef liver cytochrome b5. These purified saponins increased titers in all major IgG subclasses. To determine optimal dose in mice for adjuvant response, QS-7 and QS-21 were tested in a dose-response study in intradermal immunization with BSA in mice; for both of these purified saponins, adjuvant response (determined by stimulation of ELISA titers to BSA) neared maximum at doses of 5 micrograms and was shown to plateau up to the highest dose tested, 80 micrograms. These purified saponins vary considerably in their toxicity, as assessed by lethality in mice; the main component, QS-18, being the most toxic. Saponins QS-7 and QS-21 showed no or very low toxicity in mice, respectively. None of these saponins stimulated production of reaginic antibodies. The monosaccharide composition of these saponins showed similar but distinct compositions with all four containing fucose, xylose, galactose and glucuronic acid. Predominant differences were observed in the quantities of rhamnose, arabinose, and glucose. Monomer m.w. (determined by size exclusion HPLC) were determined to range from 1800 to 2200.     

Separation and structural analysis of saponins in a bark extract from Quillaja saponaria Molina.

Six major saponins were isolated from a bark extract from Quillaja saponaria Molina. Solid-phase extraction, followed by a two-step reversed-phase HPLC separation procedure with phosphate and ammonium acetate buffers of different pH values, was used. The compounds were characterised using NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and chemical methods.     

Effect of Quillaja saponaria saponins and Yucca schidigera plant extract on growth of Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli K-12 was exposed to Quillaja saponaria saponins from various commercial firms (Sigma, Roth and Nor-feed) and to an extract of Yucca schidigera plant powder (DK Sarsaponin 30) at different concentrations (0·05–1·0% w/v). A concentration-dependent response was observed. Quillaja saponaria saponins from Sigma increased growth up to 0·1% (w/v) level, whereas Nor-feed and Roth saponins produced maximum growth at a much higher level (0·5 and 0·75%, w/v, respectively). These results suggest that quillaja saponins from various sources differ in their biological activity, although all three saponins had the same content of vanillin-sulphuric acid reactive moieties. The lyophilized water extract from the DK Sarsaponin powder showed maximum growth at 0·1% (w/v) level. The levels at which maximum growth was observed did not change on subjecting the quillaja or yucca saponins to heat treatment in an autoclave (121 °C for 30 min). All the saponins and the plant extract increased growth of Escherichia coli up to a certain concentration and thereafter decreased growth. In spite of the decreased growth at higher levels of saponins, it was higher compared to the control (without saponin) up to levels of 1% (w/v) for all saponins except Quillaja saponins from Sigma, for which the growth was lower at levels of 0·25% (w/v) and higher. Saponins have the potential to modulate microbial growth in natural and artificial fermenters.     

Cytogeography ofGeum montanum (Rosaceae)

Chromosome numbers were determined inGeum montanum, L.: only hexaploids (2n=42) were found on 44 localities throughout most of the distribution area. Tetraploid level (2n=28) previously reported in this species from the Carpathians was not confirmed.     

New taxa and combinations inAlchemilla (Rosaceae) (2)

47 names and combinations are published as new, chiefly from the elaboration ofAlchemilla byA. Plocek inL. Bertová (ed.), Flóra Slovenska 4/3, Bratislava (in press). The populations recognized as varieties and species new to science (12 and 29, respectively) come from the summits of W. Beskids (9 taxa), Belianske Tatry (12), other parts of Tatra (8), Fatra (5), elsewhere in the Central Carpathians in Slovakia (4), the Low Beskids in E. Slovakia (1), W. and E. Carpathians (1), N. Moravia (1). In addition, three epithets are published in a new combination, and the names for two new subseries and a new forma are proposed.     

Validation of Prunus hainanensis (Rosaceae)

The name Prunus hainanensis (G. A. Fu & Y. S. Lin) W. C. Chen is invalid because only the basionym was cited and without reference. According to the Art. 32.4 of ICBN, Prunus hainanensis (G. A. Fu et Y. S. Lin) H. Yu, N. H. Xia & H. G. Ye is the correct name. This new combination is proposed herein.     

Decaploidy in Fragaria iturupensis (Rosaceae)

The strawberry genus, Fragaria (Rosaceae), has a base chromosome number of x = 7. Cultivated strawberries (F. ×ananassa nothosubsp. ananassa) are octoploid (2n = 8x = 56) and first hybridized from F. chiloensis subsp. chiloensis forma chiloensis × F. virginiana subsp. virginiana. Europe has no known native octoploid species, and only one Asian octoploid species has been reported: F. iturupensis, from Iturup Island. Our objective was to examine the chromosomes of F. iturupensis. Ploidy levels of wild strawberry species, include diploid (2n = 2x = 14), tetraploid (2n = 4x = 28), pentaploid (2n = 5x = 35), hexaploid (2n = 6x = 42), octoploid (2n = 8x = 56), and nonaploid (2n = 9x = 63). Artificial triploid (2n = 3x = 21), tetraploid, pentaploid, octoploid, decaploid (2n = 10x = 70), 16-ploid, and 32-ploid plants have been constructed and cultivated. Surprisingly, chromosome counts and flow cytometry revealed that F. iturupensis includes natural decaploid genotypes with 2n = 10x = 70 chromosomes. This report is the first of a naturally occurring decaploid strawberry species. Further research on F. iturupensis and exploration on northern Pacific islands is warranted to ascertain the phylogeny and development of American octoploid species.     

Ectomycorrhizas of Cercocarpus ledifolius (Rosaceae)

? Premise of the study: Woody species in the Rosaceae form ectomycorrhizal associations, but the fungal symbionts are unknown. The species of fungi determine whether host plants are isolated from other ectomycorrhizal species in the plant community or linked with other trees through mycorrhizal networks. In this study we identified the fungi that form ectomycorrhizas with Cercocarpus ledifolius (curl-leaf mountain mahogany). ? Methods: Soil samples were collected under canopies of C. ledifolius. Ectomycorrhizas were described by morphology and by DNA sequences of the ITS region. Host species were confirmed by rbcL sequences. ? Key results: Sixteen species of fungi were identified from ectomycorrhizas of Cercocarpus ledifolius. The ectomycorrhizal community was distinguished by the presence of a Geopora species situated in the G. arenicola clade and by the absence of Rhizopogon, suilloids, and Sebacinales. Of the species on C. ledifolius, two also occurred on trees of Quercus garryana var. breweri and four on Arctostaphylos sp. ? Conclusions: The presence of fungal species in common with other ectomycorrhizal hosts shows that C. ledifolius, Q. garryana var. breweri, and Arctostaphylos species could be linked by a mycorrhizal network, allowing them to exchange nutrients or to share inoculum for seedling roots and new fine roots. Single-host fungi limited to C. ledifolius may improve resource acquisition and reduce competition with other ectomycorrhizal hosts. The finding of a Geopora species as a frequent mycobiont of C. ledifolius suggests that this fungus might be appropriate for inoculating seedlings for habitat restoration.     

Industrial and non-food uses for carrageenan

Industrial and non-food uses of carrageenan are discussed in relation to the properties of carrageenan. Specific areas that are covered include slurry stabilization and suspension, interaction with polyols, and entrapment/immobilization. The applications range from dentrifrice preparations to anti-icers.     

Fifteen new species and varieties ofAlchemilla (Rosaceae)

Nine newAlchemilla species and six new varieties are described in subsect.Euvulgares ser.Subglabrae and subsect.Calicinae. Further, for one species a new name is proposed. The plants published as new mostly come from the higher altitudes of the Slovakian mountains. Problems in the treatment ofA. obtusa Bus.,A. glabra Neyg., andA. incisa Bus. are discussed.     

Hydathode anatomy in Potentilla palustris (Rosaceae)

Guttating leaf teeth of Potentilla palustris plants from Wisconsin, USA, were cleared or processed for plastic sectioning or scanning electron microscopy. Anatomical features include: 1) long slender hydathode area occupying most of the tooth, 2) adaxial pad of small, flat epidermal cells with 50 or more sunken water pores about the size of ordinary abaxial stomates, 3) three converged bundles that extend distally, where their tracheary files are separated by intervening files of xylem parenchyma cells with sinuous walls, 4) adaxial mass of small, loosely arranged epithem cells above the xylem, 5) one slender phloem strand that extends only about a third of the way into the hydathode, and 6) bundle sheath extending distally only abaxially and along the flanks of the hydathode. Potentilla hydathodes differ significantly from non-guttating ones described earlier in Physocarpus (Rosaceae).     

The holarctic complex Potentilla fruticosa (Rosaceae)

Potentilla fruticosa L. (Rosaceae) is a complex of large morphological, karyological, geographical and ecological amplitudes. A survey of the distribution of the morphological variation is given and the underlying reasons discussed. Migration paths are also discussed. In southeast central Asia there is a complex in need of further investigation. Outside this area two species should be recognized, a diploid and hermaphrodite species, P. floribunda Pursh, in N America, S Europe and Siberia and a tetraploid and dioecious species, P. fruticosa L., in N Europe and Siberia.     

Pleiosorbus is united with Sorbus (Rosaceae)

The monotypic genus Pleiosorbus is reduced to the synonymy of Sorbus. The new name Sorbus medogensis is proposed.     

小叶栒子的分类学研究

据有关模式和产地标本的研究，结合野外调查、叶表皮微形态观察结果，对小叶栒子（Cotoneaster microphyllus Wall.ex Lindl.)进行了分类学修订，将分属 ３系（Series Procumbens Klotz; Series Alpigeni和Series Marginati Klotz）的１５个名称归并作小叶栒子的同物异名。     

矮生栒子的分类学研究

在有关模式和产地标本研究基础上,结合叶表皮微形态和细胞学资料,对矮生Ｘｕｎ子（Ｃｏｔｏｎｅａｓｔｅｒ ｄａｍｍｅｒｉ Ｓｃｈｎｅｉｄ．）进行了分类学修订,结果将Ｃ．ｄａｍｍｅｒｉ Ｓｃｈｎｅｉｄ．ｖａｒ．ｒａｄｉｃａｎｓ Ｓｃｈｎｅｉｄ．（即Ｃ．ｒａｄｉｃａｎｓ（Ｓｃｈｎｅｉｄｅｒ）Ｋｌｏｔｚ）归并作该种的同物异名;并描述了矮生Ｘｕｎ子的１个新亚种,Ｃ．ｄａｍｍｅｒｉ ｓｓｐ．ｓｏｎｇｍｉｎｇｅｎ     

Secondary metabolites of Rubus caesius (Rosaceae)

The European dewberry (Rubus caesius) is a perennial shrub that is widely distributed in Europe but can also be found in North America. In folk medicine, the European dewberry is used to treat hyperglycaemia, diarrhoea and inflammation. LC-MS analysis of the European dewberry confirmed the presence of 35 compounds, mostly flavonoids, phenolic acids and derivatives of ellagic acid. Phytochemical analysis of R. caesius leaves led to the isolation of nine phenolics, namely: quercetin 3-O-β-D-rutinoside (1), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucuronide (2), quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucuronide (3), methyl brevifolincarboxylate (4), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-(6″-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl)-glucoside (5), kaempferol (6), quercetin (7), pedunculagin (8), and ellagic acid (9). Compounds 1–8 were isolated from this species for the first time. The chemophenetic significance was discussed.