Evaluation of differences in the aroma composition of free-run and pressed neutral grape juices obtained from Emir (Vitis vinifera L.)

In this study, the differences in the aroma compounds released after the free-run and pressed juices of cv. Emir grape (Vitis vinifera L.) were evaluated. Aroma compounds were obtained by liquid-liquid extraction with CH(2) Cl(2) , and then analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). According to the results, pressing uniformly increased the levels of the aromatic constituents, but this treatment lowered the grape juice quality for winemaking by increasing the total phenolic compounds, browning index, and C(6) -alcohol levels (green-herbaceaous odor) as compared to the free-run juice. From all the aroma compounds identified in both juices, hexan-1-ol, (E)-hex-2-en-1-ol, isobutanol, isoamyl alcohol, and 2-phenylethanol were the most abundant volatile compounds.     

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.     

Accumulation of anthocyanins enhanced by a high osmotic potential in grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cell suspensions

A cell suspension of grape, Vitis vinifera L. cv Gamay Fréaux, was grown under different conditions of water stress (high external osmotic potential) induced by an increase of sucrose concentration or by the addition of mannitol to the culture medium. Best growth (cell density) was achieved in the low osmotic potential medium. Increasing the osmotic potential of the medium from –0.5 MPa to –0.9 MPa medium resulted in a significant increase in accumulation of anthocyanins in pigmented cells. Regulation of the osmotic potential of culture medium may be useful in controlling anthocyanin production.     

Action of UV and visible radiation on chlorophyll fluorescence from dark-adapted grape leaves (Vitis vinifera L.)

Grapevine plants (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Silvaner) were cultivated under shaded conditions in the absence of UV radiation in a greenhouse, and subsequently placed outdoors under filters transmitting natural radiation, or screening out the UV-B (280 to 315 nm), or screening out the UV-A (315 to 400 nm) and the UV-B spectral range. All conditions decreased maximum chlorophyll fluorescence (F_M) and increased minimum chlorophyll fluorescence (F₀) from dark-adapted leaves; however, with increasing UV, F_M quenching was stimulated but increases in F₀ were reduced. The F_V/F_M ratio (where F_V=F_M-F₀) was clearly reduced by visible radiation (VIS): UV-B caused a moderate extra-reduction in F_V/F_M. Exposure of leaves (V. vinifera L. cv. Bacchus) to UV or VIS lamps quenched the F_M to similar extents; further, UV-B doses comparable to the field, quenched F₀. A model was developed to describe how natural radiation intensities affect PS II and thereby change leaf fluorescence. Fitting theory to experiment was successful when the same F_M yield for UV- and VIS-inactivated PS II was assumed, and for lower F₀ yields of UV- than for VIS-inactivated PS II. It is deduced, that natural UV can produce inactivated PS II exhibiting relatively high F_V/F_M. The presence of UV-inactivated PS II is difficult to detect by measuring F_V/F_M in leaves. Hence, relative concentrations of intact PS II during outdoor exposure were derived from F_M. These concentrations, but not F_V/F_M, correlated reasonably well with CO₂ gas exchange measurements. Consequently, PS II inhibition by natural UV could be a main factor for UV inhibition of photosynthesis.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Sugars,organic acids,and phenolic compounds of ancient grape cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.) from Igdir province of Eastern Turkey

Background

The Eurasian grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is the most widely cultivated and economically important horticultural crop in the world. As a one of the origin area, Anatolia played an important role in the diversification and spread of the cultivated form V. vinifera ssp. vinifera cultivars and also the wild form V. vinifera ssp. sylvestris ecotypes. Although several biodiversity studies have been conducted with local cultivars in different regions of Anatolia, no information has been reported so far on the biochemical (organic acids, sugars, phenolic acids, vitamin C) and antioxidant diversity of local historical table V. vinifera cultivars grown in Igdir province. In this work, we studied these traits in nine local table grape cultivars viz. ‘Beyaz Kismis’ (synonym name of Sultanina or Thompson seedless), ‘Askeri’, ‘El Hakki’, ‘Kirmizi Kismis’, ‘Inek Emcegi’, ‘Hacabas’, ‘Kerim Gandi’, ‘Yazen Dayi’, and ‘Miskali’ spread in the Igdir province of Eastern part of Turkey.

Results

Variability of all studied parameters is strongly influenced by cultivars (P < 0.01). Among the cultivars investigated, ‘Miskali’ showed the highest citric acid content (0.959 g/l) while ‘Kirmizi Kismis’ produced predominant contents in tartaric acid (12.71 g/l). The highest glucose (16.47 g/100 g) and fructose (15.55 g/100 g) contents were provided with ‘Beyaz Kismis’. ‘Kirmizi Kismis’ cultivar had also the highest quercetin (0.55 mg/l), o-coumaric acid (1.90 mg/l), and caffeic acid (2.73 mg/l) content. The highest ferulic acid (0.94 mg/l), and syringic acid (2.00 mg/l) contents were observed with ‘Beyaz Kismis’ cultivar. The highest antioxidant capacity was obtained as 9.09 μmol TE g^-1 from ‘Inek Emcegi’ in TEAC (Trolox equivalent Antioxidant Capacity) assay. ‘Hacabas’ cultivar had the highest vitamin C content of 35.74 mg/100 g.

Conclusions

Present results illustrated that the historical table grape cultivars grown in Igdir province of Eastern part of Turkey contained diverse and valuable sugars, organic acids, phenolic acids, Vitamin C values and demonstrated important antioxidant capacity for human health benefits. Further preservation and use of this gene pool will be helpful to avoid genetic erosion and to promote continued agriculture in the region.     

Abscisic acid is involved in the response of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Malbec leaf tissues to ultraviolet-B radiation by enhancing ultraviolet-absorbing compounds, antioxidant enzymes and membrane sterols

We investigated the interactions of abscisic acid (ABA) in the responses of grape leaf tissues to contrasting ultraviolet (UV)-B treatments. One-year-old field-grown plants of Vitis vinifera L. were exposed to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) where solar UV-B was eliminated by using polyester filters, or where PAR was supplemented with UV-B irradiation. Treatments combinations included weekly foliar sprays of ABA or a water control. The levels of UV-B absorbing flavonols, quercetin and kaempferol were significantly decreased by filtering out UV-B, while applied ABA increased their content. Concentration of two hydroxycinnamic acids, caffeic and ferulic acids, were also increased by ABA, but not affected by plus UV-B (+UV-B) treatments. Levels of carotenoids and activities of the antioxidant enzymes, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and peroxidase were elevated by +ABA treatments, but only if +UV-B was given. Cell membrane β -sitosterol was enhanced by ABA independently of +UV-B. Changes in photoprotective compounds, antioxidant enzymatic activities and sterols were correlated with lessened membrane harm by UV-B, as assessed by ion leakage. Oxidative damage expressed as malondialdehyde content was increased under +UV-B treatments. Our results suggest that the defence system of grape leaf tissues against UV-B is activated by UV-B irradiation with ABA acting downstream in the signalling pathway.     

Fermentation-based biotransformation of bioactive phenolics and volatile compounds from cashew apple juice by select lactic acid bacteria

Select lactic acid bacteria (LAB); Lactobacillus plantarum, L. casei and L. acidophilus were targeted for enhancing bioactives and flavor volatiles of cashew apple juice (CAJ) that is an underutilized byproduct from cashew nut processing in Tropical countries. Results indicated the vitamin C and phenolic metabolites such as condensed tannin can be increased at certain stages such as at 12 h over the 48 h fermentation period. Whereas antioxidant activity based on DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity generally decreased from initial unfermented stage range of (75%–95%) to consistently in the 50% range by 48 h of fermentation and this follows the decrease in viable counts. The fermentation process increased the condensed tannin contents in CAJ whereas hydrolysable tannins decreased. In this study the changes in flavor volatile types were also analyzed over the course of CAJ fermentation. The results indicated that LAB changed the flavor profiles of fermented CAJ and overall the fruity odor decreased, but the whiskey and acid odor increased. These results provide the foundation to further target the functional benefits of LAB-induced fermented CAJ for further human, animal, and plant health applications.     

Comparative analysis of bioactive phenolic compounds composition from 26 medicinal plants

Bioactive phenolic compounds are powerful antioxidants in traditionally used medicinal and industrial crop plants and have attracted increased interest in the last years in their application and role in non-destructive methodology for pre-screening analysis of some stress factors. In this study the qualitative target was linked with future possible applications of received data for improving non-destructive methodology as well as for improving existing knowledge regarding antioxidant content in some plant species. Comparative analysis of total phenolics, flavonoid contents, phenolic acid composition, and antioxidant activity in known east central Europe medicinal and industrial crop plants of 26 species of families Asteraceae, Rosaceae and Lamiaceae was done. Among the investigated leaf extracts the highest total phenolic, total flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity have been seen for Stachys byzantine L. (Lamiaceae), Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) and for Potentilla recta L. (Rosaceae). The highest syringic acid content has been found in the leaf extracts of plant family Asteraceae – in the range from 0.782 to 5.078 mg g^?1 DW. The representative’s family Rosaceae has a higher content of p-anisic acid in the range 0.334–3.442 mg g^?1DW compared to the leaf extracts of families Lamiaceae and Asteraceae. The comparative study showed significant differences of content of phenolic acids in the leaf extracts of different representative’s families Rosaceae, Asteraceae and Lamiaceae. We suggest that the presence of some phenolic acids can be used as a possible marker for family botanical specifications of representative families Asteraceae and Rosaceae. It was supposed that some pharmacological effects can be connected with the analyzed data.     

HPTLC-MS as an efficient hyphenated technique for the rapid identification of antimicrobial compounds from propolis

The well-known anti-infective properties of propolis are determined by its chemical composition, which in turn is influenced by geographical factors and reflects the botanical diversity in the vicinity of the beehive. Although there are several reports on the anti-infective properties of crude propolis, few are aimed at identifying specific compound(s) responsible for the observed activities. Using South African propolis as an example, the application of high performance thin layer chromatography-bioautography in tandem with mass spectrometry was investigated for the rapid identification of antimicrobial and anti-quorum sensing (anti-QS) compounds. Pinocembrin was found to be responsible for the observed antifungal activity of the propolis against Candida albicans. Three compounds were found to be active against all of the evaluated Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The identity of the first was confirmed as pinobanksin, one remains unidentified, while the third corresponds to either pinobanksin 3-O-pentanoate or 2-methylbutyrate. The identification of caffeic acid as the anti-QS component was confirmed quantitatively using the violacein inhibitory assay.     

Evidence for substantial maintenance of membrane integrity and cell viability in normally developing grape (Vitis vinifera L.) berries throughout development

Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) was used as a vital stain to assaymembrane integrity (cell viability) in mesocarp tissue of thedeveloping grape (Vitis vinifera L.) berry in order to testthe hypothesis that there is a substantial loss of compartmentationin these cells during ripening. This technique was also usedto determine whether loss of viability was associated with symptomsof a ripening disorder known as berry shrivel. FDA fluorescenceof berry cells was rapid, bright, and stable for over 1 h atroom temperature. Confocal microscopy detected FDA stainingthrough two to three intact surface cell layers (300–400µm) of bisected berries, and showed that the fluorescencewas confined to the cytoplasm, indicating the maintenance ofintegrity in both cytoplasmic as well as vacuolar membranes,and the presence of active cytoplasmic esterases. FDA clearlydiscriminated between living cells and freeze-killed cells,and exhibited little, if any, non-specific staining. Propidiumiodide and DAPI, both widely used to assess cell viability,were unable to discriminate between living and freeze-killedcells, and did not specifically stain the nuclei of dead cells.For normally developing berries under field conditions therewas no evidence of viability loss until about 40 d after veraison,and the majority (80%) of mesocarp cells remained viable pastcommercial harvest (26 °Brix). These results are inconsistentwith current models of grape berry development which hypothesizethat veraison is associated with a general loss of compartmentationin mesocarp cells. The observed viability loss was primarilyin the locule area around the seeds, suggesting that a localizedloss of viability and compartmentation may occur as part ofnormal fruit development. The cell viability of berry shrivel-affectedberries was similar to that of normally developing berries untilthe onset of visible symptoms (i.e. shrivelling), at which timeviability declined in visibly shrivelled berries. Berries withextensive shrivelling exhibited very low cell viability (15%). Key words: Apoplast, berry shrivel, compartmentation, DAPI, FDA, fluorescence, fruit ripening, locule, propidium iodide Received 19 September 2007; Revised 16 December 2007 Accepted 26 December 2007     

Effect of fermentation, aging and thermal storage on total glycosides, phenol-free glycosides and volatile compounds of White Riesling (Vitis vinifera L.) wines

There is growing recognition of the significance of the products of glycoside hydrolysis to varietal wine aroma. White Riesling wines were produced from four strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Wines underwent conventional aging or anaerobic thermal storage (20 days at 45°C) either 2 or 40 months post-fermentation to quantify influences on total glycosides, phenol-free glycosides and selected volatiles. Glycoside and free volatile concentrations were estimated by analysis of glycosyl-glucose and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, respectively. Thermal storage of wines 2 months post-fermentation reduced the total glycosides by an average of 33% for all yeasts and increased the concentration of free benzyl alcohol while decreasing the concentration of free linalool and geraniol. Conventional aging for 40 months reduced the total and phenol-free glycosides equally among yeasts by an average of 60%, with phenol-free glycosides averaging 80% of the total. Thermal storage of aged wines reduced the total glycoside concentration by an additional 29%. The effect of thermal storage on selected volatile phenols, higher alcohols, esters, acids, terpenes, carbonyl compounds, C-13 norisoprenoids and six-carbon alcohols was variable depending upon the component. Received 29 September 1998/ Accepted in revised form 16 January 1999     

Evaluation of seasonal antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds in stems and leaves of some almond (Prunus amygdalus L.) varieties

Background

This study aimed to determine the seasonal changes of total antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds in samples taken from leaves (April, July, October) and stems (April, July, October, January) of some almond (Prunus amygdalus L.) varieties (Nonpareil, Ferragnes and Texas).

Results

It was indicated that antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds in leaves and stems of Nonpareil, Ferragnes and Texas showed seasonal differences. Antioxidant activity IC₅₀ of these varieties reached the highest value in April for leaves whereas in October for stems. The highest level of total phenolic compounds was in January for stems while in October for leaves.

Conclusions

These results showed that total antioxidant activity and phenolics in leaves and stems of almond varieties changed according to season and plant organ.     

Synthesis, iron(III)-binding affinity and in vitro evaluation of 3-hydroxypyridin-4-one hexadentate ligands as potential antimicrobial agents

Iron is a critical element for the survival of bacteria. We have designed and synthesized two novel 3-hydroxypyridin-4-one hexadentate ligands with high affinity for iron(III), which disrupt bacterial iron absorption. Biological studies demonstrate that these two chelators have significant inhibitory effect against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and therefore have potential as antimicrobial agents.     

Screening and identification of actinobacteria from marine sediments: Investigation of potential producers for antimicrobial agents and type I polyketides

Marine actinobacteria were isolated from the sediment samples collected in Xinghai Bay, Xiaoping Island and Changhai in Dalian, China. Fifteen selective media were employed, of which Humic acid-Vitamin medium recovered the highest number of isolates. Eleven of the 239 isolates obtained from the selective media were selected for further investigations based on colony morphology and pigment formation. Phylogenetic analysis of their 16S rRNA sequences showed that these strains belong to the genera of Streptomyces and Micromonospora. One of these strains identified is a new species of Streptomyces. Type I polyketide synthase (PKSI) gene fragments were amplified from three strains. The PKSI sequence of one of these strains (S187) showed high homology to the KS gene involved in meridamycin biosynthesis. Based on this result, the neurotrophic activity of S187 was further investigated. Culture broth of S187 was applied to rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells, and a 2.3-fold increase in growth over control cells was observed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. These results indicated the importance of further exploration of the marine actinobacteria in Dalian sea area for antimicrobial agents and type I polyketides.     

Cytotoxic,antimicrobial activities,AChE and BChE inhibitory effects of compounds from Tanacetum chiliophyllum (Fisch. & Mey.) Schultz Bip. var. oligocephalum (D.C.) Sosn. and T. chiliophyllum (Fisch. & Mey.) Schultz Bip. var. monocephalum Grierson

Tanacetum L. species traditionally used for insecticidal purposes as well as in folk medicine for their antitumor, antimicrobial, antifungal activities. In our previous study a novel sesquiterpene lactone and triterpene lactone together with 12 known flavonoids, coumarin and a triterpene were isolated from T. chiliophyllum var. oligocephalum and T. chiliophyllum var. monocephalum extracts which have insecticidal and antimicrobial activity. In this study, cytotoxic, antimicrobial activities and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory effects of pure compounds isolated from these plants were investigated. The tested compounds showed AChE and BChE inhibition which ranged between 7.20–80.37% and 9.19%–76.99% respectively. The highest AChE and BChE inhibition was observed for ulubelenolide which afforded 80.37% and 76.99% inhibition respectively. The cytotoxic effect of the compounds ranged between 22.34–49.77 μg/mL IC₅₀ values. Highest cytotoxic activity was observed against MCF-7 and HEK 293 cell line by 5–hydroxy-3′,4′,7-trimethoxy flavone and 5-hydroxy-3′,4′,6,7-tetramethoxyflavone that produced 25.80 ± 0.17 and 22.34 ± 0.70 IC₅₀ values respectively. Compounds eupatilin, cirsilineol, 5–hydroxy-3′,4′,7-trimethoxy flavone and ulubelenolide showed significant antimicrobial effect on C. albicans with 7.8 μg/mL MIC. The new compound ulubelenolide afforded high AChE and BChE inhibition as well as high antifungal activity. In our opinion activity of this substance should be evaluated further against other fungal species.     

Acyl substrate preferences of an IAA-amido synthetase account for variations in grape (Vitis vinifera L.) berry ripening caused by different auxinic compounds indicating the importance of auxin conjugation in plant development

Nine Gretchen Hagen (GH3) genes were identified in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) and six of these were predicted on the basis of protein sequence similarity to act as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-amido synthetases. The activity of these enzymes is thought to be important in controlling free IAA levels and one auxin-inducible grapevine GH3 protein, GH3-1, has previously been implicated in the berry ripening process. Ex planta assays showed that the expression of only one other GH3 gene, GH3-2, increased following the treatment of grape berries with auxinic compounds. One of these was the naturally occurring IAA and the other two were synthetic, α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and benzothiazole-2-oxyacetic acid (BTOA). The determination of steady-state kinetic parameters for the recombinant GH3-1 and GH3-2 proteins revealed that both enzymes efficiently conjugated aspartic acid (Asp) to IAA and less well to NAA, while BTOA was a poor substrate. GH3-2 gene expression was induced by IAA treatment of pre-ripening berries with an associated increase in levels of IAA-Asp and a decrease in free IAA levels. This indicates that GH3-2 responded to excess auxin to maintain low levels of free IAA. Grape berry ripening was not affected by IAA application prior to veraison (ripening onset) but was considerably delayed by NAA and even more so by BTOA. The differential effects of the three auxinic compounds on berry ripening can therefore be explained by the induction and acyl substrate specificity of GH3-2. These results further indicate an important role for GH3 proteins in controlling auxin-related plant developmental processes.     

Sitona weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) as agents for rapid transfer of nitrogen from white clover (Trifolium repens L.) to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

The effects of root feeding by larvae of Sitona hispidulus (F.) (a common weevil pest of white clover) on the rate of transfer of nitrogen between plants of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) were investigated using a nutrient slant board technique. Clover plants, labelled with ¹⁵N were grown adjacent to ryegrass plants and were either infested with Sitona larvae or not infested. Ryegrass plants associated with the infested clover plants had a significantly higher dry matter yield and nitrogen content (75% and 74% respectively) than the uninvested plants, after 33 days exposure to insect herbivory. It was concluded that root feeding insects could play an important role in the cycling of nitrogen in grass/clover swards.     

Molecular docking analysis of bioactive compounds from Mollugo cerviana (L.) SER with DHFR for antifungal activity

Fungal infections have been increasing in recent years due to growing number of high-risk patients particularly immuno compromised hosts. Candida is the third- or fourth-most-common isolate in nosocomial bloodstream infections. The increase of fungal resistance to classical drugs, the treatment costs, and the fact that most available antifungal drugs have only fungistatic activity, justify the search for new strategies. Identification of therapeutic compounds from plants has been the centre of attraction ever since they were discovered. It is of interest to document the molecular docking analysis of bioactive compounds present in Mollugo cerviana (L.) SER with the DHFR protein target for antifungal activity. We show the optimal binding features of several compounds from the extract with in vivo and in vitro activities. Results of this showed that all compounds showed good antimicrobial activity and a very good antifungal activity against the target DHFR protein. So, these compounds may act as potential drug molecules after the experimental validation.