Amount Of Phenolic Compounds Research Articles

Impact of steam-sterilization and oven drying on the thermal stability of phenolic extractives from pine and black locust wood

The main goal of the investigation was to measure and estimate the thermal stability of pinosylvin, pinosylvin monomethyl ether, robinetin, and dihydrorobinetin, i.e., characteristic compounds of wood of Scots pine and black locust, respectively. The pure compounds were analyzed with chromatography before and after they were steam-sterilized and oven-dried. Detailed thermogravimetric analysis was followed to check the thermal decomposition of the stilbenes and flavonoids of wood. The tested phenolic compounds were susceptible to thermal degradation. After the steam-sterilization and oven drying, the amount of investigated phenolic extractives decreased by more than a half. The thermogravimetric analysis showed that stilbenes decompose differently than flavonoids, which can be attributed to the different chemical structures. Twenty minutes of steam sterilization followed by 24 h of oven drying decreased the amount of phenolic compounds in the vials; however, after the applied thermal treatments, the stilbenes and robinetins stayed available in such quantities that they can still provide sufficient bioactivity.

Change in the content of phenolic compounds in semi-finished products from endive Cichorium endivia during low-temperature processing

BACKGROUND: Research on changes in the content of monomeric and dimeric phenolic compounds and their amount during freezing and storage of semi-finished products is relevant because the varieties of endive Cichorium endivia, which have many useful elements, are applicable for medical and dietary nutrition.
 AIM: This article aimed to analyze the kinetics of the oxidation and hydrolysis reactions of phenolic compounds of three varieties of endive during freezing and storage.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: The total content of phenolic compounds and the amount of phenolcarboxylic acids and flavonoids in fresh vegetables and semi-finished products from Russian varieties Kruzhevo and Elvira endive, as well as the Italian variety Kornetto K-56, were determined by spectrophotometry in fresh endive after harvesting, then after homogenization, freezing, and periodically in the process of low-temperature storage.
 RESULTS: Kinetic dependencies of changes in the content of phenolic compounds on the duration of storage of semi-finished products from endive varieties Kruzhevo, Elvira, and Kornetto K-56 in a frozen state were revealed. The constants of the reaction rate (pseudo-first order) of the change in the content of the studied substances during storage of endive semi-finished products were calculated. To reduce the loss of cell sap during defrosting to maintain the amount of phenolic compounds during storage of endive semi-finished products, adding pectin in the homogenization stage at an amount of 3.0% by weight of the homogenized endive of the varieties under study is recommended.
 CONCLUSIONS: During storage of endive, phenolic compounds are preserved to the maximum, and cell sap losses are reduced within 180 days in the Elvira and Kruzhevo varieties, and within 150 days in the Kornetto K-56 variety. The frozen semi-finished product from homogenized endive of the studied varieties is recommended for use in healthy nutrition technologies, particularly in the production of low-calorie drinks and bakery and confectionery products.

Survival of potential probiotic isolated from fermented tea leaf and encapsulated in multilayer beads stored in makiang (Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala) juice

Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala juice or makiang juice has high content of acid and phenolic compounds which are detrimental to probiotic bacteria. The screening of potential probiotic with acid production and phenolic tolerant bacteria from fermented tea leaves revealed 5 isolates which were identified using 16s rRNA sequencing procedure and found similarity to the strain of Lactobacillus plantarum in GenBank database at 98–100%. The storage of 5 isolates and 6 probiotics in makiang juice for 24 h was indicated that L. plantarum MF105 and TISTR 2074 showed the least reduction of 30.10 ± 1.25 and 61.41 ± 2.37%, respectively. These cultures were encapsulated in 2% alginate bead (Al), Al + single-layer of gelatin (ACG), and Al + double-layer of gelatin (ACGD). They were kept in makiang juice at 4 °C. The physico-chemical characteristics of beads in makiang juice illustrated that the accumulation of phenolic compounds was faster than the pH decreasing and caused initial reduction of bacterial viability. The ACGD beads absorbed slower and accumulated less amount of phenolic compounds than others. They were the most effective in cell protection, the viability of encapsulated MF105 and TISTR2074 were prolonged to more than 7 and 4 days, respectively. Cell adaptation in combination with encapsulation enhanced the survival of probiotic cell in sub-lethal stress conditions. Data had shown that increasing the coating layer provided a chance to improve lethality of probiotic bacteria.

Variability of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of ten Ceratonia siliqua L. provenances

In the present study, Tunisian carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pulp samples harvested from ten different geographic regions (Bizerte, Beja, Ariana, Ben Arous, Jendouba, Siliana, Zeghouan, Nabeul, Sousse, Kairouan) were analyzed for their bioactive phytochemical content and antioxidant activities. Total phenolics (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), condensed tannins (CT) were determined using Folin-Ciocalteau, aluminium trichloride (AlCl3) and vanillin assays, respectively. Significant variations (p < 0.05) in total polyphenols (TPC), flavonoids (TFC) and condensed tannins (CT) contents were observed between the analyzed provenances. The highest levels of TPC (23.11 mg GAE/g DR) and TFC (10.58 mg CE/g DR) were detected in Kairouan site, whereas Beja sample exhibited the higher amount of CT (3.75 mg CE/g DR). Reversed phase RP-HPLC analysis revealed that gallic acid (501.26–1628.46 mg/kg), ellagic acid (398.85–940.53 mg/kg) and isoquercetin (264.79–817.61 mg/kg) were the major phenolics in all studied extracts, with concentrations varying significantly according to the geographical origin. Using total antioxidant capacity, DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays, carob pulp extracts were found to have substantial antioxidant activities, which were correlated to their phenolic contents. Multivariate statistical analysis (PCA) performed on phenolic profiles and antioxidant activities revealed three distinctive groups of samples. It was concluded that Ceratonia siliqua L.. pulp from lower semi-arid and upper arid regions of Tunisia presented appreciable amount of phenolic compounds and high antioxidant capacities. This resource deserves further attention mainly for its high potential in culinar, pharmaceutical and cosmetic utilisations.

Evaluation of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of Romanian berries

The objective of this paper was to evaluate seven different berries most consumed in Romania in order to determine the bioactive compounds: total phenolics content, total flavonoid content, total anthocyanins content, antioxidant activity by DPPH and total antioxidant capacity (water-soluble and lipid-soluble by photochemiluminescence assay, PCL). The analyzed fruits contain significant amounts of phenolic compounds between 18.91 and 383.06 mg gallic acid equivalents per 100 grams of fresh berries. Black currant extract had the highest content of total phenolic compounds, 383.06 mg GAE/100g, while the lowest level was obtained for the gooseberry, 18.91 mg GAE/100g. DPPH values varied between 22.15 and 892.35μmol Trolox Equivalent/100g fresh berries. Strong positive correlations between the antioxidant capacity of lipid-soluble compounds measured by PCL and DPPH was found (r= 0.9153). The results obtained demonstrated that different Romanian berries studied show a great antioxidant activity with possible benefits on human health.

The Critical Role of Phenolics on Gasification of Biomass Hydrolysate

The study was designed to solubilize sorghum by water extraction and investigate the effect of phenolics depending on the time in sorghum hydrolysate for hydrogen gas production by aqueous-phase reforming. The Folin-Ciocalteau method was used to determine the total water soluble phenolics of the sorghum hydrolysate. There were no significant changes in the total amount of phenolic compounds during the first weeks. It was observed that the total amount of water soluble phenolic compounds of sorghum hydrolysates showed changes monthly (300-400 ppm). The gas volume produced reached up to 40-50 mL was obtained when the hydrolysates were gasified. APR of biomass hydrolysates in the presence of a reforming catalyst (Pt 5% on activated carbon) produced various amount of gas mixture which consisted of H2, CH4 and CO2 gases. The results showed that the decrease in total water soluble phenolics of sorghum hydrolysate had no significant effect on gasification, depending on the time.

Effects of pozole broth production on phenolic acids and antioxidant activity of specialty maize landraces

Pozolero is a maize genotype used to prepare a traditional and ancient dish (broth) named pozole. The large and soft-textured kernels are lime-cooked (nixtamalized) and boiled until the kernels burst. In this study, six different maize genotypes were used to produce pozole, and the effects of processing on phenolic acids and antioxidant (AOX) activity were evaluated. Total and specific phenolic acids and AOX activity were assayed in soluble and bound forms and measured before and during processing in the pozole broth. Results showed that pozolero genotypes displayed the expected biophysical properties, such as high flotation index (>90%), high germ and pedicel proportions, and low test weight (<650 kg h L−1). The optimum cooking and bursting times were 160 and 100 min, respectively. A significant reduction (higher than 80%) was found (p < 0.05) when raw whole grains were processed into burst kernels regarding total phenolic acids, p-coumaric and trans-ferulic acid (soluble and bound) content, and AOX activity. Nevertheless, compounds lost after bursting lixiviated into the pozole broth, which was mainly associated with cell wall phytochemicals. Of the six genotypes analyzed, the white pozolero-77 genotype showed the best physical, nutraceutical, and cooking properties. Although some phenolics were lost during nixtamalization and discarded in the nejayote, the burst pozole kernels and their broths retained significant amounts of phenolic compounds, representing an alternative source of phytonutrients.

Beneficial Effects of Flaxseed and/or Mulberry Extracts Supplementation in Ovariectomized Wistar Rats.

Low endogenous estrogen action causes several injuries. Medicinal plants, such as flaxseed and mulberry, contain substances that have been shown to be effective to the organism. The aim was to verify the effects of flaxseed and/or mulberry extracts on ovariectomized Wistar rats. The animals received supplements of extracts and estrogen or saline by gavage for 60 days and were weighed weekly. Vaginal wash, blood, pituitary, uterus, liver, and kidneys were collected. Phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of the extracts, lipid profile, uric acid, liver enzymes, and pituitary weight were measured. Histomorphometric for uterine wall and histopathological analyses for liver and kidney were performed. Flaxseed and mulberry extracts showed great antioxidant activity and large amounts of phenolic compounds. The treatment with extracts had less weight gain, increased pituitary weight, the predominance of vaginal epithelial cells, and reduced TC, LDL-c and lipase activity, similar to estrogen animals. Estrogen or flaxseed + mulberry animals reduced VLDL-c and TAG. HDL-c, uric acid, and liver enzymes did not differ. Estrogen or extracts demonstrated trophic action on the endometrial thickness and have not shown hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity. We suggested the beneficial effects of flaxseed and mulberry extract as an alternative to reduce and/or prevent the negative effects caused by low estrogenic action.

Zeytin Yapraklarının Antioksidan Aktivite ve Fenolik Bileşenleri Üzerine Sulama İşleminin ve Toplama Periyodunun Etkisi

Olive leaves have drawn attention because of their contents of bioactive compounds that exhibit antioxidant activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of irrigation on the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of olive leaves belonged to different varieties collected between September and December in irrigated and rainfed orchards. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to explain the effect of variables. The highest total phenolic content was determined in irrigated Ayvalık leaves (1945 mg/100g). Results showed that olive leaves contained significant amounts of flavonoids, ranging from 6379 to 159046 mg/100g. However, differences in antioxidant activity were generally between 1 and 2% regarding irrigation, collection time, and variety. Luteolin-7-glucoside (273-1461 mg/100g) was the main phenolic compound of olive leaves, followed by verbascoside (399-1002 mg/100g). The influence of irrigation showed differences in the amounts of phenolic compounds among the cultivars.

Valorization of Grape Pomace and Berries as a New and Sustainable Dietary Supplement: Development, Characterization, and Antioxidant Activity Testing.

Grape pomace and berries represent natural sources of phytochemicals that can increase the quality of life of consumers by contributing to the prevention of chronic diseases; thus, the development of a dietary supplement was necessary. The raw material (r.m.) used for the development of the dietary supplement consisted of dried and powdered bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), red currants (Ribes rubrum L.), and red fermented pomaces (Vitis vinifera L.) from Feteasca Neagra and Cabernet Sauvignon cultivars. The particle size distribution, powder flow, total phenolic content (TPC), HPLC-DAD phenolic profile assessment, and radical scavenging assay (RSA) were employed for the analysis of the raw material. After encapsulation, the average mass and uniformity of mass, the disintegration, and the uniformity of content for the obtained capsules were performed to obtain a high-quality dietary supplement. All the assays performed complied to the compendial requirements and the TPC was determined at 9.07 ± 0.25 mg gallic acid equivalents/g r.m. and RSA at 48.32 ± 0.74%. The highest quantities of phenolic compounds determined were 333.7 ± 0.50 µg/g r.m. for chlorogenic acid, followed by rutin, ferulic acid, and (+)-catechin with 198.9 ± 1.60 µg/g r.m., 179.8 ± 0.90 µg/g r.m. and 118.7 ± 0.75 µg/g r.m., respectively. The results of this study can be used for the manufacturing and assessing of pilot scale-up capsule batches and thinking of quality assurance, we recommend that the industrial batch extracts should be standardized in polyphenols, and the manufacturing process should be validated.

Phytochemical Analysis of Leaf Extracts of Pimenta dioica(L.) and their in vitro Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activity

Pimenta dioica (L) is an economically important tropical tree and is used in perfumery industry, spices, natural pesticide and in traditional medicines. Medicinally it is helpful in the treatment of cold, dysmenorrhea, dyspepsia, joint pain, myalgia, diabetes, respiratory congestion, assorted odontalgia and severe neurologic pain. Thus this study was designed to study the phytochemicals present in the leaves of P.dioica extracted by different solvent extraction methods and their biological properties such as antioxidant/free radical scavenging and cytotoxic activities. Result showed the presence of secondary metabolites and proteins. Due to presence of high amount of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, quantitative estimation was done. The cytotoxic activity of the leaf extract was carried out in Allium cepa root tips and baby shrimps to study the changes in mitotic chromosomal aberrations. Among the different extraction methods, ethyl acetate extract of leaves showed the best maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) and highest reducing power with the lowest (LC50) value. The obtained finding showed the antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of the metabolite extracts of P. dioica with potential applications in pharmaceutical industries.

Phytochemical Analysis of Leaf Extracts of Pimenta dioica(L.) and their in vitro Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activity

Pimenta dioica (L) is an economically important tropical tree and is used in perfumery industry, spices, natural pesticide and in traditional medicines. Medicinally it is helpful in the treatment of cold, dysmenorrhea, dyspepsia, joint pain, myalgia, diabetes, respiratory congestion, assorted odontalgia and severe neurologic pain. Thus this study was designed to study the phytochemicals present in the leaves of P.dioica extracted by different solvent extraction methods and their biological properties such as antioxidant/free radical scavenging and cytotoxic activities. Result showed the presence of secondary metabolites and proteins. Due to presence of high amount of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, quantitative estimation was done. The cytotoxic activity of the leaf extract was carried out in Allium cepa root tips and baby shrimps to study the changes in mitotic chromosomal aberrations. Among the different extraction methods, ethyl acetate extract of leaves showed the best maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) and highest reducing power with the lowest (LC50) value. The obtained finding showed the antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of the metabolite extracts of P. dioica with potential applications in pharmaceutical industries.

Increasing Value of Winery Residues through Integrated Biorefinery Processes: A Review

The wine industry is one of the most relevant socio-economic activities in Europe. However, this industry represents a growing problem with negative effects on the environment since it produces large quantities of residues that need appropriate valorization or management. From the perspective of biorefinery and circular economy, the winery residues show high potential to be used for the formulation of new products. Due to the substantial quantities of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanins with high antioxidant potential in their matrix, these residues can be exploited by extracting bioactive compounds before using the remaining biomass for energy purposes or for producing fertilizers. Currently, there is an emphasis on the use of new and greener technologies in order to recover bioactive molecules from solid and liquid winery residues. Once the bio compounds are recovered, the remaining residues can be used for the production of energy through bioprocesses (biogas, bioethanol, bio-oil), thermal processes (pyrolysis, gasification combustion), or biofertilizers (compost), according to the biorefinery concept. This review mainly focuses on the discussion of the feasibility of the application of the biorefinery concept for winery residues. The transition from the lab-scale to the industrial-scale of the different technologies is still lacking and urgent in this sector.

Antioxidant Capacity of Salix alba (Fam. Salicaceae) and Influence of Heavy Metal Accumulation

In this study, we analyzed and compared the concentrations of selected metals/metalloids and the antioxidant response of Salix alba L. (white willow) bark in the highly polluted area around the Kosovo A and B thermal power plants. The antioxidant capacity of Salix alba bark was evaluated in terms of the total phenolics, flavonoids, chlorophylls, and carotenoids, while the metal content in the soil and willow bark was analyzed by ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy). For total antioxidant level assessment, FRAP, DPPH, and CUPRAC assays were conducted. The mean concentrations of selected elements in soil and willow dry mass range from 15,698.4 mg kg−1 dry mass (soil) to 371.1 mg kg−1 (willow bark) for Al; 37.676 mg kg−1 (soil) to &lt;2 ppb (willow bark) for As; 14.8 mg kg−1 (soil) to 0.62 mg kg−1 (willow bark) for Cd; 24.2 mg kg−1 (soil) to 1.2 mg kg−1 (willow bark) for Cr; 58.8 mg kg−1 (soil) to 9.1 mg kg−1 (willow bark) for Cu; 16,975.68 mg kg−1 (soil) to 385.4 mg kg−1 (willow bark) for Fe; 95.0 mg kg−1 (soil) to 7.9 mg kg−1 (willow bark) for Ni; 185.2 mg kg−1 (soil) to &lt;1 ppb (willow bark) for Pb; and 226.7 mg kg−1 (soil) to 87.7 mg kg−1 (willow bark) for Zn. Additionally, the Salix alba bark samples presented mean values of 12,191.6 mg kg−1 for Ca, 1306.0 mg kg−1 for Mg, and 123.1363 mg kg−1 for Mn. The mean phenolic content was 39.292 mg GAE g−1 DW, being 28.222 mg CE g−1 DW for flavonoids, 38.099 mg g−1 FW for CHLa, 49.240 mg g−1 FW for CHLb, and 94.976 mg g−1 FW for CAR. The results of this study indicate that the bark of Salix alba contains significant amounts of phenolic compounds, and strong positive and moderate negative correlations are revealed between total phenolic compounds and iron, and total phenolics and nickel and manganese, respectively.

Stability and Antioxidant Activity of Hydro-Glyceric Extracts Obtained from Different Grape Seed Varieties Incorporated in Cosmetic Creams

Grape seeds are agro-industrial by-products, which if improperly managed, may be responsible for socioeconomic and environmental problems. Nevertheless, it is possible to effectively valorize them by means of extraction of the bioactive compounds, especially the antioxidant phenolic molecules, using a safe, green, and environmentally-friendly extractive medium (i.e., hydro-glyceric solution). In the present study, the extraction was performed using seeds from two Lebanese varieties, Obeidi and Asswad Karech, and three international varieties, Marselan, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc. The type and amount of phenolic compounds were identified by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Marselan was the extract richer in catechins (132.99 ± 9.81 μg/g of dried matter), and it also contained a higher amount of phenolic compounds (49.08 ± 0.03 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g of dry matter and 10.02 ± 0.24 mg of proanthocyanidin content/g of dry matter). The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was assessed using three different colorimetric assays including 2,2-DiPhenyl-1-PicrylHydrazyl (DPPH), CUPRIC ion Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC), and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP). As expected, Marselan exhibited the highest antioxidant activity; as well, the total phenolic and proanthocyanidin content were the highest. The stability of the Marselan extract incorporated into a commercial cream, was performed at three different temperatures (4, 25, and 50 °C), and four different concentrations (5, 4, 3, 2%), over a period of 4 months, using different methods such as centrifugation, Heat-Shock Cycles, pH, and viscosity. All Marselan hydro-glyceric extract formulations were proven to be stable over the entire 4 months, where the highest stability was achieved at 4 °C and the least at 50 °C. This study supports the suitability of the incorporation of phenolic extracts into commercial creams to enrich the cosmetic industry with effective, natural, and safe skincare products.

Antioxidant evaluation of food grade extracts obtained from soursop (Annona muricata) fruit

The soursop fruit (Annona muricata) is recognized as a source of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, although the presence of bioactive compounds such as acetogenins, alkaloids and phenolic compounds has also been reported, with recognized anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. However, in the production chain of this fruit, one of the problems is the short post-harvest life of 4-9 days. For this reason, an alternative for the use of its bioactive compounds could be to obtain and use soursop extracts to improve the quality of food products. Based on the above, in the present experiment, the changes in firmness, color and weight of soursop fruits in their ripening stages were determined, as well as the amount of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity by DPPH and ABTS methods of two different tissues (peel and pulp) at two different stages of maturity (physiological and consumption) using two types of solvents (70% food grade ethanol and water). The results showed that the extract obtained with a 70% ethanol solution from the peel of fruits at the consumption maturity stage presented significantly higher amounts of phenolic compounds, as well as the highest antioxidant activity. The results support that the peel of the fruit, which is preferably consumed or industrialized fresh, may represent a sustainable alternative for the utilization of the bioactive compounds of soursop as a preservative in food products.

Biyogazla Birlikte Oluşan Diğer Ürünlerin Araştırılması

Gelişmekte olan ülkelerin enerji tüketimindeki yükselme atmosfere karbondioksit salınımını artırarak küresel ısınmaya sebep olmaktadır. Küresel ısınmaya bağlı olarak ortaya çıkan doğal afetler insanların yaşamlarını olumsuz yönde etkilediklerinden dolayı atmosfere karbondioksit salınımının kontrol altına alınıp sürdürülebilir hale getirilmesi gerekmektedir. Bu sebeple fosil kökenli yakıtlara alternatif kaynaklarının araştırılması zorunlu hale gelmektedir. Rüzgâr enerjisi, biyodizel vb. gibi alternatif biyoyakıtlar içerisindeki alternatif enerji üretim yöntemlerinden birisi de biyogaz üretimidir. Biyogaz üretiminde uygun organik atıklar kullanılarak %35-45 CO2, %55-65 CH4 oranlarda biyogaz karışımı üretilirken eser miktarda CO, H2S, NH3 gibi diğer ürünlerde ortaya çıkmaktadır. Yapılan bu çalışmada biyogaz üretiminde kullanılan sıvı fazda bulunan toplam karbon miktarı, fenolik içerik miktarları, Azot(N), Fosfor(P2O5), Potasyum(K2O), pH, Hümik asit, Fülvik asit ve iletkenlik gibi değerlerin değişimi biyogaz üretimi öncesi ve sonrasında test edilerek belirlenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre N, P, K miktarlarında herhangi bir değişim ortaya çıkmazken pH değerinde yükselme, fenolik içerik, toplam karbon içeriği, iletkenlik, Hümik ve Fülvik asit içeriklerinde biyogaz üretim süreci&#x0D; sonrasında artış meydana geldiği gözlemlenmiştir.

Effects of different pectinase maceration pre-treatments on physicochemical properties of raspberry juice and wine

This study presented the effects of different pectinase maceration pre-treatments on the basic chemical properties, the content of 13 phenolic compounds, and their sensory evaluation of raspberry juice and wine made from Polka and Heritage cultivars. Thermo pectinase maceration significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.05) increased phenolic amounts, turbidity, and colour intensity in raspberry juice samples. But from juice to wine, the least reduction of phenolic amounts, turbidity, and colour intensity occurred in cold maceration (CM) treatments. In addition, the highest amount of phenolic compounds, the lowest turbidity, and the highest sensory scores were found in CM final wines from the Heritage cultivar. The study showed CM treatment was the most efficient pre-treatment maceration method for raspberry winemaking for its better phenolic maintenance and colour stability, and the Heritage cultivar was more suitable for winemaking than Polka for its higher phenolic content and lower turbidity.

Key genes for phenylpropanoid metabolite biosynthesis during half-highbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium×Vaccinium corymbosum) fruit development

BACKGROUND: Blueberry fruits contain large amounts of phenolic compounds derived from the phenylpropanoid pathway. Their biosynthesis is complex, involving many enzymes. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the content of phenylpropanoid-derived compounds and identify key genes involved in the phenylpropanoid metabolite pathway during half-highbush blueberry fruit development. METHODS: Phenylpropanoid metabolite contents were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectrophotometry. Gene expression was examined through reverse-transcription PCR. RESULTS: Phloretin, chlorogenic acid, total flavonol, quercetin, catechin, and proanthocyanidin contents were highest in small-sized green fruits; myricetin and epicatechin contents were highest in pink fruits; and lignin and anthocyanin were highest in blue fruits. Genes from the 4-coumarate CoA ligase (4CL) family regulate the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoid metabolites. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (CCR) are key genes in the lignin biosynthetic pathway. Flavonol synthase (FLS) is a key gene affecting total flavonols and the quercetin biosynthetic pathway. PAL and chalcone isomerase (CHI) are key genes in the epicatechin and anthocyanin biosynthetic pathways, respectively. CONCLUSION: Phenylpropanoid metabolites are regulated by multiple genes from the same or different families. Enzymes in different metabolic pathways compete for precursors to form a complex regulatory network for phenylalanine metabolism.

GC MS Based Comparative Phytochemical Profiling of Rhodiola Imbricata Roots Collected from Different High Mountain Passes of Ladakh India and a First Report of Apocynin from Genus Rhodiola

Rhodiola imbricata is a high value medicinal plant of trans-Himalayan mountain passes in Ladakh. This plant is a highly sought after in national and international herbal product market due to its unique phytochemical composition and resultant medicinal properties. However, compositional variation in the raw material from different geographical locations results in variation in quality as well as efficacy of the final products. The current study was designed to generate the comparative GC-MS profiles of hydro-methanolic extracts of Rhodiola imbricata root samples collected from various locations in Ladakh i.e., Chang La (17605 ft), Khardung La (18,379 ft), and Shashi La (13908 ft) mountain passes. The study highlighted variations in volatile phytochemical composition in root samples collected from different locations, especially with respect to phenols, terpenes and fatty acids. Samples from Chang La had maximum amount of phenolic compounds (96.78 per cent), followed by samples from Khardung La (77.05 per cent) while they were undetected in samples from Shashi La pass. Specifically, comparative GC-MS profiling revealed that peak area percentage of two important bioactive compounds (i.e. piceol and apocynin) varied amongst samples. In the samples collected from Chang La, the piceol covered (94 per cent) and apocynin covered (2.78 per cent) peak area whereas in samples collected from Khardung La, piceol covered (73.8 per cent) and apocynin covered (3.25 per cent) peak areas respectively, however, samples collected from Shashi La showed none of these compounds. Interestingly, in the present study, apocynin (a potent NADPH oxidase inhibitor) is being reported for the first time from Rhodoila genus. On the basis of present findings, samples collected from Chang La and Khardung La passes showed better phytochemical composition of pharmacological active phenolic compounds than Shashi La sample.