Apiaceae Species Research Articles

Biochemical Composition of Cumin Seeds, and Biorefining Study.

A new biorefinery approach has been developed in the present study, and applied on cumin (Cuminum cyminum) seeds as a potential source of phytochemicals of interest. Cumin is a popular spice used widely for its distinctive aroma. It is a rich reserve of both vegetable and essential oils. The biorefinery approach here focused on the evaluation of the influence of four different geographical origins (i.e., Lebanon, France, Algeria and Syria) on oil yield and quality in cumin seed, and on the valorization of remaining by-products by investigating their nutritional content and biological activity for the first time. Vegetable and essential oils were extracted, and their compositions were determined. Nutritional traits were also assessed. The delipidated and hydrodistillated cakes just as aromatic water were characterized for their fiber, sugar, protein, phenol and flavonoid contents. Antibacterial and antioxidant activities were also determined. Cumin seeds showed high contents in both vegetable and essential oils, proteins and sugars regardless their origin. Moreover, this Apiaceae species exhibited high levels of petroselinic fatty acid (an isomer of oleic acid) and sterols. Cakes and aromatic water also presented high levels of proteins, fibers, sugars and phenols. These residues revealed interesting antioxidant and antibacterial activities. These results emphasized the potential use of cumin in a biorefinery concept, with a multi-purpose industrial process. In addition, large differences were observed between the four geographical origins for phytochemical contents and compositions. These findings highlight the perspectives for developing selection programs for nutritional traits and industrial interests. All obtained results validate the health promoting effect of cumin composition as well as its industrial importance along with the residues.

Pinda shrirangii, a new elegant species of Apiaceae from the northern Western Ghats, India

A new species, Pinda shrirangii Gosavi & Chandore, is described and illustrated from a high‐elevation region of northern Western Ghats, India. The new species is closely allied to the only other species in the genus, Pinda concanensis (Dalzell) P.K.Mukh. & Constance which was also described from the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra state of India. Coloured photographs and illustrations are provided to facilitate the identification.

Phytochemical and chemotaxonomic studies on Libanotis laoshanensis W. Zhou et Q. X. Liu

Sixteen compounds, including one polyacetylene (1), twelve coumarins (2–7, 9–14), one sterol (8), as well as two sugar derivatives (15, 16), were obtained from Libanotis laoshanensis by modern phytochemical isolation methods such as column chromatography and preparative TLC. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods and in comparison with the published data in the references. All the compounds were reported from L.laoshanensis for the first time. The chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was also discussed, which demonstrated the relationships between L. laoshanensis and some other species of Apiaceae.

Chemical profile, antioxidant, antimicrobial, enzyme inhibitory, and cytotoxicity of seven Apiaceae species from Turkey: A comparative study

Several Apiaceae species, used as both food and in complementary and alternative medicine, represents a rich source of potential valuable phytopharmaceuticals which necessitates scientific contemplation. In the present study, the antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties of methanol extracts of seven Apiaceae species, (Chaerophyllum macrospermum (Willd. ex Spreng.) Fisch. & C.A.Mey. ex Hohen, Ferula rigidula Fisch. ex DC., Ferula orientalis L., Prangos ferulacea Lindl., Prangos peucedanifolia Fenzl., Ferulago setifolia K. Koch, and Pimpinella anthriscoides Boiss.) were evaluated. Species belonging to the Prangos genus exhibited the highest total phenolic content, namely P. peucedanifolia and P. ferulacea, with values of 47.90 and 44.44 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract, respectively. P. peucedanifolia also displayed the highest radical scavenging capacity (81.53 and 102.70 mg Trolox equivalent [TE]/g extract for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), respectively) and reducing power (165.87 and 100.09 mg TE/g extract for cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), respectively). C. macrospermum showed the most potent inhibition against Alzheimer’s disease related enzymes, namely acetylcholinesterase (4.53 mg galantamine equivalent [GALAE]/g extract) and butyrylcholinesterase (3.22 mg GALAE/g extract). P. ferulacea (131.94 mg kojic acid (KAE) equivalent/g extract) and P. peucedanifolia (4.97 mmol acarbose equivalent (ACAE)/g extract) were potent inhibitors of tyrosinase and α-glucosidase, respectively. In general, studied species were able to reduce cellular viabilities. P. peucedanifolia possessed promising antibacterial potential against Bacillus cereus (Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC): 0.37 mg/mL), L. monocytogenes (MIC: 0.56 mg/mL), P. aeruginosa and Escherichia coli (MIC: 0.27 mg/mL), Salmonella typhimurium and Enterobacter cloacae (MIC: 0.75 mg/mL). F. rigidula showed the highest antifungal effect against Aspergillus ochraceus and Trichoderma viride (MIC: 0.10 mg/mL). The present findings could be the scientific starting point towards the pharmaceutical and/or commercial utilization of these Apiaceae species.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Centella asiatica (Linnaeus) Urban

The apiaceous species Centella asiatica (Linnaeus) Urban is attractive not only to pharmaceutical researchers for its versatile medicinal uses, but also to botanists for its phylogenetic significance. We acquired its whole chloroplast genome (CP) through genome skimming. The CP genome ofCentella asiatica was 154,771 bp in length, including a large single-copy (LSC) region with 86176 bp, a small single copy (SSC) region with 18107 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats (IR) regions with 25,343 bp. The whole AT content of the CP genome was 62.3%. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that Centella asiatica formed a separate clade sister to Saniculoideae and Apioideae species in the family Apiaceae. The work provides beneficial data for following researches on the genetic variation, species identification, phylogeny, and classification of Centella.

Influential neighbours: Seeds of dominant species affect the germination of common grassland species

AbstractQuestionsGermination is a prerequisite of successful establishment in plant communities and is influenced by many factors. Therefore, seeds are under strong selective pressure to sense and integrate information about their environment and modulate germination based on it. In this study, we focus on interspecific seed–seed interactions under optimal and suboptimal conditions to test three hypotheses: (H1) dominant species’ seeds and emerging seedlings are most likely to be recognised by neighbouring seeds and exert a significant effect on the germination of common subordinate species; (H2) taxonomically related species are expected to exert stronger influence than unrelated species on the germination of neighbouring seeds; and (H3) facilitative interactions are more likely to occur under suboptimal conditions (drought stress) in the seed–seed interactions.LocationSemi‐dry temperate grassland belonging to the Festuco‐Brometea class, Cluj‐Napoca, Romania.MethodsWe assessed the rate and speed of germination of three common subordinate Asteraceae species (target species) in a controlled germination experiment. The target species’ seeds were sown in combination with low and high densities of neighbour species: two dominant Poaceae species, two subordinate Asteraceae species and two subordinate Apiaceae species; under optimal or drought conditions.ResultsUnder optimal water conditions, particularly the seeds of the two dominant Poaceae species affected the germination of target species. Under drought stress, almost all neighbouring species altered the germination of two of the target species, enhancing or reducing their germination rate. Facilitation in seed–seed interactions was proved to be species‐specific rather than general under drought conditions.ConclusionsWe found evidence that the status in a plant community (dominant or subordinate), but not the taxonomic relatedness influences the outcome of seed–seed interactions during germination. Under drought stress, the persistent competitive effect of the dominant species might considerably hinder the recruitment of subordinate grassland species.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Peucedanum chujaense (Apiaceae), an endemic species to Korea

Peucedanum chujaense is a newly discovered species of Apiaceae and is endemic to southern and western islands in Korea. In this study, complete chloroplast genome sequence of P. chujaense was characterized through de novo assembly with next-generation sequencing data. The chloroplast genome is 147,839 bp long and has a typical quadripartite organization consisting of a large single copy, a small single copy, and a pair of inverted repeats. The chloroplast genome harbored 80 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes.

<p><strong>Notes on the genus <em>Zeravschania </em>(Apiaceae) with description of two new species from Afghanistan and Iran</strong></p>

Two species of Apiaceae are described as new to science: Zeravschania khorasanica from the Khorasan Province, eastern Iran, and Z. podlechii from the Ghor Province, central Afghanistan. Zeravschania khorasanica is related to Z. regeliana and Z. scabrifolia, but differs in rigid remains of petioles and sheaths, deeply laciniate ultimate segments of leaves, and broad-keeled ribs of mericarps. Zeravschania podlechii differs from other species of the genus in multiple stems, short internodes, dichotomous branching, and an unusual life form (сushion plant). In addition, Z. knappii is transferred to the genus Dichoropetalum on the basis of morphological evidence.

Detection of two new cryptic species of Kiefferia (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) by means of morphological, molecular and ecological studies

AbstractMorphological, molecular and ecological studies revealed that Kiefferia Mik, 1985 (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is not a monotypic genus. Two new species, Kiefferia ezoensis sp. nov. and K. olla sp. nov. from Japan and Korea are added to the known European species, Kiefferia pericarpiicola. The new and known species are distinguishable from each other mainly by the shape of the larval sternal spatula. Molecular data support the results of morphological classification. Species of Kiefferia induce fruit galls on various plant species of Apiaceae. We found that K. ezoensis and K. olla utilized exclusively Angelica ursina and Oenanthe javanica, respectively. In contrast, we listed 37 apiaceous species belonging to 23 genera as hosts for K. pericarpiicola from previously published reports, suggesting the existence of additional undescribed species. Life history patterns of the three species are distinctly different from each other. Mature larvae of K. ezoensis and K. olla drop to the ground with the fruit gall in October and September, respectively, whereas mature larvae of K. pericarpiicola quit the galls and drop to the ground in August. A key to the Kiefferia species is provided based on morphological features and information on life history patterns and host ranges.

Sequencing and analyses on chloroplast genomes of Tetrataenium candicans and two allies give new insights on structural variants, DNA barcoding and phylogeny in Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae.

BackgroundTetrataenium candicans is a traditional Chinese folk herbal medicine used in the treatment of asthma and rheumatic arthritis. Alongside several Tordyliinae species with fleshy roots, it is also regarded as a substitute for a Chinese material medicine called ‘Danggui’. However, a lack of sufficient sampling and genomic information has impeded species identification and the protection of wild resources.MethodsThe complete chloroplast genomes of T. candicans from two populations, Tetrataenium yunnanense and Semenovia transilliensis, were assembled from two pipelines using data generated from next generation sequencing (NGS). Pseudogenes, inverted repeats (IRs) and hyper-variable regions were located by Geneious 11.1.5. Repeat motifs were searched using MISA and REPuter. DNA polymorphism and segment screening were processed by DNAsp5, and PCR product was sequenced with Sanger’s sequencing method. Phylogeny was inferred by MEGA 7.0 and PhyML 3.0.ResultsThe complete chloroplast genomes of T. candicans from two populations, T. yunnanense and S. transilliensis, were 142,261 bp, 141,985 bp, 142,714 bp and 142,145 bp in length, respectively, indicating conservative genome structures and gene categories. We observed duplications of trnH and psbA caused by exceptional contractions and expansions of the IR regions when comparing the four chloroplast genomes with previously published data. Analyses on DNA polymorphism located 29 candidate cp DNA barcodes for the authentication of ‘Danggui’ counterfeits. Meanwhile, 34 hyper-variable markers were also located by the five Tordyliinae chloroplast genomes, and 11 of them were screened for population genetics of T. candicans based on plastome information from two individuals. The screening results indicated that populations of T.candicans may have expanded. Phylogeny inference on Apiaceae species by CDS sequences showed most lineages were well clustered, but the five Tordyliinae species failed to recover as a monophyletic group, and the phylogenetic relationship between tribe Coriandreae, tribe Selineae, subtribe Tordyliinae and Sinodielsia clade remains unclear.DiscussionThe four chloroplast genomes offer valuable information for further research on species identification, cp genome structure, population demography and phylogeny in Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae.

Modification of DC polarographic antioxidant assay—Application to aromatic plants and their active principles

AbstractA direct current (DC) polarographic assay based on the decrease of anodic current of HydroxoPerhydroxoMercury (II) Complex (HPMC) formation in H2O2 solution in Clark Lubs (CL) buffer (pH 9.8) as working solution was previously applied to determine antioxidant (AO) capacity of water‐soluble compounds. Here, the applicability of HPMC assay was extended into samples poorly soluble in water such as the essential oils and extracts of Lamiaceae and Apiaceae species obtained by ultrasound‐assisted maceration (UAM) and Soxhlet extraction (SE) with 70 and 96% ethanol as well as individual compounds present. The influence of solvents miscible with water on HPMC anodic current was studied, and working solution was optimized. A modified HPMC method was applied to measure AO capacity of essential oils and extracts as well as compounds identified using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometer (GC‐MS) and gas chromatography with flame‐ionization detection (GC‐FID) (terpenoids and catechols) or known to be present (phenolic acids and flavonoids). A 1:1 mixture of CL buffer and ethanol was chosen as working solution. AO capacity of essential oils and extracts, established by modified HPMC assay, was in range of 1.2‐2.0 and 9.2‐38.4 (%/mL) while terpenoids and phenolics in range of 0.1‐0.5 and 13.5‐38.5 (%/mol), respectively. The superior AO capacity was ascribed to essential oils and extracts of Lamiaceae species and to extracts obtained with 70% ethanol. A higher AO capacity of extracts in comparison to essential oils was corroborated with a difference in phenolics and terpenoids capacity.

Anise-cultured cells abolish 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in culture medium.

In anise (Pimpinella anisum, family Apiaceae), callus-like embryogenic cells (embryogenic callus) are induced by culturing hypocotyl explants in 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)-containing medium, and somatic embryos are formed from embryogenic callus transferred into 2,4-D-free medium. Anise somatic embryos are also induced even if embryogenic callus is continually cultured in 2,4-D-containing medium without subculturing. In this study, we aimed to clarify the dynamics of 2,4-D during anise cell culture. After culturing anise callus in 2,4-D-containing medium, 2,4-D in the medium was analyzed by thin-layer chromatography. In the medium, 2,4-D was decreased during anise callus culture, and fully abolished after 5-day culture. On the other hand, no decrease in 2,4-D was observed in the other Apiaceae species (carrot, fennel, dill, parsley, and coriander). After 7-day culture of anise callus, the medium was collected following removal of the cultured cells and 2,4-D was added to the collected medium. After 10 days of incubation and shaking, 2,4-D was markedly decreased in the medium. However, when the collected medium was heat-treated at 100°C, 2,4-D was detected after 20 days of incubation. Therefore, anise callus has a specific 2,4-D degradation system, in which heat-inactivated secreted molecules may participate.

Antimicrobial Activity and Analysis of the Essential Oils of Selected Endemic Edible Apiaceae Plants Root from Caspian Hyrcanian Region (North of Iran)

Background: Different endemic species of Apiaceae that widely grow in Hyrcanian region have long been used as spices and herbal remedies. Chemical compositions and bioactivity of many of these plants have not been studied scientifically. The volatile constituents and antimicrobial activity of four edible Apiaceae plants—Elaeosticta glaucescens Boiss, Malabaila secacul (Mill.) Boiss, Caucalis platycarpos L., and Eryngium caucasicum Trautv—roots were investigated. Methods: Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and gas chromatography/flame ionization detection (GC–FID) methods were used for chemical investigation. Antimicrobial potential of the volatile compositions of these roots were investigated using the disc diffusion method on four microorganisms including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis. Results: The best minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of these species were revealed for B. subtilis and S. aureus (500 µg/mL for MIC and MBC) followed by E. caucasicum and C. platycarpus, respectively. The main compounds of E. caucasicum root essential oil were hexyl isovalerate (11.0%) and hexyl valerate (10.1%). E. glaucescens root essential oil was mainly composed of 3(10)-caren-4-ol, acetoacetic acid ester (9.8%), octyl isovalerate (8.9%), and octyl acetate (5.7%). In C. platycarpos root, hexyl isovalerate (9.2%) and n-octyl isobutyrate (8.5%) were constituted the major compositions of the essential oil while n-hexyl isobutyrate (8.5%) and hexyl hexanoate (7.8%) were predominant compounds in M. secacul. Conclusion: The essential oils of E. caucasicum and C. platycarpus roots were contained high amount of short chain fatty acid esters (SCFAE) and trans- pinocarvyl acetate. They exhibited moderate antibacterial activity.

Dynamic Chloroplast Genome Rearrangement and DNA Barcoding for Three Apiaceae Species Known as the Medicinal Herb "Bang-Poong".

Three Apiaceae species Ledebouriella seseloides, Peucedanum japonicum, and Glehnia littoralis are used as Asian herbal medicines, with the confusingly similar common name “Bang-poong”. We characterized the complete chloroplast (cp) genomes and 45S nuclear ribosomal DNA (45S nrDNA) sequences of two accessions for each species. The complete cp genomes of G. littoralis, L. seseloides, and P. japonicum were 147,467, 147,830, and 164,633 bp, respectively. Compared to the other species, the P. japonicum cp genome had a huge inverted repeat expansion and a segmental inversion. The 45S nrDNA cistron sequences of the three species were almost identical in size and structure. Despite the structural variation in the P. japonicum cp genome, phylogenetic analysis revealed that G. littoralis diverged 5–6 million years ago (Mya), while P. japonicum diverged from L. seseloides only 2–3 Mya. Abundant copy number variations including tandem repeats, insertion/deletions, and single nucleotide polymorphisms, were found at the interspecies level. Intraspecies-level polymorphism was also found for L. seseloides and G. littoralis. We developed nine PCR barcode markers to authenticate all three species. This study characterizes the genomic differences between L. seseloides, P. japonicum, and G. littoralis; provides a method of species identification; and sheds light on the evolutionary history of these three species.

Phytochemical characterization and bioactivities of five Apiaceae species: Natural sources for novel ingredients

Several species of the Apiaceae family have been employed in traditional cultures for their curative virtues. The present study focused on five Apiaceae species, (Falcaria vulgaris (FV), Smyrniopsis aucheri (SA), Smyrniopsis munzurdagensis (SM), Smyrnium cordifolium (SC), and Actinolema macrolema (AM)). The antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase, lipase, and tyrosinase), antimicrobial, phytochemical, and cytotoxicity profiles of the methanol extracts of the selected Apiaceae species were determined. SC extract (35.68 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract) possessed the highest phenolic content while the AM extract (56.79 mg rutin equivalent/g extract) had the highest flavonoid content. HPLC-ESI-MS (High performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry) analyses showed presence of ferulic acid in all the five species. SC extract exhibited high radical scavenging (59.28 and 94.31 mg Trolox equivalent [TE]/g extract, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid), respectively) and reducing activity (161.44 and 113.62 mg TE/g extract, for CUPRAC (cupric reducing antioxidant capacity) and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power), respectively). SM extract exhibited the highest cholinesterase’s inhibitory action (3.82 and 4.76 mg galantamine equivalent/g extract, for acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase, respectively). The extracts showed higher inhibition against α-glucosidase (7.32-11.99 mmol acarbose equivalent [ACAE]/g extract) compared to α-amylase (0.51-0.55 mmol ACAE/g extract). SC extract was the most active (137.54 mg kojic acid equivalent/g extract) tyrosinase inhibitor and FV extract (113.75 mg Orlistat equivalent/g) the best lipase inhibitor. SM extract showed potent antibacterial effect against B. cereus (MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) 0.180 mg/mL), P. mirabilis (MIC 0.180 mg/mL), M. flavus (MIC 0.560 mg/mL), P. aeruginosa (MIC 0.275 mg/mL), and S. typhimurium (MIC 1.500 mg/mL). FV extract (MIC 0.140 mg/mL) suppressed A. fumigatus growth. Cytotoxicity was assessed on murine macrophage (RAW 264.7), human embryonic kidney (HEK 293), and human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines. FV (60.3%) and SM (57.4%) showed the highest reduction on RAW 264.7 cellular viability, whereas SM (74.1%) showed toxicity against HepG2. This study supports that the Apiaceae species could be considered as promising candidates for the development of novel pharmacophores for the management of several human ailments.

Contributions to the taxonomy of the Irano-Turanian genus Rhabdosciadium (Apiaceae): Nomenclatural notes, carpology, molecular phylogeny and the description of a new species from Bitlis (Turkey)

A new Rhabdosciadium (Apiaceae) species, R. hizanense is described and illustrated from eastern Anatolia (Bitlis/Hizan). The new species has a distinct appearance with caespitose, low-growing habit and regularly pinnate, ovate-lobed leaves. It is most closely related to another recently described distinct Rhabdosciadium species, R. anatolyi, but differs from it by various features. Because R. anatolyi has been described based on a sample at the vegetative development stage, the holotype of the species has no flowers or fruits and the description of the species is incomplete. Hence, we designated a fully developed epitype for R. anatolyi. Comprehensive descriptions of both species are provided, including detailed photographs, geographical distribution maps, habitats and ecology, vernacular names, ethnobotanical usages, and IUCN conservation statuses. The phylogenetic position of the species within Rhabdosciadium, as well as within tribe Careae, was also studied based on nuclear-encoded ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) sequence analysis.

Composition of Some Apiaceae Seed Oils Includes Phytochemicals, and Mass Spectrometry of Fatty Acid 2‐Methoxyethyl Esters

The seed oils of eight Apiaceae species, angelica (Angelica archangelica), anise (Pimpinella anisum), caraway (Carum carvi), carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus), coriander (cilantro; Coriandrum sativum), cumin (Cuminum cyminum), dill (Anethum graveolens), and parsley (Petroselinum crispum), obtained by hexane extraction, are investigated for their composition. As is known for the Apiaceae family, the major fatty acid in all oils is petroselinic acid (6(Z)‐octadecenoic acid). Quantification of petroselinic and oleic acids is carried out with their 2‐methoxyethyl esters, resolving the overlap occurring for methyl esters. Linoleic acid is the second most prominent fatty acid, followed by oleic acid with lesser amounts of linolenic, palmitic, and stearic acids. Most of these seed oils contain significant amounts of specific phytochemicals, including anethole in anise, carvone in caraway and dill as well as angelica in lesser amounts, cuminaldehyde in cumin, and apiole and myristicin observed only in parsley. Minor amounts of three C16:1 isomers, Δ4, Δ6, and Δ9, are observed in all oils, thus appearing characteristic of these seed oils. The mass spectra of 2‐methoxyethyl esters are reported with a salient feature being the base peak in the mass spectrum of 2‐methoxyethyl petroselinate at m/z 84 compared to the usual m/z 55.Practical Applications: Knowledge of the composition of seed oils is of utmost significance for their use in all applications, food and non‐food. Typically, these oils are obtained by hexane extraction of the seeds. This work now shows that seed oils from the common Apiaceae family, which includes many food‐related species, contain phytochemicals, which often have physiological significance and are usually associated with other plant parts. Besides this, the mass spectra of the 2‐methoxyethyl esters of fatty acids as found in these seed oils are reported as these esters were shown in the past to be especially suitable for quantification. This information is valuable for verifying the nature of these esters.The seed oils of Apiaceae species contain a variety of specific phytochemicals. The most common fatty acid is petroselinic acid, with 2‐methoxyethyl esters known to allow quantification of this acid. The mass spectra of fatty 2‐methoxyethyl esters are reported.

Mulinane and Azorellane Diterpenoid Biomarkers by GC-MS from a Representative Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) Species of the Andes.

Extracts of bled resin from Azorella compacta, of the Azorelloideae family from the Andes (>4000 m), were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The mass spectra of the dominant compounds of the resin and its hydrogenation products were documented. The most abundant compounds were oxygenated diterpenoids, namely mulinadien-20-oic (Δ11,13 and Δ11,14) acids, azorell-13-en-20-oic acid, 13α,14β-dihydroxymulin-11-en-20-oic acid, and azorellanol, with a group of azorellenes and mulinadienes. The mass spectra of the novel diterpenoid hydrocarbons with the azorellane and mulinane skeletons were also presented. This study documents the molecular diversity of these diterpenoid classes, and could be of great utility for future organic geochemical, environmental, archeological, pharmaceutical, and forensic chemistry studies.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of the Apium graveolens L. (Apiaceae)

Apium graveolens L. is a worldwide popular vegetable with pharmacological efficacy. The complete chloroplast genome of A. graveolens was determined in this study. The total genome size was 152,050 bp in length, containing a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 24,743 bp, which were separated by large single copy (LSC) and small single copy (SSC) of 85,441 bp and 17,123 bp, respectively. The GC content is 37.64%. A total of 129 genes were predicted including 84 protein-coding genes, eight rRNA genes and 37 tRNA genes. Phylogenetic tree analysis of 30 species in the family Apiaceae indicated that A. graveolens was closer to Anethum, Foeniculum and Petroselinum.

Cytogenetical Assessment of Apiaceae Lindl. From District Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh, India

During the present study, population-based meiotic studies were carried out on 10 species of Family Apiaceae from selected localities of district Sirmaur of Himachal Pradesh in the Western Himalayas (India). New chromosome counts in Heracleum canescens (2n=22) and Pleurospermum brunonis (2n=22) have been reported for the first time on world-wide basis. Furthermore, meiotic course was noted to be normal in Bupleurum lanceolatum, B. longicaule, Heracleum brunonis, Sanicula elata, Selinum tenuifolium, S. vaginatum and Vicatia coniifolia, it varied from normal to abnormal in the populations of Bupleurum hamiltonii and Heracleum canescens whereas it was invariably found to be abnormal in all the populations of Pleurospermum brunonis. These anomalous taxa were marked with meiotic abnormalities in the form of cytomixis, chromosomal stickiness, unoriented bivalents, formation of laggards and bridges resulting in abnormal microsporogenesis, and production of heterogeneous-sized fertile pollen grains along with reduced pollen fertility.