Campestris Seeds Research Articles

Sensitivity of Cuscuta species and their hosts to Anethum graveolens essential oil

The purpose of this study was to examine in vitro the herbicidal effect of an essential oil of dill (Anethum graveolens) on germination and early seedling growth of two parasitic flowering plants in the genus Cuscuta (Cuscuta campestris and C. epithymum), as well as its phytotoxic impact on germination and early seedling growth of two host plants (alfalfa and red clover). Chemical analysis of the essential oil extracted from dill leaves and flowers showed that carvone (51.69%) and limonene (39.88%) predominated. The results of a seed bioassay showed inhibitory effects of different concentrations (1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, and 0.01% v v-1) of the essential oil of dill leaves on germination and early seedling growth of both tested species of the genus Cuscuta. Germination of C. campestris seeds was inhibited between 67% and 94%, while seed germination of C. epithymum was inhibited between 67% and 100%. A similar inhibitory effect was observed regarding the seedling length parameter. Moreover, the bioassay results indicated significant phytotoxic effects of dill essential oil on the seed germination and early seedling growth of host plants. Red clover proved more sensitive as even the lowest concentration inhibited germination by 35%, while higher concentrations caused 70-100% inhibition. On the other hand, lower concentations inhibited germination of alfalfa seeds by 5%, while higher concentrations caused greater inhibition (36-100%). Future research should include both pot experiments and field micro-trials to determine herbicidal, i.e. phytotoxic, effects of dill essential oil on parasitic flowering plants and cultivated species.

Melatonin‐rich, erucic acid‐lean nutraceutical supplements by microwave‐assisted solvent extraction of brown and yellow mustard seeds

The microwave-assisted solvent extraction (MASE) parameters optimized by Taguchi L9 (34) orthogonal array design to obtain extracts with a favorable combination of high melatonin-cum-low erucic acid content from Brassica juncea (BJ) and Brassica campestris (BC) seeds were: seed particle diameter of 500 μm for BJ and 420 μm for BC seeds, 1:10 sample to solvent (50% ethanolic water) ratio, 180 W microwave power, and 10 min extraction time. The yield of melatonin from BC was relatively higher owing to its greater protein and/or moisture content(s). Biochemical characterization confirmed a synergistic consortium of antioxidants in the extracts, viz. melatonin along with co-extracted ascorbic acid, limonene, and linalool. At the optimized condition, the actual power absorbed by the seed-solvent matrices (21.5 W in BJ-, 24.6 W in BC-MASE extracts) was lower compared to the microwave power applied (180 W) during MASE. Our studies affirm safe consumption of the extracts as melatonin-rich nutraceutical supplements. Novelty impact statement This work is of significance since melatonin which is commercially used as a drug has been extracted from an unconventional source, that is, from an oilseed crop for use as a food antioxidant. MASE has been conducted for the first time with green solvents for obtaining “melatonin rich-cum-erucic acid-lean” extracts of brown and yellow mustard seeds embracing natural “antioxidant synergy” within. The procedure established in this work could be easily scaled up to commercial level extraction of “a synergistic consortium of antioxidants” from other oilseeds (or allied food matrices).

Allelopathic effect of Morus alba, Populus nigra and Euphorbia helioscopia on Brassica campestris

The current research work investigates the allelopathic potential of leaves of most common plants found in Brassica farms i.e. Morus alba, Populus nigra and Euphorbia helioscopia on seed germination and seedling growth of Brassica campestris. Fresh and dry leaves of M. alba, P. nigra and E. Helioscopia was prepared by soaking fresh chopped leaves and dry leaves in powder form (5g, 10g and 15g) were soaked in 100ml of distilled water for 48hrs and were filtered after 24hrs. The extract of M. alba, P. nigra and E. helioscopia was applied on B. campestris seeds to study its effect on germination percentage, radicle length and plumule length. The data was recorded in triplicates after 72hrs of the incubation period at 26oC. Extracts of M. alba and P. nigra significantly reduced the germination percentage while E. helioscopia enhanced the germination percentage of B. campestris. The results revealed that the most effective treatment was 10g fresh leaves extract of P. nigra which reduced the germination to 67% and showed no germination in 15g fresh leaves extract. The fresh and dry leaves extract of M. alba, P. nigra and E. helioscopia reduced the radicle and plumule length. Maximum reduction in the radicle length was recorded 95.41% in 10g fresh leaves extract of Populus nigra and maximum reduction in plumule length was recorded 95.49% in 15g dry leaves extract of Euphorbia helioscopia. The effect of dry leaves extract was more inhibitory effect than the fresh leaves extract. From the results it was concluded that the fresh and dry leaves extract of M. alba, P. nigra and E. helioscopia negatively affected the germination and seedling growth of Brassica campestris which indicates that some allelochemicals might be present in these plants. Keywords: Allelopathic effect, Brassica campestris; Euphorbia helioscopia; Germination percentage; Inhibitory effect; Morus alba, Populus nigra; Plumule length; Radicle length http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2021.100056

Detection of phytochemical compounds and pigments in seeds and shoots of Cuscuta campestris parasitizing on eggplant.

This study aimed to detect the chemical compounds contained in Cuscuta campestris seeds and shoot parts using the GC-MS following methanol extraction method,and also determining protein, total phenolic, total soluble carbohydrates, plant hormones and pigments for both seeds and shoot (flower and filament). The GC-MS analysis results showed six compounds are common between seed and shoot and the presence of different compounds in different plant parts including 24 compounds in seeds and 9 compounds in the shoot parts. The content of protein and carbohydrate in shoot (1.095% and 22.640mgg-1 respectively) were higher than in seeds and the total phenols content in seeds (11.094mgg-1) was greatest than in shoot. In addition, there were differences between seeds and filaments parts in terms of concentration of pigments and free plant hormones, filaments were superior in total chlorophyll and carotene content (5.37mg100g-1 and 13.26mg100g-1 respectively). In seeds, ABA content was very high reaching 93.38µM compared to other hormones, which had an effect on the seed dormancy of C. campestris.

Waterfowl endozoochory: An overlooked long-distance dispersal mode for Cuscuta (dodder).

Dispersal of parasitic Cuscuta species (dodders) worldwide has been assumed to be largely anthropomorphic because their seeds do not match any previously known dispersal syndrome and no natural dispersal vectors have been reliably documented. However, the genus has a subcosmopolitan distribution and recent phylogeographic results have indicated that at least18 historical cases of long-distance dispersal (LDD) have occurred during its evolution. The objective of this study is to report the first LDD biological vector for Cuscuta seeds. Twelve northern pintails (Anas acuta) were collected from Suisun Marsh, California and the contents of their lowest part of the large intestine (rectum) were extracted and analyzed. Seed identification was done both morphologically and using a molecular approach. Extracted seeds were tested for germination and compared to seeds not subjected to gut passage to determine the extent of structural changes caused to the seed coat by passing through the digestive tract. Four hundred and twenty dodder seeds were found in the rectum of four northern pintails. From these, 411 seeds were identified as Cuscuta campestris and nine as most likely C. pacifica. The germination rate of C. campestris seeds after gut passage was 55%. Structural changes caused by the gut passage in both species were similar to those caused by an acid scarification. Endozoochory by waterbirds may explain the historical LDD cases in the evolution of Cuscuta. This also suggests that current border quarantine measures may be insufficient to stopping spreading of dodder pests along migratory flyways.

Germination of Phelipanche aegyptiaca and Cuscuta campestris seeds in composted farm manure

The seed vitality of the parasitic weeds Phelipanche aegyptiaca (Egyptian broomrape) and Cuscuta campestris (field dodder) is a highly important factor in their dissemination to nearby and distant habitats. Fresh manure composting is an essential process as a ‘good agricultural practice’ of using manure safely as a fertilizer without dissemination of plant diseases, propagules or weed seeds. The aims of this research were a) to determine whether composting is effective in eliminating P. aegyptiaca and C. campestris seed vitality b) to evaluate the temperatures needed to eliminate seed viability of these species. Seeds of P. aegyptiaca and C. campestris were placed in various depths of compost piles and removed at different time intervals for germination rate determination. In a parallel experiment in the lab, P. aegyptiaca seeds were placed in incubators at fixed temperatures and removed periodically, to determine their germination rate. We found that ensuring compost temperatures above 55 °C for five to 6 h is sufficient to eradicate P. aegyptiaca seeds. This data was confirmed by the laboratory incubator experiments. Temperatures of 50–60 °C in the compost pile reduced C. campestris seed viability exponentially, but even 42 days of incubation did not completely eradicate their viability. Similar results were attained in a controlled temperature experiment in the laboratory, at which C. campestris seeds at 60 °C retained viability for 28 days. The results of this study stress the importance of maintaining high temperatures during manure composting procedures for eradication of P. aegyptiaca and C. campestris seeds and that. C. campestris seeds require a longer period of composting for eradication.

Effect of Mechanical and Chemical Scarification on Germination of Dodder (Cuscuta campestris Yunck.) Seed

Experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of seed treatment on germination of Cuscuta campestris. This may provide the possible ways to overcome the problem of dormancy in Cuscuta campestris. The experiments were conducted in the Laboratory of Crop Production and Horticulture, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria, using mechanical scarification and tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid (H2SO4). For the mechanical scarification the treatments were unscarified, scarified using sandpaper and scarified using gravel arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) and replicated four times. For the tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid (H2SO4) scarification, the treatment of control, 9:1, 7:3, 1:1, 4:6, 3:7, 2:8 and 1:9 H2SO4 were laid out in a Split plot design and replicated three times. The mechanical scarification was not significant (P ≤ 0.05), a rapid increase of germination from day 3 to day 9 was observed, and the highest rate of germination percentage (14% - 22%) obtained on day 9. Tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid treatment of 4:6 concentrations significantly gave the highest C. campestris seeds germination percentage (40.07%) compared with the rest of the treatments, while the time of soaking the seeds in the tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid showed that soaking the seeds for 1 minute significantly gave the highest percentage germination (39.98%) of C. campestris compared with the 3 and 5 minutes soaking treatments. It can be concluded that sulphuric acid of 4:6 concentrations treatments has the potentiality to break dormancy of C. campestris seeds.

Temperature effects on Cuscuta campestris Yunk. seed germination

Studies of biological characteristics of seeds and conditions for their germination have a major importance for planning and executing rational measures of weed control. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different temperatures on germination of C. campestris seeds. Three treatments (T1- storage at room temperature; T2 - exposure to 4?C for 30 days; T3 - scarification by concentrated sulphuric acid) differing in manipulation with seeds before germination were tested at different temperatures (5?C, 10?C, 15?C, 20?C, 25?C, 30?C, 35?C, 40?C, 45?C). Germinated seeds were counted daily for ten days and the length of seedlings was measured on the last day. The results showed that differences in germination of C. campestris seeds were very prominent between temperatures, as well as between treatments T1, T2 and T3. Seeds failed to germinate at 5?C and 45?C in all treatments (T1, T2, T3). Germination ranged from 6.25 at 10?C to 96.88%, the highest percentage, achieved at 30?C.

Effects of the Residues of Cuscuta campestris and Mikania micrantha on Subsequent Plant Germination and Early Growth

Cuscuta campestris, a dodder, can parasitize and suppress a scrambling herbaceous to semi-woody perennial vine, Mikania micrantha, one of the most destructive weeds in the world. To assess the effects of the mixed residue of C. campestris and M. micrantha on the subsequent plant community, we conducted a one-year experiment on the germination and seedling growth of subsequent plant community after the application of C. campestris. Seven treatments of varying proportions of C. campestris and M. micrantha residue on 21 subject trees and shrubs, which were commonly found in South China, resulted in a germination rate of 35.3% for all 8 715 seeds from 18 species, ranging from 5.7 to 81.9%; the remaining 3 species failed to germinate. ANOVA analysis showed that the residue did not affect the germination, growth, or mortality of the trees and shrubs. The germinated C. campestris seeds from the residue coiled the seedlings of most of the species, but less than 4% host death caused by C. campestris. In addition, the residue did not affect the germination of the herbaceous seedlings originating from the loam, and the similarity coefficients of the germinated seedlings between the treatments were very high. These results suggested that the residue had no negative impact on the germination and early seedling stages of the tree, shrub and grass species of the subsequent plant community. The use of C. campestris residue had a positive effect on the growth of M. micrantha, but it did not change the trend of M. micrantha being suppressed because re-parasitization occurred soon after the growth restarted. No negative effect was detected on the other species as a result of the parasitization of C. campestris or by the use of the mixed residue. This suggests that C. campestris is likely to be an effective and promising ecologically safe native herbaceous agent for controlling M. micrantha.

Quercetin is increased in heat-processed Cuscuta campestris seeds, which enhances the seed's anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities

Cuscuta seeds have been used as a Chinese medicine for many years. In this study, the chemical constituent profile and pharmacological bioactivities of extracted Cuscuta campestris seeds after a plain stir-baking process were investigated. Using a LC/MS-based metabolomics strategy, the compounds that changed significantly after plain stir-baking of the seeds were identified. Compared with unprocessed seeds, LC–MS/MS and HPLC chromatography analysis demonstrated that the compound that increased most significantly in the processed seeds was quercetin (23 fold). Moreover, the stir-baked seeds exhibited higher anti-inflammatory activity against RAW264.7 cells and higher antiproliferative activity against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. Here for the first time it is shown that Cuscuta seeds have anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities. In addition, it was found that processed seeds had higher levels of these two activities than unprocessed seeds. Taken together, these results suggest that quercetin in C. campestris seeds plays an important role in these two bioactivities.

Effect of Scarification, Self-Inhibition, and Sowing Depth on Seed Germination of Lupinus campestris

Lupinus campestris Schltdl. & Cham. grows in shallow fields and disturbed areas of Central Mexico. It has potential to improve soil fertility and as fodder. Seeds of L. campestris show dormancy, and the technology needed to increase its potential use requires information about conditions favouring seed germination. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seed germination responseof L. campestris under controlled (laboratory) and natural field conditions. Under laboratory conditions, 2 yr old seeds had a maximum germination percentage (50%) when they were scarified with sulphuric acid for 90 min prior to sowing and when laboratory light (0.5 µmol m-2 s-1) was maintained during the diurnal period. Without scarification, only about 3% of the seeds germinated. Light in laboratory resulted in an increased seed germination as compared to darkness condition. In the field experiment 1 yr old seeds were used testing the following treatments: (a) seed scarification (seeds scarified by 30 min immersion in sulphuric acid vs. not scarified), (b) presence or absence of plants of L. campestris in plots before field experiments, and (c) sowing depth (on soil surface and at 3 cm deep). The scarified seeds showed a germination percentage range between 50 and 64%, whereas non-scarified seeds had 9 to 16% germination. The seeds sowed in plots with or without plants of L. campestris (before the experiment) germinated similarly, indicating no evidence of self-inhibition of germination. Three conclusions come out: (1) Scarification treatment with sulphuric acid effectively breaks dormancy in L. campestris seeds; (2) Direct sowing of scarified seeds (on the soil surface or at 3 cm depth) resulted in a range of 50-64% of germination under field conditions; and (3) no evidence was obtained for self-inhibition or a positive interaction between preceding vegetation and seed germination of L. campestris.

Effect of Aqueous, Acid, and Alkaline Thermal Treatments on Antinutritional Factors Content and Protein Quality in Lupinus campestris Seed Flour

Lupinus campestris seeds grown in Mexico have a similar composition to soybean (44% protein, 13% lipids). Use of lupin seed in human and animal diets is limited by its quinolizidine alkaloids (QAs) and other antinutritional factor contents. The effect of aqueous, acid, and alkaline thermal debittering treatments with L. campestris seeds flour was evaluated on QAs, oligosaccharides (RFOs), and phenolic compounds (PCs) contents, as well as protein quality. The alkaline treatment most effectively eliminated QAs. Protein content increased from 430 g/kg in untreated seeds to 543 in the aqueous treatment, 567 in the alkaline treatment, and 563 g/kg in the acid treatment. RFOs were eliminated in all treatments. The obtained sample with alkaline treatment had the best protein quality (2.04); this value was 17% lower than that of casein (2.45). The apparent digestibility was over 90% in all treatments, with the aqueous treatment exhibiting the best value (93%).

Bio-stimulatory properties in seeds of plants from the families Caryophyllaceae and Fabaceae with application potential in agriculture

A comparative investigation into the bio-stimulatory activity of seed suspensions from two South African plant species belonging to each of the families Caryophyllaceae and Fabaceae were conducted using ComCat®, a commercially available bio-stimulant, as a positive control. These included Acacia erioloba and Acacia karroo from the family Fabaceae and Dianthus basuticus and Pollichia campestris from the family Caryophyllaceae. Three different bio-assays were applied to screen for possible bio-stimulatory activity in the seed suspensions. These included the effect on the respiration rate of monoculture yeast cells, germination of seeds from five vegetable crops and subsequent root growth in seedlings. The study confirmed that seed suspensions of A. eri-oloba and P . c a m p e s tr is were consistently most active in terms of all three bio-assays used to test for bio-stimulatory activity. Following liquid-solid extraction of crude extracts from these two species by using organic solvents with increasing polarity, a very small amount of active extract was recovered from P. campestris seeds. Subsequently, only the semi-purified and active ethyl acetate fraction of an A. erioloba crude extract was purified further. By means of column- and preparative thin layer chromatography the active compound was isolated, purified and identified as 2-ethyl-hexyl phthalate by means of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The latter was proven not to be an artefact of the extraction process. It is concluded that sufficient evidence in terms of the application potential of an A. erioloba extract in agriculture has been produced to warrant further investigation under field conditions.

Effect of Aqueous Leaf Leachate of Anthemis cotula– An Alien Invasive Species on Germination Behaviour of Some Field Crops

AbstractLeaf leachate of Anthemis cotula inhibits seed germination of the commonly cultivated field crops in Kashmir valley. Among the four indices of germination (GT, S, AS, CRG), S (speed of germination) and AS (speed of accumulated germination) are sensitive enough to establish the allelopathic activity of the leaf leachate. Inhibition of seed/grain germination of the field crops showed a species‐specific and dose‐dependent response with highest inhibition occurring at 5000 ppm concentration. Brassica campestris seeds are most sensitive, whereas those of Vigna radiata are least sensitive. Interestingly, achene germination of A. cotula is promoted by its own leachate at low concentrations and inhibited at high concentrations.

Germination ecology, emergence and host detection in Cuscuta campestris

SummaryTrials were carried out to study the germination and dormancy of Cuscuta campestris Y. (dodder) seeds and factors influencing the success of early parasitisation of sugarbeet. Primary dormancy can be removed by seed scarification. Germination was negligible at 10°C and optimal at 30°C, while it was not influenced by light. Seed burial induced a cycle of induction and breaking of secondary dormancy. Seedling emergence was inversely proportional to the depth of seed burial and only seed buried within 5 cm of the soil surface emerged. Storage of C. campestris seeds in a laboratory for 12 years resulted in the loss of primary dormancy, enabling the germination of all viable seeds. Host infection (i.e. protrusion of parasite haustoria from host tissue) was heavily influenced by host growth stage. Tropism towards a host was due to the perception of light transmitted by green parts of sugarbeet plants. Insertion of a transparent glass sheet between host leaves and parasite seedlings did not modify this response. This phototropism permitted Cuscuta to identify host plants with high chlorophyll content as a function of the lower red/far red ratio of transmitted light.

Allelopathic Effects of Volatile Monoterpenoids Produced by Salvia leucophylla: Inhibition of Cell Proliferation and DNA Synthesis in the Root Apical Meristem of Brassica campestris Seedlings

Salvia leucophylla, a shrub observed in coastal south California, produces several volatile monoterpenoids (camphor, 1,8-cineole, beta-pinene, alpha-pinene, and camphene) that potentially act as allelochemicals. The effects of these were examined using Brassica campestris as the test plant. Camphor, 1,8-cineole, and beta-pinene inhibited germination of B. campestris seeds at high concentrations, whereas alpha-pinene and camphene did not. Root growth was inhibited by all five monoterpenoids in a dose-dependent manner, but hypocotyl growth was largely unaffected. The monoterpenoids did not alter the sizes of matured cells in either hypocotyls or roots, indicating that cell expansion is relatively insensitive to these compounds. They did not decrease the mitotic index in the shoot apical region, but specifically lowered mitotic index in the root apical meristem. Moreover, morphological and biochemical analyses on the incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine into DNA demonstrated that the monoterpenoids inhibit both cell-nuclear and organelle DNA synthesis in the root apical meristem. These results suggest that the monoterpenoids produced by S. leucophylla could interfere with the growth of other plants in its vicinity through inhibition of cell proliferation in the root apical meristem.

Effects of the Fermentation Product of Herbs by Lactic Acid Bacteria against Phytopathogenic Filamentous Fungi and on the Growth of Host Plants

The fermentation product of herbs by lactic acid bacteria (FHL) was assayed for antifungal activities against Rosellinia necatrix , Helicobasidium mompa , Fusarium oxysporum , Pythium graminicola and Pyricularia oryzae . FHL completely inhibited the growth of R. necatrix , H. mompa , P. graminicola and P. oryzae , and reduced the growth of F. oxysporum by 35%. When the seeds of Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa), Asparagus officinalis L. (asparagus), Brassica campestris L. (komatsuna), Oryza sativa L. (rice), Spinacia oleracea L. (spinach), Festuca arundinacea Schreb. (tall fescue), and Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. (tomato) were put on plates containing 0.69 mg/ml FHL, their germination rates did not decrease. The root elongation of A. officinalis , B. campestris , O. sativa , and L. esculentum seedlings was suppressed on plates containing 6.92 mg/ml FHL, but the root elongation of M. sativa was not suppressed on the 6.92 mg/ml FHL plate. When FHL was diluted to less than 1.73 mg/ml, the diluted FHL solution did not suppress the germination of B. campestris seeds, but it suppressed the root elongation of B. campestris seedlings. An FHL concentration higher than 0.35 mg/ml hastened the growth of seedlings of B. campestris in the presence of a chemical fertilizer but delayed the growth of these seedlings in the absence of the chemical fertilizer, suggesting that inorganic elements could affect the efficiency of FHL.

Effects of the fermentation product of herbs by lactic acid bacteria against phytopathogenic filamentous fungi and on the growth of host plants

The fermentation product of herbs by lactic acid bacteria (FHL) was assayed for antifungal activities against Rosellinia necatrix, Helicobasidium mompa, Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium graminicola and Pyricularia oryzae. FHL completely inhibited the growth of R. necatrix, H. mompa, P. graminicola and P. oryzae, and reduced the growth of F. oxysporum by 35%. When the seeds of Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa), Asparagus officinalis L. (asparagus), Brassica campestris L. (komatsuna), Oryza sativa L. (rice), Spinacia oleracea L. (spinach), Festuca arundinacea Schreb. (tall fescue), and Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. (tomato) were put on plates containing 0.69 mg/ml FHL, their germination rates did not decrease. The root elongation of A. officinalis, B. campestris, O. sativa, and L. esculentum seedlings was suppressed on plates containing 6.92 mg/ml FHL, but the root elongation of M. sativa was not suppressed on the 6.92 mg/ml FHL plate. When FHL was diluted to less than 1.73 mg/ml, the diluted FHL solution did not suppress the germination of B. campestris seeds, but it suppressed the root elongation of B. campestris seedlings. An FHL concentration higher than 0.35 mg/ml hastened the growth of seedlings of B. campestris in the presence of a chemical fertilizer but delayed the growth of these seedlings in the absence of the chemical fertilizer, suggesting that inorganic elements could affect the efficiency of FHL.

Antimutagenic activity of phenolic compounds, oligosaccharides and quinolizidinic alkaloids from Lupinus campestris seeds

There are some foods that contain mutagenic or carcinogenic agents, some of which occur naturally and others that may be formed during preparation or cooking. Several foods such as legumes, also contain natural antimutagens and/or anticarcinogens. Lupine is one such legume that contains high amounts of protein (40%) and oils (14%). About 90 species of lupine have been reported throughout Mexico. However, the use of this crop as a source of food has been limited by the presence of antinutritional agents such as phenolic compounds (PC), carbohydrates (CH) and quinolizidinic alkaloids (Qas). It has also been suggested that consuming these compounds can affect human health and may even reduce the risk of disease. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of PC, CH and Qas, isolated and quantified from Lupinus campestris on the mutagenicity of 1-nitropyrene (1-NP) as a model mutagen and we used the Salmonella typhimurium tester strain YG1024 by the Kado microsuspension method. The results indicate that L. campestris seeds have 11 mg (+)catechin equivalent g−1 seed coat; 120.3 mg g−1 seeds and 2.13 mg g−1 seeds of PC, CH and Qas, respectively. 1-NP mutagenicity was inhibited by 86% for PC, 76% for CH and 75% for Qas at concentrations of 200, 512 and 13.6 μg/tube, respectively.

Effect of aqueous and alkaline thermal treatments on chemical composition and oligosaccharide, alkaloid and tannin contents of Lupinus campestris seeds

The utilisation of Lupinus campestris seeds has been limited for some years owing to the presence of toxic quinolizidine alkaloids (QAs) and antinutritional factors (ANFs). The oligosaccharide content was analysed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to detect alkaloids, using caffeine (0.2 mg ml −1) as internal standard. Tannins were determined by the Folin–Dennis colorimetric method. Two methods were tested to reduce or eliminate the QAs and ANFs, (a) aqueous thermal treatment and (b) alkaline thermal treatment (NaHCO3 0.5% solution), both of them for 6 h at boiling temperature. In both cases the removal of oligosaccharides, in amounts of 70 and 90% respectively, was also achieved. The alkaloid contents were reduced to innocuous levels in both cases (less than 0.4–0.5%). The alkaline thermal treatment, in which the seed had a final alkaloid content of 0.002%, was more efficient than the aqueous thermal treatment. The tannin content also showed a reduction of 71% with the aqueous treatment and 77% with the alkaline treatment. The results show that alkaline thermal treatment is more efficient at eliminating these ANFs. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry