Crotalaria Pallida Research Articles

Bioactive zinc nanomaterials synthesized from Crotalaria Pallida leaf extract using hydrothermal method

In the present-day nanotechnology is popular in all the fields of technology. The extended application of nanotechnology was utilized in drug delivery, dye absorption, wastewater removal, and in environmental pollutant eradication. However, it is important to follow green synthesis of nanomaterials for safety purposes. In the present study, the zinc nanomaterial was synthesized using a hydrothermal method from Crotalaria pallida leaf extract, which shows that the average size distribution of zinc nanomaterials that have been synthesized was 45 nm and cuboidal in shape. This is identified from the characterization studies that includes X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). Thus, the study has identified that the hydrothermal synthesis of nanomaterials is easy to synthesize, feasible and efficient. Some biological assays such as alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition for anti-diabetic activity, cytotoxicity assays for anticancer activities and various other biological assays were carried out for different purposes. All these assays have proved that the nanomaterial extracted from Crotalaria pallida leaf extract has applicability in various fields. Interestingly most of the assays provide increased activity in increased concentration of nanomaterial and proved their therapeutic effect on medicine.

Soil amendments influence early plant survival and growth in reclamation of severely degraded lands by gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon

Gold mining has been causing the most severe impacts on the soils of the Peruvian Amazon. It has created challenges for their recovery. In this context, soil amendments could play a crucial role in plant establishment in post-mining soils. The study aimed to analyze the effects of two amendments on the early plant survival and growth of seven species in the reclamation of severely degraded lands by gold mining in the Southeastern Peruvian Amazon. The study was based on a completely randomized block design, including 2-amendment treatments (T1: sawdust + island guano manure and T2: T1 + organic soil + hydrogel) and a control. The plant survivorship, height growth, diameter growth, and biomass accumulation were measured. This study found that amendments may be effective at increasing survivorship and plant growth in degraded lands by gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon. The amendments increased the survival, diameter, height, and biomass of most plant species in the study. In general, survivorship and plant growth in T2 were high compared to T1. At the end of the experiment, the highest survivorship was for an Indigofera suffruticosa and Crotalaria pallida (>80%). The diameter growth was higher in T2 than in T1. The species growing fastest in diameter (>1.5 cm) were Crotalaria cajanifolia, C. pallida and Ochroma pyramidale. Soil amendments provided similar effects on height for most species except for I. suffruticosa. Therefore, C. pallida, I. suffruticosa, C. cajanifolia and O. pyramidale are key species to be considered in reforestation and/or restoration initiatives, due to its potential to acclimate and establish itself in severely degraded areas.

Microbial Fertilizers and Shading Contribute to the Vegetation Assembly and Restoration of Steep-Slope after Soil Spray-Sowing in the Yuanjiang Dry-Hot Valley Region

Road construction and strip mining in mountainous regions inevitably causes the destruction of vegetation and soil, leading to large ranges of exposed slopes. Although soil spray-sowing has become a promising method to accelerate community assembly in humid regions, the application of microbial fertilizers and shading in slope recovery during soil spray-sowing are rarely reported in dry-hot valleys. This study compared the effectiveness among artificial seeding, arch column + planting bags, and soil spray-sowing by slope restoration trials in the Yuanjiang dry-hot valley, southwest China. Additionally, we explored the effect of slope degrees, shade, and microbial fertilizers on seedling survival and growth after soil spray-sowing. Results indicated that soil spray-sowing displayed better species survival and growth performance than artificial seeding and arch column + planting bags. The richness, density, and height of seedlings dropped dramatically with the increasing of slope degrees after soil spray-sowing, especially when the slope degree was greater than 1. Although shading observably improved the species density, it inhibited the growth of Albizia julibrissin and Crotalaria pallida. Moreover, microbial fertilizers Penicillium chrysogenum and Bacillus aryabhattai markedly enhanced the density and growth of species Azadirachta Indica, Cajanus cajan, Indigofera cassioides, and Sophora xanthanth. Soil spray-sowing, combined with shading and microbial fertilizers, contributes to species survival and growth when the slope degree is less than 1.73 and the soil spray-sowing process coincides with the rainy season, which provides the theoretical basis and technical support for ecological restoration in the dry-hot river valley.

The genomes of 5 underutilized Papilionoideae crops provide insights into root nodulation and disease resistance.

The Papilionoideae subfamily contains a large amount of underutilized legume crops, which are important for food security and human sustainability. However, the lack of genomic resources has hindered the breeding and utilization of these crops. Here, we present chromosome-level reference genomes for 5 underutilized diploid Papilionoideae crops: sword bean (Canavalia gladiata), scarlet runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus), winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), smooth rattlebox (Crotalaria pallida), and butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea), with assembled genome sizes of 0.62 Gb, 0.59 Gb, 0.71 Gb, 1.22 Gb, and 1.72 Gb, respectively. We found that the long period of higher long terminal repeat retrotransposon activity is the major reason that the genome size of smooth rattlebox and butterfly pea is enlarged. Additionally, there have been no recent whole-genome duplication (WGD) events in these 5 species except for the shared papilionoid-specific WGD event (∼55 million years ago). Then, we identified 5,328 and 10,434 species-specific genes between scarlet runner bean and common bean, respectively, which may be responsible for their phenotypic and functional differences and species-specific functions. Furthermore, we identified the key genes involved in root-nodule symbiosis (RNS) in all 5 species and found that the NIN gene was duplicated in the early Papilionoideae ancestor, followed by the loss of 1 gene copy in smooth rattlebox and butterfly pea lineages. Last, we identified the resistance (R) genes for plant defenses in these 5 species and characterized their evolutionary history. In summary, this study provides chromosome-scale reference genomes for 3 grain and vegetable beans (sword bean, scarlet runner bean, winged bean), along with genomes for a green manure crop (smooth rattlebox) and a food dyeing crop (butterfly pea). These genomes are crucial for studying phylogenetic history, unraveling nitrogen-fixing RNS evolution, and advancing plant defense research.

Phytoremediation: An Approach for Petrochemical Contaminated Soil of Assam

The presence of a component, impurity, or other unfavourable element that taints, corrupts, infects, renders unfit, or degrades a material, or natural environment is referred to as environmental contamination. Due to the potential negative effects caused by the chemical discharges, environmental issues have now become crucial factors to consider. Petrochemical wastes are one of the most serious environmental contaminants which comprise a large group of chemicals derived from petroleum and natural gases. The petrochemical pollutants, belonging to the groups such as greenhouse gases, volatile organic compounds, Particulate Matter (PM) with heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic compounds, act as potential soil contaminants, causing disturbance and harm to the soil ecosystem. Phytoremediation is an emerging and eco-friendly way to mitigate petrochemical contamination of soil. It is an in situ technique to purify contaminated soil or water using plants (trees, shrubs, grasses and aquatic plants) and their associated microorganisms. This technique is favourable for tropical countries like India where there is immense growth of plants. Though plants like Mirabilis jalapa, Italian ryegrass, sorghum, maize, and alfalfa are used worldwide, in Assam also various plant species are used for remediation purposes in petrochemical-contaminated soil. Crotalaria pallida, Cyperus brevifolius, Cynodondactylon. Mimosa pudica etc. are some of the plant species that have been reported to possess the ability to degrade toxic chemicals into non-toxic or less-toxic products with the aid of microbial colonies in the soil. This review is an effort to through some light on the plants of Assam as well as worldwide along with their family in the remediation of petroleum-contaminated soil. Thus, it will be helpful to select appropriate plants for the purpose of phytoremediation.

Assessment of a Hydrocarbon Exploration Site in North Eastern State of Tripura

Recently abandoned hydrocarbon exploration sites generally support a smaller number of plants since there are few spaces for plants to grow and survive in the exploration site with all the concrete structure around and very few areas of soil to support vegetation. Metals are required by plants for their growth while a higher level can cause the plants to die. The study has been conducted to explore the concentration of metals in an abandoned hydrocarbon exploration site and their adjacent site of Tripura to determine the species diversity in the area with the metal concentration. The highest concentration of iron, chromium, and sulfur in the site were recorded in Chromolaena odorata, Urena lobata and Crotalaria pallida. All the plants collected have some levels of iron, chromium, and sulfur in their shoot as well as their roots. This study will be beneficial as the plants which have highest level of a particular metal can be used in future research to remediate the area of that metal. In this way, the cost of searching for plants to be used for phytoremediation experiment will also be reduced. The growth of plants in the abandoned hydrocarbon exploration sites will also help in reducing the contaminants of that sites.

Diversity, Composition and Economic Importance of Herbaceous Plants within the Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda Campus, Zamfara State, Nigeria.

The diversity, composition and economic importance of herbaceous species within the federal polytechnic Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State was studied. The study's objective was to identify, document and evaluate the diversity and abundance of herbaceous species in the study area. The point-centered quarter (PCQ) method was employed in each sampling point. All nearest living herb species encountered were listed. Data obtained were quantitatively analyzed for Relative density (RD) and relative frequency (RF). Species diversity was calculated using Simpson’s index and the Shannon-Weiner index. A total of 64 species of herb were identified belonging to 19 Families. Acanthaceae, Aizoaceae, Cleomaceae, Connaraceae, Laminaceae, Oxalidaceae, and Plantaginaceae had (1) species each. Convolvulaceae, Cucurbitaceae and Euphobiaceae had (2) species each. Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Malvaceae, Pedaliaceae and Poaceae had (3) species each. Solonaceae is the only family with (4) species. Fabaceae is the only family with the highest number of species (32). A total of 494 individuals of herbaceous species were in the study area. Site A has the highest number of individuals (117), followed by Site D (103), Site C (95) and E (82). Tephrosia pedicellata has the highest species density of 3.2. Leptadenia hastata, Centaurea perrottetii, Gynandropsis gynandra, Euphorbia balsamifera, Senna obtusifolia, Abrus precatorius, Desmodium velutinum, Crotalaria goreensis, Crotalaria pallida var.obovata, Tephrosia pedicellata, Indigofera oblongifolia, Tephrosia vogelii, Tephrosia linearis, Biophytum petersianum, Sesamum radiatum, Solanum lycopersicum has the highest Frequency (100%). Senna tora has the highest relative abundance (5), and Euphorbia balsamifera has a Relative Density of 3.8. Euphorbia balsamifera has the highest relative density of 5, and Ipomea asarifolia has an IVI of 7. Shannon Weiner's diversity index for herbaceous species showed a total of 4.0097. Herbaceous plants are of economic importance; they serve as food, fooder, medicine, fuel, and other purposes. We recommended that there is a need for the conservation of herbaceous species within the Polytechnic to avoid harvesting the herbs for medicinal purposes and animals foraging on the grasses.

Screening for in vitro inhibiting Nrf2 of some Vietnamese medicinal plants

Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) is vital in regulating cellular defenses against oxidative or environmental aggressors. Some studies reveal that increasing Nrf2 activity affects chemotherapy drug resistance in cancer; thus, Nrf2 has become an attractive target in cancer therapeutics research. Our study screened the effects of 52 methanol extracts from different parts of 24 medicinal plants used in traditional and folk medicine to evaluate the ability to inhibit Nrf2 and the cell viability by an in vitro model of Huh7 liver cancer cells at the crude extract concentration of 100 µg/mL. The study has successfully suggested a screening model for Nrf2 expression based on luciferase fluorescence assay of Huh7 cells transfected with the Nrf2 gene. The results of our study show that the Piper sarmentosum roots can inhibit nearly 90% of Nrf2 activity in cancer cells. We also found that the extracts of Vernonia amygdalina leaves, Phyllanthus amarus leaves, Zingiber zerumbet leaves, Hyptis suaveolens leaves and roots, Curcuma zedoaria leaves and roots, Luvunga scandens leaves, Helicteres hirsuta leaves, Oroxylum indicum stem and leaves, Lasia spinosa fruits and Crotalaria pallida leaves inhibited more than 60% of Nrf2 expression levels. Furthermore, the extracts from the leaves of Luvunga scandens and Curcuma zedoaria can cause toxicity on cancer cell of more than 70% at 100 µg/mL. From the study, we have the basis for further studies on natural active substances that have the effect of drug resistance by inhibiting the expression of Nrf2 on cancer cells.

Antifungal action and induction of resistance by Bacillus sp. strain YYC 155 against Colletotrichum fructicola for control of anthracnose disease in Camellia oleifera.

Anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum fructicola is a serious disease that can afflict Camellia oleifera. Biological control is a rapidly growing approach for the management of plant diseases. In this study, we investigated the bio-control efficiency and the defense responses of an endophytic Bacillus tequilensis strain YYC 155, which was isolated from the root nodules of the Crotalaria pallida against anthracnose disease, caused by C. fructicola in C. oleifera. B. tequilensis YYC 155 exhibited significant inhibitory activity against anthracnose disease, caused by C. fructicola in C. oleifera. YYC 155 can secrete extracellular hydrolases, such as chitinase and β-1, 3-glucanase, which produce lipopeptides that are antimicrobial and forms strong biofilms. In addition, in treatment with YYC 155, the cell membranes of C. fructicola were injured and the leakage of cell contents from the mycelia of the pathogen was increased. Spraying 1 × 107 cells mL–1 bacterial suspension of YYC 155 on C. oleifera leaves enhanced the activity of key enzymes in C. oleifera associated with the phenylpropanoid pathway and increased the content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Results of our study indicate that B. tequilensis YYC 155 may potentially represent an effective biocontrol agent against anthracnose disease in C. oleifera.

Direct and indirect plant defenses reduce damage by a generalist but not by a specialist pod borer

AbstractThe efficiency of different plant defenses is expected to vary depending on the combination and abundance of herbivores. Effectiveness of ant‐mediated defenses can also depend on ant activity and local ant assemblage, which can vary due to human activities such as intensive grazing. We used the plant Crotalaria pallida (Fabaceae), its two pod‐boring herbivores and the ants that visit the extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) to understand how chemical defense and ant–plant associations affect plant damage. We hypothesized causal relationships between plant chemical defense, ant presence on plants and herbivore damage in scenarios of constitutive and induced plant defenses and tested the different possible relationships using path analysis. The constitutive model explained the data more adequately, and each plant defense had different effects on each herbivore species. First, chemical defense significantly reduced damage by the generalist pod borer Etiella zinckenella but not by the specialist Utetheisa ornatrix. Second, ant presence reduced damage by the generalist, but had no effect on damage by the specialist. Third, a larger number of pods on the plant increased ant presence, as expected since more pods results in more EFNs. Finally, we show that these density‐dependent responses by ants mediate indirect cascades on herbivory and generate context‐specific responses reducing damage by E. zinckenella in sites with cattle grazing. In synthesis, we highlight that plant defenses have distinct effects on co‐occurring herbivores and that indirect defenses can mediate ecological cascades that generate context dependency in the efficiency of different defenses.Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.

Effector-triggered inhibition of nodulation: A rhizobial effector protease targets soybean kinase GmPBS1-1.

Type III protein secretion systems of nitrogen-fixing rhizobia deliver effector proteins into leguminous host cells to promote or inhibit the nodule symbiosis. However, mechanisms underlying effector-triggered inhibition of nodulation remain largely unknown. Nodulation outer protein T (NopT) of Sinorhizobium sp. NGR234 is an effector protease related to the Pseudomonas effector Avirulence protein Pseudomonas phaseolicola B (AvrPphB). Here, we constructed NGR234 mutants producing different NopT variants and found that protease activity of NopT negatively affects nodulation of smooth crotalaria (Crotalaria pallida). NopT variants lacking residues required for autocleavage and subsequent lipidation showed reduced symbiotic effects and were not targeted to the plasma membrane. We further noticed that Sinorhizobium fredii strains possess a mutated nopT gene. Sinorhizobium fredii USDA257 expressing nopT of NGR234 induced considerably fewer nodules in soybean (Glycine max) cv. Nenfeng 15 but not in other cultivars. Effector perception was further examined in NopT-expressing leaves of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and found to be dependent on the protein kinase Arabidopsis AvrPphB Susceptible 1 (AtPBS1) and the associated resistance protein Arabidopsis Resistance to Pseudomonas syringae 5 (AtRPS5). Experiments with Nicotiana benthamiana plants indicated that the soybean homolog GmPBS1-1 associated with AtRPS5 can perceive NopT. Further analysis showed that NopT cleaves AtPBS1 and GmPBS1-1 and thus can activate these target proteins. Insertion of a DKM motif at the cleavage site of GmPBS1-1 resulted in increased proteolysis. Nodulation tests with soybeans expressing an autoactive GmPBS1-1 variant indicated that activation of a GmPBS1-1-mediated resistance pathway impairs nodule formation in cv. Nenfeng 15. Our findings suggest that legumes face an evolutionary dilemma of either developing effector-triggered immunity against pathogenic bacteria or establishing symbiosis with suboptimally adapted rhizobia producing pathogen-like effectors.

Phenology of the Genus Crotalaria L. (Fabaceae-Papilionoideae) of Holalkere, Hosadurga and Chitradurga Thaluks of Chitradurga District, Karnataka, India

The present study describes detailed distribution of the genus Crotalaria L. in a natural habitat. This research is carried out by extensive field survey and observation across all the 3 thaluks of Chitradurga, area is botanized for Crotalaria species in all seasons and critically analysed the phenological features of all the documented species during the study period 2018-2021. We have recorded 11 species of Crotalaria, Crotalaria calycina Schrank., Crotalaria globosa Wight & Arn, Crotalaria goreensis Guill. & Perr., Crotalaria hebecarpa (DC.) Rudd. Crotalaria juncea L., Crotalaria orixensis Willd., Crotalaria pallida Aiton., Crotalaria prostrata Willd., Crotalaria pusilla DC., Crotalaria retusa L., and Crotalaria varicosa Polhill. Data obtained through this research is the basis for the study of further characterisation of Crotalaria species; this research describes the importance of phenology in taxonomy and the behaviour biology of the Crotalaria species, as they are economically important group.

Antioxidant Activities and Allelopathic Potential of Chonemorpha splendens Chun et Tsiang Stem Methanol Extract.

Finding agriculturally active compounds from nature or finding active lead compounds from natural products, artificial synthesis and structural modification are the main ways to create new agrochemical. In order to explore the agricultural activities of Chonemorpha splendens Chun et Tsiang (C. splendens), an important medicinal plant, the antioxidant activities and allelopathic potential were investigated. C. splendens was extracted with methanol, then, C. splendens methanol extract (CSME) were extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol. Reducing activity, lipid peroxidation, and the scavenging abilities for DPPH⋅, O2 -. , HO⋅, and H2 O2 were also measured and allelopathic potentials were evaluated by bioassay method. GC/MS analysis revealed that esters were the main component (66.34 %) of CSME, the total CSME flavonoid content was 313 mg g-1 (rutin equivalent). The chloroform phase of CSME was identified as stigmasterol by NMR for the first time. The DPPH⋅ scavenging rate of CSME was 87 %, with an IC50 value of 0.12±0.02 mg mL-1 , which was significantly difference from the positive control, Trolox. Chloroform fraction showed the strongest inhibitory effect against Mimosa pudica (MP) seed germination at 1.0 mg mL-1 (100 % inhibition), which was better than that of the chemical herbicide paraquat. In the seed growth experiment, systematic EC50 and the principal component analysis (PCA) were used to assess the allelopathic potential of extracts. The systematic EC50 values of Crotalaria pallida Ait. (CP), Bidens pilosa L. (BP) were significantly greater than MP. MP, Oryza sativa L. (OS) and Lactuca satiua L., (LS) inhibited all parameters. Our results would provide an idea for controlling weeds through allelopathy from C. splendens to reduce dependency on synthetic herbicides.

Establishment of quality parameters for fruits of Crotalaria pallida Aiton. through microscopy and phytochemical studies

Establishment of quality parameters for fruits of Crotalaria pallida Aiton. through microscopy and phytochemical studies

Ecological trade‐offs in development and defence in a specialist moth when feeding on four congeneric host plants

AbstractHerbivore diet breadth has been hypothesised to be driven by plant quality (physiological efficiency hypothesis) or natural enemies (enemy‐free space hypothesis). These hypotheses on their own are now known to be insufficient explanations for the range of herbivore diet breadths and more integrative approaches consider how trade‐offs and ecological contingencies shape host plant use by herbivores. I carried out laboratory experiments to test whether physiological efficiency and defence against natural enemies trade off when larvae of the ornate bella moth, Utetheisa ornatrix (L.) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), a genus‐specialist pod‐boring herbivore, feeds on leaves and pods of four Crotalaria species (Fabaceae). Different components of U. ornatrix physiological efficiency traded off amongst each other and with defence against adult predation by the spider Lycosa erythrognatha Lucas (Araneae: Lycosidae). Crotalaria micans Link provided the highest survival and fast development but low pupal weight and defence. Crotalaria ochroleuca G. Don provided poor survival, slow development, and low defence, but high pupal weight. Crotalaria pallida Aiton provided slow development and intermediate survival and pupal weight, but the best defence. Crotalaria vitellina Ker Gawl. provided high survival, fast development, and efficient defence, but low pupal weight. Compared to leaves, feeding on green seeds provided greater defence against predation, and developmental benefits, independent of host plant species, but there was a large cost in boring into the pod to reach the seeds. I therefore provide evidence that the trade‐offs among physiological efficiency components and between physiological efficiency and defence could maintain multiple host plant use in specialist herbivores. I also show that feeding on green seeds incurs a cost through pod‐boring but gives the moth benefits in adult defence. Therefore, the evolution of host plant use and pod‐boring in insect herbivores could be driven by defence as much as by physiological efficiency.

Development and characterization of catalyst materials from magnetic sand, Crotalaria pallida and kaolin

In this study, magnetic sand and Crotalaria pallida gotten from Adamawa and Bauchi states of Nigeria, respectively, were mixed after treatment, and impregnated with kaolin using a wet impregnation method and the resulting material was characterized using scanning electron microcopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The result of XRF analysis revealed the existence of a number of dopant-like constituents in the sample, which substitute parts of important atoms in the spinel structure, however, not forming individual phases. The SEM micrographs displayed pore structures with high surface area consistent with effective catalyst materials. XRD analysis confirmed crystalline phases of the hybrid material showing typical diffraction peaks of kaolinite minerals (Al2Si2O9), Muscovite (Al12FeSi12K4NaRbH16O48), quartz, Si3O6 Calcite (Ca6C6O18) and Halite (Na4Cl4) and the average crystallite size was determined to be 75.30 nm. Â

Inhibition of mild steel corrosion in HCl using aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Crotalaria Pallida – A combination of experimental, simulation and theoretical studies

The viability of using the leaves of Crotalaria Pallida, a well-known medicinal plant, as an efficient corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in HCl media has been studied and the results are summarized in this paper. Methods including weight loss monitoring, electrochemical impedance analysis, polarisation techniques, have been used and the mechanism of action was further investigated using Biovia material studio software. The theoretical background of the inhibitor and the probable methods of interaction were carried out using Gaussian 09 packages. Ethanol extract are rich in fatty acids which are absent in the water extracts; makes them more anticorrosive. The presence of fatty acids was confirmed using spectral analysis. Linolenic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acids are the major fatty acids in the alcohol extract. The 4 (V/V %) alcohol extract has 95% efficiency while the same volume percentage of water extract has only 87% efficiency. The efficiency decreases with an increase in acid concentration and temperature, suggesting the physisorption of plant constituents on the metal surface. The AFM and XPS results support the protection of mild steel by the adsorption of constituent phytochemicals in the leaves extract. Adsorption of these phytochemicals follows Langmuir unimolecular model. The polarisation technique confirms the mixed type behaviour of the active species of the extract. Inhibition efficiency is more for linoleic acid than the others which are confirmed by both DFT and material studio calculations.

The complete chloroplast genome sequences and phylogenetic analysis of Crotalaria pallida (Leguminosae)

The complete chloroplast genome of Crotalaria pallida was obtained using the high-throughput sequencing technology in this article. The complete chloroplast genomes of this species were 152,658 bp in length, consisting of a large single-copy region (LSC) of 83,652 bp and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 18,028 bp, which were separated by a pair of inverted repeat (IRs) regions of 25,489 bp. The chloroplast genome contained 111 unique genes, including 77 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. The phylogenomic relationship analysis suggested that C. pallida was closely related to Lupinus in the family of Leguminosae.

LC/MS study of the diversity and distribution of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Crotalaria species growing in Colombia

Hepatotoxic and genotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been involved in the acute poisoning of animals and humans. Crotalaria (Fabaceae) species contain these alkaloids. In this work, the diversity and distribution of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in roots, leaves, flowers, and seeds of Crotalaria pallida, Crotalaria maypurensis, Crotalaria retusa, Crotalaria spectabilis, Crotalaria incana, and Crotalaria nitens were studied. Matrix solid-phase dispersion and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Orbitrap mass spectrometry were successfully employed in pyrrolizidine alkaloids extraction and analysis, respectively. Forty-five pyrrolizidine alkaloids were detected and their identification was based on the mass spectrometry accurate mass measurement and fragmentation pattern analysis. The cyclic retronecine-type diesters monocrotaline, crotaleschenine, integerrimine, usaramine, and their N-oxides were predominantly present. Five novel alkaloids were identified for the first time in Crotalaria species, namely 14-hydroxymonocrotaline, 12-acetylcrotaleschenine, 12-acetylmonocrotaline, 12-acetylintegerrimine, and dihydrointegerrimine. Due to a lack of commercially available standards, the response factor of monocrotaline was used for quantification of pyrrolizidine alkaloids and their N-oxides. Seeds and flowers possessed higher pyrrolizidine alkaloids amounts than roots and leaves. Due to their 1,2-unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids content, the ingestion of Crotalaria plant seeds or other parts through herbal products, infusions, or natural remedies is a serious health threat to humans and livestock.

Isolation and structure elucidation of anti-tyrosinase compounds from the seeds of Crotalaria pallida

Three new compounds, crotalariapallins A-C (1-3), were isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of the seeds of Crotalaria pallida. Their structures were established based on extensive spectroscopic methods, including HRESIMS, UV, 1D and 2D NMR. All compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activities to tyrosinase. These compounds showed different degrees of inhibitory activities, among them, compound 3 exhibited the strongest inhibition activity (IC50 = 0.42 mM).