Elegans Seeds Research Articles

New monoterpenoid indole alkaloids from Gelsemium elegans seeds

Three new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, gelsevietmines-A, B, C (1–3), were isolated from Gelsemium elegans seeds collected in Vietnam. Their unique and highly oxidized structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses and chemical means including the asymmetric total synthesis of gelsevietmine-A (1).

Vapors of Volatile Plant-Derived Products Significantly Affect the Results of Antimicrobial, Antioxidative and Cytotoxicity Microplate-Based Assays.

Volatile plant-derived products were observed to exhibit broad spectrum of biological effects. However, due to their volatility, results of conventional microplate-based bioassays can be significantly affected by the vapors. With aim to demonstrate this phenomenon, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities of three essential oils (Alpinia elegans, Cinnamomum iners, and Xanthostemon verdugonianus), one supercritical CO2 extract (Nigella sativa), and four plant-derived compounds (capsaicin, caryophyllene oxide, 8-hydroxyquinoline, and thymoquinone) were evaluated in series of experiments including both ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) Capmat sealed and nonsealed microplates. The results clearly illustrate that vapor transition to adjoining wells causes false-positive results of bioassays performed in nonsealed microtiter plates. The microplate layout and a duration of the assay were demonstrated as the key aspects defining level of the results affection by the vapors of volatile agents. Additionally, we reported biological activities and chemical composition of essential oils from A. elegans seeds and X. verdugonianus leaves, which were, according to our best knowledge, analyzed for the first time. Considering our findings, certain modifications of conventional microplate-based assays are necessary (e.g., using EVA Capmat as vapor barrier) to obtain reliable results when biological properties of volatile agents are evaluated.

Germination and Seedling Growth Response on Lithocarpus elegans (Fagaceae) Seeds to Pre-sowing Treatments and Fertilizer Application

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different pre-sowing treatments of seeds on germination and growth performance of native threatened tree species Lithocarpus elegans at the nursery of Chittagong University, Bangladesh. Seeds were placed to eight pre-sowing treatments e.g. control (PT0), treated with sand paper rubbing (PT1), nicking (PT2), seeds immersed in cold water for 24 hours (PT3), seeds immersed in cold water for 48 hours (PT4) and seeds immersed in cold water for 7 days (PT5), seeds sown at propagator house (PT6), seeds immersed in cold water for 7 days and then sown at propagator house (PT7). Germination percentage was found highest (100%) in seeds sown at propagator house (PT6) followed by seeds immersion in cold water for 24 hours (PT3) (91.11%). For fertilizer dose experiment to seedlings at the nursery level, treatment FT1: 100 kg/ha (0.33679 g urea/pot/seedling) comparing with other treatments FT0: 0 kg/ha (Control), FT2: 200 kg/ha (0.67358 g urea/pot/seedling) showed better performance in case of shoot length, collar diameter, number of leaves, shoot fresh weight, total fresh weight, total dry weight, volume index. Finally, it can be concluded that Lithocarpus elegans seedlings revealed better performances under the seed pre-treatment PT6 (seeds sown at propagator house) and fertilizer dose FT1 (100 kg N ha-1) in growth and biomass production.

Superação da dormência de sementes de Passiflora elegans Mast. (Passifloraceae)

As sementes de Passiflora apresentam germinação baixa e desuniforme, devida a presença de dormência das sementes, sendo assim, esta dormência deve ser superada por um método eficiente que aumente as taxas de germinação. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiência de métodos para superação da dormência das sementes de Passiflora elegans. Foram coletados 35 frutos maduros no município de Getúlio Vargas, Rio Grande do Sul em dezembro de 2013. O experimento foi conduzido na Universidade Federal de Viçosa. Foram utilizados os seguintes métodos para superação da dormência: T1: sementes com tegumento; T2: sementes sem tegumento; T3- escarificação mecânica; T4: escarificação química em ácido sulfúrico concentrado por 10 min; T5: estratificação por 5 dias a 4 ˚C; T6: sementes sem o tegumento, seguido de imersão em ácido giberélico GA3 (50 µM); T7: sementes sem o tegumento, seguido de imersão em solução de paclobutrazol (0,1 mM). As sementes foram submetidas a teste de germinação, utilizando cinco repetições de 40 sementes, mantidas em B.O.D. à 25 ˚C. A germinação foi avaliada diariamente por 80 dias. Foram avaliadas a porcentagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG) e velocidade de germinação (VG). No teste do tetrazólio as sementes receberam um picote e foram embebidas por 16 h e cortadas longitudinalmente e imersas em solução de tetrazólio 0,05% e mantidas no escuro em banho-maria a 36 ˚C, por 24 h. Conclui-se que a imersão em GA3 (50 µM) é o melhor método para a superação de dormência de P. elegans.

Effects of Fertilization on Growth of Zinnia elegans L. Seedlings Grown in Floating System

The floating system is a promising alternative type of hydroponic seedling production system, which has not been much studied and disseminated in the flower industry. This study aimed to produce seedlings of Zinnia elegans in a floating system and to evaluate the influence of two organic (Codaphos & Codasting and Fish-Fert) and one inorganic nutrient solution formulations on the seedling growth parameters. Z. elegans seeds germinated at a high rate (76.6-82.1%) in all fertilization treatments with a T50 ranging from 9.54 to 10.50 days. Application of Codaphos and Codasting (organic fertilizer containing N- Codasting and P+K- Codaphos) in floating system resulted in better development of the aboveground parts and roots of seedlings comparing with the other organic and the inorganic fertilization. As a conclusion, the present study showed that organic fertilization, especially with Codaphos and Codasting, could successfully be used for the production of Z. elegans seedlings in a floating system; however, further studies must be carried out on this aspect.

Germination Temperature and the Effect of Storage Time on the Seed Viability of Zephyra elegans (Tecophilaeaceae)

Zephyra elegans is a geophyte endemic to Chile that has horticultural value as a cut flower. Its natural habitat is a coastal desert climate with abundant cloud cover, little and variable precipitation, and mean monthly temperatures between 10 and 20 °C. It is hypothesized that the temperature requirements for germination of Z. elegans seeds are similar to those of Zephyra compacta, which shares the same habitat. As it is a species from a desert climate, it can be expected that its seeds remain viable during long periods of storage. The seeds used in this study were harvested in different years from plants grown from cultivated corms of Z. elegans. The germination test temperatures were 10, 15, 20, and 25 °C, and the dry storage times at room temperature (20 ± 5 °C) were 4, 16, 28, and 40 months. The temperature requirements for germination of Z. elegans seeds are similar to those of Z. compacta, which has been studied earlier, i.e., the temperature range for achieving high germination percentages is 10 to 20 °C, whereas 25 °C can be considered supraoptimal. After-ripening of the seeds occurred during dry storage, as shown by increased germination when tested at a supraoptimal temperature. The seeds had high viability after 40 months of dry storage at room temperature.

Novel Peptidase Kunitz Inhibitor from Platypodium elegans Seeds Is Active against Spodoptera frugiperda Larvae.

A novel Kunitz-type inhibitor from Platypodium elegans seeds (PeTI) was purified and characterized. The mass spectrometry analyses of PeTI indicated an intact mass of 19 701 Da and a partial sequence homologous to Kunitz inhibitors. PeTI was purified by ion exchange and affinity chromatographies. A complex with a 1:1 ratio was obtained only for bovine trypsin, showing a Ki = 0.16 nM. Stability studies showed that PeTI was stable over a wide range of temperature (37-80 °C) and pH (2-10). The inhibitory activity of PeTI was affected by dithiothreitol (DTT). Bioassays of PeTI on Spodoptera frugiperda showed negative effects on larval development and weight gain, besides extending the insect life cycle. The activities of digestive enzymes, trypsin and chymotrypsin, were reduced by feeding larvae with 0.2% PeTI in an artificial diet. In summary, we describe a novel Kunitz inhibitor with promising biotechnological potential for pest control.

Structural studies and nociceptive activity of a native lectin from Platypodium elegans seeds (nPELa)

A native lectin (nPELa), purified from seeds of the species Platypodium elegans, Dalbergieae tribe, was crystallized and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction crystallography and bioinformatics tools. The obtained crystals diffracted to 1.6Å resolution, and nPELa structure were solved through molecular substitution. In addition, nPELa has a metal binding site and a conserved carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) similar to other Dalbergieae tribe lectins, such as PAL (Pterocarpus angolensis) and CTL (Centrolobium tomentosum). Molecular docking analysis indicated high affinity of this lectin for different mannosides, mainly trimannosides, formed by α-1,3 or α-1,6 glycosidic bond, as evidenced by the obtained scores. In addition, molecular dynamics simulations were performed to demonstrate the structural behavior of nPELa in aqueous solution. In solution, nPELa was highly stable, and structural modifications in its carbohydrate recognition site allowed interaction between the lectin and the different ligands. Different modifications were observed during simulations for each one of the glycans, which included different hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions through changes in the relevant residues. In addition, nPELa was evaluated for its nociceptive activity in mice and was reported to be the first lectin of the Dalbergieae tribe to show CRD-dependent hypernociceptive activity.

Partial characterization and immobilization in CNBr-activated Sepharose of a native lectin from Platypodium elegans seeds (PELa) and comparative study of edematogenic effect with the recombinant form

The lectin from Platypodium elegans seeds (PELa) was purified by affinity chromatography in a mannose-agarose column. The lectin agglutinated rabbit erythrocytes and the agglutinating effect was inhibited by previous incubation with the glycoprotein fetuin, along with N-acetyl-d-glucosamine, D-mannose and its derivatives. The lectin maintained complete activity in temperatures ranging from 40 to 60°C and pH values ranging from 9 to 10. As a glycoprotein, PELa has a carbohydrate content of 2.2%, and its activity requires divalent cations such as Ca2+ and Mn2+. Based on SDS-PAGE, PELa displays a profile similar to that of other Dalbergieae lectins with the main chain of molecular mass around 30kDa and two subunits of 19kDa and 10 kDa each. Two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis revealed the presence of isoforms with different isoelectric points, and high-performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) was performed to confirm the purity of the sample. The lectin was immobilized in CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B and successfully captured fetuin in solution, demonstrating that this lectin remains active and capable of binding carbohydrates. PELa showed effects different from those of its recombinant form in both pro- and anti-inflammatory tests.

X-ray Test to Evaluate the Physiological Potential of Platypodium elegans Seeds

X-ray Test to Evaluate the Physiological Potential of Platypodium elegans Seeds

Germinação in vitro e criopreservação de sementes de Zinnia elegans

Zinnia elegans Jacquim is a species of big cutting and ornamental potential, but its seeds have low germination percentage. This study aimed to establish a protocol for in vitro germination and water content for the cryopreservation of seeds. The length, width, thickness, and weight of one thousand seeds were determined. MS and WPM culture mediums, as well as the concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3) were tested regarding in vitro culture. For cryopreservation, the seeds were subjected to drying on silica gel or laminar flow for different times. Then, the seeds were stored in liquid nitrogen (-196° C) for 24 hours. After this period, the seeds were thawed and inoculated into culture medium. The biometric results of seeds showed 8.6 mm average length, 4 mm width, and 0.9 mm thickness. The weight of one thousand seeds was 851 mg, characterizing them as small, lightweight, and easy to disperse. The use of MS medium with no addition of GA3 enhanced germination (67%). The initial moisture content of Z. elegans seeds was 9%. Seeds subjected up to 2 hours of drying in both treatments obtained 23% germination in silica gel and 19% in laminar flow. Z. elegans seeds may be desiccated by 4% moisture content and cryopreserved with no loss of germination potential.

<b>Micropropagation protocol for <i>Syngonanthus elegans</i> (Bong.) Ruhland: an ornamental species

The research aimed to establish a protocol of micropropagation of Syngonanthus elegans. Seed germination in WPM media containing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% salt concentrations was evaluated. Establishment of plantlets in WPM and MS media, with 50% or 100% salt concentrations, was studied. The addition of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 g L-1of sucrose in WPM media was evaluated. The effects of TDZ (0.0; 0.5; 1.0; 2.0 and 4.0 mg L-1) and ANA (0.0; 0.5 and 1.0 mg L-1) in all possible combinations were investigated. To test acclimatization, sand, PlantmaxTM or vermiculite substrates were evaluated by direct acclimatization and pre-acclimatization. The germination of S. elegans seeds was not influenced by salt concentration in the culture media, but the germination speed was affected. The WPM medium with 17 g L-1 of sucrose is recommended for establishment of plantlets. Callus formation occurs in presence of 0.5 or 1.0 mg L-1 of NAA, in absence of TDZ, or when same concentrations of NAA and TDZ were added. Sprouts were most frequently produced when 0.5+0.5 mg L-1 or 1.0+1.0 mg L-1 of NAA and TDZ were used. The S. elegans plants had survival rate was 25.6% after acclimatization.

Conditions for establishment of a key restoration species, Lupinus elegans Kunth, in a Mexican temperate forest

Seedling establishment is essential to ensure the persistence of most plant populations. When the establishment of early successional species is hampered, the regeneration dynamics of plant communities may be altered, thus becoming an obstacle for ecological restoration practice. This is the case of Lupinus elegans (Fabaceae), a pioneer leguminous shrub of temperate forests that facilitates the establishment of other plant species. In this experiment, L. elegans seeds were planted in the same density within a landscape of abandoned agricultural fields, to determine site characteristics that favor the establishment of this species. By analyzing classification trees, the variables that explain L. elegans establishment were determined, before and after herbivory by Zygogeomus trichopus , an endemic gopher known as tuza de Nahuatzen, that prevented establishment of this species by 40%. The results showed that S-SW and SW-W orientations, a soil density > 0.8047 g/cm3, a vegetation cover < 110%, and slopes > 11.5° favored L. elegans establishment and minimized mortality caused by the gopher.

Comparison of modified blotter and agar incubation methods for detecting fungi in Zinnia elegans seeds

Comparison of modified blotter and agar incubation methods for detecting fungi in Zinnia elegans seeds

Cyclitols, galactosyl cyclitols and raffinose family oligosaccharides in Mexican wild lupin seeds

Ten to 16 ethanol-soluble carbohydrate components were identified in the seeds of six Mexican wild lupins. The analysed carbohydrates included: monosaccharides, disaccharides, cyclitols, galactosyl cyclitols and raffinose family oligosaccharides. Stachyose and sucrose were the main carbohydrate component in the <em>Lupinus montanus</em>, <em>L. rotundiflorus</em>, <em>L. exaltatus</em>, <em>L. mexicanus </em>and <em>L. elegans</em> seeds. Only trace quantities of verbascose were detected in <em>Lupinus mexicanus </em>seeds. The analysed seeds accumulated 38 to 78 mg/g d.m. carbohydrates. The raffinose family oligosaccharides constituted 41 to 85.2% of the identified carbohydrate component pool. The analysed <em>Lupinus </em>seeds contained 3 to 8 unidentified carbohydrate components.

Época, local de colheita e armazenamento na qualidade fisiológica da semente de sempre-viva (Syngonanthus elegans (Bong.) Ruhland - Eriocaulaceae)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes da sempre-viva (Syngonanthus elegans (Bong.) Ruhland) colhidas em diferentes épocas e locais e submetidas ao armazenamento. Capítulos de S. elegans foram colhidos em duas áreas de ocorrência natural no Campus II da Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri - UFVJM, em Diamantina, MG, em um Neossolo Quartzarênico Órtico típico (local 1) e Neossolo Quartzarênico Hidromórfico típico (local 2), em cinco épocas (04/07/05, 19/07/05, 22/08/05, 21/09/05 e 20/10/05) e, posteriormente, submetidos a testes para avaliação do vigor e da germinação da semente (Experimento 1). Os capítulos colhidos em 04/07/05 (locais 1 e 2) foram acondicionados em sacos de polietileno transparente e armazenados no Laboratório de Sementes em temperatura ambiente (20º±2ºC) ou em geladeira (5º±2ºC), por zero, quatro, oito e 12 meses. Após esses períodos, as sementes foram novamente avaliadas quanto ao vigor e à germinação (Experimento 2). O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, no esquema fatorial 5x2 (época x local de colheita) para o Experimento 1; e o esquema fatorial 4x2x2 (armazenamento x local de colheita x temperatura de armazenamento) para o Experimento 2, com quatro repetições. A qualidade fisiológica da semente de S. elegans variou em função da época e do local de colheita. Durante o armazenamento, o vigor e a germinação não variaram com o local de colheita e a temperatura de armazenamento. O armazenamento por 12 meses em geladeira ou temperatura ambiente melhorou a qualidade fisiológica da semente.

A mechanism for promoting the germination of Zinnia elegans seeds by hydrogen peroxide.

H(2)O(2) promotes seed germination of cereal plants such as barley, wheat and rice, and several mechanisms have been proposed for its action [Naredo et al. (1998) Seed Sci. Technol. 26: 675-689]. We investigated the role of H(2)O(2) in the germination of Zinnia elegans seeds. H(2)O(2) promoted seed germination in a dose-dependent manner as did respiratory inhibitors, indicating that H(2)O(2) itself possibly promotes seed germination rather than O(2). Seed germination was promoted by removal of pericarp from seeds or by removal of ethanol-soluble compounds from the seeds with pericarp. The ethanol-soluble compounds suppressed the germination of seeds having no pericarp, and this effect was reversed by H(2)O(2). These findings indicate that oxidation of the germination inhibitor(s) present in the pericarp by H(2)O(2) promotes seed germination. Antioxidants which are derivatives of well-known germination inhibitors suppressed seed germination in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that, to initiate seed germination, a germination inhibitor(s) should be decomposed by an oxidant such as H(2)O(2).