Ground Plant Material Research Articles

Smallholders' knowledge about healing goat gastrointestinal parasite infections with wild plants in southern DR Congo.

Gastrointestinal parasite (GIP) infections control has an important role to play in increasing livestock production from a limited natural resource base and to improve animal health and welfare. This study aimed to collect indigenous knowledge and identify wild plants locally used by goat smallholders of three territories of Haut-Katanga province for treating signs of gastrointestinal parasitism. Ethnoveterinary surveys were conducted by semi-structured interviews and a bibliographic screening of the biological activities relating to cited plants was carried out. Our interviews showed that ethnosemantic diagnoses of GIP diseases are based on signs. Eighty-seven informants reported that 27 plant species from 15 families, dominated by Fabaceae (29.6%) and Lamiaceae (18.5%) were commonly used in their goats treatment. Among these plants, five species with palmately compound leaves were considerably more used. From those, we noted a substitution of Vitex congolensis De Wild. and T. Durand (Lamiaceae) by Oldfieldia dactylophylla (Welw. Ex Oliv.) J. Leonard (Picrodendraceae) and of Vitex mombassae Vatke by Vitex madiensis Oliv. Subsp. Milanjiensis (Britten) F. White. Roots (46.9%), leaves (28.0%) and seeds (12.5%) were the most frequently used plant organs, and maceration is applied for most of the medicinal preparations (62.2%). Recipes were administered by oral route, for GIP 1) prevention (33.3%), by macerating the ground plant material in drinking water for 2weeks at the start of each season (dry and rainy); and 2) treatment (66.7%). According to the literature, some of these plants have few or no studies investigating their anthelmintic activity. The cited plants are worth investigating further as they could constitute an effective alternative strategy in maintaining animal productivity. Studies on the biological activity of these plants can also provide indications of promising leads for extracts that could be developed into commercial standardized medications.

In vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Alchornea cordifolia

The present study was undertaken to evaluate antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities of aqueous leaf extract of Alchornea cordifolia by in vitro methods. The aqueous extract is prepared by dissolving ground plant materials (100g) in 1 L of distilled for 48 hours, filtered, and then dried using rotary evaporator before it was used for the pharmacological investigations. Standard phytochemical methods were used to test for the presence of phytoactive compounds in the leaf, in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were also assayed for using various methods. The qualitative screening of the phytochemical constituents of the aqueous extracts of Alchornea cordifolia leaves showed the presence of Phenols, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides while the quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannin, alkaloid, flavonoids and phenol. Tannins had the highest concentration, while the lowest was flavonoids. The in-vitro antioxidant study revealed that aqueous leaf extract of Alchornea cordifolia possesses antioxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner against DPPH, reducing power, total antioxidant capacity and nitric oxide activity while the outcome of the in-vitro anti-inflammatory assay revealed that the antiproteinase, membrane stabilization and albumin denaturation activities of the extracts significantly (p<0.05) increased in a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, the leaf of Alchornea cordifolia is rich in phytochemical substances. This could be responsible for the in-vitro antioxidants and anti-inflammatory activities.

Bio-efficacy of ground plant powders on the population of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) in stored green gram

Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is one of the major insect pests of stored grains. Experiment was conducted for studying the efficiency of ground plant materials for management of T. castaneum in stored green gram and effect of plant powders on seed germination in laboratory of Department of Entomology, CoA, CAU, Imphal during the period 2021-2022. Studies on effect of plant powders on management of T. castaneum revealed that Black pepper @ 1.5g/kg seed shows maximum mean adult mortality of 100.00 per cent and Sweet flag @ 1.5g/kg seed shows lowest mean adult mortality of 33.33 per cent. Highest seed damage was recorded in Sweet flag @ 1.5g/kg seed (8.00 per cent) and least was in Black pepper @ 1.5g/kg seed (1.67 per cent). Maximum adult emergence was noted in treatment of Sweet flag @ 1.5g/kg seed (8.00 per cent) and lowest was in China berry @ 1.5g/kg seed (1.33 per cent). Evaluation of germination percentage reveals that minimum germination percentage was recorded in Black pepper @ 1.5g/kg seed (91.33 per cent) and maximum was in Indian wormwood @ 1.5g/kg seed (98.67 per cent) but none of the treatment recorded the percentage below the prescribed germination percentage of green gram. Plant powders offers efficient control of red flour beetle and these are available locally and did not show any adverse on the environment and hence can be recommended as alternatives to the chemical insecticides.

Foliar analysis via portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry: Experimental considerations

Portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF) is a well-known and accepted method for earth-materials analysis. It is also promising for analysis of plant tissues. However, some factors must be assessed in order to obtain a protocol for plants mainly for in-field measurements of intact and fresh leaves. This work defines an experimental approach for two distinct plant leaves (Spinach and Post Oak) considering water content (94% and 52% w/w, respectively) and anatomy. Using a commercial pXRF system equipped with a Rh X-ray tube, some conditions for in-situ and ex-situ analysis were assessed to obtain the concentrations of macro (P, K, Ca, Mg, and S) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn). For in-situ applications, the penetration of X-rays through Pinus wood was evaluated. In this case, the goal was to propose a simple way to scan fresh and intact plant leaves in the field, using the wood as a background stage. Thus, the minimum wood thickness to avoid any influence of soil surface was investigated. Afterward, the following factors were assessed: i) the effect of water content; ii) the number of overlapped and pressed leaves on pXRF results; iii) the effect of adaxial or abaxial leaf surface. For ex-situ applications, the thickness of oven-dried and ground (< 0.6 mm) plant material packed into pXRF sample cup was tested. After pXRF analysis, the sum of all elements in the wood corresponded to only 0.91% having no significant influence on elemental composition of the leaves. In a qualitative manner, intact and fresh leaves can be placed on a 1-cm thick Pinus wood stage for analysis. Comparing fresh and dry leaves, water did have an effect on reported elemental concentrations, mainly for spinach leaves. For Post Oak leaves there was also an effect caused by water content but less than spinach, suggesting that for leaves with low water content (e.g., <50%) the effect of water content may be small. For both studied plant leaves there was no effect of adaxial or abaxial surface. For ex-situ analysis of oven-dried and ground plant material, the thickness in the sample cup must be strongly considered. This work suggests at least 1 cm thickness is required for accurate readings; thickness >1 cm is desirable. pXRF analysis of fresh and intact plant leaves in the field is possible in a qualitative manner.

Helichrysum italicum ssp. italicum Infusion Promotes Fat Oxidation in Hepatocytes and Stimulates Energy Expenditure and Fat Oxidation after Acute Ingestion in Humans: A Pilot Study.

Helichrysum italicum is an aromatic plant with promising pharmacological activities. Bioactive compounds found in plants represent an important alternative treatment for weight loss and an infusion of H. italicum contains compounds which could have such effect. Our aim was, therefore, to investigate its acute effects on resting energy expenditure (REE) and possible differences in substrate oxidation in a pilot study. A dried, ground plant material of H. italicum ssp. italicum was infused with hot water and chemically characterized with HPLC-MS analysis. Sensory evaluation of herbal tea was performed. A randomized, crossover, controlled pilot study was then conducted on eleven healthy male subjects. The REE and substrate oxidation were measured by indirect calorimetry at baseline and 30 and 120 min after ingestion of infusion or hot water. The expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism was examined in H. italicum infusion-treated hepatocytes. Several phenolic classes were identified in the infusion, caffeoylquinic acids were the most abundant, followed by pyrones and flavonols. A single ingestion of H. italicum infusion significantly increased REE by 4% and fat oxidation by 12% compared to hot water ingestion. A significant 2-fold up-regulation of β-oxidation-related genes in HepG2 cells, exposed to H. italicum infusion, was detected. This pilot study suggests that H. italicum infusion possesses bioactive substances with potential application in obesity prevention, which could, with additional studies, become an economically interesting novel application of the plant. Clinical trial registration number: NCT04818905

The combination of quillaja and yucca saponins in broilers: effects on performance, nutrient digestibility and ileal morphometrics

ABSTRACT 1. Two series of studies were conducted to determine the effects of a combination of ground plant material derived from Quillaja saponaria trees and Yucca schidigera plants (QY) as sources of saponin, on performance, productivity, nutrient digestibility and ileal morphology of growing broilers. In each trial, 480 Cobb male birds were allocated equally to 24 pens at one-day-of-age according to body weight 2. The studies consisted of two identical floor pen trials in which performance and nutrient digestibility were assessed and two trials where performance and ileal morphology were determined. In each trial, 0, 250 or 500 ppm QY were included in feed given to the broilers from 1–35 or 1–42 d of age, respectively. Eight (digestibility) or 12 (morphology) randomised replicate pens were used. 3. In the digestibility trials, two birds per pen were moved to metabolism cages at d 21. Excreta was collected for a five-day period (d 21 to 25) for the determination of apparent total tract digestibility of dry and organic matter, fat and ash and nitrogen retention. For intestinal morphology, ileal segments were collected from four birds/pen on d 21 to determine villus height and crypt depth. Performance data were collected in each trial series. 4. Results showed that feeding graded levels of QY produced significant linear improvements in performance and productivity at d 35, and similar linear effects were observed for N retention and all apparent digestibility measurements. Morphology data showed that birds receiving 250 and 500 ppm QY had significantly increased villus height 5. These results indicated that QY exerted a positive influence on the intestinal tract by increasing the absorptive surface and improving nutrient digestibility. These effects were considered to be associated with the performance improvements recorded in both experiments.

Insecticidal activity of the extracts of Piper retrofractum fruit and Tephrosia vogelii leaf and their mixtures against Crocidolomia pavonana

This laboratory work was carried out to evaluate the insecticidal activity of the extracts of Piper retrofractum (Piperaceae) fruit and Tephrosia vogelii (Fabaceae) leaf and their mixtures against the cabbage head caterpillar, Crocidolomia pavonana. Ground plant materials of the two plant species were extracted separately with n-hexane and methanol. The results of leaf-residue feeding bioassays showed that P. retrofractum (Pr) and T. vogelii (Tv) hexane extracts had strong insecticidal activity against C. pavonana larvae (LC95 &lt; 0.5%) and were more active than their respective methanol extracts. Pr and Tv hexane extract had a moderate and a rather weak contact effect on C. pavonana larvae, respectively. In feeding tests, Pr + Tv (1:1) hexane and methanol extract mixtures indicated synergistic joint effect both at LC50 and LC95 level, whereas in the contact test, the mixture of Pr + Tv (1:1) hexane extract was synergistic at the LC50 level but antagonistic at the LC95 level. In choice tests, antifeedant effects of Pr and Tv hexane extracts at LC25 to LC70 levels on C. pavonana larvae followed a concentration-dependent fashion. Thus, separate or mixed P. retrofractum and T. vogelii extracts are potential alternatives for the control of C. pavonana.

Supercritical Fluid Extraction of the Seed Fatty Oil: Sensitivity to the Solute Axial Dispersion

Successful development of an industrial-scale process for supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of oil from ground plant material requires detailed analysis of the effects associated with the solute transport in porous media. In the present paper, a case of the raw material with high initial oil content is considered, and the influence of the axial flow dispersion on the extraction dynamics is analyzed numerically and analytically. The typical one-dimensional convection–dispersion mass-transfer model on the extractor-scale level is revisited, and the widely accepted shrinking core model is used to describe the solute diffusion on the particle-scale level. The SFE description also accounts for the polydispersity of the ground material. The set of dimensionless parameters required for complete analysis of different extraction regimes is defined. The influence of the axial flow dispersion on the extraction kinetics manifests itself mainly via polydispersity of the ground raw material, despite being insignificant in typical SFE implementations.

Obtención y rendimiento del extracto etanólico de dos plantas medicinales

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; En el presente trabajo de investigación se evaluó el porcentaje de rendimiento de la extracción etanólica de las plantas medicinales Alegría (Scutellaria incarnata) y Amansatoros (Justicia pectoralis), al aplicar dos métodos de maceración con y sin agitación, con el material vegetal entero y molido, además de realizarse pruebas en diferentes tiempos de maceración (6, 12, 24, 48 y 92 horas) hasta llegar a la estabilización de la extracción. Para el análisis de los datos se empleó un modelo de análisis estadístico correspondiente a un diseño experimental en bloques completos al azar con arreglo factorial (Anova), con el fin de determinar los valores estadísticos más relevantes en el proceso de extracción, de acuerdo con el factor tiempo, el método empleado y el tamaño de partícula. Tanto para la planta Alegría como para Amansatoros los resultados indican que, en la obtención del extracto etanólico, el mejor tiempo fue de 48 horas, con el uso de material molido y la aplicación de agitación. Estas condiciones permitieron obtener rendimientos del 37.000 y 37.600% para el extracto etanólico de Amansatoros y Alegría, respectivamente.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

The acute toxicity of water hemlock (Cicuta douglasii) in a goat model

Water hemlock (Cicuta douglasii) is one of the most toxic plants to livestock and humans. Little is known regarding the amount of plant required to cause death. The objective of this study was to determine a lethal dose of water hemlock in a goat model. Plants were dosed to goats via oral gavage of freeze-dried ground plant material. The results from this study suggest that 1–2 fresh tubers would be lethal to goats.

Simulated sheep urine causes the formation of acidic subsurface layers in soil under field conditions

This study aimed to ascertain whether application of sheep urine led to the development of acidic subsurface layers of a pasture soil. Deionised water or simulated urine solution delivering urea-nitrogen (N) at 44.8 g m–2 and potassium at 25 g m–2 was applied to soil in either winter or spring. Treatments were applied to the soil surface within 10.3 cm internal diameter PVC tubes inserted 20 cm into the soil either under ryegrass or kept bare. Main sampling times corresponded to the completion of various soil N transformations as determined by periodic sampling. Main samplings involved the collection of above ground plant material and soil sampling in 2 cm depth increments in 0–10 cm and 5 cm intervals in 10–20 cm depths. Following treatment application, urea and ammonium-N moved to a depth no greater than 20 cm but the extent of movement was greater in winter than spring due to the influence of initial soil moisture. Following urea hydrolysis, soil pH increased in the 0–15 cm depth. Subsequent nitrification significantly acidified soil under pasture by 0.8–1.0 pH units in the 2–8 and 2–6 cm depths in winter and spring respectively. This created a net acidic subsurface layer of 0.2–0.4 pH units compared with soil at the beginning of the experiment. Subsurface acidification was 0.5–0.7 pH units greater in bare soil compared with the presence of pasture. Transformations of N resulting from application of simulated urine solution formed acidic subsurface layers in the field regardless of the season of application.

Spray drying of pectin obtained from Citrus Sinensis waste

Polysaccharides are high molecular weight polymers that have functional groups, which can be used as sites to derivate or bind specific ligands. Pectin is a polysaccharide that is obtained from plant resources mainly from citrus plants. It is a widely used product in the food and in the pharmaceutical industry for its thickener, stabilizing and gelling properties. The objective of this work was to establish a pectin drying process obtained by acid hydrolysis from citrus waste by spray dry. An acid extraction process with the dry and ground plant material was used. The influence of the inlet and outlet temperatures on the yield and drying speed was evaluated by an experimental design 32 replicated at the central point. With the best variant, five batches were developed at laboratory scale and one batch at bank scale, evaluating the obtained material by infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results of experimental design showed that the temperature does not influence significantly the yield, but it does affect the speed of the drying. An input-output temperature ratio of 200/80 ºC was established as the best drying variant. The batches prepared on a laboratory scale showed a yield higher than 85.0% and a drying speed higher than 0.7 L / h. The yield of the batch on a bank scale was 90%. The degree of esterification was 63.5%, indicative of a high degree of methoxylation pectins. The results show that the drying process is adequate to obtain pharmaceutical grade pectin.

Highly Enantioselective Semisynthesis of (+)/(-)-Gossypol Schiff Base Derivatives from Ground Plant Material.

We have recently developed a one-pot process for simultaneous extraction and chemical modification (SECheM) on Cienfuegosia digitata, a Mauritanian Malvaceae called locally "Izide". On the basis of this innovative methodology that consisted of using ground plant roots as starting material in gossypol Schiff base semisynthesis, we now report how this concept can be used to access enantiomerically pure Schiff base atropisomer derivatives of gossypol in only two steps. This study has been envisioned since enantiomerically pure Schiff base atropisomer derivatives of gossypol are generally more potent biologically when compared to racemic gossypol Schiff bases.

Isolation and Characterization of Hederagenin from Hedera helix L. Extract with Antitumor Activity

Hederagenin, a saponin known for its therapeutic effect was isolated from leaves of Hedera helix. Hederagenin was obtained by repeated maceration of ground plant material in 95% (v/v) ethanol. The ethanolic extract was subjected to acid hydrolysis and purification with acetonitrile. Isolated hederagenin (IHe) was analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS and compared to standard hederagenin. In vitro cytotoxicity of IHe was tested in a culture of fibroblast cells from NCTC clone L929 cell line by MTT assay, using dioscin as positive control. For the determination of IHe antitumor effect, in vitro tests were performed in a culture of human cervix carcinoma Hep-2 cells cultivated in the presence of different concentrations of sample for 48 h. IHe was biocompatible in the range of concentrations 2-200 mg/mL, in NCTC cell culture. The compound showed cell cytotoxicity in the concentration range of 100-400 mg/mL, in Hep-2 cell culture, revealing its antitumor activity. These results demonstrated the possible use of hederagenin isolated from H. helix extract as an antitumor agent.

Regulation of growth, nutritive, phytochemical and antioxidant potential of cultivated Drimiopsis maculata in response to biostimulant (vermicompost leachate, VCL) application

The effect of vermicompost leachate (VCL, low-cost biostimulant) on the growth, elemental (macro and micro-nutrients) and phytochemical content as well as the antioxidant potential of Drimiopsis maculata was evaluated. Three dilutions (1:5; 1:10 and 1:20) of VCL were tested and the cultivation lasted for 3 months. In addition to the recorded growth parameters, dried and ground plant materials (leaves and bulbs) were evaluated for nutrients, phenolic acids and antioxidant capacity. Vermicompost leachate application enhanced the growth of D. maculata, particularly, the leaves (VCL 1:10) and bulbs (VCL 1:20) which were significantly bigger than the controls. Apart from the concentration of phosphorus which was significantly lower in the leaves of VCL (1:20)-treated plants, the quantity of all four macro-nutrients analysed were similar with and without VCL. Similar observations were also demonstrated in the majority of quantified micro-nutrients in D. maculata. Relative to the control, VCL-treated plants had higher concentrations of the 10 phenolic acids quantified in the leaves. However, the majority of the quantified phenolic acids were not significantly enhanced in bulbs. Antioxidant activity of D. maculata extracts was generally higher in leaves than in the bulbs. The leaf extract from VCL (1:10 and 1:20)-treated plants exhibited lower oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) when compared to the control. However, bulbs from VCL (1:5) treatment had significantly higher ORAC than the control. From a conservational perspective, the current findings provided insight on viable approaches useful for mitigating challenges associated with over-harvesting of highly utilized but slow-growing plant species.

Relationship between acid phosphatase activity and P concentration in organs of Cyclopia and Aspalathus species, and a non-legume of the Cape Floristic Region

The role of tissue acid phosphatase (APase) activity of legumes and non-legumes in their P nutrition and adaptation to low-P soils is not well understood. To better understand this, a relationship between APase activity and P concentration in leaves, stems, roots and nodules of legumes, Cyclopia and Aspalathus and a non-legume, Leucadendron strictum, all native to the P-poor soils of the Cape fynbos biome, was assessed. Plants were collected and each separated into leaves, stems and roots. Phosphatase enzyme activity was assayed in soil using the p-nitrophenol method, while soil P and shoot P were measured using ICP-MS. To measure tissue APase activity, an acetate buffer was added into ground plant material and contents filtered. An acetate buffer and a p-nitrophenyl solution were added to the supernatant and contents incubated. After incubation, NaOH (0.5 M) was added and absorbance read at 405 nm. At Koksrivier, Cyclopia genistoides exhibited the highest leaf enzyme activity whilst Aspalathus aspalathoides showed the highest enzyme activity in the stems. At both Kleinberg and Kanetberg, Cyclopia subternata and Cyclopia longifolia showed the highest APase activity in leaves, followed by stems and lowest in roots. P concentration closely mirrored enzyme activity in organs of all test species from each site. APase activity positively correlated with P concentration in organs of all the test Cyclopia and Leucadendron species, indicating that intracellular APase activity is directly linked to P mobilization and translocation in these species. Percentage of N derived from fixation was positively correlated with tissue APase activity in C. genistoides (r = 0.911*), A. aspalathoides (r = 0.868*) and Aspalathus caledonensis (r = 0.957*), suggesting that APase activity could be directly or indirectly linked to symbiotic functioning in these fynbos legumes, possibly via increased P supply to sites of N₂ fixation.

INVESTIGATION OF COMPONENTS OF HEXANE EXTRACT FROM TAMARIX HISPIDA BY METHOD OF GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY

In this article, we determined the qualitative and quantitative component composition of the hexane extract, derived from plant material - the aerial part of the Tamarix hispida genus, the Tamarix family of Tamaricaceae, which grows in the southern region of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Almaty region). For this purpose, the previously dried and ground plant material (500 g) was extracted with hexane into the feed-reagent ratio (1:10) in a Soxhlet apparatus. The extract was concentrated under mild conditions (water bath temperature 40-45 °C) using a water-jet pump vacuum to concentrate. Analysis of the component composition of the hexane extract carried out using gas chromatography with a mass-selective detector under the following conditions: capillary column SHP-5MS used carrier gas helium with a flow rate of 1 ml / min at a temperature gradient from 40 °C to 250 °C and the injector volume - 0.2 μl. The materials were identified by mass spectra and retention times using the Wiley GC/MS library. The percentage of the components was calculated automatically from the areas of the peaks of the general chromatogram of the ions. As a result, 30 components were identified, of which 8 were acids and their esters, 5-alcohols, 4-ketones, 1-aldehyde, 1-phenol, 3-alkane, 3 halogen derivatives, 2-cyclic, 3-heterocyclic compounds. A significant content of β-carotene (23.73%), 2-cis-9-octadecinyl octaethanol (16.99%), propyl 3-octadecyloxyoleic acid (14.34%), octacosyltrifluoroacetate (8.60%), cis-11-octadecenoic acid (7.49%), heptacosan (6.01%), 2-bromocataladecan (5.24%), β-sitosterol (4.49%), respectively. Halogen-containing biologically active compounds were found for the first time in Tamarix genus. In addition, some amount of the nitrogen-containing compounds has been identified, which also were not previously found in lipophilic extracts of Tamarix.Forcitation:Ikhsanov Y.S., Abilov Z.A., Sultanova N.A., Choudhary M.I. Investigation of components of hexane extract from tamarix hispida by method of gas chromatography. Izv. Vyssh. Uchebn. Zaved. Khim. Khim. Tekhnol. 2018. V. 61. N 6. P. 83-87

Dark Septate Endophytic Fungi Help Tomato to Acquire Nutrients from Ground Plant Material.

Dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi are facultative biotrophs that associate with hundreds of plant species, contributing to their growth. These fungi may therefore aid in the search for sustainable agricultural practices. However, several ecological functions of DSE fungi need further clarification. The present study investigated the effects of DSE fungi inoculation on nutrient recovery efficiency, nutrient accumulation, and growth of tomato plants fertilized with organic and inorganic N sources. Two experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions in a randomized blocks design, with five replicates of tomato seedlings grown in pots filled with non-sterile sandy soil. Tomato seedlings (cv. Santa Clara I-5300) inoculated with DSE fungi (isolates A101, A104, and A105) and without DSE fungi (control) were transplanted to pots filled with 12 kg of soil which had previously received finely ground plant material [Canavalia ensiformis (L.)] that was shoot enriched with 0.7 atom % 15N (organic N source experiment) or ammonium sulfate-15N enriched with 1 atom % 15N (mineral N source experiment). Growth indicators, nutrient content, amount of nitrogen (N) in the plant derived from ammonium sulfate-15N or C. ensiformis-15N, and recovery efficiency of 15N, P, and K by plants were quantified 50 days after transplanting. The treatment inoculated with DSE fungi and supplied with an organic N source showed significantly higher recovery efficiency of 15N, P, and K. In addition, the 15N, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn content, plant height, leaf number, leaf area (only for the A104 inoculation), and shoot dry matter increased. In contrast, the only positive effects observed in the presence of an inorganic N source were fertilizer-K recovery efficiency, content of K, and leaf area when inoculated with the fungus A104. Inoculation with A101, A104, and A105 promoted the growth of tomato using organic N source (finely ground C. ensiformis-15N plant material).

Development of SECheM Concept for Isolation and Chemical Modification of Gossypol Directly from Cienfuegosia digitata.

Gossypol is an axially chiral natural polyphenol classically extracted from the Malavaceae family. Nevertheless, its extraction and isolation from a plant can be quite complicated and extremely time-consuming since gossypol is known to be sensitive to degradation under solvents, high temperature and light action. Moreover, its purification over column chromatography is a challenging problem due to its ability to oxidise and the existence of various tautomer forms. To develop an efficient "one-step" strategy for simultaneous extraction and semi-synthesis by short-circuiting critical gossypol isolation and purification steps. Gossypol was first isolated from Cienfuegosia digitata roots, characterised (by 1D and 2D NMR) and quantified (by UV spectrophotometry). Thus, aniline was selected to test the "one-step" in situ trapping of freshly extracted gossypol leading to a Schiff base analogue. After screening solvents and extraction times on this model reaction, the "SECheM" (simultaneous extraction and chemical modification) concept was successfully extended to other amines, underlining the efficiency and the robustness of the strategy. After having shown that gossypol occurred as a major compound in C. digitata roots, different experimental procedures using Soxhlet extraction in the presence of aniline pointed out the best conditions for the SECheM concept (7h of reaction and extraction time in ether as solvent). Ultimately, the concept has been generalised to 17 other amines. This is a report of the first semi-synthesis that allows: (1) "in situ" preparation of more stable gossypol Schiff base derivatives directly from ground plant material and (2) circumvention of gossypol extraction and purification problems. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A Straightforward Method for Glucosinolate Extraction and Analysis with High-pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Glucosinolates are a well-studied and highly diverse class of natural plant compounds. They play important roles in plant resistance, rapeseed oil quality, food flavoring, and human health. The biological activity of glucosinolates is released upon tissue damage, when they are mixed with the enzyme myrosinase. This results in the formation of pungent and toxic breakdown products, such as isothiocyanates and nitriles. Currently, more than 130 structurally different glucosinolates have been identified. The chemical structure of the glucosinolate is an important determinant of the product that is formed, which in turn determines its biological activity. The latter may range from detrimental (e.g., progoitrin) to beneficial (e.g., glucoraphanin). Each glucosinolate-containing plant species has its own specific glucosinolate profile. For this reason, it is important to correctly identify and reliably quantify the different glucosinolates present in brassicaceous leaf, seed, and root crops or, for ecological studies, in their wild relatives. Here, we present a well-validated, targeted, and robust method to analyze glucosinolate profiles in a wide range of plant species and plant organs. Intact glucosinolates are extracted from ground plant materials with a methanol-water mixture at high temperatures to disable myrosinase activity. Thereafter, the resulting extract is brought onto an ion-exchange column for purification. After sulfatase treatment, the desulfoglucosinolates are eluted with water and the eluate is freeze-dried. The residue is taken up in an exact volume of water, which is analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a photodiode array (PDA) or ultraviolet (UV) detector. Detection and quantification are achieved by conducting comparisons of the retention times and UV spectra of commercial reference standards. The concentrations are calculated based on a sinigrin reference curve and well-established response factors. The advantages and disadvantages of this straightforward method, when compared to faster and more technologically advanced methods, are discussed here.