Basella Alba Research Articles

Impact of Different Drying Methods on Nutritional, Colour Change, Solubility and Microbial Count of Selected Herbal Plant Powders

The research aimed to study the effect of drying processes (spray and freeze drying), and feed concentrations (80%, 65% and 50% of plant in water, w/w) on physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of star gooseberry (Sauropus androgynus), ceylon spinach (Basella alba), and cowslip creeper (Telosma minor). After drying, the powder recovery of herbal plant powders was up to 77.47%. The aw and moisture content of spray-dried powder (SDP) were lower than that of freeze-dried powder (FDP). The drying method did not significantly affect nutritional values of both powders, whereas the feed concentrations markedly affected the nutritional values of the powders. The fibre and fat contents of powder prepared from 80% feed concentration had the highest values (p<0.05). The dried star gooseberry powder was rich in protein (13.01-16.81%) and fibre (5.03-5.52%). The colour of FDP represented a smaller change than that of SDP. The dried powders prepared by 80% showed the highest solubility, up to 85.44%. The microbial counts of SDP were lower than that of FDP. The colour might well have been preserved by freeze drying, whereas a low moisture and microbial count were likely due to the spray drying.

Role of multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a growth regulator for Basella alba (Malabar spinach) plant and its soil microbiota

The effect of pure multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was studied on the development and morphology of the Basella alba plant. The plants were treated with varying sonicated concentrations of MWCNTs. The parameters taken into consideration were germination percentage of seeds, protein content in the plant, estimation of chlorophyll concentration, and the effect on the soil microbial community after treatment with MWCNTs. A boost in vigour index was recorded with the 200 µg ml−1 concentration of MWCNTs. Increment in other parameters like protein content, chlorophyll concentration, and microbial community in soil samples have also been observed. All parameters showed higher efficiency in a concentration-dependent manner of MWCNTs compared to control by testing the significance of results through statistical one-way ANOVA analysis. The uptake of MWCNTs by plants was confirmed by SEM–EDX analysis of treated and control leaf tissue sections. This study concludes that MWCNTs exhibit significant growth effects with no toxicity to Basella alba.Graphical

A comprehensive assessment of heavy metal(loid) contamination in leafy vegetables grown in two mining areas in Yunnan, China-a focus on bioaccumulation of cadmium in Malabar spinach.

Contamination of leafy vegetables grown in heavy metal(loid)-polluted mining areas pose serious health risks. This study aimed to explore the heavy metal(loid) contamination of leafy vegetables near two mining areas, by collecting samples from 14 different leafy vegetable species in Yunnan Province, China. The lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and copper (Cu) contents of the samples were determined, and risks to human health were calculated using the hazard quotient and hazard index (HI). Moreover, Malabar spinach was identified as a leafy vegetable that exhibits low accumulation of heavy metal(loid)s. The accumulation capacity of different Malabar spinach varieties was verified, and a Cd soil safety threshold was determined using a pot experiment. Overall, Pb and Cd were the main soil and vegetable contaminants found in both study sites. The HI values for all leafy vegetables, apart from Malabar spinach, were greater than 1, indicating the presence of risks to human health; moreover, the health risks were greater for children than adults. The Malabar spinach pot experiment results showed that only some Cd forms exceeded China's maximum permissible standards. Furthermore, Malabar spinach varieties A (instant Malabar spinach), C (extra-large leaf green vine Malabar spinach), and F (large leaf Malabar spinach) displayed the lowest Cd accumulation. We calculated Cd total and bioavailable soil safety thresholds of 4.75 and 0.77 mg kg-1, respectively. However, further research is required to validate soil heavy metal safety thresholds for different vegetables. Ultimately, the heavy metal(loid) contamination of leafy vegetables described here was more serious than anticipated. Finally, the results of this study can inform residents living near these mining areas of a low-risk leafy vegetable, which will reduce the harm caused by heavy metal(loid) contamination in the area.

Structural Studies on Diverse Betacyanin Classes in Matured Pigment-Rich Fruits of Basella alba L. and Basella alba L. var. 'Rubra' (Malabar Spinach).

Identification of betacyanins in Basella alba L. and Basella alba L. var. ‘Rubra’ fruits was performed by low- and high-resolution mass spectrometry (LRMS and HRMS) as well as 1H, 13C and two-dimensional NMR which revealed hitherto completely not known betacyanin classes in the plant kingdom. Especially, the presence of unique nitrogenous acyl moieties in the structures of the pigments was ascertained by the HRMS Orbitrap detection. Except for detected polar betacyanin glycosylated derivatives, presence of a series of previously not reported pigments such as malonylated betanidin 6-O-β-glusosides with their acyl migration isomers along with the evidence of the 3′′-hydroxy-butyrylated betacyanins is reported. The first complete NMR data were obtained for novel and principal acylated gomphrenins with hydroxycinnamic acids: 6′-O-E-caffeoyl-gomphrenin (malabarin), 6′-O-E-sinapoyl-gomphrenin (gandolin), 6′-O-E-4-coumaroyl-gomphrenin (globosin) and 6′-O-E-feruloyl-gomphrenin (basellin).

Optimized Box-Behnken Design Combined Response Surface Methodology to Determine Calcium and Iron Contents Using Visible, Atomic Emission and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry in Vegetables and Wastewater Samples.

Calcium and iron are crucial essential minerals. Iron is mainly responsible for transporting oxygen in the body and the immune system. In comparison, calcium's primary function is in human bones and teeth. Due to that, it is vital to quantify the amount in vegetables. Optimization and validation of three analytical procedures, visible, atomic emission spectrophotometry (AES), and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), were developed to determine calcium and iron in vegetables and wastewater samples using response surface methodology (RSM) via Box-Behnken design (BBD). The design helps to reduce experiment trials with selected variables to find a correlation between them and their respective dependent variables. Method I was developed to quantify calcium in vegetables mixed with concentrated 3M HNO3 and heated to reflux as per the BBD. Then it was cooled, filtered, and completed with 3M HNO3 to be carried out utilizing AES and AAS. For method II, vegetables were mixed with nitric acid and sulfuric acid solution with an optimized 5M KSCN solution, which was computed using the AAS and visible spectrophotometry. First, percentage of water content was calculated for all vegetables, higher in malabar spinach and lower in peas. The calcium and iron contents were present within 0.59-2.68 mg and 35.8-211.5 mg, respectively, in 100 g of vegetables. The results showed a higher amount of iron was available in spinach and a lower amount in okra. In contrast, the highest calcium amount was present in broccoli and the lowest amount was in peas. The calcium and iron content were between 0.015-137.25 and 0.01-147.85 µg/mL in the wastewater samples. These methods can help to determine the amount of calcium and iron for the quality control samples in research and development, food, and the environmental industry. Three validated analytical techniques quantify calcium and iron in vegetables and wastewater samples. The RSM-BBD optimized the method and determined its crucial factors.

Antioxidant activity and antidiabetic activities of Northern Thai indigenous edible plant extracts and their phytochemical constituents

Diabetes mellitus is the most common non-infective disease characterized by hyperglycemia (high level of blood glucose). Formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in long termed-hyperglycemia and oxidative stress are the key factors to accelerate diabetic complications. To screen potential candidates for treating diabetes, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity from crude extracts of some Thai edible plants were primarily assessed, and the inhibiting potential of diabetes and its complications provided from some of these plants were evaluated in terms of their inhibitory activities of α-amylase, α-glycosidase, and AGEs formation. The highest amounts of phenolic and flavonoid compounds were found in the ethanolic extract of Caesalpinia mimosoides (S20, 12.63 ± 1.70 mg GAE/g DW) and Glochidion hirsutum (S8, 3.02 ± 0.25 mg CE/g DW), respectively. The highest antioxidant activity was found in Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (S26, 217.94 ± 32.30 μg AAE/g DW) whereas the highest inhibitory activities of α-amylase and α-glycosidase were obtained from Basella alba L. (S11, IC50 = 0.21 ± 0.01 mg/ml) and S. terebinthifolius (S26, IC50 = 0.05 ± 0.02 mg/ml) respectively. The inhibitory effects of AGEs formation were studied in vitro using two model systems: BSA-glucose and BSA-methylglycoxal (MGO). The extracts of Glochidion hirsutum (Roxb.) Voigt (S8, IC50 = 0.20 ± 0.01 mg/ml) and Polygonum odoratum Lour. (S13, IC50 = 0.03 ± 0.01 mg/ml) exhibited the inhibitory activity of AGEs formation derived from glucose (BSA-glucose system) stronger than aminoguanidine (AG) (0.26 ± 0.00 mg/ml), which is a common AGEs formation inhibitory drug. By BSA-MGO assay, the inhibition of some selected extracts in this study (G. hirsutum, G. sphaerogynum, and S. terebinthifolius with IC50 = 0.11 ± 0.01, 0.11 ± 0.01, and 0.10 ± 0.00 mg/ml, respectively) were slightly less efficient than AG (the IC50 = 0.06 ± 0.00 mg/ml). These results indicated that some selected Thai edible plants in this present study provided potential applications towards the prevention of diabetes and their complications via the inhibitory of α-amylase, α-glycosidase, AGEs formation, and oxidative stress. This fundamental information would be important for alternative drug discovery and nutritional recommendations for diabetic patients.

Evaluation of Basella alba L. Mucilage as a Suspending Agent in Metronidazole Suspension

In the quest for natural biodegradable, non-toxic polymers for use as excipients in pharmaceutical formulations, mucilage of Basella alba L (BAM) stem was isolated and evaluated as a suspending agent in metronidazole suspensions at different concentrations (0.5% - 2% w/v) in comparison to tragacanth (TCG) and gelatin gums (GLT). The micromeritic properties of the mucilage powder were determined and the metronidazole suspension was characterized using flow rate, redispersion number, sedimentation volume, viscosity and pH. The degree of flocculation was also determined. BAM powder has good flow property with minimal swelling. The order of flow rate of metronidazole suspension was BAM=TCG>GLT while sedimentation volume ranking was TCG>BAM>GLT. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the redispersion number of BAM and TCG formulations. The viscosities of formulations containing BAM and TCG at concentrations of 0.5%-1.0% w/v were the same. The pH of the suspensions ranged from 5 to 8. The degree of flocculation was in the order GLT>BAM>TCG. From our findings, BAM can be used as an alternative suspending agent in suspension formulation.

Effects of organic foliar fertilizer concentrations on growth, yield and economic efficiency of malabar spinach and mustard greens

This study aimed to determine spraying concentrations of the organic foliar solution-Batraixanh Greco 01S for the production of malabar spinach and mustard greens in Spring in Gia Lam, Ha Noi. Two experiments with malabar spinach and mustard greens were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 5 treatments and 3 replications. In ech experiment, the treatments included 5 different spraying concentrations of the foliar solution (0, 2, 3, 4, 5 mL/L per each spray). The number of sprays for malabar spinach and mustard greens was 4 and 2 times, respectively, and the diluted solution for each spray was 1 L/m2. The results showed that the application of these solutions on malabar spinach and mustard greens significantly increased the growth and yield of these two leafy vegetables (P < 0.05). Malabar spinach sprayed with 3 - 5 mL/L per spray had the highest yield (15.38 - 16.70 tons/ha). The greatest yield of mustard greens was achieved with a spraying concentation of less than 3 mL/L (14.67 tons/ha). Malabar spinach and mustard greens sprayed with 3 mL/L gave the best profit margins of 1.24 and 1.59, respectively.

아열대 기후 변화에 따른 인디언시금치 생면의 최적제조에 관한 연구

The aim of this study is to add Indian spinach, a subtropical vegetable, in making pasta in order to enhance its quality and sensual properties. The pH of the pasta increased as the amount of Indian spinach increased, and slightly decreased as the amount of bread flour increased, according to measurements of pH and chromaticity in the chemical properties of pasta. The ratio of Indian spinach pasta was 50.42 grams of Indian spinach to 249.99 grams of bread flour in predicting the ideal numerical point that satisfies the preference maximum. The predicted response value for this mixing ratio, which is 7 as a max, was 4.53 for sweetness, 6.07 for color, and 3.12 for bitterness. In comparison to the control group, fresh pasta had a higher level of Indian spinach's antioxidant activity. Indian spinach pasta had higher moisture and ash levels and lower levels of fat, protein, carbohydrates and calories than the control group, indicating low fat, low carbohydrate, and low calorie content, according to the general ingredient analysis of the pasta. The purpose of this research is to reevaluate Indian spinach, which is cultivated in Korea but eaten in salads only for now. This study may help create fresh, functional pasta and raise raise public awareness of domestic subtropical vegetable food culture and health, as well as help increase income for Indian spinach growers.

Seed Priming with ZnO and Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Alleviate the Lead Toxicity in Basella alba L. through Reduced Lead Uptake and Regulation of ROS.

The increased lead (Pb) content in the environment has an impact on all living beings, including plant growth and quality. The present study aims to investigate the protective roles of zinc (Zn)- and iron (Fe)- nanoparticles (NPs) in alleviating stress symptoms caused by lead (Pb) exposure in Basella alba seedlings. For this purpose, 15 different treatment combinations of seed priming with two NPs at 0 and 200 mg L−1, and five Pb levels (0, 4, 8, 15, 20 mM) were chosen. Pb stress (20 mM) was found to reduce seed germination by 72.8% and seedling growth, particularly root length, by 92% when compared to the control. Under different Pb concentrations, seed priming with ZnNPs (200 mg L−1) and FeNPs (200 mg L−1) increased seed germination by 34.7% and 54.9%, respectively, and root length by 152.9% and 252.9%, respectively. In 20 mM Pb stress, NPs primed seedling showed decrease in Pb content by 33.7% with ZnNPs and 32.6% with FeNPs. Increased Pb stress resulted in increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation (H2O2) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) compared to non-Pb stressed seedlings. However, increased antioxidants in the NPs treatments such as SOD, CAT, POD and proline content, scavenged these ROS. Considering all the parameters under study, priming alleviated Pb stress in the following order: FeNPs > ZnNPs > hydropriming > control. To summarise, seed priming with Zn- and Fe-NPs has the potential to alleviate Pb toxicity via reduced Pb uptake, ROS generation and lipid peroxidation as well as increased proline content and activation of antioxidant enzymatic system.

Formulation and Evaluation of Alugbati-Based Nasal Spray: A Preliminary study for the Adjunct Management of Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is a nasal inflammation produced by an allergic reaction to allergens that affects a significant number of Asian populations, particularly in tropical countries like the Philippines. The Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry promotes Basella alba, also known as Alugbati, which has been reported to have cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. The purpose of […]

First report of leaf blight of Indian spinach caused by Colletotrichum siamense in India

First report of leaf blight of Indian spinach caused by Colletotrichum siamense in India

Growth response of Basella alba. Linn to Azotobacter species isolated from marine sediments and garden soil

Growth response of Basella alba. Linn to Azotobacter species isolated from marine sediments and garden soil

Development and characterization of gelatin-based herbal hydrogels for managing infected wounds

The present study is aimed at evaluating the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of aqueous extracts of the plants Moringa olifera (drumstick tree or murungai), Sesbania grandiflora (vegetable hummingbird or agati), Basella alba (malabar spinach or pasalai), and then developing herbal hydrogel with gelatin to improve its pharmacological properties and to use it as a primary dressing for managing infected wounds. The aqueous extracts of murungai, agati, pasalai and the herbal hydrogels has been tested in vitro against wound infecting microrganisms by well-diffusion method and micro-dilution method. Both plant extracts and herbal hydrogel are found to inhibit the growth of Gram positive, Gram negative and polymicrobial cultures. According to EN13726, all the three herbal hydrogels manage the simulated exudates effectively. Hence, the hydrogels developed in the present study could be used to manage infection and also moderately exudating wounds.

Accumulation of lead radionuclides in 18 leaf vegetable types in Viet Nam

Studying the concentration of radioactive lead in soil and plants, and using plants for phytoremediation are important for the environment and human health protection. In this study, we used gamma spectrometry to determine activity concentration in soil - plants, transfer factor. The average activity concentration of lead radionuclides in soil and plants were in the following order of 210Pb > 214Pb > 212Pb. The average activity ratio of 214Pb and 212Pb to 210Pb in soil were 0.70 and 0.59 and in plants were 0.69 and 0.14, respectively. The results showed that there was not much difference between the ratio of radioactive 214Pb and 210Pb concentrations in vegetable and plant samples. Ming aralia (Polyscias fruticose) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) contained the highest concentrations of 210Pb, and Malabar spinach (Basella alba) contained the lowest concentration. Ming aralia could be used for the radioactive decontamination of 210Pb. There vegetable samples from Ho Chi Minh City were considered safe for human consumption in the aspect of lead radionuclides.

Malabar Spinach (Basella alba) seed mucilage as a natural source of edible gum: Extraction, physiochemical characterization and functional properties

Spinach (Basella alba) is a popular green leafy vegetable its seeds contain non-exudate gum which may have gelling and stabilizing properties important in food industry applications. Presently, most of the commercially available food grade gums are imported, thus it is a necessity to look for locally available and inexpensive alternatives. Basella alba seed gum was scrutinized in the present study to get a better insight regarding this important polysaccharide. Mucilage of the sun-dried seeds were extracted with hot water. Extractable content of mucilage from seeds was 5.63% ± 0.63 in dry basis. Composition and functional properties (antioxidant capacity, water solubility, water holding capacity (WHC) and oil holding capacity (OHC) of the spinach seed gum (SSG) were analyzed and compared. FTIR spectroscopy analysis was conducted to identify organic functional groups present in extracted gum. The potential application of SSG as a stabilizer was evaluated by incorporating it into a yoghurt and the changes in pH and syneresis were observed. Results revealed that the SSG showed a radical scavenging ability that proves antioxidant capacity of isolated gum. Solubility of spinach seed mucilage was about 21.07±0.55% at room temperature and there was a positive relationship with the increment of temperature. Furthermore, isolated SSG showed 3.09 g water/g and 76.26 g oil/100 g WHC and OHC respectively. Incorporation of SSG into yoghurt have shown a significant effect at 0.5% levels. In conclusion, SSG has shown potentially applicable hydrocolloid for food industry.

Growth of Basella alba under different light environments

Basella alba L. (Malabar spinach) is a non-conventional food plant (PANC) with high nutritional value and economic potential. Light is a critical factor in plant growth, acting directly on the photosynthetic process. The photoselective meshes combine the physical protection of plants with the selective filtering of solar radiation to promote physiological responses. This work evaluates the growth of B. alba under different light environments. The experiment occurred in a greenhouse at the Center for Agrarian, Environmental and Biological Sciences of the Federal University of Recôncavo da Bahia in a completely randomized design with plots comprising one useful plant and five replications. The plants were grown in three light environments: red ChromatiNet mesh, aluminet-thermo reflective mesh (both with 50% irradiance), and under full sun. The red mesh increased the root dry matter mass and stem diameter. The aluminet mesh increased the average number of leaves by about 50% compared to the plants cultivated under full sun. The results show that the cultivation of B. alba in different light environments promotes morphophysiological changes with positive increments in growth.

Exploration of Basella alba mucilage as a novel adjuvant in Pharmaceutical Formulation

Basella alba is a commonly available plant having significant quantity of mucilage present in its leaves and stem. The review focuses on the method of extraction of mucilage, its chemical composition, monosaccharide composition and various chemical and physical properties of mucilage. The rheological properties of B.alba mucilage, exhibiting pseudoplastic flow enable it to be used for formulating artificial human saliva. The B.alba mucilage is found to be used as disintegrating agent, binding agent, suspending agent, matrix former, gelling agent, encapsulating agent and as release retardant in pharmaceutical formulation. The properties of mucilage have been evaluated against standard excipient and confirmed of their adjuvant properties. The mucilage also possesses drag reducing ability due to which it can be used as natural flow improver in pipelines for reducing the frictional pressure drop. The plant is rapidly growing, commonly available and possesses wide additive properties; even then it remains under- utilized as pharmaceutical excipient so its versatility in targeted drug delivery, micro-/nano-drug delivery, tissue engineering and stimuli responsive delivery system is highly desirable. Apart from this, several opportunities of mucilage which are left unexplored is discussed in the review like formation of BioMEMS, formation of microneedles and as theranostic agents. Thus, the review explores various pharmaceutical applications and opportunities of B.alba mucilage to act as smart novel carrier in pharmaceutical formulation.

Dietary administration of three medicinal plant extracts enhance innate immunity and skin pigmentation of Botia rostrata (Günther, 1868)

ABSTRACT The comparative efficacy of three plant extracts to enhance the immune and pigmentation status of ornamental fish Botia rostrata (Günther, 1868) was analyzed. Juvenile fish (Wt 3.6 ± 0.5 g, n = 72, three replicates) were fed separate diets containing Mucuna pruriens seed methanol (0.25 g/kg), Tribulus terrestris seed ethanol (0.5 g/kg), and Basella alba leaves ethanol (1.0 g/kg) extracts for 1 month. Control fish were fed only the basal diet. After 1 month, liver superoxide dismutase and catalase activities decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in all plant extract-fed groups compared to the control. Mucuna seed extract-fed fish showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in malondialdehyde; the glutathione level decreased in Tribulus seed extract- and Basella leaves extract-fed fish compared to the control. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in phagocytotic, sera lysozyme, and respiratory burst activities was noticed in plant extracts-fed fish. Basella leaves extract-fed fish showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in skin pigmentation pattern. Basella leaves ethanol extract (1.0 g/kg) appeared more potent than the other two plant extracts in enhancing the innate immunity and skin coloration of Botia rostrata.

Assessment of macro and micro elements present in three commonly eaten vegetables in Nigeria

The study investigated the nutritive elements of four species of Basella and two other commonly eaten vegetables (Amaranthus hybridus and Talinum triangulare). The vegetables are found throughout the year. The mineral compostion of the vegetables was carried out using standard procedures to determine which of these would be of more health benefit to the consumers. Leaves were collected at the initiation of flowering and air-dried under shade for 7 days after which they were kept in an oven at 60oC for 24 hours. These dried materials were mechanically powdered and stored in airtight containers until used for analysis. The phosphorous content of the vegetables ranged from 83.95±0.01 to 136.30±0.01 mg/100g. The potassium content ranged from 733.20±17.7 mg/100g to 4084.20+0.03 mg/100g. Sodium content in the vegetables ranged from 89.25±0.04 to 241.50±0.02 mg/100g. Zinc content ranged from 8.00+2 mg/100g to 28.90+4 mg/100g. The mineral contents of the Basella forms are comparable to Amaranthus hybridus and Talinum triangulare. Overlap observed in the values of the nutrient elements suggests interspecies relationship. Copper was present in Basella rubra and Amaranthus hybridus, while Molybdenum was absent in all. This study revealed that the consumption of these vegetables is dependent on the dietary need of the users.