Optimal Culture Research Articles

Impacts of Soil Temperature on Apricot Productivity in Malatya, Turkey: A Longitudinal Analysis Using Inverse Distance Weighting

This longitudinal study analyzes the impact of soil temperature on apricot productivity in Malatya, Turkey, from 2004 to 2022. Utilizing Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) to correlate detailed soil temperature maps with apricot yield and production data, we identify significant temperature-dependent variations in apricot yields. Our findings reveal that optimal soil temperature management is crucial for maximizing apricot productivity, as deviations from ideal soil temperatures correlate strongly with yield fluctuations. Specifically, periods of increased soil temperatures generally correspond with higher productivity, highlighting the delicate balance required for optimal apricot cultivation. This research underscores the importance of integrating climate considerations into agricultural planning and offers valuable insights for developing adaptive strategies to enhance apricot production in the face of global climate variability. By mapping the spatial and temporal dynamics of soil temperature and its impact on apricot yield, this study contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable agricultural practices and the economic resilience of the apricot sector in Malatya.

Unraveling the molecular mechanisms of flavonoid biosynthesis in Panax notoginseng flowers across planting patterns and developmental stages using integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses

The simulative habitat cultivation of Panax notoginseng (Sanqi) under pine forests using organic management (OM) enhances the quality of Sanqi roots. However, the impact of the OM on the quality of Sanqi flowers remains unknown. The Sanqi flowers cultivated under OM compared with those cultivated under CM (conventional management) exhibited higher levels of flavonoids, saponins, and polysaccharides, as well as dry/fresh weight. Principal component analysis demonstrated that metabolites were predominantly influenced by the cultivation patterns followed by the flowering stage. Several of the differentially abundant metabolites and expressed genes were upregulated in Sanqi flowers cultivated under OM. The flavonoid biosynthesis pathway was highly affected by the cultivation systems and flowering stages, mediated by the essential genes C4H, HCT, C3′H, DFR, and FLS. Flavonoid levels peaked at full bloom, indicating that this is the optimum stage for harvesting Sanqi flowers. Our findings are of great value for developing optimal cultivation and harvest practices.

Biological Characteristics of the Mycelium and Optimization of the Culture Medium for Phallus dongsun.

This study aimed to elucidate the influence of various culture medium components, including carbon sources, nitrogen sources, inorganic salts, suspension agents, and temperature, on the mycelial growth characteristics of Phallus dongsun. Employing single-factor experiments and response surface methodology within glass Petri dishes, the research identified that carrot powder, soybean powder, and ZnSO4 notably enhanced the proliferation of aerial mycelium, significantly augmenting the growth rate of P. dongsun mycelium. The resultant mycelium was observed to be dense, robust, and fluffy in texture. In particular, ZnSO4 markedly accelerated the mycelium growth rate. Furthermore, xanthan gum was found to effectively modulate the medium's viscosity, ensuring a stable suspension and facilitating nutrient equilibrium. The optimal cultivation temperature was determined to be 25°C, with mycelial growth ceasing below 5°C and mycelium perishing at temperatures exceeding 35°C. The optimal medium composition was established as follows: wheat starch 5 g/l, carrot powder 5 g/l, soybean powder 7.50 g/l, glucose 10 g/l, ZnSO4 0.71 g/l, NH4Cl 0.68 g/l, xanthan gum 0.5 g/l, and agar 20 g/l. Under these optimized conditions, the mycelium of P. dongsun exhibited a rapid growth rate (1.04 ± 0.14 mm/day), characterized by a thick, dense, and well-developed structure. This investigation provides a theoretical foundation for the conservation, strain selection, and breeding of P. dongsun.

Особенности высокорослого среднеспелого сорта сои Ягуар с признаком ускоренного прироста надземной биомассы

The tall, middle maturing soybean cultivar Jaguar with a trait of accelerated formation of aboveground biomass was obtained as a result of individual selection in F4 from the hybrid combination Vilana × D-7/10 by tall growth (> 150 cm) of the stem, large seeds, middle maturity and lodging resistance. Based on the results of variety testing in 2020–2023, the soybean cultivar Jaguar exceeded the standard cultivar Vilana by 0.26 t/ha of yield. With an average vegetative period of 123 days at the latitude of Krasnodar (45°), the height of plants of this cultivar is 138 cm, varying over the years from 120 to 154 cm. In optimal moisture conditions, the weight of 1000 seeds is 160–190 g. The phenomenon of accelerated formation of aboveground biomass of plants of the cultivar Jaguar y in optimal cultivation conditions is confirmed by a 44% more intense daily increase in plant height and a 55% more intense daily increase in aboveground biomass compared to these indicators for the standard cultivar Vilana. The new tall, middle maturing soybean variety Jaguar, with a trait of accelerated formation of aboveground biomass, is characterized by increased responsiveness to additional moisture by increasing the plant height to ultra-high, increasing the number of nodes, beans and seeds, seed size and weight, and yield. It has increased resistance of tall plants to tilting and lodging due to excessive moisture due to the increased mechanical strength of the stem. Due to its tall growth and high positive response to additional moisture supply, it is suitable for cultivation in the southern foothill and central zones of the Krasnodar region, with irrigation throughout the North Caucasus and Lower Volga regions of the Russian Federation, as well as in the republics of Central Asia and Transcaucasia.

Interspecific crossing in gooseberry breeding as the basis for the industrial-type varieties creation

For optimal cultivation of gooseberries, the presence of industrial-type cultivars plays an important role, therefore, the study of economically useful parameters, such as resistance to diseases and pests, productivity, high commercial qualities of berries, suitability for combine harvesting is relevant. Consequently, the goal of the present research was to study remote gooseberry hybrids obtained on the genetic basis of a mighty gooseberry species (Grossularia robusta) involved in hybridization according to the main economic and biological characteristics.Selected gooseberry forms obtained from the remote (interspecific) hybridization withGrossularia robustaspecies were the studied material.The degree of damage by the American powdery mildew, the quality of berries and suitability for machine harvesting were assessed. As a result of the long – term study of hybrid offspring obtained from interspecific crosses, promising selected formsF29-283-1(2) andF29-283-1(6) (seedlings from the open pollination from the family 142-x36-12 × Grossularia robusta) have been identified, which are of interest for further practical breeding of gooseberries when creating commercial cultivars of industrial type.

Improvement of the recombinant phytase expression by intermittent feeding of glucose during the induction phase of methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris.

For growth of methylotrophic yeast, glycerol is usually used as a carbon source. Glucose is used in some cases, but not widely consumed due to strong repressive effect on AOX1 promoter. However, glucose is still considered as a carbon source of choice since it has low production cost and guarantees growth rate comparable to glycerol. In flask cultivation of the recombinant yeast, Pichia pastoris GS115(pPIC9K-appA38M), while methanol induction point(OD600) and methanol concentration significantly affected the phytase expression, glucose addition in induction phase could enhance phytase expression. The optimal flask cultivation conditions illustrated by Response Surface Methodology were 10.37 OD600 induction point, 2.02h before methanol feeding, 1.16% methanol concentration and 40.36μL glucose feeding amount(for 20mL culture volume) in which the expressed phytase activity was 613.4 ± 10.2U/mL, the highest activity in flask cultivation. In bioreactor fermentation, the intermittent glucose feeding showed several advantageous results such as 68h longer activity increment, 149.2% higher cell density and 200.1% higher activity compared to the sole methanol feeding method. These results implied that remaining glucose at induction point might exhibit a positive effect on the phytase expression. Glucose intermittent feeding could be exploited for economic phytase production and the other recombinant protein expression by P. pastoris GS115.

Decoding the intestinal response to heat stress in Gymnocypris eckloni: Insights from a thorough analysis of microbiome and transcriptome

The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau has exhibited heightened sensitivity to global warming than any other region. G. ekloni, an endemic fish of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, holds ecological significance and is a key highland cold-water species in Chinese aquaculture. However, the warming of its habitat poses a significant threat to its survival. The intestine serves as the primary line of external immune defense. There are no reports available on alterations in the intestine of G. eckloni in response to varying levels of heat stress. In this study, G. ekloni was categorized into the optimum temperature culture group (CO, control group), the 22 °C heat stress culture group (HT-22) and the 28 °C heat stress culture group (HT-28).The adaptability of G. ekloni intestine to varying levels of heat stress was investigated through a comprehensive analysis involving tissue sections, blood biochemical indexes, sequencing of 16S and RNA-Seq. Tissue sections showed severe intestinal damage in the HT-28, characterized by mucosal layer necrosis, swelling of thrush cells, and erosion of villi. In the HT-28 group, the significantly increased plasma levels of inflammatory markers (DAO, LPS, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) also corroborated the substantial impairment of intestinal barrier function. Meanwhile, the RNA-Seq analysis revealed a significant upregulation of most genes in the HIF-1 signaling pathway. This suggests that the HIF-1 signaling pathway likely plays a crucial role in safeguarding the intestinal tract from injuries caused by extreme temperature stress.Intriguingly, there was very little change in the intestinal histological structure and no significant changes in biochemical indicators of stress and inflammation in the blood in the HT-22 group, and 16S amplification sequencing also revealed a greater abundance of intestinal microbial species in the HT-22 group. Through co-analysis with the up-regulated DEGs in HT-22, it was determined that the augmentation of intestinal flora taxa in the HT-22 group positively contributing to enhancing intestinal immunity and stabilizing intestinal barrier. This comprehensive histomorphological and multi-omics study showcased the resilience of G. ekloni intestine to environmental warming. The findings offer fundamental data for future research on the artificial culture of highland economic fishes, and their environmental adaptations.

The Impact of Genotype and Controlled Environment Cultivation Parameters on Tomato-Leaf-Derived Exosome-like Nanoparticle Yield and Properties

Horticultural plant material offers several advantages for isolating exosomes and other natural plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PDENs) due to the accessibility and affordability of plant material for widespread applications. This study aims to explore the impacts of the tomato genotype (‘Admiro’, ‘Roma’, ‘Brooklyn’, ‘Marmande’ and ‘Betalux’) and the main cultivation parameters in controlled environment agriculture on the yield and properties of their PDENs for pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical applications. The PDEN yield, size distribution, and antioxidative properties of young tomato seedlings were evaluated. The ‘Betalux’ tomato was distinguished by a remarkably higher nanoparticle concentration and a uniform size distribution and was selected for further experiments. The impact of cultivation temperature (18, 22, and 26 °C), nitrogen nutrition (0, 250, and 500 mg L−1), and the lighting photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD; 150, 250, and 450 µmol m−2 s−1) on nanoparticle properties was investigated. Optimal conditions consisting of a temperature of 22 °C, 250 mg L−1 nitrogen nutrition, and 250 µmol m−2 s−1 lighting PPFD were used as a reference. Optimal temperature, nitrogen nutrition, and lighting intensity resulted in the highest nanoparticle yield, the most uniform particle distribution, and the highest impact of PDEN preparations on keratinocyte metabolic activity. Deviation from optimal cultivation conditions reduced the tomato biomass and the PDEN protein and yield.

Correlation between climatic environment and characteristic components of 14 kinds of huajiao by thermal analysis techniques, GC-MS and HS-IMS.

Huajiao (Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim.) is extensively cultivated in various countries, including China, Korea, and India, owing to its adaptability to diverse environments. This study comprehensively analyzed the volatile substance composition of 14 varieties of red huajiao with distinct geographical origins. Thermal analysis methods, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and headspace-ion mobility chromatography (HS-IMS) were employed to evaluate the total volatile substance composition and content. The study revealed minor variations in water content, volatile matter content, and fractions among the geographically sourced huajiao samples. Utilizing correlation analysis based on GC-MS and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) with HS-IMS, a robust classification method for the 14 types of huajiao was developed. Applying the variable importance in the projection (VIP) method, seven distinctive components were identified as potential markers for distinguishing the geographical origins of red huajiao. By integrating climatic and topographical factors of the 14 huajiao varieties, the correlation analysis of GC-MS, and OPLS-DA classification outcomes from HS-IMS elucidated the influence of geo-environmental factors on huajiao components and contents. This research provides insights into the impact of diverse geographic environments on the constituents and characteristics of huajiao. It offers valuable guidance for selecting optimal cultivation locations to enhance huajiao quality, aiding consumers in making informed choices.

High-level expression of codon-optimized Taq DNA polymerase under the control of rhaBAD promoter

A DNA polymerase from Thermus aquaticus remains the most popular among DNA polymerases. It was widely applied in various fields involving the application of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), implying the high commercial value of this enzyme. For this reason, an attempt to obtain a high yield of Taq DNA polymerase is continuously conducted. In this study, the l-rhamnose-inducible promoter rhaBAD was utilized due to its ability to produce recombinant protein under tight control in E. coli expression system. Instead of full-length Taq polymerase, an N-terminal deletion of Taq polymerase was selected. To obtain a high-level expression, we attempted to optimize the codon by reducing the rare codon and GC content, and in a second attempt, we optimized the culture conditions for protein expression. The production of Taq polymerase using the optimum culture condition improved the level of expression by up to 3-fold. This approach further proved that a high level of recombinant protein expression could be achieved by yielding a purified Taq polymerase of about 8.5 mg/L of culture. This is the first research publication on the production of Taq polymerase with N-terminal deletion in E. coli with the control of the rhaBAD promoter system.

Citizen Science and Public Perceptions under A Changing Climate: an Empirical Study in The Upper Blue Nile, Ethiopia

This paper presents a citizen science approach implemented in the Upper Blue Nile (UBN) region of Ethiopia to study the farmers’ perceptions towards adequacy of the quantity of the provided water and the fairness of the irrigation distribution system. The paper also includes preliminary Machine Learning (ML) based results on finding the optimal initial cultivation time in Ethiopia as a means to alleviate heat-induced crop losses in a warmer climate.

The study of novelty nutrients supplementary scheme and methodology on advanced carbon sequestration of microalgae

Microalgae has great potential in carbon sequestration and production of biofuel even with a low concentrations of CO2. In this paper, an Andrews based microalgae growth kinetic model and a novel and multiple nutrient supplementary scheme that significantly extends the carbon sequestration period and enhances growth rates of microalgae are proposed. First, the correlation between nutrient concentration and microalgal growth is constructed experimentally. The advanced growth kinetic model incorporating nitrogen and phosphorus consumption is developed. Then, the optimum cultivation conditions including initial nutrients concentration, nutrients supplementary interval and daily nutrients supplementary quantities are obtained in the conical flask reactor. The findings led to a novel nutrient supplementation strategy that initiates with a 0.2BC concentration, followed by a 0.3BC addition at 100 h, with subsequent supplements every 72 h. After adopting this supplementary strategy, the microalgae growth rate is increased by 42.9 % and the carbon sequestration rate is increased by 56.2 % compared with that of the original microalgae cultivation method in one cultivation cycle. Finally, the universal microalgae nutrients supplementary model is proposed in a piecewise model. It can be concluded from the model that in the first cultivation period, microalgae needs a higher affinity for nutrients and after nutrients supplementary, the sensitivity to nutrient inhibition is reduced. The paper is significantly helpful to improve the sustainability of the microalgae growth rate and the carbon sequestration rate.

Production and Optimization of Extracellular α-amylase From Halophilic Bacteria Cytobacillus oceanisediminis Isolated From Wadi-El-Natrun, Egypt

The current study aimed to maximize α-amylase enzyme production by halophilic bacteria Cytobacillus oceanisediminis isolated from soil of Wadi-El-Natrun, Egypt. The results showed that of 21 halophilic bacterial isolates recovered from saline soil samples, eight isolates were high amylase producers. Interestingly, the bacterial isolate AHB6 exhibited the highest extracellular amylase production and was selected for further studies. This isolate was molecularly identified based on the 16srRNA gene sequencing as Cytobacillus oceanisediminis and has the accession number OM759999. The optimum temperature for α-amylase enzyme was 45 °C and exhibited thermostability at 45 °C for 1 h and retained more than 80% of its original activity. The α-amylase enzyme was active in almost all tested pHs and reached its highest activity at pH 9. Also, the optimum culture conditions for α-amylase enzyme production were wheat bran as carbon source, 2 g/l K2HPO4 as potassium source, 6 g/l MgSO4 as magnesium source and 0.5 g/l KNO3 as nitrogen source. These findings suggest the applicability of bacterial isolate Cytobacillus oceanisediminis as a potent producer of α-amylase for industrial purposes. Keywords: Amylase; Optimization; Cytobacillus oceanisediminis; Starch hydrolysis; Thermo-halophilic bacteria.

Evaluation of chemical attributes of soils: definition of management zones in silvipastoral system

Soil chemical analysis is a fundamental to achieve optimal cultivation conditions in a productive silvopastoral system, essential for the planning and management of this activity. The objective of this research is to map the spatial distribution of nutrients in the soil in a 5-year-old silvopastoral system composed of brachiaria-brizantha and jacarandá-da-bahia, and to analyze the effect of tree density and canopy on nutrient levels. The study was conducted at the experimental area of the Capixaba Institute for Research, Technical Assistance, and Rural Extension (INCAPER) in the district of Pacotuba, ES. The delimitation of the work area was done using geographic information systems, to create a regular grid of points to enable systematic soil sampling. A total of 75 disturbed soil samples were collected at depths of 0-0.10 m to obtain quantitative soil nutrient data. High-quality images obtained using a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) allowed for the overlay of soil nutrient data, pasture data, forest inventory data, and sample plot data to assist in comparative analyses. This enabled identification of the areas with lower canopy development, particularly in the northeast portion. By cross-referencing the spatialized soil nutrient data with the data obtained through RPA, it was possible to correlate them with the lower or higher development of the system. The use of RPA, together with a georeferenced database, proved to be an innovative and powerful tool to support decision-making, allowing for the monitoring of system evolution and serving as a basis for evaluating the relationship between chemical elements and tree canopies. Keywords: geostatistics, precision agriculture, soil nutrients.

Screening and Optimization of IAA Production by PGPR isolated from Rhizosphere of a Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. and their Effect on Plant Growth

Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) production is important attribute of PGPR that promote plant growth and development. The rhizosphere is hotspot in the soil that harbors PGPR. The present study was aimed with isolation and screening of IAA producing bacteria from the rhizosphere of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. Optimum culture conditions (pH, temperature, incubation period and L-tryptophan concentration for IAA production were studied for selected isolates and their effect on wheat growth and root development was evaluated. Among twenty four IAA producing isolates five isolates (Et1, Rp1, Rp5, Rp6, and Rp9) produced maximum IAA in range of 50-70 μg/mL and was used in optimization studies. Maximum IAA was produced in 96 hours of incubation, at pH 7 and with 0.1mg/mL of L-tryptophan by all five isolates. 30oC is the most suitable temperature for Et1, Rp1, Rp5, Rp9; whereas Rp6 produced nearly same amount of IAA at wide range of temperature 30-35oC (77-84.12 μg/mL) and at pH 7-8 ( 73-74μg/mL). Out of the five isolates, Rp6 exhibits the highest potential, having a maximum IAA of 84.12 μg/mL at 35°C and pH 7. Although tryptophan influences IAA synthesis but at higher concentration of tryptophan inhibits IAA synthesis. To validate the production of IAA, crude extracts were analyzed using thin layer chromatography (TLC). A spot of standard IAA with the same Rf value (0.91) was found to match a specific spot from the crude IAA.

The role of biostimulants in modern fruit tree and shrub cultivation

Dynamic changes in the fruit tree and shrub cultivation sector caused, among other things, by a high increase in production costs, the European Green Deal and increasingly high requirements with regard to the quality parameters of the obtained yield and their safety for consumers force producers to continuously introduce new changes in cultivation technology in order to meet all requirements. Choosing the optimum cultivation technology is also crucial to the economic success of farmers, allowing them to continue to operate and grow. One of the fastest growing branches of crop support today is biostimulation. Although biostimulants are not essential for crop production, their use can be fundamental under certain conditions. The aim of this paper was to provide comprehensive information on research in the field of biostimulation of fruit trees and shrubs and to consider the potential use of such preparations in the perspective of maximising the use of fertilisers, plant protection products and improving the quality, structure and microbial life of soils and substrates. At the same time, obtaining the highest possible yield with the highest possible crop quality, fully safe for consumer consumption.

Response of Carrots (Daucus carota) on the Growth, Yield, and Nutritional Composition to Varying Poultry Manure Rates

Carrot cultivation in south-eastern Nigeria could reduce the need to transport carrots from northern regions. To explore this, a field experiment with three replications was carried out in Nsukka, south-eastern Nigeria, focusing on four carrot varieties (Carotte Touchon, Touchon Mega, Super Mega, and Touchon France) and three poultry manure rates (0, 10, and 20 t ha−1). The study revealed that Carotte Touchon had the highest root production (11.6 t ha−1) with 20 t ha−1 of manure, followed by 7.5 t ha−1 at 10 t ha−1, while Touchon Mega had the lowest root yield (1.4 t ha−1) in the control group. Proximate quality of carrots was mostly unaffected by the varieties, except for fat content. The study found significant variations in vitamins A, C, and E, phytochemicals (phytate, tannins, and oxalate), and minerals (Fe, Mg, Na, and K) among the varieties, although no impact on Zn and Ca was observed. This research suggests that carrots have substantial growth potential in south-eastern Nigeria, offering a solution to vitamin and mineral deficiencies prevalent in this area. Additionally, Carotte Touchon with either 20 t ha−1 or 10 t ha−1 of poultry manure is recommended for optimal carrot cultivation in this region.

Identification, Nutrient Composition, and Evaluation of a Wild Pleurotus citrinopileatus Strain (X21156) from Tibet for Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities

A fungal strain (X21156) collected in Tibet was used as the material, identified based on its morphological characteristics and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence; its optimal culture conditions were analyzed by single-factor experiments; artificial domestication and cultivation were carried out; its nutrient composition was determined; and the bioactivities of its polysaccharides were detected using chemical antioxidant assays and MTT assays. The results showed that the strain was Pleurotus citrinopileatus Sing. Its optimal culture conditions were a pH of 7, a temperature of 25 °C, glucose (20 g·L−1) as the carbon source, and yeast powder (20 g·L−1) as the nitrogen source. The fresh weight of a single domesticated fruiting body was 41.16 g. The strain had high protein (28.5%), high fiber (34%), and low fat (1.4%) contents, with high proportions of fresh and sweet amino acids. Polysaccharides had good scavenging ability on ABTS+, DPPH, and OH free radicals (EC50 0.06 mg/mL, 1.21 mg/mL, and 3.62 mg/mL, respectively), and the cytotoxicity of polysaccharides to hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) (IC50: 1.69 mg/mL) was higher than that of triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-468) (IC50: 1.76 mg/mL). In conclusion, the study provides a reference on the optimal culture conditions, domestication and cultivation, and dietary and medicinal values of wild P. citrinopileatus Sing.

Potential of hospital wastewater treatment using locally isolated Chlorella sp. LH2 from cocoon wastewater

Chlorella sp. is able to grow and transform inorganic and organic contaminants in wastewater to create biomass. In the present study, Chlorella sp. LH2 isolated from cocoon wastewater was able to thrive in hospital wastewater, then remove nutrients and eliminate E. coli ATCC 8739. The results indicated that optimal cultivation conditions of Chlorella sp. LH2 in hospital wastewater were pH of 8, light:dark cycle of 16:8 at 30oC. The inhibitory effect of chlorination on algae growth was accompanied with the chlorine concentration. BOD5:COD ratio of 0.77 indicated biodegradability of hospital wastewater. The untreated and treated wastewatee samples were collected to investigated the nutrient removal efficiency after 10 days. Untreated and treated results were192 ± 8.62 mg/l 23.91 ± 2.19 mg/l for BOD5; 245 ± 9.15 mg/l and 47.31 ± 5.71 mg/l for COD. The treated value met the required standards for hospital wastewater treatment. The removal efficiency total nitrogen and total phosphorus were 68.64% and 64.44% after 10 days, respectively. Elimination of E. coli ATCC 8739 after 7 days by Chlorella sp. LH2 was 88.92%. The results of this study suggest the nutrients and pathogens removal potential of Chlorella sp. LH2 in hospital wastewater for further practical applications.

Simultaneous high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of anthraquinones in sicklepod sprouts with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

Sicklepod [Cassia obtusifolia L. syn Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby, Fabaceae] sprouts are promising ingredients with health-promoting benefits. Notwithstanding, the pharmacologically active compounds in sicklepod sprouts have not been studied or analysed in detail. This study aimed to isolate and structurally identify phytochemicals showing α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in sicklepod sprouts and simultaneously quantify the compounds in the sprouts to determine the optimal cultivation method and germination time to maximise active compounds. A simultaneous high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) method with high sensitivity and accuracy was developed and used to analyse time-dependent changes in anthraquinone content during sicklepod germination. Thirteen anthraquinones were isolated and identified, of which six-chrysoobtusin, emodin, 1-O-methyl-2-methoxychrysophanol, 7-O-methylobtusin, chrysophanol, and physcion-showed moderate α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The maximum content of anthraquinones in a sprout was observed on Day 5 under both light and dark conditions. The findings of this study revealed that sicklepod sprouts which are promising functional food materials contain a variety of anthraquinones.