Tuber Research Articles

Distribution of Bacterial Endophytes in the Non-lesion Tissues of Potato and Their Response to Potato Common Scab

The response of plant endophytes to disease within infected tissues has been well demonstrated, but the corresponding response of endophytes in non-lesion tissues remains unclear. Here, we studied the composition and distribution of bacterial endophytes in potato roots (RE), stems (SE), and tubers (TE), and explored the response of endophytes in non-lesion tissues to potato common scab (PCS), which is a soil-borne disease caused by pathogenic Streptomyces and results in serious losses to the global economy every year. Via high-throughput sequencing, it was seen that the composition of endophytes in roots, stems, and tubers had significant differences (P < 0.05) and the distribution of the bacterial communities illustrated a gradient from soil to root to tuber/stem. PCS significantly reduced bacterial endophytes α-diversity indexes, including ACE and the number of observed operational taxonomic units (OTUs), of RE without significantly reducing the indexes of SE and TE. No significant effect on the composition of endophytes were caused by PCS in roots, tubers, or stems between high PCS severity (H) and low PCS severity (L) infections at the community level, but PCS did have a substantial impact on the relative abundance of several specific endophytes. Rhizobium and Sphingopyxis were significantly enriched in root endophytes with low PCS severity (REL); Delftia and Ochrobactrum were significantly enriched in stem endophytes with low PCS severity (SEL); Pedobacter, Delftia, and Asticcacaulis were significantly enriched in tuber endophytes with high PCS severity (TEH). OTU62, a potential PCS pathogen in this study, was capable of colonizing potato tubers, roots, and stems with few or no symptoms present. Co-occurrence networks showed that the number of correlations to OTU62 was higher than average in these three tissue types, suggesting the importance of OTU62 in endophytic communities. This study clarified the distribution and composition of potato endophytes in tubers, roots, and stems, and demonstrated the response of endophytes in non-lesion tissues to PCS.

Report on Tuber huidongense, a Truffle Species Previously Unrecorded in Korea

Report on Tuber huidongense, a Truffle Species Previously Unrecorded in Korea

Sequential sampling method for monitoring potato tuber moths (Phthorimaea operculella) in potato fields

Sequential sampling method for monitoring potato tuber moths (Phthorimaea operculella) in potato fields

Interrelationship and Path analysis of Tuber yield and related traits in yam (Dioscorea spp.) from Ethiopia

Interrelationship and Path analysis of Tuber yield and related traits in yam (Dioscorea spp.) from Ethiopia

Fontes de fertilizantes potássicos na qualidade dos tubérculos de batata

A resposta da batateira à adição de nutrientes ao solo proporciona relevante atenção, especialmente a adubação com potássio (K), por ser um elemento que interfere na composição dos tubérculos, consequentemente em sua qualidade. O cloro, presente na principal fonte de K para as plantas (KCl), pode gerar efeito negativo em atributos relacionados a qualidade dos tubérculos. Neste sentido, objetivou-se avaliar a influência de duas fontes de fertilizante potássico (KCl e K2SO4.2MgSO4) e combinações entre elas na composição dos tubérculos de batata, cv. Asterix. A quantidade de N, P e K utilizada foi determinada mediante análise de solo e necessidade da cultura. A determinação dos glicídios redutores foi realizada segundo o método espectrofotométrico (Somogyi-Nelson), já os Glicídios totais e o amido, pelo método de Lane Eyno (titulométrico). A maior massa seca e amido na cultivar Asterix está relacionada à aplicação de 26.3% de KCl e 73.7% de K2SO4.2MgSO4 e 41.9% de KCl e 58.1% de K2SO4.2MgSO4, respectivamente. Assim, a combinação das fontes é indicada para promover maior teor dessas qualidades nos tubérculos. Por outro lado, fontes e proporções, de fertilizantes potássicos não interferem na composição dos açúcares. A taxa usada neste estudo (180 kg ha-1) provavelmente não foi suficiente para refletir o efeito deletério do cloro nos constituintes de açúcares dos tubérculos.&#x0D; Palavras-chave: Solanum tuberosum L., cultivar Asterix, cloreto de potássio, sulfato duplo de potássio e magnésio.

Seleção de clones canadenses de batata para caracteres agronômicos e de qualidade de fritura, no Sul do Brasil

Existe uma forte demanda da cadeia brasileira de batata por cultivares para o processamento na forma de palitos pré-fritos congelados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar clones de batata de origem canadense, quanto à adaptação ao sul do Brasil. Foi avaliado um conjunto de 11 clones pertencentes ao “Centre de Recherche Les Buissons”, QB, Canadá, e as cultivares Asterix e Markies (testemunhas). Experimentos foram realizados em Pelotas, RS, e Canoinhas, SC, Brasil, na primavera de 2019. O delineamento experimental foi blocos casualizados com quatro repetições e parcelas compostas por duas linhas de 10 plantas cada. Foram avaliados caracteres componentes de rendimento e de qualidade de fritura, vigor de planta e ciclo de desenvolvimento vegetativo. Além disso, in Pelotas, foi acessada também a incidência de requeima (Phytophthora infestans). Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, de agrupamento de médias e de correlação. Foram observados clones com potencial produtivo, qualidade de fritura, vigor de planta e ciclo vegetativo similares às cultivares testemunhas. O clone BGB 476 destacou-se para caracteres agronômicos e caracteres de qualidade de fritura.&#x0D; Palavras-chave adicionais: Solanum tuberosum L., rendimento, cor de fritura, peso específico, precocidade.

Anthocyanin and carotenoid contents assessed by time-resolved reflectance spectroscopy in potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.) with different flesh colors

This work aimed at studying the relationships between the absorption spectra acquired by time-resolved reflectance spectroscopy (TRS) and the carotenoid (CAR) and/or the anthocyanin (ANT) contents in 9 potato genotypes with different flesh color (white, yellow, red, purple). Fifty whole and intact tubers/genotype were non-destructively measured by TRS in the 540-980 nm range; white- and yellow-fleshed were ranked according to increasing µa540, the red ones according to µa670 and the purple ones according to µa780. Then, 5 tubers/genotype, corresponding to the highest, the lowest and 3 intermediate values of each μa range, were analyzed for flesh color and CAR and ANT contents. In white- and yellow-fleshed genotypes, µa540 ranged from 0.078 to 0.207 cm-1, showing the highest value in ‘Melrose’ and in ‘ISCI 133/12-1’ and the lowest ones in ‘Romantica’ and in ‘CN 07.16.3’. In red-fleshed tubers, µa670 ranged from 0.049 to 0.146 with no significant differences between genotypes; in purple genotypes, µa780 ranged from 0.147 to 0.473, showing the highest values in ‘Bleuet’. CAR content ranged between 0.071 to 5.937 mg kg-1 FW, displaying the highest amounts in the deep yellow genotypes ‘Melrose’ and ‘ISCI 133/12-1’ and the lowest ones in the white ‘CN 07.16.3’ and in the dark purple ‘Bleuet’ tubers. ANT content ranged from 31.63 to 798.44 mg kg-1 FW in red-purple genotypes, having the highest values in ‘Bleuet’. By using TRS spectra and PLS analysis, it was possible to predict CAR (R2CV=0.79, RMSECV=0.89) and ANT (R2CV =0.81, RMSECV=95.53) contents and flesh color (h°) in yellow-fleshed genotypes (R2CV =0.93, RMSECV=0.67) and purple genotypes (R2CV =0.82, RMSECV=1.63).

Evaluation of Peanut Germplasm Tolerance to Salinity Stress

Salt-tolerant variety is the main technology for developing peanut in saline soils. However, peanut breeding for salt-tolerant characteristic has not been done in Indonesia. The aim of this study was to evaluate 25 peanut germplasm accessions of Indonesian Legumes and Tuber Crops Research Institute collection for their tolerance to salinity stress to provide gene resource for the peanut breeding. The accessions were grown at three salinity levels i.e: non saline, moderate (5-6 dS/m) and high (8-10 dS/m). Observations consisted of toxicity score, K and Na content in root and shoot, pod and seed yield, and stress tolerance index (STI). The result showed that all accessions were identified as sensitive to high salinity, and salinity 5-6 dS/m seem to be the highest level that can be tolerated by the accessions tested. At moderate salinity, four accessions (MLGA 0211, MLGA 0222, MLGA 0546, MLGA 0570) identified tolerant, two accessions (MLGA 0473 and MLGA 0605) were sensitive, and the other 19 accessions were moderate. The tolerance to salinity related to the ability of the accessions to inhibit Na uptake as well as Na translocation to the shoot, and hence K/Na ratio in shoot keeps at high level. The ratio of Na-root/Na-shoot is as effective indicator as K/Na ratio in the shoot, therefore it can be new selection criteria of peanut tolerance to salinity stress. The salt-tolerant accessions can be employed and integrated in the peanut breeding for salinity tolerance and support the development of food crops in suboptimal lands.

Non-destructive detection of potato tubers internal defects: critical insight on the use of time-resolved spectroscopy

Aiming at investigating the feasibility of time-resolved reflectance spectroscopy (TRS) for the non-destructive detection of internal brown spot (IBS) and other defects in ‘El Beida’ potatoes, 90 tubers were measured in 8 points by TRS for the absorption coefficient at 730 nm (µa730) and then transversally cut open for recording presence and position of internal defects and IBS severity. The µa730 was lower in healthy tissue than in defected ones and increased with increasing IBS severity with no difference between healthy and slightly IBS tissues. Tubers having at least one out of the eight µa730 measures ≥ 0.04262 cm-1 were considered “defected”. Therefore, TRS tubers classification performance were: defected, 73.5%; healthy, 45.5%; slightly IBS, 57.1%; moderate IBS, 60%; and severe IBS, 100% of the cases. Misclassification could be due to the high variability in flesh color of ‘El Beida’ potatoes, as some healthy tubers showed L*, b* and C* color parameters very similar to that of defected ones, especially when IBS severity was slight or moderate, resulting in µa730 values not significantly different between healthy and IBS tissues. The feasibility of TRS in detecting internal disorders in potatoes must be investigated in other susceptible cultivar to see if flesh color can represent a real problem in the detection of defects linked to browning development.

Effect of Processing on Phytochemicals and Nutrient Composition of Tiger Nut (Cyperus esculentus L)

The study investigated the effect of processing on phytochemicals and nutrient composition of tiger nut (Cyperus esclentus L). Tiger nut also is known as Earth-almond was purchased as dried tiger nut tubers, carefully selected to remove dust particles and shared into four sets. The first set was further air-dried (EAAd) for four days and blended using laboratory miller. The second, third and fourth sets were soaked in water for four days to rehydrate. After which the following processing methods were applied; blanching at 80°C for 10 minutes (EAB), soaking in water to ferment for 4 days (EAF) and dehydrated (EAD) by oven drying again after rehydration respectively. The 2nd-4th sets were then oven-dried at a temperature of 60°C for 17 hours before milling into flour. Results of proximate analysis of the processed Earth-almond showed EAF to have the highest concentration of protein (8.37 ± 0.12), carbohydrate (49.01 ± 0.17) and ash (6.20 ± 0.12). The highest lipid (7.55 ± 0.06) and crude fibre (19.50 ± 0.23) was recorded for EAD, while the highest moisture content was recorded for EAB (19.71 ± 0.35). EAF, significantly (p<0.05) improved mineral and amino acid contents; while processing generally reduced the phytochemical content when compared with the air-dried sample (EAAd).

Impact of soil compaction on the engineering properties of potato tubers.

A study on a 30 hm2 field was conducted to assess the variability in soil compaction and to investigate its effect on the engineering properties of potato tubers in terms of tuber shape and key dimensions (length, width and thickness) and resistance to penetration, rupture and shear forces. Three soil compaction levels were spatially correlated with the engineering properties of potato tubers through linear regression and ANOVA test. The three compaction levels included a low level (C1) ranging between 1.2-1.9 MPa, a medium level (C2) with compaction levels between 2.0-2.3 MPa and a high level (C3) ranging between 2.4-2.9 MPa. Results revealed that there were no significant changes in the key tuber dimensions corresponding to the variability in soil compaction. However, inverse linear relationships were observed between soil compaction and the key tuber dimensions with R2 values of 77%, 97% and 96% for length, width and thickness, respectively. Similarly, the soil compaction was shown to have no effect on the tuber resistance to compression and shear force. In contrast, the tuber resistance to penetration was significantly affected by soil compaction (p>F = 0.0012). Keywords: compaction, potato tubers, precision agriculture, potato engineering properties DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20201302.4818 Citation: Edrris M K, Al-Gaadi K A, Hassaballa A A, Tola E, Ahmed K A M. Impact of soil compaction on the engineering properties of potato tubers. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2020; 13(2): 163–167.

Tohumluk Patates (Solanum tuberosum L.) Yumrularına Uçucu Yağ Uygulamalarının Sürgün ve Kök Gelişimine Etkileri

Bu çalışma tohumluk patates yumrularına uygulanan bazı uçucu yağların patateste sürgün gücü ve kök gelişimine etkilerinin belirlenmesi amacıyla 2016 yılında yürütülmüştür. Çalışmada Agria çeşidine ait dormant durumdaki tohumluk yumrular farklı konsantrasyonlarda (150, 300, 450 ve 600 ppm) İzmir kekiği (Origanum onites L.), biberiye (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), dereotu (Anethum graveolens L.), kimyon (Cuminum cyminum L.), rezene (Foeniculum vulgare L.), adaçayı (Salvia officinalis L.) ve çörtük otu (Echinophora tenuifolia L. subsp. sibthorpiana (Guss.)) uçucu yağları ile muamele edilerek kontrollü şartlardaki tohum yataklarına dikilmiştir. Araştırmada dormansi süresi, sürgün uzunluğu, sürgün sayısı, sürgün çapı, sürgün ağırlığı, kök uzunluğu ve kök ağırlığı parametreleri incelenmiştir. Uçucu yağların sürgün gelişimine etkileri değişken olmuş adaçayı, biberiye, dereotu ve çörtük yağları sürgün gelişimini teşvik ederken, İzmir kekiği ve kimyon yağı uygulamaları kök gelişimi üzerine diğer uygulamalardan daha etkili olmuştur. Genel olarak yüksek dozda yapılan uygulamalar sürgün gelişimi olumsuz yönde etkilerken, kök gelişimini teşvik etmiştir. Çalışmada, tohumluk yumrulara dikim öncesi uçucu yağ uygulamalarının sürgün ve kök gelişimini olumlu yönde etkilediği ve bu uygulamaların arazi şartlarında yapılması ile daha sağlıklı ve güçlü bitki tesisi kurulabileceği sonucuna varılmıştır.

Effects and economically feasible rates of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production for rainy season

Potato is very important food and cash crop in Ethiopia. However, a factor like poor soil fertility is a critical challenge of its productivity. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are first and second essential macro-elements and are limiting nutrient in potato production. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to assess response of N and P fertilizers and select economically feasible fertilizer rate for a rainy season. Four levels of N (0, 55, 110, 165 kgha-1) and 4 levels of P (0, 45, 90, 135 kgha-1) were combined in 4×4 factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Raising the application of NP fertilizer levels to 165 and 135 kgha-1 delayed days to flowering (9.48 and 4.46 days), while maturity extends 14 and 10.18 at Dabark and Dabat, respectively. Application of 110 to 90 and 165 to 45 kgha-1 NP increased marketable tuber number by 122 and 119%, respectively. Similarly, 165 to 90 and 165 to 45 kgha-1 NP raised marketable tuber yield by 141.8 and 127.5%. However, both 165 to 90 and 165 to 45 kgha-1 NP had MRR below acceptable level (<100%). In contrary, application of 110 to 90 kg ha-1 NP resulted in 136.6 and 125.4% marketable tuber yield increment and MRR of 1993.72% for Dabark and 1376.5% for Dabat location. Therefore, application of 110 to 90 kgha-1 NP was proven to have high MRR and can be used for the studied areas. Key words: Marginal rate of return, Solanum tuberosum, marketable tuber yield, interaction effect, main effect.

Effects of methanolic tuber extract of Cyperus esculentus Linn (tiger nuts) on sub-acute liver damage in albino rats

This study evaluated the effects of Cyperus esculentus methanolic tuber extract (CEME) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced sub-acute liver damage in albino rats. Dried tubers of C. esculentus were pulverized and extracted by cold maceration, using 80% methanol. Thirty albino rats, randomly assigned to 6 groups (A–F) of 5 each were used for the study. Sub-acute liver damage was induced in Groups A-E rats using intra-peritoneal injections of CCl4. Group A was treated with distilled water placebo, while Groups B, C and D were treated with 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg CEME, respectively. Group E was treated with 100 mg/kg Silymarin and Group F was also given distilled water placebo. Treatment was done orally for 15 days, after which hepatocellular integrity and liver function were evaluated. Results showed that treatment with CEME (at all doses) led to significantly lower (p<0.05) serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, bilirubin levels and relative liver weight of the CEME-treated groups, when compared to Group A rats. It was concluded that administration of CEME as used in the study led to significant protection of hepatocellular integrity, enhancement of hepatic excretion of bilirubin and amelioration of CCl4-induced inflammatory enlargement of the liver. Key words: Cyperus esculentus, methanolic tuber extract, hepatoprotection, liver damage.

Antioxidant capacity and heat damage of powder products from South American plants with functional properties

Aim of the study was to evaluate color, total polyphenol content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (ABTS, FRAP, DPPH), reducing sugars and heat damage (furosine, hydroxymethylfurfural, glucosylisomaltol) of 21 commercial powder products obtained from South-American fruits (mesquite, lucuma, camu camu), seeds (amaranth, purple maize), roots and tubers (yacon, maca, mashua, tocosh), bark (cat’s claw) and leaves (graviola). TPC and antioxidant capacity were maximum in camu camu and cat’s claw powders, and minimum in tocosh, amaranth, lucuma and maca; graviola, mashua, purple maize and mesquite also showed good antioxidant properties. Yacon, mashua and lucuma powders had high reducing sugars content (40.9, 34.4 and 21.2 g/100 g DM, respectively) and heat damage (HMF 146.6 mg/kg, furosine 2399.8 and 2228.4 mg/100 g protein, respectively). Overall, camu camu powders and cat’s claw were the most interesting products, having high levels of total polyphenols and antioxidant capacity together with very low heat damage.

IMPACT OF CULTIVATIONS TECHNOLOGY ON THE YIELD OF SWEET POTATO (IPOMOEA BATATAS L) TUBERS

The experiment was carried out in years 2014-2016 in Żyznow in Poland (49.83°N, 21.85°E). It was realized on the basis of a randomized sub-blocks method in the dependent system (split-plot) in three repeats. Factor of the first type were cultivation technologies: a) traditional technology – as a control object, b) technology using PE- sheeting, c) PP-agrotextile, as a cover. Factor of the second type were three species of sweet potato. Growing sweet potato under cover contributed to the increase in the total yield and commercial tubers, compared with traditional technology; wherein a greater effect as the total yield increases observed in the case of polyethylene, and in the case of commercial crop in cultivation under PP-agrotextile. Field production of sweet potato in Poland’s climate and soil conditions enables the introduction into our daily diet of a new alternative vegetable with high nutritional value and high total and marketable yield. The cultivation of this type of vegetable can potentially influence future horticultural production and provide resources for the processing and pharmaceutical industries.

Comparative evaluation of properties of paracetamol tablets formulated with three local starches as binders

This study was carried out to comparatively evaluate the tableting and release characteristics of paracetamol tablets prepared with three indigenous starches as binder. These parameters were compared with those tablets prepared with Maize starch BP as standard. Starches currently being used in pharmaceutical industry are largely imported into the country, hence there is the need to source for some indigenous starches whose binding properties would sufficiently ameliorate the brittle fracture tendency that has been a major problem in tableting. Starches from African bitter yam (Dioscorea dumetorium), cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) and cassava (Mannihot utilissama) tubers were extracted and characterized with Maize starch BP as standard. Their true particle densities were determined with the specific gravity bottle method. Viscosities of the starch mucilage were also determined. The mucilage of each of these starches was used as binder at concentrations (1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5% w/w) per tablet in the formulation of paracetamol granules. The granules were compressed to tablets with and without a centre hole at varying compression loads (3, 4 and 5 arbitrary units). The tablets were flat faced with mean diameter of 12.1 ± 0.02 mm and mean thickness 4.1 ± 0.02 mm. The tablets’ tensile strength (T), brittle fracture index (BFI), packing fraction (Pf), disintegration time (DT) and dissolution profiles were determined. The centre hole in the tablet served as a model defect to represent void that are formed in the tablet during compression due to air entrapments. The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the physicochemical characteristics of the tablets whose granules were prepared with the 3 test starches and those prepared with the standard maize starch BP (p > 0.05). There was a general increase in the tablet viscosities as the mucilage concentration increased. Cassava starch mucilage was more viscous hence expected to impact more plasticity to the granules. Tablet tensile strength (T) increased with increase in the binder concentration but was more marked with tablets produced with cassava starch mucilage. At all m binder concentrations, cassava starch produced tablets with lowest BFI and highest Pf compared to the other starches including maize starch BP. Increase in compression load resulted in tablets with increase in T, BFI, Pf and DT. The increase in BFI is attributed to increase in die wall stress on the tablet at the point of ejection during compression. All the tablets released between 79.2 - 89.6% of the drug in 45 min. Although drug release was influenced by increase in binder concentration, the release rate was nevertheless significantly affected by the types of starch binders under investigation. The results permit the conclusion that the three (3) sourced indigenous starches (African bitter yam, cocoyam and cassava) could be substituted for maize starch BP as binder in the preparation of paracetamol tablets.Keywords: Cassava starch, African bitter yam starch, cocoyam starch, binder, tablet properties, paracetamol

Evaluation of constraints in production of root and tuber crops in Ethiopia: Overview of policy neglected climate resilient food security crops

The objective of the current study was to examine the major constraints in production of root and tuber crops in Ethiopia with emphasis on identifying the policy gaps. This appraisal was based on survey report of Central Statistical Agency (CSA) for the period of 2011 to 2015. Data of CSA report was chosen for the current study with the view to gain an overview of policy packages in root crops in contrast with other major crops. Based on the current assessment, a continuous increase in cultivation acreage has been registered. This contributes to the significant increase in volume of annual productions. The production status in the nation however remains far below its potential limit. Several constraints are responsible for this among which poor access to improved seed and pesticide, unforeseen climatic conditions, weed, diseases and pest problems are the major ones. These factors have caused a significant damage of cultivated land (43,503 ha) for the past five years. Off this, weed, diseases and pests coupled with other biotic factors have accounted for about 40% of this damage. This is mainly due to lack of policy attention to these crops. For instance, improved seed coverage from 2011 to 2015 was even less than 1% of the total cultivated area. Similar policy problems are also evident for pesticide coverage and extension package and these represents only 14 and 17% of the total acreage, respectively. The policy so far has focused mainly on cereals. However, the cereal centered policy so far was unable to reduce rural food insecurity and in fact this problem even got worse and worse over time. Thus, it is essential to reorient this policy by the upcoming plan. Root and tuber crops are among the neglected climate resilient food security crops in Ethiopia requiring an immense policy focus. This will substantially contribute to improve the livelihoods of resource poor farmer’s in the changing climate. Key words: Root and tuber crops, constraints, food security, policy packages, Central Statistical Agency (CSA) survey.

Non-destructive thermal control of vegetables and fruits using a machine vision system

The article presents the description of a non-contact non-destructive method and a measuring device to control thermophysical properties of Vegetables and Fruits tissues. The proposed method was used to determine the thermal conductivity, heat capacity and coefficient of thermal diffusivity of potato tissues of various quality - both healthy and affected by various phyto-diseases. The results of the measurements were used to determine the process parameters of thermal control for automated sorting of potatoes using a machine vision system in the infrared region of the spectrum. The proposed method for determining thermophysical characteristics is based on the use of pulsed laser action on a flat surface area of a potato tuber, contact-free recording of the time variation of the temperature field of the tuber surface including the heat-affected zone, processing of the experimental data using the LabVIEW 2016 programming environment.

In vitro and in vivo suppression of hepatocellular carcinoma by Amorphophallus konjac tuber through regulation of survivin and bax

Background: Amorphophallus konjac tuber (AKT) is used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat various types of cancer. Our study aims to evaluate the antitumor activity of AKT against hepatocellular carcinoma both in vitro and in vivo , as well as the underlying mechanisms. Methods: AKT was extracted by aqua and organic solutions. The antitumor activity of the organic extract was tested in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines Huh7 and H22, the latter was also used to establish mouse tumor model. Cell apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. In vivo expression of apoptosis associated proteins survivin and bax were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: AKT exhibited antitumor activity against hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. In vivo suppression of H22 was comparable with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). AKT could induce apoptosis through up-regulation of bax and down-regulation of survivin. Conclusions: Our data showed that AKT suppressed hepatocellular carcinoma, and the mechanism was associated with regulation of survivin and bax expression, providing support to the clinical use of AKT-based medication to achieve optimized outcome in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.