Asparagus Research Articles

Antioxidant and antinociceptive effects of hydroalcoholic root extract of Asparagus officinalis L.

Introduction: Asparagus officinalis L. is a medicinal plant, which contains various natural bioactive phytochemicals with potential different pharmacological activities. The present study was designed to investigate the antioxidant and antinociceptive activities of the hydroalcoholic extract obtained from asparagus roots. Methods: The plant material was extracted using ethanol 70% and preliminary phytochemical analyses were carried out. The in vitro antioxidant effects of the plant extract were evaluated using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and total reducing ability compared to the butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as a standard control. The antinociceptive effects were also assessed using formalin and tail-flick test in male Wistar rats. Results: The plant extract was relatively rich in flavonoids. The IC50 value for DPPH scavenging activity of the extract (1117.65±14.26 μg/ml) was significantly higher than that of BHT (64.35±4.09 μg/ml). The plant extract exerted a significantly lower total reducing ability compared to that of BHT. The extract exhibited a significant antinociceptive effect at the early stage of formalin test in the dose of 500mg/kg intraperitoneally. The results of tail-flick test also demonstrated antinociceptive effects compared to control in a dose-dependent manner. However, these antinociceptive activities were not comparable with morphine as a reference agent. Conclusion: A. officinalis roots extract demonstrated considerable antioxidant and antinociceptive activities and it might be attributed to its flavonoids content.

Light Detection For White Asparagus Farm Using Arduino

<p class="Abstract">Nowadays, Technology has been a part of human life. in the world of agriculture, the existence of technology greatly helps plant productivity. Automation in the world of agriculture becomes the new norm, in many aspects of the field, such as in optimizing plant growth. One particular plant which requires delicate environment condition is white asparagus which could only grow optimally under low to no light environment. This project is a device to detect light in the plant room. When the light intensity passes certain threshold, an alarm is activated and a warning message is sent through Short Messaging Service to the owner’s cellphone. In addition, this device is also equipped by fire sensor to detect fire in the planting area and provides warning through the same channel. The test of the device gave promising results to be developed further in real planting area.</p>

Shelf life extension of fresh asparagus using modified atmosphere packaging and vacuum skin packaging in microwavable tray systems

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) is one of the most popular vegetables because it contains a wealth of fiber and several essential nutrients. It is a very perishable commodity due to its very high respiration rate. To maintain product quality and to satisfy consumer demand as a convenient food, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), vacuum skin packaging (VSP), and microwaveable containers were used to extend the shelf life of fresh‐cut asparagus as a ready‐to‐eat food product. The objective of this study was to determine the shelf life of fresh‐cut asparagus packed in MAP and VSP microwaveable tray systems at commercial storage conditions, 4°C, 80% RH. Weight loss, moisture content, O2/CO2 concentration in the package headspace, product pH, microbial growth, and sensory evaluation were used to determine the product quality and shelf life. Moreover, the preference of product appearance and the quality of the cooked asparagus in both microwaveable tray systems at different cooking times and microwave power levels was also sensorially evaluated. During storage for 21 days, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in weight loss, moisture content, and pH. Sanitation and packaging techniques also helped to retard the microbial growth. Both techniques, combined with refrigeration, help to maintain the freshness and product shelf life up to 21 days for MAP and 18 days for VSP. On the basis of hedonic scale results, consumers preferred the appearance of both packaging types. Both microwavable tray systems, thus, can help to prolong the shelf life of fresh‐cut asparagus and can be eaten directly from the package.

Transcriptomic and Physiological Analyses Reveal the Dynamic Response to Salinity Stress of the Garden Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.)

Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress that affects crop productivity. Garden asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) is a perennial plant with some salt tolerance. However, little is known about its response mechanism to salinity stress. In this study, we conducted transcriptome analysis in the leaves of A. officinalis seedlings treated with NaCl solution for 0 h, 1 h, 24 h, and 72 h using the Illumina HiSeq™ 2500 sequencing platform. Compared with the control (0 h), 1027, 3387, and 3358 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified at 1 h, 24 h, and 72 h, respectively. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses revealed that these DEGs were highly enriched in carbon metabolism, ion transport, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism functional categories, suggesting their key positions in salinity stress responses. Moreover, k-means clustering categorized these DEGs into five kinds of expression patterns at four time points. Of these, DEGs involved in carbon metabolism, ion transport, and ROS metabolism and the groups which they belonged to were identified, which demonstrated their time-dependent response mechanisms. Overall, the transcriptome analysis shed light on the salinity stress response mechanisms in A. officinalis and provided a basis for future studies on salt-tolerance molecular improvement.

Metabolic imaging: Analysis of different sections of white Asparagus officinalis shoots using high-resolution mass spectrometry

Many plant metabolism processes are currently not completely understood despite the numerous studies. These include the events in plant shoots and especially in the apical meristem. To understand the various mechanisms on a molecular level, a combined approach of target and non-targeted fingerprinting analysis was worked out on different white asparagus spear segments using high resolution mass spectrometry. By means of various multivariate analysis strategies, numerous distinctions within diverse substance classes were observed. While most of the investigated metabolites were present in relatively higher concentrations in the tip of the asparagus spears, others were more accumulated at the bottom, some, in turn, did not show any concentration differences along the shoot. Using pathway analysis, the most significant metabolites were classified in the biological context. To our knowledge for the first time, a non-targeted metabolomics approach is used with the aim of metabolic profiling of plant sprouts.

Spray penetration into asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) canopy using different nozzle inclinations and application rates

Asparagus ( Asparagus officinalis L.) is a difficult crop to treat with spraying pesticides because its architecture makes it difficult for droplets to penetrate inside of the canopy, where its pests are located. This study aims to examine the influence of operational parameters, such as nozzle inclination and application rates on the inner side of the canopy. We installed nozzles in the spray boom and its droplegs in three different inclinations: 0° with the plant, 30° in the direction of movement of the tractor-sprayer assembly (+30°), and 30° in the opposite direction (−30°). We applied the mixture in application rates of 600, 900, and 1,200 L ha−1. More so, the regulation used by the farmer of 0° and 800 L ha−1 was applied as a control. Copper (Cu) was used as a tracer for the mixture in a dose of 13.5 g ha−1. Also, non-plasticized polyvinyl chloride grooved tubes (PVC) were installed inside the asparagus canopy and polyethylene sheets were placed on the pipes at different heights from the ground. Later, we analyzed the sheets with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results showed that the nozzle inclination and sampling height had notable effects on the copper deposit. Conversely, different application rates showed no varied effects significantly. The greatest copper deposition in the asparagus canopy was achieved with a nozzle inclination of +30° with any application rate. Finally, we recommend regulating the sprayers with a nozzle inclination of +30° and an application rate of 600 L ha−1 as the most effective adjustment for the distribution of pesticides and represent the lowest cost of operation since there is no influence of the application rate.

Application of MAP and ethylene\u2013vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) to extend the shelf-life of green and white asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) spears

In this study, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) and polypropylene/polyethylene (PP/PE) films combined with MAP packaging were developed to enhance the shelf-life of green and white asparagus spears. The scope of the research included measurements of weight loss, pH, acidity, color, texture, and sensory analysis as indicators of green and white asparagus spear quality for up to 17 days of storage at 2 and 10 °C. The application of modified atmosphere packaging combined with EVOH-based packaging material and refrigeration at 2 °C promoted a reduction in asparagus weight loss, preventing changes in color and texture as well as sensory quality, thereby extending the shelf-life of the asparagus. According to the obtained results, it was possible to maintain good quality of green and white asparagus for up to 17 and 10 days, respectively, when packed in MAP using EVOH-based packaging stored at 2 °C. Asparagus stored in packaging with PP/PE film showed lower quality during storage at 2 and 10 °C. These results suggest that EVOH films are potential candidates for advanced packaging materials for the asparagus packaging application.

Chromosome-level genome assembly, annotation and evolutionary analysis of the ornamental plant Asparagus setaceus

Asparagus setaceus is a popular ornamental plant cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions globally. Here, we constructed a chromosome-scale reference genome of A. setaceus to facilitate the investigation of its genome characteristics and evolution. Using a combination of Nanopore long reads, Illumina short reads, 10× Genomics linked reads, and Hi-C data, we generated a high-quality genome assembly of A. setaceus covering 710.15 Mb, accounting for 98.63% of the estimated genome size. A total of 96.85% of the sequences were anchored to ten superscaffolds corresponding to the ten chromosomes. The genome of A. setaceus was predicted to contain 28,410 genes, 25,649 (90.28%) of which were functionally annotated. A total of 65.59% of the genome was occupied by repetitive sequences, among which long terminal repeats were predominant (42.51% of the whole genome). Evolutionary analysis revealed an estimated divergence time of A. setaceus from its close relative A. officinalis of ~9.66 million years ago, and A. setaceus underwent two rounds of whole-genome duplication. In addition, 762 specific gene families, 96 positively selected genes, and 76 resistance (R) genes were detected and functionally predicted in A. setaceus. These findings provide new knowledge about the characteristics and evolution of the A. setaceus genome, and will facilitate comparative genetic and genomic research on the genus Asparagus.

Sex Determination by Two Y-Linked Genes in Garden Asparagus.

The origin and early evolution of sex chromosomes have been hypothesized to involve the linkage of factors with antagonistic effects on male and female function. Garden asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is an ideal species to investigate this hypothesis, as the X and Y chromosomes are cytologically homomorphic and evolved from an ancestral autosome pair in association with a shift from hermaphroditism to dioecy. Mutagenesis screens paired with single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization directly implicate Y-specific genes that respectively suppress female (pistil) development and are necessary for male (anther) development. Comparison of contiguous X and Y chromosome assemblies shows that hemizygosity underlies the loss of recombination between the genes suppressing female organogenesis (SUPPRESSOR OF FEMALE FUNCTION) and promoting male function (TAPETAL DEVELOPMENT AND FUNCTION1 [aspTDF1]). We also experimentally demonstrate the function of aspTDF1. These findings provide direct evidence that sex chromosomes can function through linkage of two sex determination genes.

Isolation and Structure Determination of a Heat Shock Protein Inducer, Asparagus-Derived Proline-Containing 3-Alkyldiketopiperazines (Asparaprolines), From a Standardized Extract of Asparagus officinalis Stem

ETAS® has been developed from the stems of Asparagus officinalis L. as a functional ingredient for nutraceuticals. ETAS possesses heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) induction activity and may contribute to maintenance and improvement of health. Here, 3 compounds (1, 2, 3) were isolated from ETAS. The structures of 1, 2, and 3 were deduced by HREIMS and NMR spectroscopic data, and the compounds were identified as cyclo(l-Phe-l-Pro), cyclo(l-Tyr-l-Pro), and cyclo(l-Leu-l-Pro), respectively. Each compound contained a diketopiperazine ring derived from proline with an alkyl group at C-3; thus, we termed them asparagus-derived proline-containing 3-alkyldiketopiperazines (Asparaprolines). In an HSP70 mRNA induction assay in HL-60 cells, Asparaprolines significantly enhanced the expression of HSP70 mRNA compared with a control. To our knowledge, these results demonstrate for the first time that proline-containing diketopiperazines derived from natural amino acids exhibit HSP70 mRNA induction activity.

Short-term Low Oxygen Treatment Immediately After Planting Alters Asparagus officinalis var. UC157’s Harvest Timing

To control asparagus harvest timing, we investigated the effects of short-term low (5%) oxygen (O2) treatment in the cultivation area on asparagus growth and yield using a closed cultivation system. During 120 days of cultivation, low O2 treatments were initiated at 0 to 4, 20 to 24, and 40 to 44 days after planting (DAP). The sprouting spears and control crown yield gradually decreased with increasing DAP. However, low O2 treatment at 0 to 4 DAP significantly delayed the decrease until 80 DAP, although the total yield did not change during cultivation. In contrast, low O2 treatments at 20 to 24 and 40 to 44 DAP did not affect yield performance. Taken together, short-term low O2 treatment immediately after planting can change the harvest timing of white asparagus and can be used for effective asparagus culturing in a closed system, such as a plant factory.

Ecological-coenotic features of rare flora species of pine-oak stands of Volyn Polissya

Anthropogenic influence on the natural vegetation of Volyn Polissya threatens the existence of habitats of rare and endangered species of flora. Therefore, the region, unique in botanical and geographical terms, is gradually losing its specific vegetation characteristics. Having analyzed the literature data, herbarium data and materials of our own field studies in 2016-2019, we have compiled a list of rare and endangered species of pine-oak stands. In the habitat of pine-oak stands 89 rare species were found, 29 of which are listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, while Silene lithuanica is included in the European Red List. 3 species (Cypripedium calceolus, Trapa natans та Caldesia parnassifolia) are included into appendices of “The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora”. 10 species are subject to protection according to the appendix of “Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats” 56 species are regionally rare species for the flora of the Volyn region, 4 species are rare species of pine-oak stands. In our research we have analyzed the age range, density and recovery index for the species studied. The study found that for 63 rare species the dynamics of species abundance and distribution are satisfactory. The area of distribution and the number of 7 species is increasing: Allium ursinum, Galanthus nivalis, Platanthera chlorantha, Anemone sylvestris, Campanula persicifolia, Corydalis cava, Isopyrum thalictroides In the study area 14 species grow sporadically: Juniperus communis, Potentilla alba, Digitalis grandiflora, Gymnocarpium dryoptheris, Daphne mezereum, Neottia nidus-avis, Epipactis helleborine, Scorzonera purpurea, Asparagus officinalis, Iris sibirica, Adonis vernalis, Cephalanthera damasonium, Gentiana cruciate, Gentiana pneumonanthe. Dissemination information for Caldesia parnassifolia, Succisella inflexa, Genistella sagittalis, Salix myrtilloides, Ophioglossum vulgatum is insufficient for establishing species dynamics and needs further investigation. The conservation of pine-oak stands in Volyn Polissya will help to create the conditions for the growth of rare and endangered species of flora.

The Impacts of Asparagus Extract Fractions on Growth and Fumonisins Biosynthesis in Fusarium Proliferatum.

Asparagus is a genus consisting of over two hundred species of perennial plants. Fusarium proliferatum is a major asparagus pathogen and it biosynthesizes a variety of mycotoxins, of which fumonisins B are prevalent. Our previous studies on F. proliferatum strains indicated that asparagus extract affects the expression of FUM1 gene, encoding polyketide synthase, a key enzyme of the FUM gene cluster governing the biosynthesis of fumonisins. An asparagus-derived F. proliferatum strain increased fumonisin B1 production after extract fractions’ addition, reaching the maximum 2 or 24 h after treatment. The cultures yielded between 40 and 520 mg of dry weight of mycelia after 14 days of cultivation. The differences in fungal biomass amounts between the whole extract and its fractions may result from synergistic effect of all bioactive compounds present in asparagus extract. Among extract fractions, the methanolic fraction had the highest effect on the dry weight of the mycelium reaching about a 13-fold increase compared to the control. Furthermore, we measured the relative expression of the FUM1 gene. Due to the possible antifungal activity of tested extract fractions, future research will be focused on the identification of the Asparagus officinalis L. compounds responsible for this activity.

Induction of new tetraploid genotypes and heat tolerance assessment in Asparagus officinalis L

Tetraploid induction is an effective way to generate new genotypes. In this study, tetraploid inductions of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) were obtained by applying several treatments with colchicine. Optimal results (31 %) were obtained by applying 0.15 % colchicine plus 2 % dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) to recently germinated seeds (5 days old) for 16 h. Sixty-five tetraploid plants were recovered from this treatment and diploid and tetraploid plants showed significant differences in morphology. The stomatal density of tetraploid asparagus was approximately half than that of diploid plants, whereas the chloroplast number of tetraploid plants was twice that of diploid plants; moreover, the stomatal length and breadth were slightly larger in tetraploid plants than in diploid plants. Furthermore, in tetraploid genotypes the chlorophyl A content was double than that of diploid plants, whereas chlorophyl B and total chlorophyl contents were three times higher than in diploid plants. The tetraploid plants showed better growth, more flowering flourish, deeper color, and bulkier leaves in comparison to the diploid plants. Moreover, tetraploid plants had lower malonaldehyde (MDA) and higher activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and free proline (Pro), the differences were all significant, indicating that tetraploid plants had increased heat resistance however there was no significant difference in the heat tolerance between plants of the same ploidy. Tetraploid plants with strong heat resistance broaden the asparagus gene pool and could aid future breeding work in asparagus.

Evaluation of genetic diversity within asparagus germplasm based on morphological traits and ISSR markers.

Asparagus officinalis L. is a dioecious perennial plant globally known for its fine flavor and high nutritional value. An evaluation of genetic diversity in 46 asparagus accessions was carried out based on morphological and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. The result show that the coefficient of variation for 20 morphological characteristics is between 12.45 and 62.22%. Factor analysis revealed that nine factors explained 83.37% of the total variance. At Euclidean distance of 135.7, 46 accessions were divided into two clusters. Genetic similarity coefficient (GSC) based on ISSR data ranged from 0.60 to 0.97, suggesting a relatively abundant genetic base. Furthermore, the 46 asparagus accessions could also be grouped into three major clusters at a GSC of 0.74. And there is no significant relation between the two marker systems using the Mantel test. Clustering based on morphological traits compared with that based on ISSR data was not consistent, however, some common groupings were observed between two dendrograms. Therefore the results elucidated asparagus germplasm genetic background and determined hybrid parents, which will facilitate optimal application of asparagus germplasm resources and provide additional data for genetic improvement.

Highlighting the nutritional and medicinal value of Asparagus along with its cultivation practices

Background: Asparagus officinalis L commonly known as kurilo was profound to carry nutritional, medicinal, and economical aspects. Despite its enormous development in the world context, Nepal was still found lagging behind its existence. Aims and Objectives: A study shows that Asparagus was not any new plant to Nepalese, it grew well in the subtropical vegetation of the hilly and Terai regions of our country through its length and breadth naturally, but its importance was still undervalued. Materials and Methods: Comprising about 300 species including both wild and edible species, Asparagus is a plant of marine habitats owing a very modified shoot system that primarily adapts itself for various purposes of a plant to survive such as climbing, protection, adaptation in arid habitat, and many more. Furthermore, the review dealt with the cultivation practices which, in turn, highlighted the virtue of its methods that should be included for getting Asparagus more and more economically excellent. Results: Study and data accounted acknowledged that Asparagus farming is not getting the kind of attention, techniques, and interest of people that it needs to get. Conclusions: The wild free species growing randomly in the deep woods of our forest is the ground for the possible prospects of Asparagus farming which indicates its immense future only if manipulated correctly

The Preventive Effects of Asparagus officinalis Extract on Sodium Selenite-Induced Cataractogenesis in Experimental Animal Models.

Materials and Methods Neonatal rats received a single dose of sodium selenite as an intraperitoneal injection (30 μmol/kg) on day 10 postnatal to induce cataract. Animals were then posttreated with various oral solutions of A. officinalis extract at 200 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg once daily on days 10–16 postnatal. Cataract was evaluated by slit-lamp, and lens opacification was analyzed in each group 24 hours after the last treatment at day seven postadministration of the extracts or vehicle. The total protein concentration of lenses, glutathione reductase activity as the glutathione antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde content as a marker of lipid peroxidation were further assessed in removed rat lenses on day 30 postnatal. Results All lenses in the healthy and control plant groups were clear. Sodium selenite significantly increased cataract grade (2.8 ± 0.2) when compared to the healthy group (p = 0.001). However, cataract grades were decreased considerably as 1.9 ± 0.72 and 1.5 ± 0.85 in groups that received 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg oral extract of A. officinalis, respectively. A. officinalis extract also restored all abnormalities of biochemical markers induced by sodium selenite. Conclusion Our data suggest that A. officinalis could be a promising candidate as a safe alternative treatment in cataracts upon further clinical trials. This effect is probably associated with the antioxidant activity of A. officinalis.

芦笋的活性成分及生物学活性研究综述

芦笋的活性成分及生物学活性研究综述

Green and White Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis): A Source of Developmental, Chemical and Urinary Intrigue.

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is one of the world’s top 20 vegetable crops. Both green and white shoots (spears) are produced; the latter being harvested before becoming exposed to light. The crop is grown in nearly all areas of the world, with the largest production regions being China, Western Europe, North America and Peru. Successful production demands high farmer input and specific environmental conditions and cultivation practices. Asparagus materials have also been used for centuries as herbal medicine. Despite this widespread cultivation and consumption, we still know relatively little about the biochemistry of this crop and how this relates to the nutritional, flavour, and neutra-pharmaceutical properties of the materials used. To date, no-one has directly compared the contrasting compositions of the green and white crops. In this short review, we have summarised most of the literature to illustrate the chemical richness of the crop and how this might relate to key quality parameters. Asparagus has excellent nutritional properties and its flavour/fragrance is attributed to a set of volatile components including pyrazines and sulphur-containing compounds. More detailed research, however, is needed and we propose that (untargeted) metabolomics should have a more prominent role to play in these investigations.

Asparanin A from Asparagus officinalis L. Induces G0/G1 Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Human Endometrial Carcinoma Ishikawa Cells via Mitochondrial and PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathways.

Asparanin A (AA), a steroidal saponin from Asparagus officinalis L., has anticancer activity: however, its detailed molecular mechanisms in endometrial cancer (EC) have not been studied so far. We evaluated the anticancer activity and underlying mechanism of AA on EC cell line Ishikawa in vitro and in vivo. AA inhibited the Ishikawa cell proliferation and caused cell morphology alteration and cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase. Moreover, it could induce apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway, including the deregulation of Bak/Bcl-xl ratio which led to the generation of ROS, up-regulation of cytochrome c followed by decrease of Δψm, and activation of caspases, besides inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. In vivo data showed that administration of AA significantly inhibited the tumor tissue cell proliferation, reduced the tumor growth, and induced the apoptosis occurrence. AA can be a possible functional food ingredient to cure endometrial cancer followed by clinical trials.