Wild Chicory Research Articles

Cilentan Cichorium intybus L. organs: UHPLC-QqTOF-MS/MS analysis for new antioxidant scenario, exploitable locally and beyond

In the framework aimed at evaluating the close link between the chemical composition of poorly explored organs of local edible medicinal plants in the Cilento region (Southern Italy) and their recovery for new health products, Cichorium intybus L. was of interest. Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole-Time-Of-Flight tandem Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-QqTOF-MS/MS) investigation revealed that sesquiterpene lactones characterized roots and stems, while hydroxycinnamic derivatives accumulated in florets, bracts, and leaves. Florets diverged for anthocyanin derivatives, while roots differed by low flavonoid content. Despite shared phytochemical constituents, their ratio was responsible for different antioxidant responses. Notably, extracts, particularly rich in hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives, showed protective effects against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide in SH-SY5Y and HaCaT cell lines. The wound healing assay revealed marked inhibition of SH-SY5Y cell migration, avoiding wound closure. Overall, the research encourages the use of different organs from Cilentan wild chicory to obtain antioxidant safe and consumer-guaranteed products.

Chemical Profiling, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Hyoseris radiata L., a Plant Used in the Phytoalimurgic Tradition.

Hyoseris radiata L. (Asteraceae), known as "wild chicory", is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the Mediterranean region, North Africa, and West Asia. Collected from the wild, the plant is largely used in Italy for culinary purposes and in popular medicine, so that it can be included in the list of phytoalimurgic plants. The present study aimed to investigate for the first time the plant's chemical profile, through a combined UHPLC-HR-ESI-Orbitrap/MS and NMR approach, and its potential healthy properties, focusing on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The LC-MS/MS analysis and the isolation through chromatographic techniques of the plant's hydroalcoholic extract allowed the authors to identify 48 compounds, including hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonoids, megastigmane glucosides, coumarins, and lignans, together with several unsaturated fatty acids. The quantitative analysis highlighted a relevant amount of flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids, with a total of 12.9 ± 0.4 mg/g DW. NMR-based chemical profiling revealed the presence of a good amount of amino acids and monosaccharides, and chicoric and chlorogenic acids as the most representative polyphenols. Finally, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of H. radiata were investigated through cell-free and cell-based assays, showing a good antioxidant potential for the plant extract and a significant reduction in COX-2 expression.

The Use of Herbal Remedies to Improve the Functional Activity of the Liver and Gall Bladder

Recently, scientists have been researching medicinal plants and preparations made from them. Herbal extracts containing phytocomponents have significant antiulcer effects in in vivo experiments on animal models compared to reference drugs. Plants with antioxidant properties are used to treat ulcer diseases. The article summarize literature data on the use of herbal remedies to improve liver and gallbladder function. The analysis of scientific publications in the international electronic scientific and metric databases Scopus, PubMed by keywords was carried out. The search depth is 15 years (2007 2021). The positive effect of herbal medicines on human health has been proven. Special attention is drawn to such components as: the root of prickly capers, wild chicory, black nightshade, the bark of terminalia arjuna, the root of western cassia, common yarrow, leaves of the Gallic tamarisk. The influence of these plant components on the treatment of common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system was analyzed. Indications and contraindications for use, advantages and disadvantages of these plant components are described. The characteristics of the new herbal remedy are given, which contains the right combination of the quantitative content of plant components, such as the root of prickly capers, wild chicory, nightshade black, arjuna terminalia bark, western cassia root, common yarrow, leaves of the Galian tamarisk. Herbal remedy can be recommended as a source of biologically active substances of herbal origin, which have hepatoprotective properties and contribute to the normalization of the liver and gall bladder, as well as prevent the negative impact of toxic substances on the body.

Preliminary Assessment of Four Wild Leafy Species to Be Used as Baby Salads

Wild edible leafy plants, thanks to their organoleptic characteristics and nutritional value that can make them be appreciated as salads by consumers, represent a good opportunity for growers and the fresh-cut industry, which are always looking for new crops to expand the number of products they offer. In this study, four wild species (dandelion, sorrel, wild chicory, and wild lettuce) were cultivated hydroponically up to the baby leaf stage in order to evaluate them as potential crops. At harvest, yield and antioxidant compounds, minerals, and nitrates content were assessed. The contribution to human mineral intake and the possible health risk associated with heavy metals were investigated. A characterization of the sensory profile was also carried out. Yield and chlorophylls and carotenoids content of the investigated species were comparable to those of common leafy vegetables. Variability in nitrate content was observed, with the lowest value in sorrel and the highest in dandelion. All species could contribute in Cr, Mg, and Se intake, and health risks due to heavy metals were excluded. Each species was well characterized by distinctive and peculiar sensory notes. In conclusion, the results of this preliminary study suggest that the four wild investigated species may be promising for baby leaf production.

Wild chicory: beneficial properties and its use for food purposes

The article discusses the use of the ruderal weed — wild chicory. Its chemical composition, nutritional value, and recipes for dishes are examined, allowing to consider this plant from the point of view of a functional food additive.

Nutritional value, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of wild chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) from Turkey

Nutritional value, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of wild chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) from Turkey

Molecular characterization of a putative new cavemovirus isolated from wild chicory (Cichorium intybus).

A putative new virus with sequence similarity to members of the genus Cavemovirus in the family Caulimoviridae was identified in wild chicory (Cichorium intybus) by next-generation sequencing (NGS). The putative new virus was tentatively named "chicory mosaic cavemovirus" (ChiMV), and its genome was determined to be 7,775 nucleotides (nt) long with the typical genome organization of cavemoviruses. ORF1 encodes a putative coat protein/movement polyprotein (1,278 aa), ORF2 encodes a putative replicase (650 aa), and ORF3 encodes a putative transactivator factor (384 aa). The first two putative proteins have 46.2% and 68.7% amino acid sequence identity to the CP/MP protein (YP_004347414) and replicase (YP_004347415), respectively, of sweet potato collusive virus (SPCV). ORF3 encodes a protein with 38.5% amino acid sequence identity to the putative transactivator factor (NP_056849) of cassava vein mosaic virus (CsVMV). The new putative viral genome and those of three cavemoviruses (epiphyllum virus 4 [EpV-4], SPCV, and CsVMV) differ by 24-27% in the nt sequence of the replicase gene, which exceeds the species demarcation cutoff (>20%) for the family.

Using different levels of Powder basil seed and leaves of the wild chicory in the quail diet cost feed of egg production and the sensory Evaluation of egg

Using different levels of Powder basil seed and leaves of the wild chicory in the quail diet cost feed of egg production and the sensory Evaluation of egg

Antioxidants and Mineral Contents of Chicory as Coffee Additive

In this study, roots of Turkish origin wild chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) genotypes were investigated for total flavonoid and phenolic contents, radical cation scavenging activity (ABTS), Free radical scavenging activity (DPPH), and radical, mineral content. These characteristics were also compared with other coffee varieties. The total flavonoid and phenolic contents ranged between 0.290-4.350 mg QE/g dry weight (DW) and 0.943-13.860 mg GAE/g DW. The DPPH was listed here from high to low value: raw coffee beans = roasted coffee beans > roasted fruits of turpentine tree > instant coffee = roots of chicory. The content of P, Ca, Mg, Zn, B, Cr, Co and Mo ranged between 0.71-2.78%, 0.25-0.46%, 7.29-20.66, 4.44-11.07, 0.40-1.67, 0.49-5.48 and 5.69-14.46 ppm, respectively. As a result, chicory roots exhibited low antioxidant activity, but higher mineral content compared to the other tested coffee varieties which indicates that chicory could be used a coffee additive.

Visual quality and waste of leafy vegetable and fresh herbs in a typical retail market

Because of their high perishability, leafy vegetables and fresh herbs are transported to the market soon after harvest. It is very likely that most of the damage caused in the farm and during transport will result in food discard only later in the retail market or in the household. Inadequate handling and marketing strategies in the store are expected to further contribute to waste. The study was designed to address the following questions: (1) what is the visual quality of leafy vegetables and fresh herbs received in the retail market; (2) what is the volume of discard of these produce in the retail market (3) what are the main causes of discard and (4) how these variables are influenced by the vegetable species, the suppliers and the stores evaluated. The study was conducted in 4 stores of a regional supermarket chain in Distrito Federal – Brazil, for a period of 6 months. It was evaluated: (1) number of produce items received and discarded; (2) visual quality of produce at reception; (3) cause of discard. The operations in each shop were described based on observations and discussion with the store staff. When considering the sum of all produce, the discard (expressed as units per day and corrected for quantity purchased) was influenced by all the factors studied, namely store, supplier and day of the week. Delivery of produce with any signs of wilting and yellowing was negligible but produce with bruised and old leaves which should have been trimmed in the farm were frequent. Visual quality was important to determine shelf life and preference by the consumer but how important it was depended on other factors such as the produce considered and the workflow in the store. The percentage of discard varied from 8.7 % to 97.0 % of the number of units purchased. Smaller waste volume was observed for spring onion, parsley, coriander, collard, leak and green leaf lettuce. Waste volume equal to or above 50 % was observed for vegetables baby romaine lettuce, broad leaved endive, wild chicory and mustard greens and fresh herbs sage and thyme. The vegetable and fresh herbs discard in the Brazilian retail market is in great measure the result of technological constraints and are not intentional. The implications of this situation in the definitions of food waste and food loss are discussed.

The Variation for Dry Weight and Hay Quality in Turkish Origin Wild Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) Genotypes

This study was conducted to determine dry plant weight and quality traits of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) genotypes collected from eight provinces and 29 locations in Turkey. Field experiment was conducted in Yozgat conditions for two years (2015-2016 and 2016-2017) and the observations were performed in the second year. Dry plant weight, crude protein ratio and protein yield (g plant-1), ADF, NDF, K, P, Ca, Mg contents and K/(Ca+Mg) and Ca/P ratio were determined in chicory genotypes as yearly total or average. Total dry plant weight and average crude protein content ranged between 167.80-564.60 g plant-1 and 11.85-16.60%, respectively. The highest potassium content was determined as 2.442%, while it was lowest as 2.022%. The phosphorus, calcium and magnesium content ranged between 0.367-0.413%, 0.963-1.232% and 0.250-0.407%, respectively. As a result, significant differences were observed among the chicory genotypes for all the traits. Such a variation even in the restricted area is point out the high variation in Turkey. These differences encouraged to new studies on chicory in Turkey and were also promising for improving new varieties.

Visual quality and waste of fresh vegetables and herbs in a typical retail market in Brazil

ABSTRACT Because of high perishability, leafy vegetables and fresh herbs are transported to the market soon after harvest. It is very likely that most of the damage due to inadequate handling at the farm and during transport will result in food discard only later in the retail market or in the household. Inadequate handling and marketing strategies in the store are expected to further contribute to waste. The study was designed to address the following questions: 1) what is the visual quality of leafy vegetables and fresh herbs received in the retail market; 2) what is the volume of discard of this produce in the retail market 3) what are the main causes of discard and 4) how these variables are influenced by the vegetable species, the suppliers and the stores evaluated. The study was conducted in 4 stores of a regional supermarket chain in Federal District, Brazil, for a period of 6 months. We evaluated: 1) number of produce items received and discarded; 2) visual quality of produce at reception and 3) cause of discard. The operations in each store were described based on observations and discussion with the store staff. When considering the sum of all produce, the discard (expressed as units per day and corrected for quantity purchased) was influenced by all the factors studied, namely store, supplier and day of the week. Delivery of produce with any signs of wilting and yellowing was negligible but produce with bruised and old leaves which should have been trimmed in the farm were frequent. Visual quality was important to determine shelf life and preference by the consumer but how important it was depended on other factors such as the vegetable or herb considered and the workflow in the store. The discard varied from 8.7% to 97.0% of the number of units purchased. Smaller waste volume was observed for spring onion, parsley, coriander, collard, leek and green leaf lettuce. Waste volume equal to or above 50% was observed for baby romaine lettuce, broad-leaved endive, wild chicory, mustard greens, sage and thyme. The vegetables and fresh herbs discard in the Brazilian retail market is in great measure the result of technological constraints together with bad management practices in the store. The implications of this situation for the definitions of food waste and food loss are discussed.

Phenolic and Mineral Composition of Wild Chicory Grown in Romania

The paper presents original results concerning phenolic and mineral composition of different parts of wild chicory grown in Romania (flowers, leaves, stems and roots). Total and some individual phenols concentrations were determined using molecular absorption spectrometry (modified Folin Ciocalteu method) and HPLC-DAD. Metals concentrations were measured by FAAS. The highest total phenolic compounds concentration was founded in flowers (1531.2 mg GAE/100g d.w.), followed by leaves (1180.3 mg GAE/100g d.w.), roots (167.86 mg GAE/100g d.w.) and stems (142.36 mg GAE/100g d.w.). HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the presence of seven phenolic acids in the range of 30-50% from total phenols concentration. The main determined phenolic compounds are: in flowers methyl gallic acid (301.55 mg/100g d.w.) in leaves, roots and stems ellagic acid (389.68 mg/100g d.w., 67.93 mg/100g d.w. respectively 22.97 mg/100g d.w.). Metals analyses by FAAS indicate that Cd, Cr, K, Ni and Pb are in concentrations under the detection limits. Except iron and sodium, all others metals are in higher concentration in leaves. Rank for the metal concentration from chicory was Ca]Mg]Zn]Na]Cu]Fe]Mn.

First Snow

14 | ARIA ABER First Snow Aria Aber poetry How easy for snow to turn to ice, for snow to disappear the light from the ragged frame of chestnut trees around the warehouse by what’s left of wild chicory, scraped sculptures, weeping dogbane. Hunger borders this land, while snow turns all to immigrants, snow salts the embankment, where turtles wash ashore, literally hundreds of them, frozen hard like grenades of tear gas thrown across a barbwire fence. But who of their free will would ever want to climb that fence to live here, who would pray each night for grace, hoping to pass through the darkened veil of shit, to bear witness to smokestacks, wild champion, knapweed? Who’d loiter around cricks glistening with oil, which, once gone, will, like death, at last, democratize us all? On potato sacks in the snowcapped, abandoned warehouse, there huddle and sit the soiled refugees, bereft, cow-eyed, ARIA ABER | 15 picking dirt o≠ their scalps, their shelled soles. Among them, wordless, is my mother, and nestled on her lap is I, in love with the light of the first snow of my life, so awed and doubtful still of what lengths the frost wills to go, and what shape it will then take— ...

Temperature related instability of a naturally induced cytoplasmic male sterility in industrial chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)

AbstractNatural alloplasmic cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) clones of industrial chicory were obtained after crossing wild chicory with selected breeding lines. We investigated the CMS stability of 10 clones in various environmental growing conditions. CMS was stable under cool growing conditions in most of them. Fertility restoration, based on pollen production scores, was observed in all clones after a period of hot temperatures. The early flower bud stage was sensitive, resulting in fertile flowers 12–17 days after exposure to high temperatures. Experiments under controlled growing conditions at 15°C demonstrated that a heat shock of 2 days at 25 or 30°C was sufficient to restore fertility. Sterile flowers were formed when plants were again grown at lower temperatures. Significant differences between individual clones were observed, indicating the potential of genetic selection to obtain stable CMS parent lines.

IMPROVED MICRO PROPAGATION OF Cichorium intybus L. FROM LEAF EXPLANT

Cichorium intybus is edible, medicinal and forage plant. The pharmaceutical raw materials were obtained from wild chicory (var. Maurane). Currently, farmers are increasingly assuming plantations of wild chicory, and breeders are attempting to produce cultivars for medicinal purposes. In the modern breeding of chicory important feature is the ability to propagate in vitro culture. The aim of our study was to assess capacity of natural population of wild chicory for plant regeneration from leaf explants. In the first was examined the effect of various concentrations of BA and TDZ on the regeneration of shoots from leaf explants (0.5 cm2). After that, 25 plants were propagated on the medium which was found as optimal. Then, their callus growth and shoots regeneration capacities were compared. The majority of the shoots were regenerated from callus but direct organogenesis was also observed (8%). Shoot regeneration was found to be the most efficient on MS medium containing 5MµBA and 3MµTDZ –97% of the explants produced shoots, while the average number of shoots was 15.5. The wild chicory shoots rooted easily.

Dry matter yield, feeding value, and antioxidant activity in Mediterranean chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) germplasm

Knowledge about the forage yield potential and bioactive compound contents of Mediterranean natural populations of chicory is still scarce, even though it could be very helpful in view of the exploitation of the feeding value of local chicory germplasm for ruminants. Dry matter yield, chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, total polyphenols, flavonoids, and condensed tannins content were determined in 7 natural populations of Mediterranean wild chicory and, as a comparison, in the chicory commercial variety Spadona. Original seed was collected in different pastureland areas of Sardinia (Italy) and plants were grown in North Sardinia. Statistically significant differences were found in the leaf dry matter yield, ranging from 1.3 to 3.8 t ha-1, and were not found in protein and fiber contents. The local populations were comparable to the commercial variety; however, the antioxidant activities, detected by means of 2 in vitro assays, significantly differed between populations. Among bioactive compounds, total flavonoids ranged from 27 to 37 g catechin equivalent kg-1 dry weight and statistically significant differences were also found in total polyphenol content and nontannic polyphenols; condensed tannins were not detected. Considering the importance of some bioactive compounds for the enhancement of animal nutrition and welfare, the exploitation of variability in bioactive compound content and antioxidant capacity of the chicory natural populations can be important for a more complete valorization of its Mediterranean germplasm.

Allelopathic influence of the aqueous extract of Jatropha curcas L. leaves on wild Cichorium intybus.

The communication presents an evaluation of the allelopathic effect of the aqueous extract of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) leaves on the early development of wild chicory (Cichorium intybus) seedlings. The experiment was performed in Palotina City, State of Parana, Brazil. The physic nut leaves were harvested and then crushed in a blender using the proportion of 1 L of distilled water for each 200 g of leaves resulting in a crude extract of 100%. The experiments were conducted in 6 trials with 8 repetitions. The dilutions of 80, 40, 20, 10, 5 and 0% (only distilled water) were made using the crude extract. Data was subjected to statistical analysis (regression at 1% of probability). Aqueous extract of physic nut leaves showed an inhibitory allelopathic effect on the development of wild chicory (sugarloaf variety) which increased with enhanced concentration, presenting negative linear tendency, except for the variable fresh weight of shoots. Key words: Jatropha curcas L., Cichorium intybus, allelopathy.

OPTIMISATION OF SOMATIC HYBRIDISATION IN CICHORIUM SPECIES

Improving the inulin production in the root of industrial chicory by conventional breeding has reached its limit. Therefore, we aimed to increase genetic variability in industrial chicory (Cichorium intybus) to enhance its inulin production. To this end, we executed symmetric protoplast fusions between industrial chicory on the one hand and endive or a wild type Cichorium intybus foliosum on the other hand. In order to produce plantlets, efficient protocols needed to be established for protoplast fusion and regeneration, and for the screening of the putative hybrids. We created a regeneration protocol by which we can produce plantlets out of protoplasts using low melting point agarose beads surrounded by liquid medium. Two weeks after protoplast isolation, 60% of the initial incubated protoplasts showed microcolony development in the beads. After transfer to solid medium, containing 0.5 mg L-1 IAA and 0.5 mg L-1 BAP, shoots were induced on the developing calli. Three months after protoplast isolation, the first plants were recovered. Protoplasts from different genotypes of C. intybus sativum and C. intybus foliosum could be regenerated. Symmetric protoplast fusion was performed using PEG-induced, chemical fusion. Industrial chicory (C. intybus sativum), endive (C. endivia crispum) and wild chicory (C. intybus foliosum) were used as fusion partners. Up to 30% of the regenerants after fusion between industrial chicory and endive were hybrids. The fusion of industrial chicory with wild chicory produced on average 4% hybrid regenerants. Microsatellite markers confirmed the hybridity of the putative fusion products. These findings enable us to produce, fuse and regenerate protoplasts of different Cichorium species in a rapid and efficient way. Moreover, the methods for symmetric protoplast fusion and regeneration presented in this study, can directly contribute to further research on asymmetric protoplast fusion experiments between these three species. This way, CMS could possibly be introduced by combining the nucleus of industrial chicory with the cytoplasm of other Cichorium types.

Effect of salt stress on growth parameters, enzymatic antioxidant system, and lipid peroxidation in wild chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)

Efficient utilization of saline land for food cultivation can increase agricultural productivity and rural income. To obtain information on the salt tolerance/susceptibility of wild chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), the influence of salinity (0–260 mM NaCl) on chicory seed germination and that of two salinity levels of irrigation water (100 and 200 mM NaCl) on plant growth, antioxidative enzyme activity, and accumulation of proline and malondialdehyde (MDA) were investigated. The trials were performed outdoors, in pots placed under a protective glass covering, for two consecutive years. Seeds showed a high capacity to germinate in saline conditions. The use of 100 mM NaCl solution resulted in 81 % germination, whereas seed germinability decreased below 40 % using salt concentrations above 200 mM NaCl. Wild chicory showed tolerance to medium salinity (100 mM NaCl), whereas a drastic reduction in biomass was observed when 200 mM NaCl solution was used for irrigation. MDA, present in higher amounts in leaves than in roots, decreased in both tissues under increasing salinity. Proline content increased remarkably with the level of salt stress, more so in roots than in leaves. In salt stress conditions, the activity of antioxidant enzymes (APX, CAT, POD, SOD) was enhanced. The electrophoretic patterns of the studied enzymes showed that the salinity of irrigation water affected only the intensity of bands, but did not activate new isoforms. Our results suggest that wild chicory is able to grow in soil with moderate salinity by activating antioxidative responses both in roots and leaves.