Wild Growing Research Articles

Phytochemical Analysis, Biological Activities, and Molecular Docking Studies of Root Extracts from Paeonia Species in Serbia.

Without being aware of their chemical composition, many cultures have used herbaceous peony roots for medicinal purposes. Modern phytopreparations intended for use in human therapy require specific knowledge about the chemistry of peony roots and their biological activities. In this study, ethanol-water extracts were prepared by maceration and microwave- and ultrasound-assisted extractions (MAE and UAE, respectively) in order to obtain bioactive molecules from the roots of Paeonia tenuifolia L., Paeonia peregrina Mill., and Paeonia officinalis L. wild growing in Serbia. Chemical characterization; polyphenol and flavonoid content; antioxidant, multianti-enzymatic, and antibacterial activities of extracts; and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (GID) of hot water extracts were performed. The strongest anti-cholinesterase activity was observed in PT extracts. The highest anti-ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical potential was observed in PP extracts, whereas against DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals), the best results were achieved with PO extracts. Regarding antibacterial activity, extracts were strongly potent against Bacillus cereus. A molecular docking simulation was conducted to gather insights into the binding affinity and interactions of polyphenols and other Paeonia-specific molecules in the active sites of tested enzymes. In vitro GID of Paeonia teas showed a different recovery and behavior of the individual bioactives, with an increased recovery of methyl gallate and digallate and a decreased recovery of paeoniflorin and its derivatives. PT (Gulenovci) and PP (Pirot) extracts obtained by UAE and M were more efficient in the majority of the bioactivity assays. This study represents an initial step toward the possible application of Paeonia root extracts in pharmacy, medicine, and food technologies.

Phytochemistry and Micromorphology of Epicuticular Waxes in Four Juniper Species With Fragmented Distribution in the Balkans.

The cuticle is important in the interaction between the plant and its environment, especially in the dry areas. Four species of junipers from the section Sabina wild growing in the Balkans were selected to study leaf wax composition using GC/MS and GC-FID and its surface morphology under SEM to understand the correlation between the distribution and/or habitat of these species and their cuticles. SEM micrographs showed continuous, smooth epicuticular layers with crusts in all species but with a species-specific distribution of different 3D crystalloid types and different cuticle thickness. n-C33 alkane was the most abundant compound, followed by n-C29, n-C31, and n-C35, depending on the species and the site. The average chain length (N) was the lowest in J. phoenicea, but with the greatest dispersion around it. At the same time, the two most continental species (J. foetidissima and J. excelsa) show the N with the lowest dispersion around it. The statistical analyses confirmed the significance of climate on the evolution of the specific epicuticular wax composition in studied junipers.

Achillea fragrantissima Essential Oil, Wild Grown in Saudi Arabia and Egypt: Detailed Comparative Chemical Profiling, and Evaluation of Allelopathic, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Activities

One of the biologically beneficial oils against many ailments is Achillea fragrantissima essential oil (EO). The current study focused on the comprehensive comparative chemical characterization of A. fragrantissima EOs, which were gathered from Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as well as evaluation of their allelopathic, antioxidant, and antibacterial functions. With a respective total oil mass of 96.9% and 96.1%, 40 compounds were found in the EOs from Saudi Arabia (38 compounds) and Egypt (26 compounds). Terpenes represented the main constituents including mono- (52.6% and 75.4% from Saudi Arabia and Egypt, respectively) and sesquiterpenoids (42.1% and 19.7%, respectively). The α-thujone (12.0%), myrcenyl acetate (10.3%), alloaromadendrene oxide-(1) (5.9%), artemisia ketone (4.9%), β-thujone (4.7%), lavandulol (4.2%), and santolina alcohol (4.0%) represented the main components of the overall oil of the Saudi Arabian plant-derived EO. However, the main constituents of the EO of the Egyptian plant were 4-terpineol (17.4%), myrcenyl acetate (9.1%), artemisia ketone (9.0%), α-thujone (8.6%), yomogi alcohol (6.2%), santolina alcohol (6.2%), and β-thujone (5.8%). The chemometric analysis exhibited a strong association between the two EOs from Saudi Arabia and Egypt in addition to the samples collected from Jordan. The Saudi and Egyptian A. fragrantissima’ EOs were found to have significant allelopathic potencies against the weed C. murale. The seed germination, seedling shoot growth, and root growth of C. murale were all reduced by the EO of the Saudi ecospecies by 79.9, 56.7, and 68.6%, respectively, with IC50 values of 66.5, 68.0, and 69.2 µL L−1, respectively. The two oils from Saudi Arabia and Egypt exhibited potent antioxidant activity against the DPPH free radicals, with IC50 values of 30.94 and 28.72 mg/L, respectively. In addition, the two oils from Saudi Arabia and Egypt exhibited strong abilities to scavenge ABTS radicals with respective IC50 values of 39.02 and 37.13 mg/L. Additionally, the two EOs showed a much higher antibacterial activity than the antibiotics tested against all bacterial strains, with the exception of Enterobacter cloacae. The two oils exhibited antibacterial activity against the examined strains, except Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella typhimurium, for which the Egyptian species shown greater inhibition. The results revealed that Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis were more sensitive, while Enterobacter cloacae was more resistant.

Morphology, Anatomy and Chemical Composition of Salvia fruticosa Mill in Al-Marj (Libya)

Macro, micromorphological and chemical characteristics of Salvia fruticosa Mill, wild growing in Libya were studied. The aim of the present study is to provide new properties for the identification and description of this species. The features of leaf morphology, verticillaster number, bract, calyx, corolla, stamens, trichomes, collenchyma’s rows, vascular bundle and mesophyll structure are important characters to distinguish this species. In the study, we observe morphologically different types of glandular trichomes. The results of leaf architecture studies can provide a more accurate basis for the identification of this species. The essential oil contained cineol (43.93%), β-pinene (11,43%), α-pinene (9.53%), β-myrcene (9.08%), caryophyllene (8.75%), camphor (5.12%) and α-terpineol (4.15%).

Effect of polar solvent on the efficiency of phenolic compounds and antioxidant potency of the lavender wild growing in Tunisia

A highest polar solubility of phenolic and flavonoids compounds of Lavandula stoechas required the use of appropriate solvent during extraction process. Extraction following an increase ingredient of polarity revealed that the chloroform seems as the best solvent able to release polyphenols followed by the ethyl-acetate. Total phenolic and flavonoids extracted with chloroform were respectively, 282.7 mg Eq GAE/g DW and 125.91 mg Eq QE/g DW. Even for the tree other solvents obtained results showed importance richness of the lavender on polyphenols. Amounts were correlated to the highest antioxidant potency approved. Main functional groups were detected and identified by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR). Results give to the studied species an important alternative as a promising ecological natural source of bioactive antioxidant compounds and to be incorporated in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics manufactures.

Flavonoids productivity of wild growing and in vitro cultivated Hypricum species

Flavonoids productivity of wild growing and in vitro cultivated Hypricum species

Evaluation of Self-Incompatibility of Some Wild Grown Almond Genotypes in Turkey

Evaluation of Self-Incompatibility of Some Wild Grown Almond Genotypes in Turkey

Phytochemical analysis of leaves and stems of Physalis alkekengi L. (Solanaceae)

Abstract Physalis alkekengi L. (Solanaceae) is encountered in different regions of Bulgaria as a wild growing or ornamental plant. The objective of this work was to characterize the phytochemical composition (macro and micro components) of the leaves and stems of two local phenotypes (PA-SB and PA-NB), with the view of revealing their use potential. The dry leaves contained (DW) protein (16.25 and 19.27%), cellulose (25.16 and 25.31%), and ash (18.28 and 16.16%) and the stems contained protein (6.83 and 7.35%), cellulose (39.34 and 38.25%), and ash (15.01 and 7.48%) for PA-SB and PA-NB, respectively. The dominant amino acids (by HPLC) in the leaves of both phenotypes were arginine (21.3–22.3 mg/g) and aspartic acid (8.8–18.4 mg/g), and those in the stems were proline and aspartic acid for PA-SB (8.8, 7.7 mg/g); isoleucine and tyrosine for PA-NB (12.8, 6.6 mg/g). Mineral elements, determined by AAS (K, Ca, Mg, Na, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cr), also varied between phenotypes and plant parts. The leaves alone were further processed by extraction with n-hexane, for the identification of leaf volatiles (by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). The analysis identified 28 components (97.99%) in the leaf extract of PA-SB and 32 components (97.50%) in that of PA-NB. The volatile profile of PA-SB leaves was dominated by diterpenes (49.96%) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (35.61%), while that of PA-NB was dominated by oxygenated aliphatics (40.01%) and diterpenes (35.19%). To the best of our knowledge, the study provides the first data about the phytochemical composition of the leaves and stems of P. alkekengi from Bulgaria, in a direct comparison of phenotypes from two distinct wild populations, which could be of further scientific interest.

Phytochemical Composition of the Fruits and Leaves of Raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.)—Conventional vs. Organic and Those Wild Grown

Nutrition is an influential determinant of the risk of present-day metabolic diseases. Raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) are extraordinary berries with a high nutritional and bioactive component complex. They have a number of major essential minerals and trace elements as well as dietary fibre and other important constituents. This study aimed to analyse and compare raspberry fruits and leaves originated from organic versus conventional agricultural practices and wild grown for the contents of basic composition (water, crude fat, total protein, ash, digestible carbohydrates and dietary fibre) and selected minerals (calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, sulphur, selenium, barium, lithium, and beryl) as well as selected antioxidant properties (total polyphenols, total carotenoids, anthocyanin content, and antioxidant activity by methods of ABTS and FRAP). This study was carried out regardless of climatic and agro-technical factors and was of a more consumer-oriented nature, in order to recognize the diversity of raspberry fruits and leaves from more or less monitored crops. The basic composition, mineral content and selected antioxidative properties of raspberry fruits and leaves are fundamentally different. Raspberry fruits have a lower content of protein and ash, and higher levels of dietary fibre and carbohydrates in comparison to fruits. The biggest difference is the amount of protein, whose content in leaves is two to three times higher versus fruits. Raspberry leaves have been found to have a higher mineral content than raspberry fruits and were characterized by up to five times the amount of total polyphenols, with respect to raspberry fruit, regardless of source. The content of total carotenoids was found in some cases to be 100 times higher in raspberry leaves, in comparison to fruit, regardless of origin. It has not been definitely identified, both for raspberry fruits and leaves, which method of growing is the most advantageous in terms of levels of basic nutrients, selected minerals and antioxidant properties.

Development of an efficient micropropagation system for Dioscorea bulbifera L. and phytochemical profile of regenerated plants

BackgroundThe present study was designed to develop an improved in vitro regeneration system for Dioscorea bulbifera using mature nodal explants. Direct organogenesis from nodal segments was achieved by culturing the nodal explants on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 3.5 mgl−1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Shoot multiplication was widely affected by the kind and concentration of plant growth regulators, and the sub-culturing of in vitro regenerated shootlets on fresh medium. After incubation for 4 weeks at optimum BAP concentration, cultures were transferred to secondary medium with BAP (optimized concentration) supplemented with different auxins. ResultsOn medium with 3.5 mgl−1 6-benzylaminopurine, maximum regeneration (87 ± 1.85%) with an average shoot number of 2.0 ± 0.08, and length of 3.5 ± 0.04 cm were observed after 4 weeks of incubation. Maximum number of shoots (3.9 ± 0.21) was observed with 3.5 mgl−1 BAP in combination with 0.75 mgl−1 indole-3-acetic acid. The best root formation was observed on ½ MS medium supplemented with 0.75 mgl−1 α-naphthalene acetic acid, with 4.7 ± 0.03 roots per shoot. The well-rooted plantlets were successfully acclimatized in with 100% survival rate. The plantlets grew well with normal growth, flowering and showed, by High performance thin layer chromatography, almost same number of phytoconstituents compared with the mother plant. ConclusionsThis is the first study on comparative phytochemical analysis of wild growing and in vitro regenerated plants of D. bulbifera which validates the medicinal and nutritional properties of in vitro raised plants.

Molecular Assessment of Established Clonal Propagated Mulberry (Morus nigra L.)

Mulberry (Morus Sp.) is one of the economically important trees cultivated for the tasteful fruits, its several pharmaceutically important chemicals potential, timber, cosmetic and in silk industry for its foliage, also in various molecular breeding applications. The origins of most cultivated mulberry varieties are believed to be in the area of China-Japan and in the Himalaya foothills. and it now has a very wide distribution range in Asia-Europe (from Korea to Spain, including China, India, Central Asia, and Near East); in Africa (North and East Africa) and in America (from the U.S.A. to Argentina, including Mexico, Central America, Colombia and Brazil). In Saudi Arabia, Mulberry grown well and spread in different places such as Taif Province (El Shafa region), Eastern region; Al-Ehsaa Province and some southern areas. Nodal explants of Morus nigra were clonally propagated in vitro for plant regeneration. Auxiliary shoot buds have been promoted in Murashige and Scoog (MS) media in a variety of cultural contexts. The largest number of shoots (13.00 ± 0.47) with an average length of 2.00 ± 0.47 cm was initially obtained from a medium containing 2.0 mg / L N6-benzyladin (BA) and 3% sucrose. Recurrent subcultures provided the highest number of seedlings (approximately 29.30) for excavation after the fourth passage. Seedlings were rooted in 1/2 MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg / 1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Successfully, about 90% of the plantlets acclimatized. Along with the determination of the genetic variations between three mulberry genotypes including two cultivated accessions (Morus alba) and one wild genotype (M. nigra) utilizing inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Genetic variation and phylogenetic relationship of mulberry germplasm collection have been studied. All ISSR markers used in this study revealed higher genetic diversity in the wild species comparing with cultivated species. ISSR matrices reported that the mean genetic similarity coefficient was 0.7677 for all mulberry genotypes. Although some differences have been observed, much similarity has been obtained in dendrogram topology. Cluster analysis of the ISSR using UPGMA software revealed that wild species were genetically distinct. The correlation coefficients of similarity for the ISSR used are statistically important. The Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCA) for ISSR data also supports its UPGMA clustering. The average number of genetic variations recorded in mulberry genotypes was 0.287±0.096. Dendrogram (Unweighted peer group method analysis) classifies mulberry accessions into two main groups; Admissions collected from the western area of Taif, and the other comprised two sub-clusters including one isolate, i.e., M nigra, a collection from Al shafa. Contains access to another sub-cluster southwest regions of Taif, which belong to Morus nigra wild growing. These accessions of mulberry were found to be genetically similar to north and southwest Taif Province. These results have significant implications for improving the mulberry germ plasma characterization, conservation and investigates of the genetic diversity among the mulberry species grown in Taif governorate and to establish a micro-propagation system as germplasm conservation to preserve the assets of local mulberry and thus develops an easy and effective method to identify native genotypes in a limited space and time frame.

The Effect of Some Wild Grown Plant Extracts and Essential Oils on Pectobacterium betavasculorum: The Causative Agent of Bacterial Soft Rot and Vascular Wilt of Sugar Beet.

The bacterial soft rot and vascular wilt of sugar beet are the major diseases of sugar crops globally induced by Pectobacterium betavasculorum and P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc). The control of this bacterial disease is a severe problem, and only a few copper-based chemical bactericides are available for this disease. Because of the limitations of chemicals to control plant bacterial pathogens, the essential oils and extracts have been considered one of the best alternative strategies for their control. In this study, twenty-seven essential oils and twenty-nine plant extracts were extracted and evaluated for their antibacterial activities against Pectobacterium betavasculorum isolate C3, using the agar diffusion method at 0.01%, 0.1%, and 100% (v/v). Pure Pimpinella anisum L. oil exhibited the most anti-bacterial activity among three different concentrations of essential oils and extracts, followed by Thymus vulgaris L. oil and Rosa multiflora Thunb. extract. The efficacy of effective essential oils and extracts on Ic1 cultivar of sugar beet seeds germination and seedling growth in vivo also were tested. The seed germination of the Ic1 cultivar was inhibited at all the concentrations of essential oils used. Only extracts of Rosa multiflora Thunb., Brassica oleracea L., Lactuca serriola L., Salvia rosmarinus Spenn., Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. and L.M.Perry, Eucalyptus globulus Labill., and essential oils of Ocmium basilicum L., Pimpinella anisum L., and Mentha× piperita L.L. in 0.1% concentration had no inhibition on seed germination and could improve seedling growth. This is the first report of the antibacterial activity of essential oils and extracts on Pectobacterium betavasculorum.

Comparison of Phytochemicals, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities of in Vitro Propagated and Wild Grown Potentilla Nepalensis, an Endemic Medicinal Plant from North Western Himalayas

ABSTRACT A reliable protocol for in vitro propagation of Potentilla nepalensis was developed and the phytochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects of in vitro propagated and wild grown P. nepalensis plants were compared. Leaves of P. nepalensis used as explants were cultured on conventional Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators. Optimum sterilization conditions were achieved by using 0.04% Bavistin for 10 min, 0.04% sodium hypochlorite for 1 min, and 0.04% mercuric chloride for 1 min and the optimum media composition for callus generation was MS minerals containing ammonium nitrate (165 mg L−1), calcium chloride (44 mg L−1), and growth regulators IBA (20 mg L−1), and BAP (4 mg L−1). The phenolic and flavonoid content were higher in wild grown plant (TPC-21.21 ± 0.54 mg g−1 GAE; TFC-4.24 ± 0.17 mg g−1RE) compared to in vitro propagated P. nepalensis (TPC-3.55889 ± 0.72 mg g−1 GAE; TFC-0.33 ± 0.07 mg g−1 RE). Although the antioxidant activity was high in wild grown plant (IC50-235 ± 92.120 µg mL−1) than in vitro propagated (IC50-682.989 ± 57.118 µg mL−1), the antimicrobial properties for bacterial and fungal pathogens were similar.

The study of the biological activities of Ziziphora clinopodioides

The aim of the current study was to determine the chemical constituents of essential oil and to study the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of essential oil and the extracts obtained from the raw material of Ziziphora wild growing in the floras of Armenia and Artsakh cultivated in the hydroponic conditions. The essential oils were obtained by the method of hydro-distillation. The determination of the essential oil constituents were performed by the GC-MS method. Agar disk diffusion method was used to study the antimicrobial activity of essential oils. The antioxidant activity determination was carried out DPPH test by the spectrophotometric method, at the same time IC50 was determined. The highest values of the essential oils yield (1.25 ± 0.01%) and IC50 13.83±0.218(x10-5)g/l) were received for the plant cultivated in hydroponic conditions. For the first time in the above studied samples, by the method of GC-MS more than 70 components were revealed. The results of the study showed that essential oils of Ziziphora exhibit antimicrobial activity and the extracts revealed relatively expressed antioxidant activity. The study results show the future prospects of the use of Ziziphora not only as the source of flavonoids and essential oils, but also antimicrobial and antioxidant agents.

Comparative studies of essential oils composition and cytotoxic activity of Valeriana jatamansi Jones

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate comparative essential oils (EOs) composition and cytotoxic activity of Valeriana jatamansi Jones, from wild growing samples at higher altitude and cultivated sample at lower altitude. Hydrodistilled EOs from the rhizomes of this herb were analyzed using Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID), Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13C NMR). Thirty-six diverse metabolites were characterized in EOs samples accounting 68.5–88.2% of the total oils. The extracted EOs were found to be enriched in patchouli alcohol (7.6–70.5%), β-bisabolol (17.2–21.4%), maaliol (0.3–28.1%) and α-bulnesene (1.4–8.5%). The obtained EOs were further evaluated for cytotoxic activity against human lung carcinoma (A549) and human skin carcinoma (A431) cancer cells. Isolated component (patchouli alcohol) and extracted oils were represented good to moderate cytotoxic activity. These findings showed that EOs of these plants could be employed in the field of flavour, fragrance and pharmaceutical applications.

Macronutrient Concentration in Stem, Leaf and Petiole of Wild Grown Water Spinach (Ipomea Aquatic Forsk.) and Its Relationship With Pond Water

Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatic Forsk.) is a food for human beings and animals. It is rich in minerals, protein, dietary fibre, with high moisture content. The work was undertaken to determine contents of K, Ca, Mg, Na & P in the stems, leaves and petioles of water spinach. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and Inductive Couple Plasma (ICP) were used to determine concentration of nutrients, where one way ANOVA was applied to analyse if there is any significant differences in the macronutrient contents amongst the leaves, petioles and stems of the water spinach. If any of the results showed significant differences, Turkey post-hoc HSD test (p<0.05%) was adopted to separate the means. In addition, Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient Test was conducted between the plant macronutrients samples (leaves + stem + petioles combined) and water macronutrients data run to determine their relationships. In addition, purpose of this study is to highlight to the public which parts of the plant should be consumed and also to indicate the relationship of Water Spinach with its growing medium. The K concentration was higher than the other elements and maximum concentration was in petioles (432+27.45 mg·L-1) and stems (424.60+14.19 mgL-1). The element with the least concentration was Na (3.10+0.40 mgL-1), in the petiole. There was no difference in Mg content in leaves, petioles and stems (avg. 28.55+1.61 mgL-1). High amounts of Ca (150+0.10 mgL-1) and low amounts of P (41.11+0.01 mgL-1) were in pond water. A positive correlation of each nutrient occurred between water spinach and pond water.

Major and Trace Element Content of Tribulus terrestris L. Wildlife Plants.

The genus Tribulus L. (Zygophyllaceae) includes 12 species, the most important of which is Tribulus terrestris L. This annual herb grows in temperate and tropical climates, and has a rich chemical composition of biologically active substances and chemical elements. Medicinal plants, and the phytopreparations obtained from them, are becoming more and more popular in world practice as they are used to successfully treat human diseases. Their therapeutic effect is due to the presence in them, of a variety of natural compounds and biologically important trace elements, especially in higher concentrations present in higher doses. T. terrestris is becoming more and more popular for the treatment of diseases of the human genital area and sexual dysfunctions. The elemental content in the tissues of leaf, flower, and fruit of T. terrestris was determined by using multi-element instrumental epithermal neutron activation analysis. For the first time, 26 essential and trace elements were observed in the plant species collected in Russia (from cultivated) and China (wild growing). It was confirmed that the elemental composition of T. terrestris grass varies depending on the habitat (geographic zones). The place of growth affects the accumulation of elements by the plant.

Quality parameters change during ripening in leaves and fruits of wild growing and cultivated elderberry (Sambucus nigra) genotypes

This is the first report on the difference in the contents of the major quality compounds during development among cultivated (‘Haschberg’ cultivar and ‘Ljubostinja’ selection) and wild edible elderberry plants. Phenolics content in leaves (four stages) and fruits (unripe and ripe), as well as organic acids and sugars content in unripe and ripe fruits were determined. Quinic acid was the major organic acid in unripe fruits (especially in ‘Wild’ plants 16.7 g 100 g-1), while ripe fruits accumulated citric acid in the highest amounts (the highest was in’ Ljubostinja’ 10.2 g 100 g-1). ‘Wild’ elderberry plants had significantly higher sugar content in fruits, in general (2.2 unripe and in ripe 8.4 g 100 g-1), except for fructose content which was the highest in’ Ljubostinja’ ripe fruits (up to 6-fold higher). Tested elderberry plants had four major groups of phenolics in their leaves and fruits during development: phenolic acids (caffeic and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives), flavanone, flavonols (quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin derivatives) and anthocyanins (mostly cyanidin derivatives).’ Ljubostinja’ had higher content of cyanidin derivatives in leaves in flowering stage and in all tested fruits (0.01% DW in unripe and 0.7% DW in ripe). Bearing in mind all tested quality parameters, ‘Ljubostinja’ selection had better quality of fruits, which position this selection as valuable resource for further cultivation and breeding of elderberry.

Phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity of wild growing and in vitro Hypericum heterophyllum

In vitro cultures of Hypericum heterophyllum Vent. was established by using MS and MS-B5 medium contained plant growth regulators such as kinetin, BAP, IAA, TDZ and picloram. Flower, leaf, stem and in vitro samples (callus and in vitro plantlets) of H. heterophyllum were analysed by LC-MS/MS for their chemical contents such as quinic acid, gallic acid, (+)-catechin, ferulic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and quercetin; moreover their radical scavening activities conducted by DPPH and ABTS methods were evaluated. Among all the analysed samples, the in vitro plantlets shown the highest antioxidant activity (IC50, 220 μg/mL for DPPH and 254 μg/mL for ABTS), probably due to the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids, specifically the higher total phenolic content (64.4 mg GAE/g extract) than other samples. The phytochemical variation among all samples was discussed through principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). The in vitro plantlets might offer possibilities for the production of high-value secondary metabolites as pharmaceuticals and food preservatives. This study is the first report on analyses and comparison of secondary metabolites and antioxidant activities in different plant parts and in vitro samples of endemic H. heterophyllum.

Diversity of Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Healers of Dayak Desa Tribe in the Villages of Kebong and Merpak, Sintang Regency

Dayak Desa is a sub-tribe of a large group of Dayak tribes in West Kalimantan. Within the tribal community, it is estimated that there are still several traditional healers (battra) practicing traditional medicine. This study aims to identify the existence of traditional healers from the Dayak Desa tribe in the villages of Kebong and Merpak, analyze the species of medicinal plants used by traditional healers of Dayak Desa and analyze the similarities/ differences in knowledge of medicinal plants possessed by traditional healers and the general communities in Kelam Permai Sub-district. This study used an in-depth interview method to traditional healers from the Dayak Desa tribe with questionnaire aids, which contains questions related to the species of medicinal plants used in their practice. Data analysis was in the form of many species of medicinal plants used by traditional healers, plant families, habitus and parts of plants used, methods of processing and use, location, and sources of medicinal plants taken. The results showed that in Kebong and Merpak villages, there were still four traditional healers practicing traditional medication and using 59 species of medicinal plants. There are 39 species of plants used by traditional healers and also used by the communities, while 20 species others only used by traditional healers. The highest use is found in the family of Poaceae (5 species), herb habitus (37%), processing method by boiling (30%), and administration method by drinking (29%), and paste (29%), the form of single-use and mixture is quite balanced (49 and 48%). The primary source of obtaining medicinal raw materials comes from the yard (57%), and plant sources come from wild growing (59%). The knowledge of medicinal plants possessed by traditional healers should be continued documented; thus, the diversity of medicinal plants can be preserved for the next generation.