Yacon Research Articles

Enzymatic browning and chemical composition of whole yacon [Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp.) H. Rob.] tubers as affected by blanching

Browning is the major problem associated with yacon [Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp.) H. Rob.] processing as it takes place rapidly and intensely after tissue damage. This study investigated the effects of different blanching conditions on the browning parameters and some chemical components of yacon. Whole yacon tubers were blanched in hot water under different temperature and time conditions and immediately cooled in ice water. Increasing blanching temperature and time significantly reduced the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity but resulted in an undesirable change in firmness; lightness (L*) decreased approaching to a black color flesh of yacon, and the a* and b* values decreased representing a tendency to a green and blue colors, respectively. Blanching the whole yacon at 60⁰C for 20 mins was found to be the most effective and can be used as preprocessing treatment to reduce browning of the product. At this condition, PPO activity was reduced to 70%, firmness was retained, and further browning was decelerated when the cut surface of yacon was allowed to stand at room temperature. Moreover, the total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, glucose, sucrose and fructose were not significantly different from unblanched yacon but fructooligosaccharide (FOS) content was reduced from 51.36 to 36.29% on dry weight basis

FTIR and HPLC-Based Metabolomics of Yacon Leaves Extracts (<i>Smallanthus sonchifolius</i> [Poepp & Endl.] H. Robinson) from Two Locations in Indonesia

Smallanthus sonchifolius [Poepp. & Endl.] H. Robinson (Asteraceae) also known as Yacon or insulin plant, is traditionally used for treating diabetes. Varying geographical origins and postharvest handling, however, seem to affect quantitative and qualitative metabolites in the leaves of Smallanthus sonchifolius [Poepp. & Endl.] H. Robinson (Yacon). The study was conducted to compare and differentiate metabolites profile/fingerprint of Yacon leaves which were grown and obtained from different locations in Pulau Jawa i.e. Lembang (Jawa Barat) and Wonosobo (Jawa Tengah). Three different solvents (95% ethanol, 50% ethanol and water) were used to synthesize Yacon leaves extracts, in order to determine the suitable solvent to produce discernable differentiation through FTIR and HPLC-based metabolomics. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of FTIR data (4000–400 cm1 wavenumber) indicated that Yacon leaves extracted with ethanol at 95%, had a distinctive FTIR fingerprint profile when compared to others. However, the FTIR-based PCA could not differentiate the extracts based on their geographical origins, although PCA analysis of HPLC-data successfully differentiated the extracts based on their geographical origins. Furthermore, the prominent peak for the leaves extract from Lembang and Wonosobo as regards retention time, was observed at 21.59–25.10 min and 20.69–21.695 min respectively. Notably, R2Y and Q2 value obtained by cross-validation and permutation tests showed all multivariate models were statistically reliable. Overall, there is the need to conduct further research using a more sophisticated tool such as LC-MS, to identify which metabolites represented by the aforementioned FTIR and HPLC data.

Dietary inclusion effect of yacon, ginger, and blueberry on growth, body composition, and disease resistance of juvenile black rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) against Vibrio anguillarum

BackgroundTo minimize the use of antibiotics and to obtain a more sustainable fish culture and aquaculture industry, development of alternative natural source of immunostimulant to replace antibiotic in aquafeed is highly needed.ObjectiveDietary inclusion effect of yacon (YC), ginger (GG), and blueberry (BB) on growth, body composition, and disease resistance of black rockfish against Vibrio anguillarum was compared to ethoxyquin (EQ).MethodsFour hundred eighty juvenile (an initial weight of 4.2 g) fish were randomly distributed into 12 of 50 L flow-through tanks (forty fish per tank). Four experimental diets were prepared; the control (Con) diet with 0.01% EQ inclusion, and YC, GG, and BB diets at 1% each additive inclusion. Each additive was included into the experimental diets at the expense of wheat flour. Each diet was assigned to triplicate tanks of fish and hand-fed to satiation twice daily for 8 weeks. At the end of 8-week feeding trial, 20 fish from each tank fish were artificially infected by intraperitoneal injection with 0.1 mL of culture suspension of pathogenic V. anguillarum containing 3.3 × 106 cfu/mL respectively. Fish were monitored for the following 8 days after V. anguillarum infection and dead fish were removed every 6 h for the first 4 days and 12 h for the rest of the study.ResultsWeight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), and feed efficiency ratio (FER) of fish fed the YC diet was higher than those of fish fed all other diets. However, feed consumption, protein efficiency ratio, and protein retention was not affected by dietary additive. Moisture, crude protein, and crude lipid content of the whole body of fish were affected by dietary additive. Analysis of the Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that survival of fish fed the YC, BB, and GG diets was higher than the Con diet.ConclusionOral administration of YC can improve not only weight gain, SGR, and FER of black rockfish, but lower mortality of rockfish at occurrence of V. anguillarum.

Andean tubers grown in Ecuador: New sources of functional ingredients

Five unexplored Andean tubers grown in Ecuador were characterized. Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius, var. INIAP-ECU-1247) showed a high level of prebiotic inulin-type fructooligosaccharides with a degree of polymerisation from 2 to 6 and the highest content of phenolic compounds. Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum, var. INIAP-ECU-Izaño) showed high antioxidant capacity, attributed to its high carotenoid and vitamin C content. Melloco (Ullucus tuberosus, var. INIAP-ECU-amarillo-rosa) had the highest content of fibre and crude protein, while purple sweet potato (Ipomea batatas, var. INIAP-ECU-morado) and white carrot (Arracacia xanthorrhiza, var. INIAP-ECU-blanca) showed a high yield of starch rich in amylose, with possible better functional properties than potato starch. Fructose, glucose and sucrose were found in all samples. These ancestral crops can be useful as non-traditional sources of bioactive compounds with applications in the development of biomaterials, pharmacological products or new functional ingredients.

Effects of Storage Temperature and Packaging Combinations on the Storage Quality of Fresh Yacon [Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp.) H. Rob.

The yacon tuber has gained interest due to its health-promoting components, such as high amounts of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and phenolic compounds with strong antioxidant properties. However, the high water content and the soft, delicate internal tissues render it highly perishable, leading to significant losses during postharvest handling. The packaging and storage temperatures, two important factors in maintaining quality when storing fresh yacon tubers, were studied. The results showed that modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) combined with low temperature (10°C) had positive effects on the visual quality of yacon. Weight loss and shriveling were reduced in MAP compared to the unpacked yacon under room and 10°C storage temperatures. The use of MAP under room temperature for an extended storage period was limited by the development of disease and the occurrence of root sprouts and surface cracks in yacon, which reduced its visual quality. FOS hydrolysis by fructan exohydrolase occurred during storage, leading to higher amounts of fructose, glucose, and sucrose. The use of MAP regardless of storage temperature delayed the onset of rapid FOS decline. The total phenolic contents in the range of 4.84-5.98 mg Gallic acid equivalent per gram dry sample and antioxidant activity of yacon did not decrease relative to its initial content. Yacon could be stored at 10°C in conjunction with MAP to maintain quality and extend the shelf life of fresh yacon tubers.

Characterization of distinct strains of an aphid-transmitted ilarvirus (Fam. Bromoviridae) infecting different hosts from South America

Potato yellowing virus (PYV, original code SB-22), an unassigned member of the Genus Ilarvirus Family Bromoviridae, has been reported infecting potatoes in Peru, Ecuador and Chile. It is associated with symptomless infections, however yellowing of young leaves has been observed in some potato cultivars. Thirteen potato and yacon isolates were selected after routine screening of CIP-germplasm and twenty-four were identified from 994 potato plants collected in Peru whereas one was intercepted from yacon in the UK. These isolates were identified using high throughput sequencing, ELISA, host range and RT-PCR. Here we report the sequence characterization of the complete genomes of nine PYV isolates found infecting Solanum tuberosum, four complete genome isolates infecting Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon), and in addition 15 complete RNA3 sequences from potato and partial sequences of RNA1, 2 and 3 of isolates infecting potato and yacon from Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Results of phylogenetic and recombination analysis showed RNA3 to be the most variable among the virus isolates and suggest potato infecting isolates have resulted through acquisition of a movement protein variant through recombination with an unknown but related ilarvirus, whereas one yacon isolate from Bolivia also had resulted from a recombination event with another related viruses in the same region. Yacon isolates could be distinguished from potato isolates by their inability to infect Physalis floridana, and potato isolates from Ecuador and Peru could be distinguished by their symptomatology in this host as well as phylogenetically. The non-recombinant yacon isolates were closely related to a recently described isolate from Solanum muricatum (pepino dulce), and all isolates were related to Fragaria chiloensis latent virus (FCiLV) reported in strawberry from Chile, and probably should be considered the same species. Although PYV is not serologically related to Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), they are both transmitted by aphids and share several other characteristics that support the previous suggestion to reclassify AMV as a member in the genus Ilarvirus.

Encapsulation of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) leaf extract by supercritical fluid extraction of emulsions

Extracts with biological activities need to be preserved, as they can be degraded if exposed to light or heat. This work reports results of microparticles formation of yacon leaf extract with modified maize starch as encapsulated agent using Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Emulsions (SFEE). The variable investigated were pressure (9–13 MPa) and emulsion flow rate (QE) (0.5–1.5 mL/min) on the encapsulation efficiency (EE) and residual ethyl acetate content. The highest EE was 68.2 %, performed at 9 MPa and QE of 1.5 mL/min. The obtained particles were spherical, with size ranging from 92 to 450 nm. Analyses showed that: (i) the particles presented an amorphous characteristic; (ii) there was no degradation of the extract during the encapsulation; (iii) the SFEE improved the preservation of the antioxidant activity of the samples. This study shows the potential of using a new technology for particle production.

Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) flour obtention: Effect of process conditions on quality attributes and its incorporation in gluten-free muffins

Yacon is a little-known, non-starchy Andean root crop recognized as a rich source of β-(2-1) fructooligosaccharides. The aim of this research is to study different drying conditions to obtain yacon flour with high color and bioactive conservation to be used as a functional ingredient. Three different types of pre-drying processing were tested: pulped, cut as cubes and sliced with addition of bisulfite, and drying for 16 h at 65 °C. Dried sliced-yacon remained light-yellow with the lowest anti-browning index. The flour obtained from this sample also showed high reducing sugar content, and good fructans conservation (around 60% compared to freeze-dried) and the highest total polyphenol content (≈450 mg GAE/100 g) and antioxidant activity. Starch-based gluten-free muffins were made with 5% and 10% of substitution of corn starch by flour obtained from dried sliced-yacon with minimal effect on crust and crumb color. Addition of yacon flour made muffins less firm and more cohesive with a decrease in chewiness as compared to control. Its addition also generated a larger number of smaller pores in the muffin's microstructure. The results highlight that yacon flour may be produced by different methods and this powder represents an ingredient with considerable potential for food enrichment.

Influence of Weeds on Yacon Initial Growth and Development

ABSTRACT: The consumption of yacon has been increasing around the world due to the nutritional and pharmaceutical properties of this plant. The growing commercial interest in yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) generates a demand for crop management research studies, including the effect of weed competition on yacon, which was not yet studied. Thus, this study was performed with the objective of evaluating the effects of weed competition on yacon development and growth. The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments and seven replicates. Treatments were yacon with the interference of four weed species: Cyperus rotundus L. (nutgrass), Commelina benghalensis L. (tropical spiderwort), Amaranthus viridis L. (slender amaranth) and Bidens pilosa L. (hairy beggarticks). The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, using 10 dm3 pots. Plant height, number of leaves, number of stems, leaf area, fresh and dry mass weight (total and partial), and chlorophyll A, B and total were evaluated. The weed competition resulted in a decrease in the yacon development (height, number of leaves, number of stems, leaf area), photosynthetic rate (decreased chlorophyll content A, B and total) and yield, as also decreased the accumulation of fresh and dry biomass of tuberous roots. C. benghalensis L. and A. viridis L. were the weeds most affecting the development and growth of yacon.

ИНТРОДУКЦИЯ НОВОЙ ОВОЩНОЙ КУЛЬТУРЫ SMALLANTHUS SONCHIFOLIUS (ЯКОН ОСОТОЛИСТНЫЙ) В УСЛОВИЯХ ДАГЕСТАНА

The paper presents a primary results of introduction of unconventional food and medicinal plant Smallanthus sonchifolius in the soil and climatic conditions of Dagestan. For planting, we used rhizomes with sprouts obtained from Pyatigorsk in the second decade of May. As a result of the research, the success of the introduction of S. sonchifolius in Lowland Dagestan was noted. Plants developed normally, the most active period of their growth and development was noted in August–October, the productivity of the root mass was 900 grams. In the conditions of mountain Dagestan, richer soils and watering are needed to grow a new culture. As in other regions of Russia in Dagestan, S. sonchifolius do not go through a full development cycle, only vegetative growth phases are noted.

Increased phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of the heated leaves of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius).

We investigated the content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of two batches of non-heated and heated leaves of the yacon cultivar "Andes no yuki", grown in Japan. Lyophilized yacon leaves heated at 160°C for 20 min and 100°C for 60 min had a 1.96 to 9.69-times higher total phenolic content than that of the non-heated leaves. Heated leaves exhibited a 1.98 to 4.07-times higher antioxidant capacity than that of the non-heated leaves in three different free radical scavenging assays. Heated leaves were more efficient at attenuating the superoxide anion radical production in human granulocytic cells than the non-heated leaves. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that, in the heated leaves, the caffeic acid content was 2.13 to 3.64-times higher and the chlorogenic acid content was slightly lower than those in the non-heated leaves. Hence, heat processing may affect the active constituent contents in yacon leaves, potentiating its antioxidant capacity.Abbreviations: ABTS+: 2,2'-azinobis(2-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) cation; DPPH: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, HPLC: high-performance liquid chromatography; NBT: nitroblue tetrazolium; O2-: superoxide anion; PMA: phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate; PMS: phenazine methosulfate; TEAC: Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity.

Functional activities of neutrophils in diabetic rats are changed by yacon extracts

Introduction. Characterization of the polymorphonuclear neutrophils functional activity during the diabetes is of outmost importance for the understanding of the immunological processes involved in disease pathogenesis. The search for effective drugs that would suppress and/or modulate the immune response, preferably without negative effects, is a promising area of modern research. Smallanthus sonchifolius Poepp. et Endl., which has long been used in folk medicine to treat diabetes, was proposed as a potential treatment for immune disorders. The study aimed to search for the effective drug which would be able to regulate neutrophils functional activity in experimentally induced type 1 diabetes mellitus. Material and methods. The experiments were conducted on male Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced by intraabdominal injection of streptozotocin. For the evaluation of phagocytic activity and the content of cationic proteins and myeloperoxidase in neutrophils cytochemical studies were performed. Results. Diabetes development was accompanied by reduced phagocytic activity of granulocytes and increased activity of myeloperoxidase. All used extracts intensified phagocytic activity of neutrophil in diabetes, with the yacon root tubers extract demonstrating the strongest effect, which was reflected by rapid degradation of particles engulfed by phagocytes. Conclusions. It was established that yacon extracts inhibit myeloperoxidase activity in diabetes. Therefore all investigated extracts have a pronounced immunocorrective effect and can become the basis for creating a new generation of antidiabetic drugs.

Low phenylalanine breads as an alternative for patients with phenylketonuria

PurposePatients with phenylketonuria (PKU) require a phenylalanine (Phe)-restricted diet due to its toxic effects on such subjects. Considering the low availability of specific foods for these patients, the purpose of this paper is to make breads with low Phe content while also conducting physicochemical and sensory analysis of the samples.Design/methodology/approachFive bread formulations with a common base were prepared, in which manioc – Manihot esculenta (T1); Baroa potato – Arracacia xanthorrhiza (T2); sweet potatoes – Ipomoea batatas (T3); potatoes – Solanum tuberosum (T4); and, finally, yacon potato – Smallanthus sonchifolius (T5) were added.FindingsThe physical analysis showed that the samples had similar weight, height and size values, indicating that the use of different types of vegetables does not compromise the final result of the preparation. The chemical analysis showed that the loaves were low in protein and Phe and, therefore, are considered safe preparations for patients with PKU. In the sensory analysis, all the preparations presented satisfactory characteristics for consumption, specially the one with the addition of potato.Research limitations/implicationsThe preparation of breads with low Phe content is a challenging task as it is necessary to exclude formulations with flours that present better technological performance. However, the results in this study showed that it is possible to get around the difficulties and obtain a viable product with easily purchased ingredients. It is known that sensory analysis with PKU patients as judges could have changed these results because their perception can differ from that of general population. The workgroup is continuing this study and we intend to take sensory analysis with PKU patients to future, as they have a pathology, the study needs special care and respectful ethical aspects.Originality/valuePKU has a direct influence on the daily diet of the patient, interfering with life decisions that go form eating at their home to where and what to eat in environments out of their control. Therefore, creating specific preparations for such patients is a challenge that assists in adherence to dietary therapy.

A Sustainable Wholesome Foodstuff; Health Effects and Potential Dietotherapy Applications of Yacon.

A sustainable food supply is an ever-growing public and planetary health concern influenced by food culture, food practices, and dietary patterns. Globally, the consumption of plant foods that offer physiological and biochemical benefits is increasing. In recent years, products made from yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) tubers and leaves, e.g., in the form of syrup, powder, and herbal tea, have steadily emerged with scientific evidence to validate their possible health claims. Yacon was introduced to New Zealand in 1966, and its products can now be produced on a commercial scale. This paper reviews literature published mainly in the last 10 years concerning the health-related properties of yacon as a wholesome foodstuff and its bioactive components, e.g., fructooligosaccharides. Literature was sourced from Web of Science, PubMed, EBSCO Health, and Google Scholar up to June 2019. The potential markets for yacon in the field of food technology and new dietotherapy applications are discussed. Furthermore, the unique features of New Zealand-produced yacon syrup are introduced as a case study. The paper explores the scientific foundation in response to the growing public interest in why and how to use yacon.

First Report of Meloidogyne inornata on Smallanthus sonchifolius in Brazil

HomePlant DiseaseVol. 104, No. 2First Report of Meloidogyne inornata on Smallanthus sonchifolius in Brazil PreviousNext DISEASE NOTES OPENOpen Access licenseFirst Report of Meloidogyne inornata on Smallanthus sonchifolius in BrazilG. R. Camara, A. H. O. Carvalho, A. G. Teixeira, M. L. S. M. Ferreira, F. L. de Oliveira, W. B. Moraes, and F. R. AlvesG. R. Camara†Corresponding author: G. R. Camara; E-mail Address: camara.gdr@gmail.comhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-8181-429XGraduate Program in Plant Production, UFES, 29500-000, Alegre, ES, BrazilSearch for more papers by this author, A. H. O. CarvalhoIFES, 29.395-000, Ibatiba, ES, BrazilSearch for more papers by this author, A. G. TeixeiraGraduate Program in Plant Production, UFES, 29500-000, Alegre, ES, BrazilSearch for more papers by this author, M. L. S. M. FerreiraGraduate Program in Plant Production, UFES, 29500-000, Alegre, ES, BrazilSearch for more papers by this author, F. L. de OliveiraDepartment of Agronomy, UFES, 29500-000, Alegre, ES, BrazilSearch for more papers by this author, W. B. Moraeshttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-7478-7772Department of Agronomy, UFES, 29500-000, Alegre, ES, BrazilSearch for more papers by this author, and F. R. AlvesDepartment of Agronomy, UFES, 29500-000, Alegre, ES, BrazilSearch for more papers by this author AffiliationsAuthors and Affiliations G. R. Camara1 † A. H. O. Carvalho2 A. G. Teixeira1 M. L. S. M. Ferreira1 F. L. de Oliveira3 W. B. Moraes3 F. R. Alves3 1Graduate Program in Plant Production, UFES, 29500-000, Alegre, ES, Brazil 2IFES, 29.395-000, Ibatiba, ES, Brazil 3Department of Agronomy, UFES, 29500-000, Alegre, ES, Brazil Published Online:30 Nov 2019https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-08-19-1739-PDNAboutSectionsSupplemental ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmailWechat World production of yacon potatoes (Smallanthus sonchifolius Poepp. Endl) has increased by 140% in recent years (MAPA 2018). The generation of phytosanitary knowledge regarding nematodes is an immediate demand, considering the increase in the production of food and the scarcity of information about the causative agents of diseases in the culture (Gusso et al. 2015; Oliveira et al. 2013). In Brazil, two important pathogens have been reported on yacon: the fungus Fusarium oxysporum (Moraes et al. 2017) and the root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne ethiopica (Carneiro and Almeida 2005). Plants randomly collected from commercial farms located in the district of Alto Norte, Muniz Freire, Espírito Santo, Brazil (20°14′39.0″S, 41°24′43.1″W), distributed in the field at a regular dispersion gradient, showed uniformly intense leaf yellowing (leaf chlorosis) symptoms, distributed on the leaf surface, especially in the lower leaves, small size (dwarfism), wilting at the hottest hours of the day, and galls throughout the plant root system. Phytonematodes were identified parasitizing absorption roots, tuberous roots, and rhizophores of S. sonchifolius. With the main purpose of multiplication the RKN species, 12 egg masses were individually collected from the absorption roots, tuberous roots, and rhizophores of S. sonchifolius and macerated in Eppendorf tubes (5 ml) containing distilled sterilized water and were inoculated in 12 tomato seedlings (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Santa Clara’) kept in pots containing a sterile mixture of soil, sand, and manure in a ratio of 2:1:1. The pots with tomato seedlings were kept in a greenhouse for 60 days under the same conditions of soil (a sterile mixture), temperature (28 ± 5°C), and humidity. With the main purpose extraction of the RKN species and reproduction of the symptoms observed in the field, 12 egg masses were individually collected from the tomato roots and macerated in Eppendorf tubes (5 ml) containing distilled sterilized water and were inoculated in 12 absorption roots and tuberous roots of S. sonchifolius kept in pots containing a sterile mixture of soil, sand, and manure in a ratio of 2:1:1. The pots with S. sonchifolius seedlings were kept in a greenhouse for 60 days under the same conditions of soil (a sterile mixture), temperature (28 ± 5°C), and humidity to reproduce the symptoms observed in the field, fulfilling Koch’s postulates. The final population density (Pf) of phytonematodes was quantified, being higher than the initial population density (Pi – inoculated). Only the inoculated plants showed the same typical symptoms observed in S. sonchifolius plants collected in the field. The biochemical technique of isoenzyme electrophoresis was used for the identification (Carneiro and Almeida 2001). Eight young females extracted from infected yacon potato roots were macerated in Eppendorf tubes (5 ml) containing distilled sterilized water, and a species-specific enzyme phenotype I3 (Rm: 0.8, 1.1, 1.25) was identified, corresponding to M. inornata recently considered as a species belonging to M. ethiopica group (Gerič Stare et al. 2019). A protein extract of M. javanica was included as a reference. It is concluded, therefore, that the causal agent of the observed field symptoms in the Alto Norte district, Muniz Freire, Espírito Santo, Brazil, is due to M. inornata parasitism. This is the first report of M. inornata officially diagnosed causing damage to commercial production of S. sonchifolius in Brazil.The author(s) declare no conflict of interest.

Metabolomic and gene expression approaches reveal the developmental and environmental regulation of the secondary metabolism of yac\xf3n (Smallanthus sonchifolius, Asteraceae)

Acting as chemical defense or signaling compounds, secondary metabolites (SMs) play an essential role in the evolutionary success of many angiosperm plant families. However, the adaptive advantages that SMs confer, and the influence of environmental and developmental factors on SMs expression, remains poorly understood. A study of taxa endemic to the variable Andean climate, using a metabolomics approach, may provide further insight. By analyzing gene expression patterns and metabolic fingerprints, we report herein the developmental and environmental regulation of the secondary metabolism of Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacón), a medicinal Andean plant. Our results demonstrate a clear developmental stage dependent regulation of the secondary metabolism of yacón leaves wherein the metabolic diversity increases with plant age. However, environmental factors seem to regulate biosynthetic pathways, creating differences in the expression of chemical classes, pointing to an association between transcription levels of relevant genes and the relative amounts of more than 40 different metabolites. This study suggests that the secondary metabolism of yacón is regulated by a complex interplay between environmental factors and developmental stage and provides insight into the regulatory factors and adaptive roles of SMs in Andean taxa.

Environmental and Economic Performance of Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) Cultivated for Fructooligosaccharide Production

As the prevalence of diabetes is predicted to rise globally in the coming decades, the demand for sugar substitutes is expected to increase significantly. In this context, natural sweeteners have been receiving particular attention, as artificial sweeteners have been associated with obesity and cardiovascular disease. One natural sweetener is yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) ((Poepp. and Endl.) H. Robinson), which could play a prominent role due to its high fructooligosaccharides yield. Yacon is currently only a minor crop in Europe and there is little information available on the environmental and economic impacts of its various cultivation systems. These are especially affected by nitrogen fertilization levels and genotype selection. Thus, before the crop is introduced on a larger scale, it is expedient to identify the most sustainable cultivation system. The life-cycle assessment (LCA) and life-cycle costing (LCC) analysis of yacon cultivation systems conducted in this study revealed significant differences between yacon genotypes and found that a nitrogen fertilization level of 80 kg N ha−1 significantly decreased production costs and simultaneously led to a comparatively good environmental performance. The results indicated that, for the holistic evaluation of agricultural systems, it is crucial to assess both the economic and environmental performance of new crops.

Anticancer Activity of Smallanthus sonchifolius Methanol Extract against Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells.

Background: This research aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity of methanol extract of Smallanthus sonchifolius leaf (YLE) against a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2). This plant is currently used as a traditional herbal remedy in the treatment of liver diseases in some rural parts of Myanmar. Methods: The cytotoxic activity of the plant extract against the cancerous cell line was assessed using an MTT assay. YLE demonstrated a significant effect (IC50 = 58.2 ± 1.9 μg/mL) on anti-cancer activity, which was further investigated using various assays including an in vitro cell migration assay, a colony formation assay, cell cycle analysis, western blot analysis, and a ROS assay. The significance of the phytochemical constituents of YLE could be identified using LC/Q-TOF-MS techniques. Results: We putatively identified the active components in YLE, which were possibly melampolide-type sesquiterpenoids. YLE showed an inhibitory effect on HepG2 cell proliferation and cell migration. YLE also induced cell cycle arrest and necrosis in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, YLE significantly suppressed ROS formation in HepG2 cells. Conclusions: These findings suggest that YLE is sufficient for application as a promising anti-liver drug in herbal medicine.

Oral administration effect of yacon, ginger and blueberry on the growth, body composition and plasma chemistry of juvenile olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) and immunity test against Streptococcus iniae compared to a commercial probiotic, Lactobacillus fermentum

Dietary inclusion effect of yacon (YC), ginger (GG) and blueberry (BB) on the growth, feed utilization, body composition and plasma chemistry of olive flounder and immunity test against Streptococcus iniae compared to a commercial probiotic (Lactobacillus fermentum) was investigated. Six hundred fish were randomly distributed into 15, 50 L flow-through tanks (40 fish per tank). Five experimental diets were prepared in triplicates. No additives were added in the control (CON) diet. The commercially available 0.5% L. fermentum and 1% each of YC, GG and BB powder were included instead of an equal amount of water and wheat flour, referred to as the LF, YCP, GGP and BBP diets, respectively. Fish were daily fed with one of the experimental diets for 8 weeks. At the end of the 4 and 8-week feeding trials, fish were artificially infected with S. iniae and the cumulative mortality was monitored for the next 8 days. No differences in growth performance, feed utilization, body composition and plasma chemistry were observed at the end of the 8-week feeding trial. However, the highest cumulative mortality was observed in fish fed the CON diet starting at 42 h until the end of 8-day post observation after the both 4 and 8-week feeding trials. The cumulative mortality of fish fed the YCP, GGP and BBP diets was comparable to the LF diet. Therefore, YC, GG and BB were effective as immunostimulant against S. iniae rather than growth promoter of olive flounder.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of the Main Fruits, Tubers and Legumes Traditionally Consumed in the Andean Regions of Ecuador as a Source of Health-Promoting Compounds.

Thirteen fruits, eight legumes and three tubers consumed in the Andean regions of Ecuador were studied to determine their bioactive compounds, organic acids, sugars content, total antioxidant capacity, as well as to determine which among them showed the greatest contribution in terms of antioxidant activity and which compounds contributed to it. Among fruits, taxo fruits (Passiflora mollissima (Kunth) L.H. Bailey) presented the highest values of total phenolic, carotene content, and total antioxidant capacity. The ají ratón (Capsicum chinense Jacq) showed the highest content of vitamin C. Taxo showed the highest content of β carotene, whilst lycopene was identified only in guayaba fruits (Psidium guajava L.) and ají ratón was the principal source of lutein. In legumes, chocho perla (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet) showed the highest values for both total phenolic and flavonoid content, whilst frejol negro (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and frejol canario (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) showed the highest values for FRAP and DPPH assay, respectively. Between tubers, the jícama (Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp.) H. Rob.) had the majors values in terms of total phenolic, flavonoid content, and total antioxidant capacity. In terms of total antioxidant capacity, taxo fruits have the highest contribution in terms of total antioxidant capacity, whilst the dendogram shown the occurrence of five distinct groups in which taxo was located in the first largest group. Our data contributing towards gaining better knowledge about the Andean Ecuadorian diet and the composition of Andean food in order to estimate dietary intakes of health-promoting components.