Volatile constituents of uncooked rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum L.) stalks

Volatiles of rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum L.) stalks were isolated by means of vacuum headspace method and analyzed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Fifty-nine components were reported for the first time in rhubarb. A striking feature of the extracts obtained is the preponderance (approximately 65%) of compounds with C(6) skeletons. In addition to unsaturated C(6) aldehydes and alcohols, substantial amounts of the less common (E)-2- and (E)-3-hexenoic acid were detected. Gas chromatography-olfactometry and determination of odor activity values revealed the sensory importance of the C(6) compounds to the aroma of rhubarb. Comparative experiments involving the inhibition of enzyme activities revealed that the initial spectrum of C(6) components is changed due to subsequent isomerization and reductions. Thus, contributions of (Z)-3-hexenal and the unsaturated acids decrease, and (E)-2-hexenal/(E)-2-hexenol play major sensory roles.     

Compressive properties of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) stalks

Compressive behaviour of hemp (Cannabis Sativ L.) stems is important for the design of hemp handling and processing machines. Experiments were carried out to measure the compressive properties of stems from two hemp varieties: Alyssa (grown for fibre only) and Petera (grown for both fibre and seed), produced in Manitoba, Canada. The physical properties of the hemp specimens were measured. For each variety, an air-dried hemp stem was divided into three height sections along the stem: upper, middle and lower. For each section, the hemp stem was further cut into 25.4 mm long specimens. Individual specimens were compressed in the axial and lateral directions using a universal testing machine. The load-displacement curves were recorded, and compressive properties were derived from the load-displacement curves. The outer diameter of the hollow hemp specimens varied from 6 to 17 mm; the linear density varied from 10 to 37 g m⁻¹. Diameter and linear density were greater for Petera than Alyssa, and at the lower height section than the higher section for both varieties. The compression tests showed that the maximum compressive load varied from 58 to 1425 N, and the energy requirement varied from 23 to 1809 mJ, depending on the variety, height section and diameter of stem, and compression direction. In general, the maximum compressive load and the energy requirement were greater in the lower section and for larger diameters; higher loads and energy were observed for Petera than for Alyssa and for the axial compression direction than for the lateral direction.     

Enantioselective analysis of secondary alcohols and their esters in purple and yellow passion fruits

The enantiomeric compositions of the acetates, butanoates, hexanoates, and octanoates of the secondary alcohols 2-pentanol, 2-heptanol, and 2-nonanol were determined in yellow (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) and purple (Passiflora edulis Sims) passion fruits. The compounds were isolated by means of simultaneous distillation-extraction. Enantiodifferentiation was performed via multidimensional gas chromatography using heptakis(2,3-di-O-methyl-6-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-beta-cyclodextrin as chiral stationary phase. The series of homologous 2-alkyl esters, which are typical constituents of purple passion fruits, were shown to be present as nearly optically pure (R)-enantiomers. The proportions of the (S)-enantiomers varied in different batches and were dependent on the alcohol moieties of the esters. For minor amounts of esters detected in yellow fruits, the (R)-enantiomers were also dominating. However, the enantiomeric excesses were significantly lower than in the purple variety. Enantioselective analysis of the free alcohols revealed that 2-heptanol exhibited opposite configurations in purple and yellow passion fruits. A similar phenomenon was observed for 2-pentanol, which was present in the yellow fruits as a nearly racemic mixture. Data determined in extracts obtained by other techniques (liquid-liquid extraction, vacuum headspace technique) showed that the isolation procedure had no significant impact on the enantiomeric ratios.     

Quantification of sterols and aliphatic alcohols in Mediterranean stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) populations

Individual components of Pinus pinea L. oil unsaponifiable matter isolated from seven Mediterranean populations were identified and quantified. P. pinea oil unsaponifiable matter contained very high levels of phytosterols (>or=4298 mg kg-1 of total extracted lipids), of which beta-sitosterol was the most abundant (74%). Aliphatic alcohol contents were 1365 mg kg-1 of total extracted lipids, of which octacosanol was the most abundant (41%). Two alcohols (hexacosanol and octacosanol), which are usually absent in common vegetable oils, were described for P. pinea oils. There were almost no differences in the total unsaponifiable matter of the seven Mediterranean populations studied. However, sterol and aliphatic alcohol contents showed some variability, with Tunisian and Moroccan populations showing very different and higher contents.     

Regrowth in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and rye (Secale cereale L.)

Regrowth after cutting at four development stages, from heading to grain maturity, was investigated in a pot experiment containing three rye and four barley varieties. Regrowth in the barley varieties decreased strongly from heading to grain maturity. Rye generally showed stronger regrowth than barley after late cutting, but only the perennial variety ‘Soperta’ regenerated as many tillers at cutting as formed when harvested at the ripe grain stage. In both species, significant differences were found between varieties. The level of soluble carbohydrates reached a maximum between heading and maturity, but differences in regrowth could not be explained by such differences. Total N decreased from heading to maturity, except for perennial rye, where an increase was observed towards ripening. It is, however, uncertain whether this was an effect rather than a cause of the regrowth.     

Enzyme-assisted acidolysis of borage (Borago officinalis L.) and evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) oils: incorporation of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Lipase-catalyzed acidolysis of borage (Borago officinalis L.) and evening primrose (Oenothera biennisL.) oils with long-chain omega3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), namely, eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, was carried out in hexane, and the products were analyzed using gas chromatography. The most effective lipase for incorporation of omega3 PUFA into these oils was Pseudomonas sp. as compared to lipases from Mucor miehei and Candida antarctica. Response surface methodology was used to obtain a maximum yield of EPA+DHA incorporation while using the minimum amount of enzyme possible. The process variables studied were the amount of enzyme (150-350 units), reaction temperature (30-60 degrees C), and reaction time (6-30 h). All experiments were carried out according to a face-centered cube design. Under optimum conditions, incorporation of EPA+DHA was 35.5% in borage oil and 33. 6% in evening primrose oil. The modified borage and evening primrose oils containing gamma-linolenic acid, EPA, and DHA were successfully produced and may have potential health benefits.     

Content of phenolic acids and ferulic acid dehydrodimers in 17 rye (Secale cereale L.) varieties

The contents of pnenolic acids and ferulic acid dehydrodimers were quantified by HPLC analysis after alkaline hydrolysis in kernels of 17 rye (Secale cereale L.) varieties grown in one location in Denmark during 1997 and 1998. Significant variations (P < 0.05) with regard to the concentration of the analyzed components were observed among the different rye varieties and also between different harvest years. However, the content of phenolic acids in the analyzed rye varieties was narrow compared to cereals such as wheat and barley. The concentration of ferulic acid, the most abundant phenolic acid ranged from 900 to 1170 microgram g(-1) dry matter. The content in sinapic acid ranged from 70 to 140 microgram g(-1) dry matter, p-coumaric acid ranged from 40 to 70 microgram g(-1) dry matter, and caffeic, p-hydroxybenzoic, protocatechuic, and vanillic acids were all detected in concentrations less than 20 microgram g(-1) dry matter. The most abundant ferulic acid dehydrodimer 8-O-4 -DiFA was quantified in concentrations from 130 to 200 microgram g(-1) dry matter followed by 8,5 -DiFA benzofuran form (50-100 microgram g(-1) dry matter), 5,5 -DiFA (40-70 microgram g(-1) dry matter), and 8,5 -DiFA (20-40 microgram g(-1) dry matter).     

Phenolics in Slovenian bilberries ( Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and blueberries ( Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Phenolics from bilberries ( Vaccinium myrtillus L.) sampled from seven different locations and highbush blueberries ( Vaccinium corymbosum L.) from one location in Slovenia were analyzed. In samples of both species 15 anthocyanins were identified by LC-MS/MS. Their contents were expressed as cyanidin 3-glucoside equivalents (C3GE); bilberries contained 1210.3 ± 111.5 mg C3GE/100 g fw and blueberries 212.4 ± 14.1 mg C3GE/100 g fw. Glycosides of delphinidin and cyanidin were predominant (488.5 vs 363.6 mg C3GE/100 g fw) in the bilberries and glycosides of malvidin (108.0 vs 100.8 mg C3GE/100 g fw) in the blueberries, whereas the contents of peonidin were lowest (74.5 vs 4.8 mg C3GE/100 g fw) in both berries. The contents of flavanols, flavonols, phenolic acids, and stilbenes were determined by LC-MS. For the first time, rutin was identified (bilberries, 0.2 ± 0.0 mg/100 g fw; blueberries, 3.1 ± 0.1 mg/100 g fw). Chlorogenic acid (as 3-caffeoylquinic acid) was the most abundant among the phenolic acids (23.1 ± 1.0 mg/100 g fw in bilberries and 70.0 ± 3.4 mg/100 g fw in blueberries). Statistical analysis shows that the content of 27 individual flavonoids, phenolic acids, and stilbenes can be used to identify the picking region of these Slovenian bilberries.     

Allelochemicals in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): cultivar difference in the exudation of phenolic acids

Analysis by GC-MS/MS showed that a worldwide collection of 58 wheat accessions differed significantly in the amounts of 7 known phenolic acids exuded by the living roots of 17-day-old wheat seedlings. The quantities of exuded allelochemicals varied with the specific compound and ranged from 2.3 to 18.6, from 0.6 to 17.5, from 0.1 to 4.9, from 0.0 to 52.7, from 0.33 to 12.7, from 1.5 to 20.5, and from 1.6 to 23.4 microg/L of water/agar for p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, cis-p-coumaric, syringic, cis-ferulic, trans-p-coumaric, and trans-ferulic acids, respectively. The concentrations of p-hydroxybenzoic and vanillic acids exuded by wheat seedlings were normally distributed in the 58 accessions. The level of each phenolic acid in root exudates did not correlate well to that previously observed in wheat. In comparison with weakly allelopathic accessions, strongly allelopathic accessions exuded larger quantities of allelochemicals into the growth medium. The chemical basis for wheat seedling allelopathy is an area for further investigation.     

Potassium efficiency of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

The oil crop safflower may have a certain production potential under low‐input conditions (organic farming, developing countries), where the putatively low nutrient requirement is highly welcomed. However, current knowledge regarding the nutrient use efficiency of safflower as compared to similar oil crops is limited. It was thus the aim of this study to determine the potassium (K) use efficiency of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) as compared to sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Safflower and sunflower were cultivated with increasing K supply in a mixture of equal volumes of sand, nutrient‐poor limed soil, and perlite in 5 L Mitscherlich pots. Both species responded strongly to increasing K supply with respect to growth and yield. Safflower out‐yielded sunflower at low K supply, while at high K level, the opposite was observed. Both species accumulated similar amounts of K in shoots at low K supply. Only at extremely low K supply, safflower took up more K than sunflower. However, achene yield of sunflower exceeded that of safflower at optimal and high K supply. Safflower utilized absorbed K more efficiently than sunflower to produce achene yield at suboptimal K supply in terms of both efficiency ratio and utilization index. The efficiency of a crop to use supplied or accumulated K for dry‐matter and achene production was interpreted in terms of Michaelis‐Menten kinetics, specifically addressing the shape of the yield response curve. Indeed, the efficiency of safflower to use K for growth and yield, analogue to a low K_m in enzyme kinetics, was higher than in sunflower, while the K supply or K accumulation required to initiate yield formation in safflower was significantly lower. Similarly, safflower had a lower external K requirement for achene yield than sunflower at low and optimal K supplies. It can be concluded that safflower represents a low‐input crop and outperforms sunflower on soils low in available K. The data analysis also reveals that using just one efficiency indicator is usually not sufficient to adequately describe the K efficiency of the crop under consideration.     

Extraction and HPLC analysis of phenolic compounds in leaves, stalks, and textile fibers of Urtica dioica L

In the present study the phenolic composition of leaves, stalks, and textile fiber extracts from Urtica dioica L. is described. Taking into account the increasing demand for textile products made from natural fibers and the necessity to create sustainable "local" processing chains, an Italian project was funded to evaluate the cultivation of nettle fibers in the region of Tuscany. The leaves of two nettle samples, cultivated and wild (C and W), contain large amounts of chlorogenic and 2- O-caffeoylmalic acid, which represent 71.5 and 76.5% of total phenolics, respectively. Flavonoids are the main class in the stalks: 54.4% of total phenolics in C and 31.2% in W samples. Anthocyanins are second in quantitative importance and are present only in nettle stalks: 28.6% of total phenolics in C and 24.4% in W extracts. Characterization of phenolic compounds in nettle extracts is an important result with regard to the biological properties (antioxidant and antiradical) of these metabolites for their possible applications in various industrial activities, such as food/feed, cosmetics, phytomedicine, and textiles.     

Genetic analysis of root traits in tropical carrots (Daucus carota L.)

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Carrot root being used as vegetable and salad due to the nutritional value, hence consumers demanding carrot production. Thus, the production can be achieved...     

Genetic inheritance analysis of four enzymes in date-palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

The genetic inheritance of four date-palm enzymes hasbeen carried out in 29 Tunisian cultivars. Our data provide evidenceof five polymorphic genes involving 12 alleles. It has been assumedthat either Pgm or Shdh are specified by three different alleles,while Got-1, Got-2 and Pgi-2 loci are biallelicgenes. On the other hand, analysis throughout progenies of twocontrolled crosses support significantly these hypothesis. In thewhole, results are in agreement with reports that describeddate-palm isozymes. Nevertheless, we assume that other alleleare involved in Pgm gene. Also, isozymes controlled by Got-2locus are of a dimeric structure. Opportunely, it can be establishedthat the resultant isoenzymes would constitute polymorphic markerssuitable to analyze the genetic diversity in date-palm.     

Phosphorus use Efficiency of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) and Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

This study comparatively evaluates phosphorus (P) use efficiency of safflower and sunflower in view of identifying low input oil crops. Sunflower accumulated more P than safflower at all equivalent P supplies. Sunflower was more efficient at their best P supplies to utilize absorbed P than safflower in terms of efficiency ratio and utilization index. Yield response curves interpreting the functional relationship between nutrient supply and yield using Michaelis-Menten equation indicate that sunflower is less sensitive to inadequate P supply and thus more P-efficient than safflower with respect to yield, as the term ‘Km’ is lower for sunflower. The minimal P amount per pot required to trigger yield formation (term ‘Cmin’) was lower in sunflower than safflower. Harvest Index in sunflower out-yielded that of safflower at all P supplies. Critical deficiency contents of sunflower were lower than that for safflower. It can be concluded that safflower cannot be considered as low-input crop.     

Comparison of phenolic acids profile and antioxidant potential of six varieties of spelt (Triticum spelta L.)

Phenolic acids profile and antioxidant activity of six diverse varieties of spelt are reported. Antioxidant activity was assessed using eight methods based on different mechanism of action. Phenolic acids composition of spelt differed significantly between varieties and ranged from 506.6 to 1257.4 μg/g DW. Ferulic and sinapinic acids were the predominant phenolic acids found in spelt. Total ferulic acid content ranged from 144.2 to 691.5 μg/g DW. All analyzed spelt varieties possessed high antioxidant potential. In spite of the fact that bound phenolic acids possessed higher antioxidant activities, analysis of antioxidant potential and their relationship with phenolic acid content showed that free phenolics were more effective. Eight antioxidant methods were integrated to obtain a total antioxidant capacity index that may be used for comparison of total antioxidant capacity of spelt varieties. Total antioxidant potential of spelt cultivars were ordered as follows: Ceralio > Spelt INZ ≈ Ostro > Oberkulmer Rotkorn > Schwabenspelz > Schwabenkorn.     

Polyhydroxylated alkaloids isolated from mulberry trees (Morusalba L.) and silkworms (Bombyx mori L.)

New polyhydroxylated alkaloids, (2R,3R,4R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidine-N-propionamide from the root bark of Morus alba L., and 4-O-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-calystegine B(2) and 3 beta,6 beta-dihydroxynortropane from the fruits, were isolated by column chromatography using a variety of ion-exchange resins. Fifteen other polyhydroxylated alkaloids were also isolated. 1-Deoxynojirimycin, a potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, was concentrated 2.7-fold by silkworms feeding on mulberry leaves. Some alkaloids contained in mulberry leaves were potent inhibitors of mammalian digestive glycosidases but not inhibitors of silkworm midgut glycosidases, suggesting that the silkworm has enzymes specially adapted to enable it to feed on mulberry leaves. The possibility of preventing the onset of diabetes and obesity using natural dietary supplements containing 1-deoxynojirimycin and other alpha-glucosidase inhibitors in high concentration is of great potential interest.     

Sensory-directed identification of taste-active ellagitannins in American (Quercus alba L.) and European oak wood (Quercus robur L.) and quantitative analysis in bourbon whiskey and oak-matured red wines

Aimed at increasing our knowledge on the sensory-active nonvolatiles migrating from oak wood into alcoholic beverages upon cooperaging, an aqueous ethanolic extract prepared from oak wood chips (Quercus alba L.) was screened for its key taste compounds by application of the taste dilution analysis. Purification of the compounds perceived with the highest sensory impacts, followed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry as well as one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR experiments, revealed the ellagitannins vescalagin, castalagin, and grandinin, the roburins A-E, and 33-deoxy-33-carboxyvescalagin as the key molecules imparting an astringent oral sensation. To the best of our knowledge, 33-deoxy-33-carboxyvescalagin has as yet not been reported as a phytochemical in Q. alba L. In addition, the sensory activity of these ellagitannins was determined for the first time on the basis of their human threshold concentrations and dose/response functions. Furthermore, the ellagitannins have been quantitatively determined in extracts prepared from Q. alba L. and Quercus robur L., respectively, as well as in bourbon whiskey and oak-matured red wines, and the sensory contribution of the individual compounds has been evaluated for the first time on the basis of dose/activity considerations.     

Diagnosis of zinc deficiency in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) by plant analysis

Abstract

Critical values of zinc (Zn) concentration in young leaves Here established for the diagnosis of Zn deficiency in peanut by examining the relationship of Zn concentration in leaves to shoot dry matter (DM) at two growth stages of plants grown in pots of Zn deficient sand at seven levels of Zn supply (0, 67, 133, 200 267, 533, and 1067 μg Zn/kg soil). Zinc deficient peanut accumulated reddish pigments in stems, petioles and leaf veins in addition to the more common symptoms of Zn deficiency in plants. Zinc concentrations increased with increasing Zn supply in the blades of the youngest fully expanded leaf (YFEL) and in the blades of the leaves immediately older (YFEL+1) and younger (YFEL‐1) than it: they also increased with increasing Zn supply in the petioles of the YFEL+1 and YFEL and in the basal stem internode but their Zn concentrations Here always much lower than those in the blades. Critical Zn concentrations in the blades of the YFEL and YFEL+1 Here 8–10 mg Zn/kg DM at early pegging and mid pod filling: values for YFEL‐1 were similar but more variable. The blade of the YFEL is recommended for diagnosis of Zn deficiency in peanut and 8–10 mg Zn/kg DM as its critical value.     

Genetic diversity and systematic relationships in sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) and related species as revealed by RAPD analysis

Summary Fifteen 10mer primers, in combination with the Stoffel fragment, were used to detect random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPDs) among 26 accessions of sweetpotato (I. batatas (L.) Lam.) from Oceania, Peru, the Philippines, and the United States and between 8 Ipomoea species from section Batatas. Phenetic and principal coordinate analysis of the 56 polymorphisms detected within the hexaploid I. batatas clearly delineated the South Pacific and the Peruvian sweetpotato lines. The two U.S. cultivars clustered with the Oceanic materials. Cladistic and phenetic analysis of 8 Ipomoea species supports previously published phylogenies based on morphological and RFLP data. Among the species examined, I. tabascana, I. trifida and the tetraploid forms of I. batatas from Mexico and Ecuador, including I. batatas var. apiculata, are the taxa most closely related to the cultivated hexaploid I. batatas. These findings support the utility of RAPD markers for evaluating genetic diversity in sweetpotato and for establishing taxonomic and evolutionary relationships in Ipomoea.