Makrosymptome des Bor-Mangels an Mentha piperita L.

Macrosymptoms of boron deficiency in Mentha piperita L. The influence of boron deficiency on growth and development of Mentha piperita L. – var. Mitcham – was studied under controlled experimental conditions in solution culture. Acute boron deficiency depressed growth of stems and roots. Furthermore the following symptoms – well known as boron deficiency symptoms – occured in peppermint: restricted growth of internodes, leaf distortion, simplification of leaf form, dropping of parts of organs, bursting of cortex tissue, dis – colouration, chlorosis and necrosis. The typical symptom in dicots – death of growing point – could not be observed in peppermint. The visible symptoms of boron deficiency in peppermint are typical for that micronutrient. They can be helpful in diagnosing and curing that deficiency.     

Biogenetic studies in Mentha x piperita. 2. Stereoselectivity in the bioconversion of pulegone into menthone and isomenthone.

Mentha x piperita shoot tips and first leaf pairs were fed with aqueous solutions of different deuterium-labeled pulegone and various enantiomeric distributions. The essential oil was extracted by solid-phase microextraction and analyzed using enantioselective multidimensional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The genuine p-menthan-3-ones (-)-menthone and (+)-isomenthone as well as their labeled analogues were analyzed simultaneously. Both enantiomers of labeled pulegone were converted into the corresponding labeled p-menthan-3-ones by Mentha x piperita, indicating an unspecific reduction process. The generation of 4S- and 4R-configured p-menthan-3-ones differed in their stereoselectivities. Labeled (S)-pulegone was reduced by Mentha x piperita more rapidly rather than (R)-pulegone. From a comparison of labeled pulegone enantiomers the bioconversion preferrably led to 4S-configured diastereomers.     

Biosynthesis of menthofuran in Mentha x piperita: stereoselective and mechanistic studies.

Mentha x piperita shoot tips and first leaf pair were fed with aqueous solutions of [(2)H(2)]- and [(2)H(2)]/[(18)O]-labeled pulegone. The essential oil was analyzed by solid phase microextraction and enantioselective multidimensional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. After feeding experiments with labeled pulegone racemate, both labeled (S)-menthofuran and (R)-menthofuran were detectable simultaneously together with genuine (R)-menthofuran. It could be shown that both labeled pulegone enantiomers are converted by Mentha x piperita to the corresponding labeled menthofuran enantiomers, favoring the labeled analogue of the nongenuine (S)-pulegone. The oxygen in menthofuran is introduced by enzymatic oxidation of pulegone, as concluded from feeding experiments with mixed labeled [(2)H(2)]/[(18)O]pulegone.     

Der Einfluß von Dicyandiamid und N-Serve in Verbindung mit Ammoniumsulfat als N-Dünger auf die Nitrat- und Oxalsäuregehalte von Spinat (Spinacia oleracea)

Occurence of boron deficiency in Citrus aurantium L. (Bitter orange) at the Caspian Sea (Iran) In a Bitter orange plantation near the Caspian sea over a period of two years different amounts of boron were applied either as borax to the soil or as Solubor to the leaves. Without boron supply the fruits were misshapen, had a rough and thick peel and often brown spots in the pulp. Supply of 5 – 20 g B per tree prevented the occurence of these symptoms and increased both the fruit size and the proportion of the pulp. Without boron supply on fresh weight basis the proportion of pulp/peel was 1 : 1, 6 – 2, 0 as compared to 1 : 0, 6 – 0, 7 with boron supply. The effect of the different boron supply was well reflected in the boron content of the leaves and especially of the fruits. Borax increased the boron content of the plants more than Solubor. Conzidering both the low content of available boron in most of the soils of the Citrus area near the Caspian sea and the special ecological conditions (high pH values and low water content of the soils during fruit development) boron deficiency can be expected. The results of the experiment with Bitter oranges confirm that boron fertilizing is an important factor for plant production in this area.     

Changes in the enantiomeric distribution of selected volatile constituents of Mentha pulegium L. powders caused by hot water treatment

The variation, in general, of the composition of the aromatic fraction and, in particular, of the enantiomeric composition of certain chiral volatile compounds of commercial Mentha pulegium L. powders caused by boiling water was evaluated. A comparison between the volatile profile of the studied herbs demonstrated that most M. pulegium L. samples contained high proportions of Mentha piperita L., even when this information was not specified on the label. Likewise, substantial changes in the volatile fraction of the infusions with respect to the composition of the original plant used in their preparation were found. The enantiomeric composition of some chiral compounds of the dried plant material, particularly limonene, was modified by adding hot water, whereas others were kept invariable. The results shown in this work reflect the need for the control of the composition of commercial powders and brews of M. pulegium L. to ensure their correct application.     

Flavor retention of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) essential oil spray-dried in modified starches during encapsulation and storage

The effect of different commercial modified food starch carrier materials on the flavor retention of the essential oil (EO) of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) during spray drying and storage was evaluated. The obtained results revealed that the emulsification and encapsulation efficiencies of peppermint EO were higher for all n-octenyl succinic anhydride (OSAN)-modified starches as compared to those of hydrolyzed starches (dextrins). The compositions of pure, emulsified, and encapsulated peppermint EOs in different matrices were quite similar; however, some changes in the percentages of some individual compounds were observed. Larger differences in the compositions of surface oils from various encapsulation products were obtained. Flavor components were released at different rates by each of the encapsulated products. The aroma binding capacity of different modified starch matrices to lock EO droplets depends on the water activity, and the leakage of aromas from encapsulated powder products during storage increased with increasing water activity.     

Identification of monomenthyl succinate in natural mint extracts by LC-ESI-MS-MS and GC-MS

Fresh and dried mint leaves Mentha piperita (peppermint) and Mentha spicata (spearmint) were extracted in two different ways and the extracts investigated by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. All the ethanolic extracts prepared with Soxhlet apparatus were used in the identification of monomenthyl succinate as previously reported. The highest level was found in fresh spearmint leaves. The analysis of the extractions, prepared under mild conditions using a fluorinated solvent (HFC 134-a), confirmed the natural occurrence of monomenthyl succinate in the leaves, ruling out the hypothesis that this constituent could be an artifact of the Soxhlet extraction process. A method for identifying this compound in such a fluorinated solvent extract of mint leaf using preliminary esterification with diazomethane and then GC-MS is described.     

Antioxidant properties and composition of aqueous extracts from Mentha species, hybrids, varieties, and cultivars

Water-soluble extracts from the Mentha species M. aquatica L. and M. haplocalyx Briq., the hybrids M. x dalmatica L. and M. x verticillata L., the varieties M. arvensis var. japanensis [M. arvensis L. var. piperascens Holmes ex Christ] and M. spicata L. var. crispa Benth, and M. x piperita L. "Frantsila", M. "Morocco", and M. "Native Wilmet" cultivars were screened for potential antioxidative properties. These properties included iron(III) reduction, iron(II) chelation, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, and the ability to inhibit iron(III)-ascorbate-catalyzed hydroxyl radical-mediated brain phospholipid peroxidation. Total phenol content and qualitative and quantitative compositional analyses of each extract were also made. The extracts demonstrated varying degrees of efficacy in each assay, with the M. x piperita "Frantsila" extract being better than the other extracts, except for ferrous iron chelation. With the exception of iron chelation, it appeared that the level of activity identified was strongly associated with the phenolic content.     

Monoterpene composition of essential oil from peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.) with regard to leaf position using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis.

Monoterpene compounds of leaf pairs and flowers of Mentha x piperita have been studied by direct headspace sampling using solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS). The content of peppermint-characteristic compounds such as menthol, menthyl acetate, and neomenthol increased in a basipetal direction (older plant parts), whereas menthone and isomenthone showed higher levels in the acropetal direction (younger plant parts). Higher levels of menthofuran were found in peppermint flowers in contrast to the leaves. SPME sampling resulted in relatively higher amounts of high-volatile monoterpenes and lower detection of less volatile compounds such as menthol and menthone, compared to solvent-based samples from essential oil distillation.     

Gewebekulturen unter Bormangel

Tissue culture under conditions of boron deficiency Cambium tissue from sunflowers and carrots were cultured in nutrient solution according to Murashige and Skoog with graduated supplies of boron. A light-coloured and well growing callus was formed only in the presence of boron. Explants on a boron-deficient medium agglutinated at the edges, had only small areas of cell division and revealed appositions on the walls of some cells. Deficient tissues also became noticeably darker. Callus grown on normal medium and then transferred to boron-deficient medium slowed down in growth rate – at the latest after 4 weeks – and also turned dark. In contrast to normal calli, the deficient cultures could not be easily separated in water into individual cells or small cell groups. Moreover, the cells were smaller on the average and often revealed grainy contents and (in the case of carrots) accumulation of plasma at the ends of the cells. A large number of deficient cells were plasmolyzed. An accumulation of undifferentiated cells in the cambium region is particularly striking in dicotyledons under conditions of boron deficiency. If this symptom should be the result of cell division activity, then isolated cambium should react to boron deficiency with intensive cell division. Contrary to expectation, isolated cambium of sunflowers and carrots in tissue culture did not reveal a promotion of cell division under conditions of boron deficiency. These results indicate that the symptom of “increased cambium growth” in intact dicotyledons is due to a secondary effect of boron deficiency.     

Antimicrobial screening of Mentha piperita essential oils

Essential oils of peppermint Mentha piperita L. (Lamiaceae), which are used in flavors, fragrances, and pharmaceuticals, were investigated for their antimicrobial properties against 21 human and plant pathogenic microorganisms. The bioactivity of the oils menthol and menthone was compared using the combination of in vitro techniques such as microdilution, agar diffusion, and bioautography. It was shown that all of the peppermint oils screened strongly inhibited plant pathogenic microorganisms, whereas human pathogens were only moderately inhibited. Chemical compositions of the oils were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Using the bioautography assay, menthol was found to be responsible for the antimicrobial activity of these oils.     

Dissipation of propiconazole and tebuconazole in peppermint crops (Mentha piperita (Labiatae)) and their residues in distilled oils

The broad-spectrum, systemic fungicides propiconazole (1) and tebuconazole (2) are used to control rust in peppermint (Mentha piperita L.). An analytical method, using gas chromatography combined with detection by high-resolution mass spectrometry, was developed to allow for the simultaneous monitoring of both pesticides in peppermint leaves and oil. Field trials were established to determine the rate of dissipation of tebuconazole and propiconazole in peppermint crops. Three applications of each fungicide were trialed at two rates (125 and 250 g of active ingredient (ai)/ha). At harvest, 64 days after the final application, propiconazole was detected at levels of 0.06 mg/kg and 0.09 mg/kg of dry weight, and tebuconazole was detected at 0.26 and 0.80 mg/kg dry weight, in identical trials. Rates of dissipation of propiconazole and tebuconazole were lower at a second trial site, where three applications of 125 g/ha ai for each fungicide resulted in residue levels of 0.21 mg/kg for both pesticides, detected 89 days after the last application. Propiconazole and tebuconazole were detected in the distilled oil at levels between 0.02 and 0.05 mg/kg and between 0.011 and 0.041 mg/kg, respectively. Propiconazole had a higher tendency to co-distill with the peppermint oil, with 0.7% of that present in the vegetative material ending up in the oil, compared to 0.09% of tebuconazole.     

Photosynthesis,chlorophyll fluorescence and soluble carbohydrates in sunflower leaves as affected by boron deficiency

The effect of various boron levels in the nutrient solution on the growth, boron and chlorophyll content, photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in the leaves of young sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants was studied under greenhouse conditions. Deficiency of boron decreased the dry matter yield of the roots, shoots and leaves. The content of boron in all analyzed plant parts increased with the increase of boron levels in the nutrient solution, more so in the shoots than in the roots. Leaf area was reduced under boron deficiency as well as the content of chlorophyll in the leaves. The content of analyzed sugars was increased in boron deficient plants, glucose content exhibited the highest increase under boron deficiency. Boron deficiency appreciably decreased photosynthetic oxygen evolution by leaves, the apparent quantum yield and quantum efficiency of photosystem two electron transport. The diminished rate of photosynthesis in boron deficient sunflower leaves could be correlated to the diminished efficiency of electron transport and to the increased content of sugars in the leaves.     

Effect of harvest time and drying method on biomass production, essential oil yield, and quality of peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.)

In the period from 2000 to 2002, studies on peppermint (Mentha x piperita) herb and essential oil (EO) production have been conducted at Planteforsk, Apelsvoll Research Centre Div. Kise in Norway. The trials were aimed at finding the optimal harvest date and suitable drying methods to maximize EO yield and to obtain a desirable oil quality. Peppermint plants from the first production year (2000 and 2001) and the second production year (2002) were harvested during flowering at three developmental stages (early, full, and late bloom). Biomass and leaf production were recorded, and the water content of the plant material was detected after the application of different drying methods: instantaneous drying at 30, 50, and 70 degrees C and prewilting (ground drying) for 1 or 5 days followed by final drying at 30 degrees C. Finally, plant samples were transferred to The Plant Biocentre at NTNU, Trondheim, Norway, for hydrodistillation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses of the EOs. Peppermint oil yield increased from early to full bloom and late bloom (average of all years and drying methods except for 50 and 70 degrees C: 2.95, 4.13 and 4.20 L/daa, respectively) as an effect of biomass production and leaf growth. The flavor-impact compounds, menthol and menthone, reached their optimum at full bloom (43-54 and 12-30%, respectively). Prewilting led to slight decreased EO levels after 1 day (7.7%) and 5 days of ground drying (1.5%) and no EO quality changes, compared to direct drying at 30 degrees C. The plant weight (H2O content) was drastically decreased to the average under 80 and 45% in all years, thus reducing the energy supply and costs for the necessary final drying step.     

Clarification of water movement properties in a multi-soil-layering system

Maize (Zea mays L.) cv. T42 was grown in refined sand at low (0.1 μM) and normal (30 μu) concentrations of boron each under low (1 mM), normal (4 mM), and excess (8 mM) supply of calcium. Visible symptoms of boron deficiency which appeared first, were accentuated by calcium deficiency and were least evident when calcium was added in excess. The yield was maximum at normal levels of boron and calcium and was the lowest under boron and calcium deficiency.

In maize leaves when both calcium and boron were deficient together the activity of starch phosphorylase increased markedly and that of ribonuclease and polyphenol oxidase also increased. The increase in the calcium content inhibited the starch phosphorylase activity when boron was deficient. The activity of peroxidase was stimulated under boron deficiency at all levels of calcium and that of ATPase was depressed significantly when calcium was deficient alone.

A decrease in the tissue boron (except in old leaves) and tissue calcium content as well as sugar and starch contents was observed under the combined deficiency of calcium and boron.

Excess calcium at both levels of boron increased the tissue boron and calcium contents and decreased the concentration of starch, sugars, nucleic acids, total and inorganic phosphorus, and the activities of starch phosphorylase and ATPase.

The activity of ATPase increased upon the addition of calcium to plants deficient in calcium and boron respectively. The tissue concentration of the element added increased when the element was applied to calcium or boron deficient maize plants.     

甘蓝型油菜硼营养高效在F1代的遗传研究

采用上培方法,研究了甘蓝型油菜不同硼效率品种为亲本的15个杂交组合农艺性状、棚的吸收、累积、分配和硼效率系数等性状在F1代的表现。结果表明,正反文杂交一代生育期短、抽更早,与高效亲本相近;对土壤轻度缺棚的反应也与高效亲本一致。土壤轻度缺硼时,苗期硼含量较低,累积吸收的单位棚量所形成的干物质重较高,蒙期茎中棚的相对含量高,有利于正反交杂交一代硼素向生长点的运转和再利用。硼效率系数与高效亲本达显著相关,说明甘蓝型油菜硼高效品种与低效品种间的杂交一代表现为硼高效,硼营养高效性状为显性。     

硼对油菜花器官发育和结实性的影响

在缺硼和正常供硼条件下，油菜花器官的含硼量明显高于叶片，尤其是雌蕊和雄蕊中的含量可达同期叶片的两倍左右；硼过量时则以叶片含硼量最高。缺硼导致雄蕊长度，干重下降，花药绒毡层异常，花粉囊化化受阻。缺硼和硼过量均使油菜单株有效角果数，每角果籽粒数及结角率，结籽率，油菜籽产量下降。硼对角果的胚珠数没有影响。与宁油７号相比，宁油８号油菜品种更易受缺硼和过量硼的影响。     

热胁迫下羽叶薰衣草植物腺毛发育的超微结构

本研究利用透射电子显微镜观察热胁迫下羽叶薰衣草腺毛超微结构变化,结果表明：40℃热胁48h后,腺毛细胞中参与合成与分泌的主要细胞器受到严重破坏。质体变形,缺少基质和嗜锇物质;线粒体缺少嵴,液泡化严重;小泡不正常地融合在一起,并靠细胞壁分布;内质网呈链条状,片层似球形,核糖体显著地附在内质网片层上;细胞核出现大量的纤维状颗粒物质;分泌时期的质膜和细胞器膜等扭曲变形。说明热胁迫影响腺毛的发育与精油的分泌,从而进一步影响精油的产量和质量。     

低硼对甘蓝型黄籽油菜与黑籽油菜花期生理特性的影响

为探索甘蓝型黄籽油菜与黑籽油菜花期相关生理特性对低硼的响应差异,以2个具有相同遗传来源的黄籽(L1)和黑籽(L2)油菜基因型为材料,研究了田间条件下低硼处理对甘蓝型黄、黑籽油菜花期部分生理特性的影响。结果表明,低硼处理后黄籽油菜下部叶片中养分的再利用能力降低,而黑籽油菜仍有一定的养分可供利用;无论黄籽油菜还是黑籽油菜,低硼处理均使其花器官形态变小,干重下降,低硼对黄籽油菜雌雄蕊长度的影响大于黑籽;甘蓝型黄、黑籽油菜的花粉活力在低硼处理后明显降低,但黄籽油菜无活力花粉的比率明显高于黑籽油菜;低硼使甘蓝型油菜雄蕊和雌蕊中的可溶性糖、淀粉、游离脯氨酸以及可溶性蛋白质含量降低,黄籽油菜的降低幅度明显大于黑籽油菜。与相同遗传来源的黑籽油菜相比,甘蓝型黄籽油菜花期的相关生理特性更易受低硼的影响。     

Der Einfluß von Bormangel und von mechanischer Zerstörung des Spitzenmeristems auf die Zellteilung bei Sonnenblumen

Influence of boron deficiency and destruction of the apical meristem on the cell division in sunflowers With a severe, nearly absolute boron deficiency metabolism and formation of tissues are so disturbed that the primary symptom of boron deficiency can not be recognized with certainty. Investigations here had to clarify if cutting the tops or destruction of the apical meristem with a red-hot needle will induce symptoms similar to those of boron deficiency or how symoms develop under mild boron deficiency. With the red-hot needle technique, it was possible to obtain cambial enlargement in plants with a normal boron nutrition. Cutting off the tops also, induced an enlargement of the hypocotyl. In this case the enlargement was however due to an enlargement of the cortex by formation of an aerenchymlike tissue. A boron supply near the deficiency level caused development of deficiency symptoms in growing plants (chlorosis, inhibited enlargement of the stem, small deaf' blades, small-celled xylem, malformed and discoloured cell walls and appositions on the young cell walls). As long as the shoot apex displayed growth, enlargement of the cabium did not appear as a rule. This symptom seems to be a secondary symptom of boron deficiency caused by damage to the shoot apex and, thus disturbed auxin metabolism.