Chromatographic methods for metabolite profiling of virus- and phytoplasma-infected plants of Echinacea purpurea

This study was focused on the effects of virus and phytoplasma infections on the production of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench secondary metabolites, such as caffeic acid derivatives, alkamides, and essential oil. The identification of caffeic acid derivatives and alkamides was carried out by means of high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), HPLC-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and MS(2). Quantitative analysis of these compounds was carried out using HPLC-DAD. The results indicated that the presence of the two pathogens significantly decreases (P < 0.05) the content of cichoric acid, the main caffeic acid derivative. Regarding the main alkamide, dodeca-2E,4E,8Z,10E/Z-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide, a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the content of this secondary metabolite was observed in virus-infected plants in comparison with healthy plants, while in the phytoplasma-infected sample the variation of this secondary metabolite was not appreciable. The % relative area of the E/Z isomers of this alkamide was also found to change in infected samples. The gas chromatography (GC) and GC-MS analysis of E. purpurea essential oil enabled the identification of 30 compounds. The main significant differences (P < 0.05) in the semiquantitative composition were observed for three components: limonene, cis-verbenol, and verbenone. The results indicate that the presence of virus and phytoplasma has an appreciable influence on the content of E. purpurea secondary metabolites, which is an important issue in defining the commercial quality, market value, and therapeutic efficacy of this herbal drug.     

Surface Properties of Gluten Investigated by a Fluorescence Approach

The surface properties of glutens isolated from a durum wheat cultivar (Capeiti) and two bread wheats (Riband and Hereward) were investigated using intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence. Intrinsic fluorescence decreased on increasing protein concentration and increased after urea addition. The extrinsic fluorescence was evaluated by a titration with 8‐anilino‐1‐naphthalene sulphonate (ANS), an hydrophobic probe. The saturating concentration for ANS and its dissociation constant (Kd) were determined. The hydrophobicity of durum and bread wheat gluten showed a different behavior increasing the protein concentration: Capeiti was not influenced, but there was a change on the gluten surface for Riband and Hereward. The significance in understanding gluten structure and the relevance of the surface properties are discussed.     

Newly developed microsatellite markers for the pan‐European duck mussel,Anodonta anatina: revisiting the main mitochondrial lineages

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