The aim of this study was to characterize the phenolic composition and evaluate the bioactivity of several samples of Lavandula pedunculata (Mill.) Cav, and to compare aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts. Plant materials were obtained by growing some accessions (seed samples) of various wild populations from different regions of Portugal conserved at the Portuguese Genebank in Braga. Phenolic compounds were analised by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn, antioxidant potential through in vitro assays (DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation), cytotoxicity on tumor cells (MCF-7, NCI-H460, HeLa and HepG2) and non-tumor (PLP2) cells, anti-inflammatory activity in rat RAW 264.7 macrophages, by the ability to inhibit NO production and antimicrobial potential by the microdilution method with INT dye (iodonitrotetrazolium chloride). Thirteen compounds were identified, being salvianolic acid B, rosmarinic acid and luteolin-7-O-glucuronide, the main compounds present, with values ranging between 44.3–582, 50.9–550, and 24.36–101.5 mg/g extract, respectively. L. pedunculata aqueous extract revealed a higher antioxidant potential (EC50 values between 14 to 530 μg/mL), which could be related to its higher concentration in phenolic compounds; however, the hydroethanolic extract showed a higher anti-inflammatory (lower EC50 values than 124 μg/mL) potential and antiproliferative capacity (lower GI50 values than 34 μg/mL). Thus, this study highlights the bioactive effects of this species and opens up possibilities of uses in food and pharmaceutical formulations. However, there are potential differences in such properties according to geographical origin of plant material, as in general, the samples from Alentejo presented higher results in all the bioactivities, compared with Trás-os-Montes samples.

a b s t r a c tPlants have been used since ancient times to heal and cure diseases and to improve the health and the wellbeing of the populations. Medicinal and aromatic plants still form the basis of traditional or indigenous health systems of the populations in most of the developing countries, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).As a result of the expanding interest in medicinal and aromatic plants, new income generating opportunities are opening up for rural populations. With many of the MAPs gathered from the wild, the recollection and sale of MAPs is providing a complementary source of income for many poor rural households.Currently, we are facing an incomparably growing pressure on plant populations in the wild due to the increasing commercial recollection, largely unmonitored trade, and habitat loss. Profound knowledge of the features of the (international) trade in botanicals (size, structure, streams, commodities, traded quantities and their origin) is (1) essential for assessing the trade's impact on the plant populations concerned; and (2) required for conservation concepts and measures which have to meet future supply and the provisions of species conservation.

No abstract

Little attention has been paid to the phenolic composition and bioactive properties of primary tomato plant by-products (Solanum lycopersicum L.) as compared to fruits. In this study, axillary green shoots resulting from pruning and aerial biomass at the end of the cultivation cycle were characterized for their composition in chlorophylls and phenolic compounds, as well as for antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS n analysis allowed identifying phenolic acids and flavonoids, with prevalence of quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (rutin). The extracts had in vitro antioxidant and antihemolytic activity, especially those produced from pruning materials. Despite their low activity against the tested microfungi, some extracts had ability to inhibit and kill some bacteria more effectively than the antibiotic ampicillin. It was interesting to conclude that table tomato crop remains, currently with no commercial value, can be used to produce extracts with antioxidant and antibacterial activities for possible use in the agri-food sector as natural preservatives.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) local varieties represent a reservoir of genetic diversity for desirable quality traits. In this study, a representative collection of table tomato germplasm conserved ex-situ in the Portuguese Gene Bank was characterized for its polyphenols composition and antioxidant capacity. Phenolic acids, such as caffeic and p-coumaric acids bounded to a hexose and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, corresponded to 71-98% of the identified phenolic compounds; while the remaining fraction consisted of quercetin and kaempferol glycoside derivatives. Among the studied tomato accessions, it was possible to identify those that stand out for the analysed bioactive traits. These findings highlighted the interest of using Portuguese tomato germplasm in breeding programs or of reintroducing into cultivation these local varieties used for fresh consumption.