Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.) is a wild edible fruit tree of the genus Crataegus, one of the most interesting genera of the Rosaceae family. This review is the first to consider, all together, the pharmaceutical, phytochemical, functional and therapeutic properties of C. monogyna based on numerous valuable secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, vitamin C, glycoside, anthocyanin, saponin, tannin and antioxidants. Previous reviews dealt with the properties of all species of the entire genera. We highlight the multi-therapeutic role that C. monogyna extracts could have in the treatment of different chronic and degenerative diseases, mainly focusing on flavonoids. In the first part of this comprehensive review, we describe the main botanical characteristics and summarize the studies which have been performed on the morphological and genetic characterization of the C. monogyna germplasm. In the second part, the key metabolites and their nutritional and pharmaceutical properties are described. This work could be an essential resource for promoting future therapeutic formulations based on this natural and potent bioactive plant extract.
Capitulum wilting and neck bending are the two important complications that impair the post-harvest quality and vase life of the gerbera cut flowers. The present study investigates the effects of pre- and post-harvest treatments of spermine (SPER), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) on the vase life, qualitative features and enzyme activity of gerbera cut flowers ‘Stanza’. The pre-harvest treatments (1 mM doses) were applied by foliar spraying, and the post-harvest were by pulse treatment (5 mM doses). The flowers kept their quality longer in pre and post SPER and GABA treatments. The longest vase life was recorded in pre-SPER (14 days) and pre-GABA (13 days) compared to BABA treatments and controls (9 days). Neck bending was observed more frequently in controls whereas SPER and GABA showed a lower neck bending rate at 9 days after harvest. The highest vase solution uptake, total soluble solids, total flavonoid, total protein, the activities of catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, and ascorbate peroxidase, besides the lowest neck bending, electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, H2O2 and polyphenol oxidase activity were observed in pre-SPER treatment and subsequently in pre-GABA. Pre- and post-harvest treatments with β-Aminobutyric acid (BABA) had no significant effects on cut flowers compared to SPER and GABA, although showed slightly better effects than water control. It is therefore suggested that pre-harvest treatment using SPER and GABA can improve the vase life and quality of gerbera cut flowers.
The success of cut rose cultivars is a direct result of their aesthetic value. The rose industry thrives on novelty, and the production of novel flower color has been extensively studied. The most popular color is red, and it is, therefore, important for breeders to produce a good red cultivar. The final visible color of the flower is a combination of a number of factors including the type of anthocyanin accumulating, modifications to the anthocyanidin molecule, co-pigmentation and vacuolar pH. Here, we analyze the quantitative variation of the biochemical constituents of flower color in a tetraploid rose population and combine this with marker information in the segregating rose population to map the chromosomal locations of putative QTLs for flower color traits. Within our tetraploid population, we found a number of QTLs that were mapped on ICM 1, 2, 6 and 7. We were able to show the effect of the different QTLs on the final visible color of the flower from salmon to dark red.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11032-016-0565-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Short vase life, capitulum wilting, neck bending, and postharvest chilling injury (CI) are major disorders have negative impact on quality and marketing of gerbera cut flowers. Low storage temperatures prolonging the vase life, but on the other hand leads serious CI which decreases the quality and consumer preferences. Spermine (SPER) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were identified as anti-aging factors delay the senescence and elevate the chilling tolerance in many species. Greenhouse-grown gerbera cv. ‘Stanza’ sprayed with 2 mM SPER and 1 mM GABA twice (2 T) or thrice (3 T). Cut flowers were stored at 1.5 °C and 8 °C postharvest to study the effects of GABA and SPER on senescence and CI. Vase life, CI and quality of cut flowers were improved by GABA and SPER treatments. No CI was observed in GABA-treated flowers at 1.5 °C; while, flowers sprayed with water showed severe CI. GABA treatments efficiently prolonged the vase life for 6–7 days more than the control (15 days). GABA and SPER increased the fresh weight, solution uptake, protein and proline contents, catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities, while decreased the electrolyte leakage, H2O2, and malondialdehyde contents, polyphenol oxidase, lipoxygenase, and phospholipase D activities. GABA and SPER significantly prolonged the vase life and prevented degradation of proteins and chilling damage and increased capacity of detoxifying and scavenging of H2O2 and reactive oxygen species (ROS), led to alleviate the negative consequences of the senescence and CI.
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