Wild garlic (Allium ursinum L.) has been used as nutrition and medicine for centuries. Although this plant species is a typical springgeophyte that grows spontaneously in moist, steep, shady beech forests, but information on phytochemical and antioxidant propertiesunder various soil types are scarce. This study aimed to assess the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of the leaves ofA. ursinum grown on different soil types, but under identical climatic conditions of South Banat, Serbia. For the purpose of reproduction,A. ursinum bulbs were collected from two different locations in Serbia and then planted on different types of soil, namely: Arenosol,Fluvisol, Cambisol and Chernozem. Fresh leaves of sprouted plants were sampled at the beginning of spring, morphologically analysedand stoma was counted. The leaf extract was prepared and its phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential were assessed.Regardless of the origin of the reproductive material (bulbs), the leaves of A. ursinum plants cultivated in Chernozem soil had the bestmorphological characteristics and the largest number of stomata. Phytochemical analyses revealed the following ranges for selectedbioactive compounds (expressed on fresh weight, FW): chlorophyll content (289.9-642.4 μg/g for chlorophyll a i.e. 358.2-458.6 μg/gfor chlorophyll b), total carotenoid content (TCC, 91.2-263.2 μg/g), total phenolic content (TPC, 1.43-1.98 mg/g GAE), total flavonoidcontent (TFC, 0.36-1.28 mg/g QE), and total dihydroxycinnamic acid derivative content (HCA, 0.53-0.59 mg/g CGAE). The highestvalues were obtained on Chernozem (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and TPC and HCA) and Cambisol (TCC and TFC). Chernozem appearedto be the best soil type during three applied standard antioxidant assays (CUPRAC, TAC and FRP) while DPPH radical quenching assayrevealed no significant differences among all examined soil types. Based on the obtained results it could be assumed that Chernozemexhibited the most desirable physico-chemical properties for optimal development of A. ursinum (in particular its green parts) as a sourceof different antioxidants. Correlation analysis of phytochemical parameters has proved significant influence of total chlorophylls, phenolics,flavonoids and duhydroxycinnamic acid derivatives on antioxidant activity of A. ursinum leaves (unlike total carotenoid content) with thehighest correlation between HCA and FRP assay (r2= 1.00). In addition, PCA analysis clearly determined Chernozem type of soil as thebest choice for optimal leaf growth and development.Keywords: Wild garlic; cultivation; morphology; leaves; phytochemicals
Even though Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm, fam. Lamiaceae) is a well-known medicinal, aromatic, and spicy plant, and its physicochemical profile and biological activity have been investigated, there is no detailed research regarding the influence of solvent nature (polarity) on the extraction of active compounds (total polyphenols and total flavonoids) and antioxidant activities of the obtained extracts. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the polyphenol and flavonoid contents, as well as the antioxidant potential of lemon balm extracts obtained by varying the polarity of the extraction solvents (methyl alcohol, acetone, ethyl acetate, and deionized water) and using three extraction techniques (maceration-MAC, ultrasound-UAE, and microwave-assisted extraction-MAE). Two in vitro tests (ABTS and FRAP assays) were used to determine the antioxidant activity of the extracts. Total tannin and total protein contents, extraction yield, and physical properties of the selected extracts were measured as well. The highest content of polyphenols was found for the methanolic and water extracts obtained by all three extraction techniques, while the highest flavonoid yield was detected only in the mentioned methanolic extracts. The microwave reactor provided methanolic, ethyl acetate, and water extracts with the highest ABTS radical scavenging activity, while in the case of UAE, it was methanolic and water extracts, and in the case of MAC only water extracts. On the other hand, among lemon balm extracts from MAC, water extract possessed the highest ferric reducing power, whereas in UAE and MAE, it was ethyl acetate extract. Total tannin content determined in selected water extracts was 2.55, 4.53, and 1.83 mg tannic acid equivalent (TAE)/mL, while total proteins amounted to 1.34, 1.50, and 1.31 mg/mL using MAC, UAE, and MAE, respectively. The content of total extractive substances in the form of the extraction yield was also determined for selected water extracts and amounted to 12.6 % for MAC, 17.2 % for UAE, and 36.8 % for MAE. Further, this research has included the investigation of some physical properties of lemon balm water extracts, such as conductivity (3.68-4.14 mS/cm), pH (5.99-6.43), density (0.854-0.901 g/mL), surface tension (26.0-31.7 mN/m), and viscosity (1.18-1.21 mPa·s). This research represents the base for the future encapsulation of lemon balm extracts, enriched in polyphenol content, in a novel type of biofunctional carrier that potentially can be applied in the pharmacy, chemical industry, and biotechnics.
Even though peonies are highly valued as ornamental, medicinal, and edible species and are also considered to be long-lived and relatively disease and pest resistant, they are becoming rare or endangered in their natural habitats. This could be primarily associated with climate change and unsustainable wild collecting practices. So far, in situ conservation efforts have received little attention. In addition, very little is known about the cultivation of herbaceous peonies, particularly their propagation from seeds. What is known is that their seeds possess double dormancy, often accompanied by a low germination rate, which, together, make the cultivation of herbaceous peonies more difficult. Based on a comprehensive analysis of relevant literature, this paper summarizes, analyzes, and discusses all available studies on the seed traits of herbaceous peonies associated with the effect of seed harvest time on dormancy and seed germination, with a strong focus on dormancy breaking procedures. Improving our understanding of dormancy release modalities (impacts of temperature, moisture, light, hormones, various pre-treatments, etc.) will aid the establishment and management of in situ and ex situ collections of valuable species of herbaceous peonies and enable further studies for their successful propagation, breeding, and cultivation.
In this study, the petals collected from peony hybrid Paeonia lactiflora "Bowl of Beauty" and Calendula officinalis L. were extracted using an ethanol-water mixture assisted with microwave and ultrasonic treatment. The isolation of Calendula officinalis L. essential oil was done by hydrodistillation as well. The total phenolic and flavonoids content in the extracts and oil were determined and their antioxidant activity was evaluated. The highest total phenolic content was found for the extracts of hybrid P. lactiflora and C. officinalis L. obtained by ultrasound extraction (83.16 and 114.47 mg GA/g, respectively), while the flavonoid content obtained by microwave-assisted extraction was relatively high (123.48 and 65.29 mg QE/g, respectively). The highest antioxidant activity was obtained in DPPH• and ABTS•+ assay for the microwave-assisted extraction of hybrid P. lactiflora (79% and 83%) and ultrasound-assisted extraction of C. officinalis L. (45% and 49%), respectively. To improve antioxidant activity of both types of examined analytes (extracts and essential oil), the pectin biopolymer film (as a carrier) was prepared in the process of enzymatically assisted catalysis. Optical microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy were used for the characterization of obtained materials. The films, with essential oil of C. officinalis L. and gallic acid, showed significantly increased percentage inhibition in DPPH• and ABTS•+ test (91% and 95%, respectively) after 10 minutes. The results, also, showed that all formulations of pectin biopolymer film, modified with gallic acid, can be successfully applied as a carrier for both types of ingredients.
On a global level and over a number of years, many researchers have been studying the effects of organic and conventional production methods on the chemical composition of plants and their products. The aim of this study was to determine the potential difference in the contents of several nutrients/phytochemicals in organically and conventionally produced buckwheat grains. Buckwheat was sown in 2016 at a site in Nova Varoš. The experimental plot covered a surface area of 1 ha. The contents of the following nutrients and phytochemicals in buckwheat grains were determined: proteins, pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids), soluble sugars, starch, free and bound polyphenols and flavonoids, and phytosterols. In addition, the antioxidant properties of the grains were assessed using the ABTS •+ ((2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) test (ability to inhibit ABTS •+ radical cations). There was no statistically significant difference in the contents of proteins, chlorophyll a and free phenols or in regard to the % of antioxidant capacity. On the other hand, two different production methods caused differences in the other chemical parameters. In organic grains, higher contents of carotenoids (6.998 µg g-1 dry matter (DM)), soluble sugar (6.48 mg 100 g-1 DM), starch (2.46 mg 100 g-1 DM), bound polyphenols (1034.3 mg (FAE) kg kg-1 DM), free flavonoids (1094.7 mg (QE) kg-1 DM) and bound flavonoids (1087.2 mg (QE) kg-1 DM) were detected, while in conventional buckwheat grains, there were higher levels of chlorophyll b (24.16 µg g-1 DM) and phytosterols (185.15 mg kg-1 DM). The study showed no clear influence of the production method on the examined parameters.
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