Supercritical CO2 Extraction of Narcissus poeticus L. Flowers for the Isolation of Volatile Fragrance Compounds

The flowers of Narcissus poeticus are used for the isolation of valuable fragrance substances. So far, as the majority of these substances consist of volatile and sensitive to heat compounds, there is a need of developing effective methods for their recovery. In this study, freeze-dried N. poeticus inflorescences were extracted with pure supercritical CO2 (SFE-CO2) and its mixture with 5% co-solvent ethanol (EtOH) at 40 °C. Extract yields varied from 1.63% (12 MPa) to 3.12% (48 MPa, 5% EtOH). In total, 116 volatile compounds were identified by GC-TOF/MS in the extracts, which were divided into 20 different groups. Benzyl benzoate (9.44–10.22%), benzyl linoleate (1.72–2.17%) and benzyl alcohol (0.18–1.00%) were the major volatiles among aromatic compounds. The amount of the recovered benzyl benzoate in N. poeticus SFE-CO2 extracts varied from 58.98 ± 2.61 (24 MPa) to 91.52 ± 1.36 (48 MPa) mg/kg plant dry weight (pdw). α-Terpineol dominated among oxygenated monoterpenes (1.08–3.42%); its yield was from 9.25 ± 0.63 (12 MPa) to 29.88 ± 1.25 (48 MPa/EtOH) mg/kg pdw. Limonene was the major monoterpene hydrocarbon; (3E)-hexenol and heneicosanol dominated among alcohols and phenols; dihydroactinidiolide and 4,8,12,16-tetramethyl heptadecan-4-olide were the most abundant lactones; heptanal, nonanal, (2E,4E)-decadienal and octadecanal were the most abundant aldehydes. The most important prenol lipids were triterpenoid squalene, from 0.86 ± 0.10 (24 MPa) to 7.73 ± 0.18 (48 MPa/EtOH) mg/kg pdw and D-α-tocopherol, from 1.20 ± 0.04 (12 MPa) to 15.39 ± 0.31 (48 MPa/EtOH) mg/kg pdw. Aliphatic hydrocarbons (waxes) constituted the main part (41.47 to 54.93%) in the extracts; while in case of a 5% EtOH the percentage of alkanes was the lowest. The fraction of waxes may be removed for the separation of higher value fragrance materials. In general, the results obtained are promising for a wider application of SFE-CO2 for the recovery of fragrance substances from N. poeticus flowers.

New and rare species in the flora of the Novosibirsk Region

New species for the Novosibirsk Region are reported: Avena sativa L., Chaerophyllum aromaticum L., Colchicum speciosum Steven, Petasites hybridus (L.) G. Gaertn., B. Mey. et Scherb., Prunus cerasus L., Ribes uva-crispa var. sativum DC., Syringa vulgaris L. New localities of rare adventive Aquilegia vulgaris L., Campanula persicifolia L., Echinops sphaerocephalus L., Galium mollugo L., Linum usitatissimum L., Lolium perenne L., Narcissus poeticus L., Nepeta cataria L., Oxalis stricta L., Quercus robur L., as well as native Cerastium maximum L., Pilosella cymosasubsp. vaillantii (Tausch) S. Bräut. et Greuter and Urtica dioica subsp. sondenii (Simmons) Hyl. were noted.

Bulb Size Interacts with Lifting Term in Determining the Quality of Narcissus Poeticus L. Propagation Material

Geophytes are an increasingly widely used group of plants. Its high biodiversity, however, significantly impacts the cultivation process. Therefore, every new insight into the behavioral aspects of each single species is crucial for production. This study, for the first time, aims at contributing to a better understanding of the interplay between the bulb size potential of Narcissus poeticus and the pattern of bulb lifting time to find the optimal combination of these factors in obtaining the best quality propagation material. Twelve bulb size groups were examined. Plants were planted in the open air in two locations of Central East Europe and lifted in three terms: immediately and two and four weeks after flowering. Bulb fresh and dry weight, as well as leaf, root and total plant dry weight, increased with growing bulb size and delayed the time of lifting. The bulb weight increase indicator was twice as high for bulbs lifted in the third date compared to those lifted earlier. Its value was the highest for the smallest bulbs. Bulb shape ratio gradually decreased together with the increase of bulb weight and later lifting term. Principal components analysis allowed singling out two principal components that accounted for 86.58% of total variability.

Tolerance of Daffodil (Narcissus poeticus L. c.v. “Ice Folies”) to Nickel Contaminated Media

The objective of this study was to determine the tolerance of daffodil (Narcissus poeticus L. c.v. “Ice Folies”) as a hyperaccumulator plant to nickel contaminated media. This research was carried out in a completely randomized plot experimental design with three replications in green house conditions. Four doses of nickel (control, 25 mg kg-1, 50 mg kg-1, 75 mg kg-1) were applied to each growing media having 500 g soil:sand mixture in 2:1 ratio. The distillate water was used in irrigation and Hoagland solution was applied for fertilization. At the end of the experiment, effects of nickel applications on leaf length, plant length, flower length (P<0.01) and flower diameter, stem diameter (P<0.05) were found significant, except leaf number and leaf length. The lowest first flowering time, full flowering time and first floret withering time were obtained in control and 75 mg kg-1 nickel application. The highest leaf length (341.60 mm), plant length (418.24 mm), flower length (70.74 mm) and stem diameter (7.63 mm) were obtained in 75 mg kg-1 nickel application. The highest flower diameter was found as 78.35 mm in 25 mg kg-1 nickel application. Generally, while the nickel doses increased flowering time, leaf length, plant length, flower length and flower diameter increased.

Flora from Fărăgău Area (Mureş County) as Potential Source of Medicinal Plants

The aim of this study was to identify a potential source of medicinal plant from Transylvanian Plain. Also, the paper provides information about the hayfields floral richness, a great scientific value for Romania and Europe. The study of the flora was carried out in several stages: 2005-2008, 2013, 2017-2018. In the studied area, 397 taxa were identified, distributed in 82 families with therapeutic potential, represented by 164 medical taxa, 37 of them being in the European Pharmacopoeia 8.5. The study reveals that most plants contain: volatile oils (13.41%), tannins (12.19%), flavonoids (9.75%), mucilages (8.53%) etc. This plants can be used in the treatment of various human disorders: disorders of the digestive system, respiratory system, skin disorders, muscular and skeletal systems, genitourinary system, in gynaecological disorders, cardiovascular, and central nervous sistem disorders. In the study plants protected by law at European and national level were identified: Echium maculatum, Cephalaria radiata, Crambe tataria, Narcissus poeticus ssp. radiiflorus, Salvia nutans, Iris aphylla, Orchis morio, Orchis tridentata, Adonis vernalis, Dictamnus albus, Hammarbya paludosa etc.

Chemical Characterization of Narcissus poeticus from Sirente –Velino (Apennines - Italy): Galantamine Accumulation and Distribution of Allergenic Compounds in the Flower

Species of Narcissus (family Amaryllidaceae) are a potential source for large-scale extraction of alkaloids and fragrances. The bulbs typically accumulate a large number of alkaloids, including galantamine, a benzazepine alkaloid proven to be a cholinesterase inhibitor and which is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The presence of galantamine in N. poeticus L. collected in Abruzzo (Italy) was assessed and several levels of alkaloid were found in all parts of the plant (flower, stem, bulb and root) and not only in the bulb. The amount of galantamine obtained was tested by using two different extraction solvents. Extraction of N. poeticus absolute from the flowers was also performed, as this product is an important floral note in perfumery, and the distribution of allergenic compounds in the coronas and in the tepals was assessed. Moreover, the in vitro propagation of N. poeticus was tested as it may be a valuable resource from which to produce biomolecules, as an alternative to chemical synthetic processes.