Metabolomics Study of Flavonoids of Taxilluschinensis on Different Hosts Using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS

The goal of this study was to identify and compare the main biomarkers of Taxillus chinensis from different hosts. A metabolomics approach utilizing ultra-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS), including cluster analysis, sample correlation analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis, was used to explore the flavonoid metabolites of Taxillus chinensis growing on different hosts. Results: The total flavonoids content (up to 30.08 mg/g) in Taxillus chinensis from Morus alba (CSG) was significantly higher than that from growth on Liquidambar formosana (CFG) or Clausena lansium (CHG) (p < 0.01). There were 23 different metabolites between CSG and CHG, 23 different metabolites between CSG and CFG, and 19 different metabolites between CHG and CFG. The results demonstrated that different hosts exerted a large influence on the metabolites of Taxillus chinensis; it was found that CSG differed from CFG and CHG in eleven metabolic compounds, ten of which were upregulated and one of which was downregulated. Most of these metabolites derive from compounds contained in the host plant, white mulberry (Morus alba); many feature potent anti-cancer effects. Differences in host can influence the type and abundance of flavonoids in parasitic plants such as Taxillus chinensis, which is of great significance to researchers seeking to understand the formation mechanism of Taxillus chinensis metabolites. Therefore, attention should be paid to the species of host plant when studying the Taxillus chinensis metabolome. Plants grown on Morus alba offer the greatest potential for the development of new anti-cancer drugs.

Arsenic content and phenolic compounds in parsley (Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss) and celery (Apium graveolens L.) cultivated in Vojvodina region, Serbia

Randomly collected samples of parsley and celery from different localities were analyzed to determine their quality based on arsenic concentrations, phenolic constituents and the antioxidant capacity of their edible parts. Arsenic concentrations were found in the range: parsley root (0.16 μg/g d.m.) < celery root (0.19 μg/g d.m.) < parsley leaf (0.35 μg/g d.m.) < celery leaf (0.45 μg/g d.m.). Total phenolic contents in roots were similar in both species and varied significantly depending on the cultivation site: 5.03-9.18 mg eqGA/g DE in parsley and 5.04-8.50 mg eqGA/g DE in celery. Lower total flavonoids content was recorded in celery. Among the phenolic acids, ferulic, chlorogenic and several cinnamic acids dominated. Apigenin and its glucosides dominated among flavonoids. Based on the principal component analysis (PCA) it can be concluded that the As content varied depending on the geographical origin of the samples. Also, phenolic compounds showed a significant contribution on PCA clustirng, indicating that cultivation site has a clear significant impact on the metabolites profile, while As content in plants did not significantly affect phenolic compound profile.

Comparative Analysis of Major Flavonoids among Parts of Lactuca indica during Different Growth Periods

L. indica L. cv. Mengzao, a medicinal plant of the Ixeris genus, is rich in flavonoids. In order to thoroughly analyze the the distribution and dynamic change of major flavonoids in its various parts from different growth periods, the flavonoids extracted from L. indica L. cv. Mengzao were identified and quantitatively analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). Results indicated that 15 flavonoids were identified from L. indica L. cv. Mengzao, and rutin, luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol, quercetin, and apigenin are the major flavonoids in L. indica L. cv. Mengzao. In general, the total flavonoids’ content in different parts of L. indica L. cv. Mengzao followed the order flowers > leaves > stems > roots. Flowers and leaves are the main harvesting parts of L. indica L. cv. Mengzao, and the flowering period is the most suitable harvesting period. This study provides valuable information for the development and utilization of L. indica L. cv. Mengzao and determined the best part to harvest and the optimal time for harvesting.

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, TOTAL POLYPHENOLS AND FLAVONOIDS CONTENT AND ANTIRADICAL ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ANNICKIA CHLORANTHA FROM GABON

In traditional medicine, Annnickia chlorantha (Annonaceae)is used in many parts of Africa to treat several pathologies. It is used for the management of stomach problems, for the treatment of jaundice, tuberculosis, urinary tract infections, malaria, hepatitis and ulcers forms, for gallstones or even diarrhea. The phytochemical analysis and determination of the antiradical activity of the methanolic extract of the trunk bark from Annickia chlorantha from Gabon was the subject of this study. Phytochemical screening revealed the abundance of alkaloids, polyphenols and catechics tannins.The total polyphenol content released by the Folin-Ciocalteu method was 309.17 ± 38.05 g of gallic acid equivalent per 100 mg of dry matterand the total flavonoids content performed with AlCl3 was 155.16 ± 21.06 g of quercetin equivalent per 100 mg of dry matter. The antiradical activity was limited to 81.58% ± 1.25 without disappearance of the ABTS•+ radical after 6 minutes of incubation. These results confirm the correlation between the polyphenol content and the antiradical activity.

Comparative study of different drying methods regard to the phenols and flavonoids content of dried Citrus aurantium L. leaves

Objective: To determine the effects of different thermal drying technologies on the total phenol and flavonoid contents (TPC) and total flavonoids (TFC) in sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) leaves. Design/methodology/approach: Solar drying was carried out in outdoor sunny conditions using two direct solar dryers; one with natural convection, the other with forced convection. The total phenol and flavonoid contents in gallic acid equivalents (GAE) and quercetin (Q), respectively, of ethanolic extracts of C. aurantium were assessed with spectrophotometric techniques. Results: The results demonstrated maximum phenol values for the direct natural convection solar dryer (161.4 mg EAG/g MS) and minimum values for shade drying (61.43 mg EAG/g MS). As for flavonoids, the highest values were obtained in the direct forced convection solar dryer (32.22 ± 1.6 mg EQ/g MS), while the lowest was registered in the open air sun (11.72 mg EQ/g MS). Conclusions: Direct solar dryers are technologies effective for maintaining the phenols and total flavonoids content in dried leaves of C. aurantium.

Quantifying Biochemical Traits over the Patagonian Sub-Antarctic Forests and Their Relation to Multispectral Vegetation Indices

The effects and consequences of global warming on the productivity of the Patagonian forest are still unknown. The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) promotes new knowledge of the most pristine and unknown sub-antarctic forests located in Chilean Patagonia. This work presents an initial approach to spatialize biochemicals over the Patagonian forests using ultra-high spatial resolution imagery acquired from UAVs equipped with a multispectral (visible, near-infrared, and thermal) sensor. The images were obtained in multiple flights over the Cerro Castillo National Park (Aysén Region, Chile), and several Vegetation Indices (VIs) were estimated. Leaves of Nothofagus pumilio (Poepp. et Endl.) Krasser (Nothofagaceae) individuals were extracted after the flights and were then used to determine the biochemicals traits of chlorophylls (Chl-a and Chl-b) and carotenoids pigments, as well as the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), and the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Their relationships with multiple VIs was analyzed in order to assess the spatiality of the biochemicals traits in the forest during it most productive phenological stage. Results showed high correlations for the biochemical traits pigments (R2 > 0.75) with the indices DVI, MCARI, and MSAVI1 as the best performing indices, while further spectral availability is needed for significant correlations with biochemicals traits related to the antioxidant capacity. Spatialization of the biochemical traits within UAV imagery was also performed evaluating their representation in the forest. This work allowed us to identify the different spectral behavior of the N. pumilio species, its relation to biochemical traits, and their spatialization, thus presenting the first step to developing a monitoring protocol for the evaluation of the Patagonian forests under the current global warming scenarios in the region.

PHYTOCHEMICAL, PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF THE LEAVES OF TECOMA STANS

Tecoma stans a woody shrubs belonging to the Bignoniaceae family and is commonly known as Pelli Kaner. The present paper shows various pharmacognostic standards such as taxonomy of leaf which shows leaf is found to be simple with the alternate arrangement, serrulate margin with obovate shape, obtuse apex and oblique, rounded base, pinnate venation. Secondly, microscopic characters are determined by cutting its leaf transverse section as well as powder microscopy, these studies provide various information about the arrangement of cell-like xylem, phloem, the upper and lower epidermis. Vein islet and vein termination number etc. Physical and chemical parameters such as total ash, acid insoluble ash, water-soluble ash, moisture content, water-soluble, and extractive value of leaf are calculated. Various chemical reagents are used to identify the chemical nature of leaf extract. Ethanolic extract of leaf is found to be active and 200 and 400 mg when in vivo evaluated for hepatoprotective activity. Ethanolic extract of the leaf also contains total phenolic content of 1.36 ± 0.02 mg/gm of dried extract equivalent to Gallic acid, the total flavonoids content of the extract was evaluated to be 4.41± 0.02 mg/gram and potential antioxidant activity which is comparable to the standards.

ANALYSIS OF TOTAL FLAVONOID LEVELS OF ETHANOL EXTRACT (Cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmanii Blume) LEAVES WITH UV-VIS SPECTROPHOTOMETRY METHOD

Cinnamon plants (Cinnamomum burmani Blume), including plants that have medicinal properties for diabetes mellitus because they contain flavonoid compounds. This study aimed to determine the total flavonoids content of the ethanol extract of cinnamon leaf ethanol extract using UV-Vis spectrophotometry method. The ethanol extract of Cinnamon leaf was obtained by maceration using ethanol as a solvent.The qualitative analysis used FeCl3by forming yellowish green complex. The determination of total flavonoids content is conducted basedon AlCl3method with total flavonoidse xpressed in QE (Quercetin equivalent) at the maximum wavelength of 435 nm. The result showed that the average content of flavonoid total is 19.544 mg QE/g extract.

Campomanesia spp. native fruits as potential source of health-promoting compounds

Campomanesia xanthocarpa var. littoralis, Campomanesia xanthocarpa (Berg), and Campomanesia eugenioides are native fruit plants found in Brazil. Due to the scarce number of controlled scientific studies comparing different native Campomanesia species, this study sought to determine their bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties. C. eugenioides proved to be a rich source of total phenolic compounds, also showing the best antioxidant capacity by the ABTS, DPPH and molybdenum reduction power methods. On the other hand, C. xanthocarpa var. littoralis showed the best results for total flavonoids content, and Iron(II) chelation power. The phenolic compounds contents present in C. eugenioides could be responsible for the best antioxidant activity. This study provides key scientific data regarding the use of valuable fruits from different edible Campomanesia species to produce bioactive ingredients, as well as natural preservatives for food products. Thus, our results contribute to the discovery of the potential application of these native Campomanesia Brazilian fruits, as a natural product with functional and antioxidant properties.