Phytochemical characterization of the ethanolic extract of Kaempferia galanga rhizome for anti-oxidant activities by HPTLC and GCMS

Background The rhizome of Kaempferia galanga (K. galanga) was collected from Meghalaya, India, and its ethanolic extract was obtained by freeze-drying or lyophilization process, which was then assessed for its in vitro anti-oxidant activity and phytochemical characterization using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GCMS). Results In vitro anti-oxidant activity analysis shows an inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 1.824 mg/mL and 0.307 mg/mL for, α, α-diphenyl-ρ-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays, respectively. Total polyphenol content (TPC) of 23.55 ± 0.5 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry weight of extract and total flavonoid content (TFC) of 100 ± 1.414 mg rutin equivalents (RE)/g dry weight of extract were found. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis shows the best separation of bands at different retention factor (Rf) values, when employing the solvent system 2-butanol/1-propanol/water in the ratio of 3:1:1 (v/v/v). Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GCMS) analysis confirms the presence and identification of various phytocompounds, with ethyl p-methoxycinnamate identified as the major active compound. Conclusion Freeze-dried ethanolic extract of K. galanga (rhizome) possesses anti-oxidant activity. Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate is present as the major bioactive component (about 94.87% of the total area composition), and since it has very important and diverse medicinal properties, a freeze-drying process (lyophilization) can be utilized for its isolation and extraction.

Volatile Emissions and Relative Attraction of the Fungal Symbionts of Tea Shot Hole Borer (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Euwallacea perbrevis is an ambrosia beetle that vectors fungal pathogens causing Fusarium dieback in Florida avocado trees. Current monitoring lures contain quercivorol, a fungus-produced volatile, but the exact attractant is unknown since lures contain a mixture of p-menth-2-en-1-ol isomers and both α- and β-phellandrene. This study used pure cultures of six symbiotic fungi isolated from E. perbrevis to document volatile emissions and determine the relative attraction of symbionts in binary choice assays. In a comparative test, headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy was used to identify and quantify emissions from 3-week-old cultures. In a temporal study, Super-Q collection followed by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection was used to measure cis- and trans-p-menth-2-en-1-ol emissions for three months. A total of 15 compounds were detected, with monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenoids predominating. Only trans-p-menth-2-en-1-ol was common to all six symbionts. Peak levels of both isomers were observed at day 7, then gradually declined over a 90 day period. In choice tests, avocado sawdust disks inoculated with Fusarium sp. nov. were the most attractive. This symbiont produced only two volatiles, trans-p-menth-2-en-1-ol and limonene. The combined results indicate that trans-p-menth-2-en-1-ol is the primary female attractant emitted from symbiotic fungi, but limonene may be a secondary attractant of E. perbrevis.

Metagenomic Study on Chinese Homemade Paocai: The Effects of Raw Materials and Fermentation Periods on the Microbial Ecology and Volatile Components

“Chinese paocai” is typically made by fermenting red radish or cabbage with aged brine (6–8 w/w). This study aimed to reveal the effects of paocai raw materials on fermentation microorganisms by metagenomics sequencing technology, and on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy, using red radish or cabbage fermented for six rounds with aged brine. The results showed that in the same fermentation period, the microbial diversity in cabbage was higher than that in red radish. Secundilactobacillus paracollinoides and Furfurilactobacillus siliginis were the characteristic bacteria in red radish paocai, whereas 15 species of characteristic microbes were found in cabbage. Thirteen kinds of VOCs were different between the two raw materials and the correlation between the microorganisms and VOCs showed that cabbage paocai had stronger correlations than radish paocai for the most significant relationship between 4-isopropylbenzyl alcohol, α-cadinol, terpinolene and isobutyl phenylacetate. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for understanding the microbiota and their relation to the characteristic flavors of the fermented paocai.

Analysis of Acrylic and Methacrylic Networks through Pyrolysis-GC/MS

A direct analytical method developed to characterize UV-cured networks based on multi-step pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) is presented. Application of the method to characterize (meth)acrylate-based UV-cured networks is discussed. The reversion process of methacrylates is clearly observed during pyrolysis. In contrast, the decomposition of acrylates in high molecular weight degradation products is hardly detected. The potential impact of this technique to elucidate the structural and compositional nature of UV-cured polymeric networks is highlighted.

GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY MASS SPECTROSCOPY ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION OF BIOACTIVITIES IN THE CHLOROFORM EXTRACT OF HALYMENIA DILATATA ZANARDINI (RED ALGAE) COLLECTED FROM MANDAPAM, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Objective: This study was to determine the presence of biochemicals and prediction of bioactivities in the chloroform extract of Halymenia dilatata Zanardini (Red algae) collected from Mandapam, Tamil Nadu, India. Methods: The active biological components in the chloroform extract of H. dilatata Zanardini were studied using gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), and the biological activities were predicted by prediction activity spectra for substances technique. Results: The analysis revealed the two bioactive components such as N-Hexadecanoic acid (5.384%) and 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, Mono(2- Ethylhexyl) Ester (94.616%). In 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, Mono(2-Ethylhexyl) Ester, 1933 biological activities were predicted. Among the biological activities, 74 were highly active and their Pa score is above 70%. In Pa>0.7, there a 15 different activities are predicated including antitumor (91.5%) followed by anti-inflammatory (89.7%), antimicrobial (84.7%), anti-inflammatory (74.5%), etc. Conclusion: The present study provided the bioactive components present in the chloroform extract of H. dilatata Zanardini by GC-MS analysis and the prediction of biological studies by prediction of activity spectra for substances.

Proposed Pathways for Phytodegradation of Phenanthrene and Pyrene in Maize (Zea Mays L.) Using GC-Ms Analysis

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread organic pollutants which are persistent in the environment. Biodegradation of PAHs is one of the major mechanisms for their removal from environment. However, unlike microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria, the degradation pathways of organic pollutants in plant systems are not completely clear. This paper displays the possible pathways for the degradation of phenanthrene and pyrene (as two abundant PAHs in the environment) in maize plant. Maize plants were treated by phenanthrene and pyrene and after 7, 14, and 21 days, a number of intermediate compounds were identified using gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) analysis. The obtained results showed that although maize plant can metabolize both compounds, but the degradation rate of phenanthrene was faster and higher than that of pyrene. The degradation of phenanthrene occurred mainly in the second week, whereas the degradation of pyrene was slower and mostly happened after the third week. Intriguingly, the degradation of both compounds was primarily observed in the roots. The number of identified intermediate compounds was different in the shoot and root and depends on the type of contaminant and treatment time. The most outstanding identified intermediates were quinones, dihydrodiols, phthalate and phenolic compounds which were formed through the cleavage of phenanthrene and pyrene. Accordingly, the probable degradation pathways of phenanthrene and pyrene in maize plants were proposed.

Chemical Composition of Fir, Pine and Thyme Essential Oils and Their Effect on Onion (Allium cepa L.) Seed Quality

Botrytis allii and B. cinerea are important seed-transmitted pathogens of onion. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical compositions of fir, pine and thyme essential oils and evaluate their effects on the germination, vigour and health of onion seeds. Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy was used for the analysis of the oils’ chemical compositions. Seed germination, vigour and health tests were performed on untreated seeds and on seeds treated with volatile compounds of the oils applied at a concentration of 0.2 µL cm−3 for 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h or at a concentration of 0.4 µL cm−3 for 3, 6 and 12 h. The main components of fir oil were bornyl acetate (55.5%) and α-pinene (15.6%), pine oil contained mostly α-pinene (35.5%) and β-pinene (18.6%), and thymol (34.2%) and p-cymene (26.2%) prevailed in thyme oil. Almost all treatments significantly reduced seed infestation with Alternaria alternata and Fusarium spp., and some effectively controlled Botrytis spp., however, seed health improvement was usually associated with deterioration of seed germination and vigour. Only treatment with fir oil at a concentration of 0.2 µL cm−3 for 6 h effectively controlled seed-borne pathogens and positively affected seed germination. Considering the beneficial effect of the oils on seed health, further studies are necessary in order to establish the optimal conditions for onion seed treatment.

Assessment of Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Potential of Ethanolic Extract of Woodfordia fruticosa Flowers: GC-MS Analysis

Currently, the potential utilization of natural plant-derived extracts for medicinal and therapeutic purposes has increased remarkably. The current study, therefore, aimed to assess the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of modified solvent evaporation-assisted ethanolic extract of Woodfordia fruticosa flowers. For viable use of the extract, qualitative analysis of phytochemicals and their identification was carried out by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy. Analysis revealed that phenolic (65.62 ± 0.05 mg/g), flavonoid (62.82 ± 0.07 mg/g), and ascorbic acid (52.46 ± 0.1 mg/g) components were present in high amounts, while β-carotene (62.92 ± 0.02 µg/mg) and lycopene (60.42 ± 0.8 µg/mg) were present in lower amounts. The antimicrobial proficiency of modified solvent-assisted extract was evaluated against four pathogenic bacterial and one fungal strain, namely Staphylococcusaureus (MTCC 3160), Klebsiellapneumoniae (MTCC 3384), Pseudomonasaeruginosa (MTCC 2295), and Salmonellatyphimurium (MTCC 1254), and Candidaalbicans (MTCC 183), respectively. The zone of inhibition was comparable to antibiotics streptomycin and amphotericin were used as a positive control for pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains. The extract showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory activity during the albumin denaturation assay (43.56–86.59%) and HRBC membrane stabilization assay (43.62–87.69%). The extract showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging assay and the obtained results are comparable with BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) with percentage inhibitions of 82.46%, 83.34%, and 84.23%, respectively. Therefore, the obtained results concluded that ethanolic extract of Woodfordia fruticosa flowers could be utilized as a magnificent source of phenols used for the manufacturing of value-added food products.