Fructans, Polyphenols and Antioxidant Activity in Edible Roots and Thistles from Seven Medicinal Plants

The research purposed to evaluate the bioactive compounds and antioxidant content in water and 50 % ethanol extracts from different vegetal parts of seven herbs (black bryony, dandelion, leuzea, asparagus, St. Benedict's thistle, cotton thistle, and sarsaparilla). Sugars and total fructans (inulin ad fructooligosacchrides (FOS) were analysed by spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods. The total phenols, total flavonoids and derivatives of caffeic acid were also determined. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and FRAP methods. Inulin and FOS were detected only in three plants (leuzea, dandelion and the cotton thistle). Dandelion roots were evaluated as the richest source of total fructans (18 g/100 g dw). The highest phenolic content was found in sarsaparilla roots 50 % ethanol extracts (21 mg GAE/g dw). Leuzea roots were evaluated as a rich source of dihydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and flavonoids. The high antioxidant activity demonstrated sarsaparilla water extracts, followed by water and 95 % ethanol of leuzea roots and cotton thistle flowеring heads (20-98 mM TE/g dw). The study demonstrated the use of some medicinal plants (especially leuzea, sarsaparilla and cotton thistle) as sources of antioxidants and inulin-type fructans in food and beverages. Keywords: Antioxidant Activity, Fructan, Medicinal Plants, Polyphenols

Hyaluronidase and degranulation inhibitors from the edible roots of Oenanthe javanica including seric acids F and G that were obtained by heating

ABSTRACT Oenanthe javanica is a vegetable grown in East Asia and Australia in which the roots and aerial parts are boiled together to make certain traditional dishes. Nineteen compounds (1-19) were isolated from O. javanica roots and the chemical structures of 2 new norlignans were determined. The inhibitory effects of the compounds on hyaluronidase and degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells were evaluated to determine antiallergic and antiinflammation activities. Saponins (2-4) and the new norlignan seric acid G (12) were among the active compounds identified. Seric acid G (12), a methoxy derivative of seric acid F (11), was obtained as an interconverting mixture of 3:1 trans-cis isomers. Seric acids F and G (11, 12) were derived from seric acids C (10) and E, respectively, by decarboxylation and dehydration reactions that occurred during heating. It was confirmed by HPLC analysis that all eleven of the O. javanica cultivars contained seric acid C (10).

A systematic review of sweet potato-derived nutritional products for athletes

The sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lamarck syn. Convolvulus batatas L.) is a perennial, herbaceous climber with tuberous edible roots, and is a major leguminous crop of global importance with widespread applicability and economic value of its products in the global market. The aim of the presented investigations was to review the experimental articles and patents referring to the application of sweet potato-based nutritional products for athletes published in the period 2000–2020. Altogether, 69 patents and 12 experimental articles were included in the analysis. The statistical analysis showed that similar number of inventions was patented in periods 2000–2005, 2006–2010, 2011–2015 and 2016–2020. Generally, the inventors patented food supplements in different forms (e.g. bars, beverages, powders, snacks, tablets). Other authors invented methods of extraction and application of sweet potato constituents such as carbohydrates (i.a. slowly digestible starch) and polyphenols (i.a. anthocyanins). The empirical articles evidenced wide acceptability of sweet potato products due to their beneficial effects on health and performance such as improvement of cardiopulmonatory functions, prolongation of physical performance and recovery from fatigue. Despite growing interest in the application of sweet potato constituents in nutritional products for athletes, further investigations are highly desirable.

Relevant issues of land reclamation development in Non-black Earth area

Current situation and agricultural management on the non-black earth area of Russia arebeing gradually worsen by the negative natural factors such as a significant increase of weather based climatic abnormal risks, deterioration of agro-meliorative conditions of agricultural lands because of colonization by tree and shrubbery vegetation and secondary bog formation, hidden degradation of soil fertility. When combined with functional loss of ameliorative complex and meliorative systems amortization, regional agriculture adaptation possibilities were rapidly limited. Production shortfall due no abnormal weather conditions for particular field crops was 19…48% during last five years, level of business realization of bioclimatic potential on a field was decreased by 7…12%.The complete realization of regional agricultural adaptive potential to weather based climatic changes and limitation of greenhouse gases emissions is possible on a basis of regeneration ofalll functions and aspects of ameliorative complex management. Toward this goal the coordinated actions of federal and regional management of Agricultural Complex, Scientific and Educational institutions, project foundations and managers are needed in a relation to human resources, scientific and regulatory supply. Any incomplete treatment in these fields inherent in visual negative consequences for food security and social economic development of rural areas of non-black earth zones not only at the current historical moment, but in a future also. Fundamental influence of solving of these problems deserves to scientific supply of innovative ameliorative complex, renewal of which should be based on principals of resources and energy preservation, nature management, computerization and digitalization management. During a long term research it was established that increase of average vegetation period temperature by lоСhas increased productivity of winter wheat, barley and summer wheat in average on 0,7 tons per ha, winter wheat and oat on 0,4 tons per ha, potatoes – 8,2 tons per ha, edible roots-6,4 tons per ha, cabbage 9,8 tons per ha, dry basis of herbage of multi and one age grasses–0,5 and 0,7 tons per ha. Increase of СО2 Concentration from 0,35 to 0,45% during last twenty years contributed into grow of yield in regional agriculture which can be estimated as 0,3 tons per ha per measure; searching remedy for agroclimatical risks decreasing production became drainage and irrigation systems (decrease 3…5 times);new method of reclamation of abandoned areas with transformation of biomass of tree and shrubbery vegetation into biochar makes it possible to decrease СО2 emissions up to times and get an adverse balance of СО2;secondary reclamation of lands covered by trees and shrubbery on area of 22ha used for vegetables and area of 37ha used for forage crops could supply a farmer with work and revenue sufficient for maintenance of one child what is on the major facts of population declaim in rural areas.

Mining for Candidate Genes Controlling Secondary Growth of the Carrot Storage Root

Background: Diverse groups of carrot cultivars have been developed to meet consumer demands and industry needs. Varietal groups of the cultivated carrot are defined based on the shape of roots. However, little is known about the genetic basis of root shape determination. Methods: Here, we used 307 carrot plants from 103 open-pollinated cultivars for a genome wide association study to identify genomic regions associated with the storage root morphology. Results: A 180 kb-long region on carrot chromosome 1 explained 10% of the total observed phenotypic variance in the shoulder diameter. Within that region, DcDCAF1 and DcBTAF1 genes were proposed as candidates controlling secondary growth of the carrot storage root. Their expression profiles differed between the cultivated and the wild carrots, likely indicating that their elevated expression was required for the development of edible roots. They also showed higher expression at the secondary root growth stage in cultivars producing thick roots, as compared to those developing thin roots. Conclusions: We provided evidence for a likely involvement of DcDCAF1 and/or DcBTAF1 in the development of the carrot storage root and developed a genotyping assay facilitating the identification of variants in the region on carrot chromosome 1 associated with secondary growth of the carrot root.

Gastro-duodenal protective effect of aqueous leaf extract of Daucuscarota sativus Linn. (Apiaceae) in rats and its possible mechanism of action

Background: Daucuscarota sativus L. (Apiaceae) commonly known as ‘carrot’ is a multipurpose herb cultivated in different parts of the world for its edible roots, juice, oils and leaves. Carrot root as well as its leaves has been credited with many medicinal properties, including cleansing of the intestine and maintenance of acid-alkaline balance in the body. Carrot leaves also known as carrot tops or carrot greens have been used locally as a decoction for healing mouth sores, and in some cases, mixed with honey to clean festering wounds. The present study was therefore designed to evaluate the possible gastro-duodenal protective property of Daucuscarota sativus (DCS) aqueous leaf extract on laboratory-induced ulcers. Aqueous leaf extract prepared by maceration was orally administered one hour before ulcerogens in doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg to groups of randomized adult rats of both sexes. Gastric ulcers were induced using pyloric ligation, methyleneblue, and acetic acid, while cysteamine, and indomethacin-histamine were separately employed for induction of duodenal ulcers in the animals. Positive controls were given standard drugs appropriate for each experimental model. Phytochemical screening of the freshly prepared extract was also carried out, as well as evaluating its antioxidant activity. In each of the models, the aqueous leaf extract of DCS showed a significant (p<0.05-0.001) dose-independent protection against peptic ulcer. The effects produced by the aqueous leaf extract of DCS were comparable to those of the standard drugs (omeprazole; 200 µg/kg, ranitidine; 50 mg/kg, and cimetidine; 50 mg/kg). Phytochemical analysis of the aqueous leaf extract of Daucuscarota sativus revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and saponins, some of which have been reported to elicit cytoprotective effect. Antioxidant analysis showed significant scavenging effect of free radical using nitric oxide, lipid peroxidation and DPPH assay. The findings in this study suggest that the aqueous leaf extract of DCS possesses cytoprotective effect and also reduces secretion of secretagogues, thereby protecting against gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Diversity of yam bean ( Pachyrhizus spp. Fabaceae) based on morphoagronomic traits in the Brazilian Amazon

ABSTRACT Yam bean is a non-conventional horticultural crop adapted to the Amazon region. It presents edible roots, yet, its seeds contain cytotoxic components such as rotenone and pachyrhizin. The Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia has 64 yam bean genotypes in its germplasm bank, however, their diversity is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the diversity of these genotypes using 10 morphoagronomic traits, plant height, number of secondary branches, shoot biomass, stem diameter, root biomass, number, length, diameter, length/diameter ratio (L/D), and shape. The accessions were planted on non-flooded land, Manaus, Amazonas (02º 59'48.2''S and 60º 01' 22.4''W) in completely randomized design with three replicates and three plants per plot spaced 0.5 x 1 m. The results showed significant diversity for all characters except for stem diameter and visual assessment of root shape. Biplot graphic explained 60% of the total variation, which identified that genotypes P44, P22 and P18 have high values for root yield (80-108 t ha-1), number of secondary branches (15-31) and shoot biomass (0.5-0.8 kg plant-1). Cluster analysis, considering 50% of relative Euclidean distance, revealed 15 major groups. We conclude that the genotypes assessed have wide diversity and some of them high root yield potential. This suggests that a yam bean breeding program can be successful for the yield of roots and seeds in the Amazonian region.