Volatile Compounds and Total Phenolic Content of Perilla frutescens at Microgreens and Mature Stages

Microgreens are considered products of high biological value because they contain natural and beneficial metabolites and antioxidants in high amounts; also, consumers appreciate them very much for their aromas. In this work, we focused our attention on the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from whole fresh leaves of two Chinese basil varieties (Perilla frutescens var. frutescens and var. crispa) at the microgreens stage; to show that the emission is microgreens specific we tested whether this capacity remains during subsequent growth of the plants. We found differences between the VOCs produced by the leaves of the two varieties at the microgreens stage and significantly reduced emission after development (additional four weeks of growth) particularly for the green variety (var. frutescens). The main volatiles emitted by whole leaves were D-Limonene for the red variety (crispa) and 2-Hexanoylfuran for the green one. In addition, the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant power increase in adult leaves. These results clearly indicate that the particular smell of microgreens Perilla leaves depends on the specific variety and is not related to the amount of total phenols or antioxidant capacity of the leaves.

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nitrogen on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Beetroot Varieties in Nepal

Economic use of organic and inorganic fertilizers following their availability is necessary for livestock-based Nepalese farming systems. However, how best to integrate these fertilizers in an appropriate manner is not yet clear. Thus, this study was conducted in the horticulture farm of the Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal from November 2018 to February 2019 to evaluate the effect of organic and inorganic sources of nitrogen (N) on growth, yield, and quality of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) varieties. The experiment was laid out in a two factorial randomized complete block design with four replications consisting of two beetroot varieties, i.e., Madhur and Ruby Red, and five N source combinations, i.e., N1: 100% poultry manure (PM), N2: 50% PM + 50% urea, N3: 100% farmyard manure (FYM), N4: 50% FYM + 50% urea, and N5: 100% urea (120:80:40 kg NPK ha−1). Results of this study indicated a significant impact of N sources and varieties on the assessed parameters. During harvest, a significantly higher plant height (41.84 cm), number of leaves per plant (14.68), leaf length (34.56 cm), leaf width (11.38 cm), and beetroot diameter (72.15 mm) were observed in the N2 treatment. Likewise, higher economic (49.78 t ha−1) and biological yields (78.69 t ha−1) were also recorded in the N2 compared to other N sources. Out of the two varieties, the Madhur variety was significantly better in most growth and yield parameters. Similarly, the Madhur variety showed a significantly higher economic (44.49 t ha−1) and biological yields (69.79 t ha−1) compared to the Ruby Red variety. However, the physiological weight loss was higher in the Ruby Red variety. Therefore, the current study suggests that an integration of poultry manure along with the combination of N fertilizer and the Madhur variety is the best combination for quality beetroot production in the Terai region of Nepal.

Proximate and Biological Activity Studies of Syzygium samarangense: Study of different extractives of Syzygium samarangense

Fruits of red and green varieties of Syzygium samarangense, commonly known as Jamrul in Bangladesh, are very popular for all ages of people. Air-dried fruits of S. samarangense were successively extracted with n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol. The moisture and ash content of the raw fruits were determined by thermal heating at 105 and 700, respectively. Different biologically important functional groups were identified by FT-IR spectroscopy. The n-hexane, DCM and methanolic extracts were tested for cytotoxicity against HeLa and Vero cell lines. Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and total antioxidant capacity in the three extracts of both varieties were determined. The moisture content and ash content were 92% and 90%, and 0.12% and 0.16% in red variety and green variety, respectively. UV-Vis spectrum revealed the presence of long chain conjugation or polycyclic aromatic chromophores in n-hexane, DCM and methanolic extracts of S. samarangense. The DCM extract of both varieties had highest total phenolic content, flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity compared to n-hexane and methanol extracts. The study concludes that the fruit of S. samarangense (red and green variety) grown in Bangladesh are rich source of phytochemicals which possess antioxidant activity and safe to health for their non-cytotoxic properties. The green variety contains more phenolic content and antioxidant capacity than red variety.

Winemaking in Cold Regions with Buried Viticulture in China

China has a long history of grape cultivation and wine making, and it has grown to be one of the most important countries in terms of grape cultivation, wine production, and wine consumption. According to meteorological and geographical regionalization, China’s wine production area has been divided into 11 regions, the majority of which are located in cold and mid-temperate regions in northern China, where vines must be buried in winter and unearthed in spring. In China, the main cultivated grape varieties are similar, with the red variety accounting for more than 80% of the total, while the white variety represents just 20%. Currently, Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted variety, but Marselan, another red variety, have recently shown good prospects. Wild grape species such as Vitis amurensis, Vitis davidii, and Vitis quinquangularis are widely planted in northern and southern China because of their good resistance to local climate. This chapter highlights some common wild grape varieties in China, as well as the wines made from them. Also, some winemaking pretreatment techniques are reported.

DYNAMICS OF CERTAIN CHEMICAL COMPONENTS IN TOMATO FRUIT (LYCOPERSICON ECULENTUM MILL.) MAINTAINED AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES AFTER HARVEST

Traditional tomato varieties are of particular importance for vegetable cultivation, by capitalizing on the diversity of local populations and increasing the number of crops. The study of local populations of cultivated tomatoes determines the accumulation of additional knowledge on how the shape, size and taste of fruits evolve, helping to identify new varieties with a role in improving the productivity, quality and nutritional value of tomatoes. In this paper, 2 local varieties from the Cluj County area were studied, from the point of view of the dynamics of certain chemical components when, after harvest, the tomatoes are stored at different stages of maturity. The lowest water loss, of 7.5%, was presented by the pink variety, stored for 7 days at a temperature of 8 °C. Vitamin C was better preserved in the case of the red variety, presenting after 7 days of storage at 8 °C, values of 27.23% at green maturity and 46.58% at consumption maturity. The pectic substances, in the case of the studied varieties, do not show significant variations depending on the maturity phase or the storage method, these registering values between 0.11 and 0.27%.

In-Vitro Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Volatile Compounds and Minerals in Five Different Onion Varieties

Onions contain high antioxidants compounds that fight inflammation against many diseases. The purpose was to investigate some selected bioactive activities of onion varieties (Yellow, Red, Green, Leek, and Baby). Antioxidant assays and anti-inflammatory activities such as NO production with the addition of some bioactive components were determined and analyzed by using a spectrophotometer. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used for the volatile compounds, while an Atomic absorption spectrometer was used for mineral determinations. Red variety achieved the highest antioxidant activities. The total flavonoids were between (12.56 and 353.53 mg Quercetin/gin dry weight) (dw) and the total phenol was (8.75–25.73 mg/g dw). Leek, Yellow and Green extracts achieved highly anti-inflammatory values (3.71–4.01 μg/mL) followed by Red and Baby extracts, respectively. The highest contents of sodium, potassium, zinc, and calcium were established for Red onions. Furfuraldehyde, 5-Methyl-2-furfuraldehyde, 2-Methyl-2-pentenal, and 1-Propanethiol were the most predominant, followed by a minor abundance of the other compounds such as Dimethyl sulfide, Methyl allyl disulfide, Methyl-trans-propenyl-disulfide, and Methyl propyl disulfide. The results recommend that these varieties could act as sources of essential antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to decrease inflammation and oxidative stresses, especially red onions that recorded high activities.

Comparative Studies on the Fruit Yield of two Capsicum Varieties at Physiological Maturity

A study was carried out at the Busia Agricultural Training Center (A.T.C), Western Kenya in 2019 to compare the fruit yields of two capsicum varieties from Syngenta seed company at the physiological maturity stages of red and yellow colors. Commandant F1 (red) and Admiral F1 (yellow) capsicum varieties were established under greenhouse conditions in two experimental beds measuring 0.7m by 13.5m. No controls were planted. Drip irrigation system was used with a plant-to-plant and inter-row spacing of 30cm and 40cm, respectively. Both of the two varieties were planted at the same time and subjected the same fertilizer treatments, pest and disease control measures, cultural practices and moisture supply. Data was collected on growth parameters (number of vegetative branches, flower buds and flowers) and yield components (number of fruits and harvest weight). Independent sample t-test was used to compare parameters (number of flowers, flower buds, fruits and the number of branches) for the two colored capsicum varieties, at a probability of p≤0.05. Further analysis involved finding weight and harvest averages for the two varieties. All analyses were performed in IBM SPSS Statistics, version 23. The red-coloured variety produced an average of 9.36 buds per plant compared to 5.2 for the yellow cultivar (p=0.01). Significant differences in the average yield potential of the yellow and red varieties (calculated as flowers, buds, and young fruits) were found between the red and yellow varieties (p=0.02). The red variety had a higher yield potential (19.52) than the yellow one (13.46). Within-variety weight comparison showed that the yellow variety lost a significant amount of fruit mass between the second and third harvest (0.122kg or 61%) compared to the red variety which lost 0.099kg or 58%. Keywords: Capsicum; Fruit yield; Physiological maturity; Variety; Red; Yellow

Mineral elements analysis and total flavonoids content in the fresh leaves from two varieties of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. consumed as vegetable in Lubumbashi (DR Congo)

Fresh leaves of sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) are among the most consumed vegetables in the Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). According to the literature, this vegetable shows the chemical variability depending on the culture area. Two varieties of this species, cultivated and consumed in Lubumbashi have not yet been studied for their micronutrient content, of which fruits and vegetables are the main sources. This study investigated the mineral and total flavonoid content of fresh leaves from red and green varieties of H. sabdariffa L., consumed as a vegetable in the aforementioned city. Fresh leaves of red and green variety of H. sabdariffa were purchased in 10 main markets of the Lubumbashi city. Gravimetric and spectrophotometric methods were used for analyzes of water, mineral and total flavonoids content. Three of the major mineral elements (Na, Ca, Mg) and several trace elements (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Se, Co, Cr) were found in both varieties in elevated quantity in leaves of red variety. These latter were marked by a high content of iron (7 mg/100 g of fresh material) and Manganese (600 µg/100 g of fresh material). Total flavonoids quantification revealed that the leaves of red variety have a high value (28.2 ± 0.3 mg Quercetin Equivalent per g of extract) in total flavonoids compared to the leaves of green variety. Fresh leaves of the red variety of H. Sabdariffa consumed in Lubumbashi could be a source of iron for adults and manganese for children.

Morphological potential of the gene pool of radish

The article presents the research of samples of the collection material of radish sowing Raphanus sativus L. Ukrainian and foreign selection of different ecological and geographical origin. Weather conditions during the research period (2015–2017) were characterized by a high variability of hydrothermal conditions, which manifested itself in the lack of moisture at different stages of ontogenesis of the.radish. Subsequently, the uneven amount of precipitation during the growing season led to a decrease in yield and a change in the biometric indicators of the rosette of leaves and root crops. As you know, varieties of radish Raphanus sativus L. are complex populations with a variety of genetic material, especially in terms of quantitative characteristics. The quantitative traits of a plant organism are subject to strong modification variability, which is the main obstacle to increasing the efficiency of selection of the required selection genotypes. One of the criteria for the variability of quantitative traits is the coefficient of variation (V, %). This statistical indicator allows one to obtain information about the characteristics of the reaction rate of various quantitative traits of a plant, while ensuring the comparability of the results obtained. The conducted studies of biometric indicators of sowing radish made it possible to analyze the variation of its main quantitative characteristics. In the course of the research, a description of the variability of the morphological characteristics of the samples of sowing radish of various breeding and geographical origin was carried out. The revealed features make it possible to analyze the nature of variability of quantitative traits and contribute to the widespread involvement of the best varieties in the breeding process as donors of valuable traits. According to the research results, it was allocated for mechanized harvesting on the basis of the «smallest rosette of leaves» varieties of sowing radish: 18 days (Russia) a variety of pink-red with a white tip and a cylindrical root crop, Zarya (Russia) — a dark red variety with a rounded root crop, Duet (Italy) is a pink-red variety with an oval root crop. And also varieties White cylindrical and Ice icicle — a variety of white cylindrical Ukrainian selection. During the study, it was found that the size of the root crop is controlled by the genotype, but its formation is more dependent on external environmental factors. For selection according to the parameter «length of the root crop», the following samples were selected: 18 days (Russia) and White brekfast (Germany), according to the «width of the root crop» — Belaya (Czech Republic), Zhara (Netherlands)