Development of an analytical method for the quantification of pfaffic acid in Brazilian ginseng (Hebanthe eriantha)

Hebanthe eriantha (Poir.) Pedersen (Amaranthaceae), which is known as Brazilian ginseng is widely used in folk medicine as an aphrodisiac and antidiabetic tonic. The anti-tumor activity, attributed to the pfaffic acid present in roots of H. eriantha, is responsible for the great interest in the commercialization of this species. In Brazil, the species H. eriantha is mainly used in commercial preparations, although other plants of the genus Pfaffia and Hebanthe have been marketed as Pfaffia paniculata or Brazilian ginseng. The pfaffic acid present in the roots is mainly conjugated with sugars (pfaffosides) and can be used as an active marker of H. eriantha, which helps to differentiate this species from others marketed as Brazilian ginseng. The main objective of this study was to develop and validate a liquid chromatographic method to quantify pfaffic acid in the roots of H. eriantha. The extraction and hydrolysis conditions were optimized using an univariate and experimental design, respectively, and the quantification of pfaffic acid by high performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) was validated. This method was used to evaluate the pfaffic acid content in 30 different genotypes of the species from a germplasm collection. The content of pfaffic acid ranged from 0.97 to 4.29% (w/w) on a dry weight basis. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Stem anatomy and development of successive cambia in Hebanthe eriantha (Poir.) Pedersen: A neotropical climbing species of the Amaranthaceae

Hebanthe eriantha (Poir.) Pedersen, a climbing species of the Amaranthaceae increases in stem thickness by forming successive cambia. The family is dominated by herbaceous species and is constantly under discussion due to its disputed nature of the meristem. In the young stem small alternate segments of vascular cambium cease to divide and new arc of cambium initiates outside to it. The newly formed arcs connect with pre-existing alternate segments of cambium to complete the ring. On the contrary, in thick stems, instead of small segments, complete ring of cambium is replaced by new one. These new alternate segments/cambia originate from the parenchyma cells located outside to the phloem produced by previous cambium. Cambium is storied and exclusively composed of fusiform initials while ray cells remain absent at least in the early part of the secondary growth. However, large heterocellular rays are observed in 15-mm diameter stems but their frequency is much lower. In some of the rays, ray cells become meristematic and differentiate into radially arranged xylem and phloem elements. In fully grown plants, stems are composed of several successive rings of secondary xylem alternating with secondary phloem. Secondary xylem is diffuse-porous and composed of vessels, fibres, axial parenchyma while exceptionally large rays are observed only in the outermost regions of thick stems. Vessel diameter increases progressively from the centre towards the periphery of stems. Although the origin of successive cambia and composition of secondary xylem of H. eriantha remains similar to other herbaceous members of Amaranthaceae, the occurrence of relatively wider and thick-walled vessels and large rays in fully grown plants is characteristic to climbing habit. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Wien.

Aspectos fitotécnicos e fitoquímicos de acessos de Hebanthe eriantha (Poir.) Pedersen - Amaranthaceae

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Horticultura) - FCA

Agronomical and phytochemical aspects of fafia

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Anti-inflammatory effects of Brazilian ginseng (Pfaffia paniculata) on TNBS-induced intestinal inflammation: experimental evidence

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing, idiopathic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Clinical studies suggest that the initiation of IBD is multifactorial, involving genetics, the immune system and environmental factors, such as diet, drugs and stress. Pfaffia paniculata is an adaptogenic medicinal plant used in Brazilian folk medicine as an anti-stress agent. Thus, we hypothesised that the P. paniculata enhances the response of animals subjected to colonic inflammation. Our aim was to investigate the intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of P. paniculata in rats before or after induction of intestinal inflammation using trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS). The animals were divided into groups that received the vehicle, prednisolone or P. paniculata extract daily starting 14days before or 7days after TNBS induction. At the end of the procedure, the animals were killed and their colons were assessed for the macroscopic damage score (MDS), extent of the lesion (EL) and weight/length ratio, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and glutathione (GSH), cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Histological evaluation and ultrastructural analysis of the colonic samples were performed. Treatment with the 200mg/kg dose on the curative schedule was able to reduce the MDS and the EL. In addition, MPO activity was reduced, GSH levels were maintained, and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and CRP were decreased. In conclusion, the protective effect of P. paniculata was related to reduced oxidative stress and CRP colonic levels, and due to immunomodulatory activity as evidenced by reduced levels of IL-1β, INF-γ, TNF-α and IL-6.

Evaluación del efecto antídoto de fluxofenin sobre Digitaria Eriantha y Panicum Coloratum cv. Klein para aplicar herbicidas preemergentes

Resumen: En la región semiárida central, las gramíneas perennes megatérmicas contribuyen a disminuir los riesgos de erosión, a incrementar la receptividad en los sistemas de producción basados en pastizales naturales y a disminuir los costos de producción. Una de las especies de mayor difusión es pasto llorón (Eragrostis curvula). La resistencia a las bajas temperaturas invernales (-17°C), alta producción primaria y resistencia al pastoreo son algunas de las virtudes de esta especie. No obstante, durante el semestre frío y seco (otoño-invierno) el valor nutritivo del forraje diferido es muy bajo. La suplementación con concentrados energéticos –proteicos soluciona este problema, aunque incrementa los costos y complica el manejo. La identificación y evaluación de otras especies con características semejantes a pasto llorón, pero de mayor valor nutritivo sobre todo durante el invierno, fue una línea de trabajo importante en el INTA San Luis. De éste trabajo, surgieron dos especies actualmente en difusión en los sistemas de producción, a saber: Digitaria (Digitaria eriantha) y Mijo perenne (Panicum coloratum). Si bien la adopción de esta tecnología es importante, podría ser aún más elevada. Las dificultades de implantación es una causa relevante, sobre todo en potreros que han sido cultivados con especies anuales durante muchos años. En estos sitios, existe un importante banco de semilla de malezas gramíneas, que dificultan el control sin afectar la digitaria. El desarrollo de herbicidas preemergentes con gran poder residual, como así de compuestos químicos que funcionan como antídotos para proteger las especies que son afectadas por estos herbicidas, podrían resultar valiosos. Se dispone en el mercado de herbicidas de presiembra o preemergentes residuales formulados en base a acetamidas, a saber: i) S-metolaclor y ii) Acetoclor que controlan un amplio espectro de malezas incluidas las malezas problemas mencionadas. También se dispone de una sustancia química que funciona como antídoto-protector (fluxofenin) con el nombre comercial de Concep II y es utilizado para sembrar exitosamente el cultivo de sorgo. Se desconoce si éste compuesto podría proteger a las plántulas de digitaria y panicum. Se hipotetiza que la aplicación en el suelo de los herbicidas mencionados y la posterior siembra de semillas de digitaria y panicum protegidas con antídoto, no afectaría la germinación ni el desarrollo normal de plántulas de ambas especies. El objetivo de éste trabajo fue evaluar el efecto del antídoto, de los herbicidas y de la combinación de ambos sobre la germinación, crecimiento y sobrevivencia de plántulas de digitaria y panicum. El trabajo se desarrolló en el Laboratorio de semillas de la EEA San Luis del INTA, próxima a la ciudad de Villa Mercedes (Pcia. de San Luis). Se diseñaron 12 tratamientos con cuatro repeticiones para evaluar el efecto de cuatro dosis de antídoto (0; 20; 40 y 60 cc cada 100 kg de semilla) sin la aplicación de herbicidas (Sin), y la combinación de cada dosis de antídoto con dos herbicidas: SM (S-metolaclor) y A (Acetoclor) con la dosis recomendada comercialmente. Los tratamientos fueron: T1= (0:Sin); T2=(20:Sin); T3=(40:Sin); T4=(60:Sin); T5=(20:SM); T6=(40:SM); T7= (60:SM); T8=(20:A); T9=(40:A); T10=(60:A); T11=(0:SM); T12=(0:A). Se utilizaron 48 bandejas de plástico por especie forrajera de 15x10x3,5 cm, con 150 Se realizó la siembra al voleo con 0,5 gr de semilla en cada bandeja. Se compactó en forma semejante y cada bandeja se colocó en una bolsa de nylon para evitar la deshidratación. Luego se llevaron las 96 bandejas (2 especies forrajeras por 12 tratamientos por 4 repeticiones) a la cámara de cultivo con 30°C con 8 hs de luz y 20 °C con 16 hs de oscuridad. El ensayo tuvo una duración de 57 días. Se hicieron 14 mediciones de altura y n° de plantas. La unidad experimental fue la bandeja. Las variables respuesta (altura de hoja (mm) y el número de plantas) fueron sometidos a análisis de varianza y las medias comparadas utilizando el test de LSD. El nivel de significación utilizado en el trabajo es del 5%. Los resultados obtenidos: En Digitaria (Digitaria eriantha): I) El desarrollo y número de plantas fue mayor sin antídoto y sin herbicida, (p≤0,05) II) El tratamiento 6 (40:SM) resultó la mejor combinación para obtener un adecuado crecimiento y número de plántulas, aunque inferior al testigo (p≤0,05). III) Se logra efecto protector para el herbicida S-metolaclor con una dosis de antídoto entre 20cc y 40cc. IV) El antídoto es fitotóxico para la Digitaria Eriantha en dosis de 60cc (p≤0,05). V) El antídoto no protege a la Digitaria Eriantha en ninguna de sus dosis del herbicida Acetoclor En Mijo perenne (Panicum coloratum).: I) La aplicación de antídoto en la menor dosis (20 cc) no afectó el crecimiento ni el número de las plantas. En esta última variable, aún las dosis mayores del antídoto (40 y 60 cc) no tuvieron efectos negativos respecto al testigo (p≤0,05), II) La combinación del herbicida s-metolaclor (SM) con las dosis intermedias (20 y 40cc) de antídoto tuvo un ligero efecto negativo sobre el crecimiento y número de plantas respecto al testigo, aunque con diferencias significativas (p≤0,05) III) La aplicación del herbicida Acetoclor con todas las dosis del antídoto afectó significativamente el crecimiento y el número de plantas (p≤0,05). Se concluye que el tratamiento con antídoto en dosis bajas (20cc) no afecta el desarrollo ni el número de plantas de digitaria y panicum. Esta última especie es menos afectada que digitaria aún con mayores dosis. La mejor combinación de antídoto y herbicida SM, es de 20 cc para digitaria y 60 cc para panicum. El herbicida Acetoclor tuvo efectos negativos en ambas especies. Se recomienda realizar nuevos ensayos en condiciones reales de producción.

An R2R3 MYB transcription factor determines red petal colour in an Actinidia (kiwifruit) hybrid population

Background Red colour in kiwifruit results from the presence of anthocyanin pigments. Their expression, however, is complex, and varies among genotypes, species, tissues and environments. An understanding of the biosynthesis, physiology and genetics of the anthocyanins involved, and the control of their expression in different tissues, is required. A complex, the MBW complex, consisting of R2R3-MYB and bHLH transcription factors together with a WD-repeat protein, activates anthocyanin 3-O-galactosyltransferase (F3GT1) to produce anthocyanins. We examined the expression and genetic control of anthocyanins in flowers of Actinidia hybrid families segregating for red and white petal colour. Results Four inter-related backcross families between Actinidia chinensis Planch. var. chinensis and Actinidia eriantha Benth. were identified that segregated 1:1 for red or white petal colour. Flower pigments consisted of five known anthocyanins (two delphinidin-based and three cyanidin-based) and three unknowns. Intensity and hue differed in red petals from pale pink to deep magenta, and while intensity of colour increased with total concentration of anthocyanin, no association was found between any particular anthocyanin data and hue. Real time qPCR demonstrated that an R2R3 MYB, MYB110a, was expressed at significant levels in red-petalled progeny, but not in individuals with white petals. A microsatellite marker was developed that identified alleles that segregated with red petal colour, but not with ovary, stamen filament, or fruit flesh colour in these families. The marker mapped to chromosome 10 in Actinidia. The white petal phenotype was complemented by syringing Agrobacterium tumefaciens carrying Actinidia 35S::MYB110a into the petal tissue. Red pigments developed in white petals both with, and without, co-transformation with Actinidia bHLH partners. MYB110a was shown to directly activate Actinidia F3GT1 in transient assays. Conclusions The transcription factor, MYB110a, regulates anthocyanin production in petals in this hybrid population, but not in other flower tissues or mature fruit. The identification of delphinidin-based anthocyanins in these flowers provides candidates for colour enhancement in novel fruits.

Analysis of expressed sequence tags from Actinidia : Applications of a cross species EST database for gene discovery in the areas of flavor, health, color and ripening

Background Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) are a relatively new, but economically important crop grown in many different parts of the world. Commercial success is driven by the development of new cultivars with novel consumer traits including flavor, appearance, healthful components and convenience. To increase our understanding of the genetic diversity and gene-based control of these key traits in Actinidia, we have produced a collection of 132,577 expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Results The ESTs were derived mainly from four Actinidia species (A. chinensis, A. deliciosa, A. arguta and A. eriantha) and fell into 41,858 non redundant clusters (18,070 tentative consensus sequences and 23,788 EST singletons). Analysis of flavor and fragrance-related gene families (acyltransferases and carboxylesterases) and pathways (terpenoid biosynthesis) is presented in comparison with a chemical analysis of the compounds present in Actinidia including esters, acids, alcohols and terpenes. ESTs are identified for most genes in color pathways controlling chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid biosynthesis. In the health area, data are presented on the ESTs involved in ascorbic acid and quinic acid biosynthesis showing not only that genes for many of the steps in these pathways are represented in the database, but that genes encoding some critical steps are absent. In the convenience area, genes related to different stages of fruit softening are identified. Conclusion This large EST resource will allow researchers to undertake the tremendous challenge of understanding the molecular basis of genetic diversity in the Actinidia genus as well as provide an EST resource for comparative fruit genomics. The various bioinformatics analyses we have undertaken demonstrates the extent of coverage of ESTs for genes encoding different biochemical pathways in Actinidia.

Overexpression of the kiwifruit SVP3 gene affects reproductive development and suppresses anthocyanin biosynthesis in petals, but has no effect on vegetative growth, dormancy, or flowering time

SVP-like MADS domain transcription factors have been shown to regulate flowering time and both inflorescence and flower development in annual plants, while having effects on growth cessation and terminal bud formation in perennial species. Previously, four SVP genes were described in woody perennial vine kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.), with possible distinct roles in bud dormancy and flowering. Kiwifruit SVP3 transcript was confined to vegetative tissues and acted as a repressor of flowering as it was able to rescue the Arabidopsis svp41 mutant. To characterize kiwifruit SVP3 further, ectopic expression in kiwifruit species was performed. Ectopic expression of SVP3 in A. deliciosa did not affect general plant growth or the duration of endodormancy. Ectopic expression of SVP3 in A. eriantha also resulted in plants with normal vegetative growth, bud break, and flowering time. However, significantly prolonged and abnormal flower, fruit, and seed development were observed, arising from SVP3 interactions with kiwifruit floral homeotic MADS-domain proteins. Petal pigmentation was reduced as a result of SVP3-mediated interference with transcription of the kiwifruit flower tissue-specific R2R3 MYB regulator, MYB110a, and the gene encoding the key anthocyanin biosynthetic step, F3GT1. Constitutive expression of SVP3 had a similar impact on reproductive development in transgenic tobacco. The flowering time was not affected in day-neutral and photoperiod-responsive Nicotiana tabacum cultivars, but anthesis and seed germination were significantly delayed. The accumulation of anthocyanin in petals was reduced and the same underlying mechanism of R2R3 MYB NtAN2 transcript reduction was demonstrated.

猕猴桃属两个种的原生质体培养与体细胞杂交

猕猴桃是重要的栽培果树，但目前栽培品种过于单一，不能满足生产和消费的需求。由于猕猴桃的雌雄异株特性、种间杂交亲合性差、遗传上高度杂合以及育种周期长等特点，常规杂交育种困难很大。现代生物技术，如原生质体培养和体细胞杂交等，为培育新品种提供了新途径。 毛花猕猴桃(Actinidia eriantha)和软枣猕猴桃(A.arguta)是猕猴桃属中具有重要利用价值的两个种。毛花猕猴桃果实大小在猕猴桃属中次于中华猕猴桃(A.chinensis)和美味猕猴桃(A.deliciosa)列第三位，果实维生素C含量达1014 mg/l00 g FW。软枣猕猴桃极耐寒，在-40℃下可安全越冬，其果实表面光滑无毛。这两个种是品种改良的重要种质资源。 作为生物技术基础的组织培养与植株再生系统，在毛花猕猴桃上尚未见报道。软枣猕猴桃的组织培养仅有一例报道，且芽分化率和分化系数都很低。这两个种的原生质体培养及与美味猕猴桃的原生质体融合也未见报道。针对这种情况，本试验对毛花猕猴桃和软枣猕猴桃的组织培养、原生质体培养及其与美味猕猴桃品种“Hayward”的原生质体融合进行研究，结果建立了较理想的毛花猕猴桃和软枣猕猴桃组织培养系统;首次从毛花猕猴桃原生质体得到再生植株和从软枣猕猴桃原生质体培养再生愈伤组织;通过改进融合方法，建立了毛花猕猴桃+美味猕猴桃和软枣猕猴桃+美味猕猴桃的原生质体融合体系，并将异核体培养分裂得到细胞团。这些结果有利于今后毛花猕猴桃和软枣猕猴桃资源的开发利用。主要试验结果如下： 以毛花猕猴桃试管实生苗叶片和茎段为外植体，培养在附加一定浓度Zea或CPPU的MS培养基上，产生的愈伤组织不经转代就可分化芽。试管苗茎段在附加0.0025 mg/L CPPU和0.1 mg/LIAA的MS培养基上愈伤组织产生、芽分化和苗生长都较理想;试管苗叶片则以附加0.025 mg/L CPPU和0.l mg/LIAA或0.5 mg/L Zea和0.1 mg/LIAA的MS培养基较好。当苗生长至1.0 cm时经诱导生根形成完整植株。 在软枣猕猴桃组织培养中，外植体种类、诱导培养基的激素种类和诱导分化时细胞分裂素种类都有重要影响。无菌苗茎段容易愈伤组织化，但分化困难;叶片外植体产生愈伤组织较难，但分化容易。在含Zea的MS培养基上，两种外植体产生的愈伤组织不经转代即能分化芽。分化培养基中添加Zea能有效地诱导芽分化，其中以2.0 mg/L Zea芽的分化最好，而Kin和BAP在0.5- 2.0 mg/L浓度范围内愈伤组织不分化。 以毛花猕猴桃或软枣猕猴桃试管苗叶片为分离原生质体的材料。试管苗的培养条件对原生质体分离效果及其培养反应有显著影响。弱光培养条件对两个种试管苗的原生质体分离及其培养都有好处，试管苗培养基也有重要影响。毛花猕猴桃和软枣猕猴桃试管苗合适培养基分别为MS基本培养基（大量元素减半）和MS+0.00025 mg/L CPPU+ 0.1 mg/LIAA。在此条件下培养的两个种的试管苗叶片，经酶解后原生质体产量分别为0.7-1.8×l06和3.0-3.5×l06/1 g FW，其原生质体在合适培养基上能够分裂。 毛花猕猴桃原生质体培养在MS培养基（去除NH4N03）附加l.0mg/L2，4-D液体培养基中，约10天时发生第一次分裂，分裂能持续下去并在培养3个月时形成约2mm大小愈伤组织。直接将其转入固体培养基中使其增殖和分化。在附加Zea 0.5 mg/L+ O.l mg/L IAA的MS培养基上继代2次，愈伤组织开始分化芽。芽伸长后切下诱导生根，形成完整植株。软枣猕猴桃原生质体培养基中，MS培养基附加2，4-D配合Zea或Kin对启动分裂是必须的，其中以MS＋2，4-D 0.5 mg/L+ Zea 0.5 mg/L最好，在此培养基上原生质体第一次分裂发生在4-6天时，培养12-14天时见到第三次分裂，培养三周的分裂频率为23%。培养45天后形成许多小愈伤组织块。软枣猕猴桃原生质体再生的愈伤组织从液体培养基转入固体培养基后未见进一步分裂。 对18株毛花猕猴桃原生质体再生植株的体细胞染色体数目作了观察，其中12株为整倍体，二倍体和四倍体各六株;另外六株为混倍体，其染色体数目变化在59-203之间。还发现原生质体再生植株有丝分裂间期细胞存在多核现象，有多核细胞的共10株，细胞内多核数目以双核和三核较常见，最多的有七个核。原生质体供体植株为2n=2x=58，未发现多核细胞。原生质体再生植株体细胞多核现象未见报道。 利用毛花猕猴桃或软枣猕猴桃叶片原生质体分别与愈伤组织来源的美味猕猴桃原生质体进行融合，融合方法为高Ca++高pH值PEG法。对Kao等(1975)报道的融合步骤作了修改。影响融合效率的因素主要有PEG种类、融合作用时间和融合液中DMSO浓度。最佳的融合条件为40%PEG (Sigma，MW3350)+10%DMSO，作用40 min。毛花猕猴桃+美味猕猴桃和软枣猕猴桃+美味猕猴桃的融合频率分别可达14.5%和13.6%。异核体经培养可分裂并形成细胞团。

Phylogenetic insights of Avena genus based on genomic analysis of 45S rDNA molecular organization

Tese de mestrado. Biologia (Biologia Molecular e Genética). Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2014

Manure and sorbent fertilisers increase on-going nutrient availability relative to conventional fertilisers

The key to better nutrient efficiency is to simultaneously improve uptake and decrease losses. This study sought to achieve this balance using sorbent additions and manure nutrients (spent poultry litter; SL) compared with results obtained using conventional sources (Conv; urea nitrogen, N; and phosphate–phosphorus; P). Two experiments were conducted. Firstly, a phosphorus pot trial involving two soils (sandy and clay) based on a factorial design (Digitaria eriantha/Pennisetum clandestinum). Subsequently, a factorial N and P field trial was conducted on the clay soil (D. eriantha/Lolium rigidum). In the pot trial, sorbent additions (26.2 g of hydrotalcite [HT] g P− 1) to the Conv treatment deferred P availability (both soils) as did SL in the sandy soil. In this soil, P delivery by the Conv treatments declined rapidly, and began to fall behind the HT and SL treatments. Addition of HT increased post-trial Colwell P. In the field trial low HT-rates (3.75 and 7.5 g of HT g P− 1) plus bentonite, allowed dry matter production and nutrient uptake to match that of Conv treatments, and increased residual mineral-N. The SL treatments performed similarly to (or better than) Conv treatments regarding nutrient uptake. With successive application, HT forms may provide better supply profiles than Conv treatments. Our findings, combined with previous studies, suggest it is possible to use manures and ion-exchangers to match conventional N and P source productivity with lower risk of nutrient losses.