Biochemical changes in two Aronia melanocarpa cultivars’ berries during the harvest season

Biochemical changes that undergo during the harvest season in 2020 (between 28 July and 11 September) were evaluated by a comparative study of two Aronia cultivars. The experiment was conducted at the Research Institute for Fruit Growing Pitesti, Arges County, Romania, on ‘Melrom’ and ‘Nero’ cultivars. Dry matter, total soluble content, pH, vitamin C, and biologically active components such as anthocyanins and phenolics variations were assessed from 28 July to 11 September 2020, for berries harvested every five days. ‘Melrom’ cultivar berries had significantly higher dry weight content, 251.43 g kg-1. ‘Nero’ showed a significantly higher vitamin C (1.87 g /kg-1 DW), total anthocyanins content (29.71 g cyanidin 3 – glucoside kg-1 DW), and juice pH (3.87). As harvest time main effect over the two cultivars taken together, dry weight, anthocyanins, total soluble content, and juice pH content increased significantly during the harvest season with 43.32%, 54.10%, 36.33%, and 17.98%, respectively, whereas significant losses of vitamin C, by 26.21%, and total phenolics compounds, by 27.90%, were recorded. Overall, early harvested fruits contained higher levels of moisture, vitamin C, and phenolics compounds, although the last crops provided less acidic fruits, with higher total soluble solids and anthocyanins content.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL DEFENSES OF Cenostigma pyramidale (FABACEAE): A PIONEER SPECIES IN SUCCESSIONAL CAATINGA AREAS

ABSTRACT Cenostigma pyramidale, a pioneer species presents in all different successional stage (early, intermediate and late) of fifteen natural regeneration areas of Caatinga after land used changed and abandonment was used to investigates the morphological and physiological attributes that are very important to xeromorphic conditions as against herbivories. Leaf samples were collected to evaluate the percentage of the herbivory and index of sclerophylly. Anatomy, histochemistry, total phenolic content, epicuticular wax load, and n-alkanes profile were also performed. The results showed an inverse relationship between the percentage of herbivory and the index of sclerophylly. The leaves showed typical morphological and anatomical characteristics of xeric environments plants such as uniseriate epidermis and trichomes. Furthermore, it was also noticed a decrease in the overall thickness and the tissues according to the advancement of the successional stages. The histochemical revealed the presence of lipidic substances coating the epidermal layers, phenolics compounds stored in secretory structures, and starch in the mesophyll. The concentration of phenolics compounds indicating the difference from health leaves of plants between different stages of regeneration, but no difference when they were herbivored. The amount of cuticle wax did not change significantly with the successional stage. The profile of n-alkanes was characterized by the predominance of nonacosane (C29) and hentriacontane (C31). The C29 content decreases with the advancement of the successional stage, while the C31 content increases. All those attributes have a role to protect the plants to acclimate to the various environmental conditions of Caatinga.

PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND IN VITRO ANTI-DIABETIC ACTIVITY OF STEM BARK EXTRACT OF CALOTROPIS GIGANTEA LINN

The present study aims to screen the preliminary photochemical present in the stem bark extracts of Calotropis gigantea. Calotropis gigantea Linn. is prevalently known as the aak, swallow-wort or milkweed. In the traditional system of medicine, the plant is used as one of the most important drugs to treat different diseases. The results showed the presence of phytochemical active compounds of alkaloids, flavanoids, glycosides, phenolics compounds, tannins, saponins, sterols, proteins, and amino acids in the stem bark extracts. Medicinal plants are the key source of bioactive compounds such as phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, and flavonoids which have been demonstrated in vitro to show anti-diabetic properties

Biochemical Analysis of Phenolics Compounds Accumulated During Developing Stages of Wheatgrass

The current study was carried out to evaluate the accumulation of phenolic compounds in distinct developmental stages of Wheatgrass (Tritium aestivum). The wheatgrass was grown in the container/tray in the standard condition in the laboratory space provided by the department. Overnight soaked seeds were then sowed in the soil containers for 25 days. The accumulation of phenolics compounds was qualitatively and quantitatively checked in the leaves at 5, 10,15,20,25 days. Phenolics compounds were sequentially extracted in methanol, n-hexane, and acetone. For qualitative analysis, various biochemical tests were carried out and phenolics compounds were quantitatively estimated by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Among three solvents methanol extract was found to accumulate phenolics compounds in increasing concentration at various developmental stages i.e. 5th days - 0.7135 mg/ml, 10th days 1.2614 mg/ml, 15th days- 1.1244 mg/ml; 20th days - 1.8093 mg/ml and 25th days - 4.0693 mg/ml. On the qualitative check, methanol extract was found to be positive for tannins, terpenoids, and glycosides. These phenolics could be analyzed for antidiabetic and antimicrobial activities are the future perspective of this study.

Mango Seed Kernel From Cameroon Savannah: Characterization And Antioxidant Potential

The aim of the present study is to characterize mango seed kernel of some varieties from the Cameroon savannah, to evaluate their potential uses. The results have shown a total sugar content ranging from 38.81% (Indécinard) to 67.33% (Brook), oil content, from 6.27% (Brook) to 10.62% (Kent), and proteins 3.94% (Local Maroua) to 6.09% (Kent). Uses as feedings or substitution in breadmaking and bakery is possible like some authors have shown. Phenolics compounds content and antioxidant activity have also been assessed and the results are promising for a valorisation of that aspect. Similar varieties were grouped in the respect of their polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant properties.

TWO LEVEL FACTORIAL SCREENING OF MICROWAVE-ASSISTED EXTRACTION PARAMETERS FOR THE RECOVERY OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS FROM VERNONIA CINEREA LEAF

Vernonia cinerea is one of the medicinal plants with several potentials for treating different ailments. In the present study, Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was employed in extracting phenolics compounds from this plant. However, different factors that affect this extraction method in the recovery of phenolics compounds abound, these factors need to be screened to determine actual contributing factor in order to minimize cost. Irradiation time (1-5 min), ethanol concentration (20-60% v/v), microwave power (40-80 W), extraction temperature (40-80 oC), and feed/solvent (1:10 - 1:18 g/mL) have been screened using two-factorial design for the recoveries of phenolic compounds from V. cinerea leaves. The results obtained in this study indicated that only microwave power, ethanol concentration, irradiation time and feed/solvent contributed to recoveries of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) from V. cinerea leaves. Thus, these factors at these ranges can be further optimized to obtain optimal yields of phenolic compounds from V. cinerea leaves.