Evaluation of volatile constituents of Cochlospermum angolense

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from the leaves and roots of Cochlospermum angolense (Welw) growing wild in Angola was analyzed for the first time by capillary gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The investigation led to the identification of 67 and 130 compounds from the leaves and roots, respectively. Both oils were strongly characterized by the presence of sesquiterpenoids (68.8% in the leaves and 53.2% in the roots), while monoterpenoids were present in minor percentages (9.8% in the leaves and 26.2% in the root). The main constituents of the leaves were germacrene D (9.4%), alpha-cadinol (7.4%) and 10-epi-cubenol (6.2%), while the most abundant compounds in the root essential oil were the sesquiterpenes beta-caryophyllene (19.7%) and isoborneol (6.6%). The analysis by HS-SPME of the roots, leaves, fruits and seeds were also reported for the first time. Different volatile profiles were detected.     

阔叶箬竹叶和箬竹叶中挥发油的提取及成分分析

采用水蒸气蒸馏法分别提取阔叶箬竹叶和箬竹叶中的挥发油,用乙醚作溶剂进行多次萃取,利用气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)联用分析二者的化学成分并进行比较。从阔叶箬竹叶提取的挥发油中共鉴定出37种化合物,主要成分为叶醇、1-己醇、苯甲醇、己醛、2-乙基呋喃、β-紫罗兰酮等。从箬竹叶提取的挥发油中共鉴定出49种化合物,主要成分为叶醇、苯甲醇、β-紫罗兰酮、2-己烯醛、苯乙醇、2-甲氧基-4-乙烯基苯酚、2-乙基呋喃等。两种箬叶挥发油中相对含量最高的成分都为叶醇,都含有酮、醛、醇、酚、酯类化合物,且酮、醛、醇的含量明显高于其他成分。     

Carotenoid dependence of the protochlorophyllide to chlorophyllide phototransformation in dark-grown wheat seedlings.

The influence of carotenoids on partial protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) photoreduction and the successive formation of long-wavelength chlorophyllide (Chlide) forms was studied by low-temperature fluorescence spectroscopy (77 K). Wheat leaves with a decreased content of carotenoids obtained from norflurazon-treated seedlings (10 and 100 micromol l(-1)) were compared with leaves containing normal amounts of these pigments. Partial photoreduction of Pchlide was achieved by irradiation of the leaves with one light flash in combination with a number of neutral gray and/or red Perspex filters. There were significant differences between the fluorescence emission spectra (the position and height of the peaks) of dark-grown normal and carotenoid-deficient leaves irradiated with non-saturating white light of increasing intensity. The long-wavelength Chlide forms appeared first in the leaves nearly devoid of carotenoids (treated with 100 micromol l(-1) norflurazon), then in the leaves with carotenoid deficiency (treated with 10 micromol l(-1) norflurazon), and finally in normal leaves. After irradiation with non-saturating light of the same intensity, the ratio Chlide/Pchlide(657) was always the highest in the leaves nearly deficient of carotenoids, medium in the leaves with carotenoid deficiency and lowest in the normal leaves. Similarly to white light, red light of low intensity induced faster formation of long-wavelength Chlide species in the leaves with carotenoid deficiency in comparison to the normal leaves. We propose that, in leaves with reduced carotenoid content, a greater number of Pchlide molecules transform to Chlide per light flash than in normal leaves. The results are discussed in relation to the involvement of carotenoids in competitive absorption and light screening, as well as to their influence on Pchlide-Chlide interactions.     

Chemistry and biological activity of essential oils from Piper claussenianum (Piperaceae)

Analyses of essential oils obtained from fresh and dried leaves and inflorescences of Piper clausenianum were performed using GC-FID, GC-MS and NMR techniques. Forty compounds were detected for these four oils with the total of identified constituents ranging from 88.7% for the dried inflorescences to 97.7% for the dried leaves. Sesquiterpenes were the main constituents in the volatile fraction from leaves with a high percentage of (E)-nerolidol (up to 83%). However, monoterpenes were identified in greater amount in the inflorescences, with linalool percentages from 50% up. The essential oils from fresh leaves and inflorescences were submitted to anti-parasitic activity against a strain of Leishmania amazonensis. Both samples showed biological activity, but the essential oil from P. claussenianum fresh leaves, which was rich in (E)-nerolidol, showed effective growth inhibition of L. amazonensis due to the high percentage of this metabolite in the mixture.     

Adsorption of Cr(VI) using activated neem leaves: kinetic studies

In the present study, adsorbent is prepared from neem leaves and used for Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solutions. Neem leaves are activated by giving heat treatment and with the use of concentrated hydrochloric acid (36.5 wt%). The activated neem leaves are further treated with 100 mmol of copper solution. Batch adsorption studies demonstrate that the adsorbent prepared from neem leaves has a significant capacity for adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. The parameters investigated in this study include pH, contact time, initial Cr(VI) concentration and adsorbent dosage. The adsorption of Cr(VI) is found to be maximum (99%) at low values of pH in the range of 1-3. A small amount of the neem leaves adsorbent (10 g/l) could remove as much as 99% of Cr(VI) from a solution of initial concentration 50 mg/l. The adsorption process of Cr(VI) is tested with Langmuir isotherm model. Application of the Langmuir isotherm to the system yielded maximum adsorption capacity of 62.97 mg/g. The dimensionless equilibrium parameter, R _L, signifies a favorable adsorption of Cr(VI) on neem leaves adsorbent and is found to be between 0.0155 and 0.888 (0<R _L<1). The adsorption process follows second order kinetics and the corresponding rate constant is found to be 0.00137 g/(mg) (min).     

Flavonoid distribution in tissues of Phillyrea latifolia L. leaves as estimated by microspectrofluorometry and multispectral fluorescence microimaging

A new method for detecting the tissue-specific distribution of flavonoids has been developed by coupling microspectrofluorometry and multispectral fluorescence microimaging techniques. Fluorescence responses of cross sections taken from 1 year old Phillyrea latifolia leaves exposed to full (sun leaves) or 15% (shade leaves) solar radiation in a coastal area of Southern Tuscany were analyzed. Fluorescence spectra of different tissue layers, each normalized at its fluorescence maximum, that were stained or not stained with Naturstoff reagent A (in ethanol), under excitation with UV light (lambdaexc = 365 nm) or blue light (lambdaexc = 436 nm) were recorded. The shape of the fluorescence spectra of tissue layers from shade and sun leaves differed only under UV excitation. The fluorescence of stained cross sections from sun and shade leaves as well as from different layers of sun leaves received a markedly different contribution from the blue (470 nm) and the yellow-red (580 nm) wavebands. Such changes in tissue fluorescence signatures were related to light-induced changes of extractable caffeic acid derivatives and flavonoid glycosides, namely quercetin 3-O-rutinoside and luteolin 7-O-glucoside. Wall-bound phenolics, i.e. hydroxycinnamic acids (p-coumaric, ferulic and caffeic acid) and flavonoids (apigenin and luteolin derivatives), did not substantially differ between sun and shade leaves. A Gaussian deconvolution analysis of fluorescence spectra was subsequently performed to estimate the contribution of flavonoids (emitting at 600 nm, F600 [red fluorescence contribution = signal integrated over a Gaussian band centered at about 600 nm]) relative to the tissue fluorescence (Ftot [total fluorescence = signal integrated over the whole fluorescence spectrum]). The F600/ Ftot ratios sharply differed between analogous tissues of sun and shade leaves, as well as among tissue layers within each leaf type. A highly resolved picture of the tissue flavonoid distribution was finally provided through a fluorescence microimaging technique by acquiring fluorescence images at the blue (fluorescence at about 470 nm [F470]) and yellow-red (fluorescence at about 580 nm [F580]) wavelengths and correcting the F580 image for the contribution of nonflavonoids to the fluorescence at 580 nm. Monochrome images were elaborated by adequate computing functions to visualize the exclusive accumulation of flavonoids in different layers of P. latifolia leaves. Our data show that in shade leaves flavonoids almost exclusively occurred in the adaxial epidermal layer. In sun leaves flavonoids largely accumulated in the adaxial epidermal and subepidermal cells and followed a steep gradient passing from the adaxial epidermis to the inner spongy layers. Flavonoids also largely occurred in the abaxial epidermal cells and constituted the exclusive class of phenylpropanoids synthesized by the cells of glandular trichomes. The proposed method also allowed for the discrimination of the relative abundance of hydroxycinnamic derivatives and flavonoids in different layers of the P. latifolia leaves.     

Local distribution of radioactivity in tree leaves contaminated by fallout of the radionuclides emitted from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

We analyzed fresh and dead leaves collected in forests in Fukushima after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, using autoradiography. Both fresh and dead leaves of Cryptomeria japonica were contaminated by radionuclides (¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs). Contamination of the fresh leaves was possibly attributed to interception of radionuclides by tree canopies, whereas the dead leaves indicated the direct deposition of radionuclides by fallout and/or washout of radionuclides intercepted by tree canopies. Translocation of radiocesium from a contaminated branch to new leaves growing after the FDNPP accident was not clearly observed, although transfer of radiocesium from leaf parts to male flowers occurred. Fallen leaves of Quercus serrata, which started growing after the FDNPP accident, did not show radioactivity, indicating that significant amounts of translocation from other parts to new leaves did not occur. Fallen leaves of Q. serrata collected from a litter showed hot spots originating from direct fallout. Needles of Pinus densiflora were also contaminated by fallout. Leaching with pure water removed soluble fractions of radiocesium and hot particles from the surface of the contaminated leaves, but significant amounts of radioactivity remained. This means that foliar absorption occurred in both fresh and dead leaves. Further leaching experiments using surfactant and acetone could not remove the remaining radiocesium from the leaves. The leaching experiments indicate that radiocesium in the contaminated leaves is strongly fixed in leaf tissues and is not readily released unless leaf tissues are decomposed.     

Fabrication of renewable palm-pruning leaves based nano-composite for remediation of heavy metals pollution

The palm-pruning leaves considered as valuable source for low cost adsorbent materials. Such application, enhance the environmental conditions by reducing the bad effects from un-managed palm-pruning leaves such as spreading insects. Herein, the palm-pruning leaves were treated with by water and acid washing to produce cleaned palm leaves (CPL) and then impregnation with iron(III) chloride and thermally treated to produce palm leaves/iron oxide- nanocomposite (PL/IO-NC). The prepared materials were applied for adsorption of some toxic metal ions from solutions. The original palm-pruning leaves as well as the treated adsorbent were characterized by SEM, EDS, FTIR, XRD. Results showed the formation of spots iron oxide nanoparticles onto the palm-pruning leaves. The efficiency of the treated adsorbent for uptake of Mn(II), Co(II) and Pb(II) was studied in term of kinetic, isotherm and thermodynamic to optimize and evaluate the effectiveness of the palm-pruning leaves treatment. The adsorption data was found to be more comfortable with Second order kinetic-model while the isotherm of Langmuir wasn’t suitable and the adsorption data was in agreement with Freundlich assumption. The values of ΔG° in the range (−5.8 to −3.5 kJ/mol) for Mn(II), (−4.2 to −2.1 kJ/mol) for Co(II), (−3.4 to −2.3 kJ/mol) for Pb(II), confirm the confirm the spontaneous and physical nature of the adsorption process.     

Determination of water contents in leaves by a near-infrared multispectral imaging technique

The kinetics of water desorption from olive leaves was studied using a near-infrared (NIR) multispectral imaging spectrometer. This imaging spectrometer is capable of sensitively and rapidly recording NIR spectral images of leaves because it was constructed with an acousto-optic tunable filter and an InGaAs focal plane array NIR camera. The high sensitivity and fast scanning ability of the imaging spectrometer make it suitable for kinetic determination. The kinetics of water desorption from olive leaves, determined by this multispectral imaging instrument, show that rate of water desorption is strongly dependent on the environment in which the leaves were stored. Water desorbed from leaves faster when leaves were stored under dry conditions. The rate for leaves stored in 0% humidity environment is 1.5× faster than those stored in 50% humidity.     

Alteration in photosystem II photochemistry of thylakoids isolated from senescing leaves of wheat seedlings

Wheat seedlings, grown for 7 days in the light, were allowed to senesce in the light or dark, and the change in the photosystem II (PS II) photochemistry of chloroplasts isolated from the primary leaves of these seedlings was investigated. The decrease in oxygen evolution and the fast fluorescence results indicated that the impairment of PS II in the leaves of seedlings senescing in the light was different from that in the leaves of seedlings senescing in the dark. Thermoluminescence studies showed a structural modification in the Q_B protein of chloroplasts isolated from leaves senescing in the light and an alteration in the S state transition of chloroplasts isolated from leaves senescing in the dark.     

In vitro enzyme inhibition activities of crude ethanolic extracts derived from medicinal plants of Pakistan

Twenty two crude ethanolic extracts from 14 indigenous medicinal plants were subjected to enzyme inhibition screening against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and lipoxygenase enzymes (LO). Three extracts showed activity against AChE, nine extracts were found to be active against BChE and four extracts inhibited the enzyme LO. The most significant inhibition activities (> or =50%) were found in extracts derived from Aloe vera (leaves), Alpinia galanga (rhizome), Curcuma longa (rhizome), Cymbopogon citratus (leaves), Ocimum americanum (leaves), Ocimum americanum (stem) and Withania somnifera (roots).     

Phytochemical analysis of non-polar solvent extracts of the Wisteria sinensis leaves

A comparative study on the phytochemical composition of the n-hexane and chloroform extracts from Wisteria sinensis leaves collected in June and October is described. Continuous extraction in Soxhlet apparatus, as well as ultrasound-assisted technique, was used for the preparation of the extracts. All the extracts were analysed by GC/MS method. As a result, α-tocopherol was identified as the main component (56%) of the extracts from October leaves, whereas, β-sitosterol was identified as the main compound (47%) in the extracts from the June leaves. Additionally, pure α-tocopherol was isolated from n-hexane extract of the October leaves using column chromatography. A total of 6.25 mg of α-tocopherol was isolated from 1 g of dried leaves. The presence of the vitamin E in extracts from W. sinensis leaves is described here for the first time.     

不同产地杜仲叶中金属元素的含量及其变化趋势分析

采用火焰原子吸收光谱法测定了陕西杨凌、陕西安康和河南灵宝产杜仲叶中Fe、Cu、Mg、Ca、Mn、Zn 6种金属元素的含量,并对其含量的变化趋势进行了分析比较.结果表明,杜仲叶中含有丰富的人体必需金属元素,且不同产地来源的样品中金属元素的含量有明显差异,其中尤以Fe、Zn、Mn和Mg含量差异最大,Cu和Ca的差异不明显....     

Antioxidant and antimicrobial attributes and phenolics of different solvent extracts from leaves, flowers and bark of Gold Mohar [Delonix regia (Bojer ex Hook.) Raf

This paper describes the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and phenolic components of different solvent (absolute methanol, absolute ethanol, absolute acetone, 80% methanol, 80% ethanol, 80% acetone and deionized water) extracts of leaves, flowers and bark of Gold Mohar [Delonix regia (Bojer ex Hook.) Raf.]. The extract yields from leaves, flowers and bark ranged from 10.19 to 36.24, 12.97 to 48.47 and 4.22 to 8.48 g/100 g dry weight (DW), respectively. Overall, 80% methanol extract produced from the leaves exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) higher antioxidant activity, with high phenolic contents (3.63 g GAE/100 g DW), total flavonoid contents (1.19 g CE/100 g DW), inhibition of peroxidation (85.54%), DPPH scavenging capacity (IC(50) value 8.89 μg/mL) and reducing power (1.87). Similarly, this 80% methanol leaves extract also showed superior antimicrobial activity. HPLC analysis of the 80% methanol extracts for individual phenolics revealed the presence of gallic, protocatechuic and salicylic acid in leaves; gallic, protocatechuic, salicylic, trans-cinnamic and chlorogenic acid in flowers, and gallic acid in bark as the main (amount > 1.50 mg/100 g DW) phenolic acids. Besides, small amounts ( < 1.50 mg/100 g DW) of some other phenolic acids such as sorbic, sinapic, p-coumaric, m-coumaric, ferulic, caffeic, 3-hydroxybenzoic, 4-hydroxycinnamic and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids were also detected. The extracts of the tested parts of Gold Mohar, especially, the leaves, might be valuable for functional food and therapeutic applications.     

Determination of flavonoids in cultivated sugarcane leaves, bagasse, juice and in transgenic sugarcane by liquid chromatography-UV detection

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with photo-diode array (DAD) detection was developed to separate and quantify flavonoids in sugarcane leaves and bagasse (= the crushed sugarcane refuse from juice extraction), and in sugarcane juice. Sugarcane flavonoids consist of a complex mixture of aglycones and glycosides (including flavonolignan glycosides), and the HPLC-UV method herein proposed is suitable for their quantification as total flavonoids. This method was applied to analyze samples of cultivated sugarcane, commercial juice and transgenic sugarcane leaves. Sugarcane leaves proved a promising source of flavonoids: an average of 1.10 mg of total flavonoids/g plant material was found in fresh leaves. Moreover, the flavonoid content of sugarcane juice (0.6 mg/mL) is comparable to other food sources of flavonoids previously reported. Transgenic sugarcane leaves ("Bowman-Birk" and "Kunitz") were compared with non-modified ("control") plant samples using the proposed HPLC-UV method, which indicated that the content of total flavonoids in transgenic plants is different from that in non-modified sugarcane.     

MALDI‐ and LDI‐MS saponin fingerprint of leaves and stick components of commercial yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis)

Yerba mate (YM) is massively produced and consumed as an infusion in South America and spreading all over the world. This product is obtained from dried leaves of Ilex paraguariensis Saint Hilaire, mixed with fragments of dried branches (sticks). For its commercialization, YM must have a minimum percentage of leaves because its presence determines YM quality and price. Till today, a mechanical methodology to determine the relative amount of components (sticks, leaves, and powder) is used. There is not any modern analytical method that provides information for quick characterization of the YM components. Typical saponin fingerprints for leaves and sticks were found by using ultraviolet matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization and ultraviolet laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. Then, their possible application as useful tools for quick characterization of components of commercial YM (leaves and sticks) is presented. Furthermore, fingerprints obtained from authentic samples of Ilex paraguariensis and Ilex dumosa are also included and discussed. Each Ilex show typical saponin fingerprints for leaves and sticks.     

Extraction of antimony and arsenic from fresh and freeze-dried plant samples as determined by HG-AAS

Six extraction media (acetic acid, EDTA, tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, NaOH, MeOH/H2O, acetonitrile/H2O) were tested for their ability to extract antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As) from freeze-dried poplar leaves, pine shoots and spruce shoots, as well as from a peat matrix. Additionally, the extraction efficiency of Sb and As in fresh and freeze-dried elder leaves and poplar leaves was compared. Total concentrations of Sb and As of aliquots (approximately 220 mg) of the freeze-dried samples were analysed by flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-HG-AAS) after open vessel digestion with adequate mixtures of nitric, sulfuric, hydrochloric, and perchloric acid. Three reference materials GBW 07602 Bush Branches and Leaves, GBW 07604 Poplar Leaves, and SRM 1575 Pine Needles were analysed with every batch of samples to ensure the accuracy and precision of the applied analytical procedures. The use of hydrofluoric acid in the digestion mixture leads to distinctly lower As values (down to 40%) than actual concentrations in the investigated plant materials. Extraction efficiencies were generally low and lower for Sb than for As. Solutions of 0.66 mol L(-1) NaOH liberated highest amounts of Sb with approximately 10% for poplar leaves, and approximately 19% each for pine shoots and spruce shoots. Distinctly higher concentrations of As in NaOH extracts of poplar leaves (22%), pine shoots (32%), and spruce shoots (36%) were quantified. Extraction experiments resulted in yields of 7-9% from fresh elder and poplar leaves, respectively, and 8-13% for freeze-dried samples for Sb. The corresponding values for As were 10-35% for the fresh material and 7-37% for the freeze-dried samples.     

Optical properties and nondestructive estimation of anthocyanin content in plant leaves.

Absorption and reflectance spectra of maple (Acer platanoides), cotoneaster (Cotoneaster alaunica), dogwood (Cornus alba) and pelargonium (Pelargonium zonale) leaves with a wide range of pigment content and composition were studied in visible and near-infrared spectra in order to reveal specific anthocyanin (Anth) spectral features in leaves. Comparing absorption spectra of Anth-containing and Anth-free leaves with the same chlorophyll (Chl) content, absorption spectra of Anth in leaves were derived. The main spectral feature of Anth absorption in vivo was a peak around 550 nm; the peak magnitude was closely related to Anth content. A quantitative nondestructive technique was developed to subtract Chl contribution to reflectance in this spectral region and retrieve Anth content from reflectance over a wide range of pigment content and composition. Anth reflectance index in the form ARI = (R550)-1 - (R700)-1, where (R550)-1 and (R700)-1 are inverse reflectances at 550 and 700 nm, respectively, allowed an accurate estimation of Anth accumulation, even in minute amounts, in intact senescing and stressed leaves.     

Berberis alkaloids. XXV. Structures of bernumidine and bernumicine

The alkaloid compositions of young shoots and leaves ofBerberis nummularia Bge. have been studied. The new alkaloids bernumidine (II) and bernumicine (III) have been isolated from the leaves, and their structures have been established.     

Antioxidant potential and radical-scavenging effects of flavonoids from the leaves of Psidium cattleianum grown in French Polynesia

Psidium cattleianum J. Sabine (Myrtaceae) is a traditional medicinal plant in French Polynesia. The leaves and roots possess many medicinal properties. These effects may be correlated with the presence of antioxidant compounds. Seven flavonoids along with a benzoic acid were isolated from the leaves of P. cattleianum. The compounds indicated strong antioxidant and radical-scavenging activities in ALP, DPPH(·), ABTS(·-) and ORAC assays. This study demonstrates that the leaves of P. cattleianum possess main compounds with interesting antioxidant and radical-scavenging activities, as clarified by four biological assays. Our findings may justify the use of these leaves in the traditional medicine of French Polynesia. Among the total eight known compounds, reynoutrin and luteolin were isolated for the first time from the genus Psidium.