Alkaloid profile in Pyrolirion albicans Herb. (Amaryllidaceae), a Peruvian endemic species

The Amaryllidaceae family is widely distributed in different regions of the neotropics and temperate areas of the world. Species of the subfamily Amaryllidoideae are unique in producing the alkaloid galanthamine, which inhibits the action of acetylcholinesterase and is used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In Perú, 15 genera and 68 species belonging to the Amaryllidoideae have been reported in different types of forest, ranging from wet montane to dry, as well as the sandy biomes of the Pacific coastal region, with the greatest diversity in the south. In the tribe Eustephieae, the Andean genus Pyrolirion Herb has eight species, six of which are endemic to Peru. In this work, the leaves and bulbs of Pyrolirion albicans were analyzed for their alkaloid content for the first time, using gas chromatography (GC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS). The alkaloids determined in the leaves were galanthamine, chlidanthine, tazettine and lycorine and those in the bulbs were galanthamine, N-demethylgalanthamine, vittatine/crinine, montanine, pancracine, sternbergine, lycorine and hippeastrine. Owing to their important bioactive properties, the high quantity of montanine and galanthamine determined in the bulbs is of particular interest. Keywords Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, GC-MS, Galanthamine, Montanine, Pyrolirion albicans, Endemis

Mastigostyla moqueguensis (Tigridieae: Iridaceae), a new species from southern Peru

A new species, Mastigostyla moqueguensis Huaylla & Llalla, is described from the Andes of Moquegua in southern Peru. Mastigostyla, which belongs to the tribe Tigridieae, is widely distributed in the Puna and Andean dry valleys of southern Peru and central Bolivia. The new species can be recognized by its ovate-lanceolate, acute inner tepals with glands at the base. It shows some affnity with M. torotoroensis because of the fliform, bifid style arms with apical stigmas. We present photographs and a table highlighting differences between the new specie and some similar species

Preparation and characterization of licorice‐chitosan coatings for postharvest treatment of fresh strawberries

Several plant extracts are being investigated to produce edible coatings, mainly due to their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. In this study, licorice root extracts were produced by ultrasound‐assisted extraction and were combined with chitosan to elaborate edible coatings. Different solvents and temperatures were used in the extraction process, and the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the extracts were assessed. The most bioactive extracts were selected for the development of the edible coatings. The rheological properties of the coatings were studied, and they were applied on strawberry to evaluate their physicochemical and microbiological properties. The addition of licorice extract to chitosan resulted in positive effects on the rheological properties of the coatings: the incorporation of phytochemicals to chitosan decreased the shear stress and improved the restructuring ability of the coating solutions. The films presented a reduction of the Burger model parameter, indicating a reduction of rigidity. Furthermore, the strawberry coated with chitosan and licorice extract maintained good quality parameters during storage and showed the best microbiological preservation in comparison with controls. Hence, the use of chitosan with licorice extract is a potential strategy to produce edible coating for improving the postharvest quality of fruitsThis research was funded by Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid, grant number P2013/ABI27, project Bolívar Gana con Ciencia, MinCiencias Contract 368-2019 and Programa Nacional de Innovación Agraria—PNIA of Perú, Contract: No. 152-2018-INIA-PNIA-PASANTI

Comparison between essential oils and supercritical extracts into chitosan-based edible coatings on strawberry quality during cold storage

Plant extracts are being studied in the development of novel edible food coatings. The antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds that naturally occur in some plants are the key substances that contribute to preserving food quality. Besides the plant material, the method utilized to produce the extract influences its chemical and preservative characteristics. In general, hydrodistillation produce plant products (essential oils) that are well recognized for containing high concentration of antioxidant or antimicrobial volatile compounds. Supercritical fluid technology produces high quality bioactive extracts with higher yield but lower concentration of volatile compounds, in comparison with hydrodistillation. In this work, six different natural extracts of five different plants were produced by hydrodistillation and supercritical fluid extraction, and their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were compared. The most active extracts were used to produce chitosan-based edible coatings with the aim of assessing the effect of essential oils versus supercritical extracts on the preservation of strawberriesThe authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from Comunidad de Madrid through the Programa de I+D en Tecnologías, Spain (ALIBIRD-CM S2013/ABI-2728). Somaris E. Quintana is grateful for the funding provided by Gobernación de Bolivar and Fundación Ceiba, Colombia. Olimpia Llalla is grateful to Programa Nacional de Innovación Agraria-PNIS of Perú (Contract No. 152-2018-INIA-PNIAPASANTIA

Comparison between essential oils and supercritical extracts into chitosan-based edible coatings on strawberry quality during cold storage

Plant extracts are being studied in the development of novel edible food coatings. The antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds that naturally occur in some plants are the key substances that contribute to preserving food quality. Besides the plant material, the method utilized to produce the extract influences its chemical and preservative characteristics. In general, hydrodistillation produce plant products (essential oils) that are well recognized for containing high concentration of antioxidant or antimicrobial volatile compounds. Supercritical fluid technology produces high quality bioactive extracts with higher yield but lower concentration of volatile compounds, in comparison with hydrodistillation. In this work, six different natural extracts of five different plants were produced by hydrodistillation and supercritical fluid extraction, and their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were compared. The most active extracts were used to produce chitosan-based edible coatings with the aim of assessing the effect of essential oils versus supercritical extracts on the preservation of strawberries.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from Comunidad de Madrid through the Programa de I+D en Tecnologías, Spain (ALIBIRD-CM S2013/ABI-2728). Somaris E. Quintana is grateful for the funding provided by Gobernación de Bolivar and Fundación Ceiba, Colombia. Olimpia Llalla is grateful to Programa Nacional de Innovación Agraria-PNIS of Perú (Contract No. 152-2018-INIA-PNIA-PASANTIA).Peer reviewe