Variability of total flavonoid and mucilage content of wild growing chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) populations

During our investigation 50 wild growing chamomile populations’ active substance content, among them total flavonoid content and swelling index referring to mucilage content were examined in 2009 in the main chamomile collection areas of Hungary. Swelling index was determined according to the general and specified descriptions of Althaeae folium monograph of European Pharmacopoeia, while total flavonoid content was measured by the method described in the monograph of Crataegi folium cum flore. The 50 Hungarian wild growing chamomile populations proved to be very heterogeneous in terms of the examined features. The swelling index of their flower drug samples changed between 15.8 and 80.8 and their total flavonoid content varied from 0.94 to 2.28 %.Significant correlation was also found between meteorological conditions and evaluated characteristics: there was medium strong positive correlation between spring total heat unit (sum of daily 10 °C higher average temperatures of the period lasted from 1st of March, 2009 until the day before flower collection) as well as total heat unit of 10 days before harvest and swelling index (r = 0.50-0.56), furthermore medium strong negative connection could be seen between total heat units and total flavonoid content (r = -0.60-0.65). Based on these findings it can be ascertained that raising temperature affects the mucilage accumulation positively, however, it has a negative effect on the amount of flavonoids

Effect of genotype and age on essential oil and total phenolics in hyssop (<i>Hyssopus officinalis</i> L.)

Five Hyssopus officinalis L. accessions (German, Hungarian and Polish ones) were compared over three years with regard to their development and secondary metabolite production, in an open field experiment. The Hungarian variety ‘Sophie’ produced the highest essential oil (EO) yield (up to 2.037 ml/100 g). In general, one-year old individuals accumulated the most volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the accumulation was influenced significantly by genotype and year. A total of 47 components were identified in all of the oils. In all accessions cis- and transpinocamphones were most frequently the major compounds, but there were quantitative differences among genotypes. Highest proportions of these two components together appeared in ‘Erfurter Ysop’ (70.7%). The third main compound was β-pinene that accumulated in the Hungarian accessions in the highest proportions (11-19%). The cultivation year did not have a considerable influence on the EO composition. Significant difference in the total phenolic content was evident among genotypes, and ranged from 443.64 mg/g DW (‘Erfurter Ysop’) and 329.32 mg/g DW (‘Hyzop lekarsky’) calculated as gallic acid. The effect of the year was not significant, although we detected a significant variety × year interaction. In general, the selected hyssop cultivars showed an advance to commercial batches

Comparative investigation of 11 Achillea collina Becker accessions concerning phenological, morphological, productional features and active agent content

Eleven Achillea collina Becker accessions of different origin were tested in open field plots during three years for their phenological, morphological, productional features and active material content in Budapest, Hungary. Among the tested plant materials European selected cultivars, Hungarian cultivated stocks and populations from wild growing habitats were investigated. Concerning flowering time, two types (early and late) were distinguished. Flowering time of the less abundant late type, represented by Hungarian variety ‘Azulenka’ and ‘Gb22’, started approximately 2 weeks later than that of the early flowering type. Plant height and length of flowering horizon varied only slightly among taxa, and increased after the first year of cultivation. The proportion of useful plant organs in the drug was stable. Biomass and drug production of the investigated genotypes was variable, late flowering types providing higher yields. Essential oil, proazulene, total phenolic and flavonoid content varied on a large scale among accessions and years.Results demonstrate the high intraspecific variability of A. collina and also the role of valuable genotypes in drug production. Selected cultivars may provide stable and good yields and drug quality under particular environmental conditions, while genotypes of wild origin may be valuable sources of future breeding programs

In vitro activity of the cinnamon essential oil against the plant pathogen Septoria melissae desm

Septoria leafspot caused by the mitosporic fungus Septoria melissae Desm. is the most significant disease of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.). The fungus frequently appears in the plantations and causes serious yield losses or decreases the quality of the drug. At present plant protection of lemon balm is inadequate due to the lack of authorised plant protection products. The essential oil of the cinnamon bark (CEO) has a strong antimicrobial activity proved by several in vitro experiments. Therefore the goal of our work was to test antifungal effect of the CEO against the pathogen Septoria melissae Desm. In vitro tests were carried out with three concentrations (0.3%, 0.1%, 0.03%) of the CEO against a Hungarian and a Polish isolate of the fungus. Inhibition of the germination of the conidia as well as the mycelial radial growth was investigated. Supplementary tests were carried out with colonies of the fungi transferred to growth media without CEO after an incubation period of 14 and 35 days on media containing CEO. Our results showed that all the applied concentrations of CEO have very strong (98.07-100%) inhibitory effect on the mycelial growth of both isolates. Germination of conidia was also blocked on each medium containing CEO. However, the effect of the CEO at 0.03% concentration was reversible. Mycelium began to grow again on media without CEO after transfer. Based on the results, further investigation of CEO as a potential plant protection product in lemon balm crops is recommended

Comparison of the production and chemical constituents of five Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. accessions

An open field experiment was carried out with five purple Perilla frutescens accessions (588P, GB, J3, JTD3, PS3) in 2014 and 2015. Morphological traits, production, total phenolic content (TPC), essential oil content (EOC) and composition as well as the antioxidant capacity (AOC) were investigated. Highest biomass was produced by JTD3 in both years. The antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content in the stems was lower than in the leaves in all accessions. Leaves of accession GB produced the highest AOC values (215.594 ± 1.437 in 2014 and 86.609 ± 3.602 mg AAE g−1 in 2015, respectively) while the strain 588P showed the lowest values (139.544 ± 1.934 in 2014 and 38.966 ± 4.569 mg AAE g−1 in 2015, respectively). The highest TPC values were measured by PS3 in 2014 (204.320 ± 1.822 mg GAE g−1) and GB in 2015 (136.450 ± mg GAE g−1). The 588P produced the highest essential oil content (1.432 ml 100 g−1 DM) while J3 had the lowest (0.144 ml 100 g−1 DM) in both years. Strong positive correlation was found between the density of glandular hairs and the essential oil content. Three accessions (588P, J3, JTD3) belong to the perillaldehyde chemotype while GB and PS3 to the dehydro elsholtzia ketone chemotype. All studied accessions can be cultivated in Hungary. For the biomass production the JTD3, while for the essential oil production the 588P can be recommended

Furocoumarin Content of Fennel - Below the Safety Threshold

Furocoumarins are known for their phototoxic and potential carcinogenic effects. These types of compounds have previously been reported from fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), a widely used medicinal plant and spice; however, no reliable quantitative data are available on the occurrence of these compounds in fennel fruits. For the first time, we report a comprehensive analysis of fennel fruit samples of different origins, representing a wide range of accessions for their furocoumarin content. Psoralene, 5-methoxypsoralene (bergapten), and imperatorin contents of 33 fennel samples were analyzed using a sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method. When applied at the highest therapeutic dose described in the monograph issued by the European Medicines Agency, the furocoumarin content of the fruits ranged up to 1.22 μg/d, which is below the most restrictive recommendations. Based on our findings, fennel consumption can be considered as safe, at least based on its low furocoumarin content

Effect of water supply on growth and polyphenols of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.)

A pot experiment was carried out with lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.). Different water supply was applied: 25%, 40% and 70% saturation of soil water capacity (SWC). Morphological traits, biomass and phenolic type active ingredients were investigated