RP-HPLC analysis of phenolic antioxidant compound 6-gingerol from in vitro cultures of Zingiber officinale Roscoe

Relation between 6-gingerol content and antioxidant activity in in vitro grown cultures of ginger was studied. Reverse phase HPLC analysis revealed that rhizome derived callus culture and micropropagated plants produced lowest amount of 6-gingerol compare to conventionally grown plants. The antioxidant activity of extracts was determined using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and Ferric Reducing power assay (FRAP) and correlated with the content of total phenolics and total flavonoids in the extracts. Strong correlation was found between antioxidant activity, total phenolics and 6- gingerol content

Mutational Changes In Delphinium malabaricum (Huth.) Munz.: A Potential Ornamental Plant

Mutation breeding is an established method used for crop improvement and has played a major role in the development of many new flower color/shape mutant cultivars in ornamentals. The present study is aimed at inducing mutations in Delphinium malabaricum using chemical mutagens ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS), sodium azide (SA) and physical mutagen (gamma rays). It was observed that D. malabaricum manifested specific reactions to the treatments with EMS, SA and gamma rays. Identification and selection of mutations were carried out in the second generation (M2). A variety of chlorophyll deficient mutants and high percentage of the flower color and morphological mutants were recorded. The maximum frequency of chlorophyll and flower color and morphological mutations were recorded in EMS treated plants when compared to the other two mutagens. The frequency values for the individual mutant types were varied and randomly distributed at different mutagenic treatments. The highest percentage of color mutants arose after treatments with 0.25% of EMS and the lowest at 20 kR of gamma rays. The mutants were quite distinct, as compared to the control and often had more attractive ornamental features compared to the starting material. The major commercial benefit of the application of this technology has so far been obtaining of novel flower mutants that can be used as an initial material for further breeding of new cultivars

Quantitative determination of three pentacyclic triterpenes from five <i>Swertia</i> L. species endemic to Western Ghats, India, using RP-HPLC analysis

<div><p>Aim of this study was to identify pentacyclic triterpenoids betulinic acid (BA), oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA) from five <i>Swertia</i> species endemic to Western Ghats, which are used as substitutes as well as adulterants to <i>Swertia chirayita</i>. Our results indicate that the concentration of active compound vary largely among and within the species from different localities. OA was found in a higher amount in all species compared to BA and UA. From the results, it was clear that BA, OA and UA are present in the endemic species collected from Western Ghats, thus advocating the use of these species as alternate sources to <i>S. chirayita</i>. This in due course may release pressure of exploitation from natural resources of <i>S. chirayita</i> and help to bring it out from an endangered category from conservation point of view.</p></div

Highly efficient in vitro regeneration, establishment of callus and cell suspension cultures and RAPD analysis of regenerants of Swertia lawii Burkill

AbstractHighly efficient in vitro regeneration system has been developed for Swertia lawii Burkill, an important herb used as substitute for Swertia chirayita. Shoot tips explants were cultured on MS medium with various phytohormones for multiple shoot production. The best shoot production frequency (100%) and maximum shoots (10.4±0.8) were obtained on MS media containing TDZ (3.0mgl−1) in combination with IBA (0.3mgl−1). Maximum callus induction (95±4.8%) and callus growth (1.7±0.4gm) was achieved on MS medium with 2, 4-D (3.0mgl−1). Cell suspension cultures were established and studied for their growth kinetics. Shoots were rooted best (22.1±2.5) in 1/2 MS medium with IAA (3.0mgl−1). The genetic uniformity of the micropropagated clones was assessed using RAPD markers. Out of 405 bands, 400 (98.76%) were monomorphic and rest 5 (1.24%) were polymorphic. High multiplication frequency and low risk of genetic instability ensures the efficacy of this protocol