Synthesis of fructans by fructosyltransferase from the tuberous roots of Viguiera discolor (Asteraceae)

Sucrose:sucrose fructosyltransferase (SST) and fructan:fructan fructosyl-transferase (FFT) activities from crude extracts of tuberous roots of Viguiera discolor growing in a preserved area of cerrado were analyzed in 1995-1996. SST activity was characterized by the synthesis of 1-kestose from sucrose and FFT activity by the production of nystose from 1-kestose. The highest fructan-synthesizing activity was observed during early dormancy (autumn), when both (SST and FFT) activities were high. The increase in synthetic activity seemed to start during the fruiting phase in the summer, when SST activity was higher than in spring. During winter and at the beginning of sprouting, both activities declined. The in vitro synthesis of high molecular mass fructans from sucrose by enzymatic preparations from tuberous roots collected in summer showed that long incubations of up to 288 h produced consistently longer polymers which resembled those found in vivo with respect to chromatographic profiles

Synthesis of fructans by fructosyltransferase from the tuberous roots of Viguiera discolor (Asteraceae)

Sucrose:sucrose fructosyltransferase (SST) and fructan:fructan fructosyl-transferase (FFT) activities from crude extracts of tuberous roots of Viguiera discolor growing in a preserved area of cerrado were analyzed in 1995-1996. SST activity was characterized by the synthesis of 1-kestose from sucrose and FFT activity by the production of nystose from 1-kestose. The highest fructan-synthesizing activity was observed during early dormancy (autumn), when both (SST and FFT) activities were high. The increase in synthetic activity seemed to start during the fruiting phase in the summer, when SST activity was higher than in spring. During winter and at the beginning of sprouting, both activities declined. The in vitro synthesis of high molecular mass fructans from sucrose by enzymatic preparations from tuberous roots collected in summer showed that long incubations of up to 288 h produced consistently longer polymers which resembled those found in vivo with respect to chromatographic profiles

Hypoglycemic activity of polysaccharide fractions containing ß-glucans from extracts of Rhynchelytrum repens (Willd.) C.E. Hubb., Poaceae

ß-Glucans are soluble fibers with physiological functions, such as interference with absorption of sugars and reduction of serum lipid levels. The objective of the present study was to analyze the distribution of ß-glucans in different tissues of the African grass species Rhynchelytrum repens and also to evaluate their hypoglycemic activity. Leaf blades, sheaths, stems, and young leaves of R. repens were submitted to extraction with 4 M KOH. Analysis of the fractions revealed the presence of arabinose, glucose, xylose, and traces of rhamnose and galactose. The presence of ß-glucan in these fractions was confirmed by hydrolyzing the polymers with endo-ß-glucanase from Bacillus subtilis, followed by HPLC analysis of the characteristic oligosaccharides produced. The 4 M KOH fractions from different tissues were subjected to gel permeation chromatography on Sepharose 4B, with separation of polysaccharides with different degrees of polymerization, the highest molecular mass (above 2000 kDa) being found in young leaves. The molecular mass of the leaf blade polymers was similar (250 kDa) to that of maize coleoptile ß-glucan used for comparison. The 4 M KOH fraction injected into rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes showed hypoglycemic activity, reducing blood sugar to normal levels for approximately 24 h. This performance was better than that obtained with pure ß-glucan from barley, which decreased blood sugar levels for about 4 h. These results suggest that the activity of ß-glucans from R. repens is responsible for the use of this plant extract as a hypoglycemic drug in folk medicine

Diversity of non-structural carbohydrates in the underground organs of five Iridaceae species from the Cerrado (Brazil)

AbstractSouth America has a great diversity in some tribes of the Iridaceae family. Most of the Iridaceae are geophytes, with underground organs bearing buds and reserve compounds, which favor their occurrence in seasonal environments, such as the Cerrado. Non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) are the main reserves in geophytes, essential to support phenological events, and protect plants against abiotic stresses. NSC may also reflect taxonomic relationships among plant groups. The objective of this study was to determine the contents and composition of NSC in underground organs of five Iridaceae species from the Cerrado (Cipura paludosa, Cipura xanthomelas, Trimezia cathartica, Trimezia juncifolia and Sisyrinchium vaginatum), representing the tribes Tigridieae, Trimezieae and Sisyrinchieae. Soluble carbohydrates and total fructose in oligo and polysaccharide fractions, and the starch contents were determined, and sugar composition was analyzed by HPAEC-PAD. The species from the tribes Trimezieae and Tigridieae showed similar NSC profiles, with considerable accumulation of starch and glucose, fructose, sucrose and maltose. Additionally, T. juncifolia also presented raffinose and 1-kestose. In contrast, S. vaginatum of the Sisyrinchieae has very low starch content and a distinct carbohydrate profile, predominating soluble carbohydrates, possibly of the raffinose family

Produ\ue7\ue3o de frutanos em calos e pl\ue2ntulas clonadas in vitro de Viguiera discolor Baker (Asteraceae)

Viguiera discolor Baker é uma espécie nativa do cerrado, cuja sobrevivência está ameaçada pela invasão de espécies exóticas. Considerando sua elevada produção e a vasta aplicação de frutanos, o presente trabalho foi conduzido visando à obtenção in vitro dessa espécie e à prospecção desses carboidratos nessas condições. Sementes foram germinadas in vitro, em meio MS modificado, e após cinco semanas de incubação, nós caulinares foram isolados e incubados no mesmo meio adicionado de 0,5 mg L-1 de ANA, regenerando plantas uniformes, raízesnão espessadas, raízes tuberosas e estruturas semelhantes a calo (calo tipo1), formadas na região caulinar basal. Análise desse material evidenciou a presença de frutanos do tipo inulina nas raízes tuberosas e nos calos tipo 1. Na presença de 2,4-D obteve-se a formação de calos friáveis (calo tipo 2), nos quais também foram detectados frutanos e suas enzimas de síntese sacarose: sacarose 1-frutosiltransferase (SST) e frutano: frutano 1-frutosiltransferase (FFT). Embora em concentrações menores às observadas nas plantas cultivadas sob condições naturais, o material produzido in vitro apresentou frutanos do mesmo tipo e razão SST/FFT menor do que um. Em meio de cultura sem hormônios, foi verificada a regeneração de 50% de plantas a partir dos nós caulinares. A propagação de V. discolor in vitro pode viabilizar a multiplicação e a preservação da espécie, bem como a produção de frutanos nessas condições

Composição do óleo essencial de quatro espécies do gênero Plectranthus Essential oil composition of four Plectranthus species

O gênero Plectranthus é considerado um dos mais ricos em óleos essenciais dentro da família Lamiaceae, compreendendo muitas espécies com propriedades medicinais. Algumas destas são conhecidas popularmente como boldo, as quais possuem semelhanças taxonômicas e diversas sinonímias, possuindo ações anti-dispépticas, analgésicas e digestivas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar quantitativa e qualitativamente os óleos essenciais presentes nas folhas das espécies P. amboinicus, P. barbatus, P. grandis e P. neochilus. A extração do óleo foi realizada por hidrodestilação, utilizando pentano como solvente extrator, repetida por três vezes para cada uma das espécies. A análise dos componentes dos óleos essenciais das quatro espécies de Plectranthus, através da CG/EM, permitiu identificar 14 componentes químicos, sendo a maioria sesquiterpenos. O trans-cariofileno se apresentou em elevada concentração nos óleos estudados. Alguns componentes químicos demonstraram ser específicos para cada espécie e outros apresentaram ocorrência comum a todas as quatro, possibilitando a diferenciação das mesmas em dois grupos, um formado por P. amboinicus e P. neochilus e o outro por P. grandis e P. barbatus. Conclui-se que as quatro espécies de boldo apresentam diferenças significativas quanto ao teor e à constituição química do óleo essencial<br>Plectranthus has been considered one of the richest genera in essential oils within the Lamiaceae family, which includes several species with medicinal properties. Some of them are commonly known as boldo and present taxonomic similarities and several synonymies, with antidyspeptic, analgesic and digestive actions. The aim of this study was to evaluate quantitatively and qualitatively the essential oils from P. amboinicus, P. barbatus, P. grandis and P. neochilus leaves. The oil was extracted by hydrodistillation using pentane as extracting solvent and was repeated three times for each species. The analysis of essential oil components by GC/MS in the four Plectranthus species identified 14 chemical components, mostly sesquiterpenes. High concentration of trans-caryophyllene was found in the studied oils. Some chemical components were specific for each species and other components had common occurrence in all four species, allowing their differentiation into two groups, one composed of P. amboinicus and P. neochilus and another one by P. grandis and P. barbatus. In conclusion, the four boldo species had significant differences as to essential oil yield and chemical compositio