Effect of polyphenols from <i>Vicia faba</i> L on lipase activity and melanogenesis

<p>Two new flavonoid glycosides, kaempferol 3-<i>O</i>-<i>α</i>-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→6) (3′′-acetyl)-<i>β</i>-D-galactopyranoside <b>1</b> and kaempferol 3-<i>O</i>-<i>α</i>-L-arabinopyranosyl-5-<i>O</i>-<i>α</i>-L-rhamnopyranoside <b>2</b>, along with six known ones <b>3–8</b> were isolated from the flowers of <i>Vicia faba</i> L. (Fabaceae). Methanol extract and the isolated compounds were tested against lipase and melanogenesis inhibition activities and resulted in that compound <b>2</b> showed 53 and 77% lipase inhibition activity in concentrations of 400 and 800 μg/mL, respectively. For melanogenesis, compounds <b>2</b>, <b>3</b> and <b>4</b> exhibited potent melanogenesis inhibition activity where the melanin content in melanoma cells was decreased to be about 57.5, 56 and 61%, respectively, with no obvious melanocytotoxicity. The rest of compounds showed weak to moderate activity. The results of melanogenesis inhibition activity of this study suggested the potential use of <i>Vicia faba</i> flowers as a skin-whitening agent and reveal the flowers to be a rich source of important phytochemicals with antilipase and melanogenesis inhibitory activity.</p

Correlation between anatomical soundness and seed quality index calculated from area-averaged reflectance spectra (SQI_areal).

<p>Correlation between anatomical soundness and seed quality index calculated from area-averaged reflectance spectra (SQI_areal).</p

Effects of single parameter method for sound seed selection on improving germination rate of <i>Cryptomeria japonica</i> (sugi) and <i>Chamaecyparis obtusa</i> (hinoki) seed lots.

<p>Effects of single parameter method for sound seed selection on improving germination rate of <i>Cryptomeria japonica</i> (sugi) and <i>Chamaecyparis obtusa</i> (hinoki) seed lots.</p

General features of sound and unsound seeds of <i>Cryptomeria japonica</i> (sugi) and <i>Chamaecyparis obtusa</i> (hinoki).

<p>General features of sound and unsound seeds of <i>Cryptomeria japonica</i> (sugi) and <i>Chamaecyparis obtusa</i> (hinoki).</p

Anatomical features of sound and unsound seeds of <i>Cryptomeria japonica</i> (sugi) and <i>Chamaecyparis obtusa</i> (hinoki).

<p>Anatomical features of sound and unsound seeds of <i>Cryptomeria japonica</i> (sugi) and <i>Chamaecyparis obtusa</i> (hinoki).</p

Spatial distribution of pixelwise seed quality index (SQI_pixel) in sound and unsound seeds of <i>Cryptomeria japonica</i> (sugi) and <i>Chamaecyparis obtusa</i> (hinoki).

<p>Spatial distribution of pixelwise seed quality index (SQI_pixel) in sound and unsound seeds of <i>Cryptomeria japonica</i> (sugi) and <i>Chamaecyparis obtusa</i> (hinoki).</p

Determination of Seed Soundness in Conifers <i>Cryptomeria japonica</i> and <i>Chamaecyparis obtusa</i> Using Narrow-Multiband Spectral Imaging in the Short-Wavelength Infrared Range

<div><p>Regeneration of planted forests of <i>Cryptomeria japonica</i> (sugi) and <i>Chamaecyparis obtuse</i> (hinoki) is the pressing importance to the forest administration in Japan. Low seed germination rate of these species, however, has hampered low-cost production of their seedlings for reforestation. The primary cause of the low germinability has been attributed to highly frequent formation of anatomically unsound seeds, which are indistinguishable from sound germinable seeds by visible observation and other common criteria such as size and weight. To establish a method for sound seed selection in these species, hyperspectral imaging technique was used to identify a wavelength range where reflectance spectra differ clearly between sound and unsound seeds. In sound seeds of both species, reflectance in a narrow waveband centered at 1,730 nm, corresponding to a lipid absorption band in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) range, was greatly depressed relative to that in adjacent wavebands on either side. Such depression was absent or less prominent in unsound seeds. Based on these observations, a reflectance index SQI, abbreviated for seed quality index, was formulated using reflectance at three narrow SWIR wavebands so that it represents the extent of the depression. SQI calculated from seed area-averaged reflectance spectra and spatial distribution patterns of pixelwise SQI within each seed area were both proven as reliable criteria for sound seed selection. Enrichment of sound seeds was accompanied by an increase in germination rate of the seed lot. Thus, the methods described are readily applicable toward low-cost seedling production in combination with single seed sowing technology.</p></div

Hyperspectral image analysis software developed for this study.

<p>Hyperspectral image analysis software developed for this study.</p

Statistics of sound seed selection by single parameter method.

<p>Statistics of sound seed selection by single parameter method.</p

Statistics of sound seed selection by dual parameter method.

<p>Statistics of sound seed selection by dual parameter method.</p