Functional polymorphism in lycopene beta-cyclase gene as a molecular marker to predict bixin production in Bixa orellana L. (achiote)

Bixin is an apocarotenoid obtained from the seed aril of Bixa orellana L., a tropical plant known as achiote in Mexico. This compound is the second most commonly used natural colouring for food and pharmaceutical industries. B. orellana is an outcrossing species that displays high genetic variability. Recently, the colour traits of sexual organs were associated with the biosynthesis and accumulation of bixin in mature seeds. Herein, we describe a new approach for genotype–phenotype association by surveying lycopene beta-cyclase (Boβ-LCY1) gene variation in sixteen achiote accessions divided into three groups according to contrasting traits, such as flower colour, fruit colour and bixin production. Using a combination of single-strand conformational polymorphism techniques and the sequencing of polymorphic bands, we identified several single-nucleotide polymorphisms that divided the accessions into three haplotypes. Surprisingly, we observed that these three haplotypes were consistent with the same three groups previously characterized by phenotypic traits. We derived a putative sequence for the Boβ-LCY1 gene and surveyed the variations in this sequence. The heterozygosity of Boβ-LCY1 alleles resulted in a higher bixin content, likely associated with heterosis for this metabolite. These findings augment the toolbox available for the selection and genetic improvement of B. orellana and provide a reliable phenotype–genotype association method for commercial varietal selection, contributing to the development of laboratory techniques to identify desirable traits of commercial plant species

Anti-inflammatory activity of critonia aromatisans and montanoa grandiflora leaves extracts, plants used in mayan traditional medicine to treat inflammation

The aim of the study is to investigate anti-inflammatory properties of polar and non-polar extracts prepared from Critoniaaromatisansand Montanoa grandiflora, two common native species used in Mayan traditional ointments to treat inflammation, joint pain and rheumatism. The antiinflammatory properties of methanol/acetonitrile and n- hexane leaf extracts were tested in vivo and in vitro. The extracts of C. aromatisansand M. grandiflora decreased in a concentration-dependent manner lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production without affecting the cell viability. The extracts of C. aromatisansat dose of 200 mg/kg exhibited substantial anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenaninduced paw oedema test and 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear oedema inhibition assay with a reduction in inflammation of up to 90 and 80%, respectively. These results validate the traditional uses by Mayan communities that endorse the use of this species to treat inflammation.El objetivo del estudioesinvestigar las propiedadesantiinflamatorias de extractos de Critoniaaromatisansy Montanoa grandiflora, dos especiesnativascomunesutilizadasenungüentostradicionalesmayas para tratar la inflamación, dolor en las articulaciones y el reumatismo. Las propiedadesantiinflamatorias de extractosmetanol/acetonitrilo y n-hexánicos de hojasfueronevaluadosin vitro e in vivo. Los extractos de C. aromatisans y M. grandiflora disminuyeron la producción de óxidonítrico (NO) inducidaporlipopolisacárido (LPS) de maneradependiente de la concentración sin afectar la viabilidadcelular. Los extractos de C. aromatisans, a dosis de 200 mg/kg exhibenactividadantiinflamatoriasustancialen el ensayo de edema plantar inducidoporcarragenina y en el ensayo de inhibición de edema de la orejainducidopor TPA con unareducciónen la inflamación de 90 y 80%, respectivamente. Estosresultadosvalidanlosusostradicionales de las comunidadesmayas que avalan el uso de estaespecie para el tratamiento de la inflamación