Betalains in some species of the amaranthaceae family: A review

Natural pigments are largely distributed in the plant kingdom. They belong to diverse groups, with distinct biochemical pathways. Betalains with colours that range from yellow to red-violet can de divided into two main subgroups: betaxanthins and betacyanins. These types of pigments are confined into 13 families of the order Caryophyllales and in some genera of higher fungi (Amanita muscaria, Hygrocybe and Hygrophorus). The Amaranthaceae family includes diverse genera in which betalains are present: Alternanthera, Amaranthus, Beta, Chenopodium, Celosia and Gomphrena. The biosynthesis of betalains and their general biological properties were reviwed in the present work. In addition, the types of betalains present in some species of the aforementioned genera, their stability and production, as well as biological attributes, were reviewed.Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia-FCT; Portugal) [UID/BIA/04325/2013-MeditBio

Gomphrena globosa L. as a source of natural pigments: characterization in betacyanins

No presente trabalho, descreve -se a composição em betacianidinas (classe das betalaínas com pigmentação vermelha- -roxo) da perpétua roxa (Gomphrena globosa L.), de forma a destacar esta planta como fonte alternativa de corantes naturais. A análise foi feita por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência acoplada a um detetor de fotodíodos e espetrometria de massa com ionização por dispersão de eletrões (HPLC -PDA -MS/ESI), após extração com diferentes solventes (infusão com água e maceração com água: metanol, 80:20, v/v).In this paper, it is described the betacyanins composition (class of betalain with red -purple pigmentation) of globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa L.) in order to highlight this plant as an alternative source of natural dyes. The analysis was performed by high -performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector and mass spectrometry with electron spray ionization (HPLC -PDA -MS/ESI) after extraction with different solvents (infusion with water and maceration with water: methanol, 80:20, v/v).Os autores estão gratos à Ervital pela disponibilização das amostras e à FCT (Portugal) pelo apoio financeiro ao CIMO (CIMO - PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/2014) e a L. Barros (SFRH/BPD/107855/2015).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of solvent type and high pressure treatment on the extraction of Gomphrena globosa L. bioactive compounds

The present study aimed to compare the influence of different extraction solvents (water, methanol, water:acetone (6:4, v/v)), methods (heating (37 °C, 30 min) or high pressure (HP) (300 or 500 MPa) and extraction time (7.5 or 15 min)) on flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins and antioxidant activity (Total Reducing Capacity (TRC), DPPH Free Radical Scavenging Activity and Reducing Power) of Gomphrena globosa L. flower extracts. The water:acetone extracts obtained by heating had the highest values of flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins and antioxidant activity. When applying HP, variable results were obtained. Still, the application of HP to water allowed to extract more hydrolysable tannins, as well as to obtain extracts with higher antioxidant activity than with heating, but no significant alterations were observed with methanol. In conclusion, both solvent and extraction method influence the content of bioactive compounds, being HP treatment a promising method to obtain enriched aqueous extracts in line with the principles of green-chemistry.The authors acknowledge the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for the financial support provided by the research grant SFRH/BD/95853/2013 and FCT/MEC for the financial support to QOPNA research Unit (FCT UID/QUI/00062/2013) and REQUIMTE (UID/QUI/50006/2013) through national funds and when applicable cofinanced by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Genetic Diversity Study Among Six Genera of Amaranth Family Found in Malang Based on RAPD Marker

Genera of amaranth family tend to have phenotypic variation partly caused by environmental factor. Phenotypic variation was the result of interaction between genetic and environmental factors. One of molecular markers that is widely used for detecting genetic variation is RAPD. RAPD is used for polymorphism detections and is now possible for identifiying a large number of loci and ascribes unambiguous taxonomic and genetic relationships among different taxa. Members of amaranth family found in Indonesia are Amaranthus, Celosia, Aerva, Alternanthera, Achyranthes, Gomphrena, Salsola, and Iresine. Six genera of which (Amaranthus, Celosia, Aerva, Alternanthera, Achyranthes, and Gomphrena) were observed in this study. DNA was extracted from fresh young leaves using Doyle and Doyles method with modification in the extraction buffer used. RAPD analyses were carried out with 20 decamer primers from Kit A of Operon Technology. DNA was amplified using master cycler gradient Eppendorf with 35 cycles. RAPD products were separated on 1,5 % agarose gels and detected by staining with ethidium bromide. There were 374 bands generated in 18 random primers. The number of monomorphic bands, polymorphic bands, and the percentage of polymorphism were 21 bands, 353 bands, and 94,38 % respectively. The high number and percentage of polymorphic bands revealed genomic DNA variation. This variation is in accordance with phenotypic variation detected in this experiment. Therefore, it can be concluded that, based on DNA polymorphism detected by RAPD, Amaranth family can be classified into two sub families namely Amaranthoideae and Gomphrenoideae

HPLC-profiles of tocopherols, sugars and organic acids in three medicinal plants consumed as infusions

Pterospartum tridentatum (L.) Willk., Gomphrena globosa L. and Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf. are medicinal plants that require a more detailed chemical characterization, given the importance of their consumption as infusions. Therefore, the individual profiles in tocopherols, free sugars and organic acids were obtained by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to different detectors (fluorescence, refraction index and photodiode array, respectively). C. citratus revealed the highest content of α-, and total tocopherols, glucose, sucrose, succinic and ascorbic acids. P. tridentatum presented the highest fructose and total sugars content. Otherwise, G. globosa showed the highest organic acids concentration. As far as we know, this is the first study reporting the mentioned chemical compounds in G. globosa and C. citratus.The authors aregrateful to Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support to the research center CIMO (strategic project PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/2011) and Lillian Barros researcher contract under “Programa Compromisso com Ciência, 2008.

Taxonomic revision of the genus Alternanthera (Amaranthaceae) in Italy

A taxonomic revision of the genus Alternanthera (Amaranthaceae) in Italy is here presented. Field surveys were carried out during the period 2007–2013. Thirty-six herbaria (both European and American) were consulted as well as extensive literature was analyzed. Four taxa are recognized, all of them to be considered aliens native to South America. Information about nomenclature (accepted names, main synonyms, and types), morphology, chromosome number, alien status (at national and regional levels), occurrence in Italy (at regional and provincial scale), ecology (preferential habitat, phenology, and elevation), taxonomical notes, and Italian vernacular names were provided for each taxon. A diagnostic key was given. For the nomenclatural purposes the generic name Alternanthera and its type was discussed, and the names A. paronychioides and A. pungens were studied and typified (lecto- and neotype, respectively) on specimens preserved at PH and P

A comparison of the nutritional contribution of thirty-nine aromatic plants used as condiments and/or herbal infusions

Aromatic plants have been used worldwide in human diet to improve the flavor and taste of meals or as herbal infusions. Beyond the culinary purposes, these plants are also used for their medicinal purposes, as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and anti-carcinogenic, among others. In the present study, 39 species of condiments and/or herbal infusions were assessed in order to provide scientific information concerning their nutritional value and energetic contribution; furthermore, the fatty acids composition was also evaluated. Carbohydrates were the most abundant compounds in the condiments that also revealed a varied range of sugars with fructose, glucose, sucrose and trehalose detected in all the condiments. In respect to fatty acids, PUFA were prevalent with the great contribution of linoleic and α-linolenic acids among the different 32 detected fatty acids. The herbal infusions revealed low quantities of sugars with most of the plants revealing fructose, glucose and sucrose. In a general way, the energetic value of the condiments and herbal infusions was very low and these plants revealed good nutritional properties that make them suitable for a balanced and diversified low caloric diet. The results obtained in the present systematization study will allow the readers to perform easy and quick comparisons among these different aromatic plants regarding nutritional purposes

Alfalfa mosaic virus: Occurrence and variation among isolates from forage legumes in Ethiopia

Filed samples and seedlings of 51 leguminous forage species were tested for alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) in routine monitoring of seed multiplication fields of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Ethiopia. The virus was detected in 24 species and a solanaceous weed Solanum nigrum. Of these, the following 17 species are being reported for the first time as hosts of the virus in world literature: Aeschynomene falcata, Centrosema pascuorum, Chamaecrista rotundifolia, Desmanthus virgatus, Desmodium intortum, Leucaena leucocephala, Macroptilium atropurpureum, Macroptilium lathyroides, Macrotyloma axillare, Medicago truncatula, Neonotonia wightii, Sesbania sesban, Stylosanthes scabra, Trifolium calocephala, T. steudneri, T. tembense and Vigna parkeri. The solanaceous weed S. nigrum was suspected to play a role in the virus epidemiology. The level of seed infection varied from 0.00 percent to about 13.00 percent. Infectivity studies on 5 isolates of the virus revealed heterogeneity in prevalent AMV isolates. Two major strains were identified, based on the development of necrotic local lesions on Vigna unguiculata accessions. One of the isolates which failed to incite local necrotic lesions on unguiculata infected Phaseolus vulgaris cTop Crop systematically. Differences among isolates were also noticed in their concentration in different hosts as indicated by ELISA absorbance values

Presenza di un «Potyvirus» sul Carciofo (<i>Cynara scolymus</i> L.) in Sardegna

A latent virus of artichoke has been isolated in Sardinia (Italy). The virus causes characteristic local lesions on Gomphrena globosa L. and Chenopodium amaranticolor Coste et Reyn., and systemic symptoms on Nicotiana benthamiana Domin. and N. clevelandii Gray. In artichoke crude sap the virus has a longevity in vitro of 20-30 hours, a dilution-end point between 10-3 and 10-4 and a thermal inactivation point between 55 and 60°C. The purification of the virus has been obtained from artichoke with two cicles of differential centrifugation followed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The purified suspensions had an ultraviolet light (UV) ab sorption spectrum typical of the nucleoproteins with Emax = 260-262 nm; Emin = 246 nm; and a ratio E280/E260 of 0,85 which suggests a RNA content of the virus of about 5,5%. Electron microscope observation showed that negative stained partially purified virus suspensions are composed of filamentous parti cles with a normal lenght (NL) of 730 nm and a mode of the lenght distributions of 729 nm; moreover, ultrathin sections of tissue fragments from leaves of mechanically inocu1ated Nicotiana benthamiana contained cytoplasmic inclusions of the pinwheel type. In serological tube tests, partially purified virus suspensions reacted with homologous serum (titre 1 : 1024) and a serum immune to an ALV (Artichoke Latent Virus) from Bari. These results have been substantially confirmed by serological tests with the method of «antibody coating of virus parti cles » by immune electron microscopy. I t is obvious that a latent potyvirus is widespread in artichoke growing in Sardinia. However, it cannot be exc1uded the possible occurrence in artichoke plants of a latent carlavirus too