Alain Badoc

Taxonomy of gymnospermae: multivariate analyses of leaf fatty acid composition

The fatty acid composition of photosynthetic tissues from 137 species of gymnosperms belonging to 14 families was determined by gas chromatography. Statistical analysis clearly discriminated four groups. Ginkgoaceae, Cycadaceae, Stangeriaceae, Zamiaceae, Sciadopityaceae, Podocarpaceae, Cephalotaxaceae, Taxaceae, Ephedraceae and Welwitschiaceae are in the first group, while Cupressaceae and Araucariaceae are mainly in the second one. The third and the fourth groups composed of Pinaceae species are characterized by the genera Larix, and Abies and Cedrus, respectively. Principal component and discriminant analyses and divisive hierarchical clustering analysis of the 43 Pinaceae species were also performed. A clear-cut separation of the genera Abies, Larix, and Cedrus from the other Pinaceae was evidenced. In addition, a mass analysis of the two main chloroplastic lipids from 14 gymnosperms was performed. The results point to a great originality in gymnosperms since in several species and contrary to the angiosperms, the amount of digalactosyldiacylglycerol exceeds that of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol.

Anthocyanins, catechins, condensed tannins and piceid production in Vitis vinifera cell bioreactor cultures

SummarySuspension cultures of Vitis vinifera in a stirred fermenter showed characteristics of growth and polyphenol metabolism similar to that found in shake flasks. In the induction medium, the cells produced mainly anthocyanins (1200 mg/l), proanthocyanidins (220 mg/l), catechins (8 mg/l) and trans-piceid (30 mg/l).

Biochemical survey of the polar head of plant glycosylinositolphosphoceramides unravels broad diversity

Although Glycosyl-Inositol-Phospho-Ceramides (GIPCs) are the main sphingolipids of plant tissues, they remain poorly characterized in term of structures. This lack of information, notably with regard to polar heads, currently hampers the understanding of GIPC functions in biological systems. This situation prompted us to undertake a large scale-analysis of plant GIPCs: 23 plant species chosen in various phylogenetic groups were surveyed for their total GIPC content. GIPCs were extracted and their polar heads were characterized by negative ion MALDI and ESI mass spectrometry. Our data shed light on an unexpected broad diversity of GIPC distributions within Plantae, and the occurrence of yet-unreported GIPC structures in green and red algae. In monocots, GIPCs with three saccharides were apparently found to be major, whereas a series with two saccharides was dominant in Eudicots within a few notable exceptions. In plant cell cultures, GIPC polar heads appeared to bear a higher number of glycan units than in the tissue from which they originate. Perspectives are discussed in term of GIPC metabolism diversity and function of these lipids.

Enzymic activity degrading 1,4-α-D-glucans to ascopyrones P and T in Pezizales and Tuberales

Abstract When subjected to ‘activating’ plasmolytic treatments, several Ascomycetes exhibit an enzymic activity which degrades 1,4-α- d -glucans to 1,5- d -anhydrofructose, then converts this sugar to ascopyrone P (in Pezizales) or ascopyrone T (in Tuberales). Biogenetical, mycological and practical implications of these bioconversions are discussed.

Fungal enzymic activity degrading 1,4-α-d-glucans to echinosporin (5-epipentenomycin I)

Abstract When subjected to ‘activating’ plasmolytic treatments, the Discomycete Peziza echinospora exhibits an enzymic activity which degrades 1,4-α- d -glucans to 1,5- d -anhydrofructose, and then converts this sugar to echinosporin (5-epipentenomycin I), that had not been previously reported as a pure enantiomer. Biogenetical, mycological and practical consequences of this bioconversion are discussed.

Essential Oil of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (Fennel) subsp. piperitum (Ucria) Cout. Fruit

ABSTRACT For the first time, pentane extracts of the fruits of Foeniculum vulgare, subspecies piperitum, have been analyzed by GC. Two new compounds, piperitenone and piperitenone oxide, were identified by their mass spectra.

A Chemotaxonomic Evaluation of Anethum graveolens L. (Dill) of Various Origins

ABSTRACT Pentane extracts of the seeds (fruits) of 35 cultivars of dill have been examined by GC. From the results obtained, three broad chemotypes could be distinguished by the presence of carvone, and the presence or absence of myristicin and dillapiole. The major components of the cultivars of type 1 was found to be limonene (36.9–46.7%), carvone (17.8–45.6%), myristicin (0.2–20.3%), and dillapiole (8.0–22.3%), whereas in type 2 they were limonene (31.0–40.9%), carvone (25.1–47.4%), and dillapiole (6.3–31.8%). No myristicin was found in the second type. In the third chemotype, neither myristicin nor dillapiole were characterized; instead, limonene (39.5–50.7%) and carvone (43.7–57.7%) were only major constituents. Although chemotype 3(27 cultivars) possessed a chemical composition typical of European dill seed, the oil content was found to vary from 1.75–5.8%.

Polyphenols from the stems of Morus alba and their inhibitory activity against nitric oxide production by lipopolysaccharide-activated microglia

Neuroinflammatory processes are involved in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders. Microglial cells, the main immune cells of the central nervous system, represent a target of interest to search for naturally occurring anti-inflammatory products. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory properties of polyphenols obtained from the stems of Morus alba. This edible species, known as white mulberry, is frequently studied because of its traditional use in Asian medicine and its richness in different types of polyphenols, some of which are known to be phytoalexins. One new coumarin glycoside, isoscopoletin 6-(6-O-β-apiofuranosyl-β-glucopyranoside) (1) was mainly isolated by CPC (centrifugal partition chromatography) from this plant, together with seven known polyphenols (2-8). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analyses including extensive 2D NMR studies. The eight isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activities on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV-2 microglial cells. The absence of cell toxicity is checked by a MTT assay.

Viniphenol A, a complex resveratrol hexamer from Vitis vinifera stalks: structural elucidation and protective effects against amyloid-β-induced toxicity in PC12 cells.

Stilbenes have received much attention during the last two decades following the discovery of resveratrol in wine. Since then, there have been a growing number of papers reporting various biological activities of naturally occurring stilbenes. The aim of this study was to determine new minor stilbenes from Vitis vinifera stalks. Purification of these compounds was achieved by means of centrifugal partition chromatography, a versatile separation technique that does not require a solid stationary phase. Viniphenol A (1), a new resveratrol hexamer, was isolated along with five oligostilbenoids identified in V. vinifera for the first time, ampelopsin C, davidiol A, leachianol F, leachianol G, and E-maackin, a dimer with an unusual dioxane moiety, and 14 known hydroxystilbenes. The structure and stereochemistry of viniphenol A were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis and molecular modeling under NMR constraints. Viniphenol A showed protective effects against amyloid-β-induced toxicity in PC12 cell cultures.

Antifungal activity of three essential oils on growth and toxigenesis of Penicillium aurantiogriseum and Penicillium viridicatum

Abstract The effect of eucalyptus, rosemary and mugwort essential oils was evaluated on the mycelial growth and toxigenesis of Penicillium aurantiogriseum and P. viridicatum. A significant decrease in mycelial dry weight was obtained with the addition of 0.05–2.5% of each of the three essential oils in yeast extract sucrose broth. The inhibition of mycelium growth was tested on malt extract agar, Czapeck yeast agar, yeast extract sucrose agar and broth at constant pH, and was highly effective for mugwort, followed by eucalyptus. A complete inhibition of toxin production was observed with 0.44% of each essential oil for P. aurantiogriseum and 0.22% for P. viridicatum.