Bertalan Galambosi

Variation in the essential oil composition of Artemisia annua L. of different origin cultivated in Finland

Seven batches of seeds of Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae) of different origin were grown in Finland. The leaf essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation in yields of 0.4–0.9% (v/w). About 30 compounds were identified and 19 key compounds, representing 87–96% of the total oil, are listed. There was a large variability in the essential oil composition in plants of different seed origin. Camphor, artemisia ketone, germacrene-D and β-caryophyllene were detected as the major compounds. One oil had an exceptionally high content of (+)-α-pinene. Cluster analysis grouped the oils according to their origin, which shows that the essential oil composition is under strict genetic control. During the growing period the essential oil content and the amounts of artemisia ketone and 1,8-cineole reached a maximum about 2 weeks before budding. Camphor reached its maximum 2–3 weeks earlier. The enantiomeric ratios of (−)-camphene/(+)-camphene and (−)-α-pinene/(+)-α-pinene were determined for the first time in an A. annua oil and studied during a growing period.

Biomass production, essential oil yield and composition of Myrica gale L. harvested from wild populations in Scotland and Finland

Myrica gale L. was harvested from wild populations in Scotland and Finland. Above-ground vegetation was assessed for growth and potential yield of biomass. Essential oil yield and composition were measured: leaf oil yield was 0.05–0.29%, flower oil yield 0.97%. Main components were α-pinene [20.1–38.9%], 1,8-cineole [2.5–23.9%], germacrene [0.4–13.2%] and γ-cadinene [8.4–21.0]. The essential oil has a potential use as a midge repellent. Copyright

Anti-inflammatory activity of a HPLC-fingerprinted aqueous infusion of aerial part of Bidens tripartita L.

The anti-inflammatory potential of three doses of an aqueous infusion of aerial parts Bidens tripartita L. against carrageenan-induced acute paw edema in rats was investigated. A phytochemical study and qualitative-quantitative analyses revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, polysaccharides, phenols, amino acids, ascorbic acid, organic acids and polyacetylenes. Infusion doses of 20ml/kgbody wt. exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in rats, as compared with indomethacin. In addition, the infusion showed analgesic properties in a hot-plate test and antipyretic properties in carrageenan-induced local hyperthermia, both in rats. The effects were dose-dependent. Our results provide evidence for the potential usefulness of B. tripartita infusion in the treatment of inflammatory disorders.

Effect of Bergenia crassifolia L. extracts on weight gain and feeding behavior of rats with high-caloric diet-induced obesity

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feeding behavior and weight gain in rats with high-calorie diet-induced obesity that are treated with Bergenia crassifolia black and fermented leaves extracts. The daily dietary intake of all treated animals was reduced to 40% compared with the control group on day 22 of the experiment. A significant improvement in glucose tolerance was noted after 7 days of treatment with the Bergenia extracts. In rats treated with an extract of black leaves for 7 days, a significant reduction in the serum triglyceride level, 45% (p<0.05), compared with the control group was observed. However, the treatment did not affect the cholesterol level. Our results provide evidence for the potential use of B. crassifolia as an appetite and energy intake suppressant.

Letter: Characterization of Volatile and Semi-Volatile Compounds in Green and Fermented Leaves of Bergenia Crassifolia L. by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and ID-CUBE Direct Analysis in Real Time-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry:

Chemical compositions of volatile and semi-volatile components in green and fermented leaves of Bergenia crassifolia L. were studied. Leaf components were identified using gas chromatography with low resolution mass spectrometry and direct analysis in real time (DART) high resolution mass spectrometry with an ID-CUBE ion source. Phytol, nerolidol, geraniol, linalool, α-bisabolol, α-bisabololoxide B, α-cadinol, δ-cadinene, α-terpineol and several other marker compounds of special interest were defined, for which the process of fermentation significantly changed their content in the leaves. Low resolution EI GC-MS and ID-CUBE DART-HRMS were found to be complementary methods, as they provide different information, helpful to increase the confidence of identification.

Improved and validated HPTLC method for quantification of oenothein B and its use for analysis of Epilobium angustifolium L.

A selective and simplest possible high-performance TLC (HPTLC) method for quantification of oenothein B on the basis of the free gallic acid and total gallic acid content after acid hydrolysis has been developed and used for analysis of cultivated Epilobium angustifolium. HPTLC of aqueous extracts of E. angustifolium was performed on silica gel with benzene-methanol-acetic acid 90:16:8 (v/v), as mobile phase. Quantitative evaluation of the plate was performed at 570 nm after derivatization with 1% ethanolic FeCl3 solution. The method was validated for precision, repeatability, and accuracy. Average recovery of the active ingredient from the samples was in the range 95.43–104.57%. The calibration plots were linear in the range 440–2200 ng per band. The technique was used, for the first time, for estimation of the oenothein B content of cultivated E. angustifolium, The oenothein B content was highest at budding time (18.4–20.2 mg g−1) and decreased dramatically to 1.0 mg g−1 after flowering.

The Effect of Some Agrotechnical Factors on the Herb Yield and Volatile Oil of Dragonhead

ABSTRACT The effects of different propagation methods, mulching and nitrogen fertilization on the herb yield and volatile oil content and composition of dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) were studied in order to find the optimal cultivation techniques for Finnish conditions. Transplants gave a higher herb yield than sown plants, and an oil richer in geranyl acetate. Mulching had no effect on the volatile oil content or composition. The herb yield was greater in 1987, because of a cold summer. Moderate nitrogen fertilization (<30 kg/ha) significantly increased the herb yield, and higher doses had no further effect.

Chemical composition of the essential oil from rhizomes of Rhodiola rosea L. grown in Finland

Abstract The essential oil of Rhodiola rosea L., from rhizomes cultivated in Finland was analyzed by GC and GC/MS methods in Hungary. The air-dried rhizomes contained 0.04% essential oil. Thirteen components which were characterized in the oil were mainly monoterpenoid (84.3%). Myrtenol (36.9%), trans-pinocarveol (16.1%), geraniol (12.7%) and dihydrocumin alcohol (12.1%) were the most abundant volatiles detected in the oil. Myrtenol, geraniol and linalool were identified as the most important rose-like odor compounds which is important to give a pleasant rose-like scent to these Nordic rhizomes.

Rapid profiling of phenolic compounds of green and fermented Bergenia crassifolia L. leaves by UPLC-DAD-QqQ-MS and HPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS

Bergenia crassifolia L., Saxifragaceae, is an evergreen perennial plant known in traditional medicine of Russia, Mongolia and China. Polyphenols are responsible for the number of pharmacological effects of Bergenia. UPLC-DAD-QqQ-MS and LC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS were used for the rapid profiling of phenolic compounds, mainly hydrolysable tannins. Green leaves consisted of 55% ellagitannins, 29% gallic acid derivatives and 11% flavonoids, with the remaining gallic acid, arbutin, bergenin and caffeoyl quinic acid. In fermented leaves, 31% of gallic acid was found, followed with 28% ellagitannins, 18% gallic acid derivatives and 18% flavonoids, with the remaining caffeoyl quinic acid, bergenin and arbutin. Tellimagrandin I, pedunculagin, caffeoyl quinic acid, monogalloyl quinic acid, 1-O-galloylglucose and 1,2,6-tri-O-galloylglucose were identified for the very first time.

POSSIBILITIES FOR ORGANIC HERB SEED PRODUCTION IN FINLAND

Seed yield, quality and seed production techniques of four annual and four perennial herb species were studied at three experimental stations of Agrifood Research Finland during 1997–2000. The experimental fields were situated in South Finland at Piikkiö (60° N, 23` E), in South-East Finland, Mikkeli, ( 61° N, 44`E) and in North Finland, Ruukki (64° N, 41`E). The plants were cultivated in organic conditions. The plots (1-2 m2 in size) in four replications were covered by black plastic mulch and fertilized by 20 t/ha of compost before laying the mulch. As a result of the study, we conclude that to some extent it is possible to produce organic seeds of some selected and climatically adapted herb species in South Finland. High-purity seeds of high germination capacity (70-100 %) were obtained in relatively warm years from yarrow, angelica, dragonhead, anise hyssop and hyssop, that of medium seed germination capacity (40-70 %) from chamomile, lovage and chervil. The highest yields and the best quality were obtained at the southern and south-eastern experimental sites. However, due to the great annual climatic variations, seed growers have to be prepared for poor and good years in respect of seed production. In organic seed production, additional technological studies are required, especially concerning insect control, fertilization and storage of the seed. INTRODUCTION Organic growers are required to use organically produced propagation materials as well. At present there is a lack of organically produced seeds of medicinal plants and spices. No data are available concerning organic seed production for herbs in the Nordic countries and only a few studies deal with the biological value of herb seeds produced in northern conditions (Ojala, 1985, Galambosi et al., 1993, Galambosi and Peura, 1996). Studies concerning herb seed production have been done mainly in warmer climatic regions, in Hungary (Boros and Domokos, 1982), Poland (Formanowiczova and Kozlowski, 1969), Italy and Israel (Macchia et al., 1988, Putievsky, 1983). Due to the lack of information, a four-year research project was initiated to study the possibilities of producing seeds and the seed quality obtained for those herbs that seem to be suitable for Finnish climatic conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS The experiments were done at three experimental stations of Agrifood Research Finland during 1997–2000. The experimental fields were situated in South Finland (Plant Production Research, Horticulture, Piikkiö, 60° N, 23` E), in South-East Finland (Environmental Research, Ecological Production, Karila, Mikkeli, 61° N, 44` E) and in North Finland (North Ostrobothnia Research Station, Ruukki, 64° N, 41`E). The distance between Piikkiö and Mikkeli is 400 km and between Piikkiö and Ruukki 500 km. During 1997-1998, the annual species chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) were cultivated by direct sowing while dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica) and anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) were propagated by seedlings. Perennial herbs, like yarrow (Achillea millefolium), hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), angelica (Angelica archangelica), and lovage (Levisticum officinale) were propagated by seedling raising during 1997-2000. Further combinations were done for Proc. Int. Conf. on MAP Eds. J. Bernáth et al. Acta Hort. 576, ISHS 2002 228 chamomile and angelica. Chamomile plots were propagated by spring sowing in 1997, and were harvested during August and September 1997. The plots sown in August, 1997, were harvested in July, 1998. The biannual angelica was cultivated by two transplantings. The plants transplanted first in 1997 produced a seed yield in 1998 and 1999. The plants transplanted in 1999, produced a seed yield in 2000. The seeds in the main and the secondary umbrellas ripened at 7-10 days intervals and were collected separately. The plant material originated from common populations maintained at our experimental station except chamomile and yarrow, for which registered cultivars were propagated: ‘Budakalászi 2’ and ‘Alba’, respectively. The plants were cultivated in organic conditions. The plots (1-2 m2 in size) in four replications were covered by black plastic mulch and fertilized by 20 t/ha of compost before laying the mulch. The plant density was 4–12 plants/m2. Only plant protection preparations containing pyrethrin were used for insect control. Seed yield, seed quality (thousand seed weight, germination %) and post harvest cleaning methods were studied. The pre-cleaned seed mixtures were separated by a Kamas Laboratory Separator. Seed germination tests were done at room temperature in Petri dishes, using 4 x 50 and 4 x 100 seeds. The yield results were analyzed by analyses of variance. The meteorological data for the experimental sites by year are given in Tables 1 and 2. RESULTS According to the data, there were great differences in climatic conditions between the different years and experimental sites. The mean accumulated heat sum of the growing period was highest in South Finland (1437 C°), followed by East Finland (1251 C°) and North Finland (1069 C°) (Table 1). Similar differences were measured in the mean year temperatures and mean temperatures of the summer months (Table 1). The precipitation sums were higher but the mean temperature values lower in the northern experimental sites. Among the experimental years, the coldest and wettest summer was in 1998 which had the lowest mean temperatures and the highest precipitation. The warmest and driest summer favorable for seed yield formation was in 1997, followed by 1999 (Table 2). Matricaria chamomilla The autumn sowings produced twice the seed yield of the spring sowings (Table 3) since the spring sowing had higher risk due to the intensive solar activity during the germination and early growth phase of the plants in the warm 1997 summer. The germination of the seed harvested was quite low in Petri dishes (28-62%), but fallen seeds germinated well in the soil after harvest. The pre-cleaned dried seed-flower mixture was easily separated into a clean seed fraction and a so-called chribratum fraction, which included the yellow tubule disc florets. The proportion of seeds in the mixture was 37 % on average (Table 4). The chribratum is a marketable product, a by-product of seed production. Anthriscus cerefolium In 1997, the germination of spring sowings was low due to the dry weather. The sowings had to be repeated at two sites, but no ripened seed yields were obtained from these later sowings (Table 5). The seed quantity in South Finland was quite low, but the quality was good with 79 % germination capacity. The ripening of the seed during 1998, was slow in Mikkeli and especially in Ruukki, resulting in low germination capacity and thousand seed weight values. Technically it is quite difficult to separate the long stick-like seeds from the broken parts of the umbrellas. Therefore the purity of the yield was low, 71-78 %. Dracocephalum moldavica We have found considerable differences in the seed yield of dragonhead between the two vegetation years. In the warm and dry summer of 1997, the seed yield was high