Bogusław Wiłkomirski

New steroidal saponins of Agave americana

Abstract Two new saponins, agavasaponin E and agavasaponin H have been isolated from the methanolic extract of Agave americana leaves and their structures elucidated. Agavasaponin E is 3- O -[β- d -xylopyranosyl-(1→2glc1)-α- l -rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-α- l -rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3glc 1)-β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α- d -galactopyranosyl]-(25 R )-5α-spirostan-12-on-3β-ol, whereas agavasaponin H is 3- O -[β- d -xylopyranosyl-(1→2 glc 1)-α- l -rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-α- l -rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3 glc 1)-β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β- d -galactopyranosyl]-26- O -[β- d -glucopyranosyl]-(25 R )-5α-furostan-12-on-3β,22α,26-triol.

Pentacyclic triterpene triols from calendula officinalis flowers

Abstract From the flowers of Calendula officinalis five pentacyclic triterpene trihydroxyalcohols were isolated and identified as: olean-12-ene-3β,16β,28-triol, lup-20(29)ene-3β,16β,28-triol, tarax-20-ene-3β,16β,22α-triol, tarax-20-ene-3β,16β,30-triol and ursa-12-ene 3β,16β,21-triol, by chromatographic and spectroscopic means.

Free and ester-bound triterpene alcohols and sterols in cellular subfractions of Calendula officinalis flowers

Abstract In the chromoplast fraction and in the chromoplast-free fraction, obtained from Calendula officinalis ligulate flowers, the contents of individual free and ester-bound triterpene alcohols and sterols as well as the fatty acid components of the ester form were determined. It was shown that all sterols and triterpene monols in both forms occur in the two subtractions investigated, whereas all diols are localized only in the chromoplast fraction. The compositions of the fatty acids esterifying monols and sterols were similar to those esterifying diols in the chromoplasts. However, the fatty acids esterifying extra-chromoplast monols and sterols were different. This result indicates that triterpene monol esters are substrates for the biosynthesis of 3-monoesters of diols.

Triterpene chemotypes of some polish populations of Tanacetum vulgare

Abstract The major monohydroxy triterpene alcohols and sterol from the leaves and flower heads of seven populations of Tanacetum vulgare were determined by TLC and GLC. It was shown that variation in the contents of sterols and triterpenes in leaves is very small in different populations as well as variation of sterols in flower heads. In contrast the triterpene alcohol composition of flower heads suggested the occurence of ‘amyrine’ and ‘taraxasterol’ chemotypes.

Encroachment of forest species into operating and abandoned railway areas in north-eastern Poland

Abstract Floristic investigations concerning vascular plants, supplemented by a determination of the basic soil parameters and concentration of four heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe), were carried out in 12 railway areas located in north-eastern Poland (eight located on tracks withdrawn from use, four located on operating tracks). The vegetation types of the areas in the immediate vicinity of the selected sites differed (forest, grassland or meadow, ruderal). The soil samples exhibited considerable uniformity with respect to their pH values, and, although the nutrient levels varied, the concentration of the latter did not seem to be a factor limiting plant growth. The concentration of heavy metals did not hinder plant growth. Although the chemical features of the soil were within limits that did not make plant growth difficult, the process of plant regeneration proceeded differently, depending on the accessibility of diaspores from the surrounding areas. The decreasing rate of therophytes, especially aliens, manifested a stage of succession on abandoned tracks. In the case of ground flora, gradual “preparation” of the habitat (shadow factor on the track) was very important. The degree of advancement of forest regeneration on abandoned tracks was more strongly evidenced by the constant return of ground flora species, and not by trees as was commonly thought.

Interspecific differences in foliar 1 PAHs load between Scots pine, birch, and wild rosemary from three polish peat bogs

Pine needles are one of the most commonly used bioindicators of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment. Therefore, the main objective of the current research was the assessment of PAHs accumulation potential of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needles in comparison to wild rosemary (Rhododendron tomentosum Harmaja) and birch (Betula spp.) leaves. Our study was carried out on three peat bogs subjected to different degree of anthropopression, which gave us also the opportunity to identify local emission sources. Pine needles had the lowest accumulation potential from all the studied species. The highest accumulation potential, and hence carcinogenic potential, was observed for wild rosemary leaves. As far as emission sources are concerned, the most pronounced influence on atmospheric PAHs loads had traditional charcoal production, resulting in great influx of heavy PAHs. Observed seasonal changes in PAHs concentrations followed the pattern of winter increase, caused mainly by heating season, and summer decrease, caused mainly by volatilization of light PAHs.

The metabolism of [3−3H]oleanolic acid-3-O-mono-[14C]glucoside in isolated cells from Calendula officinalis leaves

Abstract The radioactive precursor, [3− 3 H]oleanolic acid-3- O -mono-[ 14 C]glucoside was administrated to isolated cells obtained from the leaves of Calendula officinalis . The radioactivity of the precursor was incorporated into fractions containing free oleanolic acid, individual glucosides, glucuronide F and other glucuronides. The ratio of 3 H: 14 C radioactivity in these fractions indicated that glucosides were formed in a process involving direct glycosylation of the precursor, whereas the glucuronides were formed from oleanolic acid released by hydrolysis of the precursor. Dynamics curves showed that glucoside II formed by direct glycosylation of the precursor was intensively transformed to other derivatives.

Does the Function of Railway Infrastructure Determine Qualitative and Quantitative Composition of Contaminants (PAHs, Heavy Metals) in Soil and Plant Biomass?

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals are the two most important groups of pollutants associated with rail transport. Both have a serious negative impact on the natural environment, including human health and degradation of sensitive ecosystems. In our study, apart from qualitative and quantitative analysis of the main PAHs and heavy metals associated with rail, we tried to assess composition of specific compounds related to functional areas of railway infrastructure and to distinguish potential chemical markers which can be used for identification of pollution. Moreover, we evaluated the applicability of plants overgrowing railway infrastructure as bioindicators of rail-associated pollution. Though we confirmed that high amounts of PAHs and heavy metals in soil are characteristic for intensively used railway infrastructure, we found no typical pollution profiles for the differently used areas (i.e. platforms, sidings, cleaning bays). The major source of these contaminants is petroleum products used in conservation of railway infrastructure and rolling stock. As far as the use of plants overgrowing railway infrastructure as bioindicators of rail-associated pollution is concerned, it is rather limited, due to frequent application of herbicides for security and track stability reasons.

Soil and plants contamination with selected heavy metals in the area of a railway junction / Zanieczyszczenie gleby i roślin wybranymi metalami ciężkimi na terenie węzła kolejowego

Abstract Heavy metal (As, Mn, Ni, Sn, Ti) concentrations were determined in soil and plant samples collected in different areas of the railway junction Iława Główna, Poland. Soil and plant samples were collected in four functional parts of the junction, i.e. the loading ramp, main track within the platform area, rolling stock cleaning bay and the railway siding. Four plant species occurring in relatively higher abundance were selected for heavy metals analysis, although in the loading ramp and platform areas only one species could be collected in the amount which makes chemical analysis possible. The selected species included three perennials (Daucus carota, Pastinaca sativa and Taraxacum officinale) and one annual plant (Sonchus oleraceus). The entire area of the railway junction showed elevated concentrations of heavy metals when compared to the control level. It was most pronounced for the platform area and railway siding. The concentration of arsenic, manganese and nickel in plants growing in these parts of the junction exceeded the toxic level. The highest contamination of soil and plants found in the platform area suggested advanced emission process of the analyzed metals from wheel and track abrasion. Literature review showed that the concentration of the investigated metals in soil was generally higher than that found in centers of cities and along traffic roads proving that the railway is an important linear source of soil contamination W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań dotyczące zawartości wybranych metali ciężkich (As, Mn, Ni, Sn, Ti) w glebie i roślinach na obszarze węzła kolejowego Iława Główna. Próby gleby i roślin pobierano w czterech częściach węzła, a mianowicie na rampie załadowczej, torowisku głównym, myjni i bocznicy kolejowej. Na całym obszarze węzła kolejowego stwierdzono podwyższone stężenia metali ciężkich w porównaniu z terenem kontrolnym. Najwyższe stężenia stwierdzano na torowisku głównym i bocznicy kolejowej. Stężenie arsenu, manganu i niklu w roślinach występujących na tym obszarze przekracza poziom toksyczny. Najwyższe zanieczyszczenie gleby i roślin stwierdzane na torowisku wskazuje na występowanie procesów emisji metali spowodowanych ścieraniem kół i szyn. Porównanie z danymi literaturowymi wskazuje, że stężenie badanych metali w glebie jest większe niż w glebach centów miast i wzdłuż drogowych szlaków komunikacyjnych, co dowodzi, że linie kolejowe stanowią istotne liniowe źródło zanieczyszczenia gleby

Sterol content as a similarity marker of different organs of two varietas of Chrysanthemum parthenium

Abstract The major sterols from different organs (flowers, involucres, stems, leaves and roots) of two varietas of Chrysanthemum parthenium were determined by TLC and GLC. It was shown, using methods of numerical taxonomy, that the sterol overall similarity of the same organs of two varietas is much bigger than the similarity of different organs of one variety.