Edward M. Croom

Diurnal and Seasonal Effects on the Taxane Content of the Clippings of CertainTaxus Cultivars

Clippings of ornamental cultivars of Taxus were collected at different times of the day, and monthly for two growing seasons (June to October 1993 and March to October 1994). Uniformly dried samples were extracted and analysed for their content of six taxanes, namely 10-desacetyl baccatin III (1), baccatin III (2), 10-desacetyl taxol (3), cephalomannine (4), 10-desacetyl-7-epi-taxol (5) and taxol (6). Clippings harvested between noon and 8.00 p.m. provided biomass with a high total taxane content (0.099–0.102%) without sacrificing the yield of any of the individual taxanes. Data obtained from a seasonal study showed that the best time to harvest Taxus clippings for the production of taxanes (especially 1 and 6) is approximately one month from the beginning of new growth (flush). The date of harvest could vary depending on the geographic location and weather conditions.

Microbiological transformations of artemisinic acid

Abstract The microbial transformation of the sesquiterpene artemisinic acid (3) using Mucor mucedo and Aspergillus flavipes has resulted in the production of epimeric 3-hydroxyartemisinic acids (4) and (5). The structure elucidation and full 1H and 13C NMR assignments for these novel metabolites were made on the basis of spectroscopic data, especially 2D NMR techniques.

Determination of the Fatty Acid content of pumpkin seed, pygeum, and saw palmetto.

Fatty acids are major components of many plants, foods and medicines, including pumpkin seeds (Cucubita pepo), pygeum bark (Prunus africana) and saw palmetto (Serenoa repens). With the gas chromatography methods reported here, free fatty acids of these species can be quantified as their trimethylsilyl derivatives. Because of their different fatty acid contents and composition, the gas chromatography method can distinguish which of three plant species was extracted, and, in the case of S. repens, the method of extraction. Although phytosterols can be separated by this method, their content is too low to be assigned directly. The total fatty acid content can be determined through formation of the methyl esters. This is helpful for estimation of the kind and percentage of fatty acids that are present as triglyceride esters in the plant material and for standardization of the products.

Herbal Supplement Information and the Consumer

The purpose of this study was to investigate the consumers search for information in the context of self-care decisions involving herbal supplements, and the preferences for types of information in that context. The nationwide self-administered survey included a series of mock label profiles for use in conjoint analysis, as well as attitudinal items regarding information sources and the perceived gaps in available information regarding herbal supplements. The most frequently mentioned source of information was “friends and relatives” (45%). While few respondents (10% to 20%) actually had utilized conventional health practitioners as a source of information, nearly 70% said that they might use them. The attribute considered in the conjoint analysis that was most often rated as most important was professional recommendation. A majority (73%) of respondents identified “gaps” in the information that is available to them regarding herbal supplements. Implications of the results identify potential areas for policy consideration and future research.

The Effect of Plant Age on Taxane Content of Cultivated Taxus

ABSTRACT The relative content of taxol and taxanes in rooted cuttings (˜ 1 year old), liner (3–4 years old), and landscape-size (7–8 years old) Taxus plants was investigated. Leaves contained a higher concentration of paclitaxel and taxanes than other plant tissues. The concentration of taxanes in the stems was relatively small and resulted in dilution of the taxanes in the whole plant biomass of liner and landscape-size plants. The small size of rooted cuttings (average dry weight = 0.94 g/plant) and liners (average dry weight = 39 g/plant) meant separation of leaves from stems and roots would not be practical. For the rooted cuttings, no substantial reduction in the paclitaxel/taxanes concentration resulted from extracting the whole plants versus leaves.