Eleftherios Kalpoutzakis

Influence of extraction procedures on phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Cretan barberry herb

The main goal of present study was the development, optimization and application of different extraction protocols, especially those employing green technologies, in order to obtain from Berberis cretica extracts with high antioxidant capacity. For this purpose, the applied methods: maceration, ASE and SFE coupled with ASE were incorporated. The antioxidant assessment was carried out using DPPH and total phenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteu) assays. Major constituents were elucidated using HPLC-DAD and UHPLC-HRMS/MS (hybrid IT-Orbital trap spectrometer) equipped with an ESI probe. The chromatographic and spectral data revealed the presence of several simple phenolic acids, derivatives of both caffeic and benzoic acids, and flavonoids in the produced extracts. It was clearly evidenced that the extraction method and solvents used affected both the activity and the chemical content of the results, significantly. The most beneficial conditions were calculated for methanol and water:ethanol (50:50) extracts derived from the combination of SFE and ASE methodologies. Obtained results classify Cretan barberry as a strong antioxidant agent.

Volatiles with antimicrobial activity from the roots of Greek Paeonia taxa

The traditional uses of the roots of Paeonia taxa are described. The volatile constituents, obtained by steam distillation of the roots of Paeonia clusii Stern subsp. clusii, Paeonia mascula L. subsp. hellenica and Paeonia parnassica, were studied by GC/MS. Salicylaldehyde, paeonol, methyl salicylate and benzoic acid were found to be the major components among the twelve constituents identified. The evaluation of the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the volatile compounds against six bacteria and three fungi is also reported.

Antibacterial Labdane-type Diterpenes from the Resin “Ladano” of Cistus creticus Subsp. creticus

Abstract The antibacterial activity of seven labdane-type diterpenes is reported. Five were isolated from the resin of the plant Cistus creticus, from which 13(E)-labd-13-ene, 8α-ol-15-yl malonic acid (5) 1 is a new natural product, while the two others were hemisynthetic derivatives.

Polygonophenone, the first MEM-substituted natural product, from Polygonum maritimum.

An unprecedented natural acetophenone, polygonophenone (1), and a new resorcinol, polygonocinol (2), were isolated from the dichloromethane and methanol extracts of Polygonum maritimum and identified as 2-hydroxy-4-[(2-methoxyethoxy)methoxy] acetophenone and 2-methyl-5-nonadecylresorcinol, respectively. In addition, 11 known compounds were identified, namely, the sesquiterpenoid (+)-8-hydroxycalamene, four ferulic acid esters (tetracosyl, hexacosyl, octacosyl, and triacontyl ferulate), the arylpropane broussonin B, the flavonoids quercetin, quercitrin, and (+)-catechin, the hydroquinone glucoside isotachioside, and beta-sitosterol. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of their NMR and MS data. It is noteworthy that polygonophenone (1) is the first naturally methoxyethoxymethyl (MEM)-substituted natural product, and its isolation gives support for the use of MEM protection in biomimetic synthetic schemes.

Additions and annotations to the flora of Peloponnisos (S Greece)

Abstract Kalpoutzakis, E. & Constantinidis, T.: Additions and annotations to the flora of Peloponnisos (S Greece) — Willdenowia 36 (Special Issue): 271–284. — ISSN 0511-9618;

Paeonicluside, A New Salicylic Glycoside From The Greek Endemic Species Paeonia Clusii

A new glycoside of salicylic aldehyde, paeonicluside, was isolated from the roots of the Greek endemic species Paeonia clusii subsp. clusii and identified as α-ʟ-arabinopyranosyl- (1→6)-O-β-ᴅ-glucopyranoside of salicylic aldehyde (1). In addition, one characteristic monoterpene and two monoterpene glycosides were identified as paeoniflorigenone, paeoniflorin and benzoyl paeoniflorin, respectively. The structure of 1 was elucidated on the basis of its spectroscopic data and chemical correlation. It is the first time that a derivative of salicylic aldehyde is isolated from the well-studied Paeonia genus

Composition of the Essential Oil of Verbascum undulatum from Greece

Abstract The essential oil of the aerial parts of Verbascum undulatum Lam. was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Thirty-six compounds were identified and the major components were 1-octen-3-ol (22.5%), α-bisabolol (10.6%) and nonanal (9.0%).

Composition of the Essential Oils of Narcissus tazetta and Narcissus serotinus from Greece

Abstract The essential oils of the flowers of Narcissus tazetta subsp. tazetta and Narcissus serotinus were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Nineteen compounds were identified and the major components were trans-ocimene (61.12%) for Narcissus tazetta and benzyl acetate (19.36%) for Narcissus serotinus.

Composition of the Essential Oils of Orchis italica and Orchis quadripunctata from Greece

Abstract The essential oils of the inforescences of Orchis italica and Orchis quadripunctata were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Thirty-two compounds were identifed and the major components were linear hydrocarbons (mainly tricosane and pentacosane) and linear aldehydes (mainly nonanal).

Multivariate morphometric analysis of Petrorhagia subsect. Saxifragae (Caryophyllaceae) in Greece, with a new species from SE Peloponnisos: P. laconica

Abstract: The intra-generic relationships within the intriguing genus Petrorhagia are currently debated, as the genus is underrepresented in recent taxonomic studies. In this study, we investigate the relationships among the species of Petrorhagia [sect. Petrorhagia] subsect. Saxifragae occurring in Greece. Based on a combination of ordination methods and discriminant analyses of 36 macromorphological characters, five species are recognized in Greece. The analyses showed that all currently known species from Greece (P. fasciculata, P. graminea, P. phthiotica and P. saxifraga) represent distinct taxonomic entities. According to our results, two recently collected populations from SE Peloponnisos represent a fifth, new Petrorhagia species, which is first described and illustrated here as P. laconica. It is related to the widespread P. saxifraga and the Greek endemic P. graminea, but clearly distinct from both species by a combination of morphological characters, including indumentum, inflorescence, calyx, capsule and seed characters. Citation: Trigas P., Kougioumoutzis K., Ermidou A. & Kalpoutzakis E. 2018: Multivariate morphometric analysis of Petrorhagia subsect. Saxifragae (Caryophyllaceae) in Greece, with a new species from SE Peloponnisos: P. laconica. — Willdenowia 48: 137–146. doi: https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.48.48110 Version of record first published online on 5 April 2018 ahead of inclusion in April 2018 issue.