Éva Zámboriné Németh

Investigations on the Infraspecific Variability of Hypericum perforatum L.

SUMMARY The natural variability of Hypericum perforatum L. (Hyper-icaceae) serves as a sound basis for breeding programs. The aims of this work were to study its infraspecific diversity from a biological and chemical points of view, and to promote the breeding of varieties which would be suitable for growing under Hungarian climatic conditions. At the beginning of our investigations, 18 accessions of different origin had been tested for two years (1996–1997), evaluating the overall population properties and the individual divergences. Outstanding individuals could be selected from the basic populations according to their promising production-biological particulars. Their lines have been studied through two subsequent vegetation cycles (1998–1999). During the investigation of morphological, phenological and production properties of taxa involved, degrees of seasonal and ontogenetical variability have been estimated within and among populations. Data of genetical stability and heritability of taxon characteristics have also been obtained. Great individual divergences characterized the accumulation levels of hypericin derivatives, while flavonoid content was more stable within populations, influenced principally by genotype. The highest total content of hypericin derivatives (4.0–15.8 mg/g) have been found in the second year of cultivation, while that of the flavonoid content (23.6–30.1 mg/g) could have been measured in the third vegetation cycle. The taxa studied only in very few cases possessed excellent hypericin and flavonoid contents at the same time.

A manifesto for the valorization of wild edible plants.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCEnWild foods constitute an essential component of peoples diets around the world, but despite their widespread use and their cultural importance, wild edible plants (WEPs) lack recognition as significant contributors to the human diet in developed countries.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnWe stimulate national and international bodies dealing with food and agriculture, to increase their attention and investments on WEPs, leveraging the results of scientific investigation, enhancing the link between in situ conservation strategies and sustainable use of plant genetic diversity.nnnRESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSnWEPs should be reconsidered throughout their value chain, capturing their important socio-cultural, health, and economic benefits to indigenous and local communities and family farmers who are engaged in their production and wild-harvesting.

Phytochemical characteristics of root volatiles and extracts of Achillea collina Becker genotypes

Abstract Recently, several publications revealed the presence of potentially active volatile substances in the roots of yarrow species. Though their specific function is not clear, they are supposed to have an important role in plant–environment interactions. In the present paper, chemical composition of hydrodistilled essential oil (EO), headspace (HS) volatiles and dichloromethane extracts (DE) of the roots of 10 different Achillea collina Becker accessions were analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS and compared. Volatility and solubility of active ingredients and the sensitivity of extraction methods resulted in different chemical compositions. Only a few of the main constituents (alismol, (E)-β-farnesene, β-sesquiphellandrene and neryl esters) were found in each extract type. In the EOs, the main compound was component with RI 1874 tentatively identified as heptadecen-7-one (28.9–43.0%). Albene (20.8–52.1%) and β-pinene (8.3–47.1%) were the most represented constituents among HS volatiles. The main and universal constituents of DEs were component with RI 1874 tentatively identified as heptadecen-7-one, linoleic acid, 2,4,6-decatrienoic acid piperideide, sterols (RI 3280, 3338 and 3360) and a triterpene (RI 3456) which together amounted 34.4–61.7% of the extracts.

Stress-induced changes of growth, yield and bioactive compounds in lemon balm cultivars

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of water deficiency on five Melissa officinalis genotypes. For three months water supply of 70% (control) and 40% (stress) of soil water capacity treatments have been adjusted in a pot experiment. Considering the morphological data, the different genetic potentials of cultivars were manifested only under optimum water regimes while under drought they merged into one homogeneous basic population representing the species. The biomass data decreased for all cultivars under drought stress, but the degree of loss was genotype specific. Genotype dependence of the change in essential oil accumulation was clearly proved by the data. Three of the cultivars (Gold Leaf, Lorelei and Quedlinburger Niederliegende) showed the same essential oil content both in control and stress treatments. Under drought stress the cultivar Lemona produced only 35% of its essential oil content, however cv. Soroksár reacted with 58% increase of essential oil accumulation to drought treatment. Considering the non-volatile bioactive compounds a unique response of the investigated accessions to drought stress was demonstrated. Cultivar Lorelei showed an increased accumulation of total hydroxicinnamic acid derivatives content while cv. Gold Leaf and Soroksár clearly reacted with higher accumulation of total flavonoid fraction. In the case of cv. Quedlinburger Niederliegende the remarkable decline in total flavonoid content is the most obvious stress reaction. The rosmarinic acid content of all genotypes showed lower accumulation level in consequence of lower water supply.