Gábor Janicsák

Betaine distribution in the Amaranthaceae

Abstract Aerial parts of 23 species distributed in 10 genera of the Amaranthaceae have been examined for the presence of betaines. Glycinebetaine was isolated from all the species studied and, in addition, trigonelline was detected in eight out of the nine species of Amaranthus , 1 of the two species of Alternanthera and in the species of Iresine (3), Celosia (2), Chamissoa (1), Aerva (1), Gomphrena (1) and Froelichia (1). With the exception of I. herbstii , glycinebetaine was the predominant betaine. The highest yield of this compound was from Cyathula geniculata (2.11%, dry weight), but, with the exception of I. herbstii (0.05%), the species tested had contents in the range 0.28–2.11%, dry weight. Trigonelline yields varied from 0.004 to 0.15%, dry weight. From the data obtained, classification of the Amaranthaceae as a betaine – accumulating family would appear to be justified.

Betaine distribution in the labiatae

Abstract Seventy-nine species and three hybrids of Labiatae have been examined for the presence of betaines, which were isolated from and characterised for all the plants tested in six of the eight subfamilies (Ajugoideae, Teucrioideae, Viticoideae, Lamioideae, Pogostemonoideae and Scutellarioideae). However, unlike the Lamioideae, all species of which had relatively high betaine levels, those members tested of the other major subfamily, the Nepetoideae, either gave low betaine yields or these compounds were not detected. The three species examined representing the Chloanthoideae contained compounds which reacted with Dragendorffs reagent, but their structures could not be determined because of the small quantities isolated. The betaines found in different species of the same genus were very similar, supporting the view that these compounds have taxonomic significance at the generic level.

Iridoids of Stachys species growing in Hungary

Stachys species contain iridoids, for example harpagide, acetylharpagide, aucubin, harpagoside, and ajugoside. The iridoid composition and content of leaves, stems, and inflorescences of ten Stachys species have been compared by use of a TLC–densitometric method. Harpagoside, harpagide, and acetylharpagide proved to be the main iridoids in Stachys officinalis L., St. sylvatica L., St. grandiflora Host., St. macrantha (C. Koch.) Jalas I., St. alpina L., St. palustris L., St. recta L., St. byzantina Koch., and St. germanica L. No iridoids were detected in St. annua L.

Volatile and some non-volatile chemical constituents of Mediterranean Salvia species beyond their native area

Members of the Salvia genus, like many representatives of the subfamilies Lamioideae and Nepetoideae, can be grown under the continental conditions of Hungary, beyond their native area of distribution. Salvia tomentosa Mill., S. officinalis L., S.fruticosa Mill., S. lavandulifolia Vahl., S. candelabrum Boiss., and S. ringens Sm. are species with essential oils of similar characteristics, i.e., with a predominant monoterpenoid content, whereas the thujone shows significant variations. The investigations reviewed have demonstrated that since S. tomentosa Mill. has a similar essential oil composition to S. officinalis L., but with a favorably lower thujone content, it could be regarded as a potential substitute for the purpose of essential oil production. Among the non-volatile components, ursolic, oleanolic, rosmarinic, caffeic acids do not show remarkable differences in the species investigated.

TLC of ecdysteroids with four mobile phases and three stationary phases

Eleven mobile phases and three stationary phases have been investigated for TLC separation of a large number of ecdysteroids. Optimization of the chromatography was based on trial and error. Use of four mobile phases on three stationary phases enabled separation of all the ecdysteroids from each other in at least one system. The TLC behavior of ecdysteroids containing different numbers of hydroxyl groups, side-chain variations, and extra double bonds, and of positional isomers and stereoisomers, is reported and interpreted. Our method is suggested for screening plant extracts for ecdysteroids.

Determination of Stachys palustris iridoids by a combination of chromatographic methods

Stachys palustris L. (Lamiaceae) contains the iridoids harpagide and acetylharpagide. The presence of other components, for example aucubin, can be revealed by TLC and RP HPLC. A readily applicable simple TLC-densitometric method for analysis of aqueous extracts of the plants has been established for comparative studies of aucubin-like iridoids in Stachys palustris.

Determination of phenylpropanoids in three Ballota species

Different parts of three Ballota species (B. nigra, B. hirsuta, and B. rupestris) have been analyzed for phenylpropanoid content by means of a simple extraction technique and a newly established TLC-densitometric method. The compounds studied were verbascoside (VE), forsythoside B (FB), and caffeoyl-malic acid (CM). The largest amounts were detected in B. rupestris - CM (0.30%) and VE (4.58%) in the leaves and FB (3.0%) in the roots, followed by B. nigra; the smallest amounts were found in B. hirsuta - 0.08% CM, 1.64% VE, and 0.91% FB in the leaves. The absence of caffeoylmalic acid was characteristic of the roots only. B. nigra, the common representative of the genus in Hungary, was chosen for thorough study of variation of phenylpropanoids during the vegetative period. Amounts of the phenylpropanoids increased during the main and secondary flowering periods in June (FB, 6.00%; VE, 8.50%; CM, 0.45% in the leaves) and September (FB, 3.80%; VE, 7.00%;, CM, 0.35% in the leaves).

TLC-densitometric investigations of phenylpropanoid glycosides in black horehound ( Ballota nigra L.)

Most of the beneficial biological effects (e.g. neurosedative, antioxidant, and antimicrobial) of black horehound (Ballota nigra L.) are because of its phenylpropanoid glycoside content. A. rapid TLCdensitometric method with acceptable accuracy has been established for quantitative analysis of the most characteristic components of black horehound. Experiments were performed to establish the optimum conditions for densitometric measurement and for storage of extracts. Practical application of the elaborated method is reported for five plant extracts.

Role of Preparative Rotation Planar Chromatography in the Isolation of Ecdysteroids

Abstract A reliable isolation procedure is elaborated for the purification of ecdysteroids from Serratula wolffii. The procedure is also applicable to other plant sources. The general ecdysteroid isolation procedure was improved by the introduction of preparative rotation planar chromatography (RPC) to the purification process. Effective and simple cleanup and vacuum reversed‐phase column chromatographic separation was completed with RPC, or repeated RPC, to obtain pure ecdysteroids (ajugasterone C, dacryhainansterone, 22‐deoxy‐integristerone A, 20‐hydroxyecdysone, and 2 new ecdysteroids) from the crude extract. This paper discusses the advantages of this method as the final step of ecdysteroid isolation.

Thin-layer chromatography of phytoecdysteroids

Abstract Planar chromatography of ecdysteroids is reviewed. Separation of various ecdysteroids is detailed using both straight‐phase and reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatography (RP‐TLC). The generally used special techniques, such as two‐dimensional TLC (2D‐TLC), forced‐flow TLC (FF‐TLC), displacement mode of development, etc., are also specified. The particular behavior of certain ecdysteroids is discussed.