Katarzyna Bączek

Effect of Meadowsweet Flower Extract-Pullulan Coatings on Rhizopus Rot Development and Postharvest Quality of Cold-Stored Red Peppers

The study involved an examination of the antifungal activity on red peppers of pullulan coating (P) and pullulan coating containing either water-ethanol (P + eEMF) or ethanol extract of meadowsweet flowers (P + eEMF). Pullulan was obtained from a culture of Aureobasidium pullulans B-1 mutant. Both non-inoculated peppers and those artificially inoculated with Rhizopus arrhizus were coated and incubated at 24 °C for 5 days. The intensity of the decay caused by Rhizopus arrhizus in the peppers with P and P + eEMF coatings was nearly 3-fold lower, and in the case of P + weEMF 5-fold lower, than that observed in the control peppers. Additionally, the P + weEMF coating decreased, almost two-fold the severity of pepper decay compared to other samples. The influence of coating of pepper postharvest quality was examined after 30 days of storage at 6 °C and 70%–75% RH. All coatings formed a thin and well-attached additional layer of an intensified gloss. During storage, color, total soluble solid content and weight loss of coated peppers were subject to lower changes in comparison with uncoated ones. The results indicate the possibility of the application of pullulan coatings containing MFEs as an alternative to the chemical fungicides used to combat pepper postharvest diseases.

Setting of southern sweet-grass plantation with stem cuttings obtained by division of maternal plants

Summary Southern sweet-grass (Hierochloë australis /Schrad./ Roem. & Schult.) is a perennial, wild growing tuft grass occurring in North-East Poland, Belarus and Finland. In Poland the species is under the partial legal protection. The raw material harvested from this plant are leaves rich in coumarins, mainly in coumarin responsible for specific sweet aroma of leaves. They are used mostly for the aromatization of alcohol and tobacco products. Due to high demand for the raw material and decrease in the natural resources of the species, it is advisable to introduce the plant into cultivation. In the presented study vegetative planting stock (1-, 2-, and 4-stem cuttings) were used to set the plantation of southern sweet-grass. The influence of the planting stock type on the mass of leaves and their quality in the first and second year of plant vegetation as well as the mass of seeds from two-year-old plants were investigated. The highest number of well rooted plants was obtained from 4-stem cuttings (74.07%) and the least - from 1-stem cuttings (47.53%). Both, on one- and two-year-old plantations the plants from 4-stem cuttings were characterized by the highest mass of leaves (7.73 and 24.65 g ˟ plant-1, respectively). The plants were also characterized by the highest number of generative shoots (40.71 pcs. ˟ plant-1) and mass of seeds (4.62 g ˟ plant-1). The total contents of coumarins and phenolic acids did not depend on the type of planting stock. The contents of these compounds was higher in two-year-old plants than in one-year-old ones, whereas the content of flavonoids was higher in one-year-old plants.

Diversity of Eleutherococcus genus in respect of biologically active compounds accumulation

Summary Eight species of Eleutherococcus genus grown at Rogów Arboretum collection were compared in respect of biologically active compounds accumulation, i.e. eleutheroside B and E, phenolic acids and sterols. For the determination of content of these compounds in underground organs and stem bark high performance liquid chromatography was applied. The highest content of the sum of eleutherosides B and E was observed in underground organs and stem bark of E. leucorrhizus (322.0 and 300.8 mg × 100 g-1, respectively) and E. nodiflorus (218.9 and 363.5 mg × 100g-1, respectively). In the raw materials from E. senticosus, the content of these compounds was significantly lower (177.4 and 159.3 mg × 100 g-1, respectively). E divaricatus and E. setchuenensis were characterized by the lowest accumulation of these compounds in underground organs whereas E. divaricatus, E. sessiliflorus and E. giraldii - in stem bark. Four phenolic acids were identified in the investigated species, namely: chlorogenic, rosmarinic, ferulic and caffeic acids. The main phenolic acid in the analyzed species was chlorogenic acid. The content of this compound in underground organs varied from 102.1 (E. henryi) to 958.7 mg × 100 g-1 (E. leucorrhizus) and in stem bark from 26.7 (E. giraldii) to 542.5 mg × 100 g-1 (E. setchuenensis). The content of identified sterol compounds (sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucoside /eleutheroside A / campesterol, stigmasterol) was relatively low, but higher in underground organs in comparison with stem bark. Streszczenie Osiem gatunków z rodzaju Eleutherococcus rosnących w kolekcji Arboretum w Rogowie porównano pod kątem gromadzenia związków biologicznie aktywnych tj. eleuterozydów B i E, kwasów fenolowych i steroli. W celu określenia zawartości tych związków w organach podziemnych i korze pędów zastosowana została wysokosprawna chromatografia cieczowa. Najwyższą zawartością sumy eleuterozydów B i E charakteryzowały się organy podziemne i kora pędów E. leucorrhizus (odpowiednio: 322,0 i 300,8 mg × 100 g-1) i E. nodiflorus (odpowiednio: 218,9 i 363,5 mg × 100 g-1). W E. senticosus, było ich istotnie mniej (odpowiednio: 177,4 i 159,3 mg × 100 g-1). E. divaricatus i E. setchuenensis charakteryzowały się najniższą zawartością tych związków w organach podziemnych, natomiast E. divaricatus, E. sessiliflorus and E. giraldii - w korze pędów. W badanych gatunkach zidentyfikowano cztery kwasy fenolowe: chlorogenowy, rozmarynowy, ferulowy i kawowy. Kwas chlorogenowy był związkiem dominującym wśród zidentyfikowanych kwasów fenolowych. Jego zawartość w organach podziemnych wahała się od 102,1 (E. henryi) do 958,7 mg × 100 g-1 (E. leucorrhizus), a w korze pędów od 26,7 (E. giraldii) do 542,5 mg × 100 g-1 (E. setchuenensis). Zawartość zidentyfikowanych związków sterolowych (3-O-β-D-glukozydu sitosterolu /eleuterozydu A/, kampesterolu, stigmasterolu) była relatywnie niska, przy czym organy podziemne były bogatsze w te związki niż kora pędów.

Phenolics in Primula veris L. and P. elatior (L.) Hill Raw Materials

Primula veris L. and Primula elatior (L.) Hill represent medicinal plants used for the production of herbal teas and preparations with antioxidant and expectorant activity. Flowers and roots of both species possess the same biological activity. In the presented study, raw materials of wild growing P. veris and P. elatior were compared in terms of the content and composition of phenolic compounds using a fast and simple HPLC-DAD method. The study showed that flowers of both species were rich in flavonoids. However, P. veris flowers were characterized with a distinctly higher content of isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, astragalin, and (+)-catechin, whereas P. elatior occurred to be a richer source of rutoside and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside. Hyperoside was found exclusively in P. elatior flowers. Phenolic glycosides (primverin and primulaverin) were identified only in the roots. Their content was about ten times higher in P. veris in comparison with P. elatior underground organs. The obtained results clearly show that both Primula species differ distinctly in terms of the content and composition of phenolic compounds. The compounds differentiating both species to the highest degree (hyperoside, in flowers, as well as primverin and primulaverin, in the roots) may be useful chemical markers in the identification and evaluation of both species.

Accumulation of phenolic compounds in the purple betony herb (Stachys officinalis L.) originated from cultivation

Summary Introduction: Purple betony (Stachys officinalis L., Lamiaceae) is a perennial of versatile medicinal usage. Nowadays, in Poland betony herb is collected exclusively from wild growing plants. Decreasing number of its natural sites results in lack of the herb supply and thus, in its limited usage. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the effects of the age of plant and term of raw material harvest on its yield and quality in cultivation conditions. Methods: The observations were carried out on 2- and 3-year-old plants. During vegetation the herb was collected for four times. The raw material was subjected to chemical analysis. Tannins (as pyrogallol equivalent) were determined according to Polish Pharmacopoeia, phenolic acids and flavonoids – by HPLC. Results: The mass of herb, both in the second and third year, had increased from the beginning of vegetation up to seed setting. The highest content of tannins was found in the herb collected at the vegetative stage of plant development (2.05% in the second and 2.91% in the third year). Four phenolic acids (chlorogenic, ferulic, caffeic and rosmarinic acids) and five flavonoid compounds (orientin, luteolin-7-glucoside, apigenin-7-glucoside, apigenin-3-glucoside, apigenin) were identified in the obtained raw materials. In these groups, the dominant compounds were caffeic acid and apigenin. The highest content of caffeic acid was found at the beginning of plant vegetation, whereas apigenin – at the stage of full blooming and seed setting. Conclusion: In cultivation conditions, purple betony produces high mass of herb which may be used as a valuable raw material in herbal industry.

Variability of southern sweet-grass (Hierochloë australis /Schrad./ Roem. & Schult.) wild growing populations occurring in eastern Poland

Summary Southern sweet-grass is a perennial grass distributed through north-eastern Europe. In Poland, this rare, partially protected plant grows wild in well-lit coniferous or mixed forests. Its leaves, rich in coumarin compounds, are used for aromatization of alcohols. Taking into account high demand on this raw material and decrease in the number of southern sweet-grass populations it is recommended to introduce the plant into cultivation systems. In this study 12 populations of southern sweet-grass were selected and assessed in terms of their cultivation usefulness. The presence of associated plant species growing on its natural sites was investigated as well as light irradiance on those stands. The species was found in 3 types of forest communities. Air dry mass of leaves per plant varied in analyzed populations from 1.73 to 11.07 g. They were significantly diversified in the total content of coumarins (0.36–0.96%), flavonoids (0.09–0.26%) and polyphenolic acids (0.13–0.29%). The diversity concerning the content of coumarin, a quality indicator of leaves, was even higher. The content of this compound varied from 52.03 to 275.74 mg/100 g d. m. Among the analyzed populations, the most interesting seem to be population No. 12 (Jedwabno) and population No. 10 (Ruciane) characterized with relatively high mass of leaves and the highest content of the identified active compounds, including coumarin.

Functional traits of selected clones of southern sweet-grass (Hierochloë australis /Schrad./ Roem. & Schult.)

Summary Southern sweet-grass (Hierochloë australis /Schrad./ Roem. & Schult., Poaceae), commonly known as a bison grass, is a perennial tuft grass rarely occurring in mixed forests in Eastern and Northern Europe. The raw material collected from this plant are leaves rich in coumarin compounds (especially coumarin) responsible for sweet, specific aroma of these organs. In Poland, southern sweet-grass leaves are used mainly for alcohol products aromatisation. Growing demand for the raw material results in uncontrolled and excessive collecting of this plant. The best way to solve this problem is to introduce this plant into cultivation. Since southern sweet-grass is allogamous and heterozigotic, strong intraspecific variability of the species is observed. Fourteen clones of selected individuals from one population of southern sweet-grass naturally occurring in East Poland were compared in respect of morphological traits as well as accumulation of biologically active compounds. The clones differed significantly in the weight of leaves (3.76-22.59 g of air-dry weight per plant). The total coumarin content (determined by a spectrophotometric method) in this raw material for investigated clones ranged from 1.49 to 1.94%, flavonoids - from 0.25 to 0.55%, and phenolic acids - from 0.20 to 0.42%. Three coumarin compounds were identified by HPLC, namely coumarin, 3,4-dihydrocoumarin, and o-coumaric acid. The content of coumarin ranged from 84.00 to 310.85, 3,4-dihydrocoumarin: from 17.80 to 168.45, and o-coumaric acid: from 37.50 to 70.00 mg · 100 g-1 dry matter. Streszczenie Turówka leśna (Hierochloë australis /Schrad./ Roem. & Schult., Poaceae), potocznie nazywana żubrówką, jest wieloletnią trawą kępkową występującą rzadko na stanowiskach naturalnych w Europie Północnej i Wschodniej. Rośnie ona na brzegach lasów liściastych i mieszanych. Surowcem pozyskiwanym z tej rośliny (wyłącznie ze stanowisk naturalnych) są liście bogate w związki kumarynowe, a w szczególności w kumarynę, odpowiedzialną za specyficzny słodkawy aromat liści. W Polsce surowiec ten wykorzystywany jest głównie do aromatyzowania napoi alkoholowych. W ostatnich latach obserwuje się rosnący popyt na ten surowiec, co skutkuje niekontrolowanym i nadmiernym jego pozyskiwaniem. Jednym z najbardziej skutecznych sposobów zapobieżenia temu zagrożeniu wydaje się być wprowadzenie turówki leśnej do uprawy. Jest to roślina obcopylna i heterozygotyczna, u której obserwuje się wyraźne zróżnicowanie wewnątrzgatunkowe. W niniejszej pracy przeprowadzono charakterystykę morfologiczną i chemiczną czternastu klonów tej rośliny uzyskanych z wybranych pojedynków z populacji turówki leśnej rosnącej we Wschodniej Polsce. Badane klony różniły się istotnie masą liści (od 3,76 to 22,59 g suchej masy na roślinę). Ogólna zawartość kumaryn w tym surowcu wahała się od 1,49 do 1,94%, flawonidów - od 0,25 do 0,55% i kwasów fenolowych - od 0,20 do 0,42%. Trzy związki kumarynowe zostały zidentyfikowane w liściach badanych klonów przy użyciu HPLC, tj. kumaryna, 3,4-dihydrokumaryna i kwas o-kumarowy. Zawartość kumaryny wahała się od 84,00 do 310,85, 3,4-dihydrokumaryny: od 17,80 do 168,45, a kwasu o-kumarowego: od 37,50 do 70,00 mg · 100 g-1 suchej masy.

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea L.) Dry Extracts

Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea L.) belongs to plants revealing adaptogenic properties, which are attributed to the presence of specific phenolic compounds and are reflected mainly as antioxidant activity. The aim of the present study was to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of various products obtained from R. rosea (underground organs as well as their aqueous and ethanolic dry extracts) in relation to the chemical profiles of phenolic and essential oil compounds. The chemical profiles were determined by High-performance Liquid Chromatography with a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), antioxidant activity by (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) Scavenging Capacity Assay (DPPH), (2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)) Scavenging Capacity Assay (ABTS) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay (FRAP) and antimicrobial properties were expressed as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bacterial concentration (MBC) values following the broth microdilutions method. The results show that the investigated samples differed in terms of their chemical compositions and biological activities. The extracts were more abundant in phenolic compounds (salidroside, tyrosol, and rosavin derivatives) in comparison to dried underground organs. The content of the determined phenolics in the analyzed extracts was affected by the solvent used for extraction. The ethanolic extract was characterized by the highest content of these substances in comparison to the aqueous one and the dried raw material, especially with regard to rosavin (969.71 mg/100 g). In parallel, this extract showed the strongest antioxidant and antibacterial activity. However, dried R. rosea underground organs also revealed strong antibacterial effects against, for example, Staphylococcus strains.

Diversity of southern sweet-grass in its natural habitat and in cultivation

Summary Introduction: Southern sweet-grass (Hierochloë australis /Schrad./Roem. & Schult.) is a wild growing plant. Its leaves, collected from natural sites, are aromatic raw material used in alcohol industry and as a food additive. Their quality is highly diversified. Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the development of plants and the accumulation of coumarin in leaves of southern sweet-grass occurring in natural environment and introduced into cultivation. Methods: The in situ and ex situ studies were carried out on the same population. Observations on plant development, morphological parameters of leaves and their weight were made. In the leaves, the level of the coumarin was detected by HPLC-DAD as well as the total contents of flavonoids and phenolic acids were determined spectrophotometrically. Results: Plants from the natural stand and from cultivation differed significantly in the developmental and morphological parameters as well as in the content of biologically active compounds. Plants from natural site were characterized by a significantly higher coumarin content in leaves, whereas those from cultivation – higher weight of leaves and higher generative reproductive capacity. Conclusions: In cultivation, H. australis is characterized by much less variation in both developmental and yielding parameters, including leaf weight and coumarin content.

Influence of storage and pre-sowing treatment of southern sweet-grass seeds on their germination and initial growth of seedlings

Summary Introduction: Southern sweet-grass (Hierochloë australis /Schrad./ Roem. et Schult., Poaceae) is a perennial tuft-grass occurring in North-Eastern part of Europe. Its leaves are collected from wild growing plants as an aromatic raw material used in alcohol industry. Due to overharvest, attempts to introduce the plant into cultivation have been undertaken. Objective: This work aims to assess the influence of southern sweet-grass seeds (spikelets) storage and pre-sowing treatment on their germination and the initial growth of seedlings. Methods: The seeds were assessed directly after harvest and after 6, 18 and 30 months of storage. The investigated parameters, i.e. 1000 seed weight, moisture content, germinability and viability of seeds (tetrazoline test) were determined according to ISTA. Results: After 30 months of storage, the germinability of seeds decreased from 42.6 (after harvest) to 4.6% but their viability remained high (70.9%). Stratification, short rinse of stratified seed in H2SO4 and application of KNO3 or GA3 had increased the seeds germination (over 70%). Conclusion: Southern sweet-grass seeds become dormant shortly after maturing. The improvement of germination requires the application of combined treatments, i.e. stratification, scarification and growth-promoting substances.