Mansingraj S. Nimbalkar

Antiaflatoxigenic and antioxidant activity of an essential oil from Ageratum conyzoides L.

BACKGROUND Aflatoxin contamination of various commodities can occur as a result of infection, mainly by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Every year, almost 25% of the worlds food supply is contaminated by mycotoxins. Aflatoxins B(1), B(2), G(1) and G(2), which occur naturally, are significant contaminants of a wide variety of commodities. A number of biological activities have been associated with Ageratum conyzoides. We have therefore investigated the antiaflatoxigenic, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of essential oils of A. conyzoides. This could help to turn A. conyzoides, a nuisance weed, into a resource. RESULTS The essential oil of Ageratum conyzoides L. shows the presence of 12 compounds when analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The growth and aflatoxin production of the toxigenic strain Aspergillus parasiticus was completely inhibited by essential oil. All the studied concentrations of the oil demonstrate a reduction in mycelia growth and decreased production of different aflatoxins in fungi, as revealed by liquid chomatographic-tandem mass spectrometric analysis. Volatiles from macerated green leaf tissue of A. conyzoides were also effective against A. parasiticus. The strongest antibacterial activity was observed against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis in a disk diffusion bioassay. Essential oil and methanol extract of A. conyzoides L. were assayed for their antioxidant activity. Methanol extract showed the highest antioxidant activity in FRAP and DPPH assay, whereas essential oil showed greater lipid peroxidation inhibition than methanol extract. CONCLUSION The plants ethno-medicinal importance, antioxidant potential, inhibitory activity against the Aspergillus group of fungi and production of aflatoxins may add a new dimension to its usefulness in the protection of stored product.

Free amino acid profiling in grain amaranth using LC-MS/MS.

Reliable and reproducible techniques for identification and quantification of amino acids usually require derivatization. However, techniques such as LC-MS/MS may perhaps sideline the derivatization with significant accuracy. Understanding the interaction between free amino acids and several physiological processes apparently requires that the pool be studied in the seed itself. Data on free amino acid content of grain amaranth is very inadequate. The present analysis revealed a higher concentration of essential amino acids especially Threonine and Tryptophan than non essential amino acids. The study constitutes first report of use of LC-MS/MS method for analysing the free amino acid composition of amaranth grain.

Chemical Characterization, Mineral Analysis, and Antioxidant Potential of Two Underutilized Berries (Carissa carandus and Eleagnus conferta) from the Western Ghats of India

Diversity needs to be “conserved through use.” Owing to the global need, the present study includes two underutilized berries, Carissa carandus and Eleagnus conferta, to explore their potential as supplementary food by evaluating their antioxidant activity and approximate chemical composition. Berries of E. conferta are a richer source of carotene, ascorbic acid, protein, and magnesium, whereas berries of C. carandus are rich in sugars, lipids, iron, and magnesium. The antioxidant properties of the berries and a comparative account on their performance using DPPH and FRAP assay was studied. Both assays revealed high activity in the peel extract of berries of C. carandus. The LC-MS/MS profile of C. carandus reveals the presence of eleven different polyphenolic compounds while E. conferta had only four of these compounds.

Phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity and HPLC profiles of Swertia species from Western Ghats.

Swertia chirayita is one of the potential medicinal plants of the family Gentianaceae in traditional medicine. Due to its high demand and scarcity, trade of chirayita is affected by adulterants. Swertia species from Western Ghats were compared with S. chirayita for phytochemical characterisation and antioxidant activities by using different extracts. This study revealed that acetone is the best extraction solvent of phenolic and flavonoid compounds with antioxidant properties as compared with other extracts. S. chirayita showed better antioxidant activity than other species with highest content of phenolics and flavonoids. Among the species from Western Ghats, Swertia minor has better antioxidant properties with higher content of phenolics and flavonoids when compared with S. chirayita. Gallic acid was detected in all species under study by using HPLC analysis. The Swertia species under study showed similar phytochemical properties and antioxidant potential and hence their use as substitute to S. chirayita needs to be further investigated.

Seasonal variation in content of camptothecin from the bark of Nothapodytes nimmoniana (Grah.) Mabb., using HPLC analysis

Objective: To study and compare seasonal variation in camptothecin (CPT) content from bark samples of Nothapodytes nimmoniana obtained from geographically and climatologically isolated populations. Methods: A standard High Performance Liquid Chromatography methodology was used to analyze and quantify CPT from bark samples of N. nimmoniana. Results: Sample collected from Amboli yielded highest CPT content 1.337 g/100 g dry bark powder during the monsoon compared to other localities in study. Monsoon (August) showed to accumulate higher levels of CPT in barks of N. nimmoniana as compared to summer (May). Amboli averaged highest accumulation of CPT compared to other localities under study. Conclusion: These findings indicate season to have control over accumulation of CPT. Locality Amboli has highest CPT content in all seasons and were the elite population during the study. The study also suggests the need for further investigation in lights of biosynthesis in the plant.

RP-HPLC analysis of seco-iridoid glycoside swertiamarin from different Swertia species

Abstract Genus Swertia is valued for its great medicinal potential; mainly Swertia chirayita (Roxb. ex Fleming) H. Karst. is used in traditional medicine for a wide range of diseases. Seco-iridoid glycosides like swertiamarin is referred with enormous pharmacological potentials. The aim of the study was to identify a suitable substitute to S. chirayita by quantifying seco-iridoid swertiamarin from five different Swertia species endemic to the Western Ghats. The reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detector analyses were performed and chromatographic separation was achieved on a Lichrospher 100, C18e (5 µm) column (250–4.6 mm). A mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water (25:75) was used for separation. Results indicated that the concentration of the marker compound has been found to vary largely between and within the species from different localities. The content of swertiamarin was the highest in S. chirayita compared to the other species studied herein, advocating the use of Swertia minor as an alternate source to S. chirayita. Graphical abstract

Highly efficient in vitro regeneration, establishment of callus and cell suspension cultures and RAPD analysis of regenerants of Swertia lawii Burkill

Graphical abstract

Quantitative determination of three pentacyclic triterpenes from five Swertia L. species endemic to Western Ghats, India, using RP-HPLC analysis

Aim of this study was to identify pentacyclic triterpenoids betulinic acid (BA), oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA) from five Swertia species endemic to Western Ghats, which are used as substitutes as well as adulterants to Swertia chirayita. Our results indicate that the concentration of active compound vary largely among and within the species from different localities. OA was found in a higher amount in all species compared to BA and UA. From the results, it was clear that BA, OA and UA are present in the endemic species collected from Western Ghats, thus advocating the use of these species as alternate sources to S. chirayita. This in due course may release pressure of exploitation from natural resources of S. chirayita and help to bring it out from an endangered category from conservation point of view.

Biochemical Characterization of Banana Cultivars From Southern India

Eleven cultivars of banana from southern India were analyzed for different biochemical parameters. ‘Nendran’ showed highest content of total carotene and reducing sugars, whereas ‘Grand Naine’ showed highest activity of enzyme PPO in the pulp. ‘Rasbalei’ exhibited high levels of total phenolics and flavonoids. Mineral analysis depicted ‘Basrai’ and ‘Jawari’ to be rich sources of iron and zinc, respectively. Significant cultivar differences with reference to geographical distribution was revealed by Bray Curtis Cluster and Principal Component analysis. The present study also adds to the current knowledge of the nutritive values (micronutrients), antioxidant potential, PPO enzyme, and some biochemical aspects of banana.

Evaluating Nothapodytes nimmoniana population from three localities of Western Ghats using camptothecin as phytochemical marker and selection of elites using a new-content range chart method

Background: Nothapodytes nimmoniana (Grah.) Mabb. is a high valued medicinal plant endemic to Western Ghats of India, distributed in fragmented populations. The plant is valued for potent anticancer drug camptothecin (CPT). Objective: The study compares and expounds variation in CPT content from leaves and stems of N. nimmoniana obtained from three populations of Western Ghats, India. The study also describes a method for categorizing these populations using content range chart (CRC) method for percent yield of CPT. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 samples were investigated including ten each of leaves and stems from three localities. Micro-extraction method was implemented to extract CPT. reversed phase ultra-performance liquid chromatography photo diode array technique was used to quantify CPT. Results: Leaf samples of an individual collected from Joida, yielded lowest CPT content (0.002 ± 0.000 g/100 g), whereas a stem sample from Amgaon, yielded highest CPT content (0.123 ± 0.006 g/100 g). The findings suggest great variation in individuals producing and accumulating CPT. Using this data along with earlier published work, five categories of CPT yielding plants were made viz. I: Very low: <0.020, II: Low: 0.021-0.039, III: Moderate: 0.040-0.059, IV: High: 0.060-0.079 and V: Very high: >0.080. Based on CPT content in leaves, majority of individuals were under very low category (Ist) and on the other hand stem samples were in ‘II’ category. Besides, very few individuals were observed in category ‘V’. Conclusion: The study expounds use of CRC method for identifying elite population and suggests the need for its conservation.