Monika Grzeszczuk

THE EFFECT OF BLANCHING, FREEZING AND FREEZE-STORAGE ON CHANGES OF SOME CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS CONTENT IN NEW ZEALAND SPINACH

The Effect of Blanching, Freezing and Freeze-Storage on Changes of Some Chemical Compounds Content in New Zealand Spinach The aim of the work conducted in 2003-2004 was the estimation of the effect of blanching, freezing and freeze-storage on the content of chosen chemical compounds in plants of New Zealand spinach grown from seedlings. The determinations included dry matter, total protein, L-ascorbic acid, titrable acidity, total sugars, crude fibre, total ash, pH, nitrates, nitrites and chlorophyll content in the experimental material (fresh, blanched, frozen and stored shoots with leaves of New Zealand spinach). Used in the experiment procedures had a significant effect on changes of dry matter, total protein, L-ascorbic acid, titrable acidity, total sugars, crude fibre, total ash content and pH. After blanching their losses reached respectively: 34.9, 6.7, 70.2, 45.0, 56.3, 19.3, 52.9%, in relation to the raw material. However, the value of pH increased to 6.75. After freezing the losses, in relation to the blanched material, were: 21.7% for total protein, 21.4% - L-ascorbic acid, 27.3% - titrable acidity, 42.9% - total sugars, 4.5% - crude fibre, 2.5% - total ash, and pH decreased to 6.45. Frozen material was stored for 3, 6 and 9 months in a freezing chamber at -25 ÷ -27°C. The period of storage did not have statistically significant effect on the preservation of determined chemical components. Wpływ Blanszowania, Zamrażania Oraz Zamrażalniczego Przechowywania Na Zmiany W Zawartości Wybranych Składników Chemicznych W Szpinaku Nowozelandzkim W latach 2003-2004 oceniano wpływ blanszowania, zamrażania oraz zamrażalniczego przechowywania na zawartość wybranych składników chemicznych w roślinach szpinaku nowozelandzkiego, uprawianego z rozsady. W materiale doświadczalnym (świeże, blanszowane, mrożone i zamrażalniczo przechowywane ulistnione pędy szpinaku nowozelandzkiego) oznaczono zawartość suchej substancji, białka ogółem, kwasu L-askorbinowego, kwasowości ogólnej, cukrów ogółem, błonnika surowego, popiołu ogólnego, pH, azotanów, azotynów i chlorofili. Przyjęte w doświadczeniu czynniki miały istotny wpływ na zmiany zawartości suchej substancji, białka ogółem, kwasu L-askorbinowego, kwasowości ogólnej, cukrów ogółem, błonnika surowego, popiołu ogólnego oraz pH. Po blanszowaniu ich straty wyniosły odpowiednio: 34,9, 6,7, 70,2, 45,0, 56,3, 19,3 i 52,9%, w porównaniu do materiału świeżego. Po zamrożeniu surowca odnotowano straty: białka ogółem - 21,7%, kwasu L-askorbinowego - 21,4%, kwasowości ogólnej - 27,3%, cukrów ogółem - 42,9%, błonnika surowego - 4,5% oraz popiołu ogólnego - 2,5%, w porównaniu z materiałem blanszowanym. Wartość pH obniżyła się do 6,45. Zamrożony materiał był przechowywany przez 3, 6 i 9 miesięcy w komorze zamrażalniczej, w temperaturze -25 ÷ -27°C. Okres przechowywania nie miał istotnego wpływu na zachowanie oznaczonych w doświadczeniu składników chemicznych.

Effects of Chitooligosaccharide Coating Combined with Selected Ionic Polymers on the Stimulation of Ornithogalum saundersiae Growth

Recently, agricultural and horticultural sectors have shown an increased interest in the use of biopolymers and their derivatives as growth biostimulators. So far, coating is a little known method of applying the biostimulators. Our three-year study investigated coating the bulbs of Ornithogalum saundersiae with chitooligosaccharide (COS), sodium alginate, carrageenan, gellan gum and xanthan gum. The coating method was based on the formation of polyelectrolyte complexes. The COS with 48,000 g mol−1 molecular weight was contained by means of controlled free-radical degradation. Biopolymer coatings stimulated plant growth and flowering, total chlorophyll content, total polyphenol content and the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and boron. The plants grown from the bulbs coated with COS + gellan gum exhibited the most vigorous growth, were first to flower, showed the highest antioxidant activity (DPPH), and the greatest content of pigments, polyphenols, l-ascorbic acid, potassium, phosphorus, zinc and manganese. These results suggest COS formulated with gellan gum shows promise as a potential biostimulator of plant growth.

Influence of Distillation Method on the Content and Composition of Essential Oil Isolated from Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis L.)

Abstract The aerial parts of Satureja hortensis L. were collected at flowering stage, dried naturally in a drying room and then submitted to distillation in order to obtain the essential oil. Three distillation methods were applied: hydrodistillation in Deryng-type apparatus, hydrodistillation in Clevenger-type apparatus and water-steam distillation. The isolated oils were analyzed by GC-MS. Carvacrol (62.91-72.19 %) and γ-terpinene (17.17-21.37 %) were the dominating components in the all analyzed oil samples. On the basis of the obtained data it was proved that distillation method had no significant effect on the content of the main S. hortensis essential oil components. However, there were statistically significant differences found for interaction between the concentration of the main oil constituents and the method of distillation.

Comparison of chemical compositions of essential oils isolated by hydrodistillation from wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) with use of Deryng and Clevenger apparatus

Abstract The aim of the studies conducted in 2012-2013 was to compare the chemical composition of essential oils isolated from wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) by hydrodistillation in Deryng and Clevenger apparatus. GC-MS analysis of the isolated oils revealed that carvacrol (42.81-45.24%), γ-terpinene (7.68-9.04%), β-caryophyllene (5.28-9.10%), β-bisabolene (5.76-6.91%) and carvacrol methyl ether (4.92-6.09%) were the major components of all the samples. On the basis of the obtained data it was proved that the type of distillation apparatus had no significant effect on the content of the main essential oil constituents of wild thyme. However, based on the means for both years of the study it was proved that hydrodistillation in Deryng apparatus was more effective for carvacrol concentration, while in Clevenger apparatus - for y-terpinene and carvacrol methyl ether concentration. The type of distillation apparatus had no significant effect on the content of the other essential oil constituents.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. field-grown and propagated in vitro

Abstract In the study, micropropagation of three varieties of Lavandula angustifolia was developed, and the appearance of trichomes, antioxidant activity of extracts and antimicrobial activity of essential oils isolated from plants growing in field conditions and in vitro cultures were compared. The study evaluated the number of shoots, and the height and weight of the plants grown on media with additions of BAP, KIN and 2iP. The greatest height was attained by the lavenders growing on MS medium with the addition of 1 mg dm-3 2iP - ‘Ellagance Purple’. The greatest number of shoots was developed by the ‘Ellagance Purple’ and ‘Munstead’ plants growing on the medium with 2 mg dm-3 BAP. The highest weight was attained by the plants growing on the medium with the highest concentration of BAP - 3 and 5 mg dm-3. Moreover, the present study determined the influence of media with the addition of different concentrations of IBA and media with a variable mineral composition (½, ¼, and complete composition of MS medium) and with the addition of IBA or NAA for rooting. The majority of the media used had a positive influence on the development of the root system. The longest root system was observed in ‘Ellagance Purple’ growing on the medium composed of ¼ MS with 0.2 mg dm-3 NAA. All the examined oils exhibited activity towards S. aureus, S. epidermidis, P. aeruginosa, E. coli and C. albicans. The majority of the essential oils isolated from the plants propagated in vitro exhibited stronger antimicrobial activity than the field-grown plants. The plants propagated under in vitro conditions demonstrated considerably higher antioxidant activity as compared with the field-grown plants, which was determined using the DPPH, FRAP and ABTS assay.

Comparison of the Chemical Composition of Essential Oils Isolated by Water-steam Distillation and Hydrodistillation from Garden Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.)

Abstract The aim of the studies conducted in 2010–2012, was to compare the chemical composition of essential oils isolated from garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) by water-steam distillation and hydrodistillation in Deryng apparatus. Analysis of the isolated oils by GC-MS revealed the presence of 35 different components represented mainly by oxygenated monoterpenes (67.30–89.89%), monoterpene hydrocarbons (2.43–26.55%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (2.93–4.94%). Thymol (57.14–71.29%) and carvacrol (10.38–20.40%) were the main constituents identified in water-steam distilled oil, while thymol (41.34–52.23%), carvacrol (10.12–16.73%), p-cymene (9.10–12.12%) and γ-terpinene (6.12–10.20%) dominated in hydrodistilled oil. On the basis of the obtained data it was proved that the distillation method had a significant effect on the chemical composition of garden thyme essential oil. There was no significant effect of distillation method on essential oil content found.

Propagation Method and Distillation Apparatus Type Affect Essential Oil from Different Parts of Matricaria recutita L. Plants

Abstract The composition of the essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from flowers and leaves-stems of Matricaria recutita L. cultivated in north-western Poland has been investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A comparative study of oil composition from the flowers and leaves-stems showed that the oil from flowers contained higher amounts of α-bisabolol oxide B, α-bisabolol oxide A, α-bisabolone oxide A and chamazulene, whereas spathulenol, (E)-β-farnesene and cis-en-yn-dicycloether were present in large amounts in the leaves-stems oil. The method of propagation (conventional and in vitro) had a significant effect on the percentage content of the essential oils components of leaves-stems. Moreover, there was statistically significant interaction between the concentration of the main essential oil components and type of apparatus for its extraction, and between the concentration of the main essential oil components and the propagation method. The highest amounts of chamazulene (15.42%) and α-bisabolone oxide A (18.36%) were noted in the oil obtained in Clevenger type apparatus from flowers of plants derived from in vitro propagation. The oil obtained in Deryng type apparatus from flowers of plants cultivated conventionally contained the highest amounts of α-bisabolol oxide A (19.60%) and α-bisabolol oxide B (25.56%). Spathulenol (14.85%) was found in the highest concentration in the oil obtained in Deryng type apparatus from leaves-stems of chamomile propagated in vitro, whereas the highest concentration of (E)-β-farnesene (17.52%) was noted in the oil obtained in Deryng type apparatus from leaves-stems of chamomile cultivated conventionally.

Changes in Photosynthetic Pigments, Total Phenolic Content, and Antioxidant Activity of Salvia coccinea Buc’hoz Ex Etl. Induced by Exogenous Salicylic Acid and Soil Salinity

Salvia coccinea (Lamiaceae) is a promising source of potential antioxidants, and its extracts can be used in pharmaceutical industry, as well as in food products and cosmetics. Salicylic acid (SA) affects many physiological and metabolic processes in vascular plants under salinity stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of S. coccinea to either SA, or sodium chloride (NaCl), or a combination of both. The plants were sprayed with a solution of 0.5 or 1.0 mM SA and watered with 0, 100, 200, or 300 mM NaCl. Exogenous application of SA increased the number of branches, fresh herbal weight, and total chlorophyll content vs control plants. Salinity-exposed plants showed reduced growth, content of photosynthetic pigments total polyphenols, and antioxidant activity. However, foliar application of SA relieved the adverse effects of 100 mM NaCl, as demonstrated by increased number of branches, greater fresh herbal weight, higher content of total chlorophyll, total carotenoids, and total polyphenols, as well as antioxidant potential, detected using ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and 2.2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), compared with untreated plants.

Oligo-Alginate with Low Molecular Mass Improves Growth and Physiological Activity of Eucomis autumnalis under Salinity Stress

Biopolymers have become increasingly popular as biostimulators of plant growth. One of them, oligo-alginate, is a molecule that regulates plant biological processes and may be used in horticultural practice as a plant growth regulator. Biostimulators are mainly used to improve plant tolerance to abiotic stresses, including salinity. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of salinity and oligo-alginate of various molecular masses on the growth and physiological activity of Eucomis autumnalis. The species is an ornamental and medicinal plant that has been used for a long time in the traditional medicine of South Africa. The bulbs of E. autumnalis were coated using depolymerized sodium alginate of molecular mass 32,000; 42,000, and 64,000 g mol−1. All of these oligo-alginates fractions stimulated plant growth, and the effect was the strongest for the fraction of 32,000 g mol−1. This fraction was then selected for the second stage of the study, when plants were exposed to salt stress evoked by the presence of 100 mM NaCl. We found that the oligo-alginate coating mitigated the negative effects of salinity. Plants treated with the oligomer and watered with NaCl showed smaller reduction in the weight of the above-ground parts and bulbs, pigment content and antioxidant activity as compared with those not treated with the oligo-alginate. The study demonstrated for the first time that low molecular mass oligo-alginate may be used as plant biostimulator that limits negative effects of salinity in E. autumnalis.

Influence of jasmonic acid on the growth and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. propagated in vitro

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the influence of jasmonic acid added to culture medium on the growth of plants and antioxidant properties of dry plant material, as well as on the antimicrobial properties of essential oils produced by the narrow-leaved lavender. For plant propagation, MS media supplemented with JA at concentrations of 0.2-1.5 mg dm−3 were used. The use of the lower JA concentrations did not influenced the growth parameters measured, whereas at the higher concentrations (1 and 1.5 mg dm−3) JA caused growth inhibition and a decrease in plant weight. With increasing JA concentration, the number of secretory trichomes decreased. Addition of 0.5 mg dm−3 JA caused an increase in secretory trichome diameter on both the adaxial and abaxial surface of leaves (83.3 and 73.2 μm, respectively). The antioxidant activity of the lavender plants propagated on media with the addition of JA (regardless of the concentration used) was higher than that of the control plants. The plants from JA-supplemented media were used to isolate essential oils, the antimicrobial activity of which was tested using the disc diffusion method at the concentrations of 10 and 50%. All the oils tested exhibited activity towards Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida albicans. The essential oils isolated from the plants propagated on the medium with 1 mg dm−3 JA were characterized by the highest antimicrobial activity against the majority of the tested microorganisms.