Rashida Perveen

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Carotenoids and Lycopenes Chemistry; Metabolism, Absorption, Nutrition, and Allied Health Claims—A Comprehensive Review

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most essential herbaceous plants that have been probed against various life sight related disorders owing to array of phytochemicals. It is important source of vitamin C, potassium, folic acid, and carotenoids, such as lycopene. Carotenoids are the pigments synthesized during fruit ripening and responsible for the final red color of the tomato. Consumption of tomato and tomato-based products contribute to the absorption of carotenoids and lycopenes in human serum. Lycopene is chemically acyclic carotene with 11 conjugated double bonds, normally in transconfiguration while isomerization occur in blood plasma for its better absorption. It has ability for adenosine deaminase inhibition that plays important role in the regression of tumor. Tomato also contain other active compounds, namely, neoxanthin, lutein, α-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene, β-carotene, cyclolycopene, and β-carotene 5, 6-epoxide. These components provide synergistic effect against various threats but still need further attention of the researchers. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have elucidated the potential of tomato against variety of metabolic syndromes. Latest research highlights the relationship between consuming tomato and its products with reduced risk of various maladies like obesity, hyperglycemic and hypercholesterolemic attributes, cardiovascular disorders, and cancer insurgences. Moreover, tomato and its bioactive components hold potential to become effective modules in diet-based regimens; however, integrated research and meta-analysis are still required to enhance meticulousness.

He-Ne laser-induced improvement in biochemical, physiological, growth and yield characteristics in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).

The water‐soaked seeds of sunflower were exposed to low power continuous wave He‐Ne laser irradiation of energies 0, 100, 300 and 500 mJ to evaluate the effect on various biochemical, physiological, growth and yield parameters of sunflower. The experiments which consisted of four replicates arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) were carried out under the greenhouse conditions. The physiological attributes like, photosynthetic rate (A), transpiration rate (E), intrinsic CO2 concentration (Ci), stomatal conductance (gs), chlorophyll a and b contents, relative membrane permeability and leaf water (ψw), osmotic (ψs) and turgor (ψp) potentials, relative water contents and leaf area increased significantly as compared to control due to He‐Ne treatment of seeds. The activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalases and contents of total soluble proteins, malondialdehyde, proline and leaf total phenolic also increased due to laser treatment. Significant increase in growth parameters of sunflower like shoot fresh and dry masses, root fresh and dry masses, root and shoot lengths, number of leaves per plant and stem diameter has also been observed. The contents of K, Ca and Mg in shoot and root were also increased and an overall increase of up to 28.12%% was observed due to laser treatment.

Effects of different doses of low power continuous wave he-ne laser radiation on some seed thermodynamic and germination parameters, and potential enzymes involved in seed germination of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).

In this study, water‐soaked seeds of sunflower were exposed to He–Ne laser irradiation of different energies to determine whether or not He–Ne laser irradiation caused changes to seed thermodynamic and germination parameters as well as effects on the activities of germination enzymes. The experiment comprised four energy levels: 0 (control), 100, 300 and 500 mJ of laser energy and each treatment replicated four times arranged in a completely randomized design. The experimentation was performed under the greenhouse conditions in the net‐house of the Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The seed thermodynamic parameters were calculated according to seed germination thermograms determined with a calorimeter at 25.8°C for 72 h. Various thermodynamic parameters of seed (ΔH, (ΔS)e, (ΔS)c, (ΔS)e/Δt and (ΔS)c/Δt) were affected significantly due to presowing laser treatment. Significant changes in seed germination parameters and enzyme activities were observed in seeds treated with He–Ne laser. The He–Ne laser seed treatment resulted in increased activities of amylase and protease. These results indicate that the low power continuous wave He–Ne laser light seed treatment has considerable biological effects on seed metabolism. This seed treatment technique can be potentially employed to enhance agricultural productivity.

Ameliorating Effects of Exogenously Applied Proline on Seed Composition, Seed Oil Quality and Oil Antioxidant Activity of Maize (Zea mays L.) under Drought Stress

This study was carried out to appraise whether or not the exogenous application of a potential osmoprotectant, proline, could ameliorate the adverse effects of drought stress on maize seed and seed oil composition, as well as oil antioxidant activity. Water stress reduced the kernel sugar, oil, protein and moisture contents and most of the seed macro- and micro-elements analyzed in both maize cultivars but it increased the contents of seed fiber and ash. Water stress increased the oil oleic acid content with a subsequent decrease in the amount of linoleic acid, resulting in an increased oil oleic/linoleic ratio for both maize cultivars. However, no variation was observed in oil stearic and palmitic acids content due to water stress. A considerable drought induced an increase in seed oil α-, γ-, δ- and total tocopherols and flavonoids were observed in both maize cultivars. However, oil phenolic and carotenoid content as well as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity decreased. Foliar-applied proline significantly increased the content of seed sugar, oil, protein, moisture, fiber and ash in both maize cultivars under well irrigated and water deficit conditions. Furthermore, exogenous application of proline increased the oil oleic and linoleic acid contents. The concentrations of antioxidant compounds namely phenolics, carotenoids, flavonoids and tocopherols estimated in the seed oil increased due to foliar-applied proline under water deficit conditions that was positively correlated with the enhanced oil DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Moreover, the increase in the contents of these antioxidant compounds and oil antioxidant activity due to the foliar application of proline was noted to be more pronounced under water deficit conditions.

He–Ne laser-induced changes in germination, thermodynamic parameters, internal energy, enzyme activities and physiological attributes of wheat during germination and early growth

Using low power continuous wave He–Ne laser irradiation of seeds, the germination characteristics, thermodynamic changes and enzyme activities as well as changes in morphological attributes were explored for wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. S-24) cultivar. The changes in thermodynamic properties such as change in enthalpy (ΔH), entropy generation [(ΔSe)], entropy flux [(ΔSc)], entropy generation ratio [(ΔS)e/Δt], and entropy flux ratio [(ΔS)c/Δt] showed significant (P < 0.05) changes at an energy level of 500 mJ. The germination energy (GE), germination percentage (G%), germination index (GI) as well as α-amylase and protease activities was also found to be higher at 500 mJ, while the mean emergence time (MET) and time for 50% germination (E50) decreased for 300 mJ irradiance. The internal energy of the seeds increased significantly at all laser energy levels, but was highest for 500 mJ 72 h after sowing. The enzyme activities increased up to 24 h after sowing and then declined. The activities of α-amylase and protease were found to be positively correlated with the plant physiological attributes. These results indicate that low power continuous wave He–Ne laser (632 nm) treatment has considerable biological effects on seed metabolism during germination as well as on later vegetative growth.

Assessment of drought tolerance in mung bean cultivars/lines as depicted by the activities of germination enzymes, seedling’s antioxidative potential and nutrient acquisition

ABSTRACT Drought stress hampers firm crop stand establishment and yield in arid and semiarid regions. The present study was conducted to examine the drought tolerance of various mung bean cultivars/lines based on the seed germination characteristics in relation with the seedling’s antioxidative potential and nutrient uptake. Activities of germination enzymes, seed germination attributes, seedling biomass production and nutrient uptake of studied cultivars/lines were adversely affected due to PEG-induced drought but the total soluble proteins (TSP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were increased. The activities of catalse (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) increased in all cultivars/lines being the maximum in cv./line NM-2006 and 8005. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) were increased in cv./line NM-2006 and 8005 under drought condition. The ascorbic acid (AsA) and total phenolic content (TPC) decreased and total flavonoid content (TFC) increased in all cultivars/lines due to drought. Significant reduction in N, P, K, Ca and Mg was found in all cvs./lines but Fe remain unchanged. In conclusion, cultivars/lines NM-2006, 8005 were recommended as drought tolerant and 97,006 and 97,001 as drought sensitive ones. The study outcomes will likely be helpful for the farmers growing mung bean in rain fed areas for the better productivity.

Oxidative Stability of Cooking Oil Blend Stabilized with Leaf Extract of Eucalyptus citriodora

The present study was conducted to assess the effects of Eucalyptus citriodora (E. citriodora) leaf extract on the oxidative stability of blend of canola, rapeseed, and sunflower oils (45:20:35 v/v, respectively) under accelerated storage. The blended oil was stabilized with 300 mg/L ethanolic extract (source of total phenolic content and total flavonoid content [5.23 ± 0.19 and 1.18 ± 0.04 g/100 g d.wt. of extract]) of E. citriodora leaves. The oxidative stability was measured on the basis of parameters such as free fatty acid contents, peroxide value, sponification value, iodine value, color, cloud point, and refractive index. After a 100 day incubation period, the increase in refractive index, free fatty acid, and peroxide, and sponification values in stabilized and non-stabilized oil blends were 0.0028 and 0.0047, 0.20 and 2.37% as oleic acid, 12.54 and 21.12 meq/kg of oil and 10.04 and 17.01 meq of KOH/g of oil, respectively, as compared with initial values. However, a decrease of 10.0 and 16.9 g of iodine/100 g of oil was recorded in oil iodine values of both stabilized and non-stabilized blended vegetable oils. Results showed that E. citriodora leaf extract was found effective to maintain the oxidative stability of blended vegetable oils for long duration (6 months) as compared with control oil samples. Therefore, it can be concluded that E. citriodora leaf extract is a cheap rich source of natural antioxidants that can be easily used for the stabilization of vegetable oils in the food processing industries.

Chemical composition and antifungal potential of medicinal plants against seedborne mycoflora of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Abstract Antifungal activities of medicinal plants were observed against seedborne mycoflora of eggplant (Solanum melongena). The effect of ethanolic leaf extracts of Mangifera indica, Mentha spicata, Citrus limon, Eucalyptus camaldulensis against four isolated fungal species including Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus stolonifer and Penicillium digitatum was evaluated at various concentrations, by using the poisoned food technique. The impact of the extracts on seed germination and growth of eggplant was assessed by seed treatment and growth in a greenhouse experiment. Total flavonoids of E. camaldulensis were analyzed through spectrophotometer, using quercetin as a standard. Physico-chemical parameters were also determined. Antifungal activity showed that maximum inhibition percentage of P. digitatum (67.78%) and F. oxysporum (64.44%) was observed at the highest concentration (80%) of C. limon and E. camaldulensis extracts, respectively, followed by M. spicata extract against A. fl avus (63.33%) and R. stolonifer (52.22%). Least inhibition percentage of F. oxysporum, P. digitatum, R. stolonifer and A. flavus was 6.67, 7.78, 14.44 and 16.67%, respectively, at the lowest (20%) concentration of M. spicata. The greenhouse experiment showed variations in seedling germination and post-germination growth. E. camaldulensis extract showed an increase in percent germination (78.98%) over untreated control (62.83%), root and shoot length and fresh and dry weight of root and shoot with the consequent reduction in disease symptoms. Phytochemical analysis depicted the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins in all extracts while steroids and glycosides were absent. A fair amount (10.38 mg QE g-1DF) of flavonoid was present in leaf extract of E. camaldulensis. Physico-chemical analysis showed pH of 4.6, ash content of 0.41% and weight loss on drying of 8.14%.