Takao Myoda

Flavonol glycosides in the petal of Rosa species as chemotaxonomic markers.

Thirteen flavonol glycosides were isolated from the petals of Rosa species belonging to the section Gallicanae, and their structures were identified from their spectroscopic data. These flavonol glycosides, along with two flavonol glycosides isolated from Rosa rugosa, in the petals of 31 Rosa species belonging to sections Gallicanae, Cinnamomeae, Caninae, and Synstylae were quantitatively analyzed by UPLC. The results indicated that the species belonging to these sections could be classified into four types (Type A, B, C and D) based on the pattern of flavonol glycoside contents, whereas the R. rugosa flavonol glycosides were detected only in section Cinnamomeae. A principal components analysis (PCA) calculated from the 15 flavonol glycosides contained in these samples supported the presence of four types. The distribution of the species in Type D (a group of Cinnamomeae) was shown to reflect close interrelationships, but species in Type B (one group of Gallicanae) could be subdivided into two groups, one of which contained species in section Synstylae. Moreover, the flavonol glycosides were grouped by sugar moieties: a disaccharide composed of two hexoses (S1), a hexose (S2), including a hexose with galloyl group, a pentose (S3), and a disaccharide composed of a hexose and a pentose (S4). The ratios of the amounts of S1-S4 to total flavonol glycoside content indicated that differences among the four sections were more distinctive than the amounts of the 15 flavonol glycosides. The 31 samples were divided into Type B, composed of one type of Gallicanae and Synstylae, Type A+C, composed of another type of Gallicanae and Caninae, and Type D, composed of Cinnamomeae. The R. rugosa flavonol glycosides were shown to be important chemotaxonomic markers for the classification of species in Cinnamomeae, and this method of using flavonol glycosides as chemotaxonomic markers could be useful for the identification of Rosa species belonging to sections Gallicanae, Cinnamomeae, Caninae, and Synstylae.

Antimicrobial constituents of peel and seeds of camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia)

Various antimicrobial constituents of camu-camu fruit were isolated. Acylphloroglucinol (compound 1) and rhodomyrtone (compound 2) were isolated from the peel of camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) fruit, while two other acylphloroglucinols (compounds 3 and 4) were obtained from camu-camu seeds. The structures of the isolated compounds were characterized by spectrophotometric methods. Compounds 1 and 4 were confirmed to be new acylphloroglucinols with different substituents at the C7 or C9 position of 2, and were named myrciarone A and B, respectively. Compound 3 was determined to be isomyrtucommulone B. This is the first report of the isolation of 3 from a natural resource. The antimicrobial activities of compounds 1, 3, and 4 were similar to those of 2, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations were either similar to or lower than that of kanamycin. These results suggest that the peel and seeds of camu-camu fruit could be utilized for therapeutic applications.

Botanical origin of Mei-gui Hua in Chinese markets

The petals or buds of Rosa species have been used as an important Chinese crude drug called “Mei-gui Hua” and also an ingredient for herbal tea in China. The 15 flavonol glycosides in 34 commercially available “Mei-gui Hua” were quantitatively determined by UPLC, and the data were compared with those of known Rosa sp. belong to Cinnamomeae, Gallicanae, Caninae and Synstylae by principal component analysis for the estimation of original plants of these “Mei-gui Hua”. Seven samples were classified into two groups (Types A and B) composed of species in Gallicae and Synstilae and 11 samples into a group (Type D) composed of species in Cinnamomeae. Six samples were plotted among Types B, C and D. However, nine samples were shown to form a new group (Type F), and the original plants of these samples were assumed to be more complex hybrids of Rosa species including other sections than Cinnamomeae, Gallicanae, Caninae and Synstylae. This method must be useful and convenient to estimate the origin of crude drug “Mei-gui Hua” commercially available in markets. The results of this study also demonstrated that “Mei-gui Hua” commercially available in Chinese market must be prepared from hybrids of various species of Rosa, and it is not reasonable to assign only R. rugosa as scientific name of the origin plants.

Components of essential oil of the Japanese mint ‘Hokuto’ and its deodorization effects against human malodors

ABSTRACT Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis var. piperascens Malinv. ex Holmes), ‘hokuto,’ is the highest-yield cultivar and contains a large amount of l-menthol in its essential oil. We focused on the dementholized oil of hokuto (hokuto DM oil), analysis of their aroma-active components and the potential deodorization effects against human malodors were demonstrated. The major components of hokuto DM oil were menthol, menthone, isomenthone and menthyl acetate. Among these, menthone, linalool, neoisomenthol, menthol and an unidentified compound were identified as the aroma-active components by AEDA. The deodorization activities of hokuto DM oil against four human malodors were measured by sensory evaluation and SPME-GC/MS analysis. Hokuto DM oil significantly deodorized isovaleric acid by a masking effect, with compounds containing a p-menthane skeleton, namely pulegone and menthone, found to contribute largely to the deodorant effects. These results demonstrate the possibility of using dementholized oil of Japanese mint as a freshening agent of toiletry products.

Data on volatile compounds produced by serotype D Clostridium botulinum

We analyzed the volatile compounds produced by serotype D Clostridium botulinum (D-CB16) in trypticase peptone/yeast extract/glucose (TYG) medium using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The volatile compounds were captured by solid-phase microextraction and applied to GC/MS for separation and identification of the compounds in TYG medium with or without the cultivation of C. botulinum D-CB16. Thirty-five and 34 volatile compounds were identified in media without and with D-CB16 cultivation, respectively. Of the compounds identified in the medium with the strain, twenty-one were not detected in the original medium, indicating that these were produced by C. botulinum D-CB16.

Data on a single oral dose of camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) pericarp extract on flow-mediated vasodilation and blood pressure in young adult humans

This data article describes the flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) responses, represented by changes in arterial diameter, and blood pressure changes in young adults after a single oral dose of camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) pericarp extract or placebo (cross-over design). Ten healthy men and 10 healthy women participated in this study. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment was used to monitor arterial diameter changes, indicative of FMD, for 110 s after the administration of the camu camu extract or placebo. In addition, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were recorded.

Data on the inhibitory effect of traditional plants from Sri Lanka against tyrosinase and collagenase

This article describes the inhibitory effects of extracts from 25 plants harvested in Sri Lanka against tyrosinase and collagenase. Inhibitors of these enzymes are common ingredients in cosmetics and medications, which help protect the skin against hyperpigmentation and premature aging. The article also discusses the polyphenol content of the extracts, which is well known to possess antioxidant properties. The extract data from the following plants, which have a long history in Sri Lankan traditional medicine, such as Ayurveda, have been provided: English name, “local name in Sri Lanka,” (scientific name). Indian copperleaf plant, “kuppameniya,” (Acalypha indica); red sandalwood, “madatiya”, (Adenanthera pavonina); balipoovu plant, “polpala,” (Aerva lanata); snap ginger, “heen araththa,” (Alpinia calcarata); bael fruit, “beli,” (Aegle marmelos); coastal waterhyssop, “lunuwila,” (Bacopa monnieri); porcupine flower, “katu karandu,” (Barleria prionitis); balloon-vine plant, “wel penera,” (Cardiospermum halicacabum); water caltrop, “Katupila,” (Flueggea leucopyrus); Indian sarsparilla, “iramusu,” (Hemidesmus indicus); malabar nut plant, “adhatoda,” (Justicia adhatoda); wood apple, “divul,” (Limonia acidissima); holy basil plant, “maduruthala,” (Ocimum tenuiflorum); emblic myrobalan plant, “nelli,” (Phyllanthus emblica); long pepper plant,”thippili,” (Piper longum); country borage plant, “kapparawalliya,” (Plectranthus amboinicus); common sesban, “wel murunga,” (Sesbania sesban); turkey berry, “gona batu,” (Solanum rudepannum Dunal); purple fruited pea eggplant,”welthibbatu,” (Solanum trilobatum); black plum, “madan,” (Syzygium cumini); crape jasmine, “wathusudda,” (Tabernaemontana divaricate); purple tephrosia, “pila,” (Tephrosia purpurea); Chinese chaste tree, “nika,” (Vitex negundo); and arctic snow, “suduidda,” (Wrightia antidysenterica). The inhibitory effects of these plant extracts on tyrosinase and collagenase, as well as polyphenol contents in the extracts, are detailed in Table 1.

Genetic diversity of physical, nutritional and functional properties of cowpea grain and relationships among the traits

Cowpea is traditionally important as an affordable source of protein and minerals and of cash income in sub-Saharan Africa, especially for small-scale farmers who have limited options for food and cash crops. The development and deployment of cowpea varieties with improved nutrition and quality that meet the needs of farmers and consumers should enhance cowpea consumption and production in the region. We have identified genetic diversity in various grain quality-related traits of cowpea and relationships among the traits. Wide genetic variation and strong correlations among crude protein, Fe and Zn contents suggest the possibility of improving the concentrations of these nutritional factors simultaneously. Low associations among physical and nutritional properties of grain indicate the possibility of introgressing favorable traits utilizing identified genetic resources. However, narrow variation in amino acid (AA) composition suggests a lesser possibility of improving the contents of specific AAs in cowpea, but it gave a reliable nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor of 5.45 for the estimation of crude protein content. Several improved breeding lines were identified with low concentrations of flatulence-causing oligosaccharides and various favorable agronomic traits and nutrient contents. TVu-12802 had the highest contents of crude protein and high contents of micronutrients, with a low ratio of phytic acid to Fe and Zn contents.

Drying Characteristics of Japanese Yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.)

The drying characteristics (changes of mass (moisture content), volume, drying surface area, and surface and internal temperature of sample during drying) of Japanese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.) were measured under various operating conditions (temperature, relative humidity, and absolute pressure (vacuum level)). Japanese yam was dried by two methods, hot air drying and continuous vacuum drying. The effects of temperature, relative humidity, and absolute pressure on the drying rate of the sample were investigated. The moisture content change of the sample was analyzed under two conditions, considering or not considering the drying surface area change. When surface area change is considered, two periods, the constant rate period and the falling rate period, existed in both hot air drying and vacuum drying of the sample. In each case, mathematical models to describe the changes of the moisture content were derived, and the measured data agreed well with the values calculated from the models. The effects of temperature, relative humidity, and vacuum level on the drying rate constant were investigated. The drying rate constants were related to the temperature and relative humidity for hot air drying, or the temperature and vacuum level for vacuum drying using empirical equations which are modified form an Arrhenius-type equation.