Search results for "Secondary metabolites"
showing 10 items of 32 documents
Increased illumination levels enhance biosynthesis of aloenin A and aloin B in Aloe arborescens Mill., but lower their per-plant yield
2021
Abstract Leaves of Aloe arborescens Mill. are a relevant source of secondary metabolites of pharmaceutical relevance. Notwithstanding, specialized cultivations of A. arborescens are still rather limited, and a straightforward agronomical research addressed to the obtainment of high-quality material is lacking. With the purpose to fill this gap, from 2016 to 2018, a trial was arranged to evaluate the growth and development of A. arborescens, along with the production of four active metabolites (aloin A and B, aloenin A, and isoaloeresin D) with varying some growth conditions. Two growth substrates (“A”- a commercial substrate, and “B”- the same substrate + 20 % perlite), two durations of pre…
Effects of temperature on total phenolic compounds in Cystoseira amentacea (C. Agardh) Bory (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) from southern Mediterranean Sea
2015
The aim of this study was to test the effects of temperature on phenolic content of the brown seaweed Cystoseira amentacea. Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites involved in different protection mechanisms as, for example, against grazers, epiphytes and UV radiation. Seasonal variations of phenolic content in C. amentacea were analysed and laboratory experiments, in which C. amentacea was exposed to an increase of temperature (25°C and 30°C), were performed. Total phenolic content (TPC) was determined colorimetrically with the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent. In C. amentacea, a seasonal pattern in TPC was observed, with a maximum value in winter-spring. C. amentacea responded significantly t…
Cultivating for the Industry: Cropping Experiences with Hypericum perforatum L. in a Mediterranean Environment
2021
Hypericum perforatum is an intensively studied medicinal plant, and much experimental activity has been addressed to evaluate its bio-agronomical and phytochemical features as far. In most cases, plant material used for experimental purposes is obtained from wild populations or, alternatively, from individuals grown in vases and/or pots. When Hypericum is addressed to industrial purposes, the most convenient option for achieving satisfactory amounts of plant biomass is field cultivation. Pot cultivation and open field condition, however, are likely to induce different responses on plant’s metabolism, and the obtained yield and composition are not necessarily the same. To compare these manag…
Impact of Nitrogen Addition on Wine Fermentation by S. cerevisiae Strains with Different Nitrogen Requirements
2021
In modern oenology, supplementation of nitrogen sources is an important strategy to prevent sluggish or stuck fermentation. The present study thoroughly determined the effect of nitrogen addition timing and nitrogen source type on fermentation kinetics and aroma production, carried out by yeast strains with low and high nitrogen requirements. The results revealed that yeast strains with different nitrogen requirements have divergent reactions to nitrogen addition. Nitrogen addition clearly shortened the fermentation duration, especially for the high-nitrogen-demanding yeast strain. Nitrogen addition at 1/3 fermentation was the most effective in terms of fermentation activity, nitrogen assim…
Innovative Alcoholic Drinks Obtained by Co-Fermenting Grape Must and Fruit Juice
2019
In this study, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay musts, and fruit juices from cherry, kiwi, peach, and strawberry were co-fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae EC1118 and Torulaspora delbrueckii UMY196 at two different proportions (80:20 (v/v) and 60:40 (v/v)). The most pleasant fruit-based drink was obtained with Cabernet Sauvignon must and kiwi juice in a proportion of 60:40 and fermented with T. delbrueckii. This beverage was produced in higher volume to simulate a scale-up, and the aromatic profile, sensory description, and consumer acceptability were determined. The most powerful odorants of the kiwi-based drink were ethyl octanoate, phenylethanal, ethyl hexanoate, vinyl-guaiacol, be…
Experimental climate warming alters the relationship between fungal root symbiosis and Sphagnum litter phenolics in two peatland microhabitats
2017
International audience; Belowground interactions between plants and microorganisms are involved in numerous ecosystems processes such as carbon and nutrient cycling. Understanding their responses to on-going climate warming is thus of paramount importance to better predict future ecosystem functioning. We hypothesized that climate warming alters the interactions between Sphagnum litter phenolics and the fungal root symbiosis of the Ericale plant Andromeda polifolia in a Jura mountain peatland (France). We initiate a climate warming treatment (+1°C) in April 2008 in two microhabitats (lawns and hummocks). We measured polyphenolic contents, mycorrhizal and dark septate endophyte (DSE) root co…
Chlamyphilone, a Novel Pochonia chlamydosporia Metabolite with Insecticidal Activity
2019
Metabolites from a collection of selected fungal isolates have been screened for insecticidal activity against the aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. Crude organic extracts of culture filtrates from six fungal isolates (Paecilomyces lilacinus, Pochonia chlamydosporia, Penicillium griseofulvum, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Talaromyces pinophilus) caused mortality of aphids within 72 h after treatment. In this work, bioassay-guided fractionation has been used to characterize the main bioactive metabolites accumulated in fungal extracts. Leucinostatins A, B and D represent the bioactive compounds produced by P. lilacinus. From P. griseofulvum and B. bassiana extracts, griseofulvin an…
Interspecific variation in total phenolic content in temperate brown algae
2017
Marine algae synthesize secondary metabolites such as polyphenols that function as defense and protection mechanisms. Among brown algae, Fucales and Dictyotales (Phaeophyceae) contain the highest levels of phenolic compounds, mainly phlorotannins, that play multiple roles. Four temperate brown algae (Cystoseira amentacea, Cystoseira compressa, Dictyopteris polypodioides and Padina pavonica) were studied for total phenolic contents. Total phenolic content was determined colorimetrically with the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Significant differences in total phenolic content were observed between leathery and sheetlike algae and also within each morphological group. Among the four species, the she…
Chemical Composition, In Vitro Antitumor and Pro-Oxidant Activities of Glandora rosmarinifolia (Boraginaceae) Essential Oil
2018
The biological properties of essential oils have been demonstrated in the treatment of several diseases and to enhance the bioavailability of other drugs. In natural habitats the essential oils compounds may play important roles in the protection of the plants as antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, insecticides and also against herbivores by reducing their appetite for such plants or by repelling undesirable others. We analyzed by gas-chromatography mass spectrometry the chemical composition of the essential oil of aerial parts of Glandora rosmarinifolia (Ten.) D.C. Thomas obtained by hydrodistillation and verified some biological activities on a panel of hepatocellular carcinoma cell …
In silico drug discovery of major metabolites from spices as SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors
2020
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious illness caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), originally identified in Wuhan, China (December 2019) and has since expanded into a pandemic. Here, we investigate metabolites present in several common spices as possible inhibitors of COVID-19. Specifically, 32 compounds isolated from 14 cooking seasonings were examined as inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro), which is required for viral multiplication. Using a drug discovery approach to identify possible antiviral leads, in silico molecular docking studies were performed. Docking calculations revealed a high potency of salvianolic acid A and curcu…