A comparative study on biological activities of different solvent extracts from whole seed, seed coat and cotyledon of two Lathyrus species

Abstract The present study was conducted to assess the phenolic content, and antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Lathyrus L. species. The extraction of phenolic compounds from whole seeds, seed coat and cotyledon of Lathyrus hierosolymitanus Boiss. and Lathyrus annuus L. seeds was performed employing different solvents. Total phenolic content (TPC) was measured by Folin- Ciocalteau assay, while the antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging activity, and reducing power assay. It was found that TPC of extracts ranged from 0.12 mg to 6.53 mg GAE/gdw. For each solvent, seed coat extracts were generally observed to render higher TPC and antioxidant activities. There was a correlation between TPC and antioxidant activity. In addition, all extracts were also examined for their antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methanol extracts showed the highest antibacterial activity which is consistent with TPC, but there was no correlation between TPC and antibacterial activity. Solvents were observed to have effects on gallic acid, caffeic acid, and epicatechin extractions. HPLC analysis results of extracts confirmed methanol and ethanol as preferred solvents for phenolic extraction from Lathyrus sp. Phenolic content in the extracts could be suggested to contribute to their antioxidant and antibacterial activity.

Genotyping of Low β -ODAP Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus L. ) Germplasm with EST-SSR Markers

Abstract Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is an important protein source in arid regions as both human and animal food. Despite its significance, the use of grass pea is limited by the presence of β-N-oxalyl-L-a,b-diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP) which can cause neurological disorders. Breeding studies in grass pea have therefore focused on developing high-yielding varieties with low β-ODAP content. However, the narrow range of genetic diversity and the restricted genomic tools in grass pea have slowed progress in such breeding. The present investigation was conducted to explore the genetic diversity of low β-ODAP germplasm consisting of 22 accessions with 31 EST-SSR markers. The molecular analyses revealed a total of 133 alleles ranging from 142 to 330 bp with a mean number of alleles per locus of 4.29. The mean polymorphic information content (PIC) value was calculated as 0.49, and the EST-SSRs in loci S5, S6 and S116 were of the most informative PICs. A dendrogram based on Nei's genetic distance matrix revealed that breeding lines were grouped in two main clusters. Genetic distances were higher between GP6/GP11, GP4/GP11 and GP5/GP8 accessions which could be further used in crop improvement studies for developing wider genetic diversity.

[New species of Lebanon and redescription endemic species]

In this note, the authors give a brief description of 12 wild plants not observed previously in Lebanon [of which a tree] or species considered extinct in this country since more than 50 years. They add new details to the description of 2 endemic plants of Lebanon Senecio mouterdei, abundant in Wadi-Johannam and Orobanche astragali parasite living in altitude

Effects of chromium on seed germination, root elongation and coleoptiles growth in six pulses

The ecotoxicological effects of Cr[2+] on germination and early seedling growth of six pulses were investigated. Seeds of these plants were exposed to seven different concentrations of Cr [0-3.2 mM]. The results indicated that root elongation and coleoptile growth of six pulse plants were more sensitive than seed germination for measurement of the toxic of Cr[2+] pollutions. Different species show different levels of tolerance to Cr[2+] pollution. Lablab purpureus and Glycine max are the most sensitive to Cr[2+], their germination percentage, root and coleoptile length were significantly lower than other tested species, by contrast, Lathyrus odoratus and Dumasia villasa are the most resist species, their germination and seedling growth almost were not influenced by Cr[2+] pollution significantly comparing the control. There were significantly negatively correlations between seedling growth and increasing concentration of Cr[2+] for Glvcine max, Vigna radiate and Lablab purpureus. The significantly negative correlations between germination and increasing concentration of Cr[2+] were shown for Glycine max, Vigna radiate and V. angularis

[Chemical screening and antioxidant activities of many medicinal plants used in the common medicine in Syria]

The plant materials [24 plants] were collected, dried and grounded. The grounded materials were extracted by ethanol 80% and evaporated. The alkaloid content was investigated in the plants, extracts. The following extracts showed the presence of alkaloids: the aerial parts of Acanthus syriacus L. [Acanthaceae], the aerial parts of Anagalis arvensis L. [Primulaceae], the seeds of Lathyrus sativus L. [Lathyraceae], aerial and underground parts of Anabasis aphilla L, [Chenopodiaceae], and the aerial part of Spincia oleracea L., [Chenopodiaceae]. To investigate the presence of phenolic compounds the extracts were treated with alkali [alkali medium]. The phenolic compounds were to be noticed in the aerial parts of the following plants: Achillea millefolium L. [Compositae], Lavandula stoecha L. [Lamiaceae], Centauria centaurium L. [Compositae], and Ruta graveolens L. [Rutaceae]. The phenolic content and the antioxidant activities of the dried alcoholic extracts [80% ethanol] and the aqueous extracts were determined. The following alcoholic extracts showed a good antioxidant activity: The aerial parts of Sanguisorba officinalis L. [Rosaceae], the aerial parts of Alhagi maurorum Med. [Leguminosae], the aerial parts of Acanthus syriacus L., [Acanthaceae], the aerial parts of Posopis stephanina [Leguminosae], the roots of Ferula harmonii Boiss.[Umbelliferae], the aerial and underground parts of Spincia oleraceae [Chenopodiaceae]

Effect of dietary administration of Lathyrus sativus pulse on intestinal biochemical parameters in normal and scorbutic guinea pigs / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In order to investigate that ascorbic acid deficiency is responsible for lathyrus toxicity, the effect of dietary feeding of lathyrus pulse in normal and scorbutic guinea pigs for 3 months, on intestinal biochemical parameters was undertaken.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The intestinal brush border membrane (BBM) marker and xenobiotic metabolising enzymes (XME) were assayed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Exposure to 80% lathyrus alone and in scorbutic conditions showed significant inhibition of alkaline phosphatase (28%-30%), sucrase (19%) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) (15%-27%) enzymes, while Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase was significantly inhibited (38%) in scorbutic plus lathyrus treated group. The phase I XME (AHH) remained unchanged while the phase II enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was significantly decreased (20%-22%) in lathyrus and scorbutic plus lathyrus treated groups. Quinone reductase (QR) activity was found to be significantly decreased in lathyrus exposed group (20%). The intestinal biomarker contents including hexose (25%-34%) and phospholipids (20%-40%) were significantly reduced in lathyrus and scorbutic plus lathyrus exposed animals, while sialic acid showed a significant decrease (28%) in scorbutic plus lathyrus treated group. However, cholesterol levels were significantly enhanced (15%-28%) in lathyrus and scorbutic plus lathyrus treated animals.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results indicate that oral feeding of lathyrus pulse to guinea pigs can alter BBM parameters as well as XME, which may result in the intestinal toxicity. Further, ascorbic acid deficiency could be one of the pre-disposing factors of lathyrus toxicity.</p>