Phytochemical, antioxidant investigations and fatty acid composition of Lepidium sativum seeds

Aim: The aim of the present study was to characterize Lepidium sativum seed for phytochemicals, fatty acid composition and antioxidant properties.Methodology: Extraction of phytochemicals in different solvents, estimation of phenolics and flavonoids, physio-chemical properties, antioxidant assay by DPPH method was carried out. Seed oil content was determined by modified cold percolation extraction method and TD-NMR, followed by fatty acid compositional analysis using GLC. Results: The perusal of data revealed that the total oil content varied from 21.36% to 24.38%, and the major fatty acids identified were linolenic acid (24.447%) followed by oleic acid (24.413%) and palmitic acid (12.278%) . Physio-chemical and phytochemical characteristics were estimated for useful functional properties and markers viz. alkaloids, sugar and proteins. L. sativum seeds exhibited high antioxidant potential (0.063mg ml-1) compared to standard compounds such as ascorbic acid, rutin and quercetin.

Genetic diversity amongst landraces of a dioecious vegetatively propagated plant, betelvine (Piper betle L.).

Betelvine (Piper betle L., family Piperaceae) is an important, traditional and widely cultivated crop of India. The cultivators and consumers recognize more than 100 cultivars (landraces) based on regional and organoleptic considerations, while in terms of phytochemical constituents only five groups have been identified for all the landraces. Since betelvine is an obligate vegetatively propagated species, genomic changes, if any, may have become 'fixed' in the landraces. We carried out random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis in several landraces considered in four groups, namely, 'Kapoori', 'Bangla', 'Sanchi' and 'Others' in order to ascertain their genetic diversity. On the basis of the data from eleven RAPD primers, we distinguished genetic variation within and among the four groups of landraces. The results indicate the 'Kapoori' group is the most diverse. The neighbour joining (NJ) tree after a bootstrap (500 replicate) test of robustness clearly shows the four groups to be well separated. Interestingly, all known male or female betelvine landraces have separated in the NJ tree indicating an apparent gender-based distinction among the betelvines.

Role of polyamines and ethylene as modulators of plant senescence.

Under optimal conditions of growth, senescence, a terminal phase of development, sets in after a certain physiological age. It is a dynamic and closely regulated developmental process which involves an array of changes at both physiological and biochemical levels including gene expression. A large number of biotic and abiotic factors accelerate the process. Convincing evidence suggests the involvement of polyamines (PAs) and ethylene in this process. Although the biosynthetic pathways of both PAs and ethylene are interrelated, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) being a common precursor, their physiological functions are distinct and at times antagonistic, particularly during leaf and flower senescence and also during fruit ripening. This provides an effective means for regulation of their biosynthesis and also to understand the mechanism by which the balance between the two can be established for manipulating the senescence process. The present article deals with current advances in the knowledge of the interrelationship between ethylene and PAs during senescence which may open up new vistas of investigation for the future.