Phytochemical Profile and Evaluation of the Biological Activities of Essential Oils Derived from the Greek Aromatic Plant Species Ocimum basilicum, Mentha spicata, Pimpinella anisum and Fortunella margarita.[Pubmed: 27537869]

Natural products, known for their medicinal properties since antiquity, are continuously being studied for their biological properties. In the present study, we analyzed the composition of the volatile preparations of essential oils of the Greek plants Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil), Mentha spicata (spearmint), Pimpinella anisum (anise) and Fortunella margarita (kumquat). GC/MS analyses revealed that the major components in the essential oil fractions, were carvone (85.4%) in spearmint, methyl chavicol (74.9%) in sweet basil, trans-anethole (88.1%) in anise, and limonene (93.8%) in kumquat. We further explored their biological potential by studying their antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities. Only the essential oils from spearmint and sweet basil demonstrated cytotoxicity against common foodborne bacteria, while all preparations were active against the fungi Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus niger. Antioxidant evaluation by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity assays revealed a variable degree of antioxidant potency. Finally, their antiproliferative potential was tested against a panel of human cancer cell lines and evaluated by using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. All essential oil preparations exhibited a variable degree of antiproliferative activity, depending on the cancer model used, with the most potent one being sweet basil against an in vitro model of human colon carcinoma.

Chemical Profiling Using Uplc Q-Tof/Ms and Antioxidant Activities of Fortunella Fruits.[Pubmed: 27243926]

The fruits of Fortunella Swingle are widely consumed as fresh fruits and traditional medicine in China. China is the origin center and has the largest cultivated area of the genus Fortunella. In this study, the chemical compositions of ethanol extracts of the major Fortunella cultivated types including Fortunella japonica Swingle, Fortunella margarita Swingle, Fortunella crassifolia Swingle 1 (Lanshang) and Fortunella crassifolia Swingle 2 (Liuyang) were determined using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC Q-TOF/MS) method, and their antioxidant activities were evaluated. 12 compounds were identified and 5 compounds were tentatively characterized. The results showed that the chemical compositions of the ethanol extracts of 4 Fortunella cultivated types were largely the same. 3', 5'-di-C-glucopyranosylphloretin was the predominant flavonoid in Fortunella fruits, and Fortunella margarita Swingle had higher contents of flavonoids than other species. In addition, the data demonstrated high antioxidant activities of Fortunella fruits. The developed method could be available to rapidly analyze the chemical compounds in Fortunella fruits and its products. This study will provide information for further quality assessment and utilization of Fortunella resources.

A survey of FLS2 genes from multiple citrus species identifies candidates for enhancing disease resistance to Xanthomonas citri ssp. citri.[Pubmed: 27222722]

Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs)-triggered immunity (PTI) is an important component of plant innate immunity. In a previous study, we showed that the PAMP flg22 from Xanthomonas citri ssp. citri (Xflg22), the causal agent of citrus canker, induced PTI in citrus, which correlated with the observed levels of canker resistance. Here, we identified and sequenced two bacterial flagellin/flg22 receptors (FLS2-1 and FLS2-2) from 'Duncan' grapefruit (Citrus paradisi, CpFLS2-1 and CpFLS2-2) and 'Sun Chu Sha' mandarin (C. reticulata, CrFLS2-1 and CrFLS2-2). We were able to isolate only one FLS2 from 'Nagami' kumquat (Fortunella margarita, FmFLS2-1) and gene flanking sequences suggest a rearrangement event that resulted in the deletion of FLS2-2 from the genome. Phylogenetic analysis, gene structure and presence of critical amino acid domains all indicate we identified the true FLS2 genes in citrus. FLS2-2 was more transcriptionally responsive to Xflg22 than FLS2-1, with induced expression levels higher in canker-resistant citrus than in susceptible ones. Interestingly, 'Nagami' kumquat showed the highest FLS2-1 steady-state expression levels, although it was not induced by Xflg22. We selected FmFLS2-1, CrFLS2-2 and CpFLS2-2 to further evaluate their capacity to enhance bacterial resistance using Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression assays. Both FmFLS2-1 and CrFLS2-2, the two proteins from canker-resistant species, conferred stronger Xflg22 responses and reduced canker symptoms in leaves of the susceptible grapefruit genotype. These two citrus genes will be useful resources to enhance PTI and achieve resistance against canker and possibly other bacterial pathogens in susceptible citrus types.

Functionality of kumquat (Fortunella margarita) in the production of fruity ice cream.[Pubmed: 25920464]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of kumquat (Fortunella margarita) on the quality characteristics of ice cream. Kumquat paste (KP) was added to an ice cream mix at four concentrations, 0 (control), 5, 10 and 15% (w/w), for ice cream production.

Rheological properties, molecular distribution, and microstructure of Fortunella margarita (Lour.) swingle polysaccharides.[Pubmed: 25716133]

Fortunella margarita polysaccharides (FMPS) are one of the main bioactive components of F. margarita. The activity is related to their rheological properties and structure. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between rheological properties, molecular distribution, and microstructure of crude FMPS (C-FMPS) and purified FMPS (P-FMPS). The results showed that both of solutions were shear-thinning pseudoplastic fluids with flow properties in line with the Power Law model. The pseudoplasticity of P-FMPS was stronger compared to C-FMPS. Additionally, the molecular weight and polydispersity of P-FMPS were greater, whereas the molecular radius was less compared to C-FMPS. The surface of C-FMPS was rough and dense whereas P-FMPS displayed a smooth network structure by environment scanning electron microscopy. According to confocal laser scanning microscopy, C-FMPS dispersed in the medium without connected network, whereas the network of P-FMPS was unevenly distributed in the medium and the shape was compact and smooth. The molecular distribution and microstructure of P-FMPS were attributed to the purification process while rearrangement and aggregation of polysaccharide molecules took place, which resulted in the significant difference of rheological properties between C-FMPS and P-FMPS.

Extraction optimization, structure and antioxidant activities of Fortunella margarita Swingle polysaccharides.[Pubmed: 25542164]

The objective of this study was to maximize the yield of polysaccharides extracted from Fortunella margarita Swingle (FMPS) and investigate the relationship between the structure and antioxidant activities. The optimal conditions for ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) of FMPS were ultrasonic power 171W, extraction temperature 50°C, water volume to raw material weight (W/M) ratio 32 ml/g and extraction time 87 min. Under these conditions, the yield of FMPS was 4.15±0.11% (w/w), which was increased by 129.28% compared to hot water extraction. FMPS3, the main fraction of FMPS, was isolated by DEAE Sepharose CL-6B column chromatography. According to size-exclusion chromatography, multi-angle laser light-scattering and refractive index (SEC-MALLS-RI), the molecular weight (Mw), polydispersity index (Mw/Mn) and root-mean-square turning radius (Rg) of FMPS3 were 4.58×10(5) (±2.02%) Da, 1.08 (±1.23%), 28.13 (±1.73%) nm, respectively. FMPS3, linked mainly by β-glycosidic bonds, consisted of galactose, galacturonic acid, glucose, mannose and rhamnose as shown by HPLC, FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. Furthermore, FMPS3 displayed strong scavenging ability against hydroxyl, superoxide and DPPH radicals. The activity was affected by the monosaccharide composition, molecular weight and proportion of β-glycosidic bonds and was a result of a combination of multiple structural factors. FMPS3 is potentially a novel natural antioxidant agent.

Resistance of Citrus and Related Genera to Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae).[Pubmed: 27193957]

The present study was developed to evaluate the resistance of the following genotypes of Citrus and related genera to this pest: 'Pera,' 'Natal', and 'Washington Navel' oranges (Citrus sinensis), 'Marsh Seedless' grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), hardy orange 'Rubidoux' (Poncirus trifoliata), kumquat (Fortunella margarita Swingle), citrumelo 'Swingle' (C. paradisi x P. trifoliata), and citrange 'Troyer' (P. trifoliata x C. sinensis). The experiments were performed in greenhouses with plants grafted onto 'Rangpur' lime (Citrus limonia) and placed individually in voile cages. The preference for oviposition in a no-choice test, and the effect of genotype were evaluated. The egg-adult cycle was monitored to determine the effect of genotype on the biology of the insect. Poncirus 'Rubidoux' was the least preferred genotype for oviposition; reduced number of eggs was also found to occur on citrange 'Troyer', and 'Marsh Seedless' was the genotype with the most eggs. No significant variation in the duration of the embryonic period was observed; however, a difference in the viability of eggs was found, with the lowest egg viabilities on 'Swingle.' Kumquat and 'Marsh Seedless' genotypes were correlated with increased durations of the nymphal phase, however, there was no difference in the survival of this phase. Fecundity of females on 'Troyer', 'Swingle', and kumquat was reduced. Considering all of the evaluated parameters, it was concluded that cultivars of sweet orange are the most susceptible genotypes to Diaphorina citri. Regarding oviposition, P. trifoliata 'Rubidoux' showed resistance of the antixenosis type.