Volume 68 (2022): Issue 4 (December 2022)

Introduction: Drought stress is known to change biochemical activities resulting in altered plant growth and development.

Objective: Due to the shortage of research evidence in a certain taxa of basil, it is imperative to examine the relationship between drought stress and morphological changes as well as essential oil accumulation.

Methods: An open field experiment was conducted in 2020 to determine the effects of drought stress on the morphological and biochemical responses of selected Ocimum species. Five basil species, namely O. basilicum ‘Genovese’, O. basilicum ‘Ohre’, O. × africanum, O. americanum, O. selloi, and O. sanctum ‘Krishna’ were grown under irrigated (control) and non-irrigated (drought stress treatment) plots with two block replications.

Results: The result showed that irrigation had a positive effect on production. Consequently, fresh and dry biomass yields were higher on irrigated plots by 39% and 33%, respectively. No significant changes were detected between the treatments in essential oils (EO) yield and EO composition of major compounds. However, a slight increase in camphor (O. × africanum), nerol (O. americanum), and trans-β-caryophyllene (O. sanctum ‘Krishna’) ratios were observed under irrigation treatments. On the other hand, drought stress increased EO content, polyphenol content, and antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, drought stress had a positive effect on the ratios of 1,8-cineole (O. × africanum), and eugenol (O. sanctum ‘Krishna’). There is only a slight increase in EO content under drought stress, which is not comparable to the significant yield reduction recorded. Morphological and biochemical variations were also detected among basil species. Accordingly, higher biomass (616.33 g/plant) and EO yield (3.72 ml/100 g) among the species were obtained from O. basilicum ‘Genovese’ and O. × africanum, respectively.

Conclusion: Irrigation is imperative for maximizing biomass and EO yield of tested basil species.

Introduction: Herbs or plants are used for a variety of purposes, including nutrition, medicinal and in the beverage industry, beverages, coloring, food preservatives, insect repellants and cosmetics.

Methods: Many plants were obtained from local markets and the oil was extracted with hexane at a concentration of 75%. Green silver nanoparticles were prepared. The nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, UV visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra-red, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and zeta potential analyzer.

Results: The results showed small, smooth spherical nanoparticles, ranging between 57.41–88.00 nm, as well as the distribution of electric charges evenly on the surface of the nanoparticles, which acquired effective agents for nanoparticles against aflatoxin-b1. The effectiveness of green nanoparticles against aflatoxin-b1 by using high-performance liquid chromatography technology detected its concentration. The standard concentration of aflatoxin-b1 was (20) ppb. The results of the activity of plant oil extracts of T-thyme, rosemary-R, mint-M and eucalyptus-E reached (0.104, 1.586, 1.083 and 1.067) ppb, while it appears in the nanoparticle activity of T, R, M and E were as (0.065, 0.226, 0.377 and 0.702) ppb respectively.

Conclusion: We concluded that green Ag nanoparticles are efficient in processing or eliminating aflatoxin-b1 and can be produced at very low concentrations compared to the concentrations of plant extracts prepared.

Introduction: Feronia limonia (synonyms: Feronia elephantum, Hesperethusa crenulata, Limonia acidissima Linn, Schinus limonia) is a member of Rutaceae family. F. limonia is an aesthetically pleasing plant with various medicinal and nutraceutical properties.

Objective: The primary objective of this research was to determine the flavonoid from F. limonia.

Methods: Different solvents have been soxhleted to the roots of F. limonia powder. Column chromatography was performed using silica gel, a yellow amorphous solid was obtained from ethyl acetate extract after elution with hexane: ethyl acetate (4:8).

Results: We have successfully isolated a unique geranyl flavanone from the roots of F. limonia. The structure was verified as 8-(2′′,3′′-epoxy-3′′-methyl butyl)-4′-prenyloxy flavanone-7-O-6′′′′-acetyl β-D-glucopyranoside.

Conclusion: According to the findings based upon spectroscopic analysis, a hitherto unknown flavanone was isolated in the F. limonia.

Introduction: The technological advancements in the production of synthetic seeds are critical for the preservation of valuable genotypes of many herbal plants, including Salvia officinalis – sage.

Objective: The aim of this study was the production, storage and conversion of artificial sage seeds. The technology of synthetic seeds is placing explants capable of regeneration into plants in a protective casing.

Methods: Apical and axillary buds were encapsulated with 1.2% sodium alginate solution, and then dripped in 200 mM CaCl₂ solution. Artificial seeds were stored at 4°C for 30 days and then converted on MS medium containing 0.3 mg/l of BAP.

Results: The synthetic seeds technology made it possible to obtain a high level of seeds conversion into plants using apical buds (85.0%), and slightly lower in the case of side buds (62.5%).

Conclusion: The fully developed technology of synthetic seeds made it possible to obtain a high level of plant viability, which may prove useful for the storage of valuable genotypes of sage.

Introduction: Curcuma xanthella Škorničk. is a rare species. Recently, it has been described as a new species from Vietnam.

Objective: In this study, the chemical composition of the acetone extract as well as the antibacterial and antioxidant effects of acetone extract and its fractions such as n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate of C. xanthella were investigated for the first time.

Methods: The chemical components obtained from the acetone extract of C. xanthella were performed by using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry assays. Disc diffusion assay was used to assess the antibacterial effects of studied samples. Free radical scavenging ability of the extracts was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging (DPPH RSA) assay.

Results: Sixty chemical compounds were reported from C. xanthella, of which 1,8-cineole (11.3%), n-hexadecanoic acid (11.13%), stigmasterol (8.2%), γ-sitosterol (6.78%) and neophytadiene (6.71%) were the major compounds. The acetone extract and its fractions such as n-hexane and ethyl acetate were found to be effective against eight oral bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus. The acetone extract and its fractions such as n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate of C. xanthella showed DPPH radical scavenging activity with IC₅₀ value of 6.60, 2.38, 8.45 and 3.42 mg/ml, respectively.

Conclusion: Sixty chemical constituents were identified in the acetone extract of C. xanthella. The acetone extract and its fractions showed antibacterial effect and DPPH radical scavenging activity.