Asian Journal of Plant Sciences - Current Issue

Pharmacological Characterization and Beneficial Uses of Punica granatum

22 May, 2013

Punica granatum L. commonly known as Pomegranate belongs to the Family Punicaceae. Pomegranate has been known to be a reservoir of secondary metabolites which are being exploited as source of bioactive substance for various pharmacological purposes. Many researchers have focused their interest to investigate the bioactive compounds of Punica granatum for human health. In order to facilitate the further investigation and exploit the said plant, this study summarized herein the research achievements on some of the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Punica granatum. The different types of phytochemicals have been identified from various parts of the pomegranate tree and from pomegranate juice, leaves, flower, fruits and seeds. The constituents of this plant were thoroughly reviewed discussed based on literatures.

Fruits Morphology of Annual Grasses from Egypt

22 May, 2013

The grasses caryopses of 33 taxa belong to 24 genera of 11 tribes of wild Gramineae from Egypt were examined by using light and scanning electron microscopy. Macro- and micro-morphological characters, including fruit shape, size, weight, coloring mode and colour shade, trichomes and their features and the seed surface topography are presented. The caryopses are distinct by three principal diagnostic characters; fruit shape, mode of coloring and seed surface topography. A key for the identification of the investigated taxa based on fruit characters is provided.

Phytochemical Content and Antioxidant Activity of Colored and Non-colored Thai Rice Cultivars

22 May, 2013

Rice is one of the important foods of the world. Particularly, countries in Asia are popular eating rice daily food rather than in order regions of the world. Rice is sources of many bioactive non-nutrient compounds, known as phytochemicals. This study aimed to determine phytochemicals value such as, total phenolic compound, total anthocyanin, phytic acid, gamma (γ)-oryzanol composition and antioxidant activity of rice seed extracts of twelve colored and non-colored native Thai rice cultivars in Surin province, Thailand. The results showed that methanolic extracts of those rice seeds produced the highest extraction yield (5.45%). The colored cultivar 53 showed the highest Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and anthocyanins content by Folin-Ciocalteu method and pH-differential, respectively (7.40 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE)/100 g and 1045.12 mg malvidin/100 g, respectively). Moreover, there is a similarity in the γ-oryzanol content which detected by HPLC, colored rice seed extracts was statistically significant higher (p<0.05) than those non-colored. There were 4 major components of oryzanol (cycloartenol ferulate, 24-methylene cycloartenol ferulate, campesteryl ferulate and β-sitosteryl ferulate) which were successfully identified. Antioxidant activity of rice crude extracts was examined by DPPH scavenging method. Colored rice seed cultivar number 98 showed the highest activity (IC₅₀ = 0.545 mg mL^-1). While, phytic acid content in non-colored-rice seed cultivar number 236 showed the highest content (9.94 mg/100 g). From these results suggested to the potential of Thai rice seeds which may be further developed in food industry, cosmetic and health product.

Influence of Plantlet Age and Different Soilless Culture on Acclimatization of Stemona curtisii Hook.f.

22 May, 2013

The aim of this experiment was to study the optimal age of Stemona curtisii plantlets for acclimatization. The in vitro shoots of S. curtisii were cultured on Murashige and Skoog solid medium supplemented with 1 mg L^-1 naphthalene acetic acid to induce roots. Then, the plantlets from in vitro culture of 4, 8 and 12 week-old were transferred into the soil and their survival rate during the acclimatization process in the greenhouse was investigated. It was found that the 8 week-old plantlets had the highest survival rate of 80%. However, to enhance the survival rate of these plantlets, a soilless culture technique as a possible approach for the acclimatization was considered. Eight week-old plantlets were transferred into either, soil, a hydroponic system (nutrient film technique), coconut fiber or sand. The plantlets which were cultivated in coconut fiber or hydroponic culture showed 100% survival rate with the highest average number of new roots per plant. However, the mean root length of the plantlets grown in hydroponic system was significantly higher than that grown in coconut fiber.