Attenuation of salt stress by lycopene on common bean seeds

Salinity is a major abiotic stress that adversely affects several physiological and biochemical aspects of plants. Antioxidants can be used as a potential remediation mechanism to promote plant resilience. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate increasing doses of the antioxidant lycopene on the germination and initial growth of common bean seedlings under conditions of salt stress. Seeds were treated with the following lycopene concentrations: 0.018; 0.036; 0.072; 0.144; and 0.288 g L-1 and two controls (negative and positive) and evaluated under two growth conditions (without and with salt stress) for physiological quality and pigment content. Data were analyzed by completely randomized design, in 2 x 7 factorial (two growth conditions, with paper towel moistened with water or salt solution x seven treatments, including five lycopene doses and two controls), in four replicates of 50 seeds by concentration. With the results of the analysis of variance, growth conditions (without and with salt stress) were compared by the Tukey test (5%), and the effects of lycopene doses were analyzed by polynomial regression. Lycopene promoted tolerance of bean seeds to salt stress and had a positive influence on the attenuation of salt harmful effects to the initial growth of seedlings, mainly at the doses of 0.072 g L-1 and 0.144 g L-1.(AU)

Agronomic and biochemical evaluation of cassava clones with roots that have pink pulp / Avaliação agronômica e bioquímica de clones de mandioca com polpa rosada

Sweet cassava breeding programs are focused on the development of bio fortified cultivars that combine significant amounts of carotenoids in their reserve roots with desirable agronomic. The objective of this research was to evaluate agronomic and biochemical traits in sweet cassava clones with roots that have pink pulp. The nine genotypes were evaluated in two seasons in a randomized block design with three replications. Among the evaluated clones, the following stood out: i) for the height of the first branch (390/08, 345/08 and the control IAC 576-70); ii) for plant height (390/08, 345/08 e 378/08); iii) for shoot weight without original steam cutting (390/08, 406/08, 378/08 e 341/08); iv) for the percentage of starch in roots (378/08, 413/08, 390/08 and the control IAC 576-70); and v) for the root yield (the control IAC 576-70 and 341/08, 390/08, 406/08 e 387/08). In the 2011/2012 season, all clones cooked within 30 minutes, indicating that they all have good culinary qualities. Regarding the total carotenoid content in the roots, the clones that stood out were 406/08 and 341/08. All clones evaluated had HCN content below 100 mg kg-1. Clones 341/08 and 406/08 have agronomic and biochemical potential for direct cultivation by producers in the Cerrado region of Central Brazil and / or for use as stock in sweet cassava breeding programs.(AU)

Os programas de melhoramento genético de mandioca de mesa estão focados no desenvolvimento de variedades biofortificadas que aliem aos caracteres agronômicos a presença de carotenoides nas raízes de reserva. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar características agronômicas e bioquímicas em clones de mandioca de mesa com polpa rosada. Os nove genótipos foram avaliados por duas safras em delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados com três repetições. Dentre os clones avaliados se destacaram: i) para altura da primeira ramificação (390/08, 345/08 e a testemunha IAC 576-70); ii) para altura da planta (390/08, 345/08 e 378/08); iii) para peso da parte aérea sem a cepa (390/08, 406/08, 378/08 e 341/08); iv) para porcentagem de amido nas raízes (378/08, 413/08, 390/08 e a testemunha IAC 576-70); v) para produtividade de raízes (IAC 576-70 e 341/08, 390/08, 406/08 e 387/08). Na safra 2011/2012, todos os clones cozinharam em até 30 minutos, indicando que todos apresentam boas qualidades culinárias. Com relação ao teor de carotenoides totais nas raízes, os clones que se destacaram foram 406/08 e 341/08. Todos os clones avaliados apresentaram teores de HCN nas raízes de reserva de mandioca, inferiores a 100 mg kg-1. Os clones 341/08 e 406/08 apresentam potencial agronômico e bioquímico para cultivo direto pelos produtores na região do Cerrado do Brasil Central e/ou para a utilização como genitores em programas de melhoramento genético de mandioca de mesa.(AU)

Atividade antioxidante e compostos bioativos em espécies de um fragmento de Cerrado goiano tipo cerradão / Antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds in species of a fragment of Goiano the Cerrado type cerradão

O Cerrado apresenta uma exuberante flora adaptada aos mais variados tipos fitofisionômicos, onde o cerradão apresenta inúmeras espécies que constituem a flora brasileira. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os teores de compostos fenólicos, atividade antioxidante, β-caroteno, licopeno e provitamina A em extratos etanólicos foliares de dezessete espécies vegetais coletadas em um fragmento de Cerrado no município de Rio Verde – GO, caracterizado como cerradão. Os resultados apresentaram expressivos teores de fenólicos totais e atividade antioxidante, exceto para A. humile, B. intermedia e K. lathrophytum que não houve atividade antioxidante, bem como quantidades significativas de betacaroteno e provitamina A, para algumas delas. Foram observados também altos teores de licopeno em todos os extratos foliares avaliados. As espécies vegetais do Cerrado caracterizam importante material fitoquímico para produção de medicamentos e alimentos ricos em compostos químicos importantes para a saúde e bem estar humano e animal.

The Cerrado presents an exuberant flora adapted to the most varied types of phytophysiognomies, where the cerradão presentes numerous species that constitute the Brazilian flora. The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, β-carotene, lycopene and provitamin A in foliar ethanolic extracts of seventeen plant species collected in a Cerrado fragmente in the municipality of Rio Verde - GO, characterized as cerradão. The results presented significant levels of total phenolics and antioxidant activity, except for A. humile, B. intermedia and K. lathr ophytum that there was no antioxidant activity, as well as significant amounts of beta-carotene and provitamin A, for some of them. High levels of lycopene were also observed in all leaf extracts evaluated. The Cerrado plant species characterize important phytochemical material for the production of drugs and foods rich in chemical compounds important for human and animal health and welfare.

Atividade antioxidante e compostos bioativos em espécies de um fragmento de Cerrado goiano tipo cerradão / Antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds in species of a fragment of Goiano the Cerrado type cerradão

O Cerrado apresenta uma exuberante flora adaptada aos mais variados tipos fitofisionômicos, onde o cerradão apresenta inúmeras espécies que constituem a flora brasileira. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os teores de compostos fenólicos, atividade antioxidante, β-caroteno, licopeno e provitamina A em extratos etanólicos foliares de dezessete espécies vegetais coletadas em um fragmento de Cerrado no município de Rio Verde GO, caracterizado como cerradão. Os resultados apresentaram expressivos teores de fenólicos totais e atividade antioxidante, exceto para A. humile, B. intermedia e K. lathrophytum que não houve atividade antioxidante, bem como quantidades significativas de betacaroteno e provitamina A, para algumas delas. Foram observados também altos teores de licopeno em todos os extratos foliares avaliados. As espécies vegetais do Cerrado caracterizam importante material fitoquímico para produção de medicamentos e alimentos ricos em compostos químicos importantes para a saúde e bem estar humano e animal.(AU)

The Cerrado presents an exuberant flora adapted to the most varied types of phytophysiognomies, where the cerradão presentes numerous species that constitute the Brazilian flora. The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, β-carotene, lycopene and provitamin A in foliar ethanolic extracts of seventeen plant species collected in a Cerrado fragmente in the municipality of Rio Verde - GO, characterized as cerradão. The results presented significant levels of total phenolics and antioxidant activity, except for A. humile, B. intermedia and K. lathr ophytum that there was no antioxidant activity, as well as significant amounts of beta-carotene and provitamin A, for some of them. High levels of lycopene were also observed in all leaf extracts evaluated. The Cerrado plant species characterize important phytochemical material for the production of drugs and foods rich in chemical compounds important for human and animal health and welfare.(AU)

Microscale extraction method for HPLC carotenoid analysis in vegetable matrices

In order to generate simple, efficient analytical methods that are also fast, clean, and economical, and are capable of producing reliable results for a large number of samples, a micro scale extraction method for analysis of carotenoids in vegetable matrices was developed. The efficiency of this adapted method was checked by comparing the results obtained from vegetable matrices, based on extraction equivalence, time required and reagents. Six matrices were used: tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), carrot (Daucus carota L.), sweet potato with orange pulp (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.), pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) flour. Quantification of the total carotenoids was made by spectrophotometry. Quantification and determination of carotenoid profiles were formulated by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with photodiode array detection. Microscale extraction was faster, cheaper and cleaner than the commonly used one, and advantageous for analytical laboratories.

Microscale extraction method for HPLC carotenoid analysis in vegetable matrices

In order to generate simple, efficient analytical methods that are also fast, clean, and economical, and are capable of producing reliable results for a large number of samples, a micro scale extraction method for analysis of carotenoids in vegetable matrices was developed. The efficiency of this adapted method was checked by comparing the results obtained from vegetable matrices, based on extraction equivalence, time required and reagents. Six matrices were used: tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), carrot (Daucus carota L.), sweet potato with orange pulp (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.), pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) flour. Quantification of the total carotenoids was made by spectrophotometry. Quantification and determination of carotenoid profiles were formulated by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with photodiode array detection. Microscale extraction was faster, cheaper and cleaner than the commonly used one, and advantageous for analytical laboratories.(AU)