Interspecific hybridization between sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica L.) and 'Satputia' (Luffa hermaphrodita Singh & Bhandari) for preintrogression of cluster bearing, high yield and gynoecism.

Interspecific hybridization with 'Satputia' (bisexual and cluster bearing) can be highly useful for the introgression of cluster bearing, high yield and gynoecism in sponge gourd (monoecious and solitary bearing). However, the occurrence of self-pollination in closed flowers and anthesis of two species at different time intervals creates hindrance in interspecific hybridization. The present investigation highlighted that the reciprocal interspecific cross (Satputia × sponge gourd) is more successful for development of F1 hybrid and its further utilization in development of segregating generations. Pre-anthesis emasculation (28 h before anthesis) of Satputia buds in the evening and pollination with sponge gourd (PSG-9) in the morning on the day of anthesis resulted in high fruit set. Interspecific hybrids were monoecious and morphologically intermediate for most of the vegetative, flower and fruit traits. The seed of hybrid vines was vigorous than both the parents with respect to size and weight. Ample pollen production, pollen viability and high fruit set on selfing confirmed the fertility status of vines. Although pollen size was less than both the parents, but the pollen density improved in F1 vines. Fertile hybrids could be easily used to generate F2 and BC1P2 and TCH segregating generations. In F2 generation, gynoecious, adroecious, andromonoecoius, monoecious and cluster bearing vines of variable length and fruit size were observed. In back cross and triple cross generations, most of the vines were monoecious except a few adroecious and gynoecious with improved fruit size, vine growth and bearing capacity. Backcross and triple cross with sponge gourd displayed a shift towards this species.

The Molecular Characterization and Biological Assessment of the Leaves Extracts of Loofah Reveal their Nutraceutical Potential.

BACKGROUND: Luffa cylindrica is a plant that is widely distributed in Africa and Asia and can be grown in regions with tropical or subtropical climates. Few patents dealt with Loofah biological properties, including some functional foods formulated from its leaves. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to structurally and functionally characterize the bioactive compounds of L. cylindrica leaves grown in two different environments. METHODS: The extracts of L. cylindrica leaves collected from two Tunisian locations: Essouasi (LE), a semi-arid region and Medenine (LM), an arid region, were investigated for their phenolic compounds and fatty acids using HPLC/TOF-MS and GC-MS techniques, respectively. Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity was evaluated with DPPH, Chelating effect, Hydroxyl radical and Superoxide anion scavenging activities while the anticancer activity against HeLa cell lines was assessed using xCELLigence real time cell analyzer and lactate dehydrogenase cytotoxicity assay. RESULTS: The antiproliferative capacity of both extracts was time and dose-dependent, with LE presenting the lowest HeLa cell index (CI = 0.035 ± 0.018, 250 µg/ml). LE also showed the best cytotoxic capacity (56.49 ± 0.8%) and antioxidant potential (IC50 = 54.41 ± 1.12 µg/ml for DPPH and 12.12 ± 0.07 µg/ml for chelating effect). 14 phenolic compounds were detected in LE, with ferulic acid being the major compound (5128.5 ± 4.09 µg Phenols/g), while LM had only 6 phenolics. GCMS analysis showed the presence of omega-3 fatty acids in LE. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that L. cylindrica leaves, especially when collected from semiarid regions, are promising for formulating nutraceuticals of interest.

Remediation of Cu metal-induced accelerated Fenton reaction by potato peels bio-sorbent.

This article has allied exposure to Ecological Particulate Matter (EPM) and its remediation using potato peel surface (PPC) bio-sorbent on two important edible crops Spinacia oleracea and Luffa acutangula. Fenton reaction acceleration was one of the major stress oxidation reactions as a consequence of iron and copper toxicity, which involve in the formation of hydroxyl radical (OH) through EPM. Results showed that the oxidative stress encouraged by Cu in both species that recruits the degradation of photosynthetic pigments, initiating decline in growth, reduced leaf area and degrade proteins. The plants were cultivated in natural environmental condition in three pots with three replicates like (a) control, (b) Cu treated and (c) treated water. Oxidative stress initiated by metal activity in Cu accumulated plant (b) were controlled, through bio-sorption of metal from contaminated water using PPC; arranged at laboratory scale. The acceleration of Fenton reaction was verified in terms of OH radical generation. These radicals were tested in aqueous extract of leaves of three types of plants via benzoic acid. The benzoic acid acts as a scavenger of OH radical due to which the decarboxylation of benzoic acid cured. Observation on (b) showed more rapid decarboxylation as compared to other plants which showed that Cu activity was much higher in (b) as compared to (a) and (c). The rapid decarboxylation of benzoic acid and lower chlorophyll contents in (b) suggest that Fenton reaction system was much enhanced by Cu-O and Fe-O chemistry that was successfully controlled by PPC which results in restoring the metabolic pathway and nullifying oxidative stress in

[Biological characters of the different varieties for Luffa cylindrica].

The yield of Luffa cylindrica cultivated in Taiyuan of Shanxi Province, which introduced from Zhejiang Province, was obviously high than that of local variety. The paper reported the biological characters of the two varieties.