Antifungal activity of extracts and purified saponins from the rhizomes of Chamaecostus cuspidatus against Candida and Trichophyton species.

AIM: To evaluate the antifungal activity of extracts of Chamaecostus cuspidatus against Candida and Trichophyton species. METHODS AND RESULTS: Crude ethanol extracts of leaves, stems and rhizomes were prepared and evaluated for antimicrobial activity. Only the rhizomes extract (RE) showed antifungal activity but had no inhibitory effect against bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli). The RE was then submitted to liquid-liquid partition with hexane (Hex), dichloromethane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and water. The Hex fraction (Hex Fr) from the RE was found to have the best antifungal effect. Three known saponins were isolated from the Hex Fr, of which two (dioscin and aferoside A) showed good antifungal activity. In addition, Hex Fr and the two bioactive compounds had no antibacterial effect, but exhibited fungicidal activity, caused significant changes in the morphology of the fungal cells and showed anti-Candida albicans biofilm activity. Finally, the bioactive plant products presented greater selectivity for fungal cells over normal human cells. CONCLUSIONS: The rhizomes of C. cuspidatus have bioactive saponins that function as effective antifungals against Candida and Trichophyton species, and have antibiofilm activity against C. albicans. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Chamaecostus cuspidatus REs may have potential clinical application towards the management of superficial mycoses caused by Candida and Trichophyton species.

Inhibitory effect of lignin from Canna edulis Ker residues on trypsin: kinetics and molecular docking studies.

BACKGROUND: Lignin extracted from Canna edulis Ker residues shows a strong inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase and a promoting effect on α-amylase. Protease activity inhibition may play a key role in disease processes, such as metastasis, tumor invasion and bacterial colonization. Hence, in the present study, the inhibitory mechanism of lignin on trypsin was examined, including the interaction type, thermodynamic parameters, structure, reaction site and molecular docking. RESULTS: The isolated lignin presented an inhibitory effect on trypsin activity with an IC50 value of 1.35 µmol L-1 . This inhibition was a mixed linear type with a constant Ki of 3.92 µmol L-1 . The lignin could bind with the key amino acid residue Ser195 on the active site of the trypsin molecule to inhibit its activity, and the phenolic hydroxyl group and -OH on the ß-O-4 structure of the lignin molecule were the major groups bound with trypsin. CONCLUSION: These results illustrate the inhibitory effects of Canna edulis residue lignin on protease, which helps with respect to understanding the possible application of lignin in the food industry in functional foods. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Commelinid Monocotyledon Lignins Are Acylated by p-Coumarate.

Commelinid monocotyledons are a monophyletic clade differentiated from other monocotyledons by the presence of cell wall-bound ferulate and p-coumarate. The Poaceae, or grass family, is a member of this group, and most of the p-coumarate in the cell walls of this family acylates lignin. Here, we isolated and examined lignified cell wall preparations from 10 species of commelinid monocotyledons from nine families other than Poaceae, including species from all four commelinid monocotyledon orders (Poales, Zingiberales, Commelinales, and Arecales). We showed that, as in the Poaceae, lignin-linked p-coumarate occurs exclusively on the hydroxyl group on the γ-carbon of lignin unit side chains, mostly on syringyl units. Although the mechanism of acylation has not been studied directly in these species, it is likely to be similar to that in the Poaceae and involve BAHD acyl-coenzyme A:monolignol transferases.

Efficacy of zerumbone against dual-species biofilms of Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus.

Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus are the most common opportunistic pathogens that co-exist as mixed biofilms. Dual-species biofilms of C. albicans and S. aureus cause nosocomial medical device-related infections that are strongly resistant to antibiotics and host immune responses compared with mono-species biofilms. The purpose of this study was to describe the efficacy of zerumbone derived from Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith, on dual-species biofilm formation. This study examined the inhibitory effects of zerumbone on planktonic cell growth, adhesion and biofilm formation. The results demonstrated that zerumbone remarkably inhibited mono- and dual-species biofilms formed by C. albicans and S. aureus using the XTT [2,3-bis(2-smethoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfo-phenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide]-reduction assay. Furthermore, a significant decrease in biomass and cell density of dual-species biofilms following zerumbone treatment was confirmed using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Therefore, our study suggests that zerumbone is a potential antimicrobial and antibiofilm agent indicated for the therapeutic management of nosocomial medical device-related infections induced by dual-species biofilms of C. albicans and S. aureus.

Allelopathic Effects on Microcystis aeruginosa and Allelochemical Identification in the Cuture Solutions of Typical Artificial Floating-Bed Plants.

Cyperus alternifolius (C. alternifolius) and Canna generalis (C. generalis) are widely used as artificial floating-bed (AFB) plants for water pollution control. This study evaluated the release of anti-cyanobacterial allelochemicals from both plants in AFB systems. A series of cyanobacterial assays using pure culture solutions and extracts of culture solutions of C. alternifolius and C. generalis demonstrated allelopathic growth inhibition of a cyanobacterium M. aeruginosa. After 45 days of incubation by the culture solutions, both final inhibitory rates of M. aeruginosa were more than 99.6% compared with that of the control groups. GC/MS analyses indicated the presence of a total of 15 kinds of compounds, including fatty acids and phenolic compounds, in both plants' culture solutions, which are are anti-cyanobacterial. These findings provide a basis to apply artificial floating-bed plants for cyanobacterial inhibition using allelopathic effects.

Insecticidal activity of camphene, zerumbone and α-humulene from Cheilocostus speciosus rhizome essential oil against the Old-World bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera.

The fast-growing resistance development to several synthetic and microbial insecticides currently marketed highlighted the pressing need to develop novel and eco-friendly pesticides. Among the latter, botanical ones are attracting high research interest due to their multiple mechanisms of action and reduced toxicity on non-target vertebrates. Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a key polyphagous insect pest showing insecticide resistance to several synthetic molecules used for its control. Therefore, here we focused on the rhizome essential oil extracted from an overlooked Asian plant species, Cheilocostus speciosus (J. Konig) C. Specht (Costaceae), as a source of compounds showing ingestion toxicity against H. armigera third instar larvae, as well as ovicidal toxicity. In acute larvicidal assays conducted after 24h, the C. speciosus essential oil achieved a LC50 value of 207.45µg/ml. GC and GC-MS analyses highlighted the presence of zerumbone (38.6%), α-humulene (14.5%) and camphene (9.3%) as the major compounds of the oil. Ingestion toxicity tests carried out testing these pure molecules showed LC50 values of 10.64, 17.16 and 20.86µg/ml, for camphene, zerumbone and α-humulene, respectively. Moreover, EC50 values calculated on H. armigera eggs were 35.39, 59.51 and 77.10µg/ml for camphene, zerumbone and α-humulene, respectively. Overall, this study represents the first report on the toxicity of C. speciosus essential oil against insect pests of agricultural and medical veterinary importance, highlighting that camphene, zerumbone and α-humulene have a promising potential as eco-friendly botanical insecticides.

High-throughput microarray mapping of cell wall polymers in roots and tubers during the viscosity-reducing process.

Viscosity reduction has a great impact on the efficiency of ethanol production when using roots and tubers as feedstock. Plant cell wall-degrading enzymes have been successfully applied to overcome the challenges posed by high viscosity. However, the changes in cell wall polymers during the viscosity-reducing process are poorly characterized. Comprehensive microarray polymer profiling, which is a high-throughput microarray, was used for the first time to map changes in the cell wall polymers of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), cassava (Manihot esculenta), and Canna edulis Ker. over the entire viscosity-reducing process. The results indicated that the composition of cell wall polymers among these three roots and tubers was markedly different. The gel-like matrix and glycoprotein network in the C. edulis Ker. cell wall caused difficulty in viscosity reduction. The obvious viscosity reduction of the sweet potato and the cassava was attributed to the degradation of homogalacturonan and the released 1,4-ß-d-galactan and 1,5-α-l-arabinan.

Nonpeptide neurotrophic agents useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Developed regions, including Japan, have become "aged societies," and the number of adults with senile dementias, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease, has also increased in such regions. Neurotrophins (NTs) may play a role in the treatment of AD because endogenous neurotrophic factors (NFs) prevent neuronal death. However, peptidyl compounds have been unable to cross the blood-brain barrier in clinical studies. Thus, small molecules, which can mimic the functions of NFs, might be promising alternatives for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Natural products, such as or nutraceuticals or those used in traditional medicine, can potentially be used to develop new therapeutic agents against neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we introduced the neurotrophic activities of polyphenols honokiol and magnolol, which are the main constituents of Magnolia obovata Thunb, and methanol extracts from Zingiber purpureum (BANGLE), which may have potential therapeutic applications in various neurodegenerative disorders.

Chemical profile and in vivo hypoglycemic effects of Syzygium jambos, Costus speciosus and Tapeinochilos ananassae plant extracts used as diabetes adjuvants in Puerto Rico.

BACKGROUND: The increasing numbers of people who use plant-based remedies as alternative or complementary medicine call for the validation of less known herbal formulations used to treat their ailments. Since Puerto Rico has the highest rate of Type 2 diabetes within all the states and territories of the United States, and Puerto Ricans commonly use plants as diabetes adjuvants, it is important to study the plants' physiological effects, and identify their bioactive compounds to understand their role in modulation of blood glucose levels. We present the phytochemical profiles and hypoglycemic effects of Tapeinochilus ananassae, Costus speciosus and Syzygium jambos. METHODS: Phytochemicals in methanolic and aqueous extracts were analyzed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Alkaloids (Bromocresol green, λ=470 nm), flavonoids (AlCl3, λ=415 nm), saponins (DNS, λ=760 nm), tannins (FeCl3/K4Fe(CN)6, λ=395 nm) and phenolics (Folin-Ciocalteau, λ=765 nm) were quantified. Male C57BLKS/J (db/db) and C57BL/J (ob/ob) genetically obese mice were orally gavaged with aqueous extracts of lyophilized plant decoctions for 10 wks. RESULTS: Our results show that T. ananassae had significantly greater amounts of flavonoids and tannins, while S. jambos showed the greatest concentration of phenolics and C. speciosus exhibited higher amounts of alkaloids. C57BLKS/J db/db treated with plant extracts show better glucose modulation when the extracts are administered in complement with an insulin injection. Finally, C57BL/J ob/ob mice on T. ananassae and S. jambos treatments show better blood glucose modulation over time. CONCLUSION: These results document for the first time the chemical profile of T. ananassae and provide evidence for a potential anti-diabetic efficacy of T. ananassae and S. jambos.

Formulation, physicochemical characterization, and in vitro study of chitosan/HPMC blends-based herbal blended patches.

The current work prepared chitosan/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) blends and studied the possibility of chitosan/HPMC blended patches for Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. The blended patches without/with crude Z. cassumunar oil were prepared by homogeneously mixing the 3.5% w/v of chitosan solution and 20% w/v of HPMC solution, and glycerine was used as plasticizer. Then, they were poured into Petri dish and produced the blended patches in hot air oven at 70 ± 2°C. The blended patches were tested and evaluated by the physicochemical properties: moisture uptake, swelling ratio, erosion, porosity, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction, and photographed the surface and cross-section morphology under SEM technique. Herbal blended patches were studied by the in vitro release and skin permeation of active compound D. The blended patches could absorb the moisture and became hydrated patches that occurred during the swelling of blended patches. They were eroded and increased by the number of porous channels to pass through out for active compound D. In addition, the blended patches indicated the compatibility of the blended ingredients and homogeneous smooth and compact. The blended patches made from chitosan/HPMC blends provide a controlled release and skin permeation behavior of compound D. Thus, the blended patches could be suitably used for herbal medicine application.

Study of the self-assembly, drug encapsulating and delivering characteristics of short chain amylose-based type 3 resistant starch nanoparticles from Canna edulis.

In developing type 3 resistant starch (RS3) from Canna edulis for use as functional food ingredients, we investigated the synthesis of C. edulis RS3 nanoparticles. Simultaneously, we explored the potential of C. edulis short-chain amylose (SCA)-based RS3 nanoparticles (RS3N) as a targeted delivery system, with a specific focus on colon targeting, yielding promising insights. Our study revealed that the degree of polymerization (DP) of C. edulis SCA, particularly the chains of DP 36- 100, exhibited a robust correlation with the particle size and physicochemical characteristics of C. edulis SCA-based RS3N. Additionally, recrystallization temperature variation (4, 25, and 45 °C) significantly influenced the self-assembly behavior of C. edulis SCA, with the preparation at 4 °C resulting in more uniform particle size distributions. In further expanding the scope of applications for C. edulis SCA-based RS3N, we harnessed the potential of Fe3O4 and curcumin (CUR) as guest molecules to assess drug encapsulation and colon-targeting capabilities. Incorporating Fe3O4 into the self-assembly system led to the production of magnetic RS3N, confirming the successful encapsulation of Fe3O4 within C. edulis SCA-based RS3N. Furthermore, in vitro experiments have demonstrated that CUR-RS3N was stable in the gastrointestinal tract and gradually released curcumin with fermentation in the colonic environment. Collectively, these findings provide invaluable insights into the intricate self-assembly behavior of C. edulis SCA with varying fine structures and recrystallization temperatures during RS3N formation. Moreover, they underscore the colon-targeted properties of C. edulis SCA-based RS3N, opening promising avenues for its application within the food industry, particularly in advanced controlled drug delivery systems.

The antiradical activity of some plant raw materials and extracts obtained from these raw materials.

INTRODUCTION: Free radicals and reactive oxygen species are compounds usually present in healthy organisms as natural products of many metabolic pathways, and they are important in cell signaling and homeostasis. As a source of reactive oxygen species one can mention phagocytic cells and enzymes such as xanthine oxidase. Sometimes the level of reactive oxygen species strongly increases. This may lead to damage of very important cell structures such as nucleic acids, proteins or lipids. In this situation one should provide the organism with powerful antioxidants as a medicine or in the diet. A rich source of strong antioxidants such as phenolic compounds is plant raw materials, which are the subject of our study. MATERIAL/METHODS: Antiradical potential of extracts was measured with DPPH radical (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and was expressed as the number of units per mg of extracts (TAU(515/mg)) and per g of raw material (TAU(515/g)). The amount of phenolic compounds was determined colorimetrically using Folin-Ciocalteu phenol reagent (3H2O • P2O5 • 13WO3 • 5MoO3 • 10H2O). RESULTS: The strongest antiradical activity was noted for extracts obtained from Cinnamomi cortex; the number of antiradical units per mg of extract (TAU(515/mg)) was 10.31±1.052. The lowest antiradical features were exhibited by extract from Zingiberis rhizoma (0.28±0.174) and extract from Cichorii radix (0.38±0.669). The highest amount of phenolic compounds was measured for extracts from Bistortae rhizoma, with a value (in percentage) of 78.6±13.5. The correlation coefficient between the number of antiradical units in extracts and amount of phenolic compounds in these extracts was 0.7273. When the number of antiradical units was calculated per g of raw material (TAU(515/g)) the strongest antiradical properties were noted for Bistortae rhizoma (1406±274.9), the weakest for Cichorii radix (122±158.3).

Cannadicas A and B: two new oligosaccharide esters from the roots of Canna indica L.

Two new sucrose derivatives, named as cannadica A (1) and cannadica B (2), and eight known compounds, 6'-O-acetyl-3-O-(E)-p-coumaroylsucrose (3), heterophylloside C (4), 6'-O-vanilloylarbutin (5), isotachioside (6), 2,6-dimethoxy-p-hydroquinone 1-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (7), 3,5-dimethoxy-p-hydroquinone 1-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (8), benzyl glucoside (9), and 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (10) were isolated from the roots of Canna indica L. by various chromatographic methods. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis (UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS and NMR) and by comparison of the spectral data with those reported in the literature. Compounds 1-10 were evaluated their antioxidant activity by peroxyl radical absorbance capacity assay. Compounds 4 and 5 exhibited the most peroxyl radical absorbance capacity. At concentration of 1 µM, their ORACROO* values were 4.86 ± 0.39 and 3.11 ± 0.26, respectively, fold-up to that of trolox as an internal standard.

Simple thermal and freezing treatments to improve absorption capacity and alter digestibility of canna starch granules.

Swollen canna starches (SCS) were prepared by controlled heating of unmodified and heat-moisture treated (HMT) starch suspensions at sub-gelatinization temperatures; subsequently, freezing was conducted to stabilize the structure of the SCS. Sizes of both unmodified and HMT swollen granules increased with increasing heating temperatures (up to 2.5 times), and freezing resulted in a significant reduction of granular size. The absorption capacities of the swollen starches increased up to 6 times for water and 3 times for tributyrin and palm oil compared to unmodified starch. The differences in absorption capacities of the unmodified and HMT swollen starches were small. Freezing the swollen starches tended to decrease oil and water absorptions, except for unmodified starch swollen at 70 °C, where freezing increased water absorption. Freezing significantly decreased the susceptibility of the swollen unmodified starches to amylase digestion and slowed down the digestion of the swollen HMT starches.

GC-MS Analysis of Bioactive Compounds in Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R. Dutta.

Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R. Dutta is a plant species belonging to the family Costaceae. It is widely distributed in China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, tropical, and subtropical Asia. In Ayurveda, the rhizome of this plant has been extensively used to treat fever, rash, asthma, bronchitis, and intestinal worms. The objective of the present study was to investigate the phytochemical constituents of the leaf of Hellenia speciosa using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy analysis (GC-MS). The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 17 phytochemical components in the ethanolic leaf extract of Hellenia speciosa. The prevailing bioactive compounds present in Hellenia speciosa were thymol (RT-10.019; 3.59%), caryophyllene (RT-11.854; 0.62%), caryophyllene oxide (RT-13.919; 1.34%), artumerone (RT-14.795; 1.35%), hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (RT-17.536; 2.77%), 9,12-octadecanoic acid methyl ester (RT-19.163; 1.35%), squalene (RT-24.980; 1.19%), piperine (RT-25.745; 3.11%), beta tocopherol (RT-26.681; 2.88%), vitamin E (RT-27.290; 2.64%), progesterone (RT-29.608; 3.18%), caparratriene (RT-29.861; 9.72%), and testosterone (RT-30.73; 5.81%). The compounds were identified by comparing their retention time and peak area with that of the literature and by interpretation of mass spectra. The results and findings of the present study suggest that the plant leaf can be used as a valuable source in the field of herbal drug discovery. The presence of bioactive compounds justifies the use of plant leaves for treating various diseases with fewer side effects and recommended the plant of pharmaceutical importance. However, further studies are needed to undertake its bioactivity and toxicity profile.

Preparation, structure characterization, and specific gut microbiota properties related to anti-hyperlipidemic action of type 3 resistant starch from Canna edulis.

Type 3 resistant starch (RS3) was developed from Canna edulis (Ce) native starch (NS) through dual enzymatic hydrolysis and recrystallization. Thereafter, the processed Ce-RS3 was subjected to systematic characterizations for its structural properties, anti-hyperlipidemic effect, and in vivo gut microbiota modulatory function. The Ce-RS3 content was increased to 49.11% after processing under optimal conditions. Compared with NS, Ce-RS3 maintained its B-type crystallization without introducing new chemical groups. Meanwhile, it displayed coarse surfaces, higher crystallinity, more ordered structures, and a higher proportion of chains with degree of polymerization (DP) 37-100. Ce-RS3 intervention significantly alleviated dyslipidemia in hyperlipidemic mice, which was associated with increased gut microbial diversity and unique microbial enrichment, potentially mediated by its fine structure. These observations are valuable for developing RS3 from C. edulis for prebiotics applications and support the potential strategy that utilizes well-designed RS to modulate specific bacterial populations to improve health.

Type 3 resistant starch from Canna edulis modulates obesity and obesity-related low-grade systemic inflammation in mice by regulating gut microbiota composition and metabolism.

Obesity is a most prevalent human health problem. Several studies showed that appropriate modulation of gut microbiota could help reshape the metabolic profile of obese individuals, thereby altering the development of obesity. A nutritional strategy for treating obesity includes prebiotics. Type 3 Resistant Starch from Canna edulis (Ce-RS3) is a dietary fiber that exerts potential effects on the intestinal microbial community; however, the metabolic landscape and anti-obesity mechanism remain unclear. In the present study, obese mice were treated with Ce-RS3, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomics were used to measure changes in gut microbiota and fecal metabolic profiles, respectively. At the end of the treatment (13 weeks), we observed slow weight gain in the mice, and pathological damage and inflammation were substantially reduced. Ce-RS3 constructs a healthy gut microbiota structure and can enhance intestinal immunity and reduce metabolic inflammation. Ce-RS3 increased the diversity of gut microbiota with enrichment of Bifidobacterium and Roseburia. Ce-RS3 regulated the systemic metabolic dysbiosis in obese mice and adjusted 26 abnormal metabolites in amino acids and lipids metabolism, many of which are related to the microbiome. More importantly, we found that the anti-obesity effect of Ce-RS3 can be transferred by fecal transplantation. The beneficial effects of Ce-RS3 might derive from gut microbiota changes, which might improve obesity and metabolic inflammation by altering host-microbiota interactions with impacts on the metabolome. In conclusion, Ce-RS3 can be used as a prebiotic with potential value for the treatment of obesity.

Raster microdiffraction with synchrotron radiation of hydrated biopolymers with nanometre step-resolution: case study of starch granules.

X-ray radiation damage propagation is explored for hydrated starch granules in order to reduce the step resolution in raster-microdiffraction experiments to the nanometre range. Radiation damage was induced by synchrotron radiation microbeams of 5, 1 and 0.3 µm size with ∼0.1 nm wavelength in B-type potato, Canna edulis and Phajus grandifolius starch granules. A total loss of crystallinity of granules immersed in water was found at a dose of ∼1.3 photons nm(-3). The temperature dependence of radiation damage suggests that primary radiation damage prevails up to about 120 K while secondary radiation damage becomes effective at higher temperatures. Primary radiation damage remains confined to the beam track at 100 K. Propagation of radiation damage beyond the beam track at room temperature is assumed to be due to reactive species generated principally by water radiolysis induced by photoelectrons. By careful dose selection during data collection, raster scans with 500 nm step-resolution could be performed for granules immersed in water.

Canna edulis Ker by-product: chemical composition and characteristics of the dietary fiber.

Canna edulis Ker by-product was recycled and utilized after starch extraction. The chemical composition, physical properties and antioxidant activity of the by-product were investigated. The by-product was mainly composed of dietary fiber (54.84% measured by AOAC method), and the insoluble dietary fiber constituted the major fraction. Then, the chemical composition of dietary fiber was tested using modified AOAC and Englyst methods. The results showed that dietary fiber was comprised of cellulose, hemicelluloses (including xyloglucans, arabinoxylans and glucuronoxylans), pectin and lignin. Moreover, the by-product contained relatively high content of phenolic compounds and exhibited a moderate antioxidant activity. In addition, the by-product showed both high water-holding capacity (12.5 mL/g) and oil-holding capacity (14 mL/g), and its suspension exhibited controllable viscosity. Therefore, the by-product from C. edulis is not only a source of dietary fiber but also a functional ingredient for food industry.

Characterization of biominerals in species of Canna (Cannaceae).

Plant biominerals are not always well characterized, although this information is important for plant physiology and can be useful for taxonomic purposes. In this work, fresh plant material of seven wild neotropical species of genus Canna, C. ascendens, C. coccinea, C. indica, C. glauca, C. plurituberosa, C. variegatifolia and C. fuchsina sp. ined., taken from different habitats, were studied to characterize the biominerals in their internal tissues. For the first time, samples from primary and secondary veins of leaves were investigated by means of infrared spectroscopy, complemented with X-ray powder diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. The spectroscopic results, supported by X-ray powder diffractometry, suggest that the calcium oxalate is present in the form of whewellite (CaC2O4 x H2O) in all the investigated samples. It is interesting to emphasize that all IR spectra obtained were strongly similar in all species studied, thus indicating an identical chemical composition in terms of the biominerals found. In this sense, the results suggest that the species of Canna show similar ability to produce biogenic silica and produce an identical type of calcium oxalate within their tissues. These results can be an additional trait to support the relationship among the families of Zingiberales.