Modification of fatty acid, essential oil and phenolic contents of salt-treated sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) according to developmental stage.

Variation in the composition of Origanum majorana L. essential oil (EO) and fatty acids were studied under salt treatment. Plant material has been harvested at 2 phenological stages: early vegetative stage (EVS) and late vegetative stage (LVS) or prefloral. Our results showed that the application of 75 mM NaCl increased total lipid contents in marjoram shoots and caused great qualitative changes in the fatty acids profiles. NaCl treatment reduced and stimulated the EO yields, respectively, at EVS and LVS and induced quantitative changes in the chemical EO composition in shoots. Phenolic contents were higher during the LVS than EVS in the absence and the presence of salt. Under control conditions, RP-HPLC analysis of the methanolic extract of marjoram dried shoots showed a predominance of flavonoid during the EVS whereas phenolic acids predominated during the LVS. However, under 75 mM NaCl, we noted a predominance of flavonoid at LVS and constant levels of phenolic and flavonoid classes at the EVS. For control treatment and at both EVS and LVS, the main components identified were respectively rosmarinic acid gallic as phenolic acids and amentoflavone as flavonoid. In the presence of salt and at the EVS, we observed a significant increase in trans-2 hydrocinnamic, gallic acid and quercetin-3-galactoside contents. However, for the LVS, salt induced a stimulation of gallic acid, apigenin, and amentoflavone. Our results showed that LVS had the highest contents of bioactive compounds, and could be considered as the best stage for harvesting marjoram plants. Practical Application: In this study, the fatty acid composition, essential oil, and phenolic content of Origanum majorana were investigated. This is important for potential application of marjoram as functional food at the late vegetative stage. The richness of O. majorana in volatile and phenolic active compounds known for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and insecticidal activities could support the utilization of this plant in a large field of application including cosmetic, pharmaceutical, agro alimentary, and biological defense.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Tunisian Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. immature fruit and seed organic extracts.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Inflammations and immune-related diseases including rheumatoid arthritis are widespread in the entire globe. The treatment of these illnesses is mainly based on the use of synthetic and biotechnological drugs, in recent years. Tunisian traditional medicine is a potential source of new remedies namely Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae): endemic in southern Tunisia and used in folk medicine to treat many inflammation disorders. Our goal was to assess the in vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Tunisian Citrullus colocynthis immature fruit and seed organic extracts (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and finely methanol extract). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Yields of prepared organic extracts are gravimetrically determined. For the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, we have used respectively, the acetic acid writhing test in mice and the carrageenan-induced paw edema assay in rats. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: All extracts displayed an important analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities at different doses without inducing any side effects. This study has demonstrated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Citrullus colocynthis immature fruit and seed extracts. Experiment results provide scientific insight into the ancient practice of utilizing Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. as analgesic and as anti-inflammatory agents.

A comparative analysis of fatty acid composition of root and shoot lipids in Zea mays under copper and cadmium stress.

A comparative analysis of fatty acid composition was conducted in maize (Zea mays L.) under copper and cadmium stress. The unsaturation level (double-bond index) of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) was increased in response to both metal treatments, whereas the phosphatidylinositol (PI), the phosphatidylcholine (PC) showed no significant changes. The Cu-treated roots showed a marked increase (about 2-fold) in the phospholipid (PL) content, while the Cd-treated roots showed a slight but insignificant increase. The steryl lipid SL/PL ratio was markedly decreased in response to Cu stress, and therefore, may indicate an activated phospholipid biosynthesis and turnover, in response to damage caused by Cu stress. The double bond indices of chloroplastic lipids: phosphatidylglycerol (PG), monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG), digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) and sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG) revealed a similar but not identical pattern of change. The PG and MGDG contents in shoots were markedly decreased under Cu (by 53 and 48%) and Cd (by 78 and 65%) stress. The increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in roots induced by both metals indicates lipid peroxidation. Generally, in the presence of Cu fatty acid composition was markedly modulated but to lesser extent under Cd stress. These results suggest that changes in the fatty acid composition under Cu and Cd stress conditions are metal-specific and may therefore result in differential metal tolerance.

Microalgae: a potential source of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Selected fish oils are the main industrial sources of PUFAs. However, this oil may be insufficient in the future to meet the expected growth in world demand for n-3 fatty acids (Tacon, 1995). Refined oils produced by marine microalgae represent potential sources of supplemental dietary fatty acids. This study examines the lipid and fatty acid composition of three microalgae that were isolated from the costal waters of Tunisia with particular interest on the variability of composition related to the cellular growth stage.

Effects of water-deficit on lipids of safflower aerial parts.

Three-week-old plants of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) were subjected to a water-deficit stress. The lipid composition of the shoot parts of both control (well-watered) and water stressed plants was analyzed. Experimental data revealed that moderate stress induced an increase in total lipid content within all lipidic classes. However, severe water-deficit induced a sharp decrease in the total lipid content and specially in polar lipids, particularly in phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, monogalactosyl-diacylglycerol and digalactosyl-diacylglycerol. Also, the content of neutral lipids was increased. Concerning the fatty acid composition, water-deficit induced a decrease in their degree of unsaturation expressed by a reduction in the proportions of linolenic (18:3) and linoleic (18:2) acids and most of lipidic classes.

Behavioural changes in burned adult patients during their stay in hospital.

Using regular weekly interviews and entries on special record cards, the authors were able to study behavioural changes and psychological disorders in 53 adults patients with moderately severe burns admitted to a burns unit in a large Paris hospital. The changes observed followed a distinctive pattern and could be divided into four phases corresponding to admission, stabilization, recovery, and pre-discharge. The results of these studies may help to institute timely chemotherapy or psychotherapy and to provide the nursing staff with a better understanding of these patients.