Essential oil composition of passiflora foetida L. (passifloraceae) flowers and chemical-biology study of the leaves extracts and isolated compound.

Passiflora foetida is a climbing herb employed in ethno-medicine for the treatment of various ailments. The essential oil from flowers of P. foetida was obtained by hydrodistillation. The ethanol extract of the leaves was dissolved in water, then partitioned with n-hexane and n-butanol to obtain the various fractions; the fractions and isolated compound were subjected to in vitro antioxidant activity. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry afforded the identification of forty-two constituents in the floral oil, dominated by ß-caryophyllene (17.2%), cedrol (11.5%), and α-humulene (11.5%). The n-butanol fraction was the most active (70% inhibition and absorbance 0.401; 100 µg/mL) in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals and ferric reducing power assays, respectively. Chromatographic analysis facilitated the isolation of 8-C-ß-d-glucosylapigenin (vitexin) from the butanol fraction of P. foetida. Vitexin demonstrated good antioxidant activities (75% inhibition and absorbance 0.424; 100 µg/mL) compared with ascorbic acid. The volatile metabolites of P. foetida flowers are reported for the first time.

Pliocene seeds of Passiflora subgenus Decaloba (Gray Fossil Site, Tennessee) and the impact of the fossil record on understanding the diversification and biogeography of Passiflora.

PREMISE: Passiflora is a diverse genus of ~570 extant species primarily distributed in the Americas, from the eastern United States to Argentina and Chile. Nevertheless, the known fossil record of Passiflora is small. To date, only two fossil seed species have been unequivocally assigned to the genus. In this contribution, rare sulcate seeds from Gray Fossil Site are described as a third fossil seed species of Passiflora. METHODS: Three partial seeds with sulcate sculpture from Gray Fossil Site, early Pliocene, Tennessee, USA, were examined, photographed, and measured. They were compared to samples of sulcate seeds from six extant Passiflora species in supersection Decaloba. A broader survey of sulcate seeds produced by modern species in the subgenera Decaloba, Deidamioides, and Tryphostemmatoides was done using published illustrations and descriptions. RESULTS: The Gray Fossil Site seeds are described as Passiflora sulcatasperma, sp. nov., and assigned to subgenus Decaloba, supersection Decaloba. They are characterized by their small size, elliptical shape, ridged-and-sulcate sculpture, rugulose ridges, and thin palisade seed coat. CONCLUSIONS: The two largest subgenera of Passiflora can be identified from Neogene fossils. Subgenus Decaloba is represented by two fossil seed species, P. bulgarica (Miocene, Bulgaria) and P. sulcatasperma (Pliocene, USA). Subgenus Passiflora is represented by fossil pollen (Miocene, Argentina and Brazil) and P. appalachiana seeds (Pliocene, USA). The distributions of fossil and modern species suggest that Passiflora may have used both North Atlantic and Antarctic routes to expand into Europe and the Asian-Oceanian Paleotropics, respectively.

On the adequacy of fruit removal as a proxy for fitness in studies of bird-mediated phenotypic selection.

PREMISE: In fleshy-fruited plants, fruit removal is widely used as a proxy for plant reproductive success. Nevertheless, this proxy may not accurately reflect the number of seeds dispersed, an assumed better proxy for total fitness (fruit removal × mean number of seeds dispersed per fruit). METHODS: We examined under what circumstances fruit removal can be reliable as a proxy for total fitness when assessing bird-mediated selection on fruit traits. In three populations of the Blue Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea), we used the number of fruits pecked per plant as a surrogate for fruit removal to estimate phenotypic selection on fruit and seed traits, and simulations of the effect of the fruit-seed number trade-off on the number of fruits removed. RESULTS: Fruit removal was a good indicator of fitness, accounting for 55 to 68% of the variability in total fitness, measured as total number of seeds removed. Moreover, multivariate selection analyses on fruit crop size, mean fruit diameter and mean seed number using fruit removal as a fitness proxy yielded similar selection regimes to those using total fitness. Simulations showed that producing more fruits, a lower number of seeds per fruit, and a higher variability in seed number can result in a negative relationship between fruit removal and total fitness. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that fruit removal can be reliably used as a proxy for total fitness when (1) there is a weak fruit number-seed number trade-off, (2) fruit crop size and fruit removal correlate positively, and (3) seed number variability does not largely exceed fruit number variability.

Hypolipidemic potential and safety profile of the ethanolic extract and flour of the peel of Passiflora Cincinnata Mast. (Passifloraceae) in mice.

Passiflora cincinnata Mast. is described as a native Caatinga species, used by nutritional and medicinal purposes, although there are still few studies and pharmacological data related to this species. This paper aims to evaluate the safety profile and hypolipidemic potential of the fruit peel of this species in mice. It was analyzed the chemical composition of ethanolic extract (EtOH-Pc) by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS, and the organic and inorganic composition of flour (MF-Pc). Also were evaluated the acute toxicity, the lipid-lowering potential of these samples, through of a pretreatment (oral: 100 and 200 mg/kg), and a single treatment with the same doses, after hyperlipidemic induction with triton WR-1339, using as animal model Swiss Mus musculus mice, besides histopathological analysis. The presence of flavonoids in the extract was confirmed, mainly C-glycosides, and antioxidant minerals and pectin, in flour. No clinical signs of toxicity or death were reported in the study. In the hyperlipidemia study model used, the analyzed substances, at all doses, notably decreased the lipid levels of TC, TG, LDL-c and VLDL-c and increase the HDL-c levels in the induced hyperlipidemic mice (p < 0.05). The results of the histopathological analysis showed that in the group only induced was identified the discrete presence of hepatic steatosis, in 2 animals at the analysis of 24 h, not being visualized in the groups treated with the substances evaluated. The results obtained in the present study suggest a hypolipidemic potential of the extract and flour, obtained from the fruit peel of Passiflora cincinnata Mast.

Plastid genome of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (poro-poro) from Huánuco, Peru.

Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima, known locally as poro-poro, is an important native fruit used in traditional Peruvian medicine with relevant agro-industrial and pharmaceutical potential for its antioxidant capacity for human health. However, to date, only a few genetic data are available, which limits exploring its genetic diversity and developing new genetic studies for its improvement. We report the poro-poro plastid genome to expand the knowledge of its molecular markers, evolutionary studies, molecular pathways, and conservation genetics. The complete chloroplast (cp) genome is 163,451 bp in length with a typical quadripartite structure, containing a large single-copy region of 85,525 bp and a small single-copy region of 13,518 bp, separated by a pair of inverted repeat regions (IR) of 32,204 bp, and the overall GC content was 36.87%. This cp genome contains 128 genes (110 genes were unique and 18 genes were found duplicated in each IR region), including 84 protein-coding genes, 36 transfer RNA-coding genes, eight ribosomal RNA-coding genes, and 13 genes with introns (11 genes with one intron and two genes with two introns). The inverted repeat region boundaries among species were similar in organization, gene order, and content, with a few revisions. The phylogenetic tree reconstructed based on single-copy orthologous genes and maximum likelihood analysis demonstrates poro-poro is most closely related to Passiflora menispermifolia and Passiflora oerstedii. In summary, our study constitutes a valuable resource for studying molecular evolution, phylogenetics, and domestication. It also provides a powerful foundation for conservation genetics research and plant breeding programs. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the plastid genome of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima from Peru.

Pulp Mineral Content of Passion Fruit Germplasm Grown in Ecuador and Its Relationship with Fruit Quality Traits.

There are several species of passion fruit grown in South America. However, there is a lack of information about the mineral content in their pulp. Thus, the objective of the present research was to determine the mineral content in the pulp of different germplasms of passion fruit [Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa (INIAP 2009 and P10), P. alata (Sweet passion fruit), P. edulis f. edulis (Gulupa) and Passiflora sp. (Criollo POR1 and Criollo PICH1)] grown in Ecuador and to determine their relationship with relevant fruit quality traits. The results showed that high Mg content was associated with less peel thickness, soluble solids was negatively related to K and B content, and vitamin C was negatively related to S content. INIAP 2009 had high titratable acidity and fruit weight but low N and Na; P10 showed the highest contents of N, K, Na, Mn and fruit weight but less P, Mg, and Fe; sweet passion fruit showed high S, Zn, Cu, soluble solids, and peel thickness but low K, Ca, B, and titratable acidity; Gulupa had high Mg, B, and Zn but low S, Fe, and Mn; Criollo POR1 showed high N and Fe but low Zn; and Criollo PICH1 showed high P, Ca, Mg, and Cu but low soluble solids and peel thickness. These results provide additional information on passion fruit germplasm grown in Ecuador and constitutes a reference for further breeding programs.

Complete chloroplast genome sequence of Passiflora serrulata Jacq. (Passifloraceae).

This study was the first report for the complete chloroplast genome of Passiflora serrulata Jacq. (Passifloraceae). The cp genome was 149,683 bp in length contained two inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,470 bp, which were separated by large single-copy (LSC) and small single-copy (SSC) of 86,252 bp and 13,491 bp, respectively. A total of 110 functional genes were encoded, comprised 76 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. The GC content was 37.0%. The maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree indicated that P. serrulata was recovered as the member of subg. Passiflora and most closely related to the clade formed by P. serratodigitata and P. ligularis.

First report of Colletotrichum tropicale causing anthracnose on Passiflora edulis in Brazil.

Brazil is the world's largest producer and consumer of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa), mainly for the manufacture of concentrate and frozen juice as well as for fresh consumption (Faleiro et al. 2005). Between June and July 2018, passion fruit plants with symptoms of anthracnose were observed in commercial planting in the municipality of Coruripe (20 ha), northeastern state of Alagoas, Brazil. Approximately 70% of the plants showed leaves with relatively large, watery, circular spots that affected 30% of the leaf surface. Small fragments taken from the transition region of symptomatic tissue were superficially disinfected in 70% ethanol for 30 s and in 1% NaClO for 1 min, rinsed in sterile distilled water (SDW), dried on filter paper, plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA-Kasvi) incubated at 25°C under white light and 12 h photoperiod, for 3 days. Two isolates were obtained and deposited in the Collection of Phytopathogens at the Universidade Federal de Alagoas (COUFAL0281 and COUFAL0282). To identify the isolates, partial sequences of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and ß-tubulin (TUB2) genes and of the rDNA-ITS (ITS) region were amplified by PCR. The partial sequences were deposited at GenBank (MT299339, MT334694, MT310553, MT299340, MT334695 and MT310554). Based on the BLASTn analysis, sequences of the PCR products showed high nucleotide similarity with sequences of the species C. tropicale (CBS 124949/ex-type and ICMP 18672), for GAPDH (98.94% and 100%), TUB2 (99 and 100%) genes and ITS (100%). This result was also confirmed in the phylogenetic tree of Bayesian Inference assembled with concatenated data (GAPDH, TUB2 and ITS). The colonies of the isolates were white with a white reverse, with dense mycelium, and mean growth rate of 7.54 mm/day, after 7 days on PDA medium at 25° C. Conidia were subcylindrical with rounded ends, hyaline, smooth walls and measured 13.63-20.59µm (= 17.54µm; n= 50) in length and 4.40-7.93 µm (= 5.88 µm; n= 50) in width. Appressoria were melanized, subglobose, irregular and measured 7.44 - 18.57 µm (= 10.04 µm; n= 50) in length and 5.49-10.16 µm (= 7.66 µm; n= 50) in width. These morphological characteristics were consistent with those described for Colletotrichum tropicale E.I. Rojas, S.A. Rehner & Samuels (Rojas et al. 2010). To confirm pathogenicity, 30 µL of a 106 conidia/mL sterile distilled water (SDW) conidia suspension, together with a drop of 20% Tween were deposited on the adaxial surface of passion fruit leaves wounded with a sterile needle, with four repetitions. The control consisted of leaves inoculated only with SDW. The leaves were placed in a plastic Gerbox box with sterilized filter paper moistened with SDW and maintained in a Biochemistry Oxygen Demand (BOD) incubator stove at 25 ºC and photoperiod of 12 h. After 7 days, typical anthracnose symptoms were observed on inoculated leaves. The pathogen was re-isolated and confirmed by morphological characterization, according to Koch's postulates. No symptoms were observed in the negative control. The occurrence of this species has been frequently reported in several other crops grown in northeastern Brazil (Silva et al. 2017; Veloso et al. 2018; Vieira et al. 2018; Costa et al. 2019). Additionally, many of these crops are grown in close proximity to the passion fruit orchards, thus favoring pathogen movement between hosts, probably, due to the anthropic influence, circulation of animals and insects, as well as wind driven rain splashes. However, this is first report of C. tropicale in Passiflora edulis in the world.

Extracts and Flavonoids of Passiflora Species as Promising Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Substances.

There is increasing interest in evaluating anti-inflammatory activities of plant substances such as extracts and flavonoid rich fractions. A promising source of new medicinal drugs may be species from the Passifloraceae family. The most interesting group of principal chemical substances in Passiflora species are polyphenolic compounds, including flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, apigenin, luteolin, chrysin, and C-glycosylflavones i.e., vitexin, isovitexin, orientin, isoorientin), due to their antioxidant activity demonstrated in various studies. However, each extract from Passiflora spp. as multi-component mixtures should be estimated for chemical composition (in the standardization process) and its activity using in vitro and in vivo tests. The current standard for drug discovery and development from plants indicates that only collective assessment allows estimating plant substances by definition of the origin of raw materials and their quality, methods of extractions, and metabolite profiles. Increasingly, due to complex phytochemical procedures to obtain extracts, individual flavonoid compounds are also tested for anti-inflammatory action. However, it should be emphasized that various sources of potential new drugs from plant origin are not mutually exclusive, but are complementary. A review of bibliographic data includes the following information about Passiflora species, such as distribution, classification, phytochemical compounds, the anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts, the anti-inflammatory activity of flavonoids, and antioxidant potential. The review concluded that extracts and flavonoids (mainly quercetin, apigenin, and vitexin) from Passiflora spp. can be a valuable source of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative medications for the prevention and treatment of many diseases, which occur with complex inflammatory processes.

Leaf development stages and ontogenetic changes in passionfruit (Passiflora edulis Sims.) are detected by narrowband spectral signal.

During shoot development, leaves undergo various ontogenetic changes, including variation in size, shape, and geometry. Passiflora edulis (passionfruit) is a heteroblastic species, which means that it experiences conspicuous changes throughout development, enabling a morphological distinction between the juvenile and adult vegetative phases. Quantification of heteroblasty requires a practical, inexpensive, reliable, and non-destructive method, such as remote sensing. Moreover, relationships among ontogenetic changes and spectral signal at leaf level can be scaled up to support precision agriculture in passion fruit crops. In the present study, we used laboratory spectroscopic measurements (400-2500 nm) and narrowband vegetation indexes (or hyperspectral vegetation indexes - HVIs) to evaluate ontogenetic changes related to development and aging in P. edulis leaves. We also assessed leaf pigment concentration to further support the application of biochemical-related narrowband indexes. We report that 30-d-old leaves can be discriminated into developmental stages through their spectral signals. MSI (Moisture Stress Index) and NDVI750 (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ρ750) contribute most to the variation of age (15 to 30-d-old leaves) and developmental stage (phytomer positions along the plant axis) in passionfruit leaves. PRI (Photochemical Reflectance Index) played an important role in detecting age and development alterations, including heteroblasty. A biochemical and spectral comparison of pigments revealed that spectroscopy offered potential for diagnosing phenology in P. edulis, as some narrowband indexes correlated strongly with chlorophylls and carotenoids content. Narrowband vegetation indexes are found to be a suitable tool for monitoring passionfruit crops.

Using a portable hydrogen cyanide gas meter to uncover a dynamic phytochemical landscape.

PREMISE: Over 3000 species of plants and animals release toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas when their tissues are crushed. To investigate the role of cyanogenesis in Passiflora-herbivore interactions, we developed an inexpensive, rapid, sensitive method for measuring HCN emissions from crushed tissues. METHODS: The method includes crushed tissue confinement in a closed chamber, where cyanogenesis reactions occur, followed by evacuation of gas to a portable HCN meter. Parts per million readings are repeated at 5-min intervals until HCN is depleted. Three versions of the closed reaction chamber apparatus were tested: plastic cup, airtight combination mortar-pestle, and glass desiccator jar. RESULTS: We calibrated the method by comparing with a closed chamber measurement apparatus. The procedure's repeatability was demonstrated with a standard curve using known quantities of cyanogenic glycoside standard. Data collected with this method were also compared with the conventional colorimetric procedure. We processed over 2000 samples using this technique, revealing diverse elements of cyanogenic variation. CONCLUSIONS: These methods produced well-defined data with minimal error. Results illustrated a one to four order-of-magnitude variation at organizational levels ranging from individual leaves to the entire Passiflora community. We now have a promising tool for uncovering the HCN phytochemical landscape in unprecedented detail.

First record of Anastrepha pseudoparallela Loew (Diptera: Tephritidae) infesting passion flowers in Peru / Primer registro de Anastrepha pseudoparallela Loew (Diptera: Tephritidae) infestando pasifloras en Perú

Abstract Several species of the genus Anastrepha Schiner are associated to different hosts and have a great economic importance in fruit crops of the Neotropical region. Ripe and unripe fruits of six passion flowers species were sampled in Oxapampa during 2016 and 2018. Larvae of Anastrepha pseudoparallela Loew (Diptera: Tephritidae) were detected infesting fruits of Passiflora ambigua Hemsl and Passiflora quadrangularis L. For the first time, this fruit fly species is recorded attacking fruits of passion flowers in Peru.

Resumen Diversas especies del género Anastrepha Schiner están asociadas a diferentes hospederos y tienen gran importancia económica en la fruticultura de la región Neotropical. Frutos maduros e inmaduros de seis especies de Passiflora L. fueron colectados en Oxapampa durante el 2016 y 2018. Larvas de Anastrepha pseudoparallela Loew (Diptera: Tephritidae) fueron encontradas infestando frutos de Passiflora ambigua Hemsl y Passiflora quadrangularis L. Por primera vez, esta especie de mosca es registrada atacando frutos de pasifloras en el Perú.

Metabolic fingerprinting of banana passion fruits and its correlation with quorum quenching activity.

Banana passion fruit of the Passiflora genus, are commercially cultivated on a small to medium scale, mainly as edible fruits or as components of traditional herbal medicines. This subgenus comprises several species and hybrid specimens that grow readily in the wild. Due to their taxonomical complexity, many of these species have recently been reclassified (Ocampo Pérez and Coppens d'Eeckenbrugge, 2017), and their chemical profile has still to be determined. In this study, an 1H NMR-based platform was applied to the chemical profiling of seven wild species of the Passiflora subgenus, and UHPLC-DAD-MS was additionally used for the identification of phenolic compounds. A total of 59 compounds were detected including 26 O- and C-glycosidated flavonoids and polyphenols, nine organic acids, seven amino acids, GABA, sucrose, glucose, myo-inositol, and five other non-identified compounds. Two of the identified compounds are the previously undescribed C-glycosyl flavonoids, apigenin-4'-O-ß-glucopyranosyl, 8-C-ß-(6″acetyl)-glucopyranoside and apigenin-4-O-ß-glucopyranosyl-8-C-ß-neohesperidoside. These C-glycosyl flavonoids were isolated to confirm their proposed structures by NMR and LCMS analysis. The PCA score plots obtained from the 1H NMR data of the studied Passiflora samples showed P. cumbalensis and P. uribei as the species with the most distinguishable chemical profile. In addition, a correlation analysis using OPLS-DA was conducted between 1H-NMR data and the quorum quenching activity (QQ) of Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 31532. This analysis revealed P. lehmannii, and P. uribei extracts to be the most active, and apigenin-4'-O-ß-glucopyranosyl, 8-C-ß-(6″acetyl)-glucopyranoside and apigenin-4-O-ß-glucopyranosyl-8-C-ß-neohesperidoside were identified as possibly responsible for the QQ activity. To confirm this, QQ activity of both compounds was tested against C. violaceum ATCC 3153. An inhibition of violacein production of 0.135 mM (100 µg/mL) and 0.472 mM (300 µg/mL) was observed for apigenin-4'-O-ß-glucopyranosyl,8-C-ß-(6″acetyl)-glucopyranoside and apigenin-4-O-ß-glucopyranosyl-8-C-ß-neohesperidoside respectively, while bacterial growth was unaffected in both cases. Furthermore, both compounds showed the ability to inhibit the production of the toxoflavin of the phytopathogen Burkholderia glumae ATCC 33617.

Toward understanding inflorescence development and architecture in Passiflora: insights from comparative anatomy and expression of APETALA1.

PREMISE: The inflorescence of Passiflora species originates from a bud complex that derives from an initially undivided meristem and ultimately produces flowers and tendrils. Because the development of the inflorescence structures derived from such meristems has been variously interpreted, we investigated the ontogeny of the bud complex and the expression of APETALA1 (AP1) in Passiflora species. METHODS: The anatomical development of 15 species of Passiflora was analyzed using light and scanning electron microscopy. We localized AP1 expression in tissues during inflorescence initiation in two Passiflora species using in situ hybridization. RESULTS: In most species, the first primordium to differentiate from the bud complex is a bract, which develops laterally to what will become the inflorescence first-order axis, in this case, the tendril. The bract axillary meristem originates the second-order inflorescence axis meristem, which produces two bracteoles, subsequently developing into a floral meristem. AP1 is uniformly expressed in the initially undivided meristem, with expression maintained in the organ primordia derived from the bud complex. Signal is particularly strong in tendril tips. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that what is often understood as the first bract produced by a floral meristem actually is produced by the original axillary meristem. Bracteoles develop from the meristem in the bract axil; bracteoles plus floral meristem constitute the inflorescence second-order axis. Comparison of inflorescence early developmental stages in different subgenera indicates flowers are arranged in a modified cyme, with the tendril representing the inflorescence terminal portion. PasAP1 has a broad expression pattern and may have an important role during inflorescence development.

Highly accelerated rates of genomic rearrangements and nucleotide substitutions in plastid genomes of Passiflora subgenus Decaloba.

Plastid genomes (plastomes) of photosynthetic angiosperms are for the most part highly conserved in their organization, mode of inheritance and rates of nucleotide substitution. A small number of distantly related lineages share a syndrome of features that deviate from this general pattern, including extensive genomic rearrangements, accelerated rates of nucleotide substitution, biparental inheritance and plastome-genome incompatibility. Previous studies of plastomes in Passiflora with limited taxon sampling suggested that the genus exhibits this syndrome. To examine this phenomenon further, 15 new plastomes from Passiflora were sequenced and combined with previously published data to examine the phylogenetic relationships, genome organization and evolutionary rates across all five subgenera and the sister genus Adenia. Phylogenomic analyses using 68 protein-coding genes shared by Passiflora generated a fully resolved and strongly supported tree that is congruent with previous phylogenies based on a few plastid and nuclear loci. This phylogeny was used to examine the distribution of plastome rearrangements across Passiflora. Multiple gene and intron losses and inversions were identified in Passiflora with some occurring in parallel and others that extended across the Passifloraceae. Furthermore, extensive expansions and contractions of the inverted repeat (IR) were uncovered and in some cases this resulted in exclusion of all ribosomal RNA genes from the IR. The most highly rearranged lineage was subgenus Decaloba, which experienced extensive IR expansion that incorporated up to 25 protein-coding genes usually located in large single copy region. Nucleotide substitution rate analyses of 68 protein-coding genes across the genus showed lineage- and locus-specific acceleration. Significant increase in dS, dN and dN/dS was detected for clpP across the genus and for ycf4 in certain lineages. Significant increases in dN and dN/dS for ribosomal subunits and plastid-encoded RNA polymerase genes were detected in the branch leading to the expanded IR-clade in subgenus Decaloba. This subgenus displays the syndrome of unusual features, making it an ideal system to investigate the dynamic evolution of angiosperm plastomes.

Native Colombian Fruits and Their by-Products: Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant Activity and Hypoglycaemic Potential.

The phenols and fatty acids profile and in vitro antioxidant and hypoglycaemic activity of seed, peel, pulp or pulp plus seeds of Colombian fruits from Solanaceae and Passifloraceae families were investigated. Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC)-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS) revealed the presence of chlorogenic acid as dominant phenolic compound in Solanaceae samples. Based on the Relative Antioxidant Score (RACI) and Global Antioxidant Score (GAS) values, Solanum quitoense peel showed the highest antioxidant potential among Solanaceae samples while Passiflora tripartita fruits exhibited the highest antioxidant effects among Passifloraceae samples. P. ligularis seeds were the most active as hypoglycaemic agent with IC50 values of 22.6 and 24.8 µg/mL against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively. Considering that some of the most promising results were obtained by the processing waste portion, its use as functional ingredients should be considered for the development of nutraceutical products intended for patients with disturbance of glucose metabolism.

Imprecise descriptions of Passiflorariparia Martius ex Masters led to redundant descriptions as P.emiliae Sacco, P.crenata Feuillet & Cremers, P.pergrandis Holm-Nielsen & Lawesson and P.fernandezii Escobar.

Passiflorariparia was incompletely described by Masters, who cited specimens of Martius and Spruce. While Spruce 2191, the unique syntype with an observable corona, exhibits a reduced outermost series of filaments, the accompanying iconography represents two equal outer series. Later descriptions have neither added significant information nor corrected the inconsistency in the corona description, so that four closely related species have been distinguished on the basis of traits not properly documented for P.riparia: P.emiliae (unequal outer series of filaments), P.crenata (bract color), P.pergrandis (flower size and sepal awn length), and P.fernandezii (hypanthium pubescence and shape). The present study compares (i) the descriptions of the above-mentioned taxa and (ii) 43 associated vouchers, as well as live specimens from two associated P.crenata populations. These and other specimens were georeferenced for a comparison of their distribution and habitat. Of the five P.riparia descriptions found in floras, only that of the Flora of Ecuador appears clearly divergent, corresponding in fact to P.tolimana. Those of the four other taxa only differ by unequal corona filaments (except for P.crenata) and the pubescence of floral parts. However, 22 vouchers associated with all these descriptions (including 16 for P.riparia), as well as the live specimens, share both these traits; the other 21 vouchers were uninformative and/or could not be assigned to any of the five species. The wider sample of 62 specimens indicates no significant differences in either geographic or in climatic distribution (lowlands of the Amazon basin), and a marked preference for riparian habitats. Thus, their very close morphology and ecology justify the placement of P.emiliae, P.crenata, P.pergrandis and P.fernandezii as synonyms of P.riparia, designating Spruce 2191 as epitype. The most similar species, P.ambigua (20 specimens mapped), differs in corolla and bract color, as well as a distribution centered along the tropical Andes of South America and in Central America, in more diverse habitats.

Production of biomolecules of interest to the anxiolytic herbal medicine industry in yellow passionfruit leaves (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa) promoted by mycorrhizal inoculation.

BACKGROUND: Our contemporary way of life has led us to consume high amounts of chemically-synthesized allopathic medicinal products and anxiolytics to which a viable alternative is the use of Passiflora-based herbal medicines with composition containing vitexin, a flavonoid with anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known for enhancing the production of biomolecules, however, increase production of phytochemistry in Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa has not been reported in the literature. Our aim was to select AMF to benefit the production of vitexin in leaves of P. edulis by inoculating seedlings in the region of roots with Acaulospora longula, Claroideoglomus etunicatum and Gigaspora albida. RESULTS: The inoculation increased the concentration of vitexin in 63.64% and the inoculation with A. longula also increased the content of flavonoids and total saponins in the leaves in relation to the control. CONCLUSION: The increase in the production of vitexin in the leaf in response to the inoculation with AMF, with emphasis to A. longula, interests the pharmaceutical industry and can generate profit to the production of yellow passionfruit-based anxiolytic herbal medicine. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Etnobotánica de las flores de la pasión (Passiflora) en la provincia andina de Angaraes (Huancavelica, Perú) / Ethnobotany of passion flowers (Passiflora) in the Andean province of Angaraes (Huancavelica, Perú)

A study about the useful species of the genus Passiflora (Passifloraceae) found in a mountains province of Angaraes (Huancavelica, Perú) is presented. The methodology used was based on guided visits and semi-structured interviews to 50 informants who lived in the province of Angaraes. Seven species grouped in five categories of use were reported. Categories with a higher quantity of reported usage were food for humans (95 reports) and medicine (65 reports). The category with greater diversity of species was fodder (6 species). The part of the plant used most often was the fruit (80%). Two species were described as cultivated and five have been recorded as in wildlife state. The species with greater cultural importance were P. tripartita var. mollissima and P. pinnatistipula, since their fruits are much appreciated by the locals and commercialized in province fairs, demonstrating that the cultivation of these plant resources is the main livelihood in the region. Finally, a key is included in order to allow the identification of each of the species of Passiflora which inhabit in the study area.

Se presenta un estudio sobre las especies útiles del género Passiflora (Passifloraceae) de una provincia andina de Angaraes (Huancavelica, Perú). La metodología utilizada se basó en visitas guiadas y entrevistas semiestructuradas a 50 informantes de la provincia de Angaraes. Se reportaron siete especies agrupadas en cinco categorías de uso. Las categorías con mayores reportes de uso fueron alimento para humanos (95 reportes) y medicinal (65 reportes). La categoría con mayor riqueza de especies es alimento para animales (seis especies). La parte utilizada con mayor frecuencia es el fruto (80%). Dos especies fueron descritas como cultivadas y cinco han sido registradas en estado silvestre. Las especies con mayor importancia cultural fueron P. tripartita var. mollissima y P. pinnatistipula, siendo sus frutos muy apreciados y comercializados en las ferias de la provincia, lo cual demuestra que los pobladores dependen de sus recursos vegetales para su subsistencia. Finalmente, se incluye una clave que permite diferenciar las especies de Passiflora que habitan en la zona de estudio.