Physicochemical characterization and cosmetic applications of Passiflora nitida Kunth leaf extract

Abstract Passiflora nitida Kunth, an Amazonian Passiflora species, is little studied, although the specie's high biological potential. Herein the plant's pharmacognostic characterization, extract production, antioxidant potential evaluation, and application of this extract in cosmetic products is reported. The physical chemical parameters analyzed were particle size by sieve analysis, loss through drying, extractive yield, total ash content, laser granulometry, specific surface area and pore diameter (SBET), differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry (TG), and wave dispersive X-Ray fluorescence (WDXRF). Total phenol/flavonoid content, LC-MS/MS analysis, DPPH and ABTS antioxidant radical assays, cytotoxicity, melanin, and tyrosinase inhibition in melanocytes test provided evidence to determine the content of the major constituent. P. nitida dry extract provided a fine powder with mesopores determined by SBET, with the TG curve showing five stages of mass loss. The antioxidant potential ranged between 23.5-31.5 mg∙mL-1 and tyrosinase inhibition between 400-654 µg∙mL-1. The species presented an antimelanogenic effect and an inhibitory activity of cellular tyrosinase (26.6%) at 25 µg/mL. The LC-MS/MS analysis of the spray-dried extract displayed the main and minor phenolic compounds constituting this sample. The results indicate that P. nitida extract has promising features for the development of cosmetic formulations

Responses of Passiflora spp. to cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus reveal infection in asymptomatic plants and new species with probable immunity.

Passion fruit woodiness disease (PWD), caused by cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV), produces socioeconomic problems in Brazil. The objectives of this study were to i) evaluate the temporal progression of PWD, ii) identify Passiflora genotypes with resistance to CABMV, and iii) detect virus infection in asymptomatic plants by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in cases where standard RT-PCR detection failed. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using 128 genotypes belonging to 12 species and three hybrids (inter- and intraspecific) of Passiflora, evaluated at five time points after inoculation. Progression rates and disease severity were lower in P. cincinnata, P. gibertii, P. miersii, and P. mucronata than in P. edulis, P. alata, Passiflora sp., and hybrids. Of the genotypes tested, 20.31% were resistant, especially the accessions of P. suberosa, P. malacophylla, P. setacea, P. pohlii, and P. bahiensis, which remained asymptomatic throughout the experiment. The absence of symptoms does not imply immunity of plants to the virus, since RT-qPCR analysis confirmed infection by the virus in asymptomatic plants of P. cincinnata, P. gibertii, P. miersii, P. mucronata, P. setacea, P. malacophylla, and P. suberosa. Even after four inoculations, the virus was not detected by RT-qPCR in the upper leaves in plants of the species P. pohlii and P. bahiensis, indicating that these species are probably immune to CABMV.

A Repertory of Rearrangements and the Loss of an Inverted Repeat Region in Passiflora Chloroplast Genomes.

Chloroplast genomes (cpDNA) in angiosperms are usually highly conserved. Although rearrangements have been observed in some lineages, such as Passiflora, the mechanisms that lead to rearrangements are still poorly elucidated. In the present study, we obtained 20 new chloroplast genomes (18 species from the genus Passiflora, and Dilkea retusa and Mitostemma brevifilis from the family Passifloraceae) in order to investigate cpDNA evolutionary history in this group. Passiflora cpDNAs vary in size considerably, with ∼50 kb between shortest and longest. Large inverted repeat (IR) expansions were identified, and at the extreme opposite, the loss of an IR was detected for the first time in Passiflora, a rare event in angiosperms. The loss of an IR region was detected in Passiflora capsularis and Passiflora costaricensis, a species in which occasional biparental chloroplast inheritance has previously been reported. A repertory of rearrangements such as inversions and gene losses were detected, making Passiflora one of the few groups with complex chloroplast genome evolution. We also performed a phylogenomic study based on all the available cp genomes and our analysis implies that there is a need to reconsider the taxonomic classifications of some species in the group.

Origin of the cultivated passion fruit Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and genomic relationships among species of the subgenera Decaloba and Passiflora.

Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa is the most economically important species in the genus Passiflora. However, the origin of this yellow form of passion fruit remains unclear, being suggested as a hybrid (P. edulis f. edulis × P. ligularis) or wild mutant. Here, the origin and genomic relationships of P. edulis f. flavicarpa with some related species in the genus Passiflora (subgenera Decaloba and Passiflora) were investigated using genomic in situ hybridization (GISH). Genomic DNA of 18 species was used as probe, which was hybridized onto chromosomes of P. edulis f. flavicarpa. Of all genomic DNA probes tested, none allowed us to identify a specific chromosome set in P. edulis f. flavicarpa. Conversely, probes from the subgenus Passiflora, P. edulis f. edulis, P. alata, P. cincinnata, P. coccinea, P. nitida and P. vitifolia, produced intense and uniform hybridizations on all chromosomes of P. edulis f. flavicarpa. Moreover, probes from P. ligularis, P. foetida and P. sublanceolata produced more intense hybridizations in the terminal region of four chromosomes, corresponding to the DNAr 45S locus, and also dispersed, less intense, hybridization across all chromosomes. Probes from the subgenus Decaloba, P. biflora, P. capsularis, P. cervii, P. coriacea, P. micropetala, P. morifolia, P. rubra and P. suberosa, produced hybridizations restricted to the DNAr 45S sites. The hybrid origin of P. edulis f. flavicarpa could not be supported based on the GISH results, and it is suggested that this species is conspecific with P. edulis f. edulis, because the probe with DNA of this form hybridized strongly throughout the target genome. The other putative parent species, P. ligularis, showed only a distant relationship with the target genome. The results also suggest that species of the subgenus Passiflora share many repetitive sequences and that the relationship between subgenera Decaloba and Passiflora is very distant.

Transposable element discovery and characterization of LTR-retrotransposon evolutionary lineages in the tropical fruit species Passiflora edulis.

A significant proportion of plant genomes is consists of transposable elements (TEs), especially LTR retrotransposons (LTR-RTs) which are known to drive genome evolution. However, not much information is available on the structure and evolutionary role of TEs in the Passifloraceae family (Malpighiales order). Against this backdrop, we identified, characterized, and inferred the potential genomic impact of the TE repertoire found in the available genomic resources for Passiflora edulis, a tropical fruit species. A total of 250 different TE sequences were identified (96% Class I, and 4% Class II), corresponding to ~ 19% of the P. edulis draft genome. TEs were found preferentially in intergenic spaces (70.4%), but also overlapping genes (30.6%). LTR-RTs accounted for 181 single elements corresponding to ~ 13% of the draft genome. A phylogenetic inference of the reverse transcriptase domain of the LTR-RT revealed association of 37 elements with the Copia superfamily (Angela, Ale, Tork, and Sire) and 128 with the Gypsy (Del, Athila, Reina, CRM, and Galadriel) superfamily, and Del elements were the most frequent. Interestingly, according to insertion time analysis, the majority (95.9%) of the LTR-RTs were recently inserted into the P. edulis genome (< 2.0 Mya), and with the exception of the Athila lineage, all LTR-RTs are transcriptionally active. Moreover, functional analyses disclosed that the Angela, Del, CRM and Tork lineages are conserved in wild Passiflora species, supporting the idea of a common expansion of Copia and Gypsy superfamilies. Overall, this is the first study describing the P. edulis TE repertoire, and it also lends weight to the suggestion that LTR-RTs had a recent expansion into the analyzed gene-rich region of the P. edulis genome, possibly along WGD (Whole genome duplication) events, but are under negative selection due to their potential deleterious impact on gene regions.

In vitro regeneration of Ugandan passion fruit cultivars from leaf discs.

OBJECTIVE: Passion fruit improvement efforts by conventional breeding have had limited success calling for research into alternative approaches such as tissue culture and genetic engineering. An efficient and reproducible regeneration system is a prerequisite for successful genetic engineering. Currently, there is no reliable regeneration system for Uganda's passion fruit varieties owing to the high heterogeneity of the Passiflora genus. Therefore, this study aimed at establishing an efficient and reproducible regeneration system for Uganda's Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa (yellow passion fruit) and Passiflora edulis f. edulis (purple passion fruit) for routine utilization with an ultimate goal of improving its agronomic value. RESULTS: The study successfully induced shoots by both direct and indirect organogenesis for the yellow passion fruit variety. Highest shoot induction frequency (14.85%) was achieved on 8.9 µM BAP while 7.9 µM BAP did not initiate any shoots. Optimal shoot elongation and rooting was achieved on 0.44 µM BAP and 5.37 µM α-naphthaleneacetic (NAA) respectively. Rooted yellow passion fruit plantlets were successfully weaned with over 65% survival rates. It took approximately 6 months to produce a weaned healthy passion fruit plant. The purple passion fruit variety proved to be recalcitrant to tissue culture with no successful shoot or callus induction.

A comparative study of phytoconstituents and antibacterial activity of in vitro derived materials of four Passiflora species.

Passiflora species are well known for their common use in popular medicine for the treatment of several diseases, such as insomnia, anxiety, and hysteria, in addition to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic and antibacterial potential. However, few data about the chemical composition and the medicinal potential of in vitro derived materials are available. Therefore, the goal of this work was to compare, for the first time, the phytoconstituents of in vitro derived materials of four Passiflora species, and evaluate the antibacterial potential of their extracts against 20 Gram-positive and negative strains. Chromatographic analysis indicated the presence of saponins in roots extracts from all studied species, whereas leaf extracts presented both saponins and flavonoids. Extracts from leaves and roots of P. alata and P. foetida exhibited a selective inhibitory activity against B. thuringiensis and S. pyogenes, which might be related to the presence of a high concentration of secondary metabolites, including flavonoids and saponins.

Comparative pollen morphological analysis in the subgenera Passiflora and Decaloba.

The genus Passiflora is the most diversified of the Passifloraceae, and its palynology presents wide morphological variability. The objective of the study was to evaluate the pollen morphology of 18 Passiflora species in order to identify informative pollinic characteristics to contribute to the taxonomic classification of the genus. The morphology of the pollen grains and the exine structure were investigated using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Differences in the pollen morphology were found in the studied species, mainly in terms of shape, pollen aperture and ornamentation pattern of the exine. Most of the species belonging to the subgenus Passiflora presented ornamented 6-syncolpate pollen grains with an oblate-spheroidal shape and an exine with large lumens. In the subgenus Decaloba the pollen grains were 6-colporate, 12-colpate and 12-colporate, with subprolate to prolate-spheroidal shape, as well as an exine with smaller lumen size and few ornamented. The pollen morphology of the species of the subgenera Passiflora and Decaloba has shown palynological characteristics that have specific diagnostic value, thus allowing a better understanding of the taxonomy of the genus Passiflora.

Características de silagens de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum) e casca de maracujá in natura / Characteristics of Pennisetum purpureum and passion-fruit-peel silages

Objetivou-se avaliar as características sensoriais, as perdas totais, o padrão fermentativo e a composição bromatológica de silagens contendo combinações de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum) com diferentes tempos de emurchecimento e casca de maracujá in natura (CM). Os tratamentos experimentais foram compostos por silagens confeccionadas com 100% de capim-elefante (CE); 100% de casca de maracujá; 75% CE/25% CM; 50%/CE 50% CM; 25% CE/75% CM, para cada tempo de emurchecimento do capim (zero; quatro; seis e oito horas), com três repetições. As silagens apresentaram coloração amarelada, odor levemente acre, exalando maracujá nos tratamentos contendo CM. Observou-se um aumento da perda total das silagens contendo casca de maracujá (0,09; 0,15; 1,01; 1,77 e 2,52kg de perdas para os tratamentos 100% CE; 75% CE/25% CM; 50% CE/50% CM; 25% CE/75% CM e 100% CM, respectivamente). O pH e o N-NH3 variaram de 3.58 a 4.63 e de 8.11 a 12.13, respectivamente. Tratamentos com CM reduziram os teores de MS, FDN e carboidratos totais e elevaram as concentrações de PB, NIDA, NIDN e carboidratos não fibrosos das silagens avaliadas. Mesmo com baixos níveis de MS, os tratamentos proporcionaram silagens de boa qualidade.(AU)

This study aimed at evaluating sensorial characteristics, total waste, fermentative profile, and chemical composition of Pennisetum purpureum (PP) and passion-fruit-peel (PFP) silages. Four PP dehydration times (0,4,6 and 8 hours) and five combinations of ingredients (100% PP; 100% PFP; 75% PP/25% PFP; 50% PP/50% PFP; 25% PP/75% PFP) were evaluated. The silages presented a yellowish color, a slightly acrid odor, and exhaled passion fruit scent in the treatments containing PFP. There was an increase in total waste of silages containing passion fruit peel (0.09, 0.15, 1.01, 1.77 and 2.52kg of waste for treatments 100% PP, 75% PP/25% PFP, 50% PP/50% PFP, 25% CE/75% CM and 100% CM, respectively). The pH and N-NH3 values ranged from 3.58 to 4.63 and 8.11 to 12.13, respectively. Mixtures containing PFP decreased the levels of DM and NDF and increased the levels of CP, NFC, ADIN and NDIN in the silages. Despite the reduced levels of DM, all treatments provided a good silage.(AU)

Screening of Passiflora L. mineral content using principal component analysis and Kohonen self-organizing maps.

A method using digestion with diluted nitric acid and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was applied to determine metal ions in the peel, pulp, and seed of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and Passiflora cincinnata cultivated in the Bahia state, Brazil. Plasma parameters (radio frequency power and argon flow rates) were optimized. The quantification limits (µg g-1) were: Ca (43.0); Co (1.3); Cu (10.0); Fe (10.0); K (20.0); Mg (26.6); Mn (0.33); Na (56.6) and Zn (10.0). The accuracy of the method was evaluated by the analysis of certified reference materials (NIST 1567a Wheat Flour and NIST 1577b Bovine Liver). Recovery studies were carried out and values found were between 89 and 120%. PCA and Kohonen self-organizing maps showed the formation of groups, corresponding to the fruit parts. Thus, passion fruit has great importance and biological potential, due to its high content of K and low Na.

Morphometric analysis of Passiflora leaves: the relationship between landmarks of the vasculature and elliptical Fourier descriptors of the blade.

Background: Leaf shape among Passiflora species is spectacularly diverse. Underlying this diversity in leaf shape are profound changes in the patterning of the primary vasculature and laminar outgrowth. Each of these aspects of leaf morphology-vasculature and blade-provides different insights into leaf patterning. Results: Here, we morphometrically analyze >3300 leaves from 40 different Passiflora species collected sequentially across the vine. Each leaf is measured in two different ways: using 1) 15 homologous Procrustes-adjusted landmarks of the vasculature, sinuses, and lobes; and 2) Elliptical Fourier Descriptors (EFDs), which quantify the outline of the leaf. The ability of landmarks, EFDs, and both datasets together are compared to determine their relative ability to predict species and node position within the vine. Pairwise correlation of x and y landmark coordinates and EFD harmonic coefficients reveals close associations between traits and insights into the relationship between vasculature and blade patterning. Conclusions: Landmarks, more reflective of the vasculature, and EFDs, more reflective of the blade contour, describe both similar and distinct features of leaf morphology. Landmarks and EFDs vary in ability to predict species identity and node position in the vine and exhibit a correlational structure (both within landmark or EFD traits and between the two data types) revealing constraints between vascular and blade patterning underlying natural variation in leaf morphology among Passiflora species.

Farinha da casca do fruto de Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg (maracujá-amarelo): do potencial terapêutico aos efeitos adversos / Peel flour of the Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg (yellow passion fruit): From therapeutic potentials to side effects.

RESUMO O maracujá-amarelo (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg) é considerado um alimento funcional, visto que, além de funções nutricionais, desempenha ações em vias metabólicas específicas. A farinha da casca do maracujá-amarelo (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg) é rica em pectina. Esta fibra reduz a absorção de glicídios e lipídios, influenciando no metabolismo destes nutrientes. Portadores de patologias associadas às alterações no metabolismo glicêmico e lipidêmico têm utilizado este recurso de forma indiscriminada. Porém, substâncias designadas glicosídeos cianogênicos, presentes na casca do fruto são tóxicas ao organismo e prejudiciais à saúde. Ademais, o uso exacerbado de agrotóxicos na produção do maracujá é preocupante e a ingestão destes compostos também pode acarretar complicações à saúde. Portanto, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi sintetizar o conhecimento disponível referente aos efeitos terapêuticos e colaterais da suplementação com a farinha da casca do maracujá-amarelo (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg). Foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica nas bases de dados indexadas SCIELO, LILACS e PUBMED, sem limitação quanto ao período de publicação. Os estudos inclusos no trabalho, de forma unânime, apresentam eficácia da suplementação com a farinha da casca do maracujá-amarelo. A trituração da casca do fruto, realizada no processo de obtenção da farinha, é incapaz de promover redução de glicosídeos cianogênicos e agrotóxicos, permitindo que os indivíduos submetidos à suplementação estejam susceptíveis aos efeitos tóxicos destes compostos. Dessa forma, o desenvolvimento de estudos que avaliem a toxicidade da suplementação por períodos crônicos é de suma importância. Referente ao uso de agrotóxicos, a produção da farinha com frutos orgânicos pode ser uma alternativa para atenuar a toxicidade, sendo necessária a elucidação desta hipótese através de estudos.

ABSTRACT The yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg) is considered a functional food, because, in addition to nutritional functions, it performs actions in specific metabolic pathways. The yellow passion fruit peel flour (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg) is rich in pectin. This fiber reduces the absorption of carbohydrates and lipids, influencing the metabolism of these nutrients. Individuals affected by pathologies associated with alterations in the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates have used this resource indiscriminately, however, substances called cyanogenic glycosides, present in the fruit peel, are toxic to the body and harmful to health. In addition, the overuse of pesticides in passion fruit production is becoming worrisome and the ingestion of these compounds can also cause negative health implications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to synthesize the available knowledge regarding the therapeutic effects and side effects of supplementation with the yellow passion fruit peel flour (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg). A literature review was conducted from the indexed databases SCIELO, LILACS and PUBMED, without limitation to the publication period. The studies included in the work, unanimously, have effectiveness of supplementation with yellow passion fruit peel flour (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg). The crushing of the fruit peel, performed in the process of obtaining flour, is unable to promote a reduction of cyanogenic glycosides and pesticides, causing individuals undergoing supplementation to be susceptible to the toxic effects of these compounds. Thus, this study’s development to evaluate the toxicity of supplementation for chronic periods is very important. With reference to the use of pesticides, flour production with organic fruits can be an alternative to attenuate toxicity and it is necessary to elucidate this hypothesis through this study.

Ethanolic extract of Passiflora edulis Sims leaves inhibits protein glycation and restores the oxidative burst in diabetic rat macrophages after Candida albicans exposure

abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the ethanolic extract of Passiflora edulis leaves on blood glucose, protein glycation, NADPH oxidase activity and macrophage phagocytic capacity after Candida albicans exposure in diabetic rats. The Passiflora edulis Sims leaves were dried to 40°C, powdered, extracted by maceration in 70% ethanol, evaporated under reduced pressure and lyophilised. The biochemical tests performed were total phenolic content (TP) as determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay, trapping potential DPPH assay and total iron-reducing potential. Diabetes was induced by alloxan injection. Protein glycation was determined by AGE and fructosamine serum concentrations. Extract-treated diabetic animals demonstrated lower fructosamine concentrations compared with the diabetic group. Our results suggest that ethanolic Passiflora edulis Sims leaf extraction may have beneficial effects on diabetes and may improve glycaemic control in diabetic rats.

resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do extrato etanólico de folhas de Passiflora edulis sobre os níveis de glicose sanguínea, glicação protéica, produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ERO) e capacidade fagocítica de macrófagos de ratos diabéticos. As folhas de Passiflora edulis Sims foram secas a 40 °C, trituradas e o extrato preparado por maceração em solução hidroetanólica 70% (v/v) etanol foi evaporado sob pressão reduzida e liofilizado. Os testes químicos realizados demonstraram que além da presença de compostos fenólicos, determinada pelo método de Folin-Ciocalteu, o extrato apresentou potencial sequestrante de radicais DPPH e redutor de ferro. Nos animais diabéticos foi observado aumento na glicação protéica, avaliada pela concentração de frutosaminas e de produtos de glicação avançada (AGE), e redução na produção de ERO por macrófagos frente à Candida albicans, quando comparados ao grupo controle. O tratamento dos animais diabéticos com o extrato reduziu as concentrações de frutosaminas e manteve a produção de ERO em níveis semelhantes aos observados no grupo controle. Nossos resultados sugerem que o extrato etanólico de folhas de Passiflora edulis Sims pode apresentar efeitos benéficos sobre o diabetes e melhorar o controle glicêmico em ratos diabéticos.

Influência do processo de secagem e condição de armazenamento de extratos secos de Bauhinia forficata e Passiflora alata sobre seu perfil de dissolução / Influence of the drying process and storage condition on the dissolution behavior of dried extracts of Bauhinia forficata and Passiflora alata

No Brasil, os produtos fitoterápicos são considerados medicamentos, sendo necessário o estabelecimento de estudos que assegurem a manutenção dos requisitos de qualidade durante o processamento e o armazenamento. Testes de dissolução podem ser empregados para se estimar a biodisponibilidade de um fármaco, sendo uma análise rotineira no desenvolvimento e controle de qualidade de medicamentos alopáticos. A determinação do perfil de dissolução de fitoterápicos também pode ser um importante critério para avaliação da sua qualidade lote-a-lote, bem como para os estudos de desenvolvimento e de estabilidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a influência dos métodos de secagem e da condição de armazenagem sobre os perfis de dissolução dos flavonoides totais de extratos secos de duas plantas medicinais bastante difundidas no Brasil, a Bauhinia forficata e a Passiflora alata. Os extratos secos foram produzidos pelo processo de secagem em leito de jorro e em spray drying, sendo submetidos a condições de armazenagem aceleradas (temperatura de 40 ± 2ºC e umidade relativa de 75 ± 5%, por um período de 90 dias). Os perfis de dissolução foram obtidos para amostras de extratos secos antes e após o período de armazenamento. O teor de flavonoides totais foi quantificado por espectrofotometria. Os extratos secos de B. forficata e P. alata apresentaram adequada liberação de flavonoides nos ensaios de dissolução. Os extratos secos de Passiflora alata apresentaram completa dissolução dos flavonoides, 92% e 98% dos teores originais após 60 minutos de ensaio, respectivamente para o extrato seco em leito de jorro e em spray drying.

In Brazil, most of the herbal medicinal products are considered as medicine. Therefore, it is necessary the establishment of tests to guarantee the maintenance of quality requirements during their processing and storage. The dissolution test is used to estimate the bioavailability of drugs and is routinely used in the development and the quality control of allopathic medicines. The determination of the dissolution profile of herbal products can also be an important criterion for assessing the batch-to-batch quality as well as for studies of product development and stability. This work aimed to investigate the dissolution profiles of dried extracts of two medicinal plants widely used in Brazil, the Bauhinia forficata and Passiflora alata, by assessing the effect of the drying methods and storage condition on the release of the total flavonoid contents. Spouted bed and spray drying were the processes used for the production of the dried extracts. The products were subjected to accelerated storage conditions (temperature of 40 ± 2ºC and relative humidity of 75 ± 5%, for 90 days). The dissolution profiles of the dried extracts, before and after storage, were determined. The concentration of total flavonoids was quantified by spectrophotometry. Adequate dissolution profiles of flavonoids from B. forficata and P. alata were obtained for all the dried extracts produced. The dried extracts of Passiflora alata showed the complete dissolution of flavonoids in the dissolution media investigated, respectively 92% and 98% of flavonoids present in the dried extracts in spouted bed and spray drying after 60 minutes of the dissolution testing.

ISSR markers in wild species of Passiflora L. (Passifloraceae) as a tool for taxon selection in ornamental breeding.

Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) molecular markers were developed and used to investigate interspecific genetic variation in 25 wild species of Passiflora preserved in an active germplasm bank (BAG-Passifloras); intraspecific diversity was also analyzed in P. cincinnata accessions. Of 31 primers tested, 20 identified polymorphic loci with a total of 331 bands, suggesting high polymorphism in the sample. Interspecific polymorphism was greater than intraspecific polymorphism. This is a common finding in studies of genetic variation using dominant markers. The ISSRs revealed species-specific amplification bands in 11 species; these bands ranged from 200 to 1000 bp, and they will be of use for developing SCAR markers for the identification of germplasm in further studies. The use of Jaccard's similarity coefficient to obtain a dendrogram by the UPGMA clustering method distributed the taxa into five major groups, with differences among grouping with respect to principal coordinate analysis. Despite the high cophenetic correlation coefficient (r = 0.94) of the dendrogram, taxonomic inconsistencies were observed; similar irregularities have been reported previously in studies using dominant markers. Intraspecific analysis of P. cincinnata accessions revealed a larger genetic distance between those from Bahia (P2) and from Minas Gerais (P2), indicating that both accessions have considerable potential as parents in a genetic improvement program for this species.

Molecular genetic variability of commercial and wild accessions of passion fruit (Passiflora spp.) targeting ex situ conservation and breeding.

Passiflora species are distributed throughout Latin America, and Brazil and Colombia serve as the centers of diversity for this genus. We performed cross-species amplification to evaluate 109 microsatellite loci in 14 Passiflora species and estimated the diversity and genetic structure of Passiflora cincinnata, Passiflora setaceae and Passiflora edulis. A total of 127 accessions, including 85 accessions of P. edulis, a commercial species, and 42 accessions of 13 wild species, were examined. The cross-species amplification was effective for obtaining microsatellite loci (average cross-amplification of 70%). The average number of alleles per locus (five) was relatively low, and the average diversity ranged from 0.52 in P. cincinnata to 0.32 in P. setacea. The Bayesian analyses indicated that the P. cincinnata and P. setacea accessions were distributed into two groups, and the P. edulis accessions were distributed into five groups. Private alleles were identified, and suggestions for core collections are presented. Further collections are necessary, and the information generated may be useful for breeding and conservation.

Genetic breeding and diversity of the genus Passiflora: progress and perspectives in molecular and genetic studies.

Despite the ecological and economic importance of passion fruit (Passiflora spp.), molecular markers have only recently been utilized in genetic studies of this genus. In addition, both basic genetic researches related to population studies and pre-breeding programs of passion fruit remain scarce for most Passiflora species. Considering the number of Passiflora species and the increasing use of these species as a resource for ornamental, medicinal, and food purposes, the aims of this review are the following: (i) to present the current condition of the passion fruit crop; (ii) to quantify the applications and effects of using molecular markers in studies of Passiflora; (iii) to present the contributions of genetic engineering for passion fruit culture; and (iv) to discuss the progress and perspectives of this research. Thus, the present review aims to summarize and discuss the relationship between historical and current progress on the culture, breeding, and molecular genetics of passion fruit.

Adaptability and stability analysis of the juice yield of yellow passion fruit varieties.

This study analyzed the genotype x environment interaction (GE) for the juice productivity (JuProd) of 12 yellow passion fruit varieties (Passiflora edulis Sims. f. flavicarpa Deg.) using additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model and auxiliary parameters. The experiments were conducted in eight environments of Bahia State, Brazil, using a randomized block design with three replications. Analysis of variance showed significant effects (P ≤ 0.01) for environments, genotypes, and GE interaction. The first two interaction principal component axes (IPCAs) explained 81.00% of the sum of squares of the GE interaction. The AMMI1 and AMMI2 models showed that varieties 09 and 11 were the most stable. Other parameters, namely, the AMMI stability value (ASV), yield stability (YSI), sustainability, and stability index (StI), indicated that other varieties were more stable. These varying results were certainly a consequence of methodological differences. In contrast, the ranking of varieties for each of the stability parameters showed significant positive correlations (P ≤ 0.05) between IPCA1 x (ASV, YSI), JuProd x (StI, YSI), YSI x ASV, and StI x YSI. Cluster analysis based on the genotypic profile of the effects of the GE interaction identified three groups that correlated with the distribution of varieties in the AMMI1 biplot. However, the classification of stable genotypes was limited because the association with the productivity was not included in the analysis. Variety 08 showed the most stable and productive behavior, ranking above average in half of the environments, and it should be recommended for use.

Genetic diversity in Passiflora species assessed by morphological and its sequence analysis.

This study used morphological characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA to investigate the phylogeny of Passiflora species. The samples were collected from various regions of East Malaysia, and discriminant function analysis based on linear combinations of morphological variables was used to classify the Passiflora species. The biplots generated five distinct groups discriminated by morphological variables. The group consisted of cultivars of P. edulis with high levels of genetic similarity; in contrast, P. foetida was highly divergent from other species in the morphological biplots. The final dataset of aligned sequences from nine studied Passiflora accessions and 30 other individuals obtained from GenBank database (NCBI) yielded one most parsimonious tree with two strongly supported clades. Maximum parsimony (MP) tree showed the phylogenetic relationships within this subgenus Passiflora support the classification at the series level. The constructed phylogenic tree also confirmed the divergence of P. foetida from all other species and the closeness of wild and cultivated species. The phylogenetic relationships were consistent with results of morphological assessments. The results of this study indicate that ITS region analysis represents a useful tool for evaluating genetic diversity in Passiflora at the species level.