Mineral contents of some plants used as condiments in Turkey

Chemotaxonomic and micromorphological traits of Satureja montana L. and S. subspicata Vis. (Lamiaceae)

Satureja montana and S. subspicata are used as spice, pepper substitute, for preparing tea, juice, and as a medicine. Fourteen populations (seven per species) of Satureja montana L. and S. subspicata Vis. growing in Croatia were examined to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil (analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS), the content of macroelements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) and trace elements (B, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Al, Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni, Hg, As) analyzed by ICP-AES, antioxidant compounds (analyzed by UV/VIS spectrophotometer), and the types and distribution of trichomes (analyzed by scanning electron microscopy). The main constituents of the essential oil were carvacrol and thymol in S. montana (all populations belong to one phenol chemotype), while α-eudesmol, β-eudesmol, and spathulenol dominated in S. subspicata (three chemotypes could be distinguished). Both species possess considerably higher quantities of Ca and Mg, and moderate concentrations of K and Na, while Hg and As levels were below the limit of quantification. Non-glandular trichomes, peltate trichomes, and three types of capitate trichomes were observed on leaves, stem, calyx, and corolla.

Heavy metals in spices and herbs from wholesale markets in Malaysia

As, Cd, Pb and Hg were analysed in commonly consumed spices and herbs in Malaysia. The range of As, Cd, Pb and Hg content was 0.24-2.54, 0.23-8.07, 1.54-8.94 and 0.06-0.52 µg g(-1), respectively. The highest concentration of Cd, Pb and Hg in spices and herbs exceeded the maximum permitted proportion, which are 1, 2 and 0.05 µg g(-1), respectively. This study suggests further monitoring of Cd, Pb and Hg on daily consumption of spices and herbs and its toxicological implication for consumers since only the amount of As was lower than the permitted concentration.

Evaluation of trace element contents of some herbal plants and spices retailed in Kayseri, Turkey

The trace element contents of seven kinds of herbal plants and spice samples retailed in local markets in Kayseri-Turkey were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after digestion with HNO(3)/H(2)O(2) mixture. The concentration ranges for the studied elements were found as 6.0-15.2, 0-32.2, 80.0-324.8, 8.1-386.3, and 13.1-36.2 μg/g for copper, nickel, iron, manganese, and zinc, respectively. The levels of cobalt, lead, and chromium ions in all the investigated samples were found to be below the detection limit of flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The results found in the present work were compared with values in the literature.

Evaluation of the comprehensiveness and reliability of the chromium composition of foods in the literature ()

In the early 1960s, trivalent chromium Cr(3+) became recognized as an essential trace element due to its potential metabolic and cardiovascular benefits. No comprehensive chromium database currently exists; thus a thorough review of the literature was conducted to examine the availability and reliability of chromium data for foods. A number of key issues were identified that challenge the feasibility of adding chromium to a food and nutrient database. Foremost, dietary chromium data reported in the literature prior to 1980 cannot be relied on because of problematic analytical issues before that time. Next, paucity of data emerged as an issue that could impede database completeness. Finally, large variation in reported chromium content of foods may render disputable representative chromium values. This variation has been speculated to originate from differences in growing and particularly processing foods. Furthermore, contamination of chromium from laboratory equipment and/or materials is possible and also believed to contribute to the variation observed in reported values. As a result, database developers must carefully consider the availability and reliability of information on the chromium composition of foods when deciding whether to incorporate chromium into or exclude it from a nutrient database.

Role of Ocimum basilicum L. in prevention of ischemia and reperfusion-induced cerebral damage, and motor dysfunctions in mice brain

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Ocimum (Lamiaceae) has a long history of use as culinary and medicinal herbs. Many species are used for their antioxidant and neuroprotective activity in various parts of the world. Ocimum basilicum Linn. has been used traditionally for the treatment of anxiety, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, headaches, nerve pain, as anticonvulsant and anti-inflammatory, and used in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study is designed to investigate the effect of ethyl acetate extract of Ocimum basilicum leaves on ischemia and reperfusion-induced cerebral damage, and motor dysfunctions in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Global cerebral ischemia was induced by bilateral carotid artery occlusion for 15 min followed by reperfusion for 24h. Cerebral infarct size was measured using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. The concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) content was determined by colorimetric assay. Short-term memory was evaluated using elevated plus-maze. Inclined beam walking was employed to assess motor coordination. Bilateral carotid artery occlusion followed by reperfusion produced significant increase in cerebral infarct size and lipid peroxidation (TBARS), and reduced GSH content, and impaired short-term memory and motor coordination.

RESULTS

Pre-treatment with standardized ethyl acetate extract of Ocimum basilicum (100 and 200mg/kg, p.o.) markedly reduced cerebral infarct size and lipid peroxidation, restored GSH content, and attenuated impairment in short-term memory and motor coordination.

CONCLUSION

The results of the study suggest that Ocimum basilicum could be useful clinically in the prevention of stroke.

Rosa × alba: source of essential minerals and volatile oils

Rosa × alba is cultivated almost exclusively for the production of aromatic water and fruits widely used as ingredients in some traditional food preparations sold commercially. Results of the proximate and elemental analyses revealed that flowers exhibited higher moisture content while the dry matter content was higher in leaves. Total fat and ash was higher in fruits when compared with leaves and flowers. All studied organs were found to be rich in essential mineral such as K, Ca, P and Mg. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the volatile oils revealed different composition patterns between organs. Linalool and geraniol were found as major constituents of the leaf oil whereas 2-phenethyl alcohol and eugenol were the major constituents of the floral oil. In contrast, fruits showed very distinct composition and alkanes/alkenes were found to have the major contribution. The present composition could justify the traditional use of Rosa × alba which could be considered as a potential source of essential minerals and volatile constituents.

Optimization of extraction conditions of total phenolics, antioxidant activities, and anthocyanin of oregano, thyme, terebinth, and pomegranate

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the total phenolic extracts and antioxidant activity and anthocyanins of varieties of the investigated plants. These plants include oregano, thyme, terebinth, and pomegranate. The optimum extraction conditions including temperature and solvent of the extraction process itself were investigated. Total phenolic and anthocyanin extracts were examined according to Folin-Ciocalteu assay and Rabino and Mancinelli method, respectively. The effect of different extracting solvents and temperatures on extracts of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins were studied. Plant samples were evaluated for their antioxidant chemical activity by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazl assay, to determine their potential as a source of natural antioxidant. Results showed that all tested plants exhibited appreciable amounts of phenolic compounds. The methanolic extract (60 °C) of sour pomegranate peel contained the highest phenolic extract (4952.4 mg/100 g of dry weight). Terebinth green seed had the lowest phenolic extract (599.4 mg/100 g of dry weight). Anthocyanins ranged between 3.5 (terebinth red seed) and 0.2 mg/100 g of dry material (thyme). Significant effect of different extracting solvents and temperatures on total phenolics and anthocyanin extracts were found. The methanol and 60 °C of extraction conditions found to be the best for extracting phenolic compounds. The distilled water and 60 °C extraction conditions found to be the best for extracting anthocyanin.

Antioxidant capacity of Macaronesian traditional medicinal plants

The use of many traditional medicinal plants is often hampered by the absence of a proper biochemical characterization, essential to identify the bioactive compounds present. The leaves from five species endemic to the Macaronesian islands with recognized ethnobotanical applications were analysed: Apollonias barbujana (Cav.) Bornm., Ocotea foetens (Ainton) Baill, Prunus azorica (Mouill.) Rivas-Mart., Lousã, Fern. Prieto, E. Días, J.C. Costa & C. Aguiar, Rumex maderensis Lowe and Plantago arborescens Poir. subsp. maderensis (Dcne.) A. Hans. et Kunk.. Since oxidative stress is a common feature of most diseases traditionally treated by these plants, it is important to assess their antioxidant capacity and determine the molecules responsible for this capacity. In this study, the antioxidant capacity of these plants against two of the most important reactive species in human body (hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals) was determined. To trace the antioxidant origin total phenol and flavonoid contents as well as the polyphenolic profile and the amount of trace elements were determined. There was a wide variation among the species analysed in what concerns their total leaf phenol and flavonoid contents. From the High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) electrochemically detected peaks it was possible to attribute to flavonoids the antioxidant capacity detected in A. barbujana, O. foetens, R. maderensis and P. azorica extracts. These potential reactive flavonoids were identified for A. barbujana, R. maderensis and P. azorica. For R. maderensis a high content (7 mg g-1 dry weight) of L-ascorbic acid, an already described antioxidant phytomolecule, was found. A high content in selenomethionine (414.35 microg g-1 dry weight) was obtained for P. arborescens subsp. maderensis extract. This selenocompound is already described as a hydroxyl radical scavenger is reported in this work as also possessing peroxyl radical scavenging capacity. This work is a good illustration of different phytomolecules (flavonoids, organic acids and selenocompounds), presents in leaves of the five traditional medicinal plants endemic to Macaronesia, all exhibiting antioxidant properties.

Some nutritional properties ofPrangos ferulacea(L.) lindl andRheum ribesL. stems growing wild in Turkey

In this study, some compositional properties and mineral contents of Prangos ferulacea and Rheum ribes stems growing wild in Ağri and Elaziğ province in Turkey were investigated. Mineral contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Moisture, crude oil, crude fiber, crude ash, crude protein, water-soluble and alcohol-soluble extract, pH and acidity values of samples were determined. Both plants contained high amounts of crude ash, crude fiber and water-soluble extract. According to results, aluminum, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus and zinc values were very high in both samples. The levels of calcium (4,248.58 mg/kg), potassium (60,613.03 mg/kg) and phosphorus (5,827.71 mg/kg) of P. ferulacea in this work were found to be higher than those of other location plants (R. ribes). Potassium ranged from 32,730.82 mg/kg R. ribes (Elaziğ sample) to 60,613.03 mg/kg P. ferulacea (Ağri sample). The iron content ranged from 56.11 mg/kg R. ribes (Ağri sample) to 147.01 mg/kg R. ribes (Elaziğ sample). This work contributed to the nutritional properties of these plant species, and the information may be useful for the evaluation of dietary information.

Mineral Composition of Different Parts of Capparis ovata Desf. var. canescens (Coss.) Heywood Growing Wild in Turkey

Major and minor mineral contents of young shoots, flower buds, caperberries (fruit), and seeds of Capparis ovata Desf. var. canescens (Coss.) Heywood, used as a pickling product in Turkey, were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Twenty-one minerals were assayed in samples. All materials contained high amounts of Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, Pb, and Zn. The highest levels of Ca (598.34-16,947.1 ppm), K (3,093.1-28,163.9 ppm), Na (57.9-444.3 ppm), P (1,690.5-4,153.9 ppm), and Zn (21.1-35.6 ppm) were found in flower buds. The content of K was high in most cases and ranged from 28,163.9 ppm (flower bud) to 3,093.1 ppm (caper seed). Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Li, Ni, Pb, and Se contents of caper plant organs were found to be very low. Consequently, caper parts were rich in minerals, and they may be valuable for food uses. The results may also be useful for the evaluation of nutritional information.