Acmella oleracea Plant; Identification, Applications and Use as an Emerging Food Source – Review

Amazon Rainforest Hidden Volatiles-Part I: Unveiling New Compounds from Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen Essential Oil

Motivated by the culinary and ethnopharmacological use of Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen, this study aimed to unveil new chemical compounds from its essential oil (EO). Acmella oleracea, known for its anesthetic and spicy properties, has been used in traditional medicine and cuisine, particularly in Northern Brazil. Through a detailed GC-MS analysis, 180 constituents were identified, including 12 tentatively identified long-chain α-keto esters of various acids. Additionally, 18 new esters were synthesized for structural verification. This research expands the known chemical diversity of A. oleracea EO, providing a basis for potential pharmacological applications. The identification of new natural products, including homologs and analogs of acmellonate, underscores the EO's rich chemical profile and its potential for novel bioproduct development.

Study of Mono and Di-O-caffeoylquinic Acid Isomers in Acmella oleracea Extracts by HPLC-MS/MS and Application of Linear Equation of Deconvolution Analysis Algorithm for Their Characterization

Chlorogenic acids, the esters of caffeic and quinic acids, are the main phenolic acids detected in Acmella oleracea extracts and have gained increasing interest in recent years due to their important biological activities. Given their structural similarity and instability, the correct analysis and identification of these compounds in plants is challenging. This study aimed to propose a simple and rapid determination of the A. oleracea caffeoylquinic isomers, applying an HPLC-MS/MS method supported by a mathematical algorithm (Linear Equation of Deconvolution Analysis (LEDA)). The three mono- and the three di-caffeoylquinic acids in roots of Acmella plants were studied by an ion trap MS analyzer. A separation by a conventional chromatographic method was firstly performed and an MS/MS characterization by energetic dimension of collision-induced dissociation mechanism was carried out. The analyses were then replicated using a short HPLC column and a fast elution gradient (ten minutes). Each acquired MS/MS data were processed by LEDA algorithm which allowed to assign a relative abundance in the reference ion signal to each isomer present. Quantitative results showed no significant differences between the two chromatographic systems proposed, proving that the use of LEDA algorithm allowed the distinction of the six isomers in a quarter of the time.

Acmella oleracea extracts as green pesticides against eight arthropods attacking stored products

Developing sustainable control tools for managing noxious pests attacking stored foodstuffs is a timely research challenge. Acmella oleracea (L.) R. K. Jansen is a crop widely cultivated for its multiple usages on an industrial level. In this study, the extracts prepared with A. oleracea aerial parts were applied on wheat kernels for the management of eight important arthropod pests attacking stored products, i.e., Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Tenebrio molitor, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Trogoderma granarium, Tribolium castaneum, Tribolium confusum, Alphitobius diaperinus (adults/larvae), and Acarus siro (adults/nymphs). Extraction of A. oleracea was optimized on the base of the yield and content of spilanthol and other N-alkylamides which were analysed by HPLC-DAD-MS. Two concentrations of n-hexane or methanol extracts (500 ppm and 1000 ppm), obtained through Soxhlet extraction, were tested to acquire mortality data on the above-mentioned pests after 4, 8, and 16 h and 1 to 7 days of exposure. Both extracts achieved complete mortality (100.0%) of C. ferrugineus adults. In the case of A. diaperinus adults, mortalities were very low at any concentrations of both extracts. In general, the n-hexane extract was more efficient than methanol extract against almost all species and stages. Considering both extracts, the susceptibility order, from most to least susceptible species/stage, was C. ferrugineus adults > A. diaperinus larvae > C. ferrugineus larvae > T. granarium adults > T. molitor larvae > O. surinamensis adults > O. surinamensis larvae > T. confusum larvae > T. castaneum larvae > A. siro adults > T. molitor adults > A. siro nymphs > T. granarium larvae > T. castaneum adults > T. confusum adults > A. diaperinus adults. Our research provides useful knowledge on the efficacy of N-alkylamides-rich A. oleracea extracts as grain protectants, pointing out the importance of targeting the most susceptible species/ developmental stages.

A Review of the Chemistry and Biological Activities of Acmella oleracea ("jambù", Asteraceae), with a View to the Development of Bioinsecticides and Acaricides

Human pathologies, environmental pollution, and resistance phenomena caused by the intensive use of chemical pesticides have shifted the attention of the agrochemical industries towards eco-friendly insecticides and acaricides. Acmella oleracea (L.) R. K. Jansen (jambù) is a plant native to South America, widely distributed and cultivated in many countries due to its numerous pharmacological properties. This review analyzes literature about the plant, its uses, and current knowledge regarding insecticidal and acaricidal activity. Acmella oleracea has proven to be a potential pesticide candidate against several key arthropod pest and vector species. This property is inherent to its essential oil and plant extract, which contain spilanthol, the main representative of N-alkylamides. As a result, there is a scientific basis for the industrial exploitation of jambù in the preparation of green insecticides. However, studies related to its toxicity towards non-target species and those aimed at formulating and developing marketable products are lacking.

'All-natural' anti-wrinkle emulsion serum with Acmella oleracea extract: A design of experiments (DoE) formulation approach, rheology and in vivo skin performance/efficacy evaluation

OBJECTIVE

The growing consumers' preferences and concerns regarding healthy ageing, youthful skin appearance, environmental protection and sustainability have triggered an ever-increasing trend towards natural, eco-friendly and ethically sourced anti-ageing products. Accordingly, this paper describes design and evaluation of novel, safe, effective and high-quality emulsion serums, completely based on ingredients of natural origin, intended for improving facial fine lines and wrinkles.

METHODS

Model formulations, stabilized by an innovative glycolipid mixed emulsifier (lauryl glucoside/myristyl glucoside/polyglyceryl-6 laurate) and containing Acmella oleracea extract as a model anti-ageing active, were prepared by cold process and fully assessed regarding their rheological behaviour (continuous rotational and oscillatory tests) and physical stability (dynamic-mechanical thermoanalysis - DMTA test). To study and optimize the simultaneous influence of varied formulation factors (emollients and emulsifier concentrations) on critical rheological attributes of the developed serums, a central composite design within 'design of experiments' approach was employed. The general skin performance - preliminary safety and anti-wrinkle efficacy of selected model serum, was evaluated in human volunteers, by employing several objective, non-invasive bioengineering techniques.

RESULTS

Rheological characterization revealed favourable shear-thinning flow behaviour with yield point, and dominating elastic character (storage modulus G' > loss modulus G") in both amplitude and frequency sweeps, which together with relatively small structural change obtained in DMTA test indicated overall satisfying rheological and stability properties of formulated serums. From the established design space, and taking into account formulation cost and carbon footprint, promising model serum (desired/optimal apparent viscosity, yield point and loss factor, rather small and constant structural change), containing 15% of emollients and 1% of emulsifier, was chosen for in vivo evaluations. Screening of skin irritation effects revealed the absence of potential irritancy of investigated serum, suggesting overall satisfying skin tolerability/preliminary safety. Silicone skin replica image analysis demonstrated noticeable reduction/improvement in all measured skin wrinkle parameters after only 2 weeks of test serum application in periorbital and perioral areas, indicating its rapid and beneficial effects on the facial expression lines and wrinkles.

CONCLUSION

Altogether, the results corroborate the promising potential of the developed Acmella oleracea extract-loaded emulsion serum as safe, effective and non-invasive natural anti-wrinkle product.

An Efficient Method for the Genetic Transformation of Acmella oleracea L. (Spilanthes acmella Linn.) with Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Acmella oleracea L. is an important medicinal plant, commonly known as the toothache plant. It is a rich source of secondary metabolites used for the treatment of different human disorders. The demand for Acmella oleracea L. has increased due to its putative health benefits (in terms of both biomass quantity and bioactive compound purification). In vitro plant cultures have allowed the rapid increase of raw material availability through the use of suitable regeneration and multiplication systems. On the other hand, there is a general lack of methods for Acmella genetic transformation as a promising new technological approach for the improvement of secondary metabolites. In this work, an efficient transformation protocol has been established using the Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 strain bearing the binary vector pBI121 containing the NPTII gene for the resistance to kanamycin. Plant genetic transformation has been verified by direct polymerase chain reaction and GUS assay on regenerants. Transformation efficiency has been affected by the high level of the selection agent kanamycin. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the genetic transformation of A. oleracea, paving the way to further studies to improve in vitro plant growth and secondary metabolite production.

A Snapshot on Food Allergies: A Case Study on Edible Flowers

This perspective study addresses the main causes of adverse reactions to foods in humans, by taking into account the main allergic reactions that may occur as a result of food ingestion, as well the main allergens present in food and how their allergenicity change as a result of food preparation. In addition, European legislation on food labeling and novel foods was taken into account. The case study of this perspective is on the potential allergenicity of edible flowers as well as evidence of phytochemistry and toxic compounds and the risk associated with their ingestion. Regarding edible flowers, a key issue to address is if they are safe to consume or not. In the framework of the project “Innovative activities for the development of the cross-border supply chain of the edible flower” (ANTEA), we considered 62 different species and varieties of edible flowers. The results obtained by consulting two databases on allergens, COMPRISE and Allergen Nomenclature, marked two alerts for two species of edible flowers selected in the project. Moreover, based on edible flower consumption, about ten grams per serving, and on their protein content, we can also state that the risk of allergic reactions due to edible flower ingestion is very low.