Chemotaxonomy of Two Satureja L. （Lamiaceae） Species from Different Localities of Turkey

In this study, two Satureja L. species from different localities of Turkey （Satureja hortensis L. and Satureja boissieri Hausskn. ex Boiss.） have been studied to determine their taxonomic classification based on chemical characters. For this purpose, aerial parts of the studied taxa were investigated by HS-SPME/GC-MS. 28, 30 and 29 compounds were identified in S. boissieri from Sanhurfa, BingS1 and Malatya accounting from 90.80%, 91.31% and 92.67% of the whole oil, respectively. 26, 30 and 28 compounds were identified in S. hortensis from Adlyaman, Diyarbaklr, Elazl~ accounting from 93.20%, 92.85% and 92.42% of the whole oil, respectively, y-terpinene （30.4%, 26.5% and 32.1%）, carvacrol （26.4%, 25.2% and 23.3%） and p-cymene （10.5%, 13.2% and 10.4%） were determined as main compounds of S. boissieri in Sanhurfa, Bing6l and Malatya species, respectively. Carvacrol （25.0%, 34.1% and 32.1%）, thymol （28.2%, 20.2% and 28.1%） and y-terpinene （10.1%, 11.3% and 9.4%） were found as main constituents of S. hortensis in Adlyaman, Diyarbaklr and Elazl~ samples, respectively. The chemical distributions of the essential oil compounds in the Satureja pattern were discussed in respect to their chemotaxonomy and natural products.

Freshwater algae chemotaxonomy by high-performance liquid chromatographic(HPLC)analysis

The study of community composition of algae is essential for understanding the structure and dynamics of the aquatic ecosystem and for evaluating the eutrophic level of the water body.A high-performance liquid chromatographic(HPLC)method based on a reversephase C_(18) nonpolar column was developed for the main algal taxa,which includes cyanophytes,bacillariophytes,euglenophytes,dinophytes,and chlorophytes.Based on the elution order using HPLC,19 pigments were identified,and they were chlorophyllide a,19′-butanoyloxyfucoxanthin,chlorophyll c_(1)+c_(2),phephorbides a,peridinin,methyl-chlorophyllide a,fucoxanthin,neoxanthin,violaxanthin,myxoxanthophyll,diadinoxanthin,diatoxanthin,lutein,zeaxanthin,chlorophyll b allomer,chlorophyll b,chlorophyll a allomer,chlorophyll a,andβ,β-carotene.A comparison study of cell microscopic counts and accessory pigment analysis indicated that HPLC analysis could be a useful tool for monitoring phytoplankton communities and their abundance.

Chemical constituents from Sappan Lignum

To study the chemical constituents of Sappan Lignum. Chemical constituents were isolated by method of solvent extraction, repeated chromatography with silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and ODS. The structures were elucidated based on spectro- scopic data. Fourteen compounds were isolated and their structures were identified as brazilin （1）, sappanone B （2）, （E）-3-（3,4- dihydroxybenzylidene）-7-hydroxychroman-4-one （3）, 3-deoxysappanone B （4）, brazilide A （5）, euxanthone （6）, quercetin （7）, rhamnetin （8）, sappanchalcone （9）, 3-deoxysappanchalcone （10）, butein （11）, 2,4,5-trihydroxybenzaldehyde （12）, 3,8,9-trihydroxy- 6H-benzo[c]chromen-6-one （13） and 13-sitosterol （14）. Compounds 12 and 13 were two new natural compounds, and the ^13C NMR data of compound 13 were reported for the first time. Compound 6 was the first xanthone isolated from the genus Caesalpinia.

Aurantiamide Acetate from Stems of Zanthoxylum Dissitum Hemsley

The genus Zanthoxylum (Rutaceae) is comprised of about 50 species in China.Zanthoxylum dissitum Hems-ley, locally called 'Shanpipa', has been used to treat pains in the loin,limbs and arthritis in Chinese folk medicine. Our previous study reported the isolation andidentification of five quinoline alkaloids . In this continuing study on the chemcial constituentsof Zanthoxylum dissitum Hemsley, a phenylalanine derivative was obtained .

Classification of marine diatoms using pigment ratio suites

Diatoms are widely distributed in many temperate areas and some species frequently form extensive blooms in spring. Hence, monitoring the variations of specific genera or species of diatoms is necessary for studying phytoplankton population dynamics in marine ecosystems. To test whether pigment ratios can be used to identify diatoms at a below-class taxonomic level, we analyzed 14 species/strains of diatoms isolated from Chinese seas using high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）. We normalized all pigment concentrations to total chlorophyll a to calculate the ratios of pigment to chlorophyll a, and calculated the ratios between accessory pigments （or pigment sums）. Cluster analysis indicated that these diatoms could be classified into four clusters in terms of three accessory pigment ratios： chlorophyll c2： chlorophyll Cl, fucoxanthin：total chlorophyll c and diadinoxanthin：diatoxanthin. The classification results matched well with those of biological taxonomy. To test the stability of the classification, pigment data from one species, cultured under different light intensities, and five new species/strains were calculated and used for discriminant analysis. The results show that the classification of diatom species using pigment ratio suites was stable for the variations of pigment ratios of species cultured in different light intensities. The introduction of new species, however, may confuse the classification within the current scheme. Classification of marine diatoms using pigment ratio suites is potentially valuable for the fine chemotaxonomy of phytoplankton at taxonomic levels below class and would advance studies on phytoplankton population dynamics and marine ecology.

Review of the El Soplao Amber Outcrop,Early Cretaceous of Cantabria,Spain

El Soplao outcrop, an Early Cretaceous amber deposit recently discovered in northern Spain （Cantabria）, has been shown to be the largest site of amber with arthropod inclusions that has been found in Spain so far. Relevant data provided herein for biogeochemistry of the amber, palynology, taphonomy and arthropod bioinclusions complement those previously published. This set of data suggests at least two botanical sources for the amber of El Soplao deposit. The first （type A amber） strongly supports a source related to Cheirolepidiaceae, and the second （type B amber） shows non-specific conifer biomarkers. Comparison of molecular composition of type A amber with Frenelopsis leaves （Cheirolepidiaceae） strongly suggests a biochemical affinity and a common botanical origin. A preliminary palynological study indicates a regional high taxonomical diversity, mainly of pteridophyte spores and gymnosperm pollen grains. According to the preliminary palynological data, the region was inhabited by conifer forests adapted to a dry season under a subtropical climate. The abundant charcoalified wood associated with the amber in the same beds is evidence of paleofires that most likely promoted both the resin production and an intensive erosion of the litter, and subsequent great accumulation of amber plus plant cuticles. In addition, for the first time in the fossil record, charcoalified plant fibers as bioinclnsions in amber are reported. Other relevant taphonomic data are the exceptional presence of serpulids and bryozoans on the surfaces of some amber pieces indicating both a long exposure on marine or brackish-water and a mixed assemblage of amber. Lastly, new findings of insect bioiuclusions, some of them uncommon in the fossil record or showing remarkable adaptations, are reported. In conclusion, a documented scenario for the origin of the El Soplao amber outcrop is provided.

Essential Oils Composition of Two Endemic Umbelliferae Herbs Growing Wild in Turkey

The present study was carried out to determine the essential oil composition of aerial parts of two endemic umbelliferae herbs （Malabaila lasiocarpa Boiss. and Stenotaenia macrocarpa Freyn ＆ Sint. ex Freyn） collected from Bingol （Turkey）, using headspace solid-phase microextraction method and gas chromatography （GC） interfaced with mass spectrometer analysis. Forty six and 43 compounds were identified for M. lasiocarpa and S. macrocarpa, respectively, representing 91.40% and 90.86% of their respective essential oils. Germacrene D （20.71%）,β-elemene （12.40%）, spathulenol （11.60%） and β-selinene （9.67%） were identified as the major compound of M. lasiocarpa. β-sesquiphellandrene （19.68%）, hexyl isobutyrate （12.65%） and octanal （9.53%） were found to be the major compounds ofS. macrocarpa. Essential oil composition ofM. lasiocarpa has been determined for the first time and the results have been discussed in view of chemotaxonomy, natural products and potential usefulness of these plants.

Furoquinoline Alkaloids and Methoxyflavones from the Stem Bark of Melicope madagascariensis(Baker)T.G.Hartley

Melicope madagascariensis(Rutaceae)is an endemic plant species of Madagascar that was first classified as a member of the genus Euodia J.R.&G.Forst(Rutaceae)under the scientific name Euodia madagascariensis Baker.Based on morphological characteristics,Thomas Gordon Hartley taxonomically revised E.madagascariensis Baker to be M.madagascariensis(Baker)T.G.Hartley.Chemotaxonomical studies have long been used to help the identification and confirmation of taxonomical classification of plant species and botanicals.Aiming to find more evidences to support the taxonomical revision performed on E.madagascariensis,we carried out phytochemical investigation of two samples of the plant.Fractionation of the ethanol extracts prepared from two stem bark samples of M.madagascariensis(Baker)T.G.Hartley led to the isolation of seven known furoquinoline alkaloids 1–7 and two known methoxyflavones 8 and 9.The presence of furoquinoline alkaloids and methoxyflavones in the title species is in agreement with its taxonomic transfer from Euodia to Melicope.Antiprotozoal evaluation of the isolated compounds showed that 6-methoxy-7-hydroxydictamnine(heliparvifoline,3)showed weak antimalarial activity(IC_(50)=35μM)against the chloroquine-resistant strain Dd2 of Plasmodium falciparum.Skimmianine(4)displayed moderate cytotoxicity with IC_(50)value of 1.5 lM against HT-29 colon cancer cell line whereas 3,5-dihydroxy-30,40,7-trimethoxyflavone(9)was weakly active in the same assay(IC_(50)=13.9μM).

Electrochemical Identification of Yulania spp. by Fingerprinting of Leaves Using Glassy Carbon Electrode

In this communication,we used electrochemical sensor for recording the electrochemical profiles of eleven species of Yulania spp.from leaf extract.Two solvents and two buffer conditions were used for electrochemical fingerprints collection.Their electrochemical fingerprints can be converted to different patterns and consequently for species recognition.The results indicate the pattern recognition is much convenient than that of the recognition of species directly using voltammetric signal.The current information in electrochemical fingerprinting represents the type and amount of electrochemically active molecules,which linked to the genetic differences among the plants.Therefore,the electrochemical fingerprints were applied for further phylogenetic study.The phylogenetic tree deduced from voltametric curves is divided into three main groups.The first clade contains Y.denudate,Liriodendron chinense,Y.cylindrica,Y.biondii,Y.sprengeri.The second clade contains Y.zenii,Y.liliiflora,Y.kobus,and Y.amoena.The third clade contains Y.×soulangeana,Manglietia fordiana and Y.sinostellata.In addition,Y.salicifolia is not in these main clades.The results demonstrate that electrochemical fingerprinting can be used as a com-plementary tool in the study of phylogenetics.

Beauvericin production by the Lepidoptera pathogenic fungus Isaria tenuipes: Analysis of natural specimens, synnemata from cultivation, and mycelia from liquid-media fermentation

Beauvericin was analyzed in three forms of the Lepidoptra pathogenic fungus Isaria tenuipes(4 isolates):(a)natural specimen,(b)cultivated synnemata on rice media,and(c)mycelia from fermentation in liquid media.Beauvericin was detected in very low amounts in all tested natural specimens.Synnemata on rice contained much higher concentrations of beauvericin than the corresponding natural materials,although the concentrations were lower than mycelia from liquid fermentation.The results casted a caution that beauvericin concentration should be carefully checked,as a possible toxic constituent,upon mass production of a selected strain of Isaria tenuipes for health food purposes.

Phytochemical Profile of Wollemia nobilis Half-Matured Female Cones and Their Potential Ethnopharmacological and Nutraceutical Activities

In this work, the half-matured female cones of the rare species, Wollemia nobilis, were studied for their phytochemical profile for the first time. Fourteen compounds were isolated and identified by means of column chromatography, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance （NMR） spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry （MS）. In particular, these compounds were acetyl-isocupressic acid （1）, methyl-（E）-communate （2）, sandaracopimaric acid （3）, wollemol （4）, 7″-O-methyl-agathisflavone （5）, 7,4″-di-O-methyl-agathisflavone （6）, shikimic acid （7）, quinic acid （8）, glucose （9）, sucrose （10）, raffinose （11）, D-lactic acid （12）, succinic acid （13） and alanine （14）. The chemotaxonomic implications of their presence were discussed and a preliminary phytochemical comparison between these cones and the male ones was also performed. This evidenced several similarities but also some differences that were widely treated about. Moreover, a preliminary nutraceutical evaluation of these cones, based on phytochemistry, was carried out. Actually, this showed a good nutraceutical potentiality of the half-matured cones but also some potential critical state mainly due to the occurrence of acetyl-isocupressic acid （1）, which is quite known to have some adverse pharmacological effects. For this reason, more in-depth nutraceutical studies would be necessary to exactly determine the ethnopharmacological and nutraceutical value of these cones.

Chemotaxonomic Study Based on Flavonoids as Taxonomic Markers in the Roots of the Selected Species Belonged to Family Solanaceae, Sudan

This work is a taxonomic study on flavonoids in the roots of selected species belonged to family Solanaceae. These species considered as: Lycopersicum esculentum, Solanum melongena and Solanum tuberosum. These species distributed in different localities in Sudan. The selected members have nutritive, medicinal and economic importance, extra of that, the present study included botanical and chemical studies. The collected species have been updated due to nomenclature and synonymy. The geographical distribution of the selected members has been indicated. The chemical studies included identification of the flavonoid compounds using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrophotometer (GC-MS). Eighty-three flavonoid compounds were detected in the roots of family Solanaceae. The highest number (32) was detected in the roots of Solanum tuberosum. A single flavonoid compound was restricted only to the roots of Solanum melongena. This was: (cyclohexanol-5-methyl-2-(1methylene), {1R-1.alpha, 2beta, 5.alpha}). Four taxonomic markers were identified for the roots of Lycopersicum esculentum. Ten taxonomic markers were identified in the roots of Solanum tuberosum.

Essential Oil Composition of Four Endemic Tanacetum L. （Asteraceae） Taxa from Turkey and a Chemotaxonomic Approach

In this study the essential oil components aerial parts of Tanacetum heterotomum （Bornm.） Grierson, T. zahlbruckneri （Nab.） Griersson, T. densum （Lab.） Schultz Bip. subsp, amani Heywood and T. cadmeum （Boiss.） Heywood subsp, orientale were examined by HS-SPME/GC-MS technique. Thirty six, thirty nine, forty and forty five constituents were determined representing 88.9%, 90.1%, 90.8% and 91.5% of the oil, respectively. The main compounds of studied Tanacetum L. taxa; borneol, α-pinene, 1,8-cineole, β-pinene, camphor, germacrene D, spathulenol are determined. Studied Tanacetum taxa showed congruency with the discription in Flora of Turkey as morphological properties; on the contrary essential oil composition were detected very quiet diverse infrageneric level. Chemotypes of Tanacetum L. taxa were reported as borneol, germacrene D, spathulenol, α-pinene, 1,8-cineole, β-pinene and camphor. The results obtained from this study were discussed in terms of chemotaxonomy and natural products.

Essential Oils from Different Parts of the Sea Buckthorn <i>Hippophae rhamnoides</i>L.

The study investigated essential oils of berries and green biomass of the sea buckthorn at various growth stages. Plant material of H. rhamnoídes ssp. mongolica was collected in the experimental fields of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS (Siberia, Russia). Volatile compounds and essential oils were detected. Green spring shoots without leaves, first-year seedlings without leaves and berries were analyzed. In all studied exemplars, 103 volatile compounds were defined among which considerable proportion wasn’t found in a sea-buckthorn earlier. Phenylpropanoids prevailed in essential oils composition from seedlings. Alkanes and phenylpropanoids prevailed in shoots. Berries contained mostly carboxylic acids and their esters. These data can be applied to a fingerprint of various cultivars of a sea-buckthorn with relevance to food science and technology.

HPLC Pigment Profiles of 31 Harmful Algal Bloom Species Isolated from the Coastal Sea Areas of China

Chemotaxonomy based on diagnostic pigments is now a routine tool for macroscopic determination of the composition and abundance of phytoplankton in various aquatic environments. Since the taxonomic capability of this method depends on the relationships between diagnostic pigments and chlorophyll a of classified groups, it is critical to calibrate it by using pigment relationships obtained from representative and/or dominant species local to targeted investigation area. In this study, pigment profiles of 31 harmful algal bloom(HAB) species isolated from the coastal sea areas of China were analyzed with high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). Pigment compositions, cellular pigment densities and ratios of pigments to chlorophyll a were determined and calculated. Among all these species, 25 kinds of pigments were detected, of which fucoxanthin, peridinin, 19'-butanoyloxyfucoxanthin, 19'-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin, violaxanthin, and antheraxanthin were diagnostic pigments. Cellular pigment density was basically independent of species and environmental conditions, and therefore was recommended as a bridge to compare the results of HPLC-CHEMTAX technique with the traditional microscopy method. Pigment ratios of algal species isolated from the coast of China, especially the diagnostic pigment ratios, were higher than those from other locations. According to these results, pigment ratio ranges of four classes of phytoplankton common off the coast of China were summarized for using in the current chemotaxonomic method. Moreover, the differences of pigments ratios among different species under the same culturing conditions were consistent with their biological differences. Such differences have the potential to be used to classify the phytoplankton below class, which is meaningful for monitoring HABs by HPLC-CHEMTAX.

Recent advances in the chemical and biological studies of Aconitum pharmaceutical resources

Many herbal medicines have so far been utilized for the treatment of various ailments since the beginning of Chinese civilization. Aconitum is a botanical source for various pharmaceutically active components, which has been commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Increasing interest in Aconitum pharmaceutical resources has led to further discoveries of diterpenoid alkaloids, polysaccharides, fiavonoids and many other compounds in various Aconitum species, and to investigations on their chemotaxonomy, molecular phylogeny and pharmacology. In continuation with our studies on Aconitum pharmacophylogeny, here we review the phytochemistry, chemotaxonomy, molecular biology and phylogeny of Aconitum and their relevance to therapeutic efficacy and toxicity. An exhaustive literature survey is used to summarize the global scientific effort in the phytochemical and biological studies of Aconitum. More diterpenoid alkaloids have been found in various Aconitum species, among which the aconitine type （type III） is predominant. The versatile bioactivities of alkaloids and extracts, as well as the bioactivities of polysaccharides and other ingredients, are summarized and discussed in this review. The morphology-based 11-series classification of section Aconitum, subgenus Aconitum, is not supported by chemotaxonomy and molecular phylogeny. Molecular phylogeny based on nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences divided the nine morphologically similar series into two clusters, which is bolstered by the chemotaxonomic data. It is essential to integrate the emerging technologies into Aconitum studies for both the sustainable utilization of Aconitum pharmaceutical resources and finding novel compounds with potential clinical utility and less toxicity. Systems biology and omics technologies will play an increasingly important role in booming pharmaceutical research involving bioactive compounds of Aconitum.

Molecular phylogenetic analyses redefine seven major clades and reveal 22 new generic clades in the fungal family Boletaceae

Mushrooms in the basidiomycete family Boletaceae are ecologically and economically very important.However,due to the morphological complexity and the limited phylogenetic information on the various species and genera of this fungal family,our understanding of its systematics and evolution remains rudimentary.In this study,DNA sequences of four genes(nrLSU,tef1-α,rpb1,and rpb2)were newly obtained from ca.200 representative specimens of Boletaceae.Our phylogenetic analyses revealed seven major clades at the subfamily level,namely Austroboletoideae,Boletoideae,Chalciporoideae,Leccinoideae,Xerocomoideae,Zangioideae,and the Pulveroboletus Group.In addition,59 genus-level clades were identified,of which 22 were uncovered for the first time.These 22 clades were mainly placed in Boletoideae and the Pulveroboletus Group.The results further indicated that the characters frequently used in the morphology-based taxonomy of Boletaceae,such as basidiospore ornamentation,the form of the basidioma,and the stuffed pores each had multiple origins within the family,suggesting that the use of such features for high-level classification of Boletaceae should be de-emphasized and combined with other characters.

Research progress in the phytochemistry and biology of Ilex pharmaceutical resources

Ilex is a botanical source for various health-promoting and pharmaceutically active compounds that have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and food for thousands of years.Increasing interest in Ilex pharmaceutical and food resources has led to additional discoveries of terpenoids,saponins,polyphenols(especially flavonoids),glycosides,and many other compounds in various Ilex species,and to investigation of their chemotaxonomy,molecular phylogeny and pharmacol-ogy.In continuation of our studies on Ilex pharmacology and phylogeny,we review the phytochemistry,chemotaxonomy,molecular biology and phylogeny of Ilex species and their relevance to health-promotion and therapeutic efficacy.The similarity and dissimilarity between Ilex paraguariensis,the source plant of mate tea,and the source plants of large-leaved K udingcha(e.g.,Ilex kudingcha and Ilex latifolia)are discussed.It is essential to utilize emerging technologies in non-Camellia tea studies to promote the sustainable utilization of Ilex resources and the identification and development of novel compounds with potential health and clinical utility.Systems biology and "-omics"technologies will play an increasingly important role in pharmaceutical and food research on the bioactive compounds of Ilex species.

Recent Advance in Chemical and Biological Studies on Cimicifugeae Pharmaceutical Resources

Cimicifugeae is one of the rich sources for various active components and the health promoting and therapeutic values of the components have been corroborated by long-term use in folk medicine and traditional Chinese medicine.Increasing interest in Cimicifugeae pharmaceutical resources has led to the further discoveries of triterpenoid saponins, phenolic compounds, chromones, and many other compounds in various species of Cimicifugeae, and to the investigations on their chemotaxonomy, molecular phylogeny, and bioactivities. Based on our pharmacophylogenetic studies, the progress in phytochemistry, chemotaxonomy, molecular biology, and phylogeny of Cimicifugeae had been summarized since 2007, especially Cimicifuga L. ex Wernisch. and Actaea L., and their relevance to therapeutic efficacy. An exhaustive literature survey is used to characterize the global scientific effort in the phytochemical and biological studies of Cimicifugeae. More triterpenoid saponins have been found in various species, among which the cimigenol type(type A) is predominant. The versatile bioactivities of saponins and extracts,as well as those of phenolics and other ingredients, were summarized and discussed. The morphology-based five-genus classification of Cimicifugeae is not supported by molecular phylogeny. Molecular phylogeny based on nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences tends to merge Cimicifuga Wernisch., Souliea Franch., and Actaea L. into a single genus. It is indispensable to integrate the emerging technologies into Cimicifugeae research for both the sustainable utilization of Cimicifugeae pharmaceutical resources and finding novel compounds with potential clinical utility and less adverse effects. Systems biology and omics technologies would play an increasingly important role in booming pharmaceutical research involving bioactive compounds of Cimicifugeae.

Phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic resolution of the genus Annulohypoxylon(Xylariaceae)including four new species

This study deals with an extensive evaluation focusing on phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic infrageneric relationships of the genus Annulohypoxylon(Xylariaceae,Ascomycota),whose species are ubiquitously associated with seed plants as endophytes and saprotrophs in all forested areas of the world.Using evidence from phylogenetic,chemotaxonomic and morphological data,various varieties within the genus are raised to species level,leading to the new combinations for A.areolatum(:A.bovei var.microsporum),A.macrosporum(:A.leptascum var.macrosporum),and A.microdiscum(:A.moriforme var.microdiscum).Annulohypoxylon substygium nom.nov.is applied for A.stygium var.annulatumand the four new tropical and subtropical species A.massivum,A.violaceopigmentum,A.viridistratum and A.yungensis are introduced.Furthermore,A.leucadendri is excluded from the genus as its morphological characters disagree with the generic concept,the recently erected A.palmicola is synonymized with A.leptascum and A.austrobahiense has been reassigned to the genus Hypoxylon.In addition,the key taxa A.annulatum and A.truncatum have been reinvestigated and epitypes have been defined.For the first time,a dichotomous key to the genus is provided.A phylogenetic b-tubulin tree in conjunction with stromatal HPLC profiles clearly shows that Annulohypoxylon comprises two distinct lineages.The A.cohaerens/multiforme group might eventually warrant segregation into a new genus as further molecular data become available.