[Objective] This study aimed to compare and analyse the morphological characteristics of the seed-like fruits between Salvia shandongensis J. X. Li et F. Q. Zhou and its relatives. [Method] The morphological character...[Objective] This study aimed to compare and analyse the morphological characteristics of the seed-like fruits between Salvia shandongensis J. X. Li et F. Q. Zhou and its relatives. [Method] The morphological characteristics of the mature seed-like fruits of Salvia shandongensis and its three congeners, S. miltiorrhiza, S. miltiorrhiza f. alba and S. bowleyana, were comparatively observed using both optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. [Result] The results showed that there were distinct differences in the shape, size and exine sculpture of the seed-like fruits of the four Danshen congeners: the seed-like fruits of S. shandongensis that were elliptical and had areolate sculpture with subquadrangular convex meshes as well as densely filamentous transverse lines were easy to be distinguished from those of S. miltiorrhiza Bge., which were broadly elliptical and had reticulate sculpture with subquadrate concave meshes. The seed-like fruits of S. bowleyana were fusiform and their ektexine had reticulate sculpture with polygonal meshes, which were slightly convex at the center, which are obviously different from those of S. shandongensis. [Conclusion] This study first accumulates data of the seed-like fruits of S. shandongensis, which provides important bases for establishing its taxonomical status and studying its germplasm. The morphological characteristics and reticulate sculpture on ektexine of the seed-like fruits S. miltiorrhiza Bge. are consistent with the previous report. The results in this study not only provide references for uncovering the genetic relationships between S. shandongensis and S. miltiorrhiza Bge., as well as the interspecific classification and identification. In addition, this study also provides new scientific proofs for the identification of Danshen species and their introduction and cultivation, genetics and breeding.展开更多
Seeds of Fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum-graecum L.), an international spice commodity, are much consumed in Sudan as a food, for flavoring and as a folk-remedy for several ailments, together with local beliefs in nutra...Seeds of Fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum-graecum L.), an international spice commodity, are much consumed in Sudan as a food, for flavoring and as a folk-remedy for several ailments, together with local beliefs in nutraceutical benefits. The authors have noted an immense variability in colour and other morphological characters of Fenugreek seeds offered in local Sudanese markets and wondered whether this variability is extended to their chemical composition. Steroidal sapogenins are important chemical constituents of Fenugreek seeds in view of their potential as precursors for the commercial synthesis of steroid drugs and their continually revealed beneficial biological activities. In this study, thirty Sudanese Fenugreek seed accessions collected from different geographical regions in Sudan were analyzed for their 25α-, 25β- and total sapogenin content using a simple and specific infra-red spectroscopic method. The seed accessions exhibited much morphological variability particularly in outer seed coat color and size. Preparative TLC followed by gravimetric analysis showed that steroidal sapogenins, mostly diosgenin and yamogenin, represented more than 70% of the steroids of Fenugreek seeds. Infra-red spectroscopic analysis showed that total 25α-sapogenins (calculated as diosgenin) varied from 0.65% to 1.68%. Total 25β-sapogenin (calculated as yamogenin) varied from 0.38% to 2.03%. The content of total sapogenins (α + β epimeric forms) varied between 1.24% and 3.0% of the oven-dry weight of seeds. β-sapogenins (mostly yamogenin) were dominant over α-sapogenins (diosgenin) in most Sudanese Fenugreek seed accessions.展开更多
基金Supported by the Scientific and Technological Development Project of Shandong Province(2008GG2NS02022)the Special Fund for Agricultural Fine Seed Project in Shandong Province(2009LZ01-03)~~
文摘[Objective] This study aimed to compare and analyse the morphological characteristics of the seed-like fruits between Salvia shandongensis J. X. Li et F. Q. Zhou and its relatives. [Method] The morphological characteristics of the mature seed-like fruits of Salvia shandongensis and its three congeners, S. miltiorrhiza, S. miltiorrhiza f. alba and S. bowleyana, were comparatively observed using both optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. [Result] The results showed that there were distinct differences in the shape, size and exine sculpture of the seed-like fruits of the four Danshen congeners: the seed-like fruits of S. shandongensis that were elliptical and had areolate sculpture with subquadrangular convex meshes as well as densely filamentous transverse lines were easy to be distinguished from those of S. miltiorrhiza Bge., which were broadly elliptical and had reticulate sculpture with subquadrate concave meshes. The seed-like fruits of S. bowleyana were fusiform and their ektexine had reticulate sculpture with polygonal meshes, which were slightly convex at the center, which are obviously different from those of S. shandongensis. [Conclusion] This study first accumulates data of the seed-like fruits of S. shandongensis, which provides important bases for establishing its taxonomical status and studying its germplasm. The morphological characteristics and reticulate sculpture on ektexine of the seed-like fruits S. miltiorrhiza Bge. are consistent with the previous report. The results in this study not only provide references for uncovering the genetic relationships between S. shandongensis and S. miltiorrhiza Bge., as well as the interspecific classification and identification. In addition, this study also provides new scientific proofs for the identification of Danshen species and their introduction and cultivation, genetics and breeding.
文摘Seeds of Fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum-graecum L.), an international spice commodity, are much consumed in Sudan as a food, for flavoring and as a folk-remedy for several ailments, together with local beliefs in nutraceutical benefits. The authors have noted an immense variability in colour and other morphological characters of Fenugreek seeds offered in local Sudanese markets and wondered whether this variability is extended to their chemical composition. Steroidal sapogenins are important chemical constituents of Fenugreek seeds in view of their potential as precursors for the commercial synthesis of steroid drugs and their continually revealed beneficial biological activities. In this study, thirty Sudanese Fenugreek seed accessions collected from different geographical regions in Sudan were analyzed for their 25α-, 25β- and total sapogenin content using a simple and specific infra-red spectroscopic method. The seed accessions exhibited much morphological variability particularly in outer seed coat color and size. Preparative TLC followed by gravimetric analysis showed that steroidal sapogenins, mostly diosgenin and yamogenin, represented more than 70% of the steroids of Fenugreek seeds. Infra-red spectroscopic analysis showed that total 25α-sapogenins (calculated as diosgenin) varied from 0.65% to 1.68%. Total 25β-sapogenin (calculated as yamogenin) varied from 0.38% to 2.03%. The content of total sapogenins (α + β epimeric forms) varied between 1.24% and 3.0% of the oven-dry weight of seeds. β-sapogenins (mostly yamogenin) were dominant over α-sapogenins (diosgenin) in most Sudanese Fenugreek seed accessions.