Ethnopharmacological relevance: The Argentinean medicinal plant Tetraglochin andina Ciald, formerly classified as T. cristatum (Britton) Rothm is used in traditional medicine by inhabitants from Argentinean northwestern highlands (Puna) to treat candidiasis and as anti-inflammatory. Aim of the study: To assess the potential of the crude drug as an anti-Candida agent with anti-inflammatory properties. The bioactivity and phytochemical composition of a dry extract of the plant was investigated. Material and methods: The pharmacognostic description of the crude drug is carried out for the first time, including macroscopic and microscopic examinations of the different organs, physicochemical and extractive values (petroleum ether-, ethanol- and water-soluble). The dry extract from T. andina was evaluated as anti fungal against pathogenic Candida sp. and Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from vaginal infections and reference strains, by the macrodilution and microdilution assays. The normal vaginal microbiome in women is characterized by the dominance of lactic acid-producing bacteria, mainly Lactobacillus spp. The effect of T. andina extract on Lactobacillus strains was also assayed. The inhibitory effect on proinflammatory enzymes (cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase and phospholipase A(2)) and antioxidant capacity was studied. The chemical profile was analyzed by HPLC-ESI-MS. Results: The hydroalcoholic extract inhibited the growth of all yeasts with Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values between 12.5 and 400 mu g GAE/mL and the MIC values on Lactobacillus were higher than the MIC values against Candida isolates ( > 400 mu g GAE/mL). These results indicate that the hydroalcoholic extract could be used without affecting the normal microbiota of vaginal fluid. The extract showed antioxidant activity and could modulate the inflammatory process by three pathways (sPLA(2), COX-2, LOX). The plant extract contained high total phenolic levels (386.9 +/- 1.7 mg GAE/g dry extract) and flavonoid levels (260.4 +/- 2.7 mg GAE/g dry extract). Fifty phenolic compounds were identified by HPLC-ESI-MS. They were mainly hydrolysable and condensed tannins. The dry extract was chemically and biologically stable during one year at room temperature or 4 degrees C. Conclusions: The presence of anti-Candida and anti-inflammatory activities in Tetraglochin andina extracts give support to their traditional use for treating conditions associated with microorganism infections and inflammatory process in humans. This plant preparation could be used to design phytopharmaceutical preparations to inhibit yeast growth and moderate the inflammatory and oxidative process.

The aim of this work was to assess the nutritional and functional components of powder obtained by lyophilization of whole fruits, seeds, pulp and skin from chilto (Solanum betaceum Cav) cultivated in the ecoregion of Yungas, Argentina. The powders have low carbohydrate and sodium content and are a source of vitamin C, carotenoid, phenolics, potassium and fiber. The HPLC–ESI-MS/MS analysis of the fractions enriched in phenolics allowed the identification of 12 caffeic acid derivatives and related phenolics, 10 rosmarinic acid derivatives and 7 flavonoids. The polyphenols enriched extracts before and after simulated gastroduodenal digestion inhibited enzymes associated with metabolic syndrome, including α-glucosidase, amylase and lipase and exhibited antioxidant activity by different mechanisms. None of the analyzed fruit powders showed acute toxicity or genotoxicity. The powders from the three parts of S. betaceum fruit may be a potential functional food and the polyphenol enriched extract of seed and skin may have nutraceutical properties.

A national program for citrus certification was started in Argentina in 2005 in order to provide healthy fruits free of toxic residues. In line with this goal, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of natural products, protein extracts obtained from potato tubers for the control of fungi responsible for disease in post-harvest citrus fruits. Different protein fractions were obtained from Solanum tuberosum tubers (IF25, IF50, SF25 and SF50) and their effect were evaluated on Penicillium digitatum and Geotrichum candidum , two citrus-pathogenic fungi. All fractions showed antifungal activity against both fungi species, the intensity of this activity being dependent on the type of fungus and extract. The fraction IF25 was the most active as an antifungal agent: it inhibited the mycelia growth of both pathogens, the elongation of the germ tube of P. digitatum and the conidial isotropic growth of G. candidum as well as its polygalacturonase activity. None of the IF25 concentrations were mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 or TA100 strains. The efficacy of protein extracts to control P. digitatum and G. candidum growth was tested in artificially inoculated citrus fruits. Extracts were tested built-in to the wax used in citrus industry to coat and protect the fruit. The IF25 extract was effective in inhibiting the growth and development of P.digitatum and G. candidum . Consequently, the IF25 extract plus the wax could be used preventively in controlling fungal infection on post-harvest citrus.

Zuccagnia punctata Cav. (Fabaceae) is an Argentine medicinal aromatic shrub (jarilla pispito, puspus, lata and jarilla macho). The chalcones were identified as pigments responsible for the yellow color of the flowers. Hydroethanolic extracts were obtained both from fresh flowers and from flowers dried by lyophilization. The extracts were standardized by their phenolic and flavonoids content. Their fingerprints by HPLC-DAD indicated the presence of two chalcones as major compounds (2',4'-dihydroxychalcone and 2',4'-dihydroxy-3'-methoxychalcone). Both extracts showed the same total phenolic, non-flavonoid phenolic and flavonoid phenolic content and their phenolic profiles were similar. The polyphenolic extracts exhibited antioxidant (free radical scavenging and inhibitory activity on lipoperoxidation) and anti-inflammatory (inhibition of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase enzymes) activities. The flower extracts were active against six Candida species with MIC values between 60 and 120 μg GAE x mL(-1) and were also active on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 250 μg GAE x mL(-1)) and Enterococcus faecalis (MIC: 500 μg GAE x mL(-1)). The extracts were neither toxic (Artemia salina test) nor mutagenic (Ames test). Jarilla flowers could be considered as a new dietary supplement that could help to prevent pathologies associated with oxidative stress and the polyphenolic extract obtained from them could be considered as a standardized phytotherapeutic product with antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this work was to determine the pigments responsible for the yellow color of the flowers of Z. punctata and to evaluate the functional properties of the polyphenolic extract of the flowers. The toxicity (Artemia salina) and mutagenic activity (Ames test) of the extract were also evaluated.

Fungal infections of fresh ripe Citrus limon fruit are the main cause of economic losses during their commercialization. The aim of this work was to evaluate the activity of the ethanolic extract (EE) from Parastrephia lepidophylla (Wedd.) Cabrera, a plant species that grows in the Argentine Northwest, on phytopatogenic fungi of lemon. Also, attempts were made to elucidate the mode of action of EE on the growth inhibition of phytopathogenic isolates of Penicillium digitatum Sacc. and Geotrichum citri-aurantii (Ferraris) E.E. Butler. The effect of the polyphenolic extracts on the conidia germination, mycelium growth and integrity of the plasma membrane was evaluated. The EE was active against both pathogens (minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal fungicidal concentration values of 150 mu g of gallic acid equivalent/ml and 350 mu g GAE/ml, respectively for both species). The conidia swelling and germination and the subsequent germ tube elongation was more affected by EE (100% inhibition at 200 mu g GAE/ml) than the vegetative body of the fungus (50% inhibion at 400 mu g GAE/ml). The fungus cell walls would not constitute a target for the EE components while the mechanism of action of the phytocomplex would be plasma membranes disruption. In vivo tests showed that P. leidophylla EE (700 mu g GAE/ml) decreases the incidence of green mold disease in artificially inoculated lemons. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fruit pulp is an important source of nutrients for many bird species. Fruit‐eating birds use a variety of strategies to cope with changes in the availability of fruits, exhibiting a remarkable ability to track resources. We assessed the role of nutrient availability in the fruiting environment as a factor driving resource tracking by fruit‐eating birds. Fruit consumption by the four most common frugivorous species in a 6‐ha plot in the Southern Yungas montane forest of Argentina was assessed. We determined the content of selected nutrients (soluble carbohydrates, proteins, phenols, ascorbic acid and essential minerals) in 22 fruiting plant species eaten by birds, and measured fruit–frugivore interactions and the availability of nutrients and dry fruit pulp mass over 2 years. There was strong temporal covariation in the availability of the selected nutrients in fruits across the study period. Similarly, the availability of nutrients in the fruiting environment covaried with pulp mass. Fruit consumption by the four commonest bird species and the abundance of most species were positively associated with nutrient availability and dry pulp mass. Nutrient availability was a good predictor of temporal fruit tracking by three of the four commonest frugivores. Despite large differences in particular nutrient concentrations in fruits, overall nutrient (and pulp) quantity in the fruiting environment played a greater role in fruit tracking than did the nutritional quality of individual fruits. While overall nutrient availability (i.e. across fruit) and total pulp mass were important determinants of fruit tracking, we suggest that plant species‐specific differences in fruit nutrient concentration may be important in short‐term foraging decisions involved in fruit choice and nutritional balance of birds.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the phytochemical profiles of flour from red, yellow and green fruits of Capsicum pubescens (commun name: locoto) and compare with “locoto” commercial powder (Lcp). Soluble protein (SP), total sugar (TS), free phenolic compounds (FPC), ascorbic acid (AA), total monomeric anthocyanin (TMA), condensed and hydrolizable tannin (CT, HT) and carotenoids (C) were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Multielemental composition by ICP-MS was also done. The flour showed low amounts of calories and high potassium and low sodium levels. Flour from “locoto” fruits contained mainly carotenoids (0.82 to 20 g Eβ-C/100g DW), polyphenolic compounds (681 - 822 mg GAE/100g DW) and ascorbic acid (100 - 199 mg AA/100g DW). The polyphenolic profile of Lcp was similar to flour obtained in our laboratory but the level of carotenoid was lower than that of flour. The fiber content of flour was around 3% in all cases. All preparations obtained from flour and Lcp showed antioxidant activity with SC50 values between 1.4 and 3 μg GAE/mL. Inhibitory capacity on Lipo-oxygenase enzyme was also demonstrated. Non mutagenic effect was detected. The “locoto” flour showed nutraceutical characteristics that are demanded by functional food and could be used as a dietary supplement.

Psidium guajava fruits are consumed fresh or processed (beverages, syrup, ice cream, jams and jellies). Guayaba is a fruit highly perishable and susceptible to damage during the postharvest. One strategy to overcome this problem is its processing by using techniques that preserve its organoleptic, nutritive and functional properties and allow getting food with added value. The purpose of this study was to obtain flour from fresh fruits cultivated in Argentina Northwestern by lyophilization and to determine the antioxidant activity and the main phytochemicals present in fresh fruits and flour. Nutritional composition (sugar, protein and fat) and the bioactive phytochemicals (total phenolic compounds, flavonoid phenolic, condensed and hydrolizable tannin, ascorbic acid, pigments such as anthocyanin and carotenoids) as well as fiber content, were evaluated. The flour preserved flavor, aroma and color of pulp from fresh fruits. The flour contained around 30% of sugar, 20% of total protein, 0.5% of fat and high level of crude fiber. Carotenoids and ascorbic acid were the dominant phytochemicals in flour as well as in fresh fruits. The guayaba flour showed antioxidant activity with SC50 values similar to fresh fruits. The flour showed nutraceutical characteristics that are demanded by functional food and could be used as a dietary supplement.

There is an increasing interest in food plant with health-giving effects. The aim of this research was to evaluate the phytochemical and nutraceutical profiles of Cyclanthera pedata fruits, a native fruit of the Andean region used by Incas communities called achojcha. Soluble protein (SP), total sugar (TS), free phenolic compounds (FPC), ascorbic acid (AA), total monomeric anthocyanin (TMA), condensed and hydrolizable tannin (CT, HT) were evaluated by sprectrophotometric methods in fresh fruits with and without heating and in flour obtained from fruits. Multielemental composition by ICP-MS was done. Antioxidant activity (AOA) was determined by ABTS and Linoleic acid-b-carotene methods. The inhibitory capacity of LOX, a pro-inflammatory enzyme was also analyzed. The achojcha fresh fruits and achojcha flour showed low amount calories. The flour was high in potassium (7400 mg·K/100 g) and low in sodium (77 mg Na/100 g). High levels of FPC (670 mg GAE/100 g) were found together with elevated levels of AA (123 mg AA/ 100 g). The TMA (0.6 mg C3-GE/100 g) as well as HT (3.4 mg PB2E/100 g) were also detected in flour. All preparations obtained with fresh and dried fruits showed AOA with SC50 values between 1.8 to 14.5 μg GAE/mL. Inhibitory capacity on LOX was also demonstrated (IC50 values of 40 μg GAE/mL). The fresh fruits and flour showed nutraceutical characteristics that are demanded by functional food and could be used as dietary supplement.

Geoffroea decorticans, popularly known as “Chañar,” is widely distributed throughout Northwestern Argentina. Its fruit is consumed in different forms (flour, arrope, and hydroalcoholic beverage) in several Argentinean communities. The aim of this work is to quantify macronutrients and phytochemicals of G. decorticans fruit and its derived products as well as to determine its functional properties and toxicity. A high content of fiber and other phytochemicals (carotenoids, ascorbic acid and polyphenols, principally non flavonoids) were detected in Chañar flour. Since physicochemical changes that affect the functional properties of the fruit may occur during processing, different traditional foods were obtained from the fruit and their properties were studied. The phenolic compound content in different arrope types (with and without sugar added) was lower (between 3 and 18 fold) than that of Chañar flour. Condensed tannins were the dominant phenolics in the flour but in arrope without sugar they decreased 21 fold and in arrope with sugar were not detected. The content of ascorbic acid in arrope was similar to that of flour. All preparations obtained from flour and arrope showed hydrogen or electron donor capacity and were active as lipoperoxidation inhibitors. On the other hand, extracts did not show any mutagenic effect. The consumption of Chañar flour, beverage, decoction and arrope could be encouraged for their functional and nutritional properties. The exploitation of this native natural resource could be very important for regional economy.

A main constraint on the citrus industry is the management of postharvest diseases, mostly of fungal origin. The fungicides used to control these diseases: (1) leave persistent residues that raise some dietary concerns; (2) cannot be used on fruit produced under 'organic' rules; and, (3) have experienced resistance to them become widespread within citrus packinghouse:;. Consequently, the development of management strategies to supplement or replace the use of synthetic fungicides by the utilization of microorganisms or natural bioactive products is desirable. The aim of this work was to screen extremophile plants from the Argentine Puna in order to select species with antifungal activity against Penicillium digitatum and Geotrichum citri-aurantii, two very important fungal species causing citrus postharvest disease. Plant aqueous extracts obtained from Chuquiraga atacamensis, Parastrephia phyliciformis and Parastrephia lepidophylla, were able to inhibit in vitro P. digitatum growth, while P. lepidophylla extract was active against G. citri-aurantii cultures. P. lepidophylla aqueous formulations showed MIC100 values of 300 mg/L against both P. digitatum and G. citri-aurantii strains. MFC values of P. lepidophylla extracts were similar to MIC100 values. In vivo tests showed that the P. lepidophylla aqueous formulations (600 mg/L) exert curative and protective effects on the fruit against infection by a P. digitatum wild strain. (C) 2011 Elsevier By. All rights reserved.

Honey is used for its nutritional and functional properties. The Argentinean Northwest is a region with a growing potential for honey production, but up to now, few physicochemical and biological studies have been carried out. The aim of this study is to characterize monofloral (Prosopis sp and Citrus lemon) and multifloral honey samples from the Argentinean Northwest from a physicochemical and functional standpoint. The results showed that the honeys had good properties of stability and freshness. The highest content of flavonoid and phenolic compounds correspond to multifloral honeys. A positive correlation was observed between colour intensity and flavonoid or phenolic compounds content (R2 = 0.98 and R2 = 0.92, respectively). The flavonoids, chrysin and pinocembrin were present in all samples analyzed, while hesperidin and hesperetin were numerically more important in lemon honey (>1 mg/kg), providing a valuable marker of botanical origin.

We report a new colorimetric assay to quantify endo-polygalacturonase activity, which hydrolyzes polygalacturonic acid to produce smaller chains of galacturonate. Some of the reported polygalacturonase assays measure the activity by detecting the appearance of reducing ends such as the Somogyi–Nelson method. As a result of being general towards reducing groups, the Somogyi–Nelson method is not appropriate when studying polygalacturonase and polygalacturonase inhibitors in plant crude extracts, which often have a strong reducing power. Ruthenium Red is an inorganic dye that binds polygalacturonic acid and causes its precipitation. In the presence of polygalacturonase, polygalacturonic acid is hydrolyzed bringing about a corresponding gain in soluble Ruthenium Red. The described assay utilizes Ruthenium Red as the detection reagent which has been used previously in plate-based assays but not in liquid medium reactions. The new method measures the disappearance of the substrate polygalacturonic acid and is compared to the Somogyi–Nelson assay. The experimental results using lemon peel, a fern fronds and castor leaf crude extracts demonstrate that the new method provides a way to the quickly screening of polygalacturonase activity and polygalacturonase inhibitors in plant crude extracts containing high amounts of reducing power. On the other hand, the Ruthenium Red assay is not able to determine the activity of an exo-polygalacturonase as initial velocity and thus would allow the differentiation between endo- and exo-polygalacturonase activities.

The localization of invertase, a key enzyme in plant carbohydrate metabolism, has been established in several higher plants, but there are no reports of it in ferns. The aim of the present work was to establish the localization of the previously reported acid invertase activity of Pteris deflexa in fronds tissues and to compare the findings with invertase localization in higher plants. Acid invertase, localized by immuno-histochemical and histochemical techniques on fresh tissues, was evident in vascular tissue, mainly in phloem. It was also detected in parenchymatic, sclerenchymatic and epidermic cells of petiole, rachis and rachis branches as well as in veins of leaf blades. Our results demonstrate that P. deflexa acid invertase localization is the same to that of higher plants. Hence, potential roles of the fern enzyme in relation to the storage and utilization of sucrose and to control carbon flux could be the same of those proposed to higher plants.

Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of an invertase inhibitory protein (IIP) isolated from Cyphomandra betacea ripe fruits is documented. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined by agar macrodilution and broth microdilution assays. This IIP inhibited the growth of xylophagous and phytopatogenic fungi (Ganoderma applanatum, Schizophyllum commune, Lenzites elegans, Pycnoporus sanguineous, Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus niger, Phomopsis sojae and Fusarium mango) and phytopathogenic bacteria (Xanthomonas campestris pvar vesicatoria CECT 792, Pseudomonas solanacearum CECT 125, Pseudomonas corrugata CECT 124, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae and Erwinia carotovora var carotovora). The IIP concentration required to completely inhibit the growth of all studied fungi ranged from 7.8 to 62.5μg/ml. Phytopatogenic bacteria were the most sensitive, with MIC values between 7.8 and 31.25μg/ml. Antifungal and antibacterial activities can be associated with their ability to inhibit hydrolytic enzymes. Our results indicate the possible participation of IIP in the plant defense mechanism and its potential application as a biocontrol agent against phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria.

An acid invertase from the fern Pteris deflexa Link was purified and the effect of reaction products on enzyme activity was studied. Fructose and glucose were competitive and non-competitive inhibitors of the enzyme, respectively. Since proteins suppressed glucose and fructose inhibition of the enzyme, an invertase modulation by reaction products is unlikely; nevertheless, an invertase proteinaceous inhibitor previously reported could have a role in this respect. The purified enzyme was an heterodimer M r 90,000 Daltons composed of subunits of 66,000 and 30,000 Daltons. The enzyme had β -fructofuranosidase activity and hydrolyzed mainly sucrose but also raffinose and stachyose, with K m of 3.22, 10.80 and 38.50 mM, respectively. Invertase activity with an optimum pH at 5.0 was present in almost every leaf fern tissue. Pinnas (sporophyll leaflets) had the higher enzyme levels. Invertase histochemical and immunochemical localization studies showed the enzyme mainly in phloem cells. Epidermis, collenchyma and parenchyma cells also showed invertase protein.

Plant invertases play important roles in sucrose metabolism. Cell wall invertase was reported to participate in phloem loading and unloading. Soluble invertases would be involved in hexose level regulation in mature tissues and in stored sucrose utilization within vacuoles. Invertase inhibitory proteins were described as one of the possible mechanisms for invertase activity regulation in some plant species; nevertheless, these proteins were found only in sink tissues, suggesting that this mechanism would not be relevant in the sucrose turnover of leaves. This report describes the purification of invertase from Pteris deflexa fronds and the occurrence of an invertase inhibitory protein in this fern organ, as well as its purification and invertase-inhibitor interactions. The Mr of the invertase and of its inhibitory protein were 90,000 and 18,000, respectively. SDS-PAGE in the presence of 2-mercaptoetanol gave two subunits for the enzyme (Mr=66,000 and 30,000) and only one for the inhibitor. The inhibitor protein is a glycoprotein (12% w/w of neutral sugars) that did not show agglutinating activity like some others, and also showed a high heat stability at pH 5.0. The optimum pH of invertase activity is 5.0, while invertase inhibitory protein caused maximal inhibition at the same pH value. Invertase-inhibitor complex formation occurs in an immediate manner and a protease activity was discarded. The inhibition is non-competitive (Ki=1.5 X 10(-6) M) without interactions among the binding sites. The complex is slightly dissociable and sucrose was able to partially reduce the inhibitory effect. Up to the present, invertase inhibitory proteins have been found solely in heterotrophic tissues. In this work we demonstrate that this protein is also present in an autotrophic tissue of a lower vascular plant.