E. Rahmati; F. Sharifian; M. Fattahi
Abstract
Drying is one of the main stages after harvesting of medicinal plants, playing an important role in the quantity and quality of their active ingredients. In order to investigate the effects of different drying methods such as oven drying (40°C and 80°C) and spray drying (in the presence of maltodextrin, ...
Read More
Drying is one of the main stages after harvesting of medicinal plants, playing an important role in the quantity and quality of their active ingredients. In order to investigate the effects of different drying methods such as oven drying (40°C and 80°C) and spray drying (in the presence of maltodextrin, maltodextrin with apple pectin and without carrier), the experiments were carried out on a plant extract of Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. After drying of the samples, the properties of powders such as flowability, color parameters including brightness (L*), redness (a*), yellowing (b*), chroma, hue angle, and some chemical properties including phenolic compounds, total flavonoid, and antioxidant activity were evaluated. The results indicated significant effects of different drying methods on physiochemical properties of the powders. The oven-dried powders in air temperature (40 and 80°C) had more desirable flowability in comparison to spray dried samples. The highest amount of L* was observed in spray dried samples in presence of maltodextrin, and the lowest value was observed in oven dried samples at the air temperature of 80°C (76.61 and 24.36, respectively). The highest total phenol content and antioxidant activity were observed in spray dried samples in the presence of maltodextrin and apple pectin (19.72 mg/g DW, %73.16, respectively). The lowest total phenol content and antioxidant activity were observed in spray dried samples without carrier (4.11 mg/g DW, %10.41, respectively). The highest amount of flavonoid was observed in spray dried samples in the presence of maltodextrin (1.487 mg/g DW).
Z. Nasiri; A.R. Farokhzad; M. Fattahi
Abstract
In this study, 19 wild-grown populations of Prangos (P. acaulic, P. ferulacea, P. uloptera andP. asperula) from North-West of Iran were collected and total phenol and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, chlorophyll a and b, total carotenoid and essential oil content were evaluated. According to ...
Read More
In this study, 19 wild-grown populations of Prangos (P. acaulic, P. ferulacea, P. uloptera andP. asperula) from North-West of Iran were collected and total phenol and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, chlorophyll a and b, total carotenoid and essential oil content were evaluated. According to the results, the highest total phenol content (12.5 mg GAE/g DW) was recorded in the population of Ghoshchi from P. uloptera collected from West Azarbaijan province and the lowest content (4.18 mg GAE/g DW) was observed in Showt population (P. Ferulacea), collected from Showt, West Azarbaijan. The highest (5.51mg/g DW) and lowest (1.2 mg/g DW) amount of total flavonoid content recorded in the population of Baneh from Kurdistan province (P. Ferulacea) and Naghadeh population of West Azarbaijan (P. asperula), respectively. In addition, the highest level of chlorophyll a (0.41 mg/g DW) and b (0.69 mg/g DW) was recorded in the population of Showt3 (P. uloptera), located in West Azarbaijan province, and the highest level of carotenoid (61.36 mg/g DW) was observed in Saqqez population (P. ferulacea) from Kurdistan province. The highest antioxidant activity (77.08 %) was obtained in the Showt population (P. Ferulacea). The highest percentage of essential oil was observed in the population of Maku (P. acaulic) and Showt2 (P. ferulacea) collected from West Azarbaijan province. According to the results of cluster and factor analysis, there were high phytochemical variations in different populations collected from different regions of the North-West of Iran, which can be used in breeding programs of this plant.
M. Fattahi; V. Nazeri; F. Sefidkon; Z. Zamani
Abstract
Study on relationships between a species with its surrounding biotic and abiotic environment provides valuable information in terms of propagation, domestication and breeding. For this purpose, the autecology studies of Dradocephalum kotschyi Bioss was studied in 12 natural habitats. Natural habitats ...
Read More
Study on relationships between a species with its surrounding biotic and abiotic environment provides valuable information in terms of propagation, domestication and breeding. For this purpose, the autecology studies of Dradocephalum kotschyi Bioss was studied in 12 natural habitats. Natural habitats were determined with using Flora Iranica and with the assistance of local people. Also, topography and climate conditions were determined for each natural habitat. In addition, phenology and dominant companion species were recorded in all growing regions. Other studied traits were mostly growth and reproductive ones including height, basal diameter and canopy cover which were evaluated in situ. Plant fitness was evaluated based on the number of produced seeds, flowering stems, observed expected and produced seeds. Results of topography and climate data showed that natural habitats were mostly in rocky highlands with a high relative humidity and cool weather in summer. Plant fitness and growth condition were significantly different in different regions which could be due to ecological and/ or genetic variations. According to the results, domestication and breeding programs are urgently required for the conservation of this valuable but endangered species.
