Systemic analysis of lipid metabolism from individuals to multi-organism systems.

Lipid metabolism is recognised as being central to growth, disease and health. Lipids, therefore, have an important place in current research on globally significant topics such as food security and biodiversity loss. However, answering questions in these important fields of research requires not only identification and measurement of lipids in a wider variety of sample types than ever before, but also hypothesis-driven analysis of the resulting 'big data'.

Characterisation of phenylethanoid glycosides by multiple-stage mass spectrometry.

Rationale: Although phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) occur widely in plants, their characterisation by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) is less well studied than other phenolic glycosides such as flavonoid glycosides. The multiple-stage mass spectrometry (MS ) experiments required to improve the annotation of common verbascoside-type PhGs are described here.

Methods: Deprotonated, ammoniated and sodiated molecules of nine PhGs were subjected to low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) in a hybrid ion trap/orbitrap mass spectrometer.

Mechanisms in mutualisms: a chemically mediated thrips pollination strategy in common elder.

This study provides first evidence of a thrips species pollinating Sambucus nigra and describes how interactions are driven by plant biochemical signalling and moderated by temporal changes in floral chemistry. The concept of flower-feeding thrips as pollinating insects in temperate regions is rarely considered as they are more frequently regarded to be destructive florivores feeding on pollen and surrounding plant tissue. Combining laboratory and field-based studies we examined interactions between Sambucus nigra (elderflower) and Thrips major within their native range to ascertain the role of thrips in the pollination of this species and to determine if floral chemicals mediated flower visits.

Phylogenetic trends in the evolution of inflorescence odours in Amorphophallus.

The chemical composition of inflorescence odours of 80 species of Amorphophallus (Araceae) were determined by headspace-thermal desorption GC-MS. When compared to published molecular phylogenies of the genus, the data reveal evidence both of phylogenetic constraint and plasticity of odours. Dimethyl oligosulphides were found as common constituents of Amorphophallus odours and were the most abundant components in almost half of the species studied.

Medicinally Used Asarum Species: High-Resolution LC-MS Analysis of Aristolochic Acid Analogs and Toxicity Screening in HK-2 Cells.

Species of are used in traditional Chinese medicine and, similar to members of the genus , they contain aristolochic acid analogs (AAAs). These compounds are known for their nephrotoxic and carcinogenic effects. So far, the phytochemistry and nephrotoxicity of species of is not well studied.

Variation of theanine, phenolic, and methylxanthine compounds in 21 cultivars of Camellia sinensis harvested in different seasons.

This is the first study to use chemometric methods to differentiate among 21 cultivars of Camellia sinensis from China and between leaves harvested at different times of the year using 30 compounds implicated in the taste and quality of tea. Unique patterns of catechin derivatives were observed among cultivars and across harvest seasons. C.

Protoilludane, Illudane, Illudalane, and Norilludane Sesquiterpenoids from Granulobasidium vellereum.

Two new and seven known sesquiterpene compounds were isolated from an agar plate culture of Granulobasidium vellereum, isolated from a log of Ulmus sp. The two new structures were elucidated with spectroscopic methods as an illudalane derivative, granulolactone (1), and a 15-norilludane, granulodione (9). The acaricidal and insecticidal activities of the isolated compounds were examined in vitro against two major horticultural pests, the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae and the glasshouse thrips Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis, respectively.

LC-MS- and (1)H NMR-Based Metabolomic Analysis and in Vitro Toxicological Assessment of 43 Aristolochia Species.

Species of Aristolochia are used as herbal medicines worldwide. They cause aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN), a devastating disease associated with kidney failure and renal cancer. Aristolochic acids I and II (1 and 2) are considered to be responsible for these nephrotoxic and carcinogenic effects.

Phenylethanoid glycosides in tepals of Magnolia salicifolia and their occurrence in flowers of Magnoliaceae.

Phenylethanoid glycosides were among the major UV-absorbing components in 80% aq. CH3OH extracts of the tepals of Magnolia salicifolia (Siebold & Zucc.) Maxim.

Monomethyl ethers of 4,5-dihydroxypipecolic acid from Petaladenium urceoliferum: Enigmatic chemistry of an enigmatic legume.

Leaves of Petaladenium (Leguminosae), an Amazonian monospecific genus recently revealed as a member of the Amburaneae clade among the earliest-diverging papilionoid legumes, were found to accumulate three monomethyl ethers of 4,5-dihydroxypipecolic acids. These were characterised by spectroscopic means as the (2S,4S,5R) and (2S,4R,5S) epimers of 5-hydroxy-4-methoxypipecolic acid and (2S,4R,5R)-4-hydroxy-5-methoxypipecolic acid. These compounds were not detected in any other genera in the Amburaneae clade or the wider Angylocalyceae-Dipterygeae-Amburaneae (ADA) clade of papilionoid legumes.

Phenolic profile characterization of Chemlali olive stones by liquid chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry.

Aqueous methanol extracts of Chemlali olive stones were analyzed by reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detection and mass spectrometry [LC-MS/MS]. Oleoside, oleoside 11-methyl ester, nuezhenide, oleoside 11-methyloleoside, nuezhenide 11-methyloleoside, oleuropein, and glycosides of tryosol and hydroxytyrosol glycosides were identified in stones of Chemali olives. The antioxidant activity observed for the extract of the olive stones (IC50 = 13.

Is aristolochic acid nephropathy a widespread problem in developing countries? A case study of Aristolochia indica L. in Bangladesh using an ethnobotanical-phytochemical approach.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Species of Aristolochia are associated with aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN), a renal interstitial fibrosis and upper urinary tract cancer (UUC). Aristolochic acid nephropathy has been reported in ten countries but its true incidence is unknown and most likely underestimated. By combining an ethnobotanical and phytochemical approach we provide evidence for the risk of AAN occurring in Bangladesh.

Enhanced profiling of flavonol glycosides in the fruits of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides).

Use of enhanced LC-MS/MS methods to identify common glycosyl groups of flavonoid glycosides enabled better characterization of the flavonoids in fruits of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides). The saccharide moieties of 48 flavonol O-glycosides detected in a methanol extract were identified by these methods. Several of the flavonol glycosides were acylated, two of which were isolated and found to be new compounds.

Acyl spermidines in inflorescence extracts of elder (Sambucus nigra L., Adoxaceae) and elderflower drinks.

LC-UV-MS analyses of inflorescence extracts of Sambucus nigra L. (elder, Adoxaceae) revealed the presence of numerous acyl spermidines, with isomers of N,N-diferuloylspermidine and N-acetyl-N,N-diferuloylspermidine being most abundant. Pollen was the main source of the acyl spermidines in the inflorescence.

Highly glycosylated flavonols with an O-linked branched pentasaccharide from Iberis saxatilis (Brassicaceae).

Four flavonol glycosides isolated from non-flowering leafy shoots of Iberis saxatilis (Brassicaceae) were characterised by spectroscopic and chemical methods as saxatilisins A-D, the 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, 3-O-(6-O-E-sinapoyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, and 3-O-(6-O-E-feruloyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)]-β-D-glucopyranoside of isorhamnetin (3,5,7,4'-tetrahydroxy-3'-methoxyflavone), respectively. Analysis of (2)J(HC) correlations detected with the H2BC (heteronuclear two-bond correlation) pulse sequence aided the unambiguous assignment of glycosidic resonances in the (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra of these compounds. Saxatilisins A, C, and D, are the first flavonol glycosides to be described with a pentasaccharide chain at a single glycosylation site.

Generic detection of basic taxoids in wood of European Yew (Taxus baccata) by liquid chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry.

The occurrence of the cardiotoxin taxine (comprising taxine B and several other basic taxoids) in leaves of Taxus baccata L. (European yew) is well known and has led to public concerns about the safety of eating or drinking from utensils crafted from the wood of this poisonous species. The occurrence of basic taxoids in the heartwood of T.

Amides and an alkaloid from Portulaca oleracea.

A total of 16 phenolic compounds, including one new and five known N-cinnamoyl phenylethylamides, one new pyrrole alkaloid named portulacaldehyde, five phenylpropanoid acids and amides, and derivatives of benzaldehyde and benzoic acid, were isolated and identified from a polar fraction of an extract of Portulaca oleracea. Their structures were determined through spectroscopic analyses.

Flavonol glycosides acylated with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid as systematic characters in Rosa.

LC-UV-MS/MS analysis of leaf extracts from 146 accessions of 71 species of Rosa revealed that some taxa accumulated flavonol O-glycosides acylated with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid, which are relatively uncommon in plants. The structures of two previously unrecorded examples isolated from Rosa spinosissima L. (syn.

Distinct chemotypes of Tephrosia vogelii and implications for their use in pest control and soil enrichment.

Tephrosia vogelii Hook. f. (Leguminosae) is being promoted as a pest control and soil enrichment agent for poorly-resourced small-scale farmers in southern and eastern Africa.

Inhibition of human calcineurin and yeast calcineurin-dependent gene expression by Jasminum humile leaf and root extracts.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The leaves of Jasminum humile are used to treat skin disorders in a way which resembles the use of modern topical anti-inflammatory drugs. Ethanolic extracts of the roots and leaves were shown to inhibit calcineurin which is a regulator of inflammatory gene expression.

Materials And Methods: A novel yeast calcineurin reporter gene assay suitable for a 96 well plate format was developed to test for inhibition of calcineurin-dependent gene expression.

Identification of common glycosyl groups of flavonoid O-glycosides by serial mass spectrometry of sodiated species.

Flavonoid O-glycosides are a ubiquitous and important group of plant natural products in which a wide variety of sugars are O-linked to an aglycone. Determining the identity of the sugars, and the manner in which they are linked, by mass spectrometry alone is challenging. To improve the identification of common O-linked di- and trisaccharides when analysing mixtures of flavonoid O-glycosides by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), the fragmentation of electrosprayed sodium adducts in an ion trap mass spectrometer was investigated.

Applications of phytochemical and in vitro techniques for reducing over-harvesting of medicinal and pesticidal plants and generating income for the rural poor.

Plants provide medicine and pest control resources for millions of poor people world-wide. Widespread harvesting of medicinal and pesticidal plants puts pressure on natural populations, thus severely compromising their contribution to the income and well-being of traders and consumers. The development of in vitro propagation techniques appropriate for developing countries will provide a robust platform for effective propagation and cultivation of endangered plants.

Acylated flavonol glycosides from the forage legume, Onobrychis viciifolia (sainfoin).

Ten acylated flavonol glycosides were isolated from aqueous acetone extracts of the aerial parts of the forage legume, Onobrychis viciifolia, and their structures determined using spectroscopic methods. Among these were eight previously unreported examples which comprised either feruloylated or sinapoylated derivatives of 3-O-di- and 3-O-triglycosides of kaempferol (3,5,7,4'-tetrahydroxyflavone) or quercetin (3,5,7,3',4'-pentahydroxyflavone). The diglycosides were acylated at the primary Glc residue of O-α-Rhap(1→6)-β-Glcp (rutinose), whereas the triglycosides were acylated at the terminal Rha residues of the branched trisaccharides, O-α-Rhap(1→2)[α-Rhap(1→6)]-β-Galp or O-α-Rhap(1→2)[α-Rhap(1→6)]-β-Glcp.