Sadegh Mohajer, Rosna Mat Taha, Minoo Mohajer and Nordiyanah Anuar
This study aims to determine the appropriate irradiation dose for induction of somaclonal variation in mass of unorganized parenchyma cells derived from sainfoin (Onobrychis…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine the appropriate irradiation dose for induction of somaclonal variation in mass of unorganized parenchyma cells derived from sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) tissues.
Design/methodology/approach
To investigate the feasibility of UV-B irradiation (312 nm), seeds and callus of sainfoin were exposed to five different intensities (20-100 per cent) for evaluating the effectiveness of phytochemical constituents and cellular behaviour.
Findings
Although percentage of seed viability reduced in 20 per cent intensity of UV-B irradiation compared with control seeds, the germination speed significantly enhanced from 3.58 to 5.42. The spectrophotometer analysis confirmed that concentrations of chlorophyll (a and b) decreased after UV-B exposure as compared with control callus. Also, carotenoid content showed significant differences among treated calli. Flavonoid and phenolic contents were observed to gradually increase when the non-irradiated callus subjected to 40 and 60 per cent intensities of UV-B irradiation, respectively. Observation on cellular behaviour such as determination of nuclear and cell areas, mitotic index and chromosomal aberrations were also detected to change in different intensities of UV-B irradiation. Fragmented and aneuploidy aberrations were only observed in exposed cells with more than 40 per cent intensity of UV-B irradiation.
Originality/value
In reality, radiocytological evaluation was proven to be essential in deducing the effectiveness of UV-B irradiation to induce somaclonal variation in callus tissue of sainfoin.
Hashimah Elias, Rosna Mat Taha, Nor Azlina Hasbullah, Rashidi Othman, Noraini Mahmad, Azani Saleh and Sakinah Abdullah
This paper aims to study the effect of different organic solvents on the extraction of pigments present in callus cultures of E. cinerascens.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the effect of different organic solvents on the extraction of pigments present in callus cultures of E. cinerascens.
Design/methodology/approach
Attempts have been made to extract pigments from callus cultures through tissue culture system as an alternative replacement for conventional plant cultivation as tissue culture provides unlimited supplies of plant samples. Callus of E. cinerascens was induced from stem explant cultured in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with combination of 0.5 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine and 0.5 mg/L α-naphthaleneacetic acid maintained under photoperiod of 16 h light and 8 h dark. Fresh samples of the callus were harvested and dissolved in various types and concentrations of solvents such as 100 per cent acetone, 80 per cent acetone, 95 per cent ethanol, 100 per cent methanol and 90 per cent methanol. Each of the mixtures was directly centrifuged to get clear supernatant containing pigments of interest. The pigments were detected and subsequently quantified via two simple techniques, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer and thin layer chromatography (TLC).
Findings
UV-Vis spectrophotometer detected two families of pigments present in the callus cultures, namely, carotenoids (carotene and xanthophyll) and tetrapyrroles (chlorophyll a and b). Pigment contents in various solvent extractions were estimated using spectroscopic quantification equations established. Through TLC, spots were seen on the plates, and Rf values of each spots were assessed to indicate the possible existence of carotenoids and tetrapyrroles.
Originality/value
This preliminary study offers significant finding for further advance research related on natural pigments extracted from E. cinerascens that would provide profits in the future applications, especially in food industry, medicine, agriculture, etc.
Details
Keywords
Nordiyanah Anuar, Rosna Mat Taha, Noraini Mahmad and Rashidi Othman
The purpose of the study is to identify the high valuable compounds which are crocin, crocetin and zeaxanthin in the stigmas and stamens of Crocus sativus grown under controlled…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study is to identify the high valuable compounds which are crocin, crocetin and zeaxanthin in the stigmas and stamens of Crocus sativus grown under controlled environment in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
Spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis were used to identify and measure crocin, crocetin and zeaxanthin content qualitatively and quantitatively in the stigmas and stamens of C. sativus grown under controlled environment in Malaysia.
Findings
The results of this study showed that crocin, crocetin and zeaxanthin were detected in the stigmas. However, among those three compounds, only crocetin was detected in the stamens. In the stigmas, the detectable level of crocin was high compared to crocetin and zeaxanthin. It was also found that crocetin was higher in the stamens compared to in the stigmas.
Originality/value
This is the first attempt in Malaysia that the stigmas and stamens were directly purified from the natural sources by means of no addition of preservatives as C. sativus has never been grown here before. Furthermore, limited reports are available regarding the identification of compounds in saffron stamens.
Details
Keywords
A.K. Arof, N.A. Mat Nor, N.R. Ramli, I.M. Noor, N. Aziz and R.M. Taha
The purpose of the paper is to study the effect of color stability on introducing chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) into a colored liquid extract from saffron and determine the color…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to study the effect of color stability on introducing chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) into a colored liquid extract from saffron and determine the color quality of the extract over a nine-month period.
Design/methodology/approach
Six colored liquid samples with different CDCA contents ranging from 0 to 45 Wt.% have been successfully prepared. Chromaticity (C*), color saturation (s), UV-Vis spectroscopy and coloring strength studies have been assessed to determine how CDCA influences the color properties and to study the color quality over time. The color quality was analyzed using the Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE) system.
Findings
All results obtained revealed that the addition of CDCA significantly influenced the overall color performance of the saffron extraction. However, the most pronounced improvement was recorded with the use of 45 Wt.% CDCA. The sample exhibited the highest color quality at the end of nine months of storage with highest absorbance: C* value = 91.38, color saturation = 0.96 and coloring strength = 687.
Practical implications
This preliminary study offers significant findings for further research focused on stability of natural colorants extracted from Spanish saffron that can provide benefits for future applications especially in coating industry, food, agriculture, medicine and others.
Originality/value
The values of this work can be observed from the information and evidence provided by CIE color stability in terms of chromaticity and saturation, as well as UV-Vis spectrophotometric measurement. It showed that the addition of CDCA additive can help to prolong and enhance the natural colorant properties from Spanish saffron (Crocus sativus L.) for nine month of storage. This proved that by adding additives such as CDCA the saffron colorant can be maintained. To the best of the authors’ concern, this is the first time CDCA is used to prevent color degradation of natural colorant from saffron.