Introduction Tannins, a natural compound produced by many plants, have become a common topic when discussing various beverages and fruits, yet the truth is that tannins are compounds that can be found in most all plants and have a much more involved significance than astringent taste. Tannins are a type of plant product that is classified as a polyphenol (Cornell University 2014). Polyphenols, also referred to as phenolic compounds, can have a high molecular weight due to the attachment of one or many hydroxyl groups to an aromatic ring structure (Balasundram 2006). Phenolic compounds can commonly be found connected to single and complex sugars within plants (Balasundram 2006). There is a vast diversity within the plant polyphenols as related to composition, yet polyphenols are categorized into 12 different classes based on structure (Balasundram 2006). Tannins along with …show more content…
Phytochemists have been able to identify a large number of different hydrolysable and condensed tannins. Examples of hydrolysable tannins include galloyl glucoses (GGs), also referred to as gallotannins (GTs), and ellagitannins (ETs) (Barbehenn and Constabel 2011). Hydrolyzable tannins exist within 15 orders of the dicotyledons; moreover, these tannins have a “more restricted occurrence” in plant species when compared to that of condensed tannins (Hattenschwiler and Vitousek 2000). The condensed tannins are even further categorized into many different sub-types pertaining to the compounds structure and linkages of their flavonoid groups (Barbehenn and Constabel 2011). Plant species with secondary or woody growth have been found to contain generous amounts of condensed tannins (Hattenschwiler and Vitousek 2000). Conversely, these condensed tannins are generally absent within the herbaceous plants (Hattenschwiler and Vitousek 2000).
S.marcescens is viable enough to flourish on standard media with the production of a pigment, which characteristically ranges from a red to a dark pink shade. Through its pathway of synthesis, Prodigiosin is formed as an alkaloid secondary metabolite with a linear tripyrrole chemical structure (figure 1), (Samrot et al, 2011). Secondary metabolites are natural products and also by-products of metabolism.(Vaishnav and Demain, 2011).
The trauma-informed care lab was a very impactful experience for me as a student pharmacist and as a person. Prior to the lab, I have always believed that childhood experiences can influence a person’s outcome as an adult. While this belief humanizes those, who have made poor choices in life, it is difficult for me to vindicate every case I see. However, after seeing the statistical facts from the ACE study and especially the movie Healing Neen, I found it easier to show empathy and understanding to those who made those choices.
With all the fuss beauty experts are making about Argan oil and Maracuja oil. You probably had heard both of these oils’ wonders. Imagine you’re staring at a beauty boutique cabinet where one stall contains the Argan oil and the other stall with Maracuja oil, it’ll be surely difficult to pick your winner oil, right?
7. Stevens, J., et al. Chemistry and biology of hop flavonoids. J. Am. Soc. Brew. Chem.
Janick. J. (2011). Center for New Crops & Plant Products - Department of Horticulture and
Plant defences are those mechanisms employed by plants in response to herbivory and parasitism. According to Hanley et al. (2007), “the tissues of virtually all terrestrial, freshwater, and marine plants have qualities that to some degree reduce herbivory, including low nitrogen concentration, low moisture content, toxins or digestibility-reducing compounds”. The type of chemical defence may be species specific (Scott 2008). The defences that plants possess may be in the form of chemical production or in the form of physical defences such as thorns or spikes and even through reinforced, rigid leaves. “The compounds that are produced in response to herbivory can either have a direct effect on the attacker itself (e.g. toxins or digestibility reducers), or serve as indirect defenses by attracting the natural enemies of the herbivores” (Bezemer & van Dam 2005). This essay will focus on chemical plant defences and in particular the effects of terpenes, phenolics, nitrogen-based defences as well as allelopathy in plants.
Medicinal plants have been used extensively as sources for numerous active constituents for treating human diseases and for its therapeutic value (Nostro et al., 2000). The use of plants in treating ailments has been known for thousands of years through the empirical knowledge gathered about the usefulness and harmful properties of different plants and by intuition. Many of these indigenous plants are used as food plants, added to food meant for pregnant women and nursing mothers for medicinal purposes (Edeoga, 2005). Hence it is very important to scientifically understand the chemical composition and bioactive constituent and the biological activity of the different plant part with regards to their usage in both orthodox and primary health care.
Turmeric has many different heart benefits due to the active curcumin. Researchers at the University of Toronto have found out that the curcumin helps stop many different reactions in the enlargement of the heart chambers or cardiac hypertrophy. It is also believed to help stop or reduce inflammation and fibrosis. Another study was conducted in Japan and it was found that the curcumin also helps the reduction of cardiac hypertrophy by creating healthy measurements of blood pressure. Curcumin acts as an anti-inflammatory which is the cause of many different conditions. This is why turmeric makes a good heart healthy diet plan.
This can be transformed into ice cream, candy, cakes and other presentations. Plantain chips as well as plantain desserts are in very high demand in all parts of the world, making plantains an extremely versatile food. It is also very commonly used for medicinal purposes, noting its high nutritional and caloric value. Not only the fruits are used in the plantains, but also the plant as such, the phytopharmaceuticals derived from it have therapeutic properties due to the active principles they contain, among them: phenols, tannins, amines, nucleosides and organic acids. The fruit pulp contains serotonin and dopamine, as well as
...mary example of a plant that has been used throughout history for multiple purposes. It was initially a plant that was only of importance to the Native peoples of the Americas. What was once considered a plant that was only useful in tribal folklore and ritualistic practices, is now being considered very valuable in the modern world. Current inquiries and research into natural alternatives to the many chemicals utilized in the modern food and drug industries is shining a light on the effectiveness and the many potential uses of B. Orellana. Its uses have expanded from its original intended purposes to an array of purposes because of its valuable properties. Although at this current point, more research is needed on B. Orellana to enhance its effectiveness and successfully implement it into more foods and medicines, the possibilities this plant presents are promising.
The sunflower got its name from its flower, which resembles the sun. The large flower is actually a mature flower head, composed a bunch of tiny flowers clumped together (Duncan 1975). The sunflower is an annual, erect, broadleaf plant. It has a tough, strong stem and rough simple leaves. The leaves on the immature buds are phototropic and follow the sun’s rays, one of the properties that increase light interception. The sunflower is not prone to many diseases, which make it appealing to producers (Duncan 1975). The plant grows rapidly and very large in the right location. They thrive in northern areas. One of the beneficial properties is the plants ability for phtytoremediation. It’s able to r...
Nutraceutical is a combination from two words i.e. ‘nutrition’ and ‘pharmaceutical. Nutraceuticals can be defined as a food or a part of food which helps in altering and maintaining normal physiological functions in healthy human beings. The principal reasons for the growth of the nutraceutical market worldwide are the current population and the health trends. The food products used as nutraceuticals can be characterized as dietary fiber, prebiotics, probiotics, polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants and other different types of herbal/ natural foods. These nutraceuticals help in fighting some of the major health problems of the century such as metabolic disorders (obesity, cardiovascular disease, cholesterol & diabetes), cancer, bone disorders (osteoporosis, arthritis etc.). Altogether, ‘nutraceutical’ has led to the new era of medicine and health.
Today people are becoming more aware of the advantages of using natural health products. Apart from it being a cost-efficient solution to maintain and attain healthier body, the products made from herbal and natural ingredients offer a myriad of benefits compared to those made from chemical and artificial ingredients. The followi...
An antioxidant is any substance that significantly delays or inhibits the oxidation of a substrate (Young & Woodside, 2001). The physiological role of antioxidants is to prevent cellular damage arising as a consequence of chemical reactions involving free radicals. Free radicals are major contributors to degenerative diseases of aging, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, cataracts, immune system decline, and brain dysfunction (Ames, et al., 1990) (Atoui, et al., 2005). Antioxidants have the ability to stabilize or deactivate free radicals before they attack the body and hence antioxidants are critical for maintaining optimal well-being.
When studying plant nutrition, it is important to analyze the sources of the nutrition. Plants absorb their nutrients using their roots in the soil, however soil is not a uniform nutritive source. The plant’s wellbeing depends greatly on the quality, composition, and thickness of the soil. To help categorize such a broad topic, scientists have implemented a naming scheme for the different levels of soil. The first layer is closest to ...