Daucus Carota

Hot water treatment of seeds to control seedborne pathogens is an important tool for organic seed production. Reducing seed moisture content may have the potential to increase carrot (Daucus carota L. var. sativus D.C.) seed tolerance to treatment. Two hot water seed treatment experiments were conducted. The first studied the effect of seed moisture content (SMC), treatment temperature and treatment duration on germination. Maximum safe treatment temperature and durations were established at 50°C and 30-40 min. Germination decreased slightly from 68% at 5% SMC to 63% at 20% SMC (LSD 1.2) for all durations. The second experiment studied the effect of initial SMC and treatment durations on infestation of seed by Alternaria radicina and seed germination. Treatment at 50°C for 30 min for all SMC compared to the control resulted in a decrease in A. radicina infestation from 69.2 to 1.7%. Reducing SMC from 20 to 5% for all durations resulted in a small decrease in infestation from 25% to ...

Antigens derived from various pathogens can readily be synthesized at high levels in plants in their authentic forms. Such antigens administered orally can induce an immune response and, in some cases, result in protection against a subsequent challenge. We here report the expression of rabies virus G protein into carrots. The G gene was subcloned into the pUCpSSrabG vector and then used to transform carrot embryogenic cells by particle bombardment. The carrot cells were selected in liquid medium, a method previously unreported. The presence of the transgene was verified by PCR, and by RT-PCR. By western blot, G protein transgene was identified in 93.3% of adult carrot roots. The G protein was quantified by densitometric analysis (range 0.4-1.2%). The expressed protein was antigenic in mice. This confirms that the carrot is an adequate system for antigen expression.

It is well known that wild carrots may pollute the seed crops of cultivated carrots, but whether cultivated carrots can also disperse pollen and seed, and thereby introduce genes into wild carrot populations, is only little described. In Denmark, there is no commercial seed production of carrots, and as biennials they should normally not flower before harvest of the roots. Still, flowering individuals can be found in most Danish fields, and sometimes in very high numbers. At least 75% of the flowering plants are male fertile, with ca. 83% of the pollen being viable. More than half of the plants produce seeds. Pollen and seed dispersal from fields into wild carrot populations is probably rather frequent in Denmark. A closer inspection of the morphology of flowering plants indicate that some of these (2-60%) are bolters of pure cultivar origin, as indicated primarily by orange root colour. The remainder is probably first or advanced generation hybrids between wild and cultivated plants, as indicated by their white roots and combinations of morphological characters from either plant type. Some of these hybrids are imported to Denmark together with the sowing seed, as indicated by significantly different frequencies of bolters with white roots in different carrot cultivars tested in the field.

ABSTRACT: In the present study, radiation processing of minimally processed carrot and cucumber at a dose of 2 kGy was carried out. The effect of this treatment on different quality parameters such as vitamin C content, total carotenoids content, sensory quality, texture, and color was determined over a storage period of 16 d at 8°C to 10° C. In the case of cucumber, treatment of irradiation as well as storage period showed no significant change in the total vitamin C content of either the control or the irradiated samples. In the case of carrots, a 2-kGy dose had no significant effect (P < 0.05) on total vitamin C content of the samples. However, during storage, both control as well as irradiated samples showed significant decrease (P < 0.05) in vitamin C content. Total carotenoids content in carrot remained almost unchanged after irradiation as well as during storage. Sensory evaluation results showed that irradiation had no significant (P < 0.05) effect on the ratings of any of the sensory attributes in carrot. Radiation processing of cucumber affected the flavor significantly. However, this change did not alter the overall acceptability of cucumber. Textural studies revealed that in both carrot and cucumber, there was no significant change (P < 0.05) in firmness of the central region after irradiation, whereas the peripheral region in carrot showed significant reduction in firmness. In the case of cucumber, there was no significant change (P < 0.05) in the texture of both peripheral regions. However, during storage, the peripheral regions of carrot and cucumber showed significant increase in firmness. Color measurement results indicated no drastic change in color coordinates of carrot samples. Thus, the nutritional as well as sensory quality of minimally processed foods did not alter significantly after gamma irradiation.

Amending soils with Se-hyperaccumulator plant derived sources of selenium (Se) may be useful for increasing the Se content in food crops in Se-deficient regions of the world. In this study we evaluated total Se and the different chemical species of Se in broccoli and carrots grown in soils amended with ground shoots of the Se-hyperaccumulator Stanleya pinnata. With increasing application rates of S. pinnata, total plant Se concentrations increased to nutritionally ideal levels inside edible parts. Selenium compounds in aqueous extracts were analyzed by SAX-HPLC-ICPMS and identified as a variety of mainly organic-Se forms. Together with bulk Se K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) analysis performed on broccoli florets, carrot roots and shoots, dried ground S. pinnata, and the amended soil at post-plant, we demonstrate that Se-enriched S. pinnata is valuable as a soil amendment for enriching broccoli and carrots with healthful forms of organic-Se.

Human manipulation of wild progenitors during crop domestication has led to the foundation of modern agriculture (Zohary and Hopf, 2000 ; Glémin and Bataillon, 2009). A common suite of traits including loss of seed shattering, dormancy, and branching are often selected during the domestication process and referred to as the "domestication syndrome" (Zohary and Hopf, 2000). After primary traits have been selected and fi xed, the process of domestication often has directed more attention to quality traits such as color, shape, and fl avor, and physiological traits contributing to uniformity (Doebley et al., 2006). Studies analyzing the genetic structure of wild and cultivated crops, in combination with archeological and historical evidence, have provided insight into the geographic and temporal details of domestication to reveal where, when, and how many times a crop was domesticated (Meyer et al., 2012). To date, the majority of domestication studies has focused on staple food crops with little attention toward root vegetables (Meyer et al., 2012). Cultivated carrot (Daucus carota L. subsp. sativus L.) is a common vegetable with a well-known and widely distributed weedy progenitor, wild carrot or Queen Anne's lace (D. carota subsp. carota). Carrot is the most widely grown crop of the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae), cultivated on 1.2 M hectares globally (carrot and turnip as aggregate data) (FAO, 2011), of which 34 000 hectares of carrots are produced in US with an estimated annual crop value of $758 M (USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2011). Wild carrot occurs widely across temperate regions of the globe. The time frame and geographic region(s) of the fi rst cultivation of carrots are unclear. Vavilov (1992 , pp. 337-340) identifi ed Asia Minor (eastern Turkey) and the inner Asiatic regions as the centers of origin of cultivated carrot and noted Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) as being "the basic center of Asiatic kinds of cultivated carrots" where "wild carrots … practically invited themselves to be cultivated". As observed by the presence of carrot seed at prehistoric human habitations 4000 to 5000 yr

A novel cold-tolerant fungus, Fibulorhizoctonia psychrophila, was isolated from a refrigerated carrot storage facility and identified as an anamorph of Athelia, often classified in Rhizoctonia s.l. Growth of this fungus was observed between 0 and 20°C with an optimum at 9-12°C, while incubation of mycelium grown at 15-32°C resulted in absence of growth even after the fungus was transferred back to 15°C. Growth was inhibited in the presence of the antifungals sorbic acid or natamycin, in particular when the fungus was incubated at 18°C. F. psychrophila produces polysaccharide degrading enzymes that, when compared to enzymes from the ascomycete fungus Aspergillus niger, retain a larger proportion of their activity at lower temperatures. This indicates that F. psychrophila could be used as a source for novel industrial enzymes that are active at 4-15°C.

SUMMARY This study aims to analyze the influence of dehydration and different preparation methods during home processing related to a-carotene, b-carotene and total carotenoids stability in carrots. Vitamin A values were evaluated after different treatments. Thus, carrots ...

Ethnopharmacological relevance: In Russian traditional medicine, an extract from the mushroom Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pil´at is used as an anti-tumor medicine and diuretic. It has been reported that Inonotus obliquus has therapeutic effects, such as anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory and hepatoprotective effects. This study was designed to investigate the chemical composition and biological properties of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Inonotus obliquus from Finland, Russia, and Thailand. Their antioxidative, antimicrobial, and antiquorum properties were tested as well as the cytotoxicity on various tumor cell lines.

Plant species of the family Apiaceae are known to accumulate flavonoids mainly in the form of flavones and flavonols. Three 2oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases, flavone synthase or flavanone 3 b-hydroxylase and flavonol synthase are involved in the biosynthesis of these secondary metabolites. The corresponding genes were cloned recently from parsley (Petroselinum crispum) leaves.

Thirteen laboratories participated in an interlaboratory method performance (collaborative) study on a method for the determination of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead by inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) after pressure digestion including the microwave heating technique. Prior to the study, the laboratories were able to practice on samples with defined element levels (pretrial test). The method was tested on a total of 7 foodstuffs: carrot puree, fish muscle, mushroom, graham flour, simulated diet, scampi, and mussel powder. The elemental concentrations in mg/kg dry matter (dm) ranged from 0.06-21.4 for As, 0.03-28.3 for Cd, 0.04-0.6 for Hg, and 0.01-2.4 for Pb. The materials used in the study were presented to the participants as blind duplicates, and the participants were asked to perform single determinations on each sample. The repeatability relative standard deviations (RSD r ) for As ranged from 3.8 to 24%, for Cd from 2.6 to 6.9%, for Hg from 4.8 to 8.3%, and for Pb from 2.9 to 27%. The reproducibility relative standard deviations (RSD R ) for As ranged from 9.0 to 28%, for Cd from 2.8 to 18%, for Hg from 9.9 to 24%, and for Pb from 8.0 to 50%. The HorRat values were less than 1.5 for all test samples, except for the determination of Pb in wheat flour at a level close to the limit of quantitation (0.01 mg/kg dm). The study showed that the ICP/MS method is satisfactory as a standard method for elemental determinations in foodstuffs.

The aim of this review is to provide an update on factors contributing to quality of carrots, with special focus on the role of pre-and postharvest factors and processing. The genetic factor shows the highest impact on quality variables in carrots, causing a 7-11-fold difference between varieties in content of terpenes, β-carotene, magnesium, iron and phenolics as well as a 1-4-fold difference in falcarindiol, bitter taste and sweet taste. Climate-related factors may cause a difference of up to 20-fold for terpenes, 82% for total sugars and 30-40% for β-carotene, sweet taste and bitter taste. Organic farming in comparison with conventional farming has shown 70% higher levels for magnesium and 10% for iron. Low nitrogen fertilisation level may cause up to 100% increase in terpene content, minor increase in dry matter (+4 to +6%) and magnesium (+8%) and reduction in β-carotene content (−8 to −11%). Retail storage at room temperature causes the highest reduction in β-carotene (−70%) and ascorbic acid (−70%). Heat processing by boiling reduces shear force (−300 to −1000%) and crispiness (−67%) as well as content of phenolics (−150%), terpenes (−85%) and total carotenes (−20%) and increases the risk of furan accumulation. Sensory and chemical quality parameters of carrots are determined mainly by genetic and climate-related factors and to a minor extent by cultivation method. Retail temperature and storage atmosphere as well as heating procedure in processing have the highest impact in quality reduction.

Objective: Carrot (Daucus carota L.) is known to possess antifertility properties in female. However, according to Iranian traditional medicine, it can increase the potency in men. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of carrot seed extract (CSE) on spermatogenesis, number and motility of sperms in cauda epididyme in male rats. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group, groups receiving low-and high doses of CSE, animals that received high-dose of CSE with gentamicin, and a gentamicin only group. After 4 weeks treatment, fasting serum samples were obtained for the sex hormone analysis. Under anesthesia, testis, cauda epididymides and sperm ducts were dissected and sperm count, motility and cauda epididymis sperm reserves (CESR) were determined. Histopathological changes of testis were also studied to assess spermatogenesis. Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey HSD tests. Results: Administration of CSE caused a significant increase in CESR compared with the control (28.2 ± 1.8 vs. 45.1 ± 2.0, ×10 6 ). The extract could also protect testis from the gentamicin-induced necrosis. The CSE administration caused about 3.5-times increase in the LH levels even in spite of receiving 5 mg/kg/day gentamicin with no significant effect on FSH levels. The testosterone concentrations in the group received 400 mg/kg CSE were 30% and 83% higher than its levels in the control and the gentamicin treated group, respectively. Conclusion: CSE can overcome reproductive toxicity of gentamicin and induces spermatogenesis probably mainly through the elevation of testosterone levels. It appears that this extract has opposite effects on male and female reproductive systems.

Carrots were grown in controlled climate chambers at 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21°C and at two plant densities. Descriptive sensory analysis was performed and terpenes were assessed by means of a dynamic headspace technique. The highest score for sweet taste was obtained in carrots grown at the lowest temperature, while bitter taste, terpenes and sugars showed increasing values with increasing growth temperature. Plant density had little or no effect on sensory quality or terpenoid volatiles. Higher temperatures (18 and 21°C) led to higher contents of terpenoid volatiles in carrots. A high positive correlation between terpenes (a-terpinene, b-myrcene, trans-caryophyllene, farnesene, ahumulene) and sensory variables (terpene flavour, green flavour, earthy flavour, bitter taste, aftertaste) was found: 83% of the variation in terpenes was able to predict 82% of the sensory variables by means of partial least squares regression (PLS2). It was concluded that these terpenes were responsible for bitter taste and thus suppressed the perception of sweet taste in carrots. Terpinolene decreased with increasing growth temperature and probably plays only a minor role in masking sweet taste in carrots.

The fruit, leaf and stem essential oils of Daucus carota ssp. maximus have been studied by GC-MS. The fruit oil consists chiefly of phenylpropanoids and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. It is characterized by the presence of trans-methylisoeugenol, methyleugenol, p-asarone, shyobunone and preisocalamendiol. Phenylpropanoids are completely absent from both the leaf and stem oils and the oxygenated sesquiterpenes constitute about 52 and 80%, respectively of the oils composition, with shyobunones and preisocalamendiol as major component. These monocyclic ketones as well as a-bourbonene, aristol-9-en-3-01 and aristolenol have never before been reported as components of any Daucus oil. Unlike most of the studied varieties, carotol, daucol and geranyl acetate are completely absent. These results reflect the unique composition of the essential oils of this Lebanese variety.

Lemon juice, vinegar and the mixture of lemon juice and vinegar (1:1) were tested for their effectiveness in reducing the counts of inoculated Salmonella typhimurium (approximately 6 and 3 log cfu/g) on carrots. Treatment of carrot samples with lemon juice vinegar alone for different exposure times (0, 15, 30 and 60 min) caused significant reductions ranging between 0.79 -3.95 and 1.57 -3.58 log cfu/g, respectively, while the number of pathogens was reduced to an undetectable level after 30min treatment by combined used lemon juice vinegar. D

The use of biocatalysis and biotransformations has become relevant as an important tool inside the green chemistry toolbox. Accordingly, we deem it is worthy for chemistry training to introduce these concepts at an early stage of the curricula. We hereby present the enantioselective reduction of a ketone by crude plant parts, using carrot (Daucus carota) as the reducing agent. The experiment introduces an example of a green chemistry procedure that can be tailored to fit in a regular laboratory session. Among other concepts, the experiment teaches chromatographic separation on the microscale level.

Carrots were analysed for taste and odour and for contents of terpenes, 6-methoxymellein and sugars during 3 weeks storage at 15°C in an atmosphere containing ethylene (1 ml l À1 ). The ethylene treatment caused an increase in 6-methoxymellein and the conversion of higher amounts of sucrose to fructose and glucose compared to control carrots stored in air. This corresponded to higher sensory scores for bitterness and terpene¯avour and a lower score for sweetness, as measured by an expert taste panel. Principal component analysis showed a more expressed bitter taste, earthy¯avour, green avour, terpene¯avour and aftertaste in the ethylene-treated carrots. Correlations were found between sweet taste and the content of sucrose (r = 0.91, p`0.005) and between the contents of various terpenes (particularly g-terpinene, limonene and caryophyllene) and terpene¯avour, green¯avour, aftertaste and bitter taste (r ! 0.72, p`0.05). In the air-stored carrots these off-¯avours seemed to be masked by a high sucrose content.

A dichloromethane extract of root celery yielded falcarinol, falcarindiol, panaxydiol, and the new polyacetylene 8-O-methylfalcarindiol. The structure of the new compound was established by oneand two-dimensional (1D and 2D) NMR, mass spectrometry, and optical rotation data. Nonpolar extracts of roots and bulbs of carrots, celery, fennel, parsley, and parsnip were investigated for their content of polyacetylenes by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). All five species contained polyacetylenes, although carrots and fennel only in minor amounts. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of the four polyacetylenes against five different cell lines was evaluated by the annexin V-PI assay. Falcarinol proved to be the most active compound with a pronounced toxicity against acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line CEM-C7H2, with an IC 50 of 3.5 µmol/L. The possible chemopreventive impact of the presented findings is discussed briefly.

Jl. Cut Nyak Dhien No.16 Kalisapu, Slawi, Kabupaten Tegal Telp/Fax (0283) 6197570 ABSTRAK Pemanfaatan bahan alam sebagai obat dan kosmetik di Indonesia telah dilakukan oleh nenek moyang sejak bertahun-tahun yang lalu. Wortel merupakan salah satu jenis tanaman di Indonesia yang banyak digunakan sebagai salah satu bahan baku pembuatan kosmetik. Wortel dalam kosmetik sering digunakan sebagai zat pewarna alami untuk menggantikan pewarna sintetis karena mengandung senyawa antosianidin dimana senyawa ini merupakan salah satu senyawa golongan flavonoid yang mempunyai aktivitas sebagai antioksidan. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk memformulasikan sediaan lipstik menggunakan zat warna yang terkandung dalam wortel. Pembuatan ekstrak dilakukan dengan metode maserasi menggunakan etanol 96 % sebagai pelarut yang kemudian cairan maserasi diuapkan menggunakan waterbath sehingga diperoleh ektrak kental worte yang kemudian diformulasikan untuk membuat lipstik. Evaluasi sediaan lipstik yang dilakukan meliputi uji daya oles, uji homogenitas, uji pH, uji titik lebur dan uji organoleptic. Sediaan lipstik yang dihasilkan mudah dioleskan berwarna kuning muda dan jika pemakaian lebih banyak menghasilkan warna kuning kunyit yang merata. Titik lebur sediaan lipstick yang mengandung ekstrak wortel melebur pada suhu 70 o C selama 15 menit dengan nilai pH 5

Quercetin, luteolin, apigenin and kaempferol contents of Urtica sp., Rosa cannina (rosehip), Salvia ocinalis (sage), Tilia platyphyllos (linden¯ower), black tea, Daucus carota L. spp sativus (violet carrot juice), grape molasses, honey and tarhana were determined by HPLC with UV detection. Consumption of the samples was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire method. One hundred healthy volunteers were asked to state the number of times on average per day, week or month they consumed each item over the last 6 months. Quercetin was determined in all samples except honey, whereas luteolin was determined only in sage. Kaempferol was determined in black tea, linden¯ower and honey samples, and apigenin was determined in honey and Urtica sp. Quercetin intake by the consumption of tea, linden¯ower, sage rosehip, violet carrot juice, grape molasses, tarhana and juice of Urtica sp. were estimated as 4.2±25, 2.6, 3.3, and 2.0 mg/day, 1.67 mg/day, 1.70 mg/day, 1.78 mg/month and 21.75±65.25 mg/month, respectively. Luteolin intake by the consumption of sage was estimated as 1.32 mg/day. Apigenin intakes by the consumption of honey and juice of Urtica sp. were estimated as 2.34 mg/day and 3.58±10.73 mg/month, respectively. Kaempferol intakes of the participants from tea, linden¯ower and honey were estimated as 13.2±79.2, 13.56 and 190 mg/day respectively. #

The failure to discover a significant new class of insecticides, has led many researchers back to biodiscovery studies in the search of new and economically viable alternatives. After preliminary screening with botanical extracts using descending series of concentrations (1000, 500, 100, 50 and 5 mg/L), eight extracts from two potential botanical agents, Khaya senegalensis (Desrousseaux) and Daucus carota L. were tested against 4 th instar Culex annulirostris (Skuse) larvae, using standard WHO insecticide susceptibility methodology.

Food safety is a fundamental concern of both consumers and the food industry. The increasing incidence of foodborne diseases increases the demand of using antimicrobials in foods. Spices and plants are rich in essential oils and show inhibition activity against microorganisms, which are composed of many compounds. In this research, effects of garlic, bay, black pepper, origanum, orange, thyme, tea tree, mint, clove, and cumin essential oils on Listeria monocytogenes AUFE 39237, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 13076, Proteus mirabilis AUFE 43566, Bacillus cereus AUFE 81154, Saccharomyces uvarum UUFE 16732, Kloeckera apiculata UUFE 10628, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Candida oleophila UUPP 94365, and Metschnikowia fructicola UUPP 23067 and effects of thyme oil at a concentration of 0.5% on L. monocytogenes and C. albicans in apple-carrot juice during þ48C storage (first to fifth day) were investigated. Strong antibacterial and antifungal activities of some essential oils were found. Thyme, origanum, clove, and orange essential oils were the most inhibitory against bacteria and yeasts. Cumin, tea tree, and mint oils inhibited the yeasts actively. It is concluded that some essential oils could be used as potential biopreservatives capable of controlling foodborne pathogens and food spoilage yeasts.

A field experiment was conducted during the 2015 growing season from March to June of 2015 to study the effects of combined applications
of organic- P and inorganic –N fertilizers on yield of carrot (Daucus carrota L.) at Menschen fur Menschen Foundation Agro ecology Department
Demonstration Site. Factorial combinations of organic –P fertilizer (309kg orga ha-1 with three rates of inorganic N fertilizer (0, 68, and 411 kg Urea
ha-1) were used. Treatments were laid down in a randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a factorial combination with three replications.
The result of this study revealed that the application of organic –P fertilizer and inorganic- N fertilizer showed a significant differences (P<0.05)
on root weight, root volume, and yield while a non significance (P>0.05) difference result was recorded for emergency date and leaf number. The
application of 309kg/ha orga + 411kg N/ha as a source urea and 309kg/ha orga + 68kgN/ha as source urea increase plant height by 145.15%
and 143.70% over control. Similarly, the application of 309kg/ha orga + 411kgN/ ha as source urea, 309kg/ha orga + 68kg N/ha as source urea,
309kg/ha orga +0 kgN/ha as source urea increased root weight by 174.33%, 149.23% and 129.26% over control. There was also an increase
root volume by 170.4%, 150.41% and 145.13% over control for the application of 309kg/ha orga +411kg N/ha as urea, 309kg/ha orga +68kgN/
ha as source urea and 309kg orga + 0 kgN/ha as urea respectively. The experimental results also shown an increase in leaf weight by 211.98%
and 160.25% over the control for the application of 309kg/ha orga +411kg N/ha as source urea and 309kg/ha orga +68kg N/ha as source urea.
There was also an increased in yield (t/ha) over the control for the application of 309kg/ha orga + 411kg N/ha as source urea, 309kg/ha orga
+ 68kgN/ha as source urea and 309 kg/ha orga + 0kg N/ha as source urea increased by 231.22%, 118% and 149.08% respectively. This study
recommended farmers to apply 309kg/ha orga + 411kg N/ha as source urea.

Carrot pomace is a by-product obtained during carrot juice processing. Thin layer carrot pomace drying was performed in a laboratory scale hot air forced convective dryer. The drying experiments were carried out at the air velocity of 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 m/s at air temperatures from 60 to 75 C. It was observed that whole drying process of carrot pomace took place in a falling rate period except a very short accelerating period at the beginning. Mathematical models were tested to fit drying data of carrot pomace. The best fit model was observed on the basis of R 2 , Chi-square and RMSE values. R 2 values for all the selected models were above 0.9783. The average values of effective diffusivity ranged from 2.61 Â 10 À9 to 3.64 Â 10 À9 m 2 /s.

Raw carrots and carrots blanched in water and in 4% trehalose and maltose solutions at 75°C for 3 (A) and 10 min (C) and at 90°C for 3 (B) and 10 min (D) were frozen and stored at À18°C for eight months. The effects of heating conditions and exogenous added sugars on the mechanical properties and microstructure of the vegetable after blanching and during frozen storage were studied.

Thermal processing of vegetables has pronounced effects on the cell structure, often negatively affecting the final textural properties of the product. In order to study the effect of thermal processing and the protective effect of sugars on the tissue, sliced carrots were subjected to blanching treatments under different time and temperature combinations both in water and in 4% sugar solutions made of trehalose or maltose. The influence of these process conditions on mass transfer, texture, and microstructure (Cryo-scanning electron microscopy) was thus investigated. The total mass loss of all the samples blanched in water was associated to their cook value (C 18 100 ) except for the overprocessed one (90 • C, 10 min) that showed a total mass change significantly lower due to water uptake. The use of trehalose and maltose in the blanching solution reduced the solute loss while increasing the water loss. Microstructural analysis of the differently blanched carrots showed detachments between adjacent cell walls as well as plasmolysis phenomena as the time and temperature of the thermal treatment were increased. A protective effect of both sugars on cell structures was observed mostly in the sample treated at 90 • C. At macroscopic level, textural changes upon blanching were observed by a penetration test. As blanching time was increased, samples processed at 75 • C showed a hardness increase, while those processed at 90 • C showed a hardness decrease. However, both trehalose and maltose did not exert significant effects on the textural properties of blanched carrots when compared with those blanched in water.

Daucus carota L. ssp. carota (Apiacea) is used in traditional medicine in Lebanon and in different regions throughout the world. The present study investigates the in vitro anticancer activities of Daucus carota oil extract (DCOE) on four human cancer cell lines as well as its in vitro antioxidant activity. DCOE was extracted from the dried umbels with 50:50 acetone-methanol. The oil extract was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and screened for its antioxidant properties in vitro using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl free radical scavenging assay (DPPH), ferrous ion chelating assay (FIC) and the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP). The anticancer activity of the oil extract against human colon (HT-29, Caco-2) and breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) cancer cell lines was evaluated using the trypan blue exclusion method and the WST-1 cell proliferation assay. DCOE exhibited antioxidant activity in all assays used. The FRAP value was 164 AE 5.5 mmol FeSO 4 /g, and the IC 50 values for DPPH and FIC assays were 2.1 AE 0.03 mg/ml and 0.43 AE 0.02 mg/ml, respectively. Also, DCOE demonstrated a significant increase in cell death and decrease in cell proliferation. The effect of DCOE on the cell lines exhibited time and dose-dependent responses. The present study established that DCOE possesses both antioxidant and promising anticancer activities. Figure 2. Fe 2+ chelating assay. Chelating effect of DCOE and Na 2 EDTA on ferrous ions. The data represents the % chelating activity. Data are the mean AE SEM from three experiments.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: In Russian traditional medicine, an extract from the mushroom Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pil´at is used as an anti-tumor medicine and diuretic. It has been reported that Inonotus obliquus has therapeutic effects, such as anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory and hepatoprotective effects. This study was designed to investigate the chemical composition and biological properties of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Inonotus obliquus from Finland, Russia, and Thailand. Their antioxidative, antimicrobial, and antiquorum properties were tested as well as the cytotoxicity on various tumor cell lines.

Eine 16ja Èhrige Patientin wurde uns konsiliarisch aus der Klinik fu Èr Kinder-und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie wegen seit mindestens 4 Wochen bestehender gelblicher Verfa Èrbung der Ha Ènde und Fu Èûe vorgestellt. Ein halbes Jahr zuvor habe sie an einem Handekzem gelitten. Die Eltern berichteten von einem vermehrten Ha Èndewaschen in letzter Zeit. Auûerdem fiel anamnestisch eine Gewichtsabnahme von 5±6 kg innerhalb des letzten Jahres auf. Im Vorfeld sei bereits 2±3 Jahre zuvor eine Eûsto Èrung aufgefallen.

Objective: Helminthiasis is a now global problem mostl y in p oor countries. The main purpose of the presen t research is to investigate in-vitro anthelmintic activity of some plants of Indian origin. Methods: Differen t concentrations (25, 50, 100 mg/mL) of all the five plant (Areca catechu, Tamarindus indica Linn, Daucus caro ta L., Nigella sativa Linn, Ocimum tenuiflorum) extracts diluted with 3% Tw een 80 in normal saline were used for th e anthelmintic activity. Albendazole was used as a reference standard and n ormal saline has been treated as control. Resu lts : The result was expressed in terms of time in minutes to report paralysis time and death time of earthworms. Ethanolic ex tracts of all the plant parts have exhibited a dose dep endent inhibition of spontaneous motility i.e. Paralysis of Earthworms. At the concen tration of 100mg/mL all the extracts excep t Daucus carota L. showed significant result (p<0.05) against earthworms. Conc lusions: The ethanolic ex tracts of all the five ethno-botanicals have been supported their folklore use and possess the anthelmintic activity. The presen t research also established a m ore potent candidature of Ethanolic extracts of seed of Ta marindus indica Linn. as compared to others. This study can be extended for the isolation of cond ensed Tannin which is particularly responsible for the activity.

BACKGROUND: Studies on health effects of organic (ORG) products are still limited and often contradictory. We have investigated the impact of ORG and conventional (CV) carrots from two consecutive harvest years on mouse peripheral and intestinal immunity.

Kinetic parameters for the thermal inactivation of several enzymes in carrot and potato homogenates have been determined. In carrots the most heat-resistant activity was polygalacturonase, followed by peroxidase and pectinmethylesterase. In potatoes peroxidase was the most resistant, followed by pectin methylesterase, polyphenol oxidase, and lipoxygenase. There were several notable similarities between the inactivation kinetics in the two vegetables. In both cases peroxidase activity gave simple first-order inactivation kinetics but yielded a curved Arrhenius plot for the temperature dependence. Pectin methylesterase in both commodities consisted of a labile and a resistant form. The relative amounts of the two forms and the temperature dependences for their inactivation were also similar.

In the present study, inhibitory effects of the hydrosols of thyme, black cumin, sage, rosemary and bay leaf were investigated against Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli O157:H7 inoculated to apple and carrots (at the ratio of 5.81 and 5.81 log cfu/g for S. Typhimurium, and 5.90 and 5.70 log cfu/g for E. coli O157: H7 on to apple and carrot, respectively). After the inoculation of S. Typhimurium or E. coli O157:H7, shredded apple and carrot samples were washed with the hydrosols and sterile tap water (as control) for 0, 20, 40 and 60 min. While the sterile tap water was ineffective in reducing (P N 0.05) S. Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7, 20 min hydrosol treatment caused a significant (P b 0.05) reduction compared to the control group. On the other hand, thyme and rosemary hydrosol treatments for 20 min produced a reduction of 1.42 and 1.33 log cfu/g respectively in the E. coli O157:H7 population on apples. Additional reductions were not always observed with increasing treatment time. Moreover, thyme hydrosol showed the highest antibacterial effect on both S. Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 counts. Inhibitory effect of thyme hydrosol on S. Typhimurium was higher than that for E. coli O157:H7. Bay leaf hydrosol treatments for 60 min reduced significantly (P b 0.05) E. coli O157:H7 population on apple and carrot samples. In conclusion, it was shown that plant hydrosols, especially thyme hydrosol, could be used as a convenient sanitizing agent during the washing of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables.

Bulb mites of the genus Rhizoglyphus (Claparède) (Acari: Acaridae) have been identified as pests of many crops and ornamentals in storage, in the greenhouse, and in the field. The most important hosts are species in the family Liliaceae (e.g. Allium spp.), but bulb mites will often attack other important crops such as potatoes (Solanum sp.) and carrots (Daucus carota). Despite their economic importance and broad distribution, the systematics of the genus remains in a state of confusion and is in need of a comprehensive revision. In addition, the field biology and ecology of these mites is not well understood, and methods for sampling, monitoring, and loss assessment are limited. Management of bulb mites is complicated by their short generation time, high reproductive potential, broad food niche, interactions with other pests and pathogens, and unique adaptations for dispersal. Historically, control of these acarine pests has relied on the use of synthetic miticides and insecticides,...

The effects of vegetable type, vegetable dimensions, and solar drier load on dehydration rate; and texture, color, water activity, and carotene content of solar-dried carrots, sweet potatoes, and collard greens were studied. Mean dehydration rates (moisture loss,%/hr) for solar dried loads of 430 g/m2 and 715 g/m2 were 3.3 +/- 0.30% and 3.8 +/- 0.20% for carrots and sweet potatoes, respectively. Loads of 360 g/m2 and 465 g/m2 of collard greens had dehydration rates of 6.3 +/- 0.10% moisture loss per hr. The results showed that vegetable type accounted for significant differences (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.01) in dehydration rate, and beta-carotene content. Vegetable dimensions affected (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05) water activity. Solar drier load affected water activity (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.01), and hue angle (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). Beta-carotene contents (dry basis) of dehydrated carrot, sweet potato, and collard treatments were 10.9-17.4%, 7.6-9.8%, and 11.9-21.5%, respectively. Among the carrot treatments, the 5-mm thick slices packed at a load of 715 g/m2 contained the highest beta-carotene (17.4%, dry basis) and vitamin A activity (362 IU/g, dry basis), and good physical properties. For collard greens, the 2-cm and 3-cm wide strips packed at 360 g/m2 loads had the best combinations of high beta-carotene (21.5% and 17.2%, dry basis, respectively), vitamin A activity (357.2 and 293.1 IU/g, dry basis, respectively), and optimal color, texture, and water activity. Beta-carotene losses due to solar dehydration were 48.9-67.5%, 4.0-5.8%, and 1.9-19.8% (dry basis) in carrots, sweet potato and collard greens, respectively.

Carotenoids and chlorophylls are photosynthetic compounds and also efficient antioxidants. This study aims to identify and quantify carotenoids and chlorophylls in some vegetables (carrot, tomato, spinach), to measure the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of these samples with two spectrophotometric methods, to correlate TAC data with carotenoid structure, and to compare the TAC results with HPLC findings. Separation of the individual antioxidant pigments was achieved on a C 30 column using a developed gradient elution program involving methanol−acetonitrile (50:50, v/v) with 0.1% (v/v) triethylamine (TEA) (A) and acetone (B) mobile phases. Total antioxidant capacities of the acetone extracts of studied samples, in trolox and βcarotene equivalents, were in the order: spinach > tomato > carrot by both CUPRAC and ABTS methods. CUPRAC responded favorably to both chlorophylls a and b. The TAC calculated with aid of combined HPLC−spectrophotometry was very close to the spectrophotometric value (93−108%) for real samples and synthetic mixtures.

While earthworms are known to improve plant growth by improving the structure of the soil, recent work has suggested that earthworms also produced humic substances endowed with hormone-like activity. Suspensions of Daucus carota (carrot) cells were treated with auxin derivatives (2,4-D=2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, IAA=indole-3-acetic acid and NAA=1naphthylacetic acid) and a humic substance of low molecular weight (HEf), obtained from the faeces of the earthworms Nicodrilus caliginosus and Allolobophora rosea, which have auxin-like activity. HEf, at a concentration of 200 mg C l Àl , caused an increase in carrot cell growth, determined by packed cell volumes, similar to that of 2,4-D, and morphological changes induced by HEf were similar to those induced by IAA. Humic matter and the tested auxin derivatives stimulated carrot cell glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), glutamine synthetase (GS) and malic dehydrogenase (MDH) to various extents. When carrot cells were treated with HEf or IAA, GDH and MDH isoenzymes separated by isoelectrofocusing showed similar polymorphism. The addition of HEf or auxin derivatives to carrot cells caused an increase in free amino acids belonging to the oxaloacetate and aketoglutarate pathways. Our results showed that HEf aects nitrate metabolism, has auxin-like activity, was strongly acidic and had elevated peptide, carbohydrate and aliphatic C contents. Our work has con®rmed that the eective materials in the HEf were highly acidic and of low molecular weight. We conclude that, in addition to the already well established modes of action, earthworms are important in humogenesis because their faeces contained humic substances that can in¯uence plant growth via physiological eects. #

Twenty three cultivars of carrot (Daucus carota L.) roots consisting of fifteen local and eight exotic cultivars were analysed for various chemical constituents including dry matter, total soluble solids (TSS), β-carotene, total and reducing sugars, phenolics, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, copper, iron, sodium potassium and ash. In addition other characteristics such as days to maturity, root weight and length, flesh thickness, core diameter, number of forked and cracked roots per plot have been studied. Yellow carrots were found to have maximum root length, water soluble carbohydrates and minimum β-carotene content. The exotic cultivars were found to have higher TSS content than the local cultivars, while the latter cultivars had higher mineral contents than the former. However, on the average, dry matter content, total water soluble sugars, reducing and non-reducing sugars were found to be greater in exotic cultivars than in local ones, but β-carotene, phenols and phosphorus contents were greater in local cultivars. A significant positive correlation between β-carotene content, ash percentage and days to maturity was observed. A wide variation in chemical constituents and plant characteristics was observed indicating a high genetic variability in the material under study.

Carrots (Daucus carota L.) of cv. Bolero and cv. Carlo were processed into shreds and stored for up to 4 months at -24°C (frozen storage), or the roots were stored for up to 4 months at 1°C (refrigerated storage) followed by processing into shreds. Volatiles from the carrot shreds were collected by dynamic headspace technique and analyzed by GC-FID, GC-MS, GC-MS/MS, and GC-O to determine the volatile composition and aroma active components of carrots stored under different temperature conditions. A total of 52 compounds were quantified, of which mono-and sesquiterpenes accounted for ∼99% of the total volatile mass. Major volatile compounds were (-)-R-

Increasing insecticide resistance requires strategies to prolong the use of highly effective vector control compounds. The use of combinations of insecticides with other insecticides and phytochemicals is one such strategy that is suitable for mosquito control. In bioassays with Aedes aegypti and Culex annulirostris mosquitoes, binary mixtures of phytochemicals with or without synthetic insecticides produced promising results when each was applied at a LC 25 dose. All mixtures resulted in 100% mortality against Cx. annulirostris larvae within 24 h rather than the expected mortality of 50%. All mixtures acted synergistically against Ae. aegypti larvae within the first 24 h except for one mixture that showed an additive effect. We conclude that mixtures are more effective than insecticides or phytochemicals alone and that they enable a reduced dose to be applied for vector control potentially leading to improved resistance management and reduced costs. Journal of Vector Ecology 30 (2): 284-288. 2005.