The effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), an elicitor of plant defense mechanisms, on the biosynthesis of diosgenin, a steroidal saponin, were investigated in six fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) varieties (Gujarat Methi-2, Kasuri-1, Kasuri-2, Pusa Early Branching, Rajasthan Methi and Maharashtra Methi-5). Treatment with 0.01% MeJA increased diosgenin levels, in 12 days old seedlings, from 0.5%–0.9% to 1.1%–1.8%. In addition, MeJA upregulated the expression of two pivotal genes of the mevalonate pathway, the metabolic route leading to diosgenin: 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG) and sterol-3-β-glucosyl transferase (STRL). In particular, MeJA increased the expression of HMG and STRL genes by 3.2- and 22.2-fold, respectively, in the Gujarat Methi-2 variety, and by 25.4- and 28.4-fold, respectively, in the Kasuri-2 variety. Therefore, MeJA may be considered a promising elicitor for diosgenin production by fenugreek plants.

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Background. Diosgenin is a very important plant secondary metabolite and raw material for the drug industry. Plant sources rich in diosgenin include yam (Dioscorea spp.) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). A method for diosgenin extraction from yam extracts has previously been validated, but its extraction from fenugreek plants still requires validation. In addition, all available methods require time-consuming additional purification steps. The present study was aimed at developing a low cost, less time-consuming single-step method for diosgenin extraction from fenugreek. Material and methods. This study represents a method developed for diosgenin extraction from fenugreek plants without any additional/supportive purification methods such as chromatography or thin-layer chromatography. Diosgenin yield estimation and purity analysis by HPLC method, along with accuracy and precision analysis, is presented. Results. Five different fenugreek varieties were subjected to a newly developed diosgenin extraction method, and an HPLC chromatogram showed a single peak corresponding to diosgenin. Yield was determined by the standard curve method. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for the assay were found to be 0.0312 and 0.102 μg, respectively; t calculated for slope and other statistical parameters were found to be significant (P value < 0.001) for this method. Conclusion. We have developed a fast, accurate and low cost method for diosgenin extraction from fenugreek. Although the authors have studied this method only in fenugreek plants, it could be applied to the extraction of a few other plant secondary metabolites, which will help researchers to save time and effort. . Validation of a method for diosgenin extraction from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Acta Sci. Pol. Technol. Aliment., 17(4), 377-385. http://dx.doi.

Bamboo is an important grass with wide scale applications in paper industries, medicines, constructions industries. It is potential feedstock for advanced biofuel production due to its favourable characteristics, natural abundance, rapid growth, perennial nature and higher CO2 sequestration. The objective of this study is to understand genetic diversity between the bamboo accessions with respect to geographical origin to correlate molecular information with feedstock characterization and adaptation to abiotic stress. In this study, genomic DNA was extracted from twenty bamboo accessions collected from different regions of India and genetic variations were assessed by inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) based molecular marker approach using 8 primers. Maximum genetic distance was observed between Bambusa wamin-Itanagar & B. ventricosa-Durg (0.48221) & minimum genetic distance between Bambusa balcooa-Modasa & Bambusa balcooa-Tripura (0.00787). Bambusa balcooa and Bambusa vulgaris were genetically similar as compared to other accessions. The genetic distance is independent of geographical distance for the bamboo accessions considered in this study. The findings of this study will help to understand the degree of differences between bamboo accessions under the same environmental conditions and to identify the representative accessions that can be used for abiotic stress resistance studies. The information can be explored for screening of closely related bamboo accessions for abiotic stress resistance screening trials.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 3(2): 330-336 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v3i2.12587