Orientador: Ione Salgado / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T09:04:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ferreira_PabloGomes_D.pdf: 2361486 bytes, checksum: bf9d8999e1dba8973f99ba609fa1a033 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: Embora as isoflavonas de soja naturalmente se acumulem nas formas glico- emalonil-conjugadas, os efeitos benéficos dos alimentos a base de soja para a saúde humana tem sido creditados às formas agliconas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver uma metodologia para produção de extratos de soja enriquecidos em isoflavonas agliconas e avaliar suas atividades na síntese e na degradação de óxido nítrico (NO) e na proliferação de células de adenocarcinoma de mama (MCF-7) cultivadas in vitro. O doador de óxido nítrico (NO), nitroprussiato de sódio (SNP), foi utilizado como agente indutor para o acúmulo de isoflavonas em sementes de soja, que foram identificadas e quantificadas por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência e espectrometria de massas. O tratamento com SNP aumentou a síntese das isoflavonas agliconas de forma dosedependente. A produção relativa de formas agliconas foi de aproximadamente 75% nos exsudatos (solução indutora), em comparação com a extração feita apenas a partir somente dos tecidos (34%). Após tratamento com SNP, o exsudato do eixo embrionário acumulou a maior quantidade de isoflavonas livres (1,61 µg/mg) em relação ao cotilédone (1,1 µg/mg), enquanto que nos controles a produção total de isoflavonas foi de 0,3 µg/mg, sendo 95% nas formas conjugadas. Os extratos (350 µg) do eixo embrionário ou cotilédone enriquecido em agliconas, mas não os controles, estimularam a redução ácida do nitrito (determinada com eletrodo específico) levando à produção de 1,4 e 0,9 ?mol de NO em pH 2,0, valores que foram 8 vezes e 5,1 vezes maiores quando comparados à redução apenas na presença de 50 µM de nitrito. A atividade redutora de nitrito foi diminuída com a elevação do pH e estes resultados foram validados através da detecção de NO por quimiluminescência. As principais isoflavonas, livres ou conjugadas, identificadas nos extratos não estimularam a redução ácida do nitrito. Entretanto, foi observado que o tratamento com SNP também provocou o acúmulo de outros fenólicos, como os ácidos gálico, caféico e p-coumárico, que estimularam a redução ácida do nitrito. Em pH neutro os extratos apresentaram atividade sequestrante de NO sendo o de embrião novamente o mais ativo (0,85 ?mol de NO degradado/min), quando comparado com o cotilédone (0,24 ?mol/min) e com a degradação espontânea do controle (0,1 ?mol/min). Os extratos do eixo embrionário e do cotilédone apresentaram efeito bifásico dose-dependente na viabilidade e proliferação de células MCF-7. Nas doses menores (250-500 µg/mL) os extratos promoveram (10-25%) e em concentrações mais elevadas (750-1000 µg/mL) inibiram (15%) a proliferação celular. Na concentração de 500 µg/mL, o efeito proliferativo dos extratos foi revertido por nitrito (100 µM) em 34-36%. As doses mais elevadas dos extratos também estimularam a emissão de NO (detectado com um indicador fluorescente). O efeito bifásico foi atribuído à ação das isoflavonas agliconas em ativar os receptores estrogênicos e estimular a produção de NO, o que foi potencializado pelo nitrito. O conjunto dos resultados sugere que os extratos de soja enriquecidos em compostos bioativos interferem no metabolismo do NO e na proliferação de células de adenocarcinoma de mama / Abstract: Although soybean isoflavones naturally accumulate in their glyco- and malonylconjugated forms, the beneficial effects that soybean containing foods have on human health have been credited to their aglycones. This study aimed to develop a methodology for producing soybean extracts enriched with isoflavones aglycones and evaluate their activities in the synthesis and degradation of nitric oxide (NO) and proliferation of breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7) cultured in vitro. The nitric oxide (NO) donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), was used as a promoter for the accumulation of isoflavones in soybean seeds, which were identified and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. SNP treatment increased the synthesis of the aglycone isoflavones in a dose-dependent manner. The relative production of aglycone forms was approximately 75% in the exudates (promoter solution), compared to the extraction made from only the tissues (34%). After treatment with SNP, exudate from the embrionary axis accumulated the largest amount of free isoflavones (1.61 µg/mg) compared to cotyledon (1.1 µg/mg), whereas in controls the total production of isoflavones was 0.3 µg/mg, with 95 % in conjugated forms. The extracts (350 µg) of embrionary axis or cotyledon enriched in aglycones, but not the controls, stimulated the acid reduction of nitrite (measured with specific electrode) leading to production of 1.4 and 0.9 ?mol of NO at pH 2, 0, values that were 8 times and 5.1 times higher when compared to the reduction only in the presence of 50 µM nitrite. The nitrite reduction activity was decreased with increasing pH and these results were validated by detection of NO by chemiluminescence. The main isoflavones, free or conjugated, identified in the extracts did not stimulate the acid reduction of nitrite. However, we observed that treatment with SNP also caused the accumulation of other phenolic compounds such as gallic, caffeic and p-coumaric acids, which stimulated the acid reduction of nitrite. At neutral pH extracts showed scavenging activity of NO and the embryo again was the most active (0.85 ?mol NO degraded/min) when compared to the cotyledon (0.24 ?mol/min) and to the spontaneous degradation of the control (0.1 ?mol/min). The embryo and cotyledon extracts showed dose-dependent biphasic effects on viability and proliferation of MCF-7 cells. At lower doses (250-500 µg/mL) extracts promoted (10-25%) and at higher concentrations (750-1000 µg/mL) inhibited (15%) cell proliferation. At 500 µg/mL, the proliferative effect of the extracts was reversed by nitrite (100 µM) in 34-36%. The higher doses of the extracts also stimulated emission of NO (detected with a fluorescent indicator). The biphasic effect was attributed to the action of isoflavone aglycones in activating estrogen receptors and stimulating the production of nitric oxide, which was increased by nitrite. Overall, the results suggested that soybean extracts enriched in bioactive compounds interfere with the metabolism of NO and the proliferation of breast adenocarcinoma cells / Doutorado / Bioquimica / Doutor em Biologia Funcional e Molecular

Submitted by Gabriela Lopes (gmachadolopesufpel@gmail.com) on 2016-09-14T17:47:38Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) TESE FINAL CARINE.pdf: 2783312 bytes, checksum: c98b00d8f81c34d7a86eb856c45f000a (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2016-09-15T19:20:58Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 TESE FINAL CARINE.pdf: 2783312 bytes, checksum: c98b00d8f81c34d7a86eb856c45f000a (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-15T19:20:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 TESE FINAL CARINE.pdf: 2783312 bytes, checksum: c98b00d8f81c34d7a86eb856c45f000a (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-14 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o crescimento, a produção e a qualidade de mudas e frutas de morangueiro, sob diferentes condições de produção. Os fatores avaliados foram: origem das mudas de raízes nuas (Argentina, Chile, Chuí e São Francisco de Paula) e volumes de alvéolos em bandejas para a produção de mudas com torrão, sendo conduzidos no município de Pelotas, RS, em área experimental pertencente a Embrapa Clima Temperado (CPACT), durante os anos de 2010 e 2011. Foi avaliada também, a influência do genótipo e do local de cultivo sobre as características físico-químicas e compostos bioativos em frutas de morangueiro produzidas nas condições edafoclimáticas italianas, durante o ano de 2012. Para isso foram realizados três experimentos: (1) influência da origem da muda no desenvolvimento da planta e produção de frutas do morangueiro; (2) crescimento, desenvolvimento e produção de frutas a partir de mudas com torrão produzidas em diferentes volumes de alvéolos em bandejas; (3) Caracterização da produção e qualidade de frutas de diferentes genótipos de morangueiro, produzidos em distintas condições edafoclimáticas italianas. Nos dois primeiros experimentos, realizados no Brasil, foram avaliados parâmetros de crescimento e desenvolvimento das mudas e de produção das plantas. No terceiro experimento foram avaliados os atributos de qualidade em frutas de morangueiro em diferentes regiões da Itália. Há necessidade de importação de mudas devido a baixa qualidade daquelas produzidas nos viveiros locais. A cultivar Camarosa é melhor alternativa de cultivo do que ‘Camino Real’. Na produção de mudas com torrão, recipientes com maior volume produzem plantas com maior diâmetro da coroa e massa seca de raízes e parte aere, resultando em maior produção precoce. Na Itália, áreas de produção com clima mais frio proporcionam maior produção de frutas, no entanto em áreas com clima mais quente, obtém-se frutas com maior qualidade. A cultivar Nora é uma boa alternativa para as regiões estudadas, pois além de alta produção, apresenta elevados teores de compostos bioativos. Os genótipos CE 51, CE 56 e Nora apresentam valores superiores nos atributos de qualidade. / The study aimed to evaluate the growth, yield and quality of strawberry fruit under different conditions of transplants and fruits production. It was evaluated: origins of bare root (Argentina, Chile, Chuí and São Francisco de Paula) and cell volumes in trays for the plug transplants production, it was carried in Pelotas, Brazil, at Embrapa Clima Temperado (CPACT) in the years 2010 and 2011. It was also evaluated the influence of genotype and site of cultivation on bioactives compounds and physicochemical characteristics in fruits of strawberry produced at Italian climatic conditions, during the year 2012. Three experiments were conducted: (1) the influence of the transplant origin on plant development and fruit production in strawberry; (2) growth, plant development and fruit yield from plug plants produced in different cell volumes in the tray; (3) characterization of the production and fruits quality of strawberry genotypes produced in different Italian areas. In the first two experiments, the transplant growth, development and plant production were evaluated. In the third experiment, the quality attributes in strawberry fruits were evaluated. Is necessary import strawberry transplants due to poor quality of those produced in local nurseries. Camarosa cultivar is a better cultivation alternative than 'Camino Real'. In the plug plants production, larger containers volumes produce plants with larger crown diameter, root and shoot dry mass, resulting in higher early yield. In Italy, the production areas with colder climates provide greater fruit yield, however, in areas with warmer weather, get a higher fruit quality. The cultivar Nora is a good alternative for the studied regions, because despite high yield, has a high concentration of bioactive compounds. To CE 51, CE 56 and Nora genotypes had higher values in the quality attributes.

<p>U radu su ispitani fitohemijski profil, antioksida-tivna i in vitro biolo&scaron;ka aktivnost ekstrakata klijanaca &scaron;est sorti žitarica: p&scaron;enica Spelt, Simonida, (WSSPE, WSSIM) ječam, hibrid &ldquo;NS565&rdquo; (Hordeum vulgare L. ssp distichum.) (BSNS) i ne-hibridni &ldquo;Golozrni&rdquo; (Hordeum vul-gare var nudum.) (BSG) i ovas Golozrni, Jadar (OSG, OSJ). U cilju poređenja &scaron;est istraživanih vrsta klijanaca ispitivanja su obuhvatila određivanje TPC, TFC, TChl, Chla, Chlb i TCX vrednosti i testiranje njihove biolo&scaron;ke aktivnosti (antioksidativnog kapaciteta, redukcione sposobnosti, antiinflamatorne i antihiperglikemijske aktivnosti), kao i sposobnost oslobađanja fenolnih jedinjenja iz FDS tokom in vitro gastrointestinalnog varenja.<br />Spektrofotometrijskim metodama utvrđeno je da su fenolna jedinjenja najdominantnije fitohemikalije u svim ispitivanim klijancima žitarica. U uzorku BSNS utvrđen je najveći sadržaj (p &le; 0,05) ukupnih fenolnih jedinjenja, hlorofila i karotenoida, a najveći sadržaj ukupnih flavonoida imali su BSNS i BSG. Najniži TFC je registrovan u uzorku OSJ (p &le; 0,05). Antioksidativna aktivnost uzoraka FDS ispitana je primenom DPPH, ABTS testa i određivanjem redukcione sposobnosti (RP). Uzorak BSNS pokazao je najveći antioksidantni kapacitet u DPPH i ABTS testu, kao i najveću redukcionu sposobnost (IC50DPPH = 0,54 mg/ml; IC50ABTS = 0,79 mg/ml; IC0,5RP = 9.35 mg / ml). U svim uzorcima FDS sprovedena su in vitro određivanja: antihiperglikemijske aktivnosti dobijenih klijanaca (definisanje potencijala inhibicije en-zima &alpha;-glukozidaze); antiinflamatorne aktivnosti klijanaca i gastro-intestinalne digestije klijanaca p&scaron;enice, ovsa i ječma. OSG je pokazao značajno veći AHgA (p &le; 0,05) u odnosu na druge FDS uzorke, zatim slede BSNS, OSJ i BSG. Svi uzorci FDS su ispoljili koncentracijski zavisnu inhibiciju denaturacije proteina (albumina) u celom opsegu ispitivanih koncentracija koncentracija, ali je ona manja od dejstva natrijumdiklofenaka (IC50AIA=0.79 mg/ml). Simulacija digestije u crevnim tečnostima (SIF) izazvalo je veće oslobađanje polifenola iz uzoraka FDS od želudačnog varenja, &scaron;to ukazuje na dobru stabilnost uzoraka u crevnoj tečnosti. Može se zaključiti da antioksidativni kapacitet i redukciona sposobnost raste sa povećanjem koncentracije polifenola u FDS, a zavisi i od strukturnih karakteristika. Utvrđena je vrlo dobra pozitivna korelacija između TPC i antioksidativne aktivnosti i redukcione spo-sobnosti, kao i između TFC i antiinflamatorne aktivnosti.</p> / <p>This study was performed to evaluate the phytochemical com-position, and in vitro antioksidativnidant capacity, reducing power, antihyperglycemic, antiinflammatory activities, and simulated gastrointestinal digestion of seven-day old cereal sprouts (CS): Cultivars, barley NS565 (BSNS), barley Golozr-ni (BSG), wheat Spelta (WSSPE), wheat Simonida (WSSIM), oat Golozrni (OSG) and oat Jadar (OSJ). Phenolic compounds were the most dominant bioactives in all CS. BSNS expressed significantly higher (p &le; 0.05) content of total phenols, chlorophyll and carotenoids. The total flavonoids content (TFC) in CS showed that the BSNS and BSG had the higher value respectively. The lowest TFC was registered in OSJ (P &le; 0.05). The FDS extracts were screened for possible antioxidant capacities using DPPH, ABTS, and reducing power (Rp) assays. The results indicated that the BSNS possessed higher antioxi-dant capacities in DPPH and ABTS assays, and reducing power (IC50DPPH = 0.54 mg/ ml; IC50ABTS = 0.79 mg/ml; IC0.5RP = 9.35 mg/ml) respectively. The inhibitory effect of FDS extracts on &alpha;-glucosidase activity was investigated. The BSNS extracts exhibited higher inhibitory activity (IC50AHgA = 1.43 mg/ml) against &alpha;-glucosidase (p &le; 0.05). The antiinflammatory activity (Denaturation of protein in vitro) showed significantly different between the CS, and Diclofenac sodium (DS). The IC50AIA of DS and BSNS was 0.79 and 1.86 (mg/ml) respectively. The in vitro simulation of gastro-intestinal (GI) digestion showed TPC was a higher release (p &le; 0.05) of phenolic compounds in intestinal fluid than in gastric fluid in all FDS. There was a strong positive correlation between TPC and antioxidant activities and reducing power, and also between TFC and antiinflammatory activity.</p>

T-cells are present in the immune system to fight against invaders. Once their job is done, suppressing their activity is an important step in maintaining a proper immune response. Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immune cells that suppress T-cell activity. Currently, MDSCs are defined as a heterogeneous population of immature cells that are derived in the bone marrow and travel to the site of inflammation or cancer. Two major subtypes of MDSCs have been identified in mice and humans, monocyte-like MDSCs (M-MDSC) and granulocyte MDSCs (G-MDSC). G-MDSCs typically make up the majority of the total population of MDSCs but are less T-cell suppressive than M-MDSCs. One of the major problems in the study of MDSCs is that the current marker system for subtypes does not differentiate between precursor MDSCs (lacking suppressive ability) and functional MDSCs (those with suppressive ability). Therefore, using cancer models in mice, we investigated the development and potential to classify precursor MDSCs from functional MDSCs. While MDSCs have been highlighted as a target cell to inhibit in cancer, in other conditions, such as pregnancy, MDSCs have been shown to be beneficial in maintaining a normal pregnancy. Therefore, targeting the increase of MDSCs in abnormal pregnancy conditions like pre-eclampsia may act as a prevention or therapeutic strategy. Finally, it is known that many dietary components can act as modulators of immune cells. Specifically, the polyphenol like phytochemical, curcumin has been shown to act as an anti-inflammatory agent with the potential to modulate multiple immune cells. Therefore, we propose two different studies to investigate the potential of curcumin as either an inhibitor and/or promotor of MDSCs in a disease-specific context. Together the role of phytochemicals as immunomodulators of MDSCs is still very young, in part due to the complexity of phytochemicals themselves, but the studies cited here provide evidence that the field is ripe for additional questions to be asked.

Pancreatic cancer is known to be one of the most life-threatening cancers characterized by aggressive local invasion and distant metastasis. The high basal level of autophagy in pancreatic cancer may be responsible for the low chemotherapeutic drug response rate and poor disease prognosis. However, the clinical application of autophagy inhibitors was unsatisfactory due to their toxicity and minimal single-agent anticancer efficacy. Hence, oncologists begin to consider the tumor microenvironment when exploring new drug targets. In the present study, the anti-tumorigenic mechanisms of two major phytochemicals derived from Chinese medicinal herbs had been investigated against pancreatic cancer development. Calycosin is a bioactive isoflavonoid of the medicinal plant Astragalus membranaceus. Our results have shown that calycosin inhibited the growth of various pancreatic cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Alternatively, calycosin also facilitated MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cell migration in vitro and increased the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers in vivo. Further mechanistic study suggests that induction of the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway and facilitated polarization of M2 tumor-associated macrophage in the tumor microenvironment both contribute to the pro-metastatic potential of calycosin in pancreatic cancer. These events appear to be associated with calycosin-evoked activation of TGF-β signaling, which may explain the paradoxical drug actions due to the dual roles of TGF-β as both tumor suppressor and tumor promoter in pancreatic cancer development under different conditions. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a chalcone obtained from the medicinal plant Glycyrrhiza glabra, which can be a precursor for chemical conversion to form calycosin. Results have shown that ISL decreased the growth and EMT of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro, probably due to modulation of autophagy. ISL-induced inhibition of autophagy subsequently promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, leading to induction of apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. Such phenomenon also contributed to the synergistic growth-inhibitory effect in combined treatment with the orthodox chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil. In addition, ISL-induced tumor growth inhibition in vivo was further demonstrated in a tumor xenograft mice model of pancreatic cancer. ISL promoted apoptosis and inhibited autophagy in the tumor tissues. Study on immune cells indicates that ISL could reduce the number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) both in tumor tissue and in peripheral blood, while CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were increased correspondingly. In vitro test has revealed that ISL inhibited the polarization of M2 macrophage along with its inhibition of autophagy in M2 macrophage. These immunomodulating effects of ISL had reversed the pro-invasive role of M2 macrophage in pancreatic cancer.In conclusion, calycosin acts as a "double-edged sword" on the growth and metastasis of pancreatic cancer, which may be related to the dual roles of TGF-β and its influence on the tumor microenvironment. Alternatively, ISL consistently inhibited the growth and metastatic drive of pancreatic cancer through regulation of autophagy and reprogramming of the immune system. The differential modes of action of these compounds have provided new insights in the development of effective pancreatic cancer treatment adjuvants.

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of death in men aged 40-55. Genistein isoflavone (4', 5', 7-trihydroxyisoflavone) is a dietary phytochemical with demonstrated anti-tumor activities in a variety of cancers. Topotecan Hydrochloride (Hycamtin) is an FDA-approved chemotherapy drug, primarily used for secondary treatment of ovarian,cervical and small cell lung cancers. This study was to demonstrate the potential anticancer activities and synergy of topotecan-genistein combination in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. The potential efficacy and mechanism of topotecan/genistein-induced cell death was investigated... Results: The overall data indicated that i) both genistein and topotecan induce cellular death in LNCaP cells, ii) topotecan-genistein combination was significantly more efficacious in reducing LNCaP cell viabiligy compared to either genistein or topotecan alone, iii) in all cases, cell death was primarily through apoptosis, via the activation of the intrinsic pathway, iv) ROS levels were increased and VEGF expression was diminished significantly with the topotecan-genistein combination treatment, v) genetic analysis of topotecan-genistein treatment groups showed changes in genetic expression levels in pathway specific apoptotic genes.... Conclusion: Treatments involving topotecan-genistein combination may prove to be an attractive alternative phytotherapy of adjuvant therapy for prostate cancer. / by Vanessa P. Hèormann. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

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Since ancient times, indigenous plants have been used by traditional healers for treating various ailments. Sutherlandia frutescens is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants of southern Africa. This widely distributed plant has been traditionally used to treat cancer and HIV patients; however scientific validation is still in high demand. This research aimed to phytochemically characterise the various extracts prepared and to determine if any chemotypes were present. Subsequent biological characterisation was carried out to preliminary ascertain whether this medicinal plant could have anti-cancer and/or immunemodulating properties and which compounds might be responsible for these actions. Various traditional and organic extracts were prepared. Extracts, fractions and compounds generated were analysed and chemical profiles obtained. Column chromatographic techniques were used to isolate and purify compounds and structure elucidation was carried out using various analytical techniques. Sulforhodamine B and cytometric bead array assays were performed to determine the biological activities of samples generated. / Life and Consumer Sciences / (M. Sc. (Life Sciences)

Baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is considered to be the one of the extremely nutritious vegetables, rich both in phytochemicals and core nutrients. Nowadays, phytochemicals in plants are raising interest in consumers for their roles in the maintenance of human health. Variation in content of bioactive compounds and core nutrients is the main concern in vegetable production. Factors such as cultural practices specially fertilization, may affect the nutritional and medicinal properties of the plants Therefore, three parallel trials for NPK to investigate the response of baby spinach leaves to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) on chemical composition were conducted, with treatments arranged as follows: 0, 45, 75, 105, 120 kg·ha-1 N and P and 0, 60, 85, 106, 127, 148 kg·ha-1 K in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The results demonstrated that, application of nitrogenous, phosphorus, potassium fertilizers significantly increased the total phenolic content, total antioxidant activity, total flavonoid content and vitamin C while magnesium, iron, zinc and selenium did not exhibit significant response to all treatments applied. The increase in concentrations on total phenolic content, total antioxidant activity, total flavonoid content and vitamin C was observed, reaching maximum at 45 kg·ha-1 N, 75 kg·ha-1 P and 85 kg·ha-1 K. The optimum rates of 45 kg·ha-1 N, 75 kg·ha-1 P, 85 kg·ha−1 K were then used to formulate the NPK treatment combinations as follows: 0, 30: 30: 40, 45:45:60, 60:60:70, 75:75:90 kg·ha-1, arranged in a RCBD with three replicates. The results showed that total phenolic content, total antioxidant activity , total flavonoid content and vitamin C reached maximum in baby spinach leaves at N45:P45:K60 kg·ha-1. / Agriculture and  Animal Health / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

Baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is considered to be the one of the extremely nutritious vegetables, rich both in phytochemicals and core nutrients. Nowadays, phytochemicals in plants are raising interest in consumers for their roles in the maintenance of human health. Variation in content of bioactive compounds and core nutrients is the main concern in vegetable production. Factors such as cultural practices specially fertilization, may affect the nutritional and medicinal properties of the plants Therefore, three parallel trials for NPK to investigate the response of baby spinach leaves to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) on chemical composition were conducted, with treatments arranged as follows: 0, 45, 75, 105, 120 kg·ha-1 N and P and 0, 60, 85, 106, 127, 148 kg·ha-1 K in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The results demonstrated that, application of nitrogenous, phosphorus, potassium fertilizers significantly increased the total phenolic content, total antioxidant activity, total flavonoid content and vitamin C while magnesium, iron, zinc and selenium did not exhibit significant response to all treatments applied. The increase in concentrations on total phenolic content, total antioxidant activity, total flavonoid content and vitamin C was observed, reaching maximum at 45 kg·ha-1 N, 75 kg·ha-1 P and 85 kg·ha-1 K. The optimum rates of 45 kg·ha-1 N, 75 kg·ha-1 P, 85 kg·ha−1 K were then used to formulate the NPK treatment combinations as follows: 0, 30: 30: 40, 45:45:60, 60:60:70, 75:75:90 kg·ha-1, arranged in a RCBD with three replicates. The results showed that total phenolic content, total antioxidant activity , total flavonoid content and vitamin C reached maximum in baby spinach leaves at N45:P45:K60 kg·ha-1. / Agriculture and  Animal Health / M. Sc. (Agriculture)