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The yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolia) is being empirically used to help in the reduction of insulin resistance as well as in diabetes mellitus. The number of diabetic people is increasing due to population aging, the increase of urbanization and prevalence of obesity and also sedentarism. This study had as goal evaluate the effects of yacon over glycemic parameters of elderlies of an institutional asylum in the city of Itajaí/Santa Catarina, after 5 weeks of intervention with yacon in natura added to their fruit juice. It was used 24g of yacon, equivalent to 7,7g of fructooligosaccharide, distributed once a day to each participant, being 12 of the Group I (diabetics and insulin resistant) and 11 of Group II (without insulin resistance or Diabetics Mellitus). To determinate the glycemic control, we performed laboratory tests for glycated hemoglobin, fructosamine, fasting glycemia and insulin before and after each intervention. The result of glycated hemoglobin was significantly lower in both groups, fructosamine presented a significant increase just in Group II, while the concentration of fasting glycemia and insulin remained similar in both moments of the study. The anthropometric measures did not suffer any alteration from both groups. Concludes that yacon decreases the concentration of glycated hemoglobin in the blood, however this result was conflicting to the values of fructosamine and fasting glycemia. A batata yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolia) vem sendo utilizada empiricamente para auxiliar na redução da resistência insulínica bem como no tratamento de Diabetes Mellitus. O número de indivíduos com diabetes está aumentando devido ao envelhecimento populacional, à maior urbanização, à crescente prevalência de obesidade e ao sedentarismo. Diante disso, este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito da batata yacon sobre os parâmetros glicêmicos de idosos de uma instituição asilar do município de Itajaí/Santa Catarina, após 5 semanas de intervenção com batata yacon in natura adicionada ao suco de frutas. Foram utilizadas 24 g de batata yacon, equivalente a 7,7g de frutooligossacarídeos, distribuídos uma vez ao dia a cada participante, sendo 12 do Grupo I (com diabetes e resistência à Insulina) e 11 do Grupo II (sem resistência à insulina e sem diabetes). Para determinação do controle glicêmico, foram realizados exames laboratoriais de hemoglobina glicada, frutosamina, glicemia e insulina de jejum antes e após a intervenção. O resultado de hemoglobina glicada foi significativamente menor nos dois grupos, a frutosamina apresentou aumento significativo apenas no Grupo II, enquanto as concentrações de glicemia e insulina de jejum permaneceram semelhantes nos dois momentos do estudo. As medidas antropométricas não sofreram alterações em ambos os grupos. Conclui-se que a batata yacon diminuiu as concentrações de hemoglobina glicada no sangue, no entanto este resultado foi conflitante com os valores de frutosamina e glicemia de jejum.

En la presente investigación se realizó un estudio fitoquímico al aceite esencial de la “yareta” (Smallanthus Parviceps (Blake) Rob), recolectada en Ayacucho, en el distrito de Chumpi. Se obtuvo el aceite esencial por el método de destilación por arrastre con vapor de agua, a partir de 1,50 kg de planta fresca, su olor se puede definir como cítrico, agradable y balsámico, además el aceite esencial tiene un poder antiinflamatorio según la información etnobotánica de la planta. En cuanto a su caracterización, primero se determinó las propiedades fisicoquímicas, el cual nos indica que el aceite de “yareta” contiene 0,06 % de aceite esencial cuya densidad es 0,75g/mL y de un pH: 6, luego se determinó sus componentes por cromatografía gaseosa CGMS. Sus componentes mayoritarios son: α-felandreno, p-cimeno, cariofileno, los isómeros α-curcumeno y β-curcumeno, α-pineno y oxido de cariofileno. In the present investigation, a phytochemical study was carried out on the essential oil of the “yareta” (Smallanthus parviceps (Blake) Rob), collected in Ayacucho in the Chumpi district. The essential oil was obtained by the distillation method by dragging with steam, from 1.50 kg of fresh plant, its smell can be defined as citric, pleasant and balsamic, in addition the essential oil has an anti-inflammatory power according to the ethnobotanical information of the plant. Regarding its characterization, the physicochemical properties were first determined, which indicates that "yareta" oil contains 0.06% of essential oil whose density is 0,75g/mL and a pH: 6, then its components were determined by CG-MS gas chromatography. Its major components are: α-felandrene, p-cymene, caryophyllene, the α-curcumene isomers and β-curcumene, to α-pymene and to caryophyllene oxide.

As part of our evaluation of essential oils derived from Native American medicinal plants, we have obtained the essential oils of Agastache foeniculum (Pursch) Kuntze (Lamiaceae), Gaultheria procumbens L. (Ericaceae), Heliopsis helianthoides (L.) Sweet (Asteraceae), Liatris spicata (L.) Willd. (Asteraceae), Pycnanthemum incanum (L.) Michx. (Lamiaceae), Smallanthus uvedalia (L.) Mack. ex Mack. (Asteraceae), and Verbena hastata L. (Verbenaceae) by hydrodistillation. The essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatographic techniques. The essential oil of A. foeniculum was dominated by estragole (88–93%), while methyl salicylate (91%) dominated the G. procumbens essential oil. Germacrene D was the major component in H. helianthoides (42%) and L. spicata (24%). 1,8-Cineole (31%) and α-terpineol (17%) were the main compounds in P. incanum essential oil. The essential oil of S. uvedalia showed α-pinene (24%), perillene (15%), and β-caryophyllene (17%) as major components. Verbena hastata essential oil was rich in 1-octen-3-ol (up to 29%) and palmitic acid (up to 22%). Four of these essential oils, H. helianthoides, L. spicata, P. incanum, and V. hastata, are reported for the first time. Additionally, the enantiomeric distributions of several terpenoid components have been determined.

Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) tubers and leaves have been used widely as foodstuff and as remedy for urinary ailments, muscle pain, hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus. Recent studies have investigated on isolating active components for their anti-cancer potential against melanoma, cervical cancer and colon cancer. In this study, the cytotoxicity potential of hexane, methanol and DCM extracts of yacon leaves was assessed against MCF-7 (breast cancer), HT-29 (colon cancer) and HDFn (normal human dermal fibroblast) cell lines by using AlamarBlue® assay. Results showed significant reduction in cellular viability of MCF-7 cell lines caused by hexane, methanol and DCM extracts in a dose dependent manner, with DCM being the most potent. The DCM extract also produced significant cytotoxic activity against HT-29 cells, with IC50 lower than 5-fluorouracil. Effect on HDFn showed that three yacon extracts produced significantly lower cytotoxicity compared to drug controls with the DCM extract showing the least toxicity. Key words: Yacon, alamar, breast, colon, cancer, MCF-7, HT-29..

In the past, Native Americans of North America had an abundant traditional herbal legacy for treating illnesses, disorders, and wounds. Unfortunately, much of the ethnopharmacological knowledge of North American Indians has been lost due to population destruction and displacement from their native lands by European-based settlers. However, there are some sources of Native American ethnobotany remaining. In this work, we have consulted the ethnobotanical literature for members of the Asteraceae used in Cherokee and other Native American traditional medicines that are native to the southeastern United States. The aerial parts of Eupatorium serotinum, Eurybia macrophylla, Eutrochium purpureum, Polymnia canadensis, Rudbeckia laciniata, Silphium integrifolium, Smallanthus uvedalia, Solidago altissima, and Xanthium strumarium were collected from wild-growing plants in north Alabama. The plants were hydrodistilled to obtain the essential oils and the chemical compositions of the essential oils were determined by gas chromatography&ndash, mass spectrometry. The essential oils were tested for in-vitro antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformans. The essential oil of E. serotinum showed noteworthy activity against C. neoformans with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 78 &mu, g/mL, which can be attributed to the high concentration of cyclocolorenone in the essential oil.

Highlights • Thirteen complete genomes and 25 partial sequences of PYV from potato and yacon collected in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and a UK interception. • Analysis suggests potato isolates originated via acquisition of the movement protein from a related virus through recombination. • Most yacon isolates and potato isolates from Peru and Ecuador could be distinguished through infectivity and symptoms in different hosts., Potato yellowing virus (PYV, original code SB-22), an unassigned member of the Genus Ilarvirus Family Bromoviridae, has been reported infecting potatoes in Peru, Ecuador and Chile. It is associated with symptomless infections, however yellowing of young leaves has been observed in some potato cultivars. Thirteen potato and yacon isolates were selected after routine screening of CIP-germplasm and twenty-four were identified from 994 potato plants collected in Peru whereas one was intercepted from yacon in the UK. These isolates were identified using high throughput sequencing, ELISA, host range and RT-PCR. Here we report the sequence characterization of the complete genomes of nine PYV isolates found infecting Solanum tuberosum, four complete genome isolates infecting Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon), and in addition 15 complete RNA3 sequences from potato and partial sequences of RNA1, 2 and 3 of isolates infecting potato and yacon from Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Results of phylogenetic and recombination analysis showed RNA3 to be the most variable among the virus isolates and suggest potato infecting isolates have resulted through acquisition of a movement protein variant through recombination with an unknown but related ilarvirus, whereas one yacon isolate from Bolivia also had resulted from a recombination event with another related viruses in the same region. Yacon isolates could be distinguished from potato isolates by their inability to infect Physalis floridana, and potato isolates from Ecuador and Peru could be distinguished by their symptomatology in this host as well as phylogenetically. The non-recombinant yacon isolates were closely related to a recently described isolate from Solanum muricatum (pepino dulce), and all isolates were related to Fragaria chiloensis latent virus (FCiLV) reported in strawberry from Chile, and probably should be considered the same species. Although PYV is not serologically related to Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), they are both transmitted by aphids and share several other characteristics that support the previous suggestion to reclassify AMV as a member in the genus Ilarvirus.

portuguesEste estudo avaliou o efeito de diferentes concentracoes de farinha de yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolia) sobre as caracteristicas fisico-quimicas, microbiologicas e sensoriais de quatro formulacoes de mortadelas (F1, F2, F3 e controle) preparadas com carne de ovinos, gordura suina e aditivos. Todas as formulacoes atenderam aos padroes fisico-quimicos e microbiologicos definidos nas regulamentacoes para producao de mortadela no Brasil. As formulacoes controle e F1 obtiveram as melhores pontuacoes de aceitacao, em comparacao com F2 e F3. Os julgadores declararam intencao de compra favoravel para as formulacoes controle, F1 e F2. Os resultados mostram que a mortadela de carne ovina suplementada com farinha de yacon e uma alternativa promissora na fabricacao de produtos carneos mais saudaveis. Palavras-chave: ovinos; mortadela; Smallanthus sonchifolia EnglishThis study evaluated the effect of different yacon meal concentrations (Smallanthus sonchifolia) on the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory characteristics of four mortadella formulations (F1, F2, F3, and control) prepared with mutton, pork fat, and additives. All formulations met the physicochemical and microbiological standards defined in regulations for mortadella production in Brazil. Control and F1 were the formulations with better acceptance scores, compared with F2 and F3. The judges stated favorable purchase intention for the control, F1 and F2 formulations. Results showed that mutton mortadella supplemented with yacon meal is a promising alternative in the manufacture of healthier meat products. Key words: mutton; mortadella; Smallanthus sonchifolia

Yacon tubers have been a distinguished alternative of fructans, drawing the attention of researchers and food industries. Since fructans are carbohydrate reserves storage can reduce their contents. Additionally, the type of extraction used can provide a higher yield of fructans. Therefore, it was necessary to study yacon storage and its influence on the extraction and quantification of fructans. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate three fructan extractions (water 75°C, water 95°C, ethanol 90°C) in yacon with 3 sizes (large, medium, small), stored for 20 days, at room temperature as well as to compare two quantification techniques. The three extractions can be used when fructans are quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For quantification by spectrometry, the best extraction method was ethanol at 90°C. Medium and small-sized tubers presented the highest contents of fructans that large tubers, and storage negatively influenced these contents. Fructan quantification by HPLC was higher than the spectrophotometric technique. All treatments showed a degree of polymerization in the range from 3 to 7, allowing numerous technological applications for fructans present in yacon. Key words: Fructooligosaccharides, storage, tuber size.

Debido a la gran importancia medicinal y alimentaria que tienen las hojas en especies de Smallanthus, como por ejemplo el mundialmente conocido "yacón" (Smallanthus sonchifolius), y que hasta el momento solo se han estudiado cuatro especies de las 23 que componen el género, se analizó aquí la anatomía foliar de todas las especies de Smallanthus. Se presenta también, una tabla de usos y nombres vulgares de las especies de las que se obtuvo tal información. Se realiza una descripción general de la anatomía foliar, incluyendo el pecíolo. Se identificaron tres tipos de tricomas: uno eglandular del tipo cónico simple y dos glandulares (biseriado capitado y biseriado vesiculado subtipo beta). Las especies de Smallanthus no mostraron diferencias en la anatomía de la lámina y del pecíolo. Se contabilizaron los canales secretores, de tipo esquizógeno, en casi todas las especies y se observó una tendencia al aumento del número de canales en las especies más australes., Given the great medicinal and nutritional importance of the leaf in Smallanthus species, such as the world famous "yacón" (Smallanthus sonchifolius), and that so far only have been studied four of the 23 species that constitute the genus, the leaf anatomy of all species of Smallanthus is analyzed here. A table of uses and vernacular names of the species of Smallanthus and a general description of leaf anatomy, including the petiole is presented. Three types of trichomes were identified: an eglandular simple conical hair, a glandular biseriate vesicular hair, and a glandular biseriate capitate subtype beta hair. Smallanthus species show almost no differences in the anatomy of the blade and petiole. The schizogenous secretory channels show a tendency to increase in number in the southernmost species., Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo

This work describes the isolation of seven (1–7) secondary metabolites from Espeletia barclayana (Asteraceae, Espeletiinae) and their identification by spectroscopic (NMR) and spectrometric (MS) techniques. Ten (8–17) additional compounds were identified based on their retention times, high-resolution mass spectrometry data, and comparison with reference substances or data from literature. The systematic significance of some of the identified substances – the sesquiterpene lactone longipilin acetate, four caffeoylquinic acids and two tri-caffeoylaltraric acids – is discussed with the aim of providing insights into the complex relationships among Espeletiinae taxa and its closest relatives. Five of the isolated metabolites [5-O-(E)-caffeoylquinic acid (1), 1,3-di-O-(E)-caffeoylquinic acid (2), 1,5-di-O-(E)-caffeoylquinic acid (3), 3,4-di-O-(E)-caffeoylquinic acid (4) and 3-O-methylquercetin 7-O-β-glucopyranoside (7)] constitute new reports for the genus Espeletia and for the subtribe Espeletiinae. Chemical data suggest that Espeletiinae might have a closer relationship with Smallanthus than with Ichthyothere, i.e., the two genera suggested to be the sister groups of Espeletiinae based on molecular markers.

Set of 29 accessions of Smallanthus sonchifolius, an important tuber crop from South America, and its three wild relatives were analysed using the Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) markers. Seven primers out of 30 primers screened gave clear and reproducible spectra. The range of amplified bands was from 2500 bp to 300 bp. These seven primers generated in total 77 bands, from which 75 (97.4%) were polymorphic. Nei's genetic distances between samples varied from 0.01 to 0.24. The Shannon's index (I) was estimated as 0.0392. The UPGMA dendrogram created using the Neighbour joining method and based on the Dice's dissimilarity coefficient separated clearly the wild accessions from all S. sonchifolius samples, which remained close to each other, confirming the clonal origin and thus a very low genetic variability within the genus.

The ontogeny of the tuberous roots of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius), an ancient Andean crop, is described for the first time along with three other wild species of Smallanthus: S. connatus, S. macroscyphus and S. siegesbeckius. Tuberous storage roots are present in the four species. Tuberization results from unusual secondary thickening. A meristematic endodermis maintains the primary cortex by generating cortex cells continuously. Secretory schizogenous canals develop adjacent to the endodermis in opposition to the phloem poles. Phellogen originates in the outer layers of the parenchymatic cortex. The four species develop a parenchymatous pith that stores mainly fructooligosacharides (FOS) and plays an important role in storing water, protecting the plant from drought stress and environmental hazards in the Andean climate. In yacon, domestication has produced a wide pith that stores water, reducing sugars and FOS with low degree of polimerization, that could have eventually made it more palatable as compared to the wild counterparts. Fil: Coll Araoz, Maria Victoria. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Ecología Regional; Argentina; Fil: Kortsarz González, Alejandra M.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina; Fil: Mercado, María I.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina; Fil: Ponessa, Graciela I.. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Cs.naturales E Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina; Fil: Grau, Alfredo. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Cs.naturales E Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina; Fil: Catalan, Cesar Atilio Nazareno. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Instituto de Quimica del Noroeste; Argentina

According to theory, variation in plant secondary metabolism against herbivores is driven by variation in biotic and abiotic conditions interacting with plants genotype to determine the expression of resistance traits. Particularly, it has been long postulated that plants growing along latitudinal gradients experience changes in biotic and abiotic interactions, specifically leading to a decrease of plant toxicity towards the poles. We tested this hypothesis using the asteraceous species Smallanthus macroscyphus. Smallanthus species are known to contain sesquiterpene lactones (STLs), bitter compounds with a broad spectrum of biological activities, including deterrence to herbivores. S. macroscyphus showed a decrease in chemical diversity of STLs when investigating populations growing from the tropical regions to less tropical ones. Populations from lower latitudes were found to be more chemically diverse with enhydrin, uvedalin and fluctuanin as main components, while populations southward were chemically fairly uniform, with polymatin A as the main and largely dominant STL. The STL chemistry of S. macroscyphus is in agreement with the hypothesis that plants of tropical forests have a greater diversity of secondary metabolites when compared to their temperate counterparts. Fil: Coll Araoz, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina Fil: Mercado, Maria Ines. Fundación Miguel Lillo; Argentina Fil: Grau, Alfredo. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina Fil: Catalan, Cesar Atilio Nazareno. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; Argentina

In vitro chromosome doubling was induced in octoploid (2n = 58) yacon using oryzalin and colchicine as mitotic spindle inhibitors. Nodal segments of in vitro cultured plants, 5–15 mm long, were exposed to 20, 25, or 30 μM oryzalin and 1, 3, or 5 mM colchicine for 24 or 48 h. The resulting ploidy level was determined by chromosome counting and flow cytometry. Out of 240 nodal segments, 3.33% hexadecaploid (2n = 116) plants were regenerated after the application of oryzalin. The greatest proportions of hexadecaploid plants (1.6%) were obtained after 48 h of 25 μM oryzalin treatment. With the colchicine treatment, only 0.42% hexadecaploid plants were detected and their survival rate was significantly lower in comparison with the oryzalin treatment. In hexadecaploid yacon, significantly higher levels of saccharides were detected (FOS 13.9 g/100 g FM, fructose 4.6 g/100 g FM and glucose 2.1 g/100 g FM) compared to the octoploid control (FOS 5.3 g/100 g FM, fructose 2.9 g/100 g FM and glucose 1.0 g/100 g FM). These results indicate that in vitro treatment of nodal segments with oryzalin solution could be an effective procedure for chromosome doubling and the polyploidy breeding can help to increase the FOS content in the tuberous roots.

Two new melampolide-type sesquiterpene lactones, 8beta-epoxyangeloyloxy-9alpha-ethoxy-14-oxo-acanthospermolide (1) and 8beta-angeloyloxy-9alpha-ethoxy-14-oxo-acanthospermolide (2), were isolated from the leaves of yacon [Smallanthus sonchifolia (POEPP. et ENDL.) H. Robinson] along with eleven known melampolides, allo-schkuhriolide (3), enhydrin (4), polymatin A (5), fluctuanin (6), 8beta-angeloyloxy-9alpha-acetoxy-14-oxo-acanthospermolide (7), 8beta-angeloyloxy-14-oxo-acanthospermolide (8), 8beta-methacryloyloxymelampolid-14-oic acid methyl ester (9), uvedalin (10), polymatin B (11), 8beta-tigloyloxymelampolid-14-oic acid methyl ester (12), and sonchifolin (13). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic evidence including 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments. All isolates were evaluated for inhibition of LPS-induced nitric oxide production in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells.

Hot water extract of the aerial part of Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolia, Compositae) showed potent free radical-scavenging activity and inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate. The most potent antioxidative activity focused on the 50% MeOH-eluted fraction on DIAION HP-20 column chromatography. The structure of the major component in the fraction was identified as 2,3,5-tricaffeoylaltraric acid (TCAA) based on spectroscopic evidence. The antioxidative activity of TCAA is superior to that of natural antioxidants such as (+/-)-catechin, alpha-tocopherol, and ellagic acid, and TCAA also showed selective maltase-inhibitory activity (IC(50) 49 microg/ml). As the hypoglycemic activity of Yacon extract was described in a previous report, the present results showing that the aerial part of Yacon has strong antioxidative activity may encourage its potential use as a food supplement to prevent type II diabetes.

This paper focuses on the biological and chemical variability of four yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) accessions cultivated under field conditions. Significant variations in tuber shape, weight, content of oligofructans, as well as in leaf isozymes, phenolics, and relative DNA contents were found. Accessions 6 and 88 were the most productive (up to 3.01 and 3.74 kg/plant); accession 48 was the most balanced from the yield aspect in three vegetative periods. A significantly higher content of β-(2→1) oligofructans was noted in accessions 48 and 88 as compared to 6 and 60. No difference in sucrose, glucose, and fructose level was observed. Only accession 6 exhibited separate acid phosphatase and esterase isoforms. Accessions 6 and 60 had the highest content of phenolics, and accession 88 had the lowest relative DNA content. Large yacon intraspecific variation may be useful in future detailed research as a good background for breeding, growing, and utilization in industrial processing. Keywords: Smallanthus ...

Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolia (Poepp. et Endl.) H. Robinson), a native plant of the Andes, belongs to the family Com- positae (Asteraceae) and it represents a traditional crop of the original population of Peru used in traditional medicine. A major portion of tuberous root biomass is composed of water (> 70% of fresh weight). Saccharides, especially oligo- fructans, form 70-80% of dry weight, protein content ranges between 0.3% and 3.7%. Fructooligosaccharides of inulin type β (2→ 1), mainly oligomers (GF 2 -GF 16 ), are known for their ability to keep the colon healthy. Yacon sweetness is predominantly caused by fructose, which is by some 70% sweeter than sucrose. Other oligosaccharides are 1-kestose and nystose. Diabetics and persons suffering from digestive problems are recommended to consume yacon because its sugars are not available from the small intestine. The mean tuberous root composition per 100 g of fresh matter is 81.3, 13.8, 0.9, 1.0, 0.1 and 1.1 g of water, saccharides, fibre, proteins, lipids and ash, respectively. Mean mineral contents per 100 g of fresh matter are 334, 34, 12, 8.4, 0.4 and 0.2 mg of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sodium and iron, respectively. Vitamins B 1 , B 2 , C, β-carotene and polyphenols in the same weight are present at mean concentrations 0.07, 0.31, 5.0, 0.13 and 203 mg, respectively. Yacon can be considered an industrial crop, particularly as a source of inulin. The used forms are flour, syrup, extract from tuberous roots and moreover leaf extract for the preparation of yacon infusion with hypoglycaemic effect. In yacon leaves di- and sesquiterpenes with protective effects against insects are present, among them mainly ent-kaurenic acid (ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid) and its derivative - 15- α -angeloyloxy-ent- kauren-19-oic acid 16-epoxide. Other components are polyphenolic antioxidants, esp. hydroxycinnamic acids and chlo- rogenic acid. A new antifungal melampolide - sesquiterpene lactone named sonchifolin, as well as three known melampolides, polymatin B, uvedalin and enhydrin, were isolated from leaf extracts of yacon. Three major phytoalexins were isolated: 4'-hydroxy-3'-(3-methylbutanoyl)acetophenone, 4'-hydroxy-3'-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)acetophenone and 5-acetyl-2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)benzofuran.

The essential oil from the leaves of yacon grown in China was isolated by hydrodistillation and distillation-extraction. Chemical constituents of the essential oil were separated and identified by means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for the first time, and the relative content of each constituent was determined by area normalization. Twenty-one chemical constituents were identified, and their amounts accounted for 96.2% of the total composition. The main components of the essential oil were β-phellandrene (26.3%), β-cubebene (17.7%), β-caryophyllene (14.0%) and β-bourbonene (10.2%). Therefore, in the volatile oil from the leaves of yacon, sesquiterpenes are major compounds, accounting for 52.2%.

Chromosome numbers and other cytogenetic data were determined from microsporocytes in 316 collections including 13 tribes of Compositae, mostly from Africa, Australia, Mexico, Central America, and South America. First reports are provided for 66 species and the genera Cassinia (2n ≈ 14(II)), Feldstonia (2n = 11(II)), Gochnatia (2n ≈ 23(II)), and Pseudoconyza (n = 10). In addition, new chromosome numbers are established at the generic level in Acourtia, Calea, Craspedia, Gnaphalium, Helipterum, Liabum, Leucheria, Smallanthus, Trixis, and Viguiera and at the specific level in 13 additional species.

Summary: Mycorrhizal associations in Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. & Endl.) H. Robinson (Asteraceae), Yacon, an ancient Andean crop and Smallanthus macroscyphus (Baker ex Martius)A. Grau, wild yacon, a close wild relative are described for the first time. Yacon fibrous roots growing under field conditions have high levels of colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (86 %). Other fungi colonizing roots included dark septate endophytes (45 %) and unidentified fungi that are probably saprophytic (25 %) were observed. Only 9% of the samples analyzed were not colonized by any type of fungi. Glomus, Acaulospora, Scutellospora, Gigaspora and Pacispora were the main genera of arbuscular mycorrhiza identified. A similar high degree of mycorrhizal colonization was observed in Smallanthus macroscyphus, in natural populations associated with Juglans australis native forest. The high level ofmycorrhizal colonization, the low number of fine absorbing roots and the large roots diameters observed, suggest that both Smallanthus species are likely dependent on mycorrhiza.Key words: Smallanthus sonchifolius, Smallanthus macroscyphus, mycorrhizas, arbuscular mycorrhizas, dark septate endophytes.Resumen: Micorrizas arbusculares y endófitos septados oscuros en yacón (Smallanthus sonchifolius) y un pariente silvestre (Smallanthus macroscyphus). Se describen por primera vez las asociaciones simbióticas micorrícicas en Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. & Endl.) H. Robinson (Asteraceae), yacón, un cultivo andino precolombino, y en el yacón del campo, Smallanthus macroscyphus (Baker ex Martius) A. Grau, especie silvestre estrechamente emparentada. Las raíces fibrosas de yacón creciendo en un cultivo presentaron un alto nivel de colonización por hongos micorrícicos arbusculares (86 %). Además se observaron endófitos septados oscuros colonizando las raíces (45 %) y otros hongos no identificados, probablemente saprofíticos (25 %). Solo el 9% de las muestras analizadas no presentabacolonización. Los hongos micorrícicos arbusculares identificados correspondíeron mayormente a los géneros Glomus, Acaulospora, Scutellospora, Gigaspora y Pacispora. Ejemplares de poblacionesnaturales de Smallanthus macroscyphus creciendo asociados a Juglans australis presentaron un nivel de colonización semejante. El alto nivel de colonización y las pocas raíces fibrosas observadas sugiere que ambas especies se comportan como micótrofas dependientes.Palabras clave: Smallanthus sonchifolius, Smallanthus macroscyphus, micorrizas, micorrizas arbusculares, endófitos septados oscuros.

The metabolites produced by the secretory canals of the root cortex from four Smallanthus species belonging to the yacon group were identified as ent-kaurane-type diterpenes. The dichloromethane root cortex extracts of the four species were treated with diazomethane and analyzed comparatively by GC-MS using a simple and rapid procedure which is very sensitive and reproducible permitting detection of minor components. In all cases, ent-16-kauren-19-oic acid (kaurenoic acid) methyl ester was the main component, differences being observed only in the minor components. The minor components identified were grandiflorenic acid methyl ester, ent-16-kauren-19-al, 16α,17-epoxy-15α-angeloyloxy-kauran-19-oic acid methyl ester and several O-acyl derivatives at C-15 or C-18 of kaurenoic acid. One of the minor components, 18-isobutyroyloxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid is a new kaurenoic acid derivative. Grandiflorenic acid and 15-α-angeloyloxy-16,17-α-epoxy- ent-16-kauren-19-oic acid were present only in Smallanthus sonchifolius and Smallanthus siegesbeckius which showed very similar GC traces. The different GC profile of RC diterpenes from Smallanthus connatus and Smallanthus macroscyphus supports the view that they are different taxa. Some chemotaxonomic aspects of the genus Smallanthus and the subtribe Milleriinae are briefly discussed. Fil: Coll Araoz, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Ecología Regional; Argentina Fil: Mercado, Maria Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Ecología Regional; Argentina Fil: Grau, Alfredo. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Ecología Regional; Argentina Fil: Catalan, Cesar Atilio Nazareno. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Química del Noroeste. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química del Noroeste; Argentina

Smallanthus siegesbeckius, es una especie nativa de Perú, Brasil, Bolivia y Paraguay, popularmente conocida como ?yarita?. Se halla estrechamente emparentada con S. sonchifolius, ?yacón?, cultivo de importancia agroindustrial y medicinal. Resulta interesante el estudio de la morfo-anatomía de S. siegesbeckius dado que presenta hojas con potente actividad antioxidante y raíces tuberosas con metabolitos farmacológicamente activos. Los siguientes caracteres morfo-anatómicos permiten su diferenciación respecto de otras especies del género: hojas de simetría triangular deltoidea marcadamente ovada y ápice atenuado agudo recurvado; tallos densamente pubescentes, con tricomas glandulares de cabeza bi y tetracelular, tricomas eglandulares dispuestos en cojín, escaso desarrollo de córtex parenquimático, anillo amilífero asociado al sistema vascular y casquetes floemáticos de colénquima. Las raíces presentan gran cantidad de radios xilemáticos y conspicuos canales secretores adyacentes a la endodermis. S. siegesbeckius commonly known as “yarita” is a native species from Perú, Brasil, Bolivia and Paraguay, closely related to Smallanthus sonchifolius, “yacon”, a crop with medicinal and agroindustrial importance. S. siegesbeckius presents leaves with strong antioxidant activity and tuberous roots with pharmacologically active compounds. The following diagnostic features allow it identification among other related species: leaves with triangular deltoid symmetry and sharp curved apex; shoots with high glandular trichomes density, two and four-head glandular trichomes, eglandular trichomes on cells cushion, less developed parenchymatic cortex, amyliferous parenchyma ring associated to the vascular system and collenchymatic caps on the phloem. Roots present secondary xylem with rays and abundant secretory canals over the endodermis. Fil: Mercado, Maria Ines. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Ecología Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentina Fil: Coll Araoz, Maria Victoria. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Ecología Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; Argentina Fil: Grau, Alfredo. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Ecología Regional; Argentina Fil: Ponessa, Graciela. Fundación Miguel Lillo; Argentina

Smallanthus (Asteraceae, Millerieae), the “yacón” genus, comprises 23 species ranging from southeastern United States to central Argentina, with the greatest diversity in Peru and Mexico. Species of Smallanthus are herbs, shrubs or small trees with tuberous roots, opposite, trinerved or triplinerved leaves, paleate receptacle, ray corollas externally hairy at the base, pappus lacking, and marginal cypselae partially embraced by the inner phyllaries of the involucre. As a result of this revision: Smallanthus araucariophilus and S. riograndesis are considered synonyms of S. macroscyphus; lectotypes are designated for nine names; and the geographical distribution of S. latisquamus, S. lundelli, S. riparius, and S. siegesbeckia is extended. A comprehensive key to the species and detailed descriptions, geographical distribution, phenology, illustrations and distribution maps are provided for all taxa., Smallanthus (Asteraceae, Millerieae), el género del “yacón”, comprende 23 especies que se distribuyen desde los Estados Unidos hasta el centro de Argentina, con la mayor diversidad en Perú y México. El género se define por su hábito herbáceo, arbustivo o arbóreo, raíces tuberosas, hojas opuestas trinervadas o triplinervadas, receptáculo paleáceo, corolas del radio externamente pilosas en la base, papus ausente, y cipselas marginales parcialmente cubiertas por las filarias internas del involucro. Como resultado de esta revisión: Smallanthus araucariophilus y S. riograndesis se consideran sinónimos de S. macroscyphus; se designan los lectotipos de nueve nombres; y se amplía la distribución geográfica de S. latisquamus, S. lundelli, S. riparius, y S. siegesbeckia. Se provee una clave de especies y descripciones detalladas, distribución geográfica, fenología, ilustraciones y mapas de distribución para cada especie., Museo de La Plata

Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is an Andean crop which is very regarded for its medicinal properties. Yacon genetic profiles have been slightly studied using molecular markers. The aim of this study was to prepare the protocol for direct sequencing of the ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacers) regions of yacon DNA genome. The identified ITS regions in three Bolivian yacon's landraces (BOL 20, BOL 22 and BOL 24) were sequenced and then compared with ITS regions found in NCBI database, previously isolated in yacon and in other plants belonging to the genus Smallanthus. The analysed ITS regions of studied Bolivian landraces showed differences in the nucleotides 163-164 and 235-236 with the sequence previously isolated in yacon. A dendrogram was constructed by comparing the sequence presented in the manuscript and those in the NCBI database for Smallanthus, spp. In the dendrogram, the previously reported ITS sequence of Smallanthus sonchifolius was also used. Specific sites of Smallanthus sonchifolius ITS region gives a promising base for molecular approach identification of this underutilized crop.

The investigation of four South American species of the tribe Heliantheae afforded in addition to known compounds 14 new sesquiterpene lactones, mostly belonging to the melampolides, but four being further examples of cis , cis -germacranolides. The stereochemistry is established by intensive 1 H-NMR studies and some chemical transformations. Some of the new lactones were only obtainable as inseparable mixtures of 2-methylbutyric and isovaleric esters. Furthermore a new acetylenic aldehyde was isolated. The chemotaxonomic situation is discussed especially with regard to the position of the genus Smallanthus .