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Journal of Natural Medicines
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Open Access 21-01-2023 | Alkaloids | Original Paper

Evaluation of rooting characteristics of Ephedra cuttings by anatomy and promising strain selection based on rooting characteristics and alkaloid content

Authors: Yoshitomi Kudo, Hirokazu Ando, Ai Kaneda, Honoka Ito, Kazuki Umemoto, Si-ran Ni, Masayuki Mikage, Yohei Sasaki

Published in: Journal of Natural Medicines | Issue 2/2023

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Abstract

The differences in rooting characteristics of cuttings prepared from E. sinica strains were investigated and found that cuttings prepared from strains with high rooting characteristics showed approximately 90% of the cuttings were rooted, whereas cuttings prepared from low rooting characteristics did not root. To understand the reason for this substantial difference, the anatomy of nodes was examined and found that adventitious roots were generated from the cortex and parenchyma in pith. Calculations of the correlation coefficients between the rooting rate and the value of anatomy indicated that the rooting rate was positively correlated with the parenchyma in pith in the node. On the basis of the positive correlation, it is possible to estimate the rooting characteristics of new strains without having to prepare cuttings. Next, we conducted a screening for E. sinica strains on the basis of total alkaloids content [ephedrine (E) + pseudoephedrine (PE)] and selected strains having no less than 0.7% total alkaloids content as defined by the Japanese Pharmacopoeia 18th edition. Strains having characteristic E or PE content were uncovered: E-rich strains had 100% E content and PE-rich strains had 99% PE content. We were able to select E. sinica strains on the basis of two factors: high rooting rate of cuttings and high or characteristic alkaloid content. These strains are valuable for breeding.
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Metadata
Title
Evaluation of rooting characteristics of Ephedra cuttings by anatomy and promising strain selection based on rooting characteristics and alkaloid content
Authors
Yoshitomi Kudo
Hirokazu Ando
Ai Kaneda
Honoka Ito
Kazuki Umemoto
Si-ran Ni
Masayuki Mikage
Yohei Sasaki
Publication date
21-01-2023
Publisher
Springer Nature Singapore
Published in
Journal of Natural Medicines / Issue 2/2023
Print ISSN: 1340-3443
Electronic ISSN: 1861-0293
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-023-01680-3

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