rosin and cinnamyl-alcohol

Non-transformed wild type (NTWT) and hairy root cultures of Rhodiola kirilowii were grown in medium supplemented with 2.5 mM cinnamyl alcohol as a precursor and/or sucrose (1 %) on the day of inoculation or on the 14th day of culture. Rosarin, rosavin, and rosin were produced by NTWT root culture but only rosarin and rosavin by hairy roots. Approximately 80 and 95 % of the glycosides were released into the medium for NTWT and hairy root cultures, respectively. The highest rosavin yield, 505 ± 106 mg/l, was in hairy root culture when cinnamyl alcohol was applied on the day of inoculation with the addition of sucrose on the 14th day of culture. For rosin production, supplementation with cinnamyl alcohol alone on day 14 was more favourable with the highest amount 74 ± 10 mg/l in NTWT root culture. Only traces of rosarin were detected.

Topics: Biotransformation; Cells, Cultured; Culture Media; Disaccharides; Plant Roots; Propanols; Resins, Plant; Rhodiola; Sucrose

Cinnamyl alcohol was added to the media of compact callus aggregates (CCA) of Rhodiola rosea for stimulating the production of cinnamyl glycosides. The biotransformation reaction produced high amounts of rosin, while only a very low amount of rosavin was produced. As the consumption rate of cinnamyl alcohol was much higher than production of rosin, the aqueous methanol extracts of compact callus aggregates were studied by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric methods and four new unexpected biotransformation products of cinnamyl alcohol were identified.

Topics: Biotransformation; Chromatography, Liquid; Glycosides; Mass Spectrometry; Propanols; Resins, Plant; Rhodiola; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Workers in a Swedish spice factory (n = 70), and in the office (n = 23) of the same company, were investigated by questionnaire regarding skin symptoms. In a 2nd part of the study, subjects reporting skin symptoms were examined and investigated by patch and prick testing. Skin symptoms were reported by 1/2 the factory workers. Pruritus and skin irritation, particularly from cinnamon powder, were common. Patch test reactions to cinnamic aldehyde were found in 11/25 factory workers, but in several cases, the nature of the reactions was difficult to evaluate. Irritant patch test reactions were seen from powders of cardamom, paprika and white pepper. On prick testing, 6/25 workers reacted to cinnamic aldehyde. The results illustrate the difficulties of patch testing with spices and indicate the need for further research and validation of methods.

Topics: 1-Propanol; Acrolein; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Humans; Patch Tests; Propanols; Resins, Plant; Spices; Surveys and Questionnaires