Passiflora species

Fig. 6.2 Compounds 519-524, cyanogenic glycosides from Passiflora species...

Chassagne D, Crouzet J, Bayonove CL and Baumes RL. 1997. Glycosidically bound eugenol and methyl salicylate in the fruit of edible Passiflora species. J Agric Food Chem 45(7) 2685-2689. 

The combination of herbal sedatives such as valerian (V, officinalis), passion flower (Passiflora species), and anticholinergic Solanaceae (Atropa belladonna, Datura stromonium, Hyocyamus niger, and Mandragora offici-narum) with alcohol or antihistamines can potentiate the effects of antidepressants, antihistaminics, and antispasmodics, causing drowsiness and obtunding the ability to use machinery (D Arcy, 1993 De Smet et al., 1996). 

Ermanin (49), 7,4 -di-(9-methylkaempferol, from the resinous material on the surface of leaves of Passiflorafoetida, is deterrent to feeding by the larvae of Dione juno. This insect eats many other Passiflora species (Echeverri et al., 1991). 

The corresponding gentiobiosides, linustatin (44) and neolinustatin (45), have been isolated from flax seed and certain Passiflora species (Olafsddttir et al., 1989 Smith et al., 1980 Spencer et al., 1986). 

Spencer, K. C., and D. S. Seigler, Co-occurrence of valine/isoleucine-derived and cyclopentenoid cyanogens in a Passiflora species, Biochem. Syst. Ecol., 13, 303-304 (1985e). 

Spencer, K., D. S. Seigler, and A. Nahrstedt, Linamarin, lotaus-tralin, linustatin and neolinustatin from Passiflora species. Phytochemistry, 25, 645-647 (1986). 

The peculiar observation that particular combinations of 6-glucosidases from various related species, or combinations of 6-glucosidases and substrate substitutes, frequently prevented expected hydrolysis (Table li), gave the first indication that the interaction of plant enzymes could be of importance in the Passiflora-Heliconius system. The same inhibitory interaction has since been observed in insect-plant glucosidase combinations (17). 

Table I. Specificity of 6-GlucosIdases of Passiflora and Related Species...

Owing to their unique and delicate flavour, species of the genus Passiflora have been the subject of intensive research on their volatile constituents [13]. The purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) is a tropical fruit native to Brazil but is now grown in most tropical and subtropical countries [50]. Purple passion fruit is cultivated in Australia, India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and South Africa [48]. Yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis t flavicarpa) is one of the most popular and best known tropical fruits, having a floral, estery aroma with an exotic tropical sulfury note [62]. Yellow passion fruit is cultivated in Brazil, Hawaii, Fiji, and Taiwan [48]. Because of its more desirable flavour, the purple passion fruit is preferred for consumption as fresh fruit, whereas the yellow passion fruit is considered more suitable for processing [28]. 

Several species of plant also contain compounds that have been shown to act as agonists on benzodiazepine receptors. These include Valeriana officinalis which contains hydroxypinoresinol, Matricaria recutita which contains 5,7,4 -trihydroxyflavone, Passiflora coeruleus which contains chrysin and Karmelitter Geist which contains amentoflavin. Hypericum perforatum (St John s Wort) also contains unknown compounds which have affinity for... 

Species of passion vines Passiflora spp. family Passifloraceae) that twine upward in tropical, subtropical, and some temperate regions of the world. They occur most often in wet forests, though some species may occur in drier, more open places. These vines have glossy leaves shaped like rounded human hands, and their flowers are often sweetly scented and packed with a ring of colorful filaments. The tendrils of passion vines hold the... 

The passion fruit flavor in prepared foods usually comes from the fruit of Passiflora edulis. Other notable fruits produced by species of Passiflora include the foot-ball-sized granadilla, from P. quadrangularis. Popular ornamental species include P. caerula, with its sky-blue flowers P. alato-caerula, a blue-purple flowered hybrid and P. mollissima, the banana passion flower, so named for the shape of its fruit. 

The species most often cited in the publications consulted were Lippia alba (Mill) N.E.Br. (cited in 7 of these) and Passiflora edulis Sims. (4). 

The genus Passiflora includes approximately 500 species and, as per the last two plants cited Melissa officinalis and Lippia alba), is a genus well known [178]. In the specific case of Passiflora edulis Sims., some studies have shown its anxiolytic effect when assessed through the EPM [300]. A comparative study involving two species of this genus by Dahwan et al [301] showed that, although the methanolic extract of P. edulis Sims, presented an anxiolytic effect, this effect is less potent if compared to that observed with Passiflora incarnata L. 

From over 400 species of passion fmit, two became commercially important crops the purple passion fruit, Passiflora edulis, var. purpurea and the yellow passion fruit or maracuja, Passiflora edulis, var. flavicarpa. Both are well recognized by their delicious, acid, gelatinous, juicy pulp with its characteristic, exotic, sharp, green, fruity, sulphurous and floral, fruity note, whereas the yellow variety is fresher, greener with a stronger sulfury note. 

Rehwald, A. Analytical Investigation of Crataegus Species and Passiflora incamata L. by High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Ph.D. thesis, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich. Switzerland, 1995. 

Da Silva Morrone M, De Assis AM, Da Rocha RF, Gasparotto J, Gazola AC, Costa GM et al. Passiflora manicata (Juss.) aqueous leaf extract protects against reactive oxygen species and protein glycation in vitro and ex vivo models. Food Chem Toxicol. 2013 60 45-51. 

Rocha, D.I., Vieira, L.M., Tanaka, F.A.O., da Silva, L.C. Otoni, W.C. (2011). Somatic embryogenesis of a wild passion fruit species Passiflora Cincinnata Masters histocytological and histochemical evidences. Protoplasma, (17 September 2011), doi 10.1007/S00709-011-0318-X, ISSN 1615-6102... 

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