Today! Alhanouf Alzahrani MS Non-Thesis Defense Seminar Tuesday, May 20th at 3pm via Zoom
Teresa Matteson
From: Swindon, Rachel <rachel....@oregonstate.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 9:22 AM
Subject: Today! Alhanouf Alzahrani MS Non-Thesis Defense Seminar Tuesday, May 20th at 3pm via Zoom
Please join us Tuesday, May 20th at 3pm via Zoom for Crop Science Master's student, Alhanouf Alzahrani's project presentation entitled: "Podophyllotoxin Concentration in Juniperus and Other Selected Species in Oregon"
Non-Thesis Master’s Project Presentation
Presenter: Alhanouf Alzahrani
Program: M.S. in Crop Science (Non-Thesis)
Major Advisor: Dr. Jeliazkov
Project Title: Podophyllotoxin Concentration in Juniperus and Other Selected Species in Oregon
Date: May 20, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM (Pacific Time, US and Canada)
Location: Online
Zoom Link: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/93538253969?pwd=94aUPbs2mos5bBUSztx5r4udkEDzO0.1
Password: 036984
Phone Dial-In Information
+1 971 247 1195 US (Portland)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 935 3825 3969
Join by Polycom/Cisco/Other Room System
Abstract
This non-thesis master’s project evaluates the concentration of podophyllotoxin (PPT), a bioactive aryltetralin lignan with notable anticancer properties, in various Juniperus species and related taxa across Oregon. The primary objective was to identify sustainable and abundant botanical sources of PPT as alternatives to the endangered Podophyllum species. Twenty taxa were analyzed, including thirteen Juniperus species and seven related species, collected from arboreta and botanical gardens. Plant samples were dried, ground, and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to quantify PPT content. Juniperus virginiana ‘Reptans’ exhibited the highest PPT concentration (0.253 ± 0.137%), followed by other J. virginiana cultivars from different locations. Significant inter- and intraspecific variation in PPT levels suggests that both genetic and environmental factors may influence metabolite accumulation. Additionally, the developmental toxicity of selected plant extracts and pure PPT was assessed using a zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo model. Toxicological results showed varying effects, with J. horizontalis extract demonstrating the lowest toxicity at comparable PPT concentrations. Overall, this project identifies several Juniperus species as promising and sustainable alternatives for podophyllotoxin sourcing in pharmaceutical applications.
Rachel Swindon
Administrative Program Assistant
Department of Crop and Soil Science
109C Crop Science Building
Phone: 541-737-1286