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Palm Tree (palm + tree)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	57%
Chemistry	28%

Selected Abstracts

Analysis of the sugar-binding specificity of mannose-binding-type Jacalin-related lectins by frontal affinity chromatography , an approach to functional classification

FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 6 2008
Sachiko Nakamura-Tsuruta
The Jacalin-related lectin (JRL) family comprises galactose-binding-type (gJRLs) and mannose-binding-type (mJRLs) lectins. Although the documented occurrence of gJRLs is confined to the family Moraceae, mJRLs are widespread in the plant kingdom. A detailed comparison of sugar-binding specificity was made by frontal affinity chromatography to corroborate the structure,function relationships of the extended mJRL subfamily. Eight mJRLs covering a broad taxonomic range were used: Artocarpin from Artocarpus integrifolia (jackfruit, Moraceae), BanLec from Musa acuminata (banana, Musaceae), Calsepa from Calystegia sepium (hedge bindweed, Convolvulaceae), CCA from Castanea crenata (Japanese chestnut, Fagaceae), Conarva from Convolvulus arvensis (bindweed, Convolvulaceae), CRLL from Cycas revoluta (King Sago palm tree, Cycadaceae), Heltuba from Helianthus tuberosus (Jerusalem artichoke, Asteraceae) and MornigaM from Morus nigra (black mulberry, Moraceae). The result using 103 pyridylaminated glycans clearly divided the mJRLs into two major groups, each of which was further divided into two subgroups based on the preference for high-mannose-type N-glycans. This criterion also applied to the binding preference for complex-type N-glycans. Notably, the result of cluster analysis of the amino acid sequences clearly corresponded to the above specificity classification. Thus, marked correlation between the sugar-binding specificity of mJRLs and their phylogeny should shed light on the functional significance of JRLs. [source]

Chromatographic Characterization and Phytotoxic Activity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis and Saprophytic Strain Toxins

JOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 4 2005
H. Amraoui
Abstract The bayoud disease, vascular fusariosis of date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera L.), is caused by the pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis. The characteristic symptoms of the bayoud disease were elicited on detached leaves of F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis -susceptible cultivars of date palm trees, which were treated either with the FII (F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis) fraction purified from the organic extracts of a F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis liquid culture, or with a solution of fusaric acid. Enniatins, which are secreted by several Fusarium species, were tested at different concentrations and were not capable of inducing symptoms on such detached leaves. The FII (F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis) fraction was unable to induce necrosis of potato slices, which indicates that it does not contain significant amounts of enniatins. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profiles of the FII (F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis) fraction showed toxic peaks different from fusaric acid. A fraction, named FII (AZ4), was obtained from culture filtrates of a saprophytic Fusarium strain maintained in the same cultural conditions as for the F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis. The HPLC profile of the FII (AZ4) fraction did not show the characteristic phytotoxic peaks present in the FII (F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis) fraction. This finding well agrees with the fact that the FII (AZ4) fraction is not toxic to detached date palm leaves. Moreover, the HPLC profiles of FII fractions obtained from other special forms of F. oxysporum are different the FII (F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis) profile. The phytotoxic compounds purified from the FII (F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis) fraction are probably new molecules that may help in understanding the pathogenesis of bayoud disease. [source]

Chemical composition and nutritive value of peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) in rats

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 9 2005
Pascal Leterme
Abstract The peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) is the starchy fruit of a palm tree widely cultivated in Central and South America. The present study aimed at determining its chemical composition and its nutritive value in rats. The average chemical composition of 17 samples was as follows: 410 g kg,1 water and, in g kg,1 of dry matter (DM), 54 g crude protein, 114 g oil, 39 g neutral detergent fibre, 716 g starch, 21 g sugars and 18 g ash. The main variability was observed for the oil (60,180 g kg,1 DM) and starch (590,780 g DM) contents. The proteins contained, on average, in g kg,1 of proteins, 49 g lysine, 13 g methionine, 19 g cysteine, 39 g threonine and 7 g tryptophan. The mineral fraction contained, per kg DM: 1.0 g Ca, 0.8 g P, 0.6 g Mg, 0.3 g Na, 44 mg Fe, 4 mg Cu and 10 mg Zn. The digestibility of four peach palm genotypes was determined in rats fed a diet composed of 350 g kg,1 of peach palm and 650 g of a control diet based on maize and soybean meal. The digestibility of DM, energy, starch and protein of peach palm alone reached, on average 91, 87, 96 and 95%, respectively. No difference was observed between varieties, except for starch (p < 0.05). On average, peach palm contained 51 g of truly digestible protein kg,1 DM and 3.691 kcal digestible energy kg,1 DM. A growth trial was also carried out for 1 month on rats (initial weight: 78 g) fed a diet containing 0, 200, 400, 600 or 800 g peach palm kg,1, at the expense of a diet composed of maize starch and casein. The growth rate of the rats decreased (p < 0.05) as the peach palm concentration increased. The growth decrease was due to a decrease (p < 0.05) in DM intake and to the lower quality of the peach palm protein. It is concluded that peach palm is mainly an energy source for humans and animals. It is poor in protein and minerals but can be consumed in large amounts. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source]

Destination-based seed dispersal homogenizes genetic structure of a tropical palm

MOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 8 2010
JORDAN KARUBIAN
Abstract As the dominant seed dispersal agents in many ecosystems, frugivorous animals profoundly impact gene movement and fine-scale genetic structure of plants. Most frugivores engage in some form of destination-based dispersal, in that they move seeds towards specific destinations, resulting in clumped distributions of seeds away from the source tree. Molecular analyses of dispersed seeds and seedlings suggest that destination-based dispersal may often yield clusters of maternal genotypes and lead to pronounced local genetic structure. The long-wattled umbrellabird Cephalopterus penduliger is a frugivorous bird whose lek mating system creates a species-specific pattern of seed dispersal that can potentially be distinguished from background dispersal processes. We used this system to test how destination-based dispersal by umbrellabirds into the lek affects gene movement and genetic structure of one of their preferred food sources Oenocarpus bataua, a canopy palm tree. Relative to background dispersal processes, umbrellabird mating behaviour yielded more diverse seed pools in leks that included on average five times more seed sources and a higher incidence of long-distance dispersal events. This resulted in markedly lower fine-scale spatial genetic structure among established seedlings in leks than background areas. These species-specific impacts of destination-based dispersal illustrate how detailed knowledge of disperser behaviour can elucidate the mechanistic link driving observed patterns of seed movement and genetic structure. [source]

Updated meta-analysis of clinical trials of Serenoa repens extract in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2004
P. Boyle
OBJECTIVES To determine, by analysing all available clinical trial data, the clinical efficacy against placebo of an extract from the fruit of the American dwarf palm tree, Serenoa repens (Permixon®, Pierre Fabre Médicament, Castres, France), as there is controversy about the use of phytotherapeutic agents in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS All clinical trial data published on Permixon, comprising 14 randomized clinical trials and three open-label trials, involving 4280 patients, were analysed. These trials were of different size (22,1100 patients) and duration (21,720 days). The peak urinary flow rate and nocturia were the two common endpoints. The statistical analysis was based on a random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS Permixon was associated with a mean (sem) reduction in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of 4.78 (0.41). The mean placebo effect on peak urinary flow rate was an increase of 1.20 (0.49) mL/s. The estimated effect of Permixon was a further increase of 1.02 (0.50) mL/s (P = 0.042). Placebo was associated with a reduction in the mean number of nocturnal voids of 0.63 (0.14); there was a further reduction attributable to Permixon of 0.38 (0.07) (P < 0.001). There was some heterogeneity among the studies for nocturia; one over 2 years involving 396 patients and showing no difference between placebo and Permixon had a large effect on the results. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis of all available published trials of Permixon for treating men with BPH showed a significant improvement in peak flow rate and reduction in nocturia above placebo, and a 5-point reduction in the IPSS. [source]

Chromatographic Characterization and Phytotoxic Activity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis and Saprophytic Strain Toxins

Characterization of xylanolytic bacteria present in the bract phyllosphere of the date palm Phoenix dactylifera

LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
R. Rivas
Abstract Aims:, Despite the interest of phyllosphere microbiology, no studies have addressed the bacteria present in bract phyllosphere, an ecosystem that has special characteristics in palm trees because the dry bracts remain on the plant until pruning and may contain polymer-degrading bacteria involved in plant degradation. Therefore, the aim of this work was to characterize xylanolytic bacteria isolated from palm bract phyllosphere. Methods and Results:, Twelve xylanolytic strains were isolated and characterized by phenotypic features and complete sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. The results showed that the isolates were phenotypically and genotypically diverse. Gram-positive isolates were classified into genus Paenibacillus some of them belonging to hitherto undescribed species of this genus. Gram-negative isolates were classified into genera Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter. Conclusions:, The results of this work confirm the complexity of the bacterial populations present in phyllospheric ecosystems and suggest that bacteria involved in plant degradation are present at the early degradation steps of this process in dry palm tree bracts. Significance and Impact of the Study:, This is the first study on bract phyllospheric bacteria able to hydrolyse vegetal polymers and offers a new perspective in the search of unexplored sources of xylanase-producing strains. [source]