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Various Plants (various + plant)
Selected AbstractsCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF ORIGANUM ONITES L. ESSENTIAL OILS AND EXTRACTSJOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 1 2009MIHRIBAN KORUKLUOGLU ABSTRACT Essential oils (EOs) and extracts (methanol, acetone and diethyl ether) of fresh and dried oregano (Origanum onites L.) were used to determine the antifungal effect on Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus (two strains), Aspergillus niger (two strains), Aspergillus parasiticus, Fusarium semitectum, Fusarium oxysporum, Mucor racemosus and Penicillium roqueforti by disk diffusion methods. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of all samples were determined. The antifungal activity of the fresh herb was greater than that of the dried herb. MIC values for fresh and dried methanol extracts were 150,950 µg/mL and 750,950 µg/mL, respectively. MFC values for methanol extracts were determined between 300 and 1200 µg/mL for fresh oregano and between 750 and 1100 µg/mL for dried oregano. The EOs of fresh and dried oregano totally inhibited test fungi. EOs produced the lowest MIC and MFC values: 8.5 µg/mL and 9.0 µg/mL, respectively (P < 0.005). The highest extract activity was exhibited by fresh oregano against A. alternata (24 mm) followed by P. roqueforti (20 mm). The greatest total antifungal effect was observed from methanol extracts. The chemical composition of fresh oregano EO and extracts was examined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Over 80 volatiles were detected, of which 42 were positively identified by matching both MS fragmentation patterns with standardized retention characteristics. p-Cymene, thymol and carvacrol were the most prominent, followed by ,-pinene, camphor and borneol. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS In the past decade interest in natural antimicrobial plant extracts has been growing. Various plants have historically been used for the purposes of food preservation and flavor enhancement as well as medicinal purposes. An example is oregano, the leafy part of the plant belonging to the Labiatae family. It has been used to improve the flavor and the organoleptic properties of many foods from numerous cultures. It has also been used to prolong the storage life of foods probably because of antifungal properties. The preservative nature of fresh oregano has been employed in many food applications, including meat and fish products, as well as in pharmaceuticals, alternative medicines and natural therapies. [source] Nutritional requirements of cobia, Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus): a reviewAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 11 2009Thomas W K Fraser Abstract Cobia culture has been rapidly gaining in popularity since the early 1990s; however, the relative success of modified commercial diets in aquaculture has delayed the need for specific research into the nutritional requirements of cobia. Recent work has determined optimum dietary protein and lipid levels in juvenile cobia at 45 and 5,15% dry weight respectively. Maximum growth and feed conversion ratios have been recorded at 27,29 °C in juvenile cobia with an optimum ration level determined at 9% initial body weight per day. There is limited information on amino acid and essential fatty acids (EFA) requirements in cobia. Several studies have explored alternate protein sources in juvenile cobia with relative success observed with meat meal, yeast-based protein and various plant based sources including soybean meal. There is no literature on the vitamin or mineral requirements of cobia or the nutritional requirements of larger fish. Therefore future research should focus on the amino acid, EFA, vitamin and mineral requirements of cobia while the protein, lipid and energy requirements of larger cobia should be addressed. Additional work on feed ingredients, choice and palatability would also aid in maximizing culture production while minimizing costs thereby producing a more sustainable product. [source] Seed Dispersal Distances and Plant Migration Potential in Tropical East AsiaBIOTROPICA, Issue 5 2009Article first published online: 9 MAR 200, Richard T. Corlett ABSTRACT Most predictions of vegetation responses to anthropogenic climate change over the next 100 yr are based on plant physiological tolerances and do not account for the ability of plant species to migrate over the distances required in the time available, or the impact of habitat fragmentation on this ability. This review assesses the maximum routine dispersal distances achievable in tropical East Asia and their vulnerability to human impacts. Estimates for various plant,vector combinations range from < 10 m, for species dispersed by ants or mechanical means, to > 10 km for some species dispersed by wind (tiny seeds), water, fruit pigeons, large fruit bats (tiny seeds), elephants, rhinoceroses, and people. Most plant species probably have maximum dispersal distances in the 100,1000 m range, but the widespread, canopy-dominant Dipterocarpaceae and Fagaceae are normally dispersed < 100 m. Large fruit bats and fruit pigeons are particularly important for long-distance dispersal in fragmented landscapes and should be protected from hunting. The maximum seed dispersal distances estimated in this study are potentially sufficient for many plant species to track temperature changes in steep topography, but are far too small for a significant role in mitigating climate change impacts in the lowlands, where temperature and rainfall gradients are much more shallow. [source] Effect of root surface treatment with propolis and fluoride in delayed tooth replantation in ratsDENTAL TRAUMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2008Jéssica Lemos Gulinelli Nevertheless, an extended extraoral period damages the periodontal ligament and results in external root resorption. The purpose of this study was to assess by histologic and histometric analysis, the influence of propolis 15% (natural resinous substance collected by Apis mellifera bees from various plants) and the fluoride solution used as root surface treatment on the healing process after delayed tooth replantation. Thirty Wistar (Rattus norvegicus albinus) rats were submitted to extraction of their upper right incisor. The teeth were maintained in a dry environment for 60 min. After this, the pulp was extirpated and the papilla, enamel organ and periodontal ligament were removed with scalpel. The teeth were divided into three experimental groups: Group I , teeth immersed in 20 ml of physiologic saline; Group II , teeth immersed in 20 ml of 2% acidulated phosphate sodium fluoride; Group III , teeth immersed in 20 ml of 15% propolis. After 10 min of immersion in the solutions, the root canals were dried and filled with calcium hydroxide paste and the teeth were replanted. The animals were euthanized 60 days after replantation. The results showed that similar external root resorption was seen in the propolis and fluoride groups. Teeth treated with physiologic saline tended to have more inflammatory root resorption compared with those treated with fluoride or propolis. However, the comparative analysis did not reveal statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) between the treatment modalities when used for delayed tooth replantation. [source] A case of fatal caffeine poisoningACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 4 2010T. RUDOLPH Caffeine is a natural alkaloid methylxanthine that is found in various plants such as coffee or tea. Symptoms of a severe overdose may present with hypokalemia, hyponatremia, ventricular arrhythmias, hypertension followed by hypotension, respiratory failure, seizures, rhabdomyolysis, ventricular fibrillation and finally circulatory collapse. A 21-year-old woman called for the ambulance herself soon after the ingestion of about 10,000 mg of caffeine. At the arrival of the ambulance, the patient went into cardiac arrest almost immediately. After a total resuscitation period of 34 min including seven counter-shocks and 2 mg epinephrine, the patient was stable enough to be transferred to the hospital. The patient soon went into VF again and received two more counter-shocks and 1 mg epinephrine and finally an intravenous bolus dose of 300 mg amiodarone. The initial arterial blood gas showed pH at 6.47, lactate at 33 mmol/l and potassium level at 2.3 mmol/l. Unfortunately, no blood samples for caffeine analysis were taken. Three days after hospital admission, the patient developed myoclonus, which did not respond to medical treatment. Excessive intake of caffeine may produce arrhythmias and pronounced hypokalemia and ensuing ventricular fibrillation. In case of counter-shock-resistant VF, it can be necessary to give an early loading dose of amiodarone. Furthermore, it may be beneficial to replace the potassium as early as possible. Epinephrine and buffer solutions used during resuscitation may further decrease blood potassium levels and should be administrated cautiously. Epinephrine can be replaced by other vasopressor drugs, such as vasopressin without effects on ,-receptors. [source] Molluscicides from some common medicinal plants of eastern Uttar Pradesh, IndiaJOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Sunil Kumar Singh Abstract Many aquatic snails act as intermediate hosts for the larvae of trematodes, Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, which cause the diseases fascioliasis and schistosomiasis. The WHO has tested several thousands of synthetic compounds for the control of the snail host. Although effective, these molluscicides have so far not proved themselves to be entirely satisfactory. With a growing awareness of environmental pollution, efforts are being made to discover molluscicidal products of plant origin. Being products of biosynthesis, these are potentially biodegradable in nature. Several groups of compounds present in various plants have been found to be toxic to target organisms at acceptable doses ranging from <1 to 100,ppm. Common medicinal plants, i.e. Thevetia peruviana, Alstonia scholaris (Family; Apocynaceae), Euphorbia pulcherima and Euphorbia hirta (Family; Euphorbiaceae), have potent molluscicidal activity against freshwater snails. The toxicological actions of Thevetia peruviana may be due to the presence of apigenin-5-methyl ether (flavonoid) and triterpenoid glycosides, while a number of alkaloids (pseudo-akuammigine in addition to betulin, ursolic acid and ,-sitosterol), steroids and triterpenoids are present in Alstonia scholaris and the diterpenoids, pulcherrol, ,-sitosterol, hentriacontane, ellagic acid and ,-amyrin are present in Euphorbia hirta and in Euphorbia pulcherima. Although, at present very little literature is available on the control of vector snails through plant origin pesticides, an attempt has been made in this review to assemble all the known information on molluscicidal properties of common medicinal plants of eastern Uttar Pradesh, India, which might be useful for the control of harmful snails. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The RhaS activator controls the Erwinia chrysanthemi 3937 genes rhiN, rhiT and rhiE involved in rhamnogalacturonan catabolismMOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2004Nicole Hugouvieux-Cotte-Pattat Summary Erwinia chrysanthemi causes soft-rot diseases of various plants by enzymatic degradation of the pectin in plant cell walls. The linear regions of pectin are composed of an acidic sugar, d -galacturonic acid. The ramified regions of pectin also include neutral sugars, and are rich in l -rhamnose residues. E. chrysanthemi is able to degrade these polysaccharides, polygalacturonate and rhamnogalacturonate. In E. chrysanthemi, the production of pectinases acting on linear regions is induced in the presence of polygalacturonate by a mechanism involving the repressor KdgR. The induction of the two adjacent E. chrysanthemi genes, designated rhiT and rhiN, is maximal after the simultaneous addition of both polygalacturonate and l -rhamnose. The rhiT product is homologous to the oligogalacturonide transporter TogT of E. chrysanthemi. The rhiN product is homologous to various proteins of unknown function, including a protein encoded by the plant-inducible locus picA of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Both rhiT and rhiN are highly induced during plant infection. Various data suggest that RhiT and RhiN are involved in rhamnogalacturonate catabolism. RhiN is able to degrade the oligomers liberated by the rhamnogalacturonate lyase RhiE. The induction of the rhiTN operon in the presence of polygalacturonate results from control by the repressor KdgR. The additional induction of these genes by rhamnose is directly mediated by RhaS, a protein homologous to the activator of rhamnose catabolism in Escherichia coli. The virulence of an E. chrysanthemi rhaS mutant towards different host plants was clearly reduced. In this phytopathogenic bacterial species, RhaS positively regulates the transcription of the rhaBAD operon, involved in rhamnose catabolism, of the rhiE gene and of the rhiTN operon. The regulator RhaS plays a larger role in E. chrysanthemi than in other enterobacteria. Indeed, the RhaS control is not restricted to the catabolism of rhamnose but is extended to the degradation of plant polysaccharides that contain this sugar. [source] Different proportions of cadmium occur as Cd-binding phytochelatin complexes in plantsPHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, Issue 2 2007Eduardo Marentes The aim was to determine cadmium (Cd) speciation in various plants, between buffer-soluble and acid-soluble Cd, and also within the buffer-soluble Cd. A better understanding of Cd speciation shows the relative importance of different biological mechanisms for Cd sequestration. Roots of Pistia stratiodes, Eichhornia crassipes, Agrostis gigantea, Deschampsia caespitosa and wheat Triticum turgidum var. durum were analyzed. Buffer extractions solubilized varying proportions of Cd, ranging from 12% in Eichhornia to 83% in Agrostis. The proportion increased with time of Cd exposure in Pistia. It also increased in wheat roots as the external Cd rose from 0.05 to 0.5 ,M and was lowest in old leaves and highest in roots. The remaining Cd was extractable with acid. Gel filtration resolved buffer-soluble Cd into three peaks distinct from inorganic Cd. Two complexes with phytochelatins and related polythiols were present in all cases, inorganic Cd being prominent only in Eichhornia extracts. The phytochelatin complexes accounted for 2% of the root Cd in Eichhornia to 78% in Agrostis. In wheat, phytochelatins bound 82% of the Cd in roots, 19% in young leaves and 12% in old leaves. The cysteine-rich protein metallothionein from wheat was detected immunologically in the void volume of gel filtrations of old and young leaves, but not of roots, and was distinct from the two phytochelatin-based complexes. Speciation of Cd in the various plants indicated that phytochelatins were not necessarily the major ligands of Cd. [source] Validation of a quantitative assay of arbutin using gas chromatography in Origanum majorana and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi extractsPHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS, Issue 5 2009Aline Lamien-Meda Abstract Introduction , Arbutin is a skin-whitening agent that occurs naturally in the bark and leaves of various plants. It is commonly quantified in plant extracts and skin-whitening products by HPLC. Objective , To develop an alternative gas chromatographic method for the separation and quantification of arbutin in Origanum majorana and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi extracts. Methodology , N,O -Bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide and trimethylchlorosilane were used as silylation reagents, and the gas chromatographic separation of silylated extracts and standards was performed using a DB-5 narrow bore column. GC-MS was used for the compound identification, and the quantification was carried out by GC-FID. The quantitative results were compared with those of HPLC analysis. Results , The developed method gave a good sensitivity with linearity in the range 0.33,500,mg/mL and recovery >98%, allowing the quantification of arbutin in O. majorana and A. uva-ursi extracts. The relative standard deviations (RSD) relating to intra-day and inter-day precision were <0.002% and <4.8%, respectively. The GC results correlated well with those obtained by HPLC analysis. Conclusion , The analysis of marjoram and bearberry samples showed that the established GC method was rapid, selective, and demonstrated that arbutin could be screened alternatively by gas chromatography. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Complex trait differentiation between host-populations of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris): implications for the evolution of ecological specialisationBIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, Issue 4 2009ADRIEN FRANTZ Variation in traits affecting preference for, and performance on, new habitats is a key factor in the initiation of ecological specialisation and adaptive speciation. However, habitat and resource use also involves other traits whose influence on ecological and genetic divergence remains poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the extent of variation of life-history traits among sympatric populations of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, which shows several host races that are specialised on various plants of the family Fabaceae plants and is an established model for ecological speciation. First, we assessed the community structure of microbial partners within host populations of the pea aphid. The effect of these microbes on host fitness is uncertain, although there is growing evidence that they may modulate various important adaptive traits of their host such as plant utilisation and resistance against natural enemies. Second, we performed a multivariate analysis on several ecologically relevant features of host populations recorded in the present and previous studies (including microbial composition, colour morph, reproductive mode, and male dispersal phenotype), enabling the identification of correlations between phenotypic traits. We discuss the ecological significance of these associations of traits in relation to the habitat characteristics of pea aphid populations, and their consequences for the evolution of ecological specialisation and sympatric speciation. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 97, 718,727. [source] Analysis of the adverse reactions induced by natural product-derived drugsBRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 7 2010Zhi-Ping Zeng Compared with the therapeutic effects of established medicinal drugs, it is often considered that natural product-derived drugs are of a more benign nature in side-effects, which has made natural medicines become a popular form of therapy. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is generally considered as being natural and harmless. TCM has been paid much more attention than before and widely used for the treatment nowadays. However, with the increasing cases of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), the ADRs induced by TCM are becoming more widely recognized. Some ADRs are sometimes even life-threatening. This article reviews literatures on ADRs induced by TCM which was published in the past 10 years. A total of 3122 cases including complete data are selected for the present analysis. From the data of the 3122 cases, statistics is carried out to the distribution of administration routes and time of the occurrence of ADRs, the prognosis of ADRs, sex and age factors, types and clinical symptoms of ADRs, and drugs involved in ADRs. In addition, occurrence and influencing factors of TCM-induced diseases are also analysed, which includes spices confusion, processing drugs improperly, toxic components, long-term medication, improper concerted application, interaction of TCM and Western medicine. It is concluded that the efficacy and toxicity of TCM, often using the compound prescription involving various plants and animals, resulted from a variety of chemical constituents, which lead to a comprehensive response in the human body. The ,toxicity' of TCM should be correctly recognized and reasonably utilized. [source] | ||||||||||||||||