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Background: Sassafras has been considered to belong to trib. Laureae of Lauraceae and has been assumed to have unisexual flowers. However, recent molecular phylogenetic studies have consistently suggested that Sassafras does not belong to the trib. Laureae but to Cinnamomeae and that it is nested within Cinnamomum. A recent morphological study revealed that one of the Asian species, S. randaiense, possesses bisexual flowers that are plesiomorphic in the family Lauraceae. As reports on the flower structure of the second Asian species, S. tzumu, have been contradictory, we wanted to ascertain if it has bisexual flowers or not. If the flowers were bisexual, could earlier reports that they were unisexual have been based on dichogamous flowering? Results: In this study, we investigated two populations of S. tzumu. We found that this species has determinate botryoid racemes, and possesses bisexual flowers. Among the three extant species, S. tzumu is more similar to its sister species S. randaiense but markedly different from the American S. albidum: the two Asian species possess bisexual flowers while the American species has unisexual flowers. The bisexual flower of S. tzumu is protogynous, and shows two phenological phases typical of Lauraceae: 1) in a flower, the pistil functions first, the stigma is fresh and white, stamens of the outer two whorls are spreading, anthers do not open, and the staminodes secrete nectar at this stage; 2) in the second phase, the stigma becomes brown, staminodes are withered, stamens of the third whorl stand up and surround the pistil, glands of the third whorl of stamens secrete nectar, and the anthers open and release pollen. Conclusions: The similarity of racemose inflorescences between Sassafras and some members of Laureae were caused by parallel evolution; the racemose inflorescence of ancestral Sassafras originated from the thyrsoid-cymose inflorescence in Cinnamomum. The Asian species S. tzumu and S. randaiense possess bisexual flowers with two phenological phases, the American S. albidum evolved unisexual flowers independently from other clades with unisexual flowers in the Lauraceae, i.e., the Laureae, Alseodaphnopsis in the Perseeae and the unisexual clade in the Ocotea complex of the Cinnamomeae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of cadmium stress on the growth and physiological characteristics of Sassafras tzumu Hemsl. were studied in pot experiments. Five Cd levels were tested [CT(Control Treatment) : 0 mg/kg, Cd5: 5 mg/kg, Cd20: 20 mg/kg, Cd50: 50 mg/kg, and Cd100: 100 mg/kg]. The growth and physiological characteristics of the sassafras seedlings in each level were measured. The results showed that soil Cd had negative influences on sassafras growth and reduced the net growth of plant height and the biomass of leaf, branch and root. Significant reductions were recorded in root biomass by 18.18%(Cd5), 27.35%(Cd20), 27.57%(Cd50) and 28.95%(Cd100). The contents of hydrogen peroxide decreased first then increased while malondialdehyde showed the opposite trend with increasing cadmium concentration. Decreases were found in hydrogen peroxide contents by 10.96%(Cd5), 11.82%(Cd20) and 7.02%(Cd50); increases were found in malondialdehyde contents by 15.47%(Cd5), 16.07%(Cd20) and 7.85%(Cd50), indicating that cadmium stress had a certain effect on the peroxidation of the inner cell membranes in the seedlings that resulted in damage to the cell membrane structure. Superoxide dismutase activity decreased among treatments by 17.05%(Cd5), 10,68%(Cd20), 20.85%(Cd50) and 8.91%(Cd100), while peroxidase activity increased steadily with increasing cadmium concentration; these results suggest that peroxidase is likely the main protective enzyme involved in the reactive oxygen removal system in sassafras seedlings. Upward trends were observed in proline content by 90.76%(Cd5), 74.36%(Cd20), 99.73%(Cd50) and 126.01%(Cd100). The increase in proline content with increasing cadmium concentration indicated that cadmium stress induced proline synthesis to resist osmotic stress in the seedlings. Compared to that in CT, the soluble sugar content declined under the different treatments by 32.84%(Cd5), 5.85%(Cd20), 25.55%(Cd50) and 38.69%(Cd100). Increases were observed in the soluble protein content by 2.34%(Cd5), 21.36%(Cd20), 53.15%(Cd50) and 24.22%(Cd100). At different levels of cadmium stress, the chlorophyll content in the seedlings first increased and then decreased, and it was higher in the Cd5 and Cd20 treatments than that in the CT treatment. These results reflected that cadmium had photosynthesis-promoting effects at low concentrations and photosynthesis-suppressing effects at high concentrations. The photosynthetic gas exchange parameters and photosynthetic light-response parameters showed downward trends with increasing cadmium concentration compared with those in CT; these results reflected the negative effects of cadmium stress on photosynthesis in sassafras seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safrole, a phenylpropene with a 'candy shop' aroma, is abundant in nature among diverse plant genera such as Sassafras, Ocotea, Cinnamomum, Myristica, and Piper. Sassafras oil has been used extensively for a long time, first by Native Americans and later by European settlers in traditional medicine and as a flavouring agent. Until 1960 the consumption of safrole by the western population, as a flavouring agent in beer, meat, and soft drinks, was unregulated. Later, the recognition of this phytochemical as a weak hepatocarcinogen with demonstrated genotoxicity in rodents led to strict restrictions on its use in food by various regulatory bodies globally. Moreover, in Asian countries oral carcinogenesis has been linked to safrole through the habit of chewing betel quid. As a separate issue, safrole is an inexpensive synthetic precursor to the illicit recreational drug Ecstasy. Accelerating demand for this party drug during the last few decades has encouraged the unscientific harvesting, illegal production, and trading of safrole‐rich oils, leading to massive deforestation. Recently, many government authorities have enforced laws to restrict the production and harvesting of safrole‐bearing plants. Thus, the identity of safrole has altered with time from a pleasant flavouring agent to a hepatocarcinogen, and more recently as a driver of the destruction of biodiversity. Law enforcement has not only hampered its availability but has also extensively affected industrial use. Our review describes the research progress (1960–2018) on its natural distribution, carcinogenicity, usage as a natural synthon, and the regulations imposed on safrole and safrole‐rich oils worldwide. Finally, we draw our readers' attention to the sustainable use of this phytochemical for a better future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A manuscript recently acquired by the University of Pennsylvania contains a large section of a treatise on materia medica, Arabic in Hebrew characters, with many notes in the margins. One set of marginalia, all in the same hand, displays passages culled from the writings of Da'ūd al-Anṭākī (d. 1599) and Ibn Sallūm (d. 1670), two important medical writers who were born in Aleppo. Some of the passages are translations from Turkish into Judeo-Arabic. The three selected for publication here describe new medical substances, unknown to the ancients; one, China root, originating in the East; and the other two, sassafras and quinaquina, from the Americas. These are among the first descriptions of these substances in Arabic and seem to be the very first accounts in Jewish sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sassafras albidum (Sassafras) is an ecologically important tree species that is widely distributed throughout the eastern United States. Sassafras is presently threatened by Raffaelea lauricola, a fungus vectored by Xyleborus glabratus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae; Redbay Ambrosia Beetle), which causes a lethal vascular wilt known as laurel wilt disease (LWD). This study summarizes the status of Sassafras across the entire eastern United States and in areas with LWD in particular, so that LWD-induced changes in the Sassafras resource may be properly understood. Inventory data collected by the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program of the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service indicated that as of 2013-2014 there were 1.9 billion live Sassafras trees and saplings across 28 states, 53 ecoregion sections, and 69 forest types in the eastern United States. Only 1.7% of Sassafras trees ≥2.5 cm diameter at breast height occurred in counties with LWD; an additional 2.8% occurred in neighboring counties. To date, LWD has not reached the heart of the Sassafras range, yet discontinuous jumps of the disease beyond its advancing front suggest that future introductions may be possible. Landowners and forest managers within the range of Sassafras should be diligent to watch for LWD symptoms and consider the changes that may occur in their forests if the disease becomes established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The laurel wilt disease fungus, Raffaelea lauricola, is killing redbay trees, spreading rapidly in the U.S. southeastern coastal plain forest, and posing a serious threat to the avocado industry in Florida. A molecular tool is urgently required to facilitate detection of this pathogen. The 5' region of the large ribosomal RNA (28S) gene is highly variable among Raffaelea spp. and ideal for this purpose but amplification of this sequence from R. lauricola has been difficult. Different amplification conditions were tested and a high-fidelity polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure utilizing a dNTP mix containing 7-deaza-dGTP was found to reliably amplify 28S sequences from R. lauricola. Sequencing the amplified products or cloned inserts also turned out to be difficult and required using a custom-blended sequencing mix containing 1 M betaine, 5% dimethyl sulfoxide, and dGTP-BigDye v3.1. Three GC-rich stem and loop or cruciform secondary structures were discovered, which may have interfered with amplification. This improved protocol made it possible to partially characterize the internal transcribed spacers sequence from R. lauricola, which also has interfering secondary structures. A TaqMan real-time PCR assay was designed using the species-specific 28S sequences and this allowed detection of R. lauricola from wood tissues or cultures. Wood tissues from symptomatic redbay, avocado, and sassafras trees in Florida were screened using this TaqMan assay and several were found to test positive for R. lauricola. Results were further confirmed by performing Koch's postulates for avocado specimens collected from commercial grooves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Syphilis and its rapid blazing spread through the Old World in the late 15th century is controversial, riddled with claims and counterclaims of how, when, and where it originated. Three theories of thought have been proffered and all have enough convincing evidence not to be discarded. The Columbian Theory has gained the most credible following theme of its origin, and places the sexually transmitted "Treponemia pallidum", the spirochete that causes venereal syphilis with the Arwak Indians of Espanola. It was reported in the Relation of Fray Ramon Concerning the Antiquities of the Indians, that "they had shared their hands with the illness as far back as their memory would go" (Crosby, 2003, p. 122-140). The Italian physicians Niccolo Leoniceno and Niccolo Massa were the defenders of this theory (Cambridge 1998, p. 154). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff, vectors laurel wilt, Raffaelea lauricola T.C. Harr., Fraedrich & Aghayeva, that quickly kills all large diam (> 2.5cm) redbay trees [ Persea borbonia (L.) Sprengel] in an area but smaller diam trees (< 2.5cm) survive for years. We measured densities of X. glabratus attacks on hanging bolts of freshly cut mature redbay annually for 5 yr (2007-2011) at 7 locations varying in age of infestation from newly infested in 2007 to those that were among the oldest infested areas (infested in 2002 or earlier), to determine if populations persist after mature host trees are gone. Attack densities on redbay bolts at the field sites varied from 10-25 X. glabratus attacks/100cm2 where large dying redbay trees were still present, to < 1 attack/100cm2 at sites where few or no trees > 2.5 cm diam near ground level were still living at the beginning of the study in 2007. Despite having no large trees available, populations of the beetle persisted at 2 of the 3 oldest infested sites throughout the 5-year survey period (2007-2011). In 2012 we studied X. glabratus utilization of small diam redbay wood as a possible explanation of how populations might survive in these areas in the absence of larger trees. In laboratory trials, X. glabratus produced 27.8 ± 6.63 adults/gallery (± SE) from 18 galleries constructed in portions of redbay trees that averaged 3.2 ± 0.02 cm diam at the point of attack. The smallest stem section to support a successful gallery was 1.7 cm diam but it produced only 2 adults. In field trials no attacks occurred in portions of stems < 1.6 cm diam. Upon stem dissection, more brood was found in stem sections near the ground (0-10 cm) than in those over 80 cm above ground. In addition, brood abundance in10 cm long tree sections exhibited a positive non-linear relationship (cubic polynomial; R2 = 0.21) with section diam. Our data suggest that X. glabratus can maintain low populations in areas devoid of large redbay by utilizing 2-3 cm diam portions of small trees primarily near ground level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on Pennsylvania German herbs along with their uses. Topics discussed include use of birch and sassafras trees in beverages, use of hemp in textiles and linen clothes, effect of wild bergamot for treatment of respiratory complaints and nausea, and treatment of lung disorders in horses with elecampane.

Abstract: Safrole-2′,3′-oxide (SAFO) is a reactive electrophilic metabolite of the hepatocarcinogen safrole, the main component of sassafras oil. Safrole occurs naturally in a variety of spices and herbs, including the commonly used Chinese medicine Xi xin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) and Dong quai (Angelica sinensis). SAFO is the most mutagenic metabolite of safrole tested in the Ames test. However, little or no data are available on the genotoxicity of SAFO in mammalian systems. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of SAFO in human HepG2 cells and male FVB mice. Using MTT assay, SAFO exhibited a dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic effect in HepG2 cells with TC50 values of 361.9μM and 193.2μM after 24 and 48h exposure, respectively. In addition, treatment with SAFO at doses of 125μM and higher for 24h in HepG2 cells resulted in a 5.1–79.6-fold increase in mean Comet tail moment by the alkaline Comet assay and a 2.6–7.8-fold increase in the frequency of micronucleated binucleated cells by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. Furthermore, repeated intraperitoneal administration of SAFO (15, 30, 45, and 60mg/kg) to mice every other day for a total of twelve doses caused a significant dose-dependent increase in mean Comet tail moment in peripheral blood leukocytes (13.3–43.4-fold) and in the frequency of micronucleated reticulocytes (1.5–5.8-fold). Repeated administration of SAFO (60mg/kg) to mice caused liver lesions manifested as a rim of ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes immediately surrounding the central vein. Our data clearly demonstrate that SAFO significantly induced cytotoxicity, DNA strand breaks, micronuclei formation both in human cells in vitro and in mice. More studies are needed to explore the role SAFO plays in safrole-induced genotoxicity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This research aimed to evaluate the sassafras (Ocotea odorifera) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus viminalis) essential oils on the control of larvae and adults of lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus), comparing their insecticide potential. The essential oils were produced through water vapor extraction in a semi industrial scale. Contaminated paper filter technique was applied to evaluate the insect mortality. In the current experiment twelve concentrations were included for evaluation and among them one control (solvent) in order to settle the mortality rate and LC50 of the two tested essential oils. The larvae were more susceptible then the adults to sassafras essential oil exposure and less susceptible than the adults, when exposed to eucalypt essential oil. Larvae as well as adults of A. diaperinus were more susceptible to the sassafras (LC50 adults 0.26mL l-1 and larvae 0.12mL l-1) than the eucalyptus essential oil (LC50 adults 1.37mL l-1 and larvae 1.72mL l-1), by contact intoxication (Ocotea odorifera: Larvae y=3,3916+1,4699logx; Adult y=0,9486+2,8576logx; e Eucaliptus viminalis: Larvae y=1,3643+1,6254logx; Adult y=1,4487+1,6623logx). It is concluded that the essential oils of sassafras and eucalyptus can be used to control lesser mealworm and used as a new integrated strategy for management of this pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The leaf oils of both subspecies of Atherosperma moschatum have been investigated to determine if there were any chemical differences between the two subspecies. While both subspecies of A. moschatum contained methyl eugenol (55–87%), safrole (5–20%) and linalool (1–6%), camphor (5–10%) was found to be only in the oils of A. moschatum subsp. moschatum and to be either absent or, at most, less than 0.5% in the oils of A. moschatum subsp. integrifolium. There was also a range of monoterpene hydrocarbons and 1,8-cineole, all in the range of 0.1–5%, that were present in subspecies moschatum but virtually absent in subspecies integrifolium. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective Cinnamomum migao H.W.Li(Lauraceae)was used by the people of Miao minority for the treatment of stomach convulsion,vomiting,diarrhoea,dermatophytosis,bellyache,asthma and gastralgia,etc. Methods Essential oil was extracted from this plant by supercritical CO2 fluid extraction(SFE)and steam distillation(SD). The yield of essential oil obtained by SD and SFE was 15.874% and 3.632%,respectively. Results Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified 58 compounds in the essential oil,and the major compositions: eucalyptol, a-terpineol, borneol, copaene and camphor. In the comparison, 49 compounds were identified in the essential oil extracted by supercritical CO2, and the major components were copaene,N-ecanoic acid, eucalyptol, spathulenol, β-panasinsene. Conclusion Excellent pharmaceutical activity of the essential oil of C.migao was deteded by our experiments. Investigation found that the essential oil was effective in treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managers increasingly use prescribed fire in oak forests to decrease fire-sensitive species, increase understory light, and improve oak (Quercus spp.) regeneration. To better understand woody seedling response to burning, single and repeated (3×) prescribed fires were implemented over 6 years (2002–2007) in eastern Kentucky, and leaf traits of red (Erythrobalanus spp.) and white oaks (Leucobalanus spp.) were compared with competitors red maple (Acer rubrum L.) and sassafras (Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees). Burned seedlings had higher total leaf area (TLA) because of two to three times higher TLA of sassafras. Leaf mass per area (LMA) and leaf N content per area (Narea) increased postfire but were independent of seedling identity. Canopy openness during 2006, which was lower on unburned sites (4%–8%) compared with those burned 1× (4%–16%) and 3× (7%–33%), was positively correlated with sassafras TLA, oak and sassafras Narea, and LMA of all seedling groups the subsequent year. In 2007, TLA, LMA, and Narea were positively correlated with basal diameter of all groups but most significantly for sassafras and red maple. These findings indicate that low-intensity, early growing season prescribed fire can alter seedling leaf characteristics, but not in a manner that enhances oak seedling leaf traits relative to their competitors red maple and sassafras. Les aménagistes utilisent de plus en plus le brûlage dirigé dans les forêts de chênes pour éliminer les espèces sensibles au feu, augmenter la lumière en sous-étage et améliorer la régénération du chêne (Quercus spp.). Pour mieux comprendre la réaction des semis ligneux au brûlage, des brûlages uniques et répétés (3×) ont été effectués sur une période de 6 ans (2002–2007) dans l’est du Kentucky et les caractères des feuilles des chênes rouges (Erythrobalanus spp.) et blancs (Leucobalanus spp.) ont été comparés à ceux des espèces compétitrices : l’érable rouge (Acer rubrum L.) et le sassafras officinal (Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees). Les semis brûlés avaient une surface foliaire totale (SFT) plus élevée à cause de la SFT du sassafras qui est 2–3× plus élevée. La masse foliaire spécifique (MFS) et la teneur en N foliaire par unité de surface (Nsurf.) ont augmenté après le passage du feu peu importe l’espèce de semis. L’ouverture de la canopée en 2006, qui était plus faible dans les stations non brûlées (4 % – 8 %), comparativement à celle des stations brûlées 1× (4 % – 16 %) et 3× (7 % – 33 %), était positivement corrélée avec la SFT du sassafras, la teneur en Nsurf. du chêne et du sassafras ainsi qu’avec la MFS de tous les groupes de semis l’année suivante. En 2007, la SFT, la MFS et la teneur en N surf. étaient positivement corrélées avec le diamètre basal de tous les groupes, mais la corrélation était la plus significative dans le cas du sassafras et de l’érable rouge. Ces résultats indiquent qu’un brûlage dirigé de faible intensité effectué au début de la saison de croissance peut modifier les caractéristiques des feuilles, mais pas de façon à améliorer les caractères des feuilles des semis de chêne relativement aux espèces compétitrices, c’est-à-dire l’érable rouge et le sassafras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomlin Timber Nature Preserve is a dry to dry-mesic sand forest. When surveyed by the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory in 1976, the overstory was dominated by Quercus velutina (black oak). Sassafras albidum (sassafras) was second in importance, dominated the woody seedling and sapling layer, and was common in the small tree diameter classes. In 2004, 28 years after the initial survey, Sassafras albidum dominated the overstory with an importance value (IV) of 54.9 (possible 200), an average dbh of 24.4 cm, and with most individuals in the 10-40 cm diameter classes. Quercus velutina, in contrast, was second with an IV of 38.5, an average dbh of 62.7, and dominated the larger diameter classes. Dead-standing and dead-downed black oaks were common and averaged 51.7 stems/ha. The change in dominance appears to be due to a combination of natural mortality and oak wilt which was common in the preserve in the early 1980s. A total of 157 vascular plant taxa were documents from the 8-ha preserve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sassafras (Lauraceae) consists of three species disjunct between eastern Asia ( S. tzumu and S. randaiense) and eastern North America ( S. albidum). Phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of nuclear ribosomal ITS and three chloroplast non-coding regions ( rpl16, trnL-F, and psbA- trnH) showed that Sassafras is monophyletic and that the eastern North American S. albidum is sister to the clade of its two eastern Asian counterparts. Their intercontinental divergence was estimated to be 13.80 ± 2.29−16.69 ± 2.52 million years ago (mya) using the penalized likelihood method with the ITS and three chloroplast markers. Biogeographic analyses combined with fossil evidence suggest that Sassafras has a relict distribution in the Northern Hemisphere without a Gondwanan link. The divergence time of the two eastern Asian species (the continental Chinese Sassafras tzumu and S. randaiense endemic to Taiwan) is estimated to be 0.61 ± 0.75−2.23 ± 0.76 mya. Sassafras randaiense from Taiwan was most likely derived from an ancestor from continental China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work was developed at the Center of Development of the Mountain with the objective of determining the possible allelopathic effects of watery extracts of Bursera graveolens Triana and Planch on several crops of agricultural interest: sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) and hairy beggarticks (Bidens pilosa L.). For each, germination tests were prepared "in vitro" in Petri dishes of 100 x 10 mm in which 50 seeds of each species were deposited on filter paper to which was applied the extract at 10 % (p/v). In addition, tests of the incorporation of vegetable material to the soil (4 % p/p) were conducted. The length of the root body, percentage of total germination and period of germination for the tests "in vitro" were evaluated, as was the height of the plant and emergence percentage for the soil incorporation tests. The results showed a strong inhibitory effect of the sassafras on hairy beggarticks, a slight effect on chili pepper and a stimulating effect on sesame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The hepatotoxin, safrole is a methylenedioxy phenyl compound, found in sassafras oil and certain other essential oils. Recombinant cytochrome P450 (CYP, P450) and human liver microsomes were studied to investigate the selective inhibitory effects of safrole on human P450 enzymes and the mechanisms of action. Using Escherichia coli-expressed human P450, our results demonstrated that safrole was a non-selective inhibitor of CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4 in the IC50 order CYP2E1&#60;CYP1A2&#60;CYP2A6&#60;CYP3A4&#60;CYP2D6. Safrole strongly inhibited CYP1A2, CYP2A6, and CYP2E1 activities with IC50 values less than 20μM. Safrole caused competitive, non-competitive, and non-competitive inhibition of CYP1A2, CYP2A6 and CYP2E1 activities, respectively. The inhibitor constants were in the order CYP1A2&#60;CYP2E1&#60;CYP2A6. In human liver microsomes, 50μM safrole strongly inhibited 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation, coumarin hydroxylation, and chlorzoxazone hydroxylation activities. These results revealed that safrole was a potent inhibitor of human CYP1A2, CYP2A6, and CYP2E1. With relatively less potency, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 were also inhibited. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Four new azaphilones named sassafrins A–D (1–4) were isolated from the methanol extract of the stromata of the fungus Creosphaeria sassafras (Xylariaceae, Ascomycetes). Their structures were elucidated by 2D NMR, HR-MS, IR, UV and CD spectroscopy. Sassafrin D (4) possesses a novel skeleton and its biosynthetic pathway is also discussed. In addition, all compounds showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Their apparently unique occurrence in C. sassafras supports the status of this fungus as a member of a distinct genus within the Xylariaceae, coinciding with molecular and morphological traits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nutrient management plans require an accurate assessment of P fertilizer additions to soil. The fertilizer equivalents of manures and composts must be estimated in order to comply. A previous study comparing triple superphosphate(TSP) to poultry litter compost (PLC) as a source of P for rescue indicated that overall they were equal, but when N became limiting during the final harvest, PLC supplied more P to rescue than TSP at comparable rates. A subsequent study was initiated to determine if P from PLC was more available to rescue than TSP when N was not limiting. Sassafras soil was amended with PLC and TSP at rates of 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1. Nitrogen was supplied to be uniform across all treatments taking into account the N mineralization rate of PLC. Two harvests of rescue were taken and analyzed for yields and P uptake. Nitrogen was added to all treatments at the original application rate of 120 kg ha-1 and two more harvests plus roots were collected. Yields were affected by harvest date but not by P rate or source of P. P uptake was affected by date and rate but not source of P. The P uptake response to PLC and TSP was curvilinear and linear respectively, but within the range of P application rates used, the source of P was not a significant factor in P uptake by fescue. Based on the current study testing the effect of unlimited N, addition of supplemental N did not affect P supply from either source. Poultry litter compost is considered equal to TSP in supplying P to rescue and N availability did not affect these conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heterogeneity of surface asperities in yezomatsu and sassafras wood sanding profiles was examined and compared with those of aluminum samples. The results showed that the surface asperities on the smoother yezomatsu sanding profiles were almost as homogeneous as aluminum. In contrast, the smoother sassafras sanding profiles had a high degree of heterogeneity, although the rougher sanding profiles of both the yezomatsu and sassafras wood approximately agreed with that of aluminum. By comparing the sanded surfaces of the aluminum and the two woods, the effect of the wood microstructure on the primary profiles was quantitatively extracted from the statistical data. From these results, it was evident that the heterogeneity of the smoother yezomatsu sanding profiles was only slightly due to the wood microstructure, but the wood microstructure had a significant effect on the smoother sassafras wood sanding profiles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents a growth chamber study of Sassafras soil to find combinations or blends of composts and fertilizers which would be equal to the inorganic fertilizer requirement of tall fescue. Methodology of the study; Results and discussion; Conclusion.

Presents a rainfall stimulation study which evaluated the performance of four man-made erosion control materials and two natural erosion control materials on a Sassafras loamy sand. Identification of the man-made and natural materials; Details on the experiments conducted; Function of erosion control materials; Results of this study.

The combustion of sassafras wood (Sassafras tzumu Hemsl) was investigated based on thermogravimetric analysis coupled with fire propagation apparatus under different heating conditions. The activation energies for various conversions estimated by two different non-isothermal methods were in the range of 83.13–235.51 kJ/mol. Two regions were established: Region I is oxidative pyrolysis corresponding to α < 0.65, Region II refers to char combustion with α ≥ 0.65. Thermodynamic parameters ΔH, ΔG and ΔS were determined more precisely by activated complex theory. The combustion indices (C i , C b , C v and S) were found to be notably increasing at higher heating rates, indicating a more concentrated combustion zone and superior combustibility. During the whole combustion process in bench-scale FPA experiments, when the sample thickness increases from 0.5 to 1.5 cm, characteristic parameters including TTI, Peak EHC, THR varies from 93 to 144s, 10.43 to 9.93 MJ/kg, 25.14–60.75 MJ/m2, respectively. The evolution of main gas components (CO, CO 2) are generated due to the breakdown of hemicellulose, and possible formation pathways of CO and CO 2 were tentatively presented as a two-step reaction. • Sassafras wood combustion under different heating conditions were investigated. • Combustion process of materials included oxidative pyrolysis and char combustion. • Increasing values of C v and S imply better combustibility at higher heating rates. • Thermodynamic parameters Δ G ,Δ H ,Δ S were analyzed via Eyring-Polanyi equation. • Characteristic parameters were quantitatively evaluated via bench-scale tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reflectance spectroscopy, like IR, VIS–NIR, combined with chemometric, has been widely used in plant leaf chemical analysis. But less studies have been made on the application of NIR reflectance spectroscopy to plant leaf color and pigments analysis and the possibility of using it for genetic breeding selection. Here, we examine the ability of NIR reflectance spectroscopy to determine the plant leaf color and chlorophyll content in Sassafras tzumu leaves and use the prediction results for genetic selection. Fresh and living tree leaves were used for NIR spectra collection, leaf color parameters (a*, b* and L*) and chlorophyll content were measured with standard analytical methods, partial least squares regression (PLSR) were used for model construction, the coefficient of determination (R2) [cross-validation ( R CV 2 ) and validation ( R V 2 )] and root mean square error (RMSE) [cross-validation (RMSECV) and validation (RMSEV)] were used for model performance evaluation, significant Multivariate Correlation algorithm was applied for model improvement, to find out the most important region related to the leaf color parameters and chlorophyll model, which have been simulated 100 times for accuracy estimation. Results: Leaf color parameters (a*, b* and L*) and chlorophyll content were well predicted by NIR reflectance spectroscopy on fresh leaves in vivo. The mean R CV 2 and RMSECV of a*, b*, L* and chlorophyll content were (0.82, 4.43), (0.63, 3.72), (0.61, 2.35) and (0.86, 0.13%) respectively. Three most important NIR regions, including 1087, 1215 and 2219 nm, which were highly related to a*, b*, L* and chlorophyll content were found. NIR reflectance spectra technology can be successfully used for genetic breeding program. High heritability of a*, b*, L* and chlorophyll content (h2 = 0.77, 0.89, 0.78, 0.81 respectively) were estimated. Several families with bright red color or bright yellow color were selected. Conclusions: NIR spectroscopy is promising for the rapid prediction of leaf color and chlorophyll content of living fresh leaves. It has the ability to simultaneously measure multiple plant leaf traits, potentially allowing for quick and economic prediction in situ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An improved method has been developed for the determination of safrole and isosafrole in meat. To ham were added known amounts (5-100 ppm) of either compound or mixtures of both. The samples were extracted with hexane/ethyl acetate (95/5, v/v) by a dry column procedure, and the eluate was analyzed by HPLC with UV detection. Recoveries ranged from 91-102% for the individual components and from 93-100% for mixtures. The improved method requires less analysis time and instrumentation and is more sensitive than a previous method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "First report of Laurel Wilt caused by Raffaelea lauricola on Sassafras in Mississippi," by J. J. Riggins, S. W. Fraedrich, and T. C. Harrington, is presented.