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Aims The study was focused on the evaluation of antimicrobial activity in vitro of the essential oil (EO) of leaves from Schinus molle against bacteria and fungi of clinical importance in the search for the discovery of new active compounds. Methods and results The chemical composition of the S. molle EO was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and its antimicrobial effect was verified by broth microdilution method. The major compounds found were β-pinene (25·23%), epi-α-cadinol (21·29%), α-pinene (18·72%), myrcene (11·54%) and sabinene (5·02%). The EO showed significant antifungal activity against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (39·06 μg ml-1 ), weak action against Cryptococcus neoformans (625 μg ml-1 ) and Trichophyton quinckeanum (625 μg ml-1 ) and was inactive against Candida sp. In the analysis of the antibacterial action, the micro-organisms tested did not show sensitivity. Conclusions This study showed a promising result of S. molle volatiles against the fungus P. brasiliensis, which causes paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), a systemic mycosis of great clinical importance in Latin America. Significance and impact of the study The results found here are novel and encourage investigations of the compounds present in this EO, which represents a source of molecules with potential use in the treatment of PCM.

Introduction: Urban forests require an assessment of their trees’ structural defects, as well as the risk they represent. Objective: To identify the defects and risks of the trees in San Juan de Aragon Forest in Mexico City. Materials and methods: Twenty-eight circular plots of 0.1 ha were randomly established. Diameter at breast height, total height and slenderness index were measured in each tree. Structural defects were identified and a risk rating (RR) was obtained at the individual, species and section level using the methods of Matheny and Clark, and Dunster. Results and discussion: Of the 760 trees evaluated, Casuarina equisetifolia L., Grevillea robusta A. Cunn. ex R. Br. and Hesperocyparis lusitanica Mill. were the most frequent species with diameter classes from 7.6 to 15.1 cm, heights from 5.1 to 10 m and slenderness index from 26 to 75. Structural damage was identified in 38.7 % of the trees: lean (18.8 %), cankers (15.4 %), epicormic shoots (14.4 %), dead branches (9.9 %), tumors (9.2 %) and cavities (6.2 %). Casuarina equisetifolia and Schinus molle had the highest number of defects. With the Matheny and Clark method, 83.9 % of the trees had a low RR, 14.7 % a medium RR and 1.4 % a high RR; with Dunster's method, 88.1 % had a low RR, 11.3 % a medium RR and 0.68 % a high RR. Conclusion: The procedures for evaluating and identifying trees at risk of failure allowed recognizing their main structural defects in a simple way.

Diversity of plant species could have a different influence on urban microclimate and thermal comfort. However, the magnitude of different plant species to ameliorate urban microclimate by cooling the urban microclimate and improving thermal comfort based on their allometric properties at any particular time of the day is unknown for urban environments. This paper presents the result of a study conducted in Kenya to quantify the attenuation effects of plant species on microclimatic parameters and thermal comfort as influenced by plant allometric properties.The microclimatic and instantaneous scales were adopted to analyse in-loco degree of influence of individual tree on microclimate. The choice of species was based on the search of independently isolated mature plant species with different allometric properties. Using this criterion, four species were selected in Uhuru Park, and five species were selected in Central Park for evaluation. Relative Percentages of variation of microclimatic parameters and discomfort index as influenced by plant species were calculated. The results showed differences in performance. Ficus benjamina (12.00%) presented the highest ability to reduce thermal discomfort followed by Cassia spectabilis (10.19%),Warburgia ugandensis (8.37%), Ficus religiosa (7.86%), Callistemon citrinus (5.72%), followed by Dypsis decaryi (4.48%), Bambusa vulgaris (3.87%), Terminalia mantaly (3.91% ) and Schinus molle (2.82%).The diurnal discomfort index of all the analysed tree species ranged 20°C to 25°C from 11.00 am to 18.00 pm, which meant that discomfort was expressed by < 50% of the population who sat under the shade.The differences in microclimate control are due to specific tree allometric properties of the analysed and the individual sample species, like structure and density of the treetop, size, shape and colour of leaves, tree age and growth. Key words: Discomfort index, environmental parameters, scale, plant species.

Mexican bean weevil, Zabrotes subfasciatus Boheman, is a significant pest of stored beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) that causes considerable loss in the quality and quantity of bean grain in Africa. In the past two to three decades, researchers have attempted to identify botanicals with better insecticidal potential against storage pests. However, there is a lack of information on the potency of botanical combinations, their toxicology, and optimal application rates. This study was conducted to examine the bioefficacy of unitary and binary botanical combinations of Jatropha curcas (L.), Datura stramonium (L.), Chenopodium ambrosioides (L.), Schinus molle (L.), and Azadirachta indica (A. Juss) against Z. subfasciatus at 1% and 2% w/w dosages. The insecticidal activities of the botanicals were measured based on their effect on adult mortality of Z. subfasciatus and progeny reduction, grain weight loss, and weevil perforation index. Among botanical admixtures, binary combinations of C. ambrosioides + D. stramonium, J. curcas + C. ambrosioides, and S. molle + C. ambrosioides were the most potent. They resulted in the highest mortality of Z. subfasciatus, low weevil perforation index or none, and grain weight loss at the most moderate test dosage (1% w/w). Treatment with C. ambrosioides resulted in the highest efficacy when applied individually. We failed to observe any notable difference in toxicity between dosage levels among the binary botanical combinations. However, the effectiveness of unitary formulations improved with the increase in dosage rate. Application of botanicals did not adversely affect bean seed germination. Our study suggests that botanicals in binary mixtures may enhance the potency of constituent components for effective control of Z. subfasciatus.

The objective of this study was to verify the applicability and preliminary results of an ultrasound methodology for the complete characterization of root wood. The tests utilized six species: Swietenia macrophylla, Gallesia integrifólia, Swietenia sp., Schinus molle, Handroanthus heptaphyllus, and Acrocarpus fraxinifolius. The results show expected elastic ratios between properties, indicating that although the properties can differ numerically from roots and other parts of the tree, the orthotropic wood behavior is maintained. The root densities were higher than those reported in the literature for trunk wood, but direct relationships among high density and stiffness or strength properties were not observed. The ultrasound tests allowed 12 elastic constants of root wood to be obtained and were feasible for root dimensions because only one specimen was required.

The pepper-tree Schinus molle is an evergreen ornamental plant with various and diversified list of medical uses. In this article we analysed the chemical composition of male and female leaves of t...

A survey was conducted at Botswana University of Agriculture and natural Resources at Sebele content farm to determine the intensity and level of mistletoe infestation in tree species. The intensity and the total number of trees per tree species infected by the parasitic weed were determined. Acacia eriobola, Acacia mellifera, Terminalia sericea, Ziziphus mucronata, Schinus molle, Acacia tortilis, Acacia erubesens and Acacia flekii hosted the highest number of mistletoe. Results revealed significant variation in level of mistletoe infestation between tree species. A 100% infestation was recorded in some tree species such as Acacia eriobola and Ziziphus mucronata. Severely infested indigenous tree species were dying, whereas most of the exotic tree species were either not infested or have very little number of mistletoe on them. The variation observed could be due to the fact that indigenous species the frequently visited by dispensers looking for food and shelter than exotic species. In addition, there is a possibility that the mistletoe species co-evolved with the indigenous tree species and the vector may be well established on the host tree species than on exotic species.

Mining operations in northern Chile are responsible for numerous mine tailings deposits, which may represent a risk to human health and the environment. This study evaluated the phytoremediation potential of three plant species ( Prosopis tamarugo , Schinus molle and Atriplex nummularia ) to remediate copper mine tailings in northern Chile. To improve the characteristics of the tailing, three treatments based on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and organic and inorganic amendments were applied. Plant roots and shoots and the associated tailings samples were collected and analyzed for total metal concentrations of Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb, Zn and Cd. Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) and Translocation Factor (TF) were estimated to evaluate the plant species potential for phytoremediation. The results show that A . nummularia presents high TF values on untreated tailings for Pb and Zn; on tailings treated with CaCO 3 /compost for Mn, Fe, Pb and Zn, and on tailings treated with CaCO 3 /compost/mycorrhizae only for Zn. P . tamarugo presents high TF values on the untreated tailings for Pb and Zn; and on tailings treated with CaCO 3 /compost for Mn. S . molle presents high TF values on untreated tailings for Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn; on the tailing treated with CaCO 3 /compost for Mn and Zn, and on the tailing treated with CaCO 3 /compost/mycorrhizae for Mn and Pb. High TF values show that the plants studied under the specific characteristics of the treated or untreated tailings, present the potential of being used for phytoextraction. Regarding the BCF, the experiments showed values lower than 1 for all the metals, except for Cd, which for A . nummularia developed in the amended tailing, presented potential characteristics of a hyperaccumulator. This metal even had in general BCF values higher than 1 and TF lower than 1, which shows the potential of the three evaluated species as phytostabilizers for Cd. Regarding the effect of the amendments, the untreated tailing presented lower removal efficiency than the tailings treated with CaCO 3 /compost (T1) and CaCO 3 /compost/mycorrhizae (T2). On the other hand, no significant difference was found between treatments T1 and T2.

In this study, the insecticidal properties of sixteen essential oils isolated from Egyptian plants were evaluated against the fourth instar larvae and adults of Culex pipiens L. The inhibitory effects of most active essential oils on the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases) were also tested. In larvicidal assay against Cx. pipiens, the oils of Artemisia monosperma, S. terebinthifolius and Origanum vulgare showed the highest insecticidal activity with LC50 values of 7.73, 8.14 and 8.40 mg/l after 24 h of treatment and 2.63, 3.46 and 6.74 mg/l after 48 h of treatment. On the contrary, the oils of Schinus molle and Rosmarinus officinalis were the less effective. The results of fumigant toxicity assay against the adults of Cx. pipiens revealed that the tested oils had remarkable toxicity based on their LC50 values which ranged between 0.06 and 12.84 mg/l. The oil of Artemisia judaica was the most active with an estimated LC50 value of 0.06 mg/l air after 24 h of treatment, while the oil of Citrus paradisi was less active. The essential oils of A. monosperma, O. vulgare, S. terebinthifolius and C. paradisi elicited marked enzymatic inhibition towards AChE and ATPases isolated from Cx. pipiens larvae. These results indicated that the essential oils have potential for the development of natural larvicides and fumigants for Cx. pipiens control.

Antecedentes: El diagnóstico de las enfermedades alérgicas debe basarse en la historia clínica alergológica adecuada y en una prueba inmunológica de sensibilización; la de mayor sensibilidad y especificidad es la prueba cutánea por punción.Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de la reactividad cutánea hacia aeroalérgenos, por grupos etarios, en pacientes del Servicio de Alergia e Inmunología Clínica del Hospital Universitario de Puebla, México.Métodos: Se realizó estudio transversal que incluyó a pacientes de 2 a 64 años de edad, con síntomas sugestivos de enfermedad alérgica, en quienes se realizaron pruebas cutáneas con aeroalérgenos; los criterios diagnósticos fueron los de las guías internacionales. Se calcularon frecuencias, porcentajes y medidas de dispersión.Resultados: De 173 pacientes, 63 % fue del sexo femenino. La edad media fue de 22.3 años. La frecuencia de la reactividad cutánea para Quercus sp. fue 12.72 %, Periplaneta americana 9.83 %, Dermatophagoides farinae 9.25 %, Cynodon dactylon 8.09 %, Blatella germanica 8.09 %, Holcus halepensis 6.94 %, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus 6.36 %, Schinus molle 5.78 %, Fraxinus uhdei 5.20 %, Lolium perenne 5.20 %, Ambrosia eliator 5.20 % y Artemisa tridentata 4.62 %.Conclusión: Los Dermatophagoides son los aeroalérgenos más identificados, pero en el presente estudio fue más común un polen, probablemente debido a factores geográficos-medioambientales, aunque no fue así en el análisis por grupos etarios.

Fermented beverages constitute one of the widely accepted drugs all over the world. Archaeological evidence indicates that fermented beverages are at least as old as the earliest civilizations and are legally consumed in most cultures. The Peruvian Central Andes is one of the regions where a variety of fermented beverages are produced and consumed. One such beverage is molle beer produced from the berries of the molle tree (Schinus molle). In contrast to maize beer, molle beer is relatively known, especially in comparison to maize beer. Molle beer is easy to prepare and its fermentation process is faster than maize beer. This is one of the reasons that this beverage is readily available in most Peruvian central highland households.

Schinus areira, especie originalmente sudamericana, se encuentra naturalizada en el noroeste y oeste de Argentina, y presenta una gran afinidad morfológica con S. molle con quien comparte parte de su rango de distribución. A lo largo de su historia taxonómica, ambas especies han sido tratadas como especies independientes, como una misma especie con dos variedades o sinonimizadas bajo el mismo taxón. El objetivo de este trabajo fue revisar la taxonomía de S. areira, redefinir los caracteres diagnósticos de la morfología que permitan diferenciarla claramente de S. molle en Argentina, y realizar clarificaciones nomenclaturales. Como resultado se descartan como posibles tipos los especímenes depositados en el herbario LINN y se lectotipifica el nombre de S. areira por medio de una ilustración. Por otro lado, se identificaron los siguientes caracteres vegetativos de S. areira con valor taxonómico: dimorfismo foliar en la misma rama, presencia de alas en el raquis y número de pares y margen de folíolos. Adicionalmente se presenta una clave dicotómica para separar S. areira de S. molle.

Background. External infections involving the skin and wound are the most frequent complications affecting humans and animals. Medicinal plants play great roles in the treatment of skin and wound infections. This study was aimed to evaluate thein vitroantibacterial activity of crude methanolic extracts of nine medicinal plants.Methods. Agar well diffusion and broth dilution methods were used to determine the antibacterial activity of nine Ethiopian plants against four bacterial species includingStaphylococcus aureus,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Escherichia coli, andKlebsiella pneumoniae.Results. Among the tested plants, seven (Cissus quadrangularis,Commelina benghalensis,Euphorbia heterophylla,Euphorbia prostrate,Momordica schimperiana,Trianthemaspp., andSolanum incanum) were found to exhibit considerable antibacterial activity against at least one of the test bacteria. The extracts ofC. quadrangularis,E. heterophylla, andE. prostratahad a wide spectrum of antibacterial activities against test bacterial strains while the extracts ofGrewia villosaandSchinus molledid not show any inhibitory activity. Clinical isolate and laboratory strain of S.aureusshowed the highest susceptibility to highest concentration (780 mg/mL) ofE. prostratawith a zone of inhibition of 21.0mm and 22.3mm, respectively.Conclusion. This study indicates clear evidence supporting the traditional use of seven plants in treating skin and wound infections related to bacteria.

L'auteur fa;t l'analyse Liométl'ique de quelques caracteres des feuilles du Schinus molle et. du Schinus areira (Anacardiacea.). Il s'agit du nombre des folioles, de sa, longueur et largeur, la longueur du pátiole et du raquis et sa relation, en démontrant qu'ils appartient a des combes de variattion independantes, ce qui prouve que'lles sont deux especes parfaitement differentes. A partir de DE CANDOLLE (1825) elles avait été considerées comme deux variétés d'une meme espece, et parfois, ronfondues.

Two species of Calophya (Hemiptera: Calophyidae) were previously reported from Mexico: Calophya dicksoni Jensen associated with Fouquieria columnaris Kellogg ex Curran (Ericales: Fouquieriaceae) and Calophya schini Tuthill associated with Schinus molle L. (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae). Here, a 3rd species, Calophya spondiadis sp. nov. from hog plum, Spondias purpurea L. (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), is described and illustrated. The immatures do not induce galls on the host. They are polyphenic with respect to the presence or absence of long asperate processes on head, thorax, wing pads, and abdomen which is unusual and so far known only for Calophya californica Schwarz. The original description of C. dicksoni is supplemented and the current status of C. schini is discussed.

The Peruvian peppertree ( Schinus molle ) is a dioecious species from South America that was introduced into central Mexico five centuries ago. This tree has invaded abandoned agricultural fields from semiarid regions, where it can be found with several native succulent plants that have recolonized these areas. Although peppertrees have negative allelopathic effects on crops, their effects on these native plants remain unknown. Indeed, the allelopathy of peppertrees has only been tested for female individuals, while the allelopathic potential of male peppertrees has not been assessed yet. This study focused on these issues and assessed whether peppertrees affect germination of succulent plants from the Chihuahuan Desert and whether these effects differ between male and female trees. For this we conducted a series of germination bioassays where seeds of native species were watered with aqueous extracts of staminate flowers and leaves produced by male peppertrees, and with aqueous extracts of fruits and leaves produced by female peppertrees. Additionally, we conducted experiments where seeds of native species were sowed on soils collected beneath the canopy of both tree genders. The results of all these experiments indicated that both peppertree genders can reduce germination of native species, but also suggested that male peppertrees would have stronger allelopathic effects than female peppertrees. To our best knowledge, this is the first study reporting allelopathic effects of peppertrees on native plants from Mexico, but this is also the first study indicating differential gender effects for invasive dioecious species with allelopathic potential.

Growing concerns about food safety and environmental protection enhanced the need for new and safe plant disease control strategies. The chemical composition of the three essential oils (EOs) extracted from leaves and fruits of Schinus terebinthifolius and leaves of Schinus molle, growing in Tunisia, was studied by GC and GC-MS. In all, 12 compounds were identified. The oils were mainly composed of terpene compounds. α-Pinene, α-phellandrene, and D-limonene were the major constituents. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial effectiveness of three EOs derived from plants of genus Schinus and extracted from leaves and fruits of S. terebinthifolius and leaves of S. molle. Both antifungal and antibacterial activities of the EOs were examined. The antifungal activity of the studied EOs was investigated against Colletotrichum acutatum and Botrytis cinerea in comparison with the systemic fungicide azoxystrobin used at 0.8 μL mL(-1). The antibacterial activity was evaluated against three strains of Gram-positive (G+ve) bacteria (Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus mojavensis and Clavibacter michiganensis) and four strains of Gram-negative (G-ve) bacteria (Escherichia coli, Xanthomonas campestris, Pseudomonas savastanoi, and Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola) compared with the synthetic antibiotic tetracycline at a concentration of 1600 μg mL(-1). The minimum inhibitory concentration of the studied EOs has been evaluated against the above microorganisms using the 96-well microplate method. Tested microorganisms exhibited different levels of sensitivity to each tested EO. All investigated EOs reduced the fungal mycelial growth when used at low concentrations from 250 to 1000 ppm and from 2000 to 8000 ppm against C. acutatum and B. cinerea, respectively. Higher concentrations of the same EOs exhibited a fungicidal effect against both mitosporic fungi. The EO extracted from leaves of S. terebinthifolius significantly inhibited the growth of tested bacterial strains. Nevertheless, E. coli showed a weak resistance toward the same EO and a high resistance toward the other two tested EOs. Finally, P. savastanoi and P. syringae pv. phaseolicola showed a high resistance toward all tested EOs.

Purpose: To investigate the phytochemical contents and genotoxic effects of Ficus carica and Schinus molle grown in healthy and polluted environments in Asir area, Saudi Arabia. Methods: Extracts of the aerial parts of the plants were screened for phytochemical constituents. Genotoxicity tests were carried out in mice using Comet assay, micronucleus test and chromosomal analysis. Results: Extracts of the two plants grown in polluted soil showed elevations in phytochemical and heavy metal contents, when compared with extracts from non-polluted sites. In genotoxicity tests, F. carica and S. molle extracts produced significant increases in the number of micro-nucleated cells in mice, compared to control. Cytotoxicity tests showed that extracts from plants grown in non-polluted environments did not decrease polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) to normochromatic erythrocytes (NCE) ratio in bone marrow cells, relative to control. Mice in the vehicle control group showed some aberrant metaphases and a few aberrations per hundred metaphases. Conclusion: Pollution has significant effects on phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, and genotoxic potential of the two plants. Keywords: Ficus carica , Schinus molle , Pollution, Genotoxicity, Total phenolic compounds, Total flavonoids

Climatic and geographic conditions play an important role in the variations of chemical composition of essential oils and consequently its biological activities. The chemical constituents of essential oil from leaves of S. molle L. (Family Anacardiaceae) growing in Taif, KSA were investigated using capillary GC-MS technique. Mono- and sesquiterpenes represented by fifty compounds were identified and quantified. The total sesquiterpenes had the higher quantity (594.50 mg/100 g FWL) whereas the total monoterpenes had a lower quantity (353.69 mg/100 g FWL). α-phellandrene (211.70 mg/100 g FWL, 22.33%) was the major compound in the monoterpenes whereas δ-cadinene (57.72 mg/100 g FWL) and guaiol (55.69 mg/100 g FWL) were the major compounds in the sesquiterpenes. The special climate and geographic location of Taif governorate play an important role in the variation of chemical composition of S. molle essential oil. The S. molle essential oil showed promising anticancer activity toward the HepG2 cell li...

The native tree Schinus molle (Anacardiacae) is reported for the first time as a host plant for larvae of the little known geometrid moth Eupithecia yubitzae Vargas & Parra (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile, based on morphology and DNA barcodes. This discovery importantly expands the host range of E. yubitzae, as previous records were restricted to Fabaceae trees. Larvae were previously known as florivorous, while these were found to be folivorous on S. molle. Furthermore, host-associated cryptic larval polychromatism was detected, as larvae collected on S. molle were found to be mostly pale green, contrasting with the dark yellow ground color of the larvae typically collected on fabaceous host plants. Keywords: Acacia macracantha, Anacardiaceae, DNA barcodes, Fabaceae, Schinus molle

Herbs and spices are used worldwide as food flavoring, thus determination of their identity, origin, and quality is mandatory for safe human consumption. An analysis strategy based on separative (HS-SPME-GC-MS) and non-separative (HS-SPME-MS) approaches is proposed for the volatile fraction of herbs and spices, for quality control and to quantify the aromatic markers with a single analysis directly on the plant material as such. Eight-to-ten lots of each of the following herbs/spices were considered: cloves (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry), American peppertree (Schinus molle L.), black pepper and white pepper (Piper nigrum L.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.). Homogeneity, origin, and chemotypes of the investigated lots of each herb/spice were defined by fingerprinting, through statistical elaboration with principal component analysis (PCA). Characterizing aromatic markers were directly quantified on the solid matrix through multiple headspace extraction-HS-SPME (MHS-SPME). Reliable results were obtained with both separative and non-separative methods (where the latter were applicable); the two were in full agreement, RSD% ranging from 1.8 to 7.7% for eugenol in cloves, 2.2-18.4% for carvacrol+thymol in thyme, and 3.1-16.8% for thujones in sage.

POTENCIAL DE APROVEITAMENTO DO RESÍDUO DA DESRAMA URBANA PARA PRODUÇÃO DE PAINÉIS AGLOMERADOS O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o potencial de utilização do resíduo da poda urbana das madeiras de Licania tomentosa, Schinus molle e Tibouchina granulosa para produção de painéis aglomerados. Os materiais foram coletados na cidade de Jataí, Goiás, Brasil. Avaliou-se a densidade básica e análise química destes materiais. Posteriormente foram produzidos 3 painéis aglomerados de cada espécie estudada. A densidade nominal destes painéis foi de 0,60g/cm³, dimensões de 25 x 25 x 1,5cm. O adesivo utilizado foi a uréia formaldeído a 8% com base no seu teor de sólidos resinosos. O ciclo de prensagem utilizado foi de pressão nominal de 4,0 MPa, temperatura de 160° C e tempo de 15 minutos. Avaliou-se as propriedades de absorção e inchamento em espessura após 2 e 24 horas de imersão em água, densidade aparente, tração perpendicular e flexão estática. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com utilização do teste de médias de Scott-Knott a 5% de significância. Pode-se concluir que os materiais utilizados para produção dos painéis apresentaram características de densidade básica e análise química adequada para a produção de painéis aglomerados. O resíduo que apresentou maior potencial de ser utilizado para produção de chapas aglomeradas foi a espécie Schinus molle.Keywords: Schinus molle, Licania tomentosa, chapas de madeira. ABSTRACT: The purpose of this paper was to verify the utilization potential of urban pruning residue from the woods of Licania tomentosa, Schinus molle and Tibouchina granulosa for the production of wood based panels. The materials were collected from the city of Jataí, Goiás, Brazil. The basic density and chemical analyses of these materials were evaluated. Subsequently, 3 wood based panels of each studied species were produced. The nominal density of these panels was of 0.60g/cm³, dimensions of 25 x 25 x 1.5 cm. The adhesive used was urea formaldehyde at 8% based on its content of resinous solids. The pressing cycle used will be of nominal pressure of 4.0 MPa, temperature of 160 °C and time of 15 minutes. The absorption and thickness swelling properties after 2 and 24 hours of immersion in water, apparent density, perpendicular traction and flexural strength were evaluation. The design used was entirely randomized, using the Scott-Knott average test at 5% significance. It may be concluded that the materials used for production of the panels presented basic density and proper chemical analysis characteristics for the production of wood based panels. The residue which presented greatest potential of usage for production of wood based boards was the species Schinus molle.Palavras-chave: Schinus molle, Licania tomentosa, wood boards.

Cell cultures can be a potent and strong tool to evaluate the insecticidal efficiency of natural products. Plant essential oils have long been used as the fragrance or curative products around the world which means that they are safer to be used in close proximity of humans and mammals. In this study, a midgut cell line, developed from Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (RPW-1), was used for screening essential oils from nine different plants. Assays revealed that higher cell mortality was observed at 500 ppm which reached to 86, 65, 60, 59, 56, 54, 54, 53, and 53%, whereas lowest cell mortality at 1 ppm remained at 41, 23, 20, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, and 10%, for Azadirachta indica, Piper nigrum, Mentha spicata, Cammiphora myrrha, Elettaria cardamomum, Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, Schinus molle, and Rosmarinus officinalis, respectively. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell proliferation assay revealed the percentage of cell growth inhibition was highest at 500 ppm and remained at 48, 45, 42, 37, 34, 29, 24, 22, and 18% against A. indica, P. nigrum, M. spicata, C. myrrha, E. cardamomum, Z. officinale, C. longa, S. molle, and R. officinalis, respectively. Lowest LC50 value (7.98 ppm) was found for A. indica, whereas the highest LC50 (483.11 ppm) was against R. officinalis. Thus, in this study, essential oils of A. indica exhibited the highest levels of toxicity, whereas those from R. officinalis exhibited the lowest levels of toxicity toward RPW-1 cells.

Quorum sensing (QS) is a bacterial communication mechanism that depends on population density. The interruption of QS is one example of an antipathogenic effect. We investigated the anti-QS and antimicrobial properties of essential oils from Argentina: Salvia officinalis, Minthostachys mollis, Satureja odora, Schinus molle, Lepechinia floribunda and Artemisia annua. Anti-QS activity was determined by measuring the production of violacein in Chromobacterium violaceum through UV–visible spectrophotometry and the minimal QS inhibitory concentration (MQSIC) was calculated. The antimicrobial activity was determined using Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua and Staphylococcus aureus as indicators. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined by performing the broth microdilution assay. Minthostachys mollis showed statistically significant QS inhibition properties. This essential oil reduced pigment production by 90% when it was applied at a sublethal concentration (0.02% v/v). Conversely, the highest bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity was exhibited by S. molle oil. Minthostachys mollis essential oil is a good candidate for the development of anti-QS products with a potential application in the control of bacterial diseases mediated by QS. As this strategy interferes with the expression of pathogenic traits rather than killing the microorganism or impeding microbial growth, it avoids the problem of resistance. Fil: Pellegrini, María Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio de Artrópodos; Argentina Fil: Alvarez, María Victoria. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Ingeniería Química. Grupo de Investigación en Ingeniería en Alimentos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina Fil: Ponce, Alejandra Graciela. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Ingeniería Química. Grupo de Investigación en Ingeniería en Alimentos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina Fil: Cugnata, Noelia Melina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio de Artrópodos; Argentina Fil: de Piano, Fiorella Giselle. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio de Artrópodos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina Fil: Fuselli, Sandra Rosa. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio de Artrópodos; Argentina

Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae), is an invasive weed of natural and agricultural areas of Florida, Hawaii, and Texas (USA). Biological control presents an environmentally safe and cost-effective control method for invasive populations of this weed. Though many potential agents have been tested for specificity, nearly all have been rejected due to a broad host range. However, one species, a thrips Pseudophilothrips ichini (Hood) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), shows promise from field observations and quarantine host range tests. A series of no-choice, choice, and multiple-generation tests was conducted on 127 plant taxa (including five mango and four pistachio varieties) from 45 families and 33 orders. In no-choice starvation tests, the thrips fed and produced offspring on the target weed (124 F1 adults per plant), whereas no or few (

The most critical step during a weed biological control program is determination of a candidate agent’s host range. Despite rigorous protocols and extensive testing, there are still concerns over potential non-target effects following field releases. With the objective to improve risk assessment in biological control, no-choice and choice testing followed by a multiple generation study were conducted on the leaf-defoliator, Paectes longiformis Pogue (Lepidoptera: Euteliidae). This moth is being investigated as a biological control agent of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), which is one of the worst invasive plant species in Florida, USA. Results from no-choice testing showed higher larval survival on S. terebinthifolia (48 %) and its close relative Schinus molle L. (47 %), whereas lower survival was obtained on six non-target species (

Integrating native trees in farmland can support soil, water and biodiversity conservation. This is particularly important in regions characterized by long periods of drought and soil erosion, such as the Bolivian Andes, where agroforestry with native woody species is rarely applied. Better knowledge on the effects of environmental stress on propagation and establishment of such native plants is needed to optimize their cultivation. In our study, we tested the effects of temperature and scarification on seed germination, and assessed seedling survival and juvenile growth of two potential agroforestry species (Prosopis laevigata var. andicola, Schinus molle) under diverse soil and water conditions. Temperatures above 30 °C accelerated germination, but they increased fungi infestation in the case of S. molle. The application of acid and mechanical scarification significantly improved the germination capacity of P. laevigata var. andicola. Medium to high moisture levels in sand provided the most favourable conditions for plant growth. S. molle was more sensitive to dry and P. laevigata var. andicola more vulnerable to water-saturated clay loam. Mulching enhanced the survival and growth of S. molle juveniles, but increased P. laevigata var. andicola’s growth in sand and dry soils only. Our results may facilitate guidance on improving propagation of these two potential agroforestry species under environmental stress conditions. More generally, our study shows that easily applicable treatments, such as mulching, can significantly improve the cultivation of native species, provided that their habitat requirements and limiting factors are well known. This highlights the relevance of identifying and closing such knowledge gaps for native trees and shrubs in order to promote their potential for use in agroforestry.

Aim of the present study was to evaluate powders and aqueous extracts of Melia azedarach, Mentha piperita, Phytolacca dodecandra, Schinus molle and Xanthium strumarium leaves against maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais. Repellent activity of plant powders were evaluated by mixing 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 g of powder per 100 g of clean uninfested maize seeds individually in separate plastic container. The numbers of insects moving outside the container were recorded at 24 h and 48 h post exposure period and percentage of repellent activity was calculated. The insect mortality was recorded at 5 days, 10 days and 15 days post exposure period and percentage of insect mortality was calculated. In addition, aqueous solutions were prepared by mixing 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 g of plant powder with 10 mL of water and tested for their insecticidal activity by topical application method. Total numbers of dead insects were counted for every 24 h up to 96 h post exposure period and percentage of insect mortality was calculated. Plant powders admixed with maize seed failed to show satisfactory level of repellent activity. Maize seed admixed with 10 g of Mentha leaf powder showed 93.3% mortality followed by Schinus (90%) and Phytolacca (90%) 5 days of post exposure period. After 15 days, 100% mortality recorded in Mentha, Melia and Schinus leaf powder mixed with 10/100 g of maize seeds followed by Phytolacca (90%) and Xanthium (86.6%). The topical application of aqueous extracts did not show insecticidal activity at satisfactory level. In general, application of Melia, Mentha and Schinus leaf powders proved to be effective against Sitophilus zeamais.

The essential oils of eighteen Egyptian plants, namely, Artemisia judaica , A. monosperma , Callistemon viminals , Citrus aurantifolia , C. lemon , C. paradisi , C. sinensis , Cupressus macrocarpa , C. sempervirens , Myrtus communis , Origanum vulgare , Pelargonium graveolens , Rosmarinus officinalis , Syzygium cumini , Schinus molle , S. terebinthifolius , Thuja occidentalis and Vitex agnus-castus , were isolated by hydrodistillation. The chemical composition of the isolated oils was identified by gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The major constituents of the isolated oils were limonene (40.19%, 56.30%, 74.29% and 89.23% in C. aurantifolia , C. lemon , Citrus paradise and C. sinensis , respectively), α -pinene (37.88%, 35.49%, 26.16% and 17.26% in C. sempervirens , T. occidentalis , M. communis and S. cumini , respectively), 1,8-cineole (71.77% and 19.60% in C. viminals and R. officinalis ), pulegone (77.45% in O. vulgare ), β-thujone (49.83% in A. judaica ), capillene (36.86% in A. monosperma ), sabinene (14.93% in S. terebinthifolius ), α-phellandrene (29.87% in S. molle ), 4-terpeneol (20.29% in C. macrocarpa ), trans -caryophyllene (15.19% in V. agnus-castus ) and β-citronellol (35.92 in P. graveolens ). The isolated oils were tested for their antimicrobial activity against the most economic plant pathogenic bacteria of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Erwinia carotovora var. carotovora , and fungi of Alternaria alternata , Botrytis cinerea , Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium solani . The isolated oils showed variable degree of antibacteabril activity against A. tumefaciens and E. carotovora var. carotovora . Based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values, the oils were more effective against E. carotovora var. carotovora than A. tumefaciens . The oil of T. occidentalis revealed the highest antibacterial activity among the tested oils showing the lowest MIC values of 400 and 350 mg/L, on A. tumefaciens and E. carotovora var. carotovora , respectively. In mycelial growth inhibition assay, most of the essential oils showed pronounced effect and the oil of A. monosperma was the most potent inhibitor with EC 50 = 54, 111, 106 and 148 mg/L against A. alternata , B. cinerea , F. oxysporum and F. solani , respectively. On the other hand, the oils caused strong reduction in spore germination of fungi compared with control. The oils of A. judaica and A. monosperma caused the highest spore germination inhibition of F. oxysporum and their EC 50 values were 69 and 62 mg/L, respectively. Among the tested fungi, F. oxysporum was the most susceptible fungus to all of the tested oil except the oil of S. molle . The relationship between the antimicrobial activity and the chemical composition of the isolated oils was disclosed. The findings of the present study suggest that the isolated oils have a potential to be used as antimicrobial agents.

In the search for bioactive compounds, bioautography and ethanol precipitation of macromolecules (proteins, polysaccharides, etc.) of plant aqueous extracts were associated in an antifungal screening. Thus, the supernatants, precipitates (obtained by ethanol precipitation) and aqueous extracts were investigated of medicinal and fruit bearing plants used against skin diseases by the Brazilian population. The agar diffusion and broth dilution methods were used to assess the activity against three fungi: Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum and Cryptococcus neoformans. The results, evaluated by the diameter of the inhibition zone of fungal growth, indicate that six plant species, among the 16 investigated, showed significant antifungal activity. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined on plant extracts that showed high efficacy against the tested microorganisms. The most susceptible yeast was Trichophyton rubrum and the best antifungal activity was shown by Xanthosoma sagittifolium supernatant. The bioautography was performed only for the aqueous extracts and supernatants of those plants that showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, using n-butanol/acetic acid/water (BAW) 8:1:1 to develop silica gel TLC plates. Clear inhibition zones were observed for aqueous extracts of Schinus molle (Rf 0.89) and Schinus terebinthifolius (Rf 0.80) against Candida albicans, as for supernatant of Anacardium occidentale (Rf 0.31) against Cryptococcus neoformans. The separation of macromolecules from metabolites, as in the case of Anacardium occidentale, Solanum sp. and Xanthosoma sagittifolium, enhances antifungal activity. In other cases, the antifungal activity is destroyed, as observed for Momordica charantia, Schinus molle and Schinus terebinthifolius.

The essential oils of eighteen Egyptian plants were extracted by hydrodistillation and their chemical compositions were analyzed by GC-MS. The antifungal activity of the isolated oils was evaluated against two wood decay fungi Hexagonia apiaria and Ganoderma lucidum in vitro. The essential oil of Artemisia monosperma showed the highest inhibitory effect against H. apiaria (EC50 = 31 mg L−1) and G. lucidum (EC50 = 53 mg L−1). The results of in vitro tests indicated that the essential oils of Cupressus sempervirens, Citrus limon, Thuja occidentalis, Schinus molle, A. monosperma and Pelargonium graveolens were the most potent inhibitors against both fungi. These six oils caused significant reduction of wood mass loss of Scots pine sapwood after 6 weeks of fungal exposure. The oil of C. limon revealed the highest reduction of wood mass loss caused by H. apiaria, while A. monosperma oil displayed the highest reduction of wood loss caused by G. lucidum. These results support the potential use of essential oils for wood protection against decay fungi.

The adulticidal activities of essential oils of eleven plants namely Chenopodium ambrosioides, Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus globules, Lippia adoensis, Mentha spicata, Nigella sativa, Ocimum lamiifolium, Ocimum suave, Piper nigrum, Schinus molle and Thymus vulgaris were assessed against a laboratory colony of Anopheles arabiensis in Ethiopia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) glass bottle bioassay was adopted to conduct bioefficacy tests. For each replicate, ten blood-unfed female An. arabiensis were exposed to different concentrations of essential oils coated in glass bottles, and mortality was recorded at intervals of 5 minutes for one hour to assess the mean percentage mortality and LC50 and LC90 values. The residual toxicity of six essential oils was also assessed by exposing adult An. arabiensis in nylon netting Barraud cages treated by oils. Of all the essential oils assessed for adulticidal activities, O. suave was found to be toxic at low concentration (LC50 = of 0.0014 ml% v/v; LC90 = 0.0027 ml% v/v). The next efficacious oil was that of T. vulgaris with LC50 and LC90 values of 0.0028 ml% v/v and 0.005 ml% v/v, respectively. The lowest activity was due to S. molle, E. globulus and P. nigrum. At a concentration of 0.05 ml% v/v, O. suave killed 100% of An. arabiensis within five minutes of exposure, while P. nigrum at the same duration caused similar rate of mortality at a concentration of 50 fold. Residual toxicity tests revealed O. suave to persist for 15 days, killing all mosquitoes in the first five days and 80% up to 10 days. The lowest residual activity was noted for E. citriodora which persisted only for 2 days. The essential oil O. suave acquired the highest level of toxicity at low concentration and within a short time. The efficacious nature of most plants has an implication for more screening of components of these plants with potential adulticides and develops for mosquito control.

The IDS (Incubation, Drying and Separation) method was tested on Schinus molle L. seeds collected from Ethiopia in an attempt to sort non-viable from viable seeds. Seeds were incubated for 24 h followed by one, three, four, five, six, nine and twelve hours of drying and then separated in water. All IDS treatments gave 80.5–93.5% germination in the sunken fraction compared with 61% for untreated seeds. The mean germination time of sunken seeds reduced from 11.2 (control) to 8.9–9.2 days (IDS-treated). Specific gravity separation in water of untreated seeds was also tested, and the germination capacity of sunken fraction was 83.5% with a mean germination time of 9.3 days. IDS method can, therefore, be used to enhance both percentage and rate of germination of a seed lot of Schinus molle, which is desirable to produce uniform and vigorous seedlings in the nursery or out in the field.

This experiment was conducted to determine possibilities of synergism among insecticidal plants against Z. subfasciatus with a view of augmenting potency and reducing dosage rates. Leaf and seed powders of five insecticidal plants, namely Jatropha curcas (L.), Datura stramonium (L.), Chenopodium ambrosioides (L.), Schinus molle (L.) and Azadrachta indica (A. Juss) were mixed to 1% and 2%w/w unitary and binary formulations. The synthetic insecticide primiphos methyl at the rate of 0.1/100 gm grain dust and untreated grains were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Most binary formulation had better efficacy than their constituent unitary formulation especially at lower dosage rates. Synergistic combination of botanical powders resulted in highest adult mortality, F1 progeny reduction and lowest weevil perforation index and weight loss comparable to chemical standard primiphos methyl. Among the botanical combinations, bean seeds treated with binary formulation of C. ambrosioides with D. stramonium, J. curcas and S. molle gave the best efficacy in controlling Z. subfasciatus.

Methanolic extracts from Achyrocline satureioides (Dc.) Lam, Aristolochia macroura Gomez, Lithraea molleoides (Vell.) Engl., Schinus molle L., unlike those from Celtis spinosa Spreng, Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Petiveria alliacea L., and Plantago major L. showed cytotoxic activity against a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, Hep G2. Schinus molle L. was the most active (IC50=50+/-7 microg/ml). These results call for further studies of these extracts.

The host range of Eucosmophora schinusivora Davis and Wheeler (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) was studied to assess its suitability as a biological control agent of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae), a serious environmental and agricultural weed in the USA and elsewhere in the world. The life history of this insect species and its host range were determined in the laboratory with adult no-choice oviposition and larval development tests. This species has five instars, the first three are sap-feeding miners and the last two are tissue feeding. Total development time was 31.7 days. To examine specificity of this species, 10 plant species in Anacardiaceae were selected based on taxonomic relatedness to S. terebinthifolius, economic importance, and availability. In the laboratory, except for Anacardium occidentale and Cotinus obovatus, all of the tested species were accepted for oviposition with a marked preference for the weed S. terebinthifolius, Schinus molle, Rhus copallinum, Rhus sandw...

Essential oils constitute an important group of plant products and include a mixture of volatile low-molecular-weight terpenes. The present study aimed to determine the phyto- and cytotoxicity of essential oils from leaves of Schinus molle and Schinus terebinthifolius on lettuce and onion. These essential oils affected germination, initial growth, and mitotic and metaphasic indexes of the target species. Compared to negative controls, essential oils of S. molle and S. terebinthifolius reduced the mitotic index of onion by 21.05% and 82.03%, respectively. Similar results were observed for lettuce. The volatiles also induced chromosomal abnormalities such as spindle disturbance at late prophase, sticky metaphase, c-mitosis, micronucleus, and nuclear buds. Although the essential oils of both species shared the same major compound (α-pinene), more pronounced effects were observed in S. terebinthifolius treatments. The results suggest that major and minor compounds of these essential oils act in synergy, causing the inhibitory effects observed on onion and lettuce.

In this study, a desorption model to predict the essential oil extraction curves and global yield versus time was performed for extraction by steam distillation of three native plants of southern Brazil (Schinus molle L., Drimys angustifolia Miers., and Calyptranthes grandifolia O. Berg). The model assumed that the extractable materials were initially available uniformly in the vegetal matrix and adsorbed on the internal microstructures. The volatile extracts were obtained by steam distillation and the chemical composition was determined. The essential oil yields (w/w) were 0.4 %, 0.3 %, and 0.2 %, respectively, for S. molle, D. angustifolia, and C. grandifolia, and the major compounds identified by CG-MS were α-pinene, sabinene, bicyclogermacrene and spathulenol for all the plants here investigated. The desorption model fitted very well the overall extraction curves.

The presence of the psyllid Calophya schini infesting the Peruvian pepper tree, Schinus molle, was detected in several localities in the region of Lisbon, in Portugal. This is the first record of this jumping plant-louse in Europe and the Palaearctic region.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of respiratory infections. This study aims to test the activity of the essential oil obtained from the fruit of Schinus molle against S. pneumoniae resistant to conventional antibiotics and to identify the compounds responsible for the activity. A fraction showing antimicrobial activity (MIC 125 μg/mL) was obtained. The principal components were identified as: β-myrcene (39.7%), p-cymene (19.5%), δ-cadinene (7.8%), α-phellandrene (7.1%) and limonene (4.1%). Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the identification of δ-cadinene as the principal active constituent (MIC of 31.25 μg/mL). The findings reported here highlight and justify the global spread of the use of S. molle for the treatment of respiratory infections.

First host plant records for Iridopsis hausmanni Vargas (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) in the coastal valleys of northern Chile. The trees Haplorhus peruviana Engl. and Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) are mentioned as the first host plant records for the little known native moth Iridopsis hausmanni Vargas, 2007 (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Ennominae) in the coastal valleys of the northern Chilean Atacama Desert. This is also the first record of Anacardiaceae as host plant for a Neotropical species of Iridopsis Warren, 1894.

Con el fin de sustituir los insecticidas químicos usados en el cultivo del algodonero por sustancias inócuas que permitan un manejo integrado de plagas con fundamento ecológico, se investigaron y colectaron 40 especies vegetales con propiedades biocidas, las que fueron clasificadas taxonómicamente en el Museo de Historia Natural de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. Entre las especies más relevantes por sus propiedades insecticidas tenemos: Tephrosia cinerea (sacha barbasco), Artemisia absinthium (ajenjo), Ryania speciosa (riania), Cissampelos grandifolia (legía), Datura Stramonium (chamico), Hura crepitans (catahua), Schinus molle (molle), Annona cherimola (chirimoya), Annona muricata (guanábana o graviola), Tagetes patula (marigold), Tanacetum parthenium (santa maría), Chromolaena laevigata (sacha huaca), Clibadium asperum (huaca), Lonchocarpus nicou (barbasco del monte), Lonchocarpus spiciflorus (yumanasa) Centropogon cornutus (arco sacha), Erythrina berteroana (amasisa chica), Erythrina edulis (pajuro), Erythrina ulei (amasisa), Melia azedarach L. (árbol del Neem) y Agave americana (maguey). De la corteza y hojas de estas especies se obtuvieron extractos acuosos liofilizados que fueron evaluados en su composición química, perfiles cromatográfico y espectrofotométrico UV/Visible; bioactividad frente a los nauplios de Artemia salina y bioensayos a nivel de laboratorio y de campo. Entre las plagas investigadas figuran: Aphis gossypii, Bemisia tabaci y Dysdercus peruvianus. Los extractos de L. nicou, A. americana L., H. crepitans y C. grandifolia mostraron resultados significativos tanto a nivel de laboratorio como en los cultivos de algodonero en el campo, siendo su toxicidad: (CL50 39), (CL50 64) y (CL50), respectivamente.

Effects of avian gut-passage on seed germination are important to assess the effectiveness of frugivores in woodland regeneration, particularly in biodiversity hotspots that have a high incidence of avian frugivory. We examined the effect of avian gut-passage on seed germination in contrast to seeds that remain uneaten in five shrub species in Mediterranean central Chile and sought to determine the physiological mechanism(s) by which seed germinability is modified. Germination assays were conducted in a glasshouse for five common shrub species of the sub-Andean matorral: Azara dentata (Flacourtiaceae), Schinus polygamus and Schinus molle (Anacardiaceae), Cestrum parqui (Solanaceae), and Maytenus boaria (Celastraceae). We estimated germinability (final percent germination), dormancy length (time from sowing to first germination), mean length of dormancy of all germinated seeds, and contrasted germination rates of defecated versus manually extracted and pulp-enclosed seeds. Avian gut-passage increased seed germinability in four of the five shrub species studied—primarily through deinhibition via pulp removal. Minimum dormancy length was not modified by avian gut-passage for A. dentata, but was significantly shorter for S. molle and C. parqui. Mean dormancy length was significantly shorter in gut-passed seeds of A. dentata, S. molle and M. boaria. Avian gut-passage greatly enhanced the seed germination rates of three species, A. dentata, S. molle and C. parqui. We conclude that the positive effects of birds on seed germination facilitate the regeneration of sub-Andean shrublands, and that bird declines due to landscape change may impair recovery rates of successional or restored areas due to dispersal limitation.

We assessed the importance of host trees in influencing invasion patterns of the alien tree Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) in semi-arid savanna in South Africa. Recruitment of S. molle is dependent on trees in its invaded habitat, particularly Acacia tortilis Hayne. Another leguminous tree, the invasive alien mesquite (Prosopis sp.), has become common in the area recently, but S. molle rarely recruits under canopies of this species. Understanding of the association between these species is needed to predict invasion dynamics in the region. We conducted experiments to test whether: (i) seedling survival of S. molle is better beneath A. tortilis than beneath mesquite canopies; (ii) growth rates of S. molle seedlings are higher beneath A. tortilis than beneath mesquite. Results showed that growth and survival of S. molle did not differ significantly beneath the native A. tortilis and the alien Prosopis species. This suggests that microsites provided by canopies of mesquite are as good for S. molle establishment as those provided by the native acacia. Other factors, such as the failure of propagules to arrive beneath mesquite trees, must be sought to explain the lack of recruitment beneath mesquite. Resume Nous avons evalue l’importance des arbres hotes dans les facteurs qui influencent les schemas d’envahissement de l’arbre exotique Scinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) dans une savane semi aride d’Afrique du Sud. Le recrutement de S. molle depend des arbres de l’habitat qu’il envahit, et particulierement de l’Acacia tortilis Hayne. Un autre arbre de la famille des legumineuses, l’envahissant « mesquite » (Prosopis sp.), est devenu commun dernierement dans la region, mais S. molle recrute rarement sous la canopee de cette espece. Il est necessaire de bien comprendre l’association entre ces especes pour prevoir la dynamique des envahissements dans la region. Nous avons realise des experiences pour tester si : i) la survie des jeunes plants de S. molle est meilleure sous une canopee d’Acacia tortilis que de « mesquite »; ii) le taux de croissance des jeunes plants de S. molle est superieur sous les A. tortilis que sous les « mesquite ». Les resultats montrent que la croissance et la survie de S. molle ne sont pas significativement differentes sous les especes natives Acacia tortilis natifs et sous les especes exotiques de Prosopis. Ceci suggere que les microsites constitues par les canopees de « mesquite » sont aussi bons pour l’etablissement de S. molle que ceux qu’offrent les acacias natifs. D’autres facteurs, tels que le fait que les propagules ne parviennent pas a arriver jusque sous les « mesquite », pourraient etre invoques pour expliquer le manque de recrutement sous ces arbres.

Twelve strains of endophytic fungi, isolated from various plants (i.e. Eugenia hallii, Schinus molle, Crataegus monogyna, Juniperus communis and Sambucus nigra) sampled in Amazonian forest and in Italy, were screened for their reduction activity with a cocktail of ketones 1–4. The four most active strains [i.e. Phomopsis (FE86 and FE290), Pestalotia and Epicoccum] were chosen for the reduction of 5-hexen-2-one 1, acetophenone 2, cis-bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-en-6-one 3, 2-methylcyclohexanone 4, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one 5, 2-furyl methyl ketone 6, 1-indanone 7, and 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one 8 and in all cases the S-alcohols were obtained with variable yields and enantiomeric excesses depending on the strains.

CITATION: Iponga, D. M.; Milton, S. J. & Richardson, D. M. 2009. Reproductive potential and seedling establishment of the invasive alien tree Schinus molle (Anacardiaceae) in South Africa. Austral Ecology, 34:678-687. doi:10.1111/j.1442-9993.2009.01975.x

The essential oils of two Anacardiaceae species, Schinus molle L. and Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, native from Brazil, were obtained by hydrodistillation and the oils composition studied by capillary GC and GC-MS. Twenty seven compounds were identified for S. molle and twenty nine for S. terebinthifolius. The leaves and fruits essential oils for both S. molle and S. terebinthifolius were characterised by a high percentage of sesquiterpene and monoterpene hydrocarbons. The S. terebinthifolius essential oils obtained from leaves and berries presented differences with those previously described in the literature, while the leave oil of S. molle showed similar composition to that from Uruguay. These findings have ecological and economic significance as S. molle and S. terebinthifolius are promising species in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and chemical industries.

SUMMARYA melissopalynological study was made to classify the botanical and geographical origin of 21 samples of commercial Uruguayan honeys. Sixty-six pollen types were found; 67% of the samples were unifloral. The taxa with the greatest frequencies (> 15% of pollen in each sample) were Lotus corniculatus, Eucalyptus spp., Echium plantagineum, Scutia buxifolia and Baccharis spp. The taxa with highest occurrence (present in > 85% of samples) were Eucalyptus spp., Trifolium pratense, L corniculatus, Schinus molle-type, Baccharis spp., Trifolium repens, Echium plantagineum, Eryngium spp., Scutia buxifolia, Salix humboldtiana and Poaceae. Forty-eight percent of the pollen taxa were endemic to the Americas; the majority of the other taxa were from Europe. The Uruguayan honeys we analysed typically contained pollen from the native Schinus molle type, Baccharis spp., Eryngium spp., Scutia buxifolia and Salix humboldtiana, together with pollen from the introduced Eucalyptus spp., L corniculatus, T. pratense, T. r...

A series of multipurpose tree species trials were undertaken in the Province of Almeria, south eastern Spain, to determine suitable species for economic and sustainable land use in a degraded, semi-arid Mediterranean region. From an elimination trial comparing the performance of 21 native and exotic species, eight were selected for a growth trial. After 2.5 years, the highest survival rates were recorded for Schinus molle L. (85%), Prosopis alba Stuntz (76%) and Gleditsia triacanthos L. (74%). Acacia salicina Lindl., A. saligna (Labill) H.Wendl, Prosopis alba and Schinus molle had the highest growth rates based on height and diameter suggesting that these five species may be useful for semi-arid land reclamation in this region. The growth trial site had four communities of native vegetation with differing soil pH and water conductivity. Native vegetation can indicate physical and chemical characteristics of soil, topography, local climate and vegetation density of a particular region. Tree specie...