Search

The majority of the world population prepares medicines from plants to cure diseases. Schinus molle linens is a multipurpose plant that has been used for various remedies as constituents of traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of methanol extract and solvent fraction extracts of the stem bark of Schinus molle. Powder of Schinus molle was extracted with methanol by using the maceration method and the fractions were obtained by successive fractionation of the methanol extract with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the crude methanol extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, terpenes, anthraquinones, alkaloids, tannins, phenols, and saponins. In addition to this, the antimicrobial activity of crude and solvent fraction extract was tested against S. aureus, E. faecalis, E. coli, and C. albicans at a concentration of 90.0, 180.0, and 900.0 μg/ mL. The crude methanol extract and chloroform fraction exhibited greater activity against gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The n-hexane and n-butanol fractions showed the least activity against most test bacteria and fungi. The study showed that it is possible to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi at different concentrations.

The Peruvian Peppertree (Schinus molle L.) is an evergreen tree native to semiarid environments of Peru and Bolivia in South America. This tree has been introduced and widely planted for ornamental and forestry purposes in several semiarid regions of the world because its seedlings are easily established and have a high survival rate; it also grows quickly, and it is tolerant of dry climates. We compared the global and regional niches of naturalized and planted populations of S. molle in order to examine the invasive stages and potential distribution of this species in four regions of the world. This work provides a novel approach for understanding the invasion dynamics of S. molle in these areas and elucidates the ecological processes that bring about such invasions. Most naturalized and planted populations were found to be in equilibrium with the environment. In its native range as well as in Australia and South Africa the models of the coverage area of habitat suitability for natural populations were the highest, whereas the coverage area of planted populations was lower. For planted populations in Australia and South Africa, a large percentage of predicted presences fell within sink populations. The invasion stages of S. molle vary across regions in its adventive range; this result may be attributable to residence time as well as climatic and anthropic factors that have contributed to the spread of populations.

O objetivo deste estudo foi estudar a fitotoxicidade e citotoxicidade de extratos etanólico e aquoso das diferentes estruturas de Schinus molle L., uma espécie ornamental, comumente usada em arborização urbana no Brasil, utilizando sementes de alface (Lactuca sativa L.) como planta modelo. Os extratos vegetais foram preparados a partir de amostras de folhas, inflorescências, frutos verdes e maduros coletados em Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Os parâmetros avaliados foram germinação (G), índice de velocidade de germinação (GVI), comprimento radicular (RE), biomassa fresca (FB), biomassa seca (DB), porcentagem de plântulas (PS), índice mitótico (MI) e anomalias cromossômicas (CA). De acordo com os resultados, para o extrato aquoso, encontramos interações entre as estruturas e as concentrações utilizadas em relação a G, GVI, RE, DB, e CA. Não houve diferença significativa entre as estruturas vegetais em relação à porcentagem de plântulas normais, exceto para as concentrações. No entanto, para todos os parâmetros foi encontrada diferença significativa em relação ao extrato etanólico, exceto para anormalidades cromossômicas. O aumento da concentração leva à redução de todos os parâmetros avaliados, mostrando o efeito concentração-dependente. Os extratos etanólico e aquoso de Schinus molle mostraram efeito fitotóxico, indicando a necessidade de reavaliação e cuidado no uso dessa espécie para o reflorestamento.

The Schinus molle species produces high yields of volatile oils that can be obtained from leaves and fruits. It has been reported that S. molle oils have a variable chemical composition and biologi...

Introducción: Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae), conocido como pirul en México, es una especie rica en aceite esencial en hojas y frutos.Objetivo: Caracterizar el perfil fitoquímico de aceite esencial obtenido de hojas de S. molle mediante dos sistemas de destilación y distintos tiempos de extracción.Materiales y métodos: Se utilizó un destilador discontinuo Rayleigh de escala intermedia para extraer aceite esencial de hojas de S. molle colectadas en la región central de México. El producto obtenido a distintos tiempos se caracterizó mediante cromatografía de gases y espectrometría de masas (GC-MS). El perfil fitoquímico se comparó con extracto obtenido en aparato Clevenger.Resultados y discusión: El destilador Rayleigh tuvo mayor capacidad de extracción, pero el rendimiento fue 0.6 % menor (P = 0.05) que con el aparato Clevenger a los 120 min. En total se encontraron 37 compuestos, de los cuales 31 estuvieron presentes en el extracto obtenido con destilador Rayleigh, cinco fueron compuestos de baja concentración y uno, catalogado como sesquiterpeno oxigenado, tuvo alta concentración (10.25 %) en el aceite esencial. Con mayor tiempo de extracción, los sesquiterpenos incrementaron y los sesquiterpenos oxigenados disminuyeron. El aceite esencial tuvo presencia mayoritaria de monoterpenos hidrogenados, principalmente de α-felandreno (21.20-28.57 %), limoneno + β-felandreno (19.07-27.78 %), canfeno (3.32-9.93 %), α-pineno (5.74-8.56 %), β-mirceno (2.95-6.91 %) y β-pineno (1.31-3.55 %).Conclusiones: La caracterización del procedimiento de extracción y del perfil químico del aceite esencial de S. molle puede favorecer el aprovechamiento de esta especie.

La Molina is one of the districts with the bigger green areas and ecological awareness in the city of Lima. The Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina (UNALM) represents about half of the green areas in the district; being the Schinus molle L. «molle serrano» the second most abundant tree species in the campus and one of the most planted in Lima. This native tree with recognized cultural importance is widely used in the arboriculture crops for its ornamental and rustic character, resistant to the drought and plagues; whose top formed by hanging branches offers shade and when having a fast replacement of foliage, it is able to filter the air capturing particles in suspension and CO2. However, it has been observed the presence of burls along the shaft and branches in trees of this species altering its ornamental character and representing a probable risk. Therefore, the internal structure of the tree was studied using the Arbosonic 3D forest tomograph and/or the resistance of healthy wood, wood with burl and wood with rot by means of the physical and mechanical properties of the wood: basic density (DB), resistance to bending or modulus of rupture (MOR) and rigidity or modulus of elasticity (MOE). The results determined the absence of Schinus molle L. tree risk due to the presence of burls, evidencing the importance of the use of the forest tomograph in the management of arboriculture crops in Lima. La Molina es uno de los distritos con mayor cantidad de áreas verdes y conciencia ecológica de la ciudad de Lima. La Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina (UNALM) representa cerca de la mitad de las áreas verdes del distrito; siendo el Schinus molle L. «molle serrano» la segunda especie arbórea más abundante en el campus y una de las más plantadas en Lima. Este árbol nativo con reconocida importancia cultural es ampliamente utilizado en los arboricultivos por su carácter ornamental y rústico, resistente a la sequía y plagas; cuya copa conformada por ramas colgantes brinda sombra y al tener una reposición rápida de follaje es capaz de filtrar el aire captando partículas en suspensión y CO2. Sin embargo, se ha observado la presencia de tumoraciones a lo largo del fuste y ramas en los individuos de esta especie alterando su carácter ornamental y representando un probable riesgo. Por lo que se estudió la estructura interna del árbol mediante el tomógrafo forestal Arbosonic 3D y/o la resistencia de la madera sana, madera con tumor y madera con pudrición mediante las propiedades físicas y mecánicas de la madera: densidad básica (DB), resistencia a la flexión o módulo de ruptura (MOR) y rigidez o módulo de elasticidad (MOE). Los resultados determinaron la ausencia de riesgo de caída de árboles de Schinus molle L. por la presencia de tumoraciones, evidenciando la importancia del empleo del tomógrafo forestal en la gestión de los arboricultivos en Lima.

Factorial design and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) were used to model the recovery of polyphenols from Schinus molle L. peel (SM) by solvent extraction. Experiments carried out according to a Central Composite Design (CCD) allowed evaluation of the effects of temperature, extraction time, solvent composition and solid to liquid ratio on the yield of polyphenol. Statistical analysis showed that temperature was the most influential factor. A reduced polynomial model was developed by the stepwise regression method. The model was checked by performing validation experiments both inside and outside the factorial region. A very good agreement was observed between experimental and calculated extraction yields, thus supporting the use of the model to quantitatively describe the recovery of polyphenols from SM.

Schinus molle is popularly known as aroeira-salsa, presenting aroma in the leaves and branches. The present study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of the essential oils of the branches and leaves and the antifungal activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (mofo branco). The branches and leaves were collected and processed for extraction of the essential oils by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger apparatus. The yields of extractions of the essential oils, and their chemical profiles were evaluated by GC-MS. The antifungal activity was determined using different concentrations of both essential oils. As results, yields were 0.21 and 0.37%, with about 16 and 21 compounds identified for the essential oils of the branches and leaves respectively. The major compounds were δ-cadiene 21.77%, Viridiflorol 21.74, copaene 12.9% and caryophyllene 9.99% for the essential oil of the branches, and the essential oil of the leaves, the α-pinene 14.77%, germacrene D 9.00% and germacrene B 6.25%. The antifungal activity showed mycelial inhibition in S. sclerotiorum at all concentrations evaluated, especially for 100 μL-1 where they showed inhibition of 86.4 and 81.3% and for the 50 μL-1 concentration of 41.2 and 50.3% for branches and leaves respectively. The essential oils of S. molle presented good extraction yields, as well as rich in monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes compounds, and great effectiveness as antifungal activity.

The aim of the current study was to compare crude polysaccharides extracted from Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (PSTF) and S. molle L. (PSMF) fruits based on their structures, physicochemical characteristics, monosaccharide composition, as well as in vitro and in vivo assays. The extraction yield of PSTF (4.26%) was higher than that of PSMF (3.56%). Remarkable variability was detected in the content of carbohydrates (80.64 ± 0.98%), protein (1.80 ± 0.28%), fat (0.04 ± 0.005%) and ash (6.32 ± 0.26%). FT-IR assay and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy revealed that fruits extract showed similar structural characteristics. Thin layer chromatography together with HPLC-RID analysis showed that the monosaccharide composition varied significantly between species. Both contained arabinose (40.55–42.03%) galacturonic acid (31.21–41.15%), and fucose (10.90–17.63%), but PSTF had glucose (9.13%) whereas PSMF had galactose (7.40%). Functional analyses demonstrated that samples exhibited favorable water- and oil-retention capacity, emulsifying properties, and foaming qualities. PSTF exhibited the highest antioxidant effects. Both of them showed a remarkable in vitro antidiabetic effect. PSMF highly mitigated H2O2-induced hemolysis and exhibited ~80% antihemolytic activity. The extracted polysaccharides showed potent inhibitory activity against AAPH-induced plasmid DNA damage. PSTF and PSMF revealed interesting in vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory capacities.

Background and aim – Invasive plants should only colonize habitats meeting the environmental conditions included in their native niches. However, if they invade habitats with novel environmental conditions, this can induce shifts in their niches. This may occur in plants with long invasion histories because they interacted with the environmental conditions of invaded regions over long periods of time. We focused on this issue and evaluated whether the niche of the oldest plant invader reported in Mexico, the Peruvian peppertree, is still conserved after almost 500 years of invasion history. Methods – We compared climatic niches of the species between the native and invaded region. We later used species distribution models (SDM) to visualize the geographical expression of both niches in Mexico. Results – The invasive niche of the Peruvian peppertree is fully nested within the native niche. Although this suggests that the niche is conserved, this also indicates that a large fraction of the native niche is empty in the invaded region. The SDM from the native region indicated that Mexico contains habitats meeting the conditions included in this empty fraction of the native niche and, thus, this invasion should continue expanding. Nevertheless, the SDM calibrated with data from the invaded region indicated that peppertrees have colonized all suitable habitats indicated by its invasive niche and, thus, their populations should no longer expand. Conclusion – Our results suggests that the niche of the Peruvian peppertree is partially conserved in Mexico. This may have occurred because individuals introduced into Mexico constituted a small, nonrepresentative sample of the full niche of the species.

Background: Schinus molle L. is a medicinal and aromatic plant widely used in folk medicine and commonly found in Algeria and the Mediterranean region. In the present work, we investigated the in vitro antioxidant, anti-cholinesterase, α-glucosidase inhibitory and photoprotective potentials of the Schinus molle L. plant’s extract/fractions. The metabolite profile of Schinus molle L. was analyzed using RP-HPLC and GC-MS. Methods: The antioxidant activity was assessed using different tests. The anticholinesterase activity was investigated by quantifying the acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. The antidiabetic activity was investigated by α-glucosidase inhibition test, whereas photoprotective activity was evaluated by Sun Protection Factor (SPF) using spectrophotometry UV-Vis. The extracts were then subjected to RP-HPLC–PDA and GC–MS analysis. Results: Ethyl acetate and butanol fractions with high contents of total phenolics and flavonoids exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity. Ethyl acetate extract exhibited considerable enzyme inhibition potential on acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and α-glucosidase with percentages of inhibition of 99.08 ± 0.79%, 100% and 98.80 ± 0.18%, respectively. Furthermore, the ethyl acetate fraction showed high photoprotective activity with the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) value = 38,26 ± 0.73. Three phenolic acids (gallic, tannic and vanillic acids) and five flavonoids (myricetin, apigenin, naringenin, rutin and quercetin) were identified with RP-HPLC–PDA. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Schinus molle L. may be useful in the development of an alternative agent for oxidative stress, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and could be used as a natural sunscreen in pharmaceutics or cosmetic formulations.

Schinus molle is a plant traditionally used in Mexico to treat gastric disorders. However, no scientific evidence has been reported on its gastroprotective effect. The aim of the current contribution was to conduct a bioassay-guided study on S. molle to evaluate its gastroprotective activity in a model of Wistar rats given ethanol orally to induce gastric lesions. The hexane and dichloromethane extracts from the tested plant showed over 99% gastroprotection at a dose of 100 mg/kg. From the hexane extract, two of the three fractions (F1 and F2) afforded over 99% gastroprotection. The F1 fraction was subjected to column chromatography, which revealed a white solid. Based on the ESI-MS analysis, the two main compounds in this solid were identified. The predominant compound was probably a triterpene. This mixture of compounds furnished about 67% gastroprotection at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Pretreatment with L-NAME, indomethacin, and NEM was carried out to explore the possible involvement of nitric oxide, prostaglandins, and/or sulfhydryl groups, respectively, in the gastroprotective activity of the white solid. We found evidence for the participation of all three factors. No antisecretory activity was detected (tested by pylorus ligation). In conclusion, evidence is herein provided for the first time of the gastroprotective effect of S. molle.

Schinus molle (SM) was investigated as a primary source of cellulose with the aim of discovering resources to generate cellulose nanofibers (CNF). The SM was put through a soda pulping process to purify the cellulose, and then, the fiber was treated with an enzymatic treatment. Then, a twin-screw extruder and/or masuko were utilized to help with fiber delamination during the nanofibrillation process. After the enzymatic treatment, the twin-screw extruder and masuko treatment give a yield of 49.6 and 50.2%, respectively. The optical and atomic force microscopy, morfi, and polymerization degrees of prepared cellulosic materials were established. The pulp fibers, collected following each treatment stage, demonstrated that fiber characteristics such as length and crystallinity varied according to the used treatment (mechanical or enzymatic treatment). Obviously, the enzymic treatment resulted in shorter fibers and an increased degree of polymerization. However, the CNF obtained after enzymatic and extrusion treatment was achieved, and it gave 19 nm as the arithmetic width and a Young’s modulus of 8.63 GPa.

Schinus molle (SM) stones contain ca. 47 % C and 1 % N and are therefore a potential raw material for the preparation of activated carbons (ACs) with N functionalities. In this study, we investigated the usefulness of SM stones to prepare ACs by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) followed by KOH activation. For comparison purposes, ACs were also prepared by direct KOH activation of pristine SM stones. The objective was to study the effects of each preparation method on the physico-chemical surface and electrochemical performance of the ACs obtained. Ash content was lower and N content higher in ACs produced by HTC-KOH activation (HSM series) versus direct KOH activation (SM series). All ACs, except the most highly activated sample from the HSM series, had narrow micropores or constricted micropore entrances. The highest surface area and mesopore volume obtained were 1464 m2 g-1 and 0.29 cm3 g-1, respectively. Examination of AC porosity and surface area indicated that SM stones were more reactive to KOH activation after HTC. AC HSM200-2 had the largest capacitance, 235 F g-1 at 0.5 A g-1, and the highest energy density, 7.83 Wh kg-1, at a power density of 400 W kg-1. The electrochemical performance of this sample was comparable to that recently reported for a wide variety of biomass-based ACs.

The present study determines the best conditions for the fermentation of Schinus molle drupes by the combination of different types of hydrolysis with the search for an adequate yeast strain. Schinus molle seed residues from an essential oil extraction plant (EOEP) have a high potential for ethanol production. Native yeast strains were isolated from the residues and were used to ferment the lignocellulosic residues, along with baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) at 30 °C and pH 5.5 for comparison. Morphological and biochemical characterizations were carried out on the isolated yeast strains. Thermogravimetric and high-performance liquid chromatography analyses were done on the S. molle seeds (fresh and residue) to determine the ethanol production potential. The followed methodology included increasing the sugar content by hydrolysis with chemical (sulphuric acid, acetic acid, and sodium hydroxide), physical (thermal, vacuum, and ultrasound), and enzymatic treatments (amyloglucosidase and α-amylase). Once the optimum combination of yeast-hydrolysis was determined, a comparison of the greenhouse gas emissions between the original and proposed processes was done. The fermentation of the residues might replace methane from uncontrolled decomposition and reduce the solid residues in 50%/day, hence the EOEP global warming potential is reduced by 47%. The yearly income was estimated to increase by USD 2592.50 from 6302.6 L of ethanol produced from the residues.

the objective of this study was to determine the yield and chemical composition of the essential oils of the dry leaves of four accessions of false pepper tree ( Schinus molle L.) collected at four different sites in the city of Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in four seasons of the year. After hydrodistillation extraction and chemical analysis of the essential oils by GC-FID and GC-MS, bicyclogermacrene and sabinene were found to be the major chemicals in the essential oils obtained during the summer (34.34% and 26.54%), autumn (23.63% and 45.4%) and spring (21.06% and 45.39%), while myrcene and sabinene were the main chemicals found during winter (21.97% and 27.32%) respectively. It was observed that the metabolic profile of Schinus molle has strong influence of seasonality, since this was variable throughout the year.

El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo determinar las características anatómicas, las propiedades físicas, así como estimar las propiedades mecánicas, de la madera de cuatro árboles de Schinus molle L. (pirú) provenientes de una plantación forestal comercial en Tolcayuca, Hidalgo, México. El estudio se realizó en el Laboratorio de Anatomía y Tecnología de la Madera de la División de Ciencias Forestales de la Universidad Autónoma Chapingo. Como resultado se obtuvo que el color de la madera en la albura es rosado, en el duramen es de color café. La madera no tiene olor y sabor característicos, es de brillo medio, veteado pronunciado, hilo inclinado y textura media. La porosidad es semidifusa y el parénquima axial difuso y escaso. Los radios son uniseriados, biseriados y triseriados. Los vasos son cortos, muy abundantes, las fibras son medianas y finas. Se obtuvo una densidad básica de 0.54 y poder calorífico de 17.246 MJ kg-1 La dureza lateral y en extremos (longitudinal) en condición verde se clasificó como media y baja respectivamente, a 12% de contenido de humedad, se clasificó como media y alta respectivamente; la madera de pirú se clasificó como muy buena para pulpa y papel. La contracción volumétrica total se clasificó como media, la contracción tangencial total: muy alta y la contracción radial total: alta. La relación de anisotropía se clasificó como alta. El punto de saturación de la fibra se describió normal. Por sus características y propiedades de la madera se puede utilizar en la fabricación de muebles, mangos de herramientas y pisos.

Cheese whey (CW) reuse for agricultural purposes is an important management strategy. A pot experiment was carried out to examine the feasibility of using different CW types in the fertigation of Schinus molle L. plant by assessing their effects on seedling growth, chemical constituents and histological structure. The study was conducted at Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt, during seasons of 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. Four CW types were undiluted or diluted with tap water (TW) for fertigation as follows (CW:TW v/v): Kareish cheese non salty whey (KCNSW) at 1:0 and 1:1, Mozzarella cheese non salty whey (MCNSW) at 1:0 and 1:1, Mozzarella cheese salty whey (MCSW) at 1:6 and 1:8, and Domiati cheese salty whey (DCSW) at 1:12 and 1:16. Control plants were irrigated with TW only. Diluted CW treatments showed positive effects on seedling height, leaves and main roots number/seedling, leaf area, as well as leaves and roots dry weights, in addition to their favorable impacts on N, P, K, Ca, Na, Cl, total carbohydrate, and proline contents. Furthermore, CW treatments influenced lamina and midrib thicknesses, midrib main vascular bundles length and width, and oil glands diameter and number. Among all tested CW fertigation treatments, seedlings showed the best performance under DCSW (1:16), followed by DCSW (1:12) > MCSW (1:8) > MCSW (1:6), respectively. A reduction of the studied parameters was recorded by undiluted CW treatments; however, it could be alleviated by CW dilution. Usage of CW in fertigation is shown to be a suitable option to most cheese producing regions, where CW disposal could be a challenge. Furthermore, it is applicable to sustainable landscape where the objective of zero waste is the main goal. As a way to develop the landscape without jeopardizing the environment, a sustainable approach is proposed for ornamental trees fertigation using CW in areas close to cheese factories.

Schinus molle leaves, compost (SLC) incorporated with soil at different volume rates contrasted with control (soil alone), intending to improve and stimulating strawberry growth. Anecdotal accounts of SLC for these purposes the experiment has examined the impacts of SLC on strawberry growth and production responses. This research assessed the impacts of a six volume% (v: v) rates of SLC combined with soil at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 of growing medium (field soil). The pots RCBD experiment included four replicates designed at the faculty of agriculture, Sana’a University. Plants cultivated in 20% SLC was significantly (p<0.05) greater than control (field soil) in leaf area, yield, fruit weight and crown DM% by about 12.8% 25.8%, 20.4% and 101.6% subsequently. Meanwhile, transplants grown in 80 and 100% SLC developed the highest quantity of crowns and longer of peduncle. Transplants grown in 60% SLC was the poorest of flower number per plant measured with other treatments. Plants in 100% SLC showed the significantly downer of a DM% in the roots and crown parts 65.3% and 82.7% lower than control, respectively, nevertheless, composed the significantly greater 50.4% of fruit TSS than the control treatment. The variation between the SLC rates on the root characters showed that the 100% SLC increased the roots network volume cm3, root length cm2 root surface area cm2, specific root length cm. This study illustrates the benefit of that application SLC.

The aim of this study is to define chemical composition and antiproliferative activity of several compounds isolated from Schinus molle male and female flowers on human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and human leukemia (HL60) cell lines. Three extracts obtained by using solvents with different polarities (petroleum ether, diethyl ether and acetone) were characterized by GC/MS analysis revealing qualitative and quantitative differences in the chemical composition of male and female flowers. Nineteen components were identified and both flower extracts were dominated by the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons fraction, mainly elemol, followed by bicyclic sesquiterpenes and by a smaller amount of monoterpenes. The biological activities of the extracts were evaluated by dose-dependent viability assay on two different cell lines and HL60 cells resulted more sensitive to the treatment. The presence of compounds at low concentration with a well-established cytotoxic activity such as β-elemene, β-caryophyllene and γ-eudesmol could exert a synergistic cytotoxic effect.

Some plants species used in phytoremediation systems may produce essential oils of industrial interest but the heavy metal effects in these compounds remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Pb on leaf anatomy and essential oil content, composition, and allelopathy of Schinus molle. Plants were submitted to 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mM of PbNO3 for 90 days. Leaves were sampled and processed for anatomical analysis and essential oil extraction by hydrodistillation. The essential oil composition was identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and its allelopathy tested on lettuce seeds. Pb increased the size of secretory ducts in S. molle leaves. In addition, the essential oil content in S. molle leaves was increased by Pb. For control plants, four compounds were found and the α-muurolol and spathulenol were the major components. Under Pb contamination, 19 different compounds were identified. Pb exposed plants increased spathulenol content but reduced α-muurolol. Likewise, germacrene, y-cadinene, and caryophyllene percentages appear at significant levels. Essential oils developed under Pb showed higher inhibition of lettuce seed germination. Therefore, Pb increases the yield and allelopathy of the essential oils on S. molle plants and this higher oil production is related to larger leaf secretory ducts.

The aim of this work was to determine the composition of the hydro-distilled essential oil of Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) fruits, leaves and flowers grown in Ghor-Jordan (75 mm total p...

Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), the grapevine moth, is one of the major pest on grapes. Current control is based on spraying insecticides and/or mating disruption technique, using female sex pheromone, affecting only adult male’s conduct. Behavioral active compounds as plants kairomones influence the interaction of phytophagous insects with plants, providing chemical cues to feed or lay eggs. Through electroantennography (EAG) and olfactory experiments, we investigated the role of volatiles of the non-host plant Schinus molle L. on behavior of L. botrana. Steam distilled essential oil (EO) from S. molle leaves was characterized by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The most abundant compounds were limonene (17.61%), α-phellandrene (14.32%), β-caryophyllene (8.82%) and δ-cadinene (9.39%). Electrical responses of L. botrana at 1×102 μg mL-1 EO were not different from control for females (0.81 mV) and males (1.22 mV). At 1×103 and 1×104 μg mL-1 EO we found a significant increment for females to 1.28 and 1.57 mV, and 1.28 and 1.69 mV for males, respectively. In tube-Y olfactometer, at 1×102 μg mL-1 EO the choice did not differ from the control for females (P = 0.7630) and males (P = 0.4054). Females were attracted to odor source at 1×103 μg mL-1 (P = 0.0043) and at 1×104 μg mL-1 (P = 0.0011). Males were attracted to the dose of 1×103 μg mL-1 (P = 0.0278) and at 1×104 μg mL-1 (P = 0.0017). We found that non-host plant volatiles elicited electrophysiological and behavioral responses and that L. botrana can discriminate between doses.

Chemical composition of the essential oils of Schinus molle leaves and resins, collected from East Mediterranean region of Turkey were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and phytotoxic effects of the oils at different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 μl/ml) were investi- gated on Portulaca oleracea L. and Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus (L.) Domin. At the highest concentration, it was found that the essential oil of S. molle leaves and resins inhibited at rates of 57%, 67% and 70%, 80% the seed germination of purslane and radish, respectively, when compared to the control. Also, S. molle leaves essential oil at the same concentration decreased Radicle length (RL) and Plumule lengths (PL) of purslane and radish in the rates of 82.94, 78.09% and 94.36, 81.30%, while RL and PL of both plants tested were inhibited in the rates of 78.03, 68.99% and 88.91, 76.95% by S. molle resins essential oil. This study is the first report on P. oleracea L. and R. raphanistrum subsp. sativus (L.) Domin about phytotoxic effects of the essential oils of Schinus molle leaves and resins

Background Ectoparasites of livestock in general and lice in particular pose serious economic losses to the farmer, the tanning industry, and the country as a whole. Although the treatment of ectoparasites have been attempted by various chemical agents, the efficacy of the agents hampered by the development of drug resistance. Thus, Ethnoveterinary botanicals are an alternative control strategy for being sustainable and ecologically sound. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the louscidal activity of crude methanolic extracts of Calpurnea aurea and Schinus molle plants against the cattle lice, Linognathus vituli using the in vitro Adult Immersion Test (AIT). Six graded concentrations of the crude extracts, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/ml, were tested at different time intervals, and temporal changes in tick viability were recorded for 24 hours. Results After 24hrs post-exposure, two higher concentrations (200 and 100 mg/ml) of C. aurea extract caused 100±0.0% and 96.6±3.3% lice mortality, whereas S. molle extract caused 90±5.7% and 83.3±3.3% mortality, respectively. Louscidal activity varies with the type of plant extract, concentration and exposure time. After 24 hours of exposure to the extracts, the highest mortality was recorded for extracts from C. aurea with LC50 values of 8.83 mg/ml compared to S.molle with LC50 values of 16.68 mg/ml. Conclusions The louscidal activity of the plant extracts increases with increasing exposure time and concentration as well. Thus, the plant extracts could be used against Linognatus vituli as a potential alternative for the control of lice. Keywords: Calpurnea aurea, Ethnoveterinary, lice, Adult Immersion Test, Schinus molle

The aim of this study was to assess the wound healing potential of Schinus molle L. aqueous and ethanol extracts. First, the antimicrobial activity of Schinus molle extracts was tested against six microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis and Citrobacter freundii). The growth of Citrobacter freundii and Enterococcus faecalis was totally inhibited by the aqueous extract at the lowest tested concentration (1.56 mg/mL). Next, in vitro wound healing assays were performed using human fibroblast cells’ proliferation and scratch tests. Based on the obtained promising results, the aqueous extracts were further tested in an in vivo excision wound model in rats. Animals were treated with a hydrogel formula enriched with the plant aqueous extract in two different concentrations (2 % and 5 %). Re-epithelialization, fibrosis and neovascularization of the epidermis and sub-epidermal cells in the regenerated tissue was observed, accompanied by an increase in the tensile strength of the skin of the rats treated with the plant aqueous extract when compared to the negative control group. Our results strongly support the use of Schinus molle aqueous extracts in topical formulations to promote wound healing.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using the green chemistry technique, zinc acetate was used as a precursor agent and Schinus molle extract as a stabilizer agent the main Schinus molle component are carboxylic acids, similarly presents tension bands of the C-H group, the S-O group. A white powder, characteristic of zinc oxide, was obtained. X-ray diffraction was performed on the synthesis product and identified as zincite (ZnO), with a compact hexagonal unit cell, whose network parameters are at a = 3.2490 A and c = 5.2070 A, the ICDD-PDF letter is 96-901-1663. Scanning electron microscopy characterization showed that the nanoparticles have a spherical morphology, sizes ranging from 23 to 67.6 nm.

The Schinus molle tree is notoriously invasive in most parts of the world, and yet as a pseudospice, its berries potentially possess some significant health benefits which need to be explored. Therefore, polar metabolome of seed + husks (SH), husks (H), and de-hulled (DH) berries were profiled and quantified by untargeted metabolomics approach using UPLC-QTOF-MS. A total of 13 gallotannins, three phenolic acids, a phenolic acid glucoside, three phenolic acid esters, an organic acid, a gallotannin derivative, and nine flavonoids were detected and quantified. Phenolic acids ranged between 12.2–295.7; 4.9–77; and 89.7–1613.1 mg/kg in SH, DH seeds and H respectively. Flavonoids ranged between 1.8–267.5; 73.4–80.4; and 124–564.3 mg/kg in SH, DH seeds and H respectively. Gallotannins ranged between 1.1–146.6; 14.8–21.8; and 48.1–664.8 mg/kg in SH, DH seeds and H respectively. Feruloyltartaric A, quercetin 3-O-glucuronide, catechin digalloylshikimic acid B as well as digalloyl quinic acid were some of the dominant secondary metabolites revealed. These results indicate that S. molle berries are a rich source of secondary metabolites with elevated concentrations in the husks, while DH seeds possess lower concentrations to none. These findings open important insights into the potential of S. molle berries as a natural source of antioxidants for the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic elements to plants, so Cd-tolerant trees should be used in reforestation or remediation systems. In this study the effects of Cd on seed germination and early seedling growth were evaluated in Schinus molle plants. Seeds of S. molle were treated with Cd at concentrations of 0 (control), 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, and 0.125 mM using Cd(NO3)2. Seed germination parameters and seedling growth traits were evaluated 33 days after the experiment started. Seeds and roots were sampled for anatomical evaluation and processed with plant microtechniques. No effects of Cd were found on the germination percentage of S. molle seeds. However, seedlings’ shoot and root fresh masses and lengths increased with Cd treatment. Cadmium increased root cortex and endodermis thickness and reduced the percentage of vascular tissues in seedlings. Schinus molle seeds and seedlings thus showed tolerance to Cd related to anatomical adaptations.

Periodontal disease is considered the main oral cavity disorder in dogs. Essential oils have the potential for use in the prevention and treatment of oral diseases. The antimicrobial activity of Schinus molle L. essential oil (SMEO) has already been reported. Chitosan, a natural product with antimicrobial activity and good biocompatibility has potential in biodental applications. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro antimicrobial activity of SMEO against bacteria associated with periodontal disease in dogs, developed and evaluated the physicochemical properties of a novel chitosan-based buccal delivery system containing SMEO. SMEO showed antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria associated with canine periodontitis, with MIC values of 750 µg.mL-1 for Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp, 1000 µg.mL-1 for Corynebacterium spp. and 1250 µg.mL-1 for Pseudomonas spp. All formulations evaluated presented adequate physicochemical properties, good stability, and pH values close to buccal pH (5.0–7.0). Chitosan gel loaded with SMEO showed potential as a SMEO delivery system, having the ideal physicochemical and rheological properties (pseudoplastic and apparent viscosities) required for application on buccal tissue. Thus, we can conclude that formulation has the potential to be used for buccal mucosa delivery in the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease in dogs.

Essential oils (EO) have been studied as a possible substitute of fungicides. EO have been loaded in polymeric nanoparticles to prevent their degradation and enhance antifungal activity. In this work was to prepared chitosan nanoparticles with Schinus molle EO by ionotropic gelation. The bionanocomposites were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The antifungal activity was evaluated in different growth stages of A. parasiticus (spore germination, radial growth and spore viability) and the effect in aflatoxin production was analyzed by using affinity chromatography columns from VICAM. DLS results showed that the Np-CS and Np-CS-SEO diameters were 361.9 ± 31.4 and 516.9 ± 45.4 nm, respectively. According to SEM, the NPs presented spherical shape and the zeta potential was slightly decreased when Schinus molle EO was incorporated. The Np-CS-SEO (62.5–500 μg mL−1) showed a high inhibition (>80%) on spore germination of A. parasiticus at 12 h of incubation, while, radial growth was not inhibited for these NPs. At a concentration of 500 μg mL−1, Np-CS-SEO inhibited up to 59% the aflatoxin production. Depending on concentration, the Np-CS-SEO can be considered as an alternative to control A. parasiticus.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of location on both the protein, oil and phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi and Schinus molle L. fruits. Significant variability was detected. Schinus terebinthifolius fruits contained high levels of protein (17.5–26.2%), oil (13.88–14.08%) and phenolic compounds (32.39–35.23 mg GAE/g DW). Schinus molle samples had high antioxidant activity. Unsaturated fatty acids were the major fatty acids (63.52–69.07%). An HPLC analysis revealed noticeable differences between regions and species. This study highlights the value of S. terebinthifolius and S. molle fruits as an attractive source of bioantioxidants and may be used to improve the consistent index for estimating fruit richness in biomolecules for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.

El objetivo de la investigación fue evaluar el efecto del aceite esencial de molle en los frutos de durazno. Los frutos de durazno fueron sometidos a operaciones previas de selección, clasificación, lavado, desinfección, drenado, aplicación del aceite esencial, conservación de los frutos a medio ambiente y evaluación de la pulpa en sus características fisicoquímicas y organolépticas. Se evaluó un testigo contra tres tratamientos de frutos en aceite esencial 0.1%; 0.2% y 0.3 % en seis tiempos de muestreo (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 y 15 días). Los análisis realizados al fruto fueron: determinación de sólidos solubles, acidez titulable, potencial de hidrógeno, peso y evaluación sensorial en color, olor, textura y sabor. Los resultados obtenidos se analizaron estadísticamente mediante el programa estadístico SPSS Statistics 25.0 con análisis de medidas repetidas con estructura de varianzas, estableciéndose diferencias significativas (p

The aim of the current work was to study the phytochemical variability among Schinus terebinthifolius (STE) and Schinus molle (SME) fruit extracts. The in vitro antioxidant, antihemolytic, antidiabetic, and macromolecule damage protective activities, as well as, the in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive capacities were assessed. Using the HPLC–ESI–QTOF/MS analysis, the chemical profile of fruit extract varied between S. terebinthifolius (30 compounds) and S. molle (16 compounds). The major compound was masazino-flavanone (5774.98 and 1177.65 μg/g sample for STE and SME, respectively). The investigations highlighted significant antioxidant proprieties when using ABTS radical (IC50; 0.12 and 0.14 mg/ml for STE and SME, respectively), superoxide (IC50; 0.17 and 0.22 mg/ml for STE and SME, respectively) and hydrogen peroxide (IC50; 014 and 0.17 mg/ml for STE and SME, respectively). In addition, STE and SME proved preventive effects against H2O2-induced hemolysis (IC50; 0.22 and 0.14 mg/ml for STE and SME, respectively). The in vitro antidiabetic effect revealed that STE and SME exhibited important inhibitory effects against α-amylase (IC50; 0.13 and 0.19 mg/ml for STE and SME, respectively) and α-glycosidase (IC50; 0.21 and 0.18 mg/ml for STE and SME, respectively) when compared with acarbose. Furthermore, the extracts showed potent inhibitory activity against AAPH-induced plasmid DNA damage, and protein oxidation. In vivo study revealed that STE and SME presented interesting antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory capacities. All observed effects highlighted the potential application of Schinus fruit extract in food and pharmaceutical industries against ROS-induced damage.

Anticarsia gemmatalis is one of the main pests of the soybean crop, being controlled mainly with agrochemicals. The environmental and health risks, as well as the development of resistance by the pests, has led to the search for alternative control measures, aiming to use more eco-friendly procedures. The objective of this research was to evaluate the chemical composition and the bioactivity of Schinus molle and Schinus terebinthifolia essential oils (EOs) on A. gemmatalis. The major compound in both EOs was α-pinene (60.04 wt.% for S. molle and 38.49 wt.% for S. terebinthifolia). Bioassays were carried out with third instar larvae, with five replicates and each replicate with ten larvae, totaling 50 larvae per treatment. The oils were incorporated in the artificial diet (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0% v/v). The controls were: water, Tween-80® 0.5% v/v, and novaluron 0.075% v/v. According to the Probit method, the S. terebinthifolia EO presented a LC50 of 1.74% v/v (1.58-1.97% v/v); it was not possible to determine the LC50 for the S. molle EO. The mortality percentage after 24 and 48 h was 52% and 30% at 2.0% v/v for S. terebinthifolia and S. molle oil, respectively. After 72 h, the mortality rate for S. molle EO have not changed; for S. terebinthifolia EO it increased to 70%; the larvae treated with the chemical control (synthetic insecticide) had a mortality of 100%.

Antimicrobial properties of various solvent extracts from fruits of Schinus molle grown in the Abha area of Saudi Arabia were determined against selected gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and Candida species using the agar well diffusion method. Seven populations from S. molle plants situated at 2193-m, 2246-m, 2197.7-m, 2441-m, 2372- m, 2250.6-m and 2175-m were assessed. The results revealed that different solvent extracts of the fruits demonstrated antimicrobial effects on all microbial strains tested. The maximum activities were exhibited by (i) an acetone extract from population at 2246-m ( $$33.00 \pm 0.57$$ mm), (ii) ethanol extract from population at 2193-m ( $$30.00 \pm 1.15$$ mm) against Staphylococcus aureus and (iii) from a hot acetone extract ( $$22.00 \pm 3.21$$ mm) from the population at 2372-m against Micrococcus luteus. The MICs levels of the acetone extract range from 0.502 to 0.289 g/ml against S. aureus, and hot methanol fruits extracts against Candidaalbicans range from 0.335 to 0.259 g/ml. GC–MS and HPLC analysis revealed the presence of dominant phytochemicals in each population, including 2-pentanone, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl- and vitamin $$\hbox {B}_{12}$$ in populations at 2175-m, 2193-m, 2197.7-m and 2250.6-m; 2-pentanone, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl- and folic acid in populations at 2246-m and 2441-m; 2-pentanone, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl- and vitamin $$\hbox {B}_{1}$$ in populations at 2372-m. In conclusion, these findings indicate that extracts of S. molle fruit may be used as source of natural compounds for the manufacture of antibiotic drugs. Variable amount of phytocompounds and vitamins in each location may be used as chemotype fingerprint of the plant species related to its geographic distributions.

The current concern about resistance to acaricides and the impact of toxic waste on the environment has led to the search of vegetal alternatives in the control of the brown tick of the dog Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) derivatives have been associated with insecticidal, antimicrobial and antiprotozoal activities and essential oil showed to be lethal to R. microplus larvae. This study aimed at evaluating the acaricidal effect of essential oil of S. molle (EOSm) on engorged adult females and larval stages of R. sanguineus. One-hundred engorged females were obtained from the ears, interdigital spaces, neck, groin and base of the tail of two cross-bred dogs. The larvae package test was accomplished with 21-day-old larvae and five concentrations (v/v) of EOSm (0.125, 0.25, 0.50, 1 and 2%) in an anionic detergent, a synthetic acaricide (cypermethrin) and detergent and deionized water as controls. The immersion adult test was carried out with nine concentrations (0.125, 0.25, 0.50, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 20%) of the EOSm. At the concentration of 2%, EOSm caused 99.3% of larval mortality. In adults, inhibition of oviposition, egg hatching (EH) and reproductive efficiency (RE) values were dose-dependent from 4 to 20% EOSm; the lowest values of EH (29.62) and RE (22.61) were achieved with 20% EOSm. Strong and negative correlations were found between concentration of EOSm and EH (r = − 0.948) and between concentration of EOSm and RE (r = − 0.985). This study demonstrated for the first time the acaricidal effect of EOSm on larvae and reproductive parameters of engorged adult females of R. sanguineus.

Methanolic and chloroform extracts obtained from various parts of Schinus molle and Gleditsia triacanthos were evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging assay. The methanolic extracts from S. molle showed scavenging activity ranging from 35.97±1.02 to 83.38±2.74%, while the chloroform seed extract showed relatively weak scavenging activity ranging from 8.20±1.02 to 68.82±3.17%. The IC50 values of S. molle methanolic leaves extract, S. molle methanolic stem-bark extract and S. molle chloroform seed extract (SMMELS, SMMESB and SMCHSD) were found to be 476.43, 3000 µg mL-1, respectively. The positive controls, GAMEOH and GAETAC, showed an IC50 value

Objetivo. Evaluar la toxicidad aguda de los extractos etanólicos del Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (eucalipto), Morinda citrifolia L. (noni), Peperomia glauca (pino) (congona), Schinus molle L. (molle) y Zea mays L. (Maíz morado) en ratones Balb/c 53. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron 60 ratones machos divididos en seis grupos (eucalipto, noni, congona, molle, maíz morado y control). Los grupos tratados recibieron por vía oral una dosis única de 2000 mg/kg de los extractos etanólicos, y el grupo control recibió polisorbato 2 mL/kg al 3%. Se evaluó ganancia de peso, valores hematológicos (hematocrito, eritrocitos, hemograma, leucocitos, plaquetas), bioquímica sérica (úrea, creatinina, ALT, proteínas totales, albumina, globulinas), histopatología hepática y renal. Resultados. Se observó signos de inquietud, excitación y aparente fotosensibilidad en el grupo eucalipto, por una hora. Se encontró leucopenia en grupos congona, molle, eucalipto y maíz morado; trombocitopenia en grupos eucalipto y molle, y elevación del ALT en los grupos congona y eucalipto, en comparación con los valores del grupo control. La ganancia de peso, los demás valores hematológicos, así como la bioquímica renal y hepática en los otros grupos no fueron significativos. Conclusiones. En las condiciones experimentales no se observó signos de toxicidad ni mortalidad en el ensayo; la DL50 de los extractos etanólicos estaría sobre los 2000 mg/kg.

Greenhouse whiteflies, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, are very small sucker-whipper-type pests of the family Aleyrodidae. They cause considerable damage to greenhouse crops in the first order and show resistance to chemical insecticides. In this context, we dedicated this study to the control of this pest through the active ingredients extracted from the leaf and fruit part of the pepper tree, Schinus molle by inhibiting the chemosensory protein responsible mainly for capturing external stimuli in these polyphagous insects. By applying molecular modeling methods, including molecular docking, using software Molegro Virtual Docker version 2012.5.5.0, we tested the bioinsecticide potency of seven inhibitors. The results obtained show that the molecule beta- elemol is the best chemosensory protein inhibitor with a score of –82.6648 Kcal/mol and that it forms strong bonds with the active site amino acids of the protein.

Preventive and curative activity of postharvest treatments with chitosan nanoparticles (CS) and chitosan biocomposites loaded with pepper tree essential oil (CS-PEO) against anthracnose were evaluated on Avocado (Persea americana) cv. Hass artificially inoculated in rind wounds. After 10 days of storage significant preventive and curative activity against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was observed with the absence of internal damage by applying CS and CS-PEO. Quality parameters like water losses and firmness changes were assessed on fruit treated. CS and CS-PEO were effective to reduce water losses and firmness losses.

Recent studies have demonstrated that the micro and nanoparticles of chitosan (CS) have an in vitro antifungal effect against filamentous fungus that are of importance in food. This study was made to evaluate the antifungal activity of chitosan nanoparticles, pepper tree essential oil (PEO), and chitosan biocomposites loaded with pepper tree essential oil (CS-PEO), on the in vitro growth of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The particles were obtained by nanoprecipitation and the size and superficial charge (Z potential) were evaluated using dynamic light dispersion analysis (DLS). The mutagenic potential and the acute toxicity were also evaluated. The effect on the radial growth, spore’s germination, viability, and damage to the membrane´s integrity, were determined. The effect on the kinetic growth parameters was also determined. Results showed that the CS and CS-PEO particles diameter was 341.2 ± 12.40 and 355.3 ± 25.3 mm, respectively. In vitro assays showed both nanoparticles with a high inhibition potential on C. gloeosporioides, and low mutagenicity and toxicity. At a concentration of 0.160 mg/mL, the CS-PEO biocomposite presented a greater (P