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Background. Among stone fruit plants, a special place belongs to bird cherry (Padus Mill.). As a food plant, it has found use in areas with harsh climate conditions. Since the breeding of bird cherry cultivars for food purposes continues to develop, there is a need to know the chemical composition of its fruits. The aim of this research was to study bird cherry in the environments of the Russian Northwest and isolate genotypes with an optimal biochemical composition for subsequent use.Materials and methods. Fruit composition in 21 accessions from the bird cherry collection was analyzed in 2009 and 2011–2013 at the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory of the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR). Biochemical studies were performed using the methods adopted at VIR. Statistical processing of the data obtained was made using the Microsoft Excel software package.Results. The best genotypes were selected for each chemical component: for increased soluble solid content (SSC), accessions of Group I ‘Nevesta’ (29.63%), 1-1-8 (30.35), ‘Carpaty 5’ (30.87), ‘Chaika’ (33.9); for accumulation of sugars, ‘Granatovaya grozd’ (Group III; 12.13%), 1-1-8 (Gr. I; 12.5), ‘Pamyati Salamatova’ (Gr. IV; 12.8); for low acid content, ‘Sibirskaya krasavitsa’ (Gr. II; 1.03%), 1-1-8 (Gr. I; 1.14) ‘Granatovaya grozd’ (Gr. III; 1.17), ‘Zelenoplodnaya’ (Gr. I; 1.21), ‘Pozdnyaya radost’ (Gr. III; 1.25); for high content of ascorbic acid, 1-1-8 (Gr. I; 19.1 mg/100 g), ‘Sakhalinskaya chernaya’ (Gr. I; 19.35) ‘Rannyaya kruglaya’ (Gr. IV; 20.65), ‘Krasny shater’ (Gr. II; 21.23); for triterpene (ursolic, oleanolic) acids, ‘Cherny blesk’ (Gr. IV; 0.045%) and ‘Atica’ (Gr. I; 0.056).Conclusion. Significant differences were found in SSC between accessions of Groups I (P. avium) and II (P. avium × P. virginiana); and in the sugar/acid ratio (SAR), between I (P. avium) and IV (seedlings of cv. ‘Pamyati Salamatova’); II (P. avium × P. virginiana) and III (P. virginiana × P. avium); III (P. virginiana × P. avium) and IV (seedlings of cv. ‘Pamyati Sala matova’).

Background: Terminalia tomentosa is a primary food plant of Antheraea mylitta Drury a polyphagous insect of Saturniidae family which is exploited commercially for the production of silk. Good quality of silk production depend on the nutrient of leaf. So, to optimize the nutrient of leaf integrated nutrient management practices has been used to increase soil fertility and to supply plant nutrient at an optimum. Methods: In order to evaluate the effect of INM practices on the leaves parameters of Terminalia tomentosa food plant of Antheraea mylitta Drury. An experiment based on randomised complete block design with 21 treatments and three replication was conducted at Central Tasar Research and Training Institute, Nagri, Ranchi in the year 2019-20. Result: Results revealed that the application of INM treatments are significant on various leaf parameters. Highest single leaf length and breadth mean was observed in T19 (23.29 cm; 11.96 cm) was applied with 75% RDF through fertilizer+25% through vermicompost+ Azotobacter + PSB, weight of single leaf was found to be highest in T13 (5.19 g). The number of leaf was recorded highest in T19 (1892). The fresh leave yield ranged from 1617.317-5208.224 g with average mean of 4085.72 g, T19 (5032.1 g) recorded the highest fresh leaf yield. The dry matter content was found highest in T19 (340.56 g). The moisture content was recorded higher in T4 (71%) followed by T15 (69%).

Brazilian Cerrado is the second largest biome in South America and contains many unstudied valuable plant species rich in bioactive substances. In this study we investigated the phenolic content and proliferative effects on cultured fibroblasts of 32 extracts of different polarities prepared from 11 plants found in Cerrado regions. Eight extracts from six species increased cell proliferation and significantly induced ATP production by the cells. Four of these extracts were obtained from plants used as food, specifically from its fruits or seeds. A high phenolic content for these eight extracts, which directly correlated with the induction of cell proliferation, was corroborated by mass spectrometry analysis. We suggest that the bioactive substance content of these species shows an interesting potential use in cosmetic and food industry, which can contribute to the conservation and sustainable development of this region.

The Australian plant Acacia ligulata has a number of traditional food and medicinal uses by Australian Aboriginal people, although no bioactive compounds have previously been isolated from this species. Bioassay-guided fractionation of an ethanolic extract of the mature pods of A. ligulata led to the isolation of the two new echinocystic acid triterpenoid saponins, ligulatasides A (1) and B (2), which differ in the fine structure of their glycan substituents. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR, GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, and saccharide linkage analysis. These are the first isolated compounds from A. ligulata and the first fully elucidated structures of triterpenoid saponins from Acacia sensu stricto having echinocystic acid reported as the aglycone. Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against a human melanoma cancer cell line (SK-MEL28) and a diploid fibroblast cell line (HFF), but showed only weak activity. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

A total of 29 species of frugivorous birds were recorded from the Madhupur National Park during July 2007 to December 2008. Among the frugivorous birds, 16 (55.2%) were absolutely seed gulpers, 2 (6.9%) seed gulpers as well as seed discarders and 5 (17.2%) were fully seed predators. The frugivorous birds were observed more active during early morning (23 species, 79.3%) and late afternoon (20 species, 69%), of which 16 (55.2%) were common in both time frames. Frugivorous birds mainly preferred fruit followed by nectars, seeds and buds. Ficus benghalensis was the top most preferred food plant to the birds. Berries were highly preferred (29.7%) by the birds. The preferred fruit diameter ranged from 16.5 to 19.6 mm (18.1 ± 0.8). Black colour and mild sweet fruit was highly preferred by the birds.Bangladesh J. Zool. 43(2): 173-187, 2015

Cirsium japonicum DC is a perennial plant that is widely distributed throughout China. Flavonoids are the major active constituents of C. japonicum, which has been reported to possess many bioactivities. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of flavonoids from C. japonicum against liver injury using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatocyte injury, with silymarin as a positive control. Silymarin is a mixture of flavonoids from Silybum marianum, a traditional European food plant with clear hepatoprotective effects. The results indicated that the pretreatment with C. japonicum flavonoids could significantly reverse CCl4-induced L02 cell viability decrease similarly to silymarin. Analysis of flavonoids of C. japonicum and silymarin by HPLC showed that these two mixtures may contain one common component, which may be the major active ingredient responsible for their hepatoprotective effects. It is concluded that C. japonicum could be developed into functional foods with hepatoprotective efficacy, similarly to S. marianum.

An experimental rearing of tropical tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta Drury was conducted to study silkworm-food plant-interaction and thereby to search for an alternate silkworm food plant. The silkworm-food-plant-interaction was studied with six different food plant species viz. Terminalia tomentosa, Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia belerica, Terminalia chebula of Combretaceae family and Lagerstroemia speciosa, Lagerstroemia parviflora of Lythraceae family. The rearing performance of silkworm on Lagerstroemia speciosa in terms of cocoons per DFL and silk ratio was found comparable with Terminalia tomentosa and Termonalia arjuna, the primary tasar silkworm food plant species. These three plant species also possessed better results in terms of physiological (leaf moisture content and net photosynthesis rate) and biochemical (Chlorophyll, protein, carbohydrate and crude fibre contents) characteristics to support silkworm rearing than Terminalia belerica, Terminalia chebula and Lagerstroemia parviflora. The correlation study between silkworm rearing performance and food plant`s constituents indicates commercial perspective of Lagerstroemia speciosa as an alternate food plant for tasar silkworm rearing.

Aristobia reticulator (F., 1781), originally described from an unknown location in “British India”, is redescribed and illustrated based on specimens from northeastern India. This is the first detailed account of the external morphology of both sexes of the species, which includes external sexually dimorphic characters. A new food plant, Microcos paniculata L. (Malvaceae), for adults is reported.

Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell., also known as the Kakadu plum, is an important food plant endemic to northern Australia. The fruit has substantial commercial demand as it contains sought-after antioxidants and the greatest concentration of ascorbic acid of any fruit known worldwide. Better knowledge of its reproductive biology is required to increase fruit production from wild stands and sustain commercial demand. Experiments demonstrate that T. ferdinandiana is andromonoecious and self-incompatible, relying on cross-pollination for successful fruit production. Wild stocks of this species are pollen limited, likely caused by pollinator satiation in dense, synchronously flowering stands. These findings indicate that enhanced fruit production requires supplementation of suitable pollinators in wild stands.

To date, only the three syntipic specimens of the Iberian endemism Strophosoma (Neliocarus) burdigalense (Escalera, 1928), were known, from Burgos (without more data). The species has been found again in the neighbouring province of Soria (Castilla and Leon), permitting the finding that its biological cycle is completed in Helianthemum hirtum (Cistaceae). The differential characters of the species are commented and biometrical data, images of the adult, aedeagus, its habitat and food plant are provided.

The folklore of 43 species of ‘medicinal plants’ belonging to 27 families was recorded form Leepa Valley, Muzaffarabad. Out of 43 medicinal plants, 4 gymnosperms, 38 angiosperms and 01 fern species were used against different diseases. The major problems cured by ‘medicinal plants’ were digestive problems (24 spp), dermal system problems (13 sp), hepatic problems (11 spp) and respiratory problems (7 spp). Further, 4 species were used as spices and vegetables and six species recorded have biological activities; whereas joint problems and cardiac problems were treated by 3 species each. Most of the medicinal plants were uprooted by the inhabitants for selling or for local use. The results also indicated that among the recorded species, 44% were used as ‘medicinal food plant’, 23% as ‘medicinal gathered food plant’ and ‘orally administrated medicinal plant’ were 32.56%. The utility of these plants for different purposes posses a great threat to the plant resourses in the area. Huge quantities of MPs were lost every year owing to lack of proper collection, over exploitation and deforestation. Key words: Medicinal plants, folk uses, over exploitation, local residents, cure.

Aqueous methanol extract of seeds and tuber of food and medicinal plant Nymphaea nouchali (Burm.f.) displayed potent pancreatic lipase and intestinal α-glucosidase inhibitory properties. These properties may help reduce development of diet induced postprandial hyperlipidaemia and postprandial hyperglycaemia respectively. In addition, seeds and tuber extracts possess potent free radicals scavenging activities and reducing power. Furthermore, extracts also displayed strong inhibitory activities against formation of various advanced glycation end-products which is an important link inducing postprandial oxidative stress due to postprandial hyperlipidaemia and postprandial hyperglycaemia. Seeds and tubers of N. nouchali are rich sources of polyphenolic and flavonoids. Results of this study show for the first time that N. nouchali seeds and tuber may become an important dietary supplement to counter development of diet induced hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia and resultant oxidative stress and can be utilized as herbal therapeutics for management of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity.

Food insecurity is a major issue in current scenario where a large section of mankind is at risk of insufficient diet. As food productivity has its limits, the prospecting of unutilized or underutilized flora as food candidates is collectively recognized as a sustainable option. In the past decade, a number of obscure plants have been identified to be rich in dietary components and deemed fit for integration into the food platter. This review discusses a candidate Salicornia, belonging to family Amaranthaceae. This halophyte has a broad geographical distribution, and phytochemical profiling has indicated its food relevance. An array of functional nutrients as fibers, polyphenols, and flavonoids have been detected in Salicornia. Though high salt, oxalate and saponin content in the plants are anti-nutrients, they can be removed to justify usage of Salicornia as a 'sea vegetable'. Apart from culinary relevance, medicinal attributes like immunomodulatory, lipid-lowering, antiproliferative, osteoprotective, and hypoglycemic render this lesser-known marsh plant significant for phytochemical studies. This appraisal is expected to be useful towards further research and popularization of this extremophile halophyte.

The aim of this study was to document the use of wild foods in two locations in the coastal part of Croatia – on the island of Krk and in the Poljica area, near Split. We chose these places as they have historical data on plant use (1900 and 1903 respectively). We carried out 67 interviews in Poljica and 55 interviews in Krk to estimate the current use and knowledge of wild foods. Altogether, 80 species of wild food and herbal tea species of plants were recorded in Poljica and 76 in Krk. On average, 13.2 species were listed by per interview in Poljica, including 7.1 species of wild vegetables, and in Krk 14.6 species, including 7.9 species of wild vegetables. Out of the list of plant names recorded in the past, in Krk, we identified 82% of the taxa and in Poljica 86%.

An experiment was carried out to boost the production of tasar crops through application of secondary nutrients. Different combinations of secondary nutrients were prepared and its effect was studied on the yield and quality of leaves of tasar food plant Terminalia tomentosa W & A with 2.4 m × 2.4 m spacing and cocoon characters of tasar silkworm Antheraea mylitta Drury reared on them. Among different combinations of secondary nutrients, foliar application of magnesium sulphate (2%, w/v) and basal application of 3 quintal / ha of calcium carbonate (secondary nutrient combination SM5) was found to be the best in crop improvement. It improves the quantity and quality of leaves as well as the commercial characters of cocoons. As a result, silk production improves. Under this combination, leaf yield increased by 26.55% in comparison to control. Average increase in moisture, total mineral, crude protein and total carbohydrate was 3.26%, 20.84%, 15.39% and 17.85% respectively as compared with control. Further, bio assay studies revealed thataverage larval weight, E.R.R., cocoon weight, shell weight and silk ratio percent increased by 11.25%, 25.71%, 20.05%, 35.14% and 12.17% respectively over control which indicates that secondary nutrient combination SM5 has significant role in improving the production of tasar crops.

Aconitum spp. are highly toxic due to the presence of aconitine-type alkaloids. Aconitum carmichaelii Debeaux is one of the most important and most studied Chinese medicines. However the scientific literature contains only anecdotal references to the use of A. carmichaelii as a food plant. The aim of the study was to document the traditional alimentary use of the species. Fifty people from three adjacent villages on Mount Taibai of the Qinling range (Shaanxi) were interviewed about the local use of the Aconitum. Most of them eat it on a regular basis every winter. The plant is widely cultivated in the area for food and nearly every family grows it. The tubers are cooked a few times during winter. Usually around 5 kg are prepared at one time and boiled, adding water four times, each time for at least 2 h, over a high flame. People usually eat one bowl a day (ca. 200 g). Respondents claim they eat them for two reasons: they heat the body in winter (they are “hot by nature”) and they are nourishing like other staples.

Gnetum africanum is a forest liana that grows abundantly in Central Africa, South America, and tropical and subtropical Asia. Its leaves are eaten as a vegetable, either raw or finely chopped and cooked; they are also widely used as an ingredient in soups and stews and are much in demand for their nutritional and therapeutic properties. In the latter application, various fractions of G. africanum are used medicinally to treat many different illnesses. Many studies have also shown that the chemical composition of the leaves of this plant gives it significant nutritional properties, and its high fiber, protein, and calorie content support these claims. Several molecular compounds related to the families of stilbenes, glycosylflavones, and flavonostilbenes have been isolated and identified in the leaf extract of this plant. These molecules give the plant its interesting properties and biological activities.

Chair of Food Plant Chemistry and ProcessingUniversity of Warmia and Mazury in OlsztynK e y w o r d s: purple carrot, black carrot, chemical compounds, anthocyanins.A b s t r a c tThe aim of this study was to characterize chemical composition of the black carrot and to assessthe effects of processing methods and storage conditions of the carrot root on anthocyaninstability.The black carrot is characterized by a large content of phenolic compounds, includingacylated anthocyanins, which ensure colour stability. The process of carrot freezing reducesanthocyanin stability. The degree of fragmentation, as well as the pH value determine the intensityof changes in the content of anthocyanins present in the black carrot.CHARAKTERYSTYKA MARCHWI CZARNEJ ( DAUCUS CAROTA SSP. SATIVUSVAR. ATRORUBENS ALEF)Ryszard Zadernowski, Beata Pilat, Sylwester Czaplicki, Dorota OgrodowskaKatedra Przetworstwa i Chemii Surowcow RoślinnychUniwersytet Warminsko-Mazurski w OlsztynieS l o w a k l u c z o w e: czarna marchew, sklad chemiczny, antocyjany.A b s t r a k tCelem badan byla charakterystyka skladu chemicznego korzeni czarnej marchwi oraz osza-cowanie strat antocyjanow powstalych podczas stosowania roznych metod przechowywania i przet-warzania. Ustalono, ze czarna marchew charakteryzuje sie duzą zawartością związkow fenolowych,w tym antocyjanow acylowanych. Na podstawie otrzymanych wynikow wykazano, ze proceszamrazania zmniejsza stabilnośc antocyjanow, a stopien degradacji zalezy od pH środowiska orazobrobki korzeni marchwi.Address: Ryszard Zadernowski, University of Warmia and Mazury, pl. Cieszynski 1, 10-726 Olsztyn,Poland, phone: +48 (89) 523 34 66, e-mail: ryszard.zadernowski@uwm.edu.pl

Food plant preferences of some Lepidoptera species associated with particular colour of the flowers were investigated. Based on 1,329 field observations of 43 Lepidoptera and 66 plant species, Lepidoptera showed a high tendency (G-test, Gadj = 698.6, df = 6, P < 0.001) to use the yellow (29%) and pink (28%) coloured flowers for foraging. Compared to the other colours it was evident that plants with red flowers (2%) were not preferred. Moreover, the plants with red (H = 0.435) and yellow-white (H = 0.543) flowers were not visited by diverse Lepidoptera species. Although yellow and pink flowers were most frequently visited, the highest degrees of the Lepidoptera diversity values were associated with the plants having blue (H = 0.647) and purple (H = 0.634) flowers. Species of Nymphalidae were most numerous (14 spp.) in the study area and the members of this family were observed 430 times on 39 different plant species, but never on plants with red flowers. Pieris rapae was the most abundant species that occurred 136 times on a total of 21 different plant species of which eight had yellow flowers. But, this species has never been seen while feeding on red flowers.

The Lygaeid bug Spilostethus pandurus (Scop.) prefers to feed on the leaves of the Asclepiadaceous plant Calotropis procera. The insect possesses two dorsolateral prothoracic glands, the secretion of which proved repugnatorial and unpalatable to predators. S. pandurus can make use of the cardiac glycosides present in the food-plant and incorporate them in its defense gland secretion. The bug seems also capable of synthesizing such chemical principals if not readily available in the food-plant juices. Zusammenfassung Vorzugsnahrungspflanzen und Abwehreinrichtungen bei Spilostethus pandurus (Scop.) (Heteropt., Lygaeidae) Die Wanze S. pandurus zog im Auswahlversuch die Blatter der Asclepiadacee jene der Colotropis procera vor. Sie besitzt 2 dorsolaterale Prothoraxdrusen, deren Sekret abschrekkend auf rauberische Feinde wirkt. S. pandurus verwendet zur Herstellung dieses Sekrets die in ihrer Nahrung enthaltenen Glycoside. Weiterhin stellt sie fur das Sekret chemische Verbindungen her, die ihre Nahrungspflanze nicht besitzt.

About 90 and 120 clones of Sitobion avenae (F.) were established from field collected aphids during 1983 and 1984. All clones were tested for their host plant adaptation to barley, oat and wheat, their life cycle strategy, their body colour. The population increase in 12 days (starting with one adult apterous aphid) varied widely between clones on barley, oat and wheat. Brown clones tend to have a significantly higher increase on barley as well as on oat than green clones. About 20% of the aphids in the Lower Rhine Valley reproduce anholocyclicly, whereas no anholocyclic aphids could be found 300 km to the east near Gottingen. Holocyclic and anholocyclic aphids do not differ in their population increase on any of the three plant species. Aphids which were sampled from oat fields were significantly better adapted to their host plant “oat” than aphids settling in barley or wheat fields, suggesting a genetic adaptation of field populations to their respective food plant species. The importance of variability and adaptability in aphid populations is discussed with respect to pest control. Zusammenfassung Zur okologischen Genetik von Sitobion avenae (F.) (Hemiptera, Aphididae) Etwa 90 und 120 Klone von Sitobion avenae wurden 1983 bzw. 1984 aus im Felde gesammelten Lausen aufgebaut. Alle Klone wurden auf ihre Wirtspflanzenanpassung an Gerste, Hafer und Weizen getestet sowie auf ihren Vermehrungszyklus und ihre Farbauspragung. Der Populationsanstieg in 12 Tagen (ausgehend von einer adulten, ungeflugelten Blattlaus) variierte stark zwischen den Klonen auf Gerste, Hafer und Weizen. Braune Klone erreichten einen signifikant hoheren Populationsanstieg auf Gerste und auf Hafer als grune Klone. Etwa 20 % der Lause im Rheinland vermehrten sich anholozyklisch, wahrend 300 km weiter ostlich in der Nahe von Gottingen keine anholozyklischen Lause gefunden wurden. Holozyklische und anholozyklische Blattlause unterschieden sich nicht in ihren durchschnittlichen Populationsanstiegen auf den 3 Pflanzenarten. Blattlause, die von Haferfeldern gesammelt wurden, waren signifikant besser an ihre Wirtspflanze “Hafer” angepast als Lause, die in Gersten- oder Weizenfeldern siedelten. Dies weist auf eine genetische Anpassung von Feldpopulationen an die entsprechende Wirtspflanzenart hin. Die Bedeutung von Variabilitat und Anpassung bei Blattlauspopulationen wird aus der Sicht des Pflanzenschutzes diskutiert.

Research work was made in plantation of 10–20-years age Scotch pine to a various degree infested with European pineshoot moth (Evetria buoliana Schiff.), flat gub (Aradus cinnamomeus Panz) and larger pine-shoot beetle (Blastophagus piniperda L.) growing under conditions of dry and fresh forest on the Southern sands of the Ukraine. Results show that parameters under study which characterize level of physiological state of pine population and in a consequence its resistence differ in large variability, in particular such indices as: intensity of resin exudation from shoot cuts, resin pressure in pine trunks, content of β-pinene, limonene and phellandrene in needles and content of camphene and all the other terpenoids in shoots. Examination of indices of insect physiological state results that pest population lodging this plantation is characterized by large degree of heterogeneity. It has been proved that parameters characterizing level of physiological state of pest population are more variable than those of physiological state of plant population. It is especially well-defined in indices of pest physiological state such as: quantitative content of certain haemocytes in larval haemolymph of Europen pine-shoot moth, pest population density and its survival. A block scheme of phases of interaction between pest population and food plant in ontogeny is given. Zusammenfassung Mechanismen der Schadlingsresistenz von Pinus sylvestris. 1. Indikatoren der physiologischen Beziehungen zwischen Kiefern und Kieferninsekten-Populationen In 10- bis 20jahrigen Kiefernbestanden auf trockenen und frischen Sandboden der Ukraine wurden Untersuchungen durchgefuhrt uber den verschieden starken Befall der Baume mit dem Knospentriebwickler Evetria buoliana Schiff., der Rindenwanze Aradus cinnamomeus Panz. und dem Waldgartner, Blastophagus piniperda L. Es zeigte sich, das als Parameter, welche den physiologischen Zustand der Kiefernpopulation und demgemas die Schadlingsresistenz der Baume charakterisieren, die Intensitat der Harzproduktion an Triebschnitten, der Harzdruck in Kiefernstocken, der Gehalt von β-Pinen, Limonen und Phellandren in den Nadeln sowie von Camphen und anderen Terpenoiden in den Trieben fungieren. Eine Untersuchung der Indizes des insektenpathologischen Zustandes ergab, das die den Kiefernbestand bewohnende Schadlingspopulation durch eine starke Heterogenitat charakterisiert ist. Die diesbezuglichen Parameter zeigen eine grosere Variabilitat als jene der Pflanzenpopulation. Ihre wichtigsten Komponenten beim Kiefernknospentriebwickler sind: der quantitative Gehalt der verschiedenen Haemozyten in der larvalen Haemolymphe, die Populationsdichte und die Uberlebensrate. In einem Blockschema werden die Phasen der Beziehungen zwischen der Schadlings- und der Kiefernpopulation im Verlauf der Entwicklung beider dargestellt.

Seven species of grasshoppers (Acrididae) were collected from the southern banks of the Blue Nile near Khartoum and Tuti Island, at the junction of the Blue Nile and White Nile. The daily and seasonal occurrence of these grasshoppers was studied. The seasonal occurrence was affected by the annual Nile floods. During these floods, which usually coincide with the rainy season, most of the grasshoppers migrate to the semi-desert away from the river and some of them breed there. Truxalis grandis grandis (Klug) and Truxalis spec, are polyphagous but prefer Cynodon dactylon and Cyperus rotundus; two common riverain weeds. The antennae of T. g. grandis and Truxalis spec. appear to be responsible for the location of the food-plants while the palpi may take part in the preliminary testing of the food. The antennal coeloconic pegs are probably the principal olfactory sense organs, whereas the basiconic sensilla, tightly packed at the tip of each maxillary and labial palpi are sensitive to contact chemical stimuli. Zusammenfassung Zur Verbreitung und Nahrungspflanzenwahl der Heuschrecken an den Nilufern bei Khartoum Es wurden 7 Heuschrecken-Arten (Acrididae) an den Ufern des Blauen Nil bei Khartoum sowie des Zusammenflusses von Blauem und Weisem Nil gesammelt. Ihr tagliches und jahreszeitliches Auftreten wurde untersucht. Das jahreszeitliche Auftreten wird vom Hochwasser des Nils bestimmt. Wahrend dieser Zeit, die gewohnlich mit der Regenzeit zusammenfallt, wandern die meisten Heuschrecken zu den Halbwustengebieten ab, wo einige von ihnen ihre Bruten erzeugen. Truxalis grandis grandis (Klug) und Truxalis spec. sind zwei polyphage Arten, die aber die Ufergraser Cynodon dactylon und Cyperus rotundus bevorzugen. Die Fuhler von T. g. grandis und T. spec. sind fur das Aufsuchen der Nahrungspflanze verantwortlich, wahrend die Palpen beim Erproben der Nahrung eine Rolle spielen. Die antennalen Zapfenorgane bilden wahrscheinlich das Haupt-Geruchsorgan, wahrend die an den Maxillar- und Labialpalpen gehauft sitzenden Sensillen chemische Reize aufnehmen.

Perilla frutescens is a food plant widely used in Asian cuisine. This plant was investigated for its interesting taste and somatosensory properties. Perillaldehyde and perillaketone are among the components of the aromatic extracts from P. Frutescens. These compounds were shown here to activate the cloned TRPA1 channel when expressed in an heterologous cell system and are therefore suggested to be responsible for the chemesthetic properties of this plant.

Recent work in various parts of the world has suggested the possibility of ancient starch granules surviving and adhering to archaeological artefacts. Often this information is used to infer aspects of diet. One additional source for recovery of archaeological starch granules is dental calculus. The presence of plant food debris in dental calculus is well known but has not been not widely investigated using archaeological material. The extraction of starch granules from dental calculus represents a direct link to the consumption of starchy food by humans or animals. Using dental calculus also sidesteps many other questions still inherent in using starch granules to reconstruct aspects of ancient diet, such as the effects of diagenesis on their morphology; as the starches are trapped inside a concreted matrix they are less likely to alter over time. We used amylase digestion by a starch-specific enzyme to confirm the material as starch.

Dietary reconstructions based on plant microfossils, such as starch grains and phytoliths, have been useful in increasing our understanding of past human populations. Microfossils have been recovered from sediments, stone tools, and, more recently, dental calculus. Methods for recovering microfossils from dental calculus have yet to be firmly established and there is some question about potential damage to the teeth. Using a sample of teeth from the middle Holocene site of Tell al-Raqā'i, Syria, we tested using a dental pick to sample the calculus. ESEM images taken before and after sampling show no damage to the enamel surface, and examination of the recovered microfossils show that this method provides ample material for study, even when not all of the calculus is removed from the tooth. Preliminary identification of the plant microfossils suggests that these individuals were consuming a variety of plant foods, but that domesticated cereals such as wheat and barley made up a surprisingly small portion of their diet.

Ephedra sinica Stapf (commonly, Chinese ephedra) grows mainly in Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and other regions of northern China. The stems of Chinese ephedra have been called the world's oldest medicine; other uses remain to be reported. Among the Mongolian people, in addition to medical applications, the fleshy bracts of the seed cones (or “fruit”) are traditionally used as food, fresh or dried, in several ways; for example, the fruit is used as a refined sugar, a cheese condiment, and a tea substitute. In this paper, we analyze the fruit's nutritional components: moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, carbohydrate, ash, pectin, vitamins, fatty acids, mineral elements, and amino acids. Ethnobotanical and nutritional component information may indicate that the plant has potential for development as a special food plant.

We compared the abundance, population structure and palatability of bilberry ramets on vole-free islands, islands with voles but no predators (predator-free islands) and mainland sites with both voles and predators. As expected, bilberry biomass was strongly correlated with the herbivory pressure exerted by the voles, since it was significantly lower on the mainland, and much (80%) lower on the predator-free islands, than on the vole-free islands. However, another finding, which conflicts with hypotheses postulating that herbivory generally induces plant defenses, was that voles preferred ramets from predator-free islands. Bilberry plants were fairly tolerant to grazing since they compensated for some of the lost tissue by producing more new ramets. This response should promote stability in the plant-herbivore interaction by reducing the impact of past grazing on current food production and thus minimizing time delays in the interactions that could potentially generate population cycles.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Mixtures of wild food plants, part of the Mediterranean diet, have potential benefits for their content in bioactive compounds, minerals and fibers. In Italy, wild plants are still consumed in various ways, for their taste, effects on health and nutritional value. In this paper, we provide a list of wild plants used in vegetable mixtures, indicating their phytochemical and nutritional profile, highlighting those not yet studied. Aim of the study We provide a first complete review of traditional uses of wild food plants used as vegetables and their preparations (e.g., salads, soups, rustic pies). We also highlight their phytochemical constituents. Materials and methods We carried out an extensive literature review of ethnobotanical publications from 1894 to date for finding plants used in traditional vegetable mixtures. We also performed an online search for scientific papers providing the phytochemical profile of plants that were cited at least twice in recipes found in the literature. Results We list a total of 276 wild taxa used in traditional vegetable mixtures, belonging to 40 families. Among these, the most represented are Asteraceae (88), Brassicaceae (33), Apiaceae (21), Amaranthaceae (12). Many plants are cited in many recipes across several Italian regions. Among the most cited plant we note: Reichardia picroides (L.) Roth, Sanguisorba minor Scop., Taraxacum campylodes G. E. Haglund, Urtica dioica L. Tuscany is the region with the highest number of food recipes that incorporate wild plants used as vegetables. We also list the phytochemical constituents and some pharmacological activities of the plants cited at least twice. Finally, we discuss topics such as the taste of plants used in the recipes. Conclusions Nineteen edible wild plants, such as Asparagus albus L., Campanula trachelium L., Hypochaeris laevigata (L.) Benth. & Hook f., Phyteuma spicatum L., Scolymus grandiflorus Desf., are not yet studied as regards their phytochemical and nutritional profile. Some plants should be avoided due to the presence of toxic compounds such as Adenostyles alliariae (Gouan) A. Kern or Ranunculus repens L.

Amorphophallus xiei H. Li & Z. L. Dao (Araceae), described here as new, is endemic to Yunnan Province, China, where it is locally esteemed as a food plant. The new species is illustrated and distinguished from A. yuloensis H. Li and A. muelleri Blume, to which it is most closely related.

A survey of plants grown in home gardens was conducted through questionnaires among 80 homesteads in rural areas of northern KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The areas surveyed were located at Mbonambi, Kwadlangezwa, Ntambanana and Eshowe. Elderly women (≥ 55 years) and girls (≤ 21years) were questioned on names and uses of plants grown in the home garden. Various medicinal and food plants were found in the home gardens. The well-known plants reported to be used around the homestead were Citrus limon, Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita pepo, Musa davyae, Zea mays, Bidens pilosa, Encephalartos villosus, Momordica foetida, Plectranthus ambiguus and Sansevieria hyacinthoides. The elderly women possessed more knowledge (64.4%) than girls (7.5%) on plant uses. Knowledge on rituals pertaining to harvesting and field protection was 28.6% for elderly women and 1.79% for girls.

Food and non food plant characteristics were studied for the geometric tortoise, Psammobates geometricus, to test the hypothesis that feeding preferences in tortoises may be influenced by the mechanical properties of plant leaves. Twelve focal feeding observations made between 8 October and 31 October 2002 were synthesized with literature reports to develop species lists of food and non food grasses and geophytes in renosterveld habitat. Failure load and tensile strength were determined in the field for leaves of food and non food plants that were spatially available to the tortoises and present in relative abundance during the course of the study. Leaves of geophyte food plants were fleshy and succulent with a low failure load and tensile strength. Leaves of food plant grasses had significantly higher failure loads and tensile strengths compared to leaves of food plant geophytes. In non food plants there was no signifi cant difference in failure load between grasses and geophytes, but tensile strength was signifi cantly higher in the grasses. Non food plant grasses and geophytes overall had significantly higher failure load and tensile strength values than did food plants. Two non food plants that overlapped in mechanical strength to the food plants either have toxic/unpalatable chemicals in high amounts or are recent invasive species to the renosterveld. Thus, these studies support the hypothesis that leaf biomechanical properties may be an important factor in determining the diet of the geometric tortoise and perhaps tortoises in general. Key words : biomechanics, failure load, herbivore, Psammobates geometricus, tensile strength.

Starchy grains are an essential part of human diet in most agricultural groups, and are attributed an important role in the development of complex societies. Maize is a starchy grain domesticated in Mesoamerica that was an important foodstuff throughout the Americas before Contact, and around the world afterwards. An experimental study of the degradation of maize lipids suggests that the unsaturated fatty acids comprising the majority of maize lipids degrade rapidly, producing a virtually unidentifiable organic residue after 3 months deposition. Compounds in maize lipids decompose variably, depending upon depositional environment, making calibration of organic residue degradation impracticable. Variable decomposition of components of absorbed organic residues makes a wider range of improved experimental studies important, and suggests that identifying maize, and by implication starchy grains, from chemical analysis of absorbed organic residues requires a wider range of approaches than those previously attempted.

Although prehistoric native peoples probably used wild rice for food and ceremony, evidence is sparse. Macrofossil remains of wild rice are uncommon on archaeological sites even where the plant is still common nearby. The association between documented human habitation and wild rice is explored with pollen records from associated wild rice wetlands. For this, reliable identification of wild rice pollen is essential. Three approaches are examined: (1) the pollen spectral signature (percentage and density of grass pollen), (2) coeval community pollen types, and (3) the pollen morphology (size and sculpturing) of wild rice versus other stand-forming wetland grasses. We report pollen spectra from a contemporary wild rice marsh and compare it with fossil pollen from Cootes Paradise, a wetland at the western end of Lake Ontario. The pollen signature from the modern wild rice wetlands was similar to that of the fossil site, but this correspondence does not confirm that the fossil grass pollen is wild rice. Wild rice pollen is separable by size from that of all the stand-forming wetland grasses examined, but the fossil pollen from Bull's Point is not the same size as that of modern wild rice. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), however, indicates that wild rice pollen is identifiable by its sculpturing and that the fossil pollen has an identical micromorphology.

Many food plant contain specific secondary metabolites which are classified as toxins or antinutrients for humans. In this short review main groups of these bioactive compounds are introduced, potential hazard posed for consumers and related regulatory aspects are mentioned. Substances which are currently of greatest concern are discussed in a greater detail. Phytoestrogens and glucosinolates are shown as compounds that may under certain conditions, exhibit health protecting effects, toxic glycoalkaloids, have been selected as an exampleof toxins occurring in staple crop, lectins and pyrrolizidine alkaloids represent as toxins responsible for recently documented outbreaks of food poisoning.

The pH of leaf homogenates of common birch (Betula verrucosa L.), a food plant of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) larvae, was measured at different times of day in the course of leaf organogenesis, and midgut pH was measured in gypsy moth larvae phenotypically differing in the color of the hypodermis at the fifth instar. A possible relation between these parameters is discussed.

Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp) is a food plant belonging to the Cruciferae family. It is very interesting because it has one of the highest frost tolerances of any cultivated plant and can be grown at high altitudes (3800–4800 m) (Bonnier, 1986). Maca dry tubers were bought from INIA (Instituto National de Investigation Agroindustrial de Huancayo, Peru); a sample has been deposited in the Herbarium Neapolitanum the Dipartimento di Biologia Vegetale Universita degli Studi ‘Federico II’ of Naples (herbarium code NAP).

The African horned cucumber (Cucumis metuliferus) is a traditional food plant indigenous to Southern Africa. It grows naturally and is commonly found in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland. In Botswana it is found throughout the country. The fruit is mostly consumed fresh, pressed into juices, eaten like an ordinary cucumber, or used in fruit salad. Cucumis metuliferus has become one of the most popular fruits with a potential to be fully commercialised. The fruit is covered with prominent spines and is about 10 cm in length. It turns yellow-orange when ripe. In Botswana, there is a rich variety of wild fruit plants which have served as mainstay sources of nutrition and medicines for many years (Motlhanka et al., 2008). Like vegetables, wild fruits are excellent sources of minerals and vitamins, which are essential for proper maintenance of good health. However, these wild fruits have not received much attention as sources of antioxidants compared to their commercial counterparts. Duthie and Crozier (2000) reported phenolic compounds to account for most of the antioxidant activity in plants. Recently, natural antioxidants have gained increasing attention from nutritionists and medical researchers for their potential effects in the prevention of chronic and degenerative diseases such as cancer, coronary heart disease, strokes, and aging (Ames et al., 1993; Azam et al., 2004; Diaz et al., 1997; Young & Woodside, 2001).

In order to facilitate the identification of residues absorbed into the walls of Late Precontact vessels, a collection of more than 130 native food plants and animals from Western Canada was established. The fatty acid composition of uncooked plant and animal samples were determined using gas chromatography. Hierarchical cluster and principal component analyses show similarities in fatty acid composition of these foods which generally correspond to meaningful categories. Large mammal fat, large herbivore meat, fish, plant greens, roots and berries/seeds can be differentiated. The fatty acid composition of small mammals was more similar to plants than to large mammals.

A taxonomic study was made on the genus Tremex (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) in Korea. The study was carried out with specimens collected throughout the country from 1996 to 1998 and preserved in museums and laboratories of Universities in Korea and in other countries. As a result of this study, the genus Tremex found in Korea now consists of 5 species including one newly recorded species, Tremex contractus Maa and one new species, Tremex nigrocephalus n. sp