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The conservation of plant genetic resources is essential for breeding programs. Regarding the native species of the Brazilian Cerrado biome, many studies have demonstrated their high potential for use in both medicines and foods. Hymenaea stigonocarpa, a tree with wide occurrence in the Cerrado, has economic importance, and due its extractive use, the establishment of a breeding program is relevant for sustainable use and conservation. Thus, the first germplasm collection of the species was installed at the Federal University of Goias (UFG). To know the magnitude of genetic variability and how it was distributed in the collection, 353 individuals, distributed in 119 families from 24 subpopulations collected in the Cerrado biome, were genotyped using capillary electrophoresis. Nine pairs of microsatellite markers were genotyped. The UFG germplasm collection showed a high level of genetic diversity (mean $$\bar{H}e$$ = 0.554) at the evaluated loci. By Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA), a significant genetic structure was detected (θP = 0.152, p

Laboratorio de Fitoterapicos Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas Faculdade de Ciencias e Letras de Assis Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Avenida Dom Antonio 2100

The objective of this study was to evaluate the action of Hymenaea stigonocarpa bark hydroalcoholic extract against a mutagenic compound using A. cepa meristematic root cells as a test system. The treatment groups were: Negative Control (NC) – distilled water; Positive Control (PC) – paracetamol at a concentration of 0.008 mg/mL, Jatoba Control (JC) – aqueous fraction jatobá-do-cerrado at 0.5 or 1.0 or 1.5 mg/mL, and Simultaneous Treatment (ST) - jatobá-do-cerrado aqueous fraction at a concentration of 0.5 or 1.0 or 1.5 mg/mL associated with paracetamol solution at a concentration of 0.008 mg/mL. All groups were analyzed at 24 and 48 h. Five onion bulbs (five replications) were used for each treatment group. The root tips were fixed in Carnoy and slides prepared by the crush technique. Cells were analyzed throughout the cell cycle, totaling 5,000 for each treatment group at each exposure time. Mitotic indices were subjected to statistical analysis using the chi-square test (p

The Hymenaea stigonocarpa and Hymenaea martiana species, commonly known as “jatobá,” produce a sap which is extracted by perforation of the trunk and is commonly used in folk medicine as a tonic. For this study, the authenticity of commercial samples of jatobá was verified by the identification of the main compounds and multivariate analysis and contamination by microbial presence analysis. The acute toxicity of the authentic jatobá sap was also evaluated. The metabolites composition and multivariate analysis revealed that none of the commercial samples were authentic. In the microbiological contamination analysis, five of the six commercial samples showed positive cultures within the range of 1,700–100,000 CFU/mL and the authentic sap produced no signs of toxicity, and from a histological point of view, there was the maintenance of tissue integrity. In brief, the commercial samples were deemed inappropriate for consumption and represent a danger to the population.

This case study examines the pollen dispersal distance, pollen dispersal patterns and intra-family genetic structure for isolated trees in pastures of the bat-pollinated Neotropical tree species Hymenaea stigonocarpa using six microsatellite loci and parentage analysis. The sampling included 28 grouped trees (referred to as the population) and six isolated trees in pastureland along a highway in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. From the population, we sampled 137 seeds from 12 seed-trees, and from the isolated trees, we sampled 34 seeds from two seed-trees. The results showed that pollen was dispersed over long distances (reaching 7353 m) and therefore the spatially isolated trees were not reproductively isolated. The pollen immigration rate in the population was also high (31%). Isolated trees presented a higher selfing rate (s = 26%) than trees in the population (s= 12%), suggesting that the spatial isolation of the trees increased selfing. However, selfing was responsible for only 30 percent of the inbreeding in offspring and mating among relatives was 70 percent. In the population, excluding selfing, ca 72 percent of the pollen was dispersed over distances < 1000 m (average: 860 m). For the two isolated seed-trees, excluding selfing, the average pollen dispersal distance was 5229 m. The results demonstrate that although pollen can be dispersed over long distances for H. stigonocarpa isolated trees, a high percentage of pollen comes from the same tree (selfing) and mating was correlated. Consequently, seeds must be collected from a large number of seed-trees for conservation purposes.

This paper reports the results of an analytical study to characterize the trunk resin collected from the Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. species from the region of Minas Gerais (Brazil), popularly known as Jatoba resin. Hymenaea resins are reported to have been used in artistic applications such as protective varnishes in polychromed sculptures and paintings. Therefore, the identification of the main chemical changes that take place in the resin when it is prepared as a thin film exposed to atmospheric effects have been considered herein. Changes due to the degradation effect of light have been studied on a series of specimens prepared as a thin films and subjected to accelerated UV light ageing. The results based on GC–MS, THM–Py–GC–MS analyses, and on-line trimethylsilylation Py–GC–MS using hexamethyldislylazane as a derivatization reagent, have been compared. The study shows that eperuic acid and its Δ7 and Δ8 isomers, together with copalic acid, are the major components of the studied resin. Other compounds such as kolavenic acid, iso-ozic acid and epi -pinifolic acid are also present in this resin as minor components. This composition differs from those of resins obtained from other species of the Hymenaea genus growing in this Amazonian region. UV light ageing of the Jatoba resin prepared as a thin film results in the appearance of a new isomer of eperuic acid. Some changes in the relative content of the major components present in the resin have also been observed after ageing.

Hymenaea courbaril is a tropical timber species, intensely exploited and found in the Amazon, Atlantic Forest and Brazilian Cerrado biome. Nine highly polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed from a genomic library enriched for AG/TC repeats. In a total of 41 individuals, from two natural populations, seven to 13 alleles per locus were detected and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.75 to 0.90. Seven loci were effectively transferred to Hymenaea stigonocarpa. High levels of polymorphism make the present primers useful for population genetic studies and are a powerful tool to investigate mating system, gene flow and spatial genetic structure.

A study of the anatomy and ultrastructural aspects of leaf mesophyll and floral nectaries of Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne revealed the presence of intercellular pectic protuberances (IPPs) linking adjacent cells in both the leaf palisade cells and the secretory parenchyma of the floral nectary. Samples of the middle third of the leaf blade and of floral nectaries in anthesis were collected, fixed, and processed using standard procedures for light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopies. The IPPs of palisade cells of the mesophyll and the secretory parenchyma cells of the floral nectary take the form of scalae or strands, respectively. No evidence of the specific synthesis of these structures was observed, and they are apparently formed by the separation of adjacent cells due to cell expansion, when intercellular spaces develop. The IPPs observed in H. stigonocarpa increase cellular contact and probably act in apoplastic transport.

† Background and Aims Considering that few studies on nectary anatomy and ultrastructure are available for chiropterophilous flowers and the importance of Hymenaea stigonocarpa in natural ‘cerrado’ communities, the present study sought to analyse the structure and cellular modifications that take place within its nectaries during the different stages of floral development, with special emphasis on plastid dynamics. † Methods For the structural and ultrastructural studies the nectary was processed as per usual techniques and studied under light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Histochemical tests were employed to identify the main metabolites on nectary tissue and secretion samples. † Key Results The floral nectary consists of the inner epidermis of the hypanthium and vascularized parenchyma. Some evidence indicates that the nectar release occurs via the stomata. The high populations of mitochondria, and their juxtaposition with amyloplasts, seem to be related to energy needs for starch hydrolysis. Among the alterations observed during the secretory phase, the reduction in the plastid stromatic density and starch grain size are highlighted. When the secretory stage begins, the plastid envelope disappears and a new membrane is formed, enclosing this region and giving rise to new vacuoles. After the secretory stage, cellular structures named ‘extrastomatic bodies’ were observed and seem to be related to the nectar resorption. † Conclusions Starch hydrolysis contributes to nectar formation, in addition to the photosynthates derived directly from the phloem. In these nectaries, the secretion is an energy-requiring process. During the secretion stage, some plastids show starch grain hydrolysis and membrane rupture, and it was observed that the region previously occupied by this organelle continued to be reasonably well defined, and gave rise to new vacuoles. The extrastomatic bodies appear to be related to the resorption of uncollected nectar.

Chemical investigations of the ethanolic extracts from the flowers and leaves of Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne afforded one new ent-halimane diterpenoid, 18-hydroxy-ent-halima-1(10),13-(E)-dien-15-oic acid (1), together with five known compounds (2-6). The structural elucidation was performed by means of NMR (COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and MS analyses. Complete (1)H and (13)C NMR data assignments are also reported for labd-13-en-8β-ol-15-oic (2) and labd-7,13-dien-15-oic (3) acids. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were established by comparison of experimental and calculated Raman optical activity spectra.

The Raman spectroscopic analysis of a Brazilian tembetá, a lip-plug which signifies the attainment of manhood in tribal cultures, and dated to about 1600 years BP is reported. Tembetá are usually made of wood or stone but this lip-plug is very rare in that it is made of resin, which has been severely degraded in the burial environment; the brownish-red fragmented remains are in an extremely fragile condition and information about the chemical composition was required before urgent conservation was undertaken. Raman spectra excited at 1064 nm showed the presence of triterpenoid materials in the main body of the artefact, and indicated that the red-brown coating was not iron(III) oxide as suspected but rather degraded resin. Comparison with contemporary resins has facilitated the partial identification of the material in this important artefact as a triterpenoid-rich material, which is closely similar to the Pistacia species. A possible archaeological link to the Jatobá do Cerrado (Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart.) resin has been excluded as the Raman spectra of this resin specimen and the tembetá do not match; indeed, the Jatobá do Cerrado resin specimen belongs to a diterpenoid-rich classification as befits its Hymenaea species.

The pollination biology and breeding system of Hymenaea stigonocarpa, a common tree of the Brazilian cerrados, were investigated. The flowers have nocturnal anthesis, produce copious nectar, and are visited by at least four species of bats, including the specialized nectivorous Glossophaga soricina and the less specialized frugivores Platyrhinus lineatus and Carollia perspicillata. Controlled hand‐pollination results indicate the species is basically allogamous. Almost all selfed flowers abscised within 7–8 d, but rejection was due to a postzygotic mechanism, since self‐pollen tubes grew to the ovary and penetrated ovules with equal facility to cross tubes, and selfed ovules at 5 d contained a zygote with endosperm nuclei. The causes of selfed pistil abscission were not established, but selfed ovules were smaller than crossed ones at every stage over the first 5 d postpollination, indicating an early recognition or differential development of selfed ovules.

The use of the jatoba trees (Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart) by the timber industry poses an ecological problem in Brazil. The objective of this research was to investigate the use of jatoba flour for the production of snacks by the thermoplastic extrusion of a composite flour consisting of jatoba and cassava starch. Chemical analysis showed that the jatoba fruit provides high-fibre flour (486 g kg−1) with 66 g kg−1 protein, and 398 and 88 g kg−1 of insoluble and soluble fibre, respectively. Such flour is of potential use for the production of high-fibre snacks, allowing for the economical exploitation of the jatoba while preserving the tree. Composite flours with jatoba flour and cassava starch mixtures (150: 850, 300: 700, 450: 550), conditioned to moisture levels of 170, 200 and 230 g kg−1 were processed in a Brabender single-screw extruder. The extrusion conditions were 150 rpm screw speed, 4 mm die diameter and 125, 150 and 175°C of barrel temperatures. The snacks produced were evaluated as to their sensory characteristics and response surface methodology was used to optimise the extrusion process. Response surface and contour diagrams revealed that all mixtures conditioned to 170 g kg−1 moisture and extruded at 150°C produced snacks of acceptable quality, higher levels of jatoba flour leading to significant quality losses with respect to sensory characteristics. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry.

In this study we evaluated the action of crude aqueous extracts obtained from rhytidome of Hymenaea stigonocarpa (jatobá-do-cerrado) on Allium cepa meristematic root cells in three concentrations: 0.082, 0.164, 0.328g/mL, at exposure times of 24 and 48 h. The slides were prepared by the crushing technique, and cells analyzed throughout the cell cycle, totaling 5000 for each control group and concentration. It was found that all three concentrations, including the lowest which is considered ideal for use, in all exposure times, had significant antiproliferative action on the cell cycle of this test system. For cells under division, we observed a high number of cells in prophase. Therefore, under the conditions studied H. stigonocarpa indicated to be cytotoxic. Neste estudo avaliou-se a ação de extratos aquosos brutos obtidos do ritidoma de Hymenaea stigonocarpa (jatobá-do-cerrado) sobre as células meristemáticas de raízes de Allium cepa, em três concentrações: 0,082; 0,164; 0,328g/mL, nos tempos de exposição de 24 e 48 h. As lâminas foram feitas pela técnica de esmagamento, e analisaram-se células em todo ciclo celular, totalizando 5.000 para cada grupo controle e concentração. Verificouse que as três concentrações, inclusive a menor e considerada ideal para consumo, em todos os tempos de exposição tiveram ação antiproliferativa significativa sobre o ciclo celular deste sistema teste. Para as células em divisão observou-se um grande número de células em prófase. Portanto, nas condições analisadas a H. stigonocarpa mostrou-se citotóxica.

Tree species use a variety of strategies to obtain resources. As a result, semi-deciduous forest species and cerrado species can grow in close proximity and in the same climate, while occupying very different vegetation types. The aim of this study was to understand the dynamic responses of Hymenaea courbaril, a forest species, and Hymenaea stigonocarpa, a cerrado species, to annual climatic variation and increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations under the same macroclimatic conditions. To that goal, we constructed chronologies of tree-ring width, vessel area, and intrinsic water-use efficiency (calculated from tree-ring δ13C content) for Hymenaea trees growing in a mosaic of the two vegetation types. Our analyses revealed that both species responded to climatic variation in similar ways, but with different intensities and at different times of year. Climate models showed that precipitation had a stronger effect on tree-ring width and earlywood vessel area of H. courbaril and temperature was slightly more determinant for H. stigonocarpa. In addition, both species showed increasing intrinsic water-use efficiency over the last five decades, but only individuals with reduced growth rate presented this trend, suggesting that those specimens in favorable growth conditions do not respond to the atmospheric CO2 enrichment. Despite the trend in water-use efficiency found in some individuals, it did not reflect in a higher growth rate. The differences between the two species documented by us may be due to divergent sources of hydrological stress in the two vegetation types.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of different extracts and fractions obtained fromHymenaea stigonocarpastem barks. The cyclohexanic, ethyl acetate, ethanol, aqueous, and hydroalcoholic extracts were obtained by maceration. The hydroalcoholic extract was partitioned, which resulted in the ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions. All extracts and fractions were subjected to phytochemical screening and evaluation of total phenol and tannin contents. An HPLC-DAD and ultrastructural alterations analysis were performed. Terpenes and coumarins were detected in the cyclohexanic extract. Flavonoids and condensed tannins were present in the other extracts and fractions. The extracts with the highest contents of tannins, ethanol (EE), hydroalcoholic (HE), and aqueous fraction (AF) showed also the highest antimicrobial activity. The MIC values ranged from 64 to 526 µg/mL. The chromatographic fingerprints suggest the presence of astilbin and other flavonoids in EE and HE. Presence of the thick cell wall, undulating outer layer, abnormal septa, and leakage of the cytoplasmic contents and absence of cell wall and cell lyses were the main alterations observed onStaphylococcus aureusATCC 33591 after treatment with theHymenaea stigonocarpahydroalcoholic extract. The presence of phenolic compounds like flavonoids and tannins is possibly the reason for the antimicrobial activity.

Este estudo avaliou o impacto da presença da gramínea exótica (Brachiaria decumbens) na herbivoria e no desenvolvimento de plântulas de espécies nativas (Hymenaea stigonocarpa e Dipteryx alata) de Cerrado. Para avaliar o impacto da presença da gramínea, 10 blocos em pastagem (antiga área de Cerrado) na Embrapa Gado de Corte (Campo Grande-MS) foram demarcados em janeiro de 2009. As gramíneas foram mantidas intactas em metade dos blocos e, na outra metade, foram removidas. Em cada tratamento, foram avaliados a herbivoria, a altura e o diâmetro na altura do solo (DAS) de 25 plântulas de cada espécie ao longo do ano. O conteúdo de carbono, nitrogênio e água das folhas também foi quantificado. Plântulas de Hymenaea stigonocarpa nos tratamentos com gramínea tiveram maior taxa de crescimento em diâmetro que as plântulas no tratamento sem gramíneas. As plântulas de Dipteryx alata que estavam no tratamento sem gramíneas tiveram maiores taxas de crescimento em altura que as do tratamento com gramíneas. Houve diferença na taxa de herbivoria de D.alata entre os tratamentos. As plântulas das duas espécies que estavam no tratamento com gramínea mostraram maiores concentrações de carbono e menores de água. O conteúdo de nitrogênio foliar foi maior no tratamento com gramíneas que no sem gramíneas em D.alata; já o nitrogênio em H. stigonocarpa não variou entre os tratamentos. Esses resultados mostram que cada espécie nativa possui distintas respostas fisiológicas e suscetibilidade à herbivoria em ambientes sob competição de recursos com a gramínea exótica, B. decumbens. This study evaluated the impact of the presence of the exotic grass (Brachiaria decumbens) on the herbivory and development of seedlings of native species (Hymenaea stigonocarpa and Dipteryx alata) of the Cerrado. Thus, 10 pasture plots (former Cerrado) at the Embrapa Gado de Corte (Campo Grande-MS) were demarcated in January 2009. The grasses were kept intact in half of the plots and were removed in the other half. In each treatment, the herbivory, as well as height and diameter at ground level (DGL) of 25seedlings of each species were evaluated during one year. Carbon, nitrogen and water content of the leaves in each treatment were also quantified. Seedlings of Hymenaea stigonocarpa in plots without grasses had higher diameter growth rates than seedlings in plots with grasses. Dipteryx alata seedlings grown in plots without grasses had a higher height growth rate than seedlings grown in plots with grasses. There was a difference in the herbivory rate of D. alata between treatments. Seedlings of plots with grasses for the two species showed a higher concentration of carbon and lower amount of water. The leaf nitrogen content was higher in plots with grasses than without grasses in D. alata, while nitrogen in H. stigonocarpa did not vary between treatments. These results showed that each native species had distinct physiological responses and susceptibility to herbivory in environments under resource competition with the exotic grass B. decumbens.

The genus Hymenaea is characterized by a great diversity of secretory structures, but there are no reports of colleters yet. The objectives of this study are to report the occurrence and describe the origin and structure of colleters in Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne. Shoot apex samples were collected, fixed, and processed for light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy as per usual methods. Colleters occur predominantly on the stipule’s adaxial side. These structures are found at the base on a narrow strip, corresponding to the median vein up to half the length of the stipule. When present on the abaxial side, they are concentrated at the base and restricted to the margins. Colleters develop from the protoderm; they are elongate and club-shaped. Their body has no stratification; their surface cells differ from the inner cells only in position and presence of cuticle. Colleter cells have thin walls, dense cytoplasm, large nuclei, many mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and abundant dictyosomes. Histochemical tests with Ruthenium red showed pectic compounds in the cytosol. In H. stigonocarpa, colleter arrangement is compatible with the hypothesis that they protect shoot apex. In this species, protection is reinforced by the sheath formed by the stipule pairs. Rev. Biol. Trop. 54 (3): 943-950. Epub 2006 Sept. 29.El género Hymenaea se caracteriza por una gran diversidad de estructuras secretoras, pero no hay informes de coléteres. El objetivo de este estudio es informar de su existencia en el género, y describir el origen y estructura de los coléteres en Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne. Procesamos muestras del ápice de brotes según los métodos generales para microscopio óptico, microscopio electrónico de barrido y microscopio electrónico de transmisión. Los coléteres están predominantemente en la parte adaxial de las estípulas, ocupando la base en una estrecha franja desde la vena media hasta mitad de la longitud de la estípula. En la parte abaxial, se concentran en la base y se restringen a los márgenes. Los coléteres surgen del protoderma; son alargados y en forma de bastoncillo. Sus cuerpos no poseen estratificación; sus células superficiales difieren de las internas solamente por la posición y la presencia de cutícula. Las células de los coléteres poseen paredes delgadas, citoplasma denso, núcleos grandes, muchas mitocondrias, retículo endoplasmático rugoso, y abundantes dictiosomas. Las pruebas histoquímicas con rojo ruteno mostraron compuestos pécticos en el citosol. En H. stigonocarpa, la distribución de los coléteres es compatible con la hipótesis de que protegen el ápice del brote. En esta especie, la protección es reforzada por la envoltura formada por los pares de la estípula.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar a aplicação das farinhas de jatobá-do-cerrado (Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart.) e jatobá-da-mata (Hymenaea stilbocarpa Mart.) adicionadas à farinha de trigo na elaboração de biscoitos fontes de fibra alimentar e isentos de açúcares. A composição centesimal das farinhas de jatobá foi determinada, e posteriormente, foram elaborados biscoitos com substituição de 10, 15, 20 e 25% da farinha de trigo pelas farinhas de jatobá das duas espécies. Os biscoitos foram avaliados nas suas características físicas, químicas e sensoriais. As farinhas de jatobá-do-cerrado e de jatobá-da-mata apresentaram, em base seca, teores de proteína bruta de 7,60±0,22 e 8,37±0,12g/100g, lipídios de 3,03±0,05 e 2,92±0,11g/100g, cinzas de 4,60±0,06 e 5,48±0,07, fibra alimentar solúvel de 11,01±0,50 e 9,81±0,58g/100g, fibra alimentar insolúvel de 42,86±0,27 e 45,79±0,61g/100g e carboidratos de 18,54±0,55 e 20,18± 0,46g/100g, respectivamente. O fator de expansão foi maior nos biscoitos elaborados com farinha de jatobá-do-cerrado nos níveis 20 e 25% de substituição e nos biscoitos contendo 15 e 25% de farinha de jatobá-da-mata. Os biscoitos com substituição de 10% das farinhas de jatobá foram os que apresentaram maior nível de aceitação, não diferindo significativamente (p

Hymenaea, a genus of major economic importance, has been the subject of several botanical studies. However, there is disagreement over the origin of the edible fruit pulp of Hymenaea, as there are no ontogenetic studies on this organ. According to some authors, the edible layer results from transformations of the mesocarp and endocarp, while according to others, it is considered a seed aril. There are still others who regard this layer as originating from an undefined region of the pericarp. To understand the nature and origin of the pulp layer, Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne ovaries and fruit were processed according to standard techniques. The production of the fruit pulp layer starts immediately after anthesis. During anthesis, the inner epidermal cells of the ovary show periclinal division and form a new layer of cells towards the mesocarp; this remains meristematic and initiates cell production by predominantly periclinal divisions, producing a compact tissue towards the locule. This tissue will become the fruit pulp layer, the inner endocarp. The seed coat shows typical testal structure without evidence of aril formation. This allows us to conclude that the fruit pulp layers are exclusively made from part of the endocarp. We also observed resin cavities on outer mesocarp and outer endocarp.

The relationship between lepidopteran herbivory and leaf sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (composition and concentration) was analysed in 206 Copaifera langsdorfii and 86 Hymenaea stigonocarpa trees at two woodland sites in southeastern Brazil. These co-occurring leguminous species have essentially the same suite of leaf sesquiterpenes, which vary quantitatively. Leaftying oecophorids were the predominant foliovore on C. langsdorfii with a mean damage of 6% at one site and 50% at the other. On H. stigonocarpa lepidopterans other than oecophorids resulted in 2% mean leaf damage at one site and 4% at the other. Low herbivore damage was significantly correlated with higher concentrations of particular compounds (e.g. caryophyliene) combined with higher variability of most of the components of the leaf sesquiterpenes.