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Background: This work aimed to perform a comprehensive investigation of organic Moroccan honeys obtained from plants of euphorbia, arbutus, and carob, based on the determination of physico-chemical profiles and volatile fingerprints. Methods: The selected analytical approach involved different techniques, including physico-chemical procedures for determination of humidity, acidity, diastase activity; solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled to GC-MS for aromatic fraction exploration; and ICP-MS for multi-element analysis. Results: The results obtained from the physico-chemical analyses were highly comparable to those of other commercial honeys. In 50% of samples investigated, the diastase number was just above the legal limit fixed by Honey Quality Standards. The analysis of the volatile fraction highlighted the presence of numerous compounds from the terpenoid group along with characteristic molecules such as furfural, isophorone, and derivatives. In most cases, VOCs were distinct markers of origin; in others, it was not possible to assess an exclusive source for bees to produce honey. Conclusion: The results contributed to place the three varieties of honey investigated among the commercial products available in the market. Many variables determined returned positive indications about quality and safety of these special honeys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesophyll conductance to CO2 (gm ) may respond to light either through regulated dynamic mechanisms or due to anatomical and structural factors. At low light, some layers of cells in the leaf cross-section approach photocompensation and contribute minimally to bulk leaf photosynthesis and little to whole leaf gm (gm,leaf ). Thus, the bulk gm,leaf will appear to respond to light despite being based upon cells having an anatomically fixed mesophyll conductance. Such behaviour was observed in species with contrasting leaf structure using the variable J or stable isotope method of measuring gm,leaf . A species with bifacial structure, Arbutus × 'Marina', and an isobilateral species, Triticum durum L., had contrasting responses of gm,leaf upon varying adaxial or abaxial illumination. Anatomical observations, when coupled with the proposed model of gm,leaf to photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) response, successfully represented the observed gas exchange data. The theoretical and observed evidence that gm,leaf apparently responds to light has large implications for how gm,leaf values are interpreted, particularly limitation analyses, and indicates the importance of measuring gm under full light saturation. Responses of gm,leaf to the environment should be treated as an emergent property of a distributed 3D structure, and not solely a leaf area-based phenomenon.

The current distribution of the genus Arbutus in the Old World prompts questions about its long-term population dynamics, location and extent of refuge areas, and modern vulnerability in relation to climate change and human activity. Our work aims to address these questions by combining modern occurrence data with a comprehensive survey of pollen and macrofossil records. Range maps of past distribution have been produced for the last 32 ka to investigate geographical trends in population dynamics and the timing of the appearance of Arbutus across different biogeographical regions. In the Atlantic domain, Arbutus has been consistently present during the last 32 ka, even during the Last Glacial Maximum. In the central and eastern Mediterranean regions, it progressively increased since the beginning of the Holocene, appearing along the coasts of the Black Sea and in the Levant during the Middle Holocene. In addition, the dynamics of Arbutus in a number of peripherals stands (Ireland, Canary Islands, Cyrenaica, Crimea, and Black Sea coasts) is discussed. The palaeobotanical evidence suggests that the delayed emergence of eastern populations and peripheral stands in the fossil record may be ascribed to a very low population density, rather than to a sequential migration process from the western sectors of the range. The comparison of fossil records and modern occurrences highlights an overall temporal continuity between long-term persistence areas and current centers of gravity and calls for density-weighted ecological models that may contribute to an informed assessment of conservation actions and strategies. • The range history of Arbutus reveals clear spatiotemporal patterns. • Arbutus is always recorded in the Iberian Peninsula during the last 32 ka. • It appeared in eastern Mediterranean regions during the Holocene. • The timing of postglacial appearance shows a west-to-east longitudinal pattern. • Long-term persistence and high resilience of low-density stands are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Farmacia is the property of Societatea de Stiinte Farmaceutice Romania and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Plants rich in flavonoids are widely studied as fertility regulators. Thus, the aim of the study was to examine the impact of flavonoid-rich extract from the leaves of Arbutus pavarii (A. pavarii) plant on the reproductive system of adult male Swiss albino mice. Twenty mice (20 ± 3 g) were included in this study; they were later grouped into four groups (n = 5/group) and were orally administered with three doses, that is, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight (bw) of extract and vehicle for 28 days, while the remaining group served as the control. On the 29th day, the mice were sacrificed; collected were blood and testis samples, and these were utilized for biochemical, histopathological, sperm parameters, oxidative stress status, and morphometric analysis. The tested extracts at doses 250 and 500 mg/kg bw were observed to induce a significant decline in the sperm count, motility, and testicular level of total antioxidant status as well an increase in the testicular oxidative stress biomarkers, while the group treated with 1000 mg/kg bw showed a less pronounced effect. Histological analysis exhibited the disorganization of seminiferous tubule and a reduced spermatocyte number. Thus, our findings showed that extracts from the A. pavarii plant may induce spermicidal activity and interfere with testicular structures, ultimately leading to the spermatogenic arrest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El presente estudio describe la estructura y la diversidad de especies arbóreas de dos rodales con bosque templado de pino-encino, ubicados en la comunidad Coscomate, ejido Chavarría Nuevo, municipio Pueblo Nuevo, Durango. Se muestreó la vegetación por medio del método de cuadrantes centrados en un punto. Se calcularon los parámetros estructurales de dominancia, frecuencia y densidad, con los que se determinó el Índice de Valor de Importancia para los taxa arbóreos de cada sitio, y se obtuvo un histograma de distribuciones diamétricas mediante la función Weibull. La diversidad fue estimada por medio del índice de Shannon-Wiener. Se empleó la distancia euclidiana para medir la similitud florística entre los sitios. Se registraron 13 especies de árboles pertenecientes a cinco géneros y cinco familias botánicas. Las características estructurales de la vegetación evidencian que la del rodal 1 está dominada por Pinus cooperi con escasos elementos arbóreos acompañantes; mientras que la del rodal 2 es más diversa, en la cual P. durangensis tiene el mayor valor de importancia. Además, este es el que registra la diversidad más alta (H’= 1.07 a 1.58). La similitud entre ambos sitios es baja, a pesar de su cercanía y de situarse en intervalos de altitud similares, lo que constituye un ejemplo de la complejidad ecológica de la Sierra Madre Occidental.

Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.), an evergreen shrub/small tree of the family Ericaceae, is a main constituent of the Mediterranean basin flora; although it is also found in southwestern France, Macaronesia, and Ireland. The small fruits are edible but mostly used for preparation of preserves and jams, and for liquors such as the Portuguese traditional "aguardente de medronho". Traditionally cultivated by small farmers, often in consociation with Quercus sp., strawberry tree is presently emerging as a new important fruit crop cultivated in large orchards by modern export-oriented enterprises. This change of paradigm requires a growing role of plant breeding, upstream of the production process. Genomic tools for this species are mostly limited to the chloroplast genome sequence and to genomic data described in this work. In order to identify strawberry tree microsatellite (SSR) loci we performed partial genome next-generation sequencing using the Ion Torrent technology. The sequenced ~24.6M nucleotides resulted in the identification of 1185 microsatellite markers mostly constituted by dinucleotide motifs. The relative amount of microsatellite dinucleotide motifs (AG/CT - 71.7%, AC/GT - 20.5%, AT/AT - 2.9%, and CG/CG - 0.3%) is similar to the one observed in other Ericaceae species. Among a tested sample of 40 SSR primer pairs, 20 amplified well-defined PCR products, 12 (30%) were validated as polymorphic. Used in our collaborative project for molecular identification of selected and improved clones, the identified SSR loci constitute a strong tool for a large panoply of applied and fundamental studies of this emerging fruit crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to nutrients, plant foods contain compounds that may provide additional health benefits improving the quality of life. Species from Arbutus genus (Ericaceae) represent a promising source of healthy phytochemicals. Bioactive compounds including such as anthocyanins, iridoids, phenols, triterpenes, sterols, and fatty acids are reported from Arbutus species. Some Arbutus species revealed promising biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-diabetic, and antimicrobial activities, and deserve for that reason further consideration for new drug discovery. However, only few species are investigated scientifically for their chemical profile and biological activities. The aim of this article is to summarize the current knowledge of the components and biological properties of Arbutus species common in Mediterranean area, as well as the future prospects on their applications as potentially valuable products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

“Cazan-Le clos du Moulin” is an open-air Middle Neolithic site located in the South of France near the village of Vernègues. The excavation of this site has, for the first time in the area, allowed us to reconstruct up to a dozen domestic buildings from the late Chassey culture (4100-3800 BCE), arranged around an area occupied by heated stone combustion structures. Because of the partial erosion of the archaeological horizons, artefacts and ecofacts related to the Neolithic occupation were only found in the fills of structures. Charcoal analysis was carried out on samples from the postholes, the heated-stone hearths and a well. The anthracological results show a selection of natural resources depending on the use of the wood: timber or fuel. The size required for the posts can restrict the scope of the species suitable for timber: oak seems to be preferred for that purpose. On the contrary, the choice of fuel wood seems to be less constrained by technical limitations. Nevertheless, one particular species, Arbutus unedo , accounts for the bulk of the wood gathered for fuel supply, however it was certainly not the only woody resource available during the Middle Neolithic. Overall, charcoal analysis at Cazan-Le Clos du Moulin shows that wood harvesting - as recorded in the fills of structures - is selective. This selection could be imposed by purely technical requirements that we can only partly perceive or by cultural necessity which remains beyond our understanding, but, beyond this, the choices are probably guided by land and vegetation resource management in order to permit the coexistence of various wood-consuming activities in a single territory and to favor the exploitation of easily accessible fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the remarkable diversity found in squamate reptiles, most of their species tend to be found in warm/dry environments, suggesting that climatic requirements played a crucial role in their diversification, yet little is known about the evolution of their climatic niches. In this study, we integrate climatic information associated with the geographical distribution of 1882 squamate species and their phylogenetic relationships to investigate the tempo and mode of climatic niche evolution in squamates, both over time and among lineages. We found that changes in climatic niche dynamics were pronounced over their recent squamate evolutionary history, and we identified extensive evidence for rate heterogeneity in squamate climatic niche evolution. Most rate shifts involved accelerations, particularly over the past 50 Myr. Most squamates occupy similar regions of the climatic niche space, with only a few lineages diversifying into colder and humid climatic conditions. The changes from arid to mesic conditions in some regions of the globe may have provided opportunities for climatic niche evolution, although most lineages tended to remain near their ancestral niche. Variation in rates of climatic niche evolution seems common, particularly in response to the availability of new climatic conditions over evolutionary time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbutus andrachne, A. unedo and A. x andrachnoides found in the Greek macchia are promising species for reforestations, ornamental use, as well as for medicinal use and the food industry. Morphological traits and molecular markers (RAPD) were used to identify and distinguish these Arbutus species to facilitate their exploitation. Since there are no descriptors established for Arbulus spp., 23 qualitative morphological characteristics of crown, foliage, bark, flowering fruiting, and four quantitative morphological characteristics of leaf and fruit were selected and used to define differences and similarities between sampled individuals of A. andrachne, A. unedo and individuals with intermediate characteristics sampled as A. x andrachnoides. Twenty eight individuals representative of three Arbutus taxa were sampled in two typical macchia forest areas of the prefecture of Attica, Greece. Cluster analysis based on morphological characteristics separated the individuals in three distinct groups, and this was confirmed by molecular analysis. The intermediate form was indicated as A. x andrachnoides, a natural hybrid of A. andrachne and A. unedo. Fifteen 10-mer oligonucleotide arbitrary primers used to amplify genomic DNA generated 166 reproducible polymorphic fragments, which revealed that A. x andrachnoides has higher degree of genetic similarity with A. andrachne than A. unedo. The applied morphometric characteristics are suggested as a basis to develop a complete list of discriminating descriptors for Arbutus genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the in vitro antiproliferative activity of the extracts of the three plants against a panel of human tumor cell lines representing the most common types of cancer in Jordan, viz, breast and colorectal and skin cancers. Methods: The methanol extracts of the aerial parts of the three plants (Arbutus andrachne L., Chrysanthemum coronarium L., and Teucrium polium L.) were prepared and assessed for antiproliferative activity against six human tumor cell lines (A375.S2, WM1361A, CACO-2, HRT18, MCF-7, T47D) using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide MTT cell proliferation assay. Results: C. coronarium extract, at the concentration range of 25 to 400 µg/mL, significantly inhibited (10 - 50%) the proliferation of the 6 cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, whilst the extracts of the other two plants exhibited weak antiproliferative activity (2 - 10% inhibition). The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of C. coronarium extract against the six cell lines were in the range of 75.8 to 138.5 μg/mL. Conclusion: The methanol extract of the aerial parts C. coronarium possesses a relatively potent antiproliferative activity and therefore might be a potential source of natural compounds that can be developed into new antineoplastic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbutus andrachne and Platanus orientalis grow naturally in Turkey. They do not occur in stands but can be seen as solitary trees. A. andrachne is seen in coastal parts of Anatolia, whereas P. orientalis can be found from west to the east of Turkey, mostly in river banks. Lipophilic extractives, hydrophilic extractives, and suberin monomers from Arbutus andrachne and Platanus orientalis bark was analyzed by chromatography. The total amount of lipophilic extractives was higher in P. orientalis (8.55 mg/g). However, the total amount of hydrophilic extractives had a bigger proportion, 100.86 mg/g, in A. andrachne bark. Dioic and hydroxy acids were the dominant group in the suberin monomers of both species of bark. Acid 1,18-dioic-18:0 and acid 18-hydroxy-18:1 were determined as the main compounds of suberin monomers in both samples. In addition, total amount of suberin monomers was determined to be 11.36 mg/g in A. andrachne and 15.95 mg/g in P. orientalis bark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Academic Journal of Agriculture / Akademik Ziraat Dergisi is the property of University of Ordu, Faculty of Agriculture, Academic Journal of Agriculture and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The results of the investigations on processes of blossoming and pollination of some entomophilous (Arbutus andrachne L., Campanula sibirica L., C. taurica Juz., Passiflora cearulea L. and P. incarnata L., Glaucium flavum Crantz) and anemophilous (Davidia involucrata Baill., Pistacia mutica Fisch. et Mey.) plants, as well as the plants with mixed way of pollen transferring (Olea europaea L. and Camptotheca acuminata Decne) have been presented. The mechanisms of pollen extraction and reaching the stigma has been described, the correlation of floral elements structure with the ways of reaching the stigma by pollen, as well as the correlation between actions of pollinators and processes of formation of floral elements has been shown. The conclusion about the coordinated evolution in adaptations of flowers to insects-pollinators for the entomophilous plants, and about the adaptive evolution of special particularized features for effective pollination at all has been done. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We compared three seed provenances of A. unedo under contrasting water contents. [•] Seedling development was analysed using morphological and physiological parameters. [•] Low water content was negative for aboveground and positive for belowground biomass. [•] Different provenances revealed different adaptations to contrasting water regimes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: The composition of phenols and flavonoids present in ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of Algerian Arbutus unedo L. roots was in this work investigated using a combination of analytical techniques. Methods: Firstly, the total phenolic and flavonoid content was established by an analysis of both extracts using capillary GC-MS and 1H, 13C NMR spectroscopy after fractionation via column chromatography. Secondly, a screening for the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the compounds identified was performed via 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, as well as ferric-ion reducing power (FRAP) assays. Subsequently, the antibacterial activity of the compounds extracted was determined via disc-diffusion against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Results: It was found that the ethyl acetate extract of Algerian A. unedo L. roots was characterized by higher concentrations of phenolic acids, which also has about 2-3 times better radical scavenger properties than the reference antioxidant used, ascorbic acid. In addition, this extract showed the best antibacterial activity obtained in this study against both Gram-positive bacteria as well as Gram negative bacteria, with minimal inhibition dosage values as low as 25 Ag/disc. Conclusion: To conclude both the antioxidant and the antibacterial properties of the extracts of Algerian A. unedo L. roots could hence be of practical value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbutus mollis Kunth in H.B.K. treated since long ago as a synonym of A. xalapensis Kunth in H.B.K. is the correct name for the plants formerly treated as A. occidentalis var. villosa McVaugh & Rosatti. A revision of the complex of A. occidentalis McVaugh & Rosatti reveals that the two varieties originally described for that species differ in characters of foliage, indument and inflorescence, which suggests an origin from different lineages and justify their separation to the species level, and therefore A. mollis is recognized here as an independent species. The shrubby habit shared by A. mollis and A. occidentalis is probably a case of convergent evolution. The taxonomic reinstatement of A. mollis is made and amended descriptions for A. mollis and A. occidentalis and a key to distinguish them are given. Apparent intermediates are either morphs, hybrids, stump sprouts of tree species after fire or cutting, or rarely shrubby forms of other species. The following hybrids are documented: Arbutus mollis x A. tessellata (Guanajuato and Michoacán), Arbutus mollis x A. xalapensis (Querétaro), Arbutus occidentalis x A. arizonica (Durango, Aguascalientes, and Jalisco), Arbutus occidentalis x A. tessellata (Jalisco), Arbutus occidentalis x Arbutus bicolor (Chihuahua and Durango), and Arbutus occidentalis x Arbutus aff. xalapensis (Durango and Jalisco). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbutus bicolor S. González, M. González et P. D. Sørensen, sp. nov. is described and illustrated. It is related to A. xalapensis H.B.K. and has been generally misidentified as A. glandulosa M. Martens & Galeotti, a synonym of the latter name. The new species is distinguished by having densely glandular pubescent branchlets and petioles; markedly bicolored leaves that are whitish to pale ochroleucous below due to a dense and uniform indument of tightly curled hairs, leaves red at senescence; and pink, rarely white flowers. Arbutus bicolor is widely distributed in the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Transvolcanic Belt and reaches the western slopes of the Sierra Madre Oriental in central Mexico. Sporadic hybridization occurs with A. madrensis S. González, A. occidentalis McVaugh & Rosatti, A. tessellata Sørensen, and A. xalapensis. A key to distinguish A. bicolor from other Mexican tree species of Arbutus is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study examines the structural peculiarities of the generative sphere at different phases of development, and the processes of pollination, fertilisation, and seed formation in 2 species of wild flora: Arbutus andrachne L. (Ericaceae), the eastern strawberry tree, and Osmanthus decorus (Boiss. & Balansa) Kasapligil (Oleaceae), Caucasian osmanthus. These Arcto-Tertiary plants are included in the Red Data Book of the Georgian SSR. As germinable seeds are the main factor determining species distribution and the complete transfer of genetic information, the aim of our research was to establish the self-regeneration capacity of the species under study and choose optimum conditions for seed germination, the further development of seedlings, and their ex situ conservation. It has been stated that abnormalities taking place at different stages of sexual reproduction are responsible for the low capacity for seed formation found in the studied species. In particular, these factors are as follows: a limited capacity for allogamy; a low percentage of pollen tube development, at 20%-30% for Arbutus andrachne and 15%-20% for Osmanthus decorus, despite the high fertility of pollen grain of both species (approximately 70%-80%); and the frequent occurrence of embryo degeneration. The germination of Arbutus andrachne seeds on petri dishes on agar reached 80%. The results of the present study allow for the elaboration of protocol for the propagation of these relic species and for their further ex situ conservation on the collection plot of the Department of Plant Conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the regulation of synchronization between the life cycle of the oligophagous whitefly, Trialeurodes lauri (Signoret), and its evergreen host tree Arbutus andrachne in Mediterranean chaparral. Whitefly infestations vary considerably among trees. The adults of the univoltine (one generation per year) whitefly emerge en masse during April and May and oviposit on the new spring foliage. Following approximately one month of development to the early fourth instar, the nymphs enter nine-month diapauses, terminating in February. This diapause is induced and maintained by the plant and can be experimentally avoided (in the case of developing young nymphs) or terminated (in the case of diapausing fourth instars), if whitefly-bearing branches are severed from the tree and placed in water under laboratory conditions. This study is the first report of a whitefly diapausing through both summer and winter seasons. The role of the host plant in the process is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Our study examines the structural peculiarities of the generative sphere at different phases of development, and the processes of pollination, fertilisation, and seed formation in 2 species of wild flora: Arbutus andrachne L. (Ericaceae), the eastern strawberry tree, and Osmanthus decorus (Boiss. & Balansa) Kasapligil (Oleaceae), Caucasian osmanthus. These Arcto-Tertiary plants are included in the Red Data Book of the Georgian SSR. As germinable seeds are the main factor determining species distribution and the complete transfer of genetic information, the aim of our research was to establish the self-regeneration capacity of the species under study and choose optimum conditions for seed germination, the further development of seedlings, and their ex situ conservation. It has been stated that abnormalities taking place at different stages of sexual reproduction are responsible for the low capacity for seed formation found in the studied species. In particular, these factors are as follows: a limited capacity for allogamy; a low percentage of pollen tube development, at 20%-30% for Arbutus andrachne and 15%-20% for Osmanthus decorus, despite the high fertility of pollen grain of both species (approximately 70%-80%); and the frequent occurrence of embryo degeneration. The germination of Arbutus andrachne seeds on petri dishes on agar reached 80%.The results of the present study allow for the elaboration of protocol for the propagation of these relic species and for their further ex situ conservation on the collection plot of the Department of Plant Conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]