Abstract
Gorse (Ulex europaeus) and French broom (Genista monspessulana) are two highly invasive species that have become a threat to tropical countries, especially in Andean ecosystems. This research focused on providing a physicochemical characterization and essential oils extraction of both species to better understand their potential valorization and guide further environmental management efforts. For this purpose, the following analyses were conducted for both species: higher heat value (HHV), elemental analysis, proximate analysis, thermogravimetric analysis to obtain constituent natural polymers (hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin), and extraction of essential oils and other interest chemical compounds through supercritical fluids. Ecological closeness was found between the two species mostly regarding HHV, fixed carbon, and volatile matter, which calls for similar potential uses. Both species were also found to be suitable for combustion processes, gasification, extraction of chemical compounds, and use of lignocellulosic content; however, only U. europaeus appeared suitable for activated carbon obtention. Therefore, this work provided relevant data that can be used as preliminary basis to establish strong scientifically-based management and control strategies for these two invasive species. We recommend focusing primarily on thermal processes such as pyrolysis, gasification, or combustion, and also essential oils extractions of acetic acid, dodecanoic acid, anagyrine, amylene hydrate, caulophylline, and maltol in the future.
Highlights
The critical damage caused by invasive species has made this threat the second cause of biodiversity loss worldwide
In Colombia, the threats posed by invasive species to natural megadiverse and fragile ecosystems are substantial; the Colombian government only recognizes 22 invasive species at the national scale, including nine invertebrate, eight fish, and five plant species to date [2,3], and there is no comprehensive assessment of the causes and impacts of the subsequent invasions [4]
For U. europaeus, the highest value was in a range between 18.41 and 20.83 MJ/kg and the highest value was found in seeds, while, for G. monspessulana, it was between 19.33 and 21.61 MJ/kg and the highest value was found in leaves
Summary
The critical damage caused by invasive species has made this threat the second cause of biodiversity loss worldwide. Johnson are Fabaceae shrubs with similar origin, the former coming principally from the humid and semi-humid lowlands and montane areas of Western Europe, while the latter is most common in Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean regions They are both ranked as very aggressive invasive species, especially in tropical highlands and the subtropics, U. europaeus being in the top 100 of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species list provided by the Global Invasive Species Database [7], and the top 10 for Colombia [8]. They are highly resilient to disturbances, cuts, and fire events by the means of a persistent strong soil seed bank and easy resprouting [14,15,16] Fifth, they often form dense, compact, and homogeneous colonies, and present high spines density in the case of U. europaeus, which often exclude neighboring species due principally to their structure, shading, and rainwater interception [5,13]. They are adaptable to a wide range of climatic conditions and are able to form mycorrhizal interactions with Bradyrhizobium and Rhizobium among others, which facilitates establishment and persistence on poor soils [17]
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