Anadenanthera Colubrina Research Articles

Effects of associations of tannins from Anacardium occidentale and Anadenanthera colubrina with cephalosporin against bovine Staphylococcus aureus isolates

ABSTRACT: The association of natural compounds isolated from medicinal plants with conventional antibiotics, both with similar mechanisms of action, have become a viable alternative strategy to overcome the problem of drug resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of tannic substances present in the bark of Anacardium occidentale and Anadenanthera colubrina against samples of Staphylococcus aureus when in combination with cephalexin. These combinations were evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). For this purpose, tannins and cephalexin were serially dissolved in distilled water at concentrations ranging from 0.976 mg/mL to 500 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL to 512 mg/mL, respectively. When combined, the compounds inhibited S. aureus growth forming halos ranging from 0.9 to 46 mm with an MIC of 7.8 mg/mL (tannins) and 4 µg/mL (cephalexin). The resulting effect of the combination of natural and synthetic substances with similar mechanisms of action presented better results than when tested alone. Thus, the conclusion is that both the tannins and cephalexin had their antimicrobial action enhanced when used in combination, enabling the use of lower concentrations while maintaining their antibacterial effect against strains of S. aureus.

Fractions of the Lippia origanoides extract induce the polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase enzymes in Solanum lycopersicum

The resistance of the pathogenic fungi to fungicides and the perspective of induced resistance to plants guides the search for molecules to promote the sustainable control of agricultural crop diseases. The exhaustion of conventional sources gives a direction for the search of exotic plants from arid environments or with medicinal properties. This study aims to evaluate the antifungal activity of the Anadenanthera colubrina, Lippia origanoides, Mimosa tenuiflora and Myracrodruon urundeuva species and subsequently the specie with the best antifungal activity was used to evaluate the potential in inducing the enzyme activity. The antifungal effect was determined with 10 fungi using the crude ethanol extract at 100 and 1000 μg mL- 1 concentrations. The L. origanoides extract was the most effective and inhibited 100% of the pathogens. The L. origanoides extract was fractioned with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The hexane fraction inhibited 100% of the growth of pathogens at 400 μg mL−1. The in vitro evaluation of the ability to induce enzymes in Solanum lycopersicum (Micro-Tom cultivar) was determined with the increase of oxidative enzymes, polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity. The ability to induce enzymes was determined with 400 μg mL−1 of the crude extract and L. origanoides fractions. The crude extract did not induce the enzyme activity and the fractions induced the polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase enzymes. The results confirmed the broad spectrum antifungal activity of the L. origanoides crude extracts. The partition revealed fractions with different capacities to induce enzymes associated to the resistance that was not revealed by the crude extract.

Dendrological Characterization as Inspection Resources of Caatinga Wood Market

ABSTRACT This study aimed to distinguish five native forest species of the Caatinga Biome from the exotic invasive algaroba (Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.), considering dendrologic characteristics of bark and wood, in order of providing subsidies for the inspection of the wood market in this Biome. The native species studied were jurema-preta (Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir.), angico branco (Anadenanthera colubrina var. colubrina (Vell.) Brenan), angico vermelho (Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil (Gris.) Alts.), aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva Allem) and brauna-do-sertao (Schinopsis brasiliensis Engl.). Studied species were recognized using dendrology identification records, containing characteristics of bark, heartwood and sapwood coloration; and the organoleptic proprieties like color, smell and taste, used for safe wood logs identification. The macroscopic characteristics, organized in dichotomous key, allowed the differentiation among the species, available in logs, during inspection.

SUBSTÂNCIAS TÂNICAS PRESENTES EM PARTES DA ÁRVORE SABIÁ (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth.) EM PLANTIO COMERCIAL DE 5 ANOS

RESUMO: O sabiá (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth.) é uma espécie arbórea, nativa do bioma Caatinga, de grande abrangência e de relevante interesse econômico, pelo seu potencial madeireiro e forrageiro. Estudos vem sendo desenvolvidos, buscando espécies da região Nordeste do Brasil com potencial tanífero em função da exploração desordenada sobre o Angico vermelho (Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan) para a exploração da casca e seu uso no curtimento de peles. Baseado nisto, este estudo teve como objetivo, analisar folhas, galhos finos e casca da espécie sabiá, quanto a suas características como produtora de taninos vegetais. Os materiais foram secos ao ar, moídos e classificados, tendo sido utilizada a porção que passou por uma peneira de 16 “mesh” (1,00 mm) e ficou retida numa de 60 “mesh” (0,25 mm). Para as extrações foram utilizados 25 gramas de cada material. O extrato obtido foi passado em peneira de 150 “mesh” (0,105 mm), em tecido de flanela, filtrado em funil de vidro sinterizado de porosidade 2 e concentrado. Em seguida, foram determinados o teor de sólidos totais (TST) e o teor de taninos condensados (TTC). Todas as partes da planta analisadas apresentaram taninos, porém, a casca da planta apresentou maior concentração de taninos condensados (8,38%) e menor quantidade de não taninos (1,22%), indicando que dentro do extrativo, há uma quantidade de tanino considerável. Conclui-se que a casca do sabiá apresenta potencial como produtora de taninos vegetais, sendo necessário a realização de estudos para identificar seu potencial no curtimento de peles dentre outras formas de utilizações.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Floresta seca, Produto Florestal não Madeireiro, Taninos vegetais.

Morphological and Physiological Germination Aspects of Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan

Anadenanthera colubrina is a species native to Brazil, from the Fabaceae family and has potential for use in the timber industry, in the reforestation of degraded areas, besides having medicinal properties. Its propagation is mainly by seeds, but basic subsidies regarding the requirements for optimal germination conditions are still lacking. Aiming to contribute to the expansion of its cultivation, rational use and conservation, the objective of this study was to investigate the morphology and anatomy of fruits and seeds, as well as the responses to factors as thermal regimes and substrates in seed germination. The 1000-seed weight and seeds per fruit were determined. To characterize the seed tissues, histochemical test with Sudan III and Lugol was used. The temperatures analyzed in the germination test were 15-25 °C; 25 °C; 20-30 °C and 30 °C. Different substrates for germination (paper rolls, paper sheet such as “germitest”, commercial substrate and sand) were also analyzed in the presence of light at 30 °C. The average number of seeds per fruit is 10 and the 1000-seed weight is 118 g. Germination is fast and high over a wide temperature range; however, the temperature of 25 °C contributes to a substantial increase in the percentage of abnormal seedlings and dead seeds, both in the absence and presence of light. A. colubrina seeds are indifferent to light and the highest vigor was verified at 30 °C. Sand and commercial substrates are efficient in initial seedling development.

Survival of Saplings in Recovery of Riparian Vegetation of Pandeiros River (MG)

ABSTRACT This study monitored the survival of saplings planted according to different recovery models in a riparian forest of the Pandeiros river (Januaria, MG). The models consisted of planting the saplings in lines of 2 or 4 m with presence (T2S and T4S, respectively) or absence of direct seeding (T2 and T4, respectively). We planted 16,259 saplings of 17 botanical families, 32 genera and 33 species. The saplings, in general, presented a survival rate after one year of 34.4% (±1.8). The species with highest survival rates were Jacaranda brasiliana, with 85.0% (±13.5) of survival, Anadenanthera colubrina, with 70.1% (±7.0), and Triplaris gardneriana, with 69.3% (±9.1). Survival did not vary between the models tested, probably due to the short evaluation period (12 months).

Bark anatomy, chemical composition and ethanol-water extract composition of Anadenanthera peregrina and Anadenanthera colubrina.

The bark of Anadenanthera peregrina (L.) Speg and Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan were characterized in relation to anatomical and chemical features. The barks were similar and included a thin conducting phloem, a largely dilated and sclerified non-conducting phloem, and a rhyridome with periderms with thin phellem interspersed by cortical tissues. Only small differences between species were observed that cannot be used alone for taxonomic purposes. The summative chemical composition of A. peregrina and A. colubrina was respectively: 8.2% and 7.7% ash; 28.8% and 29.3% extractives; 2.4% and 2.6% suberin; and 18.9% lignin. The monosaccharide composition showed the predominance of glucose (on average 82% of total neutral sugars) and of xylose (9%). The ethanol-water extracts of A. peregrina and A. colubrina barks included a high content of phenolics, respectively: total phenolics 583 and 682 mg GAE/g extract; 148 and 445 mg CE/g extract; tannins 587 and 98 mg CE/g extract. The antioxidant activity was 238 and 269 mg Trolox/g extract. The barks of the Anadenanthera species are a potential source of polar extractives that will represent an important valorization and therefore contribute to improve the overall economic potential and sustainability of A. peregrina and A. colubrina

Pollen morphology of selected species of tribes Ingeae and Mimoseae (Mimosoideae—Leguminosae) occurring in the Atlantic Forest of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The present work investigates the pollen of 14 taxa of the subfamily Mimosoideae (Leguminosae) occurring in the Atlantic Forest of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The objective was to characterize the pollen grains of representatives of the subfamily Mimosoideae and to offer the knowledge for the taxonomy. Pollen grains were acetolyzed, measured, described and illustrated using light microscopy. Surface and aperture detail of non-acetolyzed pollen grains were observed and electromicrographed using scanning electron microscopy. The data were statistically analyzed in accordance with sample size. Only polyads were observed in the tribe Ingeae (Abarema Pittier, Albizia Durazz., Calliandra Benth. and Inga Mill.), while two types of pollen units were found in the tribe Mimoseae; the bitetrad type (Mimosa bimucronata (DC) Kuntze, Mimosa elliptica Benth., Mimosa pellita Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd., and Piptadenia trisperma (Vell.) Benth.); and the polyad type (Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan, Mimosa ceratonia L., and Piptadenia pterosperma (Benth.) Brenan.). Thus, it can be concluded that the present evaluation of palynological characters allowed the separation of majority of the species studied and that the genera of the subfamily are eurypalynous.

Size and vigor of Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan seeds harvested in Caatinga areas

Abstract: Angico is a species found in several environments in Brazil, with several applications. It is used in the timber industry and mainly in folk medicine. In order to verify a variation in the biometric characteristics and the quality of seeds from different mother-plants in different harvesting years, the following variables were studied: moisture content, diameter, density, electrical conductivity, fresh and dry matter of seedlings, germination percentage and kinetics, in a completely randomized design with a 2x3 factorial arrangement (lots x size). The obtained results showed that angico seeds from different lots showed different physiological quality, possibly due to the climate variations to which mother-plants were submitted in the different years. Seed size directly interferes with seedling growth under both controlled and greenhouse conditions, and it can be used as a vigor indicator for angico seeds.

Mining, macro-regional interaction and ritual practices in the South-central Andes: The first evidence for turquoise exploitation from the Late Prehispanic and Inca periods in North-western Argentina (Cueva Inca Viejo, Puna de Salta)

In this article, we present the first and only documented source of turquoise exploited in Northwest Argentina (NOA) from the Late Prehispanic and Inca periods (ca. 900–1532CE). The evidence for turquoise mining comes from Cueva Inca Viejo, an archaeological site located in the highlands of Province of Salta. Turquoise is a valuable mineral that has been exploited for millennia in the Andean region. Until now, there was no evidence for Prehispanic sources of this material being exploited in Northern Argentina. Due to this, all the turquoise found at Argentine archaeological sites was interpreted as allochthonous. The evidence presented here contributes to discuss this issue at a regional scale. Primarily, we analyse and discuss the role played by Cueva Inca Viejo in the mining and use of this mineral, and its links with macro-regional interaction processes and ritual practices. Physicochemical analysis (SEM-EDS and XRD) allowed us to identify turquoise from the cave wall, and from the archaeological layers. Likewise, we found stone hammers, the most important artefacts closely associated to Prehispanic mining. Among the archaeological materials recovered in Cueva Inca Viejo, it is important to highlight the rock-art with representations of llama caravans and anthropomorphic figures, as well as the discovery of feathers and cebil seeds (Anadenanthera colubrina) in archaeological contexts, both originary from the lowlands. We conclude that the expansion of the Inca Empire in the area was linked to the mining and the control of ritual activity. In this regard, we highlight the presence of a ceremonial structure with stairs, located outside the entrance of Cueva Inca Viejo. Our results show that there was a narrow relationship between mining, macro-regional interactions and ritual, at least, from the Late pre-Inca Period through to Inca expansion in the region.

Regeneração Natural de Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan Fabaceae em Brejo de Altitude em Bananeiras, Paraíba

A destruição de habitats atrelada à fragmentação causa sérias consequências para qualquer tipo de vegetação, principalmente para a Floresta Atlântica na Região Nordeste. O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a dinâmica populacional da regeneração natural da espécie, Anadenanthera colubrina, Fabaceae, ocorrente em fragmento florestal do Centro de Ciências Humanas, Sociais e Agrárias da Universidade Federal da Paraíba. Foi selecionada uma população, e foram plotadas aleatoriamente 10 parcelas (10x10m), totalizando uma área amostral de 1.000m2, onde todos os exemplares menor ou igual a 0,30 cm de altura foram marcados. O estudo foi realizado entre os meses de dezembro de 2014 e julho de 2015. Foram avaliados, altura, diâmetro do colo, número de folhas, número de indivíduos e taxa de mortalidade. As variáveis se ajustaram ao modelo de regressão quadrática, e cúbica. Com relação a taxa de mortalidade, foi de 85,45%. Algumas parcelas, apresenta localização, ou por menor ação antrópica ou competitiva, apresentaram aumento no número total de indivíduos. O crescimento de plântulas de A. colubrina foi maior onde as parcelas estão localizadas ao centro do fragmento estudado, ou seja, em área com menor influência antrópica, ou próximo a fontes hídricas.

Sleeping site preferences in Sapajus cay Illiger 1815 (Primates: Cebidae) in a disturbed fragment of the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest, Rancho Laguna Blanca, Eastern Paraguay.

Wild primates can spend up to half of their lives sleeping, during which time they are subjected to many of the same selective pressures that they face when awake. Choosing an appropriate sleeping site can thus have important fitness consequences. We examined the sleeping site preferences of wild hooded capuchins (Sapajus cay) in a small degraded fragment of the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest at Rancho Laguna Blanca (RLB) in eastern Paraguay. Sleeping trees and sites were identified during 5 months of field observations and their physical characteristics were compared to those of non-sleeping trees and sites. Capuchins preferred larger emergent trees with more main and forked branches, no lianas and denser undergrowth directly below. These were found in sites of more mature forest with fewer small trees, less liana coverage and denser undergrowth but more fruiting trees. The species composition of the sleeping sites differed from that of the non-sleeping sites and was dominated by Albizia niopoides (Mimosaceae) as well as Peltophorum dubium (Fabaceae) and Anadenanthera colubrina (Fabaceae). The capuchins were found to sleep most often in these three tree species: 69.23% in Albizia niopoides (Mimosaceae), 11.54% in Peltophorum dubium (Fabaceae) and 11.54% in Anadenanthera colubrina (Fabaceae). We found evidence for the predator avoidance, thermoregulatory, social contact and feeding site proximity hypotheses. We found no support for parasite avoidance, given the reuse of sites, although the small size of the forest fragment may have restricted this. Their preference for older-growth forest suggests that selective logging impacts hooded capuchins. However, their persistence in a disturbed fragment shows they are highly adaptable, providing support for the value of conservation and reforestation of even small fragments of the Paraguayan Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest.

ANALYTICAL METHOD BY HPLC-DAD ALLOWS QUANTIFICATION OF QUERCETIN MARKER IN STANDARDIZED EXTRACT OF ANADENANTHERA COLUBRINA VAR. CEBIL

Objective: The Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brennan var. cebil is a medicinal plant that has been used for the treatment of many diseases in the northeastern region of Brazil. This plant contains secondary metabolites such as quercetin, a flavonoid that is known by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this work is to propose the validation of an analytical method using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) for the quantification of quercetin and standardization of the hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) of A. colubrina.Methods: The A. colubrina extracts were prepared by the maceration process with powdered leaves at 20% weight: volume (w/v) and a hydroalcoholic solution at 50% volume: volume (v/v) for 120 h at room temperature. After pretreatment of the hydroalcoholic extract, the quercetin marker was used for quantification and proceeded to the evaluation of validation parameters for the method using HPLC-DAD.Results: The analytical method proved to be specific. Linear over the range 1.4–26.6 µg/ml, regression analysis showed a good correlation coefficient (R2= 0.999); the limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.27 and 0.81 μg/ml respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) did not exceed 2.5% for precision. The proposed method was validated with an average recovery of 92.5–97.5%.Conclusion: The method was validated using HPLC-DAD, allowing the quantification of quercetin in the standardisation process of extracts and quality control of the herbal drug containing A. colubrina Phyto complex.

Effects of Rainfall on the Antimicrobial Activity and Secondary Metabolites Contents of Leaves and Fruits of Anadenanthera colubrina from Caatinga Area

Background: Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan var. cebil (Griseb) is a plant widely used for medicinal proposes in Brazilian Northeast. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the influence of rainfall indexes (RI) in antimicrobial activity and phytochemical constituents of extracts from leaves and fruits of A. colubrina. Material and Methods: Samples were collected in Catimbau National Park (Buíque, Pernambuco, Brazil) at September 2010 (RI: 75 mm) and January (RI: 65 mm), April (RI: 162 mm) and June 2011 (RI: 73 mm). The extracts were prepared by Soxhlet extraction using cyclohexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The antimicrobial activity was determined by MIC and MBC values. Results: All extracts showed antimicrobial activity, but ethyl acetate extracts (from all periods) were more active. Strong correlations were found between the RI and the average MIC of MLE (ρ: -0.99), EALE (ρ: -0.81), CHFE (ρ: -0.81), EAFE (ρ: -0.80); while moderate and weak correlations were found for other extracts. Through a HPLC analysis was possible to reveal that the samples collected from dry periods had more chemical diversity (as they presented more peaks). Gallic acid and quercetin (and derivative compounds) were identified. The levels of quercetin were enhanced in extracts from dry months. Conclusion: Our results showed that the rainfall has a positive effect on the antimicrobial activity of leaves and fruits of A. colubrina, however these extracts showed more chemical diversity during dry months.

Etnobotánica histórica de grupos criollos de Argentina II: Puesta en valor, adscripción cultural y análisis de los usos no medicinales presentados por el gobierno argentino en la Exposición Universal de París de 1889

Se pone en valor, analiza y adscribe culturalmente el voluminoso corpus de usos no medicinales de las plantas que fueran registrados y exhibidos para la Exposición Universal de París de 1889. Se aplica la metodología propia de la etnobotánica histórica, considerando los datos del catálogo de dicha exposición como fuente de información primaria. A partir de sus referencias geográficas se infiere la adscripción bio-cultural estimada a siete pueblos criollos de la Argentina de cada uno de los 643 datos etnobotánicos registrados. Estos datos aluden a 173 taxones vegetales, principalmente a Prosopis nigra, Condalia buxifolia, Enterolobium contortisiliquum, Eugenia uniflora, Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil y Prosopis alba. La mayoría de los usos corresponden a las categorías de tintóreas (89 datos); utensilios (87); mobiliario (87); alimentación (86); transporte (77); curtientes (52); viviendas (46); construcciones varias (35) y como combustibles. La mayoría fue referido para los Criollos de Valles Subandinos del ecotono Yungas-Chaco (246), para los Criollos de Misiones (142), para los Criollos del Chaco Húmedo (100) y para los Criollos del Chaco Árido y Serrano (91). Se destaca que varios de estos datos corresponden a usos poco relevados, o bien a grupos criollos cuya relación con las plantas todavía nos resulta incompleta o casi desconocida

Physiological, cellular and molecular aspects of the desiccation tolerance in Anadenanthera colubrina seeds during germination.

During germination, orthodox seeds become gradually intolerant to desiccation, and for this reason, they are a good model for recalcitrance studies. In the present work, physiological, biochemical, and ultrastructural aspects of the desiccation tolerance were characterized during the germination process of Anadenanthera colubrina seeds. The seeds were imbibed during zero (control), 2, 8, 12 (no germinated seeds), and 18 hours (germinated seeds with 1 mm protruded radicle); then they were dried for 72 hours, rehydrated and evaluated for survivorship. Along the imbibition, cytometric and ultrastructural analysis were performed, besides the extraction of the heat-stable proteins. Posteriorly to imbibition and drying, the evaluation of ultrastructural damages was performed. Desiccation tolerance was fully lost after root protrusion. There was no increase in 4C DNA content after the loss of desiccation tolerance. Ultrastructural characteristics of cells from 1mm roots resembled those found in the recalcitrant seeds, in both hydrated and dehydrated states. The loss of desiccation tolerance coincided with the reduction of heat-stable proteins.

Bee pollination and evidence of substitutive nectary in Anadenanthera colubrina (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae)

Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae) is a widely-distributed tree in seasonally dry tropical forests of South America that was classified previously as lacking nectaries. However, some studies have stated that its flowers produce nectar, while others analyzed the composition of unifloral honey produced from A. colubrina flowers, raising the question about nectar production in the species. We studied the pollination and reproductive biology of A. colubrina var. cebil (Griseb.) Altschul in a natural population in the Caatinga, northeastern Brazil. Reproductive phenology, sexual system, floral biology, resource, and pollinators were investigated. We analyzed the breeding system through controlled pollinations for addressing its dependence on pollen vectors for reproduction. Anadenanthera colubrina flowered in the dry season, flower heads are heteromorphic, with staminate flowers at the base and perfect flowers at the apex of the inflorescence, characterizing andromonoecy. Anthesis is diurnal. We observed small drops of nectar at the apex of the petals of some flowers per inflorescence. Together with observations on flower visitor behavior and histochemical tests, we propose that A. colubrina produces floral nectar at the apex of the corolla, characterizing a substitutive nectary (sensu Vogel). This is the first record of substitutive nectary in the Mimosoideae and the first record of andromonoecy in the genus. Bees were the main pollinators (higher frequency), although other insects such as wasps, butterflies, and small beetles were also observed collecting nectar and/or pollen. The species is self-incompatible, thus depending on insect pollen vectors, mainly bees, for reproduction.

Pollen analysis of honeys from the northwest of Argentina: Province of Jujuy

The palynological characterisation of 157 honey samples from three northwest regions of Argentina (Prepuna, Yungas and Chaco) are presented to determine their botanical origin and species associations to be able to define their geographic origin. Samples were harvested during 2003–2011 and processed by means of melissopalynological conventional techniques. One-hundred and nine pollen types were identified. Representative pollen types with a frequency of occurrence greater than 50% in descending order of importance are: Salix humboldtiana, Allophylus edulis, Baccharis, Solanaceae, Eucalyptus, Schinus, Brassicaceae, Papilionoideae, Celtis, Scutia/Condalia-type and Parapiptadenia excelsa. The most important monofloral honeys are from the following: Salix humboldtiana, Scutia/Condalia-type, Allophylus edulis, Baccharis, Blepharocalyx salicifolius, Gleditsia amorphoides, Myrtaceae, Sicyos, Ziziphus mistol, Schinopsis-type, Agonandra excelsa, Anadenathera colubrina, Mimosa, all of them native species, and among introduced species are Eucalyptus, Citrus and Tithonia. Three apicultural zones and their corresponding pollen association indicators were determined: Zone I, Prepuna: Arquita trichocarpa, Prosopis ferox, Schinus areira, Baccharis, Buddleja and Mutisieae; Zone II, Yungas: Myrtaceae, Parapiptadenia excelsa, Baccharis, Salix humboldtiana, Allophylus edulis, Scutia/Condalia-type and Zanthoxylum coco; Zone III, transitional area Yungas-Chaco: Prosopis, Salix humboldtiana, Schinus, Anadenanthera colubrina and Allophylus edulis.

PHYSICO-MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE Anadenanthera colubrine WOOD SPECIE

ABSTRACT In Brazil, the characterization of wood is carried out in accordance with the premises established by ABNT NBR 7190standard; however, the determination of wood properties requires the use of equipment, which hinders the wood characterization for the construction professional. To circumvent this problem, the properties of wood strength and stiffness can be estimated through regression models using the apparent density as estimator, being the density a physical property of easy determination. This study aimed to determine 4 physical and 13 mechanical properties of “Angico Branco” wood (Anadenanthera colubrina), and with the aid of regression models based on analysis of variance, estimate the strength and stiffness properties as a function of apparent density. Twelve samples were produced for each test, resulting in a total of 204 experimental determinations. The results of mechanical properties showed consistent performance with other wood species studied, demonstrating their potential use in various applications. From the regression models, only the longitudinal modulus of elasticity in parallel compression to the grain showed a significant result, and the best were obtained with the linear model, which provided determination coefficient (R2) equal to 56.32%.

English

The objective of this study is to perform a phytosociological survey of the arboreous composition in conserved and desertified areas of the semiarid region of Paraiba State. Twenty-two conserved areas (CA) with native vegetation (Caatinga) where there has been no clear cut logging since 1984, and Twenty-two desertified areas (DA) having a difficult re-establishment of vegetal coverage over the past 10 years were selected. Plots with 100 m2 were established and the species were identified. The perimeter at 0.30 m ground level (PGL) and at breast height, 1.30 m (PBH) was measured. Subsequently, the absolute density (AD), relative density (RD), absolute frequency (AF), relative frequency (RF), absolute dominance (ADo), relative dominance (RDo), importance value index (IVI) and coverage value index (CVI) were calculated. There were 63 species of trees in CA and 9 in DA. The most frequent species were Caesalpinia pyramidalis and Croton sonderianus in CA, and Mimosa tenuiflora and Croton sonderianus in DA. CA showed an AD (4,845 I ha-1) higher than DA (895 I ha-1). The ADo order was C. pyramidalis > Anadenanthera colubrina > Myracrodruon urundeuva in CA, and M. tenuiflora > C. pyramidalis > Aspidosperma pyrifolium in DA. C. sonderianus (CA) and M. tenuiflora (DA) reached the highest IVI and CVI. Key words: Caatinga, vegetation, biodiversity, environmental quality.