Antiaris Research Articles

Effect of calcium on the storage life of oro (Antiaris africana)

AbstractThe effects of calcium on the ascorbic acid, chlorophyll, titratable acidity and texture (firmness) of stored oro (Antiaris africana (Mill)) friuits (average weight 100 g ) were studied. Three groups of the fruits were dipped in 20 g litre−1, 40 g litre−1 CaCl2 solutions and deionised water respectively for I0 min. The fourth group, which was untreated, served as the control and was also packaged in heat‐sealed cellophane bags. The fruits were displaced and stored at ambient temperature (28 ± 2°C). The calciumtreated fruits which kept better were firmer and had a slight colour change (chlorophyll) which also produced a progressive increase in ascorbic acid level during storage. The titratable acidity of the fruits did not fluctuate as signijcantly as that of the untreated (control) fruits.

Chemical characterization of the ashes of some African hardwoods

Eight African hardwoods of commercial interest (Mimusops djave; Mitragyna ciliata; Celtis mildbraedii; Antiaris africana; Terminalia superba; Daniella ogea; Entandrophragma cylindricum; and Afrormosia elata) were ashed. The percentage ash content of the woods was determined and the ash samples were analysed for soluble base (as K2CO3), Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+. A link between the densities of the woods and the Ca2+ content of their ash was established.

Studies on the Indonesian Antiaris toxicaria sap.

The present research is on a milky sap obtained from the Antiaris toxicaria tree (Moraceae) which is called Upas or Ipoh in Indonesia. The crude sap was administered to anesthetized rats, and changes in electrocardiogram (ECG) and systemic blood pressure was observed. Biologically and pharmacologically active components were extracted from the crude sap by means of water-acetone solution. Based on the strength of chemical qualitative detection tests of the sap extract (SE), cardiac glycosides are supposed to be the main components. The SE inhibited the Na+-, K+-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) which was partially purified from guinea pig heart muscle. When the SE and, concurrently, authentic ouabain were applied to isolated frog heart muscles, the fall of twitch tension was observed after the increased tension on mechanograms. These facts suggest that the main components of the milky sap are cardiac glycosides, and glycosides affect Na+, K+-ATPase activity of muscle membrane and heart muscle contraction.

Revisions of African Moraceae (Excluding Dorstenia, Ficus, Musanga and Myrianthus)

In continuation of de Ruiter’s treatment of Myrianthus and Musanga (Bull. Jard. Bot. Nat. Belg. 46: 471-510.1976), the present paper gives a revision of the African representatives of 17 genera of the Moraceae. The area studied not only consists of the African Continent, but also includes Madagascar, the Comoro Islands, the Mascarenes, the Seychelles, and the Aldabra Islands. Several new combinations are made: Antiaris toxicaria ssp. africana (Engl.) C.C. Berg, A. toxicaria ssp. africana var. usambarensis” (Engl.) C.C. Berg, A. toxicaria ssp. macrophylla (R.Br.) C.C. Berg, A. toxicaria ssp. madagascariensis (H. Perrier) C.C. Berg, A. toxicaria ssp. humbertii (Leandri) C.C. Berg, Broussonetia greveana (Baillon) C.C. Berg, Treculia africana ssp. madagascarica (N.E.Br.) C.C. Berg, and T. africana ssp. madagascarica var. sambiranensis (Leandri) C. C. Berg. Many names are brought into synonymy. Besides revising taxa, the present study aims to fill a gap in our knowledge between Asian Moraceae (studied by Corner, whose studies resulted in a new classification of the family) and the neotropical Moraceae, a subject of study by the present author. Therefore discussions about classification of the family and relationships of African Moraceae with moraceous taxa elsewhere are an essential part of the present paper.

Triterpenoids and betaines from the latex and bark of Antiaris africana

Triterpenoids and betaines from the latex and bark of Antiaris africana

Sap stain in Antiaris africana, an economically important tropical white wood

MANY countries lose thousands of pounds annually through natural staining of valuable wood. Usually the organism which causes staining is the fungus Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat1. Field and laboratory experiments have shown that Antiaris africana becomes stained blue within 4 d of felling2,3. The fungus enters the cut surface of the wood through the vessels and within 2 d heavily colonises the surrounding vasicentric parenchyma cells. Infection of ray cells occurs through the vasicentric parenchyma cells1. The fungus has two types of hyphae: some are stout and brown in colour, others are thin and hyaline. The brown hyphae are predominantly found in vessels, tracheids and fibres (Fig. 1), whereas the parenchyma cells are heavily infected by the hyaline hyphae.

SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN THE SECONDARY PHLOEM OF SOME FOREST TREES FROM NIGERIA

SummaryThe appearance of the phloem is described for the trees Albizia adianthifolia, Bombax buono‐pozense, Antiaris africana, Holarrhena floribunda, Ricinodendron heudelotii, Sterculia tragantha, and Tectona grandis. Measurements of the percentage sieve tube area, the sieve tube number per unit and the diameters of the sieve tubes have been made throughout one year. Changes in structure and composition of the phloem occurred in different ways in the several species at different times of the year. Increase in length of sieve tube elements with age was found in four of the species. In the three species with compound oblique sieve plates the pores were less than μm diameter, and the percentage sieve tube area was lower than that of the trees with phloem with simple sieve plates. The variety of phloem structure and the quantitative changes in phloem dimensions are discussed; the need for thorough investigation of phloem structure for each species as a prelude to physiological studies of the phloem is emphasized.

Species composition and vegetation structure in Pakuli area, Lore Lindu National Park, Central Sulawesi

Forest ecological studies on some different altitude in Lore Lindu National Park, Central Sulawesi have been carried out with quadrate method. The plots were in altitude 500, 750 and 1000 m asl each 0.3 ha. This study would be covered on species composition, vegetation structure and potential plant species which used by locally people. The result from three plots recorded the totally species number as ± 85 species, consist of 64 genera and 38 families. The common species in three plots were Dracontomelon da’o, Aglaia odoratissima, Aglaia tomentosa, Palaquium obovatum, Planchonella nitida, and Pterospermum celebicum. Species regeneration in this location showed that sapling recorded 93 species consists of 74 genera and 46 families. The common species of sapling were Mallotus laevigatus, Antiaris toxicaria, Celtis philippensis, Macaranga hispida, Dendrocnide stimulans, Aglaia tomentosa, and Syzygium policephalloides. The forest structure could be seen from diameter and height stem classes, where commonly small trees but there have been still some big tree with diameter > 100 cm and height 50 m tall.© 2005 Jurusan Biologi FMIPA UNS SurakartaKeywords: species composition, vegetation structure, altitude, Lore Lindu National Park, Central Sulawesi

Assessments of non-timber forest products status in the Guraferda district of Ethiopia

Forests and other vegetation resources in Guraferda district offer diverse NTFPs that provide substantial inputs for the livelihoods of the community. Thus, information regarding to the status of NTFPs of the district is vital for proper management of these resources. However, up to date information on the status of non-timber forest products in Guraferda district is found to be lacking. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the status of NTFPs in the district. Information was collected through household survey and key informant interview. Analysis of data was accomplished through the use of SPSS (version 20) and Microsoft Excel software. Results of the study identified that important NTFPs of the district like honey, forest coffee, forest tuber, forest spices, important health care medicinal plants, Antiaris toxicaria tree with a bark that serves as cloth and sleeping mat preparation, edible forest leaves and fruits, and wild animals for bush meat consumption, that have significantly declined.

Syntheses of javose (6-deoxy-2-O-methyl-D-allose)

Two syntheses of javose, a component sugar of two cardenolide glycosides found in the seeds of Antiaris toxicaria Lesch., are described which identify it as 6-deoxy-2-O-methyl-D-allose.

Studies on Browse Plants in Ghana

SummaryDigestibility of the herbage of the indigenous tree Antiaris africana was investigated. Digestion coefficients (%) were—organic matter 67, dry matter 64, crude protein 78, crude fibre 39, nitrogen-free extract 74, ether extract 36 and ash 36. Calculated nutritive values were—starch equivalent 23·2 and digestible crude protein 3·7, giving a nutritive ratio of about 1 : 6. The herbage was young and its palatability high.

Die Glykoside von Streblus asper LOUR. 3. Mitteilung. Untersuchung der stark wasserlöslichen Anteile Glykoside und Aglykone, 260. Mitteilung

AbstractThe highly polar cardenolide glycosides from the root bark of Streblus asper contain components which are attacked by snail glycosidases and thereby transformed into chloroform‐soluble monoglycosides. The remaining water‐soluble (chloroform‐insoluble) portion is a mixture of highly polar glycosides of mono‐ or disaccharides. 21 cardenolides could be detected in this material by paper chromatography. Of these 4 could be isolated in crystals and 8 other ones in amorphous form, giving only one spot each in paper chromatograms. One of these glycosides, Strophallosid (J), has recently been obtained from seeds of Antiaris toxicaria. The 11 other cardenolides are most probably new compounds. The main component is the crystalline glucostrebloside (M), which is not attacked by strophanthobiase although it contains terminal D‐glucose.

CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES: PART VI1

The cardenolide mixtures from living and herbarium specimens of Antiaris toxicaria (Pers.) Lesch., A. welwitschii Engl., and A. africana Engl. have been studied by paper chromatography. α– and β–antiarin, antioside, and the substance A of Dol der et al. were present in all three plants; bogoroside was not found. Fresh seeds of A. loxicaria contained a high proportion of polyglycosides, unlike the latex, trunk, and roots. The taxonomy of the genus is discussed briefly; no correlation between the cardenolide patterns and the localities of the specimens was apparent.

4. On the Kombi Arrow-Poison (Strophanthus hispidus, DC.) of the Manganja district of Africa

In nearly every narrative of exploration in uncivilised tropical regions, accounts are given, often no doubt somewhat fanciful, of poisonous substances which are said to possess the most remarkable properties. Usually these poisons are of vegetable origin; and the great majority may be included in the two divisions of ordeal and of arrow poisons, according as they are applied to one or other of these purposes. Among the most remarkable of the ordeal poisons are the Tanghinia venifera of Madagascar, the Physostigma venenosum of Old Calabar, and the Akazga poison of the Gaboon; and of the arrow-poisons, the famous Curara or Wourali of South America, and the Antiaris toxicaria of Java.