Bromelia Karatas Research Articles

Guamara and Cocuixtle: Source of Proteases for the Transformation of Shrimp By-Products into Hydrolysates with Potential Application.

Since the fruits of Bromelia pinguin and Bromelia karatas are rich in proteases, the aim of this research was to optimize the hydrolysis process of cooked white shrimp by-products due to the effect of these proteases. A robust Taguchi L16' design was used to optimize the hydrolysis process. Similarly, the amino acid profile by GC-MS and antioxidant capacity (ABTS and FRAP) were determined. The optimal conditions for hydrolysis of cooked shrimp by-products were pH 8.0, 30 °C, 0.5 h, 1 g of substrate and 100 µg/mL of B. karatas, pH 7.5, 40 °C, 0.5 h, 0.5 g substrate and 100 µg/mL enzyme extract from B. pinguin and pH 7.0, 37 °C, 1 h, 1.5 g substrate and 100 µg/mL enzyme bromelain. The optimized hydrolyzates of B. karatas B. pinguin and bromelain had 8 essential amino acids in their composition. The evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of the hydrolyzates under optimal conditions showed more than 80% inhibition of in ABTS radical, B. karatas hydrolyzates had better higher ferric ion reduction capacity with 10.09 ± 0.02 mM TE/mL. Finally, the use of proteolytic extracts from B. pinguin and B. karatas to optimize hydrolysis process allowed obtaining hydrolyzates of cooked shrimp by-products with potential antioxidant capacity.

Compound Identification from Bromelia karatas Fruit Juice Using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry and Evaluation of the Bactericidal Activity of the Extract

Fruits of species of the genus Bromelia contain compounds with health benefits and potential biotechnological applications. For example, Bromelia karatas fruits contain antioxidants and proteins with bactericidal activity, but studies regarding the activity of these metabolites and potential benefits are required. We evaluated the bactericidal activity of the methanolic extract (treated and not treated with activated charcoal) and its fractions (hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol) from ripe B. karatas fruit (8 °Brix) against Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella enteritidis, and Shigella flexneri. The methanolic extract (ME) minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined at eight concentrations. The methanolic extract MIC was 5 mg/mL for E. faecalis and 10 mg/mL for the other bacteria; the MBC was 20 mg/mL for E. coli and E. faecalis, and 40 mg/mL for S. enteritidis and S. flexneri. Through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, 131 compounds were identified, some of which had previously been reported to have biological activities, such as bactericidal, fungicide, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, enzyme inhibiting, and anti-allergic properties. The most abundant compounds found in the ME of B. karatas fruits were maleic anhydride, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, and itaconic anhydride. This study shows that B. karatas fruits contain metabolites that are potentially beneficial for health.

Physiological and physicochemical behavior of guamara (Bromelia pinguin) and cocuixtle (Bromelia karatas) fruits, as well as the antibacterial effect of their pre-purified proteases

The objective was to study the behavior of the respiration rate (RR) of guamara and cocuixtle fruits during storage, the effect or the maturity stage (green maturity and consumption maturity) of these fruits on physicochemical parameters and specific proteolytic activity, as well as the antibacterial effect of the prepurified proteases of these fruits. The guamara and cocuixtle fruits presented a RR of 15 mL CO2/kg·h and 10 mL CO2/kg·h, respectively; and because the ethylene production was not detected in any of the species, it was concluded that both fruits are of the non-climacteric type. The cocuixtle fruits presented the highest specific enzymatic activity in the state of green maturity and the guamara fruits in the state of consumption maturity, with 18.99 and 53.88 U/mg of protein, respectively. Likewise, pre-purified proteases from both fruits showed antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. It is concluded that ripened guamara fruits and green cocuixtle fruits can be an important source of proteases for the food industry and they can be used against pathogens.

Utilization of by-products of endemic fruits: Encapsulation of proteolytic extracts of guamara (Bromelia pinguin) and cocuixtle (Bromelia karatas) by electrospraying

The aim of this work was to evaluate and study the specific proteolytic activity, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory capacity of proteolytic extracts obtained from peel and seeds of Bromelia pinguin and Bromelia karatas, as well as the effect of encapsulation on these properties. Proteolytic extracts of by-products from B. pinguin and from B. karatas with high specific proteolytic activity were encapsulated by electrospraying with agave fructans with a high degree of polymerization. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity of the capsule was analyzed in addition to its photostability. Encapsulation efficiency was assessed using scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry in the capsules of B. pinguin peel extracts with its high specific proteolytic activity. The antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory capacity decreases when the extract was encapsulated, showing stability during storage. With regard to the photostability of the capsules, the high degree polymerization agave fructans protected the compounds. The micrographs show capsules with spherical and smooth morphology, the encapsulation efficiency was 97%, and the glass transition temperature of the capsule was 160.5 °C. These results open a window of possibilities in which the use of these encapsulated by-products can be considered in the food industry as well as in the pharmaceutical industry.

Phytogeographic of Bromelia L. (Bromeliaceae) in the State Paraiba Brazil

The Bromelia (Bromeliaceae) is part of the Poales taxonomic group, distributed in the Neotropical Ecosystems of South America, from sea level to altitudes of 5,000 meters in the Andes. In the Brazilian territory there were two settlements, one directly from the plateau of the Guianas and another across the Andes. The family stands out as one of the main taxa of the Brazilian flora, sheltering about 40% of the species of this family, in which 46 genera are recorded, of these 20 are endemic. In the state of Paraíba, because it has three distinct climatic regions, it originates a different phytogeographic distribution of this Family, so this study aims to perform a phytogeographic analysis of Bromelia L. (Bromeliaceae), to understand the distribution of the genus, registered in the state of Paraíba, eastern portion of the Northeast. Understand the gender distribution, registered in the state of Paraíba, eastern portion of the Northeast. In this study, two species, Bromelia karatas L. and Bromelia laciniosa Mart, were identified for the genus B. Karatas L. was found in the wetlands of Agreste and Litoral and also in the region of Sertão Paraíba state, in specific areas. Whereas, B. laciniosa, only in the regions of the Cariris Velhos, tectonic valley of the Curimataú and Seridó, that are inserted in the field of the Caatinga, but with influence of edaphoclimatic variabilities.

Bromelia karatas and Bromelia pinguin: sources of plant proteases used for obtaining antioxidant hydrolysates from chicken and fish by-products

In the present study, we evaluated new sources of plant proteases from fruits of Bromelia karatas (BK) and Bromelia pinguin (BP) to obtain antioxidant hydrolyzates/bioactive peptides (BPs) derived from chicken by-products (CH) and fish by-products (FH). The profile of the peptides was identified by reverse-phase high-resolution liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and the size weight distribution by molecular exclusion chromatography (SEC). The hydrolysates obtained with BK in both sources of by-products showed greater antioxidant capacity compared to those obtained with BP, presenting similar or higher values when compared to a commercial plant enzyme. The use of new sources of plant proteases allowed to obtain hydrolysates of hydrophilic character with a high percentage (> 50%) of peptides with molecular weights < 17.5 kDa from chicken and fish by-products. Therefore, based on the results obtained in antioxidant capacity it is possible to consider the hydrolysates as potential ingredients, food additives, and pharmaceutical products.

Yeast in plant phytotelmata: Is there a "core" community in different localities of rupestrian savannas of Brazil?

Ephemeral microbial communities usually undergo priority effect and result in higher diversity with a few representatives of each species. Community structure of yeasts in bromeliad tanks was compared between two rupestrian savanna (Cerrado) areas in Brazil and to yeasts isolated from water holes in the same areas. Water samples were collected from 60 tanks of bromeliads Bromelia karatas and Encholirium sp. and rock holes at the Karstic Area of Aurora, Tocantins State and 60 tanks of Vriesea minarum (Bromeliaceae) and Paepalanthus bromelioides (Eriocaulaceae) at Serra do Cipó National Park, Minas Gerais State in Brazil. The yeast diversity comprised 90 species from which 60% are basidiomycetous yeasts usually associated with phylloplane, soils, and aquatic habitats. The species Papiliotrema laurentii, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Pa. nemorosus, and Pseudozyma hubeiensis were the most frequent species associated with bromeliads. Eighteen yeast species, two ascomycetous and 16 basidiomycetous, were consistently isolated from the substrates in both areas and may represent a core community in bromeliads in rupestrian fields. Singlets occurred in 38 to 69% of samples, and 32 species were isolated only once. Our findings reinforce the ephemeral nature of the yeast communities associated with tank-forming plants in which individual phytotelmata act as patches or aquatic islands prone to rapid colonization-extinction rates receiving inocula from plant and soil debris. Ephemeral rock holes also represent a transitory habitat for yeast species associated with plants and soil.

Hepatic Glucose Output Inhibition by Mexican Plants Used in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.

De novo hepatic glucose production or hepatic gluconeogenesis is the main contributor to hyperglycemia in the fasting state in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) owing to insulin resistance, which leads to at least twice as much glucose synthesis compared to healthy subjects. Therefore, control of this pathway is a promising target to avoid the chronic complications associated with elevated glucose levels. Patients with T2D in the rural communities of Mexico use medicinal plants prepared as infusions that are consumed over the day between meals, thus following this rationale (consumption of the infusions in the fasting state), one approach to understanding the possible mechanism of action of medicinal plants is to assess their capacity to inhibit hepatic glucose production. Furthermore, in several of these plants, the presence of phenolic acids able to block the enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) is reported. In the present work, extracts of Ageratina petiolaris, Bromelia karatas, Equisetum myriochaetum, Rhizophora mangle, and Smilax moranensis, which are Mexican plants that have been traditionally used to treat T2D, were assayed to evaluate their possible hepatic glucose output (HGO) inhibitory activity with a pyruvate tolerance test in 18-h fasted STZ-NA Wistar rats after oral administration of the extracts. In addition, the in vitro effects of the extracts on the last HGO rate-limiting enzyme G6Pase was analyzed. Our results showed that four of these plants had an effect on hepatic glucose production in the in vivo or in vitro assays. A. petiolaris and R. mangle extracts decreased glucose output, preventing an increase in the blood glucose levels and sustaining this prevented increase after pyruvate administration. Moreover, both extracts inhibited the catalytic activity of the G6Pase complex. On the other hand, even though S. moranensis and B. karatas did not exhibit a significant in vivo effect, S. moranensis had the most potent inhibitory effect on this enzymatic system, while the E. myriochaetum extract only inhibited hepatic glucose production in the pyruvate tolerance test. Because of the traditional method in which diabetic patients use plants, hepatic glucose production inhibition seems to be a mechanism that partially explains the common hypoglycemic effect. However, further studies must be carried out to characterize other mechanisms whereby these plants can decrease HGO.

Ciliate species from tank-less bromeliads in a dry tropical forest and their geographical distribution in the Neotropics.

The study of ciliate diversity in tropical environments remains scarce. In Neotropical forests, bromeliads are a common component of the vascular flora; bromeliads with tank morphology intercept rain water and detritus, resulting in the formation of a phytotelm, where heterotrophic protist communities like ciliates can establish. However, it is not known if ciliates inhabit tank-less bromeliads. For this reason, the goal of the present study was to investigate if ciliates can establish between the leaf axils of five terrestrial and epiphytic tank-less bromeliad species in a dry tropical forest in west Mexico. We collected samples of rain water and detritus from the leaf axils during the humid season of years 2015 and 2016. For ciliate taxonomical identification, we used optical microscopy, in vivo observation, and silver impregnation techniques. To summarize information about geographical distribution of ciliates identified at species level in the Neotropics, we provided their records from previous works, at country level with locality and georeferenciation. We recorded 27 taxa of ciliates, where the class Oligohymenophorea contained the largest richness of taxa. Drepanomonas revoluta, Leptopharynx bromeliophilus, and Tetrahymena sp. were recorded from all the species of bromeliads. Bromelia karatas was the species that hosted the largest number of ciliate taxa (22). Our results indicated that Glaucomides bromelicola, Gonostomum bromelicola, Leptopharynx bromelicola and L. bromeliophilus, species which are considered endemic to tank bromeliads, can also inhabit tank-less bromeliads. We provided previous records of 19 ciliate species from eleven countries within the Neotropical region, and Bromeliothrix metopoides was the species most frequently recorded in Neotropical countries (9). Therefore, tank-less bromeliads can constitute a temporal habitat for ciliates, and function as cysts reservoirs in environments with a pronounced seasonality like dry tropical forests.

Isoelectric focusing, effect of reducing agents and inhibitors: partial characterization of proteases extracted from Bromelia karatas

The aim of this research is the partial characterization of proteases extracted from B. karatas; the isolation and purification of proteases from B. karatas fruits were achieved using precipitation, separation by size exclusion chromatography and anion-exchange chromatography; molecular mass (MM) was determined, and the effect of inhibitors, reducing agents and heat on enzyme activity was analyzed. These proteases were compared with proteases from Bromelia pinguin (B. pinguin) and evaluated under similar conditions. The isolation procedure was adequate; only a few protein bands are present in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, zymogram analysis showed protein bands with enzyme activity. Inhibitors, reducing agents and heat were unable to inactivate the proteases extracted from B. karatas and B. pinguin. The semi-purified extracts are a set of proteases with a MM of 66 kDa, but different isoelectric points (3.5–6.5 for B. karatas and 5–9 for B. pinguin), which are found in quaternary structures with proteolytic activity. When denatured, they segment into fragments of approximately 20 and 10 kDa. The data indicate that these plants could be used as sources of proteases since they present good proteolytic activity (21.93 UT for proteases from B. karatas and 43.58 UT for proteases from B. pinguin) and that B. Karatas has potential applications comparable to B. pinguin in the food and health industries.

Evaluación de la capacidad de inhibición de hemólisis oxidativa y actividad antimicrobiana de fracciones peptídicas obtenidas de la hidrólisis de proteínas de huevo, leche y soya usando proteasas extraídas de Bromelia pinguin y Bromelia karatas

Los hidrolizados proteínicos son una fuente de péptidos bioactivos (PB) y estos compuestos pueden ejercer un papel importante en la salud humana debido a sus diferentes acividades biológicas. El uso de proteasas de origen vegetal es una alternativa potencial para producir PB. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la capacidad de inhibición de la hemólisis oxidativa (IHO) y actividad antimicrobiana de hidrolizados y fracciones peptídicas obtenidas de la hidrólisis de proteínas de huevo (ovoalbúmina), leche y soya, con proteasas extraídas de frutos de Bromelia pinguin y Bromelia karatas. En general, todos los hidrolizados y fracciones peptídicas presentaron una alta IHO, siendo la fracción peptídica de ≤1 kDa, obtenida de la hidrólisis de ovoalbúmina con proteasas de B. karatas, la que presentó mayor actividad (98.19%). En contraste, ninguno de los hidrolizados registró actividad antimicrobiana, mientras que las fracciones peptídicas (≤5, ≤10 y ≤30 kDa), obtenidas de la hidrólisis de leche con proteasas de B. pinguin, mostraron la mayor actividad antimicrobina (22.26-23.79% de inhibición), contra Listeria innocua. Los resultados resaltan el potencial de las proteasas de B. pinguin y B. karatas para hidrolizar proteínas de diferentes alimentos y generar hidrolizados y PB con alta actividad antioxidante.

Antioxidant capacity of egg, milk and soy protein hydrolysates and biopeptides produced by Bromelia pinguin and Bromelia karatas-derived proteases

Given the lack of knowledge in the generation and biological activity of biopeptides (BP) produced by Bromelia pinguin and Bromelia karatas-derived proteases, the objective of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity (AOX) of protein hydrolysates and peptide fractions from hydrolysis of egg, milk and soy proteins with enzymes extracted from Bromelia pinguin and Bromelia karatas fruits. The degree of hydrolysis (DH) of the mentioned proteins was measured. The hydrolysates were sequentially fractionated by ultrafiltration using different membrane pore sizes (≤30, ≤10, ≤5 and ≤1 kDa) to obtain biopeptide fractions (BPF). The antioxidant capacity (AOX) of protein hydrolysates and BPF were evaluated. AOX was performed using 2,2´-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. after the enzymatic action of B. pinguin and B. karatas proteases, the highest DH values for egg, milk and soy protein hydrolysates ranged from 50-61%, 55-68% and 73-81%, respectively. The AOX was higher for soy hydrolysates than for egg and milk hydrolysates. Additionally, the highest AOX from ABTS and FRAP assays was observed for BPF ≤30 kDa, PF ≤5 kDa and ≤1 kDa, respectively. These results highlight the potential of B. pinguin and B. karatas proteases to hydrolyze food proteins and release bioactive peptides. Moreover, it has been shown that the hydrolysis products are a mixture of BP of different molecular weights, which could present AOX through different mechanisms.

Enzyme activity and partial characterization of proteases obtained from Bromelia karatas fruit and compared with Bromelia pinguin proteases.

The enzymatic activity and partial characterization of proteases from Bromelia karatas fruits were evaluated and compared with Bromelia pinguin proteases. The specific activity increased twofold after partial purification in both proteases. Partially purified proteases from Bromelia karatas showed good specific activity at pH 6.0-8.0 and residual activity of 70-100% for 60min at 37-60°C, similar to Bromelia pinguin proteases. The K m value of proteases from Bromelia karatas was higher (253.32µM) than that of Bromelia pinguin proteases (234.94µM). The use of specific protease inhibitors indicated the presence of cysteine and serine proteases. Proteases with molecular weight of 66.2-97 and 21-31kDa were detected. Bromelia karatas proteases registered 73% hydrolysis using a soy protein concentrate, similar to the enzyme activity of Bromelia pinguin proteases and commercial bromelain. These results demonstrate that Bromelia karatas proteases could be a potential alternative protease in the food industry.

Functional and Rheological Properties of Piñuela (Bromelia karatas) in Two Ripening Stages.

Abstract The physicochemical characteristics and the activity of the polyphenol oxidase from piñuela fruit juices were determined at two ripening stages. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated by the superoxide anion yield. The ripening stage showed greater ability to inhibit ( O 2 . − $O_2^{. -}$ , 35.3 %). The inhibition of superoxide dismutase was higher for both ripe (88.29 %) and unripe (95.94 %) states. The rheological behaviour of the juice was satisfactorily described using Herschel-Bulkley model (R2 &gt; 0.99). The concentration effect on the rheological parameters was described by the potential law model, and the temperature effect on the viscosity was described based on the Arrhenius equation, finding activation energy values from 11.94 and 17.80 kJ/mol. These results make Bromelia karatas L. a promissory fruit due to their content of secondary metabolites and its antioxidant activity, which could be associated to the presence of phenolic compounds, specifically flavonoids. Variations in these metabolites could also account for structural changes, physicochemical properties, the integrity protection of the fruit against adverse and an alternative to food products.

Antioxidant content in two CAM bromeliad species as a response to seasonal light changes in a tropical dry deciduous forest

Plants have evolved photoprotective mechanisms to limit photodamage; one of these mechanisms involves the biosynthesis of antioxidant metabolites to neutralize reactive oxygen species generated when plants are exposed to excess light. However, it is known that exposure of plants to conditions of extreme water stress and high light intensity results in their enhanced susceptibility to over-excitation of photosystem II and to photooxidative stress. In this investigation we used the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl reduction assay to conduct a broad survey of the effect of water availability and light exposure conditions on the antioxidant activity of the leaf extracts of two bromeliad species showing crassulacean acid metabolism. One of these was an epiphyte, Tillandsia brachycaulos, and the other a terrestrial species, Bromelia karatas. Both species were found growing wild in the tropical dry deciduous forest of Dzibilchaltún National Park, México. The microenvironment of T. brachycaulos and B. karatas experiences significant diurnal and seasonal light variations as well as changes in temperature and water availability. The results obtained showed that, for both bromeliads, increases in antioxidant activity occurred during the dry season, as a consequence of water stress and higher light conditions. Additionally, in T. brachycaulos there was a clear correlation between high light intensity conditions and the content of anthocyanins which accumulated below the leaf epidermis. This result suggests that the role of these pigments is as photoprotective screens in the leaves. The red coloration below the leaf epidermis of B. karatas was not due to anthocyanins but to other unidentified pigments.

Citogenética de algumas espécies frutíferas nativas do nordeste do Brasil

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar o cariótipo de seis espécies de frutíferas nativas do Brasil por meio da análise do número e morfologia cromossômica das mesmas. As pontas de raízes jovens foram pré-tratadas com 8-hidroxiquinolina 0,002M, esmagadas em ácido acético 45% e coradas convencionalmente com Giemsa. O material estudado apresentou cariótipo simétrico, com cromossomos pequenos, medindo de 0,6 a 2,5µm, predominantemente metacêntricos a submetacêntricos com uma a duas constrições secundárias visíveis em todas as espécies, exceto em Bromelia karatas, onde não foi possível identificar a morfologia cromossômica ou a presença de constrições secundárias. Na família Myrtaceae, observou-se um complemento cromossômico diplóide com 2n=98 em Psidium arboreum Vell. e 2n=44 em P. araça Raddi; na família Bromeliaceae, 2n=50 em Bromelia karatas L.; na família Malvaceae, 2n=16 para Guazuma ulmifolia Lam.; na família Sapindaceae, 2n=32 em Talisia esculenta Radlk., e, na família Caricaceae, 2n=18 em Jaracatia spinosa (Aubl.) A. DC. Todos os dados cromossômicos apresentados neste trabalho são inéditos, exceto para a espécie T. esculenta, que teve seu registro prévio confirmado. As espécies possuem potencial para utilização no melhoramento de plantas, e uma inversão em heterozigoze parece estar envolvida na evolução cariotípica de Guazuma ulmifolia.

Man's Role in the Distribution of the Corozo Palm ( Orbignya spp.)

MAN'S ROLE IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE COROZO PALM (Orbignya spp.) By CARL L. JOHANNESSEN University of California, Berkeley Those interested in man's past and in his relationships to his environment receive satisfaction and even a certain exhilaration in finding sites of former human occupation. In some cases, vegetation may be an indicator of these sites. Some plants indicate habitation sites while others indicate areas disturbed by agricultural clearings. In central California certain wild tobaccos, Nicotiana bigelovii and N. attenuata, and the buckeye, Aesculus californiens, are often indicators of early Indian occupance. In Central America the tree gourd, Crescentia cujete, and a bromeliad with edible fruit, penguin or penuela, Bromelia karatas, are found near present or past home gardens or fences. Chicle, Achras zapote, ramón or breadnut (a livestock feed), Brosimum alicastrum, and mahogany, Swietenia macrophylla, are good indicators of past clearings whenever these trees occur in large numbers. Many more indicators of former, perhaps long forgotten, occupation by man probably remain to be noted. Such relationships have been observed in Central America in the case of the Corozo palm, and when groves are found they are worth looking into as possible indicators of nearby archeological sites. The Corozo palm (Orbignya cohune [Mart.] Dahlgren and O. guacuyule [Liebm. ex Mart.] H.X.) is widely distributed in Middle America.1 Areas where the Corozo palm may be found as one of the most numerous of the taller trees in the rain forest are shown on the map; much of this land has been cleared at sometime in the past and it appears that the abundance of the Corozo is probably related to such disturbances. Also indicated on the map are locations where the Corozo is more typically found in isolated groves. Description of the Corozo Palm The two species of Orbignya are very much alike in external appearance although they differ in the size and shape of their staminate flowers and in size of nut. Since they also behave similarly in nature they will be treated under the native designation of Corozo. The mature tree grows as high as 100 feet, to a diameter of 2? feet and, when young, has pinnate leaves 25 to 30 feet long. The nuts of the Corozo are produced on a stalk 3 to 4 feet long, each nut being about the size of a turkey egg; the drooping stalk hangs down like a giant bunch of grapes and weighs about 100 pounds. The tree has many uses. The nuts are used as an oil source by the local inhabitants and in the last few years they have become a source of special oils for the soap industry .2 Until recently the oil was also used in lamps in some areas. The flowers are demanded for certain religious services and, on special occasions, for the decoration of graveyards on the West coast of southern Mexico. Wood and wine are obtained from the main trunk and from the "cabbage" at the top of the tree. Thatch, umbrellas, and a bulky kind of cape are made from the leaves. 1 Efraim Hernández Xoloxotzi, "Estudio Botánico de las Palmas Oleaginosas de Mexico." Sociedad Botánica de Mexico, Bol. 9.T7, 1949. The basis of the species designations is presented . Paul C. Standley, The cohune palm an Orbignya, not an Attalea. Tropical Woods, 30: 1-3, 1932. No difference was recorded for the two separate ranges of the species of Orbignya. 2 Two vegetable oil companies with sizeable factories were using the Corozo nuts in 1956, La Blanquita in Honduras and Kong Hnos. in Guatemala. 29 CP=7^l¿rMEXICO 0 \¦--áíWac·-!Bel ire Chilpacinao 01anchoP^l^*»r.:.::> UATEMALA^^,^ DISTRIBUTION OF THE COROZO PALM£] Orbiauyg. cohune — Abundant \n ralnJÔTesl· /^ VICARACUA Q. cohune Usually found in Grave« in fhe valleys O, QUOC uvule Usually found in Groves COSTA RiCl Distribution of the Corozo Palm The definitive study on the distribution of the Corozo palm remains to be made. The designation of O. guacuyule as a separate species from O. cohune was made in 1949 by Hernandez; prior to this time other workers, for example Standley and Lundell, used O. cohune for both forms. (See...