Cereus Peruvianus Research Articles

Polysaccharide production from callus cultures of Cereus peruvianus Mill. (Cactaceae)

The stems of adult plants and calli of Cereus peruvianus were used for polysaccharide extraction and characterization. The carbohydrate contents of polysaccharide extracted from stems and calli tissues were estimated to be 58.08% and 35.21%, respectively. The ratio carbohydrate contents of the plant stems and callus cells was approximately 1.65:1. The glycosyl composition of the stems and callus polysaccharides consisted mostly in galactose, arabinose, and rhamnose. This shows that calli induced from hypocotyl are capable of producing significant amounts of the same polysaccharides present in stems of adult plants.

S-Linalool synthase activity in developing fruit of the columnar cactus koubo [ Cereus peruvianus (L.) Miller

Koubo [ Cereus peruvianus (L.) Miller, Cactaceae] is a commercially grown columnar cactus that produces an apple-sized, berry-like, edible fruit. The unique aroma of this fruit is largely due to ( S)-linalool and linalool derivatives. Cell-free extracts obtained from koubo fruits produced linalool from geranyl diphosphate (GDP) (apparent K m 18 μM) in enzymatic assays containing the divalent ion cofactor Mn 2+ or Mg 2+. The predominant enantiomer produced in vitro was ( S)-linalool, with an optical purity of 85%. Incubation of geranyl diphosphate in the presence of 1–10 mM FeSO 4 or FeCl 2, without added enzyme, supported the in vitro spontaneous formation of racemic linalool. The koubo linalool synthase displayed a molecular mass of 53 kDa as determined by gel permeation chromatography. Enzyme activity levels were negligible in green immature fruits and increased with fruit development and during storage, concomitant with the timing of linalool accumulation in fruits.

Frugivoria e dispersão de sementes pelo lagarto teiú Tupinambis merianae (Reptilia: Teiidae)

Os lagartos teiús possuem uma dieta generalista, podendo agir como importantes dispersores de sementes em florestas semidecíduas do sudeste do Brasil. Foram estudadas a frugivoria e a dispersão de sementes de lagartos teiús usando animais em cativeiro, através da oferta de frutos de uma floresta semidecídua. Frutos de trinta espécies vegetais foram oferecidos aos lagartos em cativeiro, com diâmetro variando de 0,81 a 10,0 cm. Não foram encontradas diferenças estatísticas na germinação entre as sementes que passaram pelo trato digestivo do lagarto e as controle de Eugenia uniflora (chi²= 0.69, P>0.50), Genipa americana (chi²= 6.4, P>0.975), Cereus peruvianus (chi²= 0.018, P>0.10), e Solanum viarum (chi²= 6.23, P>0.975). O tempo de retenção da semente no tubo digestivo do teiú variou de 22 a 23 h para Solanum lycocarpum e 43 a 44 h para Syagrus romanzoffiana. Nossos resultados indicam que o lagarto teiú tem potencial para agir como um importante dispersor de sementes nos trópicos.

Quality attributes of stored koubo (Cereus peruvianus (L.) Miller) fruit

Cereus peruvianus (L.) Miller (koubo, also known as apple cactus) is a new fruit crop in Israel. When the fruit reach full maturity, they tend to crack due to uncoordinated growth of the different fruit tissues. This phenomenon normally causes heavy fruit losses, as much as 90% of the total yield. To prevent this problem, fruit are usually harvested before they reach full ripening, i.e. at the violet stage, a practice that effectively prevents cracking, but also reduces the overall quality of the marketed fruit. In order to establish optimal harvesting protocols and storage conditions, we characterized fruit ripening under storage, comparing purple-harvested fruit, stored fruit (purple and red-ripe) and tree-ripened red-split fruit. Organoleptic tests indicated that the overall flavor increased concomitantly with the development of the red peel color. During ripening, the pH slightly increased, while titratable acidity and the content of malic acid decreased. These changes were more marked in stored than in tree-ripened fruit. The levels of polysaccharides, glucose and fructose did not change significantly during storage. The content of linalool and linalool derivatives increased dramatically during storage, being much higher than that of cracked tree-ripened fruit. Our results indicated that the overall quality of the fruit increased during storage as expressed by color change, decreased acidity and enhanced levels of aroma compounds, while the content of carbohydrates was practically unaffected.

Fruit cracking in Cereus peruvianus, a new cactus crop

SummaryFruit of Cereus peruvianus (L.) Miller, a newly developed cactus crop, is subject to cracking. Fruit growth follows a double sigmoid curve, with a significant size increase in the first and third stages and moderate increase in the middle stage. Peel and seed grow in the first two stages, while pulp growth and maturation (e.g. peel colour change and stretching, sugar accumulation, fruit softening) occur in the final stage. Sensitive, moderately sensitive, and tolerant clones are subject to 100, 50–60 and 6–9% cracking, respectively, correlated to relative growth rate of the pulp in the third stage. Fruit cracking, lengthwise splitting of the peel, and exposure of the pulp occurred in fully mature fruits towards the end of their growth. Continuous monitoring of fruit growth revealed expansion and cracking during the day and shrinkage during the night, as expected for CAM plants. Cracking was not correlated with the threshold cracking turgor, which declined during ripening in all clones. GA3 sprays during colour break reduced cracking in the two most susceptible clones to 20% and 60%, while paclobutrazol increased cracking. Cracking rates were the same in two ecozones differing in salinity, temperatures and relative humidity. It is suggested that breeding and hormone treatments could reduce cracking significantly.

Changes in sugars, acids, and volatiles during ripening of koubo [Cereus peruvianus (L.) Miller] fruits.

The columnar cactus Cereus peruvianus (L.) Miller, Cactaceae (koubo), is grown commercially in Israel. The unripe fruits are green, and the color changes to violet and then to red when the fruit is fully ripe. The content of soluble sugars was found to increase 5-fold during ripening. Glucose and fructose were the main sugars accumulated in the fruit pulp, and each increased from 0.5 to 5.5 g/100 g fresh weight during ripening. The polysaccharides content decreased during ripening from 1.4 to 0.4 g/100 g fresh weight. The titratable acidity decreased and the pH increased during ripening. The major organic acid found in the fruit was malic acid, which decreased from 0.75 g/100 g fresh weight at the mature green stage to 0.355 g/100 g fresh weight in ripe fruits. Citric, succinic, and oxalic acids were found in concentrations lower than 0.07 g/100 g fresh weight. Prominent accumulation of aroma volatiles occurred toward the end of the ripening process. The main volatile found in the ripe fruit was linalool, reaching concentrations of 1.5-3.5 microg/g fresh weight.

Redução de poluentes de efluentes das indústrias de papel e celulose pela floculação/coagulação e degradação fotoquímica

The abatement of recalcitrant lignin macromolecules from effluents of pulp and paper industry was investigated by combined process. Flocculation and coagulation with aluminum sulfate and natural polyelectrolytes extracted from cactus Cereus peruvianus were used in the first step. After separation of solid residues by filtration, the photochemical methods using TiO2 as catalyst were employed for photocatalytic degradation of lignin compounds from solution. The abatement of lignin compounds after flocculation and coagulation was 46%, and after the overall process, the pollutants reduction observed were 66%. The remaining organic compounds may be removed by any biological treatment.

RAPD markers to evaluate callus tissue of Cereus peruvianus Mill. (Cactaceae) maintained in different growth regulator combinations.

RAPD markers were used to detect DNA polymorphisms in callus tissues maintained at different auxin and cytokinin combinations. There is a higher level of genetic variablity in callus tissue maintained with the highest kinetin versus 2, 4-D concentration. Callus tissues subcultured in a 4.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 4.0 mg/L kinetin combination showed high similarity and can be recommended as more suitable sources for industrial procedures of extraction of natural products such as secondary metabolites since extraction protocols can be easily standardized using genetically uniform materials. The higher genetic diversity in callus tissues of C. peruvianus cultured at 4.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 8.0 mg/L kinetin indicates this tissue as a matrix for in vitro selection of cell lines for higher natural products production. RAPD markers are, therefore, effective tools useful for detecting DNA polymorphism in callus tissue as well as in the DNA identification of callus tissues maintained in different auxin and cytokinin combinations.

Production of fungal protein by solid substrate fermentation of cactus Cereus peruvianus and Opuntia ficus indica

Agricultural wastes from cactus Cereus peruvianus and Opuntia ficus indica were investigated for protein production by solid substrate fermentation. Firstly, the polyelectrolytes were extracted and used in water cleaning as auxiliary of flocculation and coagulation. The remaining fibrous material and peels were used as substrate for fermentation with Aspergillus niger. Glucoamylase and cellulase were the main enzymes produced. Amino acids were determined by HPLC and protein by Lowry's method. After 120 hours of fermentation the protein increased by 12.8%. Aspartic acid (1.27%), threonine (0.97%), glutamic acid (0.88%), valine (0.70%), serine (0.68%), arginine (0.82%), and phenylalanine (0.51%) were the principal amino acids produced.

Molecular typing of Cereus peruvianus clones and their genetic relationships with other Cereus species evaluated by RAPD analysis

SummaryRAPD analysis was used to fingerprint 29 genotypes of Cereus species and examine their genetic diversity. Some modifications were made to the DNA extraction procedure with a view to assuring higher DNA yield and purity. A dissimilarity matrix and dendrogram were constructed to help visualize genetic relationships between different genotypes. The results show that C. peruvianus has only a limited genetic base and that further improvement of this crop may require the introduction of additional germplasm into breeding programmes. RAPD markers were shown to be a valuable tool for clone identification in Cereus species and for detennining genetic relationships.

Tratamento biológico de efluentes de indústrias de papel após floculação e coagulação com sais de alumínio e polieletrólitos naturais

The flocculation and sedimentation of recalcitrant organic compounds of high molecular weight using natural polyelectrolytes, extracted from the cactus Cereus peruvianus and Opuntia ficus indica, have been studied. Organic compounds of high molecular weight from effluents of paper and pulp industries are difficult for biological degradation. However, using a mixture of aluminum salts and natural polyelectrolytes, the aggregation and settling properties of recalcitrant organics were increased if compared with conventional methods of wastewater treatment using only aluminum or iron sulfate. After flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration, the effluent was submitted to biological degradation by activated sludge process. The main advantages of using a mixture of aluminum salts and natural polyelectrolytes were shorter time of flocculation, floccus of larger size and easier for filtration.The removal efficiency observed were:85-90% of aromatic compounds, 70-85% of chemical oxygen demand,and 91-97% of colour.

Effects of environmental factors on development of wood

This research tested the hypothesis that environmental factors (light, water, and nutrient levels) affect wood development. Specimens were placed in treatments of low, medium, or high levels of light, water, nitrogen, or phosphorus for one year. Control plants received medium levels of all factors, while experimental plants received medium levels of all factors except the experimental factor; for example, "high light" treatment consisted of high light but medium levels of water, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Some character changes seen in Cereus peruvianus were a reduction in mean vessel diameter and shoot elongation as a result of low nitrogen and low phosphorus treatments and a reduction in mean vessel density due to low light; high water induced broader vessels and greater shoot elongation. In Cereus tetragonus, low water treatment caused a reduction in mean vessel diameter, and high nitrogen decreased the amount of wood produced. Whereas all characters studied showed a significant correlation with at least one treatment in one species, few characters responded similarly between species. Estimated specific conductivity of wood could be altered by treatments affecting either vessel density or vessel diameter strongly or by treatments affecting both diameter and density weakly. Under the conditions tested, wood structure was stable but estimated conducting capacity was more flexible.

Two-dimensional electrophoresis of Cereus peruvianus (Cactaceae) callus tissue proteins.

Two-dimensional electrophoresis of Cereus peruvianus callus tissues grown in culture media containing two different 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and kinetin combinations was used to identify minor differences in polypeptide composition of these cell clones. Altered expression during growth in the two 2,4-D and kinetin combinations was apparent for 13 polypeptides when calluses in the two media were compared. The number of proteins with differential expression (presence or absence of specific spots) was higher in callus tissues cultured in the 4.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 8.0 mg/L kinetin combination than in callus tissues cultured in the 4.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 4.0 mg/L kinetin combination. The present results show that the callus tissues maintained at 4.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 8.0 mg/L kinetin can be used as a matrix for in vitro selection programs.

SOLID SUBSTRATE FERMENTATION OF CACTUS PULP BY ASPERGILLUS NIGER

A new method of culture is described to study the growth of Aspergillus niger on cactus pulp in the solid-state. After extraction of viscous polyelectrolytes, employed in water treatment, the pulp of Cereus peruvianus was used as a substrate for solid-state fermentation by a wild strain of A. niger . The good conditions for A. niger growth were 60 % moisture, initial pH 3.0, 35 °C, a nitrogen source made of 11 % ammonium and 2 % urea (on a nitrogen basis), 5 % potassium phosphate, and 3.2 g spores/100 g substrate. Related to the dry pulp, maximum fungal growth was observed after 120 hours of fermentation with 14 % of protein production.

Effect of 5-Aminouracil on Callus Tissue Growth and Mdh Genes Expression in Cereus peruvianus (Cactaceae).

An unexpected growth-stimulating effect of 5-aminouracil (5-AU) 50, 100 and 150 μM concentration on long-term callus tissue culture of Cereus peruvianus was found during investigations of callus tissue growth and expression of Mdh genes in the presence of this inhibitor of DNA replication. Three-year-old callus tissues were cut and subcultured in culture medium containing the different 5-AU concentrations. The callus tissues were then collected at 15-day intervals up to 45 days to determine individual callus weight. At 45 days, the callus tissues were collected and submitted to starch gel electrophoresis for analysis of MDH isozymes. The in vivo effect of the various 5-AU concentrations on onion root-tip cell growth was also investigated, and a similar growth response pattern was observed. Unchanged MDH isozyme patterns in callus tissues indicated that Mdh gene expression was not directly related to increased growth of the callus tissues. The interference of 5-AU with DNA replication for cell proliferation and tissue did not change the expression of Mdh genes at the transcriptional level but seems to affect important genes that modulate enzyme-specific activity or degradation of MDH isozymes.

Isozyme extraction from shoot tissue of Cereus peruvianus (Cactaceae) for electrophoretic analysis.

Isozyme extraction from shoot tissue of Cereus peruvianus (Cactaceae) for electrophoretic analysis.

Malate dehydrogenase isozymes (MDH; EC 1.1.1.37) in long-term callus culture of Cereus peruvianus (Cactaceae) exposed to sugar and temperature stress.

Malate dehydrogenase (MDH; EC 1.1.1.37) isozymes in long-term callus tissue culture of Cereus peruvianus were studied in starch gel electrophoresis to investigate the control of differential Mdh gene expression under sugar and temperature stress. While two cytosol MDH isozymes showed an unchanged phenotype when the callus tissues were transferred to medium maintained at 22 or 37 degrees C and containing different concentrations of sucrose, glucose, and fructose, the different combinations of five mitochondrial MDH (mtMDH) and two micro-body MDH (mbMDH) showed different MDH isozyme patterns in the callus populations. Differential expression of mtMDH isozymes seems to be modulated at the posttranslational level in callus tissues exposed to different concentrations and types of sugar and to high-temperature and low-temperature stress. An inductor effect on the expression of mbMDH isozymes was observed under stress conditions and in long-term callus tissue, and they may also present different responses.

Isozyme variability in plants regenerated from calli of Cereus peruvianus (Cactaceae).

Morphological and isozyme variation was observed among plants regenerated from callus cultures of Cereus peruvianus. Different morphological types of shoots (68%) were observed in 4-year-old regenerated plants, while no distinct morphological variants were observed in plants grown from germinated seeds. Isozyme patterns of 633 plants regenerated from calli and of 261 plants grown from germinated seeds showed no variation in isocitrate dehydrogenase isozyme, and the differential sorbitol dehydrogenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, and peroxidase isozyme patterns observed in regenerated plants were attributed to nonallelic variation. Allelic variation was detected at three isoesterase loci. The proportion of polymorphic loci for both populations was 13.6% and the deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for the Est-1 and Est-7 loci observed in somaclones was attributed to the manner in which the regenerant population was established. The high values for genetic identity among regenerant and seed-grown plant populations are in accordance with the low levels of interpopulation genetic divergence. In somaclones of C. peruvianus, morphological divergence was achieved within a short time but was not associated with any isozyme changes and also was not accompanied by biochemical genetic divergence.

5491569 High efficiency, broad bandwidth, volume holographic element for diffraction windows and method of manufacture : Riccobono Juanita R; Ludman Jacques E Nashua, NH, UNITED STATES assigned to Northeast Photosciences

The origin, distribution, weed status and biological control of 13 species of alien invasive cacti of lesser economic importance in South Africa are reviewed. (The biological control of two major cactus weeds, Opuntia aurantiaca Lindley and Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller, is fully reviewed elsewhere.) The species include two in the genus Austrocylindropuntia (A. exaltata (Berger) Backeberg and A. salmiana (Parmentier));Cereus peruvianus (L.) Miller; three in the genus Cylindropuntia (Cyl. imbricata (Haworth) Knuth, Cyl. leptocaulis (De Candolle) Knuth and Cyl. rosea (De Candolle) Backeberg); Eriocereus martinii (Labouret) Riccobono; five in the genus Opuntia (O. dellenii (Ker-Gawler) Haworth, O. lindheimeri Englemann, O. spinulifera Salm-Dyck, O. stricta (Haworth) Haworth and O. vulgaris Miller); and, lastly, Pereskia aculeata Miller.Total success has been achieved in biocontrol against Cyl. leptocaulis and O. vulgaris using the cochineal insects Dactylopius tomentosus (Lamark) and Dactylopius ceylonicus (Green), respectively. Introduced insect agents, together with sporadic chemical or mechanical control, have arrested the invasion of E. martinii (where a pseudococcid Hypogeococcus festerianus (Lizer y Trelles) was the agent used), Cyl. imbricata and Cyl. rosea (using D. tomentosus in both cases), and O. lindheimeri (using Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell)).Recognition of these cacti as weeds, before they became widely distributed or of much economic importance, and timely initiation of biological control, coupled with the locality of the weed species in hot dry areas that enhance the debilitating effects of cochineal insects on the plants, seem to have contributed most to the successes. Relatively isolated, refuge populations of the weeds that escape colonization by the imported insect agents, together with the inimical, but mandatory herbicidal control practices that often kill the natural enemies, seem to have been the two main reasons for reduction in the levels of biocontrol achieved.

Micropropagation ofCereus peruvianus mill. (cactaceae) by areole activation

Currently,Cereus peruvianus plants can be rapidly clonedin vitro via adventitious organogenesis using callus cultures; however, somaclonal variation is a problem. A method is described herein using lateral bud explants to produce multiple shoots for clonal propagation. Apical and lateral explants were cultured on MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) media with factorial combinations of the auxins indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and cytokinins 6-ben-zyladenine (BA) and N-(2-furanyl-methyl)-1-purine-6 amine (kinetin) at the concentrations 0.0, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 mg“l−1. Positive results were obtained from the lateral explants in all conditions tested, but apical explants did not respond toin vitro multiplication ofC. peruvianus cactus at all growth regulator combinations tested. Formation of axillary shoots inC. peruvianus seems most frequent in medium containing BA at 1.0 mg·l−1 (4.44 μM) and IAA or NAA at 1.0 mg·l−1 (5.71 μM or 5.37 μM respectively), but the frequency of shoot formation in the BA or kinetin and NAA or IAA combinations indicated that any of the combinations tested can be used for multiplication ofC. peruvianus plants regenerated from callus tissue culture. Root formation occurred in all (100%) of the cactus shoots after 9 wk in the same culture medium. All the cacti that developed at the different auxin and cytokin combinations continued growth after transfer to a potting mix of red earth (Paleudult) and ground river sand (1∶1).