Cordia Subcordata Research Articles

Isolation and Identification of Bioactive Chlorogenic Acid from Ethanol Fraction of Cordia subcordata: HPLC, HPTLC, FTIR, and LC-MS Analysis.

Cordia subcordata was subjected for soxhlet extraction using soxhlet apparatus by hydroalcoholic solvent (Ethanol:water; 70:30). The obtained crude extract was subjected to organoleptic properties. The extract was dark greenish or greenish-black in color. The odor of the extract was strong like tamarind. The extract taste was bitter mixed with pungent and the texture was sticky solid. The yield of the extract was 9.1%. It was observed that crude extract contains carbohydrates, reducing sugars, monosaccharides, proteins, amino acids, fats and oil, steroids, cardiac glycosides, saponin glycosides, alkaloids, tannins and phenolic compounds, and flavonoids. The presence of many phytochemicals in the extract signifies its substantial contribution to various disorders. The crude extract was subjected to column fractionation using various solvents. For column fractionation, we used polar solvents and analyzed the resulting fractions using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) to determine the presence of individual or multiple compounds. From TLC analysis, it was observed that the ethanol fraction contains a single compound and therefore same fraction was subjected for HPLC, HPTLC, FTIR, and LC-MS analysis. From HPLC analysis, it was clearly identified that this ethanolic fraction contains chlorogenic acid and it displayed a peak at 8.428 minutes. The HPTLC analysis revealed the presence of chlorogenic acid. From HPTLC analysis, chlorogenic acid was identified at 0.65 Rf value. From the present investigation, we concluded that this developed method can be used for the isolation of chlorogenic acid from C. subcordata.

Association of Crab Species with the Mangrove Ecosystem in Gili Sulat East Lombok

The mangrove ecosystem is inhabited by various macroinvertebrates, such as brachyuran crabs, hermit crabs, gastropods, and bivalves. The mangrove ecosystem is a primary habitat for crabs to grow and develop, and it serves as a nursery ground for young organisms before they reach adulthood. This research was conducted from September 2023 to June 2024 in Gili Sulat, East Lombok. The aim of this study is to determine the diversity of crabs in Gili Sulat and their association with mangrove species. The method used in this research is purposive sampling, taking into account the density of mangroves.The study found 12 mangrove species: Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora stylosa, Rhizophora apiculata, Ceriops tagal, Excoecaria agallocha, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Pemphis acidula, Avicennia marina, Lumnitzera racemosa, Xylocarpus rumphii, Cordia subcordata, and Osbornia octodonta. The mangrove density at station 1 was 1800 ind/ha, at station 2 was 1222 ind/ha, and at station 3 was 2411 ind/ha. The crabs found included 3 species: Baptozius vinosus, Notonyx sp, and Portunus pelagicus. The abundance of crabs at station 1 was 55.6 ind/ha, at station 2 was 33.3 ind/ha, and at station 3 was 66.7 ind/ha. The correlation between mangrove density and crab abundance had a coefficient of determination of 91.6%, indicating that mangrove density can significantly influence crab abundance. There is one species of crab that has a positive association with one species of mangrove, namely the crab species Baptozius vinosus and the mangrove species Rhizophora mucronata.

Identification of Antioxidant Metabolites from Five Plants (Calophyllum inophyllum, Gardenia taitensis, Curcuma longa, Cordia subcordata, Ficus prolixa) of the Polynesian Pharmacopoeia and Cosmetopoeia for Skin Care.

Oxidative stress contributes to impairment of skin health, the wound healing process, and pathologies such as psoriasis or skin cancer. Five Polynesian medicinal plants, among the most traditionally used for skin care (pimples, wounds, burns, dermatoses) are studied herein for their antioxidant properties: Calophyllum inophyllum, Gardenia taitensis, Curcuma longa, Cordia subcordata, and Ficus prolixa. Plant extracts were submitted to in vitro bioassays related to antioxidant properties and their bioactive constituents were identified by a metabolomic analytical approach. High performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) analysis was performed leading to the characterization of 61 metabolites. Compounds annotated for F. prolixa and C. subcordata extracts were reported for the first time. Antioxidant properties were evaluated by total phenolic content (TPC), free radical scavenging DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl), and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power activity (FRAP) assays. F. prolixa extract was the most active one and showed antioxidant intracellular activity on keratinocytes by Anti Oxydant Power 1 assay. Online HPLC-DPPH allowed the identification of phenolic bioactive compounds such as quercetin-O-rhamnoside, rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, procyanidins, epicatechin, 5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid, and curcumin as being responsible for the scavenging properties of these plant extracts. These results highlight the potential of F. prolixa aerial roots as a source of antioxidants for skin care applications.

Cordia subcordata (Boraginaceae), a distylous species on oceanic coral islands, is self-compatible and pollinated by a passerine bird

Background and aims – Distyly is usually rare on oceanic islands, which is probably due to the difficulty for distylous plants to colonize those islands. However, Cordia subcordata was observed to be distylous with short- and long-styled morphs on the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea. To characterize the reproduction system of Cordia subcordata and to understand how this distylous species maintains itself on these islands, we studied its reproductive and pollination biology.Methods – Seed set and pollen tube growth under manipulated intermorph, intramorph, and self-pollination were examined to investigate self-incompatibility in the species. The number of pollen grains deposited on the stigmas after a single pollinator visit were counted to investigate the pollination efficiency of different visitors. Key results – Our study indicated that Cordia subcordata shows reciprocal herkogamy as is typical in distylous species. Pollen tubes could reach the base of the style and move into the ovules under all the manipulated pollination treatments in both morphs. Seed set resulting from four hand-pollination experiments did not show any differences between both morphs, suggesting that Cordia subcordata lacks heterostylous self-incompatibility. The most frequent flower visitors, Zosterops japonicus and Apis cerana, were observed foraging on the large volumes of nectar and pollen grains, respectively, with Zosterops japonicus being the most effective pollinator, depositing large number of pollen grains on the stigmas during their visits.Conclusions – Our findings show that Cordia subcordata established itself and persists in the archipelago by producing fruits through a combination of self-compatibility and pollination by the most common passerine bird on the oceanic islands.

A refugium for Cordia subcordata (Boraginaceae), a very rare and endangered plant in Sri Lanka and strategies for its conservation

In Sri Lanka, Cordia subcordata Lam. was known only from three locations in the vicinity of Trincomalee Bay, the first collected in 1885, the second in 1939 and the third in 1974. This tree is presently found in an unprotected coastal forest bordering the Dutch Bay, north of Puttalam Lagoon which is the only known location elsewhere in Sri Lanka, and the first recorded on the western coast. As all original habitats in Trincomalee are now highly disturbed, the coastal forests in Aruwakkalu in the west coast are considered a refugium for this very rare and endangered plant. As only a Tamil name (“Lakshikottay”) has been recorded in Sri Lanka, the Sinhala name “Moodulolu” is proposed for this tree. Some strategies for conservation of this species and associated ecosystems and habitats are proposed. Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 44 (1) : 67-70, 2015

Climate and Vegetation Changes at Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve, Coral Sea Islands, Australia

Climatic changes at Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve (CHNNR) in the last 82 yr include a 0.7°C rise in mean minimum winter temperatures and increases in drought duration and frequency. Between 1991 and 2002, a plague of the scale insects Pulvinaria urbicola (Cockerell), together with attendant ants destroyed Pisonia grandis R.Br, rain forest at South-West Coringa Islet. Scale insect damage of P. grandis has also been recorded at North-East Herald Cay. This study explored the reasons for vegetation dieback during current climate. Woody species such as Argusia argentea (L.) Heine, Cordia subcordata Lam., and the grasses Lepturus repens (G. Forst.) R.Br. and Stenotaphrum micranthum (Desv.) C. E. Hubb. have also declined at CHNNR. Ximenia americana L. and Digitaria ctenantha (F. Muell.) Hughes were found to be locally extinct. Dieback of forests results in reduction of canopy-breeding seabirds and burrowing shearwaters (Puffinus pacifiais [Gmelin)]. Dieback species were replaced by the shrub Abutilon albescens Miq. and/or fleshy herbaceous plants such as Achyranthes aspera L., Boerhavia albiflora Fosberg, Ipomoea micrantha Roem. & Schult, Portulaca oleracea L., and Tribulus cistoides L. Increasing duration of droughts and increased temperatures, together with damage caused by exotic insect pests, appear to be the key drivers of the current vegetation changes.

Ethnobotanical and Plant Profile Studies at Karimunjawa Village of Jepara Regency, Central Java

Ethnobotanical and plant profile studies that had been conducted at Karimunajawa Village of Jepara Regency were aimed to elucidate plants used by the Karimunjawa villagers and typical plants of the Karimunjawa as well as their usage. The method used for this study was questionnaire, structured and semi-structured interviews. Conditions of Karimunjawa typi-cal plants in their natural habitats were measured through bell transects that were determined based on questionnaire previously filled by the villagers. Results of the study showed that there were 39 species of wild and cultivated plants used by villagers. The plants were used for building materials (39.77%), food (23.86%), handi-craft and souvenir (23.29%), furniture (5.11%), ship construction (3.40%), medicine (2.84%), and fuel wood (1.70%). There were three species of typical plants found in the Karimunjawa Islands, i.e. Dewadaru (Fragraea elliptica), Setigi (Pemphis acidula), and Kalimasada (Cordia subcordata). Profile of the typical plants indica-ted that at the Karimunjawa Village there were sixty four individual Dewadaru and two Setigi in their narural habitats. However, no Kalimasada was found in its origi-nal habitat; the Kalimasada found in this area was that of previously planted.

Benzo[ a]pyrene co-metabolism in the presence of plant root extracts and exudates: Implications for phytoremediation

Benzo[ a]pyrene, a high molecular weight (HMW) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) was removed from solution by Sphingomonas yanoikuyae JAR02 while growing on root products as a primary carbon and energy source. Plant root extracts of osage orange ( Maclura pomifera), hybrid willow ( Salix alba×matsudana), or kou ( Cordia subcordata), or plant root exudates of white mulberry ( Morus alba) supported 15–20% benzo[ a]pyrene removal over 24 h that was similar to a succinate grown culture and an unfed acetonitrile control. No differences were observed between the different root products tested. Mineralization of 14C-7-benzo[ a]pyrene by S. yanoikuyae JAR02 yielded 0.2 to 0.3% 14CO 2 when grown with plant root products. Collectively, these observations were consistent with field observations of enhanced phytoremediation of HMW PAH and corroborated the hypothesis that co-metabolism may be a plant/microbe interaction important to rhizoremediation. However, degradation and mineralization was much less for root product-exposed cultures than salicylate-induced cultures, and suggested the rhizosphere may not be an optimal environment for HMW PAH degradation by Sphingomonas yanoikuyae JAR02.

Phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in tropical coastal soils II. microbial response to plant roots and contaminant

The goal of this study was to understand the interaction between plants and microorganisms during petroleum-hydrocarbon bioremediation in Pacific Islands coastal soils. Total bacteria and hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms population dyanamics were examined in the rhizospheres of tropical trees and shrubs, which were evaluated for their phytoremediation potential in a greenhouse experiment. The respective and combined effects of plant roots and diesel contaminant on the microbial populations were determined in relation to diesel fuel depletion. An increase in the grading populations size of the hydrocarbon-degrading populations of microbes, elicited by rhizodeposition, is generally regarded as conducive to an enhanced degradation of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants in vegetated soil. The soil was a coastal sandy loam (pH 7.8) which was artificially contaminated with 10 g of No. 2 diesel fuel/kg soil or left uncontaminated. The pots were irrigated with fertilizer and 1% NaCl. The enumerations were carried out in the contaminated and uncontaminated rhizospheres of three trees, kiawe (Prosopis pallida), milo (Thespesia populnea), and kou (Cordia subcordata) and three shrubs, beach naupaka (Scaevola sericea), false sandalwood (Myoporum sandwicense), and oleander (Nerium oleander). Unplanted control soils were included in the experiment. Total bacteria and phenanthrene-degrading bacteria were enumerated on plates. Diesel- and pristane-degrading microorganisms were enumerated by the most-probable-number technique in tissue-culture plates. All four types of microorganisms responded to the rhizosphere of the 6 plants in uncontaminated soil and to the diesel contaminant in unplanted soil. In contaminated rhizospheres, no effect of the plant on the hydrocarbon-degrader numbers was visible. Total bacteria responded more to the plant roots than to the contaminant. The phenanthrene-degrading bacteria and pristane-degrading microorganisms were more influenced by the contaminant than by the plants. The diesel-degrading microorganisms were equally stimulated by the plants and the contaminant. The numbers of hydrocarbon degraders were similar in the contaminated rhizospheres of the three effective plants (kiawe, kou, and milo) and in those of the three ineffective shrubs. The results suggest the quality of the rhizodeposition is plant-dependent and governs the type of diesel-degrader populations that will be enhanced by a given plant. In the proposed phytoremediation-benefit model plant roots maintain high levels of hydrocaron degraders in uncontaminated soil. When the root enters a contaminated zone of soil, those hydrocarbon degraders that prefer the contaminant would switch to the contaminant as a carbon source, effectively removing the hydrocarbons. If the root exudates and the contaminant are equally attractive to the hydrocarbon degraders, the contaminant degradaton would be less effective.

Phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in tropical coastal soils. I. Selection of promising woody plants.

This glasshouse study is aimed at evaluating tropical plants for phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated saline sandy subsurface soils. Tropical plants were selected for their ability to tolerate high salinity and remove No. 2 diesel fuel in coastal topsoil prior to further investigation of the phytoremediation feasibility in deep contaminated soils. The residual petroleum-hydrocarbon contaminant at the John Rogers Tank Farm site, a former petroleum storage facility, at Hickam Air Force Base, Honolulu, Hawaii, is located in a coastal area. It lies below a layer of silt in the subsurface, in loamy sand characterized by moderate salinity and high pH. Little is known regarding the ability of tropical plants to remediate petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated subsurface soil in Hawaiian and other Pacific Island ecosystems although suitable plants have been identified and utilized for bioremediation in surface soil or marine sediments. The experiments were conducted in long narrow pots under glasshouse conditions in two phases. A preliminary experiment was done with nine tropical plants: kiawe (Prosopis pallida), milo (Thespesia populnea), common ironwood (Casuarina equisetifolia), kou (Cordia subcordata), tropical coral tree (Erythrina variegata), false sandalwood (Myoporum sandwicense), beach naupaka (Scaevola sericea), oleander (Nerium oleander), and buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris). These plants were screened for resistance to high salinity treatment (2% NaCl) and two diesel fuel levels (5 and 10 g No. 2 diesel fuel/kg soil) in separate treatments. Plants that showed good tolerance of both factors were further evaluated in a second phase for their efficacy in the phytoremediation of diesel-fuel petroleum hydrocarbons under moderate salinity treatment (1% NaCl). Tropical coral tree and buffelgrass were susceptible to either 2% NaCl or diesel fuel at 10 g/kg soil, but tolerant of diesel fuel at 5 g/kg soil. Kiawe, milo, kou, common ironwood, N. oleander, beach naupaka and false sandalwood were tolerant of high salinity (2% NaCl) or high diesel fuel level (10 g/kg soil). These seven plants were also tolerant of the combined adverse effects of a moderate salinity (1% NaCl) and 10 g diesel fuel/kg soil. Three trees, kiawe, milo and kou significantly accelerated the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil spiked with 10 g diesel fuel/kg soil under a moderate salinity treatment (1% NaCl). Thus the tropical woody plants, kiawe, milo and kou showed potential for use in phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in coastal tropical soils. Two fast growing trees, milo and kou, appeared promising for further phytoremediation evaluation in experiments that simulate the soil profile at the field site.

Evaluation of Agriculture-Based Phytoremediation in Pacific Island Ecosystems Using Trisector Planters

ABSTRACT It is difficult to directly evaluate the efficacy of phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminants embedded in deep soil layers, especially if the contaminants are of relatively low concentration and are unevenly distributed. This report describes the greenhouse and laboratory experiments carried out to evaluate a field demonstration project. A trisector planter was designed to simulate field conditions, including soil profiles and field management of the trees selected. The third or bottom section of the planter was spiked with known quantities of 6 diesel-fuel components and the reduction of their concentrations was monitored after 200 days under the influence of the plant root systems. Results are statistically compared; among the three tree species used, milo (Thespesia populnea) and kou (Cordia subcordata) are more effective than false sandalwood (Myoporum sandwicense) in reducing the concentration of the spiked contaminant. Enumerations of populations of hydrocarbon-degrading microoorganisms in the bottom section suggest that biodegradation may be affected by the response of microorganisms to both the “close rhizosphere” (soil within 1 mm of the root) and the “expanded rhizosphere” (soil in the bottom section after root removal). Root exudates leached from the upper sections could be responsible for the expanded rhizosphere effect in the bottom section.

Foods of Feral Cats Felis catus on Jarvis and Howland Islands, Central Pacific Ocean

Food habits of feral cats (Felis catus) were studied on two small uninhabited islands in the central Pacific Ocean. Cat stomach contents, collected on Howland Island in May 1979 and on Jarvis Island during May 1979 and June-July 1982, revealed that sooty terns (Sterna fuscata) were the primary prey species. Other seabirds, lizards, insects and, on Jarvis Island, house mice were also eaten. Feral cats may have virtually exterminated the wedge-tailed shearwater colony on Jarvis Island. HOUSE CATS, Felis catus (L.), ARE PRESENT IN THE FERAL STATE in a wide variety of habitats including islands from the equator to 540 latitude. It is thought that the house cat was first introduced on various mid-Pacific Ocean islands from the early 19th century to the present by European sailing ships' either intentionally or accidentally releasing cats. Feral populations are now established on most islands with a human population, from the relatively large Hawaiian Islands (Tomich 1969, Kramer 1971) to the minute islands of the Johnston Atoll and in the Tokelau Islands (Kirkpatrick 1966a, b). Unpeopled islands, such as Malden and Starbuck in the Line Islands, often have house cat populations as well (Perry 1980). Established feral cat populations have a profound effect on the native biota, according to various ecological studies. Cats prey on wildlife wherever they are established away from people and their garbage or handouts. Foods taken by them in various parts of the world are reviewed by Fitzgerald and Karl (1979) and by Berkeley (1982). Karl and Best (1982) list foods of feral cats on Stewart Island and review the literature concerning the relationship of feral cats and birds on New Zealand islands. Little has been published, however, on the food habits of feral cats on tropical islands. This paper examines food habits data from feral cats collected on Jarvis and Howland Islands in the central Pacific Ocean. STUDY AREA AND METHODS Jarvis and Howland Islands are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as seabird sanctuaries in the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Jarvis Island (0?23'S, 160?0 1'W) is an uninhabited, low (maximum elevation, 7 m) coral atoll of 414 ha (Fig. 1). Dominant vegetation includes the bunch grass Lepturus repens and succulents Sesuvium sp. and Portulaca sp. (Bryan 1974). A total of 20 bird species have been recorded on the island, seven of which are known to breed there (Clapp 1967). Cats were introduced c. 1935 (King 1973) and were eradicated in 1983 (Rauzon, per. obs.). Howland Island (0?48'N, 176?38'W) is an uninhabited, low (maximum elevation, 6 m) coral atoll of 166 ha in the Phoenix Islands (Fig. 1). Vegetation includes L. repens and other grasses. The succulents Sesuvium sp. and Portulaca sp. are present, as well as small clumps of the woody Cordia subcordata (Bryan 1974). Of the 26 bird species known to occur, six are known to breed on the island (Clapp 1967). The present population of house cats was introduced in 1966 (King 1973). Cats were collected by shooting with .22-caliber rifles and 12-gauge shotguns and by capturing with CONIBEAR? and TOMAHAWK? traps. Stomach contents were analyzed, using procedures discussed in Korschgen (1980), by washing with water, separating washed contents into discrete components, and determining the volume of each component by water displacement and/or visually determining the percentage of each identified component. Identification of ingested items was made or verified by specialists at the U.S. National Museum or at Bernice P. Bishop Museum.