Dracaena Fragrans Research Articles

Light green leaf sectors of variegated Dracaena fragrans plants show similar rates of oxygenic photosynthesis tо that of normal, dark green leaf sectors

Adaptation and functional significance of chlorophyll deficit in the light green leaf sectors of variegated plants are little known. Efficiency of photosystem II for dark and light adapted states (Fv/Fm and ΔF/Fm’) and fluorescence decrease rates (Rfd) of light green leaf sectors of Dracaena fragrans L. were studied by methods of PAM-fluorometry and video registration. In addition, white light reflectance and transmittance of these leaf sectors were measured using an integrating sphere. Absorption was calculated from reflectance and transmittance. Net CO2 assimilation rates (PN) were measured using a flow chamber and photolytic O2 evolution rates (PAYO2) were studied by a novel method of Fourier photoacoustics which is insensitive to respiration, photorespiration and other processes of O2 uptake. All the photosynthetic parameters (Fv/Fm, ΔF/Fm’, PN and PAYO2) were found to be very close between light green and normal green leaf sectors, whereas chlorophyll content and light absorption were 7.5-fold and 1.47-fold different respectively. Contradiction between low chlorophyll absorption and high (as in normal green sectors) rate of oxygenic photosynthesis in light-green sectors was proposed to be a consequence of different contribution of cyclic electron transport around PSII (CET-PSII) and/or around PSI (CET-PSI) in the total photosynthesis occurring in these sectors. Particularly, it cannot be excluded, that some part of CET activity occurring in normal green leaf sectors may be lost in the light green sectors retaining the same linear (non-cyclic) electron transport (LET) activity as in normal green sectors.

Greening the Gray: Determining Plant Preferences for Indoor Fitness Gyms in the Philippines

Abstract Biophilia is known as the innate connection people have with nature and how green spaces can positively affect basic cognition, mood and health. Mostly applied in urban areas where outdoor green spaces are scarce, designed facilities that incorporate this concept have been observed to be more beneficial to users. Interestingly, one indoor space visited by urban dwellers that have yet to be studied in terms of biophilic design application is fitness gyms. To determine gym members’ preference of planting materials if these were placed in gyms, surveys were distributed online over two weeks. 239 participants composed of actual and potential gym members selected appropriate plants as detailed in the surveys. Site planting considerations or constraints were also identified if these were used indoors. Additionally, their familiarity with biophilia and its advantages were investigated. After the responses were analysed, participants selected Dracaena fragrans, Spathiphyllum wallisii and Epipremnum aureum as top choices of plants for a gym with major considerations on plants’ aesthetic qualities, ecological and psychological benefits, and maintenance. Moreover, more than 50 percent respondents were at least slightly familiar with biophilia. They believed that having plants can improve indoor air quality, make the interiors more aesthetically pleasing and can enhance mood. As per results, it can be said that the respondents supported the idea of designing indoor fitness gyms as biophilic environments although its level of familiarity needs to be increased. This is where professionals come in, by designing facilities such as fitness gyms with plants to optimize biophilia’s benefits.

Advancing Methodologies for Investigating PM2.5 Removal Using Green Wall System.

Combustion processes are the primary source of fine particulate matter in indoor air. Since the 1970s, plants have been extensively studied for their potential to reduce indoor air pollution. Leaves can retain particles on their surfaces, influenced by factors such as wax content and the presence of hairs. This study introduces an innovative experimental approach using metal oxide particles in an office-like environment to evaluate the depolluting effect of plant walls. Two plant walls were installed in a controlled room, housing three plant species: Aglaonema commutatum 'Silver Bay', Dracaena fragrans, and Epipremnum aureum. Metal oxide particles were introduced via a compressed air blower positioned between the two walls. The concentration of these particles was monitored using PM2.5 sensors, and the deposition of iron (Fe) on the leaves was quantified through Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This novel methodology effectively demonstrated the utility of both real-time sensors and ICP-MS in quantifying airborne particle concentrations and leaf deposition, respectively. The results revealed that Dracaena fragrans had a 44% higher Fe particle retention rate compared to the control (wallpaper). However, further validation through methodological replication is necessary to confirm the reproducibility of these findings.

Extraction and Characterization of Dracaena fragrans Leaf Fibre

Textile industries have recently become prevalent environmental pollutants as a result of natural inconsistencies and resource scarcity. As a remedy, using natural fibres for textile production is strongly encouraged. Dracaena fragrans is an Ethiopian plant with lingo-cellulosic fibres that can be used for textile applications. This study focuses on the extraction and characterization of Ethiopian Dracaena fragrans leaf fibre and evaluates its application in the textile industry. For fibre extraction, water, 10% NaOH, 1% H2O2, EDTA di (with 1.5% and 1%, respectively), 0.2% pectinase (presoak), 0.05% alpha-amylase (for 24 hours, 18 hours, and 12 hours retting), and 5% gel retting methods were utilized. Subsequently, the properties of extracted fibre, mainly fibre length, fineness, tenacity, elongation at break, and degree of whiteness, were evaluated. Longer fibres (46 ± 0.74 cm) were obtained by pectinase retting. Comparatively, finer (11.22 ± 0.64 dtex) fibres were obtained by the water retting method. Fibre with the best tenacity (54.51 ± 0.61, 53.54 ± 0.60, and 52.53 ± 0.61) was obtained by EDTA di (1%), 5% gel retting and water retting methods respectively. On the other hand, higher elongation at break (7.28 ± 0.78%) was obtained by 0.05% alpha-amylase retting with a retting time of 24 hours. And finally, the best fibre whiteness (w* = 71) was obtained by 1% H2O2 retting. Long fibres obtained by the pectinase retting method can be used for the production of packaging sacks and hessians. Fibres obtained by the water retting method can be used for the production of linen fabrics such as lace and sheeting. On the other hand, high-tenacity fibres extracted using (1%) EDTA di retting and 5% gel retting methods can be used for the production of cloths, bags, and shoes. Finally, a highly extensible fibre extracted using α-amylase (24 hours retting) can be used for the production of sports clothes.

Comparing the potential of three dracaena species to remove lead (pb) from artificial aqueous media

The study was undertaken to compare the lead accumulation and removal of Dracaena sanderiana, Dracaena reflexa, and Dracaena deremensis on artificial lead solutions to apply plants in lead pollution treatment. The experiment consisted of 6 treatments corresponding to 3 investigated species of Dracaena. Each treatment was grown on 2 types of solution with Pb and without Pb used as control. The results indicated that the growth of D. sanderiana, D. reflexa, and D. deremensis was not affected at Pb concentrations of 100 ppm. All three plant species had the ability to absorb and accumulate Pb. In which D. sanderiana was a typical lead excluder because the lead concentration in roots (1952.14 mg/kg), shoots (221.78 mg/kg), and leaves (166.46 mg/kg) of the plants were the highest among the three plants tested. The most of lead accumulated in the root, and transportation of lead in D. sanderiana, D. reflexa, and D. deremensis from root to shoot was restricted. Besides, the highest % removal of Pb was found at D. sanderiana (93.16%) and the minimum of 66.77% at D. reflexa. D. sanderiana is the best choice among the three Dracaena species used for phytoremediation of lead contaminated wastewater.

Establishment of Sinoxylon anale Lesne (Coleoptera, Bostrichidae) in Brazil: Identification, Host Plants, Distribution, and Damage.

Damage from Sinoxylon anale Lesne, a woodboring beetle not previously known to be established in Brazil, was observed in young jabuticaba trees (Plinia cauliflora, Myrtaceae) in a nursery in the municipality of Laranjal Paulista, state of São Paulo. We immediately advised MAPA ("Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento") and collected samples from the nursery and from different hosts in nearby areas, to identify the specimens and investigate the dynamics of the infestation in the jabuticaba trees. Sinoxylon anale was also collected in ethanol-baited and ultraviolet-light traps and in dry branches of the native species pau-jacaré (Piptadenia gonoacantha, Fabaceae) and inga (Inga vera, Fabaceae), and the exotic pau-d'água (Dracaena fragrans, Asparagaceae) in the municipality of Piracicaba, state of São Paulo. These collections established that S. anale larvae and adults develop in dead branches of four new host plants. Taxonomic studies using morphological parameters and DNA barcoding confirmed the identification of S. anale. An illustrated key to the three Sinoxylon species now recorded in Brazil is provided, and the COI gene sequences have been made available in a public database. Sinoxylon anale probably attacked the young jabuticaba trees after they were killed by larvae of long-horned beetles (Cerambycidae). So far, S. anale has been found established only in two locations in the same area of the state of São Paulo.

Reducing CO2 level in the indoor urban built environment: Analysing indoor plants under different light levels

Recent studies have highlighted that people spend most of their time indoors, making indoor air quality a critical concern. Indoor air pollution can have detrimental effects on human health, and the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in indoor environments is a crucial factor that needs to be monitored and controlled. Plants have been recognized globally as environmentally friendly and natural air purification mechanisms. Therefore, the feasibility of using indoor plants as an indoor air pollution mitigation measure was investigated in this study. While several studies have been conducted in temperate regions, only a few have focused on tropical climates. Therefore, this research aims to fill this gap by assessing the capacity of selected indoor plant species popular in Sri Lanka to reduce CO2 levels in indoor environments under varying lighting. Six plant species, including Chlorophytum comosum, Spathiphyllum blandum, Philodendron hederaceum, Sansevieria trifasciata, Aglaonema commutatum, and Dracaena fragrans, were evaluated for their ability to remove CO2 from indoor environments. The study found that Spathiphyllum blandum was the most efficient species in CO2 assimilation rate under all four lighting levels. Additionally, the study revealed that CO2 assimilation rates increase with higher light intensity. The findings suggest that certain indoor plant species can effectively mitigate indoor air pollution and that supplementary lighting can improve their CO2 removal efficiency. This research is significant because it provides insight into the potential use of indoor plants in tropical climates as a sustainable and natural way of improving indoor air quality.

Isolation and Structure Elucidation of a New Spirostane Glycoside from the Leaves of Dracaena fragrans

Isolation and Structure Elucidation of a New Spirostane Glycoside from the Leaves of Dracaena fragrans

Ethanol Extracts from Selected Tanzanian Medicinal Plants Selectively Inhibit Plasmodium falciparum Growth In Vitro

This study aimed to assess the in vitro antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities of ethanol extracts from the root barks, leaves and stem barks of seven medicinal plant species growing in Tanzania. The antiplasmodial activities of extracts against chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and multidrug-resistant (Dd2) strains of Plasmodium falciparum were determined using a SYBR green I-based fluorescence assay, while the cytotoxicity of active extracts was determined against the human HepG2 cell line using a resazurin-based assay. Out of twenty-one extracts screened, two of them, namely, DFRE from Dracaena fragrans root bark (IC50Pf3D7 = 2.4 mg/mL) and EHSE from Erythrina haerdii stem bark (IC50Pf3D7 = 8.6 mg/mL and IC50PfDd2 = 7.6 mg/mL), exhibited good potencies against P. falciparum parasites. The two extracts emerged as the most promising and selective inhibitors (inhibited the growth of P. falciparum strains and were not toxic to the human HepG2 cell line) of chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and multidrug-resistant (Dd2) strains of P. falciparum. Eight other extracts showed moderate potencies with IC50 values ranging from 11–25 mg/mL against both plasmodial strains, while the remaining 11 extracts were mildly active with IC50 values ranging from 25.1 to 96.7 mg/mL. The results of the cytotoxicity test indicated that the median cytotoxic concentrations (CC50) of the tested extracts were all ≥ 224.8 mg/mL, leading to selectivity indices (SI) > 10-fold for most of the extracts. The findings described in this article support the traditional use of the investigated medicinal plants to treat malaria.
 Keywords: Antiplasmodial; Cytotoxicity; Ethanol extracts; Plasmodium falciparum

Investigation of simultaneous volatile organic compound removal by indoor plants using solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are significant indoor air pollutants, and employing plants offers a simple and cost-effective approach to reduce their concentration. It is important to determine which plant exhibits greater efficiency in removing specific VOCs. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of various common indoor plants in simultaneously removing multiple hazardous VOCs. A sealed chamber was utilized to expose five different species of houseplants to eight commonly found VOCs. The concentrations of each compound were monitored over an extended period using solid phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The study determined and reported the efficiency of removal per leaf area for all compounds by each plant under different conditions, including removal by the entire plant (with and without light) and removal by the plant's leaf area. The paper discusses the efficiency and rate of removal of each VOC for the tested plants, namely Chlorophytum comosum, Crassula argentea, Guzmania lingulata, Consolea falcata, and Dracaena fragrans.

Assessing the Physiological Parameters of Filler Crops Intercropped under Rubber Plantation

Cut foliage’s assume a significant place in domestic and international flower markets and it make up a prime section of floral industry as fillers. Cut foliages are being used in large quantities for floral decoration either on its own or in association with flowers in bouquets and flower arrangements. Most of these are shade loving and so they are suitable for intercropping in rubber plantations under shade. In this study a total of nine species where intercropped in rubber plantations. The experiment was laid down in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The physiological parameters of filler crops were analysed. It was found that the species Dypsis lutesence exhibited highest leaf area (188.4cm2/plant), leaf area index (0.0232), Absolute Growth Rate (0.41 g/day) and Crop Growth Rate (g/m2/day) whereas the total chlorophyll content was found to be the highest (1.77 mg/g leaf tissue) in Dracaena fragrans cv. massangeana.

Medicinal plants species used in male circumcision among the Bagishu of Eastern Uganda

Background: Plants have long been used in traditional medicine and in cultural practices such as circumcision. Circumcision is one of the oldest and most widely performed procedures globally. Although male circumcision among the Bagishu in Eastern Uganda has been widely studied, these studies have focused on social and cultural aspects of the ritual. No study has ever investigated the medicinal plant species used during the process despite their widespread use and importance. Methods: An ethnobotanical study was conducted in Sironko district, in Eastern Uganda, to document the medicinal plants used by the Bagishu during the male circumcision ritual. Semi-structured questionnaires were used for data collection. Fifteen traditional practitioners were identified using the snowball technique and interviewed. Results: Four medicinal plant were used in male circumcision, namely: Cissampelos mucronata A.Rich, Conyza sumatrensis (S.F.Blake) Pruski & G.Sancho, Dracaena fragrans (L.) Ker Gawl, and Urtica massaica Mildbr. These herbs are either administered orally or applied topically on wounds. C. mucronata was the most frequently used plant for wound healing. It is also believed to give courage and embolden young men before circumcision. Conclusion: The Bagishu use medicinal plants during circumcision rituals mainly for treating wounds and stopping bleeding. This knowledge is on the verge of being lost despite its potential economic and health benefits in terms of wound healing. Key words: Traditional practitioners, male circumcision, medicinal plants, Uganda

Potted plants can remove the pollutant nitrogen dioxide indoors

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a significant pollutant in both outdoor and indoor environments with exposure linked to serious respiratory illnesses, decreased lung function and airway inflammation. Here, we investigate whether potted plants can contribute as a simple and cost-effective indoor air pollution mitigation technique. Our study investigates the ability of the combination of the three plant species Spathiphyllum wallisii ‘Verdi’, Dracaena fragrans ‘Golden Coast’ and Zamioculcas zamiifolia with two different growing media to remove in situ concentrations (100 ppb) of NO2 in real-time at two typical indoor light levels (0 and 500 lx) and in ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ growing media conditions. All studied ‘growing medium–plant systems’ were able to reduce NO2 concentrations representative of a polluted urban environment, but to varying degrees. The greatest NO2 removal measured inside a 150 L chamber over 1-h period in ‘wet’ growing media at ~ 500 lx was achieved by D. fragrans. When accounting for dilution, this would correspond to a removal of up to 3 ppb NO2 per m2 of leaf area over the 1-h test period and 0.62 ppb per potted plant over the same period when modelled for a small office (15 m3) in a highly polluted environment. Depending on building ventilation rates and NO2 concentration gradients at the indoor-outdoor interface that will vary massively between polluted urban and rural locations, potted plants offer clear potential to improve indoor air quality—in particular in confined indoor spaces that are poorly ventilated and/or located in highly polluted areas.

Effect of Various (SGS) Developed from Agricultural Waste in Foliage Indoor Plants of Aglaonema commutatum, Dracaena deremensis and Aspidistra elatiors

Effect of Various (SGS) Developed from Agricultural Waste in Foliage Indoor Plants of Aglaonema commutatum, Dracaena deremensis and Aspidistra elatiors

Advanced Software, applied with the Polygraph technique, is useful to interpret electrochemical signals, emitted from Superior Plants (Gymnosperms), during the Depatterning procedure, with the aim to alter the biophysical state, of the same vegetal, and interpret elaborations through a procedure of reverse engineering

Background: Plant organisms, in addition to electrochemical communication, which occurs both between plants belonging to the same species and between plants belonging to different species, are also supposed to communicate through other means, defined by the discipline known as Plant Neurobiology. Acting with the method called Depatterning, defined by the Canadian psychiatrist D.E. Cameron, and used as a Reverse Engineering procedure, the aim is to cancel the "consciousness" of the vegetable, to understand if they are in possession of the same consciousness. Methods: A plant organism, Dracaena fragrans, was connected to a digital polygraph, in order to monitor its parameters and, successively, doses of a psychotropic compound such as N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (N, N-DMT), and electrical impulses supplied by a Tesla coil. By interfacing directly with the plant, through direct questions, and waiting for the computerized re-elaboration of the answer, data relating to Plant Depatterning were obtained. Results: The computerized processing of the alteration of the responses provided by the polygraph (vegetable connected to the polygraph), with respect to the control condition, has made it possible to define the significance of the effect of both the psychotropic compound and the electrical discharges, in the alteration of the same responses. Conclusions: Based on the interpretation of the data obtained, it is possible to affirm the positive effect of the Depatterning procedure, in the alteration of the biophysical state of the plant.

Ecological risk assessment of potentially invasive alien plant species in Cibodas Biosphere Reserve, West Java, Indonesia

More than 80 potentially invasive plant species have spread throughout the Cibodas Biosphere Reserve, Indonesia. Recently, research has shown that the surrounding community utilizes more than 50% of these species. Although this utilization provides social and economic benefits, it threatens the Cibodas Biosphere Reserve core zone ecologically. Therefore, this study conducted a risk assessment to determine the invasiveness level of utilized plant species. The evaluation was performed using Hawaii and Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) scheme. The results show that almost all the potentially invasive plant species are high risk, with scores ranging from 10 to 26, except for Fragaria vesca and Mentha arvensis. The highest WRA score was obtained for Lantana camara and followed by Austroeupatorium inulifolium, Cobaea scandens, Mikania cordata, Sonchus asper, Clidemia hirta, Piper aduncum, Sonchus arvensis, Cestrum aurantiacum, Dracaena fragrans, Passiflora ligularis, Podachaenium eminens, Thunbergia coccinea, and Wedelia trilobata. As most of these species were herbaceous plants obtained from cultivated areas, the risk of invasion into the core zone is low. Based on the findings, the recommended management option to control these species is harvesting, accompanied by containment. Through this method, the community can continue to use the species while controlling the population, thereby limiting their spread.

Water and Nutrient Balance in an Ornamental Cascade Cropping System

Seedlings of Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, Dracaena deremensis and Dracaena marginata were grown in plastic containers filled with sphagnum peat-moss to assess the effects of three different water systems on plant growth, water saving and nutrient removal during the experimental period. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks and consisted of three water systems. These consisted of an open draining system fertigated with a standard nutrient solution (system T0) and two closed systems: sequential reuse of the leachate (system T1) and sequential reuse of the leachate with the addition of H2O2 (system T2). Over the course of the experiment, samples of water and supplies generated in each water treatment were collected weekly, and from these data water volume and nutrient loads were calculated. The addition of H2O2 to the leachate resulted in an enhancement in plant dry weight in Dracaena deremensis and Dracaena marginata. Regarding anion loads (Cl−, NO3−, H2PO4−, SO42−) in these water systems, there was a removal rate of 42%, 28%, 27% and 28%, respectively, in the closed systems compared to the open system. For the cation loads (Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) in these water systems, there was a removal rate from 28% to 29%, respectively, in the closed systems compared to the open system.

Colletotrichum dracaenigenum, a new species on Dracaena fragrans

During an investigation into the microfungi on Dracaena fragrans in Thailand, a saprobic taxon belonging to Glomerellaceae was collected. Based on morphological characterization and combined phylogenetic analyses of ITS, GAPDH, CHS-1, ACT and TUB2 sequence data from the sexual and asexual morphs our taxon was identified as a new species of Colletotrichum. Colletotrichum dracaenigenum sp. nov. is introduced here with a full description, colour photographs of morphological characteristics and a phylogenetic tree to show the placement of the new taxon in the gloeosporioides species complex.

The complete plastid genome sequence of Dracaena fragrans (L.) Ker Gawl. (Asparagaceae)

Dracaena fragrans is a shrub native to tropical Africa classified in the family Asparagaceae. It is a common horticultural plant grown as a hedge as well as an ornamental house plant for its green leaves, attractive shape and fragrant flowers. The species has been used for many medicinal purposes including inducing labor, treating malnutrition and fighting illness. Here, we investigated the complete plastid genome of D. fragrans using Illumina 150 bp next-generation sequencing technologies. De novo assembly and annotation showed that the chloroplast genome is a typical quadripartite structure with 37.5% GC content. A pair of inverted repeats (IRs, 26,507 bp each) were separated by one large single-copy region (LSC, 83,703 bp) and one small single-copy region (SSC, 18,466 bp). The chloroplast genome is 155,183 bp in length and contained 131 genes of which 12 are intron-containing genes, comprising 85 protein-coding, 38 tRNA, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis of D. fragrans and 11 plastomes obtained from GenBank shows that it is closely related to D. elliptica.

Effects of Leachate Fertigation and the Addition of Hydrogen Peroxide on Growth and Nutrient Balance in Dracaena deremensis Potted Plants

The reuse of drainages for cultivating more salt tolerant crops can be a useful tool especially in arid regions, where there are severe problems for crops water management. Dracaena deremensis L. plants were cultured in pots with sphagnum peat-moss and were subjected to three fertigation treatments for 8 weeks: control treatment or standard nutrient solution (D0), raw leachates from Chrysalidocarpus lutescens H. Wendl plants (DL) and the same leachate blending with H2O2 (1.2 M) at 1% (v/v) (DL + H2O2). After harvesting, ornamental and biomass parameters, leaf and root proline and total soluble sugar concentration and nutrient balance were assessed in each fertigation treatment. Plant height, leaf and total dry weight had the highest values in plants fertigated with leachates with H2O2, whereas root length, leaf number, RGB values and pigment concentration declined significantly in plants fertigated with leachates from C. lutescens with or without H2O2. The fertigation with leachates, regardless of the presence or absence of H2O2 increased root and leaf proline concentration. Nevertheless, root and leaf total soluble sugar concentration did not show a clear trend under the treatments assessed. Regarding nutrient balance, the addition of H2O2 in the leachate resulted in an increase in plant nutrient uptake and efficiency compared to the control treatment. The fertigation with leachates with or without H2O2 increased nitrogen and potassium leached per plant compared to plants fertigated with the standard nutrient solution. The reuse of drainages is a viable option to produce ornamental plants reducing the problematic associated with the water consumption and the release of nutrients into the environment.