Edible Fruits Research Articles

Post Harvest Anthracnose of Mango Caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides: A Review

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is an edible stone fruit most widely grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions. It is been cultivated in South Asia around 4000 years. The genus Mangifera consists totally 49 species, but only 41 species are considerable. Mango is the most cultivated and important fruit around the world especially in India. Since ages, the people from ancient India describe mango tree as ‘Kalpavriksha’ which means wish granting tree. Mango is the eight most important fruit crop grown throughout the world which it contains the nutritive values, minerals, vitamins and dietary fibers. Mango is highly perishable due to climacteric nature of the fruit, it produces high amount of ethylene which is known as ‘Ripening hormone’. However, the fruit quality and commercialization were drastically reduced by the fungus anthracnose incited by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides; it causes the post-harvest losses of about 35 to 40 percentage, becaming a major post-harvest disease of mango. Many pre-harvest and post-harvest management practices have been practiced to control mango anthracnose including chemical methods. This review summarizes an overview on exhibiting of this disease, the factors influencing them and the recent management approaches to sustain the fruit quality and maintain the supply chain of mango.

Computational study of ADME-Tox prediction of selected phytochemicals from Punica granatum peels

Abstract Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is one of the oldest well-known edible fruits, which has originated in Central Asia but now it has a widespread geographical distribution throughout the world. Phytochemicals are isolated from the pomegranate peels that show different nutritional and pharmaceutical properties. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADME-Tox) were performed to check the adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity of compounds. Previous studies mainly focused on the physico-chemical properties but other parameters are also important for the ADMET study. Six active phytochemicals B9, B29, B30, B45, B55, and B70 show good ADMET properties and can be used for drug discovery in the future.

Evaluation of Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Antimicrobial Activities of Raspberry Fruit Extract: An In Vitro Study.

Introduction Rubus idaeus (R. idaeus)is an edible fruit thatcontains numerous significant bioactive compounds that hold important biological properties and are categorized as nutraceuticals owing to the health benefits it imparts including decreasing the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus, cancer, heart disease, and many other diseases.The objective of the present research was to explorethe antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory characteristics of the aqueous raspberry extractthrough in vitro assays. Materials and methods R. idaeus aqueous extract was prepared and examined for its antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) bacteria and Candida albicans (C. albicans) fungi using the agar-well diffusion method, and the antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH (2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate) radical scavenging assay and the hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging assay. The anti-inflammatory activity of the prepared extract was investigated using bovine serum albumin (BSA) and egg albumin denaturation assays. Results R. idaeus fruit extract displayed strong antimicrobial activity at a higher concentration of 100 µL with a 26 mm zone of inhibition against Streptococcus mutans and 24 mm for Candida albicans. The extract showed 87.42% hydrogen peroxide free radical scavenging activity and inhibited 91.12% DPPH free radicals at the highest concentration of 50 µg/mL. The extract showed effective anti-inflammatory activity by preventing the denaturation of bovine serum albumin (80%) and egg albumin proteins (77%) at the highest concentration of 50 μg/mL.The free radical scavenging activity positively correlates with the increased concentration of the prepared extract against DPPH and hydrogen peroxide free radicals, thus showing the raspberry extract's potent antioxidant activity. Similarly, the anti-inflammatory assay result shows that the prepared raspberry aqueous extract has excellent anti-inflammatory activity by preventing the denaturation of bovine serum albumin and egg albumin protein in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion The meticulously prepared raspberry extract exhibited noteworthy antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory characteristics, and owing to its astounding therapeutic benefits it holds a tremendous promise as a natural alternative in the field of oral medicine especially in the management of oral mucosal lesions, oral potentially malignant lesions such as lichen planus and leukoplakia, candidiasis, oral cancer and oral mucositis. Further animal studies and clinical trials are recommended to fully reap the therapeutics potential of raspberry extract.

Mycobiota Associated with Dacryodes edulis H. J. Lam fruits sold In Rumokoro Market, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Dacryodes edulis H. J. Lam is a common fruit in Nigeria used to eat roasted or boiled corn. It can also be eaten alone by softening with hot water, hot ash, or by roasting on low heat. It is called “ube” in the eastern part of Nigeria. D. edulis fruits are prone to infection by fungal pathogens in the field, in transit and during storage. Proper identification of these pathogens is important in disease prevention and control. This study was carried out to isolate and identify the fungal species associated with D. edulis fruits. Fruits were obtained from Rumokoro market, Rivers State, Nigeria in January 2020. Isolation of fungi was done by Potato Dextrose (PDA) method and identification was carried out by molecular method. Fungal DNA was extracted using the Zymo Fungal/Bacterial DNA Miniprep Kit. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was carried out using the primer pair: ITS4 and ITS5. BLAST search was carried out on the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database and the fungi were identified as: Rhizopus delemar, Aspergillus oryzae and A. welwitschiae. The Phylogenetic tree was constructed to show the evolutionary relationship among the isolates and other fungal species retrieved from GenBank. The sequences of the isolates have been deposited in GenBank under the accession numbers: ON965489, ON965490 and ON965491 for Rhizopus delemar, Aspergillus oryzae and A. welwitschiae respectively. The molecular method used in this study enabled the isolates to be identified at the species levels.

Morin improves learning and memory in healthy adult mice.

Morin is a flavonoid found in many edible fruits. The hippocampus and entorhinal cortex play crucial roles in memory formation and consolidation. This study aimed to characterize the effect of morin on recognition and space memory in healthy C57BL/6 adult mice and explore the underlying molecular mechanism. Morin was administered i.p. at 1, 2.5, and 5mg/kg/24h for 10 days. The Morris water maze (MWM), novel object recognition, novel context recognition, and tasks were conducted 1 day after the last administration. The mice's brains underwent histological characterization, and their protein expression was examined using immunohistochemistry and Western blot techniques. In the MWM and novel object recognition tests, mice treated with 1mg/kg of morin exhibited a significant recognition index increase compared to the control group. Besides, they demonstrated faster memory acquisition during MWM training. Additionally, the expression of pro-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), BDNF, and postsynaptic density protein 95 proteins in the hippocampus of treated mice showed a significant increase. In the entorhinal cortex, only the pro-BDNF increased. Morin-treated mice exhibited a significant increase in the hippocampus's number and length of dendrites. This study shows that morin improves recognition memory and spatial memory in healthy adult mice.

Genome-Wide Identification of Expansins in Rubus chingii and Profiling Analysis during Fruit Ripening and Softening

Improving fruit size or weight, firmness, and shelf life is a major target for horticultural crop breeding. It is associated with the depolymerization and rearrangement of cell components, including pectin, hemicellulose, cellulose, and other structural (glyco)proteins. Expansins are structural proteins to loosen plant cell wall polysaccharides in a pH-dependent manner and play pivotal roles in the process of fruit development, ripening, and softening. Rubus chingii Hu, a unique Chinese red raspberry, is a prestigious pharmaceutical and nutraceutical dual-function food with great economic value. Thirty-three RchEXPs were predicted by genome-wide identification in this study, containing twenty-seven α-expansins (EXPAs), three β-expansins (EXPBs), one expansin-like A (EXPLA), and two expansin-like B (EXPLBs). Subsequently, molecular characteristics, gene structure and motif compositions, phylogenetic relationships, chromosomal location, collinearity, and regulatory elements were further profiled. Furthermore, transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) and real-time quantitative PCR assays of fruits from different developmental stages and lineages showed that the group of RchEXPA5, RchEXPA7, and RchEXPA15 were synergistically involved in fruit expanding and ripening, while another group of RchEXPA6 and RchEXPA26 might be essential for fruit ripening and softening. They were regulated by both abscisic acid and ethylene and were collinear with phylogenetic relationships in the same group. Our new findings laid the molecular foundation for improving the fruit texture and shelf life of R. chingii medicinal and edible fruit.

Exploring the potential of Davidson's plum (Davidsonia pruriens): A promising indigenous edible fruit as biopreservative in raw processed meat products.

This study evaluated the preserving effect of Davidson's plum (Davidsonia pruriens) fruit powder (DPP) in raw beef patties. Minced meat patties were treated with no additive (negative control), 45 mg/hg of Sodium metabisulphite (SMB), or DPP (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 g/hg) and stored for 20 days at 4 ± 1 °C. Lipid oxidation, microbial growth rate, pH, instrumental color were studied. Bioactive compounds of the DPP were analysed using UHPLC–HRAM-Orbitrap-MS/MS. The results showed that DPP contained high concentration of both anthocyanins and non-anthocyanins compounds. Furthermore, the beef patties treated with DPP exhibited reduced lipid oxidation (p<0.05) in comparison to beef patties with no added preservative. Moreover, the addition of DPP at concentration equal to or greater than 0.2 g/hg slowed down microbial growth (p<0.05) compared to raw beef patties with no preservative added. However, SMB-treated samples had the greatest antimicrobial activities in comparison to all other treatments. The inclusion of DPP led to reduced redness and pH of treated raw beef patties. This study provides evidence that Davidson's plum fruit can be used as natural preservative in raw processed meat.

Valorization of Citrus peels: GC/MS-based metabolites profiling, multivariate analysis, and antiaging potential.

Aging and agro-waste are major challenges. Natural ingredients are preferred in skincare. This study intended to isolate the essential oils (EO) from the leftover peels obtained from three commonly edible Citrus species fruit peels, namely Citrus paradisi (grapefruit), Citrus sinensis (sweet orange), and Citrus deliciosa (mandarin). Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis identified volatile constituents in EO and headspace aroma. Multivariate analysis distinguished between the three species. The antiaging effects of Citrus EO were assessed in vitro and in silico, studying volatile interactions with target enzymes. C. sinensis peels had the highest oil yield, rich in monoterpenes. C. paradisi and C. deliciosa contained sesquiterpenes. Limonene dominated the hydrodistilled EO: 94.50% in C. paradisi, 96.80% in C. sinensis, and 80.66% in C. deliciosa. Unsupervised multivariate analysis of Citrus species revealed that d-limonene, γ-terpinene, and β-pinene are the key phytochemical markers contributing to their diverse chemical composition. C. paradisi exhibited the highest enzyme inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 12.82, 27.58, and 18.16 µg/mL for tyrosinase, elastase, and collagenase, respectively. In silico studies showed that the volatiles can inhibit the tested antiaging enzymes. According to these findings, the investigated agro-waste might slow aging in skin care.

Cyrtocarpa edulis fruit and its immunostimulant effect on Almaco Jack Seriola rivoliana: in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo studies.

The present study investigates for the first time chemical, proximate analyses and immunostimulant effect of Cyrtocarpa edulis fruit (CeF). Three design experiments were carried out to evaluate immunostimulant effect of C. edulis fruit: in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo studies in juveniles Almaco jack Seriola rivoliana. In general, nutraceutical studies performed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in CeF revealed a major quantity of the carbohydrate groups and phytosterols such as β-sitosterol. Their phytochemical and antioxidant values exposed a significant content of total phenols, flavonoids, and tannins, showing an antioxidant capacity against hydroxyl and superoxide radical. The in vitro results confirm that CeF is edible and enhanced the innate immune response in head-kidney leukocytes after 24h of immunostimulation. The in vivo results showed that myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide production, as well as antioxidant enzymes were enhanced in skin mucus of those fish fed with CeF. Interestingly in the intestine, IL-β, TNF-α, MARCO and Piscidin gene expression were up-regulated in fish fed with C. edulis after 4weeks. Finally, ex vivo experiments showed an important enhancement on cellular parameters (phagocytosis, respiratory burst, myeloperoxidase, and nitric oxide production) in head-kidney leukocytes of fish fed CeF and intraperitoneally infected with A. hydrophila. The results demonstrate that C. edulis fruit (0.5%) represents an available phytochemical and antioxidant rich alternative with great potential as fish immunostimulant additive.

Quantitative ethnomedicinal survey of wild edible fruits used by the indigenous community in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Quantitative ethnomedicinal survey of wild edible fruits used by the indigenous community in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Studies of the Indigenous Edible Wild Fruits of Etche Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

In the past, Indigenous Edible Wild Fruits (IEWFs) were vital source of food and nutrition in Etche Local Government Area. These plant species were highly nutritious and assisted in poverty alleviation and enhanced food security in Etche. Presently, due to the teeming population and the anthropogenic activities in the area especially the farming practice of the local people, the availability and rate of consumption of the IEWFs have been negatively impacted. Information about these economic plant species that are domiciled in Etche has not been properly documented. This investigation seeks to fill the gap. IEWFs were identified in ten (10) study area communities. Scientific names, common names, local names, families, habits, habitat and locality of the plants were documented. It was observed that 36 plant species drawn from 29 genera, representing 23 families were Indigenous Edible Wild Fruits consumed regularly by Etche people. The study revealed that the fruit plants were 39% trees, 42% shrubs, 8% herbs and 11% climbers. In addition, most of the edible plant species in the area were exclusively found in the wild while a few were domesticated and some of them served as a source of income for some households. The study observed a decline in the diversity of species due to depletion of forest resources through bush burning, deforestation and exploitation of flora by the rural dwellers for other purposes.

Impact of extract conditions on total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of Phu Quoc sim fruits (rhodomyrtus tomentosa (ait.) hassk.)

Rhodomyrtus tomentosa is an evergreen shrub that originates from Southeast Asia and grows in abundance with rose-pink flowers and dark-purple edible bell-shaped fruits. In this study, optimal extraction conditions for achieving high contents and antioxidant activities of the total phenolic compound (TPC) from Phu Quoc sim fruits were investigated. It was found that the total phenolic content achieved was upon 179.055mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry weight extract (DWE) and the DPPH scavenging activity was 65.112% at concentration of 100µg/ml. The optimal extraction conditions were identified with 80% ethanol, with solid-to-solvent ratio of 1/4 (w/v), and 4 hours of extraction at the temperature of 60°C. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of ethanol extract was found due to scavenging DPPH (IC50=93.713µg/ml) and ABTS (IC50=83.512µg/ml) radicals. Accordingly, Phu Quoc sim fruits was suggested a potential source of bioactive polyphenols with high antioxidant activities.

Time-Series Transcriptome of Cucumis melo Reveals Extensive Transcriptomic Differences with Different Maturity.

As the most important melon cultivar grown in the north-western provinces of China, Hami melon (Cucumis melo) produces large edible fruits that serve as an important dietary component in the world. In general, as a climacteric plant, melon harvested at 60% maturity results in a product with bad quality, while the highest-quality product can be guaranteed when harvesting at 90% maturity. In order to clarify the genetic basis of their distinct profiles of metabolite accumulation, we performed systematic transcriptome analyses between 60% and 90% maturity melons. A total of 36 samples were sequenced and over 1.7 billion reads were generated. Differentially expressed genes in 60% and 90% maturity melons were detected. Hundreds of these genes were functionally enriched in the sucrose and citric acid accumulation process of C. melo. We also detected a number of distinct splicing events between 60% and 90% maturity melons. Many genes associated with sucrose and citric acid accumulation displayed as differentially expressed or differentially spliced between different degrees of maturity of Hami melons, including CmCIN2, CmSPS2, CmBGAL3, and CmSPS2. These results demonstrate that the phenotype pattern differences between 60% and 90% maturity melons may be largely resulted from the significant transcriptome regulation.

A review of botany, traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacological applications, and toxicology of Rubus ellipticus Smith fruits.

Rubus ellipticus Smith. (Family Rosaceae), often known as the yellow Himalayan raspberry (Yellow Hissar), is one of the most widely used edible fruits in Indian folk medicinal systems. The current review aims to identify the gap between research and existing applications of this fruit to help scientists explore the current trends and opportunities for future development. Fruits of R. ellipticus are the source of several classes of compounds. Fruits of R. ellipticus are also rich in nutrients such as carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. It has been shown to have significant medical value in a variety of studies, including as an anti-diabetic, nephroprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antitumor, wound healing, antifertility, oviposition deterrent, antibacterial, and antioxidant. Fruits of R. ellipticus have been the subject of several in vitro and in vivo investigations, all of which have corroborated their wide range of biological activities and demonstrated their potential for the identification of new therapeutic candidates and the development of innovative herbal food supplements. Additional mechanism-based pharmacological evaluation and clinical research shouldprovide an adequate scientific basis for the traditional usage of R. ellipticus fruits, which is currently not sufficiently supported by the available research on its active components and molecular mechanisms.

A circular economy approach: A new formulation based on a lemon peel medium activated with lactobacilli for sustainable control of post-harvest fungal rots in fresh citrus fruit

The aim of the study was to develop an effective bio-formulation for preventing post-harvest fungal rots in fresh citrus fruit through a multi-step process that includes isolation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria (LABs) from citrus fruit peel, selection of LAB strains with high antifungal activity, chemical characterization of cell free supernatants (CFS), formulation of a lemon peel powdery-based medium (LM) activated with LAB fermentates, chemical characterization of fermented LM, and evaluation of the efficacy of the new bio-formulation against blue mold. Thirteen LABs were recovered from the rind of citrus fruit and identified by the peptide mass fingerprinting method. The antifungal activity of LABs, isolated from citrus fruit, as well as cell free supernatants (CFSs), obtained from their liquid cultures, was tested against diverse plant pathogenic fungi and oomycetes, using the dual-culture overlay and the diffusion agar assays, respectively. Two isolates designated as N3B2 and M2B2, both identified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, were selected among the others for their relevant antifungal activity. Both isolates showed a broad spectrum antagonistic activity comprising also major postharvest pathogens of citrus fruit, such as Penicillium digitatum and P. italicum, the causal agents of green and blue moulds, respectively, Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, C. karsti, Phytophthora citrophthora and Ph. nicotianae. The N3B2 and M2B2 isolates were used as starter cultures to ferment a lemon peel powder medium enriched with a nutrient water solution (LM). The two formulations obtained by fermenting LM with the N3B2 and M2B2 isolates showed a strong in vitro inhibitory activity on the same broad range of pathogens used in the preliminary screening of LABs. Moreover, the two LM-based formulations reduced the severity of blue mold infection and inhibited the sporulation of P. italicum on artificially inoculated lemon fruit. The chemical analysis of LM-based bioformulations revealed their antifungal activity was very probably due to the LAB-derived acidic components, including lactic, acetic, DL-3-phenyllactic, 3-4-dihydroxyhydrocinnamic, salicylic acid vanillic acids. These innovative LM-based bioformulations activated with LAB-derived antifungal compounds will be exploited as edible and biodegradable fruit coatings to prolong the shelf-life and prevent post-harvest rots of fresh citrus fruit.

Evaluation of viability and germination of pollen grains of three local caprifig cultivars and their effect on some characteristics of fig fruits (Ficus carica L.)

This research was carried out in fig fields in the village of Kafar-Jales, in the north of Syria. The analyses were conducted in the laboratories of the Faculty of Agriculture at Idlib University during the 2022 farming season, to evaluate the viability and germination of three local varieties of Caprifig (Bunduqi, Azraq, Panjani). The morphological characteristics, the date of the exodus of insects (Blastophaga psenes) from male fruits, the quantity of pollen, and the percentage of germination and viability were studied on four nutritive media at a temperature of 27°C. The measurements were taken after 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. These three pollinators were used to pollinate three varieties of edible figs (white Satehi, Safrawi, and Habashi) to study the effect of pollen source on the productive characteristics of edible fig fruits. The result showed significant superiority of the Bunduqi cultivar over the rest of the cultivars in traits of the fruit’s early ripening, pollen quantity, and date of departure of insects. The Azraq cultivar is found to be superior to Bunduqi and Panjani cultivars in the germination rate of pollen at all stages of the experiment and in all used media. The addition of stigma flower extract in culture media increased germination percentage by 35% for all studied Caprifig cultivars. The addition of 10% sucrose in the cultivation environment increased the percentage of pollen germination by 20%. The cultivars that were inoculated with the Panjani pollinator outperformed the characteristics of the length, diameter, and weight, demonstrating that the fruit’s quality characteristics are affected by the genotype of the pollinator used. The results of this research can be beneficial for both fig growers and plant breeders, as they help to select the best pollinators and contribute to the development and improvement of the quality of the cultivated fig fruits.

Traditional Uses, Pharmacology and Phytochemistry of the Medicinal Plant Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle

The white berry bush, officially Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle is a medicinal plant distributed throughout tropical areas and traditionally used in Africa, India and China. Root decoctions are used to treat abdominal pain, whereas extracts from the aerial parts serve to treat liver and urinary diseases, inflammatory pathologies and diabetes, among other pathologies. Plant extracts have revealed antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antiepilepsy, antidiabetic, anticancer and analgesic effects. Three main categories of phytochemicals were isolated from F. virosa: polyphenols, with the lead product bergenin; terpenoids, such as the flueggenoids and related podocarpane-type diterpenoids; and many alkaloids derived from securinine and norsecurinine. A remarkable feature of S. virosa is the production of norsecurinine oligomers, including macromolecular tetramers and pentamers, such as fluevirosinines. The most potent anticancer alkaloid in the family is the dimeric indolizidine flueggine B, which was identified as a potential binder to α/β-tubulin dimer, which is a known target for securinine. This review highlights the diversity of phytochemicals identified from S. virosa and the potential therapeutic benefits of dimeric alkaloids. Studies are encouraged to further investigate the therapeutic properties of the lead compounds but also define and finesse the nutritional profile of the edible fruit.

Livelihood &amp; Climate Change Implication of In-situ Conservation Strategies for Punica granantum and Syzygium cumini in Sunni Tehsil, Shimla H. P. India

Sustainably harvesting and selling wild fruits can offer rural communities an economical source of income while concurrently safeguarding ecosystems. This study aims for the global promotion of wild edible fruits (WEFs) in the rural areas of Sunni Nagar Panchayat, located in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. This study primarily focuses on comprehensively documenting the utilization of wild edible fruits by local inhabitants through a structured survey and in-depth interviews. Employing a multistage random sampling technique, five villages—Ambari, Kadog, Kamla dugri, Kalwi, and Basantpur—were chosen based on the prevalence of Punica granatum and Syzygium cumini. This research underscores the economic advantages of collecting WEFs for rural communities, providing them with affordable and easily accessible food sources. Additionally, it promotes public awareness, community-based management, and research on indigenous fruits to diversify diets and contribute to the overall well-being of these communities.&#x0D; Pomegranate and Jamun (local names referring to the botanical species of Punica granatum and Syzygium cumini, respectively) trees play crucial roles in ecological conservation by offering habitat, shelter, and promoting biodiversity, while also combating soil erosion. However, escalating threats such as population growth, forest fires, urbanization, and timber extraction endanger this rich biodiversity. To counter plant extinction risks, a strategic approach to forest conservation is imperative, emphasizing sustainable collection and trade of underutilized species beneficial for food, medicine, and income. Climate change poses challenges to pomegranate production, impacting orchards with temperature fluctuations, altered precipitation, extreme weather, and pests. Adaptation measures, including irrigation, pest management, and diversification, are crucial. Preserving wild pomegranate and Jamun demands habitat protection, restoration, and sustainable agriculture through agroforestry research, community engagement, and supportive policies. Integrating traditional knowledge with modern conservation ensures a comprehensive approach, actively preserving genetic diversity, ecological balance, and cultural relevance through multi-dimensional conservation efforts for Pomegranate and Jamun.

Recovery of the reproductive functional diversity of edible fruit plant assemblages along the regeneration of a Caatinga dry forest

The ability of dry forests to deliver ecosystem services of both local and global relevance depends on the capacity of those forests to recover from constant disturbances in human-modified landscapes. Here we examine the effects posed by biomass, chronic human disturbances and aridity on the recovery of reproductive functional diversity by edible fruit plant assemblages following slash-and-burn agriculture in a Caatinga dry forest, in northeastern Brazil. The edible fruit plant assemblages were described across 24 forest stands, including regenerating stands of varying age (4 to 50 yr old) and old-growth stands, adopting a large set of reproductive traits as floral sizes, reproductive systems, and pollination systems. Such a chronosequence covered a gradient relative to aboveground biomass, aridity, and chronic anthropogenic disturbances (CAD). We observed that edible fruit plant assemblages across both regenerating and old-growth forest stands exhibited similar taxonomic diversity scores. This pattern is also figured in the recovery of reproductive traits, which is relatively fast as regenerating forest scores are generally similar or higher to those in old-growth forests. Generally, regenerating forest stands support more specialized reproductive traits and strategies than old-growth forest stands [e.g., edible fruit plants with very large flowers (>30 mm), specialized pollination systems, large fruits (>1.5 ≤3.0 mm), and medium-sized seeds (>0.6 ≤1.5 cm). However, the functional diversity of specialist reproductive traits decreased with increases in the levels of biomass and aridity, isolated, but was also impacted by the interactive effect. Considering the effects of biomass, CAD or aridity individually, we observed that biomass itself was responsible for most of the effects (42.8%), while 52.3% of the reproductive traits were negatively affected by CAD or aridity, which seems to be a major force against the recovery.

Garcinia macrophylla: a Promising Underutilized Source of Bioactive Compounds in the Amazonia - A Review.

Native species from the Amazonia are still unknown or underutilized and few information about their chemical and biological properties are available in the literature. Among the underutilized plant species in the Amazonia, Garcinia macrophylla can be seen as a promising source of bioactive compounds with relevant biological properties. The stem bark and leaves were the main investigated plant parts, mainly concerning the antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxicity and antidiabetic properties. However, the bioactive compounds and biological properties of the edible fruits were not yet reported. Systematic investigations covering the Amazonia biome, concerning plants and vegetables as strategic resources are of paramount importance for the sustainable development of the forest. Therefore, this review gathered the available information in the literature concerning general aspects, chemical profile and biological properties of G. macrophylla, for the first time, which highlighted that systematic and robust in vitro and in vivo research, are still needed to elucidate the phytochemical profiles and associated relevant biological properties.