Fresh Needles Research Articles

Emission of Fire-Promoting Volatiles from Picea omorika (Pančić) Purk Needles in Different Forest Communities

The importance of studying the role of volatiles in flammability is well recognized, but the relationship between specific compounds and components of flammability is underestimated. In this study, volatiles emitted from Picea omorika (Pančić) Purk. Needles were identified and quantified, and the relationship between volatile emission and moisture content, flammability characteristics and bioclimatic coefficients was investigated. Fresh needles from four different forest communities were analyzed for specific volatile organic compounds (using a gas chromatography-surface acoustic wave analyzer, GC-SAW), moisture content (based on fresh and oven-dried mass), and flammability components (using an epiradiator). Five monoterpenes, one sesquiterpene, and one alcohol were identified and their amounts, moisture content, and flammability components differed between the populations. The amounts of myrcene and β-pinene correlated significantly with moisture content and time to ignition. Myrcene content also correlated with flame duration, site altitude, mean annual temperature, variation in mean annual temperature, and the Ellenberg quotient. The emission of myrcene correlates with ecophysiological, flammability, topographic, and climatic variables. This suggests that myrcene-rich plant species may be of particular interest for research into flammability, especially from the point of view of rapid ignition.

Phytotoxic phenols from the needles of Cedrus deodara

During the course of screening for anti-seed germination phytochemicals, the methanol fraction of the Cedrus deodara fresh needles showed potent activity. Bioactivity-guided fractionation led to the isolation of thirty-eight phenolic compounds. Four ones were identified as previously undescribed including (7S,8S)-3-methoxy-9′-acetoxy-3′,7-epoxy-8,4′-oxyneoligna-4,9-diol (7), (7S,8R)-dihydro-3′-hydroxy-8-acetoxymethyl-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-1′-benzofuranpropanol (10), (8S)-4,9,9′-trihydroxy-3,3′-dimethoxy-8,4′-oxyneolignan (11) and (7S,8S)-4,7,9′-trihydroxy-3,3′-dimethoxy-9-acetoxy-8,4′-oxyneolignan (16), respectively. The potential phytotoxic effects of these compounds on the seed germination and root elongation of Arabidopsis thaliana were evaluated by the filter paper assay developed in our laboratory. Bioassay results indicated that caffeic acid (36) displayed most significant inhibitory activities against the seed germination and root elongation of A. thaliana, stronger than those of the commercial herbicides acetochlor and glyphosate at the same concentration of 200 μg/mL. Ditetrahydrofuran lignan (1), dihydrochalcone (25), and eight simple phenols (28, 29, 31, 33–35, 37 and 38) completely inhibited the seed germination of A. thaliana at the concentration of 400 μg/mL, which were as active as acetochlor. Dihydroflavone (21) and the simple phenols 32–34 displayed stronger inhibitory effects on the root elongation of A. thaliana than that of glyphosate. The inhibitory effects of these active compounds on the seed germination and root elongation of Amaranthus tricolor and Lactuca sativa were evaluated as well. The phytotoxic activity of 11, 16, 22, 25, 31, 34, 37 and 38 were detected for the first time. In addition, the structure-activity relationships of the same class of these phytochemicals were discussed.

Patterns of Needle Nutrient Resorption and Ecological Stoichiometry Homeostasis along a Chronosequence of Pinus massoniana Plantations

Nutrient resorption and stoichiometry ratios are vital indicators to explore nutrient transfer and use efficiency for plants, particularly under the condition of nutrient limitation. However, the changing rules about nutrient resorption and ecological stoichiometry homeostasis are still unclear with the development of plantations. We determined carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) concentrations in soil and in fresh and senesced needles along a chronosequence of Pinus massoniana plantations (10, 20, 30, and 36 years old) in Guizhou Province, China. We also calculated the N and P resorption efficiency (NRE and PRE, respectively) and the homeostasis coefficient. The results showed that fresh and senesced needles’ C and N concentrations maintained an increasing trend, whereas their P concentrations decreased initially and subsequently increased as the plantations’ ages increased. Fresh needles’ N:P ratios indicated that N limitation existed before 20 years old, while P limitation appeared in the 30-year-old plantations. The NRE and PRE showed patterns of increasing initially and decreasing subsequently along the chronosequence of P. massoniana plantations, which was coupled with weak stoichiometric homeostasis to reduce nutrient deficiency. Therefore, the appropriate nutrient management measurements should be induced to promote tree growth and the sustainable development of P. massoniana plantations.

Türkiye’de Fıstık çamı (Pinus pinea) İbresi Uçucu Yağının Coğrafi Varyasyonu

Aim of study: The aim of this study is to evaluate intraspecific variations of Pinus pinea needle essential oils obtained from five locations in Turkey 
 Area of study: The chemical composition of needle essential oil of Pinus pinea from five locations in Turkey was investigated and compared in order to determine differences among the regions (west; Armutlu and Kozak: east; Coruh, Maras Kapıcam and Onsen.
 Material and methods: Each sample set containing fresh needles (700-800 g), were distillated with 3 L of water for 2 h by means of hydro distillation. Analyses were carried out in the GC-MS instrument to identify and quantitate the compounds in the EOs. 
 Main results: The results showed needle essential oil (EO) was dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons (69.00- 84.90%), sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (4.10-8.80 %) and diterpenes (1.02-1.57%). As expected, the essential oil composed mainly of limonene (52.70-76.10%), β-phellandrene (3.19-7.20 %), α-terpineol (1.46-9.88 %) β-caryophellene (1.55-3.26 %) and germacrene D (0.67-2.43%). Similar to Italy and Algeria, the EOs from Turkey had limonene content greater than fifty percent, this percentage was lower in EOs from Greece and Tunisia.
 Highlights: Cluster analysis ensured the separation of three groups where the first group was the eastern stands Coruh and Kahramanmaras Kapıcam with higher amount of limonene and lower amount of β-caryophyllene. The other group western stands Armutlu and Kozak were exhibiting lower amounts of limonene and a higher amount of α-terpineol.

From the redwood forest to the gulf stream waters - drought resistance in coast redwoods and giant sequoias.

From the redwood forest to the gulf stream waters - drought resistance in coast redwoods and giant sequoias.

BIOSOCIAL DIVERSITY OF SCOTS PINE (PINUS SYLVESTRIS L.) IN A TREE STAND IN RELATION TO CHOSEN HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY INDICATORS OF THE STEM

The research focused in determining the lignification indicator of fresh needled springs and the mass of fresh needles in reference to the lignin content in tracheid walls of peripheral area of the stem (MFT/LC and MFN/LC) of Scots pine differentiated as far as its biosocial position within the community expressed by Kraft’s classification. The material for the analysis came from mature pine stands growing on North European Plain, on the territory of Poland. Chemical and structural analyses of wood encompassed the area of mature sapwood, i.e. thickness of the last 10 annual rings located at 1.3 m (DBH). It seems that the noticed differences values of both indicators (MFT/LC and MFN/LC) in pines belonging to the first three Kraft’s biological classes are connected with physiological, physical and structural conditionings of water transport with minerals in xylem and are closely connected with competition for sunlight, water, nutrients and living space.

EXTRACTION AND ISOLATION OF ASCORBIC ACID FROM AUSTRALIAN PINE (Casuarina equisetifolia) NEEDLES GROWN IN JOS AND ENVIRONS.

Ascorbic acid was extracted and isolated from the aqueous extract of Casuarina equisetifolia (Australian pine needles) harvested from the main campus, university of Jos, Nigeria. The extraction was carried out via cold extraction (maceration) while the isolation was done using gravimetric analysis. The isolated sample was identified using UV-Vis, FTIR, GC-MS and H-NMR spectrophotometric analysis. Fresh needles (leaves) of Casuarina equiselifolia which contains 61.00±1.6 mg/100g of ascorbic acid was used for this research when compared with related species within same environment. The proximate composition is moisture content (10.27±0.48) %, crude protein (5.98±0.20) %, Crude fibre (22.89±0.35) %, crude fat (3.72±0.24) %, ash (2.34±0.07) %, carbohydrate (54.81±0.27) % and ascorbic acid (61.00±1.60) mg/100g. The molar concentration of ascorbic acid in the sample was (0.02075±0.001) moldm-3 while the weight percent of the lyophilized isolate is (68.04g/500g, 13.608%). The UV-Vis determination gives peaks at 240nm (weak band) and 300nm (λmax). The FTIR spectrophotometric determination gave some distinctive peaks. For this research, only the OHs, the lactone C=O (around 1750 cm-1) and C=C stretch (approximately 1680 cm-1) bands will be considered. The four O-H bands observed in the isolated ascorbic acid 1.0 can be assigned as follows: C(1) – OH (3524.13, O-H stretch, free hydroxyl (alcohol)), C(4) – OH (3404.48,O-H stretch, H bonded (alcohol)), C(3) OH (3303.21, O-H stretch, H bonded (alcohol)), C(2) – OH (3022.28, OH stretch (carboxylic acid)) and the lactone C=O (1751.98 cm-1) and C=C stretch (1654.63 cm-1) bands. The GC-MS indentified Ethane dioic, dimethyl ester (100%) which has a molecular formula C4H6O4 (m/z118.0880) with base peak at m/z 8.0, with the possible loss of C2H2O2 (Acetolactone), a transient species of mass spectrometer. The H-NMR in methanol and deuterated DMSO (Dimethyl sulphoxide) identified the presence of the most deshielded proton and the most acidic proton. There was partial decomposition from the confirmatory titrimetric analysis (56.88% ascorbic acid). The FTIR analysis confirms that the compound isolated is ascorbic acid and further confirmation derived from the UV-Vis. The result of this research should be adopted for the mass production of high quality ascorbic acid in Nigeria.

Developing near infrared spectroscopy models for predicting chemistry and responses to stress in Pinus radiata (D. Don)

Incorporating chemical traits in breeding requires the estimation of quantitative genetic parameters, especially the levels of additive genetic variation. This requires large numbers of samples from pedigreed populations. Conventional wet chemistry procedures for chemotyping are slow, expensive and not a practical option. This study focuses on the chemical variation in Pinus radiata, where the near infrared (NIR) spectral properties of the needles, bark and roots before and after exposure to methyl jasmonate (MJ) and artificial bark stripping (strip) treatments were investigated as an alternative approach. The aim was to test the capability of NIR spectroscopy to (i) discriminate samples exposed to MJ and strip assessed 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after treatment from untreated samples, and (ii) quantitatively predict individual chemical compounds in the three plant parts. Using principal components analysis (PCA) on the spectral data, we differentiated between treated and untreated samples for the individual plant parts. Based on partial least squares–discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models, the best discrimination of treated from non-treated samples with the smallest root mean square error cross-validation (RMSECV) and highest coefficient of determination (r2) was achieved in the fresh needles (r2 = 0.81, RMSECV= 0.24) and fresh inner bark (r2 = 0.79, RMSECV = 0.25) for MJ-treated samples 14 days and 21 days after treatment, respectively. Using partial least squares regression, models for individual compounds gave high (r2), residual predictive deviation (RPD), lab to NIR error (PRL) or range error ratio (RER) for fructose (r2 = 0.84, RPD = 1.5, PRL = 0.71, RER = 7.25) and glucose (r2 = 0.83, RPD = 1.9, PRL = 1.14, RER = 8.50) and several diterpenoids. This provides an optimistic outlook for the use of NIR spectroscopy-based models for the larger-scale prediction of the P. radiata chemistry needed for quantitative genetic studies.

Unraveling microbiomes associated with decomposition of needles of two Pinus species with contrasting fire-adaptive strategies

Pines evolve with fire and have diverged into fire-avoiders and fire-adapters. Pine needles are resistant to microbial decomposition, and their accumulation serves as a major fuel source for forest fires. Facilitated needle decomposition reduces forest fuel loads and probably interacts with the adaptive strategies of pines. However, there is little information available regarding differences in microbiomes associated with needle decomposition of the two types of pine. In this study, we monitored the microbial communities in three compartments associated with needle decomposition, namely, fresh needles, needle litter, and humus, along altitudinal gradients at three sites of the fire-tolerator Pinus taiwanensis and one site of the fire-avoider Pinus morrisonicola in Taiwan. The humus microbiome was dominated by an overwhelming proportion of bacteria. As a reservoir of decomposers, humus bacteria accounted for > 70% of the litter communities and showed marked differences in composition between the two Pinus species, as determined by non-metric multidimensional scaling. Such differences were associated with the abundance of bacterial genes encoding lignin-degrading enzymes, which were highest in the P. morrisonicola stand. Additionally, the humus accumulating under this fire-avoider was characterized by low ammonium concentrations and lower pH compared with that under the fire-tolerator, which is indicative of conditions conducive to litter decomposition. Conclusively, our findings suggested that P. morrisonicola grows in more favorable conditions for needle decomposition compared with the habitats where the P. taiwanensis lives.

Essential oil extraction from fresh needles of Pinus pumila (Pall.) Regel using a solvent-free microwave-assisted methodology and an evaluation of acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity in vitro compared to that of its main components

A solvent-free microwave-assisted method and the screw extrusion of raw materials are combined and successfully applied to obtain the essential oil of fresh needles of Pinus pumila (Pall.) Regel. Single-factor screening and the Box-Behnken design method were applied to optimize the extraction of essential oils, and the yield of essential oil under the optimal conditions was 12.00 ± 0.60 mL/kg, which was highly consistent with the results predicted by the Box-Behnken design model. The process developed offers advantages in terms of the yield of essential oil and a reduced extraction time (31 min in comparison to 4 h for conventional hydrodistillation). The microstructures, chemical structures and thermal stability of needle samples before and after extraction were also investigated. The main components found in the essential oil extracted from the fresh needles of P. pumila were (+)-3-carene (22.75 %), δ-cadinene (12.12 %), terpinolene (12.11 %) and β-bisabolene (9.12 %). Furthermore, the semi-inhibition concentrations (IC50) of acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity of the essential oil, terpinolene, (−)-trans-caryophyllene and (+)-3-carene were determined to be 0.76 ± 0.04, 0.55 ± 0.03, 0.45 ± 0.02 and 0.64 ± 0.03 mg/mL, respectively. In general, P. pumila needle essential oil showed notable inhibitory ability to acetylcholinesterase, and the components terpinolene, (−)-trans-caryophyllene, and (+)-3-carene play major roles in the process of essential oils inhibiting acetylcholinesterase. Additionally, the acetylcholinesterase inhibition activities of all the tested samples were mostly related to the corresponding concentrations. The acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity of kojic acid was also determined in parallel experiments as a positive control.

Antioxidant Potential of Pine Needles: A Systematic Study on the Essential Oils and Extracts of 46 Species of the Genus Pinus.

The antioxidant activity of the essential oils, as well as of the organic and hydroethanolic extracts, of the fresh needles of 54 pine taxa was evaluated using the peroxy-oxalate and luminol chemiluminescence assays. Among all evaluated essential oils, P. canariensis and P. attenuata displayed the highest levels of activity. P. contorta var. murrayana, followed by P. nigra var. caramanica, exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity among the organic extracts, while the most active hydroethanolic extract was that of P. nigra subsp. nigra. Based on the overall levels of activity, the latter taxon was selected for phytochemical analysis targeting the isolation of the bioactive constituents. As such, the organic extract of P. nigra subsp. nigra was subjected to chromatographic separations to yield 11 secondary metabolites (1−11) that were evaluated for their antioxidant activity. Nonetheless, the isolated compounds were found to be less active than the crude extract, thus suggesting the potential role of synergism.

Mixed Broadleaved Tree Species Increases Soil Phosphorus Availability but Decreases the Coniferous Tree Nutrient Concentration in Subtropical China

Phosphorus (P) is a key limiting nutrient in subtropical forests and mixed forests with broadleaved species have been expected to stimulate P cycling, compared to pure conifer plantations. However, the mixture effect of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) and broadleaved species on rhizosphere soil and coniferous tree P dynamics is unclear. In our study, eight plots of a single species of a Chinese fir plantation (pure plantation, PP) and eight mixed plantations (mixed plantation, MP) with broadleaved tree species (Michelia macclurei Dandy in Hunan Province or Schima superba Gardn. et Champ. in Fujian Province) were selected in subtropical China. Six P fractions in the rhizosphere and bulk soils were analyzed by a modified Hedley P fractionation method. Phosphorus fractions and nitrogen (N) concentrations in different root orders, different age fresh needles and twigs, and needle and twig litter of Chinese fir were measured. Our results showed that available P, slowly released P, occluded P, and the total extractable P in rhizosphere soil were significantly higher in MP than PP (p < 0.05). In contrast, P and N concentrations in the transportive roots and two-year old needles were generally higher in PP than MP. Meanwhile, the slowly released P, occluded P, total extractable P, and residual P in rhizosphere soil were negatively correlated with P concentrations in young (absorptive and transportive roots, one- and two-year old needles) but not old tissues (storative roots, three-year old needles and litters). In conclusion, mixture may increase soil P availability through the rhizosphere effect, but can decrease P and N concentration of Chinese fir tissues by competition between Chinese fir and broadleaved species. Clearly, the mixture effect may differ in soil and plant nutrients, and this issue needs be taken into consideration when converting a pure conifer plantation into a mixed-species forest.

Isolation, X-ray crystal structure of the new diterpene and identification of others lignans and flavonoids from the fresh needles of Pinus massoniana

Three new compounds, namely massonside C (1), massonianoside F (2), and 3, 8-dimethyl- herbacetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), together with five known compounds (4–8), were isolated from the fresh needles of Pinus massoniana. Their structures were established by 1D, 2D NMR, HRMS and comparison with the literature data. The absolute configuration of 1 was confirmed by a combination of X-ray single crystal analysis. All isolated compounds were evaluated for the protective effect of human umbilical vein endothelial cells against oxidative damage.

Gravid females of Cephalcia chuxiongica (Hymenoptera, Pamphiliidae) are attracted to egg-carrying needles of Pinus yunnanensis

CephalciachuxiongicaXiao is one of the most dangerous defoliators ofPinusyunnanensisand other pine species in Yunnan province, resulting in serious losses. Its distinguishing characteristics are the females’ aggregation oviposition and larvae’s aggregation feeding. In order to explore the mechanism of aggregation oviposition in this sawfly, preliminary olfactory bioassay was conducted in laboratory. In in-cage choice tests, on average vast majority gravid females selected the shoots that had been loaded and oviposited by a ‘pioneer’ female. In one-choice tests in laboratory by a Y-tube olfactometer, the gravid females were attracted by the odors of eggs-carrying shoots (PE), shoots with one delivering female and her eggs (PGE), needles’ extract (NE), and fresh eggs’ eluent (EL); the virgin females were attracted by odors of fresh needles (P), PE, PGE, and NE, but repelled by odors of virgin and gravid females. In two-choice tests, the odors were tested in pairs for gravid females. When compared with odors of gravid females (G) or P, gravid females showed significantly more tendency to odors of PE or PGE. When given odors EL vs. NE, gravid females preferred the odors of NE, but they did not make obvious selection between G vs. P, and PE vs. PGE. Based on the results, our conjectures were: (1) Delivery female, as a pioneer, can summon her conspecific gravid females to aggregate in the same pine shoot; (2) Pine needles’ odors were attractive for both the virgin and gravid females; (3) Gravid females could be attracted by odors released by the pioneer gravid females; (4) The olfactory sensation of the females may be changed by mating.

Pinus sylvestris L. and other conifers as natural sources of ascorbic acid

Context: There is a widespread opinion that needles of conifers are a good source of ascorbic acid and may help to cure and prevent scurvy. Aims: To determine the content of ascorbic acid in needles and shoots of Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies, Juniperus communis and several other conifers. Methods: Ascorbic acid content was analyzed by HPLC: aminocolumn 250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 µm; mobile phase acetonitrile and 0.05 M KH2PO4 (75:25), flow rate 1.0 mL/min, detection at 266 nm. Results: The fresh needles contained more (10.8 x 10-3%) of ascorbic acid than the fresh shoots (5.4 x 10-3%) of the same P. sylvestris tree. In needles collected during one year with monthly intervals from the same pine tree the content of vitamin C varied from 0.5 x 10-3% to 15.7 x 10-3%. The needles gathered in winter from November to March contained much more of ascorbic acid (5.2-15.7 x 10-3%) than needles collected during warmer season (0.5-2.8 x 10-3%). The fresh needles of compared conifers (n=11) contained ascorbic acid from 0% (Tuja occidentalis) to 15.0 x 10-3% (Tsuga canadensis), needles of J. communis contained ascorbic acid a little more (13.3 x 10-3%) than needles of P. sylvestris, P. abies and Microbiota decussata (9.0-10.8 x 10-3%). Conclusions: The concentration of ascorbic acid in needles and shoots of studied conifers is rather low if compared to other natural sources of vitamin C. Fresh plant material of P. sylvestris, P. abies and J. communis contained more ascorbic acid than frozen material. The concentration of ascorbic acid in needles of these three trees was higher than in shoots.

Two new sesquiterpene glycosides isolated from the fresh needles of Pinus massoniana Lamb.

Two new sesquiterpene glycosides, namely massonside A (1) and massonside B (2), were isolated from the n-Bu extract of the fresh needles of Pinus massoniana Lamb. Their structures were established by 1D, 2D nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Their biological activities were profiled by the anti-HBV and anti-HCV assays.

Production suitability regionalization study of Pinus massoniana

The distribution, yield and sample information data of Pinus massoniana was obtained by document literature and sample investigation. Based on sample data from 12 provinces including 414 sample plots and environment factors in China,the distribution regionalization of P. massoniana was predicted by using Maxent and spatial analysis function of ArcGIS. The results showed that the northernmost distribution of P. massoniana was 33.5 degrees north latitude, and it mainly distributed in the southeast in China. Based on plant age, plant height, yield per plant and other growth index from 414 sample plots, combined vegetation form and other data, the growth regionalization of P. massoniana was carried out by using SPSS and related functions of ArcGIS. The results showed that Fujian, Guizhou and Guangxi had a lager distribution area of P. massoniana, meanwhile, it had a relatively higher yield of fresh pine needles. The relational model between environmental factors and shikimic acid,and procyanidin, and the total lignans was constructed by using SPSS regression analysis method. Then the spatial calculation function of ArcGIS was used tocarry out the quality regionalization of P. massoniana based on the relational model. The results showed that east of Sichuan, Guizhou, Chongqing had a good pine needles quality. Based on the distribution, growth and quality regionalization, the production suitability regionalization of P. massoniana was carried out. The results showed that the optimal planting base region mainly distributed in east of Sichuan, middle and east of Guizhou, and east of Guangxi.

Chemical Composition, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of the Essential Oil from Needles of Pinus parviflora Siebold & Zucc.

The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from fresh needles of Pinus parviflora with the yield of 0.16 % was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and thirty-five compounds accounting for the total 96.34 % of the oil were identified. The essential oil was rich in monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, dominated by (+)-α-pinene (20.72 %), bornyl acetate (19.74 %), germacrene D (13.89 %) and β-caryophyllene (11.74 %). Antibacterial activities of the extracted oil were evaluated against seven food spoilage bacteria. The results showed that the extracted oil was effective against most of the strains using the agar disk diffusion method. The broth microdilution bioassay indicated that Bacillus subtilis was the most sensitive strain with the minimum inhibitory concentration of 3.75 mg/ml. Moreover, the isolated essential oil was tested for antioxidant activities. It revealed prevailing hydroxyl radical scavenging ability over mannitol with IC values of 6.35 and 13.16 mg/ml for the oil and the positive control respectively. It was suggested that the essential oil derived from P. parviflora had a potential to be used as bactericide and antioxidant in food systems.

Evaluation of magnetic- and carbon-based nano-adsorbents application in pre-purification of paclitaxel from needles of Taxus baccata

In this investigation, the proficiency of a number of magnetic carbon-based nano-adsorbents is evaluated in pre-purification process of the crude paclitaxel extract obtained from fresh needles of yew tree (Taxus baccata L.). The effectiveness and removal ability of color and impurities from crude extracts, for three novel candidate nano-adsorbents (i.e., Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4Nps), graphite oxide (GO), and their hybrids Fe3O4Nps/GO) are compared with commercial graphite in three different solvents. In general, both HPLC and UV–Vis spectroscopy results demonstrate that in less polar solvent (i.e., dichloromethane), the adsorption is greatly affected by the electrostatic attractions, while in more polar solvents (i.e., acetone and ethanol) π–π electron interactions taking place between adsorbent and adsorbate are the most dominant factors in sorption. Considering decolorization efficiency, purity of taxol, recovery and reusability of adsorbents, Fe3O4Nps/GO (50 g/L) in dichloromethane is selected as the best medium for pre-purification of paclitaxel. Additionally, in kinetic studies the sorption equilibrium can be reached within 120 min, and the experimental data are well fitted by the pseudo-second-order model. The Langmuir sorption isotherm model correlates well with the sorption equilibrium data for the crude extract concentration (500–2,000 mg/L). Our findings display promising applications of Fe3O4Nps/GO, as a cost-effective nano-adsorbent, to provide a suitable vehicle toward improvement of paclitaxel pre-purification.

IDENTIFIKASI JAMUR ENDOFIT DAUN JARUM Pinus radiata MENGGUNAKAN METODE EKTRAKSI DNA SECARA LANGSUNG

Pinus radiata is the major softwood species planted in New Zealand and Australia. Endophyte fungi that have been extensively studied in conifers needles mainly based on fungal isolation and also rarely conducted in Pinus radiata. This study aimed to observe the optimum condition of P. radiata needles sample for direct extraction of fungal DNA and to identify the fungi associated with P. radiata needles in Plenty plantations by a direct PCR approach. Room temperature dried needles produced clear and consistent DNA amplification compare to fresh needles, and needles dried on drying room or drying machine. Capnodiales was the most diverse group and no fungal pathogen detected in this study. DNA sequence data from direct DNA extraction of P. radiata needles provided sufficient discrimination and identification of fungal species.