Genus Albizia Research Articles

New chromosome counts in neotropical Albizia, Havardia and Pithecellobium, and a new combination for Albizia (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae-Ingeae)

RICO ARCE, M. DE L., 1992. New chromosome counts in neotropical Albizia, Havardia and Pithecellobium, and a new combination for Albizia (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae-Ingeae). New chromosome records are given for 11 species and one hybrid in the genera Albizia, Havardia and Pithecellobium, some of which are illustrated. All have the diploid chromosome number 2n = 26, which is widespread in Ingeae with the exception of Calliandra (2n= 16 and 22). Additionally, a new combination for the genus Albizia is formalized.

Identification ofAlbiziagum exudates which are not permitted food additives

Trees of the genus Albizia have frequently been confused with Acacia species. The genus Albizia has been recommended for more extensive arid zone development; its species are sources of tannins and gum exudates, which are not included in any of the regulatory lists of permitted food additives. Analytical data permitting their identification are therefore required to allow food law compliance to be monitored. This paper presents data which serve to characterize the gums from seven Albizia species, making a total of eleven Albizia species for which data are available. The presence of tannins, and high proportions of aluminium and heavy metals, indicates that gum importers and food processors must be vigilant to ensure that Albizia gums do not enter human food chains as adulterants or contaminants.

Die Aminosäuren der Gattung Albizia Durazz (Mimosaceae): The Amino Acids of the Genus Albizia Durazz (Mimosaceae)

Summary By means of thin-layer chromatography on MN 300-HR cellulose and with the aid of a modified polychromatic Ninhydrin reagent and several newly developed multiple spray reagents, 36 authentic protein and non-protein amino acids have been clearly separated and estimated. With the help of this method, a survey was made on the amino acids present in the 70 % EtOH fraction of the seeds of 29 species of Mimosacean plants belonging to 3 sections of the genus Albizia and representing about 20 per cent of the known Albizia species. 26 of the investigated species contain large amounts of albizziine (L- α -amino- β -ureidopropionic acid) in their seeds. Only the three species Albizia polyphylla F ourn , A. polymorpha F ourn , and A. glaberrima (S chumach et T honn ) B enth do not contain albizziine. A. polyphylla F ourn and A. polymorpha F ourn are unique in possessing mimosine ( β -N-(3-hydroxy-4-pyridone)- α -aminopropionic acid), 5-hydroxy-pipecolic acid, and dichrostachic acid. L-Djenkolic acid (methylene-bis-cysteine), S-( β -carboxyethyl)-L-cysteine, and S-( β carboxyisopropyl)-L- cysteine are distributed unregularly among Albizia species. In no case, N-acetyl-L-djenkolic acid, L-cysteine, L- α , β -diaminopropionic acid, and willardiine ( β -(uracil-1-yl)- α -aminopropionic acid) were detectable. Presumably, two Ninhydrin-positive compounds which are present in seeds of some Albizia species in trace amounts are identical with L- β -acetyl- α , β -diaminopropionic acid and the γ -glutamyl peptide of L-djenkolic acid. A thin-layer chromatographic survey of the 70 % EtOH extracts of different parts of an Albizia lophanta (W illd ) B enth plant and of seedlings of this species revealed characteristic distribution patterns of non-protein and protein amino acids. We suppose albizziine, L- β -acetyl- α , β -diaminopropionic acid, and, presumably, L-djenkolic acid as typical secondary plant products which might be related to the reproductive region of the plant. Nothing is known about the role of such compounds in the nitrogen economy of Mimosacean plants.

Studies on uronic acid materials : Part XIII. The composition of gum exudates from Albizia sericocephala and Albizia glaberrima with an appendix on botanical nomenclature in the genus Albizia

The compositions of the gum exudates from Albizia sericocephala and Albizia glaberrima have been investigated. The results of analyses are compared with data available for the other Albizia species studied previously. The main aldobiouronic acids present in A. sericocephala and A. glaberrima differ from those found in A. zygia and A. procera. The analytical results obtained for A. glaberrima differ in a number of respects from those reported previously for this species by Torto. An appendix lists several Albizia species for which a number of botanical synonyms exist, often reflecting earlier confusion with the genus Acacia.

REVISION OF ALBIZIA Sect. PACHYSPERMA (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae)

In the course of revising the genus Serianthes Benth. (Reinwardtia 5: 293-317. 1960) it was necessary to account for several names which had been proposed in Serianthes but which applied to species belonging to a group that seems better placed in the genus Albizia. ) After some further study, the present treatment of this group, here regarded as constituting Albizia section Pachysperma, was brought together. Owing to the scarcity of material of most of the species concerned, as well as to the difficulty in understanding inflorescence morphology in some of the species from herbarium specimens alone, this paper is of necessity to be regarded as only preliminary. It may, however, serve to direct attention to the fact that the species involved do form a coherent group, with a number of common characters as well as a most peculiar inflorescence that needs much further study. Two new species and two new varieties, as well as two transfers, are proposed.