The native tree Geoffroea decorticans (chañar) grows in the arid lands of northern Chile. It has been used as a food plant since prehistoric times. Phenolic-enriched extracts (PEEs) of Chilean chañar fruits were assessed for their chemical composition, antioxidant properties and inhibition of pro-inflammatory and metabolic syndrome-associated enzymes. Phenolic profiles were determined by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS. The PEEs of G. decorticans showed a strong effect towards the enzymes COX-1/COX-2, with inhibition percentages ranging from inactive to 92.1% and inactive to 76.0% at 50 µg PEE/mL, respectively. The IC50 values of the PEEs towards lipoxygenase and phospholipase A2 inhibitory activity were between 43.6–96.8 and 98.9–156.0 μg PEE/mL, respectively. Samples inhibited α-glucosidase (IC50 0.8–7.3 μg PEE/mL) and lipase (9.9 to >100 μg PEE/mL). However, samples did not inhibit α-amylase. The HPLC-DAD-MS analysis of the PEEs allowed the tentative identification of 53 compounds, mainly flavonol glycosides and procyanidins. The procyanidin content of the Chilean G. decorticans pulp was positively correlated with the antioxidant activity and the inhibition of the enzyme α-glucosidase. These results indicate that the Chilean chañar fruit contains bioactive polyphenols with functional properties.

Microencapsulated chañar phenolics: A potential ingredient for functional foods development

El trabajo manifiesta una discusión teórica enmarcada en una investigación mayor aún en proceso sobre saberes y prácticas de cura asociadas a plantas en la región de “Guanacache” (noreste de Mendoza, Arg.). Pobladores que desde la década de 1990 pasaron a personificar un sujeto colectivo huarpe, con reconocimiento de vínculos de continuidad biológica, cultural y social con poblaciones indígenas del pasado. Bajo el supuesto de que las prácticas y saberes trasmitidos que implican el uso de plantas podrían no estar refiriéndose sólo a elementos naturales formalmente ordenados por fuera del sentido social al que dan sentido y contexto, propongo desde una mirada etnográfica construir el carácter histórico y contextual que adquieren los chañarales (bosques nativos de chañar: especie medicinal botánicamente definida como Geoffroea decorticans) en tanto espacios tejidos de sociabilidad en el que transcurren variadas celebraciones rituales: de iniciación de jóvenes en el campo, prosperidad de cosechas futuras, curación de palabra para plantas y animales enfermos, entre otros. Intentaré explicar las formas relacionales en que los chañarales están siendo convocados por la gente local como ámbitos de resistencia espiritual y material para la cura que sincronizan alianzas entre mundos pasados y a la vez presentes.

In this work, chañar (Geoffroea decorticans) fruit is evaluated as a potential feedstock for biodiesel and biomass pellets production with reference to some relevant properties. The fatty acid profile of this oil (83% unsaturated acids) is found to be comparable to similar seed oils which have been attempted for biodiesel production. As a result, the methyl esters (biodiesel) obtained from this oil exhibits high quality properties. Chañar biodiesel quality meets all other biodiesel international standards (ASTM D6751 and EN 14214). Moreover, the husk that surrounds the kernel showed a high potential for usage as densified solid fuels. The results demonstrate that chañar husks pellets have a higher calorific value when compared with other biomass pellets, typically, approximately 21 MJ kg−1with 1.8% of ashes (which is equivalent to that obtained from the combustion of pellets produced from forest wastes). This study indicates that chañar can be used as a multipurpose energy crop in semiarid regions for biodiesel and densified solid fuels (pellets) production.

En Argentina vegetan dos especies arbóreas del género Geoffroea: Geoffroea striata Morong (manduvi-rá) y Geoffroea decorticans Burkart (chañar). Ambas tienen importancia florística, son usadas localmente pero sus maderas no tienen valor comercial. En este trabajo se describen la madera y la corteza de Geoffroea striata y para contribuir a su conocimiento, se realiza anatomía comparada con Geoffroea decorticans. El material fue colectado en el bosque natural de la Localidad Isla del Cerrito en Chaco (distrito chaqueño oriental) y de Los Flores, en Santiago del Estero (distrito chaqueño occidental). Se seleccionaron al azar cinco individuos de cada especie, obteniéndose una rodaja de 5 cm del tronco a 1,3 m del suelo. Para las descripciones del leño o madera se usó la terminología establecida por el Comité de Nomenclatura de IAWA. Las descripciones de corteza se realizaron según los criterios de distribución de patrones de tejidos y la terminología de Roth. Se concluyó que Geoffroea striata es una especie de gran afinidad anatómica con Geoffroea decorticans, pudiendo tener un uso alternativo su madera. En el leño las variables con diferencias significativas son: longitud de vasos, número de vasos/mm2; diámetro externo, interno y espesor de pared de fibras, así como la longitud de radios. En la corteza, las principales diferencias residen en el aspecto externo. Ambas especies presentan caracteres evolutivos en corteza y madera.

Edible plant species and their parts used by indigenous tapiete people in northeastern Salta province, Argentina are identified, as well as their gathering, elaboration, consumption and storage practices. The ultimate aim of this work is to contribute to the recording and appreciation of tapiete people knowledge about this matter. Five fieldworks were made to the semiarid northern Chaco and to Tartagal city, where ethnobotanical data were obtained from 75 interviews with a total of 32 qualified and occasional tapiete collaborators. Each of the edible plants was collected and identified by the authors and deposited at the Ruiz Leal Herbarium (MERL). A total of 54 native plants, belonging to 23 botanical families used as food by the tapiete, are recorded as forming part of 106 preparations, or consumption forms, and 13 forms of conservation. The main edible species are Anisocapparis speciosa, Prosopis aff. elata and Prosopis alba with six applications each, and Ziziphus mistol, Geoffroea decorticans and Funastrum clausum with four applications each. Most of these applications (55%; 59) do not include any preparation –they are consumed raw-, the 21% (22) are eaten cooked (boiled or roasted), while their use in beverages, condiment and flours represent a minority of their applications (24%; 25). Consumption of the leaves of Passiflora mooreana and P. cincinatta is registered here for the first time by ethnic groups from the Gran Chaco.

Dormición física de las semillas de leguminosas nativas de Argentina. Leguminosae es una familia con un alto valor de uso como alimento, forraje, medicina y para fines ornamentales y de restauración ecológica. Uno de los principales problemas para el uso y manejo de muchas de estas especies es la presencia de semillas con dormición física. En el presente trabajo se evaluó la presencia de dormición física en nueve especies nativas de Argentina y los posibles métodos que permitan la salida de este estado. Las semillas de Caesalpinia gilliesii, Geoffroea decorticans y Prosopis alpataco presentaron semillas sin dormición, mientras que las semillas de Crotalaria incana, C. pumila, C. stipularia, Desmanthus virgatus, Galactia texana y Senna aphylla presentaron dormición física. Los métodos más eficientes para romper la dormición física de las semillas de las especies del género Crotalaria fueron la escarificación mecánica y el calor húmedo (100°C); la escarificación mecánica, la química (ácido sulfúrico: 20 y 30 minutos) y la escarificación con calor húmedo (80 y 100°C) para D. virgatus; la escarificación mecánica para G. texana; y la escarificación mecánica y la química (ácido sulfúrico: 10, 20 y 30 minutos) para S. aphylla. Estos resultados contribuyen al conocimiento de la biología de las semillas de estas especies y a su utilización en programas de propagación de plantas en invernaderos, restauración ecológica y conservación.

Context: Geoffroea decorticans (chanar) fruits and its derivate product (arrope) have been traditionally used as food and in folk medicine for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases including bronchopulmonary disorder. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the antitussive, expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects and safety of aqueous extract (AE) and arrope (Ar) of chanar. Materials and methods: The anti-inflammatory activity of AE and Ar was evaluated through carrageenan induced edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation in rats. The antitussive activity was evaluated using model against ammonia induced cough in rats. The expectorant activity was evaluated by volume of phenol red in rat’s tracheas. The tested doses of extracts were of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg, (p.o.). For the safety evaluation of AE and Ar, was conducted the subchronic toxicity test in rats (1 g/kg and 2 g/kg, p.o.). Results: The results showed that AE (1000 mg/Kg) significantly reduced the edema (100%) induced by carrageenan 3 h post-dosing and granuloma formation (47.76%) induced by cotton pellets. In the ammonia liquor induced cough and the amount of phenol red secretion, AE and Ar of chanar (1000 mg/kg) significantly enhanced the latent period of cough, inhibited the cough frequency and significantly enhance tracheal phenol red compared with that negative control. The result of toxicity assays suggested that AE and Ar did not induce or cause any damage to the liver and kidney of the rats and can be considered nontoxic for these animals at tested doses. Discussion and conclusion: This study has shown that the AE and Ar possess antitussive and expectorant significant effect. Also AE possess significant anti-inflammatory effects, both extracts were nontoxic. These findings seem to justify use of the plant in traditional medicine and are proposed, the chanar fruits as an excellent nutraceutical.

Polyphenols rich fraction from Geoffroea decorticans fruits flour affects key enzymes involved in metabolic syndrome, oxidative stress and inflammatory process

We evaluated the possibility of making jam (product A) and simile sweet potato jam (product B) from the edible pulp of the fruits of Geoffroea decorticans. The first step was the chemical characterization of the flour (pulp) highlighting their carbohydrate (85.6%), protein (9.4%) and mineral (4.2%) concentrations. Sucrose (29.5%), glucose (3.80%) and fructose (5.30%) levels were quantified using gas chromatography. Contents of protein (5.7%), minerals (3.4%), dietary fiber (0.97%), sucrose (46.8%), glucose (1.9%) and fructose (2.4%) were very good in jam. The simile sweet potato jam had low calories (140 Kcal/100g) and provided protein (4.6%). During the 12-month-storage period, the jam showed good physicochemical and microbiological stabilities despite slight fluctuations observed in pH, soluble solids and acidity during storage. The sensory evaluation showed positive results, resulting acceptable both products; however, preference was 75% higher in product B than A. The contribution of amino acids and minerals that these fruits provided to the nutritional quality of the processed products must be highlighted.

Characterization of the liquid products in the pyrolysis of residual chañar and palm fruit biomasses

This paper explores food and daily activities in domestic areas at the archaeological site of Cardonal, Provincia de Catamarca, Argentina. It is based on archaeobotanical carpological macro remains recovered by flotation techniques in a residential compound. A set of five taxa including wild plants such as Geoffroea decorticans (chanar), Phaseolus vulgaris var. aborigineus (wild bean), Prosopis sp. (algarrobo) and the crops P. vulgaris var. vulgaris (domesticated bean) and Zea mays (maize) were identified. These well-known staples of ancient communities in this area suggest that the Cardonal people combined agriculture with foraging practices, taking advantage of a diversified environment and extensive social networks. The most abundant plant food remains were bean cotyledons and maize cupules, which were densely concentrated in the “kitchen”, near the hearth. Conversely, chanar endocarps, algarrobo seeds and also Chenopodium sp. seeds were almost exclusively confined to the “patio”, in the hearth area. As a result, two distinct food-related activity areas could be identified, defined by the relative density of plant remains, occurrence of plant taxa and the different practices of processing and consumption which they evoke.

Nutritional and antioxidant properties of Geoffroea decorticans, an Argentinean fruit, and derived products (flour, arrope, decoction and hydroalcoholic beverage)

El objetivo del trabajo es contribuir al conocimiento del crecimiento de árboles individuales deGeoffreea decorticans (chañar), definir en función de la edad la evolución del incremento radial (IR),diámetro a la altura del pecho (DAP), sección normal (SN) y estimar el incremento medio (IMA) y anual(IA) con el fin proponer directrices para la correcta gestión de la especie. El estudio fue realizado en unbosque del Chaco Semiárido, Parque Los Quebrachos, Alberdi, Santiago del Estero, Argentina. Para elanálisis epidométrico de fuste se derribaron 16 individuos que cumplían con la condición de: DAPsuperior a 15 cm; fuste sin defectos; de buena vitalidad. De los árboles derribados se extrajeron rodajasde 5 cm de espesor, a las alturas de 0,30 m; 1,30 m y final del fuste. La marcación y medición de anillosse efectuó con el Equipo Computarizado ANIOL y el programa CATRAS. Los datos fueron analizadoscon el software estadístico IFOSTAT. El chañar presenta anillos de crecimiento bien demarcados. Elincremento radial promedio es 5,90 mm (1,79-16,55). La edad de culminación del crecimiento en DAPes a los 5 años y en SN se logra a partir de los 37 años. Este crecimiento permite definir el manejo enrotaciones cortas.

Antinociceptive activity of fruits extracts and “arrope” of Geoffroea decorticans (chañar)

Chañar ( Geoffroea decorticans) oil as a prospective source of biodiesel in semiarid regions

The derivations of the names of 74 Anopheles species and one subgenus are explained together with accounts of the life and scientific work of people who have been honored by having a mosquito named after them. Descriptive accounts are given of geographical locations, whether towns, regions or counties, that have had anopheline species named after them.

Marconetto, M. B. 2009. Anatomical features associated with water deficiency on archaeological vegetal charcoal, Ambato Valley (Catamarca), end of the First millennium. Darwiniana 47(2): 247-259. This paper proposes the observation of anatomical features associated with water deficiency in wood as paleoenvironmental indicator. The analysis was applied to charcoal recovered in late archaeo- logical contexts of Aguada in Ambato Valley, Catamarca (Argentina). Based on the correlation betwe- en the anatomical structure of wood and the habitat, the observations were done on present-day and archaeological samples of Geoffroea decorticans. Results show arid conditions in the study area at the end of the first millennium.

Antimycotic activity of 5′-prenylisoflavanones of the plant Geoffroea decorticans, against Aspergillus species

A new ennomine species (Geometridae: Ennominae: Macariini) is described from northern Chile: Macaria mirthae sp. nov. Morphology of male and female genitalia of M. mirthae indicates close relationship to Macaria abydata Guenee, 1858. The latter species is widely distributed in the Neotropical and Indo-Pacific regions. Both species can be easily distinguished on the basis of habitus features and male and female genitalia. Larval stages of the new species M. mirthae are associated with Acacia macracantha Humb et Bonpl ex Willd., Prosopis tamarugo Phil. and Geoffroea decorticans (Gill ex Hook et Arn.) Burkart (Fabaceae) in the north of Chile.