Native Herbs Research Articles

Evaluation of the Apoptotic and Scolicidal Effects of Crude and Flavonoid Extracts of Allium noeanum on Protoscolices and Hydatid Cyst Wall

Background: Hydatidosis is a disease, caused by the larval phase of Echinococcus granulosus. It is considered a serious condition, as cyst rupture can release protoscolices into the host body, leading to the formation of secondary cysts. Surgery is the main approach for the treatment of this disease. Some natural compounds, which are safe options with few side effects, have been assessed for their scolicidal activities. Objectives: Allium noeanum is a native herb of Markazi Province, Iran, which has been used for the traditional treatment of certain diseases. However, its anti-parasitic property has not been investigated so far. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-parasitic property of this plant by evaluating the scolicidal and apoptotic effects of two types of this herbal extract (crude and flavonoid) on hydatid cysts. Methods: The hydatid cysts were obtained from abattoirs, and protoscolices were drained under sterile conditions. The protoscolices suspension and cyst walls were used for scolicidal and immunohistochemical evaluations. In addition, A. noeanum was collected from Shazand Mountains. The crude and flavonoid extracts of this plant were prepared by maceration and chromatography methods, respectively. Immunohistochemistry was conducted for the detection of caspase-3 activity using a commercial kit. Data were analyzed in Excel and SPSS, and statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05. Results: The 100% concentration (0.49 gr/mL) of the crude A. noeanum extract caused the death of 100% of protoscolices. On the other hand, all concentrations of the flavonoid extract led to the death of 100% of parasites. According to the statistical analyses, each type of the extract showed different dose- and time-dependent rates of scolicidal activity (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemistry showed lower caspase-3 activity in cyst walls exposed to flavonoids, compared to those exposed to the crude extract. Conclusions: In the present study, the scolicidal activity of the flavonoid extract of A. noeanum against protoscolices was confirmed. It was also found that the apoptotic effect of the crude extract of this herb was more than its flavonoid extract.

Preparation and evaluation of the physicochemical and stability properties of three herbal tea blends derived from four native herbs

Herbal teas consist of mono and sometimes poly-herbal recipes of herbs with acclaimed health benefits which are often brewed as infusion or decoction. Three variants of poly-herbal teas containing Herbiscus sabdariffa, Moringa oleifera, Citrus limon, and Zingiber officinale were prepared and evaluated for their physicochemical and stability properties. Intrinsic physicochemical properties that include organoleptic, ash value, pH of brew solutions, extractive matter as well as non-intrinsic properties such as moisture content, flow and particle size of granules and dust leak from teabags were determined. Also, the effects of stressful storage conditions on some physicochemical properties were evaluated. The different tea blends showed remarkable differences in their physicochemical properties. The products also showed discrepancies in stability parameters such as appearance, pH of the brew and antioxidant properties when stored under different conditions. In all, the herbal tea showed good physicochemical and stability properties that are characteristic of a good finished herbal product.

Landscape context but not management strategies affects the diversity of native and exotic semi-natural vegetation in Mediterranean agroecosystems of Central Chile

Current knowledge on the effects of farming type and landscape heterogeneity on plant diversity is biased towards temperate ecosystems in Europe and North America, while there is a paucity of information for the Mediterranean agroecosystems. In particular, the Mediterranean region of Central Chile concentrates most of the country's population and have experienced the greatest agricultural changes leading to the replacement of native vegetation remnants by monocultures and livestock ranching. This study aims to analyse the effects of farming type (organic versus conventional) and landscape heterogeneity (composition and configuration), in addition with local habitat type, on semi-natural vegetation. We addressed these effects considering both native and exotic herbs at 14 fruit farms and landscape metrics at three spatial scales (0.5, 1 and 2 km). In total, we recorded 32 native and 103 exotic plant taxa. Farming type and local habitat type did not influence the diversity of native and exotic herbs. We showed that increasing landscape compositional heterogeneity (i.e. percentage of grasslands, of woody elements) increased alpha and beta diversity of native herbs at the scale of 0.5 km and 2 km. Gamma diversity of native plants responded negatively to decreasing landscape configurational heterogeneity (i.e. largest patch index) at the scale of 0.5 km. Exotic specis did not respond to landscape context. Our findings suggest that semi-natural elements in the surrounding landscape of fruit farms particularly benefited native plant species. Therefore, agri-environment schemes designed to preserve native biodiversity in Mediterranean agroecosystems must promote landscape heterogeneity through the conservation of semi-natural elements at multiple spatial scales.

Recovery of Chilean Mediterranean vegetation after different frequencies of fires

Post-fire recovery of sites in the Chilean Mediterranean vegetation were evaluated 20–30 years after the last fire. We mapped all fires that occurred between 1985 and 2015 in Central Chile using Landsat images. In order to conduct a spatial analysis of vegetation recovery and field sample, we chose sites burned between 1985 and 1995 that retained native vegetation and cover until 2015. In a sampled of these sites, richness and abundance of woody vegetation, and herbaceous richness were recorded. We contrasted our results from field sampling with control (unburned) sites at the species level. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to evaluate the relationship between the percentage of vegetation recovered with fire frequency, pre-fire cover, topographic and geographic factors. In addition, GLM were used to evaluate the effects of fire frequency on species richness, abundance, and cover. We found that the proportion of dense and semi-dense vegetation cover were similar in sites burned once and twice, and higher than sites burned three times. Besides, the proportion of dense and semi-dense vegetation cover were higher in lower elevation sites, in those with higher slopes, and far from population centers. The richness and abundance of adult woody species, richness of regeneration and richness of native herbs, were greater in sites that had lesser fire frequency. Mean species richness of native herbaceous species decreased as fire frequency increased, exotic herbaceous cover had no relation with fire frequency, and both native and exotic herbaceous cover were greater at driest latitudes but were not related to fire frequency. Mean species richness after one fire was higher than in unburned sites, but some plant species were found only at unburned sites. We conclude that the Mediterranean vegetation of Chile is able to regenerate to pre-fire conditions after one and two fires, but three consecutive fires reduced its cover, richness and abundance, even 20 years after the fire.

Plant Essential Oils Were Used to Characterize and Control Post-Harvest Fungal Infections in Peaches

Post-harvest fungal pathogens are major threat to food industry, deteriorating the quality of perishable fruits from handling, transportation and distribution to consumption. Half of the production of peaches lost annually due to the prevalence of post-harvest fungal diseases worldwide. The present study was intensively designed to investigate the post-harvest fungi associated with peach. The most common spoilage fungi isolated and identified were Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifera and Penicillium expansum. The highest percentage of infection was recorded in fruits with street sellers, local fruit shops and the smallest one was recorded in storage houses after harvesting. In-vitro experiment against post-harvest spoilage fungi was directed by using plant essential oils extracted from native herbs by Clevenger type apparatus. Essential oils are natural biocide against postharvest rotting of fresh produce. The antifungal activity of oils was increased with an increase in the concentrations of oil. Amongst the plant essential oils used, Trigonella foenum-gracum at highest concentration (0.10%) caused maximum inhibition in the mycelial growth and spore germination of Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus stolonifer followed by the essential oils (Thymus vulgaris and Eucalyptus globulus) at (10%). Essential oils as natural compounds are highly degradable with no accumulation in plants and can replace hazardous environmental deteriorating artificial fungicides. These findings strengthen the possibility of using plant essential oils as an eco-friendly alternative component to chemicals for enhancing shelf-life of peach fruit.

Indigenous management of Dystocia in ruminant livestock of northern guinea savanna of Nigeria

This study, conducted in Bauchi and Zaria areas of the northern guinea savanna zone of Nigeria involved livestock that encountered problems during parturition Ninety eight Hausa-Fulani livestock holdings involving cattle, sheep and goats were investigated. The study focused on causes of and remedies for dystocia. The study showed that farmers have traditional means of handling difficult birth in ruminants. The identifiable causes of dystocia included age and size of dam, abnormal foetal presentation, poor health, multiple foetuses and weight and sex of the young. The management of this problem included the use of hand to correct foetal position, lubrication of the vulvo-vagina passage with mashed okra fruit for easy passage, and oral administration of solutions from native herbs, snake scales, potash and ashes.

Effects of Wollastonia biflora expansion on the soil seed bank in native forest communities on a tropical coral island

Invasive plants and native weeds (i.e., undesirable plant species) often have negative effects on native ecosystems. However, the effects of weed expansion on soil seed banks and seedling emergence in native forests have not been well investigated. In this study, we used a seedling emergence assay to assess the effects of expansion by a native weed, the perennial C4 herb Wollastonia biflora, on the soil seed bank and above-ground vegetation in forests on Yongxing Island, a coral island in the South China Sea. We found that W. biflora expansion was associated with a reduced abundance of native species in the soil seed bank, an increased in native species richness in the soil seed bank, and a reduced similarity between the seed bank and the above-ground vegetation. W. biflora seeds were more abundant in the surface soil layer than deeper soil layer, and the number of W. biflora seeds increases in the degree of W. biflora expansion. With W. biflora expansion, more species were lost due to growth competition than from seed bank. Overall, the seed bank had more species than the above-ground vegetation regardless of the degree of W. biflora expansion. Our findings indicate a high potential for unassisted reestablishment of a species-rich plant community from the seed bank following W. biflora removal. The regenerated community could be dominated by a few native tree species or by some invasive species that could prevent subsequent recolonization by native herbs and graminoids. Continued monitoring is required to determine whether and which native species may require assisted reintroduction.

The Therapeutic Potential of the Essential Oil of Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav., Origanum dictamnus L. and Salvia fruticosa Mill. And a Case of Plant-Based Pharmaceutical Development.

This review performs a comprehensive assessment of the therapeutic potential of three native herbs of Crete (Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav., Salvia fruticosa Mill. and Origanum dictamnus L.), their phytochemical constituents, health benefits and issues relevant to their safety, within a translational context. Issues discussed comprise: 1) Ethnopharmacological uses of the three herbs, reviewed through an extensive search of the literature; 2) Systematic analysis of the major phytochemical constituents of each plant, and their medicinal properties; 3) To what extent could the existing medicinal properties be combined and produce an additive or synergistic effect; 4) Possible safety issues. We conclude with a specific example of the use of a combination of the essential oils of these plants as an effective anti-viral product and the experience gained in a case of a plant-based pharmaceutical development, by presenting the major steps and the continuum of the translational chain.

Metal solubility in the rhizosphere of a co-cropping system. The role of total carbon exudation, soluble proteins and plant interaction

In the present study we assessed how modified rhizosphere pH and root exudation (total carbon (C) and soluble proteins released) affected lead (Pb) solubility as well as plant growth and Pb accumulation. A pot experiment with Pb polluted agricultural soils was performed, which involved growing two species, Capsicum annum (pepper) and Tagetes minuta, with the latter being a native herb indicated as potential phytoextractor of Pb, in monocrop and co-cropping conditions. Changes in plant growth, metal uptake as well as rhizosphere soil parameters (pH, EC) and total C and protein exudation were determined. In addition, the metal extraction efficiency of exudates released under mono- and co-cropped conditions were investigated. Results showed that in contrast to the control soil (with low Pb concentration), total C exudation was higher in co-cropping systems in Pb contaminated soils which lead to increases in Pb uptake in both species. Exudates originating from T. minuta were more efficient in solubilizing Pb than exudates from pepper when grown under mono-cropping conditions. Exudates derived from co-cropping both species were either equally or less efficient in mobilizing Pb than exudates from T. minuta. The capacity of exudates to mobilize metals was dependent not only on the species specific quality of root exudates released, but also on its quantity, with the metal extraction efficiency increasing with C concentration in exudates. However, the role of exuded proteins in Pb solubilization was found to be negligible. Biochemical interactions in the rhizosphere under co-cropping conditions favored metal solubilization, and consequently Pb accumulation. The co-cropping conditions could allow accumulation of Pb to levels in pepper that pose risks when the plants are used as a food source.

Assessment of PAH degradation potential of native species from a coking plant through identifying of the beneficial bacterial community within the rhizosphere soil

Understanding the mechanisms underlying plant–rhizobacteria interactions in field-contaminated soils is crucial for designing effective rhizoremediation strategies. This study aimed to test the ability of four native herb species to remove polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and to analyze their associated bacterial community structures and functional genes within the rhizosphere from the abandoned site of a former Shenyang coking plant in China; the bulk soil was collected as control. All four species removed PAHs, of which the rhizosphere of Kochia scoparia had the highest PAH removal rate (almost 30.2%). Although the composition of the bacterial community within the rhizosphere varied among plant species, all plant species could promote the growth of Sphingomonas, Pedomicrobium, Rhodoplanes, Blastoccus, Mycobacterium, Devosia, and Pseudomonas, and their relative abundance positively correlated with the removal rates of PAHs, soil moisture, and total carbon/total nitrogen in the rhizosphere. Moreover, the activities of 1-aminocyclopropane-1 -carboxylic deaminase gene and Gram-negative ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase gene significantly (P < 0.05) increased compared with those in the control, and these activities had a strong positive correlation with the removal rates of PAHs [r = 0.759 (P < 0.01) and 0.87 (P < 0.01), respectively]. The findings of this study indicated that PAHs were the main factor driving the composition of beneficial bacteria in PAH rhizodegradation, and the PAH rhizoremediation of native plants grown in coking plant can be controlled though altering soil properties.

NATURAL HISTORY OF A BRONZE AGE JEWEL FOUND IN CRETE: THE MALIA PENDANT

The unique gold pendant found at Chrysolakkos, Malia, Crete, in 1930 has been variously interpreted, and usually is said to represent a pair of bees. This vague interpretation is discussed, and it is pointed out that the three discs that are suspended from the pendant closely resemble the fruits of a native Cretan herb, Tordylium apulum. Megascolia maculata, a member of the order Hymenoptera, is proposed as the model for the insects. Like a gold toggle pin, also from Chrysolakkos, the pendant demonstrates that Cretan goldsmiths were capable of creating aesthetically pleasing work by paying close attention to the local flora and fauna and used examples as the models for their unique jewellery

Lantana camara and Ageratina adenophora invasion alter the understory species composition and diversity of chir pine forest in central Himalaya, India

Plant invasion has been a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem stability. In the present study, we have estimated the effect of two invasive alien species, Lantana camara and Ageratina adenophora on the understory vegetation composition and species diversity of chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) forests in the central Himalaya. We have selected three sites in pine forests and each site was divided into three subsites i.e. non-invaded (NI), Lantana camara invaded (LI) and Ageratina adenophora invaded (AI). In each subsite, 10 random quadrats for herbs (1 × 1 m) and shrubs (5 × 5 m) were laid down. In all the study sites, native herbs and shrubs species richness, diversity, and evenness changed due to invasive species. The presence of both the invasive species caused a reduction in native understory herbs and shrubs species number by 29–40% indicating a strong effect on native vegetation. Shrub density ranged from 6720 to 9680 individuals ha−1 and 8960 to 12000 individuals ha−1 in LI and AI sites, respectively. Total shrub basal area varied between 1.64 and 2.52 m2 ha−1 in LI sites and 1.76 and 2.24 m2 ha−1 in AI sites. Shrub density and basal area in NI sites (4200–6960 individual ha−1 and 0.60–0.96 m2 ha−1) were 2–3 times lower than LI and AI sites. Higher shrub density and basal area in LI and AI sites altered the vegetation composition and diversity of understory vegetation in pine forests. The dominance of invasive species also altered the soil physico-chemical properties. Their interrelationship among species assemblage, study sites and environmental variables showed the adverse impact of invasion on native species. This depletion of native flora is worrisome for both ecological as well as socio-economical perspectives and needs urgent attention of forest managers and policymakers.

The Determination of Inhibition Effect of Extracts of Thymbra sintenisii Bornm. et Aznav. Subsp on Angiotensin Converting Enzyme

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, peptidyldipeptidase A, EC 3.4.15.1) has got a significant role in the arrangement of blood pressure. ACE inhibitors usually play a part in the therapies of hypertension. Hypertension is an significant cardiovascular risk factor. The main purpose of the treatment is to reduce the incidence of hypertension. In this study, the inhibition effect of butanol and water extracts of Thymbra sintenisii Bornm. et Aznav. Subsp on angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity in human plasma was investigated. ACE activity was calculated at 345 nm spectrophotometrically. Extracts of Thymbra sintenisii Bornm. et Aznav. subsp plant with water and butanol were made. The effectiveness of these extracts on ACE activity was researched. Water and butanol extracts of Thymbra sintenisii indicated inhibition impact on ACE. IC50 values for water and butanol extracts of Thymbra sintenisii was measured to be 1.696 mg mL-1 and 0.395 mg mL-1 respectively. Inhibition type for water and butanol extracts of Thymbra sintenisii from Lineweaver-Burk chart was defined to be non-competitive inhibition. Synthetic ACE inhibitors are utilized in the therapy of hypertension. On the other hand, synthetic ACE inhibitors exhibit a large number of adverse effects. Therefore, ACE inhibitors have been newly researched from native herbs. These conclusions demonstrate that water and butanol extracts of Thymbra sintenisii plant may have an ACE inhibition capacity.

Combined effects of biological control of an invasive shrub and fluvial processes on riparian vegetation dynamics

Plant community responses to biocontrol of invasive plants are understudied, despite the strong influence of the composition of replacement vegetation on ecosystem functions and services. We studied the vegetation response to a folivore beetle (Diorhabda genus, Coleoptera) that has been introduced along southwestern US river valleys to control the invasion of non-native shrubs in the genus Tamarix (Tamaricaceae). We collected detailed plant compositional and environmental data during four different surveys over 7 years (2010–2017), including two surveys prior to when substantial beetle-induced dieback occurred in summer 2012, along the lower Virgin River, Nevada. The study river was of special interest because it is one of only a few largely unregulated rivers in the region, and a large flood of 40-year return period occurred between the first and second surveys, allowing us to study the combined effects of fluvial processes, which typically drive riparian plant community assembly, and biocontrol. Vegetation trajectories differed as a function of the dominant geomorphological process. Tamarix cover declined an average of 75% and was replaced by the native shrub Pluchea sericea as the new dominant species in the floodplain, especially where sediment deposition predominated. Following deposition, and especially erosion, opportunistic native herbs, Tamarix seedlings, and noxious weeds colonized the understory layer but did not increase in cover over time. Stands of the native shrub Salix exigua, a desirable replacement species following Tamarix control, only increased slightly and remained subordinate in the floodplain. Overall, our results showed that, by successfully controlling the target non-native plant, a biocontrol agent can substantially modify the replacement plant communities in a riparian system, but that fluvial processes also strongly influence the resulting communities.

Passive recovery of an urban forest in the Pacific Northwest after removal of invasive plants

Urban natural areas are often heavily invaded by non-native plants. To restore the biodiversity and ecosystem function of these areas, land managers commonly remove invasive species. Partnering with Portland Parks and Recreation, I studied a management-scale removal of Hedera spp., Clematis vitalba, Ilex aquifolium and Prunus laurocerasus from a 59 ha forested natural area in Portland, OR. Over four years, I compared the community composition of this area with contiguous control areas where invasive species remained intact. Hedera, the most abundant invader, was dramatically reduced in removal areas, along with Clematis and Ilex. Both the abundance and the diversity of native herbs and woody seedlings were substantially higher in removal areas, with Claytonia sibirica, Galium spp., Hydrophyllum tenuipes, Trillium ovatum, and Acer macrophyllum seedlings all showing significant increases. By 2015, the minimum native species richness for removal areas was 37, as determined by the Chao 2 estimator, versus 10 native species for control areas. In contrast, native shrubs and ferns showed no increase in response to invasive removal; in fact, control plots typically contained significantly higher stem densities of native shrubs and ferns than removal plots did. Few non-native species recolonized removal areas, except for seedlings of Clematis. Collectively, these results indicate that passive recovery of the herbaceous layer is possible at large scales following invasive species removal, but that active replanting of woody species may be needed. Partnerships between land managers and academic researchers are key to documenting the effects of management-scale removals.

The Therapeutic Potential of Phytomedicines from Brazilian Cerrado Herbs against Neurodegenerative Diseases

This short commentary is intended to briefly discuss the latest advances reported in literature about the use of native herbs from Brazilian Cerrado biome against neurodegenerative diseases. Henceforth, literature was surveyed concerning Cerrado`s rich biodiversity and the implications of the highly variable constitution of secondary metabolites of the plants of this region. Nonetheless, Cerrado herbs showcase remarkable antioxidant activity, as stated in literature, which is also associated to anticholinesterase properties, what implicates that some plants of this biome might find use in the therapeutics of neurodegenerative diseases.

Cytotoxic and antiproliferative activities of aqueous extract from aerial parts of Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Planch. on Dalton’s lymphoma cells

Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Planch. is an Indian medicinal native herb. The present study reports the cytotoxic and antiproliferative activities of the aqueous extract from aerial parts of A. latifolia (AEAAL) on Dalton’s lymphoma (DL) cells for the first time. Here, DL cells were cultured in vitro and treated with AEAAL (0.50–6 mg.mL−1) for up to 24 h. In vitro cytotoxicity and antiproliferation were measured by MTT and trypan blue assays, fluorescence microscope, agarose gel electrophoresis, and analysis of cell cycle kinetics by flow cytometer. Results indicated significant and concentration-dependent decreased survivability of AEAAL-treated DL cells, increased percentages of apoptotic cells, DNA laddering, increased sub-G1 cell frequency, and delay in cell cycle kinetics. Here, the reduced cell viability and increased sub-G1 cell populations were significantly correlated with the apoptosis rather than necrosis. Thus, the findings of our study suggested that water-soluble phytochemicals from AEAAL possess potential cytotoxic and antiproliferative activities and can hold a good future prospect as a potential drug candidate against the progression of cancer. However, advanced studies are essential for the isolation and chemical characterization of the bioactive principles and analysis of detailed molecular mechanism for the pharmacological application.

Phytochemical and Biological of Anthemis nobilis (Asteraceae family) a Native Herbs of Iraq

This study included the chemical detection of some active raw compounds extracted from the vegetative part of chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) from the Asteraceae family, Which is one of the important medicinal plants that are prevalent in many areas in Iraq and which have been used to treat many diseases, as some of the main chemical ingredients were detected in the vegetative part (multiple phenols, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, saponins). The owner of the largest amount of this plant was phenols, as it amounted to 33.5%, which was in the form of an brown precipitate, while the smallest amount of glycosides was 0.64% with a red precipitate shape. Also, the chemical contents, vitamins and mineral elements of this plant were revealed. Potassium was the most quantitative ingredient in chamomile which amounted to 302.7 mg. The least amount of this plant was for the manganese component which was 0.16 mg. As for vitamins, vitamin C was the largest amount which amounted to 86.9 mg, followed by vitamin A with 440 micrograms, In addition, the study included using the aqueous extract of chamomile plants with two concentrations (80-100%) to study their effect in reducing the percentage of sugar outside the living body in mice. There were significant differences between concentrations and control and the best concentration was 100%.

Effects of different drying methods on extractable phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties from lemon myrtle dried leaves

Lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) is one of the most commercially grown native herbs in Australia. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different drying methods on phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of lemon myrtle leaves to identify the most suitable drying conditions. The drying methods include hot air drying, vacuum drying, microwave drying, sun drying, shade drying and freeze drying. The results showed that drying conditions significantly (p < 0.05) affected the retention of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids (TFC), proanthocyanidins, gallic acid, hesperetin, and antioxidant properties of lemon myrtle leaves. The optimal conditions for hot air drying and vacuum drying are 90 °C for 75 min and 90 °C for 120 min, respectively; whereas optimal drying conditions for microwave drying are 960 W for 7 min, and the time required for sun drying and shade drying are 2 days and 12 days, respectively. The freeze dried leaves contained the highest level of TPC, TFC, proanthocyanidins, gallic acid and hesperetin (74.11 ± 2.87 mg GAE/g dw, 87.15 ± 2.70 mg CE/g dw, 123.49 ± 6.12 mg CE/g dw, 53.77 ± 0.22 mg/g dw and 38.99 ± 0.26 mg/g dw, respectively). The freeze dried leaves also contained higher antioxidant capacity as compared to other samples. No significant difference in phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity was observed between tested other drying methods. Therefore, any of these methods can be selected for dehydration of lemon myrtle leaves for industrial purposes. However, microwave drying can be selected for drying of lemon myrtle leaves for an industrial scale as it was the most time and/or energy efficient technique.

Soil properties after forest rehabilitation by planting teak and mahogany in Java, Indonesia

We studied how rehabilitation of forests in Indonesia by planting teak, Tectona grandis (L.f.), and mahogany, Swietenia macrophylla (King), was associated with soil pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium. We also analyzed how soil properties and the environment (i.e. soil order, altitude, stand age) were associated with succession and compared rehabilitated stands with native forests. We found higher pH in teak compared to mahogany stands. The soil pH was lowest in the oldest stands (>70 years). Herb density was positively related to pH and to phosphorus, while density of seedlings and woody plants was positively related to nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Tree and herb species richness and tree density were positively associated with Oxisols, but negatively related to the proportion of native herbs. Species richness of herbs and density of seedlings decreased with time since rehabilitation, whereas species richness of woody plants increased. The proportion of native herbs and seedlings increased with stand age. We found few differences in soils between the planted stands and native forest. Our results demonstrated that successional vegetation of rehabilitated forests may play an important role in maintaining soil properties associated with soil order.