Passiflora Tripartita Var Research Articles

Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant Capacity, and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Lipophilic and Hydrophilic Extracts of the Pericarp of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima at Two Stages of Ripening.

Chronic disease inflammation requires safe complementary treatments. The pericarp of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (PTM) contains potential anti-inflammatory metabolites. This study aimed to evaluate the bioactive components, antioxidant capacity, and anti-inflammatory effects of PTM extracts at two ripening stages. The bioactive compounds in the hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts of mature and green pericarps were identified by GC-MS and UV-VIS, while the antioxidant capacity was measured by free radical reduction. Anti-inflammatory effects were tested using a rat paw edema model with carrageenan-induced edema, indomethacin, or PTM extracts (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg). The effect of mature hydrophilic extract was further evaluated in an air pouch model, where rats received the placebo, carrageenan, indomethacin, or the extract (500 and 1000 mg/kg). Leukocytes, cytokines, and markers of oxidative stress were evaluated. The results showed the presence of organic compounds, total phenols, and flavonoids. The mature hydrophilic extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. At 500 mg/kg, it reduced edema, leukocyte migration, and levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α while managing oxidative stress and preventing histological damage. In conclusion, PTM contains bioactive compounds with potential pharmacological properties. The hydrophilic extract of the mature pericarp, at a dose of 500 mg/kg, exhibits an enhanced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect.

Physiological and anatomical responses of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (Passifloraceae) in water deficit

Introduction: Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (banana passionfruit) is one of the most promising exotic tropical fruits from the diversity of the Passifloraceae family in South America, because of its organoleptic properties and antioxidant activity. Objective: To evaluate the physiological and anatomical responses of banana passionfruit plants under water deficit to better understand the mechanisms that mitigate this stress and affect the production of crops subject to climate change and global warming. Methods: Three-month-old seedlings of banana passionfruit were subjected to a soil water deficit through an irrigation reduction at 70 % for 49 days under greenhouse conditions. Morphology (leaf area, height, and number of leaves) and physiological (stomatal conductance, Fv/Fm, total chlorophyll content) measurements were made through time, and after the irrigation treatments were measured biomass parameters and anatomical foliar traits. Results: The plants experienced a decrease in height, leaf area, number of leaves, leaf area index, and relative water content, that are common responses in plants subjected to reduced irrigation. Additionally, the plants exhibited certain mechanisms that can be attributed to water deficit tolerance such as higher root: shoot ratio, stomatal closing, an increase in stomatal density, a reduction in mesophyll tissue thickness, and a decrease in the number of vessels and its diameter as they enable the banana passionfruit to reduce water loss and decrease the probability of cavitation in xylem vessels. Conclusions: banana passionfruit plants could implement strategies against water scarcity, allowing them to survive and endure challenging environmental conditions

Evaluation of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and temperature in postharvest of banana passion fruit (Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima)

Evaluation of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and temperature in postharvest of banana passion fruit (Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima)

Plastid genome of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (poro-poro) from Huánuco, Peru.

Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima, known locally as poro-poro, is an important native fruit used in traditional Peruvian medicine with relevant agro-industrial and pharmaceutical potential for its antioxidant capacity for human health. However, to date, only a few genetic data are available, which limits exploring its genetic diversity and developing new genetic studies for its improvement. We report the poro-poro plastid genome to expand the knowledge of its molecular markers, evolutionary studies, molecular pathways, and conservation genetics. The complete chloroplast (cp) genome is 163,451 bp in length with a typical quadripartite structure, containing a large single-copy region of 85,525 bp and a small single-copy region of 13,518 bp, separated by a pair of inverted repeat regions (IR) of 32,204 bp, and the overall GC content was 36.87%. This cp genome contains 128 genes (110 genes were unique and 18 genes were found duplicated in each IR region), including 84 protein-coding genes, 36 transfer RNA-coding genes, eight ribosomal RNA-coding genes, and 13 genes with introns (11 genes with one intron and two genes with two introns). The inverted repeat region boundaries among species were similar in organization, gene order, and content, with a few revisions. The phylogenetic tree reconstructed based on single-copy orthologous genes and maximum likelihood analysis demonstrates poro-poro is most closely related to Passiflora menispermifolia and Passiflora oerstedii. In summary, our study constitutes a valuable resource for studying molecular evolution, phylogenetics, and domestication. It also provides a powerful foundation for conservation genetics research and plant breeding programs. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the plastid genome of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima from Peru.

Neuropharmacological and anxiolytic effects of extracts of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima on mice

Anxiety and depression cause alterations in the physiology of an organism. Extracts from the leaves of several Passiflora species are traditionally used Peru and in many countries as anxiolytic and in treatment for inflammatory problems. This study aimed to determine the neuropharmacological effect of the ethanolic extract of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (Kunth) Holm-Niels. & P.Jørg. and its anxiolytic effect on mouse (Mus musculus var. albinus). Anxiety was evaluated with the marble burying test and the depressant effect with the Irwin test (locomotor activity, base of support, wobbly gait, immobility, escape, ease of handling, muscular strength, tight rope, inclined plane, catatonia, nociceptive reflex and death). Doses of 100 mg/Kg/body weight and 200 mg/kg/body weight by intraperitoneal route (i.p.) significantly decreased anxiety levels (p<0.05) in mice, and had a non-significant depressant effect in 11 of the 12 tests, showing a similar direction of correlation between diazepam and Passiflora extract effect. A greater anxiolytic and anti-depressant effects in mice was observed with the extract dose of 200 mg/kg/body weight with neuropharmacological manifestations found where no death was observed at any dose used.

Plastid genome of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (poro-poro) from Huánuco, Peru

Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima, known locally as poro-poro, is an important native fruit used in traditional Peruvian medicine with relevant agro-industrial and pharmaceutical potential for its antioxidant capacity for human health. However, to date, only a few genetic data are available, which limits exploring its genetic diversity and developing new genetic studies for its improvement. We report the poro-poro plastid genome to expand the knowledge of its molecular markers, evolutionary studies, molecular pathways, and conservation genetics. The complete chloroplast (cp) genome is 163,451 bp in length with a typical quadripartite structure, containing a large single-copy region of 85,525 bp and a small single-copy region of 13,518 bp, separated by a pair of inverted repeat regions (IR) of 32,204 bp, and the overall GC content was 36.87%. This cp genome contains 128 genes (110 genes were unique and 18 genes were found duplicated in each IR region), including 84 protein-coding genes, 36 transfer RNA-coding genes, eight ribosomal RNA-coding genes, and 13 genes with introns (11 genes with one intron and two genes with two introns). The inverted repeat region boundaries among species were similar in organization, gene order, and content, with a few revisions. The phylogenetic tree reconstructed based on single-copy orthologous genes and maximum likelihood analysis demonstrates poro-poro is most closely related to Passiflora menispermifolia and Passiflora oerstedii. In summary, our study constitutes a valuable resource for studying molecular evolution, phylogenetics, and domestication. It also provides a powerful foundation for conservation genetics research and plant breeding programs. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the plastid genome of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima from Peru.

Characterization and Applications of the Pectin Extracted from the Peel of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima.

The inadequate management of organic waste and excessive use of plastic containers cause damage to the environment; therefore, different studies have been carried out to obtain new biomaterials from agricultural subproducts. The objective of this work was to evaluate the feasibility of using the pectin extracted from the peel of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (PT), characterizing its type and viability for the production of edible biodegradable films. In addition, films of two thicknesses (23.45 ± 3.02 µm and 53.34 ± 2.28 µm) were prepared. The results indicated that PT is an excellent raw material for the extraction of pectin, with high yields (23.02 ± 0.02%), high galacturonic acid content (65.43 ± 2.241%), neutral sugars (ribose, xylose, glucose) and a high degree of esterification (76.93 ± 1.65%), classifying it as a high-methoxy pectin. Regarding the films, they were malleable and flexible, with a water vapor permeability from 2.57 × 10-10 ± 0.046 to 0.13 × 10-10 ± 0.029 g/s mPa according to thickness, being similar to other Passiflora varieties of edible films. The pectin extraction yield from PT makes this fruit a promising material for pectin production and its chemical composition a valuable additive for the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Plastid genome of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (poro-poro) from Huánuco, Peru

Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima, known locally as poro-poro, is an important native fruit used in traditional Peruvian medicine with relevant agro-industrial and pharmaceutical potential for its antioxidant capacity for human health. However, to date, only a few genetic data are available, which limits exploring its genetic diversity and developing new genetic studies for its improvement. We report the poro-poro plastid genome to expand the knowledge of its molecular markers, evolutionary studies, molecular pathways, and conservation genetics. Total genomic DNA was extracted from fresh leaves (herbarium voucher: USM:MHN331530). The DNA was sequenced using Illumina Novaseq 6000 platform providing 163,451 bp in length, with a large single-copy region of 85,525 bp and a small single-copy region of 13,518 bp, separated by a pair of inverted repeat regions (IR) of 32,204 bp, and the overall GC content was 36.87%. The chloroplast genome contains 129 genes (112 genes were unique and 17 genes were found duplicated in each IR region), including 85 protein-coding genes, 37 transfer RNA-coding genes, seven ribosomal RNA-coding genes, and 14 genes with introns (12 genes with one intron and two genes with two introns). The phylogenetic tree reconstructed based on single-copy orthologous genes and maximum likelihood analysis demonstrates poro-poro is most closely related to Passiflora menispermifolia and Passiflora oerstedii. In summary, our study provides the basis for developing new molecular markers that constitutes a valuable resource for studying molecular evolution and domestication. It also provides a powerful foundation for conservation genetics research and plant breeding programs. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the plastid genome of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima from Peru.

Review on the ecophysiology of important Andean fruits: Passiflora L.

The development of Andean fruit crops is viewed as an important and healthy contribution to global food consumption but ecophysiological studies on these fruit trees are scarce. 96% of approximately 520 Passiflora L. species are distributed in the Americas, especially in Colombia and Brazil. Many of these species originated on the edges of humid forests in tropical valleys. The four species: yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Degener), sweet granadilla (Passiflora ligularis Juss.), purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. edulis Sims) and banana passion fruit (Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (Kunth) Holm-Niels & P.M. Jørg) are widely cultivated in Colombia, and their ecophysiological findings are described in this review. The demands, in terms of temperature (°C) and altitude (masl) are, for yellow passion fruits: 15-28 °C and 0-1,300 masl; sweet granadillas: 15-23 °C and 1,800-2,600 masl; purple passion fruits: 15-22/12-14 °C (day/night) and 1,600-2,300 masl; and banana passion fruit: 13-16 °C and 1.800-3.200 masl; all of them have high requirements for solar radiation, a minimum of 7 h of sunshine per day, to encourage flowering and fruit quality. Cloudy days decrease growth, flower bud induction and flower opening. Temperature and photosynthetic active radiation are the climatic factors that have the greatest effect on plant development. Relative humidity between 60 and 80% supports effective pollination and fecundation. Passiflora L. crops do not support long periods of waterlogging, with a maximum of 4 days for yellow passion fruit. Climatic events such as prolonged rain, intense droughts, strong winds and hail are harmful for these plants.

ACTIVIDAD INHIBITORIA in vitro DE LOS EXTRACTOS ACUOSOS DE LOS FRUTOS DE Hylocereus megalanthus Y Passiflora tripartita var. mollisima SOBRE LAS ENZIMAS α-AMILASA Y α-GLUCOSIDASA

La pitahaya amarilla (Hylocereus megalanthus) y el tumbo serrano (Passiflora tripartita var. mollisima) son frutos cultivados en Perú. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la propiedad hipoglicemiante de estos frutos mediante la inhibición in vitro de las enzimas α-amilasa y α-glucosidasa. Los frutos fueron despulpados y liofilizados, y luego de preparar los respectivos extractos acuosos, se determinó el contenido de polifenoles totales (TPC) mediante el método de Folin-Ciocalteu. La actividad inhibitoria se determinó mediante el IC50 y se evaluó el tipo de inhibición utilizando 0,25-2 mg/mL y 0,02-0,28 mg/mL del extracto del tumbo serrano sobre la α-amilasa y α-glucosidasa, respectivamente. Para la pitahaya se empleó 4-64 mg/ml y 0,8-25,6 mg/mL sobre la α-amilasa y α-glucosidasa, respectivamente. Los TPC para el tumbo serrano y pitahaya amarilla fueron de 614,67 y 16,17 mg/100 g de muestra, respectivamente, expresados en equivalente de ácido gálico. El extracto acuoso de tumbo serrano inhibió a las enzimas α-amilasa y α-glucosidasa (tipo no competitiva mixta) con un IC50 de 1719,18 y 77,68 μg/Ml, respectivamente, mientras que la pitahaya amarilla solo inhibió a la enzima α-glucosidasa con un IC50 de 8692,4 μg/mL (tipo competitiva).

Effects of Wall Materials and Operating Parameters on Physicochemical Properties, Process Efficiency, and Total Carotenoid Content of Microencapsulated Banana Passionfruit Pulp (Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima) by Spray-Drying

Banana passionfruit is an edible fruit widespread in the Andean highlands of Colombia and Ecuador, which has a high content of carotenoids. The microencapsulation process is used to improve the stability of this bioactive compound. The encapsulation agents, core/wall material ratio, and operational parameters influence the efficiency of the process. In this study, Maltodextrin (MD) and Gum Arabic (GA) were used as wall materials to assess the influence of inlet temperature and different MD:GA and core/encapsulating material (Core:EM) ratios on moisture, water activity, color, particle size, process yield (PY), encapsulation efficiency (EE), and total carotenoid content (TCC) of microencapsulated banana passionfruit pulp (MBP) by spray-drying. The lowest moisture (1.12 ± 0.01%) of MBP was at a temperature of 150 °C; the water activity (Aw) for all samples was less than 0.4, and the Hue angle indicated a coloration between orange and yellow. The increase in temperature produced an increase in the particle size. However, the MBP showed a uniform particle diameter (1.25 ± 0.21 μm). The treatment T2A1B2 (T = 150 °C, Core:EM = 1:1, MD:GA = 4:6) showed the highest EE (50.79 ± 0.29%) and the best PY (60.84 ± 0.07%). The stability of MBP was carried out at temperatures of 4, 20, and 40 °C. The predicted shelf life can be up to 215 days on storage at 4 °C. The encapsulation improved the stability of TCC in banana passionfruit pulp. Therefore, the MBP can be considered as a potential ingredient for use in functional beverages.

Valorization Strategy of Banana Passion Fruit Shell Wastes: An Innovative Source of Phytoprostanes and Phenolic Compounds and Their Potential Use in Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Industries

At present, people with today's busy lifestyle have a general trend of consuming fruit like banana passion fruit (Passiflora tripartita var. mollisima) as juices or smoothies, being an increasing tendency that can generate a large amount of agro-industrial residues. Whereby, food industries have a significant investment to minimize these wastes generated or devise alternatives of residue use. So, food researches are aimed to exploit these fruit waste. In this sense, this study has allowed the detection for the first time, in banana passion fruit shell, phytoprostanes (PhytoPs), oxylipins with multiple biological activities in humans. Furthermore, this study, with methodology used (LC-MS) allowed us to detect higher amount of these compounds (2318.63 ± 71.51 µg/100 g DW) than other vegetable matrices previously studied (macroalgae, olives or almonds, among others). In addition, we were able to identify 14 phenolic compounds (including cinnamoyl acid derivatives, flavonoid-O-glycoside, flavonoid-C-glycosides), not previously described in this matrix. Hence, this work increased the knowledge about the bioactive compounds profile of banana passion fruit shells and thereby to achieve a product with added value that may be used as natural source of bioactive compounds as alternative of synthetic substances in several industries of pharmaceutic or cosmetic fields.

Crecimiento y caída de frutos en curuba (<i>Passiflora tripartita</i> var. mollissima)

El crecimiento es un aumento irreversible en el tamaño de los órganos de las plantas que puede implicar cambios en su forma, y está acompañado de procesos como la morfogénesis y la diferenciación celular. La expresión matemática del crecimiento del fruto en plantas cultivadas es una herramienta que permite estimar aspectos relacionados con la producción, y además contribuye a definir protocolos aplicables al manejo agronómico del cultivo. Se desarrolló en el municipio de Caldas (Boyacá, Colombia), un ensayo en condiciones de campo, con el objetivo de describir la dinámica de diferentes variables implicadas en el crecimiento y caída de frutos de curuba (Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima). Se calcularon modelos matemáticos para la estimación de algunas variables, usadas comúnmente para describir el crecimiento de frutos. Las variables evaluadas presentaron valores de R2 superiores a 0,98 con excepción de la tasa de crecimiento absoluto de la longitud del fruto y la caída instantánea de frutos, cuyos valores de R2 fueron de 0,82 y 0,76, respectivamente. Los resultados mostraron que la tasa de crecimiento relativo presentó los valores máximos hasta 22 días después de la apertura floral, mientras que la tasa de crecimiento absoluto presentó el mayor valor entre 15-22 días después de la apertura floral. La longitud y el ancho de los frutos mostraron una curva de forma sigmoide, típica de otras Passifloraceae reportadas previamente. La máxima caída de frutos de presentó a los 15 días después de la apertura floral y se encontró que sólo el 38,9% de las flores desarrollan frutos que alcanzan el momento de la cosecha. Esta información es de gran importancia cuando se pretende efectuar un manejo tecnificado del cultivo, con el propósito de optimizar la producción de curuba.

Impact of pectin properties on lipid digestion under simulated gastrointestinal conditions: Comparison of citrus and banana passion fruit (Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima) pectins

Medium methoxylated pectin (52% mol/mol, MMP) was isolated from banana passion fruit (Passiflora tripartita var. mollisima) by hot acidic extraction. The impact of MMP on lipid digestion was compared to that of commercial citrus pectins with high (71% mol/mol, HMP) and low (30% mol/mol, LMP) methoxylation degree. A static in vitro digestion model was used to elucidate the impact of pectin properties (methoxylation degree and molecular weight) on the gastrointestinal fate of emulsified lipids. A 2.0% (w/w) corn oil-in-water emulsion stabilized with 0.2% (w/w) Tween 80 was prepared, mixed with 1.8% (w/w) pectin samples, and then subjected to the static in vitro digestion model (37 °C): initial (pH 7.0); oral (pH 6.8, 10 min, mucin); gastric (pH 2.5, 120 min, pepsin); and intestinal (pH 7.0, 120 min, bile salts, and pancreatic lipase) phases. The impact of the three pectin samples on surface particle charge (ζ-potential), particle size distribution of lipid droplets, microstructure, rheology, and lipid digestion (free fatty acids (FFAs) released) was determined. The rate and extent of lipid digestion decreased with increasing simultaneously both the molecular weight and pectin methoxylation, with the FFAs released after 120 min of intestinal digestion being 47, 70, and 91% (w/w) for HMP, MMP, and LMP, respectively. These results have important implications for understanding the influence of pectin on lipid digestion. The control of lipid digestibility within the gastrointestinal tract might be important for the designing and development of novel functional foods to control bioactive release or to modulate satiety.

Pomosynthesis And Biological Activity Of Silver Nanoparticles Using Passiflora Tripartita Fruit Extracts

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized via the green pomosynthetic procedure, using Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima fruit pigments as both the reducing and stabilizing agents. UV-Vis Spectroscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering, Transmission Electron Microscopy with Selected Area Electron Diffraction and Powder X-Ray Diffraction are used to completely characterize the AgNPs. The prepared AgNPs are found to be mostly spherical shapes with an average diameter of 49.7 ± 24.6 nm at room temperature. XRD analysis revealed the face-centered cubic geometry of AgNPs whereas Infrared spectrum and cyclic voltammetry measurements hypothesize the possible biomolecules (flavonoid C & O-glycosides) responsible for stabilization of the AgNPs. Synthesized AgNPs shows significant antioxidant efficacy (67%, 0.15 mM) against 1, 1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl. The AgNPs (0.01 - 20 μM) did not affect cell proliferation of the human cancer cell lines A - 549 and HeLa, from lung and cervix, respectively. The use of environmentally benign, cost-effective and renewable materials like P. tripartita extract offers numerous benefits of eco-friendliness and compatibility for potential future pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Copyright © 2015 VBRI press.

Biogenic synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles for 2-arylbenzimidazole fabrication

A simple, efficient, and ecofriendly method has been developed for the exclusive synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles using an aqueous extract of Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima fruit. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis show that the average particle size of spherical iron oxide nanoparticles is 22.3 ± 3 nm. The synthesized nanocatalyst is highly active for the synthesis of biologically significant 2-arylbenzimidazoles. The reaction was carried out under mild condition with excellent yields. The catalyst is easily separated by magnet and recyclable without significant loss of activity.

Analysis of C‐glycosyl Flavonoids from South American Passiflora Species by HPLC‐DAD and HPLC‐MS

Leaves and fruits of Passiflora species are widely used around the world in popular medicine, mainly as sedatives and tranquilisers. C-glycosyl flavonoids are the main components of these species. To investigate the constituent patterns and to develop a chromatographic method for the characterisation of the C-glycosyl flavonoids profile of the extracts of the leaves and the pericarp of South American Passiflora species. The chemical composition of extracts from the leaves and the fruits' pericarp of Passiflora edulis var. flavicarpa, P. edulis var. edulis, Passiflora alata, Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima, Passiflora quadrangularis, Passiflora manicata and Passiflora ligularis was evaluated for the presence of C-glycosyl flavonoids. Two separate HPLC methods were developed suitable for a diode array detector (DAD) and a MS detector. Separation by HPLC-DAD was achieved on a Luna C-18 column, using solvent A (tetrahydrofuran-isopropanol-acetonitrile) and solvent B (H₃PO₄ 0.5%) in an isocratic elution mode. In the HPLC-MS, the components were separated on a Luna RP-18A column by a gradient elution (water-acetonitrile-formic acid). The presence of C-glycosyl flavonoids was identified in leaves and pericarp of P. edulis var. flavicarpa, P. alata, P. edulis var. edulis and P. tripartita var. molissima, but only in leaf extracts of P. quadrangularis and P. manicata and not at all in P. ligularis. The different species and varieties showed different major constituents. The C-glycosyl flavonoids identified more frequently were orientin, isoorientin, vitexin and isovitexin. The methods established are simple and can be used as a tool for the characterisation and quality control of pharmaceutical preparations containing these Passiflora extracts.

Variación morfológica de tres especies de curubas (Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima, P. tarminiana y P. mixta) y sus híbridos en el Valle del Cauca (Colombia)

Se estudió la variación morfológica entre ocho accesiones de las tres principales especies de curubas cultivadas y silvestres del Valle del Cauca, Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima (curuba de Castilla), Passiflora tarminiana (curuba india) y Passiflora mixta (curuba de monte) y 11 de sus híbridos, usando el análisis de componentes principales y el método de clasificación del vecino más próximo en 105 caracteres cualitativos y cuantitativos. Siete componentes principales explican 84% de la varianza total. Las clasificaciones sobre los caracteres cualitativos y cuantitativos muestran una clara agrupación por especie. Dentro de P. mixta, se distinguen un tipo poco pubescente, representativo de las plantas silvestres más comunes, y un tipo muy pubescente, con caracteres de domesticación como frutos amarillentos de pulpa colorida, y con una mayor variación morfológica. La clasificación de estos últimos individuos sugiere una introgresión entre P. mixta y Passiflora tripartita var. mollissima. Los híbridos ocupan una posición intermedia entre las especies parentales, pero se diferencian claramente según la dirección del cruzamiento, revelando un efecto maternal sobre la herencia de los caracteres vegetativos y florales. Los primeros análisis del fruto muestran características intermedias en cuanto a forma, color y tolerancia a la antracnosis.

Effective Biomass Reduction of the Invasive Weed Species Banana Poka by Septoria Leaf Spot.

Inoculations of Septoria passiflorae for biological control of banana poka (Passiflora tripartita var. tripartita) at different forest sites in Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui resulted in successful establishment of the Septoria leaf spot disease at all sites during 1996. Semi-annual monitoring of sites in 1997 revealed low disease incidence and no disease spread to adjacent non-inoculated plants. Site inspections in March 1998 revealed light disease epidemics causing visible defoliation at inoculated sites on Kauai and Maui. Banana poka biomass reduction at sites with light epidemics of the disease in Kauai and Maui were estimated to be less than 10% in 1998, whereas in 1999 biomass reduction ranged from 50 to 95%. Five of 11 inoculation sites in 1996 on the island of Hawaii showed no disease. These five sites on Kaloko had frequent acid rainfall averaging 3.2 pH, which inhibited spore germination and infection. Six sites, free of acid rain, three at Hilo Forest Reserve and three at Puuwaawaa Wildlife Sanctuary, had severe disease epidemics by 1998, and vine defoliation was >90%. Widespread epidemics of the disease occurred in 1999, resulting in estimated 80 to 95% biomass reductions in more than 2,000 hectares of native forest infested with banana poka.

Field biology of Zapriothrica sp. Wheeler (Dipt., Drosophilidae), a pest of Passiflora spp. of high elevation possessing long tubular flowers

Abstract: Blooms of Hawaii's banana poka, Passiflora tripartita var. tripartita, grown at Ipiales, Colombia were found suitable for the completion of the life cycle of the fly Zapriothrica sp. The tubular flowers were an ideal habitat for the mating and reproduction of this minute Andean fly. Oviposition occurred only on immature flowers 30‐20 days from bud opening. Eggs hatched 10–13 days after oviposition. Larvae averaged 1.3 × 0.3 mm at hatching, and 15 days after hatching at the end of the third larva instar averaged 5.2 × 1.0 mm. The light‐brown pupa averaged 3.6 × 1.3 mm and required 40–45 days for completion of this stage. Adult flies averaged 5.1 × 1.3 mm and their life span was 7–10 days in captivity and 5–8 days in field cages. Mating was inside the flower tube and a minimum of five pairs of adults were required for copulation. Other Passiflora spp. of high elevation with tubular flowers were host of the insect. However, campanulate flowers, e.g., P. edulis, P. ligularis, and P. alnifolia did not elicit any response whatsoever for feeding, aggregation, mating or oviposition. The dropping of immature flower‐buds caused by this insect in P. tripartita v. mollissima and P. tripartita v. tripartita was 60–80% in Colombian and Ecuadorian curuba farms with high pest populations.