Passiflora Research Articles

Raman Spectroscopic Investigation of Carotenoids in Oils from Amazonian Products

ABSTRACT In this work several different natural products from the Amazon forest were analyzed by means of Raman spectroscopy, using the 1064-nm laser line as a way to obtain the spectra. All the oil samples from handmade produced buriti, babaçu, and pequi, as well as the refined andiroba, cold-pressed passion flower, and palm oils, were acquired in the local market in Brazil. Some products present in all the spectra of the ν(C˭C) vibration, observed in the 1525 cm−1 region, the ν(C-C) mode near 1158 cm−1, and the ρ(C-CH3) mode near 1008 cm−1, can be seen; all these bands are assigned generally to the presence of a C9 carotenoid and can be more precisely attributed to the ν1, ν2, and δ modes of β-carotene. Also, the characteristic Raman scattering bands common to all the oils arising from vibrations of the hydrocarbon chains can be observed, namely, aromatic ring C˭C stretching at 1658 cm−1 (ν(C˭C)); CH2 scissoring deformation at 1439 cm−1 (δ(CH2); vibrations of in-phase methylene twisting at 1301 cm−1, and symmetric CH rocking in unconjugated cis-double bonds at 1270 cm−1 (δ(C–H)), as well as C˭O stretching from the ester groups at 1747 cm−1 [ν(C˭O)]. It is noteworthy that most natural oils have a major contribution of components of some of the main fatty acids: palmitic (C16), oleic (C18:1), and linoleic (C18:2), and no carotenoid was detected in the Raman spectra of the white babaçu oil or in the pale yellow andiroba oil. As a major conclusion, direct Raman spectroscopic measurements using a near-infrared wavelength as the excitation source can be used as a primary test to monitor the quality control of natural oils extracted from the Amazon forest, namely, andiroba, burity, babaçu, and pequi oils.

A new species of Phyllocnistis Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) from southern Brazil, with life-history description and genetic comparison to congeneric species

Male, female and immature stages of Phyllocnistis tethys Moreira & Vargas sp. nov. (Lepidoptera; Gracillariidae) from the Atlantic Rain Forest, coastal mountains of southern Brazil, are described and illustrated, using both optical and scanning electron microscopy. A preliminary analysis of mitochondrial (COI) DNA sequences including putative members of congeneric species is also provided. The immature stages are associated with the passion vine Passiflora organensis (Passifloraceae). The hypermetamorphic, endophyllous larva has four instars; the first, second and third instars are sap-feeders, associated primarily with the spongy parenchyma, and construct a blotch mine in the lower surface of the lamina; the fourth, non-feeding (spinning) instar constructs a flimsy endophyllous cocoon at the end of the mine, where pupation occurs. This is the first species of Phyllocnistis Zeller described from Brazil, and the first leaf-mining gracillariid associated with Passifloraceae.

Chemical composition of hydroethanolic extracts from five species of the Passiflora genus

The diversified genus Passiflora is well distributed all over Brazil, and many species have been long used as medicinal plants, mainly against anxiety disturbances. This effect has been attributed to its rich flavonoid composition. Flavonoids’ main class, flavonoid glycosides, has presented central action, particularly as sedative-hypnotic, anxiolytic and analgesic. The objective of the present study was to make a phytochemical screening of five little studied Passiflora species, in order to evaluate their phenolic composition. For this aim, HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS was used. After the preparation of the hydroalcoholic extracts, each species was evaluated by direct injection electrospray ionization (ESI) and tandem mass spectrometry. Although belonging to the same genus, the composition of each species presented particularities; this justifies the importance of studies aiming for the phenolic composition of different Passiflora species. Flavones C-glycosides were detected in all extracts, and are found as the main constituents in P. vitifolia, P. coccinea, P. bahiensis and P. sidifolia. In this last one, flavone-6,8-di-C-glycoside, apigenin-6-C-rhamnosyl-8-C-arabinoside are present in high content. Cyclopassiflosides were found in high content together with cyanogenic glycosides in P. quadrangularis, while in P. coccinea, besides flavones-C-glycosides were also found procyanidins.

72. Cryopreservation of Passiflora pohlii – Vitrification and encapsulation-vitrification

Passiflora pohlii is a wild tropical species of the genus Passiflora , it is native to Brazil and found in Cerrado, Atlantic Forest and Pantanal. This species has a potential agronomic interest due to its tolerance to soil-borne pathogens of Phytophthora sp, which causes damage to passionfruit culture. P. pohlii occurs in regions that are impacted by human actions, with the possibility of disappearance of many genotypes that could be used in breeding. Considering these facts, the establishment of different conservation strategies for this species is of great importance. The goal of this work was to develop cryopreservation protocols for P. polhii using vitrification-based techniques. Nodal segments (0.3 cm) excised from in vitro -grown plants were precultured for 24 h on solid MSM (Monteiro et al. In vitro Cell Dev Biol – Plant 36, 527–531) medium supplemented with 0.7 M sucrose, at 25 °C. For vitrification, the precultured explants were placed into 2.0 ml cryovials and incubated in the cryoprotectant solution PVS2 for different periods (0, 30, 60 or 120 min) at room temperature. After this, the cryovials were plunged into liquid nitrogen (LN 2 ) and stored for 72 h. For encapsulation-vitrification, the precultured explants were suspended in calcium-free MS medium supplemented with 3% sodium alginate. The mixture, including the nodal segments, was dispensed with a sterile pipette into MS medium containing 100 mM CaCl 2 , and held for 20 min at 25 °C. Beads, each containing one explant, were precultured in liquid 1/2 MSM medium containing 0.75 M sucrose for 24 h on a rotary shaker (100 rpm) at 25° ± 2 °C, and then placed into 2 ml cryovials containing PVS2 for 0, 30, 60 or 120 min. After these periods, cryovials were immersed into liquid nitrogen (LN 2 ) and stored for 72 h. Thereafter, the cryovials were removed from LN 2 and rapidly re-warmed in a water bath (40 °C) for 2 min, and transferred to the MSM supplemented with 31 μM BA. The explants were maintained in the dark for 30 or 60 days in a growth chamber at 30° ± 2 °C. After these periods, the explants were exposed to total irradiance (46 μ mol m −2 s −1 ). When using the vitrification technique, the highest recovery rate (40%) was obtained after exposure to PVS2 for 60 or 120 min. On the other hand, a very low survival rate was attained when explants were submitted to the encapsulation-vitrification protocol. In summary, in the present study we established a protocol for long-term conservation of P. pohlii through cryopreservation. We demonstrated that the vitrification protocol resulted in higher recovery rates when compared to the results obtained with the encapsulation-vitrification technique. In addition, the high multiplication capacity of nodal segments was not affected by cryostorage.

23. Comparison of vitrification-based techniques in the efficacy of cryopreservation of Passiflora suberosa L. and P. foetida L. shoot tips

Passiflora are used as ornamentals and in popular medicine. Passiflora suberosa is commonly used to treat hypertension, diabetes, skin diseases and as a sedative, whereas P. foetida shows analgesic and antibacterial activities. The goal of this study was the development of in vitro conservation strategies for long-term storage for both species through cryopreservation using vitrification and encapsulation-vitrification techniques. The efficacy of vitrification and encapsulation-vitrification protocols was compared, and several parameters were evaluated, including pregrowth on medium with high sucrose concentrations, type of vitrification solution (PVS2 and PVS3), exposure time to vitrification solutions, and recovery conditions. Shoot tips (0.3 cm) excised from in vitro-grown plants were precultured for 24 h on solid 1/2 MSM medium supplemented with different sucrose concentrations (0.3, 0.5 or 0.7 M), at 25 °C. Explants precultured on medium supplemented with 0.3 M sucrose were incubated in the cryoprotectant solutions PVS2 or PVS3 for different periods (0–240 min) at room temperature, and immersed into liquid nitrogen (LN) for 72 h. In the encapsulation-vitrification protocol, precultured shoot tips were encapsulated in calcium alginate beads, followed by incubation in liquid 1/2 MSM medium containing 0.75 M sucrose for 24 h, on a rotary shaker (100 rpm) at 25 ± 2°C. After this period, beads were maintained in cryovials containing PVS2 or PVS3 for 30, 60, 120 or 180 min, before immersion into LN. The materials were rapidly thawed in a warm water bath (38-40 °C) for 2 minutes and transferred to the recovery medium (1/2 MSM or MSM supplemented with 0.44, 2.2 or 4.4 μM BA). Alternatively, explants were kept in the dark for 30 or 60 days before transfer to the presence of light. Plant recovery from the shoot tips before and after cooling in LN was evaluated by assessing the percentage of shoot formation. The shoots were cultured on 1/2 MSM medium for 60–90 days for root induction, and whole plants were transferred to ex vitro conditions. The highest recovery rates for both P. suberosa and P. foetida (28% and 60%) were obtained with the encapsulation-vitrification protocol, after a pre-treatment with 0.3 M sucrose, followed by exposure to PVS2 for 60 or 120 min, respectively, and post-freezing incubation in the absence of light for 30 days on MSM medium supplemented with 0.44 μM BA. These results suggest that alginate beads provided additional protection, reducing the toxicity of the cryoprotectant solution. In addition, they demonstrate that different species from genus Passiflora display distinct responses to cryopreservation treatments.

Phylogenomics and a posteriori data partitioning resolve the Cretaceous angiosperm radiation Malpighiales

The angiosperm order Malpighiales includes ~16,000 species and constitutes up to 40% of the understory tree diversity in tropical rain forests. Despite remarkable progress in angiosperm systematics during the last 20 y, relationships within Malpighiales remain poorly resolved, possibly owing to its rapid rise during the mid-Cretaceous. Using phylogenomic approaches, including analyses of 82 plastid genes from 58 species, we identified 12 additional clades in Malpighiales and substantially increased resolution along the backbone. This greatly improved phylogeny revealed a dynamic history of shifts in net diversification rates across Malpighiales, with bursts of diversification noted in the Barbados cherries (Malpighiaceae), cocas (Erythroxylaceae), and passion flowers (Passifloraceae). We found that commonly used a priori approaches for partitioning concatenated data in maximum likelihood analyses, by gene or by codon position, performed poorly relative to the use of partitions identified a posteriori using a Bayesian mixture model. We also found better branch support in trees inferred from a taxon-rich, data-sparse matrix, which deeply sampled only the phylogenetically critical placeholders, than in trees inferred from a taxon-sparse matrix with little missing data. Although this matrix has more missing data, our a posteriori partitioning strategy reduced the possibility of producing multiple distinct but equally optimal topologies and increased phylogenetic decisiveness, compared with the strategy of partitioning by gene. These approaches are likely to help improve phylogenetic resolution in other poorly resolved major clades of angiosperms and to be more broadly useful in studies across the Tree of Life.

Passion flower extract antagonizes the expression of nicotine locomotor sensitization in rats

Context: Nicotine, a bioactive component of tobacco, is highly addictive. Numerous therapies have been developed or are currently under investigation for smoking cessation, and all have met with limited success and/or side effects, indicating the need for additional therapies.Objective: This study examines the ability of a commerically-available aqueous extract of Passiflora incarnata Linn. (Passifloraceae) to ameliorate the signs of nicotine sensitization using a rat model.Materials and methods: Rats were administered 0.4 mg/kg nicotine or vehicle once a day for four consecutive days. Nicotine adminstration produces sensitization of locomotor activity, a phenomenon implicated in the development of nicotine dependence. On the fifth day, locomotor activity of the subjects was monitored as rats from each treatment group were administered 800 mg/kg of Passiflora incarnata extract (or its vehicle) followed by a challenge dose of 0.4 mg/kg nicotine.Results: When given to rats sensitized to nicotine for 4 days, the challenge dose of nicotine increased locomotor activity by more than 2-fold over activity following nicotine challenge in rats treated with vehicle during the sensitization phase. The difference was significant from 15–40 min after nicotine administration. Rats sensitized to nicotine then treated with Passiflora incarnata extract prior to the nicotine challenge exhibited a level of locomotor activity the same as the vehicle-treated controls.Discussion: Passiflora incarnata extract did antagonize the expression of nicotine locomotor sensitization.Conclusion: Passiflora incarnata extract should be examined in future studies to evaluate its potential for treating nicotine addiction in humans.

Sedative effects of Passiflora Edulis F. Flavicarpa and Passiflora Alata extracts in mica measured by telemetry

Several Passiflora species have been used widely as a folk medicine due to their sedative and anxiolytic activities. In Brazil, a number of native plants of the genus Passiflora exist but only Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa (PE) and Passiflora alata (PA) are of commercial value. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the sedative effects of aqueous extracts obtained from the pericarp as well as from the leaves of PE and PA in mice using radiotelemetry. Aqueous extracts from PE and PA were tested for effects on locomotion over 180 minutes in 300mg/kg, 600mg/kg and 1200mg/kg, in male C57BL/6J mice after oral administration. For validation of the telemetry system, caffeine (negative control) and midazolam (positive control) were used. All tested extracts decreased locomotor activity in a dose-dependent manner in comparison to the control group. The two lower concentrations of each extract showed the highest decrease in locomotion after 24 minutes, while 1200mg/kg had a significant sedative effect already after 18 minutes. Interestingly, aqueous extracts of PA were more active in comparison to aqueous extracts of PE and the pericarp extracts of both plants showed more pronounced effects on locomotor activity if compared to leaf extracts. In conclusion, the present study represents an innovative, objective approach to measure sedative effects of plant extracts with minimized handling-related stress and remote data collection.

Development and bloom in hybrids of wild passion fruit cultivated in different types of pots and shading levels

Ornamental hybrids of passion flowers are thoroughly diffused in many countries and used in the decoration of houses and gardens. However, the cultivation of ornamental passion fruits practically unexploited in Brazil. This study aimed at evaluating the growth and blooming of F1 hybrids of Passiflora L. (P. sublanceolata J.M. MacDougal [ex P. palmeri var. sublanceolata Killip] vs. P. foetida var. foetida L.) cultivated in ceramic and concrete pots under different shading levels. The vegetative and flower evaluations were carried out weekly, in clonal cuttings 60 days after rooting. The height, leaf length and width, the number of internodes and leaves and stem diameter were evaluated using a randomized complete design in a factorial scheme which corresponded to two genotypes, two types of pot, three shading levels (25 %, 50 %, 75 %) and seven weeks of evaluation, with four replications. For the variable number of flowers, the same experimental design was adopted. However, the number of evaluations was modified for three periods, but this was not considered for the flower diameter and leaf area. The shading levels of 25 % and 50 % were the most favorable to the growth in height, whereas hybrid genotypes under 25 % shade had greater increase in the number of leaves, internodes and stem diameter, showing tolerance to moderate shade. The higher values for length, width and leaf area were observed at 75 % shade. The greatest number of flowers was verified at 25 % shadow in concrete pots. As for the types of pot, the ceramic ones were more favorable to the growth of hybrid plants during the first weeks of acclimatization to the treatments, and the concrete ones were more propitious to blooming. Thus, the use of hybrid plants in concrete pots for the ornamentation of internal environments is recommended, if they are well illuminated.

Comparative cytogenetics between the species Passiflora edulis and Passiflora cacaoensis

Passiflora edulis Sims is the most economically important species of the genus Passiflora. A new species was described recently, Passiflora cacaoensis Bernacci & Souza, which displayed morphologic characteristics very similar to P.edulis. Due to the need for delimitation of the two species, karyomorphological and banding analyses were carried out. Both species have 2n = 18, with the same karyotype formula 16 m + 2sm. There was variation between the species regarding the location of satellites and the width of chromosome pairs 2, 4 and 8. C banding revealed the presence of constitutive heterochromatin in the centromeric and telomeric regions of all chromosomes in both species. However, only in P.cacaoensis did chromosomes 3 and 9 have a large quantity of heterochromatin. Fluorochrome banding revealed CMA(+) bands only in the satellites, but no DAPI(+) bands. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) showed that in P.cacaoensis the rDNA 5S probe is located in a single site in the subterminal position of the long arm of chromosome 5. However, for the rDNA 45S probe, two sites were detected in terminal positions of the long arms of chromosome 7, with a bigger and stronger signal, and of chromosome 9. According to the asymmetry index and the quantity of heterochromatin, P.cacaoensis is a more basal species than P.edulis. The cytogenetic data indicate that P.cacaoensis is closely related to P.edulis, but is a different species.

Control of passionvine hopper and cicada eggs on kiwifruit canes with bifenthrin and a new superpenetrant adjuvant

A novel option for control of passionvine hopper (PVH Scolypopa australis) and chorus cicada (Amphipsalta zelandica) on kiwifruit was investigated This involved applying an insecticide to PVH and cicada egg sites in the dormant kiwifruit canopy using a new type of adjuvant that allows sprays to penetrate into egg nests laid in canes and old fruit stalks Five treatments of bifenthrin at 100 g/ha (1 litre/ha Talstar 100EC) and preferred combinations of nozzle type spray application volume and EngulfTM adjuvant rate were applied to dormant canes of Hayward kiwifruit in early August 2011 Water soluble blue dye added to all spray treatments penetrated into nests and stained PVH and cicada eggs when assessed shortly after application All treatments significantly reduced hatch of PVH relative to the untreated control by 85995 One treatment significantly reduced cicada hatch by approximately 80 relative to the control

Evaluation of analgesic activity of the leaves of Passiflora incarnata Linn

Passiflora incarnata also known as ‘Passion flower’ is used as an anxiolytic and sedative throughout the world from ancient time. The plant is used as an analgesic, antispasmodic, sedative- hypnotic and narcotic. It is also used in neuralgia, epilepsy, insomnia, ulcers, haemorrhoids and neurosis in many parts of the world. There was no report on analgesic activity of P. incarnata. Hence, the present study is designed to assess analgesic activity of leaves of P. incarnata using sodium chloride-induced eye wiping test and formalin test. In formalin test, n-butanol extract of leaves of P. incarnata (BEPI) in the doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg as well as BEPI-F1 showed significant reduction in duration of paw licking in neurogenic and inflammatory phase(P<0.001). Pretreatment with naloxone reversed the analgesia induced by BEPI, while atropine did not reverse the analgesia induced by BEPI significantly (P≤0.001). In eye wiping test, BEPI in the doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg, i.p. exerted significant reduction (P≤0.001) in number of eye wipes compared to control group. Thus, the result concludes that BEPI and the fraction separated, BEPI–F1 has significant analgesic activity, which may be mediated through central mechanism by modulation of opioid receptors and nicotinic receptors. Key words: Analgesic activity, eye wiping test, Passiflora incarnata, trigeminal neuralgia

Estabelecimento in vitro e micropropagação de maracujá silvestre (Passiflora foetida L.)

Entre as espécies do gênero Passiflora, a P. foetida L. apresenta a maior variabilidade genética e tem grande importância medicinal, pois é usada no tratamento de doenças como asma, icterícia, e na forma de emplastros, para as erisipelas e doenças de pele com inflamação. Portanto, são necessários estudos que visem a micropropagação e conservação. As sementes de P. foetida L. apresentam dormência e muitas vezes, levam alguns meses para germinar, produzindo mudas desuniformes e de baixo vigor. Neste sentido, a cultura de tecidos apresenta-se como uma forma alternativa a propagação. Assim, o objetivo do trabalho foi estabelecer e micropropagar P. foetida L., para formação de um banco de germoplasma. Para tanto, sementes foram escarificadas, desinfestadas e inoculadas em meio MS(½) sem reguladores de crescimento e cultivados por 66 dias. Explantes de hipocótilos obtidos de plantas germinadas in vitro, foram cultivados no mesmo meio suplementado com 1,0 mg L-1 de BAP. Na fase de estabelecimento, 45% dos explantes brotaram e formaram gemas axilares. 88,9% dos explantes de hipocótilo induziram brotação e 11,1% produziram calos. Plântulas regeneradas com 1,82 cm de altura, com raízes foram aclimatadas.

Aspectos de la biología floral y el sistema reproductivo de Passiflora mooreana (Passifloraceae)

Three floral phases were distinguished through anthesis, which starts after 1 p.m. Flowers in phase 1 and 3 (pollen donors) had their stigmas up. Flowers in phase 2 (receptors and donors of pollen) had their stigmas recurved near the anthers. Flowers in phase 2 occurred simultane61lsly with others in phase 1, during the day, and also with others in phase 3 (during the night). Sugar concentration in nectar varied: it was acceptable for Hymenoptera in the afternoon (when Xylocopa spp. and Centris spp. pollinate) and for sphingids after sunset (when Erinnyis ello seems to pollinate). Passiflora mooreana is melitophilous, but also is a resource for moths in the evening. Flowers showed a low degree of autoincompatibility. The low percent of fruits obtained suggests that the great distance between plants does not favor crosspollination. The ovary wall may grow without pollination.

Confirmation and characterization of interspecific hybrids of Passiflora L. (Passifloraceae) for ornamental use

Three new varieties of Passiflora hybrids were developed from crosses between P. sublanceolata J. M. MacDougal (ex P. palmeri var. sublanceolata Killip) versus P. foetida var. foetida L. Twenty putative hybrids were analyzed. Hybridizations were confirmed by RAPD and SSR markers. The RAPD primer UBC11 (5′-CCGGCCTTAC-3′) generated informative bands. The SSR primer A08FP1 amplified species-specific fragments and heterozygote status was observed with the two parent bands 240 and 280 bp. The molecular markers generated by primers were analyzed in terms of the presence or absence of specific informative bands. The morphological characterization of the hybrids enabled their differentiation into three groups, identified as: (1) Passiflora ‘Alva’, composed of five hybrid plants with white flowers, large corona, light purple filaments at base, white and purple/white banding to apex; (2) P. ‘Aninha’, composed of six hybrid plants with pale pink flowers, corona filaments reddish/purple at base, white, purple/white banding to apex; (3) P. ‘Priscilla’, composed of nine hybrid plants with white flowers, small corona, filaments dark purple at base, white and purple to apex. The genomic homology of parent plants was verified by cytogenetic analysis. Both parents were 2n = 22. Meiosis was regular in genitors and hybrids. Aneuploidy was observed at hybrid groups P. ‘Alva’ and P. ‘Priscilla’ (2n = 20). Other authors had already observed the same number of chromosomes for some P. foetida genotypes. Obtaining valuable interspecific hybrids opens up new perspectives to offer opportunities in agribusiness for producers and to arouse the interest of consumers into using passion flowers in the Brazilian ornamental plant market.

Possible Host Adaptation as an Evolution Factor of Cowpea aphid‐borne mosaic virus Deduced by Coat Protein Gene Analysis

AbstractCowpea aphid‐borne mosaic virus (CABMV) causes major diseases in cowpea and passion flower plants in Brazil and also in other countries. CABMV has also been isolated from leguminous species including, Cassia hoffmannseggii, Canavalia rosea, Crotalaria juncea and Arachis hypogaea in Brazil. The virus seems to be adapted to two distinct families, the Passifloraceae and Fabaceae. Aiming to identify CABMV and elucidate a possible host adaptation of this virus species, isolates from cowpea, passion flower and C. hoffmannseggii collected in the states of Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte were analysed by sequencing the complete coat protein genes. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the obtained sequences and those available in public databases. Major Brazilian isolates from passion flower, independently of the geographical distances among them, were grouped in three different clusters. The possible host adaptation was also observed in fabaceous‐infecting CABMV Brazilian isolates. These host adaptations possibly occurred independently within Brazil, so all these clusters belong to a bigger Brazilian cluster. Nevertheless, African passion flower or cowpea‐infecting isolates formed totally different clusters. These results showed that host adaptation could be one factor for CABMV evolution, although geographical isolation is a stronger factor.

Photosynthetic characteristics of ornamental passion flowers grown under different light intensities

Responses of leaf gas exchange, fluorescence emission, chlorophyll concentration, and morpho-anatomical features to changes in photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) were studied in three wild ornamental species of Passiflora L. to select sun and shade species for landscaping projects. Artificial shade was obtained with different shading nylon nets, under field conditions, which allowed the reduction of 25, 50, and 75% of global radiation, along with a control treatment under full sunlight. For Passiflora morifolia the highest mean values of light-saturated net photosynthetic rate (P Nmax) and light compensation point (LCP) were observed at 50 and 25% shade, respectively, while the highest values of dark respiration rate (R D) and apparent quantum yield (α) were observed at 75% shade. For Passiflora suberosa litoralis the highest value of P max was observed at full sunlight. The highest mean values for P max, R D, and LCP for Passiflora palmeri var. sublanceolata were obtained at 25% shade. The highest values of net photosynthetic rate (P N) for P. morifolia, P. palmeri var. sublanceolata, and P. suberosa litoralis were 21.09, 16.15, and 12.36 μmol(CO2) m−2 s−1, observed at 50 and 75% shade and full sunlight, respectively. The values of the minimal chlorophyll fluorescence (F0) were significantly different in P. suberosa litoralis and P. palmeri var. sublanceolata, increasing with the increase of the irradiance. In contrast, the values of maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) were significantly different only in P. suberosa litoralis, being higher at 75%, progressively reducing with the increase of PPFD levels. The total concentration of chlorophyll (Chl) was higher in shaded plants than in the ones cultivated in full sunlight. On the other hand, the values of Chl a/b ratio were reduced in shaded plants. A significant effect of shade levels on leaf area (LA) and specific leaf area (SLA) was found for the three species, whose highest mean values were observed at 75% shade. The thickness of foliar tissues was significantly higher for the three species at full sunlight and 25% shade. These results suggested that P. morifolia and P. palmeri var. sublanceolata appeared to be adapted to moderate shade conditions. P. suberosa litoralis presented higher plasticity to greater variation of the irradiance levels, while the photoinhibition was one of the limiting factors for this species at full sunlight.

Species composition and seasonal occurrence of Diptera associated with passionfruit crops in Colombia

The genus Passiflora includes several tropical fruits that are increasingly well-featured in US and European specialty markets. Purple, sweet and yellow passionfruit reach global production levels of >500,000 metric tonnes/year and are established commodities in South America and parts of Africa and the Pacific. Aside from seminal work in Brazil, Passiflora pest biology, ecology and management has received utterly little research attention. In this study, we determined the composition and seasonal dynamics of the Dipteran species complex associated with the three passionfruit crops (i.e., Passiflora edulis f. edulis Sims, P. edulis f. flavicarpa Degener and P. ligularis Juss.) in their principal production regions in Colombia. From 2008 to 2010, bait trapping and field-collection of Passiflora flowers, flower buds and (immature) fruit were carried out to characterize infestation levels by Diptera and associated natural enemies. A total of five Drosophila spp. and eight different species of Lonchaeidae were reported, with the latter representing members of the genera Neosilba and Dasiops. Contrary to the literature, no Tephritid fly adults emerged from >15,000 samples. Although maximum Lonchaeid infestation was 100% in fruits of purple passionfruit and flower buds and flowers of sweet passionfruit, average infestation levels fluctuated between 1 and 15%. Fruits and flower buds with visual damage were up to ten times more likely to contain Lonchaeid larvae, providing the basis for effective sanitation practices. Seasonal Lonchaeid population fluctuations were damped, while abundance differed between geographical zones. Climate-based niche modeling further indicates that several Colombian valleys and mid-altitude mountain ranges provide suitable environments for the most abundant Dipteran, Dasiops inedulis Steyskal. The parasitoid community was composed of two species at particularly low parasitism levels (i.e., at 0.1–0.2%), with Lonchaeid larvae potentially benefiting from both physical and chemical refuges. Our work provides scientifically-based information regarding key herbivores of passionfruit crops, clarifies the susceptibility of Colombia-grown Passiflora spp. to quarantine fruit fly pests, and provides the basis for future integrated pest management (IPM) programs.

Feeding behavior of Heliconius erato phyllis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) larvae on passion vines

Of the 15 species of passion vines recorded for the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, nine are used by Heliconius erato phyllis (Fabricius, 1775). The larvae of this species feed preferentially on Passiflora misera H.B.K., which confers greater performance despite presenting smaller amounts of nutrients than other host plants. Thus, the performance associated with the consumption of a passion vine is possibly related not only to its nutritional content but also to the morphological and behavioral mechanisms involved in the feeding. In this study, the difficulties in accessing food imposed by the hosts (P. misera, Passiflora suberosa L., Passiflora caerulea L., Passiflora edulis Sims, and Passiflora alata Dryand.) were evaluated. Focal observations were performed every 2 min during 6-h sessions (sequential sampling), and the relative time spent for different behaviors (resting, feeding, walking, tasting, and vein cutting) was quantified on both young and old leaves. Larvae devoted more time feeding on P. misera in most cases. Larvae observed on P. alata devoted more to time resting and less time feeding, performing one or two meals of small duration, every 6 h. First instar caterpillars on old leaves of P. suberosa and P. caerulea spent more time walking, searching for a favorable feeding site. The hardness of leaves may be a limiting factor for the initial instars in this heliconian.

Some medicinal plants counteract alterations of neuroendocrine stress response system, oxidative and nitrosative stress caused by repeated restraint in rats

Stress affects neuroendocrine stress response system, oxidative and nitrosative stress. Some reports claim that antioxidants and antistressors could attenuate these alterations. This study was realized to investigate antistress and antioxidant effects of Hypericum perforatum, Melissa officinalis, Valeriana officinalis and Passiflora incarnata extracts on repeated restraint (RS) in rats. Thirty-six rats were equally divided into six groups: A (control), B (only RS treated), C (H. perforatum + RS treated), D (M. officinalis + RS treated), E (V. officinalis + RS treated), F (P. incarnata + RS treated). Cortisol, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and nitric oxide (NO) levels escalated dramatically in group B compared to control, whereas almost all of them diminished remarkably again in groups C, D, E and F. Besides slight alterations of reduced glutathione content and glutathione-s-transferase, catalase activities were recorded between groups. Among vitamins only depletion of vitamin E was significant in Group B comparing to control. Interestingly administration of each plant extract led to increments of vitamins A and E even when compared to control. The results revealed that the aforementioned plant extracts has remarkable potentials to counteract repeated RS caused alterations of cortisol as well as oxidative and nitrosative stress biomarkers probably through their antistress, antioxidant and free radical defusing effects. Key words: Some medicinal plants, neuroendocrine stress response system, oxidative stress, nitrosative stress, restraint stress antioxidant.