Quararibea Cordata Research Articles

Una especie nueva del género Polypoetes Druce, 1885 (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) de Colombia, con la confirmación de una nueva planta hospedante para Dioptinae

A new species of the genus Polypoetes Druce, 1885, Polypoetes milleri spec. nov. from Colombia is described. We provide diagnostic characters for the species, photographs of the adults and genital structures of both sexes. Additionally, we confirm a new host plant for the subfamily Dioptinae, Quararibea cordata (Malvaceae), commonly known as “zapote”.

NMR Spectroscopy and Chemometrics to Evaluate the Effect of Different Non-Thermal Plasma Processing on Sapota-do-Solimões (Quararibea cordata Vischer) Juice Quality and Composition

NMR Spectroscopy and Chemometrics to Evaluate the Effect of Different Non-Thermal Plasma Processing on Sapota-do-Solimões (Quararibea cordata Vischer) Juice Quality and Composition

In vitro viability of L. Casei B-442 and fructooligosaccharides integrity in Amazonian sapota-do-solimões functional juice

Sapota-do-solimões (Quararibea cordata) juice was fermented by Lacticaseibacillus casei B-442 to produce a probiotic and a synbiotic juice. The synbiotic juice was obtained by adding fructooligosaccharides (FOS, 7%, w/v). After the fermentation (37 °C by 15 h) the L. casei viability was above 11 log CFU/mL in both juices. The microbial survival rate after 30 days of cold storage (4 °C) was higher in probiotic juice (97%) than in prebiotic juice (82%). The effect of fermentation and the food matrix on L. casei viability was assessed by the simulated digestion at the beginning and the end of cold storage (4 °C for 30 days). After the simulated digestion, the probiotic counts were above 8 log CFU/mL in synbiotic juice and above 4 log CFU/mL in probiotic juice. The main L. casei metabolites produced in the sapota-dos-solimões juice were lactic acid and acetic acid. Isobutyric, and propionic acids presented higher production in synbiotic juice compared to the probiotic juice. No FOS hydrolysis was observed during the storage or the simulated digestion. L. casei did not consume FOS as carbon source. Thus, sapota-do-solimões juice is an exotic suitable non-dairy-based matrix for functional beverages.

Floral and reproductive biology of Matisia cordata (fam: malvaceae)

Abstract In Colombia there is a large diversity of promising fruit trees, one of them is Matisia cordata. Sapoti species is appreciated by the consumers, although it is produced in small volumes by traditional productors. The objective of this research is to describe the floral and reproductive biology of sapoti, including floral visitors that act as biotic pollination agents. The study was conducted in two farms, between February/2016 and July/2017. In the first farm, floral buds were marked to follow the stages until fruit formation, pollination mechanism was studied, and floral visitors were collected for identification. In the second farm, flowers were marked to measure the floral nectar production. The duration from floral bud to ripe fruit was 269 days, the 2.7% of the flowers reached the fruit stage. Twenty-five floral visitors were registered, seven of which contacted the sexual whorls, specially Meliponini bees, hummingbirds and bats from Artibeus and Glossophaga genus. M. cordata is a prevalently allogamous species, it attracts diurnal and nocturnal animals, which can contribute to the pollination process. The flowers produced 1.6 ml of nectar with a sugar content from 6.2 to 11 °Brix. The sapoti flowers constitute an abundant and valuable resource for animals from the region.

Morphological characterization of Matisia cordata Bonpl. in a tropical dry forest from Antioquia, Colombia

Characterization of plant genetic resources is the first step to conserve plant diversity. Morphoagronomic characterization is a method that requires a selection of sensible descriptors, which are characteristics that define a phenotype. Sapodilla (Matisia cordata Bonpl.) is a plant genetic resource and is an important part of the agricultural tradition of the nearby western of Antioquia (Colombia). However, the lack of scientific information about this species shows that it is an underutilized fruit. The local community, in its traditional knowledge, recognizes two phenotypes of sapodilla: Creole and Ecuadorian. The phenotypic diversity of 100 trees of M. cordata was evaluated from 28 morphoagronomic descriptors. The Gower distance and UPGMA method were used to determine the diversity and make the dendrogram, respectively. The Bayes methodology was used to obtain the highest posterior density intervals of 95% probability and compare both phenotypes. Trees of the Creole phenotype had elliptical crown and acute shaped fruits, whereas the Ecuadorian phenotype presented a pyramidal crown and diverse fruit shapes. The Creole phenotype had stems with larger diameter at chest height (28.8 cm), more knots (10 cm), smaller leaves (25 cm), lighter fruits (301 g), larger peduncles (15.6 mm), smaller (40 mm) and lighter seeds (30 g), and an epicarp and a darker pulp than the Ecuadorian phenotype. The farmers’ local knowledge was partially confirmed since most of the descriptors coincided with the local perception, except descriptors of color and flavor of the pulp.

Evaluation of the chemical, sensory and volatile composition of sapota-do-Solimões pulp at different ripening stages

The aim of this study was to evaluate sapota-do-Solimões (Quararibea cordata Vischer) during ripening, verifying physical, chemical and sensory parameters, bioactive and volatile compounds. The pulps were obtained from fruits from the city of Tefé, AM, Brazil and collected at three different ripening stages: unripe (U); ripe collected from the tree (R); and ripe collected from the ground (RG). The biometric and quality parameters, total carotenoids, total phenolic compounds, chemical composition, fatty acids and volatile profiles were analyzed. The sapota-do-Solimões fruits showed positive correlation with evolution of ripened stage of the variables water activity (0.977–0.996), pH (6.53–7.04), soluble solids (8.53–12.65%), total sugars (4.26–7.98%), reducing sugars (0.99–3.14%), non-reducing sugars (3.11–4.60%) and total carotenoids (0.67–1.24 μg/g). Longitudinal and transversal diameters and fruit mass were higher in RG compared with the other ripening stages. The lipids contents increased from 0.16% for U to 0.30% for RG. The palmitic (47.1–86.4), stearic (3.1–5.9), oleic (44.4–131.1) and vaccenic (25.3–37.7) increased while palmitoleic (16.4–10.0) and linoleic (6.6–3.5) decreased. A total of 86 volatile compounds were identified, of which 57 were found in U fruits, 54 in R fruits and 68 in RG fruits. The classes most relevant found were alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ketones, furans and terpenes. An increase in the terpenes (0.4–5.6%) from U fruit to RG fruit showed potentials odoriferous characteristics, as well the increased furans (2.3–20.9%) from U fruit to RG fruit that characterized a sweet and fruity aroma. Consumers didn't detect differences in sensory attributes of the analyzed R and RG fruits. The data showed that the chemical and volatile composition of the fruit was influenced by the ripening stage of the pulp. This is the first time that a study about ripening in sapota-do-Solimões has been reported.

Influence of preservation by heat and cold on the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics, bioactive compounds of pulp from sapota-do-Solimões (Quararibea cordata)

ABSTRACTThe aim was to evaluate the influence of preservation by heat and cold on the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics and bioactive compounds of pulp from sapota-do-Solimões (Quararibea cordata) for 180 days of storage. The pulps were submitted to the following treatments: freezing; pasteurization + freezing; refrigeration; and pasteurization + refrigeration. The treatments affected the physicochemical parameters during storage. Of particular note was the reduction in water activity, the reduction in pH in the pulps stored under refrigeration, and the lightening in color of the pulps. Ascorbic acid remained stable during freezing, and the levels of total carotenoids were maintained in the pasteurization + freezing treatment. The total phenolics remained stable up to 150 days, and the antioxidant activity decreased during storage for all the treatments. The coliforms were less than 1 log CFU.g−1 and Salmonella ssp. was absent. The pasteurization + freezing treatment, as well as the freezing treatment, maintained the quality of the pulp for 180 days of storage.

Potential of spalting moderate value wood species in Peru

This study was performed to determine if several moderately utilised Peruvian hardwoods had potential for spalting applications. Authors applied a modified decay jar methodology with six native Peruvian woods and three fungi, with a period of incubation of 6 weeks. Results showed that Nigrospora sphaerica and marupa (Simarouba amara) showed the highest significant internal pigmentation (black), followed by congona (Brosimum alicastrum) and zapote (Matisia cordata) tested with Cladosporium herbarum. No spalting occurred on woods with darker sapwood.

Bioactive compounds and scavenging capacity of pulp, peel and seed extracts of the Amazonian fruit Quararibea cordata against ROS and RNS

Quararibea cordata, an unexploited Amazonian fruit was investigated regarding the identification of phenolic compounds and the scavenging capacity of its pulp, peel and seed extracts against reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS). The major phenolic compound in the pulp extract was epicatechin (320μg/g extract), while A-type proanthocyanidin dimer was the major one in the peel and seed extracts. Regarding the carotenoid composition, all-trans-zeaxanthin (2.5–42μg/g extract), all-trans-lutein and all-trans-β-carotene were the major compounds in all extracts. The seed extract, which presented the highest content of phenolic compounds and carotenoids, was the most effective scavenger against all RNS (IC50 from 19.5 to 37.6μg/mL), while the peel extract presented the highest efficiency against ROS, especially HOCl. Thus, Q. cordata fruit may present an excellent potential to be used as a bioactive compound source with high antioxidant capacity.

Process synthesis for antioxidant polyphenolic compounds production from Matisia cordata Bonpl. (zapote) pulp

The interest on polyphenolic compounds has increased because of their possible utilization as natural food colorants, especially used as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. In the present paper, a systematic approach for process synthesis of polyphenolic compounds production from Mastisia cordata Bonpl. pulp (zapote) is presented. Simulation procedures based on experimental characterization were used to evaluate the conversion pathways of raw material pretreatment, extraction and concentration using Aspen Plus software. Process alternatives in pretreatment (tray drying and freeze drying), extraction (conventional solvent extraction and supercritical fluid extraction) and concentration (vacuum distillation and ultrafiltration with nanofiltration) were considered in this study. Productivity analysis and energy requirements for each process configuration were also determined. Process synthesis based on maximum production of polyphenolic compounds from Matisia cordata Bonpl. pulp and minimum operating costs of entire processes were performed. Based on result shown, both objective functions are contracting each other, fuzzy optimization was adapted to solve them simultaneously.

Development and antioxidant capacity of sapota pulp Jelly (Quararibea cordata Vischer)

Sapote (Quararibea cordata Vischer), also known as a chupa-chupa, is originated from the Brazilian, Peruvian and Colombian Amazon. The pulp of the ripe fruit is edible, fibrous, of intense orange color, sweet flavor and aromatic. Since the fruit is known in the Amazon only in its domesticated state, this work becomes necessary. With the aim of meeting the demand for new products in domestic and international markets, sapota pulp jelly has been developed. The jelly was assessed for moisture, ash, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, pectin, pH, total acidity, solids soluble, sugars, organic acids, carotenoids, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. The final product met the standards required by Brazilian law, and 32.68% moisture and 61.06% °Brix. Also, in accordance with the laws attributed to this product, jelly sapota pulp can be considered a food rich in fiber, as presented content above 5%. The jelly, showed content of total phenolics compounds (102 mg GAE. 100 -1) in relation to fresh fruit (21 mg GAE.100 g-1). There was the identification in the antioxidant capacity (9.05% scavering of DPPH radical), giving the final product antioxidant properties. Also were analyzed the microbiological characteristics of the product which was not observed the presence of thermotolerants coliforms, yeast and molds. The sapota can be considered effective raw materials in the preparation of jam and this had an antioxidant activity and source of fiber.

Fates of seedling carpets in an Amazonian floodplain forest: intra-cohort competition or attack by enemies?

1. The operation of ‘negative density-dependence’ in seedling cohorts in tropical forests is empirically well-established, but only at a phenomenological level that leaves open the question of why seedlings conspecific with an overtopping parent tree experience higher mortality than heterospecifics. The distinction is of theoretical importance because distinct mechanisms are involved. 2. We consider the two most debated possibilities: seedling mortality resulting from classical Lotka–Volterra density-dependence and seedling mortality resulting from the action of biotic agents, as postulated for the Janzen–Connell mechanism. Our study is the first to identify the full spectrum of mortality factors affecting both conspecific and heterospecific members of seedling cohorts. 3. We took advantage of the occurrence of ‘seedling carpets’, dense concentrations of seedlings that appear following fruiting events under reproductive individuals of some species. In these ‘carpets’, seedlings conspecific with the overtopping parent tree predominate numerically, but heterospecific seedlings are also typically present. Here, we investigated the differential survival of conspecific versus heterospecific seedlings under focal trees of four species: Calatola microcarpa (Icacinaceae), Clarisia racemosa (Moraceae), Matisia cordata (Bombacaceae/Malvaceae) and Sorocea pileata (Moraceae). 4. We show that mortality rates of conspecific seedlings are much higher than those of heterospecific seedlings and that most conspecific mortality (64–100%) resulted from host-restricted arthropod herbivores and/or fungal pathogens, whereas the mortality of heterospecific seedlings resulted from a variety of other causes. 5. Synthesis. Conspecific seedlings died following attack by apparently host-restricted arthropods or fungi and eventually experienced 100% mortality. The results are inconsistent with classical intra- and inter-specific competition and consistent with the actions of distance-responsive and/or density-responsive ‘enemies’, as postulated 40 years ago by Janzen and Connell.

SPAD-502 readings in response to photon fluence in leaves with different chlorophyll content

The chlorophyll meter (SPAD-502) is widely used to estimate chlorophyll content, but non-uniform chloroplast distribution can affect its accuracy. This study aimed to assess the effect of photon fluence (F, irradiance x time of illumination) in leaves with different chlorophyll content and determine the effect of chlorophyll a/b on SPAD values of four tropical tree species (Croton draconoides Müll. Arg., Hevea guianensis Aubl., Hymenaea courbaril L. and Matisia cordata H.B.K.). There were also determined calibration equations for the chlorophyll meter and assessed the effect of F on SPAD values between 07:00 h and 17:00 h. Calibration equations were obtained after determining leaf chlorophyll content in the laboratory. Increases in F with time caused a reduction in SPAD values in species with a high chlorophyll content, with reductions of 20% in M. cordata and 10% in H. guianensis. Leaves of C. draconoides and H. courbaril had lower chlorophyll content and showed no changes in SPAD values with increase in F. The chlorophyll a/b ratio increased with SPAD values and the SPAD/chlorophyll relationship was best described by an exponential equation. It seems that F may affect SPAD values in leaves with high chlorophyll content, probably due to non-uniform chloroplast distribution at high irradiance. This indicates that SPAD values tend to be more accurate if recorded early in morning when irradiance is low.

Weak Competition Among Tropical Tree Seedlings: Implications for Species Coexistence

ABSTRACTThe intensity of competition among forest tree seedlings is poorly understood, but has important ramifications for their recruitment and for the maintenance of species diversity. Intense competition among seedlings could allow competitively dominant species to exclude subordinate species. Alternatively, the low density and small stature of forest tree seedlings could preclude intense interseedling competition. In this case, other processes, such as size‐asymmetric competition with adults, interactions with consumers, or neutral dynamics would prevail as those structuring the forest understory. We tested the intensity of, and potential for, intraspecific competition among tree seedlings of three species (Brosimum alicastrum, Matisia cordata, and Pouteria reticulata) in two Neotropical rain forests. We reduced stem densities by up to 90 percent and monitored individual growth and survival rates for up to 24 mo. Individual growth and survival rates were generally unrelated to stem density. Contrary to the predicted behavior of intensely competing plant populations, the distribution of individual heights did not become more left‐skewed with time for any species, regardless of plot density; i.e., excesses of short, suppressed individuals did not accumulate in high‐density plots. We further measured the overlap of zones of influence (ZOIs) to assess the potential for resource competition. Seedling ZOIs overlapped only slightly in extremely dense monodominant plots, and even less in ambient‐density plots of mixed composition. Our results thus suggest that interseedling competition was weak. Given the low density of tree seedlings in Neotropical forests, we infer that resource competition among seedlings may be irrelevant to their recruitment.

Non-Flying Mammals as Pollinating Agents in the Amazonian Forest

Non-Flying Mammals as Pollinating Agents in the Amazonian Forest

Práticas agrícolas de conseqüências genéticas que possibilitaram aos índios da Amazônia uma melhor adaptação às condições ecológicas da região

Resumo Os cultivares de plantas, de valor alimentício, encontrados na Amazônia, diferentes da população selvagem encontrada nas matas, foram selecionados pelos índios nos últimos 10.000 anos, para a América do Sul inteira e, possivelmente, nos últimos 4000 a 1000 anos para as plantas domesticadas na Amazônia. Este trabalho analisa 40 cultivares de mandiocas e macaxeiras dos Desâna e 13 dos Tikúna. Contagens em 7 tribos revelaram uma média de 22 cultivares por tribo. Indica-se para as fruteiras: abiu, sapota, sapoti, pupunha, abacaxi, o tamanho e características das plantas selvagens e das selecionadas pelos índios. Mencionam-se, também, algumas tuberosas (cará, batata-doce, taioba, ariá, caroço-de-umari) domesticadas e o cupá (Cissus gongilodes); este último talvez seja uma das domesticações mais recentes. Sugere-se que o pato (Cairina moschata) se tenha autodomesticado, por meio de poucas mutações, com o que ocuparia um nicho ecológico vazio.

The south American “Sapote”

In northwestern South America (Colombia to Peru), there occurs a quite unrelated tropical tree, Quararibea cordata, whose fruit also passes under the name of sapote, probably because of the similar form of the fruits of the two species. To obviate confusion, the fruit of Quararibea cordata might better be called "South American Sapote." Outside the region of its natural growth and culture, this tree is little known and since but little descriptive material occurs in the literature, it seems worthwhile to present a short descriptive account.