Aesculus Carnea Research Articles

Hyphenated Extraction of Valuable Compounds from Aesculus carnea: Ultrasound Extraction with Pulsed Electric Field Pretreatment

Wood-related procedures, such as lumberjacking and pruning, inevitably result in big piles of leaves, which are considered a major by-product. Extracting valuable compounds from natural by-products is an ongoing trend. In this work, the use of Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) was evaluated as a pretreatment step, prior to the ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from Aesculus carnea leaves. In addition, various solvent systems were examined, as well as the time of pretreatment with PEF. According to the results, up to 33% more phenolic compounds can be extracted, under optimum conditions (30% ethanol in water as solvent and PEF pretreatment for 30 min, compared to the same solvent, without PEF). Moreover, PEF treatment time was not (i.e., 30 and 60 min) and no differences were recorded, suggesting that a lower treatment time can yield the same extraction of phenolic compounds. As such, the use of PEF is highly recommended in combination with ultrasound extraction, to maximize the yield of phenolic compounds extracted from the leaves of Aesculus carnea.

Red Horse Chestnut and Horse Chestnut Flowers and Leaves: A Potential and Powerful Source of Polyphenols with High Antioxidant Capacity

Aesculus flowers and leaves are an excellent source of bioactive compounds, including flavanols, phenolic acids, and anthocyanins, and the leaves also contain antioxidant carotenoids and chlorophylls. The aim of this study was to analyse and compare the amounts of bioactive compounds present in Aesculus hippocastanum and Aesculus × carnea flowers and leaves over two years. These two species from six independent locations (parks and green areas) located in Warsaw were assessed in this study. The dry matter by the scale method and polyphenol, carotenoid, and chlorophyll content by the HPLC method of the flowers and leaves was evaluated. Red horse chestnut flowers contained significantly more total carotenoids (40.6 µg/g FW) and chlorophylls (36.9 µg/g FW) than horse chestnut flowers, and red horse chestnut flowers contained higher levels of anthocyanins (5.41 µg/g FW) than other species. We observed that horse chestnut flowers were characterized by a higher total polyphenols concentration (9.45 µg/g FW) compared to red horse chestnut flowers. In addition, the analysis of leaves showed that all quality parameters were higher in red horse chestnut species. Five individual anthocyanins were identified in both species’ flowers, but a higher concentration was found in red horse chestnut flowers, and pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside was the predominant form among a pool of total anthocyanins. In both experimental years, leaves (109.25 mMol/100 g FW and 112.0 mMol/100 g FW) were characterized by a higher antioxidant activity than flowers (27.0 mMol/100 g FW and 27.5 mMol/100 g FW).

Peculiarities of cambial growth of some woody plants introduced in Kakheti region

The paper deals with the study of cambial growth of 32 species of woody plants, carried out in Kakheti region during six years. We have studied several plants and found out that they begin their cambial growth (with the exception of some oak species) after bud opening. According to calendar time, two groups of plants were distinguished: the first group of the plants began cambial growth in late March and at the beginning of April. These plants are as follows: Larix decidua Mill and Larix leptolepis Gord., Acer negundo L., Aesculus carnea Haine., Aesculus hippocastanum L. and 20 other species. The second group of the plants began cambium activity in May. These are plant species like Picea orientalis (L.) Link., Pinus griffithii Mc Cleland, Quercus occidentalis J. Gay., Magnolia grandiflora L. and others. The earliest completion of cambial growth was observed in the lateral branches of spruce, fir and other trees. The latest accomplishment (the first half of October) of cambial growth occurred in case of Cedrus atlantica Mannetti. and Cedrus deodara Loud., Pinus griffithii Mc Clel., Magnolia grandiflora L., Firmiana platanifolia Schott., etc. The endogenous rhythm of the investigated plants (with few exceptions) is in synchronous connection with the climate of Kakheti region, so we consider these plants to be interesting species for the decorative gardening and forestry of Telavi district, and deserve widespread distribution.

Посівні якості насіння найпоширеніших у західному регіоні України видів гіркокаштанів

У зелених насадженнях різних видів і типів західного регіону України найпоширенішими є чотири види гіркокаштанів: Aesculus hippocastanum L., Aesculus pavіa L., Aesculus octаndra Marsh та Aesculus carnea Hayne. Для цих видів гіркокаштанів здійснено комплекс досліджень з визначення посівних якостей насіння – чистоти, доброякісності, вологості, маси 1000 насінин, технічної і ґрунтової схожості, енергії проростання та посівної придатності. Насінню досліджуваних видів гіркокаштанів властиві високий рівень чистоти (94,4-96,7%) і доброякісності (83,0-97%) та значна варіабельність середньої маси 1000 шт. насінин (8,8-20,2 кг). Найвищим рівнем технічної схожості, незалежно від типу субстрату, вирізняється насіння A. pavіa (78,0-87,0%), найменшим – A. carnea (52,0-60,0%).
 Досліджено динаміку доброякісності та технічної схожості насіння впродовж 2000-2017 рр. Для видів A. pavіa, A. octаndra та A. carnea такі дослідження здійснено вперше.
 У лісових і декоративних розсадниках рекомендовано використовувати уточнену норму висівання насіння A. hippocastanum: 375-400 г/м для осінньої і 430-460 г/м – для весняної сівби. Вперше обґрунтовано норму висівання насіння для трьох видів гіркокаштанів (A. оctаndra, A.pavіa, A. carnea ) для осінньої і весняної сівби, відповідно, 340-400 та 400-460 г/м; 220-265 і 250-300 г/м; 600-700 і 690-800 г/м посівного рядка.

Особливості гетеровегетативного розмноження гіркокаштанів

Досліджено ефективність різних способів щеплення найпоширеніших у Західному регіоні України видів жовто-рожевоквіткового (Aesculus hibrida D. C.), червоноквіткових (Aesculus pavia L. і Aesculus carnea Hayne) та жовтоквіткового (Aesculus octаndra Marsh.) гіркокаштанів. Апробовано три способи гетеровегетативного розмноження – "у розщіп", "у боковий розріз" та "окуліровка" для чотирьох видів гіркокаштанів. Підщепами були 8-річні саджанці гіркокаштана кінського звичайного. Прищепами – однорічні пагони із середини крони або вертикальний верхівковий пагін, з яких нарізали здорові, зрілі, без пошкоджень живці довжиною 8–10 см. Щеплення проведено у другій декаді квітня у відкритому ґрунті шкільного відділення декоративного розсадника. За щепленими рослинами виконано агротехнічні та селекційні догляди протягом наступних років вирощування. Встановлено, що найвищою приживлюваністю відзначається спосіб "у бічний розріз" (56,0–80,0 %) під час щеплень усіх видів гіркокаштанів. Квітувати щеплені рослини почали на другий-третій рік після щеплення, а формувати плоди з повнозернистим доброякісним насінням – на четвертий-п'ятий. Виробнича собівартість одного щепленого 2-річного саджанця гіркокаштанів у відкритому ґрунті, залежно від виду прищепи, становить 80,5–115,0 грн. Проведені експериментальні щеплення саджанців різних видів гіркокаштанів засвідчили широкі технологічні можливості та значну економічну ефективність гетеровегетативного розмноження різними способами для отримання садивного матеріалу щеплених декоративних червоно- та жовтоквіткових культиварів гіркокаштанів. Застосовані способи щеплення ("у бічний розріз" та "у розщіп") рекомендовано використовувати у промислових обсягах для розмноження особливо декоративних і стійких до негативного впливу абіотичних і біотичних чинників культиварів гіркокаштанів.

Biotechnological aspects of mikropropagation of Aesculus carnea hayme

Abstract The peculiarities of Aesculus carnea Hayne reproduction in conditions of in vitro culture were investigated: time of plant material selection and type of explants were determined, the method of sterilization and hormonal composition of the nutrient medium for further cultivation and plants regenerants receiving were chosen. We recommend conducting shoots selection in February, to use the artificially awakened shoots (3–5 cm long) in quality of explants. It was found that the best option of explants sterilization is to process in 1.0% solution of silver nitrate (AgNO 3 )during 5 min. High reproduction coefficient was obtained on MS nutrient medium supplemented with growth regulators: BAP, Kin (0,5 mg l −1 ).

SOME PECULIARITIES OF AESCULUS CARNEA HAYNE REPRODUCTION

The results of studies of Aesculus carnea Hayne seed and vegetative propagation are presented. Technical and soil seed germination were determined, biometric parameters of different age seedlings were characterized. It is found that in the case of red horse chestnut propagation by grafting, conducting of splice or whip & tongue grafting will be the most appropriate method. Biotechnological aspects of A. carnea plants regenerants obtaining by in vitro culture method were shown. The most optimal scheme of aseptic culture obtaining, nutrient medium composition for morphogenesis and rhizogenesis induction is chosen.

Food in a row: urban trees offer valuable floral resources to pollinating insects

Urbanization affects the availability and diversity of floral resources (pollen and/or nectar) for wild pollinating insects. For example, urban green areas are characterized by an abundance of ornamental plant species. Increasingly, trees are planted to improve the aesthetics of urban streets and parks. These urban trees might offer important floral resources to pollinating insects. To examine the suitability of urban trees as resources for pollinating insects, we investigated the chemical composition of pollen and nectar as well as the amount of nectar produced by the nine major insect-pollinated tree species planted in cities of Western Europe, namely Acer pseudoplatanus, Aesculus carnea, A. hippocastanum, Robinia pseudoacacia, Tilia cordata, T. x euchlora, T. x europaea, T. platyphyllos and T. tomentosa. The analyses revealed that globally the Tilia trees provide pollen with lower contents of polypeptides, amino acids and phytosterols compared with the other species. Urban tree flowers offer abundant nectar with relatively high sugar contents (0.16–1.28 mg/flower); sucrose was the predominant sugar in all nectars. The investigated tree species could therefore be considered in future city plantings.

The content of phenolic compounds in leaf tissues of white (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) and red horse chestnut (Aesculus carea H.) colonized by the horse chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimić).

Normally, plant phenolics are secondary metabolites involved in the defense mechanisms of plants against fungal pathogens. Therefore, in this study we attempted to quantify and characterize phenolic compounds in leaves of white and red horse chestnut with leaf miner larvae before and after Cameraria ohridella attack. A total of 17 phenolic compounds belonging to the hydroxycinnamic acid, flavan-3-ols and flavonol groups were identified and quantified in white and red horse chestnut leaf extracts. Significantly decreased concentrations of some phenolic compounds, especially of flavan-3-ols, were observed in infected leaves compared to the non-infected ones. Additionally, a higher content of polyphenolic compounds especially (−)-epicatechin and procyanidins in leaves of red-flowering than in white-flowering horse chestnut may explain their greater resistance to C. ohridella insects.

Genetic variation of horse chestnut and red horse chestnut and trees susceptibility to Erysiphe flexuosa and Cameraria ohridella

Trees of Aesculus sp. are often present in European landscapes. Common horse chestnut and red horse chestnut are seriously damaged by the fungus Erysiphe flexuosa as well as the pest Cameraria ohridella. Both pathogen and pest have spread throughout Europe. A genetic background of trees resistance still remains unknown. The present study was undertaken to estimate genetic variation of A. hippocastanum and A.×carnea grown in urban greens and their susceptibility to powdery mildew and horse chestnut leafminer. According to obtained results both species were infected by E. flexuosa in a similar degree but there were significant differences in susceptibility of particular trees (ANOVA). C. ohridella damaged only A. hippocastanum. The correlation between age of trees and degree of infestation by pathogen and pest was not observed. The significant genetic variability between two Aesculus species was revealed by the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) where both the intra- and the inter-species variation were found to be significant. It was shown that 73.0% of the genetic variance was contributed by the differentiation between A. hippocastanum and A.×carnea, whereas 27.0% was partitioned within species. The medium level of genetic diversity of Aesculus spp. was determined using SRAP and RAPD analyses. The mean value of genetic similarity was equal to 0.55 for common horse chestnut and 0.98 for red horse chestnut. Among 40 polymorphic SRAP and RAPD markers 17 were associated with degree of leaf damage caused by C. ohridella.

FIRST REPORT OF THE POWDERY MILDEW AGENT ERYSIPHE FLEXUOSA ON AESCULUS XCARNEA IN ITALY

Aesculus hippocastanum L. (horse chestnut) and Aesculus x carnea Hayne (red horse-chestnut) are ornamental tree species commonly grown in parks, gardens and boulevards. In October 2012, typical symptoms of powdery mildew were observed on the leaves of several A. x carnea trees in the University campus of Grugliasco (Piedmont, northern Italy). Trees were 12-year-old, about 6 m tall and their trunk was ca. 20 cm in diameter. Whitish fungal mycelium and abundant cleistothecia were visible macroscopically on the both the upper and lower leaf surfaces. Cleistothecia were yellow or light brown, turning dark brown to black at maturity. They were globose, 98.4 to 123 μm in diameter (105.6 μm in average), with hooked and undulate appendages 108.2- 147.6 μm long (123 μm in average); short, bristle-like appendages were also observed. Cleistothecia contained several asci, whose ascospores were hyaline, ellipsoid and single- celled (17-28 x 9-13 μm). Based on these micro-morphological characters, the fungus was identified as Erysiphe flexuosa (Peck) U. Braun et S. Takam. (syn. Uncinula flexuosa), a powdery mildew introduced from North America and now reported from Aesculus spp. in several European countries (Tozlu and Demirci, 2010). Reports from Italy are limited to A. hippocastanum (Parrini and Braccini, 2003). Therefore, to our knowledge, this is the first report of E. flexuosa on A. x carnea in Italy.

Contribution of flowering trees to urban atmospheric biogenic volatile organic compound emissions

Abstract. Emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) from urban trees during and after blooming were measured during spring and early summer 2009 in Boulder, Colorado. Air samples were collected onto solid adsorbent cartridges from branch enclosures on the tree species crabapple (Malus sp.), horse chestnut (Aesculus carnea, "Ft. McNair"), honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos, "Sunburst"), and hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata, "Pauls Scarlet"). These species constitute ~ 65% of the insect-pollinated fraction of the flowering tree canopy (excluding catkin-producing trees) from the street area managed by the City of Boulder. Samples were analyzed for C10–C15 BVOC by thermal desorption and gas chromatography coupled to a flame ionization detector and a mass spectrometer (GC/FID/MS). Identified emissions and emission rates from these four tree species during the flowering phase were found to vary over a wide range. Monoterpene emissions were identified for honey locust, horse chestnut and hawthorn. Sesquiterpene emissions were observed in horse chestnut and hawthorn samples. Crabapple flowers were found to emit significant amounts of benzyl alcohol and benzaldehyde. Floral BVOC emissions increased with temperature, generally exhibiting exponential temperature dependence. Changes in BVOC speciation during and after the flowering period were observed for every tree studied. Emission rates were significantly higher during the blooming compared to the post-blooming state for crabapple and honey locust. The results were scaled to the dry mass of leaves and flowers contained in the enclosure. Only flower dry mass was accounted for crabapple emission rates as leaves appeared at the end of the flowering period. Total normalized (30 °C) monoterpene emissions from honey locust were higher during flowering (5.3 μgC g−1 h−1) than after flowering (1.2 μgC g−1 h−1). The total normalized BVOC emission rate from crabapple (93 μgC g−1 h−1) during the flowering period is of the same order as isoprene emissions from oak trees, which are among the highest BVOC flowering period floral emissions observed from plants to date. These findings illustrate that during the relatively brief springtime flowering period, floral emissions constitute by far the most significant contribution to the BVOC flux from these tree species, some of which are leafless at this time. Experimental results were integrated into the MEGAN biogenic emission model and simulations were performed to estimate the contribution of floral BVOC emissions to the total urban BVOC flux during the spring flowering period. The floral BVOC emitted during this three-month simulation are equivalent to 11% of the integrated monoterpene flux for the Boulder urban area.

Comparative analysis of microspore size variability in the genus Aesculus (Hippocastanaceae)

Pollen size varies extensively among angiosperm species and partially reflects evolutionary adaptation of each species to the pollination and fertilization environment. Size of uninuclear microspores in Aesculus parviflora was analyzed and compared with the size of microspores in Aesculus hippocastanum, Aesculus carnea, and Aesculus flava. The microspores came from closed flower buds of different size (3, 4, and 5 mm) isolated from lower (female flowers), middle (bisexual flowers), and upper (male flowers) segments of inflorescences. Aesculus parviflora had smaller microspores than Aesculus carnea and Aesculus flava, but larger microspores than Aesculus hippocastanum. All analyzed microspores showed bimodal distribution in all investigated species of the genus Aesculus.

In vitro plantlet regeneration from multiple shoots of red horse chestnut (Aesculus × carnea HAYNE) by shoot tip culture

In vitro plantlet regeneration from multiple shoots of red horse chestnut (Aesculus × carnea HAYNE) by shoot tip culture

Secondary somatic embryogenesis versus caulogenesis from somatic embryos of Aesculus carnea Hayne.: developmental stage impact

Somatic embryos of red horse chestnut, derived from cultures maintained through repetitive somatic embryogenesis for a few years, were subjected to induction of secondary regeneration. The embryos were divided in four classes on the basis of their size (I-1, II-5, III-10 and IV-30 mm), and sub-cultured on MS media containing 0, 1, 5 or 10 μM kinetin (Kin) or benzyladenine (BA). The pathway of secondary regeneration, somatic embryogenesis or caulogenesis, depended on the primary somatic embryo (PSE) stage of development. The embryogenic capacity declined and bud-forming capacity increased with the degree of PSE maturity. The PSE of the Classes I and II produced only secondary somatic embryos (SSE), the Class III PSE formed both SSE and adventitious buds, whereas the Class IV PSE developed almost solely adventitious buds. The process of secondary somatic embryogenesis was most effective in the Class II PSE at 5 μM BA, and the process of adventive organogenesis was most effective in the Class IV PSE at 10 μM BA. On plant growth regulator (PGR)-free medium, PSE of A. carnea followed the same pattern of adventive regeneration, as those cultured on cytokinin containing media. The cytokinins only amplified the response, in a certain range of concentrations. BA promoted bud induction at a much higher rate than Kin, while their embryogenic effect was similar.

Occurence of some pests and diseases on horse chestnut, plane tree and Indian bean tree in urban areas of Slovenia

The occurrence of some pests and diseases was monitored on horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), red horse chestnut (Aesculus x carnea), plane tree (Platanus hybrida) and Indian bean tree (Catalpa bignonioides) in the period 1995-2003. The following organisms were the most common: the horse chestnut leaf-miner (Cameraria ohridella) on horse chestnut and, in recent two years, also on red horse chestnut, the Sycamore lace bug (Corythuca ciliata) and the leaf miner (Phyllonorycter platani) on plane tree. The flatid planthopper (Metcalpha pruinosa) was found inland, in Ljubljana in 2003 on A. x carnea near a busy petrol station, and on C. bignonioides in the vicinity of a motorway intersection. Along with M. pruinosa, two new parasite fungi for Slovenia were found in 2003 Erysiphe flexuosa on A. x carnea, A. hippocastanum and Erysiphe elevata on C. bignonioides.

Untersuchungen über Entwicklungsstadien der Wolligen NapfschildlausPulvinaria regalis Canard (Hom., Coccidae) im Freiland und Labor

In the presented paper the development of horse chestnut scale insect,Pulvinaria regalis Canard, was studied a on red horse chestnut (Aesculus x carnea) in the urban area of Bonn. Secondly, the scale insect growth was determined on sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) and horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) at different temperatures in the laboratory. The field population displayed an insignificant linear increase in body length between July and beginning of December. No growth was observed between December and March but between mid of March and beginning of May the body size increased exponentially. By setting up a frequency distribution of the anal plate length and by simultaneous measurement of new and old anal plate during molting it was possible to separate different developmental stages. The length of the anal plates of first instar crawlers/settlers ranged between 0.030 and 0.054 mm, that of the second and third instar nymphs between 0.066 and 0.090 mm and 0.102 to 0.150 mm, respectively. The anal plate length of fourth instar adult females differed between 0.162 and 0.246 mm, whereas those of male puparians ranged between 0.075 and 0.098 mm. Since the cuticula ofP. regalis is very extensible, the separation of different developmental stages was only reliable by using the measure of the strongly sclerosed anal plate. Until 12. August first instar crawlers/settlers and till 29. September second instar nymphs were observed on red horse chestnut in the field. Female third instar nymphs were noticed between 9. September and 28. April and fourth instar adult females from 31. March on. In the laboratoryP. regalis individuals on horse chestnut and sycamore maple did only growth at 18°C and fluctuating temperature of 20/14°C (16/8 h). The growth was heavily affected at warm temperatures of 26°C and scale insects lived only a few weeks. Only at the fluctuating temperature of 20/14°C (16/8 h) some females laid eggs on horse chestnut and sycamore maple from the 49. and 48. week on.

In vitro induction of pollen embryos and plantlets in Aesculus carnea Hayne through anther culture

Uninuclear microspores in red horse chestnut anther cultures formed pollen embryos and plantlents in MS agar medium supplemented with varying 2,4-D concentrations (1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 mg l-1) and 1.0 mg l-1 Kin. The highest number of embryogenic anthers (38%) was obtained in MS medium containing 1.0 mg l-1 of each 2,4-D and Kin. The ability of pollen embryos to germinate was closely correlated with normal embryo morphology and was influenced by hormone content in the medium (MS+;1.0 mg l-1 IAA+1.0 mg l-1 GA3+0.1 mg l-1 Kin+400 mg l-1 glutamine). Pollen embryos and plantlets had the haploid chromosome number (x=n=40). Cytological examinations demonstrated pollen dimorphism of this Aesculus species.

A yellow mosaic disease of horse chestnut (Aesculus spp.) caused by apple mosaic virus

SUMMARYA severe foliar yellow mosaic disease was observed in horse chestnut trees (Aesculus carnea and A. hippocastanum). Reactions in woody indicator plants grafted with diseased horse chestnut suggested the presence of an ilarvirus. Virus isolates obtained by mechanical inoculation of herbaceous test plants reacted with antisera to apple mosaic virus but not with antisera to its serotype prunus necrotic ringspot virus, or to prune dwarf virus. Yellow mosaic was induced in horse chestnut seedlings grafted with tissues from herbaceous hosts infected with horse chestnut isolates or with the European plum line pattern isolate of apple mosaic virus. Virus was detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in embryo and endosperm of immature seed from infected trees but not in mature seed, or progeny seedlings.Strawberry latent ringspot virus was detected in one of six A. hippocastanum trees with a leaf vein yellows disease.

Methylierte Flavonol-Aglyka bei Aesculus

Winter buds of some Aesculus -species excrete lipophilic material together with flavonoid aglycones. Besides nine flavonols found earlier in Aesculus hippocastanum , kaempferol 3,7-dimethyl ether is found to occur in Aesculus carnea and Ae. turbinata but not in Ae. indica , and kaempferol 3,7,4′-trimethyl ether only in Ae. turbinata .