Rubus Research Articles

Biotechnology methods to produce planting material of the genus Rubus L.

The work is devoted to improving clonal micropropagation methods of the genus Rubus representatives. When cultivating R. arcticus L. cultivars, the optimal concentration of 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BAP) was 0.3 mg L−1. Significant effect of FeEDTA concentration in the nutrient medium on multiplication of R. idaeus L. cultivars was established. The interaction of auxin type and plant genotype was revealed during rooting of blackberry cultivars and raspberry-blackberry hybrids. The nutrient medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L-1 indoleacetic acid contributed to the highest percentage of rhizogenesis in R. arcticus representatives (82%). The optimal growth regulator for conservation of raspberry explants was 6-BAP at a concentration of 0.3 mg L-1. One of the most representative in vitro collections of Rubus cultivars has been created.

Preservation of Biologically Active Compounds and Nutritional Potential of Quick-Frozen Berry Fruits of the Genus Rubus

Cryoprotective freezing methods are increasingly being developed and used as an effective means of protecting valuable bioactive compounds in processed berry fruits. The quick-freezing method allows the bioactive compounds in the plant material to be preserved over a longer period of time, thus providing a high-quality product with significant antioxidant capacity. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the quick-freezing method on physico-chemical properties and bioactive compounds content of fruits in three soft fruit species: tayberry, raspberry, and blackberry, and to evaluate the stability of specific phytochemicals during the three-month storage period. The freezing method had a significant effect on the physicochemical properties with a significantly less drip loss observed after thawing in fruit frozen by quick-freezing (at −34 °C for 25 min) compared to fruit frozen classically (−18 °C to 24 h). The color of quick-frozen fruits also changed significantly less compared to fresh fruits. Of the bioactive compounds analyzed, it should be noted that there was a significantly lower loss of ascorbic acid recorded during quick-freezing. On average, the quick-frozen fruits contained 28% more ascorbic acid than the classical frozen fruits. In general, the quick-freezing procedure contributed to a better preservation of total polyphenolic compounds and anthocyanins, and thus berry fruits also showed higher values of antioxidant capacity during quick freezing than during the classical procedure. During the storage period of three months, a decrease in the content of all the bioactive compounds studied was observed, although it should be emphasized that this loss during storage was not as pronounced in fruits frozen by the quick-freezing method as in classically frozen fruits. It can be concluded that the quick-freezing contributes significantly to the preservation of valuable bioactive compounds of berries and that this processing method can be considered important for maintaining the nutritional properties of berry fruits.

On Rubus ulmifolius (Rosaceae) and related taxa

Nomenclature issues in the genus Rubus are discussed. In particular, R. ulmifolius and six related names, R. creticus, R. sanctus, R. parviflorus, R. vulgaris, R. non-spinosus, and R. inermis, are discussed. Further support is provided for the suggestions that these seven names are used for only one species. The names R. creticus, R. sanctus and R. parviflorus are homotypic, being R. sanctus and R. parviflorus illegitimate. A lectotype is designated for R. non-spinosus from an image of Barrelier. An epitype is selected for R. vulgaris from a modern specimen collected in Italy and preserved at L.

A Key for the Microhistological Determination of Plant Fragments Consumed by Carpathian Forest Cervids

We present a microhistological key for identification of plant fragments consumed and partially digested by free-roaming, forest cervids based on collection of 92 plant species representing forage availability of the Western Carpathian forests. The key represents a determination tool to facilitate microhistological analyses of faecal and ruminal material. We summarized, integrated, and developed current knowledge on microstructures of plants consumed by Cervidae using specific diagnostic features of plant fragments including type, shape, orientation, and arrangement of cells and stomata, type of venation, presence, and type of trichomes and crystalline inclusions. Since most plant species of the same taxa show common patterns in morphology of the different epidermal traits, we categorized collected material into seven functional botanical groups, i.e., grasses and sedges, herbs and leaves of broadleaved trees, needles, ferns and mosses, seeds and fruits, and genera Rubus, Rosa, Vaccinium. The key is consistent with classifications used in the majority of studies on diet of wild cervids and is supported with photographs of the main diagnostics features. The key has the potential to decrease amount of time needed for processing of the reference material, and to improve consistency between users studying feeding behaviour of forest cervids in central Europe.

Rubi Capenses: a further contribution to the knowledge of the genus Rubus (Rosaceae) in South Africa

This article is aimed to provide a solid base for future research in Rubus in South Africa. Even if a different classification using a broader species concept will be adopted later, this contribution should be valuable for identifying the units and naming them for convenience of all later analyses. Types of earlier published names were checked and compared with present occurrence of Rubus in the region. When needed, types where designated. Some taxa where provided with a new name or status. New taxa were described if they are taxonomically well distinguished and have a solid geographical distribution. This paper contains the following nomenclatural novelties: New taxa: Rubus ser. Apetali, R. ser. Pinnati, R. ser. Rigidi, R. ser. Scleri, R. anas, R. ×bergianus, R. cryptopetalus, R. fertilis, R. ×fultiformis, R. ×fultus, R. leptodytus, R. noli-tangere, and R. trichogynus. New status and names: R. cacoeimon and R. leptostelechus. Replacement names: R. glabrior, and R. thaumasius. New status: Rubus subsect. Afroidaei and R. subsect. Pinnatifidi. New types are designated for the following taxa: R. ser. Piletocaulon, R. ser. Tephrocaulon, R. sect. Afromontani, R. borbonicus, R. borbonicus f. pyramidalis, R. exsuccus, R. heterophyllus, R. inedulis, R. madagascarius, R. originalis, R. pappei, R. pinnatus, R. pinnatus f. glaber, R. quartinianus, and R. rigidus f. umbrosus.

Economic costs of biological invasions in Ecuador: the importance of the Galapagos Islands

Biological invasions, as a result of human intervention through trade and mobility, are the second biggest cause of biodiversity loss. The impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) on the environment are well known, however, economic impacts are poorly estimated, especially in mega-diverse countries where both economic and ecological consequences of these effects can be catastrophic. Ecuador, one of the smallest mega-diverse countries, lacks a comprehensive description of the economic costs of IAS within its territory. Here, using "InvaCost", a public database that compiles all recorded monetary costs associated with IAS from English and Non-English sources, we investigated the economic costs of biological invasions. We found that between 1983 and 2017, the reported costs associated with biological invasions ranged between US$86.17 million (when considering only the most robust data) and US$626 million (when including all cost data) belonging to 37 species and 27 genera. Furthermore, 99% of the recorded cost entries were from the Galapagos Islands. From only robust data, the costliest identified taxonomic group was feral goats (Capra hircus; US$20 million), followed by Aedes mosquitoes (US$2.14 million) while organisms like plant species from the genus Rubus, a parasitic fly (Philornis downsi), black rats (Rattus rattus) and terrestrial gastropods (Achatina fulica) represented less than US$2 million each. Costs of "mixed-taxa" (i.e. plants and animals) represented the highest (61% of total robust costs; US$52.44 million). The most impacted activity sector was the national park authorities, which spent about US$84 million. Results from robust data also revealed that management expenditures were the major type of costs recorded in the Galapagos Islands; however, costs reported for medical losses related to Aedes mosquitoes causing dengue fever in mainland Ecuador would have ranked first if more detailed information had allowed us to categorize them as robust data. Over 70% of the IAS reported for Ecuador did not have reported costs. These results suggest that costs reported here are a massive underestimate of the actual economic toll of invasions in the country.

Seed variation of Rubus spp. in Cibodas Botanical Garden

The genus Rubus has highly morphological diversity. We had examined the seed variation of Rubus spp. collected in Cibodas Botanical Garden. The observation was conducted on 12 different species of Cibodas Botanical Garden’s collections. The variation of seed’s size was observed based on length, width, and sculpture of seed’s surface area. The results showed that R. pyrifolius seed was larger among others species, and the smaller one was R. fraxinifolius. Moreover, based on seed morphology, three morphological types of seed coats were identified, which are seeds with prominent reticulate sculpture and sharp back ridge (R. accuminatissimus, R. alpestris, R. ellipticus, R. lineatus, R. niveus, R. pyrifolius, R. rosifolius); seeds with prominent reticulate sculpture and broad back ridge (R. alceifolius, R. moluccanus, R. glomeratus); seeds with least prominent sculpture and blunt back ridge (R. chrysophyllus and R. fraxinifolius).

ANALYSIS OF FLAVONES C-GLYCOSIDES AND AND STEPWISE HYDROLYSIS OF THEIR ACETATES IN THE LEAVES OF RUBUS CHAMAEMORUS L.

The C-glycoside embinin and its mono- and diacetate derivatives have immunotropic and cardiotonic activity, which makes the search for plants that contain them interesting. Embinin and its acetate derivatives were previously isolated only from some plants of the genus Iris, the habitat and growing conditions of which are very different from those of the genus Rubus. As a result of the study, the structure of seven C-glycosides, embinin derivatives, isolated from the leaves of Rubus chamaemorus L. (Rosaceae) was established. Using HR-ESI-MS, HPLC-MS, as well as one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, the structure of three substances isolated in individual form was established: embinin (1) and its diacetyl derivatives – 2''',3'''-diacetylembinin (5) and 3''',4'''-diacetylembinin (7). The method of stepwise hydrolysis of C-glycoside acetate residues proposed in this study, followed by HPLC analysis of the resulting hydrolysis products, made it possible to establish the structure of minor flavone C-glycosides contained in the leaves of Rubus chamaemorus L.: 2'''-acetylembinin (2), 3'''-acetylembinin (3), 4'''-acetylembinin (4) and 2''',4'''-diacetylembinin (6). All these compounds were found in the leaves of Rubus chamaemorus L. for the first time. The C-glycosides - embinin and its acetate derivatives are rare metabolites of higher plants, the presence of which is determined by the peculiarity of their physiology, and the biological activity determines the prospects for medical use.

Identification of Ethyl Ferulate From Rubus corchorifolius L.F. Leaves and Its Inhibitory Effects on HepG2 Liver Cancer Cells

Abstract Objectives Rubus corchorifolius L.f., also known as raspberry, March bubble, milk bubble, etc., belongs to the genus Rubus L. and the family Rosaceae. The tender leaves of Rubus corchorifolius L. f. have been made into herbal tea for drinking and relieving coughs in China since ancient times. In this study, we isolated a bioactive compound from the ethyl acetate extract of Rubus corchorifolius L.f. leaves and investigated its protective effects in HepG2 human liver cancer cell line and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods Structural analysis of the isolated compound was performed by spectroscopic methods and the compound was identified as ethyl ferulate. Efficacy and mechanisms of ethyl ferulate on the proliferation of HepG2 human liver cancer cells and LO2 normal human liver cells was determined by cell viability, cell morphology, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, Ca2 + release, and immunoblotting analyses. Results We found that ethyl ferulate significantly suppressed the cell proliferation of HepG2 cells (IC50 26.4 μM), while it did not cause cytotoxicity on LO2 cells. In addition, flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that ethyl ferulate inhibited HepG2 cell growth via inducing cellular apoptosis. Specifically, ethyl ferulate reduced the electrical potential of the mitochondrial membrane and increased the concentration of calcium ions inside cells. Moreover, these changes were accompanied by increases in the expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins, such as cleaved caspase-3 and Bax. In contrast, cell morphology and growth of LO2 cells remained unaffected. Conclusions In conclusion, our findings demonstrated, for the first time, that ethyl ferulate possesses great potential as an effective and safe antitumor agent for cancer chemoprevention in humans. Funding Sources This study was supported by the University of International Cooperation in Science and Technology Innovation Platform Project of Guangdong (2013gjhz0003). XC was partly supported by a scholarship from South China Agriculture University.

Screening For α-Amylase Inhibitory Activity Of Crataegus And Rubus Genera In Syria, Isolation And Identification Of The Active Principle

One of the treatment strategies for diabetes mellitus is to inhibit specific digestive enzymes in order to reduce carbohydrates absorption in the intestines. In this study, inhibitory activity toward the α-amylase enzyme were determined for the methanolic extracts of the leaves of two species of the genus Crataegus; monogyna, and azarolus var aronia, and three species of the genus Rubus; sanctus, hedycarpus, and collinus. The leaves were collected during spring and autumn seasons from different regions across the Syrian Arab Republic. The methanolic extract of C.azarolus var aronia harvested in autumn exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity toward α-amylase compared to the other extracts with an IC50=103 µg/ml. For a closer look into this plant, the dry methanolic extract was suspended in water and extracted (liquid-liquid) using diethyl ether and ethyl acetate as extracting solvents. Due to the promising inhibitory activity of the ethyl acetate extract toward α-amylase with an IC50=96 µg/ml, this extract was further fractionated by means of preparative HPLC. The structure of the isolated compound that revealed the strongest inhibitory activity toward α-amylase enzyme (IC50=84 µg/ml) was elucidated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and mass spectroscopy (MS) techniques. The structure was identified based on MS and NMR data to be (–)-Epicatechin, a biologically active flavan-3-ol compound

Pollen morphology and variability of species from the genus Rubus L. (Rosaceae) alien and invasive in Poland

Rubus L. is one of the most species-rich and most taxonomically challenging genera in the family Rosaceae. The aim of this study was to investigate pollen morphology and the ranges of inter- and intraspecific variability of the studied Rubus alien species, as well as verify the taxonomic usefulness of these traits in distinguishing studied taxa from this genus. We analysed six quantitative pollen characteristics and the following qualitative ones: exine ornamentation, pollen outline and shape. The study was conducted on 24 samples of six alien Rubus species found in Poland. 720 pollen grains were measured in total. The most important pollen features included exine ornamentation and length of the polar axis (P). In the conducted studies there were no features of pollen indicating “invasiveness”. The results of our research fill the gap in knowledge on pollen structure in Rubus species alien to Poland and Europe. They may constitute a foundation for further research on the reproduction of these species (e.g. pollen viability and fertility), thus facilitating identification of features determining their expansive character.

Is rubus perrobustus expending to the north? – new records from Poland

Is rubus perrobustus expending to the north? – new records from Poland

Antioxidative and Hepatoprotective Effects of Rubus canescens DC. Growing Wild in Lebanon

Background: Plants of the genus Rubus (family Rosaceae) have been used for diverse medicinal purposes for centuries. We hypothesized that the scarcely investigated R. canescens DC., like other species of the genus Rubus, exhibit prominent antioxidant activity. Objective: The present study investigates the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of fruit juice as well as aqueous and methanolic extracts of the areal parts of Rubus canescens DC., and deciphers the phytochemical profile of the methanolic extracts by GC-MS. Methods: The in vitro antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging assay and β- carotene bleaching assays. The in vivo antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated by measuring ALT, AST, CAT, and SOD levels in CCl4-challenged mice in two experimental models (chronic exposure and preventive). Histological analysis was conducted on H&E stained liver sections, and the phytochemical profile of methanolic extracts was investigated by GC-MS. Results: DPPH radical scavenging assay revealed that the methanolic leaves extract exhibited the highest activity, while the juice was the most active in terms of the β-carotene bleaching assay. The in vivo experiments suggested that the extracts have promising antioxidant potential and hepatoprotective effects capable of promoting liver functions. Histological analysis of liver sections revealed that administrating juice extract regenerated hepatocytes while reducing inflammation. GC-MS analysis indicated the presence of squalene, β-amyrin, and γ-sitosterol that may have contributed to the observed activity. Conclusion: The current study provided the first in vivo evidence supporting the antioxidative and hepatoprotective effects of R. canescens DC. growing wild in Lebanon.

Characterization and comparative analysis among plastome sequences of eight endemic Rubus (Rosaceae) species in Taiwan

Genus Rubus represents the second largest genus of the family Rosaceae in Taiwan, with 41 currently recognized species across three subgenera (Chamaebatus, Idaoeobatus, and Malochobatus). Despite previous morphological and cytological studies, little is known regarding the overall phylogenetic relationships among the Rubus species in Taiwan, and their relationships to congeneric species in continental China. We characterized eight complete plastomes of Taiwan endemic Rubus species: subg. Idaeobatus (R. glandulosopunctatus, R. incanus, R. parviaraliifolius, R rubroangustifolius, R. taitoensis, and R. taiwanicolus) and subg. Malachobatus (R. kawakamii and R. laciniastostipulatus) to determine their phylogenetic relationships. The plastomes were highly conserved and the size of the complete plastome sequences ranged from 155,566 to 156,236 bp. The overall GC content ranged from 37.0 to 37.3%. The frequency of codon usage showed similar patterns among species, and 29 of the 73 common protein-coding genes were positively selected. The comparative phylogenomic analysis identified four highly variable intergenic regions (rps16/trnQ, petA/psbJ, rpl32/trnL-UAG, and trnT-UGU/trnL-UAA). Phylogenetic analysis of 31 representative complete plastomes within the family Rosaceae revealed three major lineages within Rubus in Taiwan. However, overall phylogenetic relationships among endemic species require broader taxon sampling to gain new insights into infrageneric relationships and their plastome evolution.

Molecular characterization of a species in the genus Rubus in Boyacá, Colombia

Abstract Colombia is home to blackberry genetic resources which present a morphological diversity. The relevant characteristics related to its diversity are the presence of prickles, the shape of its leaves, the number and color of its fruits, and its enormous agro-industrial potential due bioactive compounds such as polyphenols. These plants can grow between 1,700 and 3,400 m asl and are cultivated in the central region of the country. The study evaluated 13 wild and cultivated plants from the genus Rubus. A molecular characterization was carried out using 16 SSR microsatellite markers, all of which produced positive amplification generating 23 loci and 26 alleles. The AMOVA indicated a molecular genetic differentiation of 23% between the groups which corresponded to the geographic location of the sample. The greatest contribution to variance is found within the groups (76%), possibly because each of them is composed of different cultivated species and wild relatives of the genus Rubus. This suggests that the grouping of the genotypes studied doesn’t necessarily correspond to geographical origin. However, the findings show high genetic variation, with an Fst value of 0.27. This may be useful in breeding programs where genetic diversity, morphological characteristics of the fruits, and the molecular identification of the fruits are taken into account.

The Effects of Biofertilizers on Some Physological Responses in Heritage Raspberries

Raspberry, which belongs to the genus Rubus of the Rosacea family, is an important berry fruit with economical potential due to its benefits in terms of human health and wide usage area in industry. In this study, the effects of biological fertilizers (PGPR and mycorrhiza) on some chemical properties of Heritage raspberries were investigated. For this purpose, chlorophyll, anthocyanin, total phenolic content, proline, total carbohydrate levels of plant leaves were evaluated. The highest chlorophyll and anthocyanin contents were obtained from BF5 and BF4 bacterial inoculations (37.24 and 37.85 and 5.58 and 5.14, respectively). The effect of applications on total carbohydrate content was not significant. The highest phenolic and proline contents (2.94 GAE mg g-1 and 0.091 proline g-1) were obtained from BF5 treatment. The results indicated that bacterial applications were the first application in terms of the parameters examined for Heritage raspberry cultivation in the region.

Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Aspects of Rubus niveus thumb Plant – A Review

Several plant species are utilized in extraordinary common remedy system around the globe and are viewed as doable marketers for the revelation of new medications. Traditional Chinese medication have a long history of flora therapeutically including multiple species of the genus Rubus (Rosaceae). The pharmacological effects of Rubus include antibacterial, antistress, anticancer, antiaging, antiinflammatory, antigastropathic, antirheumatic, antinocieptive, anxiolytic and antigiardial activities. In India, the roots of Rubus niveus (R. niveus) are utilized to treat women for excessive menstrual bleeding and its juice extract as an antidote of snake bite. R. niveus root helps to relieve rheumatoid pain, clear warmness, detoxify, clear wind damp and deal with dysentery. This review article is focused on the ethanopharmacological, phytochemical and pharmacognostical standardization and pharmacological activity of R. niveus.

How much of morphological variability in pollen from genus Rubus L. might be explained by climate variability

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of 19 climatic factors during flowering periods and taxonomic proximity on the morphological features of the pollen from the genus Rubus L., which comprises numerous species, often with small ranges of natural occurrence.. It was hypothesized that the pollen morphology would be driven more by the effects of taxonomic proximity than by climatic variables, due to the conservatism of the pollen features, connected with a shared evolutionary history. The analyses revealed that climatic variability can explain an additional 2.5% to 14.0% of pollen morphology. The majority of the modelled pollen features were not correlated with the bioclimatic factors studied, except for the P/E ratio, which was positively correlated, and E, which was negatively correlated with PC3. However, most of the variability was explained by random effects connected with the taxonomic affiliation of the studied species to the genus Rubus L., which is very difficult in taxonomic terms. The study, therefore, showed how much additional interspecific variability in pollen morphology might be explained by the climatic variability of the species distributions.

Mapping of the Waxy Bloom Gene in ‘Black Jewel’ in a Parental Linkage Map of ‘Black Jewel’ × ‘Glen Ample’ (Rubus) Interspecific Population

Black and red raspberries (Rubus occidentalis L. and Rubus idaeus L.) are the prominent members of the genus Rubus (Rosaceae family). Breeding programs coupled with the low costs of high-throughput sequencing have led to a reservoir of data that have improved our understanding of various characteristics of Rubus and facilitated the mapping of different traits. Gene B controls the waxy bloom, a clearly visible epicuticular wax on canes. The potential effects of this trait on resistance/susceptibility to cane diseases in conjunction with other morphological factors are not fully studied. Previous studies suggested that gene H, which controls cane pubescence, is closely associated with gene B. Here, we used tunable genotyping-by-sequencing technology to identify the de novo SNPs of R. occidentalis and R. idaeus using an interspecific population that segregates for the waxy bloom phenotype. We created linkage maps of both species and mapped the identified SNPs to the seven chromosomes (Ro01–Ro07) of Rubus. Importantly, we report, for the first time, the mapping of gene B to chromosome 2 of R. occidentalis using a genetic map consisting of 443 markers spanning 479.76 cM. We observed the poor transferability of R. idaeus SSRs to R. occidentalis and discrepancies in their previously reported chromosome locations.

Comparison of the Micromorphology and Ultrastructure of Pollen Grains of Selected Rubus idaeus L. Cultivars Grown in Commercial Plantation.

The genus Rubus is one of the largest taxonomically diverse and complex genera in the family Rosaceae. Morphology of pollen grains (equatorial and polar axes length, shape and size, aperture position, exine sculpture, perforations) is regarded as one of its main diagnostic features for identification of species and varieties. An attempt was made to fill the gap concerning the pollen micromorphology and ultrastructure of R. idaeus L. using light, scanning, and electron transmission microscopy. This study is a comparative analysis of micromorphological and ultrastructural traits of pollen from six raspberry cultivars. The pollen grains were classified as small or medium of shape prolato-spheroids. The parallel striae in the equatorial view in the exine sculpture were sometimes branched dichotomously in ‘Glen Ample’, ‘Polka’, and ‘Polana’, arcuate in ‘Laszka’ and ‘Pokusa’, or irregularly overlapping in ‘Radziejowa’. The width of exine striae of biennial fruiting cultivars was much larger than in repeated fruiting cultivars. In terms of the increasing number of perforations per unit area of the exine surface, the cultivars were ranked as follows: ‘Pokusa’ < ‘Glen Ample’ < ‘Laszka’ < ‘Polka’ < ‘Polana’ < ‘Radziejowa’. The thickest tectum, the highest and thickest columellae with the largest distances between them, and the thicker foot layer were demonstrated in ‘Glen Ample’. The ectoexine constituted on average ca. 78–90% of the exine thickness. The findings may constitute auxiliary traits i.a. for identification of related taxa, interpretation of phylogenetic relationships, and pollination biology.