Mangrove Plant Species Research Articles

Antibacterial activity of some mangrove species in Xuan Thuy national park, Nam Dinh, Vietnam

Possessing more than 3,000 km coastal lines, Vietnam has several mangrove forests which are potential sources of natural products with pharmaceutical properties. In order to investigate the applications of mangrove forests in Vietnam, nine mangrove plants including Kandelia obovata, Pluchea pteropoda Hemsl., Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco, Lumnitzera racemosa Wild., Sonneratia caseolaris (L.) Engl., Sonneratia apetala Buch. Ham, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lam, Rhizophora stylosa Griff. and Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. were collected in Xuan Thuy National Park, Nam Dinh province, Vietnam. Methanol extracts from barks and leaves of these species were used to evaluate antibacterial activity against 4 control bacteria Escherichia coli ATCC®25922™*; Staphylococcus aureus ATCC®25923™; Proteus mirabilis ATCC®29245™ and Proteus vulgaris ATCC®33420™ via the agar well diffusion method. All of methanol extracts from nine mangrove plant species collected in Xuan Thuy National Park inhibited the growth of tested pathogenic bacterial strains. Lumnitzera racemosa Wild., Sonneratia caseolaris (L.) Engl. and Sonneratia apetala Buch. Ham expressed the highest antibacterial activity. Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco and Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh showed medium activity. Kandelia obovata, Pluchea pteropoda Hemsl., Rhizophora stylosa Griff. and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lam showed the lowest activity.

Polyphenols, tannins and antioxidant activities of eight true mangrove plant species in South China

Background and aims (i) compare the concentrations of total polyphenols (TP) and condensed tannins (CT), and CT profiles in different organs of mature trees and seedlings of eight true mangrove species in Hong Kong; (ii) examine the antioxidant activities of CT and (iii) relate the non-enzymatic antioxidative defence system with the vertical zonation pattern of mangrove species.

Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidative Potentials of “Beach Morning Glory” Ipomoea pes- caprae (Linn.) Roth Leaves Extract

Ipomoea pes-caprae (Linn.) Roth, or beach morning glory, is a mangrove associate medicinal plant species of Convolvulaceae family that favorably grows in tropical and subtropical countries. Previous phytochemical screening revealed the presence of pharmacologically active components which could differ according to environmental conditions. In the Philippines, evidences on extensive investigation of the plant are not yet available. This study aimed to conduct phytochemical screening, and antioxidative potential determination of the dried leaves aqueous ethanol extract of I. pes-caprae (Linn.) Roth. Exhaustive serial extraction apportioned the crude ethanol extract (CEE) into hexane extract (HE); ethyl acetate extract (EAE); methanol extract (ME) and aqueous extract (AE). Ferric thiocyanate (FTC) assay determined the antioxidative potentials of CEE and the four serial extracts. The positive controls used in FTC assay were Vitamin E and butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT). Phytochemical screening of CEE showed the presence of alkaloids; flavonoids; steroids and triterpenes; and tannins and phenolic compounds. FTC assay on CEE showed antioxidative activity but of lower extent than vitamin E and BHT. For serial extracts, FTC assay revealed that ME and AE possessed antioxidative activity comparable to vitamin E and BHT. These results showed that the wildly grown I. pescaprae is a potential source of pharmacologically active phytochemicals specifically the antioxidants. Keywords : Convolvulaceae, ferric thiocynate assay, mangrove, pharmacologically active, serial extraction.

Ecology of Sundarban, Bangladesh

Sundarban is the largest mangrove wetland in the world. It covers an area of about 1mha, of which 60% is located in Bangladesh and the remaining western portion, comprising 40%, lies in India. Mangrove ecosystems are of great ecological significance in the tropical and sub-tropical coast. They protect our coast from heavy wind, tidal waves, coastal erosion and sea water intrusion, generate substantial quantities of fishery resources and provide many useful forestry products. The Sundarban ecosystem supports rich fisheries diversity. This ecosystem support 27 families and 53 species of pelagic fish, 49 families 124 species of demersal fish, 5 families and 24 species of shrimps, 3 families and 7 species of crabs, 8 species of lobster. A total 334 plants, 165 algal, 13 special orchids, 17 fern, 87 monocotyledon and 230 dicotyledon belonging to 245 genera and 75 families from the sundarbans and adjacent area are found available. The principal tree species is Sundry (Heritiera fomes) which covers about 73% to total landmass and the second species is Gewa (Excoecaria agallocha) which covers about 16% of total forest area. The plant species include 35 legumes, 29 grasses, 19 sedges, and 18 euphorbias. Of the 50 true mangrove plant species recorded throughout the globe, the Sundarbans alone contain 35 species. The magnificent among the animals on land is Royal Bengal Tiger, Spotted deer, barking deer and wild boars are there in plenty. Besides those jungle cats, fishing cat, civet cat, monkey, bengal fox, jackle, water monitor, monitor lizard and snakes are important faunal spp. Moreover, abundant of the Sundarbans are purple heron, pond heron, cattle egret, little egret, open billed stork, smaller adjutant stork, brahmini kite, spotted dove, rose ringed parakeet, crow pheasant, wood pecker, bee eater, drongo, pide myna, jungle myna, bulbul, tailor bird, magpie robin, sparrow etc., Otherwise, recorded that wild Buffalo, 2 species of deer, javan rhinoceros extinct and presently 2 species of amphibians, 14 species of reptiles 25 species of birds and 5 species of mammals are considered as endangered species. This paper is to produce a new assessment of the mangroves ecology of Sundarbans. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v8i1-2.14618 J. Sci. Foundation, 8(1&2): 35-47, June-December 2010

NYPA FRUTICANS: A POTENTIAL PLANT SPECIES AS A SOURCE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR MALAYSIA

The multi-uses of nypa palm (Nypa fruticans) which includes: foods (attap chee, neera (the sweet sap), brown sugar, candy and aromatic tea); special uses (attaps from thatched leaflets); decorative household items (woven into mats, baskets, hats or handbags); cigarette wrappers (from the young unexpanded leaflet); and ethanol from neera as bio-fuel, should turn this palm into a special plant species with a great economic contribution. Nypa palm is considered a mangrove plant species and normally does not compete with other type of plants, as it grows mostly in clusters in areas that are unsuitable for most other plant types. Since the natural environment of this palm is quite challenging, strategic efforts must be made to successfully domesticate this palm. Apart from its multi-uses, the most critical requirement for this palm is the current lack of scientific basis behind the traditional practices in producing the neera. Thus research and development is very much in need for this palm in both upstream and downstream activities such as nursery management for production of quality nypa seedlings, optimum planting density, agronomic practices, the tapping technique, harvesting methods, storage, processing and product development. Effective technologies would ensure nypa palm could be turned into a source of economic growth for Malaysia.

Seasonal Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Mangroves of Goa, India

Seasonal dynamics of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal community composition in three common mangrove plant species, namely, Acanthus ilicifolius, Excoecaria agallocha, and Rhizophora mucronata, from two sites in Goa, India, were investigated. In all three species variation in AM fungal spore density was observed. Maximum spore density and AM species richness were recorded in the premonsoon season, while minimum spore density and richness were observed during monsoon season at both sites. A total of 11 AM fungal species representing five genera were recorded. Acaulospora laevis was recorded in all seasons at both sites. Multivariate analysis revealed that season and host coaffected AM spore density and species richness with the former having greater influence than the latter.

POTENSI DAN KOMPOSISI VEGETASI PADA EKOSISTEM HUTAN MANGROVE DI SELAT NASIK KABUPATEN BELITUNG, PROVINSI KEPULAUAN BANGKA BELITUNG (Studi Kasus di Desa Selat Nasik, Kabupaten Belitung, Provinsi Kepulauan Bangka Belitung)

Research on Composition and Potential Vegetation in Mangrove Forest Ecosystem has been done in Nasik Strait Belitung, Bangka Belitung Islands Province. In the month of May-July 2013, which includes the location of the research, namely in the village of Nasik Strait (Cape Nyato), Belitung regency. This study was conducted to determine the potency and composition comprising Relative Frequency, Relative density, relative dominance and importance value index any type of Mangrove Plant. Mangrove ecosystem measurements using line transect plot 20 m x 20 m. Identification results obtained by 10 mangrove plant species consisting of 8 true mangrove species (true mangrove) and 2 types of mangrove along (associate mangrove). The results showed that Bruguiera gymnorrhiza has the highest importance value index in the Village Location Nasik Strait (114.46), while the type of Xylocarpus granatum has the lowest critical value (5:57). Water temperatures ranging from 290C and the location of the substrate are sand, silt and clay. Dominant mangrove species composition of mangrove forest ecosystems in the dominance of the five species of mangrove Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Brugueira gymnorrhiza, Sonnerata alba and Xylocarpus granatum.

Heavy metal contamination in a vulnerable mangrove swamp in South China

Concentrations of six heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd, Cr, and Pb) in sediments and fine roots, thick roots, branches, and leaves of six mangrove plant species collected from the Futian mangrove forest, South China were measured. The results show that both the sediments and plants in Futian mangrove ecosystem are moderately contaminated by heavy metals, with the main contaminants being Zn and Cu. All investigated metals showed very similar distribution patterns in the sediments, implying that they had the same anthropogenic source(s). High accumulations of the heavy metals were observed in the root tissues, especially the fine roots, and much lower concentrations in the other organs. This indicates that the roots strongly immobilize the heavy metals and (hence) that mangrove plants possess mechanisms that limit the upward transport of heavy metals and exclude them from sensitive tissues. The growth performance of propagules and 6-month-old seedlings of Bruguiera gymnorhiza in the presence of contaminating Cu and Cd was also examined. The results show that this plant is not sufficiently sensitive to heavy metals after its propagule stage for its regeneration and growth to be significantly affected by heavy metal contamination in the Futian mangrove ecosystem. However, older mangrove seedlings appeared to be more metal-tolerant than the younger seedlings due to their more efficient exclusion mechanism. Thus, the effects of metal contamination on young seedlings should be assessed when evaluating the risks posed by heavy metals in an ecosystem.

Host specificity of endophytic Pestalotiopsis populations in mangrove plant species of South China

For the fact that mangrove plant species are a valuable reservoir of useful metabolites, their endophytes have received increasing attention. We examined the distribution of endophytic Pestalotiopsis associated with mangrove forest from three locations (Guangdong, Fujian, and Hainan province) in South China. Colonization frequencies ofendophytic Pestalotiopsis varied with the place of mangrove plants and host plants. A total of 41, 34, and 76 Pestalotiopsis isolates were obtained and 18, 12, and 27 species were identified from Fujian, Guangdong, and Hainan, respectively. The most common species of endophytic Pestalotiopsis in plants of Fujian province were Pestalotiopsis virgatula,Pestalotiopsis gracilis, and Pestalotiopsis flavidula. The dominant taxa in Guangdong were Pestalotiopsis disseminata; P. flavidula, and Pestalotiopsis sinensis, and the dominant Pestalotiopsis species in Hainan were P. gracilis, Pestalotiopsis crassiuscula, and Pestalotiopsis paeoniae, respectively. The assemblages and dominant species of endophytic Pestalotiopsis varied with the surrounding vegetation and environment. Theisolates, abundance indexes, and Shannon-Weaver diversity index of endophyticPestalotiopsis in Kandelia candel were higher than the others, which were 2.1570, 1.6127, and 2.3368, respectively. However, its evenness index was not the supreme. TheShannon-Weaver diversity index of endophytic Pestalotiopsis showed a positive correlation with abundance indexes, but independent of evenness index. Key words: Endophytic Pestalotiopsis, mangrove, colonization frequencies, diversity, host preference.

Leaf Anatomical Structure and Its Ecological Adaptability of Five Species of Rhizophoraceae Plants

Using the paraffin-section method,the leaf anatomical structures of five species of Rhizophoraceae plants(Rhizophora apiculata Bl.,R.stylosa Griff.,Kandelia candel(Linn.) Druce,Bruguiera gymnorrhiza(Linn.) Savigny and B.sexangula(Lour.) Poir) were observed in this study.The results showed that thick cuticles and lower epidermis were commonly existed in the leaves of all these five species of mangrove plants,while the epidermis cells contained tannin.This study also concluded that there was no stomata apparatus on the upper epidermis,and the layers of palisade tissues were also observed.Besides,the xylems in the leaves were identified to be well developed.All these results indicated that the leaves of mangrove plants exhibited strong drought-resistant capacity,and the leaves of homogeneous plants displayed similar characteristics in their anatomical structures.

Pharmacognosy of mangrove plants in the system of unani medicine

Mangrove plants are found to have medicinal values and have been used traditionally by local medical practitioners in worldwide. In nature, more than 65 species of mangrove plants, 18 species are found to be widely used by local medical practitioners in many countries like India, Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, Australia etc. Moreover, etanobotanical records regarding medical use of mangrove plants are very limited and very unique. One to its astringent property, tannin is suitable in the treatment of tonsillitis, pharyngeatis, hemorrhoids. slaik eruion and burns. It is taken internally, to diarrohea and intestinal bleeding. The extracts of barks of Bruguiera sexangula are active against two human tumors, sarcoma 180 and lexis lung carcinoma. Tannin is also used as an antidote for metallic, alkaloidal and sylycosidic poisons with which it forms a soluble precipitate. Stigma sterol has been shown to have slight hyper cholesterolinic effect which exerts no effect on heart or liver in unani medicine.

Bacterial structure and characterization of plant growth promoting and oil degrading bacteria from the rhizospheres of mangrove plants

Most oil from oceanic spills converges on coastal ecosystems, such as mangrove forests, which are threatened with worldwide disappearance. Particular bacteria that inhabit the rhizosphere of local plant species can stimulate plant development through various mechanisms; it would be advantageous if these would also be capable of degrading oil. Such bacteria may be important in the preservation or recuperation of mangrove forests impacted by oil spills. This study aimed to compare the bacterial structure, isolate and evaluate bacteria able to degrade oil and stimulate plant growth, from the rhizospheres of three mangrove plant species. These features are particularly important taking into account recent policies for mangrove bioreme-diation, implying that oil degradation as well as plant maintenance and health are key targets. Fifty-seven morphotypes were isolated from the mangrove rhizospheres on Bushneil-Haas (BH) medium supplemented with oil as the sole carbon source and tested for plant growth promotion. Of this strains, 60% potentially fixed nitrogen, 16% showed antimicrobial activity, 84% produced siderophores, 51% had the capacity to solubilize phosphate, and 33% produced the indole acetic acid hormone. Using gas chromatography, we evaluated the oil-degrading potential of ten selected strains that had different morphologies and showed Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) features. The ten tested strains showed a promising degradation profile for at least one compound present in the oil. Among degrader strains, 46% had promising PGPR potential, having at least three of the above capacities. These strains might be used as a consortium, allowing the concomitant degradation of oil and stimulation of mangrove plant survival and maintenance.

Effect of mangrove black tea extract from Ceriops decandra (Griff.) on hematology and biochemical changes in dimethyl benz[a]anthracene-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

Effect of the black tea extracted from a mangrove plant species, Ceriops decandra (Griff.) was studied on dimethyl benz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced changes in blood hematology and plasma non-enzymatic antioxidants in male hamsters. Hamsters were painted with 0.5% solution of DMBA in liquid paraffin on the right buccal pouch three times in a week up to 14 weeks. Each application treated with 0.4 mg of DMBA. The mangrove black tea extract (MBTE) was administrated orally with 5 mg kg −1 twice a day and then with DMBA on alternate days. Results showed that the DMBA caused a significant ( P < 0.05) decline in the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin-C, -E, red blood cells, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and hematocrit; and increase in the levels of WBC, platelets, lymphocytes and neutrophils. The MBTE prevented the DMBA-induced adverse changes significantly in blood and biochemical parameters of the male hamsters. This work concluded that the black tea extracted from the coastal mangrove species C. decandra prevented the DMBA-induced buccal pouch carcinogenesis in hamsters.

Re-colonizing Mangrove species in tsunami devastated habitats at Nicobar Islands, India

Mangrove habitats are crucial for maintaining the biodiversity of coastal ecosystem. Climatic change, sea level rise and anthropogenic pressures are the major threats to mangrove forests. The Nicobar Islands comprised one of the pristine mangrove stands in India. The mega earthquake of &gt;9 M and subsequent tsunami during 2004 caused destruction of over 70% of mangrove vegetation in Nicobar Islands. The present study was carried out in the Central Nicobar Group of Islands (Camorta, Nancowry, Katchall and Trinkat), where tsunami has entirely wiped out the mangrove vegetation. Re-colonization started on its own course. We enumerated nine species of mangrove plants and 30 species of mangrove associates from the surveyed locations. Lumnitzera racemosa has been recorded for the first time from the study area. Rhizophora mucronata and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza were the common pioneer mangrove species. Long-term monitoring of re-colonization process will help us in understanding succession of mangrove forests.

Fungal endophyte communities in four Rhizophoraceae mangrove species on the south coast of China

AbstractThis study investigated the taxonomic identities and diversity of fungal endophytes isolated from four Rhizophoraceae mangrove plant species, Ceriops tagal, Rhizophoraapiculata, R. stylosa and Bruguiera sexangula var. rhynchopetala, using a combination of morphological and molecular approaches. Two hundred ninety‐five isolates were classified into 38 taxa by morphological characteristics. The representative 38 isolates from each taxa were selected for further molecular identification using nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences, including both the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) and the 5.8S gene region. The 38 representative endophytes were identified to various taxonomic levels. These results suggest that Pestalotiopsis and Phomopsis were the most frequent endophytes in the four host species. Some of the endophytes exhibit host and tissue specificity. The colonization frequencies of endophytic fungi in the stems of the four host plants are evidently higher than in the roots. The four Rhizophoraceae mangrove species have low similarities of endophyte communities.

In vitro antiplasmodial activity of ethanolic extracts of mangrove plants from South East coast of India against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum.

Malaria is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in the world. Treatment for malaria is commonly inadequate due to the lack of quality assured effective drugs. The effectiveness of these drugs is declining at an ever accelerating rate, with consequent increase in malaria related morbidity and mortality. The newest antiplasmodial drug from plants is needed to overcome this problem. Numerous mangroves and mangal associates are used as folklore medicine to treat various human diseases. The mangrove plant species are a good source of potential bioactive entities which exhibits many therapeutic properties. The present study was carried out to test the antiplasmodial activity of five mangrove plant species distributed along the South East coast of India. Bruguiera cylindrica, Ceriops decandra, Lumnitzera racemosa, Rhizophora apiculata, and Rhizophora mucronata mangrove plant extracts exhibited in vitro antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum. Of which, the ethanolic bark extract of R. mucronata exhibited high antiplasmodial activity (IC(50)=62.18 μg.ml(-1)). Statistical analysis reveals that, significant antiplasmodial activity (P<0.05) was observed between the concentrations and time of exposure. The chemical injury to erythrocytes was also carried out and it shows that no morphological differences in erythrocytes by the ethanolic extract of mangrove plants after 48 h of incubation. The screening for phytochemical constituents in the mangrove plants were carried out and it reveals that, the presence of alkaloids, triterpenes, flavonoids, tannins, catachin, anthroquinone, phenols, sugars, and proteins. This study shows that the mangrove plants had a source of lead compounds for the development of new drugs for the treatment of malaria.

Testing hybridization hypotheses and evaluating the evolutionary potential of hybrids in mangrove plant species

Natural hybridization is of marked importance from global to local biological diversity. In mangroves, species ranges overlap extensively with one another and species share a long overlap of flowering time. Although hybridization has been suggested, patterns of hybridization and the evolutionary potential of hybrids are not yet fully understood. This study provides molecular evidence for the parental origins and status of hybrids in the dominant mangrove genus Rhizophora based on comparisons of chloroplast and nuclear phylogenies and estimations of genetic relatedness and structure from inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that almost all species can act as maternal parents to hybrids and that hybridization can be bidirectional. Bayesian analyses indicate that hybrids are simple F(1) s, and no trace of backcrossing was detected within populations. Hybridization, for the most part, occurs almost only locally and dispersal of hybrid individuals is limited beyond the hybrid sites.

Landscapes and Ecosystems of Tropical Limestone: Case Study of the Cat Ba Islands, Vietnam

The Cat Ba Islands in Hai Phong City, northern Vietnam, consist of a large limestone island with a maximum height of 322 m above sea level and 366 small limestone islets with a total area of about <TEX>$180\;km^2$</TEX>. The islands are relicts of karst limestone mountains that became submerged during the Holocene transgression 7000 - 8000 year ago. The combination of the longtime karst process and recent marine processes in the monsoonal tropical zone has created a very diversity landscape on the Cat Ba Islands that can be divided into 3 habitat types with 16 forms. The first habitat type is the karst mountains and hills, including karst mountains and hills, karst valleys and dolines, karst lakes, karst caves, and old marine terraces. The second habitat type is the limestone island coast, including beaches, mangrove marshes, tidal flats, rocky coasts, marine notch caves, marine karst lakes, and bights. The third habitat type is karst plains submerged by the sea, including karst cones (fengcong) and towers (fengling), bedrock exposed on the seabed, sandy mud seabed, and submerged channels. Like the landscape, the biodiversity is also high in ecosystems composed of scrub cover - bare hills, rainy tropical forests, paddy fields and gardens, swamps, caves, beaches, mangrove forests, tidal flats, rocky coasts, marine krast lakes, coral reefs, hard bottoms, seagrass beds and soft bottoms. The ecosystems on the Cat Ba Islands that support very high species biodiversity include tropical evergreen rainforests, soft bottoms; coral reefs, mangrove forests, and marine karst lakes. A total of 2,380 species have been recorded in the Cat Ba Islands, included 741 species of terrestrial plants; 282 species of terrestrial animals; 30 species of mangrove plants; 287 species of phytoplankton; 79 species of seaweed; 79 species of zooplankton; 196 species of marine fishes; 154 species of corals; and 538 species of zoobenthos. Many of these species are listed in the Red Book of Vietnam as endangered species, included the white-headed or Cat Ba langur (Trachypithecus poliocephalus), a famous endemic species. Human activities have resulted in significantly changes to the landscape end ecosytems of the Cat Ba islands; however, many natural aspects of the islandsd have been preserved. For this reason, the Cat Ba Islands were recognized as a Biological Reserved Area by UNESCO in 2004.

Endophytic fungi from mangrove plant species of Thailand: their antimicrobial and anticancer potentials

Endophytic fungi from mangrove plant species of Thailand: their antimicrobial and anticancer potentials

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in two mangroves in South China

The symbiosis between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and mangrove plant species was investigated in two mangrove swamps in south China. AMF were mostly found in the form of hyphae and were commonly associated with all the mangrove species we investigated. Six AMF species belonging to the genera Glomus or Acaulospora were identified. Multiple step-wise linear regression analyses showed that hydrological conditions and phosphorus levels in the rhizosphere were the main abiotic factors affecting the colonization of mangrove species by AMF. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of AMF inoculation on the growth and nutrient uptake of a true mangrove plant species, Sonneratia apetala B. Ham. The inoculated AMF significantly improved growth, resulting in greater plant height, diameter at ground level and plant biomass, as well as increased absorption of N, P and K. These findings suggest that AMF play important roles in mangrove ecosystems.