Tetraclinis Research Articles

Chemical composition and biological evaluation of the resin from Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl.) Masters: A promising source of bioactive secondary metabolites

The identification of the volatile components of the resin from Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl.) Masters and its non-polar fractions 1–5 obtained by chromatographic simplification was investigated by GC-FID and GC–MS and allowed the identification of 97.3% (resin), 95.1% (1), 97.6% (2), 99.6% (3), 88.1% (4) and 95.0% (5) of the total volatile components. The resin and its fractions were characterized by the presence of a high amount of diterpenes (87.4, 80.1, 91.0, 91.6, 65.7 and 69.1%, respectively). The major identified diterpenes were trans-ferruginol (resin: 31.6%, 1: 56.5% and 2: 48.0%), manool (3: 57.0% and 4: 42.0%) and trans-totarol (5: 36.2%). In addition, trans-communic acid was isolated together with its cis diastereoisomer from the fraction 6 of the resin and identified by spectroscopic means (1D and 2D NMR) and by comparison with literature data. The resin, its fractions 1–5, trans-communic acid and cis-trans mixture were screened for their antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, reducing power, catalase and paraoxonase methods, as well as for their antibacterial, anticholinesterase, anti-tyrosinase and cytotoxic potentials. The fraction 2 displayed the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 25 ± 1 μg/mL and 64.1 ± 0.5 μM/min/L) in DPPH and paraoxonase assays, respectively. Trans-communic acid was found to be antibacterial against Staphylococus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis (IZ = 23.9 ± 1.5 and 20.5 ± 0.5 mm, respectively). Furthermore, the resin showed the best anti-tyrosinase activity with 87.2% of inhibition at 50 μg/mL and cis-trans mixture exerted a significant cytotoxic effect against HeLa cell line (IC50 = 09.5 ± 1.0 μg/mL).

Type designation of the name of the conifer Araâr-tree Tetraclinis articulata (Cupressaceae)

The typification of the name Tetraclinis articulata (Cupressaceae) is discussed. Previous type designation is considered ineffective. Original material conserved in the herbarium of the Natural History Museum of Denmark at C is designated as the lectotype.

Mechanical behavior of wood subjected to mode II fracture, using an energetic criterion: Application on THUJA of Morocco

Shear strength is one of the properties often used to qualify a wood species for use in industry. But until now there is no standardized test which allows understanding this phenomenon. This paper constitutes a new approach to study the behavior of the wood material subjected to the mode II fracture. For that we designed and realized a new prototype of a wooden specimen that we tested in our laboratory which gives rise to an evaluation of the fracture until separation by pure shear of the specimen in the TL plane. The experimental data from a first series of tests on Thuja wood (Tetraclinis Articulata (Vahl) Masters) as a test material as well as the calculation of mode II initiation fracture toughness and the critical stress intensity factor are presented in this paper.

Allelopathic effects of Tetraclinis articulata on barley, lettuce, radish and tomato

Allelopathic effects of Tetraclinis articulata on barley, lettuce, radish and tomato

Phytochemical analysis and assessment of antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters leaves

Tetraclinis is an unexplored genus recognized for its great bioactive potential that could be explored as a medicinal herb. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties of the aqueous crude extract and subsequent organic fractions of the Algerian medicinal plant T. articulata. Moreover, polyphenols were also fully profiled by liquid chromatography with diode-array detection coupled to electrospray ionization in tandem with mass spectrometry (LC–DAD–ESI–MSn). The analysis of the obtained results show that B-type (epi)catechin dimer and catechin were the most abundant phenolic compounds present among the nine different flavonoids identified such as: ((epi)catechin, myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol glycoside derivatives). The concentration of phenolic compounds in the ethyl acetate fraction (93.1 mg/g extract) was higher than the one of the aqueous extract (21.2 mg/g extract) and butanol fraction (43.87 mg/g extract). Furthermore, the ethyl acetate fraction revealed the strongest bioactive properties, revealing the lowest EC50/GI50 values: anti-inflammatory (EC50, 129.67 μg/mL), cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines (GI50, 59–189 μg/mL), antibacterial (MIC, 0.625–10 mg/mL); and especially the antioxidant capacity (EC50 values lower than 12.7 μg/mL), even higher than the standard (Trolox). The results showed a great bioactive potential for this species, with a significant contribution of flavonoid compounds, which makes it an interesting matrix in the development of novel pharmaceutical formulations.

Production de plants d’arganier (Argania spinosa) au Maroc : choix du conteneur et du substrat

Dans le but d’obtenir des plants d’arganier (Argania spinosa L. Skeels) de bonne qualité en pépinière, huit types de conteneurs et trois substrats hors-sol (compost de branches broyées d’Acacia cyanophylla, compost de déchets d’extraction de graines de Tetraclinis articulata, tourbe commerciale) mélangés avec du terreau forestier dans des proportions différentes ont été testés. L’analyse physico-chimique des substrats a montré que les deux composts produits localement sont les mieux indiqués pour la production de plants d’arganier de bonne qualité. Ces substrats peuvent représenter une alternative aux substrats à base de tourbe, importés et coûteux. Le compost de branches d’Acacia cyanophylla peut être produit de manière satisfaisante pour répondre aux besoins des pépinières forestières locales. L’évolution des paramètres morphologiques et l’analyse effectuée sur les plants après un séjour de sept mois en pépinière ont montré que le conteneur de 400 ml est satisfaisant pour produire des plants d’arganier d’une qualité proche de celle obtenue avec les sachets en polyéthylène de 800 ml. Ces résultats constituent une première étape pour maîtriser les techniques de production de plants dans des conteneurs hors sol, pour l’arganier ou d’autres espèces autochtones marocaines. Il conviendrait d’étudier d’autres aspects de la production de plants dans les pépinières marocaines, telles l’irrigation, la fertilisation ou la mycorhization. Des essais de plantation sont envisagés pour confirmer les résultats de cette étude.

A new test for the characterization of mode II fracture of two species of wood: Thuja and Eucalyptus Grandis

Shear strength (Mode II fracture) is one of the properties often used to describe a wood species for its exploitation in the industry. But until then there is no standardized test that can explain this phenomenon. In our work, we adopted a new approach to study the behavior of wood material subjected to mode II of rupture, to be done, we conceived and realized a new prototype of taste, of the wood which we tested within our laboratory where we have been able to observe that the propagation of the crack in our case is stable, which gives rise to an evaluation of the rupture until separation by shearing of the specimen in the single longitudinal plane. A series of tests were carried out on two species, Thuja (Tetraclinis Articulata (Vahl) Masters) and Eucalyptus Grandis as test material to obtain the typical recording of the displacement displacement curve, which allowed us to determine one parameter considered important in the linear mechanism of rupture (MLR): The strain energy release rate that by using the criterion of IRWIN KIES as well as the method of complaisance.

On the tracks of sandarac, review and chemical analysis.

The sandarac resin (Tetraclinis articulata) has been long used for its properties, mostly as a varnish component. Called juniper resin until the nineteenth century, the real botanical origin of sandarac is still unclear. The first approach to this issue is the review of the evolution of the etymology, terminology, and botanical description of sandarac through time. It seems that sandarac was mainly coming from T. articulata but the use of some juniper resins before the twentieth century is not to be excluded. The second approach is a chemical one; we used gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry to characterise the resin. As sandarac was the main component of the famous Italian varnish Vernice liquida, its characterisation is important for old paintings studies. However, although we could hope to differentiate sandarac, Juniperus communis and Juniperus oxycedrus resins by looking at their chemical composition, it appears that these resins are very similar. Besides, we notice a lack of old varnishes containing sandarac which complicates our work.

Flammability of some companion species in cork oak (Quercus suber L.) forests

The high flammability of some companion species in Quercus suber forests, estimated in laboratory tests, could potentially generate an increase in fire vulnerability and in fire risk. Recurrent wildfire is one of the main causes of forest degradation, especially in the Mediterranean region. Increased fire frequency and severity due to global change could reduce the natural resilience of cork oak to wildfire in the future. Hence, it is important to evaluate the flammability of companion species in cork oak forests in the particularly dry bioclimatic conditions of North Africa. This study aimed to assess and compare flammability parameters at laboratory scale among ten companion frequent species in cork oak forests. Fuel samples were collected in a cork oak (Quercus suber L) forest in the southern part of the mountains of Tlemcen (Western Algeria). A series of flammability tests were carried out using a Mass Loss Calorimeter device (FTT ®). A cluster analysis to classify flammability of the selected species was conducted using the K-means algorithm. The results revealed differences in the four flammability parameters (ignitability, sustainability, combustibility and consumability), in both fresh and dried fine fuel samples from Quercus suber, Pinus halepensis, Quercus ilex, Quercus faginea, Erica arborea, Arbutus unedo, Pistacia lentiscus, Calicotome spinosa, Juniperus oxycedrus and Tetraclinis articulata. Application of the K-means clustering algorithm showed that C. spinosa, T. articulata, J. oxycedrus and P. halepensis are highly flammable because of their high combustibility and sustainability. The findings identify species that could potentially increase the vulnerability of cork oak forests to forest fires.

Phytoecological study of <i>Tetraclinis articulata</i> in the woodland of Beni Affene, Sdamas Chergui (Tiaret, Algeria)

The Mediterranean flora is definitely considered as an exceptional diversity that deserves particular attention to be conserved. This work aims to quantify the floristic diversity of Tetraclinis articulata of Beni Affane located at the woodland of Sdamas Chergui (Tiaret, Algeria). The factorial analysis of correspondences allowed us to jointly process the floristic and ecological variables, and confirm that there is presently an original floristic facies of Tetraclinis articulata . This study area contains 13 families and 21 species, where the dominating biological type is Chamaephytics (52 %). We have described as well five frequent species: Tetraclinis articulata 33 %, Pistacia lentiscus 11 %, Globularia alypum 8 %, Phylleria angustifolia 9 %, Rosmarinus tournefortii 15 %. Keywords: Tetraclinis articulata , Phytoecology, factorial analysis of correspondences, Beni Affane, Tiaret

Integration of stakeholder choices and multi-criteria analysis to support land use planning in semiarid areas

The ecosystem services concept is increasingly considered as a policy tool to achieve the sustainable use of natural resources. However, it is still not sufficiently integrated into land use planning. We assessed five land use types (Tetraclinis articulata woodlands, Pinus halepensis plantations, Shrublands, Cereal-almond crops and Cactus groves) in a semiarid area of northern Morocco using empirical data on 17 ecosystem services whose weights were established by 67 stakeholders. The analysis included MCA and direct ranking of the five land uses. Three groups of stakeholders (scientists and managers, collaborators, and direct users of natural resources) were particularly concerned by water supply, protection against erosion and floods, soil fertility and food provision. Multi-criteria analysis showed that the three groups concurred in that Tetraclinis woodlands, crops and cactus fields were the most suitable land uses for the area, regarding ecosystem service provision. Direct ranking confirmed this tendency but showed some divergence between the three groups, as collaborators and users were more inclined towards crops and cactus. The integration of the ecosystem services concept in land use planning is needed to be more practical and easily perceived as a logical response to environmental exigencies and social aspirations.

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oils of Some Coniferous Plants Cultivated in Egypt.

Family Cupressaceae is the largest coniferous plant family. Essential oils of many species belonging to family Cupressaceae are known to have several biological activities specially antimicrobial activity. The essential oils from aerial parts of Calocedrus decurrens Torr., Cupressus sempervirens stricta L. and Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast. were prepared by hydrodistillation. The chemical composition of the essential oils has been elucidated by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis. The prepared essential oils were examined against selected species of Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteriaand Candida species. Broth dilution methods were used to detect minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). Sixteen compounds were identified in the essential oils of both Calocedrus decurrens and Cupressus sempervirens L. and fifteen compounds were identified in the essential oil of Tetraclinis articulata. δ-3-Carene (43.10%), (+)-Cedrol (74.03%) and Camphor (21.23%) were the major constituents in the essential oils of Calocedrus decurrens, Cupressus sempervirens L. and Tetraclinis articulata, respectively. The essential oils showed strong antimicrobial activities against the selected microorganisms in concentration range 0.02 3- 3.03 µL/mL. This study could contribute to the chemotaxonomic characterization of family Cupressaceae. In addition, it proved that the essential oils under investigation possess potential antimicrobial properties.

Essential Oil Variability of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast. Parts During Its Phenological Cycle and Incidence on the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities.

The impact of phenological stages (vegetative, flowering and fruiting stages) on chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast. parts essential oils were investigated for the first time. GC and GC/MS analyses pointed to a quantitative variability of components; terpene hydrocarbons derivatives, represented by α-pinene (16.38±0.19-31.78±0.35%) and limonene (3.41±0.07-9.49±0.14%) as major components, predominate at the vegetative stage, whereas oxygenated derivatives, represented by camphor (16.11±0.23-26.17±0.29%) and bornyl acetate (15.21±0.21-27.33±0.33%) as major components, predominate at the fruiting stage. Furthermore, our findings showed that the plant parts collected at the fruiting stage possess the highest antioxidant activity and the best antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms, than plant parts collected at the vegetative and flowering stages. This highlighted variability reflects the high impact of phenological cycle on chemical composition and biological activities, which led to conclude that we should select essential oils to be investigated carefully depending on phenological stage, in order to have the highest effectiveness of essential oil in terms of biological activities for human health purposes.

Chemical Variability and Antifungal Activity of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters Woods and Leaves Essential Oils Against Wood Decaying Fungi

The coniferous tree, Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters, commonly known as Barbary thuya is endemic to the western Mediterranean areas. Its woods, mainly root burl, were very appreciated by artisans for their natural beauty, homogeneity and good quality destined for marquetry and furniture. Use of essential oils (EOs) of this species opens a second way for valorization in many fields as bioactive agents. EOs were extracted, by hydrodistillation from sawdust and leaves samples originated from two thuya populations, and analyzed by GC-MS. Yields of EOs varied greatly depending on biomass type and samples origin. EOs of leaves are dominated by monoterpens, and contain α-pinene, camphor, and bornyl acetate as major compounds. Those of woods are however rich in sesquiterpens, and contain 3-tera-butyl-4-methoxyphenol, thymol, cedrol, and α-cedrene as major compounds. Antifungal bioassay, by direct contact in malt-agar medium, of these EOs conducted on four wood decaying fungi, showed that root burl wood EOs possess the best antifungal inhibitory power related to their richness in phenols (above 64%), followed by those of trunk wood; while leaves EOs showed, however a less antifungal activity. Such antifungal potency of wood thuya EOs allows us to recommend the use of these oils extracted from sawdust as preservative agents for less durable woods.

A proposed framework for participatory forest restoration in semiarid areas of North Africa

AbstractEcological restoration is a suitable tool to revert land degradation in semiarid areas. Social participation is increasingly considered as a guarantee for the long‐term success and sustainability of restoration projects. In rural areas of North African countries, experiences of participatory restoration are still not frequent, and poverty and illiteracy with top‐down approaches boost land‐use conflicts and raise skepticism toward restoration programs. We developed a framework for forest restoration based on knowledge share, trust, and active stakeholder participation in all restoration steps. The framework was tested through a demonstrative project aimed at restoring Tetraclinis articulata forests in a semiarid area of North Morocco, in which scientists, managers, and local stakeholders were involved in all steps of the restoration process: identification of restoration priorities, assessment of land‐use options, definition of the restoration procedure, participatory plantation, evaluation, surveillance, and monitoring. In a 1 ha plot, 250 plants were planted by 90 participants in a spirit of knowledge exchange, mutual aid, environmental education, and social solidarity. After 2 years, the plot remains intact, free of any act of vandalism and grazing, and shows signals of improved ecosystem functioning. A wider application of the proposed framework in current restoration strategies will enhance our understanding of the factors behind social acceptance and support for restoration projects.

Nest-niche differentiation in two sympatric columbid species from a Mediterranean Tetraclinis woodland: Considerations for forest management

Studies of niche partitioning among Columbid species have mainly addressed food habits and foraging activities, while partitioning in relation to nest-niche differentiation has been little studied. Here we investigate whether two sympatric columbid species—Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) and Turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur)—occupy similar niches. A total of 74 nests were monitored: 37 nests for each species. The study, conducted in June 2016, attempted to determine the factors that may play a role in nest-niche differentiation among the two sympatric columbid species in a Moroccan Thuya (Tetraclinis articulata) forest. We used Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) to test the relevance of nest placement, proximity of food resources, forest edge and human presence variables in the nest distribution of the two species. The results show substantial niche segregation in the T. articulata nest-trees selected by Woodpigeons and Turtle doves, with selection depending primarily on the tree size and nest height. Observed nest-niche partitioning may diminish the potential for competition between these species and enhance opportunities for their coexistence. Management policies and practices aimed at ensuring the presence of mixed-sized class of Thuya trees must be prioritized. We recommend additional studies designed to: (1) reproduce the same experimental approach on other Mediterranean Thuya forests to improve our understanding of the effects of different levels of anthropogenic disturbance on the breeding behaviour of these two game species; (2) better understand the spatio-temporal dynamics of Woodpigeon and Turtle dove coexistence in the region; and (3) better identify the spatio-temporal extent of the effect of forest management on Woodpigeon and Turtle dove site occupancy.

Essential Oil Variability and Biological Activities of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast. Wood According to the Extraction Time.

In the present work, the hydrodistillation (HD) and microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) kinetics of essential oil (EO) extracted from Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast. wood was conducted, in order to assess the impact of extraction time and technique on chemical composition and biological activities. Gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectrometry analyses showed significant differences between the extracted EOs, where each family class or component presents a specific kinetic according to extraction time, technique and especially for the major components: camphene, linalool, cedrol, carvacrol and α-acorenol. Furthermore, our findings showed a high variability for both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, where each activity has a specific effect according to extraction time and technique. The highlighted variability reflects the high impact of extraction time and technique on chemical composition and biological activities, which led to conclude that we should select EOs to be investigated carefully depending on extraction time and technique, in order to isolate the bioactive components or to have the best quality of EO in terms of biological activities and preventive effects in food.

Comparative Study of Local Tunisian Woods Properties and the Respective Qualities of Their Charcoals Produced by a New Industrial Eco-Friendly Carbonization Process

In order to evaluate their potential to be used as charcoal production by a new industrial thermal treatment process; the wood of seven trees of introduced species in the North eastern Tunisia (3 Eucalyptus, 4 Casuarina) and 1 local species (Tetraclinis) were selected. Physical properties of natural woods and Gravimetric yields in charcoal, ultimate composition, heating values measurements and combustion quality tests were performed before and after carbonization process. For the same thermal degradation intensity (550 °C—4 h), Gravimetric yields in charcoal values were comprised between 41.1 and 45.3.9% for Casuarina wood species, 35.5 and 39.4% for Eucalyptus wood species and was 33.7% for Tetraclinis articulata wood. Elemental composition showed a significant difference between the selected species. It varies from 1.46 to 1.65 for H/C and 0.67 to 0.77 for O/C. Casuarina wood species showed the lowest values for the both ratios. The calorific values showed that the selected wood species have Heating Values ranged from 16.264to 20.798 MJ/kg and allow producing charcoal with heating values comprised between 23.871 and 30.943 MJ/kg. The best energetic improvement by carbonization process, in this work, concerns Eucalyptus and Tetraclinis woods, except for the Eucalyptus salmonophloia but the combustion quality showed that Casuarina wood species appears to be the wood species with the most optimal combustion, after undergoing a carbonization process.

Modelling diameter distribution of Tetraclinis articulata in Tunisia using normal and Weibull distributions with parameters depending on stand variables

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of both Normal and two-parameter Weibull distributions in describing diameter distribution of Tetraclinis articulata stands in north-east Tunisia. The parameters of the Weibull function were estimated using the moments method and maximum likelihood approaches. The data used in this study came from temporary plots. The three diameter distribution models were compared firstly by estimating the parameters of the distribution directly from individual tree measurements taken in each plot (parameter estimation method), and secondly by predicting the same parameters from stand variables (parameter prediction method). The comparison was based on bias, mean absolute error, mean square error and the Reynolds’ index error (as a percentage). On the basis of the parameter estimation method, the Normal distribution gave slightly better results, whereas the Weibull distribution with the maximum likelihood approach gave the best results for the parameter prediction method. Hence, in the latter case, the Weibull distribution with the maximum likelihood approach appears to be the most suitable to estimate the parameters for reducing the different comparison criteria for the distribution of trees by diameter class in Tetraclinis articulata forests in Tunisia.

Comparative natural durability of four Mediterranean softwoods against wood decay fungi

Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica Manetti), thuya (Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters), Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.), maritime pine (Pinus pinaster var atlantica Ait) are among important Mediterranean coniferous species that provide softwood round timber. Atlas cedar and thuya are well known for their noble timber used in ebinestry and marquetry while those of the two pines are mainly used as wood service. The natural durability is an important property of wood regarding performance and service life. The present work is conducted to assess the natural durability of these woods against wood destroying fungi, in laboratory test, according to the methods described in the European standards, CEN/TS 15083-1 and NF EN 350-1. Mass losses of wood specimens, after 16 weeks of exposure to fungi attack, showed that C. atlantica and T. articulata woods are very durable to durable against wood-decay fungi attack. Such natural durability allows these woods to access the risk classes of biological attacks 4 and 5 (high risk) for end-use without preservative treatment, while P. halepensis and P. pinaster var atlantica woods, classified as less to none durable, must be treated before use at high risk classes circumstances.