Tree Melia Azedarach Research Articles

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of valuable compounds from fruit of Melia azedarach with glycerol-choline chloride deep eutectic solvent

A green and cost-effective method was explored to extract phenolics, flavonoids, antioxidant, and iron chelating agents from fruits of medicinal tree Melia azedarach using natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) and ultrasound treatment. NADES consisting of glycerol and choline chloride was prepared and used for extraction. Optimization of extraction was done as per response surface methodology using Box-Behnken design with three factors. The strategy proved successful with considerable extraction of total phenols, total flavonoids, radical scavengers, and iron chelators. Optimized conditions were found to be temperature (46.4 °C), ultrasound amplitude (100%; 130 Watt power) and DES concentration (50%) with predicted total phenols 9.154 mg Gallic acid equivalents/g dried weight (DW), total flavonoids 21.880 mg Rutin equivalents/g DW, iron chelating activity 33.254%, and anti-radical activity 51.166%. Validation experiments resulted in minimal errors (3.87–0.61%) that substantiated the proposed model. The model may be used in designing large scale extraction of phenolics and other antioxidant compounds from the fruit of M. azedarach using the green and low-cost glycerol-choline chloride NADES and ultrasound mediation.

Nesting Characteristics and Breeding Success of Rose-Ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri in Urban and Natural Areas

The present study was conducted to identify the effect of urban and natural areas on nesting and breeding success of Rose-ringed Parakeet. Nests of Rose-ringed Parakeet were monitored using a combination of camera surveillance and direct observations along transect lines. Cavity availability and use was compared between natural and urban areas. A total of 171 cavities were located, of which 106 contained active nests. The number of available cavities and the proportion occupied were both higher in natural areas than in urban areas. A uniform/cosine model estimated that mean nest density was greater (P<0.05) in natural areas (136 nests/km2) than in urban areas (130 nests/km2). The preferred trees used for nesting were Banyan Ficus benghalensis (22.8%) followed by Chinaberry Tree Melia azedarach (20.4%), Paper Mulberry Broussonetia papyrifera (14.6%), Chir Pine Pinus roxburghii (14.6%), Southern Blue Gum Eucalyptus globulus (11%), Mango Mangifera indica (9.3%), and White Mulberry Morus alba (12%). The greatest number (P<0.05) of successful breeding cavities was recorded in the middle of trees (42.5%) at heights of 6.1–9 m (72.6%) above ground. Mean cavity depths were significantly greater (P<0.05) in urban areas (9.95±0.5 cm) than in natural areas (8.71±2.1 cm), while mean entrance diameter was 6.19±1.9 cm in natural areas and 5.65±0.2 cm in urban areas. Clutches of five eggs were the most common. Hatchling and fledgling successes were higher in natural areas than urban areas, with egg survival probability (70.0%) and nestling survival probability (94.0%) higher in natural areas than in urban areas (37% and 60%) respectively. It is concluded that the breeding success of Rose-ringed Parakeet varies between urban and natural areas.

Incidence and intensity of tree infestation by the mistletoe Erianthemum dregei (Eckl. & Zeyh.) V. Tieghem in Durban, South Africa

Relatively few studies have investigated mistletoe infestation of tree species in urban settings, and even fewer considered infestation of alien tree species. Here, mistletoe infestation incidence and intensity were studied in Durban, South Africa. The relationship of infestation to tree CBH and height was examined in detail for the mistletoe species Erianthemum dregei. Although E. dregei is known to have a wide range of host taxa, we report E. dregei infestation on 27 new host species for the first time. E. dregei occurred on 30 host species with a preference for the alien host tree Melia azedarach in our study area. The relationship between infestation and CBH indicated that the trees (irrespective of species) of ≥200cm were more susceptible to the mistletoe attack. The implications of this pattern, as well as those of high host diversity and especially of infestation of alien trees are discussed in a conservation perspective.

Population studies of arthropods on Melia azedarach in Seville (Spain), with special reference to Eutetranychus orientalis (Acari: Tetranychidae) and its natural enemies

Eutetranychus orientalis has become an important pest of the ornamental tree Melia azedarach in the city of Seville (Spain). Trees suffer total defoliation at the end of summer. Studies were conducted in a regular plantation of this tree in the Miraflores Park in 2008 and 2009, to determine the arthropod faunal composition, with particular interest in the possible natural enemies of E. orientalis. Eutetranychus orientalis accounted for 98.3% of the arthropods found on the leaflets. Two species of phytoseiids were found, Euseius scutalis and Euseius stipulatus, but they only represented 0.2% of the arthropods. The most abundant insect was the predator thrips Scolothrips longicornis, which accounted for 0.9% of the arthropods found. The population of E. orientalis reached two peaks in 2008, with 325 individuals per leaflet in August, and 100 individuals per leaflet in November. Scolothrips longicornis densities closely followed E. orientalis, and predation was observed on various mite instars. Phytoseiids did not show such a response to the E. orientalis densities. Eutetranychus orientalis was more abundant in the exterior part of the plantation. No differences of arthropod densities were found between the various orientations in the plantation (north vs. south, east vs. west), although E. orientalis densities were different between rows. Distribution of E. orientalis population was highly aggregative, that of S. longicornis population was less aggregative, whereas the phytoseiid population showed a random distribution.

Use of HPTLC to establish the chemotype of a parasitic plant,Dendrophthoe falcata(Linn. f.) Etting. (Loranthaceae), growing on different substrates

Dendrophthoe falcata (Linn. f.) Etting. is a stem parasite commonly known as ‘Vanda’ in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. HPTLC has been used to detect the chemotypes of D. falcata growing on Mangifera indica Linn., Melia azedarach Linn., Wrightia tinctoria R. Br., and Callistemon lanceolatus DC. Phenolic compounds were selected as markers for this study. HPTLC results revealed qualitative and quantitative variations in the phenolic compounds in the leaves. Caffeic acid, (+)-epicatechin, and kaempferol were present in all four samples although the quantities varied from sample to sample. In contrast, ellagic acid was present only in the sample growing on Mangifera indica and gallic acid was absent only from the sample growing on the tree Melia azedarach. This variation in the phenolic compounds in these samples might be because of interaction with the host trees.

An alternative pathway for plant in vitro regeneration of chinaberry -tree Melia azedarach L. derived from the induction of somatic embryogenesis

A highly efficient somatic embryogenesis system and subsequent plant regeneration of chinaberry ( Melia azedarach L.) was developed. Plants were regenerated from indirect somatic embryogenesis induction. Novel features of this improved protocol, include: a) Embryogenic callus induction with no addition of 2, 4-D in the culture media; b) Somatic embryos differentiation was achieved by using high concentration of cytokinins (BAP 10 mg/L) and adenine; c) 100% conversion of somatic embryos to plants was practically obtained and 100% of plants survived under greenhouse conditions; d) Addition of putrescine improved somatic embryos germination. The amount of somatic embryos produced by the pathway of indirect somatic embryogenesis was 447 per gram of fresh weight callus. Regenerated plants were phenotypically normal. The developed protocol established the potential to produce plantlets from cotyledon explants through somatic embryogenesis. It also presents itself as a highly efficient method for mass clonal propagation and conservation of Melia azedarach.

Impact of Botanical Pesticides Derived from Melia azedarach and Azadirachta indica Plants on the Emission of Volatiles that Attract Parasitoids of the Diamondback Moth to Cabbage Plants

Herbivorous and carnivorous arthropods use chemical information from plants during foraging. Aqueous leaf extracts from the syringa tree Melia azedarach and commercial formulations from the neem tree Azadirachta indica, Neemix 4.5, were investigated for their impact on the flight response of two parasitoids, Cotesia plutellae and Diadromus collaris. Cotesia plutellae was attracted only to Plutella xylostella-infested cabbage plants in a wind tunnel after an oviposition experience. Female C. plutellae did not distinguish between P. xylostella-infested cabbage plants treated with neem and control P. xylostella-infested plants. However, females preferred infested cabbage plants that had been treated with syringa extract to control infested plants. Syringa extract on filter paper did not attract C. plutellae. This suggests that an interaction between the plant and the syringa extract enhances parasitoid attraction. Diadromus collaris was not attracted to cabbage plants in a wind tunnel and did not distinguish between caterpillar-damaged and undamaged cabbage plants. Headspace analysis revealed 49 compounds in both control cabbage plants and cabbage plants that had been treated with the syringa extract. Among these are alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, terpenoids, sulfides, and an isothiocyanate. Cabbage plants that had been treated with the syringa extract emitted larger quantities of volatiles, and these increased quantities were not derived from the syringa extract. Therefore, the syringa extract seemed to induce the emission of cabbage volatiles. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a plant extract inducing the emission of plant volatiles in another plant. This interesting phenomenon likely explains the preference of C. plutellae parasitoids for cabbage plants that have been treated with syringa extracts.

A new species and a new record of tarsonemid mites from China (Acari: Tarsonemidae

One new record of the genus Steneotarsonemus (Parasteneotarsonemus) and one new species of the genus Dendroptus are described and illustrated. Steneotarsonemus (Parasteneotarsonemus) phyllopherus (Ewing) was collected inside the leave sheath of bamboo plants in Tongbai, Henan province. Dendroptus tricollis sp. nov. was collected in samples of bark on a tree Melia azedarach L. in Shunchang, Fujian province, China.

Evaluation of the chinaberry Melia azedarach extract against the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in vitro

The South American tomato leaf miner (TLM), Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is an important pest of tomato, potato and other solanaceous species of economic relevance. Pest management of TLM based on the use of conventional insecticides can be problematic due to various causes, among them, the reduced economical profits from high insecticide costs, the destruction of natural enemies’ populations, the presence of insecticide residues on tomato fruits and the rapid development of insecticide resistance, especially when high levels of infestation are reached. The search for less-persistent active compounds would benefit horticultural production, as well as the environment and consumers. In the current study, we evaluated the toxicity of a hexane extract at different concentrations obtained from the chinaberry tree Melia azedarach L. (MA) fresh fruits, on TLM eggs, 2nd instar larvae and pupae by means of contact tests in the laboratory. Results indicated that with increasing concentrations, mortality of eggs, larvae and pupae also increased. Analysis of probit data showed that LC50 for MA extract in TLM eggs, 2nd instar larvae and pupae were 948.93, 346.72 and 1.75 μl/ml, respectively. We conclude that this extract has potential for controlling T. absoluta but further ecotoxicological studies should be carried out to conclude on its safety in other organisms and the environment.

Responses of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, to the chinaberry tree (Melia azedarach L.) and its extracts

SummaryHost preference bioassays for adults of the sweetpotato whitefly were performed with leaves of the chinaberry tree Melia azedarach L., tomato, cucumber and bean. Fruit and leaf extracts of the chinaberry tree were tested against adults of the sweetpotato whitefly. Fruit extracts were tested against eggs, first and second instar nymphs, and pupae of the insect. Treatments included aqueous, methanol, and acetone fruit extracts of 200 mg ml−1 and serial dilutions of 20.0 and 2.00 mg ml−1, ether extract, the botanical insecticides Azatin® and Margosan® ‐O and the control, water or water with Triton®. Mortality data was collected at 6, 7, and 8 days after treatment of the eggs, nymphs and pupae, respectively. Results of the host preference bioassays indicated a significantly lower number of live insects on leaves of the chinaberry tree vs leaves of bean, cucumber, and tomato after 24 h. This indicates that M. azedarach is not a good host for the sweetpotato whitefly. Adults of the insect were significantly more repelled from tomato plants treated with the undiluted extracts when compared to the control after 72 h. There were significant differences in percent mortality of nymphal instars when exposed to the undiluted extracts compared to other extracts and the control. However, there was no significant effect of the fruit extracts on the egg and pupa instars. Thus M. azedarach extracts were found to be repellent to the whitefly adults, while the fruit extracts have shown a significant detrimental effect against early nymphal instars. In general, the methanol extracts were more active against B. tabaci than extracts with other solvents.

Secondary Metabolites as Traits of Ripe Fleshy Fruits: A Response to Eriksson and Ehrlen

Previous articleNext article No AccessSecondary Metabolites as Traits of Ripe Fleshy Fruits: A Response to Eriksson and EhrlénMartin L. Cipollini and Douglas J. LeveyMartin L. CipolliniDepartment of Biology, 430 Berry College, Mount Berry, Georgia 30149‐0430 Search for more articles by this author and Douglas J. LeveyDepartment of Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611 Search for more articles by this author Department of Biology, 430 Berry College, Mount Berry, Georgia 30149‐0430Department of Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The American Naturalist Volume 152, Number 6December 1998 Published for The American Society of Naturalists Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/286218 Views: 21Total views on this site Citations: 10Citations are reported from Crossref HistoryReceived May 6, 1998Accepted July 14, 1998 Keywordsadaptive hypothesesnonadaptive hypothesesfrugivoryplant secondary chemistryseed dispersalSolanum© 1998 by The University of Chicago.PDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Susan R. Whitehead, Gerald F. Schneider, Ray Dybzinski, Annika S. Nelson, Mariana Gelambi, Elsa Jos, Noelle G. Beckman Fruits, frugivores, and the evolution of phytochemical diversity, Oikos 2022, no.22 (Jun 2021).https://doi.org/10.1111/oik.08332Lauren D. Maynard, Heather L. Slinn, Andrea E. Glassmire, Bernal Matarrita‐Carranza, Craig D. Dodson, Trang T. Nguyen, Megan J. Burroughs, Lee A. Dyer, Christopher S. Jeffrey, Susan R. Whitehead Secondary metabolites in a neotropical shrub: spatiotemporal allocation and role in fruit defense and dispersal, Ecology 101, no.1212 (Oct 2020).https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3192Megan Blanchard, M. Deane Bowers Critical Phenological Events Affect Chemical Defense of Plant Tissues: Iridoid Glycosides in a Woody Shrub, Journal of Chemical Ecology 46, no.22 (Jan 2020): 206–216.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-019-01135-8Christopher T. Martine, Ingrid E. Jordon-Thaden, Angela J. McDonnell, Jason T. Cantley, Daniel S. Hayes, Morgan D. Roche, Emma S. Frawley, Ian S. Gilman, David C. Tank, Feng ZHANG Phylogeny of the Australian Solanum dioicum group using seven nuclear genes, with consideration of Symon’s fruit and seed dispersal hypotheses, PLOS ONE 14, no.44 (Apr 2019): e0207564.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0207564Friederike A. Voigt, Nina Farwig, Steven D. Johnson Interactions between the invasive tree Melia azedarach (Meliaceae) and native frugivores in South Africa, Journal of Tropical Ecology 27, no.44 (May 2011): 355–363.https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467410000702Katsura Miyazaki, Tomoko Nishida, Shuji Urakawa Weed Monograph 6. Solanum carolinense L., Journal of Weed Science and Technology 56, no.33 (Jan 2011): 154–165.https://doi.org/10.3719/weed.56.154Douglas J. Levey, Joshua J. Tewksbury, Martin L. Cipollini, Tomás A. Carlo A field test of the directed deterrence hypothesis in two species of wild chili, Oecologia 150, no.11 (Aug 2006): 61–68.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-006-0496-yMichael Fenner, Ken Thompson The Ecology of Seeds, 108 (Dec 2009).https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511614101H. Martin Schaefer, V. Schmidt, H. Winkler Testing the defence trade-off hypothesis: how contents of nutrients and secondary compounds affect fruit removal, Oikos 102, no.22 (Aug 2003): 318–328.https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0706.2003.11796.xJohn M Ratcliffe, M.Brock Fenton, Bennett G Galef An exception to the rule: common vampire bats do not learn taste aversions, Animal Behaviour 65, no.22 (Feb 2003): 385–389.https://doi.org/10.1006/anbe.2003.2059

An NMR spectroscopic study of azadirachtin and its trimethyl ether

The neem tree Azadirachta indica A. Juss and the related Chinaberry tree Melia azedarach L. are attracting considerable Interest, particularly because of their insect-repelling properties. 1,2 The most potent constituent is azadirachtin, a limonoid 3 which exerts strong physiological 4 and phagorepellent activities. 5 Incorporating the earlier chemical and spectroscopic studies carried out by Morgan and coworkers 6 and applying the technique of continuous wave proton decoupling in partially relaxed Fourier transform 13C NMR, we proposed structure 1 for azadirachtin in 1975. 7 Since evidence for this complex structure was not convincing, we have been using this molecule as a test sample for the application of modern NMR methods, however, without arriving at a conclusive structure. 8 After proposals of revised structures by Kraus and coworkers. Ley and coworkers, and ourselves starting In mid-1985, 9 its structure was finally established as 2 by Kraus, et al. 10 and by Ley, et al. 11 In the following we summarize the results of our NMR studies and some of the unique difficulties encountered during the investigation of this compound and its 7,11,20-trimethyl ether.