Unripe Seeds Research Articles

Past Competition Affects Offspring Foliar Terpenoid Concentrations, Seed Traits, and Fitness in the Invasive Forb Erodium cicutarium (Geraniaceae)

(1) Environmental conditions experienced in the past may lead to intraspecific differences in ecological and chemical traits of plants, which likely affect future responses to altered or new environments. Whether competition by neighbors is such a trait-shaping factor is not yet well known. We aimed to understand how the level of ancestral plant competition affects traits related to plant fitness and resource allocation, reproduction, and (phyto-)toxin accumulation in offspring, and whether a potential differentiation in these traits can be found in different geographic origins of which one belongs to the native and one to the invaded range. (2) We compared differentiation of the following traits in offspring plants of multiple populations in Erodium cicutarium (Geraniaceae): biomass, seed production, seed traits related to dispersal and germination, and concentrations of foliar mono- and sesquiterpenes. We tested the allelopatic potential of aqueous extracts of the same E. cicutarium plants on seeds of five different plant families. (3) In plants originating from populations that experienced high levels of competition, we found twice as high monoterpene concentrations. These plants also produced more biomass and a higher proportion of ripe to unripe seeds until harvesting. Seeds originating from high competition sites were shorter. Aqueous E. cicutarium leaf extracts with high terpenoid content reduced radicle length of Zea mays and radicle and hypocotyl length of E. cicutarium seedlings. (4) The results of this study provide first evidence that the surrounding vegetation may shape chemo-ecological plant traits that may be fundamental for competitive ability. Our study calls for more research testing whether competition experienced in the native range may lead to an enhanced capability of plants to establish populations and spread in a new range.

Native or nonnative host plants: What is better for a specialist moth?

The enemy release hypothesis (ERH) predicts that the lack of natural enemies, such as herbivores, contributes to the success of nonnative plants as colonizers. Larvae of the Neotropical specialist moth Utetheisa ornatrix (Erebidae: Arctiinae) can feed on unripe seeds and leaves of both native and nonnative Crotalaria species (Fabaceae). Despite some species being able to eat nonnative plants, such behavior can impair the herbivore, as they are not adapted to the alien plant, and still contribute to the success of the nonnative species via enemy release. We tested the performance of the moth from hatching to adulthood fed on two native (C. micans and C. paulina) and two nonnative (C. pallida, C. juncea) host plants. Utetheisa ornatrix performed better (lower development time, heavier pupae and more eggs) on the native host plants than in the nonnative. However, larva performance in nonnative C. pallida was similar to that in the native host plants. Using the larval weight 7 days after hatching from the eggs as a proxy for performance in twelve Crotalaria species (five Neotropical natives, four nonnatives from Afrotropical region, and three nonnatives from India), we found similar results. Crotalaria nutritional compounds, the defensive pyrrolizidine alkaloids and Crotalaria phylogeny did not explain moth performance. Our results give some support to the ERH. The good moth performance in nonnative C. pallida may be related to its high availability as host plant for U. ornatrix, and its longer time since their introduction in Neotropics which would provide opportunity for the moth to adapt.

Evading plant defence: Infestation of poisonous milkweed fruits (Asclepiadaceae) by the fruit fly Dacus siliqualactis (Diptera: Tephritidae)

To cope with toxic metabolites plants use for defence, herbivorous insects employ various adaptive strategies. For oviposition, the fruit fly Dacus siliqualactis (Tephritidae) uses milkweed plants of the genus Gomphocarpus (Asclepiadaceae) by circumventing the plant's physical (gluey latex) and chemical (toxic cadenolides) defence. With its long, telescope-like ovipositor, the fly penetrates the exo- and endocarp of the fruit and places the eggs on the unripe seeds located in the centre of the fruit. Whereas most plant parts contain high concentrations of cardenolides such as gomphoside, calotropin/calacatin and gomphogenin, only the seeds exhibit low cardenolide levels. By surmounting physical barriers (fruit membranes, latex), the fly secures a safe environment and a latex-free food source of low toxicity for the developing larvae. One amino acid substitution (Q111V) at the cardenolide binding site of the fly's Na+, K+-ATPase was detected, but the significance of that substitution: reducing cardenolide sensitivity or not, is unclear. However, poisoning of the larvae by low levels of cardenolides is assumed to be prevented by non-resorption and excretion of the polar cardenolides, which cannot passively permeate the midgut membrane.This example of an insect-plant interaction demonstrates that by morphological and behavioural adaptation, a fruit fly manages to overcome even highly effective defence mechanisms of its host plant.

Ants visiting extrafloral nectaries and pyrrolizidine alkaloids may shape how a specialist herbivore feeds on its host plants

The presence of extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) attracts predators and parasitoids, and protects the plant against herbivorous insects. By improving plant defences, EFNs reduce the fitness of herbivores. The use of similar host plants with no EFNs or adaptations in response to predators and parasitoids may enhance herbivore fitness. In this context, we studied the feeding habit (on leaves or on unripe seeds inside the pods) of larvae of the specialist moth Utetheisa ornatrix in two Crotalaria host plant species in which EFNs are present (C. micans) or absent (C. paulina). We hypothesized that the moths’ feeding habit was influenced by its natural enemies via their presence on EFNs. In C. micans, we found more larvae feeding inside the pods rather than on the leaves, while in C. paulina, larvae were found in both parts of the plant. There was greater activity of natural enemies in C. micans than in C. paulina. The moth sequesters enough pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PAs) to defend against predators in the leaves and seeds of C. paulina, but only in seeds of C. micans. Therefore, a change in the feeding habit in U. ornatrix larvae is a plastic response that depends on whether EFNs are present or not, or whether PA concentrations are low or high. This change does not affect overall moth performance. However, other factors, such as pod hardness, predation by organisms other than those visiting EFNs or even parasitoids cannot be ruled out as being responsible for the change in feeding habit. To date, both the EFNs and PAs in Crotalaria species are a parsimonious explanation of how larvae of U. ornatrix use different species of Crotalaria for feeding.

Unripe Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Seed Hexane Fraction Extract Inhibits Male Mice (Mus musculus) Spermatogenesis Stronger Than Unripe Papaya Seed Methanolic Extract

Background: Men and women have the same rights and obligations in family planning program. Practically, participation in family planning program is still predominated by women while participation of men is still low. Low participation of men in family planning program is due to very limited choices in male contraceptive method. In recent years, studies have been refocused on investigating traditional plants as antifertility herbal medicine for men. Studies on antifertility effects of unripe papaya seeds have been done. However, similar studies on hexane fraction extract have not yet been done. In this study, unripe seeds were collected from local Balinese papaya ( Carica papaya ) fruits. Objective: This study was aimed to assess the effect of unripe papaya seeds hexane fraction extract on spermatogenesis and the testosterone level of male mice. Hexane fraction extract of unripe papaya seeds contains glycosides and triterpenoids, which is assumed to have an antifertility property, so it can be used as a male contraceptive, although the mechanism of action remains to be elucidated. Method: This study used pre-test and post-test control group design, using 30 male mice of balb C strain, 12 weeks of age, weighing 20-22 gram, which were randomly grouped into 3 groups, each consisting of 10 male mice. One control group (P0 = control group) was given double-distilled water, and two treatment groups were given hexane fraction extract of unripe Carica papaya seeds 20 mg/20gram/day, and methanolic extract of unripe Carica papaya seeds 20 mg/20 gram/day (P1 and P2, respectively). After 36 days of treatment, evaluation of the testes and blood of the male mice was conducted. Results: Data were analysed by normality test of Kolmogorov-Smirnov Goodness of Fit, homogeneity test, and Anova test. This study showed that spermatogonia A, primary pachytene spermatocytes, spermatid and Sertoli cells were decreased significantly (p 0,05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that hexane fraction extract of unripe Carica papaya seeds can decrease the mean number of spermatogonia A cells, spermatocyte of primary pachytene spermatocytes, spermatid and Sertoli cells better than methanolic extract of unripe Carica papaya seeds.

American Chestnut Caching by Red Squirrels

Abstract I observed Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Red Squirrel) harvesting Castanea dentata (American Chestnut) fruits in 2 different manners: they either snipped off relatively immature fruit (burrs) and chewed them open on the ground to feed on the unripe seeds, or they foraged on the tree as the ripened fruit opened and released their seeds, carried 1 seed at a time down to the ground, and cached them. I also saw Cyanocitta cristata (Blue Jay) on the trees, but only after the fruit dehisced. Both Blue Jays and Red Squirrels likely played a significant role in the dispersal of American Chestnut seeds, but the Blue Jays spread primarily single or several seeds per cache, while the Red Squirrels created caches of seeds clustered closely together.

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Unripe Seeds of Carica papaya on Four Hematological Parameters of Salmonella-Induce Enteric Fever in Wistar Rats

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Unripe Seeds of Carica papaya on Four Hematological Parameters of Salmonella-Induce Enteric Fever in Wistar Rats

Ripening stage and extraction method effects on physical properties, polyphenol composition and antioxidant activities of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds.

The effects of two extraction methods, used at three ripening stages on the total polyphenol contents and the antioxidant activities of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seed extracts were studied. The ripening stage effect on some physical properties of cumin seed was significant. The increase of dry matter (from 10.3 to 87.5%) during ripeness was correlated negatively with that of moisture content (from 89.7 to 12.5%). Besides results showed that the full ripe seeds were richer on polyphenols and condensed tannin than unripe ones, and consequently exhibited higher antioxidant activities. However, the unripe seeds had a higher total flavonoid content compared to those of half ripe and full ripe ones. The comparison of two extraction methods showed that soxhlet extracts contained the greatest amount of polyphenols and flavonoids, while maceration samples exhibited higher antiradical and bleaching power assay. Total phenolic contents and IC50 (concentration required to cause a 50% DPPH inhibition) values in cumin seed during their maturation allowed to conclude that antioxidant activity does not depend only on the high content of total phenolics but also on the phenolic composition. A total of 19 phenolic compounds were successfully identified by HPLC analysis during the ripening of cumin seeds. Rosmarinic acid was the major phenolic acid for the unripe seeds. Furthermore, half ripe and full ripe seeds were dominated by p-coumaric acid. These compounds might be considered as interesting bioactive natural substances that may be used in several fields, such as nutraceuticals, cosmetics and agro-food industry.

English

This study aimed to evaluate alterations in the physiological and biochemical performance of Pouteria ramiflora (Mart.) Radlk. seeds at different maturation stages when subjected to drying. The seeds were harvested at two maturation stages (unripe and ripe). A sample of seeds at each maturation stage was not subjected to drying (control), and another sample was subjected to drying in a convection oven at 35°C until the seeds reached water content levels of 20 and 12% wet basis (w.b.). The drying of seeds up to 12% bu. negatively affected the physiological quality and vigor of the seeds, particularly in the unripe seeds. There was no detectable activity of catalase and peroxidase isoenzymes, and heat-resistant proteins were not observed on denaturing polyacrylamide gels. The α-amylase enzyme was most active in mature and moist seeds and showed the negative effect of drying, particularly with respect to unripe seeds. A greater intensity of esterase isoenzyme bands was detected in unripe seeds (regardless of water content) with little reduction of activity as the water content of mature seeds decreased. It can be concluded that the P. ramiflora (Mart.) Radlk. seeds show physiological and biochemical alterations when subjected to drying, they are intolerant to desiccation.   Key words: Forest species, physiological maturity, desiccation tolerance, isoenzymes.

Software Application in Machine Vision Investigation of Agricultural Seeds Quality

The paper tries to analyze the possibilities of classification of hemp fiber plant seeds in order to provide an image recognition sorting system that can estimate the quality of the fiber hemp seeds destined for human consumption. Systems that can optically grade cereal grains are already available in the agricultural industry. The automatic classification systems for seeds take in consideration the size, shape, color and texture in order to assess the quality of nutritional seeds.This work investigates the classification possibilities of image systems using photo images acquired by an RGB camera. The article presents the experimental stand and devices used for the image analysis of the fiber hemp seeds probes. The method for the selection of the representative pixels of the quality seeds is described and finally the results for the classification of the ratio of ripe seeds versus unripe seeds are presented in graphs. Conclusions are formulated and discussed.

Evaluation of flavonoid contents and antioxidant capacity of the aerial parts of common and tartary buckwheat plants.

The analysis of major and minor flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity of stems, leaves, flowers, unripe seeds and ripe seeds of common and tartary buckwheat plants collected during different growth periods was addressed in this study. The highest rutin contents were observed in flowers and leaves collected from common and tartary buckwheat at early flowering as well as flowering and seed formation states. A low quercetin contents were found in all studied aerial part of buckwheat plants. Quercitrin (quercetin-3-rhamnoside) was only found in flowers collected at different growth periods while flavone C-glucosides were accumulated preferentially only in unripe seeds collected from common buckwheat at an early flowering state. The rank of antioxidant capacity provided for aerial parts of common and tartary buckwheat at early flowering state was as follows: flowers > leaves > stems. The highest contribution of rutin to the antioxidant capacity of the aerial parts of common and tartary buckwheat was found for stems followed by leaves, flowers and unripe seeds. The results demonstrate that flowers from common and tartary buckwheat collected at early flowering as well as flowering and seed formation states have the future potential to be a useful food ingredient.

Food as Medicine: Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory and Toxicity of <em>Carica Papaya</em> Seeds

Food is a great source of medicine because it supports life existence and its absence can lead to death. Carica papaya, a fruit which is popular worldwide, possesses a number of medicinal attributes. The ripe and matured unripe seeds were investigated for their acetycholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity, toxicity and antioxidant activities. AChE inhibitory activities of 70% cold ethanolic extract of the pawpaw seeds were assessed. Partitioned fractions using petroleum spirit and ethyl acetate and the vacuum liquid chromatographed portions of the ethyl acetate fraction were all evaluated in-vitro at 500μg/ml concentration using modified Ellman method. The Brine shrimp lethality test of the extract was used to determine the toxicity profile and DPPH to determine the antioxidant property. The results showed that the crude extract gave 41.16% AChE inhibition. Purification enhanced the activity. The ethyl acetate fraction on analysis produced 60.29% activity and the semi-pure compound from the VLC analysis resulted in 65.25% activity whilst Eserine gave 74.78% inhibition.. The autobiographic antioxidant TLC analysis using DPPH as detection agent showed the unripe matured seeds to possess antioxidant activity. The study is reporting for the first time the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of C papaya. Based on the results obtained, it may be deduced that the fruit can be eaten to manage Alzheimer’s disease.

Antioxidant activity and the effect of different parts of areca catechu extracts on Glutathione-S-Transferase activity in vitro

ABSTRACT Areca nut ( Areca catechu L.) or Pinang is one of the most widely used psychoactive substance with several hundred million users worldwide, predominantly in Southern Asia. This study evaluates the antioxidant activity and the total phenolic compound of methanolic and aqueous extract of seeds (ripe and unripe seeds), root and adventitious root. The antioxidant activity was determined using the 1, 1 -diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and total phenolic using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The results from this study showed that the antioxidant activities of the water and methanolic extracts of the seeds as determined by the 1, 1 -Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) presented higher percentage inhibition than the root and adventitious root. The methanol extracts gave higher antioxidant activities than the aqueous extracts and comparable to that BHT and Vitamin C. The results also showed that unripe seeds methanolic extract possessed higher content of phenolic (186.2 ± 0.04 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid (18.13 ± 0.007 mg/g) than other parts of A. catechu. We also evaluated the in vitro effect of various A.catechu methanolic and aqueous extract on the activity of Phase II metabolizing enzyme, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in rat liver. Unripe seeds methanolic showed the effective GST specific activity inhibition with an IC 50 of 115.05 μg/mL with maximum inhibition > 70%. These results suggest that areca nut extracts have the potential to prevent oxidative damage in normal cells due to their antioxidant characteristics.

Essential Oil Composition of the Different Parts of Pimpinella barbata (DC.) Boiss. in Iran

Essential oils from the whole aerial parts of Pimpinella barbata (at vegetative stage), stem/leaf, inflorescence (flowering stage), and unripe and ripe seeds (seeding stages) were isolated individually by hydrodistillation. The oil yields of the aerial parts, stem/leaf, inflorescence, and unripe and ripe seeds oils were 0.67%, 0.42%, 1.29%, 2.05% and 1.71% w/w, respectively. The oils of P. barbata were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Limonene was the major constituent in all of oils (14.9%, 24.3%, 46.9%, 45.3% and 63.6%, respectively). Pregeijerene (32.7% in aerial parts oil), γ-muurolene (28.2% in stem/leaf oil) and methyl eugenol (18.7% in unripe seed oil) were the other major constituents. The antimicrobial activity of the oils was determined by use of the disk diffusion method against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Yersinia entrocolitica, Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli) and yeast (Candida albicans). Results showed no significant antimicrobial activity in essential oil of P. barbata.

Studies on neurolathyrism in Ethiopia: Dietary habits, perception of risks and prevention

This study describes the correlation of traditional perceptions and dietary habits with the incidence of neurolathyrism to propose preventive measures. Therefore, 118 households of South Wollo and North Gondar (Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia), of which one third had at least one neurolathyrism affected member, were interviewed. Most of the affected families in this study had one neurolathyrism victim, being predominantly male and of younger age. The incidence among youngsters (boys and girls) was significantly correlated with the consumption of green unripe seeds ( eshet), confirming this as a risk factor for developing neurolathyrism. The consumption of other popular grass pea preparations was not age related. Neurolathyrism patients did not attempt any medication as most people knew that neurolathyrism is incurable, but the consumption of grass pea was abandoned after developing the disease. The minority ‘Woito’ tribe was virtually unaffected. They were the only people reporting to consume fish which is rich in amino acids such as methionine and using metallic kitchen utensils in addition to clay pots. This observation points to the correlation between low neurolathyrism incidence and a better balanced diet as well as metallic kitchen utensils, suggesting a new approach for neurolathyrism prevention.

On the distribution of seed-eating Dicraeus nartshukae (Diptera, Chloropidae) and its host plant Leymus mollis

The distribution ranges of Dicraeus nartshukae Kanmiya (Diptera, Chloropidae) and its host plant Leymus mollis (Trin.) Pilger are discussed. Larvae of D. nartshukae develop in unripe seeds of Leymus mollis but not in the seeds of the closely related L. villosissimus and L. interior. The spikes, spikelets, and glumes of L. mollis are larger than in other species, and usually softly hirsute. The glumes of L. villosissimus and L. interior possess dense hirsute pubescence which appears to be unfavorable for oviposition of Dicraeus nartshukae. The absence of seedeating Dicraeus on L. villosissimus and L. interior is an additional argument in support of distinctness of these species. The distribution range of Dicraeus nartshukae is meridional, or Pacific littoral.

The significance of unripe seeds and animal tissues in the protein nutrition of herbivores

Many herbivorous animals selectively eat flowers and unripe fruit or seeds. Some preferentially eat new tissues growing from germinating seeds. This behaviour enables access to otherwise limited or unavailable amino acids that are necessary to sustain successful production and growth of young. For the same reason the diet of breeding females and neonates of many presumed strictly herbivorous animals is supplemented with animal protein. However, because these foods are often only eaten for limited periods, and make up only a small proportion of the total diet, they are usually dismissed as unimportant to the animals' nutrition. It is suggested that actively looking for such feeding may well reveal it to be far more common and important to the successful breeding of herbivores than has been thought in the past.

The feeding ecology of Meyer's Parrot Poicephalus meyeri in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

The diet of Meyer's Parrot Poicephalus meyeri in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, was distinctly seasonal, comprising 71 different food items from 37 tree species in 16 families. During 480 road transects over 24 months, food item preferences closely tracked fruiting phenology, resulting in significant positive correlations between Levins’ niche breadth, rainfall and food resource availability. Meyer's Parrot can, therefore, be considered to be an opportunistic generalist that tracks resource availability across a wide suite of potential food items. Predispersal seed predation accounted for 62% of total feeding activity, of which 37% were seeds from ripe pods and fruits. Unripe seeds were, however, preferred when seasonally available. Seeds and parasites from fruits and pods accounted for 42% and 35% of total feeding bouts, respectively. Fruit pulp was predominantly consumed as a by-product of seed predation. Four arthropods, previously unknown in the diets of African parrots, were discovered during the breeding season. The most important tree species in their diet included (in order of magnitude): Kigelia africana, Diospyros mespiliformis, Combretum imberbe, Ficus sycomorus, Diospyros lycoides lycoides, Combretum hereroense and Berchemia discolor. Geophagy was reported in the questionnaire. There was no evidence to support any local migrations.

Short-term and moderate UV-B radiation effects on secondary plant metabolism in different organs of nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L.)

Abstract Glucotropaeolin and total phenolic concentrations were assessed in three different organs (inflorescences, leaves, unripe seeds) of nasturtium ( Tropaeolum majus L.), which are consumed as herbal plant products, in order to determine the effect of short-term and moderate UV-B exposure as targeted postharvest stress treatment on the secondary plant metabolism. For this purpose, nasturtium plants were subjected to two UV-B radiation levels: 0.075 and 0.15 W h m − 2 . The results clearly demonstrate that the plant response to short-term and moderate UV-B exposure is organ-, plant tissue age-, and phytochemical-specific and that these factors influence a change of secondary metabolism as revealed by the different phytochemical concentration levels elicited. Industrial relevance In food processing UV treatment is mainly attributed to disinfection. This study examined the feasibility of short-term and moderate UV-B application as emerging technology for enhancing health-promoting phytochemicals in freshly consumed plant products (inflorescences, leaves, unripe seeds) demonstrated by the herbal plant nasturtium. Optimizing phytochemical concentration by targeted postharvest UV-B applications will add health value and subsequently generate new opportunities for growers and processors by achieving the health-oriented food market.

Seed predation of <i>Mabea fistulifera</i> (Euphorbiaceae) by northern muriquis (<i>Brachyteles hypoxanthus</i>)

Seeds are staple foods in the diets of primates with morphological and behavioral specializations for seed predation, but are considered a less important resource for most other primates. Here we report the first observation of seed predation by northern muriquis (Brachyteles hypoxanthus). Twenty-four Mabea fistulifera (Euphorbiaceae) seed eating events were observed during a systematic study of two groups of northern muriquis in an Atlantic forest fragment in southeastern Brazil in July 2003, accounting for 2.9% of 836 feeding records during this month. Only unripe seeds were consumed in all records. The absence of Mabea fistulifera seeds in any of the 102 fecal samples examined suggests that the seeds were predated. Analyses of 47 fruits of Mabea fistulifera collected in different stages of ripeness in June 2004 indicated that fruits at earlier stages of ripeness were significantly softer than ones of later stages, implying that fruit hardness made their seeds unprofitable to these non-specialized seed predator monkeys.