Whitebark Research Articles

A Review on Pharmacological Activities of Acacia ferruginea Extracts

Acacia ferruginea are also known as White bark acacia. Herbal plants are potent in curing various ailments of ancient times as they have comparatively lesser side effects. The demands for natural drugs, mostly from plant sources, are increasing over the past few decades. Because of their several medicinal properties, Acacia species are used to treat a variety of diseases. One of the species Acacia ferruginea reported its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-diabetic, antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti– haemorrhoidal, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, wound healing and anti-protozoal activities. This review focus on the detailed morphology, phytochemical composition and pharmacological properties of different parts of Acacia ferruginea.

Research on Bast Fiber Extracted from the White Bark of Three Species in the Genus Broussonetia

Research on Bast Fiber Extracted from the White Bark of Three Species in the Genus Broussonetia

Pulping of Mitsumata by using Twin Screw Extruder

he bast fiber of Mitsumata （Edgeworthia papyrifera Sieb. et Zucc.） has traditionally been used as a raw material of paper. Mitsumata belongs to Thymelaeaceae family, and the paper made from its bark is known to have hue of egg yolk color and unique texture. Mitsumata pulp for paper making is manufactured as follows. Mitsumata branches are steamed and barks are taken off, from which its epidermis and cuticle are removed. Then, the residual white bark is cooked with an aqueous alkaline solution in the digester. Compared to the chemical composition of wood, the white bark contains more amount of pectin and less amount of lignin. So, pulping of Mitsumata primarily aims to remove pectin that works as a binder among cells, and pectin in the white bark can be removed by alkaline solution under heated.In this research, we used twin screw extruder to produce Mitsumata pulp from its white bark. Twin screw extruder consists of two co-rotating screws in a cylinder barrel, and it is widely used in the manufacturing industry for material processing such as shearing, kneading, heating and mixing. The white bark is impregnated with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide before defiberizing by twin screw extruder. The process of twin screw extruder is continuous and its processing time is short compared to normal cooking process.The effect of processing temperature and addition rate of sodium hydroxide on defiberizing of Mitsumata fiber was investigated. We found that Mitsumata fibers could be defiberized by twin screw extruder at lower temperature than cooking process.Handsheets were made from the pulp produced by twin screw extruder, and their optical and physical properties were studied. The ISO brightness of the handsheet produced by twin screw extruder was high compared to the handsheet produced by normal cooking process. The pulp yield produced by twin screw extruder was also higher than the yield by cooking process. The side chemical reaction is considered to be suppressed during the extrusion process because of the low processing temperature and the short processing time.

Experimental research on the development of the composition of the transdermal therapeutic system of anti-inflammatory action based on composition of natural substances

The aim of the work is to develop the composition of the transdermal therapeutic system of anti-inflammatory action based on active pharmaceutical ingredients of natural origin. Materials and methods. Selection of adhesive materials, plasticizers and solvents, the effect of introduction to the base of active pharmaceutical ingredients, determination of optimal temperature and drying time, pharmacological screening was performed by physicochemical, biopharmaceutical and biological research methods. Results. The composition of the hydrophilic adhesive composition, which includes polyvinylpyrrolidone, eudragit (adhesives), PEO-400 (plasticizer), isopropyl alcohol (solvent) 50: 8: 12: 30, respectively. This composition has excellent organoleptic properties, is easily applied to the polymer base, holds its shape well (does not flow beyond the base), is applied in a thin layer and evenly distributed on the base. The optimal mode of drying of the adhesive composition based on PVP is 75 °C for 30 min, based on PVA – 75 °C for 35 min, the composition containing eudragit - 50 °C for 10 min. It is established that the addition of active substances to the adhesive composition does not adversely affect its properties. The study of antiexudative activity using different combinations of substances of natural origin as API and found that the best anti-inflammatory properties (25 %) have a sample No. 4, which includes dry extracts of white willow bark and sage leaves and quercetin 3:1:3 in accordance. Conclusions. Based on physicochemical, biopharmaceutical and pharmacological studies, the composition of the transdermal therapeutic system of anti-inflammatory action with active pharmaceutical ingredients of natural origin has been developed

White bark in birch species as a warning signal for bark-stripping mammals

Background : Birch species such as Betula pendula have conspicuous white bark and the evolutionary drivers for this colouration remain unresolved. Aims We evaluated our hypothesis that the white bark is a visual warning signal to deter mammals from bark-stripping. Many species of deer (Cervidae) and multiple other mammals consume bark. White birch species’ bark contains betulin and other compounds which likely make the bark unprofitable for herbivores. The white bark has features consistent with a visual signal for mammalian herbivores and could act as a visual aposematic signal of chemical defence. Methods We compared deer bark-stripping between tree species in Scottish woodlands. For Betula pendula, we compared stripping of juvenile brown bark with mature white bark. We also reviewed existing literature to find the tree-species preference for a wide-range of bark-stripping mammals. Results In Scotland, we found that white-barked birch bark was less preferred. We also found mature white birch bark was avoided compared to juvenile brown bark. Existing literature for multiple herbivores showed that white birch species’ bark was often either not preferred or avoided. Conclusion We suggest that the conspicuous white colouration of birch bark may act as an aposematic visual signal to deter bark-stripping mammals.

Petalidium sesfonteinense (Acanthaceae), a new species from the Kaokoveld, Namibia

Petalidium sesfonteinense, previously most commonly confused with the widespread P. variabile, is here described as a new species. It is only known from the Sesfontein area in the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, northwestern Namibia, where it grows on hillsides and along ephemeral riverbeds. Diagnostic characters for P. sesfonteinense include the short, stout trunk on older plants, white bark that peels on the younger branches in long, narrow strips, dendritic trichomes on vegetative parts, flowers in short dichasia with acute oblanceolate bracts, flowers with externally glabrous corollas, corolla lobes that are pink, magenta, apricot or cream and with the two upper lobes connate towards the base and the lower lobe with two yellow spots near the base. A comparison of some of the more prominent morphological features to differentiate Petalidium sesfonteinense from close relatives is provided. Based on IUCN Red List categories and criteria, a conservation assessment of Least Concern (LC) is recommended for the new species.

<p><strong><em>Petalidium kaokoense</em> (Acanthaceae), a new species from Namibia</strong></p>

Petalidium kaokoense, here described as a new species, is only known from the Hartmann Mountains and one other location on the inland plateau in the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, northwestern Namibia, where it grows on hillsides and mountain slopes. Diagnostic characters for P. kaokoense include the stout trunk on older plants, white bark, peeling on the younger branches in long, narrow strips, stellate trichomes, short inflorescences of racemoid dichasia with acute linear-oblanceolate or linear-lanceolate bracts, flowers with maroon corollas with the two upper lobes connate towards the base and the lower lobe with two yellow spots near the base. A comparison of some of the more prominent morphological features to differentiate between Petalidium kaokoense and its presumed close relative, the morphologically similar P. physaloides, is provided. Based on IUCN Red List categories and criteria, a conservation assessment of Vulnerable (VU D1) is recommended for the new species.

Bark decomposition in white oak soil outperforms eastern hemlock soil, while bark type leads to consistent changes in soil microbial composition

Bark decomposition is an underexamined component of soil carbon cycling and soil community assembly. Numerous studies have shown faster decomposition of leaf litter in “home” environments (i.e. within soil adjacent to the plant that produced the leaves), suggesting potential legacy effects from previous deposition of similar litter. This is expected to occur through, in part, accumulation of microorganisms that metabolize substrates the litter provides. Whether a similar “home-field advantage” (HFA) exists for bark decomposition is unknown, but this dynamic may differ because annual bark deposits to soil are minimal relative to leaf deposits. We hypothesized that (1) as with leaf litter, bark will be better decomposed near to the tree from which it was collected, and (2) that decomposing bark can initiate change in soil microbial composition. To test these hypotheses, we used a full factorial design that included two bark types (collected from eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis, and white oak, Quercus alba) and two soil types (‘home’ and ‘away’) within a temperate mixed hardwood forest at the Shale Hills Catchment in central Pennsylvania, USA. Bark was excised from 25 replicates of each tree type, buried in either home or away soil, and incubated belowground from July 2017 to June 2018. Decomposition was assessed through proportionate mass loss over time, while microbial composition in the bark and adjacent soil was assessed through high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene and fungal ITS fragments. Overall, bark degraded faster in white oak soils, and there was also an effect of bark type on decomposition. Although white oak bark decomposed more quickly in its home environment, this could be due to either soil conditioning or inherent differences in the soils in which each species grows. Soil microbial assemblages also sorted according to bark type rather than soil type, suggesting that bark strongly influences the composition of nearby microorganisms during decomposition. Our results suggest that both bark type and soil type are important factors during bark decomposition, but our findings suggest no clear evidence for HFA.

The weight of the crust: Biomass of crustose lichens in tropical dry forest represents more than half of foliar biomass

AbstractIn recent years, our ecological knowledge of tropical dry forests has increased dramatically. However, the functional contributions of whole ecosystem components, such as lichens, remain mostly unknown. In these forests, the abundance of epiphyte crustose lichens is responsible for the characteristic white bark on most woody plants, conspicuous during the dry season, but the amount of resources that the lichen component represents remains unexplored. We estimated lichen biomass in a Mexican tropical dry forest using the bark area of trees, the dry mass of lichens per unit area and the percentage of bark covered by lichens, together with previously known tree densities. The lowest 2.5 m of the forests main trunks contained 188 kg/ha of lichen biomass, with lichens covering 85% of the available bark for trees <12 cm DBH and 38% for trees >12 cm. Total epiphytic lichen biomass was 1.34–1.99 Mg/ha. Lichen biomass represented 61% of the foliar biomass in the forest. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a lichen biomass estimate is provided for an ecosystem in which crustose lichens are the dominant lichen growth form. Crustose lichens are typically considered to contribute little to the total lichen biomass and to be difficult to include in ecological analyses. The high lichen biomass in this ecosystem implies a significant ecological role which so far is unexplored. We suggest the crustose lichen component should not be underestimated a priori in ecological studies, especially in ecosystems with abundant lichen cover.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.

Pain Bloc-R Alleviates Unresolved, Non-Pathological Aches and Discomfort in Healthy Adults-A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study.

The lack of effective treatment for chronic discomfort without negative side effects highlights the need for alternative treatments. Pain Bloc-R is a natural health product composed of vitamins B6, B12, D, white willow bark extract, Angelica root extract, acetyl L-carnitine HCl, caffeine, L-theanine, Benfotiamine, and L-tetrahydropalmatine. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of Pain Bloc-R, acetaminophen, and placebo on unresolved aches and discomfort as assessed by the brief pain inventory (BPI) and modified Cornell musculoskeletal discomfort questionnaires. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study consisted of three 7-day periods with Pain Bloc-R, acetaminophen, or placebo, each separated by a 7-day washout. Twenty-seven healthy adults (ages 22–63 years) were randomized to receive the three interventions in different sequences. The BPI “pain at its worst” scores were significantly lower when participants took Pain Bloc-R than when they took acetaminophen (21.8% vs. 9.8% decrease, p = 0.026) after seven days of supplementation. Pain Bloc-R achieved a significant improvement in the “pain at its least” score, significantly decreased the interference of discomfort in walking, and significantly decreased musculoskeletal discomfort total scores (34%, p = 0.040) after seven days. In a post hoc subgroup analysis based on age and gender, male participants ≤45 years taking Pain Bloc-R reported significant reductions in pain severity and pain interference vs. acetaminophen. Pain Bloc-R performed as well as acetaminophen in managing unresolved non-pathological pain in otherwise healthy individuals.

First Report of Diaporthe eres Causing Twig Dieback of White Bark Pine in China

White bark pine (Pinus bungeana Zucc.) is popularly cultivated as a garden ornamental tree in China because of the high ornamental value. During July 2017, twig dieback symptoms were found on white bark pine trees in the campus of Henan Agricultural University, Zhenzhou, Henan Province, China. The rate of diseased plants was 25% (up to 40% in 2018) in this campus. Early symptoms appeared as round or oval, red-brown lesions on the twigs, which enlarged progressively, leading to dieback. Two representative Diaporthe strains (zm170130 and zm180920) were isolated and purified from two specimens collected in 2017 and 2018 on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Pycnidia scattered in PDA, dark brown to black, globose to subglobose. Conidiogenous cells phialidic, cylindrical, tapering toward the apex, with periclinal thickening. Two kinds of conidia were produced: α-conidia, unicellular, hyaline elliptical or fusiform, two-guttulate, 5.2 to 9.0 × 2 to 3 µm (n = 50); β-conidia hyaline, aseptate, without guttules, filiform, curved, with obtuse ends, 15.5 to 31 × 0.8 to 1.5 µm (n = 50). These morphological characteristics of the isolates agreed with those of Diaporthe eres (Dissanayake et al. 2015; Liu and Tang 1995; Udayanga et al. 2014). The identity of the two fungal isolates was confirmed by DNA sequencing of the ITS rDNA region (GenBank accession nos. MK265702 and MK265701), TUB gene (GenBank accession nos. MK265704 and MK265703), and histone H3 gene (GenBank accession nos. MK265700 and MK265699), which were over 99% homologous to those consensus sequences of the ex-epitype strain D. eres (KJ210529, KJ420799, KJ210550) (Guarnaccia et al. 2018). The pathogenicity of the isolate zm180920 was tested on 2-year-old healthy twigs of white bark pine in July 2018. Five 2-year-old healthy twigs (30 cm long) cut from 5-year-old trees were used for each treatment. Fifteen mycelial plugs harvested from the periphery of a 7-day-old colony were placed on the surface of the wounded twigs, after the twigs had been surface sterilized with 75% ethanol for 2 min; an equal number of noncolonized plugs of PDA served as the control treatment. All test twigs were kept in a clear plastic box with wet sterilized cotton to maintain high relative humidity at 26 to 30°C in the greenhouse. Symptoms similar to those originally observed on the naturally infected twigs were observed 10 days after inoculation, and the same fungus was reisolated from each of the symptomatic twigs; control twigs remained asymptomatic, and no fungus was isolated. The isolates from the symptomatic twigs were identified as D. eres on the basis of the morphology and the same gene sequences. Koch’s postulates were repeated three times with the same results. The fungus has been reported on peach, grapevine, jujube, Red Robin, and so on in China (Dissanayake et al. 2015; Liu and Tang 1995; Song et al. 2019; Yang et al. 2018; Zhang et al. 2018). To our knowledge, this is the first report of D. eres causing twig dieback of white bark pine in China. Disease control strategies in the region are being further studied.

Difference of Acidic Adding Effect in Ethanol Extraction of White Mulberry Stem Bark (Morus alba) and DPP-4 Inhibiting Activity Screening for Identifying its Antidiabetic Potential

Difference of Acidic Adding Effect in Ethanol Extraction of White Mulberry Stem Bark (Morus alba) and DPP-4 Inhibiting Activity Screening for Identifying its Antidiabetic Potential

Loss of GLK1 transcription factor function reveals new insights in chlorophyll biosynthesis and chloroplast development.

Birch (Betula platyphylla × B. pendula) is an important tree for landscaping due to its attractive white bark and straight trunk. In this study, we characterized a T-DNA yellow-green leaf mutant, yl. We identified six insertion sites (ISs) in the mutant by genome resequencing and found a 40-kb deletion containing BpGLK1 around IS2 on chromosome 2. Complementation experiments with the yl mutant and repression of BpGLK1 in wild-type plants confirmed that BpGLK1 was responsible for the mutated phenotype. Physiological and ultrastructural analyses showed that the leaves of the yl mutant and BpGLK1-repression lines had decreased chlorophyll content and defective chloroplast development compared to the wild-type. Furthermore, the loss function of BpGLK1 also affected photosynthesis in leaves. Transcriptomics, proteomics, and ChIP-PCR analysis revealed that BpGLK1 directly interacted with the promoter of genes related to antenna proteins, chlorophyll biosynthesis, and photosystem subunit synthesis, and regulated their expression. Overall, our research not only provides new insights into the mechanism of chloroplast development and chlorophyll biosynthesis regulated by BpGLK1, but also provides new transgenic birch varieties with various levels of yellowing leaves by repressing BpGLK1 expression.

Risk assessment of white willow (Salix alba) in food

This Technical Report contains a description of the activities within the work programme of the EU‐FORA Fellowship on the risk assessment of white willow in food. The bark of different varieties of willow has had a long history of medical use as a means to reduce fever and as a painkiller. Willow bark is also used in weight loss and sports performance food supplements. The labelling of these products usually does not mention any restrictions to the length of use. The recommended doses for foods differ, sometimes exceeding doses recommended for pharmaceuticals. A systematic literature review on adverse effects potentially resulting from oral exposure to white willow (Salix alba) was performed. The aim of the study was to assess the risk for humans when consuming white willow bark in food. The preliminary results show that despite the long history of use only very limited data on toxicity of white willow bark are available. However, anaphylactic reactions in people with a history of allergy to salicylates may occur. Some other adverse effects of salicylates are considered to be of low relevance for the long‐time consumption of white willow bark, mainly due to relatively low concentrations of salicin and the presence of compounds with gastroprotective action. However, it seems that the content of heavy metals, mainly cadmium, should be further addressed in risk assessment of white willow bark in food.

ФОРМОВОЕ РАЗНООБРАЗИЕ <i>POPULUS NIGRA L., P. LAURIFOLIA LEDEB</i><i>. </i>И <i>P</i><i>.</i><i>× </i><i>JRTYSCHENSIS</i> CHANG Y. YANG В СЕВЕРО-ЗАПАДНОЙ ЧАСТИ АЛТАЕ-САЯНСКОЙ ГОРНОЙ СТРАНЫ

The study of the form diversity of Siberian poplar species P. nigra , P. laurifolia and P. × jrtyschensis serves as the initial basis for identifying the adaptive capacity of populations, their economically valuable forms and breeding potential. The carried out analysis of the polymorphism of the species in nature and their cultivated forms showed their considerable diversity in terms of their habitual characteristics. It was revealed that the species of P. nigra , P. laurifolia and P. × jrtyschensis have been studied rather irregularly. The paper features an assessment of the form diversity in the North-Western part of the Altai-Sayan mountainous area. The analysis was performed on the basis of qualitative features of the crown, bark, leaves and shoots. Within the studied territory, P. nigra is characterized by the presence of two morphotypes, according to the nature of the pubescence and two distinct forms of bark color. It has been established that the populations of P. laurifolia of the Tom’ river basin are characterized by a greater polymorphism, both according to the diversity of morphotypes of shoots and pubescence, and by the color and structure of the cortex. The white and green bark forms of the laurel poplar are valuable for sustainable construction and selection work. In P. × jrtyschensis , gray bark forms predominate in populations, and its diversity requires a further systematic study.

Climate change, mountain pine beetles, and whitebark pine forests of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem

Climate change, mountain pine beetles, and whitebark pine forests of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem

Genetic diversity of F1 and F2 interspecific hybrids between dwarf birch (Betula nana L.) and Himalayan birch (B. utilis var. jacquemontii (Spach) Winkl. 'Doorenbos') using RAPD-PCR markers and ploidy analysis.

Crosses between Betula nana and B. utilis 'Doorenbos' were undertaken in order to obtain interspecific hybrids which could be characterized by wide spreading stems, strong branching habit, decorative clear white bark and an interesting shape of purple leaves. The research purpose was to examine genetic diversity of the 16 F1 and F2 putative progenies by using the RAPD-PCR method and the ploidy analysis. A total of 242 RAPD markers were scored with 24 primers and 220 (90.9%) polymorphic bands were found. In the NJ dendrogram, cluster I consisted of the female parent--B. nana and 12 hybrids and cluster II grouped the male parent--B. utilis 'Doorenbos' with 4 hybrids (F2/2, F1/8, F1/7 and F2/1). The 2-D scaling by PCoA was in agreement with the similarity index, i.e. two hybrids (F1/8, F2/2) grouped with the male parent while others with female parent. Classification of the hybrid plants by chromosome counting demonstrated that 13 hybrids were confirmed with accurate chromosome counts as being diploid (2n=2x=28) and 3 plants (F1/7, F1/8, F2/2) as triploid with 42 chromosomes.

Salvadora persica L. (Meswak) in dental hygiene

Salvadora persica L. of the family Salvadoraceae, is an evergreen shrub, with a short trunk 4–6 m tall, smooth green leaves and white bark. Meswak, a chewing stick is prepared from its stings and roots. Its anatomical structure as well as its chemical constituent which had been investigated from time to time in last three decades made this plant a choice as tooth-powder and tooth-cleaner. The acceptance of meswak is broad due to the fact that a part of Islam’s religious practice is the incorporation of dental hygiene and recommends meswak specifically for this purpose. Moreover the traditional use of S. persica as antimicrobial toothbrush stick for oral hygiene and to treat gum inflammation, is a part of Greeko-Arab system of medicine and is a centuries old practice. The available literature mostly stresses upon the higher antibacterial activity against oral bacteria of Meswak although the plant has other medicinal values. So keeping all of its beneficial therapeutic properties in view, this review was focused to highlight the available literature of its role in maintaining the dental hygiene and ultimately the potential and safely use as dental remedy.

Antibacterial Compounds in Predominant Trees in Finland: Review

The extracts of Scots pine, Norway spruce, silver and white birches stem, bark, roots, leaves and needles contain several useful bioactive compounds that exhibit antibacterial activity against pathogens. Both phenolic extracts and essential oils are bacteriostatic against several bacteria. The main individual antibacterial phenolic compounds in Scots pine are pinosylvins that effectively inhibit growth of pathogens such as Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. From other phenolic compounds lignans appeared to be the least bacteriostatic and flavonoids tend to occur as glycosylated forms which have lower antibacterial activity than their aglycones. Gram-positive bacteria are generally more susceptible to plants bioactive compounds than gram-negative bacteria.

Comparative antibacterial activity of different plant extracts in relation to their bioactive molecules, as determined by LC-MS analysis.

The research of plant responses against antibiotics and chemical disinfectants is increasingly motivated by natural antimicrobial agents. We investigated hydrophilic extracts of leaves of Persian walnut (Juglans regia ) and European Mistletoe (Viscum album) and White willow bark (Salix alba ) which were characterized by their content in phenolic derivatives, using a high-throughput technique, HPLC-DAD. The extracts were obtained using 10% dry plant and hot acidulated water (around 85 0 C) and kept for 48 hours then diluted successively (from 2 to 9 times). The antimicrobial activities were tested semi-quantitative ly on agar plates inoculated with E. Coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus and Salmonella enteritis. The inhibition zones were measured after 24 hours of incubation. Using a liquid nutrient broth growth medium, a quantitative evaluation of antimicrobial effect was done. There were noticed to be significant the growth rates in the first 10 hours, the best inhibitory results being given by Salix alba extract which inhibited all bacteria. Meanwhile, walnut and mistletoe extracts showed different inhibition rates, depending on the bacteria and the extract dilution. The extracts’ composition as determined by HPLC was compared with the antimicrobial activity, suggesting that willow extract is the richest in phenolics, especially in phenolic acids (salicylic acid derivatives). This study suggest that Salix alba bark and Juglans regia are available and efficient sources of natural antimicrobials and suggests the possibility of using their hydrophilic extracts as bio-disinfectants in food industry.