Search

Composition of Calocedrus decurrens and Cupressus arizonica essential oils (CDEO and CAEO, respectively), their antifeedant activity on spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) larvae, as well as their antimicrobial activity on three Phytophthora species were investigated. In leaves of these two conifers from the Cupressaceae family, monoterpenes strongly dominated (90.5 and 85.0%, respectively), but their terpene profiles were different. The dominant compound of CDEO was δ -3-carene (49.5%), followed by myrcene (9.4%), terpinolene (8.6%) and α -pinene (7.0%). In CAEO, the most dominant compounds were limonene (23.3%) and α -pinene (20.5%), followed by umbellulone (12.0%) and terpinen-4-ol (9.5%). CDEO showed a strong antifeedant activity, while leaf discs treated with CAEO had phagostimulatory effect on spongy moth larvae. CAEO had no significant effect on relative consumption and larval growth rate, while CDEO reduced consumption and stimulated growth at the lowest EO concentration (0.05%). Both EOs significantly affected the growth of colonies of the Phytophthora species tested. At concentrations of 0.5% and 1%, a 100% inhibition was observed in almost all experimental groups, with the exception of P. plurivora on 0.5% CDEO. At a concentration of 0.1% inhibition rate varied from 15% in P. ×cambivora treated with CDEO to 90% in P. quercina treated with CAEO. These findings indicate that these two EOs could be used to control tree pests. [Display omitted] • δ -3-Carene dominated in Calocedrus decurrens essential oil (CDEO). • Limonene and α -pinene dominated in Cupressus arizonica essential oil (CAEO). • CDEO had an antifeedant and CAEO a phagostimulant effect on the spongy moth. • CDEO and CAEO inhibited the mycelial growth of Phytophthora species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effective role of different auxins on adventitious roots (Ars) formation of stem cuttings relies on several factors including type of auxins, concentrations and the intermixing materials. In this study, bee honey (BH) was evaluated as a cofactor for maximizing the promoting effect of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for better survival of propagated hard-to-root ornamental plants. To improve Ars morphogenesis of Cupressus macrocarpa L. var. Goldcrest, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of exogenous application of IBA intermixed with BH in comparison with talcum powder (TP) on morphological, biochemical, histoanatomical, and ultrastructural responses. Results indicated that 500 mg kg-1 IBA intermixed with BH (T 5) was the superior treatment for improving rooting percentage and root growth measurements. Exogenous application of T 5 led to maximize activities of polyphenol oxidase and catalase enzymes as well as total phenols content; however, it caused a sharp decline in peroxidase enzyme activity as compared with untreated cuttings. Additionally, this treatment decreased amounts of gibberellin, benzyl adenine, kinetin and abscisic acid, while the endogenous content of indole-3-acetic acid increased. Histoanatomical observations of stem cuttings treated with T 5 showed four prominent phases for adventitious root formation including: induction, initiation of meristemoids, root primordial formation and Ar elongation at 0–6th, 6-12th, 12-18th and 18-30th day after planting (dap). The Ar primordia evolved via two different developmental pathways: (i) indirect genesis (i.e., callus tissues) and (ii) direct genesis (e.g., cells in the inner bark, medullary rays and surrounding tissues). The time-course histoanatomical data of this study provide insights regarding the potential utilization of IBA intermixed with BH to improve Ar formation of several hard-to-root ornamentals. • Bee honey mixed with indole-3-butyric acid enhanced rooting performance. • Adventitious roots originated from medullary rays, cambium and callus tissues. • Bee honey mixed with indole-3-butyric acid stimulated antioxidants and auxins. • Indole-3-butyric acid and honey reduced the time of adventitious roots formation. • Indole-3-butyric acid at 500 mg kg-1 and bee honey was the superior treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Magnetite was deposited on cypress wood preserved with heat or TiO 2. • Magnetic adsorbents were characterized by BET, XRD, FT-IR, pH pzc. • Wood preservation affected Q max , optimum pH, MSPE performance towards metals. • Three MSPE methods were optimized using the three magnetic adsorbents. • MSPE methods were applied on real waters, lake sediments, phosphate rock. Abstract The main objective of this work was to prepare magnetic adsorbents based on cypress wood (CW) that was pretreated by heating (HCW) or by deposition of TiO 2 (TiO2-CW). Three magnetic adsorbents were prepared: magnetic cypress wood (MCW), magnetic heat-treated cypress wood (MHCW) and magnetic titanium dioxide treated cypress wood (M-TiO2-CW). These were then used for adsorption and magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) of Co(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II). The adsorbents were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, BET, elemental analysis and pH pzc. Adsorption studies showed that CW can be used for extraction of Cu(II) and Zn(II) at pH10.6; TiO2-CW can be used for extraction of Cu(II) and Zn(II) at either pH 9.2 or 10.6; while HCW can be used for extraction of all the investigated metals at pH10.6. After magnetization of the adsorbents, it was found that at pH 9.2 any of the magnetic adsorbents can be used for extraction of all the investigated metals. Three MSPE procedures (using the three magnetic adsorbents at pH 9.2) were optimized and applied on real water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced analysis technologies cannot be applicable to structural characterization of solid residue from biomass hydrothermal liquefaction due to its insoluble characteristics in organic solution. In this investigation, the milled solid residue fractions were isolated from the solid residues producing during cypress hydrothermal liquefaction at 220, 260, and 300 °C. Their fractions structural characteristics were comparatively investigated by advanced analysis technologies such as liquid state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Dichloroethane/ethanol insoluble fractions were firstly found during the liquefaction process at 260–300 °C and results showed that the fractions were the intermediate component of biomass carbonization and mainly produced from the re-polymerization reactions of lignin during hydrothermal liquefaction process. The presence of crosslinking reactions between carbon-carbon which lead to the formation of a highly crosslinked structure resulting in the formation of milled solid residue fractions, which made the fractions be not insoluble in dichloroethane/ethanol and have high thermal stable and molecular weight. Ether structures scission, de-methylation reactions, re-polymerization between carbon-carbon, and fragmentation of large molecular fractions have been occurred in lignin during hydrothermal liquefaction process. The result showed that characterization of milled solid residue fractions provided some new information of the mechanisms of biomass hydrothermal liquefaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The lipid fraction of cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) seeds was extracted and analyzed for chemical and physical properties, i.e., fatty acid composition (GC–MS), acidity (as % of oleic acid), iodine value, triacylglycerol (TAG) composition (HPLC), saponification value, specific extinctions (K232 and K270), thermal profile (DSC), and tocopherol composition (HPLC). The oil''s fatty acid composition revealed the major fatty acids to be α-linolenic, linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acid (35.11, 25.08, 15.07, and 11.11%, respectively). γ-Tocopherol was the major tocopherol (80%) with the remainder being α- and δ-tocopherol. The polyunsaturated TAGs LLLn, LLnLn, LLL, and LnLnLn (L, linoleic and Ln, linolenic) were the oil''s major TAG components. The oil exhibited two thermal profile peaks, indicating two thermal structural transitions, one at low temperature (−28.34°C) with a 54.66J/g enthalpy and the other at high temperature (−13.41°C) with a 22.49J/g enthalpy. The oil showed high absorbance in the UV-B and UV-C ranges. The many positive characteristics observed here in this oil, as well as the favorable botanical properties of the tree, suggest that this oil could have important applications in non-food industries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Valorisation of by-products from Cupressus lusitanica and Cistus ladanifer distilled wastes. • Characterisation of distiller condensation waters and extracted solid residues. • Distiller condensation waters and extracted solid residues are rich in antioxidants. • Catechins were the major phenolic compounds found for both species. Obtaining essential oils and hydrolates from underutilized biomass is an economic and sustainable way for production of these high added-value bioproducts. However, this process still generates large amounts of residues as the by-products obtained during distillation, which can be a concern for the environment, but also adequate substrates for other applications. Considering this fact, the waste distilled by-products remaining after steam-distillation of underutilized biomass from Cupressus lusitanica and Cistus ladanifer , were evaluated as a natural source of other high value products with biological activities, namely, phenolic compounds. Thus, the remaining extracted solid residues (ESRs) were characterized and subject to further treatments by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) with ethanol and 70 % acetone, in order to prepare phenolic-rich extracts thereof: ESRs(EtOH) and ESRs(70 % Ace). Together with the distiller condensation waters (DCWs), these extracts were characterized for their phenolic content (total phenols, tannins and flavonoids). Their antioxidant activity was also evaluated by different methodologies. The phenolic profile of DCWs, ESRs(EtOH) and ESRs(70 % Ace) from both waste species was obtained by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and phenolic compounds were tentatively identified. Results obtained for C. lusitanica biomass are here disclosed for the first time. Generally, all samples revealed to be rich in phenolic compounds, being C. ladanifer biomass the one with higher phenolic content. DCWs presented values of 140 mgGAE/g for C. lusitanica and 210 mg GAE/g for C. ladanifer , from which ca. 60 % were tannins. Extracts obtained with 70 % acetone were the ones with the highest results, except for the antioxidant activity by xanthine oxidase and superoxide inhibition, which was higher in DCWs. Catechins were the major compounds found for both species, but gallocatechins and gallic acid were only identified in C. ladanifer. Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and salicylic acid were also identified in C. ladanifer , partly justifying the anti-inflammatory effect referred for this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Valorisation of forest wastes from Cupressus lusitanica and Cistus ladanifer. • Cupressus lusitanica and Cistus ladanifer essential oils and hydrolates volatiles evaluation. • Essential oils showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. • Hydrolates demonstrated interesting anti-inflammatory properties. Unattended forest wastes are, among others, a potential source of wildfires, as well as a growth media for forest pests. As a way of lowering the detrimental effect of these wastes, it is important to convert these under-valued resources into a value-generating market forest wastes use. Essential oils (EOs) and hydrolates (Hs) from Cupressus lusitanica and Cistus ladanifer waste products, resulting from forest landscaping in Portugal, were evaluated for chemical composition and biological activity. Essential oils and Hs were obtained by steam-distillation (SD) and hydrodistillation (HD). Essential oils and Hs volatiles were analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The antimicrobial activity of EOs was studied by disk agar diffusion method against Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Antioxidant activity of EOs and Hs was evaluated by 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) free radical, superoxide anion radical formation, xanthine oxidase and chelating metal ions assays. Anti-inflammatory activity of Hs was assessed by albumin denaturation assay. Monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygen-containing monoterpenes dominated C. lusitanica EO (SD, 82–86 %, HD, 80–85 %) and Hs volatiles (SD, 93–94 %; HD 64–81 %), respectively. α-Pinene (14–36 %), limonene (8–21 %), δ-3-carene (8–19 %) and sabinene (6–18 %) were the main EO constituents. Hydrolates volatiles were dominated by cis -3-hexen-1-ol (0.1–13 %), camphor (1–11 %), umbellulone (t-48 %), p -cymene-8-ol (11–16 %) and terpinen-4-ol (21–31 %). C. ladanifer EOs were dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons (SD, 48–80 % and HD, 29 %) and Hs by oxygen-containing monoterpenes (SD, 38–43 %, HD, 39 %). The EO major constituents were α-pinene (13–28 %) and camphene (5–25 %), whereas 2,6,6-trimethyl cyclohexanone (2–12 %) and trans -pinocarveol (5–13 %) dominated the Hs volatiles. This study reports for the first time the chemical composition of the hydrolate volatiles of these two species and their anti-inflammatory properties. Among the studied biological activities, the EOs showed the best antioxidant properties while Hs demonstrated higher anti-inflammatory activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]