CHROMOSOME NUMBERS IN THE GENUS ANTHURIUM (ARACEAE) II

Chromosome numbers were determined for 86 Anthurium species. Fifty-one of these were newly determined with counts ranging from 2n = 24 to 66 and 30 being the most common. All known Anthurium chromosome numbers were summarized, and 43 taxonomic changes were made in the previous reports to reflect current taxonomy. In terms of somatic chromosome numbers, the numbers form four polyploid series of 20–40–60, 24–30–48–84, 28–56 and 30–60–90–ca. 124. Paleoaneuploidy, polyploidy and B-chromosomes are basic features of the genus, but subsequent recent aneuploidy is not. The exact nature of chromosome evolution in Anthurium remains to be elucidated.     

Coccidian Parasites (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Insectivores. II. Six New Species from Japanese Shrew Moles (Talpidae)1

ABSTRACT. Thirty-eight of 51 (74.5%) shrew moles collected in Japan were infected with from one to four species of Eimeria and/or Isospora including six of six Dymecodon pilirostris and 32 of 45 (71.1%) Urotrichus talpoides. Four eimerians and two isosporans were identified and all are described as new species. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria amorphospora n. sp. were subspheroid/ellipsoid, 21.1 × 17.9(18-25 × 16-21) μm. Sporocysts were amorphous, gelatinoid envelopes 20.3 × 7.5 (17–24 × 7–9) μm. Sporozoites were enclosed together within a membrane in each sporocyst. This species was found in 9 of 45 (20%) U. talpoides. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria gonocilia n. sp. were subspheroid/ellipsoid, 28.8 × 24.4 (25–30 × 21–28) μm; a highly ornate outer oocyst wall gave the appearance of a ciliated ball. Sporocysts ovoid, pointed at both ends, were 17.0 × 9.0 (15–19 × 7–11) μm; this species was found in 4 of 45 (8.9%) U. talpoides. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria talpoidei n. sp. were asymmetrical ovoid, 20.6 × 13.3 (18–23 × 12–15) μm, with sporocysts lacrimiform, 12.0 × 5.8 (10–14 × 5–7) μm. This species was found in 7 of 45 (15.6%) U. talpoides. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria honshuensis n. sp. were ellipsoid, 15.5 × 11.4 (13–18 × 10–13) μm, with sporocysts ovoid, 9.1 × 5.2 (8–10 × 4–6) μm. This species was found in 10 of 45 (22.2%) U. talpoides and in 5 of 6 (83.3%) D. pilirostris. Sporulated oocysts of Isospora dymecodi n. sp. were subspheroid/ellipsoid, 15.8 × 12.6 (13–17 × 11–13) μm, with sporocysts ellipsoid, 10.9 × 6.9 (10–13 × 6–8). This species was found in six of six D. pilirostris. Sporulated oocysts of Isospora urotrichi n. sp. were spheroid/subspheroid, 13.4 × 12.4 (11–16 × 9–14) μm, with sporocysts ovoid, 9.2 × 6.3 (8–11 × 5–7) μm. This species was found in 27 of 45 (60%) U. talpoides. Only 14 of 38 (36.8%) infected hosts (one D. pilirostris, 13 U. talpoides) were seen to be naturally infected with only one coccidian species when sampled.     

Distribution and impact of virus associated diseases of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in northern Iran

Different viral diseases infect common bean crops in Iran. A total of 248 symptomatic samples were collected from common bean fields throughout main growing fields of Guilan province in Iran during the summer of 2006. Eight viruses were detected using double antibody-sandwich – enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA). Bean common mosaic virus – BCMV (1%), Bean leaf roll virus – BLRV (9%), Cowpea mild mottle virus – CpMMV (6%), Southern bean mosaic virus – SBMV (3%), Cucumber mosaic virus – CMV (15%), Bean golden mosaic virus – BGMV (2%), Bean common mosaic necrosis virus – BCMNV (1%) and Bean yellow mosaic virus – BYMV (1%) were detected. Comparatively CMV (15%) was found to be more prevalent in Guilan province. Multiple infections of viruses were recorded in many samples. Weed species belonging to Chenopodiaceae, Solanaceae, Malvaceae and Amaranthaceae families were also found to be infected with the viruses.     

Volatile‐Oils Composition,and Bioactivity of the Essential Oils of Plectranthus barbatus,P. neochilus,and P. ornatus Grown in Portugal

Volatile‐oils chemical composition and bioactivity of the essentail oils from Plectranthus barbatus, P. neochilus, and P. ornatus (Lamiaceae) were assessed. Aerial parts from these three related Plectranthus species were collected from cultivated plants grown in Portugal, during vegetative and flowering phases. Volatiles, isolated by distillation? extraction, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Monoterpene hydrocarbons (12–74%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (4–45%) constituted the main fractions in all volatiles. α‐Pinene ( 3 ; 12–67%), oct‐1‐en‐3‐ol ( 6 ; traces–28%), β‐pinene ( 7 ; 0.1–22%), and β‐caryophyllene ( 50 ; 7–12%) dominated P. barbatus volatiles. P. neochilus major volatile components were α‐terpenyl acetate ( 41 ; traces–48%), α‐thujone ( 2 ; 2–28%), β‐caryophyllene ( 50 ; 2–28%), β‐pinene ( 7 ; 1–25%), and α‐pinene ( 3 ; 1–19%). Oct‐1‐en‐3‐ol ( 6 ; 13–31%), β‐pinene ( 7 ; 11–24%), α‐pinene ( 3 ; 11–19%), and β‐caryophyllene ( 50 ; traces–11%) were the main constituents from P. ornatus volatiles. These chemical compositions were rather different from those previously found for specimens harvested in Africa and Brazil. Moreover, the volatiles from the flowers are herewith reported for the first time. Essential oils, isolated by hydrodistillation from leaves and stems, showed a yellowish color and unpleasant odor, with yields ranging from 0.08% to 0.84% (v/dry weight). Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils were evaluated by DPPH^. and TBARS assays, and agar disc‐diffusion method, respectively. Results showed low or moderate antioxidant capacity and significant antimicrobial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria.     

Comparative Study of Functional Response of Common Hemipteran Bugs of East Calcutta Wetlands,India

The common and abundant hemipteran water bugs Anisops bouvieri, Diplonychus rusticus, D. annulatus, of the wetlands of East Kolkata are known predators of a wide range of aquatic insects including the mosquito larvae. In the laboratory their predation were assessed in respect to short term and long term periods using the larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus to reveal their possible role in regulating the dipteran population in nature. The attack rate (a) and handling time (T_h ) of these predators varied with respect to the prey size. For the backswimmers A. bouvieri the values for a and T_h for the small prey were 5.47 L and 18.72 min respectively, while in case of the belostomatid bugs, the values for the same were 5.37 L and 8.64 min (for D. rusticus), 5.81 L and 20.16 min (for D. annulatus). The predation rate varied with prey and predator densities for both the prey sizes. It was revealed that on an average A. bouvieri can kill and consume 10–82 and 6–44, D. rusticus 10–118 and 10–84 and D. annulatus 10–70 and 10–138 small and large sized prey per day, respectively. However the mutual interference (m) values of the three predators varied with the prey size and ranged between 0.053–0.326 for A. bouvieri, 0.0381–0.066 for D. rusticus and 0.0556–0.115 for D. annulatus, respectively. In the long term experiments A. bouvieri killed between 6–119 small preys and 3–31 large preys, D. rusticus killed 50–94 small preys and 50–96 large preys and D. annulatum were found to kill between 14–74 small prey and 50–131 large prey per day, respectively. The clearance rates were found to be proportional to the predator density as well to the prey size and density, and differed between the predator species significantly. These data are supportive of qualifying the water bugs, A. bouvieri, D. rusticus, and D. annulatus as potential biological resources in regulating the population of mosquito larvae in the wet‐lands. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The Life Cycle of Eimeria vermiformis Ernst,Chobotar and Hammond, 1971 in the Mouse Mus musculus1

SYNOPSIS. The life cycle of Eimeria vermiformis from the mouse Mus musculus is described from experimental infections. The prepatent period was 7 days, and the patent period 7–22+ days. Endogenous stages were in the lower 2/3 of the small intestine. Two generations of schizonts were found. Mature 1st generation schizonts, seen 4 days after inoculation, were 16–25 × 9–16 μ and had long vermiform merozoites. Mature 2nd generation schizonts were first seen 5 days after inoculation. They were 8–18 × 7–14 μ (mean 11.2 × 13.1 μ). Mature microgametocytes, 17–32 × 12–25 μ, were present 6 days after inoculation. Macrogametes with plastic granules were found at the same time. The life cycle of E. vermiformis is compared with those of other species of Eimeria from Mus.     

Coccidian Parasites (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Insectivores. VI. Six New Species from the Eastern Mole,Scalopus aquaticus1

ABSTRACT Thirteen eastern moles, Scalopus aquaticus, collected in West Texas were examined for coccidian oocysts; 11 (85%) were infected and eight (73%) of these had multiple infections representing two or more species. One cyclosporan, three eimerians, and two isosporans were studied and all are described as new species. Sporulated oocysts of Cyclospora megacephali n. sp. were subspheroidal, 18.5 × 15.7 (14–21 × 12–18) μm; they had sporocysts pointed at one end with Stieda bodies nearly as wide as the sporocysts themselves, and were 15.0 × 7.2 (11–17 × 6–9) μm; C. megacephali was found in four (31%) hosts. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria scalopi n. sp. were spheroidal to subspheroidal, 13.6 × 12.6 (11–17 × 11–15) μm with sporocysts lemon-shaped, 8.7 × 5.5 (7–10 × 4–7) μm; it was found in six (46%) hosts. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria aquatici n. sp. were asymmetrically ellipsoidal, 17.0 × 10.6 (14–20 × 9–14) μm, with sporocysts elongately ovoidal, 9.0 × 5.2 (8–11 × 4–6) μm; it was found in two (15%) hosts. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria motleiensis n. sp. were subspheroidal, 17.0 × 15.3 (15–20 × 13–18) μm with sporocysts ovoidal, 10.7 × 6.8 (10–13 × 6–8) μm; it was found in seven (54%) hosts. Sporulated oocysts of Isospora motleiensis n. sp. were spheroidal to subspheroidal, 13.6 × 12.0 (10–17 × 8–15) μm with sporocysts broadly ovoidal, 9.5 × 6.7 (7–11 × 4–8) μm; it was found in nine (69%) hosts. Sporulated oocysts of Isospora aquatici n. sp. were subspheroidal, 20.9 × 18.4 (15–24 × 13–21) μm with sporocysts ellipsoidal, 11.8 × 9.0 (9–14 × 7–11) μm; it was found in two (15%) hosts.     

Trends in obesity and its distribution: data from the Northern Sweden MONICA Survey, 1986-2004

Objective: Obesity, especially abdominal, is a risk factor for many diseases. This study explored trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity, 1986–2004, in northern Sweden. Methods and Procedures: Cross‐sectional population surveys were performed in 1986, 1990, 1994, 1999, and 2004; 250 men and 250 women aged 25–34, 35–44, 45–54, and 55–64 years (from 1994, also 65–74 years) were randomly selected; the overall participation rate was 77%. Anthropometric data were used. Results: Weight and BMI increased in all men, most significantly in men aged 25–64 years (P < 0.0005). Weight increased in women aged 25–64 years (P < 0.005) and BMI in women aged 25–44 years (P < 0.005). Prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30) increased significantly in men aged 25–44 and 55–74 years (P < 0.005; for men 65–74 years old, P < 0.05) and in women aged 25–44 years (P < 0.005). Waist circumference decreased significantly between 1986 and 1990 in all women (P < 0.005) and in men aged 55–64 years (P < 0.05). After 1990 waist circumference increased, most markedly so in women; by 2004 circumference measurements for women, and for men aged 55–64 years, were equal to those of 1986, while for men aged 25–54 years they were higher. Prevalence of abdominal obesity has increased since 1990, most markedly so in women aged 45–64 years (P < 0.0005). Discussion: The rapid increase in both general and central obesity raises concern for the future; increasing abdominal obesity in women is particularly alarming.     

Ascidiacyclamides containing oxazoline and thiazole motifs assume square conformations and show high cytotoxicity

Four cyclic octapeptides were designed from ascidiacyclamide [cyclo(–Ile–Oxz–D ‐Val– Thz–)₂] (ASC, 1 ) to investigate the effects of oxazoline (Oxz) and thiazole (Thz) rings on the structures and cytotoxicities of the peptides. cyclo(–Ile–Thz–D ‐Val–Oxz–)₂ ( 2 ) had the same number of Oxz and Thz rings as ASC, but the ring positions were switched. cyclo(–Ile–Oxz–D ‐Val–Thz–Ile–Thz–D ‐Val–Thz–) ( 3 ) and cyclo(–Ile–Thz–D ‐Val–Oxz–Ile–Thz–D ‐Val–Thz–) ( 4 ) contained one Oxz and three Thz rings within the molecule. All Oxz rings were substituted with Thz in cyclo(–Ile–Thz–D ‐Val–Thz–)₂ ( 5 ). These analogues had new Oxz and Thz blocks forming the 24‐membered ring. Based on CD spectra and X‐ray diffraction analyses, the structures of all four analogues were classified as square ASC forms. But the structures of 2 and 5 differed from the original square form of 1 , and they showed no cytotoxicity. The structure of 3 was very similar to that of 1 , and 3 showed 10 times greater cytotoxicity than 1 . Although no definite structure of 4 was obtained, it showed three times greater cytotoxicity than 1 . It appears that the position and number of Oxz residues are essential determinants in the structure‐cytotoxicity relationship of ASC analogues.     

Arginine Gene Cluster of Serratia marcescens

Biochemical and genetic studies on the arginine-requiring auxotrophs derived from a Serratia marcescens strain were carried out. The arg mutants were classified into seven biochemical groups based on their growth response to five precursors of arginine biosynthesis and enzyme deficiency. Reciprocal transduction tests among those arg mutants divided them into three linkage groups, and the fine mapping in each of the groups by two- or three-point crosses revealed the following arrangement of loci. (1) arg44–thy11–lys1; (2) met1–glt2–argE–(arg19–arg51)–arg120–argG–argH; (3) arg33–pyr4. Five of the seven biochemically distinct arg mutants belonged to the second linkage group, and they constituted an arg-gene cluster. A characteristic feature of the arg-gene cluster of S. marcescens is that it involves argG, which was previously reported only in the Proteus group of Enterobacteriaceae.     

Linkage of microbial kinetics and bacterial community structure of MBR and hybrid MBBR–MBR systems to treat salinity‐amended urban wastewater

Three pilot‐scale bioreactors were started up and operated under salinity‐amended urban wastewater feeding. The bioreactors were configured as membrane bioreactor and two different hybrid, moving bed biofilm reactor‐membrane bioreactor and operated with a hydraulic retention time of 9.5 h, a solid residence time of 11.75 days and a total solids concentration of 2500 mg L^?1. The three systems showed excellent performance in suspended solids, BOD₅, and COD removal (values of 96–100%, 97–99%, and 88–90%, respectively), but poor nitrogen removal (values of 20–30%). The bacterial community structure during the start‐up phase and the stabilization phase were different, as showed by β‐diversity analyses. The differences between aerobic and anoxic biomass—and between suspended and attached biomass—were higher at the start‐up phase than at the stabilization phase. The start‐up phase showed high abundances of Chiayiivirga (mean values around 3–12% relative abundance) and Luteimonas (5–8%), but in the stabilization phase, the domination belonged to Thermomonas (3–14%), Nitrobacter (3–7%), Ottowia (3–11.5%), and Comamonas (2–6%), among others. Multivariate redundancy analyses showed that Thermomonas and Nitrosomonas were positively correlated with fast autotrophic kinetics, while Caulobacter and Ottowia were positively correlated with fast heterotrophic kinetics. Nitrobacter, Rhodanobacter, and Comamonas were positively correlated with fast autotrophic and heterotrophic kinetics. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:1483–1495, 2017     

Barks of Three Wild Pyrus Taxa: Phenolic Constituents,Antioxidant Activity,and in Vitro and in Silico Investigations of α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibition

Dry MeOH extracts of the twig barks of Pyrus communis subsp. pyraster, P. spinosa and their hybrid P.×jordanovii nothosubsp. velenovskyi, collected in wild in Serbia, were analyzed. By LC/MS, the contents of arbutin (99.9–131.0 mg/g), chlorogenic acid (2.2–6.3 mg/g), catechin (1.0–5.3 mg/g) and total dimeric and trimeric procyanidins (42.2–61.3 mg/g), including procyanidin B2 (8.9–17.2 mg/g), were determined. Colorimetrically, high contents of total phenolics (436.2–533.4 mg GAE/g) and tannins (339.4–425.7 mg GAE/g), as well as strong total antioxidant activities (FRAP values 4.5–5.9 mmol Fe²⁺/g), and DPPH (SC₅₀=6.6–7.1 μg/ml) and hydroxyl radical (SC₅₀=447.1–727.7 μg/ml) scavenging abilities were revealed. In vitro, all extracts exhibited notable inhibition of α-amylase (IC₅₀=310.8–617.7 μg/ml) and particularly strong inhibition of α-glucosidase (IC₅₀=2.1–3.7 μg/ml). Molecular docking predicted that among identified compounds procyanidin B2 is the best inhibitor of these carbohydrate-digesting enzymes. Obtained results showed that the barks of investigated Pyrus hybrid and its parent taxa have similar composition and bioactivity.     

Intraspecific Variability of the Essential Oil of Ziziphora clinopodioides ssp. rigida from Iran

Hydrodistillated essential oils of Ziziphora clinopodioides ssp. rigida from nine populations of the Lashgardar protected region (Hamedan Province, Iran) were analyzed by using GC and GC/MS techniques to determine the intraspecific chemical variability. Altogether, 39 compounds were identified in the oils, and a relatively high variation in their contents was found. The main constituents of the essential oils were pulegone (0.7–44.5%), 1,8‐cineole (2.1–26.0%), neomenthol (2.5–22.5%), 4‐terpineol (0.0–9.9%), 1‐terpineol (0.0–13.2%), neomenthyl acetate (0.0–7.1%), and piperitenone (0.0–5.4%). For the determination of the chemotypes and the intraspecific chemical variability, the essential oil components were subjected to cluster analysis (CA). The five different chemotypes characterized were Chemotype I (pulegone/neomenthol), Chemotype II (pulegone), Chemotype III (pulegone/1,8‐cineole), Chemotype IV (neomenthol), and Chemotype V (1,8‐cineole/4‐terpineol).     

Chemical Diversity among the Essential Oils of Wild Populations of Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl (Lamiaceae) from Iran

The variation of the essential‐oil composition among ten wild populations of Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl (Lamiaceae), collected from different geographical regions of Iran, was assessed by GC‐FID and GC/MS analyses, and their intraspecific chemical variability was determined. Altogether, 49 compounds were identified in the oils, and a relatively high variation in their contents was found. The major compounds of the essential oils were myrcene (0.0–26.2%), limonene (0.0–24.5%), germacrene D (4.2–19.3%), bicyclogermacrene (1.6–18.0%), δ‐cadinene (6.5–16.0%), pulegone (0.0–15.1%), (Z)‐hex‐3‐enyl tiglate (0.0–15.1%), (E)‐caryophyllene (0.0–12.9), α‐zingiberene (0.2–12.2%), and spathulenol (1.6–11.1%). For the determination of the chemotypes and the chemical variability, the essential‐oil components were subjected to cluster analysis (CA). The five different chemotypes characterized were Chemotype I (germacrene D/bicyclogermacrene), Chemotype II (germacrene D/spathulenol), Chemotype III (limonene/δ‐cadinene), Chemotype IV (pulegone), and Chemotype V (α‐zingiberene). The high chemical variation among the populations according to their geographical and bioclimatic distribution imposes that conservation strategies of populations should be made appropriately, taking into account these factors. The in situ and ex situ conservation strategies should concern all populations representing the different chemotypes.     

Microsatellite loci within sixgill sharks, Hexanchus griseus

Novel sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus) microsatellite loci were developed and tested on five shark species. A suite of microsatellite loci previously developed for lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) was also tested. Data on 15 microsatellites are presented including primer sequences, number of alleles (a), observed (H_O) and expected heterozygosities (H_E), and F_IS values for sixgill sharks (a = 10–69, H_O = 0.24–1.00, H_E = 0.76–0.96 and F_IS = –0.21–0.60), sevengill sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus) (a = 6–40, H_O = 0.20–0.73, H_E = 0.59–0.94 and F_IS = –0.47–0.58), Pacific spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) (a = 3–13, H_O = 0.00–0.96, H_E = 0.24–0.93 and F_IS =–0.52–1.00), angle sharks (Squatina californica) (a = 1–4, H_O = 0.00–1.00, H_E = 0.60–1.00 and F_IS =–1.00–0.25), and leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata) (a = 3–16, H_O = 0.20–1.00, H_E = 0.53–0.92 and F_IS = –0.57–1.00). A final suite of 14 microsatellites (13 developed from sixgill sharks and one from lemon sharks) were found to be polymorphic and conform to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium within sixgill sharks.     

Eimeria and Sarcocystis in Raccoons in Illinois1

Eimeria nuttalli oocysts were found in 58% (21/36) and E. procyonis oocysts in 25% (9/36) of raccoons Procyon lotor in Illinois, and sporocysts of Sarcocystis sp. in 17% (2/12) of other raccoons in Illinois. The oocysts of E. nuttalli were ellipsoidal to ovoid. 15–21 × 12–17 μm, with a one-layered, smooth, colorless wall. The oocysts of E. procyonis were 22–28 × 18–22 μm, with a rough, striated, brownish, two-layered wall. The sporulated sporocysts of Sarcocystis sp. were 11–13 × 8–10 μm. Attempts to infect baby pigs by feeding them sporocysts of Sarcocystis sp. from the raccoon failed.     

Purification and Properties of Lytic Enzymes from Streptomyces globisporus 1829

Two lytic enzymes capable of lysing Streptococcus mutans have been purified to give a single band on disc-gel electrophoresis, respectively. The M–1 and M–2 enzymes were both proved to be N-acetylmuramidases. However, these enzymes were entirely different on their enzymatic properties. The molecular weights were about 20,000 and 11,000 for M–1 and M–2 enzymes, respectively, The maximal lytic activity of M–1 enzyme was obtained at ionic strength 0.05, while lytic activity of M–2 enzyme did not change within the ionic strength range of 0 to 0.05. The M–1 enzyme constituted the majority of the total lytic activity against the cell walls of Streptococcus mutans BHT of cultured filtrate. The M–2 enzyme showed less specific lytic activity on the cell walls of Streptococcus mutans BHT than M–1 enzyme.     

Plumieride from Allamanda cathartica as an inhibitory compound to plant pathogenic fungi

Allamanda leaf extract (Allamanda cathertica) was made in water at room temperature (25?± 2?°C) as well as in a number of less polar to highly polar solvents like methylene chloride, benzene, chloroform and ethyl acetate at their boiling point, that means, at refluxing temperature (40?± 2?°C). Methylene chloride, benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate and water extracts were applied to determine their growth inhibition against Phomopsis vexans, Phytophthora capsici, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii. Results of these extracts showed that refluxing methanol, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Allamanda were statistically similar for inhibition of mycelial growth of all fungi tested. But effect of 50% ethanol extract is different; it inhibited 100% mycelial growth of P. vexans, P. capsici and F. oxysporum; 83.33% of R. solani and 88.63% of S. rolfsii. Effort was also made to find out the compound in Allamanda to be responsible for such antifungal activity. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) of Allamanda extracts showed the presence of a number of compounds having polarity very high to low. The R_f values of compounds in 37–42 fractions were calculated and from these six fractions, crystals were separated. These crystals were more or less white. Melting point of these crystals was determined by ordinary and digital melting point apparatus that ranged from 145.5–162 C. Structural determination of the compound was done by Infra-red (IR) spectral study. The finger print region was 700–1400?cm^?1. The strong band at 1612.4, 1633.6, 1693.4, 1655 and 2850.6?cm^?1 indicated the presence of conjugated double bond (–C=C–C=C–), non-conjugated double-bond (–C=C–C–C–C=C–), carbonyl group attached to carbon–carbon double (–CO–C=C), ester (–COOR) and C–H stretching, respectively. Mass spectra of separated compounds gave molecular weight 470. All these characters are typical to pumieride as described previously. Again, In vitro screening of plumieride against P. vexans, P. capsici, F. oxysporum, R. solani and S. rolfsii were found effective in inhibiting radial mycelial growth of these fungi at 1:2 w/v concentration.     

Chemical composition, seasonal variation, and biosynthetic considerations of essential oils from Baccharis microdonta and B. elaeagnoides (Asteraceae)

The chemical composition and seasonal variation throughout one year of the essential oils from leaves of Baccharis microdonta and B. elaeagnoides, collected in Campos do Jordão, SP, were investigated. The composition of the latter species has been described for the first time. By GC (RI) and GC/MS analysis, 43 compounds were identified, and a predominance of oxygenated sesquiterpene derivatives was found in both species. The main components of the B. microdonta oils were elemol ( 31 ; 11.7–30.6%), spathulenol ( 34 ; 4.7–9.1%), β‐caryophyllene ( 19 ; 3.7–6.2%), and germacrene D ( 24 ; 2.9–12.2%), and those of the B. elaeagnoides oils were 34 (10.1–21.5%), viridiflorol ( 35 ; 3.6–18.4%), 24 (0.9–13.8%), and 19 (3.5–9.4%). The identified compounds were grouped according to their respective C‐skeletons, and the percentages of occurrence of the C‐skeletons in the essential oils of leaves collected in the four seasons allowed identifying the preferential accumulation of different types of C‐skeletons as well as the seasonal variation of the biosynthetic routes over the studied period.