A spirostane hexaglycoside from Agave cantala fruits

A new steroidal glycoside, agaveside D, isolated from the fruits of Agave cantata was characterized as 3β-{α- -rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2), β- -glycopyranosyl-(1→3)-β- -glucopyranosyl[β- -xylopyransoyl-(1→4)-α- -rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β- -glucopyranosyl}-25R-5α- spirostane on the basis of chemical degradation and spectrometry.     

A triglucoside of hecogenin from fruits of Agave cantala

The fruits of Agave cantala contain a steroidal saponin which is a glycoside of hecogenin with three molecules of glucose. Its structure has been e     

A spirostanol glycoside from Agave cantala

A new steroidal saponin has been isolated from the ethanolic extract of the roots of Agave cantata and shown to be 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl]-6O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl]-(25R)-5α-22α-O- spirostan-3β, 6α-diol.     

Steroidal sapogenins from leaves of some species of Agave and Furcraea

The steroidal sapogenins yielded by the leaves of Agave aurea, A. avellanidens, A. cerulata, A. cerulata ssp. subcerulata, A. cocui, A. goldmaniana, A. shawii and Furcraeamacrophylla are recorded. In all these species, hecogenin and tigogenin were the major sapogenins isolated. Gitogenin was found in the extracts of all the leaf samples, except that of A. shawii, and manogenin and 9-dehydromanogenin in all but that of A. cocui. Chlorogenin was isolated from A. cocui, but was not detected in any of the other species examined. Qualitative and quantitative variations were found in the sapogenin contents of extracts of different regions of the same leaves of A. cocui and F. macrophylla. In particular, hecogenin predominated in the basal regions and tigogenin in the apical.     

Isozymatic variation and phylogenetic relationships between henequen (Agave fourcroydes) and its wild ancestor A. angustifolia (Agavaceae)

Isozymatic variation and phylogenetic relationships among extant henequén (Agave fourcroydes) germplasm and wild populations of its ancestor A. angustifolia in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico were analyzed. Analysis of three isozyme systems using starch gel electrophoresis indicated that while A. angustifolia populations have relatively high levels of variation, within each henequén cultivar all individuals were identical. This result corresponds to previous ethnobotanical and morphological analyses, which indicated severe loss of genetic variation of this domesticated plant as a consequence of the promotion by means of asexual propagation of only one cultivar since the middle of the last century. The three extant cultivars of henequén were distinct from each other. Two of them, Sac Ki (SK) and Yaax Ki (YK), could be matched within the progenitor, but Kitam Ki (KK) has a MDH electrophenotype not found in any of the plants growing inside the Yucatan Peninsula, but found in some A. angustifolia plants growing in the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Veracruz. A parsimony analysis of the morphological data indicated two lineages: that of SK and YK, cultivated cordage plants selected for stronger and longer fibers, whose sister group is the Tropical subdeciduous forest ecotype (SF), and that of all the other wild populations, which also included KK, the cultivated textile plants selected for finer fibers and nearly extinct in Yucatan. These results support the hypothesis of the yucatecan origin of SK and YK from the SF ecotype, as well as the hypothesis of a recent introduction of KK to the Yucatan Peninsula in a domestication trend that probably included also Chelem White (its cultivation being abandoned later).     

龙舌兰属植物化学成分研究进展

本文综述了迄今为止从石蒜科龙舌兰属植物中分离得到的化学成分及其分布,并介绍了。一些植物和化合物的药理作用。     

In vitro propagation of Agave arizonica Gentry & Weber

Agave arizonica Gentry & Weber, an extremely rare and endangered species native to Arizona, was successfully propagated in vitro using modified Murashige and Skoog media. Adventitious shoots developed from callus which formed on bulbil explants grown in a medium supplemented with 1.4 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. These shoots proliferated by subculture in media supplemented with 44.4 μM 6-benzylaminopurine, and either 0.5 or 5.4 μM naphthaleneacetic acid. Rooting occurred on shoots transferred to a growth regulator free medium. Rooted plants transferred to potting soil could be established under greenhouse conditions following gradual acclimatization indoors.     

Steroidal sapogenins from leaves of Agaveae species

The steroidal sapogenins yielded by the leaves of 34 species and 1 cultivar of Agave, 1 species of Beschorneria, 1 species of Doryanthes and 3 species of Furcraea have been studied. Steroidal sapogenins were found in extracts of most of the species examined. Smilagenin, sarsasapogenin, diosgenin, yamogenin, tigogenin, neotigogenin, gloriogenin, gentrogenin, hecogenin, sisalagenin, 9-dehydrohecogenin and gitogenin were detected. Gloriogenin was found only in A. ghiesbrechtii, yamogenin in A. horrida and A. rigidissima, neo-tigogenin in A. horrida and A. toneliana and gitogenin in A. filifera, F. cabua, F. gigantea and F. selloa cv marginata. The highest yield of smilagenin was obtained from both A. haynaldii and A. rigidissima, of sarsasapogenin from A. attenuata, of diosgenin from A. ellemeetiana, of tigogenin from A. haynaldii and of hecogenin from F. cabua.     

A taxonomic revision of the genus Agave (Agavaceae) in the Lesser Antilles, with an ethnobotanical hypothesis

The genusAgave (Agavaceae) is revised taxonomically for the Lesser Antilles. All 12 previously recognized species are placed into synonymy underAgave karatto Miller. A neotype is selected for the nameAgave karatto, and lectotypes are designated forA. barbadensis Trel.,A. medioxima Trel.,A. obducta Trel.,A. vangrolae Trel., andA. ventum-versa Trel. Specimens are cited for most of the Lesser Antillean islands. That the Caribbean agaves are similar to the MexicanAgave nayaritensis Gentry is supported. The hypothesis that the pattern of partial sterility, clonality, and minimal morphological differentiation of the Lesser Antillean agaves is related to prehistoric human activity is developed based on similar patterns among mainland agaves and historical information. Uses for the archaeological “Barbados shell tool” may have included decorticating agave leaves for fiber extraction.     

龙舌兰发酵叶汁中的一个新甾体皂苷

从龙舌兰（Agave americana)的发酵叶汁中分离到一个新甾体皂苷。结合波谱和化学方法,新化合物的结构鉴定为替告皂苷元3－O－α－L－鼠李吡喃糖基－（1→3)－β-D-葡萄吡喃糖基－（1→2）-[β-D-葡萄吡喃糖基－（1→3)-β－D－葡萄吡喃糖基－（1→4）－β－D－半乳吡喃糖苷。     

A New Steroidal Glycoside from Ophiopogon japonicus （Thunb.） Ker-Gawl.

To study the chemical constituents from traditional Chinese herb Ophiopogon japonicus （Thunb.） Ker-Gawl., a new steroidal glycoside, named ophiopojaponin C （1）, together with two known ones, was isolated by column chromatography. Spectroscopic and chemical evidence revealed the structures to be ophiopogenin 3-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl（1→2）]-β-D-xylopyranosyl（1→4）-β-D-glucopyranoside （1）, diosgenin 3-O-[2-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl（1→2）]-β-D-xylopyranosyl（1→3）-β-D-glucopyranoside （2）, and ruscogenin 1-O-[2-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl（1→2）]-β-D-xylopyranosyl（1→3）-β-D-fucopyranoside （3）.     

Pollination ecology of Agave macroacantha (Agavaceae) in a Mexican tropical desert. I. Floral biology and pollination mechanisms

In a study of sexual reproduction in long-lived semelparous plants, we observed Agave macroacantha in the tropical desert of Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, Mexico, describing duration of flowering, flower phenology, and nectar production patterns. We also performed two manipulative experiments evaluating (a) the seed production efficiency of different crossing systems (selfing, cross-pollination, apomixis, and control), and (b) the effect of different pollinators (diurnal exposure to pollinators, nocturnal exposure, exclusion, and control) on the seeds produced. Flowering occurred from early May to late July and had a mean duration of 29 days in the individual rosettes. The flowers were protandrous; anthesis occurred in the afternoon of the third day after floral opening, and the pistils matured in the afternoon of the fifth day. The stigmas remained receptive from dusk to the following morning. Pollination was mostly allogamous. Nectar was produced principally during the night, from the first stages of floral aperture until the stigmas wilted and flowering ceased. The flowers were visited during the day by hymenoptera, butterflies, and hummingbirds and during the night by bats and moths. Only the nocturnal visitors, however, were successful pollinators. Agave macroacantha is extremely dependent on nocturnal pollinators for its reproductive success.     

Morphological variation of henequen (Agave fourcroydes, Agavaceae) germplasm and its wild ancestor (A. angustifolia) under uniform growth conditions: diversity and domestication

Extant variants of henequen (Agave fourcroydes Lem.) and wild populations of its putative ancestor A. angustifolia Haw. were grown in the Mexican state of Yucatan for 10 yr under homogeneous conditions. A statistical and numerical analysis of their patterns of morphological variation was performed as part of broader research to provide evidence of its genetic diversity, evolutionary relationships and changes under human selection. A comparison with results of a similar analysis under natural growing conditions was also made. The study indicated the following. (1) Under natural growth conditions, the three putative wild ecotypes are morphologically distinct, but under uniform conditions only populations growing in Tropical subdeciduous forest may be distinguished from the other two, thus indicating the probable existence of only two ecotypes: one growing in Coastal dunes and Tropical subdeciduous forest, and the other growing in Tropical deciduous forest. (2) This last ecotype is the most similar to cultivated variants. Within its populations, the most similar to the cultivated is that known as Chelem White, gathered by artisans for its textile use. (3) The cordage-cultivated Sac Ki and Yaax Ki differ from wild populations in four syndromes of domestication: gigantism, greater fibrosity, less thorniness, and less reproductive capacity. The lower cv of their characteristics compared with those of wild populations suggest less genetic diversity. (4) Kitam Ki is probably a textile-cultivated variant of recent introduction and/or a variant in which the artificial selection process has had different direction and intensity. (5) Improved growth conditions in the botanic garden resulted in a decreased cv, an increase in size and fiber content, and a reduction of thorniness for both wild and cultivated variants. Given that wild populations with desirable characteristics exist and that these characteristics are highly plastic and respond positively to cultivation, then selection and cultivation of populations such as those from Tropical deciduous forest may well have been the path taken by the ancient Maya during henequen domestication.     

A New Steroidal Saponin from Fermented Leaves of Agave americana*

A new steroidal saponin and two known steroidal compounds were isolated fermented leaves of Agaue americana .The structufe of the new steroidal saponin was elucidated as tigogenin 3-0-a-L-rham-nopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-]β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-giucopyranoside dy spectroscopic data and chemical method .     

Agave rzedowskiana, a new species in subgenus Littaea (Agavaceae) from western Mexico

Agave rzedowskiana is described and illustrated from the states of Sinaloa and Jalisco, Mexico. This species is a member of subgenusLittaea (Tagliabue) Baker “groupStriatae” of Baker. It is compared withA. petrophila García-Mend. & E. Martínez andA. dasylirioides Jacobi & Bouché.

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Resumen  Se describe e ilustraAgave rzedowskiana de los estados de Sinaloa y Jalisco, México. La especie pertenece al subgéneroLittaea (Tagliabue) Baker “Grupo Striatae” de Baker. Se le compara conA. petrophila García-Mend. & E. Martínez yA. dasylirioides Jacobi & Bouché.

     

A New Steroidal Glycoside from Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb.) Ker-Gawl.

To study the chemical constituents from traditional Chinese herb Ophiopogon japonicus(Thunb.) Ker-Gawl., a new steroidal glycoside, named ophiopojaponin C (1), together with two known ones,was isolated by column chromatography. Spectroscopic and chemical evidence revealed the structures to be ophiopogenin 3-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)]-β-D-xylopyranosyl(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranoside (1),diosgenin 3-O-[2-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl( 1 →2)] -β-D-xylopyranosyl( 1 →3)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2),and ruscogenin 1-O-[2-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)]-β-D-xylopyranosyl(1→3)-β-D-fucopyranoside(3).     

龙舌兰麻种质资源抗斑马纹病鉴定研究

通过分离培养斑马纹病病原菌,人工接种鉴定不同龙舌兰麻种质的抗斑马纹病的特性.结果表明,番麻、东368、墨引6、墨引12、墨引7、墨引5、假7、马盖麻、东109、金边孤叶龙舌和兰墨引4号11份种质为高抗种质,病斑扩展速度和病情严重度可作为龙舌兰麻抗病性快速鉴定技术手段.     

Neolignans from fruits of Virola elongata

Fruits of Virola elongata contain, besides the furofuranoid lignans eudesmin, epieudesmin and fargesin, the aryl-benzyl-methyl tetrahydrofuran neolignans magnostellins A and C. The absolute configuration of the magnostellins was detennined.     

Genetic and morphological contrasts between wild and anthropogenic populations of Agave parryi var. huachucensis in south-eastern Arizona

Background and Aims

At least seven species of Agave, including A. parryi, were cultivated prehistorically in Arizona, serving as important sources of food and fibre. Many relict populations from ancient cultivation remain in the modern landscape, offering a unique opportunity to study pre-Columbian plant manipulation practices. This study examined genetic and morphological variation in six A. p. var. huachucensis populations of unknown origin to compare them with previous work on A. parryi populations of known origin, to infer their cultivation history and to determine whether artificial selection is evident in populations potentially managed by early agriculturalists.

Methods

Six A. p. var. huachucensis and 17 A. parryi populations were sampled, and morphometric, allozyme and microsatellite data were used to compare morphology and genetic structure in purportedly anthropogenic and wild populations, as well as in the two taxa. Analysis of molecular variance and Bayesian clustering were performed to partition variation associated with taxonomic identity and hypothesized evolutionary history, to highlight patterns of similarity among populations and to identify potential wild sources for the planting stock.

Key Results A

p. var. huachucensis and A. parryi populations differed significantly both morphologically and genetically. Like A. parryi, wild A. p. var. huachucensis populations were more genetically diverse than the inferred anthropogenic populations, with greater expected heterozygosity, percentage of polymorphic loci and number of alleles. Inferred anthropogenic populations exhibited many traits indicative of past active cultivation: greater morphological uniformity, fixed heterozygosity for several loci (non-existent in wild populations), fewer multilocus genotypes and strong differentiation among populations.

Conclusions

Where archaeological information is lacking, the genetic signature of many Agave populations in Arizona can be used to infer their evolutionary history and to identify potentially fruitful sites for archaeological investigation of ancient settlements and cultivation practices. The same approach can clearly be adopted for other species in similar situations.