Essential oil from leaves of Cryptocarya mandioccana Meisner (Lauraceae): Composition and intraspecific chemical variability

The composition of the essential oil from leaves of Cryptocarya mandioccana has been determined by chromatographic fractionation and GC–FID, GC–MS and ¹³C NMR analyses, yielding the identification of 64 compounds with predominance of isomeric sesquiterpenes with molecular weights of 204. The main components of the oil obtained by hydrodistillation were β-caryophyllene, spathulenol, caryophyllene oxide, δ-cadinene, germacrene D, benzaldehyde and bicyclogermacrene. However, the oil obtained by steam distillation contained higher levels of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, with predominance of β-caryophyllene (C), germacrene D (G) and bicyclogermacrene (B), and was considered to be more representative of the composition of the oil in its natural state. The intraspecific chemical variability of the essential oil obtained by steam distillation was evaluated within populations of trees growing at three separate locations in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Three distinct chemical groups could be characterised due to differences in the relative percentages of the three main sesquiterpenes from essential oil: CGB [relative contents of C (14–34%), G (5–28%), B (8–15%)], BCG [B (17–34%), C (9–24%), G (12–25%)] and GCB [G (22–42%), C (4–17%), B (7–15%)]. Individuals from groups CGB and BCG were found to be more frequent at south locations while group GCB is predominant in north location.     

Protection of entomopathogenic conidia against chemical fungicides afforded by an oil-based formulation

We evaluated the protection afforded by an oil formulation against non-compatible fungicides in mixtures with conidia of the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae (Ma) and Beauveria bassiana (Bb). Under laboratory conditions, viability of unformulated (aqueous suspensions) Ma conidia was harmed by recommended label doses of carbendazim (not tested for Bb), and both Ma and Bb conidia were affected by triadimefon. On the other hand, effect of fungicides was usually nil or minimal on conidia formulated as oil-containing suspensions (emulsifiable oil + water). Germination rates for unformulated and oil-formulated Ma conidia subjected to carbendazim were reduced by 77.3 and 12.1%, respectively, compared to their fungicide-free counterparts. Germination rates at 16 h post-inoculation for unformulated and oil-formulated Bb conidia subjected to triadimefon were reduced by 20.5 and 5.5%, respectively, compared to their fungicide-free counterparts. No differences were observed at 20 h post inoculation, indicating a fungistatic action of this compound on Bb conidia. Virulence of unformulated conidia amended with fungicides against third instar Diatraea saccharalis larvae was negatively affected compared to their formulated counterparts. These results suggest that oil-formulated conidia can be effectively protected from damage caused by chemicals, which could have applications in tank mixing or alternate applications with shared spraying equipment, being especially relevant for IPM programs in which mycopesticides and chemicals are simultaneously sprayed.     

Gastrophysa polygoni herbivory on Rumex confertus: single leaf VOC induction and dose dependent herbivore attraction/repellence to individual compounds

We report large induction (>65_fold increases) of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from a single leaf of the invasive weed mossy sorrel, Rumex confertus Willd. (Polygonaceae), by herbivory of the dock leaf beetle, Gastrophysa polygoni L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). The R. confertus VOC blend induced by G. polygoni herbivory included two green leaf volatiles ((Z)-3-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate) and three terpenes (linalool, ß-caryophyllene, (E)-ß-farnesene). Uninjured leaves produced small constitutive amounts of the GLVs and barely detectable amounts of the terpenes. A Y-tube olfactometer bioassay revealed that both sexes of adult G. polygoni were attracted to (Z)-3-hexenal and (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate at a concentration of 300 ng h⁻¹. No significant G. polygoni attraction or repellence was detected for any VOC at other concentrations (60 and 1500 ng h⁻¹). Yet, G. polygoni males and females were significantly repelled by (or avoided) at the highest test concentration (7500 ng h⁻¹) of both GLVs and (E)-ß-farnesene. Mated male and female G. polygoni might be attracted to injured R. confertus leaves, but might avoid R. confertus when VOC concentrations (especially the terpene (E)-ß-farnesene) suggest high overall plant injury from conspecifics, G. viridula, or high infestations of other herbivores that release (E)-ß-farnesene (e.g., aphids). Tests in the future will need to examine G. polygoni responses to VOCs emitted directly from uninjured (constitutive) and injured (induced) R. confertus, and examine whether R. confertus VOC induction concentrations increase with greater tissue removal on a single leaf and/or the number of leaves with feeding injury.     

Oleaginous yeasts: Biodiversity and cultivation

Microbial lipids produced by oleaginous microorganisms, also called microbial oils and single cell oils (SCOs), are very promising sources for several oil industries. The exploration of efficient oleaginous yeast strains, meant to produce both high-quantity and high-quality lipids for the production of biodiesel, oleochemicals, and the other high value lipid products, have gained much attention. At present, the number of oleaginous yeast species that have been discovered is 8.2% of the total number of known yeast species, most of which have been isolated from their natural habitats. To explore high lipid producing yeasts, different methods, including high-throughput screening methods using colorimetric or fluorometric measures, have been developed. Understanding of the fatty acid composition profiles of lipids produced by oleaginous yeasts would help to define target lipid-related products. For lipid production, the employment of low-cost substrates suitable for yeast growth and lipid accumulation, and efficient cultivation processes are key factors for successfully increasing the amount of the accumulated lipid yield while decreasing the cost of production.     

Assays for the effects of volatile compounds from artificially damaged cotyledons of subterranean clover on the redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor

The effects on the redlegged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor) (Acarina: Penthaleidae) of volatile compounds released from artificially damaged cotyledons of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), a host plant, were investigated with different assays. Mites were repelled by the volatile compounds in flask tube and in trimmed cotyledon disc tests. No differences could be shown between different tissue amounts and between resistant and susceptible varieties. When a membrane sachet was used containing either 2-(E)-hexenal, a compound produced by damaged subclover cotyledons, or the total volatile compounds collected from damaged cotyledons of Dalkeith (susceptible) admixed with 1% glucose, mites gathered to low but were deterred by high concentrations of the compounds. Volatile compounds collected from the resistant variety DGI007 were more deterrent than those from the susceptible Dalkeith. Membrane sachets containing 30 p.p.m. of 2-(E)-hexenal and 1% glucose were less preferred than cotyledons of Dalkeith (susceptible) but were not different from DGI007 (resistant). By increasing the glucose concentration to 5%, the membrane sachets with 30 p.p.m. of 2-(E)-hexenal were preferred to cotyledons of either variety. The results indicate that the membrane feeding technique provides a sensitive way of assaying volatile compounds from damaged subclover cotyledons against the mite.     

Chemotype pattern differentiation of Thymus pulegioides on different substrates

Relationships between soil chemistry and population chemotype structure of Thymus pulegioides have been studied. The analysis of correlations suggest that an increased carbonate content in soil decreases the chemotype diversity of a population (as calculated by use of the Shannon index): the proportion of linalool chemotype plants rises and that of the phenol chemotype plants declines. In addition, the chemotype diversity decreases with increasing frequency of linalool chemotype, and increases with increase of carvacrol chemotype.     

Biodegradation of olive oil mill wastewaterby Coriolus versicolor and Funalia trogii:effects of agitation, initial COD concentration, inoculum size and immobilization

The biodegradation of olive oil mill wastewater (OOMW) by Coriolus versicolor and Funalia trogii was investigated. Initial COD concentration, agitation and inoculum size were all found to be significant for biodegradation. Adding glucose, sulphate or nitrogen had no effect on biodegradation. During growth in optimum conditions, C.versicolor removed approximately 63% COD, 90% phenol and 65% colour within 6 days and F. trogii removed approximately 70% COD, 93% phenol and 81% colour of the OOMW used. The fungi also excreted large amounts of extracellular laccase into the medium. High biodegradation yields were also obtained by fungi immobilized in calcium alginate gels.     

Photosynthetic limitations and volatile and non‐volatile isoprenoids in the poikilochlorophyllous resurrection plant Xerophyta humilis during dehydration and rehydration

We investigated the photosynthetic limitations occurring during dehydration and rehydration of Xerophyta humilis, a poikilochlorophyllous resurrection plant, and whether volatile and non‐volatile isoprenoids might be involved in desiccation tolerance. Photosynthesis declined rapidly after dehydration below 85% relative water content (RWC). Raising intercellular CO₂ concentrations during desiccation suggest that the main photosynthetic limitation was photochemical, affecting energy‐dependent RuBP regeneration. Imaging fluorescence confirmed that both the number of photosystem II (PSII) functional reaction centres and their efficiency were impaired under progressive dehydration, and revealed the occurrence of heterogeneous photosynthesis during desiccation, being the basal leaf area more resistant to the stress. Full recovery in photosynthetic parameters occurred on rehydration, confirming that photosynthetic limitations were fully reversible and that no permanent damage occurred. During desiccation, zeaxanthin and lutein increased only when photosynthesis had ceased, implying that these isoprenoids do not directly scavenge reactive oxygen species, but rather protect photosynthetic membranes from damage and consequent denaturation. X. humilis was found to emit isoprene, a volatile isoprenoid that acts as a membrane strengthener in plants. Isoprene emission was stimulated by drought and peaked at 80% RWC. We surmise that isoprene and non‐volatile isoprenoids cooperate in reducing membrane damage in X. humilis, isoprene being effective when desiccation is moderate while non‐volatile isoprenoids operate when water deficit is more extreme.     

Function of defensive volatiles in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) is tricked by the moth Tortrix viridana

The indirect defences of plants are comprised of herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) that among other things attract the natural enemies of insects. However, the actual extent of the benefits of HIPV emissions in complex co‐evolved plant‐herbivore systems is only poorly understood. The observation that a few Quercus robur L. trees constantly tolerated (T‐oaks) infestation by a major pest of oaks (Tortrix viridana L.), compared with heavily defoliated trees (susceptible: S‐oaks), lead us to a combined biochemical and behavioural study. We used these evidently different phenotypes to analyse whether the resistance of T‐oaks to the herbivore was dependent on the amount and scent of HIPVs and/or differences in non‐volatile polyphenolic leaf constituents (as quercetin‐, kaempferol‐ and flavonol glycosides). In addition to non‐volatile metabolic differences, typically defensive HIPV emissions differed between S‐oaks and T‐oaks. Female moths were attracted by the blend of HIPVs from S‐oaks, showing significantly higher amounts of (E)‐4,8‐dimethyl‐1,3,7‐nonatriene (DMNT) and (E)‐β‐ocimene and avoid T‐oaks with relative high fraction of the sesquiterpenes α‐farnesene and germacrene D. Hence, the strategy of T‐oaks exhibiting directly herbivore‐repellent HIPV emissions instead of high emissions of predator‐attracting HIPVs of the S‐oaks appears to be the better mechanism for avoiding defoliation.