- Email: [email protected]
Comparisons of the micromorphology and ultrastructure of foliar secretory appendages in Hibiscus surattensis and H. sabdariffa (Malvaceae)
Abstracts b Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa E-mail address: [email protected] (E. Pretorius)
Due to the commercial demand for Devil’s Claw as a natural antiinflammatory phytomedicine, the conservation of Harpagophytum procumbens Decne. Ihlenfeldt & Hartman, (the species of choice) has become contentious. Although several pharmacopeias allow for the use of either H. procumbens Decne. Ihlenfeldt & Hartman and H. zeyheri Decne. Ihlenfeldt & Hartman, the impact of this interchangeable use on pharmacological efficacy has not been studied. Traditionally, chromatographic techniques such as HPLC and GC have been used in the quality control of herbal products. However, due to the laborious process of sample preparation, the need for specialized equipment and skilled technicians, the industry has explored DNA barcoding as an alternative method for quality control of botanical medicines. In this study we used Sanger sequencing to explore the potential application of DNA barcoding to detect authenticity and possible substitution in commercial products. Authentic botanical reference material of both H. procumbens Decne. Ihlenfeldt & Hartman (n = 17) and H. zeyheri Decne. Ihlenfeldt & Hartman (n = 8) were obtained. A total of 14 commercial products were purchased on the internet in 2016 using the search term “Harpagophytum” or “Devil’s Claw”. The core DNA barcodes (rbcLa / matK) and the addition plastid region trnL-F were used to barcode the herbal products. BLAST and Character Based (BRONX) analysis were performed to verify taxonomic identity of the samples. Results indicated that 45% of the commercial samples tested, labeled as H. procumbens Decne. Ihlenfeldt & Hartman were interchange with H. zeyheri Decne. Ihlenfeldt & Hartman. Our study suggests that DNA barcoding could significantly support herbal product authentication. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2017.01.162
The role of phytopathogenic fungi in limiting plant invasions: The case of Australian Banksia (Proteaceae) in South Africa A. Qongqoa,b, S. Geertsa, F. Nchua a Cape Peninsula University of Technology, PO Box 652, Cape Town, South Africa b Invasive Species Programme, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Claremont 7735, South Africa E-mail address: [email protected] (A. Qongqo) The genus Banksia L.f. (Proteaceae) is native to Australia and was introduced to South Africa in the late 1970s. Currently there are fourteen Banksia species grown in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) for floriculture and horticulture. Of these fourteen species, namely B. ericifolia L.f. and B. integrifolia L.f. are invasive and another two species have naturalised. The remaining twelve species are classified as introduced species. Species traits and the environment, influence the differential abundance and Banksia species invasion status in the CFR. The aim of this study is to elucidate factors that may modulate differential abundance of Banksia species. A selective medium was used to isolate the phytopathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi ‘Rands’ (Oomycetes) from Banksias spp. soil samples and infected plant tissue. Fungal isolates were identified by employing morphological (light microscopy) and molecular (internal transcribing spacer) techniques. In order to probe the association between Banksia species antimicrobial activity and Banksia species invasion status, we conducted a minimum inhibitory concentration bioassay of twelve Banksia species against P. cinnamomi. The invasive B. ericifolia and B. integrifolia showed the highest antifungal activity and the introduced species B. hookeriana Meisn. showed the highest antifungal activity against P. cinnamomi. A species may have morphological invasive
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traits like the naturalised B. speciosa R.Br. but still be highly susceptible to phytopathogens. This study suggests that pathogens can act as barriers for a species to transition from an introduced species to be an invasive species. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2017.01.163
Comparisons of the micromorphology and ultrastructure of foliar secretory appendages in Hibiscus surattensis and H. sabdariffa (Malvaceae) K. Raghu, Y. Naidoo School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa E-mail address: [email protected] (K. Raghu) There is an urgency to screen and evaluate plants with reported ethnobotanical value due to the decline in floral biodiversity throughout the world. The medicinal activities of plants can be attributed to special phytochemicals produced through specific secondary metabolic pathways within plant secretory structures. Understanding the mechanisms of production and secretion in anatomically complex secretory structures may lead to advances in optimizing the yield and activities of compounds with pharmacological benefits. This study was undertaken to examine and evaluate structures on the leaves of two traditionallyused medicinal plant species, Hibiscus surattensis L. and H. sabdariffa L. This was achieved using a range of microscopy techniques. Capitate glandular trichomes were identified as the main external secretory appendages found on foliar surfaces of both Hibiscus species. Histochemical staining revealed the presence of acidic polysaccharides, phenolics and alkaloids in trichome head cells of H. surattensis and H. sabdariffa. Although similar in morphology and chemical composition, the ultrastructure of the capitate glands differed significantly between the species. For both species, a subcuticular chamber was seen to accumulate an amorphous secretion, however the subcellular arrangement of organelles differed greatly. In addition to external foliar glands, internal mucilage repositories were also identified. Mucilage idioblasts stained intensely for acidic polysaccharides and acidic lipids and were shown to develop from the deposition of mucilage into the periplasmic space. These findings form the basis of further exploration into the secretory mechanisms of both capitate trichomes and mucilage repositories in Hibiscus. The prominence of phenolic and alkaloid compound classes within foliar trichomes may be linked to their antihypertensive, antilipidemic and anticancer properties. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2017.01.164
South Africa’s Strategy for Plant Conservation D.C. Raimondo South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria National Botanic Gardens, Private Bag X101, Pretoria 0001, South Africa E-mail address: [email protected] South Africa is signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and is committed to the implementation of a national strategy to conserve plants that aligns with the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC). With 6% of the world’s plant diversity and strong botanical and conservation capacity, South Africa is well placed to make a significant contribution to plant conservation globally. South Africa’s
Due to the commercial demand for Devil’s Claw as a natural antiinflammatory phytomedicine, the conservation of Harpagophytum procumbens Decne. Ihlenfeldt & Hartman, (the species of choice) has become contentious. Although several pharmacopeias allow for the use of either H. procumbens Decne. Ihlenfeldt & Hartman and H. zeyheri Decne. Ihlenfeldt & Hartman, the impact of this interchangeable use on pharmacological efficacy has not been studied. Traditionally, chromatographic techniques such as HPLC and GC have been used in the quality control of herbal products. However, due to the laborious process of sample preparation, the need for specialized equipment and skilled technicians, the industry has explored DNA barcoding as an alternative method for quality control of botanical medicines. In this study we used Sanger sequencing to explore the potential application of DNA barcoding to detect authenticity and possible substitution in commercial products. Authentic botanical reference material of both H. procumbens Decne. Ihlenfeldt & Hartman (n = 17) and H. zeyheri Decne. Ihlenfeldt & Hartman (n = 8) were obtained. A total of 14 commercial products were purchased on the internet in 2016 using the search term “Harpagophytum” or “Devil’s Claw”. The core DNA barcodes (rbcLa / matK) and the addition plastid region trnL-F were used to barcode the herbal products. BLAST and Character Based (BRONX) analysis were performed to verify taxonomic identity of the samples. Results indicated that 45% of the commercial samples tested, labeled as H. procumbens Decne. Ihlenfeldt & Hartman were interchange with H. zeyheri Decne. Ihlenfeldt & Hartman. Our study suggests that DNA barcoding could significantly support herbal product authentication. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2017.01.162
The role of phytopathogenic fungi in limiting plant invasions: The case of Australian Banksia (Proteaceae) in South Africa A. Qongqoa,b, S. Geertsa, F. Nchua a Cape Peninsula University of Technology, PO Box 652, Cape Town, South Africa b Invasive Species Programme, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Claremont 7735, South Africa E-mail address: [email protected] (A. Qongqo) The genus Banksia L.f. (Proteaceae) is native to Australia and was introduced to South Africa in the late 1970s. Currently there are fourteen Banksia species grown in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) for floriculture and horticulture. Of these fourteen species, namely B. ericifolia L.f. and B. integrifolia L.f. are invasive and another two species have naturalised. The remaining twelve species are classified as introduced species. Species traits and the environment, influence the differential abundance and Banksia species invasion status in the CFR. The aim of this study is to elucidate factors that may modulate differential abundance of Banksia species. A selective medium was used to isolate the phytopathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi ‘Rands’ (Oomycetes) from Banksias spp. soil samples and infected plant tissue. Fungal isolates were identified by employing morphological (light microscopy) and molecular (internal transcribing spacer) techniques. In order to probe the association between Banksia species antimicrobial activity and Banksia species invasion status, we conducted a minimum inhibitory concentration bioassay of twelve Banksia species against P. cinnamomi. The invasive B. ericifolia and B. integrifolia showed the highest antifungal activity and the introduced species B. hookeriana Meisn. showed the highest antifungal activity against P. cinnamomi. A species may have morphological invasive
365
traits like the naturalised B. speciosa R.Br. but still be highly susceptible to phytopathogens. This study suggests that pathogens can act as barriers for a species to transition from an introduced species to be an invasive species. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2017.01.163
Comparisons of the micromorphology and ultrastructure of foliar secretory appendages in Hibiscus surattensis and H. sabdariffa (Malvaceae) K. Raghu, Y. Naidoo School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa E-mail address: [email protected] (K. Raghu) There is an urgency to screen and evaluate plants with reported ethnobotanical value due to the decline in floral biodiversity throughout the world. The medicinal activities of plants can be attributed to special phytochemicals produced through specific secondary metabolic pathways within plant secretory structures. Understanding the mechanisms of production and secretion in anatomically complex secretory structures may lead to advances in optimizing the yield and activities of compounds with pharmacological benefits. This study was undertaken to examine and evaluate structures on the leaves of two traditionallyused medicinal plant species, Hibiscus surattensis L. and H. sabdariffa L. This was achieved using a range of microscopy techniques. Capitate glandular trichomes were identified as the main external secretory appendages found on foliar surfaces of both Hibiscus species. Histochemical staining revealed the presence of acidic polysaccharides, phenolics and alkaloids in trichome head cells of H. surattensis and H. sabdariffa. Although similar in morphology and chemical composition, the ultrastructure of the capitate glands differed significantly between the species. For both species, a subcuticular chamber was seen to accumulate an amorphous secretion, however the subcellular arrangement of organelles differed greatly. In addition to external foliar glands, internal mucilage repositories were also identified. Mucilage idioblasts stained intensely for acidic polysaccharides and acidic lipids and were shown to develop from the deposition of mucilage into the periplasmic space. These findings form the basis of further exploration into the secretory mechanisms of both capitate trichomes and mucilage repositories in Hibiscus. The prominence of phenolic and alkaloid compound classes within foliar trichomes may be linked to their antihypertensive, antilipidemic and anticancer properties. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2017.01.164
South Africa’s Strategy for Plant Conservation D.C. Raimondo South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria National Botanic Gardens, Private Bag X101, Pretoria 0001, South Africa E-mail address: [email protected] South Africa is signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and is committed to the implementation of a national strategy to conserve plants that aligns with the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC). With 6% of the world’s plant diversity and strong botanical and conservation capacity, South Africa is well placed to make a significant contribution to plant conservation globally. South Africa’s