Antioxidant properties of monomeric,oligomeric, and polymeric fractions in hot water extract from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus radiata</Emphasis> bark

Hot water extract (HWE) from Pinus radiata bark was fractionated into monomeric polyphenol (MPP), oligomeric proanthocyanidin (OPA), and polymeric proanthocyanidin (PPA) fractions by monitoring the UV-visible spectrum of the eluted fractions. Nine polyphenols were identified in MPP: three phenolic acids and six flavonoids. The major compounds of MPP were taxifolin (456 μg/mg), catechins (240 μg/mg), and protocatechuic acid (46.2 μg/mg). The OPA components ranged from dimers to hexamers. PPA comprised procyanidin (PC, 94%), a small amount of prodelphinidin (PD, 6%), and also the higher trans configuration, rather than the cis configuration, of C2-C3. The average molecular weight (Mw, Mn), polydispersity (Mw/Mn), and DP of PPA were 3,800 (Mw), 1,200 (Mn), 3.2 and 13, respectively. The potential antioxidant activities of HWE and the three fractions were estimated using proton- or electron-donating assays containing 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical, 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) radical cation, superoxide anion (O₂^•−), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), reducing power and lipid peroxidation. All the bark fractions exhibited potent quenching abilities against both commercially available radicals (DPPH•, ABTS^•+) and chemically induced radicals (H₂O₂, O₂^•−), as well as strong reducing power and inhibitory activity of lipid peroxidation. Particularly, OPA showed a hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the other fractions. From 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and ferric thiocyanate assays, PPA was suspected to act by essentially delaying the formation of hydroperoxide by quenching free oxygen radicals that operates in oil-in-water emulsion.     

Lignin characteristics of bast fiber and core in kenaf, bark and wood of paper mulberry and mulberry

The structural features of bast fiber and core lignins in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), bark and wood lignin of paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) Vent × Broussonetia kazinoki Sieb.) and mulberry (Morus bombycis) were characterized by alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation, ozonation and methoxyl group determination. Bj?rkman lignins were isolated from bast fiber and core, and bark and wood fractions of the plant samples, and structural characteristics were investigated by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. Kenaf bast fiber gave very high molar ratio of syringaldehyde to vanillin (S/V) of alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation products, while methoxyl content was about the same as that of the core fraction. Results of ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR of Bj?rkman lignin suggested the presence of aliphatic fragments in lignins isolated from paper mulberry and mulberry bark, but not in kenaf bast fiber. The lower yield of alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation products from bast fiber and bark might be due to the higher content of condensed structure of lignin compared to core fraction. Total yield of erythronic (E) and threonic (T) acids of ozonation products and the molar ratio of erythronic acid to threonic acid (E/T) of the bast fibers and bark were lower than the corresponding core and wood fractions, suggesting that the contents of arylglycerol-β-aryl ether intermonomer linkages in the bast fiber and bark lignin were lower than those of the core and wood fractions. Methoxyl content of bark lignin was lower than the corresponding wood lignin. The methoxyl content of the extract-free kenaf bast fiber was similar to that of the core fraction, while the values of paper mulberry and mulberry bark were about one-half of the corresponding wood fractions, respectively. In bark lignins, the methoxyl contents of Klason lignin and Bj?rkman lignin from bark were lower than those of the extract-free barks. This result suggests that the purity of Klason lignin and Bj?rkman lignins of bark may be rather low.     

Comparative study of organic solvent-soluble and water-soluble lipophilic extractives from wheat straw 2: spectroscopic and thermal analysis

As a continuing study of six organic solventsoluble lipophilic extractives and one water-soluble lipophilic extract from wheat straw, seven extracts were further compared using Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) analysis,¹H and¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. In the FT-IR spectra of two-thirds chloroform/one-third methanol, methyltertbutyl ether (MTBE), hexane, petroleum ether, and dichloromethane extracts, a strong band at 1746cm^–1 is indicative of the ester carbonyl of triglycerides or steryl esters or waxes, whereas the occurrence of carboxylic carbonyl of free fatty acids or resin acids at 1712–1719 cm^–1 is verified in the spectra of two-thirds toluene/one-third ethanol and hot water extracts. Signals at 187.9,178.4, and 173.3 ppm in the¹³C NMR spectrum of MTBE extract correspond to carbonyl groups of resin acids, fatty acids, and fatty acid/steryl esters, respectively. All the extractives were to varying degrees thermally unstable at a temperature of about 200°C, and the melting temperature occurred at about 54°C.     

Effects of Ca^2＋concentrations on accumulations of mineral elements in the components of Pteroceltis tatarinowii

The bark ofPteroceltis tatarinowii is a raw material for manufacturing Xuan Paper. The effects of Ca²⁺ concentrations on the accumulation of mineral elements in the bark, leaf and root ofPteroceltis tatarinowii were studied under controlled conditions. The types of Hoagland nutrient solution with three Ca²⁺ concentrations levels (200, 400 and 600 μg·g⁻¹) and a control (without Ca²⁺ were designed to culturePteroceltis tatarinowii. After 6 months, contents of seven mineral elements including Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu and Na in the root, leaf and bark were analyzed. The results indicated that Ca accumulations content in the root, leaf and bark had positively relation with Ca²⁺ concentrations (200, 400, 600 μg·g⁻¹), and the order of the Ca content in the three components was root>leaf>bark. Ca content in the root treated with 600 μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations was 5.5 times as high as that of the control, and about 1.4 times as high as that of the root treated in 200 and 400 μg/g Ca²⁺ concentrations respectively. On the contrary, K and Mg contents in the root, leaf and bark were negatively related to Ca²⁺ concentrations, especially in the bark, and their accumulation trend followed the order of leaf>root>bark. K content in the bark treated with 600 μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations was 39.3% of that of the control, and was 79.0% and 91.8% of that of the bark treated with 200μg·g⁻¹ and 400μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations respectively; Mg content in the bark treated with 600μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations was 23.4% of that of the control, and was 27.1% and 35.4% of that of the bark treated with 200 and 400 μg·g⁻¹ Ca²⁺ concentrations respectively. Compared with the control, the general tendency of Mn, Zn and Cu content decreased with increasing of Ca²⁺ concentrations and their contents were in the order: root>leaf>bark. Based on the results of this study, the experiment has been useful for providing academic bases in improving the bark quality ofPteroceltis tatarinowii on non-limestone soil. Foundation item: This paper is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 39970608). Biography: Fang Shengzun (1963), male, Professor in Stiiviculture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210027, P.R. China. Responsible editor: Zhu Hong     

Chemical composition and anti-inflammatory activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Boswellia ovalifoliolata</Emphasis> essential oils from leaf and bark

We isolated the essential oils from Boswellia ovalifoliolata N.P.Balakr and A.N.Henry using hydrodistillation, identified the obtained compounds using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and studied the photophysical and electrochemical properties using UV–visible and fluorescence spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. On the basis of GC–MS spectra, 38 compounds were identified in the essential oil from leaves and 26 in the oil from bark. The bark oil contained 13.44% β-Farnesene (sesquiterpene), 10.45% caryophyllene oxide (sesquiterpene) and 6.6% spathulenol, (2Z,6E)-(sesquiterpene alcohol); the leaf oil contained 11.1% spathulenol (sesquiterpene alcohol), 9.0% caryophyllene oxide (sesquiterpenoids) and 6.3% decyl acetate (ester). FT-IR spectra confirmed the presence of aliphatic aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acid, alcohols, esters and ethers in both oil types. UV–visible absorption spectra showed maximum absorbance at 245, 290 and 402 nm for bark oil, and 250, 285 and 325 nm for leaf. Bark oil showed strong emission with maximum emission wavelength at 456 nm was higher than that of leaf oil at 414 nm. The essential oil had significant anti-inflammatory activity, and the reduction potential of the leaf oil was ?0.44 and ?0.56 eV for bark.     

Assignment of the 1H and 13C NMR spectra of 2-aminobenzamide-labeled galacto- and arabinooligosaccharides

1,4-Linked β-d-galactooligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization (DP) between 1 and 7 and 1,5-linked α-l-arabinooligosaccharides with a DP between 1 and 8 were labeled at their reducing ends with 2-aminobenzamide (2AB) in the presence of sodium cyanoborohydride. The 2AB-labeled oligosaccharides were shown to be homogeneous using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC) and by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The signals in the ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of the 2AB-labeled oligosaccharides were then assigned using one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. These NMR data will be useful for the structural analysis of enzymatically synthesized galactan and arabinan side chains derived from rhamnogalacturonan I.     

Screening for condensed tannin-degrading fungi with a synthetic <Superscript>14</Superscript>C-labeled compound

To find fungi that are potent for degradation of condensed tannin, a two-step screening was used. This involved measurement of fungal growth rate on Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) bark, followed by determination of [¹⁴C]-labeled CO₂ generated from fungal degradation of synthetic [¹⁴C]-labeled condensed tannin model. In the first screening, 75 strains of wood rot fungi were tested, and 19 strains effectively decreased bark weight and/or the weight of the methanol-soluble fraction. For the second screening, [¹⁴C]-labeled condensed tannin model compound was synthesized in 11.8% yield based on radioactivity measurements. Over the incubation period, Coriolus hirsutus K-2671, Lentinus edodes Is, and Lampteromyces japonicus Nn showed higher cumulative [¹⁴C]-labeled CO₂ emissions than the other strains and mineralized the [¹⁴C]-labeled condensed tannin model compound by 3.7%, 3.0%, and 3.0%, respectively. Fractionation of the methanol extracts from the medium by gel permeation chromatography after fungal treatment suggested that fungi that can induce the emission of significant levels of [¹⁴C]-labeled CO₂ can extensively depolymerize condensed tannins.     

Structure identification for compound I separated and purified fromtaxoids-produced endophytic fungi （Alternaria. alternata var. taxi 1011）

Endophytic fungi are widely found in almost all kinds of plants. Many endophytic fungi can produce some physio-logical active compounds, which are same to or analog to those isolated from their hosts. Producing physiological active compounds through microbial fermentation can give a new way to resolve resource limitation and to find out alternative source.Through the methods of organic solvent extraction, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and column chromatography, compound I was isolated, purified from the liquid fermentation metabolites of the taxoids-produced endophytic fungi (Altemaria. altemata var.taxi 1011 Y. Xiang et LU An-guo) that was screened from the bark of Taxus. cuspidata Sieb.et Zucc.. Compound I was identified as one kind of taxoids type Ⅲ, based on the analyzing results by using the methods of ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), infrared spectroscopy (IR), mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). This study provides a completed method for separation and purification of the endophytic fungi as well as structure identification of its fermentation metabolite     

Proliferating effect of extracts from woods and fungi on rat vibrissa dermal papilla cells

Hair growth is a highly regulated cyclical process. Three distinct phases have been defined for the mammalian cycle: anagen (growing phase), catagen (regression phase), and telogen (resting phase). Although little is known about the mechanism that regulates the hair cycle, it is believed that dermal papillae (DP) derived from mesenchymal cells play an essential role in controlling the established hair follicle and hair cycle. The purpose of this investigation was to find the components of woods and fungi that exert a proliferative activity on DP cells. Results show that the fungus YL161 (ethyl acetate extract, 1ppm),Agaricus blazei (ethyl acetate extract, 0.1 ppm), and the bark ofCamptotheca cuminata (methanol extract of bark, 0.1 ppm) exhibit higher growth-promoting activity than pentadecanoic acid. These components that have a proliferative effect on DP cells may be useful hair growth-stimulating materials and can be used to understand the mechanism of hair growth.     

Effects of afforestation on soil organic matter characteristics under subtropical forests with low elevation

We selected sites of natural broad-leaved forests and adjacent coniferous plantations (Cunninghamia konishii and Calocedrus formosana of 30 and 80 years old, respectively) in central Taiwan to evaluate the effects of plantations on soil organic matter (SOM) characteristics and composition. SOM was characterized by chemical analyses, solid-state ¹³C cross-polarization magic-angle nuclear magnetic resonance (CPMAS ¹³C NMR), and optical measurements. Semiquantitative analysis of CPMAS ¹³C NMR spectra showed the litter of broad-leaved forests to be less resistant to decomposition than that of coniferous forests. The humification degree of SOM was higher under broad-leaved than coniferous forests because of the relatively high percentage of aromatic C and carboxyl C in the humic acids (HAs) of A horizons under broad-leaved forests. Additionally, the E ₄/E ₆ ratio of HAs was lower in the A horizon under broad-leaved than coniferous forests, which reflected more condensation of SOM. High alkyl C content under coniferous forests could be attributed to needle litter quality, which has a high content of waxes or lipids. Afforestation with conifers induced accumulation of the litterfall layer, gradually increased SOM concentrations, and changed the composition structures of SOM in the topsoils.     

Host selection of small cedar longicorn beetle, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Callidiellum rufipenne</Emphasis> (Coleoptera:Cerambycidae), on Japanese cedar, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>, in terms of bark water content of host trees

We caught the adults of a secondary wood-boring insect, Callidiellum rufipenne (Motschulsky), on Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica D. Don., trees and logs with manipulated bark water contents to clarify the mechanism of host selection by C. rufipenne. More C. rufipenne were trapped when the bark water content range was ca. 120–200%. Fewer C. rufipenne were trapped at higher and lower bark water contents. These findings indicate that C. rufipenne adults do not simply select weakened or dying trees. Bark water content is one of important factors for C. rufipenne choosing their host for oviposition.     

Lesion development in stems of rough‐ and smooth‐barked Eucalyptus nitens following artificial inoculations with canker fungi

A study of lesion development in stems of Eucalyptus nitens following artificial inoculations with canker fungi was carried out on 16‐year‐old plantation trees. In a first trial cambium bark wounds on smooth‐ and rough‐barked trees were inoculated with the mycelium of nine species of canker fungi, including Endothia gyrosa. In a second trial spores or mycelium of E. gyrosa were applied directly onto undamaged or superficially wounded bark surfaces. Infection subsequent to artificial inoculation via wounding (whatever the wounding technique or type of inoculum) resulted in significantly larger external lesions (mean lesion area up to 35.6 cm² 20 months after inoculation) on smooth bark compared with those on rough bark (up to 19.0 cm²). Microscopic studies of infected rough and smooth bark suggest that, once smooth bark is compromised by wounding and artificial inoculation, the particular anatomical structure of smooth bark may offer less mechanical resistance to post‐penetration hyphal spread in comparison with rough bark. It is suggested that at a pre‐penetration stage under natural conditions spores of E. gyrosa more easily infect rough bark via cracks associated with this type of bark but not present in smooth bark.     

Fractional isolation and structural characterization of mild ball-milled lignin in high yield and purity from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucommia ulmoides</Emphasis> Oliv

Sequential extractions of the mild ball-milled Eucommia ulmoides Oliv with 80% neutral dioxane, 75% dioxane containing 0.025 M HCl, 75% dioxane containing 0.1 M NaOH, 60% ethanol containing 0.5 M NaOH, 5% KOH, 5% NaOH, and 8% KOH at 75°C for 3 h released 91.3% of the original lignin. The results showed that the procedure for extracting lignin from the mild ball-milled wood with mild alkaline organic solvent was more efficient than the traditional method of neutral and mild acidic dioxane extractions. The structure of the seven lignin fractions were analysed using wet chemical analysis, such as alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation, FT-IR, and solution-state ¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P NMR techniques. It is clear that the sequential mild acidic and alkaline organic solvent extractions of the mild ball-milled E. ulmoides Oliv offered significant yield improvements over the traditional signal acidolysis procedure for isolating lignin from wood, and the alkaline organic solvent extraction led to more lignin release than that of the mild acidolysis. This new procedure proposed in this study could be used for the lignin structural analysis, whereby wood is mild ball-milled and successively extracted with both mild acidic and alkaline organic solvents as well as aqueous alkalis to produce lignin fractions with high yield and purity and representing the total lignin in wood.     

Inhibition activity of essential oils obtained from Japanese trees against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Skeletonema costatum</Emphasis>

The growth inhibition activities of essential oils obtained from Cryptomeria japonica, Chamaecyparis obtusa, and Pinus thunbergii were examined against the bacillariophyceae Skeletonema costatum, also known as red tide plankton. The essential oils were extracted from the heartwood, leaves, and bark of these typical indigenous Japanese conifers. The essential oils from C. japonica bark and P. thunbergii heartwood possessed strong growth inhibition activity. The chemical compositions of these essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography/flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). α-Terpineol and longifolene were the main components of the essential oil from P. thunbergii heartwood. The C. japonica bark essential oil was mainly composed of α-terpineol, δ-cadinene, isophyllocladene, and ferruginol. Ferruginol and longifolene showed more potent growth inhibition against S. costatum than hinokitiol (β-thujaplicine), which is known to be a strong antifungal compound among wood components. Ferruginol and longifolene were important factors for the growth inhibition activity of the essential oils from C. japonica bark and P. thunbergii heartwood, respectively. These results suggest the possibility of using C. japonica bark and P. thunbergii heartwood for the control of red tide plankton.     

Moisture content variability in kiln-dried <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gmelina arborea</Emphasis> wood: effect of radial position and anatomical features

Gmelina arborea is one of the most important species for plantation in tropical areas. However, high variability in final moisture content (MC_f) is a problem in the drying process. This study sought to determine the variability in MC_f in relation to distance from the pith (DP), and anatomic elements. Boards of 1.2 cm in thickness obtained from bark to the pith from 15-year-old plantation trees were dried in a pilot kiln. Anatomical characteristics, initial moisture content (MC_i), and specific gravity (SG) were also determined. Pearson correlation matrix was conducted between MC_f and the other variables. DP, fiber length, and ray width were correlated negatively with MC_f, while fiber diameter was positively correlated. Other studied anatomical properties showed no statistical correlations. Other wood properties such as SG and MC_i showed some influence on MC_f. DP can be considered as a good practical predictor for MC_f in G. arborea because some wood properties are related to MC_f. However, other wood characteristics that are not related with DP also influence MC_f, such as the presence of sapwood, MC_i variation between and within trees, fiber diameter, and ray width. These results suggest that MC_f variation in G. arborea is difficult to determine.     

Frequencies and spatial patterns of white hypovirulent and pigmented strains of Cryphonectria parasitica within blight-controlled cankers on grafted American chestnut trees 15–16 years after inoculation

The frequencies and spatial patterns of white and pigmented strains of Cryphonectria parasitica were investigated within cankers in a zone on grafted American chestnut trees inoculated with white (European) and pigmented hypovirulent strains (H-inoculated zone) 15–16 years earlier. Six 7 × 7 lattice plots (each 17.8 × 17.8 cm) were established on cankers in the H-inoculated zone of the grafts. Assays of 49 bark cores per lattice indicated that 35.3% of 306 C. parasitica isolates recovered from the six lattice plots were white. The white isolates had a random pattern, potentially favorable to biocontrol, within the highly superficial cankers, based on join-count statistics of the six lattice plots. Pigmented isolates dominated the C. parasitica population, and virulence trials on American chestnut sprouts indicated 36% of the pigmented isolates from the H-inoculated zone were hypovirulent and 27% were virulent. Most (84.3%) pigmented isolates in a bark core could not be converted to the white phenotype in vitro by white isolates in the same bark core. Five of six lattice plots had a random pattern of pigmented isolates, based on join-count statistics. The sixth lattice plot was composed of an aggregate of 36 lattice cells (area = 232 cm²) containing 12 pigmented vegetative compatability (vc) groups of C. parasitica, which were interwoven in the lattice as a mosaic of thread-like forms, blocks, or ‘islands’ 32 cm² or less in area for each vc group. Hypotheses are advanced to explain why virulent pigmented strains persist in blight-controlled cankers of the H-inoculated zone but do not kill the vascular cambium.     

Structure elucidation and complete NMR spectral assignment of two triterpenoid saponins from Radix Hedysari

A new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponin with a carbonyl group at C-15, named polybosaponin A (1), together with a known triterpenoid saponin, dehydrosoyasaponin I (2), were isolated from Radix Hedysari. On the basis of one- and two-dimensional NMR and high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, the structure of 1 were elucidated and the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral signals were assigned totally. In addition, the complete assignment of ¹H NMR signals and revision of incorrect assignment of ¹³C NMR signals for 2 were also achieved based on one- and two-dimensional NMR spectrometry.     

A new seco-friedelolactone acid from the bark and twigs of Itoa orientalis

A new seco-friedelolactone, named itoaic acid, together with 5 known compounds was isolated from the bark and twigs of Itoa orientalis. The structure was elucidated by means of MS, 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Anti-inflammatory activity against COX-2 was evaluated for several compounds from I. orientalis and another Flacourtiaceae plant Xylosma controversum.     

Artoindonesianin P,a new prenylated flavone with cytotoxic activity from Artocarpus lanceifolius

A new prenylated flavone, named artoindonesianin P (1), was isolated from the tree bark of Artocarpus lanceifolius, together with three known related compounds, artobiloxanthone (2), cycloartobiloxanthone (3) and artonol B (4). The structure of artoindonesianin P 1 was determined on the basis of spectral evidence (MS, 1H and 13C NMR) and by comparison with known related compounds. Compounds 1-4 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against murine P388 leukemia cells.     

Micropropagation and callus culture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saussurea laniceps</Emphasis>, an alpine medicinal plant

Cottonhead windhairdaisy (Saussurea laniceps Hand.-Mazz.) is one of the most famous and important medicinal herbs in China. Illegal collection from wild populations is increasingly threatening the present environment of S. laniceps. Establishment of an efficient method for micropropagation is the best way to change its endangered situation. When mature seeds of S. laniceps were cultured on hormone-free MS medium, plantlets were formed from germinated seeds in 7–10 d. Then 0.5 cm × 0.5 cm leaf explants were transplanted to MS medium supplemented with 1-naphthalene-acetic acid (NAA)/2,4-D and benzyladenine (BA)/KT and callus was achieved 10 d after transfer. Shoot bud regeneration occurred from callus cultured on MS medium supplemented with different growth regulators 20 d after culturing. The regeneration percentages varied with the different components of plant growth regulators. The percent regeneration from callus pretreated at low temperature of 5°C increased significantly compared with those incubated at 23/20°C directly. Optimal regeneration was observed with explants on media supplemented with 1.5 mg&#8226;L^–1 BA plus 0.2 mg&#8226;L^-1 NAA. In the presence of 0.2 mg&#8226;L^–1 NAA in half-strength MS, 78% of the shoots formed roots. Plantlets from explants showed 63% survival after acclimatization.