Comparison of chitosans with different molecular weights as possible wood preservatives

Fungi cause serious problems in wood utilization, and environmentally benign wood protection is required as an alternative to traditional chemicals. Chitosan has shown promising antimicrobial properties against several microorganisms. In this study, we present the characterization of and antifungal properties of a commercial chitosan formulation developed for impregnation of wood. A broad range of chemical and mycological methods were used to evaluate the uptake, fixation, and antifungal properties of chitosan for wood preservation. The results show that the higher the uptake of chitosan the lower the relative recovery of chitosan in wood after leaching, and the higher the molecular weight of chitosan the higher the recovery. Chitosan with high molecular weight proved to be more efficient against decay fungi than chitosan with low molecular weight. The fungi tested on chitosan-amended nutrient agar medium were totally inhibited at 1% (w/v) concentration. In decay studies using small wood blocks, 4.8% (w/v) chitosan concentration gave the best protection against brown rot fungi.     

Termite repellent sesquiterpenoids from Callitris glaucophylla heartwood

Fractions of methanol and ethanol extracts from the heartwood of white cypress pine (Callitris glaucophylla Thompson et Johnson) were investigated for their repellent activity against subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki worker using a two-choice semicircular filter paper test at 0.5% (w/w) concentration. Fraction CY-E2 composed of (−)-citronellic acid, guaiol, α-, β-, and γ-eudesmol isomers as well as an unknown compound, showed the highest statistically significant repellency (97.8% ± 2.2 SEM) of all fractions tested. Bioactivity-guided fractionations using high-performance liquid chromatography led to the isolation of two, oxygenated eudesmane-type sesquiterpenes with α-methylene moieties, both termite-repellent compounds. These compounds were subsequently identified as ilicic acid methyl ester (IAME) and costic acid by means of spectroscopic analyses, electron impact mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We report the isolation of both IAME and costic acid from C. glaucophylla heartwood for the first time. Part of this paper was presented at the 47th Symposium on the Chemistry of Terpenes, Essential Oils, and Aromatics, Tokyo, November 2003     

Insecticidal action of the polyphenolic rich fractions from the stem bark of Streblus asper on Dysdercus cingulatus

Extracts from the stem bark of Streblus asper possess insecticidal activity against the fifth instar of Dysdercus cingulatus. Methanolic extract showed an LC(50) value of 5.56 microg/insect. Partition with chloroform increased the insecticidal activity (LC(50) 2.01 microg/insect). Three polyphenolic rich fractions were obtained from silica-gel column chromatography of the chloroform fraction and found to have noteworthy insecticidal activity (LC(50): 1.82 microg, 2.70 microg, 2.26 microg/insect) by topical application. This may provide a useful beginning for the development of biopesticides.     

玛咖不同颜色种子表型性状及活力特性分析

比较分析棕黄色、棕红色和黑色3种颜色玛咖种子的大小、萌发特性、幼苗生长特性和酶活力,探讨3种颜色玛咖种子的表型性状及其与种子活力之间的相关性。结果表明,棕黄色和黑色种子的长、厚、厚宽比、千粒质量、发芽势、发芽率、发芽指数、活力指数、幼苗苗长、根长、单株鲜质量和干质量、POD活性、脱氢酶活性等性状之间无显著差异,但均显著高于棕红色种子(P<0.05);棕黄色和黑色种子的新鲜不发芽种子数、死种子数和不正常幼苗数均显著低于棕红色种子(P<0.05)。不同颜色玛咖种子的千粒质量与种子的长、厚存在显著正相关(P<0.05),种子发芽势、发芽率、发芽指数、活力指数均与千粒质量、POD和脱氢酶呈极显著正相关(P<0.01)。说明棕黄色和黑色种子活力高于棕红色种子,萌发能力更强。     

桂西北秃杉人工林土壤肥力变化的研究

采用时空互换法,于广西南丹县山口林场选取不同林龄(9、14、20 a)的秃杉人工林作为研究对象,对其土壤物理性质、化学性质和生物化学性质(土壤酶活性)进行研究。结果表明:不同林分年龄土壤性质存在一定的差异,8、14、20 a秃杉人工林表层土壤(0 20 cm)土壤密度分别为0.978、0.914、0.890 g·cm^-3,总孔隙度分别为63.10%、65.53 %、66.40%,土壤最大持水量分别为64.55%、71.70%、74.58%。随着林龄的增长,土壤各化学和生物化学指标的变化不尽相同,但林分年龄到20年生时,多数土壤养分和酶活性指标都有所升高,土壤肥力状况得到提高。     

Influence of variable photoperiods on the feeding activity and fecundity of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Galendromus occidentalis</Emphasis> (Nesbitt) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) under laboratory conditions

The influence of variable photoperiods on the feeding activity and fecundity of Galendromus occidentalis (Nesbitt) was studied on a diet of Tetranychus urticae Koch eggs. Starved G. occidentalis females were fed T. urticae eggs under ten 24-h light:dark regimes. Half of the tests started during photophase and the other half during scotophase. T. urticae eggs that were consumed and G. occidentalis eggs that were laid were counted at the end of each photophase and scotophase in a 24 h period. In general, G. occidentalis consumed more T. urticae eggs per h in the first phase of the experiment than in the second, regardless of whether the lights were on or off. In contrast to egg consumption, there were no statistical differences in the mean daily fecundity at the end of the 24-h periods. However, when the experiment was started during photophase, higher fecundity/h was encountered during scotophase than during the photophase. As a result, egg consumption rates were affected by photoperiods in both phases of the experiments. Logistic regression analysis revealed that variable photoperiods and egg consumption did not influence the fecundity of G. occidentalis.     

A pre-synchronization program at early postpartum might increase the chances of Bos indicus cows cycling prior to 50 days regardless of the length of calf separation

The aim of this study was to establish if pre-synchronization would enhance the number of animals cycling prior to conventional breeding at 45 days irrespective of the length of calf separation. Multiparous Bos indicus cows were allotted in four groups (n = 10). Control group (C) dams remained with their calves; groups G24, G48 and G72, which were partially weaned for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively, were estrus synchronized using a controlled internal drug. These procedures were performed at 25 days and again at 45 days postpartum. The number of follicles, presence of a corpus luteum and back fat thickness (BFT) were determined by ultrasound. The proportion of cows with estrus and ovulation at day 25 postpartum was statistically different between the control and treated groups, with the values being 20, 60, 50 and 70 for the control, G24, G48 and G72 groups respectively (P < 0.05). At days 45 postpartum, the proportion of cows with estrus and ovulation was different in group G48 compared with the other groups (P <0.05). The average BFT and body condition score for the four experimental groups in the two periods were similar (P >0.05). Animals with a higher proportion of follicles from 17 to 21 mm, BFT values above 3.5 mm and a regular body condition were significantly different regardless of whether the dams remained with their calves or were separated, regardless of the length of this event. It can be concluded that (1) a pre-synchronization program at day 25 could trigger the onset of ovarian activity and facilitate a breeding program at day 50 and (2) temporary weaning enhances the effect of a pre-synchronization program.     

测定活性炭对四氯化碳吸附值的新方法─—迎头色谱穿透曲线法

提出了一种快速测定活性炭对四氯化碳的吸附值新方法。详细介绍了测定的系统装置、控制条件和操作步骤；阐明了通过穿透曲线测定活性炭对四氯化碳吸附值的原理；分析了规定的四氯化碳吸附值的物理意义。该方法测定快速、操作简易，数据精度符合要求。     

柑橘类植物精油的抗菌活性及其作用机制

柑橘类植物精油(CEOs)是从柑橘类植物中提取的芳香类混合物,其主要活性成分为D-柠檬烯(D?limonene),具有广泛的生物活性,包括抗菌、抗氧化和抗炎等.CEOs具有选择性抗菌活性,在动物生产中具有非常重要的应用价值.不同的CEOs具有不同的抗菌活性,研究其抗菌机制也具有非常重要的意义.本文着重介绍了CEOs的化...     

Lead optimization and insecticidal activity of analogues of daphneolone isolated from Stellera chamaejasme L

Starting from the chemical structure of the botanical aphicides 1,5-diphenyl-1-pentanone and 1,5-diphenyl-2-penten-1-one, extracted from Stellera chamaejasme L., the authors designed and synthesized a series of novel compounds following the concept of bioisosterism. Their structures were established on the basis of (1)H NMR and GC-MS spectra, and the insecticidal activities of the compounds were evaluated against Aphis gossypii Glover. The results demonstrated that the substitution of a heterocycle for the phenyl ring was favourable. Thus, further modification of compound 2n, containing a furan ring, which showed excellent activity (LC(50) = 0.85 g L(-1)), is of some promise.