Bixa orellana (annatto).

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Ventosa
Keyword(s):  
Main Product ◽  
Organic Dye ◽  
Maximum Diameter ◽  
Agricultural Crops ◽  
Bixa Orellana ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
Tropical America ◽  
Medicinal Properties ◽  
Strong Winds ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract B. orellana is a small, bushy tree 2-8 m tall, with maximum diameter at breast height 10-30 cm (Hensleigh and Holaway, 1988). The main product is a non-toxic organic dye obtained from the fruits, known as annatto or bixin. This dye is used commercially in foods, cosmetics, textiles, polish, wax and stains; locally it is used as an insect repellent and as a body paint. The bark exudes a gum and contains fibres which may be twisted into a cordage; the seeds and leaves have medicinal properties (Lemmens and Wulijarni-Soetjipto, 1991; Anon, 1986). B. orellana originated in tropical America (Hensleigh and Holaway 1988) and is now widely planted and naturalized in the tropics (Quisumbing 1951; Backer and Brink, 1963; Quimbo, 1980; Lemmens and Wulijarni-Soetjipto, 1991). It is a light-demanding species and grows well in warm, humid climates which are free from frost and strong winds (Lemmens and Wulijarni-Soetjipto, 1991). This species requires uniformly distributed rainfall, unless the land is irrigated (Bayot, 1986). B. orellana is often intercropped with agricultural crops, and is also grown as an ornamental bushy tree. B. orellana may be propagated from seeds. The pods are harvested once they begin to show a tinge of red or when they begin to split (Hensleigh and Holaway, 1988). Average annual yields of dry seed have been reported as 4.5-5 kg/tree or about 350-700 kg/ha (Brown, 1957; Hensleigh and Holaway, 1988). Seeds are soaked in water or scarified in order to enhance germination, and may be planted in nursery beds or directly in the field. However, propagation from cuttings is often more favourable, as cuttings from high-yielding cultivars yields may bear fruit within two years (Lemmens and Wulijarni-Soetjipto, 1991). This species can also be propagated by air layering. B. orellana grows well without fertilizers, provided the young plants are weeded.

Aleurites moluccanus (candlenut tree).

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julissa Rojas-Sandoval ◽  
Pedro Acevedo-Rodríguez ◽  
Christopher J. Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Vegetative Propagation ◽  
Humid Tropics ◽  
Silvopastoral Systems ◽  
Agricultural Crops ◽  
Wood Preservatives ◽  
Diameter At Breast Height ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Palm Sugar ◽  
Strong Winds

Abstract A. moluccanus is a medium-sized tree, reaching up to 20 m tall and with a diameter at breast height of 90 cm (Elevitch and Manner, 2006), growing in dense stands through much of the humid tropics. It grows on a wide range of sites and has become naturalized after planting in many areas. Best growth is observed in the open in areas with bimodal rainfall (Alambat, 1971). It tolerates drought and can stand moderately strong winds. It is propagated using seeds, which are recalcitrant. More research is needed on vegetative propagation. A. moluccanus is valued for its wood and for oil from the nuts, for which it is grown in plantations and in silvopastoral systems. The dense crown provides good shade for cattle, and it acts as a nurse crop for other agricultural crops. The wood is used for manufactures and in light construction. The oil from the seeds is used in the manufacture of paint, soap, shampoo, varnish and wood preservatives. The juice of the nuts can be taken internally to eradicate worms, while the seeds serve as a mild purgative. The seeds are also used to make palm sugar and as a flavouring. The soot from burnt seeds has been used in tattooing in Tonga (Aguilar, 1917; Alambat, 1971; Mabberley, 1997).

Cassia grandis (pink shower).

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Jennifer Datiles ◽  
Pedro Acevedo-Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
South America ◽  
Central America ◽  
Landscape Design ◽  
Direct Sunlight ◽  
Tropical America ◽  
Gallery Forests ◽  
Medicinal Properties ◽  
Live Fences ◽  
Flooded Areas

Abstract C. grandis is an element of lowland and riparian, semideciduous forests, occurring naturally from Mexico to South America. The species is usually 10-15 m high, and is very ornamental, especially due to its pink flowers which appear when the tree is partially defoliate and cover the entire crown. It is used in landscape design and urban arborization in tropical America, although in some cases its use is restricted due to the size of its fruits, which can reach 40-60 cm long. The species is recommended for live fences and revegetation in gallery forests in periodically flooded areas, but it is also adapted to a more or less pronounced dry season. C. grandis can be planted under direct sunlight in mixed tree systems, in fertile soils. The species has agroforestry potential for dry zones, especially in Central America, and is recommended for arborization of perennial crops and pastures, the fruits are highly appreciated by the cattle. C. grandis requires periodical pruning, however this may cause early decay and rot. The wood is used in construction, especially for carpentry, joinery, flooring, posts, beams, also for rustic furniture, tool handles, small bridges and boats. It is considered good for charcoal and fuelwood, and inadequate for cellulose and paper. In Central America, especially in Costa Rica, the membrane which surrounds the seeds is used as a substitute for chocolate, and is also used in many countries due to its medicinal properties. Researches have shown that extracts from this plant exhibit activity against the most common dermatophytes.

Complex diversity in a mainly tropical group of ant parasitoids: Revision of the Orasema stramineipes species group (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eucharitidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4401 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROGER A. BURKS ◽  
JOHN M. HERATY ◽  
CHRYSALYN DOMINGUEZ ◽  
JASON L. MOTTERN
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Control Agent ◽  
Wasmannia Auropunctata ◽  
Secondary Infections ◽  
Tropical America ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data ◽  
The Tropics

Twenty-nine species are recognized in the Orasema stramineipes species group, including 22 new species in what is now the most diverse species group of the New World ant-parasitoid genus Orasema Cameron. Orasema aenea Gahan syn. n. is synonymized with O. freychei (Gemignani), the holotype of which has been rediscovered. Orasema smithi Howard syn. n. is synonymized with Orasema minutissima Howard. Orasema violacea Gemignani syn. n. and its replacement name Orasema gemignanii De Santis syn. n. are synonymized with O. worcesteri (Girault). Twenty-two species are described as new: O. arimbome Dominguez, Heraty & Burks n. sp., O. carchi Heraty, Burks & Dominguez n. sp., and the following 20 species by Burks, Heraty & Dominguez: O. chunpi n. sp., O. cozamalotl n. sp., O. evansi n. sp., O. hyarimai n. sp., O. kaspi n. sp., O. kulli n. sp., O. llanthu n. sp., O. llika n. sp., O. mati n. sp., O. nyamo n. sp., O. pirca n. sp., O. pisi n. sp., O. qillu n. sp., O. qincha n. sp., O. rikra n. sp., O. taku n. sp., O. tapi n. sp., O. torrensi n. sp., O. woolleyi n. sp., and O. yaax n. sp. The stramineipes-group has much greater diversity in tropical America than outside the tropics, and is much more diverse than its sister-group, the susanae-group, which is mainly present in temperate regions of Argentina. A hypothesis of phylogenetic relationships is proposed based on an analysis of 28S-D2 rDNA and cytochrome oxidase I (COI) for 14 stramineipes-group species. Species concepts were established using both morphological and molecular data. Most species in the stramineipes-group have a tropical distribution, with only a few species in temperate regions. Ant hosts for the group include Pheidole Westwood, Wasmannia Forel, and possibly Solenopsis Westwood (Formicidae: Myrmicinae). Orasema minutissima is a common parasitoid of Wasmannia auropunctata Roger in the Caribbean and has the potential to be a biological control agent in other areas of the world. Two distinct size morphs are recognized for O. minutissima, which are correlated with attacking either Wasmannia (small morph) or different castes of Pheidole (medium to large size morphs). Some species of Orasema have been regarded as pests due to scarring or secondary infections of leaves or fruit of banana, yerba mate or blueberry, but outbreaks are rare and the threat is usually temporary. 

A Trypanosome and Haemogregarine of a Tropical American Snake

Parasitology ◽  
1908 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 314-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Wenyon
Keyword(s):  
Accurate Description ◽  
Tropical America ◽  
The Tropics

The trypanosome to be described in this paper was discovered in blood films taken from the snake Erythrolamprus aesculapii (Duméril and Bibron) of tropical America. For these films I am indebted to Dr Leiper. In addition to the trypanosome there was present in the blood a haemogregarine. Though haemogregarines are very common in snakes, especially in the Tropics, where nearly every snake examined is found to harbour these parasites, the reverse is the case with trypanosomes. Several observers have recorded the presence of trypanosomes in snakes but hitherto no one has given an accurate description of one of trypanosomes of the whole group of reptiles is very limited when campared with other groups of vertebrata. On this account it seems of interest to place on record the characters of this trypanosome as it appears in the blood films mentioned above.

THE WATER RELATIONS AND IRRIGATION REQUIREMENTS OF PAPAYA (CARICA PAPAYA L.): A REVIEW

2013 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 270-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. V. CARR
Keyword(s):  
Water Relations ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Crop Coefficient ◽  
Juvenile Period ◽  
Abaxial Leaf Surface ◽  
Tropical America ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
High Yields ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Changing Light

SUMMARYPapaya has never been found in the wild, but is believed to have originated in tropical America from where it has spread throughout the tropics and subtropics. This fruit crop is particularly important in India and Brazil. Most research on the water relations of papaya has been undertaken in Brazil and on the island of Guam (United States of America). Papaya is a short-lived large herb, growing to a height of up to 10 m. Leaves emerge from the upper part of the unbranched stem. After a juvenile period, lasting for about two months, flowers begin to develop in leaf axils. Flowering continues throughout the year as new leaves emerge. The plants, which are dioecious, begin to bear fruit within a year after planting, sustaining high yields for two years before yields decline. The ‘effective’ root depth varies with the method of irrigation, but can reach 0.55 m. The seedlings and the trees are susceptible to wind damage, a topic that has been well researched. Stomata are only found on the abaxial leaf surface. They are sensitive to changes in the saturation deficit of the air. Stomata also respond quickly to changing light conditions. On clear days, midday suppression of photosynthesis occurs as a result of partial closure of the stomata. In the morning, there is a time lag between water loss by transpiration and sap flow, as water is taken from storage in the hollow stem. Few attempts have been made to measure the actual water use of papaya, and there are no reliable published values for the crop coefficient. Limitations to the design of the papaya irrigation experiments reported so far make it difficult to reconcile the results in practical ways. Water productivities equivalent to 1.8 to 2.8 kg (fresh fruit) m−3 (irrigation water) have been obtained. Although papaya is generally considered to be drought sensitive and responsive to irrigation, there is a shortage of good experimental evidence to support this view. There is a need to establish practical irrigation schedules for this remarkable crop. A uniformity of approach to irrigation experimentation and a common, universally agreed nomenclature would facilitate this process.

scholarly journals MEDICINAL USES AND EFFECT OF DIFFERENT PROCESSING TECHNIQUES (BLANCHING AND DRYING) OF DRUMSTICK LEAVES (MORINGA OLEIFERA)

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Tirna Purkait ◽  
Nandini Dutta
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Moringa Oleifera ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Medicinal Uses ◽  
Rare Combination ◽  
The Family ◽  
Plant Grown ◽  
Medicinal Properties ◽  
Processing Techniques ◽  
The Tropics

Moringa oleifera, popularly known as Drumstick, is a highly valued plant grown in the tropics and subtropics and one of the vegetables of the Brassica order and belongs to the family Moringaceae. It shows impressive medicinal properties and have great nutritional value. The leaves are rich in vitamins, minerals and have other essential phytochemicals which shows positive physiological benifits. Moringa plant provides a rich and rare combination of zeatin, quercetin, kaempferol and many other phytochemicals. Extracts from the leaves are used to treat malnutrition. It contains antioxidant and shows anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antimicrobial properties. Scientific studies have given insight about usage of Moringa oleifera as a fortifying agent in foods as a cure of diabetes and cancer. Researches on efficacy of various processing techniques like drying, dehydration, blanching etc. are done to check the efficacy of the process and to check the loss of nutrients during processing.

scholarly journals Organic Electronics from Nature: Investigation of the Electronic and Optical Properties of the Isomers of Bixin and Norbixin Present in the Achiote Seeds

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igo Torres Lima ◽  
Josiel Silva Crispim ◽  
Olimpio Pereira de Sá Neto ◽  
Rafael Timóteo de Sousa Júnior ◽  
Luiz Antônio Ribeiro Júnior ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Organic Semiconductors ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cells ◽  
Visible Spectrum ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Basis Sets ◽  
Bixa Orellana ◽  
Electronic And Optical Properties ◽  
Tropical America

Abstract Organic semiconductors have been widely employed in developing new green energy solutions with good cost-efficiency compromise, such as Organic Photovoltaics (OPVs). The light-harvesting process in OPVs is a crucial aspect, which still needs improvements. In this context, the Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have arisen as a technically and economically credible alternatives. In this work, we have performed density functional theory (DFT) calculations to investigate the electronic and optical properties of the four natural dyes found in the seeds of annatto (Bixa Orellana L.), which is a natural dye widely found in tropical America. Different DFT functionals, and basis sets, were used in the calculations of the bixin, norbixin, and their trans-isomers (molecules present in Bixa Orellana L.). All molecules present a conjugated backbone with nine double bonds. We observed that the planarity of the molecules and their similar extension for the conjugation pathways provide substantially delocalized wavefunctions of the frontier orbitals and similar values for their energies. Moreover, our findings showed a strong absorption peak in the blue region and the absorption band over the visible spectrum, thus indicating that molecules are good candidates for organic electronic and optoelectronic applications. The results were contrasted with the experimental data.

scholarly journals Morphological Characterisation of Some Important Indian Garcinia Species

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Utpala Parthasarathy ◽  
O. P. Nandakishore
Keyword(s):  
Western Ghats ◽  
Genetic Erosion ◽  
Indian Institute ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Eastern Himalaya ◽  
Forest Resource ◽  
Morphological Characterisation ◽  
The World ◽  
Medicinal Properties ◽  
The Tropics

The genus Garcinia has over 200 species distributed in the tropics of the world. About 35 species occur in India, many of which are endemic and economically important with immense medicinal properties. However, lack of awareness, coupled with habitat destruction, leads to genetic erosion of this forest resource and many species are threatened. The Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Calicut, has Garcinia genetic resources’ collection of 15 species of Western Ghats and Eastern Himalaya species. The morphological characterisation of the species of these two different eco systems indicates that there are variations within the species of the same ecosystem while there are similarities in the species of two different ecosystems.

scholarly journals Application of the BDq method to complex tropical mixed forest ecosystems in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 349 ◽  
pp. 41-54
Author(s):  
Friday Nwabueze OGANA ◽  
José Javier GORGOSO-VARELA ◽  
Alfred Ossai ONEFELI
Keyword(s):  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Selection Method ◽  
Maximum Diameter ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Mixed Forests ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
Silvicultural Treatments

The absence of management practice/silvicultural treatments in the complex tropical mixed forests of Nigeria has led to uncontrolled logging in natural forest stands and loss of biodiversity. To sustain production, protection and conservation in these complex tropical mixed stands, this study proposes the application of a selection method – the BDq method (B: basal area, D: maximum diameter, q-ratio) to manage these stands. Two strata were used as a pilot test: stratum 1 consisted of 15 plots and stratum 2 of 7 plots, each with an area of 0.25 ha. Only trees with a diameter at breast height (d) ≥ 10.0 cm were considered in this study. Harvesting with the BDq method was quantified, by setting B at 20 m2, 25 m2 and 30 m2/ha corresponding respectively to intensive, medium and light harvesting regimes. D was set at 65 cm and the q-ratio was computed for each plot. The results showed that the three BDq regimes prescribed (intensive, medium and light) yielded reasonable felling intensities (FI), derived as the percentage of extracted volume (Vext) and biomass (Wext). The Vext and FI for stratum 1 ranged from 39.94-62.30 m3/ha and 11.22-18.18%; the results for stratum 2 were 30.44-51.33 m3/ha and 10.02-17.57%. For biomass, the Wext and FI ranged from 18.46-29.82 t/ha and 9.40-15.95% for stratum 1 and 14.16-24.82 t/ha and 9.73-17.50% for stratum 2. These findings show that applying the BDq method to the complex tropical mixed forests of Nigeria would yield attractive stands.

scholarly journals Performance of mesophytic species planted in the coast of Char Kashem, Pataukhali, Bangladesh

1970 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-247
Author(s):  
Md Golam Moula
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Maximum Diameter ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
Casuarina Equisetifolia ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
Thespesia Populnea ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Samanea Saman ◽  
Coastal Afforestation ◽  
Albizia Procera

Mesophytic species such as Acacia nilotica, Albizia labeck, Albizia procera, Casuarina equisetifolia, Pithocellobium dulche, Samanea saman and Thespesia populnea were raised in the western coast of Char Kashem under Patuakhali district of Bangladesh. After seven years of planting highest survivability was found in A. labeck followed by P. dulche, C. equisetifolia, S. saman, A. procera, A. nilotica and T. populnea. The mean maximum diameter at breast height was found in S. saman followed by C. equisetifolia, A. procera, A. labeck, P. dulche, A. nilotica and T. populnea. The maximum plant height was found in C. equisetifolia followed by S. saman, A. procera, T. populnea, A. nilotica, A. labeck and P. dulche indicating suitability of all the seven species for plantation at Char Kashem. Key words: Mesophytes; Coastal afforestation; Growth performance; Bangladesh DOI: 10.3329/bjb.v39i2.7488 Bangladesh J. Bot. 39(2): 245-247, 2010 (December)

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document