scholarly journals Plant leaves for wrapping zongzi in China: an ethnobotanical study

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fengke Lin ◽  
Binsheng Luo ◽  
Bo Long ◽  
Chunlin Long
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Diversity ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Cocos Nucifera ◽  
Ethnobotanical Study ◽  
Plant Leaves ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Zizania Latifolia ◽  
Botanical Knowledge ◽  
Traditional Botanical Knowledge

Abstract Background Zongzi, a common Chinese rice-pudding and one of the most symbolic foods in traditional Chinese festivals, is integral to both Chinese traditional culture and daily meals. Traditionally, the leaves of different plant species have been used to wrap zongzi. The variety of zongzi leaves (ZLs) can contribute to the zongzi-based cultural diversity. Given the cultural and dietary significance of zongzi, the ethnobotanical surveys were carried out, aiming to investigate the diversity of plant species and associated traditional botanical knowledge of ZLs, which could attract particular attention for their further studies. Method Both literature studies and field surveys were conducted in the study. The field investigations were carried out from May 2006 to June 2018 throughout China. Ethnobotanical information about ZLs was obtained by direct observation, semi-structured interviews, and key informant interviews. Results In total, ZLs from 57 plant species were identified and recorded, belonging to 38 genera and 18 families. Several folk legends have been formed to explain the origin of using plant leaves to pack zongzi. Over time, Chinese people have developed diverse traditional botanical knowledge surrounding ZLs, especially regarding the zongzi flavor, antiseptic functions, and medicinal values. Based on the literature review, some species of ZLs such as the leaves of Corchorus capsularis and Vernicia fordii may even pose a potential threat to human health. Presently, in some regions of China, the traditional ZLs, such as Cocos nucifera, Tilia tuan, and Zizania latifolia, are being substituted by commercialized ZLs such as Phragmites australis and Indocalamus tessellatus. Conclusion A variety of traditional ZLs have been discovered in China. Although diverse traditional knowledge exists in China surrounding the usage of ZLs, some species may have the potential of threatening human health. Therefore, further explorations are necessary to comprehensively evaluate traditional ZLs, the results of which could help to conserve the cultural diversity of zongzi, to guarantee food safety, and to encourage the uses of plant leaves in food, medicine, and environmental management, for our human health.

scholarly journals Diversity and Drug Resistance of Filamentous Fungi Isolated from the Fresh Raspberries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewelina Farian ◽  
Angelina Wójcik-Fatla
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Filamentous Fungi ◽  
Rubus Idaeus ◽  
Disc Diffusion ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Fungal Strains ◽  
Strip Method

AbstractFungi are one of the most widely distributed microorganisms in the environment, including food such as fruits, vegetables and other crops, posing a potential threat to food safety and human health. The aim of this study was to determine the diversity, intensity and drug resistance of potentially pathogenic filamentous fungi isolated from the fresh raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.). A total of 50 strains belonging to genera Fusarium, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Penicillium, Mucor, Rhizopus, Aspergillus and Acremonium were tested for drug resistance against 11 antifungals by disc diffusion and gradient strips methods. The average mycological contamination in the examined samples of raspberries amounted to 4.34 log CFU/g. The Cladosporium was isolated from all tested samples, followed by Alternaria and Fusarium with a frequency of 61% and 34%, respectively. The highest level of drug resistance was observed for Acremonium genera and Fusarium strains recorded a wide variation in drug resistance as revealed by susceptibility with amphotericin B and voriconzole with MICs ranged from 0.5–4 µg/ml and posaconazole with MICs ranging from 3–8 µg/ml. All fungal strains showed 100% resistance to caspofungin, fluconazole and flucytosine with both the methods, and 100% resistance to micafungin and anidulafungin in the gradient strip method.

scholarly journals Impacts of Microcystins on Morphological and Physiological Parameters of Agricultural Plants: A Review

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 639
Author(s):  
Alexandre Campos ◽  
El Mahdi Redouane ◽  
Marisa Freitas ◽  
Samuel Amaral ◽  
Tomé Azevedo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Physiological Parameters ◽  
World Health ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Regulatory Limits ◽  
Agricultural Plants ◽  
The Impact

Cyanobacteria are a group of photosynthetic prokaryotes that pose a great concern in the aquatic environments related to contamination and poisoning of wild life and humans. Some species of cyanobacteria produce potent toxins such as microcystins (MCs), which are extremely aggressive to several organisms, including animals and humans. In order to protect human health and prevent human exposure to this type of organisms and toxins, regulatory limits for MCs in drinking water have been established in most countries. In this regard, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed 1 µg MCs /L as the highest acceptable concentration in drinking water. However, regulatory limits were not defined in waters used in other applications/activities, constituting a potential threat to the environment and to human health. Indeed, water contaminated with MCs or other cyanotoxins is recurrently used in agriculture and for crop and food production. Several deleterious effects of MCs including a decrease in growth, tissue necrosis, inhibition of photosynthesis and metabolic changes have been reported in plants leading to the impairment of crop productivity and economic loss. Studies have also revealed significant accumulation of MCs in edible tissues and plant organs, which raise concerns related to food safety. This work aims to systematize and analyze the information generated by previous scientific studies, namely on the phytotoxicity and the impact of MCs especially on growth, photosynthesis and productivity of agricultural plants. Morphological and physiological parameters of agronomic interest are overviewed in detail in this work, with the aim to evaluate the putative impact of MCs under field conditions. Finally, concentration-dependent effects are highlighted, as these can assist in future guidelines for irrigation waters and establish regulatory limits for MCs.

Cylindrospermopsin: Water-linked potential threat to human health in Europe

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 651-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Poniedziałek ◽  
Piotr Rzymski ◽  
Mikołaj Kokociński
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Potential Threat

Ethnobotanical study in the Madonie Regional Park (Central Sicily, Italy)—Medicinal use of wild shrub and herbaceous plant species

2013 ◽  
Vol 146 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Leto ◽  
Teresa Tuttolomondo ◽  
Salvatore La Bella ◽  
Mario Licata
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Ethnobotanical Study ◽  
Herbaceous Plant ◽  
Medicinal Use

scholarly journals Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants of Resunga hill used by Magar community of Badagaun VDC, Gulmi district, Nepal

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 54-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajendra Acharya
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Stem Bark ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Ethnobotanical Study ◽  
Young Generation ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Scientific World

Present study aims to explore the ethnobotanical information on medicinal plants used by Magar community of Badagaun VDC of Gulmi district. The study was carried out during different periods of the year 2010. Informations on plant and plant parts uses were collected interviewing key informants by using semi-structured open-ended questionnaire. Altogether 161 different plant species belonging to 87 familes and 144 genera were documented and majority of them are herbs. In terms of plant parts use, leaf and stem/bark are in top priorities. These plants are used to treat different ailments ranging from gastro-intestinal to headache and fever, respiratory tract related problems to dermatological problems, snake bite to ophthalmic and cuts and wounds. Easy access to modern medicines and less recognition of traditional healers are the main causes leading to decrease in interest of young generation in the use of traditional medicinal practices. Scientific World, Vol. 10, No. 10, July 2012 p54-65 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/sw.v10i10.6863

scholarly journals Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used for Human Health Care in Yem Culture, South Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gideon Woldemariam ◽  
Sebsebe Demissew ◽  
Zemede Asfaw
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Ethnobotanical Study ◽  
Care Systems

Abstract BackgroundIndigenous or traditional herbal medicine has been widely regarded as a resource for strengthening the health care systems among communities of low income countries including Ethiopia. The Yem people in Ethiopia have deep-rooted and ancient traditional knowledge of managing human ailments and health conditions using medicinal plants (mps). On the other hand, mps and the associated indigenous knowledge are under erosion due to human-induced and natural factors. Therefore, documenting the plant biodiversity along with the associated indigenous knowledge is of urgent task for conservation. MethodsThis study was conducted in April, 2013, October, 2016 and July, 2016 with the objective of documenting traditional mps in different land uses that are used for treating human ailments. Ethnobotanical data were collected from 69 informants that were selected by stratified random sampling and purposive sampling. Vegetation data were obtained from 30, 30x30 m quadrats. Ethnobotanical data were analysed using paired ranking, Informant consensus factor and Fidelity Level index. ResultsAbout 213 medicinal plant species that are used for treating 117 human ailments were recorded. ICF calculated depicted a highest ICF value of 0.82 for Gastrointestinal & Visceral organs ailments. Haplocarpha rueppellii, Carduus schimperi and Inula confortiflora each 100%, Maesa lanceolata 80% and Rumex abyssinicus 75%. Vegetation analysis showed three plant communities.ConclusionThe Yem people have rich traditional knowledge of utilising plants side by side with the mainstream biomedical system for maintaining human health care.

scholarly journals The diversity and ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in the southern slope of Mount Merapi, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
MAIZER SAID NAHDI ◽  
ARDYAN PRAMUDYA KURNIAWAN
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Local Knowledge ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Piper Betle ◽  
Ethnobotanical Study ◽  
Southern Slope ◽  
Importance Value

Abstract. Nahdi MS, Kurniawan AP. 2019. The diversity and ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in the southern slope of Mount Merapi, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 2279-2287. Medicinal plants have been widely used by local communities in Indonesia due to its effectiveness as medicine and its low cost. In addition, the scientific and technological development of medicinal plants has been developed rapidly. This research aims to conduct inventory of medicinal plants recorded in the ecosystem of the southern slope of Mount Merapi, Yogyakarta and to reveal the local knowledge on their uses and traditional healing method applied. We used a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. The data of local knowledge on medicinal plants and traditional medical practices when using them were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interview with local informants selected through purposive and snowball sampling. The results showed that the abundance of medicinal plant species at the study area was very high during the rainy season, while during the dry season, some of the plant species were found in the yard and open land. A total of 82 species from 40 families were identified as medicinal plants and used by the community through various processing and for various medical treatments. The information was inherited from previous generations through counseling and training. The most favorable way to use medicinal plants was by consuming the leaf directly. Among all identified medicinal plants, betel leaves (Piper betle L) had the highest importance value (43.6%), followed by turmeric (Curcuma longa L) (38.5%), and soursop (Annona muricata L) (33.3%). Kelor (Moringa pterygosperma, Gaertn) had the most significant usage value (0,6), followed by lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf) and ginger (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb) with the same value (0.3). The medicinal plants had also co-benefits including to encourage communication as well as to building relationship among community members.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Potential Risk of Rock-Climbing for Cliff Plant Species and Natural Protected Areas of Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Indradatta deCastro-Arrazola ◽  
Martí March-Salas ◽  
Juan Lorite
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Rock Climbing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Natural Protected Areas ◽  
Priority Species

In recent years, the popularity of rock-climbing has grown tremendously, setting an increasing pressure on cliff habitats. Climbing may be particularly harmful in the Mediterranean biome due to its appropriate environmental conditions for climbing. A few studies have identified the effect of climbing on plant diversity at a small-scale (namely locally or even just in specific climbing areas). However, no studies exist assessing the potential risk of rock-climbing on a broad-scale (e.g., regional or national). The study aims to identify the priority locations and priority cliff plant species in Spain to focus future study efforts. Spain was selected because it is a plant biodiversity hotspot, with a great diversity of endemic and endangered species, and one of the most popular destinations for climbers. We used a geographic information system-based approach to model the spatial concurrence among Spanish climbing areas (and climbing intensity), natural protected areas (NPAs), and distribution of threatened cliff plants (and their IUCN threat category). We found that 53.5% of climbing areas in Spain are located within a NPA, most of them falling into NPAs of medium protection level. We mapped 151 threatened cliff plants, identifying four medium priority Mediterranean locations and eight priority species in which future research efforts should be focused. High-priority study locations are absent in Spain according to our spatial modeling. For the first time on a national scale, this study identifies areas in which climbing represents a potential threat for cliff habitats and threatened plants. These findings contribute to designing field studies on the effects of rock-climbing on Mediterranean cliffs, laying the groundwork for a sustainable, yet challenging, balance between the protection of these unique habitats and rock-climbing.

scholarly journals An Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants of Billawar Region, Jammu and Kashmir, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakesh Kumar ◽  
Vikas Sharma ◽  
Sudesh Kumar ◽  
Vikrant Jaryan
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
Local People ◽  
Ethnobotanical Study ◽  
Efficient Utilization ◽  
Jammu And Kashmir ◽  
Union Territory

The present study was carried out in some interior regions of Billawar in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory to collect the information of traditionally used and ethno-botanically important medicinal plants by the local communities. Proper identification of the plant species and their importance to the local people can provide useful information and play a pivotal role in efficient utilization of natural wealth. So, it is important to scientifically identify and document this natural wealth before they are lost forever. The field survey was conducted at different sites namely, Dewal, Billawar, Bhaddu, Sukrala, Koti Marhoon and Kishanpur of Kathua district from December 2019 to June 2020. During this study, a total of 64species of medicinal plants (including trees, shrubs herbs, and grasses) belonging to 40 families and 43 genera were identified and were commonly used by the local people to cure different diseases. Each recorded plant was identified for their economic importance and medicinal values for the treatment of diseases like headache, toothache, epilepsy, gastric problem, skin disorders earache, pneumonia, jaundice, etc. Therefore, the present work was an attempt to document and compute which includes the collection and compilation of different plant species of the region.

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