Maderas de zonas áridas de México, poder calorífico por ATG-ATD y mediante bomba calorimétrica

En este trabajo se determina el poder calorífico de maderas de huizache (Acacia farnesiana), maguey (Agave salmiana), nopal (Opuntia streptacantha), garambullo (Myrtillocactus geometrizans) y cardón (Pachycereus sp) que provienen de zonas áridas de México y que suelen utilizarse para el calentamiento de agua y cocción de alimentos en el medio rural. La determinación de los poderes caloríficos se realizó por medio de las técnicas de análisis térmico gravimétrico y la técnica de análisis térmico diferencial, ATG-ATD, que es similar a la calorimetría diferencial de barrido (DSC), y mediante una bomba calorimétrica de combustión. En general, los resultados mostraron que el poder calorífico estimado por análisis (ATG-ATD) resulta en todos los casos ligeramente menor que lo estimado con bomba calorimétrica, pero en general son muy próximos entre sí. La máxima variación entre dichos valores en ± 5% se asocia en un intervalo dentro de la incertidumbre de las mediciones realizadas. Para la madera de nopal se encontró que el poder calorífico estimado por ATG-ATD alcanza 11 275 kJ/kg, resultando muy parecido al valor determinado con bomba calorimétrica, 11 605 kJ/kg. En los otros casos estudiados se encuentra una mayor discrepancia entre los valores medidos. El análisis elemental de las maderas y de sus cenizas permite la determinación del parámetro energético ambiental denominado intensidad de carbono de las maderas. Este se estima por medio de espectroscopía de fotoelec-trones emitidos por rayos X (XPS), lo que indica que no hay evidencia de metales tóxicos como los provenientes del carbón; esto demuestra que estas maderas son un producto sutentable y renovable cuando están disponibles para la combustión y obtención de energía calorífica.

Extracto de Acacia farnesiana para el control de larva de Aedes aegypti

Introducción: Aedes aegypti es el principal vector de dengue, chikunguña, fiebre amarilla y zika en el mundo; el control químico es el más utilizado para su prevención, atacando la reproducción del mosquito vector, principalmente mediante la aplicación de insecticidas sintéticos en sus lugares de cría. Sin embargo, el uso de insecticidas sintéticos ha generado resistencia en los mosquitos y diversos problemas ecológicos. Los extractos naturales de plantas con función insecticida son utilizados como alternativa para el control de vectores. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la actividad larvicida del extracto de vaina de Acacia farnesiana contra larvas de cuarto estadio de Ae. aegypti. Método: el estudio fue desarrollado en el Laboratorio del Instituto Tecnológico Superior de San Pedro, Coahuila, y en el ejido Mayran, San Pedro, Coahuila, México. Para la elaboración del extracto se utilizó la metodología propuesta por INIFAP-CENID-RASPA 1997. Los productos extractados se utilizaron en los bioensayos con larvas de cuarto estadio de Ae. aegypti durante 168 horas. Se transfirieron grupos de 20 larvas en vasos plásticos con 50 mL de agua, luego se aplicó 1 mL de cada uno de los tratamientos de fruto de Acacia farnesiana con concentraciones finales de 15 % (T1), 25 % (T2), 35 % (T3) y 70 % (T4). Para el control químico se utilizó Abate® 1SG (Temefos) al 25 %. Al testigo no se aplicó ningún tratamiento. Para comparar la mortalidad se realizó un análisis de varianza de un factor para cada uno de los estudios (laboratorio y campo) y un análisis de medidas repetidas en el tiempo para la fase de campo. Se desarrolló una prueba de comparación de medias de Tukey. Los análisis se realizaron usando el programa computacional estadístico IBM.SPSS 18, con un nivel de significancia de P ≤ 0.05. Resultados: en el laboratorio, el extracto de A. farnesiana al 35 % de concentración mostró mayor toxicidad contra las larvas de Ae. aegypti obteniendo una mortalidad media de 15.66 (78.3 %), transcurridas las 72 horas después de la aplicación del tratamiento (P ≤ 0.05). De igual forma, en condiciones de campo, el tratamiento al 35 % resultó ser el más efectivo, alcanzando una media de 19.04 (95.2 %) larvas muertas. Discusión o Conclusión: el extracto de A. farnesiana mostró actividad insecticida contra larvas de Ae. aegypti, siendo más efectivo a una concentración de 35 % en condiciones de laboratorio y campo. El efecto larvicida del extracto de A. farnesiana puede ser utilizado como una alternativa factible y sustentable para el control Ae. aegypti en zonas rurales. Sin embargo, es necesario realizar más estudios para identificar los ingredientes activos y el mecanismo de acción presente en las vainas de A. farnesiana para el control de vectores.

COMPLEMENTARY ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES PAPER, THIN-LAYER, HIDE-POWER, AND COMBINED METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZATIONOF TANNIN IN PLANTS

The polyphenolic compoundsextract rich in gallo-catechol tannins submitted to complementary analytical techniqueswas evaluated. The whole plantspecies screened were of the condensed type except Acacia seyal var. fistuala, Acaciaseyal var. seyal, Casuarina equistifolia, and Pithecellobium dulcewere of mixedhydrolysable-condensed(gallo-catechol) type. The quantitative data indicated that 5 parts (bark) out of 12 species, when extracted, contained more than 10% tannins (oven-dry basis), the level of commercial interest. The catechin numbers indicated that all the studied species contained condensed tannin in varying amounts (0.6-45.7), while the presence of both gallic acid and catechin means that the tannin is of mixed type. Thin-layer and paper chromatography with different solvent systems confirmed the presence of catechin and gallic acid, and showed that tannic acid, fisetin, epicatechin and some unidentified phenolics were present. However, dihydrofisetin and robinetin, which were used as standards, were not detected. Astringency values shows that the Acacia mellifera(0.18), Acacia seyalvar.fistuala(0.18), Pithecellobium dulce (0.15), Acacia senegal (0.14), Acacia farnesiana (0.13), Calotropis procera (0.13)barks could be used in place of A. mearnsii(international commercial tannin materials) (0.16) because the degree of relative astringency or the ability of their tannin to combine with protein is close to that of A. mearnsii in other words these six species can give leather with characteristics comparable with that of A. mearnsii.

PSI-9 Digestibility and metabolizable energy content of supplemented diets based on native shrubs and buffelgrass for small ruminants in northeastern Mexico

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing 10% of sorghum grain (SG), soybean meal (SBM) or dried citrus pulp (DCP) upon dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD), and metabolizable energy content (ME) of diets based on dried leaves of two shrub species (Acacia farnesiana and Acacia rigidula) and one grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) browsed by small ruminants. Twelve experimental diets were elaborated using three forage sources: C. ciliaris, A. farnesiana and A. rigidula and evaluated either alone (0% supplementation) or supplemented with 10% of SG (9.0% CP, 22.3% NDF), SBM (42.8% CP, 16.3% NDF) or DCP (4.9% CP, 19.1% NDF). In vitro DMD (Daisy incubator, ANKOM) at 48 h, and in vitro gas production (GP, in calibrated 100 mL glass syringes) at 24 h, were determined by incubating samples in an inoculum prepared by using rumen liquor of two rumen fistulated sheep and artificial saliva in a 1:4 ratio. OMD and ME content were calculated from the gas production, crude protein, ash, and ether extract content. Data were evaluated according to a 3 x 4 factorial experiment. There were no significant (P > 0.05) forage source x supplement interaction effects. Leaves of A. farnesiana had higher (P < 0.05) DMD (64%), GP (26 mL), ME (1910 kcal ME/kg DM), and OMD (53%) than other forages (mean 47% DMD, 17 mL GP, 1232 kcal ME/kg DM, and 39% DMO). Supplements increased (P < 0.05) DMD (average +8%), but only DCP increased (P < 0.05) the GP (+23%) of evaluated forages. Leaves of A. farnesiana had higher DMD (P < 0.05; 64%). There were no effects (P >0.05) of the 10% added supplements in ME content or DMO. In conclusion, leaves of A. farnesiana and DCP are valuable sources of nutrients and energy for small ruminants in northeastern Mexico.

Abundancia, producción de materia seca y valor nutricional de leguminosas arbustivas forrajeras del trópico seco

La selva baja caducifolia tiene amplia diversidad de especies de leguminosas arbóreas útiles como alimento para rumiantes, de las cuales se conoce poco. Por tanto, el objetivo fue evaluar siete especies preferidas por los caprinos, para determinar su frecuencia en el agostadero, producción de materia seca de hoja y la calidad nutritiva. La frecuencia relativa en el agostadero se cuantificó mediante cuadrantes de 20x20 m. Con mediciones de la estructura de la plantas, en cada especie se generaron modelos de regresión para la predicción de la producción de materia seca de hoja y se cuantificó la proteína cruda, fibras y digestibilidad in vitro. La frecuencia relativa varió considerablemente entre especies (P<0.0001); Acacia cymbispina fue más abundante. En la producción de materia seca de hoja, las características del tallo principal y de copa del árbol, tuvieron mayor aportación para su estimación. Las especies difirieron (P<0.0001) en concentración de proteína cruda, situándose en promedio entre 13.2 a 20.6% y con tendencia a disminuir en Mimosa polyantha, Senna wislizeni y Lysiloma tergemina a medida que progresó el ciclo de crecimiento. Aunque las especies fueron diferentes en la concentración de fibras (P<0.0001), en fibra detergente ácido se observaron diferencias mayores, variando en un rango de 14.8 a 28.7%, aspecto correlacionado negativamente con la digestibilidad in vitro. La especie más abundante fue A. cymbispina. La especie con mayor concentración de proteína cruda fue Acacia farnesiana, la más digestible fue S. wislizeni, y la que tuvo menor concentración en proteína y digestibilidad fue Acacia milibekii.

Criterios de uso y conservación de árboles en potreros basados en el conocimiento local de los ganaderos en una zona de bosque seco tropical en Colombia

Trees are attributed an important role in livestock farms, fulfilling various functions. The study documents the retention of woody species in cattle farms from local and technical knowledge in the upper part of the Magdalena river basin, Colombia. 195 semi-structured questionnaires were applied to identify the perception of producers about the classification and uses of tree forage species, based on physical, nutritional, phenological and environmental criteria, as indicators of conservation and use of species in pastures. With these indicators, indices were constructed that identified important characteristics of the species mentioned by the ranchers. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, mean comparisons, and multivariate analysis techniques. It is recognized that producers appreciate species based on criteria of use and functions related to their productive activity. Six highly valued species Gliricidia sepium, Guazuma ulmifolia, Pithecellobium dulce, Albizia guachapele, Acacia farnesiana and Albizia saman coincide with other studies of local knowledge. The study provides relevant information on twelve species associated with livestock, which have not been reported in previous studies, so it suggests deepening and complementing with scientific knowledge to recognize and assess the use of these potential species for livestock production, allowing interaction between knowledge in a concerted technological system.

Feasibility study of the application of treated wastewater for the irrigation of forest species in a Saharan area

Background: After suffering from an acute problem of excess water for a long time, the Oasis of Ouargla benefited from an aerated lagoon treatment plant, producing biologically treated domestic effluents. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of reusing this effluent for watering plants. The experiment was conducted in the Ouargla WWTP, which is located in the region of Said Otba (northeast of Ouargla), north of the national road NR 49. Methods: The study area was selected based on the originality of the study and availability of water. The plants used were Acacia farnesiana and Leucaena leucocephala. The selection of Leucaena was based on the following criteria: It is used as a windbreak, it is very tolerant to drought, and it is used as a fodder to maintain soil fertility. And, Acacia was selected because it is used as a fodder, protects the soil against erosion, and to fix nitrogen. The watering of these plants is done jointly by treated wastewater from the WWTP and well water (WW), of which the latter was used as a control. Sampling and analysis of the irrigation water were performed according to the experimental protocol. To show the growth rate of the two plants studied, biometric measurements were taken weekly for 25 weeks. Results: The physicochemical analyses show that the treated wastewater is of poor quality belonging to the last class of Riverside’s C5-S4, with an excessive salinity (EC) of 13.51 dS/m and an Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of 12.61 against EC of 2.49 dS/m and 2.13 for the WW. At the end of the experiment, it was found that irrigation with purified wastewater (PWW) gave less growth compared to that with WW. Statistical analyses of the biometric measurements confirmed that there is a highly significant difference at P<0.05. Conclusion: The reuse of WWTP effluent gives less interesting results but is still possible. It is recommended to choose Salt-tolerant crops, as well as the dilution of these waters by the addition of less salty waters.

Molecular docking analysis of phytocompounds from Acacia farnesiana with protein targets linked to bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is a lower respiratory tract lung infection that causes bronchial inflammation. The known protein drug targets are peptidoglycan D, Dtranspeptidase, and DNA topoisomerase 4 subunit A for bronchitis linked infections. These are the membrane associated macromolecules which takes a major role in the formation of cell wall membrane by synthesising the cross-linked peptidoglycan. Therefore, it is of interest to design molecules with improved binding features with these protein targets. Hence, we document the molecular docking analysis data of four phytocompounds from Acacia farnesiana having optimal binding features with these targets linked to bronchitis for further consideration.

Optimization and Characterization of Novel and Non-Edible Seed Oil Sources for Biodiesel Production

Biodiesel mainly comes from edible oil, and there is little research on its yield from non-edible sources with low-cost oil. It is paramount to investigate the non-edible oil resources which may lead to advance the commercial feasibility of biodiesel and cost effectiveness as well as resolve the food issues. This chapter describes four novel non-edible seed oil sources comprising Koelreuteria paniculata, Rhus typhina, Acacia farnesiana and Albizzia julibrissin for biodiesel production. We aimed to optimize different reaction parameters for oil extraction, alkali-catalyzed transesterification process for maximal biodiesel production and finally evaluate its compatibility with mineral diesel. The optimization factors in transesterification included the molar ratio of methanol to oil, reaction time, stirring intensity, catalyst concentration and temperature. Two methods have been described including Soxhlet and mechanical for extraction of seed oil. The synthesized esters were evaluated and characterized through the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR; 1H and 13C), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and the total conversion of crude oil to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were established. The inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and Elemental Analyzer (EA) were used for evaluation of elemental concentration. The physico-chemical characterizations of the biodiesel, i.e., flash point, pour point, cloud point, and density were within the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM; D6751) and European Standards ((EN14214). Koelreuteria paniculata produced highest biodiesel oil content by Soxhlet extraction (28–30%) followed by the Albizzia julibrissin (19–24%), Acacia farnesiana (23%), Rhus typhina (20–22%). The density ranged from 0.83–0.87 @ 15°C (g/cm3) and the kinematic viscosity ranged from 3.75–6.3 (mm2/s) among all the plant sources. Koelreuteria paniculata had highest Na (5456.2), Cr (1246.8), Ni (658.36), and Al (346.87) elemental concentrations (μg/g) than other plant sources. The elemental percent of C, H, N, and O of biodiesel ranged from 72.54–76.86, 11.25–13.34, 1.97–2.73, and 9.86–12, respectively. In conclusion, these non-edible plant seeds offer a cheap source of renewable energy and can be easily grown on barren and wastelands and contribute to efficient biodiesel production to mitigate the energy crisis.

Study of Alcoholic Extract of Acacia Farnesiana (L.) Willd Pods

Identification of bioactive compound from alcoholic extract of Acacia farnesiana leguminosae pods by using preliminary phytochemical test or thin layer chromatography and the quantification of total phenolic content by folin-ciocalteu reagent method. shade dried grounded powder of Acacia farnesiana pods was successively extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform and alcohol in soxhlet apparatus, alcoholic compound obtained in more amount as compare to other two extract so alcoholic extract was used for identification of bioactive compound. The alcoholic extract of leguminosae pods indicates the presence of major bioactive compound. Analysis of the alcoholic extract by TLC have identified naringenin from extract, and the total phenolic content in alcoholic extract was found to be 22%(w/w). Therefore the present study deals with qualitative analysis of alcoholic extract of legumae pericarp (pod wall) of Acacia farnesiana L. In which we analyze various phytochemical which are useful for contoling various diseases TLC method used for identification of the content of naringenin from active extract of Acacia farnesiana pods. It is concluded that, legume pods contain maximum phytoconstituents or phenolic content.