On Rubus ulmifolius (Rosaceae) and related taxa

Nomenclature issues in the genus Rubus are discussed. In particular, R. ulmifolius and six related names, R. creticus, R. sanctus, R. parviflorus, R. vulgaris, R. non-spinosus, and R. inermis, are discussed. Further support is provided for the suggestions that these seven names are used for only one species. The names R. creticus, R. sanctus and R. parviflorus are homotypic, being R. sanctus and R. parviflorus illegitimate. A lectotype is designated for R. non-spinosus from an image of Barrelier. An epitype is selected for R. vulgaris from a modern specimen collected in Italy and preserved at L.

Conversion of Organic Dyes into Pigments: Extraction of Flavonoids from Blackberries (Rubus ulmifolius) and Stabilization

The blackberry’s color is composed mainly of natural dyes called anthocyanins. Their color is red–purple, and they can be used as a natural colorant. Anthocyanins are flavonoids, which are products of plants, and their colors range from orange and red to various shades of blue, purple and green, according to pH. In this study, the chemical composition of an extract obtained from blackberries was defined by LC-ESI/LTQOrbitrap/MS in positive and negative ionization mode. Furthermore, we investigated the adsorption process of blackberry extract using several inorganic fillers, such as metakaolin, silica, Lipari pumice, white pozzolan and alumina. The pigments exhibit different colors as a function of their interactions with the fillers. The analysis of the absorption data allowed the estimation of the maximum adsorbing capacity of each individual filler tested. Through thermogravimetric measurements (TGA), the thermal stability and the real adsorption of the organic extract were determined.

Almond (Prunus dulcis cv. Casteltermini) Skin Confectionery By-Products: New Opportunity for the Development of a Functional Blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius Schott) Jam

This work proposes for the first time a model for reusing almond (Prunus dulcis cv. Casteltermini from Sicily, Southern Italy) skin to formulate a new functional blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius Schott) jam. For this purpose, blackberries were analysed fresh and as jam, traditionally prepared with a minimum fruit amount of 80%. Different percentages of almond skin (20, 15, and 10% w/w) were added to jam. The phytochemical profile of enriched jam was investigated by LC-ESI/LTQOrbitrap/MS analyses. Anthocyanins, hydrolysable tannins, and triterpenoids were identified in a blackberry extract, while proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, and oxylipins were identified in an almond extract. The n-hexane extract of P. dulcis skin, investigated by GC–MS, evidenced linoleic, palmitic, and oleic acids as the main abundant compounds. Samples were investigated for their antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, β-carotene, and FRAP tests. The hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects were studied by α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase inhibitory assays. In order to evaluate the effect of thermal process on enriched jam bioactivity, pasteurisation was applied. An increase in activities for all samples was observed, in particular for jam enriched with 20% w/w of almond skin. Based on obtained data, and supported by sensory analysis, we propose enriched jam as a promising source of compounds useful for preventing diseases associated with oxidative stress.

Fatty Acid Profile and Antimicrobial Activity of Rubus ulmifolius Schott Extracts Against Cariogenic Bacterium Streptococcus mutans

The wild edible species Rubus ulmifolius is normally known as a source of several functional-natural compounds used in the traditional diet in several parts of the world. At present, few data are available in the literature about the biological property of its leaves, normally rich in phenolic acids, fatty acids, and other organic compounds with potential antimicrobial activity. Following this hypothesis, we have investigated the antibacterial activity of different dried leaved extracts against the main cariogenic bacterium, Streptococcus mutans. Standard antimicrobial-antibiofilm methods (MIC, MBC, MBIC) were performed to evaluate each extract's antimicrobial profile. In addition, the fatty acids (FA) quali-quantitative profile of R. ulmifolius leave extracts was assessed by reversed-phase HPLC-DAD/ELSD analysis. The results showed that the behavior of this bacterium with different extracts was strictly related to extraction method type, even though it was not related to fatty acid amount and composition, in fact, all the extracts showed similar, qualitative FA patterns, characterized by a concentration in the range from (25 to 36) % of saturated compounds. The methanolic extract showed the better result as antibacterial MIC 6.25 %. These preliminary results encourage further studies for the use of R. ulmifolius in mouthwashes or toothpaste with great anticaries activity.

Análisis del contexto normativo ecuatorianas referentes a la producción de mora deshidratada, una mirada desde su practicidad

El presente trabajo bibliográfico tiene como objetivo analizar la normativa legal en el Ecuador para la producción de frutas deshidratadas. Como primer paso se fundamenta el proceso de transformación y comercialización puesto que la base industrial agropecuaria del país que es la actualidad es muy diversa especialmente cuando se trata del frutas y hortalizas deshidratas como es el caso de mora (Rubus ulmifolius), oriunda de los Andes Ecuatorianos, muy rica en nutrientes, cuyo cultivo tiene gran aceptación en el mercado local e internacional y que su producción se ha incrementado en varios lugares del país, como: Ibarra, Quito, Ambato. Sin embargo, el rápido crecimiento económico e industrial ha traído consigo serios problemas de contaminación ambiental. Razón por la cual se analiza la reciente creación de una política ambiental tendiente a resolver estos problemas, a través de la creación de un marco legal e institucional que incluye, entre otros, planes y programas de protección ambiental basado en procesos de producción sostenible. En este marco, y con el propósito de promocionar un desarrollo industrial basados principalmente en los procesos de regulación emitidos desde la concepción de la Constitución de la República del 2008, donde se establece que será responsabilidad del Estado prevenir y proteger a la población del consumo de alimentos contaminados o que pongan en riesgo su salud, así como adoptar las políticas y medidas oportunas que eviten los impactos ambientales negativos.

Antioxidant, Antihypertensive and Antimicrobial Properties of Phenolic Compounds Obtained from Native Plants by Different Extraction Methods

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of two methods (agitation and ultra-sound) for extracting phenolic compounds from 15 native plants. Plant species collected in the Dehesa of Extremadura were used. The antioxidant, antihypertensive and antimicrobial activity of the phenolic extracts was investigated. Significantly different results were obtained when comparing the two extraction methods, with the highest concentrations of phenolic compounds found for ultrasound extraction. In addition, the extracts obtained for Cistus albidus, Cistus salviifolius, Rubus ulmifolius and Quercus ilex showed the highest concentrations of phenolic compounds. The antioxidant activity was higher in the extracts of Cistus and Q. ilex obtained by ultrasound, as was the antihypertensive activity. Antimicrobial activity was also higher in the extracts obtained by ultrasound from C. salviifolius and Q. ilex plants against bacteria and from Cistus ladanifer against yeasts. Therefore, it can be concluded that, with the ultrasound extraction of phenolic compounds from C. ladanifer, C. albidus and Q. ilex plants, it is possible to obtain extracts with important functional properties, so they could be studied for their use in food with the aim of obtaining healthy and safe products, favouring the sustainability of the environment of the Dehesa Extremeña.

Inhibición de Streptococcus mutans con extractos de Rubus ulmifolius, Passiflora mollissima y Vaccinium floribundum

Es conocido que el consumo excesivo de azúcares conlleva al desarrollo de caries dental y obesidad, entre otras enfermedades. Conociendo que algunos de los compuestos fenólicos tienen carácter antimicrobiano, en el presente estudio se evaluó la actividad antimicrobianan in vitro de mora (Rubus ulmifolius), taxo (Passiflora mollissima) y mortiño (Vaccinium floribundum) en concentraciones de 1, 2, 3% frente a Streptococcus mutans, microorganismo responsable del desarrollo de caries dental, mediante el método de difusión con discos. El efecto de la adición de fruta a leche entera que proporciona el Programa de Alimentación Escolar se evaluó mediante análisis sensorial con la adición de taxo y mortiño al 1%. Los resultados mostraron que extractos de mora, mortiño y taxo presentaron un halo de inhibición promedio a las 24 h de 1,34, 1,42, y 1,57 cm y a las 48 h 1,31, 1,40 y 1,46 cm, respectivamente. Mortiño y taxo tuvieron igual actividad inhibitoria (p<0,05). Los extractos con concentraciones diferentes mostraron que la concentración de 3% presentó una mayor zona de inhibición con respecto a 1 y 2%, siendo estas dos últimas estadísticamente iguales. Los resultados del análisis sensorial mostraron que la leche saborizada con mortiño tuvo mayor aceptación, con una calificación de “me gusta mucho” en una escala hedónica de 5 puntos, concluyendo que es la fruta recomendada para utilizar como saborizante en leche, sabiendo además que tiene alto poder inhibitorio frente al S. mutans.

Competitividad y rentabilidad de la producción de frutillas en Jalisco

Durante 2017, Jalisco fue el segundo estado con mayor aportación al PIB agrícola nacional (SIAP, 2020). El cultivo de berries es una importante actividad socioeconómica de este estado, los cuales incluyen el arándano (Vaccinium spp.), frambuesa (Rubus idaeus) y zarzamora (Rubus ulmifolius). Jalisco es el principal productor de frambuesa, el segundo de zarzamora, y el cuarto de fresa (Fragaria spp.) a nivel nacional (FIRA, 2016). Sin embargo, se percibe que a diferencia de los cultivos de fresa y zarzamora, la superficie cultivada de frambuesa incrementó en los últimos años, dicho incremento no puede ser explicado por cambios en el precio o rendimiento sino por otros factores. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar si hubo distorsiones en los mercados que pudieron haber influido en la elección de los productores de Jalisco por algún tipo de berry en particular. Se partió de la hipótesis, que de los berries, la frambuesa tuvo una mayor ventaja competitiva o comparativa. Para medir el grado de distorsión del mercado se aplicó la metodología de la matriz de análisis de políticas. Los resultados indican que los tres tipos de berries fueron rentables; sin embargo, algunas distorsiones económicas beneficiaron a la frambuesa y zarzamora, e impactaron negativamente al cultivo de fresa, además existió un gran subsidio a las ganancias del cultivo de frambuesa. Se concluye que distorsiones creadas por el mercado y el gobierno influyeron en la elección del tipo de berry a sembrar por los productores, favoreciendo la producción de frambuesa.

Update and New Epidemiological Aspects about Grapevine Yellows in Chile

To date, phytoplasmas belonging to six ribosomal subgroups have been detected to infect grapevines in Chile in 36 percent of the sampled plants. A new survey on the presence of grapevine yellows was carried out from 2016 to 2020, and 330 grapevine plants from the most important wine regions of the country were sampled and analyzed by nested PCR/RFLP analyses. Phytoplasmas enclosed in subgroups 16SrIII-J and 16SrVII-A were identified with infection rates of 17% and 2%, respectively. The vineyards in which the phytoplasma-infected plants were detected were further inspected to identify alternative host plants and insects of potential epidemiological relevance. Five previously unreported plant species resulted positive for 16SrIII-J phytoplasma (Rosa spp., Brassica rapa, Erodium spp., Malva spp. and Rubus ulmifolius) and five insect species were fully or partially identified (Amplicephalus ornatus, A. pallidus, A. curtulus, Bergallia sp., Exitianus obscurinervis) as potential vectors of 16SrIII-J phytoplasmas. The 16SrVII-A phytoplasmas were not detected in non-grape plant species nor in insects. This work establishes updated guidelines for the study, management, and prevention of grapevine yellows in Chile, and in other grapevine growing regions of South America.

Preference by Donkeys and Goats among Five Mediterranean Forest Species: Implications for Reducing Fire Hazard

During the second half of the 20th century, European countries experienced an increase in their forest area due to the global change. Consequently, there has been an increase in large forest fires, mainly in the Mediterranean basin, and this has forced the development of several types of prevention programs. One of them is the control of the understory by livestock. In this sense, browsing with a combination of donkeys and goats could be a good option, as both animals usually feed on forest species. However, little is known about their preferences for the key species of the Mediterranean forest. Using a cafeteria test, the preferences and consumption of both animals have been determined for five typical species of the Mediterranean forest, such as Quercus ilex, Pinus halepensis, Phillyrea latifolia, Rubus ulmifolius, and Brachypodium retusum. Results showed that donkeys and goats could act complementarily in the reduction of the fuel biomass of forests. Donkeys appear to act more on fine fuel, such as B. retusum, and goats on the more pyrophyte species, in this case P. halepensis. In addition, given that donkeys are at severe risk of extinction in Europe, this role of providing ecosystem services could contribute to their conservation. Despite this study only showing that goats and donkeys would consume all five presented plant species and that there are some differences in consumption during a short-term test, it constitutes a useful first step for conservation and fire prevention in the Mediterranean forests.