Sustainable Production of Bioactive Compounds From Persea indica

In this work we have investigated the accumulation of ryanoids in different plant parts (leaves, stems roots) of aeroponically grown Persea indica cloned trees (one year old cloned individuals) and a selected mature wild tree. We have tested the insect antifeedant (against Spodoptera littoralis, Myzus persicae and Rhopalosiphum padi) and nematicidal (against Meloidogyne javanica) effects of ethanolic extracts from these different plant parts. The HPLC-MS analysis of P. indica extracts showed that the mature tree (wild) leaves had 2 times more chemical diversity than the stems. The aeroponic plants showed lower differences in chemical diversity between leaves and stems, with the lowest diversity found in the roots. The ryanodane epiryanodol (1) was present in all the plant parts, with the mature stems (wild) having the highest amount. The aeroponic stems also accumulated ryanoids including 1, cinnzeylanol 2 and cinnzeylanone 4. The insect Spodoptera littoralis was strongly affected by the stem extracts while the leaf ones were moderately active. Based on the predicted vs. the real antifeedant values we conclude that the ryanoid content (1 or a combination of 2, 4 and 1) explained the antifeedant effects of the stem extracts while addition-al components contributed to the activity of the leaf ones. Therefore, careful individual selection of P. indica seedlings should be carried out prior to proceed with its aeroponic cultivation in or-der to obtain ryanodane-rich stem or leaf extracts with strong antifeedant effects on S. littoralis.

Variation of Triterpenic Acids in 12 Wild Syzygium formosum and Anti-Inflammation Activity on Human Keratinocyte HaCaT

Syzygium formosum (Wall.) Masam leaf is known as a Vietnamese traditional herbal medicine used to treat atopic dermatitis and stomach ulcers. Recently, its potent anti-allergic effects were reported with possible active compounds analysis. Here, we collected S. formosum leaves from 12 wild trees and compared compositions of triterpenic acids (TA) with Centella asiatica. Anti-inflammatory activities of S. formosum leaf extract (SFLE) was compared with C. asiatica extract (CAE) using human keratinocyte, HaCaT. In this study, up to seven TAs were identified in SFLE, while only madecassic and asiatic acids were detected in the CAE. Total TA content varied among SFLE, but asiatic, corosolic, and betulinic acids were the major components. Surprisingly, wild tree sample 12 (S12) contained total TA of 27.2 mg/g dry-leaves that was 5-fold greater than that in the C. asiatica sample, and S4 had the highest content of asiatic acid (12.6 mg/g dry-leaves) that accounted for 50% of the total TA. S4 and S12 showed more than 3-fold higher anti-oxidative power than the CAE. In the UVB irradiation model, S4 and S12 (5 μg/mL) strongly repressed mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8) and COX-2, while the CAE at the same condition showed moderate or weak repression. The difference in anti-inflammation effects between the SFLE and the CAE was also confirmed by protein quantifications. Taken together, SFLE has great potentials as a new cosmeceutical ingredient with a higher amount of skin-active phytochemicals.

Evaluation of the Bioenergy Potential of Temer Musa: An Invasive Tree from the African Desert

Temer musa (Prosopis chilensis) is an invasive wild tree found in the desert of many countries, e.g., Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, India, South Africa, and the USA. The thermochemical properties of this invasive tree were analyzed as a potential biomass feedstock for energy generation. The calorific value measurement of the temer musa wood was found to be 19.83 MJ/kg. Thermogravimetric analysis and derivative weight profiles displayed that the decomposition happened in four stages representing moisture content, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ash formation. The proximate parameters are in good range with other known biomasses and are found suitable for the thermochemical energy conversion. The gasification process confirmed the existence of several gases that are usually observed in invasive biomasses. All gasification gases were in the acceptable range, and no hydrogen sulfide gas was observed, which makes the conversion as environment friendly. The obtained results show that the energy conversion of temer musa is suitable for real-time implementation.

Contributions and Appreciation of Adansonia digitata L. Food Products in Zinder Region, Niger

Wild tree species play an important role in the diet of the people. However, few studies tried to assess the food products of those wild tree species in Sahel region. This study focuses on identifying the contribution of Adansonia digitata process products through the survey and sensory evaluation due to nutritional value and increase of income to the population. The A. digitata is used in Africa as food and traditional pharmacopeia. Its leaves are excellent sources of nutrients. The A. digitata pulp rich in vitamins is used to make juice and jam. The seeds are processed into virgin oil. The sensory evaluation at Sahara Sahel Foods revealed that A. digitata pulp juice as the highest overall accepted product and its jam the less. The survey at both Zinder city and Baban Tabki village showed that the A. digitata products are more useful in the villages than in the city with 65% and 35% appreciations respectively. These products are an aftertaste for the local population to increase their income and improve their nutritional status as well as health status. This study provides a baseline data about A. digitata food products in Zinder region, which could play a crucial role in the conservation of the A. digitata. This study recommends the use of A. digitata trees in the national tree plantation programmes in Zinder region.

The contributions of wild tree resources to food and nutrition security in sub-Saharan African drylands: a review of the pathways and beneficiaries

Wild tree resources are known to play an important role in local stakeholders' livelihoods particularly in the food and nutrition security of people living in semi-arid sub-Saharan Africa. Based on a comprehensive review of the literature, this article examines the relative importance of the contributions of tree resources to food and nutrition security for rural households, while considering alternative causal pathways. The main conclusions of the review are that most studies provide useful evidence on specific contributions of tree products to food and nutritional security, and for whom. However, detailed data on the actual contribution of tree products are still lacking. In addition, we argue that the concept of access as a pillar of food security is not sophisticated enough to understand the landscape dynamics and the socio-economic relations at the nexus of food security and rights of access. Links are needed to better understand the underlying processes in the definition of each stakeholder's rights of access to tree resources in a context of rapidly changing landscapes, and how income generated by tree resources contributes to food and nutrition security. An approach to food security based on rights of access would advance our understanding of their use and tackle the root causes of food deficiency based on different social groups. In light of current patterns of access to tree food for different stakeholders, including women and children, an intersectional approach that accounts for age, gender, ethnicity and wealth would benefit food security research by a more targeted and discerning approach to existing rights of access and to the roles of different community members.

Experimental investigation of a small agricultural diesel engine performance using community biodiesel from wild trees

The increasing consumption and demand for fossil fuels have more significance than before alarm above its lessening rate and for that reason, stimulated the actions are needed to challenge the issue with an efficient and less polluting alternative fuel for diesel. This study evaluated the performance of an 8.2 kW small diesel engine using three fuels, namely diesel, waste cooking oil biodiesel and wild tree biodiesel, such as granadilla oil biodiesel (GBD) and tung oil biodiesel (TBD). The experimental engine was tested at 1,500 rpm of constant engine speed and 20–80% of engine load. The specific fuel consumption, brake specific energy consumption, brake mean sufficient pressure, brake thermal efficiency, exhaust emission and temperature were evaluated. It was found that the small diesel engine worked well using wild trees biodiesel. The brake means effective pressures were lower by 5–8% and thermal brake efficiency was decreased in the range of 9–15%, compared with diesel fuel. The exhaust emission was lower than Thailand’s industrial standard and slightly higher than waste cooking oil biodiesel and diesel fuel operation. The operation of biodiesel from wild trees is suitable for farmers and is considered feasible for local communities in the future.