Aprovechamiento de flora apícola en dos colmenares localizados en los cantones La Concordia y Mocache, Ecuador

Introducción. Antes de planificar actividades de manejo que permitan incrementar la producción apícola, es necesario datos de los elementos florísticos que integran los sistemas de uso de la tierra adyacentes a los colmenares, en esta ocasión para dos unidades productivas de las zonas 4 y 5 de Ecuador. Objetivos. Reconocer especies vegetales con potencial apícola, y estimar su abundancia más la durabilidad de la floración. Metodología. Con el empleo de los métodos: documental, y de campo, para el reconocimiento taxonómico de plantas melíferas, su cantidad, más el monitoreo del florecimiento de cada especie apícola. El análisis estadístico con la aplicación de la prueba de Mann Whitney a las variables abundancia y durabilidad de la floración. Resultados. Las principales familias botánicas con especies nectaríferas y poliníferas en los sitios de estudio son; Fabaceae, Anacardiaceae, Asteraceae y Capparaceae. Para el Colmenar C1 son 14 especies, pertenecientes a 12 familias, por su parte para el colmenar C2 con 22 especies, pertenecientes a 14 familias botánicas. La oferta del recurso floral tiene un comportamiento similar de abundancia de plantas entre los colmenares C1 y C2 a pesar de poseer mayor cantidad de especies con potencial apícola el colmenar C2, lo cual obedece al manejo que se aplica a las áreas que integran los diferentes sistemas de uso del suelo de cada predio. Conclusión. Finalmente, la duración de las flores de las especies que ofertan alimento a las abejas de los colmenares C1 y C2 oscila de 1 a 12 meses durante el año 2020 con predominancia para el colmenar C1 de Cordia alliodora, Erythrina edulis, Senna alata, Inga edulis, Persea americana, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Piper aduncum, y Cestrum racemosum que florecen entre 10 a 12 meses. En cambio, en el colmenar C2; Tridax procumbens, Pelargonium sp, y Hydrangea sp florecen durante todo el año.

Evaluation of the Anti-ulcer Effect of Extra Virgin Avocado (Persea americana) Oil in Rats

Peptic ulcer disease is a gastrointestinal disorder of high mortality and morbidity. Therapy of this disease condition with conventional drugs presents therapeutic challenge due to incidents of unwanted side effects, and the high cost of these medications. The use of products from natural sources will provide useful alternatives due to their minimal side effects, being inexpensive, and readily available, especially in resource-challenged nations of the continent of Africa and other developing economies. Oils derived from plants are increasingly being used in management of several disease conditions. This study aims at evaluating the antiulcer activity of extra virgin avocado oil in rodents using ethanol-induced, and indomethacin-induced ulcer models. Test group was given extra virgin avocado oil (1ml per 250g weight) for 7 days before induction of ulcer. Positive controls received omeprazole 30 mg/kg, while negative control animals were given distilled water (10ml/kg) for 7 days respectively, before induction of ulcer. The stomachs were excised and their histopathological examinations carried out. Avocado oil significantly reduced the ulcer index in both models when compared to the negative control group, and histopathological findings corroborate that the oil ameliorates ulcerations in both models. The present study has demonstrated that extra virgin avocado oil possesses significant antiulcer activity.

The different encapsulants of lileum leaves (Clerodendrum Minahassae L) and Avocado Seed (Persea Americana Mill) extraction on Physical Quality and Microscopic Structure

This research aimed to examine the differences encapsulant of leilem leaves and avocado seed (1 : 1) using a microwave oven to the microcapsule product physical quality and microscopic structure. The method was used laboratory experimental with 5 different encapsulants consist of gum arab (A1), whey (A2), chitosan (A3), maltodextrin (A4) and zeolit (A5) with 4 replications in every treatment, respectively. The Variables observed in this research consist of physical quality (dry matter, density, yield, solubility of solids) and microscopic structure. The data of physical quality was evaluate the size and structure, then the microscopic structure was analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the experiment using Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The results showed that the use of different encapsulates showed a significant (P < 0.05) effect on density and the solubility of solids in the product but it were not significant effect on dry matter and yield. Furthermore, different encapsulants also showed significantly different on the microscopic structure. Therefore, it can be concluded that the encapsulation process of the mixed extract of leilem leaves and avocado seeds using a microwave oven and chitosan encapsulation can produce the best physical quality and microscopic structure.

Characteristics of avocado (Persea americana) and kluwih (Artocarpus camansi) seeds starch with different extraction methods

Seed from avocado (Persea Americana) and kluwih (Artocarpus camansi) fruit are waste and by product from processing fruit. Due to the high starch content from both seeds, there are many extractions process have been applied. The immersed raw material in sodium metabisulfite solution affected to starch properties. The purpose of this study is to characterize of starch extracted with and without immersed in sodium metabisulfite solution. The results showed that the starch yield by immersed in alkaline solution was 21.6% for avocado seed starch and 24.4% for kluwih seed starch, while yield without immersed in sodium metabisulfite solution was 17.5% and 18,2% for avocado seed starch and kluwih seed starch, respectively. The starch content with sodium metabisulfite immersion process of avocado seed and kuwih seed were 79.26% and 72.62%, respectively. Meanwhile without the immersion process resulted starch of 75.13 and 67.30%, in avocado seed starch and kluwih seed starch, respectively. Furthermore, XRD and FTIR analysis were also carried out on starch to see the crystallinity character and functional groups contained in the extracted starch.

The Avocado (Persea americana Mill.): A Review and Sustainability Perspectives

Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) plant fruits are well-known for their high nutritional value, unique test, and healthy oil. It has a history of about 10,000 years. Avocado fruit offers many health benefits, and its production is rapidly increasing. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)&rsquo;s recent data suggest that the Avocados produced in the world in 2019 was twice that of 2010 (3778010 tons). Avocado&rsquo;s global Gross Production Value was about 5.812 billion USD in 2018, and it is likely to increase rapidly because of the increasing demand for Avocado fruits. Avocado oil is also used in the cosmetic industry because of its therapeutic properties, and it boosts the economic value of the Avocado industry. Avocado fruits have a rough green-gold skin; however, fruits are called &lsquo;the green gold&rsquo; because of their massive global demand in the worldwide market and a lucrative business. The cultivation of Avocado has tremendous potential in increasing the rural economy, rural agriculture-based employment and reducing the poverty rate of growers. On the other hand, the Avocado industry is highly criticised because of deforestation, massive water utilisation, polluting water bodies with insecticides and fertilisers, posing a threat to other plant species, and environmental pollution. However, it doesn&rsquo;t preclude the importance of Avocado. Cameroon&rsquo;s average temperature is about 23 &deg;C, which is considered optimal for Avocado propagation and commercial cultivation. Cameroon Association of Active Youths (CAMAAY) want to explore the possibilities of engaging Cameroon youths in Avocado cultivation. This review is aimed to provide an overview of Avocado. The review also highlights Avocado cultivation related issues from one health and sustainability perspective in line with the global goals.

ACTIVIDAD ENZIMÁTICA DE PALTA FUERTE (persea americana) DURANTE EL ALMACENAMIENTO EN REFRIGERACIÓN

El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el efecto de tratamientos físicos (tratamiento térmico a 45 °C: TT), químicos (ácido cítrico al 1,0 %: AC 1,0 %; ácido ascórbico al 0,75 %: AA 0,75 % y Tripolifosfato de sodio al 1,0 %: TPS 1,0 %), combinados (ácido cítrico al 0,2 % y 45 °C: AC 0,2 % + TT) y un tratamiento control (C), en la inhibición del pardeamiento enzimático, medido a través de la actividad enzimática (Δabsorbancia/min) de la Polifenol Oxidasa (PPO), en el tejido de palta almacenada a temperatura de refrigeración (4°C). Se evaluaron los parámetros de color CIELAB (L*a*b*), ∆E* , ∆C* y el porcentaje de oscurecimiento. Además, se realizó una prueba sensorial con 50 consumidores quienes evaluaron la preferencia de las muestras de palta tratadas. En general, los tratamientos anti-pardeantes redujeron la actividad enzimática de la PPO donde la muestra sometida con ácido cítrico al 0,2 % y 45 °C obtuvo los mejores resultados en la reducción de la actividad enzimática y los parámetros de color.

CLASIFICADOR DE RED NEURONAL CONVOLUCIONAL PARA IDENTIFICAR ENFERMEDADES DEL FRUTO DE AGUACATE (Persea americana Mill.) A PARTIR DE IMÁGENES DIGITALES

México es el productor principal de aguacate (Persea americana Mill.) en el mundo; sin embargo, este fruto en postcosecha es susceptible a hongos fitopatógenos que reducen su calidad. Por ello, la identificación oportuna de estos organismos con base en herramientas no invasivas, como los análisis por medio de inteligencia artificial resulta de interés para reducir pérdidas económicas. El objetivo de este estudio fue implementar un modelo de aprendizaje automático con una base de datos de imágenes digitales de frutos colectados en campo, a través de crear un clasificador de red neuronal convolucional (CNN), entrenarlo y validarlo para identificar frutos sanos de aguacate cv. Fuerte y frutos infectados con roña (Sphaceloma perseae Jenkins) o antracnosis (Colletotrichum spp.) de la zona productora en el Estado de Morelos, México. Frutos de aguacate sanos se recolectaron en campo, y también frutos con roña y antracnosis de huertos diferentes para generar un conjunto de 569 imágenes digitales. Las transformaciones de éstas aumentaron el conjunto de datos a 3983 imágenes. El modelo CNN se entrenó con una partición aleatoria de 80% de las imágenes y se validó para predicción con el 20% restante. La CNN alcanzó una precisión global de clasificación correcta de 80% con el conjunto de validación. Además, el clasificador se evaluó con un conjunto de prueba de 100 imágenes no incluidas en el conjunto original y obtuvo una precisión global de clasificación correcta de 87%. El clasificador de aprendizaje profundo por CNN implementado en este estudio representa el uso factible de la inteligencia artificial para su aplicación en la identificación de enfermedades en aguacate a partir de imágenes digitales en la etapa de postcosecha.

Review Article: The Effectiveness of Avocado Seed Starch (Persea Americana Mill) As An Excipients in Tablets Formulation

Avocado consists of pericarp (husk), mesocarp (flesh), and endocarp (seed). In avocado seeds there is a fairly high starch content, which is around 80.1% with amylose content of 43.3% and amylopectin of 36.8%. Starch is defined as a natural polymer consisting of a structure composed of amylopectin and another structure called amylose. Amylose content has properties that are easy to absorb water and amylose content can have excellent swelling power in the tablet crushing process. This allows avocado seeds as an alternative source of starch which can be an excipient in tablets. The research explored the effectiveness of avocado seed starch (Persea americana Mill) as an excipient in tablet formulations based on research that has been done. The method of the research is using secondary data obtained from literature studies, which were analyzed by bibliographic annotation by searching and analyzing data related to the effectiveness of avocado seed starch as an excipient. The data collection technique in this research is in the form of a review of published scientific journals, national and international journals. Analysis of the physical and chemical properties of avocado seed starch showed that avocado seed was able to become an excipient. Several studies also showed that avocado seed starch used as a disintegrant and binder in tablet formulations had an optimum concentration of 10%. In addition, avocado seed starch can also be used as an active substance in tablets.

Evolution of NLR Resistance Genes in Magnoliids: Dramatic Expansions of CNLs and Multiple Losses of TNLs

Magnoliids are the third-largest group of angiosperms and occupy a critical position in angiosperm evolution. In the past years, due to the lack of sequenced genomes, the disease resistance gene (R gene) profile of magnoliids remains poorly understood. By the genome-wide identification of 1,832 NLR genes from seven magnoliid genomes, we built a framework for the evolution of magnoliid R genes. TNL genes were completely absent from five magnoliids, presumably due to immune pathway deficiencies. A total of 74 ancestral R genes (70 CNLs, 3 TNLs, and 1 RNL) were recovered in a common ancestor of magnoliids, from which all current NLR gene repertoires were derived. Tandem duplication served as the major drive for NLR genes expansion in seven magnoliid genomes, as most surveyed angiosperms. Due to recent rapid expansions, most magnoliids exhibited “a first expansion followed by a slight contraction and a further stronger expansion” evolutionary pattern, while both Litsea cubeba and Persea americana showed a two-times-repeated pattern of “expansion followed by contraction.” The transcriptome analysis of seven different tissues of Saururus chinensis revealed a low expression of most NLR genes, with some R genes displaying a relatively higher expression in roots and fruits. Overall, our study sheds light on the evolution of NLR genes in magnoliids, compensates for insufficiency in major angiosperm lineages, and provides an important reference for a better understanding of angiosperm NLR genes.

Mapping Atmospheric Mercury in Lampung Province, Indonesia Using Bark of Multipurpose Tree Species

The use of mercury in gold refining causes air pollution and results in the contamination of multipurpose tree species (MPTS). Tree bark has properties that cause it to store mercury for quite a long time. The purpose of this study was to determine mercury contamination of MPTS and map the mercury contamination distribution in the atmosphere using tree barks as bioindicators. Sampling was performed using purposive sampling. The mercury concentration was obtained by atomic absorption spectroscopy, and the highest THg contents were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. The analysis was carried out by gauging total mercury (THg), distance, elevation to THg, and interpolation of THg at the research site. The results showed that there were 10 types of MPTS trees whose bark could accumulate mercury. The bark of the Tamarindus indica tree stored the greatest amount of THg (74.4 µg dry weight (DW)), followed by Persea americana (58.7 µg DW), and Annona muricata (44.2 µg DW), respectively. This result was influenced by the roughness of the bark and the location of the plants. No correlation was found between distance and elevation to THg on tree bark. The mercury interpolation in the atmosphere showed that mercury moves from the purification point to the southeast of the purification location.