Search results for "Ficus"
showing 10 items of 211 documents
Mitochondrial genome of Suberites domuncula: palindromes and inverted repeats are abundant in non-coding regions.
2007
The 26,300-nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecule of the demosponge Suberites domuncula (Olivi, 1792), the largest in size yet found in Porifera, has been determined. We describe the second hadromerid sponge mitochondrial genome that contains the same set of 41 genes as the hadromerid sponge Tethya actinia, including trnMe(cau), trnI2(cau), trnR2(ucu), and atp9, all of which are transcribed in the same direction. Furthermore, rRNA genes for the small and large ribosomal subunit are very long, rns is indeed the longest among Metazoa (1833 bp). Intergenic regions (IGR) comprise about 25% of S. domuncula mtDNA and include numerous direct and inverted repeats, as well as …
Photoreactivity of Furocoumarins and DNA in PUVA Therapy: Formation of Psoralen−Thymine Adducts
2008
The mechanism of the [2 + 2] cycloaddition photoreaction of psoralen and a DNA nucleobase, thymine, cornerstone of the furocoumarin-based PUVA (psoralen + UVA radiation) phototherapy, has been studied by the quantum-chemical multiconfigurational CASPT2 method. Triplet- and singlet-mediated mono- and diadduct formations have been determined to take place via singlet-triplet crossings and conical intersections, correlated with the initially promoted triplet or singlet states in different possible reactive orientations. Pyroneside monoadducts are suggested to be formed in the triplet manifold of the system, and to be less prone to yield diadducts because of the properties of the monoadduct low…
Indicaxanthin, a multi-target natural compound from Opuntia ficus-indica fruit: From its poly-pharmacological effects to biochemical mechanisms and m…
2019
Abstract Over the latest years phytochemical consumption has been associated to a decreased risk of both the onset and the development of a number of pathological conditions. In this context indicaxanthin, a betalain pigment from Opuntia ficus-indica fruit, has been the object of sound research. Explored, at first, for its mere antioxidant potential, Indicaxanthin is now regarded as a redox-active compound able to exert significant poly-pharmacological effects against several targets in a number of experimental conditions both in vivo and in vitro. This paper aims to provide an overview on the therapeutical effects of indicaxanthin, ranging from the anti-inflammatory to the neuro-modulatory…
Identification of DNA sequences specific for Vibrio vulnificus biotype 2 strains by suppression subtractive hybridization.
2005
ABSTRACT Vibrio vulnificus can be divided into three biotypes, and only biotype 2, which is further divided into serovars, contains eel-virulent strains. We compared the genomic DNA of a biotype 2 serovar E isolate (tester) with the genomic DNAs of three biotype 1 strains by suppression subtractive hybridization and then tested the distribution of the tester-specific DNA sequences in a wide collection of bacterial strains. In this way we identified three plasmid-borne DNA sequences that were specific for biotype 2 strains irrespective of the serovar and three chromosomal DNA sequences that were specific for serovar E biotype 2 strains. These sequences have potential for use in the diagnosis…
Food plant diversity as broad-scale determinant of avian frugivore richness.
2007
The causes of variation in animal species richness at large spatial scales are intensively debated. Here, we examine whether the diversity of food plants, contemporary climate and energy, or habitat heterogeneity determine species richness patterns of avian frugivores across sub-Saharan Africa. Path models indicate that species richness of Ficus (their fruits being one of the major food resources for frugivores in the tropics) has the strongest direct effect on richness of avian frugivores, whereas the influences of variables related to water–energy and habitat heterogeneity are mainly indirect. The importance of Ficus richness for richness of avian frugivores diminishes with decreasing sp…
Untreated Opuntia ficus indica for the Efficient Adsorption of Ni(II), Pb(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) Ions from Water
2023
The raw cladode of Opuntia ficus indica (OFI) was evaluated as a sustainable biosorbent for the removal of heavy metals (Ni, Pb, Cu, and Cd) from aqueous solutions. The functional groups of OFI were identified by employing DRIFT-FTIR and CP-MAS-NMR techniques before and after contact with the ions in an aqueous media, showing a rearrangement of the biomass structure due to the complexation between the metal and the functional groups. The adsorption process was studied in both single- and multi-component systems under batch conditions at different pHs (4.0, 5.0, and 6.0), different metal concentrations, and different biomass amounts. The results show that the raw OFI had a removal capacity a…
Influence Of within-tree and environmental factors On fruit quality of cactus Pear (O. ficus-Indica)
2010
Introduction. Opuntia ficus-indica fruit quality was studied, in the main sites for cactus pear cultivation in Italy, with the ultimate goal of understanding the main sources of variability and increasing crop value. Materials and methods. A first study was carried out in 2006 on mature Opuntia ficus-indica trees, cvs. Gialla and Rossa, grown in ten commercial orchards located in the main sites for their cultivation in Italy. Trees were managed to produce an out-of-season crop in October, through the removal of the spring flush at bloom time, during the first week of June. Trees had a similar crop [(52 ± 10) kg of fruits•tree-1], and no more than six fruits were left on each of the fruiting…
Evaluation and application of Opuntia ficus-indica insulation panel
2015
Today the attention to the building sustainability issue is increasingly important, because of the major responsibility of the buildings field in the environmental degradation: both in terms of energy consumption from non-renewable sources and the raw materials impoverishment. In addition, the level of comfort required by users are growing and the thermal insulation of buildings becomes the key element in the reduction of energy consumption and C02 emissions, both in the case of new construction and existing ones. The thermal insulation of buildings is the key element in the reduction of energy consumption and C02 emissions due to the cooling of building interiors, both in the case of new c…
Nopal Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) as a Source of Bioactive Compounds for Nutrition, Health and Disease
2014
Opuntia ficus-indica, commonly referred to as prickly pear or nopal cactus, is a dicotyledonous angiosperm plant. It belongs to the Cactaceae family and is characterized by its remarkable adaptation to arid and semi-arid climates in tropical and subtropical regions of the globe. In the last decade, compelling evidence for the nutritional and health benefit potential of this cactus has been provided by academic scientists and private companies. Notably, its rich composition in polyphenols, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids and amino acids has been highlighted through the use of a large panel of extraction methods. The identified natural cactus compounds and derivatives were shown to be e…
Economic and Technical Feasibility of Betanin and Pectin Extraction from Opuntia ficus-indica Peel via Microwave-Assisted Hydrodiffusion
2019
Investigating the feasibility of betanin and pectin extraction from Opuntia ficus-indica peel via microwave-assisted hydrodiffusion and gravity, this study identifies selected important economic and technical aspects associated with this innovative production route starting from prickly pear fruit discards. Which benefits would be derived from this process? Would production be limited to Opuntia-growing countries or, likewise to what happens with dried lemon peel chiefly imported from Argentina, would production take place abroad also? Can distributed manufacturing based on clean extraction technology compete with centralized production using conventional chemical processes?