Search results for "Fraxinus"

The “manna” extracted from the ash trees still cultivated in Sicily from mythical food to pharmaceutical and nutraceutical resource

2022

“Manna” is the product obtained from the solidification of the elaborate sap that comes out of the incisions made during the summer season on the stem and on the main branches of some species of the genus Fraxinus (Oleaceae). The cultivation of manna ash trees dates back to ancient times in Sicily and elsewhere ash trees – known as sacred trees, a symbol of abundance and therefore auspicious – was increasingly widespread until the middle of the last century. Subsequently, however, the crop underwent a progressive decline, remaining relegated to restricted areas of Sicily, in particular in the Madonie district (Palermo, Italy). In this brief review, the essential characteristics of the manna…

Action of an extract from the seeds of Fraxinus excelsior L. on metabolic disorders in hypertensive and obese animal models.

2014

Nuzhenide and GI3, the principal secoiridoids of an extract obtained from the seeds of Fraxinus excelsior L. (FXE), are believed to be the active compounds responsible for the previously reported hypoglycemic effects of this extract. In this study, the effects of FXE were studied in two animal models which are representative of metabolic disorders: spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and obese Zucker rats. SHR were acutely treated (oral gavage) with different doses of FXE. In addition, SHR and Zucker rats were chronically fed (20 or 5 weeks, respectively) with standard chow supplemented with FXE. Acute treatment with FXE (200 mg per kg body weight) decreased systolic blood pressure as in …

Seasonal pattern of mannitol and malate accumulation in leaves of two manna ash species (Fraxinus ornus L. and F. angustifolia Vahl) growing in Sicily

2002

The content of mannitol and malate was assayed enzimatically during spring, summer and autumn, in leaves of two species of ash traditionally cultivated in Sicily for the extraction of manna. The results suggest that in these species, under the local field conditions, mannitol has a more relevant role than malate in the response to summer drought.

The landscape of the manna ashes in Sicily

2009

The manna ashes are related to wild species of the genus Fraxinus, namely F. ornus (true manna ash) and F. angustifolia (narrow leaved ash). About two centuries ago, several varieties of such species, selected in ancient times, were widely cultivated for extracting the manna drug. This represented a remarkable economic resource for the region. Manna was extracted mainly for pharmacological industry, but today it has became a herbal product. Irrespective of the processes that reduced this cultivation to the lowest extent, the manna ash landscape is a remarkable peculiarity in the frame of the Mediterranean agrosystems. It is still kept alive as a relict cultivation within a very restricted a…

La manna delle Madonie(Sicilia): dai frassini ai prodotti farmaceutici e alimentari.

2011

Seed cryopreservation of Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl

2016

Fraxinus angustifolia is used for afforestation and for production of both valuable timber and manna , a substance with pharmacological applications. The aim of this research was to establish the optimized condition for cryopreservation of F. angustifolia seeds, in order to protect the germplasm of this species. Germination percentage and mean time of germination of non-treated seeds (control) and liquid nitrogen-treated seeds were established in water or in 10 -6 M gibberellic acid (GA 3 ). The seeds could be cryopreserved with 3% of moisture content (MC) and germinated easily in water (70.0 ± 5.0%), while seeds cryopreserved with 6% MC showed a physiological dormancy. This state could be …

Lectotypification of Three Linnaean Names in the GeneraPhillyreaandFraxinus(Oleaceae)

2014

Lectotypes for the Linnaean names Phillyrea angustifolia, P. media and Fraxinus ornus (Oleaceae), are designated from original material conserved in LINN (Linnaean Herbarium) and BM (George Clifford Herbarium). A specimen at BM is designated here as the second-step lectotype of the name Fraxinus ornus.

Preliminary study on trace metal content in manna extracted from Fraxinus angustifolia cultivars in Madonie (Sicily, Italy)

2019

The manna is a product obtained from the elaborate sap solidification that comes out from the incisions made on the stem of some species of the genus Fraxinus L. In this study, we have analyzed 12 samples of manna to determine the chemical composition. Twenty elements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, Sr, U, V, Zn) were determined using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer. The results show that the most abundant elements are Fe > Rb > Al > Cu > Ba > Zn > Sr with median concentrations in the range of 0.9 – 10mg kg-1. The remaining elements exhibit median concentrations in the range of 0.0003 -0.5 mg kg-1. The manna also can be cons…

Insights Into the Cultivable Microbial Ecology of “Manna” Ash Products Extracted From Fraxinus angustifolia (Oleaceae) Trees in Sicily, Italy

2019

Microbial communities characterizing a specific food matrix, generally, strongly contribute to both its composition, and properties for food applications. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the cultivable microbial ecology of Sicilian "Manna" ash products in order to acquire new information on the hygienic quality, shelf-life and potential application of this traditional food. To this purpose, several manna samples belonging to different commercial categories were collected and subjected to the analysis of bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi. Furthermore, an investigation of the sugar content and physicochemical parameters was performed. The results of our study fo…

Native and planted forest species determine different carbon and nitrogen pools in Arenosol developed on Holocene deposits from a costal Mediterranea…

2016

In a coastal Mediterranean area, the effects of two native [Quercus ilex (Holm), Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus oxycarpa (Hygro)] and one planted [Pinus pinaster (Pine)] forest species on both content and quality of organic C and total N pools in Arenosols was assessed. Three soil profiles per each forest cover were opened and sampled. Total N in the organic layers was not affected by forest covers, whereas total organic C ranged from 36.1 to 63.2 Mg ha−1, being organic layers under Hygro those with the highest contents. Total organic C in the first 50 cm of mineral soil was 64 Mg ha−1 under Holm and 36.7 and 37.6 Mg ha−1 under Pine and Hygro, respectively. Soil covered by Holm and Hygro stor…