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PubMed2002

(4-->6)-Coupled proteracacinidins and promelacacinidins from Acacia galpinii and Acacia caffra.

The series of naturally occurring proanthocyanidins with 7,8-dihydroxylated A-rings is extended by identification of the proteracacinidins epioritin-(4beta-->6)-oritin-4alpha-ol, epioritin-(4beta-->6)-ent-oritin-4alpha-ol, ent-oritin-(4beta-->6)-epioritin-4alpha-ol, ent-oritin-(4beta-->6)-oritin-4alpha-ol, ent-oritin-(4alpha-->6)-epioritin-4alpha-ol, ent-oritin-(4alpha-->6)-oritin-4alpha-ol, ent-oritin-(4alpha-->6)-epioritin-4beta-ol, the 'mixed' pro-teracacinidins/-melacacinidins epioritin-(4beta-->6)-epimesquitol-4alpha-ol, epioritin-(4beta-->6)-epimesquitol-4beta-ol and epimesquitol-(4beta-->6)- epioritin-4alpha-ol, and the promelacacinidin epimesquitol-(4beta-->6)-epimesquitol-4beta-ol.

Acacia↗
PubMed2003

Effects of Acacia condensed tannins on urinary parameters, body mass, and diet choice of an Acacia specialist rodent, Thallomys nigricauda.

The aim of this study was to investigate the dietary and physiological effects of condensed tannin ingestion on foregut fermenters, using Thallomys nigricauda, a folivorous rodent, as a model. We initially investigated the variability in physiological parameters, such as daily body mass (DMb), daily feed intake, daily fecal energy loss (FE), daily energy intake (DEI), daily urine pH, and daily urinary ammonia and urea concentrations, in response to different diets with low condensed tannin levels. This experiment was conducted to identify which physiological variables showed the least variation in the absence of tannin. In a second experiment, we investigated the response of the same dietary and physiological parameters to the effects of high dietary condensed tannin ingestion in T. nigricauda. We hypothesized that DMb, daily feed intake, FE, and DEI of T. nigricauda would be adversely affected by high dietary tannin content. We predicted that detoxification activity by T. nigricauda would increase at higher tannin levels. Ingestion of tannins affected the nutritional status of T. nigricauda, as shown by a decrease in body mass at high tannin levels. We also found that fewer ammonium ions were excreted in the urine by T. nigricauda, as would be expected if this were a means of regulating metabolic acidosis. The urine produced was more alkaline. This result indicates that T. nigricauda is not metabolizing these allelochemicals. Urea production was initially reduced, indicating conservation of bicarbonate ions that will neutralize blood acidity if there is detoxification. A diet choice experiment showed that tree rats avoid high tannin diets, even to the extent that they lose body mass on an alternative diet. This last-mentioned result is noteworthy because previous studies of the effects of tannins on herbivorous mammals have shown that there is physiological control rather than behavioral avoidance of the negative effects of tannin ingestion.

Acacia↗
PubMed2005

Reproductive performance, blood testosterone, lipid peroxidation and seminal plasma biochemistry of rabbits as affected by feeding Acacia saligna under subtropical conditions.

Thirty-two New Zealand White growing rabbits (eight-week old) were used to determine the effect of feeding acacia-based diets on semen characteristics, plasma testosterone, free radicals, seminal plasma enzymes and lipids. Rabbits were randomly assigned to four equal groups. The first group (control) was fed a basal diet only, and the other three groups were fed other three diets, as follows: 80% of basal diet+20% of acacia leaves (low), 60% of basal diet+40% of acacia leaves (medium) and 40% of basal diet+60% of acacia leaves (high), respectively for 32 week. Semen samples were collected throughout the last 12 week of the experimental period. Rabbits fed on different levels of Acacia showed no significant changes in libido (reaction time), ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, packed sperm volume and initial hydrogen ion concentration compared to control. However, low and/or medium levels of Acacia caused significant (P<0.05) increase in total sperm output (TSO), sperm motility (%), total motile sperm per ejaculate (TMS), normal sperm, total functional sperm fraction (TFSF), semen initial fructose, live sperm and plasma testosterone. On the other hand, high level of Acacia did not show any significant change in TSO, sperm motility (%), TMS, initial fructose, TFSF or testosterone, while live and normal sperm decreased. All levels of Acacia caused a significant decrease in the concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and an increase in the activity of glutathione S-transferease. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aminotransferases and phosphatases were significantly increased in seminal plasma of animals fed low or medium levels of Acacia. Seminal plasma total lipid, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein and free fatty acids were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in low or medium levels of Acacia. On the other hand, total cholesterol, percentage cholesterol (out of total lipids) and high density lipoprotein were significantly (P<0.05) increased in seminal plasma of rabbits fed on low or medium levels of Acacia. High level of Acacia did not cause any changes in the previous parameters. It can be concluded that up to 40% Acacia leaves could be used successfully and safely in the diet of rabbits without adversely affecting their reproductive performance under subtropical conditions.

Acacia↗
PubMed2001

Molecular phylogenetics of Acacia (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) based on the chloroplast MATK coding sequence and flanking TRNK intron spacer regions.

The tribe Acacieae (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) contains two genera, the monotypic African Faidherbia and the pantropical Acacia, which comprise about 1200 species with over 950 confined to Australia. As currently recognized, the genus Acacia is subdivided into three subgenera: subg. Acacia, subg. Aculeiferum, and the predominantly Australian subg. Phyllodineae. Morphological studies have suggested the tribe Acacieae and genus Acacia are artificial and have a close affinity to the tribe Ingeae. Based on available data there is no consensus on whether Acacia should be subdivided. Sequence analysis of the chloroplast trnK intron, including the matK coding region and flanking noncoding regions, indicate that neither the tribe Acacieae nor the genus Acacia are monophyletic. Two subgenera are monophyletic; section Filicinae of subgenus Aculeiferum does not group with taxa of the subgenus. Section Filicinae, eight Ingeae genera, and Faidherbia form a weakly supported paraphyletic grade with respect to subg. Phyllodineae. Acacia subg. Aculeiferum (s. s.) is sister to the grade. These data suggest that characters currently used to differentiate taxa at the tribal, generic, and subgeneric levels are polymorphic and homoplasious in cladistic analyses.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Effects of biotic and abiotic constraints on the symbiosis between rhizobia and the tropical leguminous trees Acacia and Prosopis.

N2-fixing, drought tolerant and multipurpose Acacia and Prosopis species are appropriate trees for reforestation of degraded areas in arid and semiarid regions of the tropics and subtropics. Acacia and Prosopis trees form N2-fixing nodules with a wide range of rhizobia, for example African acacias mainly with Sinorhizobium sp. and Mesorhizobium sp., and Australian acacias with Bradyrhizobium sp. Although dry and hot seasons restrict formation of N2-fixing nodules on Acacia and Prosopis spp., fully grown trees and their symbiotic partners are well adapted to survive in harsh growth conditions. This review on one hand deals with major constraints of arid and semiarid soils, i.e. drought, salinity and high soil temperature, which affect growth of trees and rhizobia, and on the other hand with adaptation mechanisms by which both organisms survive through unfavourable periods. In addition, defects in infection and nodulation processes due to various abiotic and biotic constraints are reviewed. This knowledge is important when Acacia and Prosopis seedlings are used for forestation of degraded areas in arid and semiarid tropics.

Acacia↗
PubMed1950

The maintenance of blood colloid: passage of stored gum acacia from the cells to the circulation after plasmapheresis.

Removal of blood plasma by plasmapheresis from dogs made hypoproteinemic by injections of gum acacia over long periods of time, has resulted in the removal of more gum acacia than was originally present in the plasma. Gum acacia injections had been discontinued previous to the start of the experiments, and hence it must be concluded that the excess amounts of acacia were derived from deposits in the various organs. These observations verify the previous suggestion that the increase in blood acacia in the hypoproteinemic dog on a low protein diet is due to the transfer of acacia to the blood from its sites of deposit in the body. The experiments further suggest that the colloid content of the blood stream is maintained at the expense of tissue colloids, and support the idea that colloidal substances may pass in and out of cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

A mycorrhiza helper bacterium enhances ectomycorrhizal and endomycorrhizal symbiosis of Australian Acacia species.

The aims of this study were to test the effects of a mycorrhiza helper bacterium (MHB), Pseudomonas monteilii strain HR13 on the mycorrhization of (1) an Australian Acacia, A. holosericea, by several ectomycorrhizal fungi or one endomycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices, and (2) several Australian Acacia species by Pisolithus alba strain IR100 under glasshouse conditions. Bacterial inoculant HR13 significantly promoted ectomycorrhizal colonization for all the Acacia species, from 45.8% ( A. mangium) to 70.3% ( A. auriculiformis). A stimulating effect of HR13 on the ectomycorrhizal establishment was recorded with all the fungal isolates (strains of Pisolithus and Scleroderma). The same effect of bacteria on the frequency of endomycorrhizal colonization of A. holosericea seedlings by G. intraradices with vesicles and hyphae frequencies was recorded. The stimulation of saprophytic fungal growth by MHB is usually the main mechanism that could explain this bacterial effect on mycorrhizal establishment. MHB could stimulate the production of phenolic compounds such as hypaphorine and increase the aggressiveness of the fungal symbiont. However, no significant effect of MHB on fungal growth was recorded with Scleroderma isolates under axenic conditions but positive bacterial effects were observed with Pisolithus strains. From a practical viewpoint, it appears that MHB could stimulate the mycorrhizal colonization of Australian Acacia species with ectomycorrhizal or endomycorrhizal fungi, and could also facilitate controlled mycorrhization in nursery practices where Acacia species are grown for forestation purposes.

Acacia↗
PubMed1993

Acacia-gelatin microencapsulated liposomes: preparation, stability, and release of acetylsalicylic acid.

Liposomes of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) containing acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) have been microencapsulated by acacia-gelatin using the complex coacervation technique as a potential oral drug delivery system. The encapsulation efficiency of ASA was unaltered by the microencapsulation process. The stability of the microencapsulated liposomes in sodium cholate solutions at pH 5.6 was much greater than the corresponding liposomes. The optimum composition and conditions for stability and ASA release were 3.0% acacia-gelatin and a 1- to 2-hr formaldehyde hardening time. Approximately 25% ASA was released in the first 6 hr from microencapsulated liposomes at 23 degrees C and the kinetics followed matrix-controlled release (Q varies; is directly proportional to t1/2). At 37 degrees C, this increased to 75% released in 30 min followed by a slow constant release, likely due to lowering of the phase transition temperature of DPPC by the acacia-gelatin to near 37 degrees C. At both temperatures, the release from control liposomes was even more rapid. Hardening times of 4 hr and an acacia-gelatin concentration of 5% resulted in a lower stability of liposomes and a faster release of ASA. It is concluded that under appropriate conditions the microencapsulation of liposomes by acacia-gelatin may increase their potential as an oral drug delivery system.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗
PubMed1991

The finding of antiplaque features in Acacia Arabica type of chewing gum.

The gum of Acacia Arabica is described in the British pharmacopoeia as a source of useful medicaments. It is believed to be of value for treating gingivitis and for reducing plaque. 2 blind crossover trials were carried out to evaluate the antiplaque potential of Acacia gum compared with sugar free gum. In trial 1, the mean gingival and plaque scores were lower after 7 days of using Acacia compared with sugar-free gum but the differences were insignificant. In trial 2, daily photographic assessment of erythrocine-stained plaque showed lower scores after Acacia gum compared with sugar-free gum. The total difference in scores for each day from each individual between the 2 treatments was highly significant (p less than 0.05). This implies the presence of substances in Acacia gum which, compared with ordinary gum, primarily inhibit the early deposition of plaque.

Acacia↗
PubMed2001

Small-subunit rRNA genotyping of rhizobia nodulating Australian Acacia spp.

The structure of rhizobial communities nodulating Acacia in southeastern Australia from south Queensland to Tasmania was investigated by a molecular approach. A total of 118 isolates from nodule samples from 13 different Acacia species collected at 44 sites were characterized by small-subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Nine rhizobial genomospecies were identified, and these taxa corresponded to previously described genomospecies (B. Lafay and J. J. Burdon, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 64:3989-3997, 1998). Eight of these genomospecies belonged to the Bradyrhizobium lineage and accounted for 96.6% of the isolates. The remaining genomospecies corresponded to Rhizobium tropici. For analysis of geographic patterns, results were grouped into five latitudinal regions regardless of host origin. In each region, as observed previously for rhizobial isolates taken from non-Acacia legumes (Lafay and Burdon, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 64:3989-3997, 1998), rhizobial communities were dominated by one or two genomospecies, the identities of which varied from place to place. Despite this similarity in patterns, the most abundant genomospecies for Acacia isolates differed from the genomospecies found in the non-Acacia-derived rhizobial collection, suggesting that there is a difference in nodulation patterns of the Mimosoideae and the Papilionoideae. Only two genomospecies were both widespread and relatively abundant across the range of sites sampled. Genomospecies A was found in all regions except the most northern sites located in Queensland, whereas genomospecies B was not detected in Tasmania. This suggests that genomospecies A might be restricted to the more temperate regions of Australia, whereas in contrast, genomospecies B occurs in different climatic and edaphic conditions across the whole continent. The latter hypothesis is supported by the presence of genomospecies B in southwestern Australia, based on partial SSU rDNA sequence data (N. D. S. Marsudi, A. R. Glenn, and M. J. Dilworth, Soil Biol. Biochem. 31:1229-1238, 1998).

Acacia↗
PubMed2026

Metabolomics-based authentication of acacia honey against C3 and C4 sugar adulteration.

Acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia) honey is frequently adulterated with low-cost alternatives via direct syrup addition or in-hive sugar feeding. We focused on sugar-feeding adulterants, which is difficult to distinguish from nectar-based honey. Stable carbon isotope ratio analysis (SCIRA) is an established method for assessing honey authentication; however, its applicability is limited to detecting C4 plant-derived sugar adulteration. Therefore, we developed a metabolomics-based multi-marker strategy to discriminate acacia honey from beet-sugar (C3)- and cane-sugar (C4)-fed honey. Thirteen metabolites were prioritized using combined multivariate and univariate criteria. Subsequently, 1716 panels of seven-marker (13C7) were evaluated for discrimination performance. 291 panels achieved 100% accuracy in an independent validation set. In blending scenarios, acacia honeys spiked with 20% beet-sugar-fed honey and 20% cane-sugar-fed honey were successfully identified, outperforming SCIRA (60%) and beet-sugar marker 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT) (30%). These findings establish metabolomic panels as a robust marker for acacia honey authentication, extending beyond current reference methods.

Acacia↗
PubMed1993

Grass hay and Acacia fruits: a local feeding system for improved calf performance in semi-arid Ethiopia.

A 90-day growth trial was designed to compare the performance of calves on 3 dry-season diets composed of local resources from the Borana pastoral system. The control group received the traditional diet of cut-and-carry, standing-brown grass while the other diets consisted of grass hay stored since the previous wet season with or without Acacia tortilis fruits as a protein supplement. All calves had access to water once every 3 days as traditional. The objective was to see whether modest changes in traditional feeding management could enhance nutrient intake and growth of calves under conditions of restricted water access. The hay had a higher nitrogen content and in vitro digestibility than the standing grass, and the Acacia fruits had higher nutrient concentrations than the hay (both at P < or = 0.05). Calves on hay plus Acacia fruits had higher nitrogen intakes than those on hay only, and those on hay only had higher nitrogen intakes than those on standing grass (both at P < or = 0.05). Calves on standing grass lost weight and condition, those on hay only maintained weight but lost condition, and those on hay plus Acacia fruits gained weight and maintained condition (all at P < or = 0.05). Calves consumed the most feed on day 2 of the watering cycle, regardless of treatment. Water intake increased 27% for animals on both hay diets compared to those on standing grass (P < or = 0.01). Feeding packages based on hay making and collection of browse legumes are appropriate options for extension to these semi-settled pastoralists.

Acacia↗
PubMed2001

Reproductive performance and milk production of Damascus goats fed acacia shrubs or berseem clover hay in North Sinai, Egypt.

Thirty-three adult Damascus does (29 +/- 1.1 kg BW) were fed 0.6 kg per head per day of a concentrate diet plus ad libitum rice straw (Oryza sativa, control, R), or green acacia (Acacia saligna, A) or berseem clover hay (Trifolium alexandrinum, B). All treatment groups had free access to underground saline water containing 3600 ppm TDS. The DM intake was lower (p < 0.05) for the R group but did not differ between the other two groups. The DM intake of acacia was 0.64 kg per head per day (1.98% BW) during pregnancy and 0.93 kg per head per day (2.95% BW) during lactation. The drinking water differed (p < 0.05) between the three dietary treatments; group B had the highest mean intake and group A had the lowest. The percentage kidding and the litter weight at birth did not differ significantly between the groups. However, the number of kids weaned/doe kidding and the weight of the kids weaned/doe kidding were significantly higher for group B. The mean body weight of the kids at birth and at weaning were significantly lower for group R. The total milk yield over 10 weeks and the milk composition (total solids, fat and protein percentages) were significantly different between the three groups; group B having the highest means and group R the lowest. These results suggest that supplemental feeding is required to enhance the productivity of goats in arid or semi-arid environments and Acacia saligna should not be used fresh in excessive quantities for extended periods.

Acacia↗
PubMed2002

Symbiotic and taxonomic diversity of rhizobia isolated from Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana in Africa.

A collection of rhizobia isolated from Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana from various sites in the North and South of Sahara was analyzed for their diversity at both taxonomic and symbiotic levels. On the basis of whole cell protein (SDS-PAGE) and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, most of the strains were found to belong to the Sinorhizobium and Mesorhizobium genera where they may represent several different genospecies. Despite their chromosomal diversity, most A. tortilis Mesorhizobium and Sinorhizobium symbionts exhibited very similar symbiotic characters. Nodulation tests showed that the strains belong to the Acacia-Leucaena-Prosopis nodulation group, although mainly forming non-fixing nodules on species other than A. tortilis. Most of the strains tested responded similarly to flavonoid nod gene inducers, as estimated by using heterologous nodA-lacZ fusions. Thin layer chromatography analysis of the Nod factors synthesized by overproducing strains showed that most of the strains exhibited similar profiles. The structures of Nod factors produced by four different Sinorhizobium sp. strains were determined and found to be similar to other Acacia-Prosopis-Leucaena nodulating rhizobia of the Sinorhizobium-Mesorhizobium-Rhizobium branch. They are chitopentamers, N-methylated and N-acylated by common fatty acids at the terminal non reducing sugar. The molecules can also be 6-O sulfated at the reducing end and carbamoylated at the non reducing end. The phylogenetic analysis of available NodA sequences, including new sequences from A. tortilis strains, confirmed the clustering of the NodA sequences of members of the Acacia-Prosopis-Leucaena nodulation group.

Acacia↗
PubMed2004

Use of community genome arrays (CGAs) to assess the effects of Acacia angustissima on rumen ecology.

This research developed a community genome array (CGA) to assess the effects of Acacia angustissima on rumen microbiology. A. angustissima produces non-protein amino acids as well as tannins, which may be toxic to animals, and CGA was used to assess the effects of this plant on the ecology of the rumen. CGAs were developed using a 7.5 cmx2.5 cm nylon membrane format that included up to 96 bacterial genomes. It was possible to separately hybridize large numbers of membranes at once using this mini-membrane format. Pair-wise cross-hybridization experiments were conducted to determine the degree of cross-hybridization between strains; cross-hybridization occurred between strains of the same species, but little cross-reactivity was observed among different species. CGAs were successfully used to survey the microbial communities of animals consuming an A. angustissima containing diet but quantification was not precise. To properly quantify and validate the CGA, Fibrobacter and Ruminococcus populations were independently assessed using 16S rDNA probes to extracted rRNA. The CGA detected an increase in these populations as acacia increased in the diet, which was confirmed by rRNA analysis. There was a great deal of variation among strains of the same species in how they responded to A. angustissima. However, in general Selenomonas strains tended to be resistant to the tannins in the acacia while Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens was sensitive. On the other hand some species, like streptococci, varied. Streptococcus bovis-like strains were sensitive to an increase in acacia in the diet while Streptococcus gallolyticus-like strains were resistant. Strep. gallolyticus has independently been shown to be resistant to tannins. It is concluded that there is significant variation in tannin resistance between strains of the same species. This implies that there are specific molecular mechanisms at play that are independent of the phylogenetic position of the organism.

Acacia↗
PubMed2000

A study on the toxicology of Acacia nilotica.

The potential toxicity of Acacia nilotica was investigated in rats maintained on 2% and 8% acacia diet for 2 and 4 weeks. A significant reduction in body weight in all acacia-fed groups and a significant decrease in the levels of hemoglobin, serum total protein and total cholesterol in animals fed 8% acacia diet for up to 4 weeks were observed. These effects were, however, reversed one week after treatment termination. No significant changes in serum parameters of hepatic and renal functions, fasting glucose and triglycerides were observed. Further, no deaths among treated animals and no significant histopathological changes in liver sections were noted. It is concluded that A. nilotica, at 2% and 8% levels, has a low toxicity potential.

Acacia↗