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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Field studies on the photosynthesis of two desert Chilean plants: Prosopis chilensis and Prosopis tamarugo.

Photosynthetic parameters were investigated in relation to light intensity (PAR and UV-B) in two Chilean Prosopis sp., Prosopis chilensis and Prosopis tamarugo in their natural habitats. The objective of this work was to compare the photosynthetic responses and to determine the degree of adaptation of both species to visible- and UV-radiation stress. One of the study sites was Refresco in the Atacama Desert, where P. tamarugo is an endemic plant and P. chilensis was introduced, and the other was Peldehue in the valley of Central Chile where only P. chilensis is present. Due to latitude, light intensity (UV-B and PAR) is higher in Refresco than in Peldehue. The parameters investigated in both species were photosystem II fluorescence, CO(2) assimilation, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic pigment composition, flavonoid absorption patterns and composition of chlorophyll-protein complexes. Fluorescence studies, CO(2) assimilation and stomatal conductance studies demonstrated that photosynthetic activity is more efficient and stable throughout the day in P. tamarugo than in P. chilensis in Refresco. Chlorophyll-protein complexes also seemed to be more stable in P. tamarugo than in P. chilensis. Photosynthetic pigment analyses indicated possible photodamage in P. chilensis trees in Refresco, but not in Peldehue. Such photodamage was absent in P. tamarugo. There was a considerable change in the flavonoid pattern between noon and afternoon hours in both species at both study sites. The physiological implications of these changes indicate that P. tamarugo is more adapted to high solar radiation than P. chilensis.

Chile↗

PubMed2003

Differences in wound-induced changes in cell-wall peroxidase activities and isoform patterns between seedlings of Prosopis tamarugo and Prosopis chilensis.

We determined changes in cell-wall peroxidase activities and isoform patterns in response to wounding in seedlings of Prosopis tamarugo Phil. (an endemic species of the Atacama Desert) and Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz (a native species of central Chile), to assess tolerance to predation. In seedlings of both species, the maximal increase in peroxidase activity occurred 48 h after wounding, reaching three times the control value in P. tamarugo and twice the control value in P. chilensis. The activity of ionically bound cell-wall peroxidases increased only locally in wounded embryonic axes, whereas the activity of soluble peroxidases increased systemically in unwounded cotyledons. Analysis of ionic peroxidases by isoelectrofocusing revealed two groups of peroxidases in the cell walls of both species: four distinct acidic isoforms and a group of basic isoforms. In response to wounding, there was a large increase in activity of the acidic isoforms in P. tamarugo, whereas there was an increase in the activity of the basic isoforms in P. chilensis. In P. chilensis, the wound-induced increase in activity of the basic isoforms corresponded with one of the two isoforms detected in P. tamarugo prior to wounding. Experiments with protein and RNA synthesis inhibitors indicated that a preexisting basic peroxidase is activated in P. chilensis after wounding. Assays of ionically bound peroxidase activity with four different substrates corroborated the differences found in isoform patterns between species. In P. tamarugo, the largest increases in activity were found with ortho-phenylenediamine and ferulic acid as substrates, whereas in P. chilensis the largest increase in activity was found with guaiacol as substrate. Because the same basic cell-wall peroxidase that accumulated after wounding in P. chilensis was present in P. tamarugo prior to wounding, and the activity of acidic cell-wall peroxidases increased after wounding in P. tamarugo but not in P. chilensis, we conclude that P. tamarugo is more tolerant to wound stress than P. chilensis.

Cell Wall↗

PubMed2000

Studies on bioadhesive granules I: granules formulated with Prosopis africana (prosopis) gum.

Prosopis gum (PG) extracted from Prosopis africana was investigated for bioadhesive delivery of theophylline (TPL). Bioadhesive granules containing TPL were formulated and the bioadhesive properties evaluated using adhesion of the granules onto a porcine intestinal mucus surface. The bioadhesion of the gum dispersion was also evaluated using coated glass beads and the strength of the films formulated from the gums was also determined. The release properties of the TPL-containing granules were assessed by diffusion of TPL from the granules through porcine intestinal wall into a sink solution. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) was used as the standard bioadhesive polymer. Results indicated that PG is highly bioadhesive compared to SCMC. The result of the release studies also showed that PG could be used to deliver TPL in a bioadhesive dosage form.

Adhesiveness↗

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↗

PubMed1986

Prosopis juliflora pollen allergen induced hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis studies in guinea pigs.

In vivo and in vitro allergenic activities of Prosopis juliflora pollen allergens were measured in guinea pigs. Intracutaneous skin test showed an early wheal flare response and a late erythema-redness, sensitized with various concentrations (100, 50, 25, 5 and 1.5 micrograms/ml) of Prosopis juliflora pollen extract after administration of a challenging dose. A 50 micrograms/ml sensitizing dose of Prosopis juliflora pollen allergen gave optimum skin response as both early and late effects. The nature of immunochemical reactivity between pollen allergens and reaginic antibodies were further characterized by histamine release test, gel diffusion test, radioallergosorbent test and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test. These tests confirm allergenicity caused by Prosopis juliflora pollen allergens and showed the binding of allergens with reaginic antibody and its regulation in guinea pigs.

Allergens↗

PubMed2003

Bioadhesive delivery of metformin using prosopis gum with antidiabetic potential.

The antidiabetic properties of prosopis gum alone and as a bioadhesive base for the delivery of metformin are presented. The bioadhesive value of the gum was commensurate with those of Carbopol 974-P and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC). The release of the drug was higher from prosopis gum based bioadhesive formulations than from NaCMC and Carbopol 974-P products. This was shown by the shorter time required to reach t(50) (the time required for 50% of the drug to be released) or t(20) (time required for 20% of the drug to be released) for the release of metformin. The gum showed moderate antidiabetic properties when used alone. In combination with metformin in a bioadhesive form, the glucose lowering effect was found to be synergistic. The areas under the plasma drug concentration vs. time curves (AUCs) for the bioadhesive combinations were similar to those of the drugs alone in an aqueous system. This shows that the gum did not interfere with absorption of the incorporated drug. However, the areas under the effect vs. time curves (AUECs) were much higher when combined in a bioadhesive form than with the drug alone. The AUCs obtained with NaCMC based bioadhesive formulations were relatively smaller than those of metformin in an aqueous system and the combinations of metformin and prosopis gum.

Adhesives↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Properties of films prepared from prosopis and mucuna gums.

Various properties of the films prepared from mucuna and prosopis gums have been evaluated. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose was used for comparison. When studied for elongation at break point, the most elastic of the gums was prosopis gum, followed by sodium carboxymethylcellulose, while mucuna gum was the least elastic. On microscopy, prosopis and sodium carboxymethylcellulose formed films of equal consistency without pores.

Biological Factors↗

PubMed2006

Analysis of IgE binding proteins of mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) pollen and cross-reactivity with predominant tree pollens.

Pollen from the mesquite tree, Prosopis juliflora, is an important source of respiratory allergy in tropical countries. Our aim was to partially characterize the IgE binding proteins of P. juliflora pollen extract and study cross-reactivity with prevalent tree pollen allergens. Intradermal tests with P. juliflora and five other tree pollen extracts were performed on respiratory allergy patients from Bikaner (arid) and Delhi (semi arid). Prosopis extract elicited positive skin reactions in 71/220 of the patients. Sera were collected from 38 of these 71 patients and all demonstrated elevated specific IgE to P. juliflora. Immunoblotting with pooled patients' sera demonstrated 16 IgE binding components, with components of 24, 26, 29, 31, 35, 52, 58, 66 and 95 kDa recognized by more than 80% of individual patients' sera. P. juliflora extract is allergenically potent requiring 73 ng of self-protein for 50% inhibition of IgE binding in ELISA inhibition. Cross-inhibition assays showed close relationship among P. juliflora, Ailanthus excelsa, Cassia siamea and Salvadora persica. IgE binding components of 14, 41, 52 and 66 kDa were shared allergens whereas 26 and 29 kDa were specific to P. juliflora. The findings suggest that purification of cross-reactive allergens will be helpful for diagnosis and immunotherapy of tree pollen allergic patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

First report on RAPDs patterns able to differentiate some Argentinean species of section Algarobia (Prosopis, Leguminosae).

Prosopis species constitute a very important resource in arid and semiarid regions. Some species of section Algarobia hybridise and introgress naturally in areas of sympatry. According to previous isoenzymatic studies these species have high variability within populations. However, the genetic differentiation among species was very low, and these markers failed to provide diagnostic loci for species recognition. Here we analysed by the RAPD technique natural populations of Prosopis alba, P. ruscifolia, P. nigra, P. flexuosa, and P. vinalillo with the purpose of obtaining markers for species and hybrid identification, by analysing the distribution of genetic diversity within and among species. Genetic variability (H = 0.12-0.26) was similar in all populations. Genetic differentiation among populations (FST = 0.39) was highly significant. Hierarchical analysis of genetic structure performed by Wright (1978) method and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that the diversity among populations within species is low (4-13%) and most genetic diversity (54-61%) occurs within populations. The differentiation among species is intermediate (26-42%) between the previous components but highly significant. Five bands provided a tool for identifying any of the species studied, with the exception of P. vinalillo. The difficulty in diagnosing this species is discussed in reference to the hypothesis of its hybrid origin.

Argentina↗

PubMed1997

Immunological and functional properties of the exudate gum from northwestern Mexican mesquite (Prosopis spp.) in comparison with gum arabic.

A comparison between the fine structural features of exudate gum from mesquite (Prosopis spp.) indigenous to NW Mexico and commercial gum arabic from Acacia spp. was achieved by means of immunological techniques. Their functional properties were compared from the ability to form oil-in-water emulsions and encapsulate cold press orange peel essential oil by spray drying. Fine comparison of the antigenic compounds in both materials against polyclonal rabbit antibodies, showed that the carbohydrate-rich components with slow mobility of mesquite gum are closely related to the faster ones of gum arabic. Also, close identity was observed for the components in the proteic fraction of both gums. Similar tannin concentrations were found in both materials (approximately 0.43%) with only dark coloured samples bearing higher amounts (approximately 1.9%). Gum arabic retained nearly 100% of the quantity of orange peel essential oil emulsified in water before spray drying, while mesquite gum did so for 90.6% of the citrus oil. From these results it is believed that mesquite gum might be a suitable replacement of gum arabic in arid regions of the world were Prosopis trees have widespread occurrence.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Sucrose-phosphate synthase in tree species: light/dark regulation involves a component of protein turnover in Prosopis juliflora (SW DC).

Light dependent modulation of sucrose-phosphate synthase activity (SPS; EC 2.4.1.14) was studied in a tree species, namely Prosopis juliflora. In this paper we demonstrate that cycloheximide, an inhibitor of cytoplasmic protein synthesis, when fed to detached leaves of P. juliflora through transpiration stream in the dark or in light completely prevents in vivo light activation of Vlim and Vmax activities of SPS. In case of spinach, however, cycloheximide feeding affects only Vlim activity while Vmax activity remained unchanged. In contrast, chloramphenicol, an inhibitor of protein synthesis in chloroplast has no effect on the light activation of SPS in Prosopis. The treatment with cycloheximide showed slight reduction in the rate of O2 evolution indicating that cycloheximide had very little effect on overall photosynthesis. These results indicate that short term protein turnover of the SPS protein and some other essential component(s) (e.g., a putative protein that modifies SPS activity) is one of the primary steps in a complex and unique regulatory cascade effecting the reversible light activation of SPS.

Chloramphenicol↗

PubMed1986

Fractionation and immunochemical characterization of Prosopis juliflora pollen allergen.

Prosopis juliflora pollen grain crude extract gave six different molecular weight fractions varied from 81,000 to 13,000 dalton on Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. The purity of fractions of Prosopis juliflora pollen extract were checked by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The fraction had an molecular weight 20,000 dalton showed four absorption maxima whereas other fractions had single absorption maxima. Allergenic activity and nature of allergens were evaluated by in vitro Radioallergosorbent test and in vivo Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis test. All these tests indicated that most allergenic fractions were in the 20,000 molecular weight.

Allergens↗

PubMed2002

Overlapping binding sites for trypsin and papain on a Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitor from Prosopis juliflora.

Proteinase inhibitors are among the most promising candidates for expression by transgenic plants and consequent protection against insect predation. However, some insects can respond to the threat of the proteinase inhibitor by the production of enzymes insensitive to inhibition. Inhibitors combining more than one favorable activity are therefore strongly favored. Recently, a known small Kunitz trypsin inhibitor from Prosopis juliflora (PTPKI) has been shown to possess unexpected potent cysteine proteinase inhibitory activity. Here we show, by enzyme assay and gel filtration, that, unlike other Kunitz inhibitors with dual activities, this inhibitor is incapable of simultaneous inhibition of trypsin and papain. These data are most readily interpreted by proposing overlapping binding sites for the two enzymes. Molecular modeling and docking experiments favor an interaction mode in which the same inhibitor loop that interacts in a canonical fashion with trypsin can also bind into the papain catalytic site cleft. Unusual residue substitutions at the proposed interface can explain the relative rarity of twin trypsin/papain inhibition. Other changes seem responsible for the relative low affinity of PTPKI for trypsin. The predicted coincidence of trypsin and papain binding sites, once confirmed, would facilitate the search, by phage display for example, for mutants highly active against both proteinases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2003

Changes in the concentration of trigonelline in a semi-arid leguminous plant (Prosopis laevigata) induced by an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus during the presymbiotic phase.

An in vitro presymbiotic system between mesquite [Prosopis laevigata(Willd.) M.C. Johnst], a semi-arid leguminous plant, and pregerminated spores of Gigaspora rosea Nicol. & Schenck was established. After characteristic hyphal branching, high performance liquid chromatographic analyses of methanol extracts from P. laevigata roots revealed a concentration change in one ultraviolet-detectable product. This product was identified by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry as trigonelline, a pyridine alkaloid. The concentration of trigonelline was constant in the aerial parts of the plant with or without G. rosea, but its concentration in the roots increased 1.8-fold when G. roseawas present. Trigonelline may be a regulatory factor during early signal events in the establishment of the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in P. laevigata.

Alkaloids↗

PubMed2005

Fly-ash-induced oxidative stress and tolerance in Prosopis juliflora L. grown on different amended substrates.

Field experiments were conducted to study the impact of metal accumulation on malondialdehyde (MDA), cysteine and non-protein thiol (NPSH) contents in the plants of Prosopis juliflora grown on the fly ash (FA) amended with soil, blue green algae (BGA) biofertilizer, farm yard manure, press mud and Rhizobium inoculation. The analysis of data revealed that the level of MDA, cysteine and NPSH was higher in the roots of the plant than leaves, which was found positively correlated with metal accumulation. An increase of 361.14, 64.25 and 305.62% in MDA, cysteine and NPSH contents, respectively was observed after 45 days in the roots of the plants grown in 100% FA as compared to 100% garden soil (GS). The level of MDA, cysteine and NPSH was found less in the plants grown on various amendments of FA showing ameliorating effect on the toxicity induced due to the accumulation of metals. The decrease in MDA, cysteine and NPSH contents was higher in Rhizobium-inoculated plants as compared to uninoculated plants grown on 100% FA. The results showed a high tolerance potential of the plant, which is further increased by inoculating the plant with FA-tolerant Rhizobium showing feasibility of using P. julifilora in environmental monitoring of FA landfills.

Carbon↗

PubMed2004

Use of ascorbic and citric acids to increase dialyzable iron from vinal (Prosopis ruscifolia) pulp.

Vinal (Prosopis ruscifolia) is an ecologically important wild leguminous tree that grows spontaneously in Argentine deforested lands, the fruit of which is consumed by humans and animals. Because considerable iron content with low to intermediate availability has been previously reported in vinal pulps, its enhancement would be of interest. Iron availability was determined as iron dialyzability using an in vitro technique. Response surface methodology was used to evaluate iron availability increase after adding ascorbic and/or citric acids to vinal pulp at different mM acid/mM Fe ratios. Those ratios ranged from 0.05:1 to 9.95:1 and from 0.5:1 to 99.5:1 for ascorbic acid/Fe (AA:Fe) and citric acid/Fe (CA:Fe), respectively. The obtained second- and first-order polynomial equations showed that AA:Fe and CA:Fe molar ratios linear terms had a significant effect on iron dialyzability increase (P < or = 0.05). It was possible to enhance iron availability to a maximum of 4.6 times. Additional confirmatory experiments were made adding the same organic acids to different vinal pulps and to a traditional cake prepared with vinal pulp called "patay." There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between predicted values obtained by the model and experimental results.

Absorption↗

PubMed2006

Formulation and sensory evaluation of Prosopis alba (Algarrobo) pulp cookies with increased iron and calcium dialyzabilities.

Prosopis alba (algarrobo) is an important indigenous specie, which fruits are used as food and feed since ancient times. Cookies containing algarrobo pulp (AP) with increased iron and calcium availabilities were formulated and sensory evaluated. AP is preferred as food ingredient because of its high sugar content and pleasant flavour. Formulated cookies mean proximal composition was 8.9 g/100 g protein, 7.2 g/100 g dietary fiber, 25 g/100 g total sugar, and 18.5 g/100 g crude fat with iron and calcium contents 30 ppm and 340 ppm, respectively. Ascorbic (AA) and citric (CA) acids at different mM acid: mM Fe were added in order to increase mineral availabilities being evaluated by an in vitro method. Those ratios were 5:1 and 10:1 for AA:Fe whereas for CA:Fe were 50:1 and 100:1 and combinations of them. After chosen the best AA:Fe and CA:Fe ratios (5:1 and 50:1, respectively), sensory evaluation with trained sensory panel and a consumer acceptability test with one hundred and seventy untrained judges were carried out. Acceptability test showed that 77.65% of the people (< 25 years old 41.76%, 25-50 years old 20.00% and > 50 years old 15.89%) tasting final formulated cookies indicated that they "like very much" or "moderately like" and there were not consumers rejecting them.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Acacia senegal and Prosopis chilensis-nodulating rhizobia Sinorhizobium arboris HAMBI 2361 and S. kostiense HAMBI 2362 produce tetra- and pentameric LCOs that are N-methylated, O-6-carbamoylated and partially sulfated.

Sinorhizobium arboris and S. kostiense are rhizobia that nodulate the tropical leguminous trees Acacia senegal and Prosopis chilensis. The lipochito-oligosaccharidic signalling molecules (LCOs) of S. arboris HAMBI 2361 and S. kostiense HAMBI 2362 were analyzed by mass spectrometry. The major LCOs produced by the strains were shown to be pentameric, acylated with common fatty acids, N-methylated, O-6-carbamoylated and partially sulfated, as are the LCOs characterized to date for other Acacia-nodulating rhizobia. Besides the major LCOs the two strains produced (i) tetrameric LCOs, (ii) LCOs acylated with fatty acids other than those commonly found, (iii) LCOs with only an acyl substituent and (iv) noncarbamoylated LCOs. Production of LCOs (i) to (iii) are novel among Acacia-nodulating rhizobia. The roles of the different structural characteristics of LCOs in the rhizobium-A. senegal symbiosis are discussed. Specific structural features of the LCOs are proposed to be important in the selection of effective nitrogen-fixing rhizobia by A. senegal.

Acacia↗