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PubMed1972

Relationship between Ethylene and the Growth of Ficus sycomorus.

The relationship between ethylene and growth was investigated in Ficus sycomorus L. A marked increase in ethylene emanation preceeded all the phases of rapid growth and ripening of the syconium.Gashing of fig during the 16th to 22nd day of syconium development induced a 50-fold increase in the rate of ethylene emanation within the 1st hour, and a 2- to 3-fold increase in diameter and weight, followed by ripening within 3 days. Application of ethylene, Ethephon, and auxins caused the same effects as wounding. Since the auxin and Ethephon induced ethylene emanation, it is concluded that ethylene is mainly responsible for the marked morphological changes caused by gashing. The stage of slow growth of this fruit is characterized by slow emanation of ethylene, low sensitivity to exogenous ethylene, and no morphological responses to gashing.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1976

Pigment Changes Associated with Application of Ethephon ((2-Chloroethyl)phosphonic Acid) to Fig (Ficus carica L.) Fruits.

The application of (2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid (Ethephon) to ;Mission' fig fruits (Ficus carica L.) during late period II of their development stimulated ripening and change in color from green to bluish black within 8 days. Chlorophylls a and b decreased rapidly within 4 days after Ethephon treatment, and degradation continued at a decreasing rate for an additional 4 days, at which time the fruits had attained their maximum diameter and were considered fully ripe. Levels of beta-carotene, lutein, violaxanthin, and neoxanthin decreased in a pattern similar to that of chlorophylls a and b. The rates of beta-carotene and lutein degradation were initially greater than those of the xanthophyll pigments. Degradation rates of the various carotenoids were comparable 4 to 8 days after treatment.There was no measurable anthocyanin synthesis during a 2- to 4-day period following Ethephon treatment. Beyond this lag phase, anthocyanin accumulation was linear, and the amount of pigment synthesized was a function of both light intensity and duration. Although Ethephon promoted the rate of anthocyanin accumulation, it did not increase the total amount of pigment synthesized in treated fruits. Etiolation of fruits from the time of Ethephon treatment until maturity stimulated an increase in growth and completely inhibited anthocyanin production in the skin. Ethephon-treated fruits which ripened while etiolated were larger in diameter and higher in both fresh and dry weights than nonetiolated controls.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1976

Autoinhibition of Ethylene Formation in Nonripening Stages of the Fruit of Sycomore Fig (Ficus sycomorus L.).

Differences in the mechanism of ethylene emanation of Ficus sycomorus L. during various stages of the fruit development were investigated by enclosing the figs in jars. Two distinct patterns of ethylene emanation were found. Pattern a. in stages not capable of ripening, neither spontaneously nor as a result of physiological treatment (nonripening stages A and C), ethylene concentration in the jar increased linearly for a short time and then remained constant. Pattern b. in stages capable of ripening (ripening stages B, D, and E), the linear increase in ethylene concentration continued for the entire period of measurement. In nonripening stages, ethylene emanation stopped when ethylene concentration in the jar reached a constant value (0.6 mul/l at stage C). Aeration of the figs and the jar renewed ethylene emanation. CO(2) concentration in the jar never exceeded 0.5%. Treatment of stage C figs with 0.6 to 10 mul/l exogenous ethylene caused immediate and complete cessation of ethylene emanation whereas the same treatment did not cause any change in rate of ethylene emanation from figs at the ripening stages B and D. Gashing (wounding) of stage C figs temporarily changed the pattern of ethylene emanation from pattern a to pattern b.We concluded that in the nonripening stages ethylene acts as an autoinhibitor of its own production but this does not occur in the ripening stages.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1983

Water Relations, Diurnal Acidity Changes, and Productivity of a Cultivated Cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica.

Physiological responses of the Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plant Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae) were studied on a commercial plantation in central Chile. Young cladodes (flattened stems) and flower buds exhibited daytime stomatal opening, whereas mature cladodes and fruit exhibited the nocturnal stomatal opening characteristic of CAM plants. Severe water stress suppressed the nocturnal stomatal opening by mature cladodes, but their high water vapor conductance occurring near dawn was not affected. Nocturnal acidity increases were not as sensitive to water stress as was the nocturnal stomatal opening. The magnitude of the nocturnal acidity increases depended on the total daily photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), being 90% PAR-saturated at 27 moles per square meter per day for a mean nighttime air temperature of 5 degrees C and at 20 moles per square meter per day for 18 degrees C. Inasmuch as the PAR received on unshaded vertical surfaces averaged about 21 moles per square meter per day, nocturnal acidity increases by the cladodes were on the verge of being PAR-limited in the field. The net assimilation rate, which was positive throughout the year, annually averaged 3.4 grams per square meter per day for 1.0- and 2.0-year-old plants. Plants that were 5.4 years old had 7.2 square meters of cladode surface area (both sides) and an annual dry weight productivity of 13 megagrams (metric tons) per hectare per year when their ground cover was 32%. This substantial productivity for a CAM plant was accompanied by the highest nocturnal acidity increase so far observed in the field, 0.78 mole H(+) per square meter.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1989

Purification and Characterization of Pectinmethylesterase from Ficus awkeotsang Makino Achenes.

Pectinmethylesterase from the pericarp of jelly fig (Ficus awkeotsang) achenes was extracted and purified to a specific activity of 289 micromole proton produced per minute per milligram protein. Pectinmethylesterase, a major protein with high specific activity in the crude extract, was monomeric with a molecular weight of 38,000. The enzyme preparation was stable in distilled water at 4 degrees C for at least 6 months, and at 60 degrees C for at least 10 minutes. This enzyme functioned optimally at pH 6.5 to 7.5 when the assay mixture contained no NaCl or at low NaCl concentration. The pH optimum shifted to lower pH as the NaCl concentration was increased. The K(m) value for pectin was 0.75 milligram per milliliter pectin, corresponding to a V(max) value of 310 micromoles per minute per milligram protein. Inhibition studies with antibodies indicated that jelly fig achene pectinmethylesterase and the two other pectinmethylesterases from orange and tomato were similar in their active site conformation; however, the surface determinants may be very different because no precipitation between anti-jelly fig pectinmethylesterase immune serum and the pectin methylesterase from orange and tomato could be observed in the double immunodiffusion analysis. Specific antisera raised against jelly fig achene pectinmethylesterase in a Western blot experiment also showed low similarity between jelly fig pectinmethylesterase with that from orange and tomato. This observation was also supported by the very low isoelectric point (pH 3.5) of jelly fig pectinmethylesterase, compared with high isoelectric points reported for most of the pectinmethylesterases. Amino acid composition and N-terminal sequence have been obtained. High homology of the N-terminal amino acid residues between jelly fig and tomato pectinmethylesterase (O Markovic, H Jornvall [1986] Eur J Biochem 158: 455-462) was observed. Pectinmethylesterase activity causes the release of protons from the deesterification of pectin such that a low pH environment is created, and this may be related to the cell growth. Pectinmethylesterase is not needed for jelly fig seed germination, however the gel formed from pectin and pectinmethylesterase may insure a water source for the germinating jelly fig seeds.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

Diel Patterns of Water Potential Components for the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism Plant Opuntia ficus-indica when Well-Watered or Droughted.

Under well-watered conditions, chlorenchyma acidity in cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica increased substantially at night, fully accounting for the 0.26-megapascal nocturnal increase in osmotic pressure in the outer 2 millimeters. Osmotic pressure in the inner part of the chlorenchyma and in the water-storage parenchyma did not change significantly over 24-hour periods. Three months of drought decreased nocturnal acid accumulation by 73% and essentially abolished transpiration; also, 27% of the chlorenchyma water and 61% of the parenchyma water was lost during such drought, but the average tissue osmotic pressure was little affected. Turgor pressure was maintained in the chlorenchyma after 3 months of drought, although it decreased sevenfold in the water-storage parenchyma compared with the well-watered condition. Moreover, the nocturnal increases in turgor pressure of about 0.08 megapascal in the outer part of the chlorenchyma was also unchanged by such drought. The water potential magnitudes favored water movement from the parenchyma to the chlorenchyma at the end of the night and in the reverse direction during the late afternoon. Experiments with tritiated water support this pattern of water movement, which is also in agreement with predictions based on electric-circuit analog models for Crassulacean acid metabolism plants.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

Dependency of Iron Reduction on Development of a Unique Root Morphology in Ficus benjamina L.

The activity of the Fe(3+) reductase of excised adventitious roots of Ficus benjamina L., grown in hydroponic culture without iron, was determined by a colorometric assay simplified by the use of a microplate reader. Reductase activity remained the same from pH 4.5 to 6.5 and decreased sharply above pH 6.5. Acetate buffer inhibited reduction. During early stages of root growth, excised roots did not exhibit Fe(3+) reductase activity. After several weeks and extensive root system development, Fe(3+) reduction still was not detectable in primary roots, but intermediate and high rates of reduction occurred in lateral and newly formed root clusters, respectively. Clustered roots only developed on plants grown at 0 or very low (<1 micromolar) iron. Microscopic examination revealed the root cluster to be composed of up to 30 lateral roots, usually less than 1 millimeter in diameter and 1 centimeter in length, that were completely covered with root hairs.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

Changes in Osmotic Pressure and Mucilage during Low-Temperature Acclimation of Opuntia ficus-indica.

Opuntia ficus-indica, a Crassulacean acid metabolism plant cultivated for its fruits and cladodes, was used to examine chemical and physiological events accompanying low-temperature acclimation. Changes in osmotic pressure, water content, low molecular weight solutes, and extracellular mucilage were monitored in the photosynthetic chlorenchyma and the water-storage parenchyma when plants maintained at day/night air temperatures of 30/20 degrees C were shifted to 10/0 degrees C. An increase in osmotic pressure of 0.13 megapascal occurred after 13 days at 10/0 degrees C. Synthesis of glucose, fructose, and glycerol accounted for most of the observed increase in osmotic pressure during the low-temperature acclimation. Extracellular mucilage and the relative apoplastic water content increased by 24 and 10%, respectively, during exposure to low temperatures. These increases apparently favor the extracellular nucleation of ice closer to the equilibrium freezing temperature for plants at 10/0 degrees C, which could make the cellular dehydration more gradual and less damaging. Nuclear magnetic resonance studies helped elucidate the cellular processes during ice formation, such as those revealed by changes in the relaxation times of two water fractions in the chlorenchyma. The latter results suggested a restricted mobility of intracellular water and an increased mobility of extracellular water for plants at 10/0 degrees C compared with those at 30/20 degrees C. Increased mobility of extracellular water could facilitate extracellular ice growth and thus delay the potentially lethal intracellular freezing during low-temperature acclimation.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1993

Severe isolated allergy to Ficus benjamina after bedroom exposure.

Allergies to Ficus benjamina (Fb, weeping fig) have been described first as an occupational disease in plant keepers and later in clearly atopic subjects with known sensitizations to other inhalant allergens. We report a case of a hitherto nonatopic man with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, contact urticaria, and asthma caused by a Fb kept in his bedroom for 18 months. Rubbing and skin prick test with native fig leaves and sap, and RAST to Fb were clearly positive. No other sensitization could be detected. After eliminating his Fb, he became asymptomatic within a few months. This case shows that private close contact to Fb can also induce allergy even in hitherto nonatopic subjects. Therefore, Fb should not be kept in bedrooms.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Allergy to Ficus benjamina (weeping fig) in nonatopic subjects.

Occupational allergy to Ficus benjamina (Fb), or weeping fig, occurs in about one in four plant-keepers. Sensitization to this plant occurs in about 3-4% of persons with clear-cut atopy. I now report on four female nonatopic patients with rhinoconjunctivitis who were sensitized only to weeping fig. All four had a positive skin prick test and RAST test to Fb. The identification of a preventable respiratory allergen is of considerable importance for the patient. Inclusion of Fb in the standard prick test panel may therefore be considered. Furthermore, the findings suggest that it may be unwise to choose Fb as an ornamental indoor plant.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Ficus carica; isolation and quantification of the photoactive components.

The presence and levels of furocoumarins in several parts of Ficus carica including the milky sap, were investigated. The results show that psoralen and bergapten are the only significant photoactive compounds, and are present in appreciable quantities in the leaf and shoot sap but are not detected in the fruit or its sap. These compounds are more concentrated in the leaf sap compared to the shoot sap. The psoralen levels are several times higher than those of bergapten. Lower concentrations of both compounds are present in autumn compared to spring and summer. These findings suggest that the reaction is induced primarily by psoralen. The response can follow contact with the leaf and shoot sap but not with the fruit sap, and is expected to occur more frequently from exposure to the leaf sap. The higher content of both photoactive compounds in spring and summer is partly responsible for the increased incidence of fig dermatitis during these seasons. Ingestion of the fruit does not cause photosensitization and the absence of photoactive furocoumarins in the fruit and its sap remains unexplained.

5-Methoxypsoralen↗
PubMed1995

A new Agrobacterium strain isolated from aerial tumors on Ficus benjamina L.

Crown gall tumors, collected from branches of 1-year-old weeping fig (Ficus benjamina L.) trees, yielded both tumorigenic and nonpathogenic agrobacteria. On the basis of classical diagnostic tests, the nonpathogenic strains were identified as Agrobacterium tumefaciens, whereas the tumorigenic strains could not be assigned to any of the known terrestrial Agrobacterium spp. The tumorigenic strains also differed from other members of the genus by producing more acid from mannitol. According to cluster analysis of carbon substrate oxidation (GN Microplate; Biolog, Inc.) and fatty acid content, the tumorigenic fig strains were distinct from strains of A. tumefaciens, Agrobacterium rhizogenes, Agrobacterium vitis, and Agrobacterium rubi. Furthermore, they had unusual opine metabolism, inducing tumors that synthesized nopaline and three recently discovered opines: chrysopine (d-lactone of N-1-deoxy-D-fructosyl-L-glutamine, and N-1-deoxy-D-fructosyl-L-glutamine, and N-1-deoxy-D-fructosyl-5-oxo-L-proline. The nonpathogenic A. tumefaciens strains present in the same tumors were unable to degrade any of the opines tested. The phylogenetic position of the tumorigenic fig strain AF3.10 was inferred from comparing its rrs (i.e., 16S rRNA gene) sequence with those from the type strains of Agrobacterium and Rhizobium species. The analysis showed that strain AF3.10 clustered with A. tumefaciens and A. rubi but not with A. vitis and was far removed from A. rhizogenes. However, the sequence was significantly different from those of A. tumefaciens and A. rubi to suggest that the tumorigenic fig strain may be a new Agrobacterium species that is as different from A. tumefaciens and A. rubi as these two species are from one another.

Arginine↗
PubMed2001

Urticaria and rhinitis to shrubs of Ficus benjamina and breadfruit in a banana-allergic road worker: evidence for a cross-sensitization between Moracea, banana and latex.

BACKGROUND: We report the case of a road worker with a food allergy to banana, who developed urticaria and rhinitis when cutting shrubs of Ficus benjamina and breadfruit. He did not develop an allergy to latex of Hevea brasiliensis. RESULTS: Sensitization to latex of F. benjamina, H. brasiliensis, breadfruit and banana was demonstrated using skin tests and specific IgE measurements. RAST inhibitions procedures showed that specific IgE to breadfruit latex cross-reacted more strongly with latex of H. brasiliensis and banana than with latex of F. benjamina with the same extract. CONCLUSION: Given the wide distribution of Moracea trees in tropical regions, sensitization to latex of H. brasiliensis and banana could be a consequence of sensitization to Moracea members; F. benjamina does not seem to be the only Moracea responsible for cross-allergy with latex and fruit. Consequently, it seems interesting to test other members of the Moracea family in patients sensitized to latex of H. brasiliensis and banana. Sensitization to breadfruit could be a risk factor for sensitization to latex of H. brasiliensis.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Characterization of allergenic components in sap extract from the weeping fig (Ficus benjamina).

The allergen composition of crude extract from sap (latex) of the weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) was investigated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. The allergenic components were detected by sera from 11 occupationally exposed plant keepers, of whom 7 were non-atopic, and from 9 non-occupationally exposed atopic patients with a positive radio-allergosorbent test to weeping fig. The allergen-antibody complexes were visualized by rabbit anti-IgE and beta-galactosidase-labelled sheep anti-rabbit IgG, using a chromogenic insoluble substrate. A total of 11 allergenic components were identified. Three of them were found to be major allergenic components, identified by more than 50% of the investigated sera. These 3 IgE-binding components had molecular weights of approximately 29,000, 28,000 and 25,000 daltons, respectively. The major allergenic components were denatured by heat in the temperature range of 60-90 degrees C.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Ultrastructure of modified root-tip cells in Ficus carica, induced by the ectoparasitic nematode Xiphinema index.

The migratory ectoparasitic root nematode Xiphinema index, added to Ficus carica seedlings in sterile agar culture, fed exclusively on the tips of the roots. As a response the tips started to swell and became transformed into terminal galls as long as feeding was continued. When the cytology of swollen root-tips was examined 24 h after the first nematode attack, necrotic cells, scattered singly or in small groups within the root apex, were found in ultrathin sections. These cells, whose protoplasts showed features of a hypersensitive reaction, were most probably those fed upon by nematodes. Each necrotic cell was surrounded by several enlarged, mostly binucleate cells with dense cytoplasm. One day later the binucleate cells were multinucleate, containing 4 or even 8 nuclei. The clear-cut demarcation between necrotic and modified cells indicated that only the stimulus for the induction of modified cells but not the stimulus for cell necrosis passed into neighbouring cells. Root-tip galls that provided the appropriate food for egg production in nematodes contained greatly enlarged multinucleate cells between necrotic cells. The modified cells showed features of high metabolic activities, expressed in nuclear and nucleolar hypertrophy, invagination of the nuclear envelope, increased cytoplasmic density, abundance of mitochondria, plastids and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Wall ingrowths, typical of transfer cells, were rare and if present occurred only adjacent to necrotic cells. In older modified cells new cell plates, surrounded by phragmoplasts, were formed.

Microscopy, Electron↗
PubMed2006

Glycoprotein (90 kDa) isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten MAKINO lowers plasma lipid level through scavenging of intracellular radicals in Triton WR-1339-induced mice.

The Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten MAKINO (OFI) has been traditionally used as health food and herbal agent in folk medicine in Korea. In this study, we investigated whether the OFI glycoprotein has antioxidative activity and hypolipidemic effect on Triton WR-1339-induced A/J mice. The OFI glycoprotein inhibits the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by glucose/glucose oxidase (G/GO) in BNL CL.2 cells. With its antioxidative property, the mice were orally administered in the OFI glycoprotein [50 mg/kg body weight (BW)] for two weeks. Our finding resulted in a significant decrease of plasma lipid levels in Triton WR-1339-treated mice such as total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Indeed, mice which induced by Triton WR-1339 were significantly increased the levels of TC, TG and LDL, whereas the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level obviously decreased. However, the values were reversed at pretreatment with OFI glycoprotein in Triton WR-1339-treated mice. The data also showed that pretreatment with OFI glycoprotein resulted in decrease of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) level and in increase of nitric oxide (NO) amount in presence of Triton WR-1339-treated mice, while the activities of antioxidant enzyme [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] were augmented. Therefore, we speculate that the OFI glycoprotein would be effective in lowering of plasma lipid levels.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Six new ursane- and oleanane-type triterpenes from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa.

Four new ursane-type triterpenes, 3beta-acetoxy-11alpha-methoxy-12-ursene (1), 3beta-acetoxy-11alpha-ethoxy-12-ursene (2), 3beta-acetoxy-11alpha-hydroperoxy-12-ursene (3), 3beta-hydroxy-11alpha-hydroperoxy-12-ursene (4), and two new oleanane-type triterpenes, 3beta-acetoxy-11alpha-ethoxy-12-oleanene (5), 3beta-acetoxy-111alpha-hydroperoxy-12-oleanene (6), together with 3beta-acetoxy-11alpha-hydroxy-12-ursene (7), 3beta,11alpha-diacetoxy-12-ursene (8), 3beta-acetoxy-11alpha-hydroxy-12-oleanene (9), were isolated from the aerial roots of Ficus microcarpa L. f. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy↗
PubMed2000

Three new sesquiterpenoid glucosides of Ficus pumila fruit.

As the glycosyl constituents of Ficus pumila L. fruits (Moraceae), three new sesquiterpenoid glucosides, pumilasides A, B and C were isolated together with benzyl beta-D-glucopyranoside, (E)-2-methyl-2-butenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside and rutin. Their structures were characterized as (1S,4S,5R,6R,7S,10S)-1,4,6-trihydroxyeudesmane 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, (1S,4S,5S,6R,7R,10S)-1,4-dihydroxymaaliane 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and 10 alpha, 11-dihydroxycadin-4-ene 11-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside by spectral and chemical methods.

Fruit↗