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PubMed1996

[Effect of lethal doses of plants of the Agavaceae family on the cardiac activity and oviposition of Biophalaria havanensis (Mollusca: Planobidae)].

Work was carried out with lethal doses of 3 agavaceas, Agave legrelliana, Agave fourcroydes and Agave franzosinii, and it was determined the influences of LD50 and LD90 of agavaceas on the cardiac activity reduction. As a result, it was found that A. fourcryodes has the aqueous extract influencing the most on the reduction of heart rate. LD90 of agavaceas also affects the embrionary development of eggs having between 1 and 7 days of oviposition. The greatest affectation was found among the first. A. fourcroydes and A. legrelliana, respectively, influence the most on the reduction of the amount of eggs. The number of eggs ovipositted by mollucs surviving the application of LD90 from A. franzosinii is lower, as well as the number of hatched eggs.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Tequila authenticity assessment by headspace SPME-HRGC-IRMS analysis of 13C/12C and 18O/16O ratios of ethanol.

By use of headspace SPME sampling and a PLOT column, on-line capillary gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry was employed in the combustion (C) and the pyrolysis (P) modes (HRGC-C/P-IRMS) to determine the delta(13)C(VPDB) and delta(18)O(VSMOW) values of ethanol in authentic (n = 14) and commercial tequila samples (n = 15) as well as a number of other spirits (n = 23). Whereas with delta(13)C(VPDB) values ranging from -12.1 to -13.2 per thousand and from -12.5 to -14.8 per thousand similar variations were found for 100% agave and mixed tequilas, respectively, the delta(18)O(VSMOW) data differed slightly within these categories: ranges from +22.1 to +22.8 per thousand and +20.8 to +21.7 per thousand were determined for both the authentic 100% agave and mixed products, respectively. The data recorded for commercial tequilas were less homogeneous; delta(13)C(VPDB) data from -10.6 to -13.9 per thousand and delta(18)O(VSMOW) values from +15.5 to +22.7 per thousand were determined in tequilas of both categories. Owing to overlapping data, attempts to differentiate between white, rested, and aged tequilas within each of the two categories failed. In addition, discrimination of tequila samples from other spirits by means of delta(13)C(VPDB) and delta(18)O(VSMOW) data of ethanol was restricted to the products originating from C(3) as well as C(4)/CAM raw materials.

Agave↗
PubMed2003

Evidence for a male-produced aggregation pheromone in Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Olfactory response of male and female Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to volatiles released from the same or opposite conspecifics alone, or combined with host plant volatiles, was evaluated in the laboratory and field. We also evaluated the response to synthetic Rhynchophorinae pheromones in the laboratory. In laboratory tests, attraction of males and females in Y-tube olfactometer to conspecific males was greater than to females and clean air. Males and females preferred the combination males + agave over agave alone. Both sexes were significantly attracted to 2-methyl-4-heptanol and 2-methyl-4-octanol compared with hexane control. In field trials, weevils were successfully caught in the traps baited with conspecifics and plant material. These field results support those of the laboratory bioassays, showing that males attracted conspecific males and females and addition of plant material enhanced the attraction. These results further suggest that S. acupunctatus produces an aggregation pheromone.

Agave↗
PubMed2006

Species of colletotrichum on agavaceae.

Species of Colletotrichum cause diseases on a wide range of hosts, frequently infecting plants in the Agavaceae (monocotyledons: Liliales). Three species of Colletotrichum restricted to the Agavaceae were detected through morphological studies of specimens and molecular sequence analyses of the LSU of the nu-rDNA and the ITS region of the nu-rDNA from cultures. Colletotrichum agaves on Agave is fully described and illustrated. Colletotrichum dracaenophilum is described as a new species for isolates having long conidia and occurring on Dracaena sanderiana from China. Colletotrichum phormii and Glomerella phormii are determined to be the correct scientific names for the asexual and sexual states, respectively, of a species commonly referred to as C. rhodocyclum and G. phacidiomorpha occurring mainly on Phormium. In addition, C. gloeosporioides and C. boninense were isolated from plants in the Agavaceae. All species of Colletotrichum described on Agavaceae were evaluated based on type specimens. A key to the five species of Colletotrichum on Agavaceae is included. This paper includes one new species, Colletotrichum dracaenophilum, and three new combinations, Colletotrichum phormii, Glomerella phormii, and Phaeosphaeriopsis phacidiomorpha.

Asparagaceae↗
PubMed2024

Neobacillus driksii sp. nov. isolated from a Mars 2020 spacecraft assembly facility and genomic potential for lasso peptide production in Neobacillus.

UNLABELLED: During microbial surveillance of the Mars 2020 spacecraft assembly facility, two novel bacterial strains, potentially capable of producing lasso peptides, were identified. Characterization using a polyphasic taxonomic approach, whole-genome sequencing and phylogenomic analyses revealed a close genetic relationship among two strains from Mars 2020 cleanroom floors (179-C4-2-HS, 179-J1A1-HS), one strain from the Agave plant (AT2.8), and another strain from wheat-associated soil (V4I25). All four strains exhibited high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (>99.2%) and low average nucleotide identity (ANI) with Neobacillus niacini NBRC 15566T, delineating new phylogenetic branches within the genus. Detailed molecular analyses, including gyrB (90.2%), ANI (86.4%), average amino acid identity (87.8%) phylogenies, digital DNA-DNA hybridization (32.6%), and percentage of conserved proteins (77.7%) indicated significant divergence from N. niacini NBRC 15566T. Consequently, these strains have been designated Neobacillus driksii sp. nov., with the type strain 179-C4-2-HST (DSM 115941T = NRRL B-65665T). N. driksii grew at 4°C to 45°C, pH range of 6.0 to 9.5, and 0.5% to 5% NaCl. The major cellular fatty acids are iso-C15:0 and anteiso-C15:0. The dominant polar lipids include diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and an unidentified aminolipid. Metagenomic analysis within NASA cleanrooms revealed that N. driksii is scarce (17 out of 236 samples). Genes encoding the biosynthesis pathway for lasso peptides were identified in all N. driksii strains and are not commonly found in other Neobacillus species, except in 7 out of 26 recognized species. This study highlights the unique metabolic capabilities of N. driksii, underscoring their potential in antimicrobial research and biotechnology. IMPORTANCE: The microbial surveillance of the Mars 2020 assembly cleanroom led to the isolation of novel N. driksii with potential applications in cleanroom environments, such as hospitals, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and aeronautical industries. N. driksii genomes were found to possess genes responsible for producing lasso peptides, which are crucial for antimicrobial defense, communication, and enzyme inhibition. Isolation of N. driksii from cleanrooms, Agave plants, and dryland wheat soils, suggested niche-specific ecology and resilience under various environmentally challenging conditions. The discovery of potent antimicrobial agents from novel N. driksii underscores the importance of genome mining and the isolation of rare microorganisms. Bioactive gene clusters potentially producing nicotianamine-like siderophores were found in N. driksii genomes. These siderophores can be used for bioremediation to remove heavy metals from contaminated environments, promote plant growth by aiding iron uptake in agriculture, and treat iron overload conditions in medical applications.

Phylogeny↗
PubMed2002

Increasing fermentation efficiency at high sugar concentrations by supplementing an additional source of nitrogen during the exponential phase of the tequila fermentation process.

In the tequila industry, fermentation is traditionally achieved at sugar concentrations ranging from 50 to 100 g x L(-1). In this work, the behaviour of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (isolated from the juices of the Agave tequilana Weber blue variety) during the agave juice fermentation is compared at different sugar concentrations to determine if it is feasible for the industry to run fermentation at higher sugar concentrations. Fermentation efficiency is shown to be higher (above 90%) at a high concentration of initial sugar (170 g x L(-1)) when an additional source of nitrogen (a mixture of amino acids and ammonium sulphate, different than a grape must nitrogen composition) is added during the exponential growth phase.

Alcoholic Beverages↗
PubMed1999

Loss of water transport capacity due to xylem cavitation in roots of two CAM succulents.

Loss of axial hydraulic conductance as a result of xylem cavitation was examined for roots of the Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) succulents Agave deserti and Opuntia ficus-indica. Vulnerability to cavitation was not correlated with either root size or vessel diameter. Agave deserti had a mean cavitation pressure of -0.93 ± 0.08 MPa by both an air-injection and a centrifugal method compared to -0.70 ± 0.02 MPa by the centrifugal method for O. ficus-indica, reflecting the greater tolerance of the former species to low water potentials in its native habitat. Substantial xylem cavitation would occur at a soil water potential of -0.25 MPa, resulting in a predicted 22% loss of conductance for A. deserti and 32% for O. ficus-indica. For an extended drought of 3 mo, further cavitation could cause a 69% loss of conductance for A. deserti and 62% for O. ficus-indica. A model of axial hydraulic flow based upon the cavitation response of these species predicted that water uptake rates are far below the maximum possible, owing to the high root water potentials of these desert succulents. Despite various shoot adaptations to aridity, roots of A. deserti and O. ficus-indica are highly vulnerable to cavitation, which partially limits water uptake in a wet soil but helps reduce water loss to a drying soil.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1988

Principles underlying the prediction of temperature in plants, with special reference to desert succulents.

The thermal motion of molecules responsible for the property we know as temperature influences essentially every aspect of plant biology. Emphasis in this review is on principles of wide biological applicability, with specific examples being chosen from research on agaves and cacti. Plant temperatures can be predicted using energy budgets incorporating shortwave and longwave radiation, heat conduction and convection, latent heat, and heat storage. Energy budgets are used here to show the effect of plant size and shortwave absorptance on tissue temperature. The importance of air temperature or transcription rate for tissue temperature is calculated quantitatively. The influences of surface appendages, such as apical pubescence and spines, on minimal temperatures near the apical meristem of cacti are predicted, such minimal temperatures influencing the geographical distribution of various species. The Boltzmann energy distribution and Arrhenius plots are presented and used to analyse thermal responses in terms of energy barriers and activation energies. The many ways that temperature can influence CO2 diffusion into a leaf are also considered. Tolerances to low and high temperatures, such as the ability of agaves and cacti to tolerate extremely high tissue temperatures of 70 degrees C, are discussed from both cellular and ecological perspectives. Although the influences of temperature on plants are multitudinous, many can be predicted, or at least analysed, based on well-established physical principles.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1994

[Study of the molluscicide activity of different plants on Biomphalaria havanensis, potential intermediary host of schistosomiasis in Cuba].

Various experimental studies were carried out with plants of the Compositae, Verbenaceae, Polygonaceae and Agavaceae families to determine their molluscicidal capacity. Molluscicidal activity on Biomphalaria havanensis was detected in plants of the Agavaceae family. The plants employed in the experiment were Agave fourcroydes and Agave franzosinii. Lethal doses were determined. These were: LD50 = 12.45 and LD90 = 22.88 mL/L, for A. fourcroydes and LD50 = 8.78 and LD90 = 15.91 mL/L, for A. franzosinii. No decrease was observed in the effectiveness of the aquous extracts with the passing of time. Solar radiation did not seem to effect the molluscicidal activity of the plant extracts.

Animals↗
PubMed2007

In vitro antagonism of Thielaviopsis paradoxa by Trichoderma longibrachiatum.

Seventy-nine Trichoderma strains were isolated from soil taken from 28 commercial plantations of Agave tequilana cv. 'Azul' in the State of Jalisco, Mexico. Nine of these isolates produced nonvolatile metabolites that completely inhibited the growth of Thielaviopsis paradoxa on potato dextrose agar plates. These isolates were identified as Trichoderma longibrachiatum on the basis of their morphology and DNA sequence analysis of two genes (ITS rDNA and translation elongation factor EF-1alpha). Mycoparasitism of Th. paradoxa by T. longibrachiatum strains in dual cultures was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The Trichoderma hyphae grew alongside the Th. paradoxa hyphae, but penetration of Thielaviopsis hyphae by Trichoderma was no apparent. Aleurioconidia of Th. paradoxa were parasitized by Trichoderma. Both hyphae and aleurioconidia of Th. paradoxa lost turgor pressure, wrinkled, collapsed and finally disintegrated. In liquid cultures, all nine Trichoderma isolates produced proteases, beta-1,3-glucanases and chitinases that would be responsible for the degradation of Thielaviopsis hyphae. These results demonstrate that the modes of action of T. longibrachiatum involved against Th. paradoxa in vitro experiments are mycoparasitism and the production of nonvolatile toxic metabolites.

Agave↗
PubMed2005

Experimental investigation of various vegetable fibers as sorbent materials for oil spills.

Oil spills are a global concern due to their environmental and economical impact. Various commercial systems have been developed to control these spills, including the use of fibers as sorbents. This research investigates the use of various vegetable fibers, namely mixed leaves residues, mixed sawdust, sisal (Agave sisalana), coir fiber (Cocos nucifera), sponge-gourd (Luffa cylindrica) and silk-floss as sorbent materials of crude oil. Sorption tests with crude oil were conducted in deionized and marine water media, with and without agitation. Water uptake by the fibers was investigated by tests in dry conditions and distillation of the impregnated sorbent. The silk-floss fiber showed a very high degree of hydrophobicity and oil sorption capacity of approximately 85goil/g sorbent (in 24hours). Specific gravity measurements and buoyancy tests were also used to evaluate the suitability of these fibers for the intended application.

Absorption↗
PubMed2003

Weapon (thorn) automimicry and mimicry of aposematic colorful thorns in plants.

In order to further characterize the function of coloration in plants as defense against herbivory, two types of thorn mimicry are described: (1) A unique type of weapon (thorn) automimicry (within the same individual) that was previously known only in animals, and (2) mimicry of aposematic colorful thorns, by colorful elongated and pointed plant organs (buds, leaves and fruit) that, despite their appearance, are not sharp. Some thorny plants including dozens of species of Agave, one species of Aloe and a palm species have thorn-like imprints or colorations on their leaves, constituting thorn automimicry by giving the impression of more extensive thorns. The mimicry of aposematic colorful thorns is a typical case of Batesian mimicry, but the thorn automimicry is a special intra-organismic Batesian mimicry. I propose that both types of mimicry serve as anti-herbivore mechanisms.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2004

Solid-state NMR characterization of pyrene-cuticular matter interactions.

One- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments were performed on Agave americana cutan and tomato cutin to examine the interactions between a hydrophobic pollutant, pyrene, and cuticular material. Variable-temperature NMR experiments show that cutan, an acid- and base-resistant cuticular biopolymer, undergoes the characteristic melting behavior of "polyethylene-like" crystallites, while the tomato cutin does not. The melting point of A. americana cutan was found to be approximately 360 K, which is consistent with the thickness of the polyethylene crystallites of 30-40 methylene units. Sorption models predict that the sorption behavior of hydrophobic pollutants should depend on the phase of the cuticular material. 13C NMR experiments on labeled pyrene were performed. The 13C T1 of pyrene decreases significantly from that of crystalline pyrene upon sorption to both tomato fruit cutin and A. americana cutan, indicating that the pyrene is mobile upon sorption. Magic angle spinning experiments at low spinning frequencies (2-4 kHz) provided the chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) parameters delta, the anisotropy, and eta, the asymmetry parameter, for crystalline and sorbed pyrene. For crystalline pyrene, two types of crystallographically distinctive pyrenes were observed. The first had delta = -97.4+/-0.5 ppm and eta = 0.934+/-0.006, while the second had delta = -98.1+/-0.5 ppm and eta = 0.823+/-0.008. After sorption to cutan, these CSA parameters were found to be delta = -78.9+/-5.3 ppm and eta < 0.70 independent of the length of time since completion of the sorption procedure. In tomato cutin, the CSA parameters were found to be dependent upon the time since completion of the sorption procedure. One and one-half months after sorption, delta was found to have a value of -30.4 ppm < delta < 0.0 ppm and eta was undeterminable, while after 22 months these values become delta = -80.0 +/-3.3 ppm and eta< 0.42. These changes in the CSA parameters demonstrate that upon sorption of pyrene to cutan, the pyrene undergoes anisotropic motion, while in cutin pyrene initially can tumble isotropically, but after 22 months this motion also becomes anisotropic. 2D heteronuclear correlation experiments indicate that pyrene is in close proximity to aliphatic cuticular materials after sorption. This work is directly relevant toward understanding the physical and chemical mechanisms of pollutant sorption to soil organic matter and, thus, help develop improved sorption models and pollution remediation techniques.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2006

Competitive sorption-desorption behavior of triazine herbicides with plant cuticular fractions.

Sorption interactions of plant cuticular matter with organic compounds are not yet fully understood. The objective of this study was to examine the competitive sorption-desorption interactions of the triazine herbicides (atrazine and ametryn) with cuticular fractions isolated from tomato fruits and leaves of Agave americana. The 13C NMR data suggest a rubber-like nature for the cutin. This biopolymer exhibited reversible and noncompetitive sorption. Enhanced desorption of atrazine was recorded in the bi-solute system with bulk and dewaxed A. americana cuticles. 13C NMR analyses of these samples suggested that the sorbed competitor ametryn facilitated a physical phase transition of rigid paraffinic sorption domain to mobile and flexible domain during sorption process. We suggest that the different sorption-desorption behavior obtained for the two cuticles is related to the higher content of waxes (14% vs 2.6%) and lower content of cutin (46% vs 75%) in the A. americana versus tomato fruit cuticle.

Absorption↗
PubMed2002

Initial net CO2 uptake responses and root growth for a CAM community placed in a closed environment.

To help understand carbon balance between shoots and developing roots, 41 bare-root crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants native to the Sonoran Desert were studied in a glass-panelled sealable room at day/night air temperatures of 25/15 degrees C. Net CO(2) uptake by the community of Agave schottii, Carnegia gigantea, Cylindropuntia versicolor, Ferocactus wislizenii and Opuntia engelmannii occurred 3 weeks after watering. At 4 weeks, the net CO(2) uptake rate measured for south-east-facing younger parts of the shoots averaged 1.94 micro mol m(-2) s(-1) at night, considerably higher than the community-level nocturnal net CO(2) uptake averaged over the total shoot surface, primarily reflecting the influences of surface orientation on radiation interception (predicted net CO(2) uptake is twice as high for south-east-facing surfaces compared with all compass directions). Estimated growth plus maintenance respiration of the roots averaged 0.10 micro mol m(-2) s(-1) over the 13-week period, when the community had a net carbon gain from the atmosphere of 4 mol C while the structural C incorporated into the roots was 23 mol. Thus, these five CAM species diverted all net C uptake over the 13-week period plus some existing shoot C to newly developing roots. Only after sufficient roots develop to support shoot water and nutrient requirements will the plant community have net above-ground biomass gains.

Agave↗
PubMed2002

A simple HPLC-fluorescence detection of nitric oxide in cultivated plant cells by in situ derivatization with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene.

An HPLC method with fluorescence detection for the determination of nitric oxide (NO) in cultivated plant cells (Agave pacifica, Agavaceae) was developed. NO was derivatized in situ with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene (DAN) as a labeling reagent and converted to 1(H)-naphthotriazole. The maximum peak height of the derivative was observed by incubation for 3 h at 25 degrees C with 0.2 mM DAN. Excess reagent in cells was removed by washing 3 times with 5 ml of water. The calibration curve for authentic standard of DAN-NO spiked to cultivated plant cells showed a good linearity (r = 0.995) in the range of 5.0 to 50 pmol/g cell. The detection limit at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 was 3.4 pmol/g cells. The proposed method was successfully applied to the monitoring of NO concentration with cell growth. The effect of thermal treatment on the concentration of NO in plant cells was also examined. The concentration of NO in cells treated at 5 degrees C for 1 h was significantly higher than that treated at 25 degrees C and 35 degrees C for 1 h (n = 3, p < 0.05).

2-Naphthylamine↗
PubMed1998

Human dental microwear caused by calcium oxalate phytoliths in prehistoric diet of the lower Pecos region, Texas.

Recent research demonstrates that silica phytoliths of dietary origin are associated with microwear of human teeth. Previous research has shown that severe enamel microwear and dental wear characterizes Archaic hunter-gatherers in the lower Pecos region of west Texas. Calcium oxalate crystals are especially common in Archaic coprolites. The vast majority are derived from prickly pear and agave, which were the dietary staples in west Texas for 6,000 years. The calcium oxalate phytoliths are harder than enamel. Therefore, calcium oxalate crystals are the most likely source of previously documented dental microwear and wear in the lower Pecos region.

Calcium Oxalate↗
PubMed2001

Aposematic (warning) coloration associated with thorns in higher plants.

Aposematic coloration, a well-known phenomenon in animals, has been given little attention in plants. Here I discuss two types of conspicuousness of thorns which are typical of many plant species: (1) colorful thorns, and (2) white spots, or white and colorful stripes, associated with thorns in leaves and stems. Both types of aposematic coloration predominate the spine system of taxa rich with spiny species-Cacti, the genera Agave, Aloe and Euphorbia. The phenomena have been recorded here in over a thousand species originating in several continents of both the Old and New World. I propose that this is a case of vegetal aposematic coloration analogous to such coloration of poisonous animals, and which communicates between plants and herbivores.

Animals↗