Seeds from fifty native Amazonian Fabaceae species (representing subfamilies Caesalpinioideae, Mimosoideae and Faboideae) were screened for the presence of new lectins. Their crude protein extracts were assayed for hemagglutinating activity (HA). The protein fractions of Anadenanthera peregrina, Dimorphandra caudata, Ormosia lignivalvis and Swartzia laevicarpa exhibited HA, and this activity was inhibited by ga...
This study aimed to characterize protein, oil, starch and soluble sugar mobilization as well as the activity of α-amylase during rosewood seed germination. Germination test was carried out at 25°C and the following parameters were analyzed: percentage of germination, initial, average, and final germination time. Seed reserve quantification was monitored in quiescent seeds and during different stages of radicle ...
The objective of this work was to analyze gas exchange, photosynthetic characteristics, photochemical efficiency of photosystem II and anatomical characteristics of young plant leaves of two guarana (Paullinia cupana) clones (BRS-CG372RC and BRS-CG611RL) growing under open field. The variables of gas exchange and fluorescence of chlorophyll a were evaluated in mature leaves. The values of photosynthesis and tra...
The contents of the main components of the primary metabolism (soluble sugars, starch, proteins, oils, fatty acids) and minerals (P, Ca, Mg, K, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu) were characterized in seeds of five Brazilian Amazon tree species (Andira parviflora, Bertholletia excelsa, Helicostylis tomentosa, Hymenaea parviflora, and Parkia pendula). Soluble sugar contents were high in P. pendula seeds (14%), whereas starch predo...
The rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora Ducke) is a native tree species of Amazon rainforest growing naturally in acidic forest soils with reduced redox potential. However, this species can also been found growing in forest gaps containing oxide soils. Variations in the forms of mineral nitrogen (NO 3- or NH4+) may be predicted in these different edaphic conditions. Considering that possibility, an experiment was carrie...
Physiological and biochemical aspects of assai palm during seed germination and early seedling growth were investigated. Seeds collected from plants growing in flooded and upland forests were used to determine the influence of normoxic (aerobic) and anoxic (anaerobic) conditions in germination and the initial and average time of development in the roots and shoots. After 75 days, seedlings germinated under norm...
The Amazonian Aniba species are world-renowned for their essential oils (EOs). The molecules derived from EOs have been intensively investigated in regards to their potential for disease control in plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the antifungal properties of Aniba canelilla EO (ACEO) and Aniba parviflora EO (APEO) when used against eight phytopathogenic fungi. Gas chromatography-mass spectromet...