A forgotten collection: the Libyan ethnobotanical exhibits (1912-14) by A. Trotter at the Museum O. Comes at the University Federico II in Naples, Italy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Ethnobotanical Collection from the Libyan territories of the botanist Alessandro Trotter is included in the Oratio Comes Botanical Museum at the Faculty of Agraria at the University Federico II in Naples. Trotter explored different territories of Libya, mainly Tripolitania, between 1912-1924, collecting plant specimens and the drugs most frequently sold in the markets. The Libyan herbarium currently includes over 2300 sheets of mounted and accessioned plants. The drugs, mostly acquired by Trotter from Tripolitanian markets, were identified and packed in 87 paper sheets or boxes. Trotter added ethnobotanical information for each species when available.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A database of the herbarium species and the drugs has been carried out, after a taxonomic update. Nomenclature has been revised according to the African flowering plants database and the World Checklist of selected plant families, and a comparison with currently available ethnopharmacological data from North African has been attempted.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study, ethnopharmacological data related to about 80 species of flowering plants and to 4 lichens are presented. The plants are mainly from Mediterranean or Sub-Saharan habitats and belong to 37 different families; Lamiaceae was the most cited family, with 10 accessions. Generally, the aerial parts of the plants are the most frequently used (28 species), followed by leaves (15 species), flowers and seeds (9 species), fruits (7 species) and hypogean organs (roots, rhizomes, tubers: 5 species). Plants were generally processed in very simple ways: infusion or decoction of the plants were prepared and orally administered or used for topical applications. A wide range of conditions was treated, ranging from mental disorders to skin affections. All the organs of human body are considered, but the pathologies of gastro-intestinal tract, respiratory system and those related to traumatic accidents were the most frequently mentioned. The comparison with the recent ethnopharmacological research in Maghreb and its neighboring countries reveals a high correspondence; almost all the plants cited by Trotter are still used in the folk medicine of at least one of the North African countries, and the therapeutic uses of each plant appear consistent over time.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The information collected by Trotter is an important contribution to tracing plant utilization in Libyan folk medicine over the last century.</p

An ethnobotanical survey of wild edible plants of Campania (Italy)

A survey of the knowledge on edible wild plants in Campania (Italy) is presented. The checklist is based not only on literature data but also on unpublished results coming from archives of the authors. 639 records of alimentary uses related to 198 taxa are listed. Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Brassicaceae and Rosaceae are the most represented families. The predominant biological forms are Hemycriptophytes, Terophytes and Phanerophytes. The parts of plant used as food mainly include leaves and aerial parts, followed by flowers, fruits and seeds, whereas roots and other underground parts are less frequently used. Many species are consumed in salads or soups and served in mixtures. The alimentary uses of most species are widespread in Campania, but the uses of 28 species are strictly linked to limited territories

Correction to: Novel qPCR probe systems for the characterization of subaerial biofilms on stone monuments

Purpose: A deep survey of biodeteriogen microorganisms reported on stone monuments in Europe has been performed based on the available literature dating back to over 30 years. The aim of the present study is to obtain accurate oligos for the characterization of subaerial biofilms on the basis of the most comprehensive collection of reports and case studies regarding subaerial biofilms, with particular regard to phototrophic and non-phototrophic bacteria, eukaryotic algae and molds. Methods: The obtained lists for eukaryotic algae, phototrophic and non-phototrophic bacteria and fungi were sorted by Genera and corresponding sequences in triplicate were downloaded by nucleotide database Genbank for a number of selected barcoding markers. On the basis of collected bibliometric diversity, multiple nucleotide alignments were produced and primers were designed for a qPCR assay. Result: Primers were designed on conserved regions flanking a variable region, specific for each of the studied groups of microorganisms. Standard curve for absolute quantification relative to each group were determined for four markers. Then, variable regions in the alignments were used to design fluorescent internal probes for qPCR aimed for a multiplex reaction in which relative abundance can be determined. Conclusion: The authors propose this kind of cost-effective approach in the study of biofilms for the estimation of algae, molds and bacteria both for direct in situ analysis and in vitro simulation

Weathering of a Roman Mosaic-A Biological and Quantitative Study on In Vitro Colonization of Calcareous Tesserae by Phototrophic Microorganisms

The potential impact of cyanobacteria and microalgae on the weathering of calcareous tesserae from a Roman mosaic of the II Century CE has been followed through in vitro experiments. Laboratory tests were carried out by inoculating mosaic tiles with single strains of Cyanobacteria or Chlorophyta to evaluate the roles of pioneer phototrophic microrganism on the resulting architecture of biofilms. The interaction between tesserae and strains was assessed at the whole substratum and micrometer scales, by image analysis and Confocal Laser Scanning (CLS) microscopy, respectively. The biofilm surface coverage on each tessera varied from 19% (Fischerella ambigua) to 97% (Microcoleus autumnalis). Cyanobacteria showed a better growth on calcareous tesserae, whereas the only green alga attaining a superficial coverage higher than 50% was Coelastrella rubescens. CLS microscopy evidenced two different types of spatial arrangement of the phototrophic organisms on the tesserae, that were defined as compact or porous, respectively. In the first one was measured a reduced number of empty spaces between cells or filaments, whereas in the second type, a reticulate texture allowed the presence of numerous empty volumes. The colonization processes observed are an intrinsic characteristic of each strain. We have proposed a colonization index IC as a sensible tool to describe, in a quantitative way, the pioneering attitude of each photosynthetic microorganism to colonize lithic substrates under laboratory conditions

Cyanidium chilense (Cyanidiophyceae, Rhodophyta) from tuff rocks of the archeological site of Cuma, Italy

Phlegrean Fields is a large volcanic area situated southwest of Naples (Italy), including both cave and thermoacidic habitats. These extreme environments host the genus Cyanidium; the species C. chilense represents a common phototrophic micro- organism living in anthropogenic caves. With a view to provide a comprehensive characterization for a correct taxonomic classification, morpho-ultrastructural investigations ofC. chilense from Syb’s cave (Phlegren Fields) was herein car-ried out and compared with the thermoacidophilic C. caldarium. The biofilm was also analyzed to define the roleofC. chilensein the establishment of a bio film within caveenvironments. Despite the peculiar ecological and molecular divergences,C. chilenseandC. caldariumshared all the maindiacritic features, suggesting morphological convergence within the genus; cytological identity was found amongC. chilensestrains geographically distant and adapted to different substrates, such as the porous yellow tuff of Sybil cave and calcyte, magnesite and basaltic rocks from other caves. C. chilense is generally dominant in all biofilms, developing monospecific islets, developing both super ficially or betweenfungal hyphae and coccoid cyanobacteria. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were recorded in C. chilense bio filmsfrom Sybil cave, confirming the role of EPS in facilitating cellsadhesion to the surface, creating a cohesive network of inter-connecting biofilm cell

Autotrophic and Heterotrophic Growth Conditions Modify Biomolecole Production in the Microalga Galdieria sulphuraria (Cyanidiophyceae, Rhodophyta)

Algae have multiple similarities with fungi, with both belonging to the Thallophyte, a polyphyletic group of non-mobile organisms grouped together on the basis of similar characteristics, but not sharing a common ancestor. The main difference between algae and fungi is noted in their metabolism. In fact, although algae have chlorophyll-bearing thalloids and are autotrophic organisms, fungi lack chlorophyll and are heterotrophic, not able to synthesize their own nutrients. However, our studies have shown that the extremophilic microalga Galderia sulphuraria (GS) can also grow very well in heterotrophic conditions like fungi. This study was carried out using several approaches such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and infrared spectrophotometry (ATR-FTIR). Results showed that the GS, strain ACUF 064, cultured in autotrophic (AGS) and heterotrophic (HGS) conditions, produced different biomolecules. In particular, when grown in HGS, the algae (i) was 30% larger, with an increase in carbon mass that was 20% greater than AGS; (ii) produced higher quantities of stearic acid, oleic acid, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and ergosterol; (iii) produced lower quantities of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) such as methyl palmytate, and methyl linoleate, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), and poyliunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). ATR-FTIR and principal component analysis (PCA) statistical analysis confirmed that the macromolecular content of HGS was significantly different from AGS. The ability to produce different macromolecules by changing the trophic conditions may represent an interesting strategy to induce microalgae to produce different biomolecules that can find applications in several fields such as food, feed, nutraceutical, or energy production

Microbial biofilm community structure and composition on the lithic substrates of Herculaneum Suburban Baths

In this work, we want to investigate the impact of different substrates and different environmental condition on the biofilm communities growing on plaster, marble, and mortar substrates inside the Herculaneum Suburban Baths. To do so, we measured environmental conditions and sampled biofilm communities along the walls of the baths and used culture-dependent and -independent molecular techniques (DGGE) to identify the species at each sampling sites. We used the species pool to infer structure and richness of communities within each site in each substrate, and confocal light scanning microscopy to assess the three-dimensional structure of the sampled biofilms. To gather further insights, we built a meta-community network and used its local realizations to analyze co-occurrence patterns of species. We found that light is a limiting factor in the baths environment, that moving along sites equals moving along an irradiation gradient, and that such gradient shapes the community structure, de facto separating a dark community, rich in Bacteria, Fungi and cyanobacteria, from two dim communities, rich in Chlorophyta. Almost all sites are dominated by photoautotrophs, with Fungi and Bacteria relegated to the role of rare species., and structural properties of biofilms are not consistent within the same substrate. We conclude that the Herculaneum suburban baths are an environment-shaped community, where one dark community (plaster) and one dim community (mortar) provides species to a “midway” community (marble)

An Ecotoxicological Evaluation of Four Fungal Metabolites with Potential Application as Biocides for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage

Biocides based on chemical synthetic compounds have been commonly used to counteract damages caused by microorganisms on stone cultural heritage. However, in the last few years, the use of commercial and traditional biocides has been banned and/or limited due to their dangerous profile for the environment, as well as human and animal health. Natural products could be used as suitable alternatives for cultural heritage purposes, as they have low toxicity and stability compared with synthetic pesticides. Even if most of the investigated solutions have already shown promising results, their efficiency, ecotoxicological, and chemical features are poorly investigated. In this manuscript, we aimed to evaluate the ecotoxicological profile of four fungal metabolites—namely, cavoxin, epiepoformin, seiridin, and sphaeropsidone—with potential antimicrobial properties for monumental artworks. A battery of ecotoxicological tests using Aliivibrio fischeri (bacterium), Raphidocelis subcapitata (alga), Raphanus sativus L. (macrophyte), Daphnia magna (crustacean), and Caenorhabditis elegans (nematode) revealed a relative lower toxicity of these compounds, especially when compared with Preventol® and Rocima®, commercial biocides mainly used for the conservation of cultural heritage

Alien Domains Shaped the Modular Structure of Plant NLR Proteins

Plant innate immunity mostly relies on nucleotide-binding (NB) and leucine-rich repeat (LRR) intracellular receptors to detect pathogen-derived molecules and to induce defense responses. A multitaxa reconstruction of NB-domain associations allowed us to identify the first NB-LRR arrangement in the Chlorophyta division of the Viridiplantae. Our analysis points out that the basic NOD-like receptor (NLR) unit emerged in Chlorophytes by horizontal transfer and its diversification started from Toll/interleukin receptor-NB-LRR members. The operon-based genomic structure of Chromochloris zofingiensis NLR copies suggests a functional origin of NLR clusters. Moreover, the transmembrane signatures of NLR proteins in the unicellular alga C. zofingiensis support the hypothesis that the NLR-based immunity system of plants derives from a cell-surface surveillance system. Taken together, our findings suggest that NLRs originated in unicellular algae and may have a common origin with cell-surface LRR receptors

Extending the temporal context of ethnobotanical databases: the case study of the Campania region (southern Italy)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ethnobotanical studies generally describe the traditional knowledge of a territory according to a "hic et nunc" principle. The need of approaching this field also embedding historical data has been frequently acknowledged. With their long history of civilization some regions of the Mediterranean basin seem to be particularly suited for an historical approach to be adopted. Campania, a region of southern Italy, has been selected for a database implementation containing present and past information on plant uses.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A relational database has been built on the basis of information gathered from different historical sources, including diaries, travel accounts, and treatises on medicinal plants, written by explorers, botanists, physicians, who travelled in Campania during the last three centuries. Moreover, ethnobotanical uses described in historical herbal collections and in Ancient and Medieval texts from the Mediterranean Region have been included in the database.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>1672 different uses, ranging from medicinal, to alimentary, ceremonial, veterinary, have been recorded for 474 species listed in the data base. Information is not uniformly spread over the Campanian territory; Sannio being the most studied geographical area and Cilento the least one. About 50 plants have been continuously used in the last three centuries in the cure of the same affections. A comparison with the uses reported for the same species in Ancient treatises shows that the origin of present ethnomedicine from old learned medical doctrines needs a case-by-case confirmation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The database is flexible enough to represent a useful tool for researchers who need to store and compare present and previous ethnobotanical uses from Mediterranean Countries.</p