Experimental design and sample preparation in forest tree matabolomics

ReviewAppropriate experimental design and sample preparation are key steps in metabolomics experiments, highly influencing the biological interpretation of the results. The sample preparation workflow for plant metabolomics studies includes several steps before metabolite extraction and analysis. These include the optimization of laboratory procedures, which should be optimized for di erent plants and tissues. This is particularly the case for trees, whose tissues are complex matrices to work with due to the presence of several interferents, such as oleoresins, cellulose. A good experimental design, tree tissue harvest conditions, and sample preparation are crucial to ensure consistency and reproducibility of the metadata among datasets. In this review, we discuss the main challenges when setting up a forest tree metabolomics experiment for mass spectrometry (MS)-based analysis covering all technical aspects from the biological question formulation and experimental design to sample processing and metabolite extraction and data acquisition. We also highlight the importance of forest tree metadata standardization in metabolomics studiesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The anatomy as a tool for the identification of the bark of Pterocarpus angolensis and Terminalia sericea

Pterocarpus angolensis and Terminalia sericea are two African species with medicinal potential. Despite the importance of their bark as a powerful astringent to treat various diseases it is poor described. In order to provide referential information for correct identification and standardization of the plant material, bark samples from each two species were collected and analyzed under light and electron microscopy. Some important anatomical features to identification were: the sclerenchyma tissue mostly in form of fibre-sclereids and the large secretory cells arranged in conspicuous rows or tangential bands in the conducting phloem in P. angolensis; the crystalliferous cells arranged in very regular tangential rows (druses) and the occurrence of large crystal cells near or including the tangential fibre bundles in T. sericea bark.The results obtained show that the anatomy of the bark can be used as an important subsidy in identification and standardization of the studied species contributing the scientific knowledge for more effective forms of scrutiny in preventing commercial adulteration of species

Tropical Plant Responses to Climate Change

Editorialinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Characterization of the primary matabolome of Brachystegia boehmii and Colophospermum mopane under different fire regimes in Miombo and Mopane African woodlands

Original ResearchMiombo and Mopane are ecological and economic important woodlands from Africa, highly affected by a combination of climate change factors, and anthropogenic fires. Although most species of these ecosystems are fire tolerant, the mechanisms that lead to adaptive responses (metabolic reconfiguration) are unknown. In this context, the aim of this study was to characterize the primary metabolite composition of typical legume trees from these ecosystems, namely, Brachystegia boehmii (Miombo) and Colophospermum mopane (Mopane) subjected to different fire regimes. Fresh leaves from each species were collected in management units and landscapes across varied fire frequencies in the Niassa National Reserve (NNR) and Limpopo National Park (LNP) in Mozambique. Primary metabolites were extracted and analyzed with a well-established gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry metabolomics platform (GC-TOF-MS). In B. boehmii, 39 primary metabolites were identified from which seven amino acids, two organic acids and two sugars increased significantly, whereas in C. mopane, 41 primary metabolites were identified from which eight amino acids, one sugar and two organic acids significantly increased with increasing fire frequency. The observed changes in the pool of metabolites of C. mopane might be related to high glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) rate, which provided increased levels of amino acids and energy yield. In B. boehmii, the high levels of amino acids might be due to inhibition of protein biosynthesis. The osmoprotectant and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging properties of accumulated metabolites in parallel with a high-energy yield might support plants survival under fire stressinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mechanisms of salt stress tolerance in Casuarina: a review of recent research

ReviewSalinization is a global concern whose extent is predicted to progressively increase over this century. In this context, biosaline agriculture has been included in the set of climate-smart solutions to support sustainable and resilient ecosystems. The Casuarinaceae family is widely known for its intrinsic ability to thrive under saline environments. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying salt-tolerance in this family is of utmost importance for landscape integration and soil rehabilitation. In this mini-review, we present the state of the art of Casuarina research – from gene to ecosystem – in response to salinity, towards green growth and sustainable development. Based on literature retrieval from 2000 to 2021, a general overview of salt-stress tolerance in the Casuarinaceae is presented, and the extent of the contribution of root-nodule and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses, as well as the related eco-physiological and molecular changes are discussedinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Biodiversity Studies in Key Species from the African Mopane and Miombo Woodlands

The Southern African Miombo-Mopane woodlands are globally considered as ecosystems with irreplaceable species endemism, being the most important type of vegetation in the region. Among the approximately 8500 plant species, legume trees play a crucial role in biodiversity dynamics, being also key socioeconomic and environmental players. From the ecological point of view, they contribute significantly to ecosystem’s stability as well as to water, carbon, and energy balance. Additionally, legume species represent an immensurable source of timber and nontimber products. Research in Miombo-Mopane biodiversity has been mainly focused on the analysis of ecosystem drivers by means of ecological parameters and models, lacking interdisciplinary with relevant cross-cutting tools, such as the application of molecular markers to assess genetic diversity within the region. In this chapter, the applications and biodiversity dynamics of typical legume species from Miombo (Brachystegia spp., Julbernardia globiflora, and Pterocarpus angolensis) and Mopane (Colophospermum mopane) are reviewed. Gaps and challenges are also brought forward in the context of the lack of genetic diversity assessments and the need of an effective and coordinated network of interdisciplinary research