What is in a name? Scientific name changes of potentially poisonous plants and fungi in South Africa

This brief review is dedicated to the memory of Johannes (Hans) Vahrmeijer (1942/10/25–2021/07/17). Hans Vahrmeijer was a qualified botanist with a keen interest in poisonous plants. In 1981, he published an illustrative guide ‘Poisonous plants of southern Africa that causes stock losses’, Tafelberg Publishers.Changes over the past five decades in the scientific names of some potentially poisonous plants and toxigenic fungi in South Africa are briefly reviewed. Some of the reasons why taxonomists change names are highlighted. In recent years, DNA sequencing data have contributed considerably towards establishing phylogenetic relationships among plants, often resulting in changes in generic circumscription and, consequently, the names of species. Philosophical differences between the phylogenetic and the evolutionary schools of plant classification are briefly explained as these may manifest as different classifications for the same group of plants. Although choice of classification remains the prerogative of the end-user of plant names, in this review, the classifications for plants currently adopted by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) in its online database, Plants of Southern Africa (POSA), were followed. Noteworthy generic changes include Pachystigma to Vangueria, Homeria to Moraea, and Urginia to Drimia. Following much controversy, the species native to southern Africa that were formerly treated as Acacia are now classified in either Vachellia or Senegalia, with the genus name Acacia being retained for the mainly Australian members of the group, the latter commonly known as wattles. Former southern African members of Acacia implicated in poisoning include Vachellia erioloba (camel thorn), Vachellia sieberiana var. woodii (paperbark thorn), and Senegalia caffra (common hook thorn).http://www.jsava.co.zahttp://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/index.phpam2023Paraclinical SciencesPlant Production and Soil Scienc

Boekbespreking

No abstract available

Boekbespreking

No abstract available

Potential Phytopharmacy and Food Applications of Capsicum spp.: A Comprehensive Review

Capsicum genus (Solanaceae) is native to the Americas. Today, it is an important agricultural crop cultivated around the world, not only due to its economic importance, but also for the nutritional value of the fruits. Among their phytochemical constituents, capsaicinoids are characteristic and responsible of the pungency of sharp-tasting cultivars. Moreover, Capsicum and capsaicinoids (mainly, capsaicin) have been largely studied because of their health benefits. Thus, this study reviews the scientific knowledge about Capsicum spp. and their phytochemicals against cancer, diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, pain, and metabolic syndrome, as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. These bioactivities can be the basis of the formulation of functional ingredients and natural preservatives containing Capsicum extracts or isolated compounds

Effect of Grape Maturity and Juice Treatments on Terpene Concentrations and Wine Quality of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Weisser Riesling and Bukettraube

The effect of grape maturity aud different juice treatments, namely free-run, skin-contact, pressing and heat treatment on individual terpene concentrations in Weisser Riesling and Bukettraube juices and wines, as well as on different wine quality parameters, was investigated. Linalool, hotrienol, alpha-terpineol, nerol, geraniol, citronellol, 3,7-dimethylocta-1,5-dien-3,7-diol and the furan and pyran Iinalool oxides were analysed gas chromatographically. Wine quality parameters, such as terpene-like character, cultivar authenticity and overall wine quality of these wines were sensorially evaluated. Increases in grape maturity and the application of juice treatments, like skin-contact and heat treatment, caused significant increases in the concentrations of the majority of terpenes analysed. These changes were, to a limited extent, reflected in the intensities and qualities of some wine characteristics. Heat treatment emerged as the single factor, causing the most prominent increases in terpene concentrations and improvement in overall wine quality

Characterisation of the Aroma of the Hybrid Ferdinand de Lesseps (Vi tis vinifera x Vi tis labrusca)

Freon 11-extracted volatiles of Ferdinand de Lesseps grape juice were studied by capillary gas chromatography, capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-sniffing. The berries were crushed under an inert atmosphere and the juice extracted with Freon 11 for 20 hours.  Thirty-one compounds were reported. The juice was quantitatively characterised mostly by esters, particularly hydroxy esters. These esters are most probably responsible for the sweetish pineapple aroma of Ferdinand de Lesseps grapes whereas o-aminoacetophenone and 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone could contribute to its hybrid note

The palatal rugae in an identification

It is a well established fact that the ruga pattern is as unique to a human as his fingerprints. It has also been found that in cases of severe mutilation and burning where the fingers and other superficial features of the body, including the face, are lost the palatal tissues remain remarkably well preserved. Any dentures which may be present, if they are not expelled from the mouth by concomitant violence at the time of accident or assault also tend to remain unharmed and sheltered by tongue and cheeks. Such dentures could have a proper mark in which case the identity of the victim would not be in any doubt. As denture marking is still spasmodic however other marks such as imprints of palatal rugae can be of use if an ante-mortem record exists. This is the principle which is so important in the identification of dentate individuals whose dental records are extant and obtainable. This report describes the identification of a severely charred edentulous body which had with it a set of dentures which could be compared with another set found in the suspected victim's home.Articl