Identification of black pine (Pinus nigra Arn.) heartwood as a rich source of bioactive stilbenes by qNMR

BACKGROUND: Recently published studies have demonstrated the strong anti-inflammatory properties of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) heartwood extracts, related to its stilbene content. In order to find alternative sources of Pinus heartwood extracts rich in stilbenes, a large number of samples were investigated, using a new developed high-throughput screening method based on quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance. RESULTS: The new method enabled us to measure the levels of pinosylvin, pinosylvin monomethyl ether and pinosylvin dimethyl ether in heartwood extracts in only 45 s per sample. The method was applied to 260 Pinus nigra trees originating from Peloponnese (southern Greece) from four different natural populations of the species. The results obtained showed that the total stilbenoids per dry heartwood weight varied greatly, ranging from 10.9 to 128.2 mg g−1 drywood (average 59.92 ± 21.79 mg g−1 drywood). The major stilbene in all cases was pinosylvin monomethyl ether (40.32 ± 15.55 mg g−1 drywood), followed by pinosylvin (17.07±6.76 mg g−1 drywood) and pinosylvin dimethyl ether (2.54 ± 1.22 mg g−1 drywood). The highest stilbene content of P. nigra samples was found to be 6.3 times higher than the highest reported figure for P. sylvestris L. CONCLUSION: Pinus nigra heartwood is the richest source of pinosylvin and pinosylvin monomethyl ether identified to date and can be considered the best natural resource for production of bioactive extracts. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industr

Conservation dynamique des Ressources Génétiques Forestières dans 33 pays d'Europe

International audienceDynamic conservation of forest genetic resources (FGR) means maintaining the genetic diversity of trees within an evolutionary process and allowing generation turnover in the forest. We assessed the network of forests areas managed for the dynamic conservation of FGR (conservation units) across Europe (33 countries). On the basis of information available in the European Information System on FGR (EUFGIS Portal), species distribution maps, and environmental stratification of the continent, we developed ecogeographic indicators, a marginality index, and demographic indicators to assess and monitor forest conservation efforts. The pan-European network has 1967 conservation units, 2737 populations of target trees, and 86 species of target trees. We detected a poor coincidence between FGR conservation and other biodiversity conservation objectives within this network. We identified 2 complementary strategies: a species-oriented strategy in which national conservation networks are specifically designed for key target species and a site-oriented strategy in which multiple-target units include so-called secondary species conserved within a few sites. The network is highly unbalanced in terms of species representation, and 7 key target species are conserved in 60% of the conservation units. We performed specific gap analyses for 11 tree species, including assessment of ecogeographic, demographic, and genetic criteria. For each species, we identified gaps, particularly in the marginal parts of their distribution range, and found multiple redundant conservation units in other areas. The Mediterranean forests and to a lesser extent the boreal forests are underrepresented. Monitoring the conservation efficiency of each unit remains challenging; however

Complexity of gene resources conservation and utilisation of a differently managed multipurpose tree species (Castanea sativa Mill.): What, where and how to conserve

International audienc

Management of genetic resources of multi-purpose tree species Castanea sativa Mill.

International audienc

Complexity of gene resources conservation and utilisation of a differently managed multipurpose tree species (Castanea sativa Mill.) : what, where and how to conserve

International audienc