1,721,037 research outputs found
Distribution and ecological role of selected shrubby species in the Mediterranean basin
Full text linkIn many natural and semi-natural habitats trees and shrubs represent two major growth forms (1). In
particular shrublands, which can be considered a mixture of several sclerophyllous shrubs and tree species,
represent a Mediterranean type of vegetation rarely found in other ecosystems. The distribution of shrubs in
an ecosystem is connected to complex ecological processes. Indeed, shrubs provide substrate, food and
shelter for organisms, play an important role in the nutrient cycle providing organic matter input to soils and
they protect watersheds from erosion. Moreover shrubs are very important for many associated species such
as mammals, birds, invertebrates, other plants (that favour thanks to their role of nurse plants), and their
distribution also influences the variety and abundance of mycorrhizal fungi, fundamentals in ecological
terms and nutritional relationships (2). This study represents a review on the ecological role of some selected
Mediterranean shrubby species. In particular the attention is focused on the following species: Amelanchier
ovalis Medik, Astragalus nebrodensis (Guss.) Strobl., Crataegus laciniata Ucria, Lycium intricatum Boiss.,
Prunus spinosa L., and Viburnum tinus L. These species have been selected because they are representative
of different Mediterranean vegetation types, distributed in relation to the bioclimate type and the altitude. In
fact, various habitats have been considered in relation to these species, for example coastal and sub-coastal
environments for Lycium intricatum, sclerophyllous woodlands for Viburnum tinus, mantle vegetation and
pre-forest structures for Amelanchier ovalis, Prunus spinosa and Crataegus laciniata, orophilous thornycushions vegetation for the Sicilian endemic Astragalus nebrodensis. For each species the geographical distribution in the Mediterranean Basin has been investigated, considering its borders according to the limits of Mediterranean climate (3), and the definition of terrestrial ecoregions of the world (4). The species
distribution as well as their taxonomy (especially in relation to the presence of subspecies in the Italian
territory) have been analyzed thanks to a number of scientific publications and web-based sources (e.g. Euro + Med PlantBase, The International Plant Names Index, ILDIS- International Legume Database & Information Service, PAN-European Species directories Infrastructure, Portale della Flora d’Italia, Flora of Greece Web, Anthos, African Plant Database, Silene-Flore database, etc.) at regional, national and
international scale. Moreover for each species distribution maps have been prepared geo-referencing the species location data obtained from the labels of digital herbaria samples of the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, MNHN – Paris, P; Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, W; Herbarium Mediterraneum Panormitanum, PAL; Herbarium Plant Biology Section, CAT; Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum
Berlin-Dahlem, Zentraleinrichtung der Freien Universität Berlin, B, and from the data portal Global
Biodiversity Information Facility- GBIF (always in relation to herbarium samples), also in order to obtain
historical distribution data. The ecological role of species in every ecosystem, but also of their successional
dynamics and their response to global changes and disturbances was investigated making an analysis of the
literature data and also in relation to some botanical aspects and functional traits, available for some of the
studied species, from TRY Plant Trait Database (https://www.try-db.org) and form BROT 2.0 database, for
example: Growth form, Leaf phenology, Spinescence, Flower color, Dispersal mode, Fruit type, Nutritional
relationships (the analysis of these data is in progress especially with regard to mycorrhizal symbioses). This
has allowed to clarify why shrubs are successful in many habitats and to evaluate the critical role that they
play in Mediterranean ecosystems
Use of medicinal mushrooms in the preparation of superfoods for sustainable nutrition and human health
No full textThe interest of research and food industries is being extensively focused on the development of functional foods
able to prevent several diet-related diseases beyond the simple nutritional effects. For these reasons, this PhD
thesis research project is focused on the development of different foods and beverage with enhanced
nutraceutical characteristics, made by addition of medicinal mushrooms extract in the production processes.
Foods and drinks that will be developed include bread, cheese, yogurt, salami, beer and kefir
The 9th International Medicinal Mushrooms Conference - Book of Abstracts: ADVANCES IN MEDICINAL MUSHROOM SCIENCE: BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN WESTERN AND EASTERN MEDICINE
No full textNON DISPONIBIL
Conservation Strategies of the Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom Pleurotus nebrodensis (Basidiomycota, Fungi)
Full text linkPleurotus nebrodensis (Inzenga) Quél. is an edible mushroom appreciated by consumers for its organoleptic characters. It was first described by the mycologist Giuseppe Inzenga as “the most delicious mushroom growing in Sicily”. This taxon, originally described as Agaricus nebrodensis Inzenga, has undergone several changes in the synomy and is recognized as a variety or subspecies within the Pleurotus eryngii (DC.) Quél. species complex. Recent studies demonstrated that P. nebrodensis is
distinct from other taxa related to the P. eryngii complex. The distribution of P. nebrodensis in Europe is limited. The mushroom grows only in Madonie Park (Sicily, Italy) and in Greece, associated with plants of Prangos ferulacea (Lindl.). Several studies demonstrated that the presence of P. nebrodensis in native territories has progressively decreased over the years. Research conducted in Sicily (southern Italy) during the fructification period (April–June 2009) confirmed this negative trend. The decision
to include P. nebrodensis as an endangered (EN) species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species was taken to safeguard the existence of this important taxon. Legal action is needed to stop the overexploitation and collection of unripe basidiomata of P. nebrodensis in the wild. Ex situ cultivation to increase wild production was experimented and preservation of mycelium in the Mycotheca of the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Forest Science (SAAF) of the University of Palermo was
carried out. The in situ conservation strategy can be implemented only if the wild collection is properly managed (picking of ripe mushrooms forbidden in zone A of Madonie Park and collection of unripe mushrooms forbidden in other areas)
The use of native species for urban forestry to prevent allergies
No full textThe persistence of populations migratory flows from the rural to the urban context certainly alter the habits in the connection with nature and, generally, decrease the quality of life and the well-being of inhabits of cities. The pandemic highlighted how crucial is for citizens the connection with nature and the key role of vegetation in parks and gardens defined as a real cultural heritage to be protected and enhanced. It is not important design and develop new green areas only but also to re-evaluate and re-appropriate existing ones. Urban reforestation projects must not be just green restoration actions, but real systematic and structured programs, which consider the whole territory and its complexity. Each “green” action must be integrated inside the territory and connected with the context. The planting of thousands of new trees in the several development plans requires basic and applied research to have adequate material to effectively perform the required functions such as air purification, climate mitigation, water regulation, environmental rehabilitation, etc. (Anguelovski et al. 2018) The identification of native species that can be successfully used for urban landscaping and reforestation in the Mediterranean environment is crucial. Native species have the advantage of already being adapted to the environment in which they will be used, while the exotic species currently used have been selected based on aesthetic characteristics and their resistance, with low consideration of the risks on human health and ecosystem’s biodiversity. One of the most underestimated issues is the allergenicity of species used for urban reforestation. Allergies are the result of a hypersensitive response of the immune system to foreign agents, called allergens, which can be represented by very different substances. (Bro ek et al., 2017) In particular, pollen allergies affect the respiratory system and are characterized by seasonality and recurrence during the year, determined by the cycle of plants that produce and release into the environment the different types of pollen, large quantities of which enter the respiratory tract (Lake et al., 2017). Normally this event does not have consequences, whereas in allergic people the release of pollens and their “migration” causes allergic rhinitis, commonly called hay fever, and in more serious cases it can cause real asthma attacks. (Cariñanos, et al. 2016.) The best fight against allergy is to try to avoid contact with the allergenic substance. For pollen this is very complicated because it means not staying outdoors during the migration period, closing windows and using air filters and air conditioning systems. In order to avoid the worsening of this problem during urban reforestation programs, it is recommended the introduction of species with low pollen emission and low or no allergenicity
Ex situ conservation, enhancement and sustainable use of Pleurotus nebrodensis, a rare species, endemic to Sicily (southern Italy)
No full textPleurotus nebrodensis (Inzenga) Quél. is one of the rare examples of an endemic mushroom in Italy and at the European level. Previous studies have clarified the taxonomy of this taxon and the characteristics of its natural habitat [1, 2]. To safeguard the species, which is included in the EN (Endangered) category of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species and among the TOP 50 Mediterranean Island Plants, in situ and ex situ conservation
actions have been proposed since 2000. These actions are also among the recent activities in SPOKE 3 “From alpha-diversity to citizen science” of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and more specifically in Activity 3.2 “Assess and monitor endangered species/communities, as a consequence of climate change and anthropogenic perturbances”. In addition, in 2023, a project involving the cultivation of P. nebrodensis for food, medicinal and phytoiatric purposes was funded by the Region of Sicily under the 2014-2024 RDP Sicily. This project is aimed at ex situ cultivation of the rare mushroom in a protected environment. To date, in fact, this mushroom is only present in nature in small amounts and fruiting is gradually
declining due to the increase in the number of mushroom hunters and changing climatic conditions that are seriously affecting the conservation of the species. The Research Centers (CORIBIA, CORERAS), the Bari “Aldo Moro University and 7 farms are participating in the project. In addition to the direct partnership, the project will be supported by external partners such as GAL ISC Madonie, restaurants and GDO
Antioxidant properties, total phenolic and flavonoid content of different extracts of the medicinal mushrooms Pleurotus eryngii, Leccinum scabrum, Leccinum versipelle and Pisolithus tinctorius
No full textMushrooms consumption is increasing thanks to the presence in their composition of numerous bioactive compounds. As functional foods, mushrooms, represent a valid alternative to other foodstuff, for a balanced healthy nutrition for both humans and animals [1]. Medicinal mushrooms, represent a rich source of antioxidant compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, and polysaccharides. In this survey, four species of medicinal mushrooms, Pisolithus tinctorius, Pleurotus eryngii, Leccinum scabrum, and L. versipelle were compared for their antioxidant activity and for the content of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Three different extracts were prepared for each mushroom using hot water (HW), ethanol (EtOH), and ethyl acetate (EA) as solvents for extraction. Each extract was tested for free radical scavenging activity, with different concentrations (from 20 mg/mL to 0.1 mg/mL), using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The radical scavenging activity was calculated as percentage of inhibition (%) measuring the absorbance of the blank at 517 nm and the absorbance of the extract sample. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) was used as a positive control. All mushrooms extracts exhibited antioxidant activity, but P. tinctorius showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity for all the tested extracts and at all the concentration, with values ranging from 89.6±1.5 to 55.6±0.7 %, from 91.4±1.1 to 61.4±1.2 % and from 90.9±1.5 to 10.9±1.0% for HW, EtOH and EA, respectively.
Total phenols of extracts were determined according to the Folin-ciocalteu’s assay [2]. The absorbance was measured spectrophotometrically at 760 nm. The content of total phenols was calculated based on the calibration curve of Gallic acid and results were expressed as milligrams of gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per gram of mushroom extract. P. tinctorius exhibited the highest values of total phenolic content for HW and EtOH extract with value of 63.9±0.9, 71.6±0.4 GAE/g, respectively, while
L. scabrum and L. versipelle showed the highest values for AC extract (20.7±0.620.6±0.3 GAE/g, respectively). The quantification of total flavonoid content was conducted following the methodology of Kaewnarin et al., 2008, partially modified [3]. Absorbance was measured at 415 nm and the total flavonoid contents were calculated using a calibration curve of quercetin (QE) equivalents. Results were expressed as mg QE equivalents per gram of mushroom extract. P. eryngii EA extract showed the highest content of flavonoids (65.80±0.85 QE/g), while L. scabrum exhibited the highest values both for HW (17.70±1.13 QE/g) and EtOH (39.85±1.34
QE/g) extracts. Considering the high value of total phenolic compounds, but not of flavonoids, these results suggest that the highest antioxidant activity of P. tinctorius is probably due to other molecules which were not taken into consideration in this investigation, but which need further study in the future. In general, all four tested species exhibited good radical scavenging activity and therefore the possibility of being used as a functional food with high antioxidant properties
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
The Herbarium SAF fungal culture collection as a potential source of nutraceuticals and cultivated mushrooms
No full textThirty-nine strains of Basidiomycetes belonging to 9 genera of 8 families are kept in the Mycotheca of the Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences of the University of Palermo (Italy). All the isolates are related to medicinal mushrooms and some of them are of great commercial and nutraceutical interest
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