Plastid genomes of Elaeagnus mollis: comparative and phylogenetic analyses.

Plastomes, which are maternally inherited and show a moderate rate of evolution, play a critical role in phylogenetic reconstruction and assignment of plant species. However, little is known about the sequence divergence and molecular evolutionary patterns of plastid genomes in Elaeagnus mollis, a plant of great economic, medicinal, edible and ecological values. The plastid genome of E. mollis is 152,224-bp long and has 47 repeat sequences, including tandem (17), dispersed (12), and palindromic (18) types of repeat variations. Here, we reported six divergence hotspots (atpH-atpI, petN-psbM, trnT-psbD, trnP-psaJ, rpl32-trnL and ycf1) that could potentially be used as molecular genetic markers for population genetics and phylogenetic studies of E. mollis. A comparison of plastid genomes in the order Rosales showed that the trnH gene was duplicated only in Elaeagnaceae; therefore, it is an important marker in Elaeagnaceae. Phylogenetic analyses based on whole plastid genome sequences in 33 species revealed that Rosales is divided into two strongly supported clades and that the families Elaeagnaceae and Barbeyaceae are closely related.

The Chloroplast Genome of Elaeagnus macrophylla and trnH Duplication Event in Elaeagnaceae.

Elaeagnaceae, which harbor nitrogen-fixing actinomycetes, is a plant family of the Rosales and sister to Rhamnaceae, Barbeyaceae and Dirachmaceae. The results of previous molecular studies have not strongly supported the families of Elaeagnaceae, Rhamnaceae, Barbeyaceae and Dirachmaceae. However, chloroplast genome studies provide valuable phylogenetic information; therefore, we determined the chloroplast genome of Elaeaganus macrophylla and compared it to that of Rosales such as IR junction and infA gene. The chloroplast genome of Elaeagnus macrophylla is 152,224 bp in length and the infA gene of E. macrophylla was psuedogenation. Phylogenetic analyses based on 79 genes in 30 species revealed that Elaeagnus was closely related to Morus. Comparison of the IR junction in six other rosids revealed that the trnH gene contained the LSC region, whereas E. macrophylla contained a trnH gene duplication in the IR region. Comparison of the LSC/IRb (JLB) and the IRa/LSC (JLA) regions of Elaeagnaceae (Elaeagnus and Shephedia) and Rhamnaceae (Rhamnus) showed that trnH gene duplication only occurred in the Elaeagnaceae. The complete chloroplast genome of Elaeagnus macrophylla provides unique characteristics in rosids. The infA gene has been lost or transferred to the nucleus in rosids, while E. macrophylla lost the infA gene. Evaluation of the chloroplast genome of Elaeagnus revealed trnH gene duplication for the first time in rosids. The availability of Elaeagnus cp genomes provides valuable information describing the relationship of Elaeagnaceae, Barbeyaceae and Dirachmaceae, IR junction that will be valuable to future systematics studies.

[Study on Identification of Three Medicinal Plant Leaves from Elaeagnus Genus by Infrared Spectroscopy].

OBJECTIVE: To study and identify the three species of dry medicinal plant leaves trom Elaeagnus genus (E. pungens, E. lanceolata and E. henryi) by Infrared Spectroscopy(IR). METHODS: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and second derivative infrared spectroscopy were used to study and compare the characteristics of leaves of three Elaeagnus medicinal plants. RESULTS: The IR spectra and second derivative infrared spectra of the three Elaeagnus plants leaves were similar on the whole, the intensity or ratio of intensity of some absorption peaks still had certain distinctions, and the differences of the second derivative infrared spectra were more obvious. There were only slight differences between large and small leaf type of samples of Elaeagnus lanceolata; the differences of the plant leaves of one species collected in different harvest periods were far smaller than those of others belonging to the same genus. CONCLUSION: IR can be relatively reliably used for identification of the three Elaeagnus leaves.

Distribution and content of ellagitannins in Finnish plant species.

The results of a screening study, in which a total of 82 Finnish plant species were studied for their ellagitannin composition and content, are presented. The total ellagitannin content was determined by HPLC-DAD, the detected ellagitannins were further characterized by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS and divided into four structurally different sub-groups. Thirty plant species were found to contain ellagitannins and the ellagitannin content in the crude extracts varied from few mgg(-1) to over a hundred mgg(-1). Plant families that were rich in ellagitannins (>90mgg(-1) of the crude extract) were Onagraceae, Lyhtraceae, Geraniaceae, Elaeagnaceae, Fagaceae and some species from Rosaceae. Plant species that contained moderate amounts of ellagitannins (31-89mgg(-1) of the crude extract) were representatives of the family Rosaceae. Plant species that contained low amounts of ellagitannins (1-30mgg(-1) of the crude extract) were representatives of the families Betulaceae and Myricaceae. The specific ellagitannin composition of the species allowed their chemotaxonomic classification and the comparison between the older Cronquist's classification and the nowadays preferred Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification.

[Identification of original plants of uyghur medicinal materials fructus elaeagni using morphological characteristics and DNA barcode].

Morphology and molecular identification technology were used to identify 3 original plants of Fructus Elaeagni which was commonly used in Uygur medicine. Leaves, flowers and fruits from different areas were selected randomly for morphology research. ITS2 sequence as DNA barcode was used to identify 17 samples of Fructus Elaeagni. The genetic distances were computed by kimura 2-parameter (K2P) model, and the Neighbor-Joining (NJ) and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic trees were constructed using MEGA5.0. The results showed that Elaeagnus angustifolia, E. oxycarpa and E. angustifolia var. orientalis cannot be distinguished by morphological characteristics of leaves, flowers and fruits. The sequence length of ITS2 ranged from 220 to 223 bp, the average GC content was 61.9%. The haplotype numbers of E. angustifolia, E. oxycarpa and E. angustifolia var. orientals were 4, 3, 3, respectively. The results from the NJ tree and ML tree showed that the 3 original species of Fructus Elaeagni cannot be distinguished obviously. Therefore, 3 species maybe have the same origin, and can be used as the original plant of Uygur medicineal material Fructus Elaeagni. However, further evidence of chemical components and pharmacological effect were needed.

Indigenous actinorhizal plants of Australia.

Indigenous species of actinorhizal plants of Casuarinaceae, Elaeagnaceae and Rhamnaceae are found in specific regions of Australia. Most of these plants belong to Casuarinaceae, the dominant actinorhizal family in Australia. Many of them have significant environmental and economical value. The other two families with their indigenous actinorhizal plants have only a minor presence in Australia. Most Australian actinorhizal plants have their native range only in Australia, whereas two of these plants are also found indigenously elsewhere. The nitrogen-fixing ability of these plants varies between species. This ability needs to be investigated in some of these plants. Casuarinas form a distinctive but declining part of the Australian landscape. Their potential has rarely been applied in forestry in Australia despite their well-known uses, which are being judiciously exploited elsewhere. To remedy this oversight, a programme has been proposed for increasing and improving casuarinas that would aid in greening more regions of Australia, increasing the soil fertility and the area of wild life habitat (including endangered species). Whether these improved clones would be productive with local strains of Frankia or they need an external inoculum of Frankia should be determined and the influence of mycorrhizal fungi on these clones also should be investigated.