Do we truly understand pollination syndromes in Petunia as much as we suppose?

Petunia is endemic to South America grasslands; member of this genus exhibit variation in flower colour and shape, attracting bees, hawkmoths or hummingbirds. This group of plants is thus an excellent model system for evolutionary studies of diversification associated with pollinator shifts. Our aims were to identify the legitimate pollinator of Petunia secreta, a rare and endemic species, and to assess the importance of floral traits in pollinator attraction in this Petunia species. To determine the legitimate pollinator, field observations were conducted, and all floral visitors were recorded and evaluated. We also measured the nectar volume and sugar concentration. To characterize morphological cues for pollinators, we assessed the ultraviolet (UV)-light response in detached flowers, and characterized the floral pigments and pollen volatile scents for four different Petunia species that present different pollination syndromes. Petunia secreta shares the most recent ancestor with a white hawkmoth-pollinated species, P. axillaris, but presents flavonols and anthocyanin pigments responsible for the pink corolla colour and UV-light responses that are common to bee-pollinated Petunia species. Our study showed that a solitary bee in the genus Pseudagapostemon was the most frequent pollinator of P. secreta, and these bees collect only pollen as a reward. Despite being mainly bee-pollinated, different functional groups of pollinators visit P. secreta. Nectar volume, sugar concentration per flower, morphology and components of pollen scent would appear to be attractive to several different pollinator groups. Notably, the corolla includes a narrow tube with nectar at its base that cannot be reached by Pseudagapostemon, and flowers of P. secreta appear to follow an evolutionary transition, with traits attractive to several functional groups of pollinators. Additionally, the present study shows that differences in the volatiles of pollen scent are relevant for plant mutualistic and antagonist interactions in Petunia species and that pollen scent profile plays a key role in characterizing pollination syndromes.

Comparison of soxhlet, ultrasound-assisted and pressurized liquid extraction of terpenes, fatty acids and Vitamin E from Piper gaudichaudianum Kunth.

This paper describes a comparative study of extraction methods of terpenes (terpenic alcohols and phytosterols), fatty acids and Vitamin E from leaves of Piper gaudichaudianum Kunth. The analysis of extracts was done by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. The identification and quantification was made by co-injections of the extract with certified standards. The use of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE; Dionex trade name: ASE, for accelerated solvent extraction) decrease significantly the total time of extraction, the amount of solvent and the manipulation of sample and solvents in comparison with soxhlet (SE) and ultrasound-assisted (USE). In addition, PLE was more effective for the extractions of terpenes (terpenic alcohols and phytosterols), fatty acids and Vitamin E.

Chemical composition of mate tea leaves (Ilex paraguariensis): a study of extraction methods.

The objective of this work was to investigate the extraction of Ilex paraguariensis leaves by means of three extraction techniques: pressurized liquid extraction (PLE, also called accelerated solvent extraction--ASE), maceration, and sonication. Samples of mate tea leaves were collected from an experiment conducted under agronomic control at Indfistria e Comércio de Erva-Mate Barão LTDA, Brazil. Six solvents with increasing polarities (n-hexane, toluene, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, acetone, and methanol) were used in this investigation. Chemical analysis of the extracts was performed by GC coupled with a mass spectrometer detector. The identification and quantification were accomplished by coinjections of certified standards. The results showed that no significant differences in the qualities of the extracts were noticed regarding the extraction methods. On the other hand, the PLE technique was found to be more effective for the extractions of caffeine, phytol, palmitic, and stearic acid. The use of PLE led to a significant decrease in the total extraction time, amount of solvent consumption, and manipulation of samples compared to maceration and ultrasound-assisted extraction methods.