Towards an Ecopoetics of Food: Plants, Agricultural Politics, and Colonized Landscapes in Lorine Niedecker’s Condensery

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Niemann
Keyword(s):  
Food Plants ◽  
Agricultural Politics

In vitro antibacterial and antibiotic-potentiation activities of five edible plant extracts and mode of action against several MDR Gram-negative phenotypes

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Carine M.N. Ngaffo ◽  
Simplice B. Tankeo ◽  
Michel-Gael F. Guefack ◽  
Brice E. N. Wamba ◽  
Paul Nayim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Plant Extracts ◽  
Theobroma Cacao ◽  
Efflux Pumps ◽  
Phoenix Dactylifera ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Proton Pumps ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
E Coli

Abstract Background: Bacterial infections involving the multidrug resistant (MDR) strains are among the top leading causes of death throughout the world. Healthcare system across the globe has been suffering from an extra-ordinary burden in terms of looking for the new and more potent antimicrobial compounds. The aim of the present study was to determine the antibacterial activity of some Cameroonian edible plants (Garcinia lucida bark, Phoenix dactylifera pericarps, Theobroma cacao pod, Solanum macrocarpon leaves and Termitomyces titanicus whole plant) and their antibiotics-potentiation effects against some MDR Gram-negative bacteria phenotypes expressing efflux pumps (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Providencia stuartii strains). Methods: The antibacterial activities of plant extract alone and in combination with usual antibiotics were carried out using the micro-dilution method. The effects of the most active plant extract (Garcinia lucida bark) on H+-ATPase-mediated proton pumps and on bacterial growth kinetic were performed using experimental protocols, while qualitative reference methods were used to highligh the major groups of secondary metabolites present in the extracts. Results: Qualitative phytochemical screening of plant extracts indicated that all analysed secondary metabolites were present in Theobroma cacao and Termitomyces titanicus while one (saponins) of them was absent in Garcinia lucida and Solanum macrocarpon. Only three of them (polyphenols, flavonoids and saponins) were detected in Phoenix dactylifera. Antibacterial essays showed that G. lucida was the most active plant as it inhibited the growth of all studied bacteria with strong activity (MIC<100 µg/mL) against E. coli ATCC8739, significant activity (100≤MIC≤512 µg/mL) against 80% of bacteria and moderate activity (512<MIC≤2048 µg/mL) against E. coli AG100A and E. aerogenes (EA289 and CM64). It was followed by T. cacao and S. macrocarpon extracts which exhibited an antibacterial potential against 95% and 80% of bacterial strains, respectively. These three extracts exhibited a bactericidal effect on a few bacteria. Extracts from T. titanicus and P. dactylifera were less active as they moderately (512<MIC≤2048 µg/mL) inhibited the growth of 35% and 10% of bacteria. All extracts selectively potentiated the activities of all antibiotics with improvement activity factors (IAF) ranging from 2 to 256. G. lucida, T. cacao and S. macrocarpon potentiated the activities of 100%, 89% and 67% of antibiotics respectively against more than 70%, suggesting that they contain bioactive compounds which could be considered as efflux pumps inhibitors. Whereas T. titanicus and P. dactylifera improved the activities of almost 40% and 20% of antibiotics, respectively. This increase of activities also characterizes synergistic effects between antibiotics and these bioactive compounds. G. lucida extract at all tested concentrations, strongly inhibited the growth of bacterial strain E. coli ATCC8739 and exhibited an inhibitory effect on this bacterial H+-ATPase-mediated proton pumps increasing the pH of the medium. Conclusion: The overall results indicated that food plants among which G. lucida, T. cacao and S. macrocarpon could have a benefit interest in combatting resistant types of bacteria. Keywords: Food plants; infectious diseases; MDR bacteria; efflux pumps; antibiotics; secondary metabolites.

Characters, distribution, and food plants of leafhopper species in Thamnotettix group

Hilgardia ◽  
1948 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 185-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwight M. DeLong ◽  
Henry H. P. Severin
Keyword(s):  
Food Plants

The Anticholinesterase Activity of Three Local Food Spices and Their Anti-Alzheimer Application

2020 ◽  
Vol 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruqia Bibi ◽  
Saima Gul ◽  
Abdul Wahab ◽  
Mohammad Iqbal Khan ◽  
Murad Ali Khan
Keyword(s):  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Chloroform Extract ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Assay Method ◽  
Inhibiting Activity ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Phytochemical Study ◽  
The World

Background: The incidence of dementia is increasing as the aging population of the world is increasing. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system. There are presently 7.3 million patents of AD and the number may rise to 34 million at this pace in the coming thirty years. In the disease, the level of Acetylcholine is reduced and as a result, causes the loss of cholinergic neurons in the brain. The disease is less common in Asian countries as compared to the western nations of the world. This work aimed to establish the role of the common medicinal and food plants against Alzheimer. Methods: The enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the enzyme responsible for hydrolysis and reduction of Acetylcholine. The anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of different extracts of three local plants used as spices in the daily food, Curcuma longa, Cinnnamomum tamala, and Zingiber officinale, were determined using the Microplate Assay method. Results: The phytochemical study of the selected plants revealed the presence of alkaloids, terpenes, flavones, saponins, and tannins in these plants. The chloroform extract of all the three plants presented promising AChE inhibiting activity having IC50 >200μg/ml. A probable reason will be the alkaloids and terpenes present in the chloroform extract. Conclusion: The chloroform extract of all three plants presented promising AChE inhibiting activity and can become a reasonable therapy for the cure/ prevention of Alzheimer disease. The frequent use of these spices may be a possible reason for the fever incidence of Alzheimer in Asian countries. Further in vivo studies are required to find its action and studies to find the exact compound responsible for the action.

scholarly journals Local knowledge as a tool for prospecting wild food plants: experiences in northeastern Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrícia Muniz de Medeiros ◽  
Gabriela Maria Cota dos Santos ◽  
Déborah Monteiro Barbosa ◽  
Laílson César Andrade Gomes ◽  
Élida Monique da Costa Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Local Knowledge ◽  
Rural Settlement ◽  
Ecological System ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Wild Food ◽  
Wild Food Plants ◽  
Specific Group ◽  
Xanthosoma Sagittifolium

AbstractThis study aims to provide a simple framework to identify wild food plants with potential for popularization based on local knowledge and perception. To this end, we also characterized the distribution of this knowledge in the socio-ecological system. We developed the study in the rural settlement Dom Hélder Câmara in northeastern Brazil. The species with the greatest potential for popularization considering the attributes accessed from local knowledge and perception were Psidium guineense Sw., Genipa americana L., Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott and Dioscorea trifida L.f. However, the high variation in local knowledge on wild food plants suggests that species that are not frequently cited can also be promising. The absence of age or gender-related knowledge patterns indicates that studies for prospecting wild food plants in similar socioecological contexts need to reach the population as a whole, rather than focusing on a specific group.

Natural ‘capsule’ in food plants: Cell wall porosity controls starch digestion and fermentation

2021 ◽  
Vol 117 ◽  
pp. 106657
Author(s):  
Hai-Teng Li ◽  
Si-Qian Chen ◽  
Alexander T. Bui ◽  
Bin Xu ◽  
Sushil Dhital
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Starch Digestion ◽  
Cell Wall Porosity

scholarly journals Wild food plants and fungi sold in the markets of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Łukasz Łuczaj ◽  
Vichith Lamxay ◽  
Khamphart Tongchan ◽  
Kosonh Xayphakatsa ◽  
Kongchay Phimmakong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Wild Edible Plants ◽  
Wild Food ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Wild Food Plants ◽  
Edible Plants ◽  
Important Position ◽  
Open Air Markets

Abstract Background Open air markets hold an important position for ethnobiologists. In Southeast Asia, they are seriously understudied, in spite of their incredible biocultural diversity. In order to fill this gap we recorded plants and fungi sold in the open air markets of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. Methods The markets were visited 38 times in four seasons: the dry season, early monsoon, mid-monsoon, and end-of-monsoon, at least 8 times per season. All items were photographed and voucher specimens were collected. Fungi were identified using DNA barcoding techniques. Results We recorded 110 species of wild edible plants and 54 species of fungi, including 49 wild-collected species. The sold plants included 86 species of green vegetables, 18 species of fruits and 3 species of flowers. Products from woody species constitute around half of all taxa sold. These include the young shoots of tree leaves, which are used for salads—an interesting feature of Lao cuisine. A large number of extremely rare Russula, with no reference sequences represented in databases or even species unknown to science is present on sale in the markets. Conclusions Luang Prabang markets are some of the richest in species of wild edible plants and fungi in Asia, and indeed in the whole world. It is worth pointing out the exceptionally long list of wild edible mushrooms which are sold in Luang Prabang (and probably elsewhere in Laos). We view the Morning Market of Luang Prabang as a cultural treasure that unites the traditions of eating a large number of living species with very diverse flora and fauna. Measures should be taken to strike a balance between local foraging traditions and nature conservation priorities.

scholarly journals The trauma of no-choice: Wild food ethnobotany in Yaghnobi and Tajik villages, Varzob Valley, Tajikistan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Sõukand ◽  
Julia Prakofjewa ◽  
Andrea Pieroni
Keyword(s):  
Global Change ◽  
Local Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Wild Food ◽  
Wild Food Plants ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Wild Food Plant ◽  
Forced Resettlement ◽  
Migration Crisis ◽  
High Level

AbstractDue to global change and the migration crisis both needing rapid attention, there has been growing debate about the drivers of change in the diet of migrants. Our study aimed to evaluate the consequences of forced resettlement on local ecological knowledge related to wild food plants among forcefully resettled Yaghnobi people in Tajikistan. We conducted 49 semi-structured in-depth interviews and recorded 27 wild food taxa and five unidentified folk taxa used by Yaghnobis and Tajiks in the villages surrounding Yaghnob Valley (including families ressetteled from Yaghnob Valley) in central Tajikitsan. The comparision between the two considered groups showed a high level of Tajikisation among Yaghnobis, both those who live alongside Tajiks as well as those living separately. The few families that still have distinct Yaghnobi plant uses are the ones which were given the opportunity to choose the spot in which to relocate and still visit the Yaghnob Valley regularly. On the basis of our study, we suggest that affording a choice of where to relocate is better than no choice, as the loss of motivation also affects the use of wild food plants. Given the pressure of the possible relocation of many groups of people in the light of global change, we suggest focusing efforts on studying similar cases in order to minimize the damage caused to people by relocation. The trauma of forced relocation, even just a few kilometers away, directly or indirectly affects wild food plant use and with this the food security of the community.

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