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Bec N, Larroque C, Armijos C. Exploring Southern Ecuador's Traditional Medicine: Biological Screening of Plant Extracts and Metabolites. Plants (Basel) 2024; 13:1422. [PMID: 38794492 DOI: 10.3390/plants13101422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Ecuador stands as a nation inheriting a profound ancestral legacy in the utilization of medicinal plants, reflective of the rich biodiversity embraced by various ethnic groups. Despite this heritage, many of these therapeutic resources remain insufficiently explored concerning their toxicity and potential pharmacological effects. This study focused on a comprehensive evaluation of cytotoxicity and the potential subcellular targets within various extracts and nine isolated metabolites from carefully selected medicinal plants. Assessing their impact on the breast cancer cell line (MCF7), we subsequently examined the most active fractions for effects on the cell cycle, microtubule network, centrosome duplication, γH2AX foci, and E-cadherin. The investigated crude extracts and isolated compounds from Ecuadorian medicinal plants demonstrated cytotoxic effects, influencing diverse cellular pathways. These findings lend credence to the traditional uses of Ecuadorian medicinal plants, which have served diverse therapeutic purposes. Moreover, they beckon the exploration of the specific chemicals, whether in isolation or combination, responsible for these observed activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Bec
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy (IRMB), Université de Montpellier National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Christian Larroque
- Nephrology Department CHRU Montpellier, Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy (IRMB), Université de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, s/n. AP: 11 01 608, Loja 1101608, Ecuador
| | - Chabaco Armijos
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, s/n. AP: 11 01 608, Loja 1101608, Ecuador
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2
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Vicuña L, Jaramillo-Fierro X, Cuenca PE, Godoy-Paucar B, Inga-Lafebre JD, Chavez Torres JL, García JF, Guaya D, Febres JD. Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Geogrids Manufactured from Recycled Plastics for Slope Stabilization-A Case Study. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1151. [PMID: 38675071 PMCID: PMC11053962 DOI: 10.3390/polym16081151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the sustainable use of recycled plastics, specifically polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), in the manufacture of geogrids for geotechnical and civil engineering applications. Plastics were collected from a recycling center, specifically targeting containers used for food, cleaning products, and other domestic packaging items. These plastics were sorted according to the Möbius triangle classification system, with HDPE (#2) and PP (#5) being the primary categories of interest. The research methodologically evaluates the mechanical properties of PP/HDPE (0/100, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25 and 100/0% w/w) composites through tensile and flexural tests, exploring various compositions and configurations of geogrids. The results highlight the superiority of pure recycled HDPE processed into 1.3 mm thick laminated yarns and hot air welded for 20 to 30 s, exhibiting a deformation exceeding 60% in comparison to the PP/HDPE composites. Through SolidWorks® Simulation, it was shown that the adoption of a trigonal geogrid geometry optimizes force distribution and tensile strength, significantly improving slope stabilization efficiency. Based on the results obtained, a laboratory-scale prototype geogrid was developed using an extrusion process. The results underscore the importance of careful composite design and yarn configuration selection to achieve the desired mechanical properties and performance in geogrid applications. It emphasizes the potential of recycled plastics as a viable and environmentally friendly solution for stabilizing slopes, contributing to the reduction in plastic waste and promoting sustainable construction practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenin Vicuña
- Departamento de Producción, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (L.V.); (P.E.C.); (J.D.I.-L.); (J.D.F.)
| | - Ximena Jaramillo-Fierro
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (J.F.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Paúl Eduardo Cuenca
- Departamento de Producción, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (L.V.); (P.E.C.); (J.D.I.-L.); (J.D.F.)
| | - Brenda Godoy-Paucar
- Carrera de Ingeniería Industrial, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, Loja 1101608, Ecuador;
| | - Jorge Daniel Inga-Lafebre
- Departamento de Producción, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (L.V.); (P.E.C.); (J.D.I.-L.); (J.D.F.)
| | - Jose Luis Chavez Torres
- Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Facultad de Ingenierías y Arquitectura, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, Loja 1101608, Ecuador;
| | - Juan Fernando García
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (J.F.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Diana Guaya
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (J.F.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Juan Diego Febres
- Departamento de Producción, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (L.V.); (P.E.C.); (J.D.I.-L.); (J.D.F.)
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Jaramillo-Fierro X, Cuenca G. Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Hydroxyl and Epoxy Group Effects on Graphene Oxide Properties. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2024; 14:714. [PMID: 38668208 PMCID: PMC11054681 DOI: 10.3390/nano14080714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we analyzed the impact of hydroxyl and epoxy groups on the properties of graphene oxide (GO) for the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) dye from water, addressing the urgent need for effective water purification methods due to industrial pollution. Employing a dual approach, we integrated experimental techniques with theoretical modeling via density functional theory (DFT) to examine the atomic structure of GO and its adsorption capabilities. The methodology encompasses a series of experiments to evaluate the performance of GO in MB dye adsorption under different conditions, including differences in pH, dye concentration, reaction temperature, and contact time, providing a comprehensive view of its effectiveness. Theoretical DFT calculations provide insights into how hydroxyl and epoxy modifications alter the electronic properties of GO, improving adsorption efficiency. The results demonstrate a significant improvement in the dye adsorption capacity of GO, attributed to the interaction between the functional groups and MB molecules. This study not only confirms the potential of GO as a superior adsorbent for water treatment, but also contributes to the optimization of GO-based materials for environmental remediation, highlighting the synergy between experimental observations and theoretical predictions in advances in materials science to improve sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena Jaramillo-Fierro
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, Loja 1101608, Ecuador
| | - Guisella Cuenca
- Ingeniería Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, Loja 1101608, Ecuador;
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Castillo LN, Calva J, Ramírez J, Vidari G, Armijos C. Chemical Analysis of the Essential Oils from Three Populations of Lippia dulcis Trevir. Grown at Different Locations in Southern Ecuador. Plants (Basel) 2024; 13:253. [PMID: 38256806 PMCID: PMC10821391 DOI: 10.3390/plants13020253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
In this investigation, we have analyzed for the first time the essential oils (EOs) isolated by steam distillation of the leaves and flowers of Lippia dulcis Trevir., grown at three different locations in southern Ecuador: the Catacocha canton (Ca), the Vilcabamba parish (Vi), and the Chuquiribamba parish (Ch). Around 98.5% of the oils' constituents were identified by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) analysis using a DB-5ms capillary column. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were predominant in the EOs (79.77, 78.22, and 76.51%, respectively). The most representative constituents of the sample from the Ca canton were β-cedrene (16.75%), δ-selinene (11.04%), and β-cubebene (12.09%), while the sample from the Vi parish was characterized by the abundant presence of β-cedrene (17.9%), δ-selinene (12.52%), and bicyclogermacrene (11.34%). β-Cedrene (18.89%), δ-selinene (11.78%), and δ-cadinene (11.07%) were the main constituents of the essential oil (EO) from the Ch parish. The likely occurrence of low amounts of thermolabile hernandulcin in the volatile oils was indicated by the presence of the fragmentation products 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one and 3-methyl-2-ciclohexen-1-one. In summary, the study gave us a clue to the variability of Lippia dulcis chemotypes depending on the collection sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leydy Nathaly Castillo
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (L.N.C.); (J.C.); (J.R.)
| | - James Calva
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (L.N.C.); (J.C.); (J.R.)
| | - Jorge Ramírez
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (L.N.C.); (J.C.); (J.R.)
| | - Giovanni Vidari
- Department of Medical Analysis, Faculty of Applied Science, Tishk International University, Erbil 44001, Iraq;
| | - Chabaco Armijos
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (L.N.C.); (J.C.); (J.R.)
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Bailon-Moscoso N, Coronel-Hidalgo J, Duarte-Casar R, Guamán-Ortiz LM, Figueroa JG, Romero-Benavides JC. Exploring the Antioxidant Potential of Tragia volubilis L.: Mitigating Chemotherapeutic Effects of Doxorubicin on Tumor Cells. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:2003. [PMID: 38001856 PMCID: PMC10669231 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12112003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Several plants of the genus Tragia L. have shown antibacterial, fungicidal, and antiproliferative activity, among other types of activities; however, most species of the genus have not been investigated. Tragia volubilis L. is native to tropical America and Africa, and although it has been reported as medicinal in the literature, it has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, the phytochemical screening, isolation, and identification of compounds and the determination of the antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract of Tragia volubilis L. and its partitions were carried out. Ethyl acetate and n-butanol partitions of the extract present high antioxidant activity according to the Antioxidant Activity Index. Due to their activity, these partitions were tested on RKO cells as a representative model, both individually and in combination with Doxorubicin. It was found that the partitions significantly reduced the effect of Doxorubicin, as well as the expression of proteins involved in DNA damage and cell death. While the reduction of the chemotherapeutic effect of Doxorubicin on tumor cells may not be a desired outcome in therapeutic settings, the findings of the study are valuable in revealing the antioxidant potential of Tragia volubilis L. and its partitions. This highlights the importance of carefully regulating the application of antioxidants, especially in the context of cancer chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Bailon-Moscoso
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (J.C.-H.); (L.M.G.-O.)
| | - José Coronel-Hidalgo
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (J.C.-H.); (L.M.G.-O.)
- Carrera de Bioquímica y Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 1101608, Ecuador
| | - Rodrigo Duarte-Casar
- Maestría en Química Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 1101608, Ecuador;
- Tecnología Superior en Gestión Culinaria, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador—Sede Manabí, Portoviejo 130103, Ecuador
| | - Luis Miguel Guamán-Ortiz
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (J.C.-H.); (L.M.G.-O.)
| | - Jorge G. Figueroa
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (J.G.F.); (J.C.R.-B.)
| | - Juan Carlos Romero-Benavides
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (J.G.F.); (J.C.R.-B.)
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6
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Solano-Cueva N, Figueroa JG, Loja C, Armijos C, Vidari G, Ramírez J. A Validated HPLC-UV-ESI-IT-MS Method for the Quantification of Carnosol in Lepechinia mutica, a Medicinal Plant Endemic to Ecuador. Molecules 2023; 28:6701. [PMID: 37764477 PMCID: PMC10536308 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The diphenolic diterpene carnosol was isolated from several species of the family Lamiaceae, including Lepechinia mutica, a medicinal plant endemic to Ecuador. The compound has exhibited high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and antifungal properties, as well as promising cytotoxicity against prostate, breast, skin, leukemia, and human colon cancer cell lines. In this paper, we developed and validated a simple, accurate, and reliable analytical HPLC-UV-ESI-IT-MS method, carried out on a C18 column, which is potentially suitable to quantify carnosol in plant extracts. The procedure complied with the established ICH validation parameters of analytical range (linearity in the range of 0.19-5.64 μg/g dried leaves; REAVERGE = 4.9%; R2 = 0.99907), analysis repeatability (RSD = 2.8-3.6%), intermediate precision (RSD = 1.9-3.6%), accuracy (estimated as % carnosol recovery in the range of 81 to 108%), and robustness. Finally, the LOD (0.04 µg/mg) and LOQ (0.19 μg/mg) values of carnosol/dried leaves were determined. Using this validated method, the content of carnosol in L. mutica was estimated to be 0.81 ± 0.04 mg/g of dried leaves (0.081%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalí Solano-Cueva
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (N.S.-C.); (J.G.F.); (C.L.); (C.A.)
| | - Jorge G. Figueroa
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (N.S.-C.); (J.G.F.); (C.L.); (C.A.)
| | - Corina Loja
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (N.S.-C.); (J.G.F.); (C.L.); (C.A.)
| | - Chabaco Armijos
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (N.S.-C.); (J.G.F.); (C.L.); (C.A.)
| | - Giovanni Vidari
- Medical Analysis Department, Faculty of Science, Tishk International University, Erbil 44001, Iraq;
| | - Jorge Ramírez
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 1101608, Ecuador; (N.S.-C.); (J.G.F.); (C.L.); (C.A.)
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Riofrío M, Naranjo C, Mendoza A, Draper D, Marques I. Genetic diversity and structure in two epiphytic orchids from the montane forests of southern Ecuador: The role of overcollection on Masdevallia rosea in comparison with the widespread Pleurothallis lilijae. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290604. [PMID: 37713402 PMCID: PMC10503748 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Ecuador has a high diversity of orchids, but little is known about levels of genetic diversity for the great majority of species. Understanding how orchids might adapt to changes is crucial as deforestation and fragmentation of forest ecosystems threaten the survival of many epiphytic orchids that depend on other species, such as fungi and their host trees, for germination, growth, and establishment. Overcollection and the illegal trade are also major concerns for the survival of wild populations of orchids. Despite increasing awareness, effective interventions are often limited by a lack of data concerning the impacts that overexploitation might have. To fill this gap, we tested the effects of overcollection in the genetic diversity and structure of Masdevallia rosea, a narrow distributed epiphytic orchid historically collected in Ecuador, in comparison with the widely distributed Pleurothallis lilijae. Genotyping based on AFLPs showed reduced levels of diversity in wild populations but most especially in the overcollected, M. rosea. Overall, genetic admixture was high in P. lilijae segregating populations by altitude levels while fewer genetic groups were found in M. rosea. Genetic differentiation was low in both species. A spatial genetic structure was found in P. lilijae depending on altitude levels, while no spatial genetic structure was found in M. rosea. These results suggest different scenarios for the two species: while gene flow over long distance is possible in P. lilijae, the same seems to be unlikely in M. rosea possibly due to the low levels of individuals in the known populations. In situ and ex situ conservation strategies should be applied to protect the genetic pool in these epiphytic orchid species, and to promote the connectivity between wild populations. Adopting measures to reduce overexploitation and to understand the impacts of harvesting in wild populations are necessary to strengthen the legal trade of orchids.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Riofrío
- Department of Biology Sciences, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Carlos Naranjo
- Department of Biology Sciences, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Alberto Mendoza
- Department of Biology Sciences, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
| | - David Draper
- CE3C - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Isabel Marques
- Forest Research Centre (CEF) & Associate Laboratory TERRA, Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Tene T, Vinueza-Naranjo PG, Cevallos Y, Arias Arias F, La Pietra M, Scarcello A, Salazar YC, Polanco MA, Straface S, Vacacela Gomez C, Caputi LS, Bellucci S. Temperature-Dependent Optical Properties of Oxidized Graphenes. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2023; 13:2263. [PMID: 37570581 PMCID: PMC10421430 DOI: 10.3390/nano13152263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we investigate how changing important synthesis-related parameters can affect and control the optical characteristics of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). These parameters include drying time and reduction time at two different temperatures. We obtain an understanding of their impact on optical transitions, optical bandgap, absorption coefficient, and absorbance spectrum width by analyzing these factors. Accordingly, GO has an optical bandgap of about 4 eV, which is decreased by the reduction process to 1.9 eV. Both GO and rGO display greater absorption in the visible spectrum, which improves photon capture and boosts efficiency in energy conversion applications. Additionally, our results show that GO and rGO have higher absorption coefficients than those previously reported for dispersions of exfoliated graphene. Defects in GO and rGO, as well as the presence of functional oxygen groups, are the main contributors to this increased absorption. Several measurements are carried out, including spectroscopic and morphological studies, to further support our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talia Tene
- Department of Chemistry, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110160, Ecuador
| | | | - Yesenia Cevallos
- College of Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo, Riobamba 060108, Ecuador
- Diego de Robles y Vía Interoceánica, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito 170901, Ecuador
| | - Fabian Arias Arias
- Facultad de Ciencias, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH), Riobamba 060155, Ecuador
| | - Matteo La Pietra
- INFN—Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, 00044 Frascati, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Andrea Scarcello
- UNICARIBE Research Center, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
- Surface Nanoscience Group, Department of Physics, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Cubo 33C, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Yolenny Cruz Salazar
- UNICARIBE Research Center, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
- Surface Nanoscience Group, Department of Physics, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Cubo 33C, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Melvin Arias Polanco
- Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo, Área de Ciencias Básicas y Ambientales, Av. Los Próceres, Santo Domingo 10602, Dominican Republic
| | - Salvatore Straface
- Department of Environmental Engineering (DIAm), University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Cubo 42B, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | | | - Lorenzo S. Caputi
- UNICARIBE Research Center, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
- Surface Nanoscience Group, Department of Physics, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Cubo 33C, 87036 Rende, Italy
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9
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Maldonado YE, Figueroa JG. Microwave-Assisted Extraction Optimization and Effect of Drying Temperature on Catechins, Procyanidins and Theobromine in Cocoa Beans. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28093755. [PMID: 37175166 PMCID: PMC10180166 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28093755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao L.) are an important source of polyphenols. Nevertheless, the content of these compounds is influenced by post-harvest processes. In this sense, the concentration of polyphenols can decrease by more than 50% during drying. In this study, the process of procyanidins extraction was optimized and the stability of catechins, procyanidins, and theobromine to different drying temperatures was evaluated. First, the effectiveness of methanol, ethanol, acetone, and water as extract solvents was determined. A Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology were used to optimize the Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) process. The ratios of methanol-water, time, and temperature of extraction were selected as independent variables, whereas the concentration of procyanidins was used as a response variable. Concerning the drying, the samples were dried using five temperatures, and a sample freeze-dried was used as a control. The quantitative analyses were carried out by HPLC-DAD-ESI-IT-MS. The optimal MAE conditions were 67 °C, 56 min, and 73% methanol. Regarding the drying, the maximum contents of procyanidins were obtained at 40 °C. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the stability of dimers, trimers, and tetramers of procyanidins on drying temperature was evaluated. In conclusion, drying at 40 °C presented better results than the freeze-drying method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yessenia E Maldonado
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), Calle Marcelino Champagnat s/n, Loja 110107, Ecuador
| | - Jorge G Figueroa
- Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), Calle Marcelino Champagnat s/n, Loja 110107, Ecuador
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10
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Ruiz L, Carrión-Paladines V, Vega M, López F, Benítez Á. Biological Crust Diversity Related to Elevation and Soil Properties at Local Scale in a Montane Scrub of Ecuador. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9030386. [PMID: 36983554 PMCID: PMC10058557 DOI: 10.3390/jof9030386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The montane shrublands of southern Ecuador represent one of the least studied ecosystems, which in the last decade have been seriously threatened by increasing wildfires, deforestation, overgrazing, and conversion to forest plantations. Our main objective was to determine, at the local scale, the diversity of species composing the biological soil crust (BSC) at three elevations (2100, 2300, and 2500 m.a.s.l.) and their possible relationships with soil physical and chemical properties in montane shrublands. For this purpose, three monitoring plots of 100 m2 were established at each elevation, and within each plot, 20 subplots were established (180 subplots sampled in total). In addition, composite soil samples were collected at a depth of 0 to 10 cm, and some physical and biochemical parameters (e.g., bulk density, texture, pH, organic matter, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and potassium) of the soil were analyzed. The results show 35 species (23 lichens, 10 bryophytes and 2 cyanobacteria) at three elevations with a bell-shaped or hump-shaped distribution pattern. This allowed us to point out that the species richness was higher at the intermediate elevations and that the composition showed significant differences in the three elevations related to soil factors. Elevation and soil drivers may help to better chose the more suitable biological soil crust (lichen-dominated and bryophyte-dominated BSC) for the management and conservation of the montane scrub of Ecuador, which is strongly threatened by human activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslye Ruiz
- Carrera de Biología, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja 1101608, Ecuador
| | - Vinicio Carrión-Paladines
- Biodiversidad de Ecosistemas Tropicales-BIETROP, Herbario HUTPL, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja 1101608, Ecuador
| | - Marlon Vega
- Carrera de Biología, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja 1101608, Ecuador
| | - Fausto López
- Carrera de Biología, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja 1101608, Ecuador
| | - Ángel Benítez
- Carrera de Biología, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja 1101608, Ecuador
- Biodiversidad de Ecosistemas Tropicales-BIETROP, Herbario HUTPL, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja 1101608, Ecuador
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Székely P, Székely D, Ordóñez-Delgado L, Armijos-Ojeda D, Vörös J. Our unknown neighbor: A new species of rain frog of the genus Pristimantis (Amphibia: Anura: Strabomantidae) from the city of Loja, southern Ecuador. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258454. [PMID: 34705824 PMCID: PMC8550592 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a new species of rain frog of the genus Pristimantis from the city of Loja, Southern Ecuador, based on an integrative taxonomy approach, combining molecular, morphological and bioacoustics data. Pristimantis lojanus sp. nov. is a medium sized species of the phylogenetically strongly supported P. phoxocephalus group, and its sister species is P. torresi. The new species can be easily distinguished from its closest congeners and morphologically similar species (that also have acuminate snout with a fleshy keel) by its characteristic advertisement call and morphological features (dorsum finely tuberculate with scattered larger tubercles, flanks without longitudinal lateral folds, no markings in axilla, groin or on concealed limb surfaces, and bronze iris). Additionally, we describe the advertisement call of its sister species, P. torresi. Finally, we detail the current situation of the amphibian species present in the city of Loja and its surroundings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Székely
- Museo de Zoología, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Laboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Servicios Ecosistémicos (EcoSs-Lab), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Diana Székely
- Museo de Zoología, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Laboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Servicios Ecosistémicos (EcoSs-Lab), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
- * E-mail:
| | - Leonardo Ordóñez-Delgado
- Museo de Zoología, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Laboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Servicios Ecosistémicos (EcoSs-Lab), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
- Programa de Doctorado en Conservación de Recursos Naturales, Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego Armijos-Ojeda
- Museo de Zoología, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Laboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Servicios Ecosistémicos (EcoSs-Lab), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
- Programa de Doctorado en Conservación de Recursos Naturales, Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Judit Vörös
- Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest, Hungary
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Valle D, Griffith DM, Jara-Guerrero A, Armijos-Ojeda D, Espinosa CI. A multifaceted approach to understanding bat community response to disturbance in a seasonally dry tropical forest. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5667. [PMID: 33707588 PMCID: PMC7970956 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85066-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Given widespread habitat degradation and loss, reliable indicators are needed that provide a comprehensive assessment of community response to anthropogenic disturbance. The family Phyllostomidae (Order Chiroptera) has frequently been the focus of research evaluating bats' response to habitat disturbance in seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs). However, few studies compare this family to the larger bat assemblage to assess its efficacy as a bioindicator. We compared community and species-specific attributes of understory phyllostomid and all understory bat species: (1) along a gradient of habitat disturbance within a human-modified SDTF landscape; and (2) between forest and riparian habitats within each disturbance level. We captured 290 individuals belonging to 13 species and 4 families. Phyllostomid species exhibited greater sensitivity to disturbance than the understory bat community as a whole based on richness and beta diversity. Both groups were more sensitive to disturbance in forest than riparian habitat, but phyllostomid species were more likely to be lost from highly disturbed forest habitat. The two dominant species declined in abundance with disturbance but variation in body condition was species-specific. These results suggest that Phyllostomidae are more effective indicators of human disturbance in SDTF than the understory bat community as a whole and evaluation of bats' response to disturbance is best accomplished with a multifaceted approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darwin Valle
- Maestría de Biología de la Conservación y Ecología Tropical, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, 1101608, Loja, Ecuador
- EcoSs_Lab, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, 1101608, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Daniel M Griffith
- EcoSs_Lab, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, 1101608, Loja, Ecuador.
| | - Andrea Jara-Guerrero
- EcoSs_Lab, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, 1101608, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Diego Armijos-Ojeda
- EcoSs_Lab, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, 1101608, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Carlos I Espinosa
- EcoSs_Lab, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, 1101608, Loja, Ecuador
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Knoke T, Paul C, Rammig A, Gosling E, Hildebrandt P, Härtl F, Peters T, Richter M, Diertl KH, Castro LM, Calvas B, Ochoa S, Valle-Carrión LA, Hamer U, Tischer A, Potthast K, Windhorst D, Homeier J, Wilcke W, Velescu A, Gerique A, Pohle P, Adams J, Breuer L, Mosandl R, Beck E, Weber M, Stimm B, Silva B, Verburg PH, Bendix J. Accounting for multiple ecosystem services in a simulation of land-use decisions: Does it reduce tropical deforestation? Glob Chang Biol 2020; 26:2403-2420. [PMID: 31957121 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 12/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Conversion of tropical forests is among the primary causes of global environmental change. The loss of their important environmental services has prompted calls to integrate ecosystem services (ES) in addition to socio-economic objectives in decision-making. To test the effect of accounting for both ES and socio-economic objectives in land-use decisions, we develop a new dynamic approach to model deforestation scenarios for tropical mountain forests. We integrate multi-objective optimization of land allocation with an innovative approach to consider uncertainty spaces for each objective. These uncertainty spaces account for potential variability among decision-makers, who may have different expectations about the future. When optimizing only socio-economic objectives, the model continues the past trend in deforestation (1975-2015) in the projected land-use allocation (2015-2070). Based on indicators for biomass production, carbon storage, climate and water regulation, and soil quality, we show that considering multiple ES in addition to the socio-economic objectives has heterogeneous effects on land-use allocation. It saves some natural forest if the natural forest share is below 38%, and can stop deforestation once the natural forest share drops below 10%. For landscapes with high shares of forest (38%-80% in our study), accounting for multiple ES under high uncertainty of their indicators may, however, accelerate deforestation. For such multifunctional landscapes, two main effects prevail: (a) accelerated expansion of diversified non-natural areas to elevate the levels of the indicators and (b) increased landscape diversification to maintain multiple ES, reducing the proportion of natural forest. Only when accounting for vascular plant species richness as an explicit objective in the optimization, deforestation was consistently reduced. Aiming for multifunctional landscapes may therefore conflict with the aim of reducing deforestation, which we can quantify here for the first time. Our findings are relevant for identifying types of landscapes where this conflict may arise and to better align respective policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Knoke
- Institute of Forest Management, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Carola Paul
- Institute of Forest Management, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Department of Forest Economics and Sustainable Land-use Planning, Georg-August University Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Anja Rammig
- Professorship for Land Surface-Atmosphere Interactions, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Elizabeth Gosling
- Institute of Forest Management, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Patrick Hildebrandt
- Institute of Forest Management, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Institute of Silviculture, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Fabian Härtl
- Institute of Forest Management, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Thorsten Peters
- Institute of Geography, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Richter
- Institute of Geography, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Karl-Heinz Diertl
- Institute of Geography, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Luz Maria Castro
- Institute of Forest Management, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Department of Economics, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Baltazar Calvas
- Institute of Forest Management, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Department of Economics, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
- Facultad de Ciencias Pecuarias, Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo, Quevedo, Ecuador
| | - Santiago Ochoa
- Institute of Forest Management, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Department of Economics, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Liz Anabelle Valle-Carrión
- Institute of Forest Management, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- Department of Economics, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Ute Hamer
- Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Muenster, Münster, Germany
| | - Alexander Tischer
- Institute of Geography, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Karin Potthast
- Institute of Geography, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - David Windhorst
- Institute for Landscape Ecology and Resources Management, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Homeier
- Plant Ecology and Ecosystems Research, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wilcke
- Institute of Geography and Geoecology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Andre Velescu
- Institute of Geography and Geoecology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Andres Gerique
- Institute of Geography, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Perdita Pohle
- Institute of Geography, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julia Adams
- Department of Plant Physiology and Bayreuth Centre of Ecology and Environmental Research, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Lutz Breuer
- Institute for Landscape Ecology and Resources Management, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Centre for International Development and Environmental Research (ZEU), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Reinhard Mosandl
- Institute of Silviculture, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Erwin Beck
- Department of Plant Physiology and Bayreuth Centre of Ecology and Environmental Research, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Michael Weber
- Institute of Silviculture, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Bernd Stimm
- Institute of Silviculture, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Brenner Silva
- Laboratory for Climatology and Remote Sensing (LCRS), Faculty of Geography, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Peter H Verburg
- Department of Environmental Geography, Institute for Environmental Studies, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jörg Bendix
- Laboratory for Climatology and Remote Sensing (LCRS), Faculty of Geography, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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Dahlsjö CAL, Valladares Romero CS, Espinosa Iñiguez CI. Termite Diversity in Ecuador: A Comparison of Two Primary Forest National Parks. J Insect Sci 2020; 20:5698565. [PMID: 31916581 PMCID: PMC6950023 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iez129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Termites are one of the key ecosystem engineers in tropical forests where they play a major role in decomposition rates, both above and belowground. The interest in termite ecology and biogeography has increased in the last few decades; however, the lack of comparable data has limited the wider impact of termite research. For Ecuador, termite studies are relatively rare and comparable data that are collected using standardized sampling methods are missing. In this study, we aim to 1) provide comparable data of termite species and feeding-group diversity from two primary forests in Ecuador and 2) explore the differences in termite species and feeding-group diversity between the two forest sites. Sampling took place in the national parks of Yasuní and Podocarpus where three belt transects (100 × 2 m) following Jones and Eggleton (2000) were conducted in each forest. We found that termite species richness was higher in Yasuní (56 species) than in Podocarpus (24 species) and that 57% of the sampled termite genera had never previously been recorded in Ecuador. The inter-site species dissimilarity was almost complete (Bray Curtis (±SD), 0.91 ± 0.01), which may have been linked to the difference in tree density and species richness in the two forests. Termite feeding-groups diversity was significantly higher in Yasuní than in Podocarpus with the exception of soil-feeding termites which may have been due to competition between humus- and soil-feeding species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia A L Dahlsjö
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, United Kingdom
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López V, Paladines B, Vaca S, Cacho R, Fernández-Montalvo J, Ruisoto P. Psychometric properties and factor structure of an Ecuadorian version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) in college students. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219618. [PMID: 31291363 PMCID: PMC6619822 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is the gold standard in assessing harmful alcohol intake, which is responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties and factor structure of an Ecuadorian adaptation of a Spanish translation of the AUDIT in a large sample of college students in Ecuador. METHODS A total of 7905 students, including 46.26% males, and 53.75% females, from 11 universities in Ecuador, were surveyed. The questionnaire was tested for two- and three-factor structures, reliability, and correlations with other health related measures. RESULTS The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test for sampling adequacy was satisfactory (.0885), and Bartlett´s test for sphericity was significant (p < .001). Although both models showed a good fit to the data, the two-factor model was preferred based on the high correlations between the factors 2 and 3 within the three-factor model (.86 for the total sample, .77 for females, and .91 for males). The reliability for the two-factor model was good, as indicated by Cronbach´s α = .806 (factor I) and .716 (factor II) for the total sample, .808 (factor I) and .667 (factor II) for females, and .787 (factor I) and .728 (factor II) for males. Additionally, the AUDIT scores positively correlated with several health-related measures: stress, psychological inflexibility, loneliness and depression/anxiety symptomatology. CONCLUSION The Ecuadorian adaptation of the Spanish version of the AUDIT has good reliability, and internal consistency and correlates with other health related measures, proving to be a reliable tool that can be used by researchers and clinicians to screen hazardous alcohol intake in college students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor López
- Department of Psychology, Technical Particular University of Loja, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Belén Paladines
- Department of Psychology, Technical Particular University of Loja, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Silvia Vaca
- Department of Psychology, Technical Particular University of Loja, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Raúl Cacho
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Pablo Ruisoto
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Tandazo-Yunga JV, Ruiz-González MX, Rojas JR, Capa-Mora ED, Prohens J, Alejandro JD, Acosta-Quezada PG. The impact of an extreme climatic disturbance and different fertilization treatments on plant development, phenology, and yield of two cultivar groups of Solanum betaceum Cav. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0190316. [PMID: 29287099 PMCID: PMC5747456 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Changing climatic conditions impose a challenge both to biodiversity and food security. The effects of climate change affect different aspects of the plant or crop, such as morphological and phenological aspects, as well as yield. The effects of greenhouse conditions might be comparable in some cases to a permanent extreme disturbance in climate and weather, thus, contributing to our knowledge on climate change impacts on plant species. We have investigated the differences for 23 traits in two cultivar groups of an Andean traditional crop, Solanum betaceum, under two different environmental conditions that correspond to the traditional practices in the open field and three cultural managements under greenhouse conditions (no fertilization or control, organic, and mineral). We found that traditional practices in the open field are the less productive. Moreover, in warmer and drier conditions the treatment with organic fertilization was the most productive. Greenhouse conditions, however, delay production. We further identified traits that differentiate both cultivar groups and traits that are linked to either the new climate conditions or the fertilization treatments. Fruit characteristics were quite homogeneous between the two cultivar groups. Overall, our results provide insight on the consequences that climate change effects might exert on crops such as tree tomato, reveal that greenhouses can be a robust alternative for tree tomato production, and highlight the need to understand how different managements are linked to different solutions to fulfil the farmers’ demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joffre V. Tandazo-Yunga
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Mario X. Ruiz-González
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja, Ecuador
- Proyecto Prometeo SENESCYT—Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja—UTPL, Departamento de CC. Biológicas, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja, Ecuador
- * E-mail:
| | - Jacqueline R. Rojas
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Edwin D. Capa-Mora
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Jaime Prohens
- Instituto de Conservación y Mejora de la Agrodiversidad Valenciana, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera 14, Valencia, Spain
| | - José D. Alejandro
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Pablo G. Acosta-Quezada
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto s/n, Loja, Ecuador
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Tinitana F, Rios M, Romero-Benavides JC, de la Cruz Rot M, Pardo-de-Santayana M. Medicinal plants sold at traditional markets in southern Ecuador. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2016; 12:29. [PMID: 27380631 PMCID: PMC4934001 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-016-0100-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The traditional markets in southern Ecuador and within the Andean region are especially important for plant resource trading among local people, even since before Spanish colonization; therefore, ethnobotanical studies are currently necessary and important. These strategic spaces persist for the traditional medicine cultural value reflected in the higher consumption of medicinal plants, which span all socioeconomic levels of rural and urban people. The purpose of this study includes the following: 1) to create a novel list of medicinal plants sold at 33 traditional markets; 2) to establish medicinal plant use agreement amongst vendors with the Factor of Informant Consensus (FIC); and 3) to determine the most sold medicinal plant species using the Fidelity Level (FL). METHODS This study focus on traditional markets ethnobotany utilizes the largest sample of medicinal plants market vendors up to date in Ecuador, interviewing them at 33 traditional markets, located within the Loja province. In order to determine the most sold medicinal plants and their ethnobotanical information, structured questionnaires and personal conversations were conducted with 196 medicinal plant vendors, and voucher specimens were created. Agreement among vendors about the therapeutic use of medicinal plants was measured using the FIC, and the most sold medicinal plant species were assessed with the FL. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION This research registered 160 medicinal plant species, grouped in 126 genera and 57 families that were sold in 33 traditional markets. The uses of medicinal plants in southern Ecuador are related to a long history of traditional medicine health practices that has persisted until today as well as high plant diversity. The 53 therapeutic uses recorded were grouped into 12 medical categories that were adapted from the World Health Organization. Three medical categories shared the highest value for FIC = 0.92, which showed a high level of agreement of market vendors for 57 medicinal plant species sold to treat ailments related with digestive, dermatological, and sensorial systems. The FL index determined 11 culturally important medicinal plant species based on the reported uses by 40 or more market vendors. Two medicinal plant species had an FL = 100 %, Matricaria recutita and Gaiadendrum punctatum, used to treat digestive and respiratory systems ailments. CONCLUSIONS In the Loja province, people continue to consume medicinal plant species sold at local markets to treat somatic and/or psychosomatic health ailments because sociocultural customs are strongly expressed in ancestral practices of wellbeing. When the largest values of FL (60.5 %-100 %) and FIC (0.81-0.92) indexes are combined, they demonstrated agreement among 196 market vendors in the use of seven medicinal plant species that were most sold for the 12 medical categories. This study stresses how important public policies are for the trade and quality of medicinal plant resources, particularly for local people practicing auto-medication. Reasons for the maintenance of traditional markets in southern Ecuador include lower cost of medicinal plants, confidence in traditional medicine, and/or sociocultural environment. In Ecuador, the sustainable management of wild medicinal plants diversity, particularly the most sold, is crucial for its conservation in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fani Tinitana
- />Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, CP: 1101608 Loja, Ecuador
| | - Montserrat Rios
- />Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, Loja, Ecuador
- />Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0430 USA
| | | | - Marcelino de la Cruz Rot
- />Área de Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología y Geología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, C/Tulipán s/n, 28933 Mostoles, Spain
| | - Manuel Pardo-de-Santayana
- />Departamento de Biología (Botánica), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus de Canto Blanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
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