Giant hogweed at its northern distribution limit in North America: Experiments for a better understanding of its dispersal dynamics along rivers

We studied the reproduction and dispersal of giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) at its northern distribution limit in North America (Québec, 2014–2016) to better understand the invasion dynamics of the species along rivers. Seeds were collected from a riparian population to conduct germination, floatation, and dispersal experiments. Data were analysed in comparison with a real invasion case that was initiated about 10 years ago along a river system. In Québec, giant hogweed individuals produce on average 14,000 to 16,000 seeds with a germination rate of 75–85%. Seeds with endosperm that fall in water likely sink within 5 hr. Along a small brook, most disperse over short distances (<40 m) in summer, although some can travel 100–300 m. These data suggest that late‐summer or early‐fall water dispersal of seeds would not explain the magnitude and rapidity of the invasion patterns observed along streams. We suggest that late‐fall and, especially, spring floods are the most efficient dispersal vectors for giant hogweed seeds and are likely responsible for the establishment of populations kilometres downstream from introduction points along river systems. The spread of giant hogweed would consequently be less influenced in the near future by a rise in temperature than by a change in the magnitude or timing of flood events.     

Anticonvulsant activity of furanocoumarins and the essential oil obtained from the fruits of Heracleum crenatifolium

The anticonvulsant activity of furanocoumarins, coumarin mixture and the essential oil obtained from the fruits of Heracleum crenatifolium was examined against maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizures in mice. Bergapten showed significant anticonvulsant activity. The furanocoumarins isolated from the fruits of the plant were identified using thin-layer chromatography, melting points and spectroscopic methods (IR, MS, ¹H NMR) as isobergapten (1), pimpinellin (2), bergapten (3), isopimpinellin (4), sphondin (5) and byak-angelicol (6). The essential oil content of the fruits were found as 5.5%. Twenty-two compounds representing 99.3% of the essential oil obtained from the fruits of H. crenatifolium were determined and the major components were identified as octanol and octyl acetate (3.1% and 88.4% respectively) by GC and GC–MS.     

Seasonal changes of furanocoumarin concentrations in leaves ofHeracleum lanatum

Concentrations of three dermatitis-inducing furanocoumarins— xanthotoxin, bergapten and psoralen—were measured in whole leaves ofHeracleum lanatum and in extracts of the leaf surface over an entire vegetative season. The concentrations of surface furanocoumarins, localized by extraction involving brief dipping in almost-boiling water followed by HPLC quantitative analysis, increased until the middle of May and decreased until maturity. The concentration on autumn leaves (new growth) was 20–100 times as high as the ones in May, or those of similar size in April. Furanocoumarin concentrations in the whole leaf at different stages of leaf development varied, being the highest April 25, then decreasing sharply with rapid leaf enlargement. Again, in the small autumn leaves the coumarin concentration was two to three times that in April. Seasonal changes in surface furanocoumarins may be important in that these compounds are postulated to form the first defense barrier of the plant.     

The Genus Heracleum: A Comprehensive Review on Its Phytochemistry,Pharmacology, and Ethnobotanical Values as a Useful Herb

Heracleum species, also known as hogweed, are traditionally used as food additives, spices, and flavoring agents. Moreover, these plants are widely used in folklore medicine for the treatment of many disorders such as inflammation, flatulence, stomachache, epilepsy, psoriasis, and as carminative, wound healing, antiseptic, antidiarrheal, tonic, digestive, pain killer, analgesic, and anticonvulsant agents. The genus Heracleum has broad pharmacological activities: anti‐inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticholinesterase, anti‐oxidant, antiviral, cytotoxic, and anticarcinogenic. A total of 94 compounds have been isolated from plants of the Heracleum genus, all indicating vital biological activities. Also, about 50 compounds have been identified as major components in their essential oils. The genus is rich in several types of bioactive coumarin compounds, with huge potential for the discovery of new coumarins. Various parts of these plants produce essential oils (mainly aliphatic esters and monoterpenes) with a wide spectrum of biological activities. Heracleum species have great potential for applications in the food, cosmetics, perfumery, and pharmaceutical industries due to their broad ethnobotanical uses and pharmacological properties. Accordingly, this review aims to categorize updated and comprehensive information on ethnobotanical uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Heracleum species in order to open new perspectives for future studies, including possible uses as functional ingredients in food products.     

Lutein Sequestration and Furanocoumarin Metabolism in Parsnip Webworms Under Different Ultraviolet Light Regimes in the Montane West

Both biotic and abiotic selection pressures can contribute to geographic variation in allelochemical production in plants. We examined furanocoumarin production in western North American populations of Heracleum lanatum and Pastinaca sativa that, at different latitudes and altitudes, experience different ultraviolet (UV) light regimes. Total furanocoumarins and linear furanocoumarins of fruits were negatively correlated with UV irradiance, whereas amounts of angular furanocoumarins, which are generally less phototoxic, were not. Another factor potentially influencing furanocoumarin production is the presence of the parsnip webworm Depressaria pastinacella, (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae), an herbivore that feeds on reproductive structures of both plant species. These insects sequester lutein from their host plants; this carotenoid acts to ameliorate furanocoumarin toxicity. Although the concentration of lutein in fruits did not vary with UV irradiance, lutein sequestration by sixth instars was positively correlated with UV irradiance. Webworm populations are variably infested with the polyembryonic webworm parasitoid Copidosoma sosares Walker (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). H. lanatum fruits from populations with webworms parasitized by C. sosares had lower concentrations of furanocoumarins, with the exception of sphondin, than fruits from plants infested with webworms free from parasitism. Lower levels of these furanocoumarins may reduce negative effects on the fitness of this parasitoid. In contrast with the variation in furanocoumarin content, the ability of webworms to metabolize furanocoumarins by cytochrome P450 did not differ significantly among populations from New Mexico to Alberta.     

不同方法提取独活精油化学成分的比较研究

采用溶剂萃取法（PEE）、水蒸汽蒸馏（HD）法及超临界C02萃取（SFE）法从短毛独活中提取精油,并对所得产物进行了GC／MS分析．结果显示3种方法提取精油的收率分别为2．67％（PEE）、2．17％（SFE）和0．78％（HD）,共鉴定出了59个化学成分,同时确定了各组分的质量分数,3种方法共有20种相同组分,其中含量最多的均为虎耳草素．     

Extracting Oviposition Stimulants for Carrot Fly from Host-Plant Leaves

Extracts of carrot foliage obtained with various extraction methods were compared for effectiveness in stimulating oviposition in the carrot fly. In choice assays, surrogate leaves treated with a hexane surface extract produced with a new microwave-assisted procedure were almost as acceptable as real host leaves. The high stimulatory activity of this extract was attributable to the raised solvent temperature, since cold hexane extracts were much less stimulatory. The microwave extract elicited about twice as much oviposition as the previously used dichloromethane surface extracts and the diethyl ether fraction of an extract that was obtained by brief immersion of leaves into water near its boiling point. The ovipositional responses to crude methanol and hot water extracts were weak because of the presence of yet unidentified polar deterrent compounds. Total extracts of ground foliage (vacuum distillation and extraction with liquid carbon dioxide) had no net stimulatory effect on oviposition.     

漂烫处理对老山芹速冻贮藏护色效果的影响

目的研究在老山芹(Heracleum Moellendorffii)速冻贮藏过程中,高温漂烫技术对其过氧化物酶(Peroxidase,POD)吸光度值及色泽的影响,为蔬菜加工提供理论依据。方法以新鲜老山芹为原料,采用单因素实验考察漂烫时间、漂烫温度、料液比对过氧化物酶吸光度值、黄化程度(E2)的影响,并以响应曲面法优化漂烫工艺。结果当漂烫时间为180 s,漂烫温度为90℃,料液比(老山芹质量与水体积之比,g/mL)为1∶11时,POD吸光度值为0.001,黄化程度为802.51,较未经过处理的样品均表现为极显著(P<0.01)。结论响应曲面实验可以很好地对老山芹高温漂烫灭酶护色工艺参数进行优化,优化后的工艺对保护老山芹固有色泽有明显的效果,2个评价指标对漂烫灭酶护色效果具有相关性和一致性。     

热风干燥温度对老山芹品质的影响

本研究探讨不同热风干燥温度(40、60、80、100℃)对老山芹干燥特性(干燥曲线、干燥速率曲线、干燥方程拟合)、成分(总多酚、总黄酮、叶绿素)和性质(抗氧化活性、颜色变化)的影响。结果表明:随干燥温度升高,干燥时间显著缩短(p0.05)。Page方程能准确的描述老山芹热风干燥过程和干燥规律。60℃热风干燥处理,总多酚和总黄酮含量均显著高于其他干燥温度(p0.05),分别为10.97mg/g和3.45mg/g,并具有较强的抗氧化活性。60℃干燥条件下老山芹所含的黄酮化合物组成含量和叶绿素a含量更高。因此,热风干燥温度不同,对老山芹干燥特性、总多酚、总黄酮、叶绿素含量、颜色及抗氧化活性影响显著不同(p0.05)。综合考虑,60℃热风干燥老山芹在保证较快干燥速率的同时最大程度地保持成分和性质。