Phytochemical profile and biological activities of Bromelia antiacantha extracts / Perfil fitoquímico e atividades biológicas de extratos de Bromelia antiacantha

Reports from popular medicine usually act as a basis for the development of new drugs from natural compounds with therapeutic actions for serious diseases and prevalence such as cancer. Bromelia antiacantha Bertol. is a species of the Bromeliaceae family, considered an unconventional food plant, found in the south and midwest regions of Brazil. Despite the high nutritional content and pharmacological potential of its fruits, few scientific studies report its biological actions. Thus, this study evaluates the phytochemical profile of aqueous and ethanol extracts obtained from B. antiacantha fruits, as well as their possible antioxidant, antitumor, and cytotoxic activities. The aqueous extract exhibited phenolic compounds and flavonoids, while ethanol extracts indicated the presence of flavonoids and coumarin in their composition, regardless of the region of collection. The ethanolic extract demonstrated a more promising antioxidant effect than the aqueous extract and also induced a significant inhibition in the viability of human cervical cancer cells of the SiHa strain. In addition, treatment with both extracts did not alter the viability of non-tumor cells of the immortalized human keratinocyte lineage (HaCaT). These results bring new data about extracts obtained from a native plant, edible and traditionally used in popular medicine, opening new perspectives for its possible therapeutic application.

Relatos da medicina popular costumam atuar como referencial para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos a partir de moléculas naturais com ações terapêuticas para doenças de alta gravidade e prevalência como o câncer. Bromelia antiacantha Bertol. é uma espécie da família Bromeliaceae, considerada uma planta alimentícia não convencional (PANC), encontrada nas regiões sul e centro-oeste do Brasil. Apesar do alto teor nutritivo e potencial farmacológico de seus frutos, poucos estudos científicos relatam suas ações biológicas. Desta forma, este estudo avalia o perfil fitoquímico de extratos aquoso e etanólico obtidos de frutos de B. antiacantha, bem como a sua possível ação antioxidante, antitumoral e citotóxica. O extrato aquoso apresentou compostos fenólicos e flavonoides, enquanto os extratos etanólicos apontam a presença de flavonóides e cumarina em sua composição, independente da região de coleta. O extrato etanólico demonstrou efeito antioxidante mais promissor do que o extrato aquoso e também induziu uma inibição significativa na viabilidade de células humanas de câncer cervical da linhagem SiHa. Além disso, o tratamento com ambos extratos não alterou a viabilidade de células não tumorais da linhagem de queratinócitos humanos imortalizados (HaCaT). Estes dados trazem novas informações sobre extratos obtidos de uma espécie vegetal nativa, comestível e já utilizada tradicionalmente, mas abrindo novas perspectivas quanto a possíveis aplicações terapêuticas.

Hydroalcoholic Extract of Encholirium spectabile Mart. (Bromeliaceae) in O/W Emulsions as an Additive against the UVB Radiation.

The use of sunscreen is one of the photoprotection measures most used by the population, so these products must offer broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB radiation. Encholirium spectabile, popularly known as "macambira-de-flecha," is a species characterized by its rocky outcrops and found in the Caatinga. This biome is known for extreme droughts and dry periods, and for this reason, its vegetation needed to develop resistance mechanisms. The aim of this work was to evaluate the use of E. spectabile incorporated in O/W emulsion as a potential photoprotective agent and their antioxidant activity. Four chemical constituents (ferulic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid and apigenin) were identified by HPLC-DAD analysis, and emulsions containing different concentrations (1%, 2.5% and 5%) of the extract without and with the addition of chemical filters (octyl methoxycinnamate and benzophenone-3) were prepared and submitted to the test of preliminary stability. The Q formulation demonstrated little variation in the preliminary stability test and was selected for estimated your protection against UVB and determination of in vitro protection factor UVA. The formulations remained stable during the freeze-thaw cycle; the extract despite maintaining the UVA-PF and decreasing the wavelength showed an increase in FPS from 14.4 (control) to 18.8 (control+ Es-HA80).

The genome of Aechmea fasciata provides insights into the evolution of tank epiphytic habits and ethylene-induced flowering.

Aechmea fasciata is one of the most popular bromeliads and bears a water-impounding tank with a vase-like rosette. The tank habit is a key innovation that has promoted diversity among bromeliads. To reveal the genomic basis of tank habit formation and ethylene-induced flowering, we sequenced the genome of A. fasciata and assembled 352 Mb of sequences into 24 chromosomes. Comparative genomic analysis showed that the chromosomes experienced at least two fissions and two fusions from the ancestral genome of A. fasciata and Ananas comosus. The gibberellin receptor gene GID1C-like was duplicated by a segmental duplication event. This duplication may affect GA signalling and promote rosette expansion, which may permit water-impounding tank formation. During ethylene-induced flowering, AfFTL2 expression is induced and targets the EIN3 binding site 'ATGTAC' by AfEIL1-like. The data provided here will serve as an important resource for studying the evolution and mechanisms underlying flowering time regulation in bromeliads.

Seed mass maturity in the terrestrial bromeliad Hechtia perotensis (Bromeliaceae), endemic to Mexico / Madurez de las semillas en la bromelia terrestre Hechtia perotensis (Bromeliaceae), endémica de México

Abstract Introduction: H. perotensis is a plant with a high potential for ecological restoration because it yields thousands of seeds and grows under low levels of rain, poor soils and contrasting temperatures. However, little is known of the seed mass maturity (high seed germination, low seed fresh weight and low seed moisture content) in this species. Objective: Assess seed germination in the laboratory of H. perotensis during seed development and along the floral stalk (infructescence) in two sites one in rocky location and another near a lake. The hypothesis was that there is a time after flowering in which seeds have highest germination and fresh weight and that the apical, centre and base of the infructescence are different in seed germination and fresh weight in both sites. Methods: Capsules were collected in two sites one in rocky land (Frijol Colorado, Perote, Veracruz) and another near one lake (Alchichica, Puebla), in the months of August, September and November 2016 and January 2017. A repeated measure design (RMD) was used to analyze the effects of infructescence section on seed weight, moisture content and seed germination (41, 87, 152 and 215 days after flowering). Each evaluation time comprised five replicates, each one with 15 seeds. Results: Difference in seed germination, seed weight and moisture content between sections of the infructescence was not significant. However, significant differences were found not only between first and last sample dates, but mainly between first and second dates. Eighty-seven days after flower pollination seed moisture content was lower than 20 % and up to 80 % of seed germinated in both sites of sampling. Conclusions: In this study it was found that the moisture content of H. perotensis seed can be used as an indicator of the physiological maturity of the seed and it is also related to germination of the seed.

Resumen Introducción: H. perotensis es una planta con un alto potencial para la restauración ecológica debido a que produce miles de semillas y crece con niveles bajos de lluvia, suelos pobres y temperaturas contrastantes. Sin embargo, el desarrollo de la madurez de las semillas (germinación alta, baja humedad y bajo peso fresco de semilla) en esta especie es muy poco conocido. Objetivo: Evaluar la germinación en el laboratorio de las semillas de H. perotensis, durante el desarrollo de la semilla y a lo largo del tallo floral (infrutescencia) en dos sitios; uno en un área rocosa y otro cerca de un lago. La hipótesis fue que hay un tiempo después de la floración, en el que las semillas presentan la mayor germinación y menor peso fresco, y que las secciones apical, central y base de la infrutescencia, la germinación y el peso fresco de la semilla son diferentes en los dos sitios. Métodos: se recolectaron las cápsulas en dos sitios uno en un área rocosa (Frijol Colorado, Perote, Veracruz) y otro cerca de un lago (Alchichica, Puebla), en los meses de Agosto, Septiembre y Noviembre de 2016 y Enero de 2017. Se usó un diseño de medidas repetidas (DMR) para analizar los efectos de la sección de la infrutescencia sobre el peso fresco de la semilla, el contenido de humedad y la germinación de la semilla (41, 87, 152 y 215 días, después de la floración). Cada tiempo de evaluación comprendió cinco réplicas y 15 semillas. Resultados: La diferencia en la germinación de la semilla, el peso de la semilla y el contenido de humedad entre las secciones de la infrutescencia no fue significativa. Sin embargo, se encontraron diferencias significativas entre las fechas de muestreo inicial y final, pero sobre todo entre la primera y la segunda fecha. Asimismo, ochenta y siete días después de la polinización de las flores, el contenido de humedad de las semillas fue inferior al 20 % y superior al 80 % en la germinación de las semillas en ambos sitios de muestreo. Conclusiones: en este estudio se encontró que el contenido de humedad de la semilla de H. perotensis, puede usarse como un indicador de la madurez fisiológica de la semilla y también está relacionado con la germinación de la semilla.

Cytotoxic Fractions from Hechtia glomerata Extracts and p-Coumaric Acid as MAPK Inhibitors.

Preliminary bioassay-guided fractionation was performed to identify cytotoxic compounds from Hechtia glomerata, a plant that is used in Mexican ethnomedicine. Organic and aqueous extracts were prepared from H. glomerata's leaves and evaluated against two cancer cell lines. The CHCl3/MeOH (1:1) active extract was fractionated, and the resulting fractions were assayed against prostate adenocarcinoma PC3 and breast adenocarcinoma MCF7 cell lines. Active fraction 4 was further analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry analysis to identify its active constituents. Among the compounds that were responsible for the cytotoxic effects of this fraction were flavonoids, phenolic acids, and aromatic compounds, of which p-coumaric acid (p-CA) and its derivatives were abundant. To understand the mechanisms that underlie p-CA cytotoxicity, a microarray assay was performed on PC3 cells that were treated or not with this compound. The results showed that mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) that regulate many cancer-related pathways were targeted by p-CA, which could be related to the reported effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). A molecular docking study of p-CA showed that this phenolic acid targeted these protein active sites (MAPK8 and Serine/Threonine protein kinase 3) at the same binding site as their inhibitors. Thus, we hypothesize that p-CA produces ROS, directly affects the MAPK signaling pathway, and consequently causes apoptosis, among other effects. Additionally, p-CA could be used as a platform for the design of new MAPK inhibitors and re-sensitizing agents for resistant cancers.

Portanini (Insecta, Hemiptera, Cicadellidae): morphology of female terminalia, first record of host plants, a new species of Portanus from Brazil, and taxonomic notes.

Portanus adenomari sp. nov. from the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais, Paraná, and Maranhão is described and illustrated. It can be easily distinguished by the aedeagus with a pair of apical, slender curved processes, crossing each other medially. The previously unknown females of Portanus restingalis Felix Mejdalani, 2016 and Metacephalus facetus (Kramer, 1961), as well as the female terminalia of Metacephalus sakakibarai Souza, Takiya Felix, 2017, are also described in detail. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the ovipositor valvulae of P. restingalis are given. Comparative notes on the morphology of the female terminalia in the tribe Portanini are provided. Specimens of P. restingalis were observed feeding and resting on Bromeliaceae leaves; this is the first record of host plants for the Portanini. Metacephalus marica (Felix Mejdalani, 2016) is regarded as a junior synonym of Metacephalus longicornis (Osborn, 1923).

Heterotrophic flagellates (Amorpha and Diaphoretiches) in phytotelmata bromeliad (Bromeliaceae) / Flagelados heterotróficos (Amorpha e Diaphoretiches) em fitotelmata de bromélia (Bromeliaceae)

Abstract Many plants may accumulate rainwater, forming phytotelmata, aquatic microhabitats inhabited by various organisms. The aim of this study was to conduct an inventory of heterotrophic flagellates associated with phytotelmata of the bromeliad Aechmea distichantha Lem., found in rocky cliffs on the Upper Paraná River. The bromeliads were removed manually from the rocky wall, the water was removed and cultures of organisms of each plant were mounted in Petri dishes. Sixteen species of heterotrophic flagellate were recorded, drawn and described, among them one species belonging to the Amorpha Domain and 15 species to the Diaphoretiches Domain. The groups with most species were Euglenida and Kinetoplastea. The low diversity of heterotrophic flagellates recorded in this study, compared to the plankton of lakes and reservoirs, is probably related to the fact that phytotelmata are habitats with extreme environmental conditions, thus selecting organisms tolerant to these environments.

Resumo Em sua superfície externa, muitas plantas podem acumular água da chuva formando fitotelmata, ou seja, micro-habitat aquáticos colonizados por diversos organismos, entre eles, os flagelados protistas. Fez-se um inventário de flagelados heterotróficos associados ao fitotelmata da bromélia Aechmea distichantha Lem., encontrada em paredões rochosos em um trecho da bacia do alto rio Paraná. As bromélias foram retiradas manualmente de paredão rochoso e, em laboratório, a água foi retirada dos tanques de cada planta, e foram montadas culturas dos organismos em placas de Petri. Os flagelados heterotróficos foram, então, observados in vivo sob microscópio óptico Olympus BX51, com sistema de contraste de interferência diferencial (DIC) acoplado. Dezesseis espécies flagelados heterotróficos foram registradas, desenhadas e descritas, sendo uma espécie pertencente ao Domínio Amorpha e 15 espécies ao Domínio Diaphoretiches. Os grupos mais especiosos foram Euglenida e Kinetoplastea. A diversidade relativamente reduzida de flagelados heterotróficos, quando comparada ao plâncton de lagos e reservatórios, pode estar relacionada ao fato de os fitotelmata serem habitats limitados, com condições ambientais extremas, selecionando, assim, organismos tolerantes a esses ambientes.

Genomic footprints of repeated evolution of CAM photosynthesis in a Neotropical species radiation.

The adaptive radiation of Bromeliaceae (pineapple family) is one of the most diverse among Neotropical flowering plants. Diversification in this group was facilitated by shifts in several adaptive traits or "key innovations" including the transition from C3 to CAM photosynthesis associated with xeric (heat/drought) adaptation. We used phylogenomic approaches, complemented by differential gene expression (RNA-seq) and targeted metabolite profiling, to address the mechanisms of C3 /CAM evolution in the extremely species-rich bromeliad genus, Tillandsia, and related taxa. Evolutionary analyses of whole-genome sequencing and RNA-seq data suggest that evolution of CAM is associated with coincident changes to different pathways mediating xeric adaptation in this group. At the molecular level, C3 /CAM shifts were accompanied by gene expansion of XAP5 CIRCADIAN TIMEKEEPER homologs, a regulator involved in sugar- and light-dependent regulation of growth and development. Our analyses also support the re-programming of abscisic acid-related gene expression via differential expression of ABF2/ABF3 transcription factor homologs, and adaptive sequence evolution of an ENO2/LOS2 enolase homolog, effectively tying carbohydrate flux to abscisic acid-mediated abiotic stress response. By pinpointing different regulators of overlapping molecular responses, our results suggest plausible mechanistic explanations for the repeated evolution of correlated adaptive traits seen in a textbook example of an adaptive radiation.

Conservation of Vriesea flammea L. B. Sm., an endemic Brazilian bromeliad: effects of nutrients and carbon source on plant development / Conservação de Vriesea flammea L. B. Sm., uma bromélia Brasileira endêmica: efeitos dos nutrientes e fonte de carbono sobre o desenvolvimento das plantas

Abstract Bromeliaceae is restricted to the Neotropical region and has a high degree of endemism, which contributes to increased biodiversity because of the diverse morphological characteristics of individuals. In order to develop an in vitro conservation technology to obtain plants for reintroduction, seeds of Vriesea flammea L.B.Sm. were collected, sterilized and germinated in culture medium. The plants obtained were cultured for 180 days in MS medium with different concentrations of mineral nutrients (25 and 50% of nitrogenous salts and macronutrients), and different concentrations of sucrose (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 g L-1), and then acclimatized for 150 days on commercial substrate. When seeds were sterilized directly, only 4% of them were contaminated, whereas sterilization of capsules resulted in 43.6% contaminated seeds. Germination rates above 80% were recorded. Low concentrations of nitrogenous salts and macronutrients produced greater than 76% survival and promoted greater in vitro plant development than the complete MS medium. The development of the aerial system, root system, fresh mass and photosynthetic pigments were positively related to sucrose concentration in vitro. The highest sucrose concentration also indirectly promoted greater development of the aerial system and fresh mass of acclimatized plants. We established conditions for in vitro cultivation and acclimatization for efficient propagation of V. flammea with a view towards conservation of the species or reestablishment of natural populations.

Resumo Bromeliaceae é restrita à região neotropical, com alto grau de endemismo, que contribui para o aumento da biodiversidade, devido às características morfológicas dos indivíduos. Objetivando desenvolver uma tecnologia in vitro de conservação para obtenção de plantas com vistas à reintrodução, sementes de Vriesea flammea L.B.Sm. foram coletadas, esterilizadas, germinadas em meio de cultura e as plantas obtidas foram cultivadas por 180 dias em meio MS com diferentes concentrações de nutrientes minerais (25 e 50% dos sais nitrogenados e dos macronutrientes), bem como em diferentes concentrações de sacarose (20, 30, 40, 50 e 60 g L-1). Após, as plantas foram aclimatizadas por 150 dias em substrato comercial. Quando da esterilização das sementes, apenas 4% destas contaminaram. Por sua vez, a esterilização de cápsulas resultou em 43,6% de sementes contaminadas. Taxas de germinação superiores a 80% foram registradas. Baixas concentrações dos sais nitrogenados e de macronutrientes proporcionaram sobrevivência superior a 76% e promoveram maior desenvolvimento das plantas in vitro do que o meio MS completo. O desenvolvimento do sistema aéreo, radicular, a massa fresca e pigmentos fotossintéticos apresentaram relação positiva com a concentração de sacarose in vitro. A maior concentração de sacarose também propiciou indiretamente maior desenvolvimento do sistema aéreo e massa fresca das plantas aclimatizadas. Estabelecemos as condições de cultivo in vitro e aclimatização para a eficiente propagação de V. flammea com vistas à conservação da espécie ou reestabelecimento das populações naturais.

Small RNA sequencing revealed various microRNAs involved in ethylene-triggered flowering process in Aechmea fasciata.

Ethylene-triggered flowering is a common phenomenon in plants of the family Bromeliaceae, but its molecular mechanism remains unclear. As a classical group of small RNAs, microRNAs play an essential role in the regulation of flowering. In this study, we found that various miRNAs participate in the ethylene-triggered flowering process in Aechmea fasciata via small RNA sequencing using juvenile and adult plants treated with ethylene for 24 hours. Finally, 63 known miRNAs, 52 novel miRNAs and 1721 target genes were identified or predicted. Expression changes of specific miRNAs were validated by qRT-PCR and northern blotting. Some predicted targets, including SPL, GAMYB and ARF, were verified in RLM-RACE experiments. Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG analysis showed that numerous developmental and RNA-related processes were enriched. Integrated analysis of the transcriptomic data with small RNA sequencing revealed that numerous miRNAs and targets involved in ethylene-triggered flowering in A. fasciata. Our study is helpful for illuminating the molecular basis of the ethylene-triggered flowering phenomenon in Bromeliaceae.

Phytochemical analysis and biological activities of in vitro cultured Nidularium procerum, a bromeliad vulnerable to extinction.

This study reports the first phytochemical and biological characterization in treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma cells (H295R) of extracts from Nidularium procerum, an endemic bromeliad of Atlantic Forest vulnerable to extinction. Extracts of dry leaves obtained from in vitro-grown plants were recovered by different extraction methods, viz., hexanoic, ethanolic, and hot and cold aqueous. Chromatography-based metabolite profiling and chemical reaction methods revealed the presence of flavonoids, steroids, lipids, vitamins, among other antioxidant and antitumor biomolecules. Eicosanoic and tricosanoic acids, α-Tocopherol (vitamin E) and scutellarein were, for the first time, described in the Nidularium group. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts contained the highest phenolic content (107.3 mg of GAE.100 g-1) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, respectively. The immunomodulatory and antitumoral activities of aqueous extracts were assessed using specific tests of murine macrophages modulation (RAW 264.7) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay against adrenocortical carcinoma cell line, respectively. The aqueous extract improved cell adhesion and phagocytic activities and phagolysossomal formation of murine macrophages. This constitutes new data on the Bromeliaceae family, which should be better exploited to the production of new phytomedicines for pharmacological uses.

Genetic diversity and karyotype of Pitcairnia azouryi: an endangered species of Bromeliaceae endemic to Atlantic Forest inselbergs.

Plant species of various families, such as those of Bromeliaceae, occur on inselbergs where they are subject to geographic isolation and environmental conditions that can lead to genetic erosion. This, in turn, can result in the loss of natural populations due to homozygosis, or changes in ploidy that may lead to reproductive isolation. The genetic diversity of five natural populations of Pitcairnia azouryi was measured using nine microsatellite markers transferred from P. albiflos and P. geyskesii. Chromosome numbers and nuclear DNA content were also evaluated. The results indicated moderate genetic differentiation among populations (FST = 0.188), and significant gene flow (Nm = 1.073) in four of the five populations. P. azouryi has, predominantly, 2n = 50 chromosomes and DNA content of 2C = 1.16 pg, but the tetraploid condition was found (2n = 100 and 2C = 2.32 pg) in seedlings of an individual of the most geographically isolated population. The moderate level of genetic structuring observed for P. azouryi seems to be related to its disjoint geographical distribution and the locally aggregated spatial structure of the populations, which are isolated from each other, hindering the inter and intrapopulational gene flow. This interpretation was also evidenced by the mantel test (r = 0.777, P < 0.05). The occurrence of diploid individuals with tetraploid seedlings is indicative of events of eupolyploidization, possibly due to the environmental conditions of this geographically isolated population.

Micropropagation and in vitroconservation of Alcantarea nahoumii (Bromeliaceae), an endemic and endangered species of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Alcantarea nahoumii(Leme) J. R. Grant is a species native to theAtlantic Forest that stands out for ornamental purposes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the in vitrogerminationof A. nahoumiiseeds and establish a micropropagation protocol for production of seedlings so as to minimize the effects of predatory extractivism and develop an in vitroconservation system. Mature seeds were disinfested, established in three culture media (MS, MS½ and MS⅓) and incubated at four temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35ºC)in a germination chamber. In the micropropagation experiment, stem segments were introduced in MS medium supplemented with 0.5 μM of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.0, 2.2, 4.4 and 6.6 μM of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). For the in vitroconservation, plantlets were established in MS or MS½ medium supplemented with 15 g L-1or 30 g L-1of sucrose. The plants were acclimated with commercial substrate. The highest seed germination percentages were promoted by temperature conditions of 20 and 25ºC, with MS culture medium. The highest multiplication rate of shoots was obtained from the treatment without addition of the growth regulator or when combined with 2.2 μM of BAP + 0.5 μM of NAA. The acclimation of the plants occurred with high survival rate. The species can be conserved in vitrounder slow growth condition for 24 months when incubated in MS medium supplemented with 30 g L-1of sucrose.

Cosmarium bromelicola sp. nov. (Desmidiaceae, Zygnematophyceae), a new desmid species from Northeast Brazil / Cosmarium bromelicola sp. nov. (Desmidiaceae, Zygnematophyceae), uma nova espécie de desmídia do nordeste do Brazil

Abstract Cosmarium bromelicola sp. nov. is a new desmid species described from samplings carried out in bromeliad tanks (phytotelmata) from an area of rocky outcrops at Serra da Jiboia, Bahia State, Northeast Brazil. Presence of subtrapeziform cells with a deep depression at the apical region and twisted X-shaped cell in side view are the diagnostic features for the species. Relationships with the morphologically closest taxa are discussed.

Resumo Cosmarium bromelicola sp. nov. é uma nova espécie de desmídia descrita a partir de amostragens realizadas em tanques de bromélias (fitotelmata) de uma área de afloramentos rochosos na Serra da Jiboia, Bahia, nordeste do Brasil. A presença de células trapeziformes com uma depressão profunda na região apical e célula em forma de X em vista lateral são as características diagnósticas da espécie. Relações com os táxons morfologicamente próximos são discutidas.

The Tillandsia genus: history, uses, chemistry, and biological activity / El género Tillandsia: historia, usos, química y actividad biológica

Tillandsia L. genus comprises 649 species, with different uses at different times. T. usneoides L. uses are reported since the late- archaic and pre-Columbian cultures. In XIX-XX centuries, T. usneoides was used in some manufactured products, as polish and packing fruit. Tillandsia has a favorable reputation as medicine: for leucorrhea, rheumatism, ulcers, hemorrhoid treatment, as an anti-diabetic remedy, emetic, analgesic, purgative, contraceptive, antispasmodic and diuretic. Tillandsia chemical composition includes cycloartane triterpenes and hydroxy-flavonoids, which are present in at least 24 species. Several extracts and compounds from Tillandsia spp. have been reported with pharmacological actions, as anti-neoplasia, hypolipidemic, antifungal, anti-HSV-1, hypoglycemic and microbicide. This review communicates the economic importance, ethnobotany, chemistry composition and biological activities of the Tillandsia genus, and analyze its biological and economic perspective. Tillandsia genus has cultural, economic and pharmacological relevance, with a high potential in many essential aspects of the modern society.

El género Tillandsia L. comprende 649 especies, con diferentes usos en diferentes épocas. T. usneoides L. se han reportado desde el arcáico tardío hasta las culturas precolombinas. En los siglos XIX-XX, T. usneoides se usó en productos manufacturados: como abrasivo y embalaje de fruta. Como medicina tradicional, el género Tillandsia se reporta para leucorrea, reumatismo, úlceras, hemorroides, remedio antidiabético, emético, analgésico, purgante, anticonceptivo, antiespasmódico y diurético. Su composición química incluye triterpenos de tipo ciclo-artano e hidroxi-flavonoides, presentes en al menos 24 especies. Los extractos y compuestos del género Tillandsia se han reportado con propiedades antineoplásicas, hipolipidémicas, antifúngicas, anti-HSV-1, hipoglucemiantes y microbicidas. Esta revisión comunica la importancia económica, etnobotánica, composición química y las actividades biológicas del género Tillandsia, y analiza su perspectiva biológica y potencial económica. Tillandsia tiene importancia cultural, económica y farmacológica, con gran potencial en muchos aspectos esenciales de la sociedad moderna.

Bromeliaceae subfamilies show divergent trends of genome size evolution.

Genome size is known to vary widely across plants. Yet, the evolutionary drivers and consequences of genome size variation across organisms are far from understood. We investigated genome size variation and evolution in two major subfamilies of the Neotropical family Bromeliaceae by determining new genome size values for 83 species, testing phylogenetic signal in genome size variation, and assessing the fit to different evolutionary models. For a subset of epiphytic bromeliad species, we also evaluated the relationship of genome size with thermal traits and relative growth rate (RGR), respectively. Genome size variation in Bromelioideae appears to be evolutionary conserved, while genome size among Tillandsioideae varies considerably, not just due to polyploidy but arguably also due to environmental factors. The subfamilies show fundamental differences in genome size and RGR: Bromelioideae have, on average, lower genome sizes than Tillandsioideae and at the same time exhibit higher RGR. We attribute this to different resource use strategies in the subfamilies. Analyses among subfamilies, however, revealed unexpected positive relationships between RGR and genome size, which might be explained by the nutrient regime during cultivation. Future research should test whether there is indeed a trade-off between genome size and growth efficiency as a function of nutrient supply.

Distribución geográfica de angiospermas epífitas de la región terrestre prioritaria Cerros Negro-Yucaño, Oaxaca, México / Geographical distribution of epiphytic angiosperms of the priority terrestrial region of Cerros Negro-Yucaño, Oaxaca, Mexico

Resumen El conocimiento sobre la riqueza y la distribución de las plantas epifítas vasculares es aún incompleto en muchas áreas de México. Un ejemplo es la región terrestre prioritaria (RTP) Cerros Negro-Yucaño, que se ubica en el noroeste del estado de Oaxaca y pertenece a la región mixteca alta (Ñuu Savi Sukun, Ñuu vixi). Con base en la revisión de material de herbario en 12 colecciones institucionales mexicanas y en la recolección de especímenes en algunas localidades, principalmente cubiertas por bosque de encino, en 17 de los 18 municipios que incluye la RTP, se compilo un listado de las angiospermas epífitas. Se registró la presencia de 40 especies, distribuidas en 13 géneros y cinco familias; 28 taxa son endémicos de México y tres de ellos se conocen solamente de Oaxaca. Los géneros Tillandsia (18 spp.) y Peperomia (4) fueron los mejor representados en el área. El bosque de encino fue el tipo de vegetación en el cual se encontraron más epífitas (32 spp.) y también el intervalo altitudinal de 1 900 a 2 100 m (19 spp.). Plantas en floración de Artorima erubescens, Laelia albida, L. furfuracea y Prosthechea karwinskii, son utilizadas por pobladores de la región como ornamentales, durante las celebraciones religiosas de Día de Muertos y Semana Santa. Este impacto humano podría representar una amenaza para las poblaciones silvestres de estas especies en el futuro.(AU)

Abstract The knowledge on richness and distribution of epiphytic vascular plants is still incomplete in many areas of Mexico. An example is the terrestrial priority region (RTP) Cerros Negro-Yucaño, which is located in the Northwest portion of Oaxaca and belongs to the Mixteca Alta Region (Ñuu Savi Sukun, Ñuu Vixi). Based on herbarium material revision of 12 Mexican institutional collections and the collection of specimens in some localities, mainly covered by oak forest, in 17 of the 18 municipalities included in the RTP, we compiled a list of epiphytic angiosperms. The presence of 40 species, distributed in 13 genera and five families was recorded; 28 taxa are endemic to Mexico and three of them are only known from Oaxaca. The genera Tillandsia (18 spp.) and Peperomia (4) were the best represented genera in the area. Oak forest was the type of vegetation in which the most of the epiphytes were found (32 spp.), and also the altitudinal range between 1 900 and 2 100 m (19 spp.). Flowering plants of Artorima erubescens, Laelia albida, L. furfuracea, and Prosthechea karwinskii are used by the local people as ornamentals during the religious celebrations of Day of the Dead (Mexico) and Holly Week. This human impact might be a threat to the wild populations of these species in the future.(AU)

De novo assembly of Vriesea carinata leaf transcriptome to identify candidate cysteine-proteases.

Vriesea carinata is an endemic bromeliad from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. It has trichome and tank system in their leaves which allows to absorb water and nutrients. It belongs to Bromeliaceae family, which includes several species highly enriched of cysteine-proteases (CysPs). These proteolytic enzymes regulate processes as senescence, cell differentiation, pathogen-linked programmed cell death and mobilization of proteins. Although, their biological importance, there are not genomic resources in V. carinata that can help to identify and understand their molecular mechanisms involved in different biological processes. Thus high-throughput transcriptome sequencing of V. carinata is necessary to generate sequences for the purpose of gene discovery and functional genomic studies. In the present study, we sequenced and assembled the V. carinata transcriptome to the identification of CysPs. A total of 43,232 contigs were assembled for the leaf tissue. BLAST analysis indicated that 23,803 contigs exhibited similarity to non-redundant Viridiplantae proteins. 28.24% of the contigs were classified into the COG database, and gene ontology categorized them into 61 functional groups. A metabolic pathway analysis with KEGG revealed 9679 contigs assigned to 31 metabolic pathways. Among 16 full-length CysPs identified, 11 were evaluated in respect to their expression patterns in the leaf apex, base and inflorescence tissues. The results showed differential expression levels of legumain, metacaspase, pyroglutamyl and papain-like CysPs depending of the leaf region. These results provide a global overview of V. carinata gene functions and expression activities of CysPs in those tissues.

Responses of antioxidant enzymes, photosynthetic pigments and carbohydrates in micropropagated Pitcairnia encholirioides L.B. Sm. (Bromeliaceae) under ex vitro water deficit and after rehydration / Respostas de enzimas antioxidantes, pigmentos fotossintéticos e carboidratos em Pitcairnia encholirioides L.B. Sm. (Bromeliaceae) micropropagadas, sob déficit hídrico ex vitro e após reidratação

Abstract In this study, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, photosynthetic pigments, proline and carbohydrate contents in Pitcairnia encholirioides under ex vitro conditions of water deficit were evaluated. Results show that plants under progressive water stress, previously in vitro cultured in media supplemented with 30 g L-1 sucrose and GA3, accumulated more proline and increased peroxidase (POD) activity and the contents of photosynthetic pigments and carbohydrates. For plants previously in vitro cultured with 15 g L-1 sucrose and NAA, no differences were found for proline content and there were reductions in activities of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and poliphenoloxidase (PPO), and in contents of carbohydrates, with progress of ex vitro water deficit. After rehydration, plants showed physiological recovery, with enzymatic activities and contents of metabolites similar to those found in the controls not submitted to dehydration, regardless of the previous in vitro culture conditions. These results show that micropropagated P. encholirioides has high tolerance to dehydration once in ex vitro conditions, which can ensure the survival of plants from tissue culture when transferred to its natural environment, emphasizing the importance of such biotechnology for the propagation of endangered species.

Resumo Neste estudo, foram avaliadas as atividades de enzimas antioxidantes, pigmentos fotossintéticos, conteúdo de prolina e carboidratos em Pitcairnia encholirioides sob déficit hídrico em condições ex vitro. Os resultados mostraram que as plantas sob estresse hídrico progressivo, previamente cultivadas in vitro em meio de cultura suplementado com 30 g L-1 de sacarose e GA3 acumularam mais prolina e aumentaram a atividade da peroxidase (POD) e os teores de pigmentos fotossintéticos e carboidratos. Para plantas previamente cultivadas in vitro com 15 g L-1 de sacarose e ANA, não foram encontradas diferenças nos conteúdos de prolina e houve reduções nas atividades da peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) e polifenoloxidase (PPO), e no conteúdo de carboidratos, com o progresso do déficit hídrico ex vitro. Após a reidratação, as plantas apresentaram recuperação fisiológica, com atividades enzimáticas e conteúdo de metabólitos semelhantes aos encontrados nos controles não sujeitos à desidratação, independentemente das condições de cultivo in vitro. Estes resultados mostram que P. encholirioides micropropagada tem alta tolerância à desidratação uma vez em condições ex vitro, o que pode garantir a sobrevivência de plantas provenientes da cultura de tecidos quando transferidas para seu ambiente natural, enfatizando a importância desta biotecnologia para a propagação de espécies ameaçadas.

Ciliate species from tank-less bromeliads in a dry tropical forest and their geographical distribution in the Neotropics.

The study of ciliate diversity in tropical environments remains scarce. In Neotropical forests, bromeliads are a common component of the vascular flora; bromeliads with tank morphology intercept rain water and detritus, resulting in the formation of a phytotelm, where heterotrophic protist communities like ciliates can establish. However, it is not known if ciliates inhabit tank-less bromeliads. For this reason, the goal of the present study was to investigate if ciliates can establish between the leaf axils of five terrestrial and epiphytic tank-less bromeliad species in a dry tropical forest in west Mexico. We collected samples of rain water and detritus from the leaf axils during the humid season of years 2015 and 2016. For ciliate taxonomical identification, we used optical microscopy, in vivo observation, and silver impregnation techniques. To summarize information about geographical distribution of ciliates identified at species level in the Neotropics, we provided their records from previous works, at country level with locality and georeferenciation. We recorded 27 taxa of ciliates, where the class Oligohymenophorea contained the largest richness of taxa. Drepanomonas revoluta, Leptopharynx bromeliophilus, and Tetrahymena sp. were recorded from all the species of bromeliads. Bromelia karatas was the species that hosted the largest number of ciliate taxa (22). Our results indicated that Glaucomides bromelicola, Gonostomum bromelicola, Leptopharynx bromelicola and L. bromeliophilus, species which are considered endemic to tank bromeliads, can also inhabit tank-less bromeliads. We provided previous records of 19 ciliate species from eleven countries within the Neotropical region, and Bromeliothrix metopoides was the species most frequently recorded in Neotropical countries (9). Therefore, tank-less bromeliads can constitute a temporal habitat for ciliates, and function as cysts reservoirs in environments with a pronounced seasonality like dry tropical forests.