Calcium Oxalate Crystals in Leaves of the Extremophile Plant Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl. (Caryophyllaceae)

Gómez-Espinoza, Olman; González-Ramírez, Daniel; Méndez-Gómez, Jairo; Guillén-Watson, Rossy; Medaglia-Mata, Alejandro; Bravo, León A.

doi:10.3390/plants10091787

Cited by 13 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…With this said, the in situ observation of CaOx crystals showed that the percentage of leaf area occupied by CaOx crystals in C. quitensis exhibited a significant variation toward the latitudinal gradient (Figure 3), being exceptionally low in the highest latitude. This finding is consistent with our earlier study conducted under common garden conditions, which clearly indicated that the Antarctic population of C. quitensis shows less crystal accumulation in leaves compared to Andean and Patagonian populations [14].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…In addition, a prior study revealed that under common garden conditions, the C. quitensis provenances from the Antarctic and Central Chile (Andean) displayed noticeable morphological differences, including variations in habit size, leaf dimensions (length-width ratio), and significant differences in CaOx accumulation, despite being cultivated under identical conditions. While the differences found could be linked to processes of ecotypic differentiation and plant adaptation to harsh environments, this has not yet been proven [ 14 ]. Thus, although C. quitensis has shown evidence for the use of CaOx crystals as a carbon source, this evidence came only from studies under laboratory conditions, and the relationship with the photosynthetic performance at their natural habitat has yet to be studied.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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In Situ Accumulation of CaOx Crystals in C. quitensis Leaves and Its Relationship with Anatomy and Gas Exchange

Gómez-Espinoza,

Fuentes,

Ramírez

et al. 2024

Plants

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The accumulation of crystal calcium oxalate (CaOx) in plants is linked to a type of stress-induced photosynthesis termed ‘alarm photosynthesis’, serving as a carbon reservoir when carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange is constrained. Colobanthus quitensis is an extremophyte found from southern Mexico to Antarctica, which thrives in high-altitude Andean regions. Growing under common garden conditions, C. quitensis from different latitudinal provenances display significant variations in CaOx crystal accumulation. This raises the following questions: are these differences maintained under natural conditions? And is the CaOx accumulation related to mesophyll conductance (gm) and net photosynthesis (AN) performed in situ? It is hypothesized that in provenances with lower gm, C. quitensis will exhibit an increase in the use of CaOx crystals, resulting in reduced crystal leaf abundance. Plants from Central Chile (33°), Patagonia (51°), and Antarctica (62°) were measured in situ and sampled to determine gas exchange and CaOx crystal accumulation, respectively. Both AN and gm decrease towards higher latitudes, correlating with increases in leaf mass area and leaf density. The crystal accumulation decreases at higher latitudes, correlating positively with AN and gm. Thus, in provenances where environmental conditions induce more xeric traits, the CO2 availability for photosynthesis decreases, making the activation of alarm photosynthesis feasible as an internal source of CO2.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In Situ Accumulation of CaOx Crystals in C. quitensis Leaves and Its Relationship with Anatomy and Gas Exchange

Gómez-Espinoza,

Fuentes,

Ramírez

et al. 2024

Plants

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“…The presence of calcium oxalate crystals in the form of radially oriented drusen of different shapes and sizes has also been reported by Mauseth and Landrum [85], Bailey [90], Duarte and Hayashi [86], Ogburn and Edwards [89], and Maciel et al [87] for Pereskia genus and P. guamacho. The druse function is related to the regulation and homeostasis of calcium, as well as tolerance to stress [91], and the accumulation of soluble salts such as CaCO 3 and CaSO 4 in the soil [92].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Foliar Functional Traits of Resource Island-Forming Nurse Tree Species from a Semi-Arid Ecosystem of La Guajira, Colombia

Toro-Tobón¹,

Alvarez-Flórez²,

Mariño-Blanco³

et al. 2022

Plants

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Semi-arid environments characterized by low rainfall are subject to soil desertification processes. These environments have heterogeneous landscapes with patches of vegetation known as resource islands that are generated by nurse species that delay the desertification process because they increase the availability of water and nutrients in the soil. The study aimed to characterize some foliar physiological, biochemical, and anatomical traits of three nurse tree species that form resource islands in the semi-arid environment of La Guajira, Colombia, i.e., Haematoxylum brasiletto, Pithecellobium dulce, and Pereskia guamacho. The results showed that H. brasiletto and P. dulce have sclerophyllous strategies, are thin (0.2 and 0.23 mm, respectively), and have a high leaf dry matter content (364.8 and 437.47 mg/g). Moreover, both species have a high photochemical performance, reaching Fv/Fm values of 0.84 and 0.82 and PIABS values of 5.84 and 4.42, respectively. These results agree with the OJIP curves and JIP parameters. Both species had a compact leaf with a similar dorsiventral mesophyll. On the other hand, P. guamacho has a typical succulent, equifacial leaf with a 97.78% relative water content and 0.81 mm thickness. This species had the lowest Fv/Fm (0.73) and PIABS (1.16) values and OJIP curve but had the highest energy dissipation value (DIo/RC).

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“…The presence of calcium oxalate crystals is responsible for calcium regulation, and homeostasis and it also plays a vital role in heavy metal detoxification. [35] The physicochemical parameters were evaluated for moisture content for the presence of water because the greater value in any sample would promote the growth of microorganisms, insects, or fungi, and probably the constituents become hydrolyzed which may lead to a deterioration of the drug. [36] The moisture content was found to be 6.6% w/w.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pharmacognostic Studies and Antibacterial Activity of Corchorus olitorius L. Leaf

Manvi¹,

Khan²,

Badruddeen³

et al. 2022

Pharmacogn. Res.

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Background: Corchorus olitorius L. (Family: Tiliaceae) or 'Tossa Jute or Nalta Jute is an important fiber crop in India and Bangladesh. Its leaves are used as folk medicine, food source and have demulcent, diuretic, lactagogue, purgative, antidiabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and tonic effects. The aim of the research is to evaluate the pharmacognostic characteristics and antimicrobial activity of Corchorus olitorius L. (C. olitorius). Materials and Methods: The pharmacognostic studies were carried out in terms of organoleptic, macroscopic, microscopic, physico-chemical evaluation, phytochemical screening, fluorescence analysis, TLC fingerprinting by standard procedures. Antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria E. coli was determined by agar well diffusion method. Results: The leaf of C. olitorius showed serrate margin, stipules at the base, and acute to acuminate apex. Leaves surface microscopy showed numerous prismatic calcium oxalate crystals and covering trichomes. The moisture content 6.6% w/w, ethanol and water-soluble extractive value 4 and 17.6% w/w, total ash 12% w/w, while acid insoluble and water-soluble ash value 2.2 and 2.0% w/w respectively were determined. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, polyphenols, phytosterols/triterpenoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannins, and proteins. Thin layer chromatographic profiling of ethanolic extract was carried out which showed different Rf values. The antimicrobial test showed that aqueous extract has better antimicrobial activity around the tested bacteria (E. coli) than ethanolic extract. Conclusion:The results are helpful in the standardization of the leaf part of the plant C. olitorius. The aqueous leaf extract possessed antimicrobial properties. There is a need to isolate its constituents responsible for antimicrobial activity.

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Calcium Oxalate Crystals in Leaves of the Extremophile Plant Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl. (Caryophyllaceae)

Cited by 13 publications

References 38 publications

In Situ Accumulation of CaOx Crystals in C. quitensis Leaves and Its Relationship with Anatomy and Gas Exchange

In Situ Accumulation of CaOx Crystals in C. quitensis Leaves and Its Relationship with Anatomy and Gas Exchange

Foliar Functional Traits of Resource Island-Forming Nurse Tree Species from a Semi-Arid Ecosystem of La Guajira, Colombia

Pharmacognostic Studies and Antibacterial Activity of Corchorus olitorius L. Leaf

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