Invasive Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora), an Allergy and Health Challenge

Abstract

Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC), is an medium-sized tree (family Fabaceae, subfamily Mimosoideae), that has been intorcuded around the world. It is a noxious invasive species in Africa, Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula and a source of highly allergenic pollen in. The present article reviews the adverse allergenic effects of P. juliflora pollen on human and animal health. Several studies have diagnosed that allergenic pollens from Prosopis spp. can provoke respiratory problems. Prosopis pollen extracts have 16 allergenic components of which nine proteins were recognized as major allergens with some of them showing cross-reactivity. Clinically, understanding Prosopis pollen production, flowering seasonality, pollen load, and dispersal in the atmosphere are important to avoid allergic consequences for local inhabitants. Climate change and other pollution can also help to further facilitate allergenic issues. Furthermore, we document other human and animal health problems caused by invasive Prosopis trees. This includes flesh injuries, dental and gastric problems, and the facilitation of malaria. This review summarizes and enhances the existing knowledge about Prosopis flowering phenology, aeroallergen, and other human and animal health risks associated with this noxious plant.

Global Invasion Risk Assessment of Prosopis juliflora at Biome Level: Does Soil Matter?

“…The trade-in P. juliflora products were valued as above 1.5 million USD in some villages in Kenya [ 75 ]. However, after the introduction, P. juliflora became invasive and threaten ecosystem services and human health [ 11 ]. With the expected climate change and increasing human activities, P. juliflora might become more invasive.…”

“…Also, P. juliflora has several adaptive features that enable it to grow well and even flourish in very poor dry hot desert habitats that are commonly considered to be unsuitable for the dominance of many other plant species [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 74 ] For example, the deep taproot of this species allows it to secure its water requirements during dry seasons and hence to invade the dry arid lands [ 74 ]. In addition, P. juliflora was able to tolerate high sun intensity and temperatures of the hyper-arid environment of the Gulf region by avoiding permanent damage of the photosynthetic apparatus that happened by lowering PSII efficiency and dissipating extra light energy through the increase of non-photochemical quenching [ 12 ].…”

“…It is naturalized and invaded several tropical and sub-tropical regions worldwide at an alarming rate [ 1 , 9 ]. In addition, this species is surviving and thriving in the harsh conditions of the hyperarid Arabian deserts, where annual average rainfall is less than 100 mm and average temperatures reach above 40 °C during summer [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. The introduction was for different purposes, including for example, combating desertification and land reclamation, greening deserts, and its utilization as sources of animal feed, especially pods that represent a considerable part of goats’ diet, biofuel, timber, shelter, building material and furniture for local farmers [ 1 , 8 , 16 ].…”

Allelopathic Potential of Aqueous Extract from Acacia melanoxylon R. Br. on Lactuca sativa

“…Allelochemicals are released to the environment in different ways (by volatilisation, leaching, exudation or decomposition) and can act in a direct or an indirect way on the receptor plants [ 16 , 19 , 22 , 23 ]. Their chemical nature is complex and diverse (organic acids, aldehydes, coumarins, quinones, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, etc.…”

“…Different polyphenols (phenolic compounds, flavonoids, derivatives of hydoxybenzoic acids, derivatives of cinnamic acids) were identified and seem to be water soluble; previously, it was elaborated that most of the allelochemicals, when in contact with plant cell walls, caused phytotoxicity and interfered in the ecophysiological parameters of the target plants [ 36 , 38 , 39 ]. These phytochemicals possess certain properties and can be used them as lead compounds for new herbicide discovery program [ 3 , 19 , 23 , 40 , 41 ].…”