Leaf litter decomposition, a crucial component of the global carbon cycle, relies on the pivotal role played by microorganisms. However, despite their ecological importance, leaf-litter-decomposing microorganism taxonomic and functional diversity needs additional study. This study explores the taxonomic composition, dynamics, and functional role of microbial communities that decompose leaf litter of forest-forming tree species in two ecologically unique regions of Europe.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe decomposition of plant litter, most of which is found in forests, is an important element of the global carbon cycle, as a result of which carbon enters the atmosphere in the form of not only CO but also volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Although the formation of litter is associated with autumn cooling, in the spring, there is a very intense fall of faded inflorescences of woody plants. This study examined the chemical composition of the litter and VOCs emitted from decaying inflorescences of four species of forest-forming trees: silver birch, European hornbeam, black alder and aspen.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe vegetation of the Canary Islands is characterized by a large number of endemic species confined to different altitudinal levels. It can be assumed that these circumstances determine the characteristic features of the chemical composition of local beekeeping products, including propolis. We report, for the first time, the chemical composition of propolis from Tenerife (Canary Islands).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPoplars provide medicinal raw plant materials used in pharmacy. Leaf buds are one of the herbal medicinal products collected from poplars, having anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, but there are no quality standards for their production and there is a need to determine their botanical sources. Therefore, the chemical compositions of the leaf buds from four species and varieties of poplars, , , 'Marilandica', and were investigated and compared using gas chromatography coupled with mass detection (GC-MS) and two-dimensional high-performance thin-layer chromatography (2D-HPTLC) in order to search for taxa characterized by a high content of biologically active compounds and with a diverse chemical composition that determines their therapeutic effects.
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