Pistacia Lentiscus

Microwave assisted extraction (MAE) was investigated for extraction of total phenolic compounds (TPC expressed as gallic acid equivalents GAE) from the leaves of Pistacia lentiscus L. with maximized total phenolic yield using response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with a Box-Behnken design. The optimal MAE processing parameters were 46% ethanol, extraction time 60 s, potency density 17.86 W/mL, and liquid/solid ratio 28:1, with an extraction yield of 185.69 ± 18.35 mg GAE /g dw . The optimized MAE was compared with another emerging technology (ultrasound assisted extraction, UAE) and with conventional solvent extraction (CSE) giving higher extraction yields of TPC, total flavonoids and tannins and comparable antioxidant capacity (according to the radical ABTS assay).

This study was undertaken with the aim of illuminating the soil-plant interactions of Pistacia lentiscus L., which is a Mediterranean sclerophylleous coastal zone plant in the Western Anatolian part of Turkey. The soil analysis data showed that this plant grows on different kinds of soils such as sandy-clayey-loam, clayey-loam, sandy-loam and loamy texture. Soils are not saline, with pH moderately and slightly alkaline. This species prefers soils with low phosphorus and potassium contents, but with different calcium carbonate and nitrogen contents. Three negative linear correlations were observed between plant calcium and soil pH, plant nitrogen and soil calcium carbonate, plant potassium and soil calcium carbonate.

"Il lentischio, Pistacia lentiscus, è un arbusto sempreverde dall'intenso profumo resinoso e aromatico, tipico della macchia mediterranea, molto diffuso in Sardegna dalla pianura alle zone montuose (kessa, moddizzi).
Le foglie, ricche di tannino, venivano impiegate per la concia delle pelli, mentre il legno, ottimo da ardere, veniva usato per produrre carbone vegetale.
Dai frutti si ricavava un olio, utilizzato un tempo principalmente per l’illuminazione, per la cura delle ferite del bestiame e, nelle tavole dei poveri, per uso alimentare."

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In September 2016, a survey conducted in the Circeo National Park revealed an outbreak and serious damage caused by the black twig borer (Xylosandrus compactus) and its associated fungi in the Mediterranean maquis. Among the affected hosts, Quercus ilex, Viburnum tinus, Ruscus aculeatus, Pistacia lentiscus, Laurus nobilis and Ceratonia siliqua, showed flagging and wilting of branches and, in younger individuals, the death of the whole plant occurred. In total, 18 different fungal taxa were found associated with the insect. These included Ambrosiella xylebori, Geosmithia pallida, Fusarium spp., Epicoccum nigrum and Bionectria sp. This is the first report in Europe of X. compactus and associated ambrosia fungi in a natural environment.

Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulating Pistacia lentiscus L. var. chia essential oil (EO) were prepared by a solvent evaporation method, in order to obtain a novel carrier for administration on the skin. The specific EO exhibits antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties thus stimulating considerable interest as a novel agent for the treatment of minor skin inflammations. The incorporation into nanoparticles could overcome the administration limitations that inserts the nature of the EO. Nanoparticles were prepared, utilizing poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as shell material, due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability, while the influence of surfactant type on NPs properties was examined. Two surfactants were selected, namely poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and lecithin (LEC) and NPs' physicochemical characteristics i.e. size, polydispersity index (PdI) and ζ-potential were determined, not indicating significant differences (p > 0.05) between PLA/PVA-NPs (239.9 nm, 0.081,-29.1 mV) and PLA/LEC-NPs (286.1 nm, 0.167, −34.5 mV). However, encapsulation efficiency (%EE) measured by GC-MS, was clearly higher for PLA/PVA-NPs than PLA/LEC-NPs (37.45% vs. 9.15%, respectively). Moreover PLA/PVA-NPs remained stable over a period of 60 days. The in vitro release study indicated gradual release of the EO from PLA/PVA-NPs and more immediate from PLA/LEC-NPs. The above findings, in addition to the SEM images of the particles propose a potential structure of nanocapsules for PLA/PVA-NPs, where shell material is mainly consisted of PLA, enclosing the EO in the core. However, this does not seem to be the case for PLA/LEC-NPs, as the results indicated low EO content, rapid release and a considerable percentage of humidity detected by SEM. Furthermore, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the EO was determined against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, while NPs, however did not exhibit considerable activity in the concentration range applied. In conclusion, the surfactant selection may modify the release of EO incorporated in NPs for topical application allowing its action without interfering to the physiological skin microbiota.

The effect of water stress on proline accumulation was tested in two contrasted species of Mediterranean scrub:
Halimium halimifolium (L.) Willk and Pistacia lentiscus L. Leaf water potential, stomatal resistance and proline
content have been measured both in experimental and in natural water stress conditions. Both species accumulated
proline in their leaves when leaf water potential dropped below a threshold value of 􀀀3.0 MPa, under natural as
well as under experimental conditions. In the field, however, a time-lag between decrease of leaf water potential
and proline accumulation could be observed. In Halimium halimifolium, proline accumulation appeared to be
associated with severe stress conditions as most plants with high proline contents suffered irreversible wilting,
especially in the greenhouse. P. lentiscus showed a different pattern, accumulating proline at two different times
of the year, as a response to cold or to drought. The results of our study indicated that the role of proline in this
species, rather than an osmotic agent, seems to be more related to a protective action in cases of severe stress
conditions.

In September 2016, a survey conducted in the Circeo National Park revealed an outbreak and serious damage caused by the black twig borer (Xylosandrus compactus) and its associated fungi in the Mediterranean maquis. Among the affected hosts, Quercus ilex, Viburnum tinus, Ruscus aculeatus, Pistacia lentiscus, Laurus nobilis and Ceratonia siliqua, showed flagging and wilting of branches and, in younger individuals, the death of the whole plant occurred. In total, 18 different fungal taxa were found associated with the insect. These included Ambrosiella xylebori, Geosmithia pallida, Fusarium spp., Epicoccum nigrum and Bionectria sp. This is the first report in Europe of X. compactus and associated ambrosia fungi in a natural environment.