2
Prosopis juliflora
The Prosopis genus belongs to Fabaceae (Leguminosae) and is comprised of 44
species, in which 40 are native to the Americas [12, 13]. Prosopis juliflora is an
invasive tree species present in arid and semi-arid zones, which is native to the
rangelands in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. This species has
easy dispersion, grows fast, and is adapted to survive and grow in harsh desert
environments [14].
In this context, Prosopis seedlings were deliberately distributed into myriad
potentially suitable habitats across the Caatinga and the initial introduction of
Prosopis juliflora was in the 1940s [15]. Despite its recent invasion history, Prosopis
are the most widespread invasive plants in the Caatinga [16, 17], where they
transform the native ecosystem, causing impacts on community structure, hydrology
and soil properties [14]. This species is used by local populations as feed and as
fodder, in the production of poles, cuttings, and fences or as fuel, in the form of
firewood and charcoal [17, 18]. Some rural communities use this species as a
medicinal plant, recommending its use for skin problems [19]. It is also important
in honey production because its flowers are highly sought after by bees [20].
It can be easily identified as being a tree that reaches about 10 meters in height;
branches with bipinous leaves and solitary spines at each node, reaching ca. 30 cm in
length; flowers arranged in spikes, pedicelate, with light yellow coloration; indehiscent fruit, coriaceous, and segmented endocarp, fleshy and sweet mesocarp and
yellowish coloration [20–22].
2.1
Allelochemicals from Prosopis juliflora
Prosopis juliflora, which is also known as mesquite, is particularly invasive in exotic
environments and has become one of the world’s 100 most invasive species that is
globally distributed [23]. This scenario is mainly due to the allelochemicals released
by its roots, leaves, and fruits that inhibit seed germination of neighboring species;
therefore, the growth of neighboring plants is impaired leading to an increased
availability of nutrients and water to ensure its survival [24]. In addition to the
extensive use of allelochemicals, in conjunction with its unique seed regenerating
strategy and perennial habit of the invasive plants, we can observe ecosystem-level
changes creating monospecific stands and changes in the chemistry and biophysical
properties of soil [8].
Regarding the production of allelochemicals, the defenses may be categorized
as constitutive (or static) and induced (or active), when the defensive traits are only
expressed in response to an environmental change or biological threat [25, 26].
Nevertheless, both defense kinetics are costly to plants, compromising its growth
and reproduction; therefore, plants use sophisticated regulatory networks to maintain a balance between growth and defense response in order to ensure its survival
[27, 28]. Advanced studies remain necessary to discover how exactly the plants
manage this sophisticated network and its protective mechanisms. However, it is
22 Prosopis juliflora: Phytochemical, Toxicological, and Allelochemicals
523
Prosopis juliflora
The Prosopis genus belongs to Fabaceae (Leguminosae) and is comprised of 44
species, in which 40 are native to the Americas [12, 13]. Prosopis juliflora is an
invasive tree species present in arid and semi-arid zones, which is native to the
rangelands in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. This species has
easy dispersion, grows fast, and is adapted to survive and grow in harsh desert
environments [14].
In this context, Prosopis seedlings were deliberately distributed into myriad
potentially suitable habitats across the Caatinga and the initial introduction of
Prosopis juliflora was in the 1940s [15]. Despite its recent invasion history, Prosopis
are the most widespread invasive plants in the Caatinga [16, 17], where they
transform the native ecosystem, causing impacts on community structure, hydrology
and soil properties [14]. This species is used by local populations as feed and as
fodder, in the production of poles, cuttings, and fences or as fuel, in the form of
firewood and charcoal [17, 18]. Some rural communities use this species as a
medicinal plant, recommending its use for skin problems [19]. It is also important
in honey production because its flowers are highly sought after by bees [20].
It can be easily identified as being a tree that reaches about 10 meters in height;
branches with bipinous leaves and solitary spines at each node, reaching ca. 30 cm in
length; flowers arranged in spikes, pedicelate, with light yellow coloration; indehiscent fruit, coriaceous, and segmented endocarp, fleshy and sweet mesocarp and
yellowish coloration [20–22].
2.1
Allelochemicals from Prosopis juliflora
Prosopis juliflora, which is also known as mesquite, is particularly invasive in exotic
environments and has become one of the world’s 100 most invasive species that is
globally distributed [23]. This scenario is mainly due to the allelochemicals released
by its roots, leaves, and fruits that inhibit seed germination of neighboring species;
therefore, the growth of neighboring plants is impaired leading to an increased
availability of nutrients and water to ensure its survival [24]. In addition to the
extensive use of allelochemicals, in conjunction with its unique seed regenerating
strategy and perennial habit of the invasive plants, we can observe ecosystem-level
changes creating monospecific stands and changes in the chemistry and biophysical
properties of soil [8].
Regarding the production of allelochemicals, the defenses may be categorized
as constitutive (or static) and induced (or active), when the defensive traits are only
expressed in response to an environmental change or biological threat [25, 26].
Nevertheless, both defense kinetics are costly to plants, compromising its growth
and reproduction; therefore, plants use sophisticated regulatory networks to maintain a balance between growth and defense response in order to ensure its survival
[27, 28]. Advanced studies remain necessary to discover how exactly the plants
manage this sophisticated network and its protective mechanisms. However, it is
22 Prosopis juliflora: Phytochemical, Toxicological, and Allelochemicals
523