can be easily transformed into its alkyl esters derivatives (biodiesel) by NaOHCatalyzed transesterification reaction [114]. This represents as an important renewable energy source and a possible substitute to fossil fuels.
Additionally Kailappan, Gothandapani, and Viswanathan [115] have produced
activated carbon with 56.9% yield, submitting P. julflora wood powder to temperatures of 600
C for 1 h followed by activation with zinc chloride for 30 min,
demonstrating that with applied scientific research, low value raw material such as
lignocellulosic feedstock can be transformed into high value additional products.
It is known that P. juliflora has natural coagulants capable of removing turbidity
from water [116] and that its ethanolic extracts can remove 78% of total dissolved
solids in tannery and paint industry effluents [117, 118]. Previous studies have
reported steel corrosion inhibition from its methanolic extracts from leaves [119].
The capacity of the species to accumulate fluoride was also reported by Saini,
Khan, Baunthiyal, and Sharma [120], thus providing to be a suitable candidate to
decontaminate fluoride loaded soils. Moreover, the tree rings of P. juliflora can hyper
accumulate and immobilize heavy metal such as nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cadmium
(Cd), and chrome (Cr), making it a good bioindicator of heavy metal contamination
in ecosystems and an alternative to bioremediate heavy metals-polluted sites at the
same time [121–123]. Several other applications of P. juliflora regarding its biotechnological potential are reported by [52]; these include: synthesis of bio-based
polyurethane, production of high-energy Li-ion hybrid electrochemical capacitors,
and so on.
4
Conclusions
Prosopis juliflora is among the world’s most damaging invasive species that can
cause ecological, economic, and social impacts and are responsible for global
change. However, mesquite has demonstrated to be a versatile raw material, widely
applicable in the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and renewable energy
industries, providing progress in several fields of science and technology. Therefore,
the strategies to control the invasive character of Prosopis juliflora using transdisciplinary approaches would also improve feasible solutions.
Acknowledgments G.A.B..D., A.L.S., and I.B.S. are recipient of fellowships from the
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Brazil. The authors
wish to thank Ministerio de Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovação e Comunicações – MCTIC and the INCT
BioNat for the financial support. M.F. is CNPq fellowship honored researcher.
References
1. Walling LL (2000) The myriad plant responses to herbivores. Plant Growth Regul 19:195–216
2. Haig T (2008) Allelochemicals in plants. Springer, New York
3. Bennett RN, Wallsgrove RM (1994) Secondary metabolites in plant defense-mechanisms.
New Phytol 127:617–633
22 Prosopis juliflora: Phytochemical, Toxicological, and Allelochemicals
535
Additionally Kailappan, Gothandapani, and Viswanathan [115] have produced
activated carbon with 56.9% yield, submitting P. julflora wood powder to temperatures of 600
C for 1 h followed by activation with zinc chloride for 30 min,
demonstrating that with applied scientific research, low value raw material such as
lignocellulosic feedstock can be transformed into high value additional products.
It is known that P. juliflora has natural coagulants capable of removing turbidity
from water [116] and that its ethanolic extracts can remove 78% of total dissolved
solids in tannery and paint industry effluents [117, 118]. Previous studies have
reported steel corrosion inhibition from its methanolic extracts from leaves [119].
The capacity of the species to accumulate fluoride was also reported by Saini,
Khan, Baunthiyal, and Sharma [120], thus providing to be a suitable candidate to
decontaminate fluoride loaded soils. Moreover, the tree rings of P. juliflora can hyper
accumulate and immobilize heavy metal such as nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cadmium
(Cd), and chrome (Cr), making it a good bioindicator of heavy metal contamination
in ecosystems and an alternative to bioremediate heavy metals-polluted sites at the
same time [121–123]. Several other applications of P. juliflora regarding its biotechnological potential are reported by [52]; these include: synthesis of bio-based
polyurethane, production of high-energy Li-ion hybrid electrochemical capacitors,
and so on.
4
Conclusions
Prosopis juliflora is among the world’s most damaging invasive species that can
cause ecological, economic, and social impacts and are responsible for global
change. However, mesquite has demonstrated to be a versatile raw material, widely
applicable in the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and renewable energy
industries, providing progress in several fields of science and technology. Therefore,
the strategies to control the invasive character of Prosopis juliflora using transdisciplinary approaches would also improve feasible solutions.
Acknowledgments G.A.B..D., A.L.S., and I.B.S. are recipient of fellowships from the
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Brazil. The authors
wish to thank Ministerio de Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovação e Comunicações – MCTIC and the INCT
BioNat for the financial support. M.F. is CNPq fellowship honored researcher.
References
1. Walling LL (2000) The myriad plant responses to herbivores. Plant Growth Regul 19:195–216
2. Haig T (2008) Allelochemicals in plants. Springer, New York
3. Bennett RN, Wallsgrove RM (1994) Secondary metabolites in plant defense-mechanisms.
New Phytol 127:617–633
22 Prosopis juliflora: Phytochemical, Toxicological, and Allelochemicals
535