Introduction
Pimento (Pimenta dioica) is an economically valuable tree yielding ‘allspice’, leaf and berry essential oils, an indispensable part of Caribbean and global cuisines. Under threat locally, this study of its floral biology identifies and confirms functional dioecy –male and female flowers borne on separate individual trees (which appear isophenotypical).
Methodology
Yam anthracnose disease is threatening the survival of the Sweet yam (Dioscorea alata) crop in Jamaica. The common control strategy for this disease in Jamaica involves the use of a fungicide called Topsin.
The leaves of Cissus sicyoides have been utilized in traditional medicine. The berries however are underutilized and do not appear to be widely consumed. This study was undertaken to evaluate the antioxidant properties of C. sicyoides berries.
Mangifera indica (cv. East Indian) is a premium mango in the Tropics attracting high market value. The fruits are normally harvested prior to attaining full maturity and allowed to ripen post harvest. This study was undertaken to evaluate the biochemical properties of tree ripened versus post harvest ripened mangoes.
Rivina humilis L belongs to the Petiveriacea family and is also known as pigeon berry, dog blood, dogberry or blood berry. The leaves of the plant are utilised in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments. The berries are however underutilised. Betalains are the pigments responsible for the red colour of the fruit. The free radical scavenging activity and IC50 value (inhibitory concentration) of the berries were determined utilising the 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and total phenolics by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay.
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