Myrtaceae family

Two lupane triterpenes, bemhnic acid (Ml) and platanic acid (M2), from Syzigium claviflorum Wall. (Myrtaceae family) were reported first to reduce HIV IHB reproduction by 50% in H9 lymphocytes (118). Afterwards, many derivatives were... 

Eucalyptus essential oil is obtained from the Australian tree Eucalyptus sp. that belongs to the Myrtaceae family. It has been known for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic action for hundreds of years (Batish et al., 2008). Toxicity of eucalyptus essential oil toward S. oryzae was reported by Lee et al. (2001), and it proves to be a promising fumigant to control that pest. Lee et al. (2004) reported in another study that several Eucalyptus species were toxic to S. oryzae E. nicholii, E. codonocarpa, and E. blakelyi. The same species cause mortality in T. castaneum and R. dominica. 

Lee, B.-H., P. C. Annis, F. Tumaalii, and W.-S. Choi, 2004. Fumigant toxicity of essential oils from the Myrtaceae family and 1,8-cineole against 3 major stored-grain insects, 553-564. 

Essential oils with phenylpropenes are found, e.g., in the Apiaceae, Lauraceae and Myrtaceae families. Many of these phenylpro-pene-containing plants have been employed by humans since antiquity as condiments and herbal remedies. Cloves, the unopened flower buds of the evergreen clove tree Syzygium aro-maticum, Myrtaceae) native to the Maluku islands, are used as spice, but also as anaesthetic and antiseptic in dentistry. The active ingredient and major component of essential oil from... 

Repellents based on botanical extracts are often perceived to be a natural method to protect against mosquito bites. Native plants from throughout the world, often with links to traditional use by indigenous cultures, have been purported to have usefulness as topical repellents of biting insects. A wide range of plant extracts have been tested and some products with potential benefits are derived from Australian native plants. In particular, native plants that belong to the Myrtaceae Family such as Eucalyptus spp., Leptospermum spp., and Melaleuca spp. 

The western grey kangaroo (Macropusfuliginosus), the major indigenous herbivore in southwestern Australia, avoids plants of the family Myrtaceae (which include Eucalyptus spp. cloves, and guava), which includes 3500 species on that continent. Essential oils characterize the Myrtaceae many species contain two to nine of these. In one experiment, seven Myrtaceae species were not browsed, while comparable species of other families were. All seven species contained the monoterpene 2,5-dimethyl-3-methylene 1,5-heptadine. The kangaroos also browsed one non-Myrtaceae species (Sollya heterophylla, Pittosporaceae) very little. This species contained the same monoterpene (Jones etal, 2003). 

Shellie R, Mondello L, Dugo G, Marriott P, Enantioselective gas chromatographic analysis of monoterpenes in essential oils of the family Myrtaceae, Flavour Fragr J 19 582-585, 2004. 

A number of new listings concern the families of Scrophulariaceae and Solanaceae. In both cases the number of reports concerning external accumulation is also increased. Thus, further research will probably reveal that this phenomenon is more widespread in these families as is obvious from the present data. In Fabaceae, most reports concern accumulation in heartwood, with a few exceptions such as leaves of Millettia racemosa. However, no indication to possible external accumulation is made. Similar to flavone accumulation data, pollen of Myrtaceae were also found to accumulate flavonols. Very few reports exist on Gynmosperms such as Cryptomeria (Taxodiaceae) or Ephedra,without indication of external accumulation. So far, no new reports on flavones are known for these taxa. 

Direct methylation through C-bonds appears to be common in the positions 6 and 8 of the flavonoid molecule. Other positions are rarely C-methylated (C7, saltillin C3, a glycoside only compound 23, Table 12.3). Most reports concentrate on species from the family Myrtaceae, where C-methylflavones also occur externally. Desmos cochinchinensis (Annonaceae) was... 

In this section, reports concentrate on genera from the families Caesalpiniaceae, Myrtaceae, and Velloziaceae. Apart from the Myrtaceae, no C-methylflavones have been reported to occur in the other two families as yet (see Table 12.3). In Myrtaceae, C-methylflavonols have been found also in exudates. Most of the other species listed here accumulate these flavonols in the leaves without further specification. Fungal sources include two species of Colletotri-chum, where C-methylflavonols have been found in the culture filtrate. So far, no C2- or C3- C-linked flavonols have been reported as was the case with the flavones. 

A series of very unusual flavanones has been detected in the genera Baeckea, Luma, and Melaleuca, all belonging to the family Myrtaceae (Table 15.7). The compounds are based on 6-C-methylpinocembrin with an unusual substituent at C-8, including a methylated phloroglucinol-based ring structure fused by a 6-carbon heterocyclic ring (which bears either... 

Among many others, well-known families rich in essential oil bearing species are Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Cupressaceae, Hypericaceae, Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, Pinaceae, Piperaceae, Rutaceae, Santalaceae, Zingiberaceae and Zy-gophyllaceae [1-4, 8-11, 39]. 

Phenylpropanoids are widespread in higher plants, especially in the plants that produce essential oils, e.g. plants of the families, Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae and Rutaceae. For example, Tolu balsam (Myroxylon balsamum, family Fabaceae) yields a high concentration of cinnamic acid esters, cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum, family Lauraceae) produces cinnamaldehyde, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare, family Apiaceae) is a good... 

A warm-temperate family, most strongly represented in Australia, the Myrtaceae have given us Eucalyptus, edible fruits, spices, medicinals, and ornamentals. 

Both Australia and New Zealand have indigenous tea trees in the family Myrtaceae, which were reputedly used for brewing tea by Captain Cook. There is, however, no resemblance between real tea Camellia sinensis, Camelliaceae, and the taste or odor of these species. The Australian tea tree oil from Melaleuca alternifolia and other Melaleuca species has strong antimicrobial potential (see Lis-Balchin et al., 2000, for a review and references). 

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merril. Perry, syn. Eugenia aromaticum or E. caryo-phyllata) is one of the most ancient and valuable spices of the Orient. It is a member of the family Myrtaceae. The clove of commerce is its dried unopened flower buds. The word clove was derived either from the Latin word clavus, or the French form clou, meaning nail . The buds resemble irregular nails. 

Guenther, E. (1982) The Essential Oils, Individual Essential Oils of the Plant Families Gramineae, Lauraceae, Burseraceae, Myrtaceae, Umbelliferae and Greraniaceae, Volume 4. Van Nostrand, New York, pp. 634-645. 

Tea tree is a misleading name. Tea tree is the general name given to all melaleuca trees (of the family Myrtaceae), usually associated with Australia. The species Melaleuca alternifolia is the one producing the essential oil. Many chemotypes exist and standards set for composition may encourage adulteration. 

In both the New and Old Worlds many genera of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) unfurl their waxy, leathery leaves. Containing both trees and shrubs, this an-giosperm family takes its name from the shrub Myrtus, which is found near the Mediterranean, in North Africa, and in South America. 

Species of the Myrtaceae are noted for leaf dimorphism the leaves produced when the plants are young tend to be round and held closely to the branch, while leaves produced when the plants are mature are much longer and thinner. Whether juvenile or adult, the leaves of plants in the myrtle family are opposite. Whenever a leaf is found on one side of the stem, another leaf is found on the opposite side. 

The term myrtle, a common name for some species in the genus Myrtus, is also used as a common name for numerous other plants. These are not to be confused with species from the Myrtaceae. The best known plant called a myrtle, which is not a member of the Myrtaceae, may be the popular garden plant, crepe myrtle, (Lager-stroemia indica), of the Lythraceae or loosestrife family. 

The Myrtaceae is commonly subdivided into two subfamilies, the Leptospermoideae, which is distributed mostly in Asia and Africa, and the Myrtoideae, found in tropical America, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific. The myrtle family is best known from Australia. Many species in the genera Eucalyptus, Calliostemon, and Verticordia, among others, are found in Australia. However, many genera such as Psidium are present in the Americas, and Myrtus of the Mediterranean and Northern Africa. The genus Eucalyptus is probably the best known representative of the Myrtaceae. 

The family of Myrtaceae (Table 1) includes guava and various types of gums. 

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