Estimation of conservation value of myrtle(Myrtus communis)using a contingent valuation method:a case study in a Dooreh forest area,Lorestan Province,Iran

Background： Around 2000 plant species occur naturally in Lorestan Province of which 250 species are medicinal and myrtle is one of them. Myrtle is a shrub whose leaves and fruits have medicinal value and thus, if managed and harvested properly, could produce sustained economic benefits. In recent years, however, over half of the myrtle site areas was destroyed, due to inappropriate management and excessive harvesting practices. Thus, coming up with a practical harvesting approach along with identifying those factors damaging the sites, seems to be very crucial. Methods： In our investigation, we calculated the conservation value per hectare of myrtle in the Dooreh forest area in Lorestan Province. Using the Contingent Valuation （CV） and Double Bounded Dichotomous Choice （DBDC） methods, we determined the willingness to pay （VVTP） for myrtle conservation. The VVTP was estimated with a Iogit model for which indices were obtained based on a maximum precision criterion. Results： The results showed that 86.67 per cent of people were willing to pay for the conservation of these myrtle sites. Average monthly WTP per family was calculated as $0.79. The annual conservation value in terms of WTP for the preservation of the myrtle sites in Dooreh was estimated as $102,525. Among the variables of the model presented, education had a positive impact, while the amount proposed for payment and family size had a negative impact on the WTP. Conclusions： Our estimate of the value of myrtle conservation should provide justification for policy makers and decision making bodies of natural resources to implement policies in order to conserve the natural sites of this species more effectively.

Long-Term Frozen Storage Impact on the Antioxidant Capacity and Chemical Composition of Sardinian Myrtle （Myrtus communis L,） Berries

The effects of frozen storage at -18 ℃ up to 6 months, on the antioxidant properties, chemical composition and other physicochemical properties of myrtle berries （Myrtus comrnunis L.） has been evaluated. Berries showed a good resistance to storage decay, and weight loss remained after six months in the 15% range. Results showed that frozen storage up to 6 months affect individual antocyanins content in different ways. Nevertheless the total anthocyanins content was at the end of storage higher than in fresh fruits. The antioxidant capacity calculated with 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhidrazyl （DPPH） and 2,2＇-Azino-bis （3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid） （ABTS） increased during storage and the calculated r2 showed a positive correlation with the total anthocyanins content. Gluconic and fumaric acid did not changed, quinic acid decreased while malic and shikimic acid increased. The total organic acid content during storage was higher than in fresh fruits causing a slight decrease in pH. Fructose and glucose increased with the same rate and the ratio fructose/glucose remained unchanged （1.06 ± 0.01）, CIE L^＊a^＊b^＊ coordinates showed a shift of the colour to tawny brown after six months storage.

Observation on Flower Bud Differentiation of Crape Myrtle in Red Soil Environment

Flower bud differentiation is a key component of plant blooming biology and understanding how it works is vital for flowering regulation and plant genetic breeding,increasing the number and quality of flowering.Red soil is the most widely covered soil type in the world,and it is also the most suitable soil type for crape myrtle planting.The flower buds of crape myrtle(Lagerstroemia indica)planted in red soil were employed as experimental materials in this study,and the distinct periods of differentiation were identified using stereomicroscopy and paraffin sectioning.We optimized the steps of dehydration,transparency,embedding,sectioning and staining when employing paraffin sections.When seen under a microscope,this optimization can make the cell structure of paraffin sections obvious,the tissue structure complete,and the staining clear and natural.The flower bud differentiation process is divided into 7 periods based on anatomical observations of the external morphology and internal structure during flower bud differentiation:undifferentiated period,start of differentiation period,inflorescence differentiation period,calyx differentiation period,petal differentiation period,stamen differentiation period,and pistil differentiation period.The differentiation time is concentrated from the end of May to mid-June.Crape myrtle flower bud differentiation is a complicated process,and the specific regulatory mechanism and affecting elements need to be investigated further.

Effects of Cold Storage on Quality Traits of Sardinian Myrtle （Myrtus communis L.） Berries and Their Alcoholic Extracts

Myrtus communis L. is a spontaneous aromatic plant typical of the Mediterranean area. Myrtle berries hydrodistilled products and ethanolic extracts are mainly used as flavouring agents and food supplements. This study evaluated the effect of long-term storage on the quality-related properties of myrtle berries. Storage at 2 ~C for three months effbctively preserved myrtle berries quality, both in the chemical composition and external appearance. No symptoms of chilling injury and decay occurred during the first two months of storage, at the end of storage only the 1.3% of rotting was detected. Total anthocyanic content and anthocyanin glycosides diminished whereas the antioxidant capacity increased in all samples till the end of storage. The antioxidant properties of myrtle berries were not correlated with the anthocyanic fraction. The pH of myrtle berries decreased, while gluconic acid levels increased. The results reported in this paper showed that the storage at 2 ~C for three months appears to be an effective way to preserve myrtle berries quality. The changes in the chemical composition of the fruits subjected to storage had revealed the importance of gluconic acid and pH for myrtle quality assessment. These two parameters can be used as quality markers since a strong relationship has been found between myrtle decay and the changes in these parameters,

Determination of Anthocyanins and Exploration of Relationship between Their Composition and Petal Coloration in Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia hybrid)

Petal coloration and pigment components in 12 American crape myrtle cultivars （Lagerstroemia indica x Lagerstroemia fauriei） and five Chinese crape myrtle cuItivars （L. indica hybrids） were studied. Color was measured by CIEL^＊a^＊b^＊ scale and anthocyanin composition of crape myrtle was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The presence of the previously reported delphinidin 3-O-glucoside, petunidin 3-O-glucoside and malvidin 3-O-glucoside were confirmed. Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside was identified in crape myrtle for the first time. We explored the relationship between petal color and anthocyanin contents by multiple linear regression analyses. The results indicated that total fiavones and fiavonols were important variables and contributed to blue-enhancing in crape myrtle. Based on anthocyanins and co-pigments analysis, flower color breeding in crape myrtle towards true-red and blue were discussed.