Invasion of alien species is one the main drivers land degradation threatening both natural and managed ecosystems. Ecological restoration crucial in controlling invasion to improve biotic resistance avoid further degradation. We investigated possibility establishment invasive (IAS) by native seed addition. tested if trait similarity or increased propagule pressure results suppression IAS at ea...

The incorporation of lucerne meal in the diet of chicks prevents normal gains in weight (Alder, 1946; Draper, 1948; Cooney, Butts & Bacon, 1948; Lepkovsky, Shaeleff, Peterson & Perry, 1950; Heywang, 1950; Kodras, Cooney & Butts, 1951 a, b). This effect is attributed to the saponin fraction of lucerne (Peterson, 195oa, b; Heywang & Bird, 1954), which has been shown to be a complex mixture of rel...

Saponins are used in medicine due to their pharmacological and immunological effects. To better understand interactions of saponins with model membranes and natural membranes of, for example, erythrocytes, Langmuir film balance experiments are well established. For most saponins, a strong interaction with cholesterol was demonstrated in dependence of both the aglycone part and the sugar moietie...

Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are a family of plant toxins that permanently damage ribosomes and possibly other cellular substrates, thus causing cell death. RIPs are mostly divided in two types: Type 1 RIPs that are single-chain enzymatic proteins, and type 2 RIPs that consist of an active A chain (similar to a type 1 RIP) linked to a B chain with lectin properties. RIP-containing conj...

Saponins are natural glycosides of steroid or triterpene which exhibited many different biological and pharmacological activities. Notably, saponins can also activate the mammalian immune system, which have led to significant interest in their potential as vaccine adjuvants. The most widely used saponin-based adjuvants are Quil A and its derivatives QS-21, isolated from the bark of Quillaja sap...