(1) Communities of herbivorous insects feeding on the above-ground parts of bracken (Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn) were compared at matched open and woodland sites in the north of England (Skipwith Common) and the Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico (Sierra Blanca). (2) General supporting surveys of herbivores were also conducted throughout Britain and the south-western U.S.A. (Arizona and New Me...

Mountain pastures dominated by the pasture grass Setaria sphacelata in the Andes of southern Ecuador are heavily infested by southern bracken (Pteridium arachnoideum), a major problem for pasture management. Field observations suggest that bracken might outcompete the grass due to its competitive strength with regard to the absorption of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). To understand ...

This study indicated that there was no significant difference in the incidence of intestinal tumors between germ-free and conventional rats fed a diet containing bracken, suggesting that gut microflora did not play a definite role in bracken tumorigenesis. However, bracken induced exclusively sarcoma but no adenocarcinoma in germ-free rats, whereas it induced predominantly adenocarcinoma in con...

Bracken fern, commonly found in hilly regions contains toxic substances. It is reported to cause alimentary carcinoma and haematuria in both animals and human beings. Present paper deals with the recent advances in bracken fern toxins research in animals. Keyword: Bracken fern, Pteridium aquilinum Kuhn, Toxin, Carcinogens, Animal, Human, Haematuria, Recent advances. IPC code; Int. cl.⎯ AO1N25/0...

This study indicated that there was no significant difference in the incidence of intestinal tumors between germ-free and conventional rats fed a diet containing bracken, suggesting that gut microflora did not play a definite role in bracken tumorigenesis. However, bracken induced exclusively sarcoma but no adenocarcinoma in germ-free rats, whereas it induced predominantly adenocarcinoma in con...

An active glucoside that enhanced release of histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells was isolated from a toxic fraction of bracken fern, Pteridium aquilinum, by partition column chromatography on Sephadex G-25. It was a yellowish amorphous powder on freeze-drying, readily soluble in water or ethanol, and insoluble in ether. It was hydrolysed with beta-glucosidase to release D-glucose. It was a...

Prebiotics and probiotics strongly impact the gut ecosystem by changing the composition and/or metabolism of the microbiota to improve the health of the host. However, the composition of the microbiota constantly changes due to the intake of daily diet. This shift in the microbiota composition has a considerable impact; however, non-pre/probiotic foods that have a low impact are ignored because...