College of Arts & Sciences Research

The Brazilian pepper plant (Schinus terebinthifolius) has been identified as an invasive species in multiple geographic regions around the globe. One characteristic that contributes to its invasiveness is allelopathy. This review provides a comprehensive look at the current research on phytotoxicity and cytotoxicity and presents the characterizations of the terpenoid and phenolic allelochemicals provided in previous works. Future areas of research are identified as a result of this review. 

​The Brazilian pepper plant (Schinus terebinthifolius) is an invasive species that displays multiple characteristics that allow for habitat invasion in many regions globally, including allelopathy. This review analyzes the existing literature that characterizes the Brazilian pepper’s extract and its allelopathic effects, established through bioassay and pot cultures. This review reveals that studies characterizing the extract should include specific information to include specific geographic region, plant part used (leaves versus fruit), and flowering state of the plant when collected. While this review does firmly establish the broad allelopathic effects of the plant, it reveals the need for pot culture and bioassay studies to perform a characterization of the extract in order to draw conclusions regarding the allelopathic effect and the extract composition. We also suggest field studies to firmly establish the broad allelopathic influence of the plant as well as to investigate persistence of Brazilian pepper’s allelopathic chemicals in their surrounding environment.  

References:

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Australian Government Department of Environment and Energy. (2011). Schinus terebinthifolius. Retrieved from Australian Government website.

Bargeron, C.T., & Moorhead, D.J. (2017). EDDMapS - Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System. University of Georgia - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health .

de Assis, C.P.O., Gondim Jr., M.G.C., de Siqueira, H.A.A., & da Camara, C.A.G. (2011). Toxicity of essential oils from plants towards tyrophagus putrescentiae (schrank) and suidasia pontifica oudemans (acari: Astimgata). Journal of Stored Products Research 47, 311-315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2011.04.005

El-Massry, K.F., El-Ghorab, A.H., Shaaban, H.A., & Shibamoto, T. (2009). Chemical compositions and antioxidant/antimicrobial activities of various samples prepared from schinus terebinthifolius leaves cultivated in Egypt. Journal of Agricultural Food and Chemistry 57, 5265-5270. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf900638c

Gomes, F.S., Procopio, T.F., Napoleao, T.H., Coelho, L.C.B.B., & Paiva, P.M.G. (2012). Antimicrobial lectin from schinus terebinthifolius leaf. Journal of Applied Microbiology 114, 672-679. https://doi.org/10.1111/jam.12086

Kweka, E.J., Nyindo, M., Mosha, F., & Silva, A.G. (2011). Insecticidal activity of the essential oil from fruits and seeds of schinus terebinthifolia raddi against African malaria vectors. Parasite Vector 4,129. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-4-129

Silva, A.G., Almeida, D.L., Ronchi, S.N., Bento, A.C., Scherer, R., Ramos, A.C., & Cruz, Z.M.A. (2010). The essential oil of brazilian pepper, schinus terebinthifolia Raddi in larval control of stegomyia aegypti (linnaeus, 1762). Parasite Vector 3, 79. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-3-79