Sadaquat Ali

Benzisochromanquinones and an isofuranonaphthoquinone from Ventilago vitiensis (Rhamnaceae)

Abstract Three new quinones have been isolated from the root bark of Fijian Ventilago vitiensis . One, an isofuranonaphthoquinone, has been identified as 4,6,9-trihydroxy-3-methoxy-1-methylnaphtho[2,3- c ]furan-5,8- quinone (ventilone G), whereas the other two were benzisochromanquinones, 7,10-dihydroxy-1,3-dimethyl-1H- naphtho[2,3- c ]pyran-6,9-quinone (ventiloquinone L) and 7 or (8),10-dihydroxy-8 or (7)-methoxy-1,3-dimethyl-1H- naphtho[2,3- c ]pyran-6,9-quinone (ventiloquinone M).

Comparison of the Composition of the Essential Oils of Alpinia and Hedychium Species—Essential Oils of Fijian Plants, Part 1

Abstract The essential oils of the leaves, flowers and rhizomes of Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.), A. purpurata (Viell.), Hedychium coronarium König, and H. gardnerianum Lindl. species growing wild in Fiji were obtained by steam distillation and analyzed by GC/MS. The rhizome and leaf oils of A. zerumbet were found to be rich in β-pinene (4.0%, 10.0%), 1,8-cineole (28.1%, 13.2%) and terpinen-4-ol (41.4%, 40.9%), respectively. The rhizome oils of A. purpurata contained α-pinene (24.9–36.1%) and β-pinene (65.8–71.3%), while the leaf and flower oils of the same species contained α-pinene (79.6–81.0%), β-pinene (29.4–43.0%) and β-caryophyllene (0–24.2%), respectively. The rhizome and leaf oils of H. coronarium were rich in α-pinene (10.6%, 20.9%), β-pinene (31.4%, 53.6%), 1,8-cineole (55.9%, 11.9%) and β-caryophyllene (0%, 17.7%), respectively. The rhizome oils of H. gardnerianum were rich in α-pinene (10.4–11.0%), β-pinene (31.0–32.1%), 1,8-cineole (27–29.5%) and linalool (22.6–28.1%). The leaf and flower oils contained α-pinene (18.4%, 6.6%), camphene (23.7%, 17.4%), β-pinene (22.1%, 17.0%), linalool, (13.1%, 4.6%) β-caryophyllene (7.7%, 17.4%) and caryophyllene oxide (0%, 10.5%), respectively.

Benzophenones of Garcinia pseudoguttifera (Clusiaceae)

Four biogenetically related benzophenones have been isolated from the Fijian Garcinia pseudoguttifera. They are: 6-hydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy-3,5-bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)benzophenone (myrtiaphenone-A); 2,2-dimethyl-8-benzoyl-7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)benzopy ran (myrtiaphenone-B); 2,6-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-3,5-bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)benzophenone (vismiaphenone-C) and a new benzophenone, 2,2-dimethyl-8-benzoyl-3,7-dihydroxy-5-methoxy- 6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-3,4-dihydrobenzopyran (pseudoguttiaphenone-A). Pseudoguttiaphenone-A could be biogenetically derived from vismiaphenone-C. The major component of G. pseudoguttifera was identified as eupha-8,24-dien-3 beta-ol.

Spongosoritin A: A new polyketide from a Fijian marine sponge, Spongosorites sp.

A new polyketide, spongosoritin A, with a rare vinylagous α,β-unsaturated γ-lactone moiety was isolated from a Fijian marine sponge, Spongosorites sp., and the structure assigned by detailed spectroscopic analysis.

Composition of the Leaf Essential Oil of Cinnamomum verum (Lauraceae) from Fiji Islands

Abstract The leaf essential oils of Cinnamomum verum of the family Lauraceae of Fijian origin have been analyzed by GC and GC-MS. This paper reports the characterization of thirty one components of the Fijian C. verum leaf essential oil, of which eugenol (86.02 %), (E)-caryophyllene (5.70 %) and linalool (2.30 %) were the major constituents. From the Indian C. verum leaf essential oils, only nine components were previously reported.

Student Perceptions of a Culturally Diverse Classroom Environment.

The research in the paper involves an application of the actual and preferred versions of a previously‐validated learning environment instrument: the What is Happening in This Classroom (WIHIC) instrument in a complex multi‐cultural university‐level environment. Statistical analyses suggest the instrument is valid in this setting (with Cronbach alpha above 0.80 for all scales), and data analyses using ANOVA point to relatively few differences between preferred and actual environments. The research findings suggest all students would prefer a more interactive and equitable classroom, the latter issue of particular importance for one cohort, namely Indo‐Fijians (descendents of ethnic Indian indentured labourers). With the exception of this, there are few differences based on ethnicity and further analysis also suggests no differences in perceptions vis‐à‐vis collaborative versus competitive learning environments, excepting that analysis based on gender shows females have a slight preference for a more cooperative learning environment.

Chemistry and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oils from Ripe and Unripe fruits of the Fijian Morinda citrifolia (noni/kura) Rubiaceae

Abstract The volatile compounds, obtained by steam distillation of the ripe and unripe fruits of the Fijian variety of Morinda citriflora, have been investigated. This species, known in Fiji as noni/kura and used in the preparation of the commercial noni beverage, gave octanoic and hexanoic acids as its major volatiles. From unripe fruit, the two principal components were octanoic acid (89.7 %) and hexanoic acid (3.6 %). From ripe fruits there was less acid; octanoic acid (60.2 %) and hexanoic acid (16.3 %). There were a series of 3-methylbut-3-en-1-yl esters (butyrate, hexanoate, octanoate and decanoate) in amounts up to 4 % in the ripe fruits. Also present were a series of methyl ester of these acids. Terpenes were virtually absent from the oils. Both the ripe and unripe fruit volatiles showed similar antimicrobial activities, when tested with five microbes signaling that the active volatile components were probably the major alkanoic acids.