Crystalline Calcium Oxalate in Pandanus Odoratissimus

Pandanus odoratissimus (P. odoratissimus) belongs to the Pandanus genus from Pandanaceae. The research involving this coastal species was reviewed and compiled. From the literature, the pharmacognostical and phytochemical investigations including chromatographic analysis were carried out on the leaves extract. Two phenolic compounds, four lignan type compounds plus a benzofuran derivative were published as the constituents of this plant. In addition, the biological work was also conducted. This included the investigation of antioxidative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging activities of the fractions. In this paper, the microscopical study utilising Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is presented. From the photomicrographs, both fruits and leaves of P. odoratissimus contained singly scattered and bundles of calcium oxalate raphides, observed as acicular crystals, having the shape of narrow, long and pointed needles. In addition, another morphological type of calcium oxalate was also observed. The styloids were detected as rectangular crystals having extensions around their four edges. Previously, the styloids were found in a different Pandanus species, P. gasicus and Freycinetia, another genus of Pandanaceae. In summary, this is the second report of the simultaneous occurrences of two crystalline shapes from a Pandanus.