Antioxidative capacity of phenolic compounds extracted from Lolium perenne and Lolium arundinaceum infected with Neotyphodium (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae)

Abstract

Members of Neotyphodium endophytic fungi infecting Lolium perenne L. and Lolium arundinaceum Darb. alter the synthesis of several metabolites. In this study we determined the antioxidative capacity of phenolic compounds from L. perenne and L. arundinaceum infected with Neotyphodium lolii (Latch, Christensen et Samuels) and Neotyphodium coenophialum (Morgan-Jones et Gams) Glenn, Bacon et Hanlin, respectively. The antioxidant capacity was determined by measuring the scavenging capacity of aqueous methanolic extracts to the free-radical DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). L. perenne infected with 'wild-type' strain endophyte showed the highest scavenging capacity, whereas endophyte-free showed the least. Those infected with the 'novel' strains AR1 and AR37 showed intermediate capacities. L. arundinaceum infected with the 'novel' strain AR542 showed a lower scavenging capacity compared with endophyte-free counterparts, regardless of the L. arundinaceum germplasm. The endophyte-free Mediterranean and Continental L. arundinaceum showed a higher capacity to scavenge DPPH when compared with the endophyte-infected Mediterranean and Continental L. arundinaceum. These results suggest that the endophytic fungi alter the antioxidative capacity of the grasses.

Effect of leaf chemistry ofVitis viniferaL. on the performance and development ofEpiphyas postvittana(Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

“…The concentration of carbohydrates was determined via colorimetric assay using anthrone reagent (Sigma‐Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA) (Quarmby and Allen ) using 0.03 g of leaf material. Phenolic substances were measured following Qawasmeh et al () using 2.0 g of leaf material. The nutrients (cations) were measured on 0.5 g of leaf material in a PerkinElmer 200 atomic‐absorption spectrophotometer equipped with a hollow cathode lamp, a deuterium background corrector and an air–acetylene (10:2.5) flame (PerkinElmer, Waltham, MA, USA).…”

Epichloë (formerly Neotyphodium) fungal endophytes increase adaptation of cool-season perennial grasses to environmental stresses

“…Nonalkaloid secondary metabolites, i.e., sesquiterpenoids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids have been isolated from several grass hosts infected with epichloid endophytes [57,88,89]. These metabolites have been shown to have antimicrobial [88], antioxidant [23,28], and pest-deterrent properties [90].…”

“…Alterations of root architecture [176][177][178], and morphology and functions [144,179,180] may be the primary basis for drought tolerance in endophyte-infected grasses. Protection of growth meristems and cell membrane functions by antioxidants from oxidative stress caused by excess of free radicals may be a secondary mechanism [27,89,168].…”

“…These root exudates were first characterized as phenolic compounds with antioxidative properties. In subsequent studies, Qawasmeh et al [28,89] and Guo et al [144] characterized specific phenolic compounds and other secondary metabolites exuded from roots of tall fescue and perennial ryegrass in response to endophyte infection in shoot tissues. They also found a strong effect of endophyte strains on the quantity and quality of phenolic compounds produced and exuded via roots by grass hosts.…”

Endophytic Phomopsis sp. colonization in Oryza sativa was found to result in plant growth promotion and piperine production

“…This can be through their direct contribution by synthesizing the same plant specific compound or regulating expression of plant secondary metabolism. Induction of phenolic compounds in endophyte infected roots of Lolium perenne is indicative of such processes (Qawasmeh et al ). Understanding the mechanistic basis of fine tuning of plant secondary metabolism by a fungal partner can have immense applications (Schulz et al ).…”