Biochemical Parameters as Biomarkers for the Early Recognition of Environmental Pollution in Scots Pine Trees. I. Phenolic Compounds

Abstract

Pinus sylvestrish., Catechin, Ferulic Acid, p-Coumaric Acid, Picein Within a series of regular projects investigating the suitability of biochemical parameters as biomarkers for the early recognition of environmental pollution, the levels of selected phenolic compounds were determined in Scots pine needles (Pinus sylvestris L.) from young and adult trees at three field sites with different S 0 2 pollution (Rösa>Taura>Neuglobsow). Young trees showed no differences in the levels of soluble phenolics in case of increasing loads of S 0 2, whereas the concentration of the soluble phenolic component catechin in previ ous needles of adult trees altered significantly. In current year's needles, differences were only found in the presence of high S 0 2 deposition. In contrast to catechin, picein and total phenolics remained unaffected. The concentration of catechin in the previous year's needles of adult trees correlated positively with needle necroses.The phenolic components of the cell walls of pine needles were also analysed. The main phenolic compounds were identified as p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid. Differences in the levels of p-coumaric acid were detected in the needles of adult trees between the three sites, with the highest levels being measured at the site with the lowest pollution (Neuglobsow). However, changes in the p-coumaric acid content in young trees were low. No site-related differences were found regarding ferulic acid in adult and young pines. The findings are discussed and compared with data reported in the literature.

Phenolic Compounds and Cell Structure in Bilberry Leaves Affected by Emissions from a Zn–Pb Smelter

“…These results are in the agreement with other studies demonstrating a relation between the pollution and the concentration of plant phenolics (Hartling & Schultz, 1998;Karolewski & Giertych, 1994;Loponen, Ossipov, Koricheva, Haukioja, & Pihlaja, 1997;Loponen et al, 1998;Loponen et al, 2001;Rai, Khatoon, Bisht, & Mehrotra, 2005;Zobel & Nighswander, 1990, 1991. The increase in production of phenolics in studied bilberry leaves most probably reflected the response of plants to accumulation of heavy metals (Zn, Cd, and Pb), and provided protection against their toxic effects.…”

Phenolics, lignin content and peroxidase activity in Picea omorika lines

“…Caffeic acid, coniferyl alcohol and isoferulic acid are present in higher concentration in A3 and B5 lines than in C2 line (Table 1). Catechine has been considered as a possible bioindicator of early stress in Scots pine, since its content in needles followed the external pollution (Härtling and Schulz 1998). It is worth noting that the content of catechine in omorika needles [100 -240 μmol g -1 (f.m.)]…”

Evolution of the biosynthesis of two hydroxyacetophenones in plants

“…Acetophenones are a group of phenolic metabolites (Figure a) present in many gymnosperms including white spruce ( Picea glauca ; Delvas, Bauce, Labbé, Ollevier, & Bélanger, ), Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris ; Härtling & Schulz, ), and various angiosperms (Hacibekiroglu & Kolak, ; Jeon, Chun, Choi, & Kwon, ; Wang et al, ). In shoots of white spruce, acetophenones are the most abundant soluble phenolics (70%) and their glucosides are the main constituents (90%) of the glucosidic fraction (Kraus & Spiteller, ).…”