Changes in biomass allocation and phenolic compounds accumulation due to the effect of light and nitrate supply in Cecropia peltata plants

Abstract

Cecropia peltata is popularly known as ''guarumbo'' in Mexico and is used in traditional medicine for treatment of diabetes mellitus. C. peltata plants were cultivated in a hydroponic system under controlled conditions. Gradients of light (20, 30 and 100 lmol m -2 s -1 ) and nitrate concentrations (13, 2 and 0.2 mM) were applied to estimate their effect on biomass allocation and accumulation of bioactive (chlorogenic acid and isoorientin) phenolic compounds over a 28-day period. According to carbon nutrient balance (CNB) hypothesis predictions, biomass accumulation in foliage was stimulated by the highest irradiance (100 lmol m -2 s -1 ); similarly, at highest irradiance in combination with lowest nitrate concentration (0.2 mM), root growth was stimulated (root-toshoot ratio increased twofold with respect to the control). In these conditions, total phenolics (TP) and chlorogenic acid (CGA) contents were higher in aerial parts than in roots, with a 3.8-fold increase in TP and a 7.7-fold increase in CGA in foliage with respect to the control plants.Isoorientin was accumulated at very low levels. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content showed a strong positive correlation. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity (PAL) in aerial parts exhibited significant changes ([twofold) by highest irradiance. C. peltata plants allocate biomass and/or phenolic compounds to compensate the oxidative damage (increase in MDA levels) due to changes in light and nitrate restriction. The results are the basis for the establishment of a system of C. peltata culture in view of the potential use of C. peltata in therapeutic preparations for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Effects of fertilization and drought stress on tannin biosynthesis of Casuarina equisetifolia seedlings branchlets

“…Phenolic compounds, including tannins, are a significant component of plant secondary metabolites (Izquierdo et al 2011). Estimated to be the fourth most abundant biochemical produced by vascular plant tissue after cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, tannins represent a significant portion of terrestrial biomass C (Hernes and Hedges 2000;Hernes et al 2001).…”

Antioxidant Capacity Of Wyoming Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentataSSP.Wyomingensis) Varies Spatially and is Not Related to the Presence of a Sagebrush Dietary Specialist

“…Photo-inhibition induced by low temperature or water stress is the proposed mechanism for the increase in toxic oxygen compounds under these conditions (El-Saht 1998, Zobayed et al 2007). Other abiotic conditions, such as exposure to high levels of sunlight, may also increase levels of oxidative stress in plants (Anjum et al 2011, Izquierdo et al 2011). Intra- and interyear variation in environmental conditions may explain differences in antioxidant capacity between seasons and years.…”

“…Specifically, stress from ultraviolet (UV) light, temperature extremes, pathogen infection, and browsing by herbivores is often correlated with higher concentrations of polyphenols with antioxidant capacity (Bahnweg et al 2000, Kondo and Kawashima 2000, Yarnes et al 2008, Mizumachi et al 2012). For example, chlorogenic acid has antioxidant properties and accumulates in plant tissue in response to high light (Izquierdo et al 2011) and elevated UV-B (Kondo and Kawashima 2000). Catechin, another polyphenol with antioxidant properties, increases in plants in response to inoculation with pathogenic fungi (Bahnweg et al 2000).…”

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial capacity of Cecropia mutisiana Mildbr. (Cecropiaceae) leave extracts

“…Presence of phenols was observed, as well as alkaloid type compounds, saponins, sesquiterpene lactones, lactones, and coumarins. Studies in other species have demonstrated these compounds, mainly chlorogenic acid in Cecropia glaziovii, Cecropia obtusifolia, Cecropia pachystachya, and Cecropia peltata (Andrade-Cetto and Wiedenfeld, 2001;Lacaille et al, 2001;Herrera-Arellano et al, 2004;Andrade-Cetto et al, 2007;Rocha et al, 2007a;Nicasio-Torres et al, 2009;Andrade-Cetto and Vázquez, 2010;Aragão et al, 2010;Arend et al, 2011;Mora Izquierdo et al, 2011;Nicasio-Torres et al, 2011;Petronilho et al, 2012;Beringhs et al, 2013;Cruz et al, 2013). In addition, for Cecropia glaziovii caffeic acid (Arend et al, 2011;Beringhs et al, 2013); protocathechuic acid in Cecropia glaziovii (Lacaille et al, 2001); alkaloids in Cecropia pachystachya, Cecropia glaziovii, and Cecropia peltata (King and Haddock, 1959;Consolini and Migliori, 2005;Ninahuaman et al, 2007).…”