Ecological and Geochemical Conditions for the Accumulation of Antioxidants in the Leaves of Lathyrus maritimus (L.) Bigel

Abstract

The article explores how location affected the dynamics of accumulation of ascorbic acid (AC) and oxidized forms of AC—dehydroascorbic acid (DAA) and diketogulonic acid (DKGA) in beach pea during ontogenetic development. Our analysis focuses on research of the ecological and geochemical conditions growing of the plant on the Curonian Spit. The level of hydrogen peroxide and the activity of enzymes that break it down were analyzed. Antioxidant activity and the total concentration of phenolics were evaluated in the leaves of beach pea on the leeward and windward sides of the foredune. It was established that the level of AC, DAA, and DKGA was higher in the plants growing on the windward side of the foredune. A higher concentration of peroxy compounds, which stimulate the biosynthesis of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase), polyphenols, and other low molecular antioxidants (AOA) was observed in the leaves of these plants. The plants on the windward side enter phenological stages one or two weeks later than their counterparts on the leeward side of the foredune do. There was a generally negative correlation between the temperature of the soil and the accumulation of ascorbate system acids in the leaves of the studied plants (r = −0.46/(−0.68), p < 0.05). The accumulation of low molecular antioxidants and enzymes in beach pea suggests their adaptation to the adverse conditions of the windward side of the foredune.

Effect of Crude Oil on Growth, Oxidative Stress and Response of Antioxidative System of Two Rye (Secale cereale L.) Varieties

“…The content of 2,3-diketogulonic acids in plant tissues is an indicator of the process direction in the AsA-DHA system. It depends on the activity of enzymes that oxidize AsA (for example, ascorbate peroxidase and ascorbate oxidase), the activity of enzymes involved in DHA reduction (dehydroascorbate reductase and monodehydroascorbate reductase), and the presence of reducing agents such as glutathione and NADPH in the cell [ 44 ].…”

“…It is known that plant resistance to free radicals is also associated with an increase in the activities of antioxidative enzymes after exposure to pollutants [ 44 , 54 ]. The current study revealed an increase in SOD activity in shoots of both rye varieties with an increase in the oil concentration in the soil, which indicated that antioxidative defense mechanisms were activated in the plant.…”

“…Contents of ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, and 2,3-diketogulonic acid were measured spectrophotometrically by using the reaction of DHA and DKGA with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine as described in [ 44 ]. To find the total content of all acids, AsA was oxidized with 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol reagent (2% solution in 4.5 M sulphuric acid, containing 0.25% of thiourea).…”

“…Total phenolics content was determined using Folin–Ciocalteu method as described in [ 44 ]. Briefly, the plant material (0.1 g) was homogenized in 10 mL of 70% ethanol.…”

Analysis of the bioavailability of tea species

“…Over the past few years, there is a strong focus on the antioxidant activity of a number of food stuff, primarily of plant products, due to the presence of polyphenols, including flavonoids and tannins [4]. These compounds have the ability to directly inhibit free radicals and chelate metals, including ferrum, thereby producing a marked antioxidant effect [5].…”