Isolation and characterization of phytotoxic compounds from asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) roots

Abstract

Potential allelochemicals from aqueous extracts of dried asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) roots were isolated and characterized. Active fractions separated by HPLC included ferulic, isoferulic, malic, citric, and fumaric acids. Soxhlet extraction of the residues also produced phytotoxic caffeic acid. Although none of these compounds, when applied singly, was active enough to account for the phytotoxicity of asparagus extracts, their combined effect might be additive or synergistic. An extract from lyophilized fresh root tissues contained a fraction that was one order of magnitude more toxic than any compound obtained from the dried roots. The most active component was isolated by TLC and characterized by [(1)H]NMR as methylenedioxycinnamic acid (MDCA). This compound provided severe inhibition of curly cress (Lepidium sativum L.) root and shoot growth at concentrations of 25 ppm or above.

Replant problem and chemical components of asparagus roots

“…This is in agreement with the HPLC results reported above. Although Hartung et al (1990) observed ferulic acid by mass spectroscopy it seems unlikely that ferulic acid is a significant contributor to inhibition by asparagus root extracts. The results from the assay of the column chromatography fractions indicate that although the phenolic and saponin fractions do inhibit root and shoot growth, the most inhibitory material occurs in the amino/carbohydrate fraction.…”

“…The isolation of tryptophan in this work, caffeic acid (Miller et al 1991) and methylenedioxycinnamic acid (Hartung et al 1990) indicate that there is more than one inhibitory compound present in root extracts. Inhibition may be the result of a number of weakly inhibitory compounds rather than a single "autotoxin".…”

“…Inhibitory material was again located via UV absorbance and root tissue enhanced the effect of Fusarium. A recent publication (Hartung et al 1990) described the identification of a number of compounds from chloroform partitions of extracts from fresh and dried roots. Caffeic acid and methylenedioxycinnamic acid (MDCA) were isolated and mass spectroscopy indicated the presence of fumaric acid, malic acid, isoferulic acid, ferulic acid, dihydrocitric acid, and citric acid.…”

Efficacy of Medicinal Plants Against Human Pathogens Isolated From Western Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh

“…Baravalia et al have shown the importance of polyphenols as antimicrobial compounds [23]. Polyphenols and flavonoids exhibit a wide range of biological effects and antibacterial activity [24][25][26][27]. Tannins have amazing stringent properties.…”

BAP Spray and Plastic Container Responses on Asparagus officinalis L. Crown Growth

“…2, Table 2) and dry ( Fig. 1) weight results would be probably associated with asparagus autotoxicity which has been extensively investigated [21][22][23]. There are numerous reports of declining productivity from old asparagus plantings and extracts from asparagus tissue that had been dead for at least 8 months in the field still contained substances that retarded development of asparagus seedlings, and that the autotoxin was heat stable and water soluble [24,25].…”