Detection and characterization of p-coumaric acid hydroxylase in mung bean, Vigna mungo, seedlings

A new p-coumaric acid (4-hydroxycinnamic acid) hydroxylase was detected in mung bean seedlings treated with tentoxin, a fungal toxin, in which polyphenol oxidase that hydroxylates a wide variety of monophenols in vitro was completely eliminated. The enzyme required molecular oxygen and showed a pH optimum of 5.0. The enzyme acted only on p-coumaric acid (Km, 3.0 X 10(-5) M), while its specificity for the electron donor was rather broad. The Km value for NADPH (1.5 X 10(-4) M) was much lower than that for L-ascorbic acid (1.0 X 10(-2) M), although the Vmax value was almost the same with both electron donors. The enzyme was potently inhibited by beta-mercaptoethanol (Ki, 3.5 X 10(-6) M) and diethyldithiocarbamate (Ki, 2.3 X 10(-4) M), but was insensitive to p-chloromercuribenzoate. The enzyme was localized in the cell organelles which sedimented between mitochondria and endplasmic reticulum on sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The enzyme activity in the seedling was changed in response to induction by light in a manner suggesting its involvement in biosynthesis of phenolic compounds in mung bean seedlings.     

Ferulic acid mediated changes in oxidative enzymes of maize seedlings: implications in growth

Maize (Zea mays L. cv. Ganga-5) seedlings were grown in the presence of ferulic acid (0.5 – 3.0 mM) for 8 d. Treatment with ferulic acid considerably decreased shoot and root length, increased the activity of peroxidase, catalase and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) oxidase and decreased the activity of polyphenol oxidase. The increased activity of peroxidase correlated with pronounced increase in content of lignin and phenolic compounds     

Changes in caffeic acid derivatives in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) during cooking and processing

There was an obvious decrease in caffeic acid derivatives during the boiling of cube-shaped blocks of sweet potatoes. They also decreased in a mixture of freeze-dried sweet-potato powder and water maintained at room temperature. Ascorbic acid prevented the decrease, supporting the occurrence of an enzyme reaction with polyphenol oxidase (PPO). 5-O-Caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA, "3-O-caffeoylquinic acid" as a trivial name) and 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3,5-CQA), major phenolic compounds of sweet potato, did not change when they were separately heated in boiling water. When the mixture of powdered sweet potato and water was heated at 100 degrees C, there was only a negligible decrease in the total amount of phenolic compounds, and portions of 5-CQA and 3,5-CQA were found to be isomerized to 3-CQA, 4-CQA, 3,4-CQA, and 4,5-CQA. The content and composition of the phenolic compounds in sweet potatoes differed between fresh and long-stored ones, as did their response to heating.     

NAD(P)H oxidase and peroxidase activities in purified plasma membranes from cauliflower inflorescences

An NAD(P)H oxidase activity stimulated by phenolic compounds has been investigated in purified plasma membranes (pm) and in an intracellular membrane (icm) fraction depleted in plasma membranes, both obtained from a microsomal fraction from cauliflower inflorescences ( Brassica oleracea L.). The phenolic compounds salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM), ferulic acid, coniferyl alcohol, n -propyl gallate, naringenin, kaempferol and caffeic acid all strongly stimulated the activity. Peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), or a peroxidase-like enzyme, was responsible for the NAD(P)H oxidase activity, which proceeded through a free-radical chain reaction and was inhibited by catalase (EC 1.11.1.6), superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) and KCN. Most of the total activity was soluble; however, the membrane-bound activity was highly enriched in the pm compared to the icm. The catalase activity was 6 times higher in the icm-fraction than in the pm-fraction, but this was not the reason for the much lower phenol-stimulated NADH oxidase activity in the icm. Peroxidase activity measured with o -dianisidine and H₂O₂ had about the same specific activities in the pm-and icm-fractions.
Neither the phenol-stimulated NADH oxidase nor the peroxidase activity could be washed away from the pm even by 0.7 M NaCl, indicating that these activities are truly membrane-bound. SHAM as well as the other phenolic compounds capable of stimulating the NADH oxidase reaction were potent inhibitors of blue light-induced cytochrome b -reduction in the pm fraction.     

低温与GA_3诱导菠萝黑心病的生理机制

菠萝黑心病是PPO催化氧化酚类物质形成褐色产物所致。低温或GA_3处理提高了PPO活性及其底物——儿茶酚、绿原酸和咖啡酸的含量,也导致了PAL活性增加;低温还使乙烯释放率增大。这些变化均有利于黑心病的发生和发展。     

Biological Value of Proteins Allowed to React with Phenolic Compounds in Presence of o-Diphenol Oxidase

Studies were made on the influence of phenolic compounds on the nutritive value of casein by the nitrogen-balance technique with rats and by the chemical measurement of available lysine.

It was found that caseins allowed to react with caffeic, isochlorogenic acids and phenolic compounds of red clover leaves in the presence of o-diphenol oxidase were inferior to control casein in biological value, digestibility and available lysine content. In the absence of o-diphenol oxidase, caffeic acid showed none of these effects. p-Coumaric acid lowered the biological value of casein in the presence of o-diphenol oxidase but did not lowered its digestibility.     

叶损伤诱导兴安落叶松针叶中10种酚酸的变化

酚酸是一类重要次生抗虫物质.为研究损伤及昆虫取食诱导对兴安落叶松针叶内酚酸含量的影响,采用3种不同程度剪叶或落叶松毛虫幼虫取食处理兴安落叶松幼树,以高效液相色谱技术测定兴安落叶松健康针叶中酚酸含量.结果表明：与对照相比,处理后1 d,剪叶或昆虫取食4枝50%针叶处理的兴安落叶松幼苗健康针叶中,除阿魏酸无显著差异外,苯甲酸、咖啡酸、绿原酸、水杨酸、苯乙酸、肉桂酸、香草酸、丁香酸和没食子酸9种酚酸均差异显著;4枝75%针叶处理的10种酚酸含量均发生显著变化.说明剪叶及虫害50%、75%针叶处理均达到诱导阈值,能显著诱导兴安落叶松化学防御.在损伤程度相同情况下,处理1 d时,剪叶4枝50%、75%诱导的咖啡酸、苯乙酸、肉桂酸、香草酸和没食子酸的含量显著高于虫害诱导处理;5 d时,剪叶4枝50%、75%诱导处理的这5种酚酸含量显著低于虫害诱导处理;10 d时,两种方法诱导的酚酸含量差异不显著.说明剪叶诱导处理的酚酸含量变化比昆虫取食处理迅速,且诱导强度与剪叶程度相关.采用适当处理诱导针叶中酚酸含量的变化来增强兴安落叶松对害虫的防御能力是可行的.     

Excess boron reduces polyphenol oxidase activities in embryo and endosperm of maize seed during germination

The effects of increasing concentrations of boron (0, 0.1, 1, 10 and 20 mM) as boric acid on the rate of germination and polyphenol oxidase activities in embryo and endosperm tissues of maize seeds (Zea mays L. cv. Arifiye) were studied. The germination percentage of maize seeds was not affected by boron concentrations up to 10 mM, and decreased by 20 mM. Distilled water and lower boron concentrations (0.1 and 1 mM) increased polyphenol oxidase activities at the beginning of germination up to 12 h whereas its excess levels (10 and 20 mM) decreased polyphenol oxidase activities in embryos and endosperm during germination. Polyphenol oxidase activities with o-diphenolic substrates (caffeic acid, catechol and dopa) were found to be higher than with a monophenolic substrat (tyrosine) in both embryos and endosperms. Further, caffeic acid oxidizing polyphenol oxidase was found to show more activity in embryos of the seeds germinating in distilled water when compared to other substrates.     

Effect of caffeic acid on tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced oxidative stress in U937

Nonvitamin phenolic compounds are ubiquitous in food plants and therefore potentially present in human plasma in a diet-dependent concentration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of caffeic acid, a phenolic acid with antioxidant activity, to affect cellular response in U937 human monocytic cells to t-butyl hydroperoxide-induced oxidative stress. In our experimental conditions caffeic acid was incorporated into cells without any cytotoxic effect. Caffeic acid-treated cells showed an increased resistance to oxidative challenge, as revealed by an higher percent of survival and the maintenance of an higher proliferative capacity in respect to control cells. This effect seems to be due to the ability of caffeic acid to reduce glutathione depletion and to inhibit lipid peroxidation during tBOOH treatment. It can be concluded that caffeic acid exerts an antioxidant action inside the cell, responsible for the observed modulation of the cellular response to oxidative challenge. Due to its presence in the diet, therefore, caffeic acid may play a role in the modulation of oxidative processes in vivo.     

Variability in the composition of anti-oxidant compounds in Echinacea species by HPLC

A fast and reliable HPLC method for the determination of caffeic acid derivatives (caftaric acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, cynarin, echinacoside and cichoric acid) in various species of the genus Echinacea has been developed. Extraction of root samples by magnetic stirring with 80% methanol aqueous solution at room temperature allowed the complete recovery of all compounds of interest. Root extracts were analysed on a reversed-phase column with gradient elution and photodiode array detection. Caffeic acid derivatives showed differential qualitative and quantitative distributions in Echinacea species. The total amount of phenolic compounds ranged from 33.95 to 0.32 mg/g. The highest contents of caffeic acid derivatives were found in E. paradoxa var. paradoxa, E. paradoxa var. neglecta and E. purpurea, followed by E. angustifolia var. angustifolia, E. simulata, E. pallida and E. laevigata, whilst E. tennesseensis, E. sanguinea and E. atrorubens had low amounts of phenolic compounds. The radical scavenging activities of methanolic extracts of roots of Echinacea species was evaluated in vitro using the DPPH* radical scavenging method. The EC50 values of the samples ranged from 122 to 1223 microg/mL. The radical scavenging activities of the root extracts were correlated with the content of phenolic compounds, with a correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.923.     

玉米苗中DIMBOA与几种酚酸类物质抑菌活性比较

本文从室内培养的7日龄玉米幼苗中提取、分离、鉴定了抗性次生化合物丁布(2,4-d ihydroxy-7-m ethoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one,D IMBOA),并就该物质对玉米纹枯病病原菌立枯丝核菌(Rhizoctonia solani)的活性与三种酚酸类物质(阿魏酸、对羟基肉桂酸和咖啡酸)进行了离体比较研究。结果表明,丁布(D IMBOA),对立枯丝核菌有很强的生物活性,在浓度为50μg/mL时即可抑制立枯丝核菌菌丝的生长,抑制率为18.52%。阿魏酸、对羟基肉桂酸和咖啡酸,这三种酚酸在浓度250μg/mL时对立枯丝核菌菌丝的生长有抑制作用,抑制率分别为26.30%、8.50%和6.30%。不仅如此,丁布与对羟基肉桂酸之间、以及三种酚酸两两组合之间还存在一定的协同作用。在浓度相等的情况下,丁布与对羟基肉桂酸的等量混合液的抑菌率显著高于这两种物质单独存在时的抑菌率之和;同样,对羟基肉桂酸与阿魏酸的等量混合液的抑菌率比单一的对羟基肉桂酸溶液的抑菌率高18.89%,比单一的阿魏酸溶液的抑菌率高13.33%;对羟基肉桂酸与咖啡酸的等量混合液,抑菌率比两者单独试验时分别高9.63%和14.83%;阿魏酸与咖啡酸的混合液,抑菌率比两酸单独试验时分别高11.48%和22.23%。这一结果提示植物体内产生适当比例不同次生化合物的组合对植物抗病性的提高是至关重要的。     

Fractional changes in phenolic acids composition in root nodules of Arachis hypogaea L.

Phenolic acids are active antimicrobial compounds and root signaling molecules that play important roles in plant defense responses. They are generally present in plants as glycosides or esters. A range of soluble and bound phenolic acids were detected in roots and root nodules of Arachis hypogaea L., among which five were identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with UV–Vis diode array detector (DAD), viz., p-coumaric acid (p-com), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (HBAld), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA), caffeic acid (CA) and protocatechuic acid (PA). Para-coumaric acid was constitutively present in all fractions whereas HBA was present in the soluble form only in young nodules. CA and PA were mostly present in the wall bound fraction. The root nodules contain higher concentration of phenolic acids than non-nodulated roots and presence of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase indicate the metabolism of phenolic acids in roots and root nodules. These results indicate that phenolic acids (p-com and CA) in bound-glycosidic or ester forms were major components in cell wall fortification which provide protection to the root nodule from pathogen attack.     

Changes in the composition of phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of grapevine roots and leaves (Vitis vinifera L.) under continuous of long-term drought stress

Grapevine seedlings Vitis vinifera L. were grown in a greenhouse under optimum conditions (soil moisture ca 70 %) and under drought stress (soil moisture ca 30 %). Drought stress caused reduction in total phenolic compounds in grapevine leaves and roots, where were identified tree phenolic acids: caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid. All acids found in leaves and roots occurred in the ester-bound form. Only caffeic acid in leaves appeared in the free and ester-bound form. Caffeic acid was present in the highest concentrations. The content of ferulic acid was the lowest in both tissues. The levels of all phenolic acids in leaves and roots decreased significantly under the drought stress. All the extracts from grapevine leaves and roots had antioxidative properties, but the antiradical activity of the extracts obtained from roots subjected to drought stress was lower to the control. The results of the analysis revealed that long-term drought stress caused a decrease in selected elements of secondary metabolism in such a different plant tissues that are the leaves and roots of the grapevine.     

Effect of phenolic compounds on protein cross-linking and properties of film from fish myofibrillar protein

The effects of several phenolic ocmpounds (caffeic acid, catechin, ferullic acid and tannic acid) at various concentrations (1, 3 and 5% based on protein) on cross-linking and properties of film from myofibrillar proteins of bigeye snapper (Priacanthus tayenus) were investigated. Among all phenolic compounds used, tannic acid exhibited the highest cross-linking ability on myofibrillar protein as evidenced by higher decrease in free amino groups with coincidentally lower band intensity of myosin heavy chain (MHC). In addition, the extent of protein cross-linking increased with increasing concentration of phenolic compounds. Addition of phenolic compounds could enhance mechanical properties of the resulting films. As phenolic compounds content increased, Young's modulus (E) and tensile strength (TS) of the films increased, while their elongation at break (EAB) decreased (P<0.05), suggesting stronger and stiffer film structure. At the same concentration used, tannic acid rendered the film with higher mechanical properties, compared to others. Phenolic compounds decreased film transparency and affected color of the films differently, depending on types and concentrations used. Films from myofibrillar proteins with and without polyphenol generally had the excellent barrier properties to UV light at the wavelength of 200-800nm. Therefore, it could potentially be used as inner packaging material for high-fat foods to prevent the lipid oxidation and thus prolonging the shelf-life of foods during storage.     

Effect and analysis of phenolic compounds during somatic embryogenesis induction in Feijoa sellowiana Berg

Summary. The effect of phenolic compounds on somatic embryogenesis in Feijoa sellowiana was analysed. The results showed that caffeic acid (140–560 μM) significantly increased somatic embryogenesis induction compared with the control. The presence of phloridzin, even at lower concentrations (11.5 μM), or caffeic acid or phloroglucinol at concentrations greater than 140.0 and 197.5 μM, respectively, inhibited somatic embryo development beyond the globular stage. When somatic embryos were transferred to the germination medium, the highest rates of germination (81.9%) were obtained with embryos induced in the presence of phloroglucinol (79.0 μM). At all concentrations tested, somatic embryos induced in medium containing phloroglucinol germinated at higher rates than those induced in the presence of caffeic acid. Histological and ultrastructural studies showed that somatic embryos were formed in close association with phenolic-rich cells which, in more advanced stages of development, formed a zone isolating the embryo from the maternal tissue. A comparative analysis of total phenolic content indicated that phenolics reached a peak by the third week of culture, independently of the medium used. However, after that period, the amount of phenolic compounds was significantly higher in explants cultured in the presence of phloroglucinol than in those cultured in the control or in caffeic acid-containing medium. Attempts to identify the type of phenolic compounds showed that flavan-3-ols and gallic acid derivatives were mainly produced in phloroglucinol-containing medium, whereas flavanones and dihydroflavonols were also present in medium containing caffeic acid. Flavones were the main phenols detected in the control. The ways in which phenolic compounds may affect somatic embryogenesis are discussed. Correspondence: J. M. Canhoto, Departamento de Botanica, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Coimbra, Cal?ada Martim de Freitas, 3001-455 Coimbra, Portugal.     

Identification of a potent xanthine oxidase inhibitor from oxidation of caffeic acid

Inhibitory activity of Fe-ion-catalyzed radical oxidation products from 22 types of phenolic compounds toward xanthine oxidase (XO) was investigated. Phenols are readily oxidizable compounds in nature and, thus, showed potent antioxidant activities. Among the phenols screened in this study, noticeable activity was observed in the oxidation product of caffeic acid, whereas almost no XO-inhibitory activity of caffeic acid was observed. Assay-guided purification of the oxidation product of caffeic acid afforded a highly potent XO inhibitor, with an IC₅₀ value that was calculated to be 60 nmol L⁻¹, which indicated XO-inhibitory activity much stronger than that of allopurinol (IC₅₀ = 1 μmol L⁻¹), a potent XO inhibitor and excellent medicine for the treatment of gout. The chemical structure of this new XO inhibitor was investigated by one- and two-dimensional NMR and HR–ESI–MS analyses, and the unique tetracyclic structure was confirmed by synthesis starting from commercially available 1,2,4-trimethoxybenzene and 3,4-dimethoxylbenzoyl chloride.     

Purification and characterization of p-coumaroyl-D-glucose hydroxylase of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) roots

p-Coumaroyl-D-glucose hydroxylase in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam.) has been purified to apparent electrophoretic homogeneity using a combination of anion-and cation-exchange, hydrophobic and gel filtration chromatography. The purified enzyme was a monomer with a molecular weight of 33,000 and pI of 8.3. The purified enzyme showed not only hydroxylase activity but also polyphenol oxidase activity. L-Ascorbic acid was the best electron donor for the hydroxylation reaction, which had an optimum pH of 7.0. The enzyme hydroxylated p-coumaroyl-D-glucose, p-coumaric acid, and p-cresol but did not act on o-coumaric acid, m-coumaric acid, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid or L-tyrosine. While the enzyme utilized p-coumaroyl-D-glucose and p-coumaric acid equally at pH 7.0, it hydroxylated only p-coumaroyl-D-glucose at pH 5.5. The enzyme oxidized diphenols such as D,L-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) alanine and caffeic acid, but exhibited no clear pH optimum in this reaction characteristic of polyphenol oxidase. Both the hydroxylase and the polyphenol oxidase activities were strongly inhibited by beta-mercaptoethanol, diethyldithiocarbamate, KCN, and p-coumaric acid (in concentrations higher than 5 mM). Ammonium sulfate and sodium chloride activated the hydroxylase activity but not the polyphenol oxidase activity of the enzyme. The enzyme activity and L-ascorbic acid contents changed in a manner suggesting their involvements in chlorogenic acid biosynthesis during incubation of sliced sweet potato root tissues.     

Defensive role of Gossypium hirsutum L. anti-oxidative enzymes and phenolic acids in response to Spodoptera litura F. feeding

The responses of the cotton plant, Gossypium hirsutum L. to herbivory by Spodoptera litura F. was studied in various laboratory experiments as a measure to understand the defense strategies of certain plant metabolites. Insect feeding damage enhanced the concentration of total phenol content and proteins, whereas amount of carbohydrates and amino acids were reduced. The experiments on estimation of anti-oxidative enzymes revealed stimulation in peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase levels and reduction in polyphenol oxidase and phenylanine ammonia lyase levels, signifying their defensive role in the plant. Specific phenolic acid changes were further carried out using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and distinct elevations in the gallic acid, catechin, and caffeic acid levels were observed in the infested cotton plant. Feeding assays towards S. litura with these phenolic compounds revealed activated detoxifying enzymes including β-glucosidase, carboxyl esterase, and glutathione-S-transferase in the insect gut indicating the toxicity. The aim of present study is to aid in further use of these specific phenolic acids towards effective management of the cotton pest, S. litura.     

Tentoxin sensitivity of citrus: cotyledon-dependency of growth inhibition and reversibility of chlorosis

Tentoxin is a cyclic tetrapeptide, produced by the fungus Alternariaalternata, that induces chiorosis in germinating seedlings ofsome angiosperms. Since the most pronounced chiorotic effectof tentoxin is at the initial stages of germination most studieshave evaluated the effects of tentoxin on cotyledons. In thispreliminary work a unique biological system was establishedfor the study of the mechanism of tentoxin induced chiorosisin developing citrus seedlings. This system was used to comparethe effects of tentoxin on the in vitro germination of intactversus decotyle donized embryos. It is demonstrated here thatthe chlorotic effect of tentoxin is reversible and that ten-toxin blocks the ability of decotyledonized embryos to utilizenutrients from the growth medium and, there fore, to compensatefor the lack of cotyledons. The citrus system offers a uniqueway to study the relation between the effect of tentoxin onthe activity of choloplast ATPase and the induction of chlorosis. Key words: Tentoxin, citrus, chiorosis     

Substrate Specificities of Peroxidase Isozymes in the Developing Pea Seedling

The peroxidase activities of developing pea seedlings were determinedwith several substrates including three phenolic compounds,eugenol, caffeic acid and ferulic acid, which are possible precursorsin the biosynthesis of lignin. Column chromatography of thereaction products of peroxidase with caffeic and ferulic acidsindicates the formation of larger molecular weight complexesof these substrates. The peroxidase isozymes of peas were shownto be heterogenous both in molecular weight and in substratespecificity. Apparent K_m determinations of two isolated isozymesindicate differences in affinities for various substrates. Starchgel zymograms with two different substrates also indicate largedifferences in staining intensities of the different isozymes.The observed pattern of changes in peroxidase level in the developingpea seedling differed according to substrate. For example, whencaffeic acid is the hydrogen donor, a large increase in activitywas observed in the 6th to 8th day of germination. This peakof activity was not observed with other substrates. Pisum sativum, peroxidase isozymes, substrate specificity