The Complexity of Factors Driving Volatile Organic Compound Emissions by Plants

The emissions of volatile organic compounds, VOC, from plants have strong relevance for plant physiology, plant ecology, and atmospheric chemistry. We report here on the current knowledge of the many internal (genetic and biochemical) and external (abiotic - temperature, light, water availability, wind, ozone, and biotic - animal, plant and microorganisms interactions) factors that control emission rates of different VOC by altering their synthesis, vapour pressure or diffusion to the atmosphere. The complex net of these factors, their interactions and the different responses of the different VOC produces the large qualitative and quantitative, spatial and temporal variability of emissions and the frequent deviations from current standard emission models. The need for a co-operative multidisciplinary multiscale research to disentangle this complex and important issue of plant VOC emissions is reminded.     

Changes in biochemical composition of needles of ornamental dwarf spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’) induced by spruce spider mite (Oligonychus ununguis Jacobi, Acari: Tetranychidae) feeding

The impact of spruce spider mite (SSM) (Oligonychus ununguis Jacobi, Acari: Tetranychidae) feeding on needle compounds of young dwarf white spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’), important in defence against pests, was determined. It was shown that the direction and intensity of changes in chemical composition of spruce needles was related to the density of spruce spider mite population. Relative to uninfested controls, needles of trees infested by 2–6 mites per 5 cm oftwig during 8 weeks contained markedly higher concentration of soluble proteins, total phenolics and essential oil volatiles (linalool, β-phellandrene, β-myrcene, δ-3-carene, p-cymene, limonene, α-pinene, β-pinene, borneol, methyl salicylate, geranyl acetate). Feeding of a three times larger population of mites (18 specimens per 5 cm of twig) caused either reduction of concentration of those compounds, or no significant difference in comparison to the control. The results of our study show that O. ununguis at relatively low density (not exceeding 2–6 specimens per 5 cm of twig per 8 weeks) stimulates even susceptible host-plant to alter metabolism, however induced responses are suppressed as mite density increases. Findings are discussed in relation to the importance of changes in the concentration of needle primary and secondary metabolites to white spruce defence against O. ununguis.     

Inter-Individual versus Inter-Population Variability of Calendula suffruticosa subsp. algarbiensis Hexane Extracts

Calendula suffruticosa subsp. algarbiensis (Boiss.) Nyman is very common on the Portuguese coast, but it has only recently begun to be studied chemically and belongs to a genus of difficult taxonomic classification. To improve the knowledge on the chemical variability of this taxon and evaluate the possible use of this tool for taxonomical purposes, the aim of this work was to determine the extent of chemical variation between individuals collected in the same geographic region, and to compare with samples mixing fragments of several individuals each (populations) from different local environments. Overall, hexane extract analysis by GC/MS allowed to identify 42 compounds, eight fatty acids, 24 terpenoids, three alcohols, five alkanes, and two pollutants. Greater chemical differences were found between individuals, grown in the same region, than were found between population samples from different regions. Additionally, 25 phytochemicals were identified for this taxon for the first time and may be used for taxonomic classification, even to distinguish between subspecies of C. suffruticosa. Furthermore, plants collected near urban areas accumulated pollutants, indicating the importance of controlling local environmental conditions when C. suffruticosa cultivation is for human consumption.     

Utilization of Photosynthetically Fixed 14CO2 into Alkaloids in Relation to Primary Metabolites in Developing Leaves of Catharanthus roseus

Partitioning of current photosynthates towards primary metabolites and its simultaneous incorporation in leaf alkaloids was investigated in developing leaves of medicinally important Catharanthus roseus. Of the total ¹⁴CO₂ assimilated, the leaves at positions 1–6 fixed 8, 22, 25, 19, 13, and 8 %, respectively, and stem 3 %. Leaf fresh mass, chlorophyll content, and CO₂ exchange rate increased up to the third leaf. The total alkaloid content was highest in young actively growing leaves, which declined with age. Total ¹⁴C fixed and its content in ethanol soluble fraction increased up to the third leaf and then declined. The ¹⁴C content in primary metabolites such as sugars and organic acids was also highest in the 3^rd leaf. The utilization of ¹⁴C assimilates into alkaloids was maximum in youngest leaf which declined with leaf age. Hence the capacity to synthesize alkaloids was highest in young growing leaves and metabolites from photosynthetic pathway were most efficiently utilized and incorporated into alkaloid biosynthetic pathway by young growing leaves.     

CO2 enrichment reduces the relative contribution of latex and latex-related hydrocarbons to biomass in Euphorbia lathyris

The hypothesis that plants grown under elevated CO₂ allocate more carbon to the production of latex and C‐rich secondary compounds whereas nutrient addition counteracts this effect was tested. Two similar experiments were conducted in two different experimental facilities. In both facilities seedlings of Euphorbia lathyris were exposed to factorial combinations of two CO₂ concentrations and two levels of nutrient availability for 2 months. The CO₂ treatments and growth conditions differed substantially between these two experiments but treatment responses to elevated CO₂ and fertilizer addition were remarkably similar, underlining the robustness of our findings. Elevated CO₂ increased biomass to a greater extent in fertilized than in unfertilized plants and reduced the leaf biomass fraction by accelerating leaf senescence. Concentrations of non‐structural carbohydrates (NSC) increased in elevated CO₂. However, this apparent carbon surplus did not feed into the whole plant latex pool. The latex harvest per leaf (?25%) and the concentration of latex‐related hydrocarbons (?20%) even decreased under elevated CO₂ (both experiments P < 0.05). Fertilization reduced NSC concentrations (?25%) but neither affected latex yield per leaf nor the concentration of latex‐related hydrocarbons. It is concluded that latex and related hydrocarbons in CO₂‐enriched plants are a negligible sink for excess carbon irrespective of nutrient status and thus, vigour of growth.     

Chemical,Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Essential Oils and an Anatomical Study of the Aerial Parts from Baccharis Species (Asteraceae)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils as well as the anatomy of the aerial parts from Baccharis aracatubaensis, Baccharis burchellii, and Baccharis organensis owing to the therapeutic potential of Baccharis. The volatile constituents were analyzed using GC/MS, the antioxidant activity was evaluated by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC_FL) and DPPH assays, and the antimicrobial activity by a microdilution technique. Of the 56 compounds identified, only seven (β‐caryophyllene, γ‐muurolene, bicyclogermacrene, β‐germacrene, spathulenol, τ‐muurolol, and α‐cadinol) were common in the three specimens studied. Of these, γ‐muurolene was found abundantly in B. aracatubaensis, while bicyclogermacrene was abundant in B. burchellii and B. organensis. The essential oils exhibited antioxidant activity in the ORAC_FL (>500.0 μmol TE g^?1) and DPPH assays. However, they did not exhibit any antimicrobial activity. Secretory ducts and flagelliform glandular trichomes were observed in the anatomical study of all the Baccharis species studied.     

马尾松HDR基因克隆及其对旱与盐胁迫的响应

干旱和土地盐渍化是制约林业可持续发展的重要因素,植物在遭受生物或非生物胁迫时,会在叶片释放萜类等挥发性物质。1-羟基-2-甲基-2-(E)-丁烯基-4-焦磷酸还原酶(HDR)是MEP途径的末端活性酶,具有提供前体萜类物质和主要限速作用。为探究马尾松HDR基因是否参与干旱和盐胁迫条件下的胁迫响应,该研究克隆了马尾松HDR基因开放阅读框,并初步分析了其生物信息、组织特异性表达水平和初步功能。结果表明:(1)PmHDR基因编码区长度为1 458 bp,编码485个氨基酸,其编码蛋白包含LytB/IspH基因超家族的核心序列和PLN02821多功能结构域,属于HDR家族。(2)PmHDR密码子使用偏好性较弱,偏好使用A/U结尾的密码子,烟草、拟南芥与酿酒酵母更适合作为其异源表达受体。(3)qRT-PCR结果显示,PmHDR基因在马尾松老叶中表达量最高,其次为幼叶、幼茎和老茎,在根中表达量最低。(4)构建基因表达载体pBI121-PmHDR并转化拟南芥,转基因拟南芥对干旱和盐胁迫表现出更强的抗逆性。以上研究结果表明PmHDR参与了植物干旱和盐胁迫的响应和调节,并为马尾松抗逆育种提供了一定的理论支持。     

Effect of esters based on terpenoids and GABA on fluidity of phospholipid membranes

Abstract

The influence of esters based on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and mono-/bicyclic terpenoids on membrane structure was investigated. The mechanism of action for terpenoid esters on phospholipids of artificial membranes and lipids isolated from the rat stratum corneum was studied by fluorescence and FT-IR spectroscopy. We report here, that inclusion of monocyclic terpenoid esters in phospholipid liposomes leads to growth of excimer to monomer ratio (I_E/I_M) indicating a decrease of membrane microviscosity. Another mechanism of influence on biomembranes was proposed for ester of bicyclic borneol - in this case a high ratio of vibronic peak intensities (I₁/I₃) was revealed. The addition of terpenoid esters appears in the FT-IR spectra as intensity reduction of absorption bands associated with C?=?O, P?=?O and P–O–С groups of lecithin phospholipids. Similar results were obtained after esters addition to lipids isolated from stratum corneum indicating a decrease of hydrogen bonds number between polar groups of lipids. Thus, the influence of terpenoid esters on molecular organization of the lipid matrix substantiates the feasibility of their use after transdermal delivery in vivo.     

冬凌草腺毛的形态学及组织化学研究

利用光学显微镜对药用植物冬凌草地上部分腺毛的形态、分布和组织化学进行了研究。结果表明:(1)冬凌草的叶表皮有3种形态显著不同的毛,即非腺毛、盾状腺毛和头状腺毛;盾状腺毛和头状腺毛均具1个基细胞、1个柄细胞和头部;成熟的盾状腺毛的头部一般由4个分泌细胞组成,而头状腺毛头部由2个分泌细胞组成。(2)组织化学鉴定结果显示:2种腺毛中均含有黄酮类成分,盾状腺毛中还含有单萜、倍半萜等萜类成分;冬凌草甲素可能只存在于盾状腺毛中,但需要更直接的证据证明。研究认为,高密度的盾状腺毛可以作为筛选冬凌草高甲素含量品种的一项重要依据。