Phenolics and the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, phenol-β-glucosyltransferase and β-glucosidase in cucumber roots as affected by phenolic allelochemicals

Seven-day-old seedlings of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cv. Wisconsin were treated with 0.1 mM solutions of cinnamic acid (ferulic and p-coumaric acids) and benzoic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic and vanillic acids) derivatives as stressors. The content of free and glucosylated soluble phenols and the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (E.C.4.3.1.5), phenol-β-glucosyltransferase (E.C.2.4.1.35.), and β-glucosidase (E.C.3.2.1.21.) in seedling roots as well as their length and fresh weight were examined. Changes in glucosylated phenolic content and phenol-β-glucosyltranspherase activity were observed under the influence of all phenolics applied. Treatment with ferulic and p-coumaric acids stimulated the increase of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and β-glucosidase activity and slightly inhibited cucumber root growth.